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Messages - Elder Iptuous

#46
RPG Ghetto / Re: D&D and Race
June 19, 2020, 10:34:03 PM
I was using monster, I guess, to mean inherently evil.
#47
RPG Ghetto / Re: D&D and Race
June 19, 2020, 10:18:29 PM
I can see that there is truth in that.
We have created monstrous stereotypes for groups of people throughout history.
So when we portray monsters of various types, it automatically conjures up these associations with the peoples that have been painted in that way.
So now it is being said that we should not have monsters of that type, even if the story explicitly deconstructs that image by simultaneously portraying the actual peoples previously depicted in that way in a more realistic and nuanced way.
I don't think I buy it, but I can understand it.
#48
RPG Ghetto / Re: D&D and Race
June 19, 2020, 09:37:31 PM
Quote from: Pergamos on June 19, 2020, 07:50:57 AM
Quote from: Elder Iptuous on June 18, 2020, 02:01:42 PM
Hmm.
Is it implicit in this that creating a race that is more intelligent, or benevolent, inherently, than the regular humans is problematic as well?

The stereotypes of Asians and Jews include higher intelligence.  More benevolent might not be problematic but more intelligent definitely is.
Mmm.  So if there are more intelligent races or species, the concomitant observation is that there are less intelligent ones, and that is problematic.  I don't see how it would be less problematic from that standpoint to have implicitly malevolent races or species.

From the people that are calling WotC actions to be hand wringing, I have heard the arguement that there are actual humans of all races represented in the game without having them have a preordained alignment.  Seeing some human race reflected in monsters, they say, is indicative of the accusers racism rather than the game/story itself.  This seems reasonable, and I'm wondering if I'm missing something.

In the WotC announcement, they point that the portrayal of these monsters is painfully reminicent of the way actual human races have been portrayed historically.  Is the only way to deal with this by getting rid of the concept of monsters?  When there are actual human races represented in the game positively?

The obvious joke would be a game where the adventurers come across a troll in the woods, and the adventurers have to make a decision whether to strike a preemptive defensive posture, risking a microaggression against her, or bid the creature a pleasant morning. :lol:


#49
Sentence first; verdict afterwards!
#50
RPG Ghetto / Re: D&D and Race
June 18, 2020, 02:01:42 PM
Hmm.
Is it implicit in this that creating a race that is more intelligent, or benevolent, inherently, than the regular humans is problematic as well?
#51
Oh. What about Kai? Still around?
#52
That makes a lot of sense....
#53
RPG Ghetto / Re: D&D and Race
June 17, 2020, 05:30:26 PM
Hmm.
Some good points to chew on.
As far as orcs, I personally never thought of them as anything other than explicitly non-human monsters. Like goblins, bugbears, kobolds etc.  All humanoid but non human monsters.  On the other hand.... in d&d, we have half orcs.... which invited the discussion.

On the side of those resistant to racial political discourse, the orc thing is used as an example of senseless hand-wringing, and it seems to be a powerful message for them.  I wonder if it acts as a distraction from more immediate and meaningful debate than it actually helps.

I think I have a bias that RPGs were always an escape from the murkiness of real life.  It feels like an attack on a comfortable refuge to drag the shitstorm of real life conflict into it.

But it's no biggie, I suppose, since players cant really be held hostage to the whims of any publisher, just shamed.  And yknow...  grow some skin if I dont like it.
#54
RPG Ghetto / Re: D&D and Race
June 17, 2020, 03:32:38 PM
Why is a distinction drawn between 'monsters' like demons and vampires, and the 'humanoid race' of orcs?
Would Tolkien not have said that they are, in fact, monsters due to their inherent evil?
#55
Thanks :lol:
I was trying to see if I know you by another name and noticed that we have an Official Nemesis List available to us.
You are now my Nemesis.
#56
Shes due at the beginning of January
#57
Right?
If the world beneath our feet is destined to be shifting sands, you might as well have a beach party with the most horrible spags you know of!
:lulz:
#58
Hey Freeky!  Good to see you
What other old names are still here?
Cainad? Nigel?
#59
They have a big budget shoot em up flick from Brazil called Tropo de Elite about them.
Not a bad movie.
#60
Yeah. I was blown away at the number of Baptist churches I saw!
And they have the giant televangelist megachurches, too.