Pistonrager said:There is nothing politically correct in assuming a living sentient being has the ability to propagate or indeed that there are two sexes of each type of creature.
Fail. That's not what I was saying was politically correct... it was the remark about "Honestly, we in the fantasy community have got to start taking a good, hard look at the way gender is used in our media."
Pistonrager said:The real problem isn't gender equality, it's that some people are stuck in the ways of the past. As such people are uncomfortable with change and the idea that things may be different from the way we like them.
You don't need to be telling me why I do or don't like something. I can tell you myself, if you care to know. The "medusae" (the gorgon sisters) are a Greek mythological idea, and I like Greek mythology (it was one of the things that made D&D seem cool... I was into Greek myth before I was into D&D). As I already said, I don't need every monster to be a breeding species. Sometimes, Monster = Freak.
Pistonrager said:Oh and your reference to the mule is moot, it still had a male and female parent, though they aren't of the same species.
Only if "moot" means demonstrative. The point is that not every species is a true breeding species. Sometimes you get hybrids or freaks. Medusae (for example) could be one of those. Same reason I don't use female Minotaurs. It's a man-bull monster (in fact, the myth makes it a human-bull crossbreed, if you've read it). There are no Chick-o-taurs because I don't consider Minotaurs to be "cow people". I consider them to be monsters.
Pistonrager said:But feel free to have your medusae spawn however you like, as long as there is a reason for it. Gods or Cultists as long as it's consistent and thematically fits.
Oh, well as long as I've got your permission.