Campaign Setting Idea (MY PLAYERS STAY OUT)

[Orius]

Here's an idea: Next time I start a new 1st level campaign, I'll propose to my players that if their gender is female, I'll give them the following character generating benefits:

[snip]

And then shove them in a setting that is hard on women (don't know how hard yet).

Ideas anyone ?

How about Gor?

*ducks*

 

[Piratecat]

Any thread might offend someone, Trainz, but this one is interesting and provocative - and it's certainly clear that you don't espouse the standards that we're discussing. If problems arise we'll address them. Thanks for being cautious, and we'll keep an eye on it to head off any concerns.

 

[Trainz]

Any thread might offend someone, Trainz, but this one is interesting and provocative - and it's certainly clear that you don't espouse the standards that we're discussing. If problems arise we'll address them. Thanks for being cautious, and we'll keep an eye on it to head off any problems.

*joy*

All righty then !

 

[Trainz]

OK guys,

What would be the parameters of a society that shuns women in an important role ?

- What job would be considered "forbidden" to women ?
- What social interaction would be considered innapropriate from/towards women ?
- What penalty/punition could women expect in breaking those "rules" ?
- What degree of tolerance would be shown if a party of women walks in an Inn, attired as adventurers ? What degree of contempt ?
- Would most men/women agree with that mindset within such a society, or is there a split ?

Of course, it goes without saying that this society is WRONG. I'm thinking of maybe making the elves a non-sexist race, where that group of women adventurers can go for solace/assistance. The ultimate goal of such an adventuring group might be to, when they reach powerful epic levels, defeat those in power and take control to make the world a better place for women.

I do not want that society to be evil, but certainly not good.

That's what I have in mind. It's a draft. Any ideas you guys might have to better define that setting ?

 

[mhacdebhandia]

Without beating the drum of modernism too much, you can look to historical examples.

Perhaps women are restricted from employment altogether, or are segregated in certain industries. They would presumably be barred from serving as clergy, or perhaps there are nunnery-equivalents like the Vestal Virgins of Rome.

Women might be treated as chattel - fit for selling off into marriages or as domestic servants or even slaves. They might have no legal rights except when under the protection of a man - so female adventurers, who are presumably independent of a father-figure or husband, would have a very good reason to become tough and keep moving around.

 

[Trainz]

That's awesome feedback. Thanks.

Keep 'em coming !

 

[DrZombie]

Two things : first, just look around if you want to see a sexist world. Delve into history if you want to find a sexist setting (victorian england, or just medieval europe.) Also, if you examine certain modern cultures you'll find plenty were women are just "cattle" in the eyes of men.
Personally I just go to either second hand bookstores or budget book stores and browse the history setting, you'll find heaps of cheap books for background setting, or try the sociology setting. shouldn't cost more then a few dollars. (that is, if you have acces to such a store).

Second : I used to gamesmaster a homebrew where the elves were the uber-race, enslaving the humans and orcs. Halflings were honoured servants. For them, a half-elf was an abomination, and should be killed on sight (I kinda stole it from a fantasy book of wich the name escapes me). The game played on a tropical island, wich the elves had recently kolonised. 'twas good fun.

 

[Cerubus Dark]

- Ability Generation: 5d6, reroll 1's (instead of the 28 point-buy method);
- Start with a +1 adamantine weapon or +1 mithral armor;
- Start with a +2 enhancement stat bonus item appropriate to class.

Ideas anyone ?

OMG, its the Amazon Biker Chicks from Mars!

Really though, to me its always been a case of Actions speak louder than words.

lol, I knew a young woman who acted all soft and weak around guys to get extra freebies in school, of course this was also the same girl who got suspended twice for "brutaly" hurting a guy who thought she was a easy target. Ah to live again in the past, what fun!

 

[S'mon]

Two things : first, just look around if you want to see a sexist world.

Yeah, I'm not sure why you need help with this...
Maybe think about how sexism & role-differentiation by gender works in your home culture (unless you live in a few places like Sweden or the Netherlands, this shouldn't be diccicult, maybe not even then), and how it's changed over recent history. Some societies may embody a visceral hostility to women, perhaps claiming a religious sanction (eg the Book teaches that women are EEEVIL, corrupt, dirty, etc). Others may take a "different but equal" approach - eg mothers and warriors are (supposedly) equally esteemed, but only men can be warriors, because it's 'unnatural' for a woman to be one. These societies may ban men from certain roles, like midwivery. Others may have the official stance that women are 'better' and thus too good/pure/valuable for certain 'nasty' roles (like warrior or executioner), whether they want to be one or not. Others may have completely different standards for nobility & the masses - maybe noblewomen can be rulers (monarchs or presidents) while commoner women are kept barefoot in the kitchen.
Think about why the society is this way. It may be a reaction to recent events - eg maybe there was a recent major war, lots of men killed, and women had to fill traditonal male roles like warrior, now the (male) leaders of the society are trying to get them 'back in the kitchen'. That would be a good way to justify your heavily-armed high-stat female PCs - they're war veterans!

 

[Torm]

You could have the region secretly ruled in part by females who shadow rule through male figureheads. They actually like the party, and when possible act in their favor, but they have to be careful in how they do so, because they don't want to be discovered. Ironically, while persecuted, the players might be more free than their leaders.....