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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mallus" data-source="post: 4911663" data-attributes="member: 3887">I think there's an inherently reductive quality to RPG's that affects most, if not all players, not just those who focus on the wargame-like part of D&D. The game mechanics chafe against the fictive dream (pardon me for using that phrase).  The problem is, when you're seeing Thor in all his Nordic glory, it's hard not to also think of his hit point total, once you know it. And prolonged D&D play practical forces you to know things like that. Players invariable must engage with the game's mechanics. The other problem is that most players seeing Thor probably see the Marvel comics version, or some similar derivative, pastiche, or synthetic pop version. Don't mind me, though. I'm just naturally critical of the attempt to portray D&D as a paean to the imagination. The imagination found in the game isn't usually of a high calibre, it's the the begged, borrowed, slapped together, jury-rigged sort. Imitations of imitations. Terrible cliches made personal, and therefore special. I love the acts of imagination that get committed in the name of D&D, but I'm under no illusions about their quality. Oh definitely.</blockquote>