Calibans, Mongrelfolk and diability awareness

[Waller]

A disabled character overcoming their limitation is a great way to inspire children and those suffering from self-victimization. Look at Mister Frodo: he's a little tiny fella but he managed to save the whole realm (with some help from his friends along the way)

What are you talk about? Frodo is not disabled.

 

[Tonguez]

That's the Disney version, Hugo's Quasimodo is not a positive character (but most of the characters of Notre Dame de Paris aren't).
You also have Shakespeare's Caliban from The Tempest and Richard III (Shakespeare's version is pretty fictional). And if you go into mythology, you have the likes of Hephaistos, Völund and Höðr.

Yeah, Theory of Games referenced the Disney version so I responded in like manner. Hugo's version is more complex but the disability is a central motif used to critique societies treatment of the Other and on the question of monstrous humanity. Its a tragedy so ends badly for everyone but still Quasimodo despite his obedience to Frollo and brutal nature, shows some positive heroic traits when he gives Esmeralda sanctuary and attempts to defend her.

The mythic characters are interesting, I've always wondered what the connection between Blacksmiths and disability was, iirc Volund was deliberately hamstrung wasnt he?

'I think you lose something when you file the edges off characters like this. Phantom of the opera is another one that sort of requires leaning into the negative aspects of being disfigured. I find the stories don't work as well emotionally when you are being stretched by this other concern

yeah I agree, this is kind of what prompted the question. Its too easy to say a character has a disability then entirely ignore the disability - eg DareDevils 'blindness' (but its supers so heh) or the Blind Swordsman in general - so how do you portray a fully realised character with a disability in an adventure game without minimising it? ...

 

[Theory of Games]

What are you talk about? Frodo is not disabled.

Sure he is. He's small.

 

[TiQuinn]

Sure he is. He's small.

Maybe in the context of a real life society, not fantasy.

 

[Morrus]

Sure he is. He's small.

Knock it off, please. There are actual real disabled people in the world and on these forums who don’t need your dismissive facetiousness.

 

[Bedrockgames]

Yeah, Theory of Games referenced the Disney version so I responded in like manner. Hugo's version is more complex but the disability is a central motif used to critique societies treatment of the Other and on the question of monstrous humanity. Its a tragedy so ends badly for everyone but still Quasimodo despite his obedience to Frollo and brutal nature, shows some positive heroic traits when he gives Esmeralda sanctuary and attempts to defend her.

The mythic characters are interesting, I've always wondered what the connection between Blacksmiths and disability was, iirc Volund was deliberately hamstrung wasnt he?


yeah I agree, this is kind of what prompted the question. Its too easy to say a character has a disability then entirely ignore the disability - eg DareDevils 'blindness' (but its supers so heh) or the Blind Swordsman in general - so how do you portray a fully realised character with a disability in an adventure game without minimising it? ...

Just treat them like any other character IMO. Interesting is always good. Disabled people can be jerks too. They can also be heroic. Their disability can define some, others it may become almost meaningless. I developed a disability around 2010 and found myself gravitating to a lot of media like One Armed Sworsdman (and to horror movies featuring these characters). Gaming and media can kind of handle it from both angles I think. It is good to have stories where a character overcomes and turns it into a strength, but also have stories where it is a source of struggle and pain.

I would also just say, everyone can be a villain. Making characters like this overly aspirational or positive isn’t a help to anyone. Let them be as dark as any other character. If a character gets his hand cut off and he doesn’t like it, let him seethe and turn to a villain. But if he is a buoyant optimist, maybe he ends up more like Luke Skywalker

 

[AnotherGuy]

Maybe in the context of a real life society, not fantasy.

Even within certain fantasies, dismisiveness of the small exist - Willow (movie), GoT (Tyrion) and even LotR and D&D with Bugbears bossing their smaller kin Goblins...and so many other examples.

 

[TiQuinn]

Even within certain fantasies, dismisiveness of the small exist - Willow (movie), GoT (Tyrion) and even LotR and D&D with Bugbears bossing their smaller kin Goblins...and so many other examples.

Equating shortness of a fantasy species with real life disability is not the same thing, and is reductive. Let’s not go there.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

So Calibans and Mongrelfolk are DnD lineages that occur in Ravenloft and I'm currently considering a game in which they show up - including a friendly Caliban character based on Quasimodo (Acolyte, Bellringer (Bard)).

But then I got to thinking about the issue of his 'misshapen' hunchback being linked to a curse. I also got to thinking about the Igor character of DIscworld, who can stitch bodyparts and an optional lithp - How do you think such things should be handled?

Well, my initial thought is that no poor character should be saddled with the disability of Bard-dom.

But I'm assuming that's not the question. I think, as others have mentioned, the main thing is that you are thinking about it. Approach it with care and thought, and if necessary, discuss with the table.

On a lot of these issues, it can be difficult to determine what is the proper path. One person's care and consideration is another person's overthinking. But while there isn't a single right answer (IMO), so long as you approach it correctly and thoughtfully, you're already, um, streets ahead.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

What are you talk about? Frodo is not disabled.

Heck, he's Landed Gentry!