Sex, Chainmail and Dice

#1

Maggot's post about the fertility soup, the recent appearance of the Book of Erotic Fantasy (http://www.gamegrene.com/node/374) and a bit of thought have led me to create this topic.

It is not about whether campaigns should be x-rated or about periapts of endless lube. It is about how sexuality, relationships, procreation and spells pertaining to it can influence campaigns.

A Soup of Fertility might be a much sought-after item. If it became wide-spread, it might change demographics heavily.

Reproductive magic: spells of contraception, fertility, pregnancy-altering, with heredity-influencing effects (choose gender, influence attributes), life-long blessings, etc.

Forms of family, emancipation, sex trade, ... these all can add spice to a campaign as well.

Beings with a strong sexual content - what do succubi get out of being so promiscuous? What is the secret of unicorns and virgins? Are satyrs just amusing lechers or something more?
Many gods have strong sexual context in out world - what is your equivalent of Dionyssos or Aphrodite?
Reproduction of gods, spirits, demons, elmenetals? How do the numbers, thinned by aggressive PCs, replenish?

Birth and fantasy: how can races interbreed? What effects does a magical field have on the unborn? How can spirits/demons influence an unborn? Guardian spirits, life-long spirit companions... How can stars and portents influence the child and its future life?
Inheritance of magic: how do metaphysical traits interact with heredity?

Variations on the standard girl+boy model: do Elves have seven different sexes,and thus breed so slowly?

As we see, there are lots of themes to cover :)

Sex, Chainmail and Dice

#2

I covered some of these points in Death: The Pale Horse.

Throughout history, there have been attempts to affect fertility, both for and against. There were numerous herbs (and more dubious methods) that were said to increase fertility, to prevent conception, or to abort. One in particular known to Roman women seems to have been such a successful chemical abortion method, that the plant became extinct. I don't think that the availability of powerful fertility spells would really affect a game world's population significantly. It would certainly affect individuals, but the overall demographics would not be altered a great deal. To assume the existance of magic to increase conception, it follows that there will be magic to prevent or end pregnancy. That is, for every casting to help a childless couple, there is another where someone does not want to become pregnant, or to impregnate. On a local level, there is the potential for great harm, but this is true of magic in many game systems. For example, a vengeful druid can threaten a shepard with rendering his flock barren, thus ruining the shepard's livelihood. Or alternately the shepard may request to be magically sterilized to avoid siring children. Also, unrestrained use of fertility magic can quickly cause the flock to grow beyond its ability to find food.

On interbreeding, I devoted about 20 pages to this subject. Of course, this was meant to be the definitive source for inter-species breeding (and intra-species breeding, in some cases). Every possible combination of two parents was fully explored, and to successive generations in most cases. In this category (collectively called Changelings) are Half-Demons. However, as the effects of having a demonic parent, distant demonic ancestor, or simply demonic influence on an unborn child, are all the same, there is no fundamental difference between these variants in game mechanics, and only descriptive elements will differ.

I don't really treat magic any differently than I would physics. Unless magic was specifically focused towards an unborn child, or would cause undue effects to the mother, I wouldn't consider magical fields to have any effects on an unborn child whatsoever. Currently, there is only one spell that affects fertility, the Strike Barren curse, but an enterprising necromancer could probably alter Little Death to become a form of abortive magic (kill the mother for a few minutes, but do not resuscitate the child). There are plans for a biomancer tradition that will have far greater control over reproductive matters, but that has not yet been developed.

As far as alternatives to the standard gender roles, or other deviations on the traditional nuclear family structure, there aren't any polysexual species in Midian. Dwarven births have a 2:1 male to female ratio, and Elven births have a 2:3 male to female ratio; all other species have a 50/50 ratio. Hobgoblins raise children communally, Killian are born in clutches--and their society is matriarchal, and both Formourian Humans and the Elves consider men and women to be equals. Goths don't use the same family structures as most other Humans, and may be freely "adopted" into family structures that are often essentially peer groups.

I had considered including specific birth portents, but decided against it.

There is a method for certain elements of a character to be inherited. One aspect of character creation involves rolling & selecting Backgrounds. As some of these are genetic, they can potentially be passed along to one's offspring. Some of these can include such metaphysical elements as a 10% fire/heat resistance (Efreet Blood). Other Backgrounds relate to one's parents through non-genetic means, and may also be inherited, or chosen by the parents (such as: Aristocracy, Money, Disturbed Upbringing, Family Honour, Poor Parenting, etc.).

