I was writing my other reply as I saw yours and you mention something i think is important Ive been trying to get out. Nurture vs Nature. There are so many narratively relevant ways to leave the "baggage" intact and preserve the natural starting point without hamstringing or punishing player choice statistically. An orc might take 2 decades to become as learned as a gnome become may in only a couple years. They are limited by their nature and it presents an obstacle but conviction and time can allow you to make longer strides than most of similar nature, if not overcome these limitations entirely.
Orcs can become powerful mages.
In some ways, orcs can even surpass the most powerful of the elven mages.
For example, an orc naturally has a higher tolerance for pain and more stamina. This allows him to better perform long and draining rituals and reduces the possibility of their failure. He also has a natural talent for things like blood magic, as a frail elf would never be able to achieve such good results when using magic that requires a physical sacrifice. Then there is also the fact of creating new spells. Although he may be less intelligent, an orc's simple mind allows his thought processes to run in a different direction than those of humans of much higher intelligence. Sometimes people are just too smart to think of a simple enough solution.
But I find it stupid and arrogant when some player starts yelling:
"My particular orc will start as much better mage than he should be because my special orc has history that set him apart from other orcs."
If I were a DM, I would say to such a player:
"Good for you, but you chose an orc. Personal history has no effect on the physical and mental limits of your race."
If you want to be somehow exceptional, you should make some effort for it.
It's not enough to just say it. You get the opportunity after the game starts, but not before the game starts.
Being special doesnt have to mean power.
And yet it's exactly what you want.
You want better stats for the class you want to combine with your chosen race, as this race is not ideal pick for this class.
To your third point i definitely agree and for some games im there with them. I just dont understand gating OTHERS in their game when this would not impact their game especially given that its an actual rule now as of Tashas. Inversely many players find it boring to have so many knowns and that much less to genuinely explore as both player and as a character. Ive no problem with people wanting to play the way of racially lock points, and happily play with many who do. I just hate the idea of people forcing that upon others, especially if they are using roleplay as a flag on that hill.
"Tasha's Cauldron of Everything" is very unpopular among veteran players.
It oversimplified some mechanics which, in the opinion of many, contradicts the lore and ruins the game.
And you simply can't get any bonuses for roleplaying history of your character that precedes the beginning of the computer game.
The thought itself defies common sense.
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Let me give you an example:
"" I request to be able to play as a dwarf who suffers from a rare (one in a hundred million) form of gigantism and is two meters tall. ""
"" Given my height and bulk, I want a MASSIVE bonus to my strength and constitution. I'm willing to accept a certain penalty to dexterity and charisma. ""
It's technically a real thing. Such a dwarf could exist.
But should we be allowed to play as such a dwarf?
Definitely not!
