Steve Jackson Games - Site Navigation
Home General Info Follow Us Search Illuminator Store Forums What's New Other Games Ogre GURPS Munchkin Our Games: Home

Go Back   Steve Jackson Games Forums > Roleplaying > GURPS

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-28-2021, 10:01 AM   #11
Gold & Appel Inc
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: One Mile Up
Default Re: [DF] Faun Barbarian - Bessarion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tymathee View Post
Beefcake Protection (... like I said, from DF's Barbarians book. I find the homoeroticism baked into the material to be funny.
The only DF Barbarian I ever GMd had this (though I haven't read the Barbarians book and called it Arrowproof Nudity, but it was the same idea). He was a colossal THREE-FOOT TALL Leprechaun in my all-Leprechauns campaign, Little Green Men. His standard move at the commencement of any hostilities was to whip off his kilt, which he also became skilled in using as a Light Cloak and Sling.
Gold & Appel Inc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2021, 02:23 PM   #12
Tymathee
 
Tymathee's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: I'd rather be alone than be with people who make me feel alone.
Default Re: [DF] Faun Barbarian - Bessarion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gold & Appel Inc View Post
The only DF Barbarian I ever GMd had this (though I haven't read the Barbarians book and called it Arrowproof Nudity, but it was the same idea). He was a colossal THREE-FOOT TALL Leprechaun in my all-Leprechauns campaign, Little Green Men. His standard move at the commencement of any hostilities was to whip off his kilt, which he also became skilled in using as a Light Cloak and Sling.
Hahaha, that's amazing!

I just found the very particular naming of the trait to be interesting. I wonder what the story is behind that? TTRPGs are mostly written by heterosexual, cis-gendered men... which is pretty true of GURPS, although perhaps I shouldn't be making assumptions about the author's identities. My impression though is that by large they're straight men. Oh, sure, there's women involved in GURPS. But if this stuff was written by men, by a primarily male consumer base... well, it's safe to assume intentional homoeroticism. Jokingly is totally fine too, plenty of LGBTQ+ people are totally OK with jokes being cracked at the expense of queerfolk so long as they're made in good taste. This seems to be the intention here with "Beefcake Protection".

I usually deem it largely unnecessary to list the sexuality of a character on their sheet (nothing to do with queer awareness, "fade to black" is just a scarcity in roleplaying, at least anecdotally). Almost all my characters are heterosexual, cis-gendered people, and I usually only dip into alternative sexualities/alternative gendering if I'm for whatever reason wanting to explore LGBTQ+ themes. I've had some queer characters... but their sexuality/gender for the most part just isn't that important to most typical adventuring.

For characters with the Sex Appeal skill, as Bessarion has, sexuality becomes a bit more relevant in adventuring. Should it need be made apparent, yes, Bessarion is a heterosexual, cis-gendered faun male. The Lecherousness trait has some strongly implied bicuriosity though... honestly, I find the queercoding in GURPS traits to be quite amusing.
__________________
"Mom's resentful that she has to work so hard, which obscures her guilt about actually wanting to work so hard. Dad's guilty about being less driven than mom, but thinks it's wrong to feel that way, so he hides behind a smokescreen of cluelessness. Quinn wears superficiality like a suit of armor, because she's afraid of looking inside and finding absolutely nothing. And I'm so defendant that I actively work to make people dislike me so I won't feel bad when they do. Can I go now?" - Daria Morgendorffer
Tymathee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2021, 03:41 PM   #13
Christopher R. Rice
 
Christopher R. Rice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Portsmouth, VA, USA
Default Re: [DF] Faun Barbarian - Bessarion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tymathee View Post
TTRPGs are mostly written by heterosexual, cis-gendered men... which is pretty true of GURPS, although perhaps I shouldn't be making assumptions about the author's identities.
Yeah, you really shouldn't.
__________________
My Twitter
My w23 Stuff
My Blog

Latest GURPS Book: Dungeon Fantasy Denizens: Thieves
Latest TFT Book: The Sunken Library

Become a Patron!
Christopher R. Rice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-28-2021, 08:06 PM   #14
Tymathee
 
Tymathee's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: I'd rather be alone than be with people who make me feel alone.
Default Re: [DF] Faun Barbarian - Bessarion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christopher R. Rice View Post
Yeah, you really shouldn't.
I don't know what I don't know, I can only guess. If you took offense to my statement, I apologize.

I'm all too familiar with homophobia/transphobia. A lot of the horrific child abuse and trauma I experienced as an adult was because of it.

As a child, I was repeatedly raped and molested, neglected and starved, thrown into a room and then subjected to toxic fumes, physically abused to the point of suffering head trauma that caused an immediate seizure, was witness to kittens being smashed to death... the list goes on.

