Calithorne
Explorer
Most of my important NPCs are powerful women, but not because I'm being politically correct. The fact is, my daughters think I have very traditional ideas about the role of men and women in the world, and my ex-wife and I had a very traditional marriage, with me working and supporting the family, and her staying home and taking care of the children.
But here's the thing, the Middle Ages system of feudalism was NOT one where women shrunk back and allowed men to do all the thinking. The fact is, European history is chock full of powerful women who took charge of entire kingdoms and armies and led men in affairs of state, and also in battle. But none of it had to do with modern ideas such as equal rights, feminism, or social justice. Men and women were definitely NOT equal in society or in the law. A husband was undisputed master of his wife, and was in charge of all the marriage property and the children. But despite this, there were women who overcame these societal and legal disadvantages to become powerful leaders.
And it so happens, perhaps coincidentally, or perhaps not, most of my most powerful NPCs are women.
But I'm not trying to change the world, or make things fair, or try to prove a point. I'm just telling a story, and the story has progressed in my world more than 50 years so that now women are in charge of all my major kingdoms. And historically, this has happened many times in the real world, even though under the rules of succession, all sons inherit the throne before even the oldest daughter.
I will give examples.
My main kingdom, where most of the action takes place, is run by a princess who has no official power, but rules anyway because the people love her, and over the course of several kings' reigns, it was widely acknowledged that she was the real power behind the throne.
She is reaching the end of her life, so she has passed on a relic sword that belongs to the true heir of the kingdom, not to the male barbarian who is that heir, but to his wife, who she groomed from birth to take power.
The neighboring kingdom, which is really the antagonist in the campaign, has a male king, but all real power is wielded by his mother. The real king keeps himself occupied with painting, croquet, and other light activities since he is too unhealthy to ride a horse, hunt, or fight. No one doubts who is really in charge, especially him.
The Empire is ruled by an Emperess, who is a chessmaster character who controls events through a vast spy network run by a former player character. She is grooming her grandson to be Emperor, but also king of both the other kingdoms, since he is a potential claimant to all three crowns.
I hope this starts an interesting discussion, though I'm not sure how it will go. I am not all interested in hearing people talk about how modern concepts like equal rights, inclusion, or diversity should be incorporated into a role playing game. I know that will come up, but in my opinion, the game stops being fun when you get up on your soapbox and start preaching to your players about how the world should be, rather than about how it really is. The fact is, the undisputed fact, is that women have significant disadvantages in a middle ages setting, where physical strength and stamina is the main criteria of the most important profession, which is fighting man. I know modern day role playing games have tossed out such things as realism, and women are now swinging broad swords and carrying backpacks full of heavy gear just like the men.
But that's not what this thread is about. The fact is, women have always played powerful roles in feudalistic societies, and in fact, opportunities for women in feudalism exceed the opportunities available to women in a democracy.
But here's the thing, the Middle Ages system of feudalism was NOT one where women shrunk back and allowed men to do all the thinking. The fact is, European history is chock full of powerful women who took charge of entire kingdoms and armies and led men in affairs of state, and also in battle. But none of it had to do with modern ideas such as equal rights, feminism, or social justice. Men and women were definitely NOT equal in society or in the law. A husband was undisputed master of his wife, and was in charge of all the marriage property and the children. But despite this, there were women who overcame these societal and legal disadvantages to become powerful leaders.
And it so happens, perhaps coincidentally, or perhaps not, most of my most powerful NPCs are women.
But I'm not trying to change the world, or make things fair, or try to prove a point. I'm just telling a story, and the story has progressed in my world more than 50 years so that now women are in charge of all my major kingdoms. And historically, this has happened many times in the real world, even though under the rules of succession, all sons inherit the throne before even the oldest daughter.
I will give examples.
My main kingdom, where most of the action takes place, is run by a princess who has no official power, but rules anyway because the people love her, and over the course of several kings' reigns, it was widely acknowledged that she was the real power behind the throne.
She is reaching the end of her life, so she has passed on a relic sword that belongs to the true heir of the kingdom, not to the male barbarian who is that heir, but to his wife, who she groomed from birth to take power.
The neighboring kingdom, which is really the antagonist in the campaign, has a male king, but all real power is wielded by his mother. The real king keeps himself occupied with painting, croquet, and other light activities since he is too unhealthy to ride a horse, hunt, or fight. No one doubts who is really in charge, especially him.
The Empire is ruled by an Emperess, who is a chessmaster character who controls events through a vast spy network run by a former player character. She is grooming her grandson to be Emperor, but also king of both the other kingdoms, since he is a potential claimant to all three crowns.
I hope this starts an interesting discussion, though I'm not sure how it will go. I am not all interested in hearing people talk about how modern concepts like equal rights, inclusion, or diversity should be incorporated into a role playing game. I know that will come up, but in my opinion, the game stops being fun when you get up on your soapbox and start preaching to your players about how the world should be, rather than about how it really is. The fact is, the undisputed fact, is that women have significant disadvantages in a middle ages setting, where physical strength and stamina is the main criteria of the most important profession, which is fighting man. I know modern day role playing games have tossed out such things as realism, and women are now swinging broad swords and carrying backpacks full of heavy gear just like the men.
But that's not what this thread is about. The fact is, women have always played powerful roles in feudalistic societies, and in fact, opportunities for women in feudalism exceed the opportunities available to women in a democracy.
