Ret’s Review: God of War: Ragnarok

And we’re back to the monthly original post! And as you can see, I’m reviewing something people have had their hands on for months now, except it’s semi-timely because I got it as a Christmas gift!

Now: Are you ready to Ragnarok-and-roll?

Nope, not sorry for that. Deal with it.

Boring Characters: Bland Identity

Rejoice, internet! I am here with actual content!

And that content…IS BORING!

…WAIT NO, I PHRASED THAT POORLY, DON’T LEAVE-

Adaptations: Based On A True Fictional Story

Well, it’s past the end of the month, and that means it’s time for another (late) original post!

Which is based on fictional media, which is based on other existing fictional media, which is based on this play, which is based on this story, which is based on this legend, which is based on this natural phenomenon.

Character Flaws: A Flawed Premise?

Super late update again! Mostly because I was just stuck in relaxing mode, and didn’t have much inspiration for a monthly topic. But I DID have an idea stuck in my head which I drafted, so let’s run with that!

And for this post, I’ll be presenting a controversial opinion. A hot take, if you will.

And that is: You don’t need character flaws to make a character interesting.

There. I said it.

Fabletop Classes: Artificers & Craftificers

And we’re back with my monthly post!

And we’re returning to the realm of D&D and RPGs!

…Wait, didn’t I say that I’d finished up the last of the base classes?

So I did!

But a new player has joined the battle! …Officially!

Fictional Real Countries: Made Up Monarchy

Passports?

Where we’re going, we won’t need…passports.

Because they’re not real places.

Also, we’re in the middle of a pandemic.

And we’re online, so you’re reading a random blogger’s post explaining a trope.

Hey, I’ll take all the clicks I can get, whatever the reason!

Ancient Civilisations: Legendary Real Estate

Global warming is one of the greatest challenges of our time.

We must face it to save the environment from drastic changes which can lead to untold suffering. To save our planet for future generations. To be good stewards of what God has given us.

And also because if we don’t, Atlantis will rise up with their giant enemy crab lasers to destroy us all.

So let’s talk about that most pressing of modern issues, ancient kingdoms!

Constraints: The Creativity Of Limits

Well, I’m certainly late with this post, but I have a good reason for this!

I was relaxing over the weekend.

Alright, it’s not really great. But it is what it is.

Also, my last short story was curiously popular. Who knew?

Anyhoo. LIMITS! I have things to say about them and writing!

Like: Did you know that limits can HELP you to be MORE creative?

Fabletop: You’re Out Of Alignment

So apparently, Orcs are trending on the internet because some people think they’re racist.

Now, I COULD jump on the bandwagon of outrage in one camp or the other in a vainglorious attempt to get more clicks.

But y’know what? It’s not worth it. Instead, have this summary and my take on it because I think knowing SOME of it is educational:

1. The premise: Orcs are presented as inherently violent, brutal, simpleminded and even evil.
   The descriptions here were based on what early colonisers used to describe Africans and other people of colour.
   Therefore, people on the internet decided to get outraged and accused D&D of making the orcs a racist analogy of people of colour. Or, at the very least, accused them of still using racist language “when they should know better”.
2. Yes, old writing for Orcs INADVERTENTLY borrowed from a mostly-white and somewhat-xenophobic time. Gygax got it from Tolkien, Tolkien got it from colonisers.
   Using that language, however, doesn’t automatically make you racist unless you mean it in that way. Just like having a racist grandparent doesn’t automatically make you racist.
   But even if YOU don’t mean it that way, try and be sensitive to others who see it that way. If it IS hurtful to them, then what YOU mean is immaterial, like how if someone accidentally shoots you, it doesn’t matter that they didn’t MEAN to shoot you.
   To take the illustration further: You don’t pick up racist grandpa’s worldview of how “funny looking folk are bad”. However, you accidentally pick up some of the bad words he uses, and THOSE can definitely hurt people. A toddler might pick up the F-word without knowing what it means, but they still shouldn’t be saying it in polite company, after all.
3. Should it be changed to accommodate others? Yes, no, and maybe.
   “Yes” if you want your orcs to have actual depth and motives beyond being fodder to kill guilt-free. That’s not even being politically correct, that’s just writing.
   “No” if your gaming group is fine with them being guilt-free minions to fight (something even modern, critically acclaimed series make use of).
   And “maybe” depending on whether your players are comfortable with it or not.
4. My take? As the Bible says and I sum up: Do not cause others to stumble “just because of my freedoms”. (Romans 14: 13-23)

There. THAT’S done. Now to get to the actual content! I may not be talking about how inherently racist orcs are or are not, but I AM talking about something related: Alignment.

Nature? Nurture? Deeds or motives? What makes something Good, Evil, Lawful, Chaotic, or Neutral?

For that matter, does it actually affect characters in any way?

Fabletop: Most Valuable Player Characters

At the time of this writing, the Covid-19 lockdown is still going on and my references to it are still current. Once this all blows over, this context and intro will be OUTDATED.

…Nevertheless! Why not read something I wrote to help you pass the time?

I know your choices are limited at this time of quarantine. But you know where your choices are limitless? The world of imaaaaaagination, where your characters can do anything you can think for them to do!

Within the mechanics of the game/universe.

And the norms of the narrative.

Alright, so what you can do within a game or story DOES depend on what makes sense as well. But hey, at least you can do it virtually without having to go out!