My beef with the sealed section was the assertion that in a Vile Game the PCs do it too. like Hell. Simply because one lives in a world where vile people to vile things doesn't mean everybody has to do it as well. In such a world the challenge lies in taking the high road when everybody else is tromping in the filth.
Besides, the sealed section did not contain the worst people do to each other. Yes, there are viler things out there in real life. Look up the subject of abnormal sexuality some time.
So why is EVIL so fascinating to some folks? Probably no first hand experience with it. Or with the price it exacts.
Evil is about treating people as if they were objects, items of no worth in and of themselves. Even worse, people don't like being treated as objects, and when they see an opportunity to get back at their oppressor, they'll take it. You foul a village well, the villagers are going to be looking for your sorry rear.
People like to be safe and secure, and if you threaten that security they'll come after you.
Now, there are some things I don't think of as vile. Nudity for one. There are places and situations where going skyclad is a more sensible option than staying garbed. By the same token, if your paladin is visiting a home in a far away land, and your host's nubile daughter plops her birthday suited self in your lap while he is telling you to, "Have fun." Then, by the saints above, have fun. It's better than being hunted down by a man irate at the insult you tendered his child by refusing her advances.
OTOH, there is the Japanese reaction to the nape of the neck. Or their odd behavior regarding a certain part of a woman's anatomy, depending on whether it has hair or not. (For clarification, email me privately.) So Americans aren't the only ones who get a tad irrational about certain things.
Finally, take a look at the Jerren (p68) one more time. These are people to be emulated? A more despicable bunch would be hard to find. Certainly a prime example of the saying, "A fate worse than death." For my part, I'd let somebody play a Jerren halfling, but he'll have to put together a back-up character for when the little monster dies. Which would most likely occur in town before the party set off on the adventure.
There you have my take on Dragon 300. All the fuss will pass and life will go on as normal. The innocent will continue to drool over "cool evil stuff", while the grown-ups will do their best to keep the kids from getting themselves killed through ignorance. The same kind of thing the ancient Babylonians complained about back in the day.
Now if only we could walk around with clue-by-fours and the power to use them.
Besides, the sealed section did not contain the worst people do to each other. Yes, there are viler things out there in real life. Look up the subject of abnormal sexuality some time.
So why is EVIL so fascinating to some folks? Probably no first hand experience with it. Or with the price it exacts.
Evil is about treating people as if they were objects, items of no worth in and of themselves. Even worse, people don't like being treated as objects, and when they see an opportunity to get back at their oppressor, they'll take it. You foul a village well, the villagers are going to be looking for your sorry rear.
People like to be safe and secure, and if you threaten that security they'll come after you.
Now, there are some things I don't think of as vile. Nudity for one. There are places and situations where going skyclad is a more sensible option than staying garbed. By the same token, if your paladin is visiting a home in a far away land, and your host's nubile daughter plops her birthday suited self in your lap while he is telling you to, "Have fun." Then, by the saints above, have fun. It's better than being hunted down by a man irate at the insult you tendered his child by refusing her advances.
OTOH, there is the Japanese reaction to the nape of the neck. Or their odd behavior regarding a certain part of a woman's anatomy, depending on whether it has hair or not. (For clarification, email me privately.) So Americans aren't the only ones who get a tad irrational about certain things.
Finally, take a look at the Jerren (p68) one more time. These are people to be emulated? A more despicable bunch would be hard to find. Certainly a prime example of the saying, "A fate worse than death." For my part, I'd let somebody play a Jerren halfling, but he'll have to put together a back-up character for when the little monster dies. Which would most likely occur in town before the party set off on the adventure.
There you have my take on Dragon 300. All the fuss will pass and life will go on as normal. The innocent will continue to drool over "cool evil stuff", while the grown-ups will do their best to keep the kids from getting themselves killed through ignorance. The same kind of thing the ancient Babylonians complained about back in the day.
Now if only we could walk around with clue-by-fours and the power to use them.
