tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post1589365562448003768..comments2024-03-10T04:32:25.985-07:00Comments on Improved Initiative: Sexuality Matters in Roleplaying Games (And Here's Why)Neal Litherlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01307649737269196558noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-20470095527372342102018-11-13T01:11:07.242-08:002018-11-13T01:11:07.242-08:00I like youI like youdynamicfaithfullovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18084284400389944514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-39026324508171857492018-11-13T01:10:11.124-08:002018-11-13T01:10:11.124-08:00I believe the issue you are focusing on is more in...I believe the issue you are focusing on is more in a player unable to enjoy a game and a gm's refusal to work with their players.<br /><br />Most GMs I have played with, ran the world they created by us to make sure everyone was comfortable with it before playing, however I have had GMs that didn't accept player input on triggering subjects. (I don't use the word "triggering" lightly here, I mean something that causes intense mental distress due to PTSD, an anxiety disorder, or other mental disability or handicapp.)dynamicfaithfullovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18084284400389944514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-6621729966176753392018-11-13T01:02:31.225-08:002018-11-13T01:02:31.225-08:00I have to pipe in on this. So as a gamemaster/dung...I have to pipe in on this. So as a gamemaster/dungeonmaster you wouldn't allow me, an intersex, genderfluid individual, to create a character that embodies one of those traits? (for those who aren't aware, because I have been asked: Intersex means a person is born with both sexes. Genderfluid means that a person may wake up as a different gender on any given day.)<br /><br />(Please ignore my profile. I haven't touched this thing since I was like 13 years old and it is rather cringey.)dynamicfaithfullovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18084284400389944514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-20815872484225652692015-12-21T18:03:00.793-08:002015-12-21T18:03:00.793-08:00Thank you for a lengthy, reasonable apologetic on ...Thank you for a lengthy, reasonable apologetic on the sexuality issue in gaming. I don't agree with your conclusions, but I am glad that you have an outlet for your opinion. And I am glad that you no longer feel persecuted for your opinion. I like your entry, because in recent years, there has been an aggressive campaign by Paizo to promote alternatively views of sexuality. Too aggressive in my opinion. Though, I can understand that people feel suppressed and will likely come out strongly now that they have the bully pulpit. So to speak. <br /><br />So. Enjoy your game! Continue exercising your freedom of speech. And God bless you.dferghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06263605187216125127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-29817557878367222232015-10-27T00:23:58.543-07:002015-10-27T00:23:58.543-07:00There are going to be some campaigns that are pret...There are going to be some campaigns that are pretty much all inclusive as to what any player wants to do with their character. There are going to be other campaigns that take themselves more seriously. Those campaigns are going to enact consequences for when characters break the laws or taboos dictated by the world. I think the article downplays the value and intent behind those sorts of worlds and that type of role play. Many campaigns incorporate aspects of racism, slavery, prostitution etc... and yet the players, the GM, or the campaign creator aren't necessarily condoning those practices. They are saying this is the way it works in this world. These sorts of rules make the world more interesting and realistic. They also provide detail and controversy that the players usually require in order to interact with the world. So because a world is homophobic, racist or sexually repressed doesn't mean that's an indictment of the group or the trpg community as a whole. In fact you can run a very inclusive and robust campaign for all, within that setting. Also for what it's worth I would totally run a world or society where it's taboo to be exclusively heterosexual. I think that would be an interesting world to interact with and something that might challenge most players in a lighthearted way. Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02352508503004709426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-59564080689914154992015-10-26T12:29:20.500-07:002015-10-26T12:29:20.500-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03761643983657585365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-28715594282650053852015-10-25T11:56:48.854-07:002015-10-25T11:56:48.854-07:00"however reality and history have shown this ..."however reality and history have shown this to be false" Oh, right, I forgot about that historical accuracy we need to adhere to when making up fantasy worlds 9_9 (y'know, never mind the examples of homosexuality and transsexualtiy being acceptable throughout history)Danny S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17720942915398552430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-81321589545888185482015-10-25T05:50:41.157-07:002015-10-25T05:50:41.157-07:00So sad to see people who fight dragons cannot see ...So sad to see people who fight dragons cannot see a world were gay people (which are very real) are accepted.