| From: | Marc Renouf renouf@********.com |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Sammies and Rangers and Ninjas, Oh my! |
| Date: | Thu, 26 Aug 1999 12:13:25 -0400 (EDT) |
> Easy- I've yet to see one played in a manner that was worthy of
> the title. The only titles that get abused more are those accosiated
> with the ninja, and the special operations community.
I'll have to chime in here with a hearty "Hell, yes!" As a
serious student of ninjutsu, budo, and Japanese history and culture, I can
honestly say that I cringe every time I hear or read the word "ninja" in
role-playing or fiction. It makes me crazy to see how 1980's pop-culture
has bastardized a rich history.
But in all seriousness, I try not to let it bother me too much.
If my players insist on calling themselves samurai or ninja or rangers,
that's fine. Their contacts and employers may or may not take them
seriously, but that's totally within the context of the game. If a player
expresses an interest in playing something they are totally ignorant of
(I'll use Kevin's example of a ranger) I encourage them to do some
research so that they'll have half a clue as to how to pull it off. But
what the character calls him or herself in game is half the fun, yes?
Why ruin a good opportunity for entertaining role-playing?
Marc [who actually *has* played a "samurai" character who took the
precepts of Bushido very seriously - and wrote commemorative and
inspiring haiku to boot. ;) ]
