D&D 5E What’s So Great About Medieval Europe?

[Son of the Serpent]

So why were you railing so hard against acknowledging the concept of cultural appropriation and the negative effects it has on the TTRPG game industry? Is it really that hard to tap some sensitivity readers who actually have experience with the cultures that you are (hopefully not, but probably are) butchering???

I disagree that harm is being done. And like i said, provided someone has the academic knowledge (which includes field research) they are competent in the culture. Butchering. Yeah. I dont really agree that by and large there is a butchering problem going on. I do not arrive at the conclusion that cultures are getting maimed like that.

 

[FlyingChihuahua]

So why were you railing so hard against acknowledging the concept of cultural appropriation and the negative effects it has on the TTRPG game industry? Is it really that hard to tap some sensitivity readers who actually have experience with the cultures that you are (hopefully not, but probably are) butchering???

Because that might prevent him from doing something.

Not something he might want to do at all, just that it might prevent him from doing it at all.

 

[Hoffmand]

How about frank yerby writing goat song. Another literary masterpiece. Guess we got to burn that book too.

 

[Son of the Serpent]

You probably think you're "speaking truth to power", but when there is no power to speak truth to, you're just being an insensitive jerk.

Actually, i dont really take into considerations any power dynamics when considering whether ill tell the truth. I just do it.

 

[imagineGod]

Everyone is still just talking past one another. I posted several images to draw attention to the problem of anthropomorphism in role playing games and am yet to get those erudite responses on what knowledge I can pass across to my Players to ensure they play those fantasy dogs right. :-(

 

[imagineGod]

Seriously, a lot of unanswered questions that never bothered me before, but now that I think about this more, I see many problematic situations happening at the table. For example in the "Historia RPG for DnD5e" you have multiple species, not just sentient dogs, but also cats.

This brings two problems, (a), how do Players play their species right and (b) how do they accurately portray the power dynamics between the species. There are many more questions, but maybe we can start with the fantasy dogs and cats in Historia first.

Also, why would the fantasy animals rock Euro-centric garb rather than something more authentic to what they would wear if they evolved on their own instead of humans in dog-face or cat-face costumes.

 

[imagineGod]

Anyway, I am not here for headed academic debates, just thought to drop some ideas out there. Ta.

 

[Giltonio_Santos]

Everyone is still just talking past one another. I posted several images to draw attention to the problem of anthropomorphism in role playing games and am yet to get those erudite responses on what knowledge I can pass across to my Players to ensure they play those fantasy dogs right. :-(

Not really well-versed into Pugmire, but from what I learned at the time of their KS campaign, I believe dogs wear clothes because their culture revolves around emulating humans the best they can.

 

[Legatus Legionis]

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[Voadam]

Everyone is still just talking past one another. I posted several images to draw attention to the problem of anthropomorphism in role playing games and am yet to get those erudite responses on what knowledge I can pass across to my Players to ensure they play those fantasy dogs right. :-(

Relevant concerns:

The relationship between humans and domesticated animals is one of a power disparity.

Does the player identify as a cat person or a dog person or neither? Have they consulted with someone who does?

Does the player have a personal connection to the species in question, have they lived in close proximity to a member of the species? Have they consulted with a person who has?

Remember the asserted unwritten rule about not producing material based on another culture if it is not dominant if the material is for public consumption (or at least hire a relevant consultant if you do). If you put your play experiences on Youtube or you play at a con or a public space remember that.

Consulting is the best you can do. And how hard is it to do the research and consultation? It is not a high bar.

Also real non-human mammals are not people so that has some relevance on the harmfulness that can result.

Serious considerations would be are you using the nonhuman mammals or your portrayals of them as metaphors for human issues. That can be interesting and potentially add depth but also open it up to problematic issues such as racist or sexist portrayals. Also things like ideas about a dog's pack dominance or a cat's cruelty could lead to problematic play. Even just crude sexual expressions based on species could come up. Things to be conscious of ahead of time to avoid unpleasantness.