Why Are Warrior Women Never Ugly?

[Kahuna Burger]

Interestingly enough, I've been writing a story where the main fighter of the group is a woman, and the wizard is a man. I really need to finish that up.

my main pbp character is a frontline fighter who hangs with a male halfling wizard. I've never bothered to describe her in pretty/ugly terms - she's tall, broad shouldered, dark haired and almost perpetually happy (especially when there's ale around). She dresses in a very flashy manner - red and blue paints on her armor, sword ribbons, etc. If pushed, I'd say she's more of a handsome woman than a pretty one - I gave her a positive cha for perform gladitorial and intimidate checks but I consider that more a measure of her force of personality (which she has in spades) than looks.

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

Well, since this is turning into a very interesting thread on perceptions of beauty vs. practicality of adventuring, let me give you all an exclusive first look at a piece of artwork from the forthcoming Castlemorn book showing the elves of that world. Not exactly your chick in chainmail but still riveting.

My first thought was, how do those leg band things stay up?

My second was, if he’s wearing chanimail he must shave those legs.

My third was another unfeasible décolletage.

 

[Ghostwind]

Well, to emphasize the differences in individual perceptions of beauty and art, when we showed off the Castlemorn images at Gen Con, the Elves pic was one of the images that got a really favorable response. Not a single soul said they didn't like it.


One can make the argument that there is no such thing as good or bad art, only art that you may like or dislike on a personal level.

 

[Ghostwind]

So when it comes to female warriors, having images in your gaming books like these:

Artwork by Marta

is much more favorable than having an image like this?

Artwork by Michael Loh

 

[JoeGKushner]

to be honest ghostwind, I don't like any of those pictures. way too much computer graphics or style for me. too 'slick'. might look better on a larger scale mind you.

 

[Voadam]

I can find a bazillion hot elf chicks, but, try to find a plain one and you're SOL. It would be nice if the artists could give us a bit of selection once in a while.

Mialee and the 3e wierd forehead proportion elves do not seem attractive to me.

 

[The Shaman]

not the word I would have used... my first word actually was "ugh." :\

Yeah, that's not really a style of art, or a portrayal of elves, that I find appealing either.

 

[Sejs]

So when it comes to female warriors, having images in your gaming books like these: ...
is much more favorable than having an image like this?

Speaking for myself, yes. Very. If you're a warrior, regardless of gender, dress appropriatly for the job.


Chicks with swords, spilling out of their chainmail bikinis just doesn't mesh right. It'd be like showing a rogue sneaking around while dressed up like a circus clown.

 

[Ghostwind]

It'd be like showing a rogue sneaking around while dressed up like a circus clown.

In the right situation, a rogue clown would be perfect.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Chicks with swords, spilling out of their chainmail bikinis just doesn't mesh right. It'd be like showing a rogue sneaking around while dressed up like a circus clown.

Thanks, I now have my next character concept!

....or, since I'm a DM, the next reoccuring villain.....