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01896185264568048652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-28839918728699292562015-10-24T23:58:24.029-07:002015-10-24T23:58:24.029-07:00Neal, I've just recently happened upon your bl...Neal, I've just recently happened upon your blog and i gotta say I am quite entertained and brought into deep thought by many of your topics. It's interesting that something I've just recently noticed about characters I've been making is that I've actually started considering their sexuality and how it came to be: life experience vs. born whatever way. I've gotta say it's an interesting exercise of character psyche to plumb those depths of a character's being. <br />One such character (I'll do my best to keep this short, I know how we gamers ramble on about our characters) is a Drow I'm about to start playing in Pathfinder. He was always treated little better than as a slave even though he was by birth better than actual slaves (drow superiority). Being cruel at heart he would inflict terrible things on the actual slaves he was in charge of, his own sexual frustrations included. Well over time the company of men (gladiators specifically) became what he grew comfortable with especially given the cruelty of the women he knew. Well now that he's had some change of soul and is trying to live a life of virtue due to a God's interference in his life he has found that emotional and physical love with women is difficult. As such he identifies as bi-sexual with a preference of men.<br />He's found support from his newly acquired religious brethren to accept himself and be a better self, which has made him accepting of who he is and who he loves. <br />Well that's that little tale and while I have another I don't want to bore you and everyone else. Keep up the great and thought provoking writing, I'll be reading!ZenthaneXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10255769179472619461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-73074293743863815952015-10-24T19:03:43.112-07:002015-10-24T19:03:43.112-07:00The big question is how important is this aspect t...The big question is how important is this aspect to both you AND your players. If this is something that makes the characters more relatable to the players then as the GM you need to consider it. Over the years I have tried to add depth into my campaign that is usable or not at the desire of the players. For the first 10 years of my gaming experience I was in the military so my group of players changed often as both I and players transferred in and out as our careers took us.As such the sexual tone ranged from the Ale and Wenches antics of the crew I ran at my technical school to the ongoing relationship that became the central plot device for our main warrior. (I had run a maiden rescue mission for the players and the description I gave for the maiden just happened to also match his wife who was station elsewhere for most of the time I knew him. So he decided to have his character court and eventually marry the maiden.) Sirnomadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01875222612284848741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-19821373815857374582015-10-24T18:45:32.841-07:002015-10-24T18:45:32.841-07:00When I was setting up the religious metaphysics fo...When I was setting up the religious metaphysics for my campaign I decided to work on the idea that various gods had multiple "aspects" depending on the collection of portfolios they carried. (I borrowed heavily from the ideas MAR Barker used for his Tekumel setting and game.)<br />One of the more interesting projects was deciding on the different aspects of the goddess Ishtar. historically she was patron to magic, wives, mothers, and the harvest among others. In early times in our own history her worship included sacred prostitutes and ritual deflowering of maidens prior to marriage. So we have Ishtar worshiped in her aspect as mother in one part of the temple and another shrine elsewhere celebrating her as the patron of love in its many forms physical as well as spiritual. Each priest/ess in the temple has their own rituals each just as important to the worship of Ishtar as any other.<br />I have had a few players take this and use it to add depth to their characters, not just the clerics but other classes because it is common that a person revere the pantheon and chose to directly worship various patrons whose aspects reflect those things important to the individual.