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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Peni Griffin" data-source="post: 3599077" data-attributes="member: 50322">No, dear, the blame for an action goes to the person who does the action.  Although you bring out the point that many negative stereotypes about groups of people are reinforced by behavior forced on those groups of people by the artificial limitations of their circumstances.  Usury (the loaning of money at interest) was forbidden to Christians, and many forms of employment were legally forbidden to Jews; hence, Jews became bankers.  Money is power in a cash economy, and Jews had no other direct source of power, so naturally the bankers exercised it when they could. Who wouldn't?  It's precisely the same principle as the femme fatale, whose public image is also historically a negative one.  Using money and sex to manipulate others were frowned on, not because these are intrinsically bad behaviors, but because these behaviors undermined the "natural" authority of those who had all the power.  Using military force to compel others to do what you want, now - that was legitimate and good and right, because the people in power said so.  (And if you think these self-serving moral distinctions vanished with the advent of democracy, well - whatever helps you sleep at night.)Oppressors also project their own sins onto oppressed groups; cf the (American historical) lynching of black men for the "crime" of miscegenation by the very demographic (white males) that routinely sexually exploited black women.  If you want violent conflict, there's a principle you can bring to bear with devastating effect.History is always the best source material, but as in the above case may hit too close to home for your players.  For fictional examples of making plots out of politics in ways that won't automatically rile people up, try Alexander Dumas pére (ah, the classics!) and Lois McMaster Bujold, both the Vorkosigan space operas and the wondrously complex theological thrillers, Curse of Chalion, Paladin of Souls, and Hallowed Hunt.  The second set is particularly inspiring if you have a devout group, as it demonstrates how gods can get involved in your story without mucking it up irrevocably.</blockquote>

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