Yes. That Ernaldan characters don't fit into the majority ofstandard campaigns that well is one issue. Perhaps it represents a deficiency in the majority of campaigns - regardless of how its judged, its still the case that most campaigns are combat focussed.
But the real issue is that male characters can choose to be an Orlanthi, including a wide range of nuanced options giving them access to both combat and non-combat archetypes. They don't have to choose between being a typical roleplaying character (suited to adventure and derring do in small groups) and being a potential societal leader. They also have both combat and non-combat roles available regardless of their sexual orientation or inclination. Female characters are told deviance from the sexual norm is more or less their only choice if they wish to be anything like a typical RPG character. And BTW, they'll be cutting themselves off from female leadership roles in their society too.
The idea that its deep and mythic is just pretending individual creative choices are elevated beyond criticism by being historically common. The idea that its so very Gloranthan - female warriors in both warrior roles and roles of social importance have always been very prevalent in Gloranthan, both official and creative, while the allegedly mighty and dominant Ernaldans quite notably have not.
I mean, if Greg really thinks the dominant female roles in Heortling society should be Ernaldan, you'd think in the last twenty years he would have written a few stories where Ernaldans do something notable and interesting.
Cheers David
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