Wow, you know your a roleplayer when...

So I guess this is one of those times when I had an epiphany that I was a roleplayer at heart and wanted to know when if ever that happened to you. I have always enjoyed roleplaying but in the past year or so I've raelly become much more involved with it. I am playing Oblivion on PS3 and I realized I was really a roleplayer when an NPC that owned the Grey Mare, I imagined when I was buying food from her that me and her were having a dinner and I bought like Veal, a potatoe, some bread for our appetizer, and there was only one desert cake item... but I roleplayed that we were sharing it.. Anyway, I was a little upset that in Oblivion they dont sell water or have a place where you can get it (only liquor). I eat two meals during the day in Oblivion and plan them out.

Anyway I was wondering if there are any romance books that happen in a fantasy world like a dnd world but without any violence (or if violence then only roleplaying hurting people with a club so they will leave u alone).
If you have any times when you realized that you were a roleplayer plz share

Um... Romance books? Nah, I can't recommend any off the top of my head. I seem to remember the Mad Ship series (by Robin... Cook?) being fairly low-violence, but it wasn't really "Romance" that much.

The book "Tigana" by Guy Gavriel Kay is also low violence, and there's a nice chunk of romance in there. Dunno, though.

As for the Oblivion story... I know what you mean, though I never took it *that* far. I mostly get caught up in the extended travel scenes, or when I'm in a dungeon and my torch goes out. That just really catches me.

Enoch26sf said:

Anyway I was wondering if there are any romance books that happen in a fantasy world like a dnd world but without any violence (or if violence then only roleplaying hurting people with a club so they will leave u alone).
If you have any times when you realized that you were a roleplayer plz share

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Do you mean romance novels set in a D&D-like fantasy world?

Alright, here's the low down on this.

Recently, there's been a sort of wave of romance authors who "go legit" in a way, by giving up writing straight romance novels (ie, light erotica) and instead writing fantasy novels with romance elements built into them.

I don't generally read this sort of stuff because I feel uncomfortable reading about sex because I am a huge giant prude.

But, I can recommend three authors.

First, Lois McMaster Bujold, Sharing Knife series. This is probably the best quality one. There's violence, but it mostly involves killing some rather nasty monsters. Lois McMaster Bujold is the upcoming grand dame of fantasy novels, in my opinion. This series is her most romance-like. The Chalion series is less romance-like, but seriously, it contains some of the best novels I've ever read.

Second, Jeri Smith-Ready, the Aspect of Crow series. The author isn't at Bujold's level, but she's a very, very solid upcoming author. Violence happens, but its a very, very, unhappy thing.

Third, Robin D. Owens. I don't like her as much as the others, but who knows, you might. Violence is almost exclusively directed at nonhuman monstrous invaders slowly tearing down the last wall of defense in the final outpost of humanity.

Oh, you might also like this website.

Romantic SF & Fantasy Novels

Wik said:

Um... Romance books? Nah, I can't recommend any off the top of my head. I seem to remember the Mad Ship series (by Robin... Cook?) being fairly low-violence, but it wasn't really "Romance" that much.

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Do you mean the Liveship Traders series by Robin Hobb?? Those books are one of the best fantasy adventure series you will ever find... but they certainly aren't romance! I would totally recommend them though, for 'roleplaying' type stuff like drama and deep characters that seem to be really alive, you can't beat Hobb.

Harr said:

Do you mean the Liveship Traders series by Robin Hobb?? Those books are one of the best fantasy adventure series you will ever find... but they certainly aren't romance! I would totally recommend them though, for 'roleplaying' type stuff like drama and deep characters that seem to be really alive, you can't beat Hobb.

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And they absolutely, positively are not free from violence

You're really not going to find very much in the way of violence-free fantasy fiction. Most fantasy novels occur during a time when strength and steel are perfectly legit means of getting what you want. You'll have to look long and hard for those that are not. Now, you can easily find gore-free books, or novels free of gratuitous, excessive violence.

Right, within the Romantic Fantasy genre you will have a hard time finding violence free books- but you CAN find books that do not glorify violence.

I forgot to include Laurie J. Marks. She probably counts as an author of fantasy/romance hybrids. Her books are low on the XXX factor, but the romantic interests of her characters are major factors. For the record, a lot of her romances feature lesbians. Doesn't bother me, but full disclosure and all that. Her series of novels is the Elemental Logic series.

The Symphony of Ages series by Eliabeth Haydon have a strong romantic element to them, and are very good too.

And I know what you mean about rp-ing in a computer game. I sometimes get carried away when playing WoW.

I'll second the Bujold recommendation, but I found her Chalion series far more engaging than the Sharing Knife series. Admittedly, the violence level is slightly higher. Also, hunt around for Spirit Ring - it's a real-world-with-magic fantasy novel.

Haven

Shieldhaven said:

I'll second the Bujold recommendation, but I found her Chalion series far more engaging than the Sharing Knife series. Admittedly, the violence level is slightly higher. Also, hunt around for Spirit Ring - it's a real-world-with-magic fantasy novel.

Haven

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I agree that the Chalion series is better. But they don't have much romance.

The Chalion series is amazing. Creating a genuine sense of wonder and mysteriousness to magic is very difficult for most authors. Usually magic turns into an alternative form of science, with rules, inputs, and outcomes. The Chalion series overcomes that.