From: viking@iastate.edu (Dan Sorenson)
Subject: Re: FRP negative stereotypes
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 06:04:57 GMT

kathleen@yang.earlham.edu writes:

>viking@iastate.edu (Dan Sorenson) writes:
>> 
>> 	On the other hand, the gamers can easily fit within the
>> medieval world the SCA creates by limiting their gaming conversation
>> to those games that may have existed in period.

>	The problem I have with this thread is that many (although 
>certainly not all) posters on it seem to equate "gamers in the SCA" solely 
>with "those weirdos who play AD&D and pretend they are elves at events".  
>I am a gamer.  I am a member of SCA.  My gaming life, although influenced 
>now and then by things I have learned in SCA, is entirely separate from my 
>behavior at events.  When I'm gaming, I'm in an unreal world.  When I'm at 
>a SCA event, I'm attempting to live in the Current Middle Ages.  I suspect 
>there are quite a lot like me out there.

	I take no offense at being selected as the person to respond to;
but I'd like to point out a few misconceptions that I believe you have
with regard to my post, or perhaps to the thread in general.

	The SCA is an unreal world.  It doesn't exist.  Thus, we pretend.
For RPG players, myself included, to game at an event it is important
that the atmosphere be preserved.  If a RPG is being run at an SCA event
and in the open, I don't expect magic users, I don't expect familiars
like George the Green dragon to be included, and I certainly don't
expect for the cleric to drop the loot into his Bag of Infinite Holding.
This is plain disruptive to everybody.  On the other hand, if the RPG is
using period objects and abilities, I see it as no different than any
other game children or adults might play.  It can actually enhance the
atmosphere to see such being done within appropriate context.  In
period, and in fact until just a few decades ago, imagination was the
key to entertainment.  I see no reason to limit imagination to those
things that actually existed at the time, nor do I think it need be
disruptive to see a fantasy game being played.

>In any case, I really appreciate those of you who have refused to tar 
>all gamers with a single brush.

	I sincerely hope I am not seen as guilty of such.  I believe
the Dream is different for everybody, and that what annoys me might
be refreshing to others.  I tolerate most behavior at events, and
I expect similar treatment in return.  However, I temper this with a
sense of responsibility to not intentionally irk people.  If you want
to wear elf ears, that's your business and it will annoy me.  If you
want to pretend you're an elf and frolick about entertaining folks,
more power to you.  So long as I know the difference, I've no problems.

	Erik AArskog, Axed Root, Calontir, still in town.

<Dan Sorenson, DoD #1066 |"I see angels on Ariels in leather and>
<z1dan@exnet.iastate.edu | chrome, Swooping down from heaven to >
<viking@iastate.edu      | carry me home."   ---    R. Thompson >
<ISU thinks I need more education, which they provide for a fee.>
Organization: Doctoral student, Industrial Administration, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA