tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post9179000110291793916..comments2023-10-14T03:58:59.333-06:00Comments on The Tao of D&D: NationalismAlexis Smolenskhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10539170107563075967noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-66290950334034814982011-06-09T16:31:49.796-06:002011-06-09T16:31:49.796-06:00I have been struck numerous times when reading a r...I have been struck numerous times when reading a really good historical fiction novel that the characters more times than not seem more "fantastic" than most books that fall into the fantasy genre. <br /><br />The best historical fiction projects an alien way of thinking into characters that with all the cultural retrofitting--outside of exotic, neglected corners like Tekumel--you just don't get. <br /><br />But I guess I have the same ambivalence in my own game. Contemporary themes (the collapse of the banking system for instance) tend to creep into my own sessions, some times with ironic intent--many times more likely because of how hard it is to transcend our conditioning.Chris Kutalikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01414743509426875792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-11686200280799181712011-06-09T15:53:10.040-06:002011-06-09T15:53:10.040-06:00Thanks for exposing the comfy modern assumptions b...Thanks for exposing the comfy modern assumptions behind much of fantasy tropism. Use them or not, people should at least be aware what's real and what's Renfaire.<br /><br />For me, the real way to grind your point home is to have nobles and commoners speak different languages, as was historically true. So, the nobles *of every country, even enemies* speak French, or Latin, or Elvish amongst each other. And each of them also has whatever local language they picked up from the servants and nursemaids. <br /><br />The peasants within each country can speak dozens of near mutually incomprehensible languages and dialects, and the nobles don't give a cuss. Royal Academies to standardize the language, orthography and pronunciation didn't come about until the age of nation-building kings in the 17th century.Roger G-Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08594440701279968693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3871409676946408069.post-78894757862183022102011-06-09T11:12:09.661-06:002011-06-09T11:12:09.661-06:00You've been on quite a roll lately. I hope wh...You've been on quite a roll lately. I hope whatever fires spurned you in this direction don't subside anytime soon.Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00433823836676600019noreply@blogger.com