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You’re right, it’s frustrating when the discussion of historical context comes up and is only utilised in support of a specific analysis, ignoring context when it doesn’t suit. It absolutely is reductive and dismissive. Again, literary theory is great when sitting back pontificating with a glass...

Alternatively evoking the hun imagery that persisted (informed by the Romano Christian view) that they were essentially the anti christ, bestial foe, destroying pure and good civilisation (again from a very biased Roman point of view. Of course, appalling propaganda to apply to enemies, but such...

Seems a bit judgemental to assume that all who are arguing against this fall into that category. That same argument could be applied to those demanding these changes to the completely fictional races too. No game police will come and take your books if you want races that have different...

Well, indeed, he’s well known also for his dislike of allegories and stating LOTR is not an allegory, yet it doesn’t stop others critiquing it as an allegorical work (such as , I don’t know asserting his evil coming from the east or south as meaningfully applying to actual real world groups)...

I believe so. It’s certainly a motif that is worth exploring. It’s been a while since I’ve gone in-depth on it so I don’t feel qualified to give an accurate personal assessment on that aspect. If anything, this just means another dive into the silmarillion which is no bad thing!

That wasn’t the context of his quote. And before we go further with his view of peoples of the east in terms of Mordor being of the east and such, again, it’s important to remember that’s a subjective interpretation not a literal statement from the author that is what it is. If we are to engage...

Point: Tolkien’s Orcs were a stand in for a real world ethnicity, specifically East Asian. My claim: They were not. That is what a rebuttal is. “To claim OR prove that (evidence or an accusation) is false. So clearly it stands as a rebuttal. Which still makes it not a fallacy. Certainly, I am...

Well again, he’s evoking the fallen angel imagery. Regarding others and othering. That in itself, in the abstract is no bad thing (to be absolutely clear, you apply that to real world peoples, that’s definitely wrong and a problem). A lot of folk lore, myth and creatures from many cultures...

It’s absolutely not an excuse. Merely a contextualisation of a quote and a rebuttal to the claim that this quote shows Tolkein based his Orcs on Asians.

And what fallacy would that be? That’s a weak “no you” retort. The genetic fallacy means (as demonstrated with the wedding ring example) that even if you could objectively prove that every fantastical monstrous trope in D&D had unequivocal, racially motivated origins, it has little to no...

He’s not saying that Orcs ARE Asian. He is responding to Zimmerman who thought they should have feathers. The fuller quote is: ”[They have]squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes: in fact degraded and repulsive versions of the (to Europeans) least lovely...

I have no qualms with the notion of evil creatures, hordes of savage orcs pillaging the lands whilst the bastions of civilisation defends against them. They are what they are, fantastical tropes drawn from literatures and mythology to be played against with little concern. Quibbling over then...

Goal posts haven’t been moved. Everyone’s been consistent in their argument. Mistwell, max et al have been clear about how they use it. I’ve been clear that, for me, it’s in keeping with tradition. So in effect, I derive use from it for that purpose. Multiple people putting forward their...

TSR going bankrupt had little to do with the edition in and of itself and more their poor management. And indeed they are making something new. To which I feel shouldn’t have the Dungeons and Dragons name because I feel it is not Dungeons and Dragons. Which is what I was saying. It’s an...

I’m quite open about it that my argument is indeed to perpetuate it, because it’s D&D. I appreciate the ship has sailed on some damned consistency between editions. You’re absolutely right, D&D doesn’t have to include it in its next iteration. Nor does it have to include classes. Nor does it...

Oooff, there’s some unfortunate connotations in that and likely to stir a whole new line of debates of what is deserving of alignment or not…

Yup, and that infamous quote can trace its origins back to the brutal campaigns against the Irish during Cromwell’s regime (possibly further but that’s the earliest recorded version I can find). At no point is anyone advocating that it’s ok to replicate these hideous moments of human barbarity...

Should I meet a gnoll, goblin, drow, whatever, I’ll be sure to apologise, have no fear!

Wait, aren’t you arguing against an objective definition of good and evil? I have indeed, it fits within his own view of his milieu. Of course, one is free to disagree with that approach in their own setting. It’s rarely one I’ve used in my settings, though have on occasion depending on the...

I mean, that’s a bit of a woosh to the point, but bless ya, I love the dedication to the statistical breakdown. Cheers for that 😂