Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="usdmw" data-source="post: 4660899" data-attributes="member: 19662">This will be my last post on this matter.It is clear that to some people rape is such an emotionally-charged issue that they can not, will not, tolerate its presence in their game reality, even in subtext. This is perhaps because rape has more resonance to them than murder or other acts of violence, for whatever reason. For them, this change makes the game more palatable. Good for them.I consider myself a pretty sensitive person, and I game with several women currently, and have gamed with dozens over the years. Not once has anyone, man or women, ever seemed even slightly uncomfortable with the origins of half-orcs in D&D, the rapacious natures of Broos in runequest, the violent overtones of the vampiric Embrace, the brutality of slavery in Hyboria, the blasphemy of Call of Cthulhu, or any other fantasy evil. I suppose it could happen, but those reactions wouldn't be limited to the game. They would be provoked by endless elements of popular fiction, television and film. If it happened, I would apologize for offending, offer to ignore such themes, and move on.While the influences of D&D have increased over time, the game's origin is based on pulp fantasy: Howard, Lieber, etc. Those sources often dealt with sexuality, brutality, and violence. Let's not forget Arthurian traditions, which have several instances of rape. I think one might find one or two examples in the real world as well.The game includes (or included prior to 4e; I'm not familiar with 4e) spells that bend the target's will, making them little more than slaves, potions that produce artificial feelings of romance (and presumably lust), magical helms that make their wearer virtually irresistible, and evil creatures that can possess the bodies of their victims.While I don't care about the origins of half-orcs, or centaurs, or half-dragons, or ogrillions, or any of the other fantasy creatures in the D&D reality, the suggestion that rape doesn't exist in a world of evil creatures, coercive magic, and dark cults seems simply bizarre to me.</blockquote>

Verification