blackknight
Level 1 Medium
Vorpal Bunnies FTW!!!
Posts: 17
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Post by blackknight on Feb 26, 2013 15:16:44 GMT -6
Most Primitive cultures would have no problem stealing wives (or husbands for Amazons), taking slaves, or kidnapping victims for torture or other entertainment from differing peoples or tribes. Morgan Looking through our own History, the statement that primitive cultures having no problem could be looked at in a different context. Slavery in one form or another, defined as the treatment of a human being as personal property, without rights and protections under law. has been practiced In our modern world from the dawn of time till as recent as our own lifetimes. One does not consider men of the 1800-1900s primitive by any means. It is also the fact, that the more mature culture typically subjugates the more primitive culture in a slave situation, Unless the slaves are taken in the form of a raid, in which the cultures could be more equal. In our more Modern society we have developed thoughts that litterally we are all equal, and in truth there is but one race on this planet, seperated and segragated by religion, wealth, and ethnic factors. But in any setting earlier than modern games, Slavery could/should almost be expected in one form or another. to those peoples, unless in your game setting it is against a/the fantasy religion, or the societies or individuals personal ethics, should be tolerated, depending on the condition of the subjugated. A cruel taskmaster/slave driver should be looked on with scorn and hatered, and his slaves pitied. but in many cultures the slaves, though understandably have the knowledge that they are slaves and therefore no ability to do what they want when they want, do not mind being a slave to a gental, forgiving, and less demanding master. If you really think about it, all of us that work for a living in a company that is not owned by us is in fact a slave to their job. My personal ethics as a modern man state that slavery is evil in all it's forms, and that all humans are that of the same race. But in a historical or fantasy setting unless you apply modern sencibility one cannot live without slavery/indentured servitude (which is at the very least slavery without the loss of all rights, just most of them). |
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Post by mabon5127 on Feb 26, 2013 16:24:35 GMT -6
Hey blackknight! I agree with what you are saying. My comments were in the context of hyperborean races. The Romans weren't really a primitive race either and to your point had lots of slaves from the cultures around them. Some may even argue that the men of the 18-19 century were primitive....  . On that I don't have an opinion! My main thrust is to create a quandary for the players in which they may have to buck conventional practice, or not, as they see fit for their character. The amazon my be upset that the slaves include women. The pict may be angered if they are of the same tribe. The hyperborean won't care as the Picts are only fit to serve others. The common men will be all over the map with reactions. The chaotic priest of xathoqqua may buy a wife or buy them all and set them free. Regardless it will create some tension and a good story. Btw, thanks to all for the feedback! Morgan |
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blackknight
Level 1 Medium
Vorpal Bunnies FTW!!!
Posts: 17
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Post by blackknight on Feb 27, 2013 8:03:10 GMT -6
Hey blackknight! I agree with what you are saying. My comments were in the context of hyperborean races. The Romans weren't really a primitive race either and to your point had lots of slaves from the cultures around them. Some may even argue that the men of the 18-19 century were primitive.... . On that I don't have an opinion! My main thrust is to create a quandary for the players in which they may have to buck conventional practice, or not, as they see fit for their character. The amazon my be upset that the slaves include women. The pict may be angered if they are of the same tribe. The hyperborean won't care as the Picts are only fit to serve others. The common men will be all over the map with reactions. The chaotic priest of xathoqqua may buy a wife or buy them all and set them free. Regardless it will create some tension and a good story. Btw, thanks to all for the feedback! Morgan Great points Morgan. And your points lead to the truth of it. It can be used as a plot device to push the players into or out of a comfort zone, and lead to educational and personal development. And they say you can't learn anything from D&D... |
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Post by blackadder23 on Feb 28, 2013 11:54:34 GMT -6
And they say you can't learn anything from D&D... Playing D&D in the early 1980's is how I learned to do math and geometry, read maps, read charts and tables, and write clearly. I literally use all the lessons that D&D taught me to this day.  |
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Post by mabon5127 on Feb 28, 2013 12:54:35 GMT -6
And they say you can't learn anything from D&D... Playing D&D in the early 1980's is how I learned to do math and geometry, read maps, read charts and tables, and write clearly. I literally use all the lessons that D&D taught me to this day. I'm sure my reading level got better. My handwriting was improved. The social aspects of gaming helped me immensely. On an on... |
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Post by jasonzavoda on Feb 28, 2013 13:56:47 GMT -6
I know my first gaming group started bringing a gallon jug of cheap wine to each session so I guess D&D helped teach me my social drinking skills, (always pass the jug clockwise, bring paper cups, don't swig from the bottle, red wine for D&D, white wine for games of RISK, etc...)
