What is Expected from an Oriental Game Setting?

[frankthedm]

Hrmm maybe a different name?

"Oriental" is kind of considered a derogatory term.

No. Oriental Adventures is not derogatory. OTOH, if the book was named Oriental Adventurers, that would clash with some folks of what is and what is not viewed as politically correct and be viewed by some as derogatory.

 

[Scribble]

No. Oriental Adventures is not derogatory. OTOH, if the book was named Oriental Adventurers, that would clash with some folks of what is and what is not viewed as politically correct and be viewed by some as derogatory.

Shrug? Who am I to change your viewpoint on things. I'm just saying I have friends who find the term Oriental insulting. Whether you agree or not is not my concern. My only thought was since some find it insulting, perhaps another name would be better.

 

[Shroomy]

I kind of cringe when I hear the word "oriental." Personally, I would rather that the majority of OA content be integrated into the mainstream game (kind of like how shurikens are in the 4e core, or how Asian-themed classes were introduced in the 3.5e Complete series). Crunch stuff like monsters and races should be the province of campaign setting books and Dragon articles.

 

[Mallus]

I'm just saying I have friends who find the term Oriental insulting.

I'd look at you funny --and not just because of the epicanthic folds around my eyes-- if you referred to me as 'Oriental' to my face. But as a book title it's fine.

 

[GQuail]

Depends a bit on where you're from, I think. In some parts of Canada I found it to be the opposite.

From what I can tell, it's very location-based - in the UK it's less dodgy but it seems in the US it can be more of an issue.

Would Asian Adventures be a better term? For some reason, it makes me think of a less Grandma-friendly piece of literature.

 

[Hussar]

Just asked my wife, who is Japanese, if Oriental was derogatory and she gave me a "huh" look. In Japan, Oriental tends to refer more to southern Asia - Thailand, southern China, that sort of thing, but, certainly not considered negative. Heck, it's called the Oriental Express for a reason.

I'm Canadian, so, I guess that explains my confusion as well. Never thought of it as even slightly negative. Just the way you refer to the part of Asia that doesn't include Russia and the various 'Stans.

 

[Qwillion]

Thank goodness ours is simply called "Lands of the Jade Oath" so I don't have to worry about PC nonsense.

 

[Set]

Kara-Tur was pretty much perfect, IMO. It covered all sorts of ground, from the cinematic to the historical to the totally out-there.

And that's perfect. If I want to play in a rigid caste-system feudal Japan setting, I can do that in Kozakura or Wa. If I want a more Wuxia-feel, I can move over to Shou Lung. If I want Indiana Jones-style adventures exploring the ruins of a place like Angkor Watt, I can hit the jungles of Malatra.

And if I want giant monsters stomping on fleeing villagers, they have those, too!

 

[Ranger REG]

Kara-Tur was fine as far as Shou Lung, Tu Lung, Kozakura, Wa and maybe the Hordelands went.

Sorry, a setting without Shou Lung, Tu Lung, Kozakura and Wa can never be called Kara-Tur.

Go find a different pseudo-Asia setting for yourself.

 

[Ranger REG]

Shrug? Who am I to change your viewpoint on things. I'm just saying I have friends who find the term Oriental insulting. Whether you agree or not is not my concern. My only thought was since some find it insulting, perhaps another name would be better.

Well, we could say "Asian" but it sounds too Earth-based (i.e., this Earth). That's why D&D is not called "European Adventures."