As I transitioned to adulthood, the horror only continued. I've been battling crippling PTSD my entire life... over the past decade, I've been mostly homeless. I've tried to hold onto a job as well as I could despite my mental health, but it was and has been such a struggle. I suffered even more trauma as an adult... threatened with violence and raped, beaten and left to bleed in a puddle of my own blood by someone throwing hateful slurs, narrowly escaping with a female friend from a machete-wielding mad man hellbent on murdering us....

I have suffered enough because of homophobia/transphobia.

So, I'm genuinely sincere with my apology. My insensitivity might be born from my "profound callousness", something I've been labeled with before by others. Some might even accuse me of sociopathy... something my older brother was afflicted with before the blunt head trauma and excessive substance abuse totally scrambled the rest of his marbles. I find the accusation laughable, only even somewhat believable if you believe in the "environmental factors" (PTSD, ala Dexter) triggering the genetics.

Unlike my older brother, a child sexual abuser, serial killer of domestic pets, and committer of grand theft auto... I have standards. Those standards include being at least somewhat empathetic to the LGBTQ+ community.
__________________
"Mom's resentful that she has to work so hard, which obscures her guilt about actually wanting to work so hard. Dad's guilty about being less driven than mom, but thinks it's wrong to feel that way, so he hides behind a smokescreen of cluelessness. Quinn wears superficiality like a suit of armor, because she's afraid of looking inside and finding absolutely nothing. And I'm so defendant that I actively work to make people dislike me so I won't feel bad when they do. Can I go now?" - Daria Morgendorffer
Tymathee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2021, 08:10 AM   #15
RedMattis
 
RedMattis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sweden, Stockholm
Default Re: [DF] Faun Barbarian - Bessarion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christopher R. Rice View Post
Yeah, you really shouldn't.
Something like 'please don't make assumptions like that' would have been a nicer way to put that. I agree with your general message that he certainly can't safely just assume something like that, but I get the feeling you're intentionally trying to be hostile and push Tymanthee away and that isn't really doing anyone any favors.

In the interest of keeping a friendly environment and avoiding unnecessary conflicts it is often better to assume comments like the one from Tymathee are made in good faith, without ill intention, and are perhaps simply the result of someone struggling to communicate. People can be tired, unfocused, simply not native English speakers, etc. and not realize that something sounded a bit problematic.

If someone actually is trying to take a platform to make sexist/racist/[...] remarks it tends to become very obvious very quickly, so I wouldn't worry too much about something like what Tymanthee wrote. :)
__________________
"Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared"
RedMattis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2021, 08:13 AM   #16
Gold & Appel Inc
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: One Mile Up
Default Re: [DF] Faun Barbarian - Bessarion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tymathee View Post
For characters with the Sex Appeal skill, as Bessarion has, sexuality becomes a bit more relevant in adventuring. Should it need be made apparent, yes, Bessarion is a heterosexual, cis-gendered faun male. The Lecherousness trait has some strongly implied bicuriosity though... honestly, I find the queercoding in GURPS traits to be quite amusing.
In my head canon, all Fauns are PAN-sexual [rimshot!]

I'll show myself out...
Gold & Appel Inc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2021, 08:39 AM   #17
RedMattis
 
RedMattis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sweden, Stockholm
Default Re: [DF] Faun Barbarian - Bessarion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gold & Appel Inc View Post
In my head canon, all Fauns are PAN-sexual [rimshot!]

I'll show myself out...
BOOOOOO!!!
I admit that one was pretty good. Now get out of here!
__________________
"Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared"
RedMattis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2021, 12:26 PM   #18
Tymathee
 
Tymathee's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: I'd rather be alone than be with people who make me feel alone.
Default Re: [DF] Faun Barbarian - Bessarion

Quote:
Originally Posted by RedMattis View Post
Something like 'please don't make assumptions like that' would have been a nicer way to put that. I agree with your general message that he certainly can't safely just assume something like that, but I get the feeling you're intentionally trying to be hostile and push Tymanthee away and that isn't really doing anyone any favors.

In the interest of keeping a friendly environment and avoiding unnecessary conflicts it is often better to assume comments like the one from Tymathee are made in good faith, without ill intention, and are perhaps simply the result of someone struggling to communicate. People can be tired, unfocused, simply not native English speakers, etc. and not realize that something sounded a bit problematic.

If someone actually is trying to take a platform to make sexist/racist/[...] remarks it tends to become very obvious very quickly, so I wouldn't worry too much about something like what Tymanthee wrote. :)
Bolded by me for emphasis.