<br />My best example was a sorceress who followed Ishtar as the source of magic and patron of lovers as well as Thoth in his aspect as keeper of knowledge and revealer of secrets. The player was in a committed relationship with another girl (not in our playing circle) and reflected that in the sorceress who was pursuing a relationship with the female owner of the inn the party used as their base of operations. <br />Sirnomadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01875222612284848741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-56851233699307664562015-10-24T18:00:44.381-07:002015-10-24T18:00:44.381-07:00The reason it matters is two fold. First, if a pla...The reason it matters is two fold. First, if a player wants to use sexuality to make a character more relatable to him or herself, they should be allowed to do that. The second, as mentioned above, is that it is an aspect of a character that should be considered. Even if you never bring it into game, even if it never affects your rolls, you need to ask yourself what your character's sexuality is, and why.<br /><br />Why do you need to ask that? For the same reason you ask what their religion is, how tall they are, who their family members are, and what qualities they look for in friends. Because it's a part of who the character is, and therefore it should be explored to make them a deeper concept.Neal Litherlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01307649737269196558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-42437616661642604842015-10-24T17:59:02.762-07:002015-10-24T17:59:02.762-07:00I honestly think a normal player this kind of thin...I honestly think a normal player this kind of thing does not occure too. Its a game that challenges creativity which means everything is open ended. I think honestly, this matters to people who care way too much and invest themselves into the fantasy way too seriously. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09819185709821775806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-26452202858783986172015-10-24T17:51:41.896-07:002015-10-24T17:51:41.896-07:00Ok. Tell me why it matters. I'm gay, ive been...Ok. Tell me why it matters. I'm gay, ive been playing since i was 9 im in my 30s and I simply don't get it. NOT having homosexuals does not mean Homosexuality is bad. It means nobody thought to change the story to add them in, because nobody in my grp gives a shit. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09819185709821775806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-76235827656431673232015-10-24T16:20:28.775-07:002015-10-24T16:20:28.775-07:00This is quite true, Josh. I am a schmuck with a ke...This is quite true, Josh. I am a schmuck with a keyboard. If what comes out of my head is enough to make a DM feel completely insecure about the games he or she is running, it might be a good idea to tear them down and rebuild from scratch.<br /><br />I have ideas. I share them here. If people like them, they should use them. If they don't, that's fine. There's no point in yelling at me, though, as it's pretty clear what my thoughts are since I took the time to write the posts.<br /><br />*Post Script: The idea that a game world should reflect real Earth history is something a DM can choose to do. However, justifying anything in a game world that isn't Earth by saying "that's how it would be in the 1200s here" is ridiculous, because they don't share the same history. Also, magic.Neal Litherlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01307649737269196558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-33064866628055290722015-10-24T16:16:44.777-07:002015-10-24T16:16:44.777-07:00I've passed no judgment on DMs who choose to l...I've passed no judgment on DMs who choose to let heterosexual characters act on those impulses in game, but who will not provide the same RP cookie to other PCs.<br /><br />My opinion, since that's what we're discussing, is that players should always attempt to bring fully-realized characters to the table. That means they should know their name, their physical size, scars, tattoos, family history, religion, what motivates them to adventure, and if possible some of those character's life goals. Somewhere in there should also be the character's moral compass, thoughts on gender, and what he or she finds attractive.<br /><br />It is a fact that this is an area of character development that players can choose to pursue. It is my opinion that this area is often glossed over, or ignored entirely, when it isn't being used for comedic relief.Neal Litherlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01307649737269196558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-9682753428682562112015-10-24T16:06:39.735-07:002015-10-24T16:06:39.735-07:00Very well written post though! It is a relief to s...Very well written post though! It is a relief to see that there are some out there capable of formulating an opinion and logically defending it, rather than just spouting hate at anyone who disagrees with you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12986781649607989041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-66035765278611155022015-10-24T16:05:53.012-07:002015-10-24T16:05:53.012-07:00well Neal, you can certainly make an all inclusive...well Neal, you can certainly make an all inclusive world where everyone is accepted no matter what, however reality and history have shown this to be false, thus making it an ideal or wish.<br /><br />Other Dm's may wish to align their worlds more in line with how our world has progressed. That is their prerogative. