Re: Terror in war

From: Jeff Richard <richaje_at_xhV7v_bLF3RjPGXuBazTlHxhs_1-3Z0jH1DFOwePPBpnzCHx3Ct_klz8B1-qWCFvqff9>
Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:55:46 -0000


> Once again, this misses the point. If this sort of thing is so, it
> ruins the game for me, and prevents it being enjoyable. I don't *care*
> whether its realistic, or plausible, or whatever. That's why I'm
> looking for alternatives that make sense.

OK, this appears to be an aesthetic dispute. Many folk dislike the very idea of Kallyr doing things that they consider "bad" - so much so that it "ruins the game".

Personally, I find people's need to have untarnished heroes odd. In Pendragon, Arthur orders the judicial execution of his own wife, sleeps with his sister, "mercilessly" sacks his own city of Guinnon, pillages large parts of Tuscany, and wages a destructive war against his own champion. Just to pick a few "bad" deeds of Arthur from the GPC.

Now does this make King Arthur an evil man?

> > In my last campaign, Kallyr began as a very distrusted figure.
>
> So 'nobody', is your answer, yes? Not a game I'd want to play in, but
> it's a fair answer.

That's a very strong reaction (but perhaps one that is sympomatic of the times). Does the idea that the Lunar army destroys tribe and clan, crucifies men, women and children by the hundreds and thousands, or sells them into slavery bother you? Does the idea that Sartarites sell out their own tribesmen when the Lunar army employs the Crimson Bat bother you? Does the idea that the ducks of the Upland Marsh may have cut a deal with an undead lich bother you?

> Oh, I disagree - it may not be your intent, but it's absolutely the
> effect, from my personal perspective. At the best, its making her out
> to be an anti-hero, who the player heroes should be opposing. I'd hate
> to play in any game where player heroes have the attitude 'well, I
> don't like it, but it has to be done', towards this sort of thing.
> IMO, being heroes is all about not accepting that kind of thinking.

Really? So what does that make Achilles, Odysseus, Olaf Trygvasson, Harald Hardrada, Judas Macabbeas, Romulus, or Sigurd Dragonkiller? All of these heroes do some pretty downright nasty deeds - and all of them embrace that sort of thinking.

Jeff            

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