Stereotypes, Inclusion and Representation in D&D

Episode 92 Streamed Live Tuesday June 14, 2022 Random Geek-itude 1. Eric July got his first shipment … of what? Not sure, but I’m ready for the Rippaverse: https://twitter.com/EricDJuly/status/1534615182705565696 2. https://boundingintocomics.com/2022/06/13/screenrant-star-wars-article-epitomizes-everything-wrong-with-the-lefts-racial-perspectives/ 3. Just for fun: https://www.gamersdecide.com/articles/10-greatest-weapons-dnd-legendary-weapons-1 Main Topic: Stereotypes, Inclusion and Representation in D&D I Definition Stereotype: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/stereotype How Stereotypes can be good: 1.) Set base lines/make the world believable (need to see the normal before the abnormal becomes truly “weird”). 2.) Stereotypical NPCs/monsters allow players a more predictable way to react to the world making the exception more interesting and intriguing. ex: the friendly barkeep, the sagely, but forgetful wizard, kindly old priest, or the edgy rogue with a heart of gold. 3.) Definition Monsters: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/monster - monsters are essentially evil - frees folks from moral relativism - the game has alignment, so intention is that there is REAL evil and good in the game When/how can Stereotypes be bad? Depends on the temperaments of the folks at the table, and how the stereotype is delivered. II Definitions of Inclusion: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/inclusion https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/include 1.) Legion of Myth Nod: natural inclusion not forced diversity 2.) Not the inclusion we hear about today: https://www.cbr.com/dungeons-and-dragons-representation-inclusivity-plans/ 3.) When has the hobby not ever been inclusive? 4.) How can Inclusion be good? 5.) When/how can Inclusion be bad? III Definition Representation: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/represented 1.) Legion of Myth: Escapism not Representation 2.) Representation must have limits: from DM perspective, your world cannot really be representative of all things unless it becomes cartoonish 3.) Representation today: https://www.themarysue.com/representation-in-d-and-d/ 4.) When/how can representation be good? 5.) When/how can representation be bad? One Random Question: How much use/mileage do you get out of “good” monsters in D&D? Open Discussion: Generating Good Content Revisiting old stuff/deeper dive into old topics Evergreen topics: Gm Advice How To topics Exploration of Actual Play Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also: Podcast: Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts and virtually everywhere you get your podcasts Cash Support: PayPal: paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Anchor: https://www.anchor.fm/biggusgeekus On the Web: Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: [email protected] Socials: Twitter: @biggusgeekus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biggusgeekuspodcast MeWe: www.mewe.com/i/biggusgeekuspodcast Discord: https://discord.gg/PxuFrfybb7 Gilded: https://www.guilded.gg/i/2OO39wj2 Videos: Odysee: https://odysee.com/@biggusgeekus:3YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyVze8TfIB16j0PdmE4lOJg