i'm really not calling for semi-porn (altho i wouldn't be upset if they were
). but we have reached a point where the old d&d books (which are very tame) are now considered scandalous (deities and demigods in particular would cause mass faintings within the blogosphere
). i loved the art in the old books (the old jeff dee and bill willingham stuff was awesome)...this new art is a digitized mess. shapeless/faceless blobs...where we used to have character! we could actually see the character's limbs...arms/legs and yes even boobs. armor and clothing didn't define these characters (although it could) but instead they were defined by great figure work.
now, we have hopelessly complicated character designs and one has to wonder why?..as if in the southern lands or the forest or the desert these characters are tromping around clothed head to toe. did frazetta need to have his characters decked out like this to create drama? of course not...
and...this style of dungeons and dragons argues against it's own history. the games were at one time considered dangerous (they weren't but they did wad the panties of the right people...churchgoers, moral prudes, bluenoses etc...) , now they are played so safe it is almost caricature. gygax and company would have openly sneered at the concerns of the moral minority of today-and even if forced to make a concession or two it would have been through gritted teeth. but with 5th edition, mearls and his mates are not chomping at the bit looking for something challenging (and yes sexy) they are instead championing the new prudishness
...this isn't just giving in-it is collaboration
.
still, the die has been cast as they say...i just shudder when i think of what they will do to the bulette (one imagines this illustration involves a loose fitting tunic and sensible pants
).
