Brilliant Helm

Re: Is "evil race" an intrinsically rascist concept?

Just finished reading the Digital Hero article about the evil race of Migdalars. Recently' date=' on a thread about race and gaming, Michael Hopcroft wrote that he deplored the fantasy staple of evil races. Is the idea that an entire race can be evil an intrinsically racist concept, even if the race does not actually exist in the real world? Does the 'evil race' trope encourage fantasy gamers to think in negative stereotypes? Or is this merely entertainment which does not affect our real life thinking?[/quote']

 

If you look into the origination of evil races you would see some differences. I would guess that Tolkien's Mythology is the best originator. But to understand Tolkien's concept, you have to understand the origin of orcs, goblins, etc.

 

These races were formed from elves who chose evil, and were changed into orcs by their corruption and the influence of the dark lords.

 

Thus these races were formed by choice, not by genetics, per se. From the point of the first choice of these races ancestors, came the members of the race that followed. Now we have a problem. Because while the first orcs were formed from the repercussions of a choice, the prodigy were not. So the first orcs were not a racist concept, but on the face of it, the prodigy were.

 

But this idea only goes so far. Because Tolkien talked about the control of the dark lord Sauron over orcs, goblins and the rest. Sauron was using some kind of mind control on the "dark races." This is demonstrated in the Return of the King book, when Tolkien says the orcs fled being now freed from the Dark Lord's grasp, or some such statement.

 

So now we have mind control involved. But why would orcs be more susceptible to mind control than other races? Something in the water they drank? Who knows, someone more versed and interested in the Simarillion and Tolkien's Mythology may be better able to explain.

 

If you do not think the concept of 'evil races' encourages racist thought because this is just pretend, would it be acceptable to run a Earth setting campaign with the 'evil race' being conspiratorial Jews, Yellow Menace Chinese, or dark jungle-cult Africans? These have all been featured in the adventure entertainment of past eras. If you think it's okay to game evil Migdalars and Orcs but not evil Jews, Chinese or Africans, please explain why.

 

Actually conspiratorial Jews have been used in Hero Games, there was one character named Kabbalah I believe who was a villian. Using one member of a race or ethinicity means nothing in my opinion. It person is judged on their personal conduct.

Re: Divine Grace?

Some call it Charisms. Others just call it Miracles. Whatever one should call it isn't really relevant. Though, perhaps; Prophets make an appearance in your game. If so, maybe you can help.

 

Some powers of the Prophets: Healing, Precognition, Parting the Sea, Tongues, Summoning/Banishing Angels/Demons etc. A big etc.

 

I am currently thinking about using VPP with the Cosmic Powers Ad (+2). Though, this is about as far as I have gotten. I am not sure about the Pool amount or Control Cost amount.

 

Any help would be nice.

Well, actually... The prophets are not in charge of their powers, so a independent limitation (-1) I think would be appropriate. Or do you want the prophets to be in control of their powers?

Re: Gods: How do you handle them?

Hello all,

 

The Priestly Domains thread has got me thinking and wondering how others handle the deities in their game worlds.

 

In my game world, Kamarathin, I've established 35 gods that exist. There are no other gods, however, many of the cultures worship the deities or even "combinations" of the deities under different names.

 

As it stands (the game world is in the very early stages of developemnt), I don't have a creation myth and am leaning towards a once hi-tech civilization that crumbled and everyone is digging out from the ruins. The gods had been slumbering during the hi-tech age and came back with the re-discovery of magic after the fall.

 

What I have thus far can be found here

 

So, how are the gods setup in your game world?

I have one true deity, and a bunch of saint and anti-saints. The saints and anti-saints are simply extremely powerful beings - like angels and demons. The saints and anti-saints are in constant battle for dominance.

Each saint and anti-saint has reverants, or faithful who revere the saint - and pay homage to him or her. The saints reverants, only revere the saints; but the anti-saints reverants actually (falsely) worship the anti-saint.

The one true deity (Ya) has saints who worship him, the anti-saints serve an extremely powerful anti-Saint (Sur) who rules them all. Saints have religious orders which are composed of reverants who devote themselves to the partuclar spirituality of their saint founder. The anti-saints also have cabals which worship them.

Otherwise, the setup is similar to any roleplaying pantheon, with the higher powers vying to spread their particular brand of faith over the world - but one side (the saints) have got it right. The anti-saints only satisfy their own egos.

Who's waiting with bated breath for the "Subjects of the Realm" normals book? I can't wait. Also Battlegrounds looks interesting.

Re: Alignments

One thing that hasn't be mentioned, to my knowledge, is the use of "vs. evil only magic items." I think this could justify a moral limitation of it's own, like Galadorn said.

The reason I don't think a Psychological Limitation covers all the basis, is that all "crazy" people are not evil. But all evil people might be said to be crazy.