The only possible controversy I can envisage regarding the BOVD is why people assume it is going to be something Morally reprehensible or corrupting, as thats just plain laughable.
I think as the recent sealed section of the Dragon magazine, which had excerpts of the BOVD inside showed very maturely and well is that there really isn't anything "that" bad going to be in the book, sure it touches on some things, which some may find difficult to roleplay or come to terms with using themselves, but it is all rpesented in a mature and sensible way and completely in a game context.
If someone has a problem with the content, then exert your democratic right to censor your own viewing habits and don;t buy, look at or use the book, but by the same token do not try to force your own beliefs, or view upon the rest of us, nor take nor seek to take our own right to choose what we do or do not purchase/view and use ourselves.
the craziest thing of all about the BOVD is that really it doesn;t contain anythign that we haven't seen or had mentioned in plenty of products before... but because this presents itself in a PR way as a Book of Vile Darkness... suddenly because we call it what it is these things are going to turn us into Axe Wielding nutcases.... that just isn't true.
If at the end of the day someone commits a bad act in real life, then sure they can blame this book, but thats an excuse and nothing more, the decision to do right or wrong is just that a Decision, and one everyone makes and it is to the individual we must look to to asnswer for those actions and not seek to place blame on a book or TV show, or Music CD, or any other trinket and trapping of modern day life.
heck 1st Edition D&D had a whole series of Adventures relating to slavery, but the aim of the adventures was to stop the slavers ring, resuce the slaves, stop the nasties... the message in them was not that slavery is good, just the opposite if anything it encouraged the message that these things are bad and that through the good playing the good guys that by stopping these things was a good act!.. so by using a dark subject a good message was given out.
The same logic will apply to BOVD by the very fact it is called the Book of VILE DARKNESS it is as good as saying the things mentioned and covered inside are bad things, things we should nto do, the message therefor is not to go out and commit them or that they are acceptable it instead stating clearly and for all to see that they are Evil and bad and unacceptable. A positive message!
I for one shall embrace the BOVD and gladly purchase it and the positive message it brings, and I can say with complete honesty, hand on my heart that after reading it I will be no more inclined to go out and sacrifice my next door neighbour, molest women or eat small babies than I was to start with.... because as before I read the book I still "choose" not to be that kind of person and to do those kinds of things.
And the same goes for RP in general the overall message is a positive one not a bad one, Persevere in what you hold dear, see that those who commit bad deeds are brought to call for it, do good where you can, work together, everyone is different, folks can work together whatever thier race/gender/ or skills, improve yourself.... all these and a thousand others are messages roleplaying tell us every time we play.
here endeth the rant.
