I Think My Elf Ranger is a Bit of a Tart; or, The Gender Politics of RPGs
Posted 27 August 2008 in Gaming by Catriona
I was happily running Dungeons and Dragons: Tiny Adventures in the background this morning while I was slogging through some donkey work, when I stumbled across the following encounter—or should I say “encounter” (nudge, nudge)—in the City Under the Streets adventure:
Saeana’s eyes widened as she entered a room to find a handsome halfling lad sitting dejectedly at a wooden desk. “I’m so bored,” he moaned.
Saeana made a Charisma check with a difficulty of 13 . . . and rolled 16
Saeana worked her magic (so to speak) on the halfling and a good time was had by all. As thanks for their new friendship, the halfling gave Saeana a gift.
Saeana received 88 XP.
Saeana obtained a suit of Eladrin Chain!
That’s . . . not right, surely? I mean, I may be reading this incorrectly, but it does look as though my character—in the middle of an adventure in which I’m supposed to be tracing the mysterious killer of city guards—stopped for a little dalliance with someone who, frankly, sounds underage and then accepted a costly gift (that she couldn’t even use, since she’s a Ranger).
I’m trying hard not to read this as a broader indictment of gender politics in role-playing games—and, frankly, it hasn’t stopped me playing the game.
But I’m fairly certain that the male characters aren’t offered the chance to “work their magic (so to speak) on the halfling.”
Of course, Nick hasn’t done this adventure, yet; if his male character has this encounter, I’ll eat my words.
But, as it stands, it’s reminding me of C. J. Cherryh’s shift to writing about giant cats on the grounds that at least her illustrator couldn’t put those on the cover in gold bikinis.
Share your thoughts [3]
1
Tim wrote at Aug 27, 12:13 pm
Actually, male characters can get the same encounter, but with a halfling lass. (Which says something else about gender politics, of course.)
But maybe Saeana and the halfling were just sharing pipeweed or exchanging waybread recipes.
2
Catriona wrote at Aug 27, 12:21 pm
Well, it certainly says something about the heteronormative focus of the game. But the fact that male characters get the same encounter is interesting.
It’s true it may not have been as suggestive as I’m indicating here, but this was my first response (and I still think it’s creepy).
As soon as I finished the encounter, I sent Nick a message saying, “Damn! I think my character’s a tart!”
3
Tim wrote at Aug 27, 12:36 pm
Oh, no, I agree that the text readily lends itself to your initial interpretation. It’s the ‘so to speak’ that really does it.