D&D General D&D Assumptions Ain't What They Used To Be

[Clint_L]

I think we're all cherry picking. I tend to want setting elements that make things interesting for adventures and since it's D&D I like to keep things at a PG-13 level. And evidently at PG-13 levels you can have some elements of child abuse, domestic abuse, and even drug abuse as we they were included in Curse of Strahd. Child abuse is horrible, but facing down a coven of hags who are cannibalizing children makes for an interesting adventure.

I guess the only thing is we don't all agree on where the line in the sand should be drawn. I don't think WotC needs to be rid of slavery when it comes to the worshippers of Lloth. It's nice having a bad guy faction for heros in a fantasy setting to go fight.

There’s a big difference between an author writing about slavery in their novel, folks choosing to have it in their own settings at home, and WotC using it in a setting.

Slavery is a fraught topic for obvious reasons, and you can choose to read or not read that author. As long as your home game is copacetic on how it is used, then it’s nobody else’s business (though that said I would personally want to confirm rather than assume we were all on the same page).

WotC is publishing a game for a wide demographic. The last thing they need is insensitive portrayals of slavery, sexual violence, etc. associated with their brand.

I get it. There are topics I’m comfortable using at home that I would never use in our games at school (not to mention miniatures!). Just as there are plenty of books that I read but I wouldn’t teach. Context matters.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

The greatest gaming gift I have ever been given is being able to game with friends and family followed by the fact that it’s a group of people that can take the wonderful game and fiction for what it is.

After this thread I feel even more blessed. Good lord!

 

[FrozenNorth]

I do find it interesting that on one hand you have folks insisting on historicalism - pointing to "faux-Rome, faux-Egypt, etc" while at the same time ignoring the fact that most D&D settings are about a thousand years AFTER those settings. As in Middle Earth is far, far closer to us in history than it is to the Roman Empire and certainly close than Egypt or Athens.

Kinda seems that folks are cherry picking their histories.

And ignoring that 5e, Level Up etc. all have MAGIC. Seriously, the point that you have actual gods in the setting who reward their most devout followers with magical spells is the point where “history+” becomes somewhat meaningless.

 

[Reynard]

And ignoring that 5e, Level Up etc. all have MAGIC. Seriously, the point that you have actual gods in the setting who reward their most devout followers with magical spells is the point where “history+” becomes somewhat meaningless.

I am not sure that is particularly relevant given that ancient people (and more than a few modern ones) 100% believed in the power of the gods to impact the world. They performed rituals, cast spells and prayed in order to bring about divine intervention -- and believed it actually occurred. As far as those people were concerned, their gods were real and rewarded the faithful.

 

[FrozenNorth]

I am not sure that is particularly relevant given that ancient people (and more than a few modern ones) 100% believed in the power of the gods to impact the world. They performed rituals, cast spells and prayed in order to bring about divine intervention -- and believed it actually occurred. As far as those people were concerned, their gods were real and rewarded the faithful.

You are talking about belief. I am talking about effects. Upwards, @Chaosmancer gives the example of a 5th level cleric of Agriculture doubling agricultural production.

That same person is likely purifying the food and water used in the village, and healing wounds that would be fatal in reality.

1st level characters with access to Prestidigitation (including High Elves and variant humans with the Mage Initiate feat) can do a week’s worth of laundry faster than a modern washing machine.

 

[Micah Sweet]

And ignoring that 5e, Level Up etc. all have MAGIC. Seriously, the point that you have actual gods in the setting who reward their most devout followers with magical spells is the point where “history+” becomes somewhat meaningless.

You're welcome to believe that, but I never will.

 

[Reynard]

You are talking about belief. I am talking about effects.

I think you are drawing a line that did not really exist for ancient people.

 

[billd91]

I think you are drawing a line that did not really exist for ancient people.

Ancient? You can still see those beliefs today.

 

[Reynard]

Ancient? You can still see those beliefs today.

As I stated already. But @FrozenNorth was making a distinction about belief and effects. Those that view the world through such a lens, the effects are as obvious and certain as a D&D spell.

 

[billd91]

As I stated already. But @FrozenNorth was making a distinction about belief and effects. Those that view the world through such a lens, the effects are as obvious and certain as a D&D spell.

Indeed, no matter how incongruous it may seem to those of us who take a less supernatural-based view of cause and effect. That mode of thinking may be rife for particularly religious mindsets, but it goes much farther. In fact, there are places on the globe where you can still find people claiming that a football club has lost a match because of the other team's sorcerer and believing it.