In GURPS terms, I might qualify for the Callous Disadvantage. If not that, unquestionably the Insensitive Quirk. If you had the backstory I have (admittedly quite out there... but life is not always so mundane), you'd probably be notably callous too. I think my failure to have more respectful communication is simply a matter of my inherent personality. What I suggest to others, because realistically I can't always be nearly as empathetic as they desire, is to simply try to be not too thin-skinned. I can be self-aware of my own character flaws, but there's only so much I can do to circumvent them.

Also, thanks RedMattis and Gold & Appel Inc. I really appreciate the lighthearted humor. :)
__________________
"Mom's resentful that she has to work so hard, which obscures her guilt about actually wanting to work so hard. Dad's guilty about being less driven than mom, but thinks it's wrong to feel that way, so he hides behind a smokescreen of cluelessness. Quinn wears superficiality like a suit of armor, because she's afraid of looking inside and finding absolutely nothing. And I'm so defendant that I actively work to make people dislike me so I won't feel bad when they do. Can I go now?" - Daria Morgendorffer

Last edited by Tymathee; 07-29-2021 at 12:33 PM.
Tymathee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2021, 02:00 PM   #19
Tymathee
 
Tymathee's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: I'd rather be alone than be with people who make me feel alone.
Default Re: [DF] Faun Barbarian - Bessarion

ANYWAYS, this thread needs to remain on topic. Something I'd like to discuss further perhaps is Bessarion's Odious Personal Habit (Unclad faerie). Very thematically appropriate, I'd think.

It assumes a game world where Fauns have largely adapted to society that's more modest. Fauns who live out in the remote wilderness can certainly have their own nudist communities, but "wholesome" likely human (and/or elves, dwarves... races you'd associate with possibly having a nudity taboo) dominated culture requires you be properly clothed. Larger society probably is aware of the fact that faerie-folk are known for having a no nudity taboo, so they're not too prejudiced to the less cultured faeries... but most Fauns quickly grow savvy to what's expected of them. Bessarion is a notable outlier here in that he shirks new fangled civilized Faun-culture in favor of retaining the old fashioned nudity of the Faun communities who live out in the remote wilderness... that's part of the reason why he has the Chauvinist [-1] quirk.

The OPH also mostly counterbalances his Appearance (Handsome), which is a prerequisite for his Beefcake Protection (a rather absurd point crock honestly). There's some rather nuanced character design here that I'd hope my future GMs would appreciate. :)
__________________
"Mom's resentful that she has to work so hard, which obscures her guilt about actually wanting to work so hard. Dad's guilty about being less driven than mom, but thinks it's wrong to feel that way, so he hides behind a smokescreen of cluelessness. Quinn wears superficiality like a suit of armor, because she's afraid of looking inside and finding absolutely nothing. And I'm so defendant that I actively work to make people dislike me so I won't feel bad when they do. Can I go now?" - Daria Morgendorffer
Tymathee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2021, 03:47 PM   #20
Christopher R. Rice
 
Christopher R. Rice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Portsmouth, VA, USA
Default Re: [DF] Faun Barbarian - Bessarion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tymathee View Post
I don't know what I don't know, I can only guess. If you took offense to my statement, I apologize.
There is no need for apology. And really, you can do what you want. But making broad sweeping statements like that is kind of insulting.

Quote:
Originally Posted by RedMattis View Post
Something like 'please don't make assumptions like that' would have been a nicer way to put that. I agree with your general message that he certainly can't safely just assume something like that, but I get the feeling you're intentionally trying to be hostile and push Tymanthee away and that isn't really doing anyone any favors.

In the interest of keeping a friendly environment and avoiding unnecessary conflicts it is often better to assume comments like the one from Tymathee are made in good faith, without ill intention, and are perhaps simply the result of someone struggling to communicate. People can be tired, unfocused, simply not native English speakers, etc. and not realize that something sounded a bit problematic.

If someone actually is trying to take a platform to make sexist/racist/[...] remarks it tends to become very obvious very quickly, so I wouldn't worry too much about something like what Tymanthee wrote. :)
Text has no tone. I tend to blunt statements in situations where it seems like broad sweeping statements are made. So if you took it another way, well, sorry.
__________________
My Twitter
My w23 Stuff
My Blog

Latest GURPS Book: Dungeon Fantasy Denizens: Thieves
Latest TFT Book: The Sunken Library

Become a Patron!

Last edited by Christopher R. Rice; 07-29-2021 at 03:56 PM.
Christopher R. Rice is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
barbarian, dungeon fantasy, faun

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Fnords are Off
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:40 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.