D&D General D&D Settings with No Problematic Areas?

[Panda-s1]

Whatever. I almost said a lot of those jokes are in poor taste.......

no, not "whatever", I gave you an example of something you asked for from my own experience and you respond by lecturing me about dog consumption in Asia? really?

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

no, not "whatever", I gave you an example of something you asked for from my own experience and you respond by lecturing me about dog consumption in Asia? really?

You also did not bother giving any substance to the situation. Was the guy just being silly with the joke? Was he trying to be mean and hurtful? I don't belive in a lot of this politically correct bs, but I also never joke in a way with someone when I know it is hurtful or embarrassing to them.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I have to say that I like several comedians who tell some pretty off-color, un-PC jokes. One thing they all seem to have in common: if you think you can’t tell the joke in front of the individual or group of people who are the butt of it, you probably shouldn’t be telling the joke anywhere.

Not because the joke is inherently wrong, not because someone might retaliate, but because your own conscience is telling you that you’re doing it with at least some malice. And jokes told with malice are never “just jokes.”

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

For those of you advocating for increased inclusivity, how can we create clear definitions and guidelines for artists to determine what is and what not problematic?

When an artist publishes a piece, he or she should not need to worry about unanticipated pushback. Instead, he or she should have a way to determine whether or not a piece of art will be considered uninclusive. To do that, we need objective standards, do we not?

 

[Mercurius]

For those of you advocating for increased inclusivity, how can we create clear definitions and guidelines for artists to determine what is and what not problematic?

When an artist publishes a piece, he or she should not need to worry about unanticipated pushback. Instead, he or she should have a way to determine whether or not a piece of art will be considered uninclusive. To do that, we need objective standards, do we not?

Self-portraits only.

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

For those of you advocating for increased inclusivity, how can we create clear definitions and guidelines for artists to determine what is and what not problematic?

When an artist publishes a piece, he or she should not need to worry about unanticipated pushback. Instead, he or she should have a way to determine whether or not a piece of art will be considered uninclusive. To do that, we need objective standards, do we not?

Only Xanathar can answer that question. After all, art is in the eye of the Beholder............

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

Only Xanathar can answer that question. After all, art is in the eye of the Beholder............

So artists should live in constant anxiety that their work might be considered uninclusive? That sounds like a path that leads to much less art being produced, which (personally) is not somewhere I want to live.

 

[Panda-s1]

For those of you advocating for increased inclusivity, how can we create clear definitions and guidelines for artists to determine what is and what not problematic?

When an artist publishes a piece, he or she should not need to worry about unanticipated pushback. Instead, he or she should have a way to determine whether or not a piece of art will be considered uninclusive. To do that, we need objective standards, do we not?

I mean, that's literally part of an art director's job. they have to make sure all pieces submitted follow the guidelines they set out. this can include stuff like "don't just make every person white" or "try and use period appropriate clothing from this place" or "try not to make everyone look like a stereotype". there isn't just one set of guidelines, that'd be impractical, but this is part of why education on these matters is important for people in the arts.

beyond that though, I mean as far as individually commissioned pieces go or personal art you can do basically whatever you want, nothing's stopping you. the best I can say is you only really want to worry if you're trying to make a piece specific to a culture. or if you're taking inspiration from a culture you're not familiar with do research and see what something actually means; headdresses used by Plains Indians would be a popular example, a lot of people call out cultural appropriation because they're something to be earned, not just worn as a costume.

So artists should live in constant anxiety that their work might be considered uninclusive? That sounds like a path that leads to much less art being produced, which (personally) is not somewhere I want to live.

I'm not sure what you mean here, do you mean an individual work? or your portfolio?

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

I mean, that's literally part of an art director's job. they have to make sure all pieces submitted follow the guidelines they set out. this can include stuff like "don't just make every person white" or "try and use period appropriate clothing from this place" or "try not to make everyone look like a stereotype". there isn't just one set of guidelines, that'd be impractical, but this is part of why education on these matters is important for people in the arts.

beyond that though, I mean as far as individually commissioned pieces go or personal art you can do basically whatever you want, nothing's stopping you. the best I can say is you only really want to worry if you're trying to make a piece specific to a culture. or if you're taking inspiration from a culture you're not familiar with do research and see what something actually means; headdresses used by Plains Indians would be a popular example, a lot of people call out cultural appropriation because they're something to be earned, not just worn as a costume.

I'm not sure what you mean here, do you mean an individual work? or your portfolio?

That's assuming someone has the funding to hire an art director. What do to do with independent writers (and other artist) who lack the economic resources to hire cultural consultants and lack the time to read through dozens of (and often conflicting) historical texts?

Let's look at an example. Let's say, for instance, I'm an aspiring novelist, and I use the term "master bedroom" in a work. Will my novel be rejected by a publisher?

The word master might be a reference to slavery, but it could also be an reference to master-apprentice system. The term originated in the 1920s Macy's catalog, well after the end of slavery, but during a time when Jim Crow laws existed in the US. In the 1920s, however, apprenticeship were also common. How I am supposed to know if this phrase is appropriate or not? I might use it thinking it is completely reasonable, but then receive pushback later on.

The key is that I'm not sure and I don't have any resources. I'm working a day job, writing novels at night, but struggling to get my foot in the door. I don't have the extra cash to hire consultants, and the seemingly simple act of finding an agent is a monuments task. A single word can be the difference between an accepted and rejected work.

What advice would you give this person in order to ensure he or she does not violate the unwritten standards of inclusivity?

What videos should this person watch, which books should he or she read, to competently understand inclusivity well enough to feel confident that no one will feel victimized by his or her work.

 

[Coroc]

They give up other rules to have the mark. I don't even really know how to respond to this. Equal is one thing, but 'the same' is something else entirely. Any player is free to take a dragon mark if they want at character gen. It couldn't possibly be fairer. Some people will complain about bloody anything.

Your post above is, um, certainly enthusiastic in it's fault finding. I'm sure if we looked hard enough we could add every single D&D book and setting to that list. Then there would be no more D&D to argue about. Wouldn't that be a relief. We can all play with a single d6 and a picture of stick person on a blank piece of paper. So equal it hurts, right? I can DM you the rules to Stickfolk in Blank Land if you're interested. It's what they call rules light.

stickfolk in blank land rofl you made my day, that one will stick.

"don't like my orcs? Go play stickfolk in blank land!"

haha