Subject: rape and cannibalism

From: Thom Baguley <t.s.baguley_at_...>
Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2001 12:51:57 +0100

> From: Svechin_at_...
>Well my view is that rape and cannibalism lead to transformation into chaotic
>creatures only if they are performed for that purpose, not if simply an
>atrocity. For me, it would be a gameworld construct and not at all
>'realistic' if soliders or warriors committed no atrocities for fear of
>turning into broo. In everything I've read on war, atrocity happens,
>including cannibalism at times but rape is very common.

I'd argue against that. I think the core idea to me would be investing part of your soul and identity into the act.

The point about chaotic taints produced in this way is they are also semi-random. Some guy could commit one dodgy act and get tainted, another could commit hundred and not ... Unlike other Gloranthan processes chaos isn't bound by any consistency or fairness.

>In my PargAddi campaign, the Imperial terror troops actually have names for
>the different levels of atrocity they commit, because for them, it is
>relatively routine. It is an instrument of policy, as it was for the
>Assyrians and as it was and _is_ for many peoples around the world now.

I think military units acting under orders would be protected to some extent (probably via they wyters).

>But hey, I like the feeling of military verisimilitude in my games and so
>have no problem with running this kind of thing, but its not everyones cuppa
>tea so YGMV.

Absolutely! Run your game as you wish.

Thom