Mana, Shamans, and the Cultural Misappropriation behind Fantasy Terms

[Olrox17]

Guide to Roman Culture and Customs

Learn how to "do as the Romans do" while understanding Roman culture and customs with this handy guide of how to get by in the 'Eternal City'.

citywonders.com

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That was a decent general description. I'll give you another important aspect of modern roman culture: mockery is a fundamental aspect of our lives. In D&D terms, we're all taught the vicious mockery cantrip at an early age, and that is also why romans are stereotyped as rude.
Here's a funny (if not entirely PC) insult that is often levied towards northern europeans (and northern italians) in Rome: "While you were all still living in caves, we were already gay".

 

[Jfdlsjfd]

What about an American whose ancestors came from Germany and claiming to own the Roman culture? Why would he claim more Roman cultures than the Native American culture (because in both cases, his ancestors just invaded the place...) At what point is it OK to claim ownership of a culture? Coming from a culture that doesn't allow ethic stats (because all humans are humans, there are no White, Black or Green people, just humans), I am really interested to learn how other cultures think about it. What are the objective characteristics allowing one to appropriate a cultural element as "his own"?

 

[Sadras]

If that stops the barbarians from putting pineapple on pizza, then by all means!

The authentic Italian pizza is very different to what is bulk-produced for the rest of the world.
This barbarian appreciates both styles.

 

[Olrox17]

The authentic Italian pizza is very different to what is bulk-produced for the rest of the world.
This barbarian appreciates both styles.

Well, at least you get d12 hit dice

 

[Aldarc]

To put it gently, Ancient Rome “exported” it’s culture throughout Europe, and yes it was appropriated by various successor states claiming to act as a continuation of Rome. Ancient Greco-Roman cultures made it their business to put their cultural imprint on the rest of Europe. The Renaissance and the rise of Classical learning also basically pushed Greco-Roman cultures into the education of many non-Italian Europeans. It was often deemed of “higher” value than the various non-Italian native cultures and their languages. This does not make a German or Spaniard a Roman, but it is important to understand the degree to which Rome erased many other cultures and/or elevated their own and how that impacted the cultural development and identities of Europe.

 

[Olrox17]

To put it gently, Ancient Rome “exported” it’s culture throughout Europe, and yes it was appropriated by various successor states claiming to act as a continuation of Rome. Ancient Greco-Roman cultures made it their business to put their cultural imprint on the rest of Europe. The Renaissance and the rise of Classical learning also basically pushed Greco-Roman cultures into the education of many non-Italian Europeans. It was often deemed of “higher” value than the various non-Italian native cultures and their languages. This does not make a German or Spaniard a Roman, but it is important to understand the degree to which Rome erased many other cultures and/or elevated their own and how that impacted the cultural development and identities of Europe.

Indeed, although this is usually the moment that Monty Python sketch gets linked and/or referenced!

 

[Maxperson]

Indeed, although this is usually the moment that Monty Python sketch gets linked and/or referenced!

Well, the one I can think of involves Brian trying to prove his parentage. I don't think that scene is appropriate to link here.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

Make our humanoids less human by the removal of cultural trappings (Japanese hairdo + armour + shamanism).
Make our humanoids more human by the removal of inherently evil, less intellectual + other offensive stuff.

Got it.

I'm just going to fix that for you.

Make our humanoids less based on real world cultures, or if we do base it on cultures from Earth, do it respectfully and in an inoffensive way.
Make our humanoids more human by the removal of inherently evil, less intellectual, and other offensive stuff.

Removing offensive/problematic depictions of real world people does not make them less human.

Now, do you "got it"?

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

If that stops the barbarians from putting pineapple on pizza, then by all means!

I don't recall ever playing a barbarian.

 

[Fenris-77]

I don't recall ever playing a barbarian.

Blocked it out have you? I sympathize. The human mind's ability to erase trauma is pretty enormous.