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Post by blackadder23 on Feb 28, 2013 14:16:07 GMT -6
It's just interesting to me because there was widespread feeling in the early 1980's that D&D was an occult conspiracy and its effects were mostly negative (suicide, drug use, etc.  ). In my opinion D&D was mainly a (fairly successful) attempt to turn the niche hobby of wargaming into a more mainstream one by adding fantasy elements to it, and in my experience the general impact of D&D on most players was positive: increased imagination and creativity, improved social skills, and the cultivation of various technical skills useful for gaming but also broadly applicable to real life (thanks to D&D, I can fill out forms like a demon - or is that a poor choice of words? ;D ). |
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Post by mabon5127 on Feb 28, 2013 18:51:15 GMT -6
I know my first gaming group started bringing a gallon jug of cheap wine to each session so I guess D&D helped teach me my social drinking skills, (always pass the jug clockwise, bring paper cups, don't swig from the bottle, red wine for D&D, white wine for games of RISK, etc...) You sir are too funny! I missed out as my first gaming group averaged 13 or so in age. Morgan |
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blackknight
Level 1 Medium
Vorpal Bunnies FTW!!!
Posts: 17
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Post by blackknight on Mar 1, 2013 8:47:40 GMT -6
I remember the days during the 80's where my parents we deciding wether or not to take away my D&D materials and banning me fromthe game, Dam that Tipper Gore...
After I explained and then ran a small game for my Parents (yes I got my parents to try playing LOL) they understood what it was about and were proud that I had the intelligence and maturity to play, and more so that I has the social, and orgazational skills to be able to actually run the games.
THEN, my group and I ran a "Tipper Gore" Dungeon. where we played Deamons and Devils and gained experiance based on the level of debaucthery and evil we could commit on the world... ROFLOL!!
Bob
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blackknight
Level 1 Medium
Vorpal Bunnies FTW!!!
Posts: 17
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Post by blackknight on Mar 1, 2013 8:52:35 GMT -6
I know my first gaming group started bringing a gallon jug of cheap wine to each session so I guess D&D helped teach me my social drinking skills, (always pass the jug clockwise, bring paper cups, don't swig from the bottle, red wine for D&D, white wine for games of RISK, etc...) LOL, I don't think I could have started my first game with wine, I was 8 in 74-75 when I started playing... Though once I got to the age of about 17 achohol did start showing, not just in the game, but out of the game.. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2013 9:18:57 GMT -6
THEN, my group and I ran a "Tipper Gore" Dungeon. where we played Deamons and Devils and gained experiance based on the level of debaucthery and evil we could commit on the world... ROFLOL!! I laughed out loud when I read this! Good for you and your group and have an exalt! |
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joseph
Level 4 Theurgist
Posts: 142 
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Post by joseph on Sept 30, 2013 9:16:50 GMT -6
Slavery can be a useful device in an rpg - both for setting and for story-telling. In my current game, using a homebrew setting, the characters a foreign crusaders in a land where slavery is common. The crusaders find the practice abhorrent as it is illegal in their homelands, where even seeding is rare. Playing up the slavery, as well as issues of corruption, makes the players wonder if fighting to free the land of invaders is even worth it. They are very different from the nobles they are working with... almost LG vs LE societies.
Secondly, one of the players freed a slave girl who had been captured by the enemy. As it turned out she had escaped from the seraglio of the PCs noble employer. Conflict and great role-playing opportunities all around.
So, slavery has a place in fantasy/S&S/historical RPGs if used correctly. Yes, as modern humans we understand that it is a terrible practice, but it is also a historical practice and if presented in a tasteful way it can be a great tool for creating story and feel.
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. On that I don't have an opinion!
). In my opinion D&D was mainly a (fairly successful) attempt to turn the niche hobby of wargaming into a more mainstream one by adding fantasy elements to it, and in my experience the general impact of D&D on most players was positive: increased imagination and creativity, improved social skills, and the cultivation of various technical skills useful for gaming but also broadly applicable to real life (thanks to D&D, I can fill out forms like a demon - or is that a poor choice of words? ;D ).