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12986781649607989041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-32763891401032669452015-10-24T16:03:41.422-07:002015-10-24T16:03:41.422-07:00What this post boils down to is your opinion on se...What this post boils down to is your opinion on sexuality in games, though you tried to mask it like something of earth shattering importance, and absolute necessity.<br /><br />If you want to run games geared towards all sexualities, that is your choice. Don't act like every DM who doesn't is a terrible close minded personAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12986781649607989041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-16658028346562837802015-10-24T14:51:27.822-07:002015-10-24T14:51:27.822-07:00The question "Why does any of this matter?&qu...The question "Why does any of this matter?" or "Why do we care?" is an attempt to silence discussion by implying that the issue of sexuality either doesn't matter, or is inappropriate for roleplaying games. You know, the games that have succubi in them.<br /><br />Absolutely not. Someone saying you're attempting to silence them is attempting to silence you. "Why does this matter" is a legitimate question, to which you should, and DO Have a legitimate answer. BigNorseWolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12200923610688764428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-13841101410898988602015-10-24T11:14:55.210-07:002015-10-24T11:14:55.210-07:00Oh no, Neal, agree with you. I think with the you...Oh no, Neal, agree with you. I think with the younger rpg crowd they need to be reminded that just because something isn't explicitly endorsed doesn't mean it's excluded.<br /><br />In my 25+ years of gaming I can't remember a time when i, as a heterosexual man, didn't game with someone who wasn't LGBTQ. It wasn't until the rise of the internet that I encountered these machismo types.<br /><br />Now I find myself DMing 1e AD&D with my my gay daughter, playing a male homosexual ranger, in Forgotten Realms, seemlessly. <br /><br />DMs who miss out any type of variety in their campaigns are totally missing out.<br /><br />Ps. Dragon sexuality... scary.<br />p1r8https://www.blogger.com/profile/17234914771232278105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-37156300745621345782015-10-24T10:59:35.913-07:002015-10-24T10:59:35.913-07:00The idea, p1r8 was to write something applicable f...The idea, p1r8 was to write something applicable for all games (or at least for as many as I know of). Whether it's sci-fi, fantasy, horror, etc. this isn't an issue that affects JUST DND or JUST Pathfinder. It isn't a mechanical issue. While there are some settings that are attempting to include cultural attitudes in order to make deeper worlds, there are still a LOT of DMs out there who make their own settings. As such, these issues become their issues.Neal Litherlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01307649737269196558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-40589172504812379202015-10-24T10:56:38.989-07:002015-10-24T10:56:38.989-07:00Unknown, I believe in world where nothing is unive...Unknown, I believe in world where nothing is universal. Just as orcs may be considered dangerous raiders in the north, there's no history of conflicts in the deserts of the south. As such, while northerners may view orcs with hostility and distrust, southern tribes may see them as just another race, out trying to survive.<br /><br />Yes, a society may be homophobic. However, not ALL of them will be. In much the same way a tiefling may be a shameful curse in one kingdom, it may be a mark of favor in another. Gay relations may be tolerated in one place, made a crime in another, and considered completely unremarkable in a third.<br /><br />The point is that these decisions need to be made for our fictional cultures in realistic ways. By just blanket stamping something so you don't have to deal with it, you're not running a cleaner or better game. You're just sticking your fingers in your ears, and not answering the question being asked.Neal Litherlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01307649737269196558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-86701189420433125682015-10-24T10:53:43.825-07:002015-10-24T10:53:43.825-07:00AD&D, especially in some Gygax adventures (che...AD&D, especially in some Gygax adventures (check out a highly influential gay couple in The Village of Hommlet), we're subtly inclusive. Also, the reaction table could be interpreted any way you want. The issues detailed in your blog are important but even your examples point more toward DM fiat than to system rules or campaign setting. p1r8https://www.blogger.com/profile/17234914771232278105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3534782797790619934.post-91575580338791088632015-10-24T10:50:17.985-07:002015-10-24T10:50:17.985-07:00So you can believe in a world where elves and dwar...So you can believe in a world where elves and dwarves and orcs exist, but not one where homophobia doesn't?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13634439031654122588noreply@blogger.com