Eliminating Eastern Flavor From D&D?

[S'mon]

Also, it isn't currently used by most writers and academics as it is considered offensive because it doubles as an ethnic slur.

No it doesn't. That's a weird meme, probably originated by Edward Said's Orientalism.

 

[S'mon]

In this case, I think Far East is the most precise; or East Asian and South East Asian.

I use east-Asian and south-Asian to distinguish China etc from India etc. Necessary because in UK Asian = Indian etc and in US Asian = Chinese etc.

 

[S'mon]

I think if pawsplay's incredibly unhelpful comments are good for anything, it is to remind us that Europe and Asia are not actually continents but two parts of the same Eurasian landmass.

 

[Rel]

Ladies and gentlemen, please proceed with the thread as though pawsplay cannot participate. Thank you.

 

[ProfessorPain]

No it doesn't. That's a weird meme, probably originated by Edward Said's Orientalism.

All of my academic style guides say not to use the term oriental in reference to people. Also Oriental has been considered a slur for sometime by people in the Asian American community. It should also be noted that Said's ideas have gained accepted within most of the social sciences. You are right that concern about the term probably began with the book Orientalism. But it had been used as a slur in America prior to that. I do think however that this discussion doesn't pertain to the OPs question, and is a little too political, if you want to continue, maybe we should do it by PM?

 

[kitsune9]

No Monks. Done.

Aside from Snow's quick quip about no monks, I'd say get rid of anything that would have an Eastern flavor such as renaming feats for a more Western appeal and banning certain magic items (flying carpet).

I would stick with weapons and armor that were clearly Western in historical creation.

 

[Darrell]

In the original Monster Manual, the Gold Dragon has the genus Draco Orientalus Sino Dux, and the illustration is of an oriental serpentine dragon.

True, I'd forgotten about that. Still, the most common gold dragon depictions prior to 3e were 'western-ish' looking.

 

[Gentlegamer]

True, I'd forgotten about that. Still, the most common gold dragon depictions prior to 3e were 'western-ish' looking.

And you're right. That said, gold dragons and the entire concept of good-aligned dragons comes from the Orient. In the West, dragons are generally evil or even demonic beings.

 

[ProfessorPain]

True, I'd forgotten about that. Still, the most common gold dragon depictions prior to 3e were 'western-ish' looking.

I started out on 1E and 2E (came in at the tail end of 1st edition), and tend to picture the gold dragon as the most powerful of the good dragons, and very western. Never really like the 3E presentation of them. But since this is a 3E discussion, I might have to concede the gold dragon. My kingdom for a monster manual!

 

[S'mon]

All of my academic style guides say not to use the term oriental in reference to people. Also Oriental has been considered a slur for sometime by people in the Asian American community. It should also be noted that Said's ideas have gained accepted within most of the social sciences. You are right that concern about the term probably began with the book Orientalism. But it had been used as a slur in America prior to that. I do think however that this discussion doesn't pertain to the OPs question, and is a little too political, if you want to continue, maybe we should do it by PM?

My point was just that while it may be considered a slur, the word Oriental per se is not actually used as a slur. It may become part of a slur by adding a descriptor. (I don't think I can use PM on ENW as I am not a community supporter). Another example, my wife is from the Southern US and regards 'Yank' as a slur, but the British people who call her a Yank are not using it as a slur.