I started reading Harry Potter in grade school, I wasn't exposed to Tolkien until high school when the Jackson movies came out. I'm in my 30s and I grew up with Harry Potter that had far more prevelant fantasy saturation in my formative years than Tolkien did. Plus, the traditional stuff is mostly inspired by Tolkienism.

Traditions are traditionally challenged when an influx of young blood comes into their own in any subset of society. There are a lot of new and younger players to D&D since 5e came out. I just don’t understand the sudden love for player characters as the traditionally dumb monster fodder. Hell, the githyanki weren't even always evil in their own history, same with drow. So it all depends on how they're written, there is nothing inherently making a troll evil, or even a githyanki. Elves are nomadic thieves and bandits in Dark Sun, and halfling are cannibal headhunters.

In the Forgotten Realms setting there is a subcontinent that is Arabian Nights themed called Al-Qadim where goblins are regular members of society. These are only 'monsters' because they're portrayed as the bad guys in many settings. These races are almost universally evil, unintelligent, and destructive.ĭepends on the setting.

Playable races dnd 5e