Author (and artist) of The Book of Erotic Fantasy

[MerakSpielman]

Originally posted by Heirodule:

Blase? Hardly. I am not the kind of guy who goes looking for porn, and I treat sex as something sacred between two people who love each other.

However, if I were to be blase about something, I'd rather it be sex than violence.

Agreed.

But then, I do not view sex as some sort sin or as something that is somehow "dirty." Sex can be dangerous, granted, but despite all the dangers, I would still rather my children run around having sex than run around waving guns around.

It's natural for kids to be curious about sex. It is the parent's obligation to explain to them about what it is and the dangers involved. At the very least teach them "good touch, bad touch." Even very young children are regularly abused, partially because their parents were so afraid to have them learn that sex existed at all that the poor kids didn't understand what was being done to them and that it was wrong. I think children need more and earlier sex education to prevent them from being harmed and abused by sickos.

If your four year old gets into your BoEF (or any other adult material) it should be looked at as an opportunity to explain these things that they are so obviously already curious about. If it makes the parent uncomfortable, well tough, that's parenthood. Wouldn't you rather they hear it from your mouth and in your words than from other kids, who likely don't know what they're talking about?

 

[CMG57]

Considering one person in this thread has been critical thus far, I am confused where this "uproar" is.

Since there are no less than four separate discussions on this topic, I chose to post my support and thoughts of this product in this thread as it seemed to have the most mature discussion at the time. As to where the uproar is, it appears to be in every thread related to the BoEF.

Calye

 

[KDLadage]

CMG57: having witnessed the flame-fest that was the FATAL fiasco of RPGNet...

...having been in Singapore when an American recieved six lashes of a cane...

...having been in San Diego when the Rodney King Riots took over Los Angeles...

...and so on, I would have to say that our defintions of "uproar" differ slightly.

 

[EricNoah]

Hey there, folks, some reminders and warnings for all of you:

You are not to drag religion or politics into this discussion. That will probably be hard for some of you. But don't do it. I don't want to read any more posts about the "moral minority" or "I detest Ms. Clinton" or anything like that.

You are not to make personal attacks, on each other or on the producers/authors of this project. I know this has been hard for some of you. It's hard to understand how someone can hold the exact oposite opinion to yours and still be a reasonable, thinking, worthwhile human being. But get used to it, it's the only way we're going to get along around here. I don't want to read any more comments like "you're narrow-minded" or "try discussing this in an intelligent manner" (implication: you're not doing so) or anything like that.

Suggested alternatives -- say what *you* think, what *you* feel, but don't say what *others* should think or feel, and leave the blaming, accusations and the whole "why are you people so stupid" attitude behind.

Thanks to the many posters who have attempted to participate in these emotionally-charged discussions in a very pleasant, mature manner.

 

[Psion]

Here here!

Where, where?

Or perhaps you meant hear, hear!?

[/pet peeve]

 

[WizarDru]

One thing keeps coming to my mind, here. Dragons, apparently, sleep around. I mean, if Bruce Cordell were to have his way, they'll mate with anything with a pulse (take a look at Bastion of Broken Souls). It would be rather interesting to see a write-up of how they approach that sort of thing. 3E has provided a large body of half-dragons and other templated creatures that could use a little discussion, if only from the 'how do the genetics of this work' to 'how do dragons approach relations with other creatures, why do they do it so often, and do they have other goals in mind?'

By the same token, though I wouldn't want a discussion about it, Half-Orcs are right there, in the core. The unspoken assumption is that, generally, they are the products of a non-consenual coupling, isn't it? Maybe that should be represented differently, and possibly presented in a different light.

I'm not really sure what I think of the book, per se, but I think there are plenty of topics in that light that could be addressed, if handly properly.

I think the real issue here is the press release was put out to blatantly manipulate the online fan-base. It has suceeded in generating talk about the product, certainly, but I think it may have also soured some folks on the actual product sight unseen. Whether it will share space with our XXXenophile collections and Book of Vile Darkness or not will depend on the content. Hearing that Gwen Kestrel is involved gives it a few points back from what it's lost out of the gate. I will wait and see.

 

[Bendris Noulg]

[/pet peeve]

 

[Harlock]

But then, I do not view sex as some sort sin or as something that is somehow "dirty."

I wanted to point out that sex being "dirty" is probably not the reason all people are objecting to this book. In fact, I think the reason I object to the book at this point is because I view sex as sacrosanct. Will the book cover that aspect of human sexuality? Based on the ridiculous press release that hardly leaves it open for a mature and candid look at sex rather than some sophomoric bondage elf fest with nudie pictures. I hope I am wrong. At any rate, if this is not a bondage-filled fetish fantasy with blood and boobs, as it were, I'll likely not pick it up based on the cheap publicity stunt that press release may prove to be. Damned if they do, and damned if they don't you say? Why, yes, and as it's my dollar, I'll spend it how I please. As will you, I hope.

If you want to support this type of book and do not feel that a misleading, inflammatory press release is irresonsible, then I honestly encourage you to support this book. I'm not trying to pick on you MerakSpielman, yours was simply the last post I read, and I wanted to let some of the more vocal folks know that blanket statements in this discussion serve no purpose but to infuriate and do not lend themselves to healthy discussion.

Saying someone who wants this book is dirty, wrong, lewd or base is an outrageous accusation. Saying someone who doesn't want this book is pro-violence, puritanical, uptight and sexually repressed is an equally absurd allegation. Both sides think they are right. Are minds being changed here or are we simply feeling goaded into having to defend our belief system by proving the inferiority of other peoples thinking rather than simply stating our beliefs and moving on?

Also, I'd really love to see more than one post from the author we know about. If this is a mature and responsible look at sex, please elaborate and also, please explain what it is exactly we were supposed to get from that now infamous press release. Was it simply a marketing ploy? Do you think it wholly responsible or representative of this tome? Thanks.

EDIT: Ah, Eric posted while I was typing. Thanks Eric. You mods are saints for even letting this topic remain open. I appreciate you allowing mature discussion of an obviously volatile issue and appluad all the mods of EN World for their dedication and hard work. Good day ladies and gentlemen.

 

[Psion]

Since there are no less than four separate discussions on this topic, I chose to post my support and thoughts of this product in this thread as it seemed to have the most mature discussion at the time. As to where the uproar is, it appears to be in every thread related to the BoEF.

Oh, I agree the contraversy is there. It's just that if you look at the content of the thread, there uproar is much more in the realm of "and you better not say any thing bad about it because I want this stuff" rather than an uproar of folks says "ban this stuff."

 

[MEG Hal]

About the authors and backers...

I have talked to, done a few meals with and have had business and personal contact with AV and he is a professional and a darn nice person. I have no issues with his branching out to work on d20 product. As a new company (Valtar) you have to admit they do have a book that has not been covered yet.

I had the pleasure of meeting Gwen at GAMA this year and was also impressed by her professionalism and friendliness (also Andy Collins), and knowing that these are some of the people working on the book (Andy is not) I feel that if this topic is to be done, I am glad these are some of the people working on it.

No flames, no issues just an interesting idea that is stirring up the pot by some of the leaders in the RPG industry.