Monster Porn?

[the Jester]

Okay, serious question... if a party of adventurers defeats a forward military outpost of mercenaries, I'd expect them to find typical assortment of 'army guy loot', including pornography.

Question- what if the mercs are led by a lonely beholder? What's it use for pr0n?

What about an illithid?

What about demons and their ilk?

Would 'alien' (nonhumanoid) porn even be recognizable as such by adventurers? For example, I'd think that devil porn would focus on eroticism in corruption; a dragon's porn might focus on erotic instances involving power and treasure; etc.

Lookin' for ideas to add depth and a lil bit of startlement to the pcs when something like this comes up... seriously.

Please, everyone, stay on topic and don't post anything Eric's Grandma wouldn't like. I would like to have an intelligent discussion on this topic rather than a flame fest of any kind. Thanks!

 

[Piratecat]

I give this thread five posts -- but I'm willing to be proven wrong.

 

[diaglo]

well i would imagine it would be more text...letters to Pentdungeon and such.

or sculpture

or petrified in the case of medusae.

 

[Altalazar]

This sounds like a risky topic to me...

But to dive right in - you can't assume what one race finds 'enticing' in that regard will hold true even in the same ballpark.

For instance, a truly evil, demonic being might, uh, be 'enticed' solely by images of graphic torture - something one wouldn't even realize was used for such purposes - PCs would just assume it is kinda sick and likes torture.

For other beings, well, it would also depend on whether a creature goes for more emotional, physical, or visual stimulation. Perhaps for a bugbear, a long, detailed description of a grooming ritual, complete with picking out of parasites from his hide (which are then eaten, or even shared) is what drives them wild. Perhaps for a lizardman, a wire brush used to really get the grout out of one's scales is what does the trick.

But I have to wonder - why is this sort of loot even all that important to describe? You just looking for atmosphere? For some boxed text to read that makes the creatures seem a little more real? And why does it have to be porn? It could be softer - romance - a book where a demon finds the perfect match - anothe demon to share tortures with for eternity.

 

[Darkness]

1. I think Shadowrun had porn for all the races (orcs, elves, etc.).

2. What form did pornography take in societies without a printing press? Paintings, sculptures, such things. D&D worlds are probably similar in this regard, probably with magical additions for those who can afford them (e.g., items creating illusionary scenes, probably pre-programmed ones).

 

[the Jester]

But I have to wonder - why is this sort of loot even all that important to describe? You just looking for atmosphere? For some boxed text to read that makes the creatures seem a little more real? And why does it have to be porn? It could be softer - romance - a book where a demon finds the perfect match - anothe demon to share tortures with for eternity.

Depth to the world is why. I've had them find a variety of 'cultural markers' in the past (from romance novels to paintings and stuff) but I want to pitch something their way that'll catch them off guard.

And though I'm also worried that this thread will be spoiled, I'm hoping for the best- this community is really very constructive most of the time.

Another example of the kind of thing I'm thinking about was actually inspired by Piratecat's SH- the kuo-toa city that had sculptures that were partially ethereal and such (kuo-toans can see ethereal objects). I could see that applied to erotic statuary, etc.

Anyway, as I said, I'm really hoping we can all treat this subject intelligently and... gently.

 

[hong]

I don't think you have to get TOO explicit. A few well-chosen adjectives can convey all the atmosphere you need, while still remaining relatively innocuous.

This is a lounge decorated with innumerable perverted and lewd paintings, tapestries, statues, etc. Even the carpents are obscene. ... There are various containers for wine and spirits scattered about, and several sorts of drugs (mushroom powder, poppy juice, lotus dust) are contained in gold and crystal dishes on a bone and silver stand. Debauchery is the keynote of this place.

-- D3, Vault of the Drow, pp.22-23.

 

[Henry]

You have to remember what function this form of expression serves. In a society where the emphasis is on procreation only, or in a society where procreation is a more violent affair, you might not see anything of this nature at all. Also, in societies where "free love" or sex for sale is not stignatized, the need for this decreases dramatically.

In the two examples given, if you use the WotC/TSR take on Beholder and illithids, they are races that do not even use a sexual means of reproduction. Such "porn" for an illithid might have nothing to do with sex at all, but might be a memory crystal that recreates the experience of eating a particularly tasty brain. Now imagine the looks from your players when the PC's open THAT little centerfold.

 

[Altalazar]

Well, if your world really has that much detail, consider the magical versions of such things. With illusion magic and such, one can make some pretty potent stuff - even better than DVDs and the web today...

Of course, if it were magics designed for a demon or bugbear, it might have rather unintended side-effects (and horror!) for the unsuspecting PC who activiated it.

 

[rounser]

D3, Vault of the Drow, pp.22-23.

It sort of calls for the Elven Eye for the Dwarven Guy Fab 5 to come in and re-decorate the place, if even the carpets are obscene.

"Honey, spider amulets and big Easley hair are soooo 2nd Edition."