Simple LL Races (Not Race-Classes)

[rabindranath72]

So you also would give human some bonus to "balance" with the other nonhumans?

Unlimited level advancement, no restricted classes.

As I understand, the OP wanted to simply apply some "template" to the human classes, which would mean that all the non-humans would have access to all the classes with full levels.
Restricting access to classes is not much of a restriction, since the player in the end plays one character anyway; so it matters a priori, but not during the game; whereas level limits are a true restriction (at least if the campaign is supposed to go at least a few levels beyond the level limit; otherwise it's pointless.)

[samwise7]

That's always been a conundrum for me, since the game lacks skills, feats etc. which could be easily used. In the past, I have toyed with giving humans a free +1 to any ability score of the player's choice, and/or an additional language, and/or a bonus to reaction checks (to reflect diplomacy.)

Giving Humans a +1 to any stat, and -1 to any stat would keep them in line with the other Simple Races, but they would be more flexible. I like the idea of additional languages, and a bonus to reaction checks. In my mind that works pretty well.

Unlimited level advancement, no restricted classes.

I did intend to get rid of restricted classes and level caps for everyone, but this would work in a campaign that had those restrictions.

It's just a thought experiment right now, but I will probably do this for my Midnight LL campaign that should start in a few months.

[Professor P]

Perhaps humans could have hirelings of any race, but other races could only hire hirelings of their own race (and possibly humans). This 'ability' also demonstrates the way in which humans can interact with all races.

Of course, if you don't use hirelings very much, this could be useless.

[samwise7]

Huh, that's an interesting idea. I like it.

[Koren n'Rhys]

There is a Conan supplement that was done for OD&D where the author (Jason Vey, I think) used all humans, with each culture getting specific bonuses. Maybe that's something you could look at for inspiration. Try these:
Blog with the info
Nice PDF of the same thing. Highly recommended.

[scadgrad]

I think we're getting a bit far away from the OP's ideas, but one thing that has always bothered me is this "quest for balance" where none is really needed. There are plenty of other d20-esque games you could marry to LL/AEC if you really must have this "3rd ed All Must Be Balanced" vibe.

On some level, many players want there character to be a human, just because they like the idea of heroic, human characters (Conan, Grey Mouser, etc.) and aren't really concerned about contemporary post 3.0 ideas of racial balance.

Or, simply say that humies are stronger than demi-humans and are the only ones who can have an 18 in STR. Combine that with the aforementioned level limits and unlimited class restriction. Hell's Bells, if this is for Midnight, humies already have a major in game advantage. Most of the other races, barring half orcs which I don't even think are possible, are Kill on Sight to most everything in the setting IIRC. That alone is a pretty major disad.

[Black Wyvern]

Basic Fantasy, another B/X rehash, uses the concept of classes separate from races. The races are pretty much along the lines of what Samwise has suggested. No ability bonuses but one or two simple abilities and save bonuses. It works pretty well. Humans are balanced with a 10% XP bonus. But there is no bonus for prime requisite either.

I am really a fan of race as class but can certainly see where some campaigns could really fly with this concept.

[rabindranath72]

I don't think anyone is speaking of balance "3e style." But LL/AEC and similars ARE balanced. Why play a human if every other race has the same or more abilities? It's a gamist concept, I know, but a game it is. There should be something, either in the setting or the rules themselves, to distinguish X from Y, and if I choose one over the other, I am making a trade-off of some kind, so the choice makes some sense.

[rabindranath72]

Perhaps humans could have hirelings of any race, but other races could only hire hirelings of their own race (and possibly humans). This 'ability' also demonstrates the way in which humans can interact with all races.

Of course, if you don't use hirelings very much, this could be useless.

Isn't this already a rule in D&D/LL? Elves, dwarves etc. can only hire mercenaries of their own races.

[Professor P]

Perhaps humans could have hirelings of any race, but other races could only hire hirelings of their own race (and possibly humans). This 'ability' also demonstrates the way in which humans can interact with all races.

Of course, if you don't use hirelings very much, this could be useless.

Isn't this already a rule in D&D/LL? Elves, dwarves etc. can only hire mercenaries of their own races.

Hmmm. You may very well be right. I honestly don't remember.

EDIT: I did a quick search of my LL Core and AEC PDFs for 'retainer' and the only line I found that mentions race as far as hiring comes from the Elf class description:

Elven rulers can hire members of other races in the capacity of retainers or specialists, but only soldiers of elven stock may be hired.

So it seems that as far as LL Core and AEC go, retainers and specialists can of any race can be hired by any race as long as they can agree to terms and the retainer is of lower level than the PC. I suppose a good DM would be wary of an elf being a retainer for a dwarf, or if using the AEC a half-orc, but it doesn't seem to be specified.