For additional information: http://lost-souls.servebeer.com/Death.htm#life (477 kb html file)

Sex, Chainmail and Dice

#3

Your "I covered this and covered that" approach seems to be more detrimental to the topic than aiding it, though - I meant it to spark new ideas, and not to hear how it was regulated in one setting.

No insult inended, though.

Sex, Chainmail and Dice

#4

I remember an old netbook, The Book of Carnal Knowledge. It covered a bit of this, and had some nice details, but it did get a little odd at times, with the spells and items, but the mechanics to be implemented in the game were sound. I really need to buy The Book of Erotic Fantasy.

Sex, Chainmail and Dice

#5

I was assuming that not everyone here was familiar with D:TPH, and that, for the large majority that had not read it, it would be new ideas. How is what I posted in any way "detrimental to the topic?" How can ideas that have been extensively checked, rechecked, and utilised effectively in gameplay, somehow be worse to the discussion than whatever random nonsense first pops into my head? I answered specific questions and discussion points you addressed, and kept it on topic; how is this at all a bad thing? I'm not selling anything to you, giving bad advice, insulting for its own sake, or any of the other behaviours that are in fact detrimental to proper discussion.

Sex, Chainmail and Dice

#6

Oh, how am I delighted to have an argument going in a topic I hoped whould raise a lot of feedback.

Why is your post bad? It is dogmatic. "There are no polysexual species in Midian." Well, I don't care about Midian - I care about how a polysexual species could work. You stating that THERE ARE NONE seems to put an end to discussion, and thus is detrimental.

"I decided against birth portents" is of the same sort - I, frankly, am not interested in knowing who does NOT use portents, I was asking to hear the words of those who DO. If everyone in Strolen's Citadel who did not use portents posted here, I'd get TONS of replies.

I also was not asking for "Fertility drugs and contraception/abortion will cancel each other out", but rather for ideas about how thigs could change if the balance was NOT given - say, abortion illegal, etc.

Also, saying "Demonic ancestor, parent and influence have the same result" closes off paths that could stem from the difference.

Got my point?

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To start a meaningful discussion I will start with the polysexuality ideas.

First, a few I actually incorporated into a campaign:

*Elves are said to be girly, elves are said to be gay. What does this popular opinion stem from? Hardly their lack of facial hair.
The Elves of Tallarn carry a strange heritage. The sex ratio is a bit off - 5 boys are born for every girl that sees the light of day. To the stragers, this may not be apparent though, as the effeminate elven side is more pronounced here, resulting in many of the men having a female appearance.
Menare referred to as Kian and Kiannae - those with male and female looks. True ladies are called Aroi.
The society does strictly distiguish between male and female endeavours - males learn the crafts, farming, and the art of war, while the females are the carriers of culture, learning history and making up the vast majority of the priesthood, teaching and so on. Art and magicare open to both, though a noticeable percentage of man lacks magical aptitude.
The imbalance has led to peculiar courting customs, with several Kian and Kiannae circling every lady, and showering her with praise and gifts, while many of the men who fail to find a female end up in the arms of another man.

This is not true polysexuality per se, but a good start.

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On the lush tropical isles of Kashbek dwells a race of lizard-folk, though the outsider would consider them to be three separate species: the Orzun stand a commanding seven feet, covered in armor plates and spikes, while the Issa are long-limbed, lithe and their skin is covered in light smooth scales of rainbow colours. The Moa are truly different from them, serpentine, perhaps ten to fifteen feet long, with heads adorned with colorful horns and protrusions, fins and the like.
In fact, they are members of the same species, though there are barriers between the genders - the Orzun generally lack the intelligence and patience for higher pursuits, and tend to do the hard labour, while the Issa occupy most posts, and are seen as THE Kashbekese by foreigners. While the Moa can do little physical labour, their minds are keen and their magical power commands respect.
Both Issa and Orzun will mate with a Moa, who will carry the children to term, then the Issa will nurse them, not with milk, but rather pasty balls her body produces.
Kashbekese do not derive pleasure from the act of mating - being slightly empathic, theyare pleased by the affection of their partners, and strongly upset by their negative feelings - thus, their relationships tend to be very harmonic, intending not to harm the other two.
Telepaths who have had the chance to study the feelings of the Kashbekese describe the love the three genders feel so:
The Orzun love with a blazing flame, being utterly devoted and andconsumed by it.
Issa feel a child-like delight, like faeries playing with the rays of the sun, like colts dancing on meadows.
Moa feel deeply content and whole when in love.

Sex, Chainmail and Dice

#7

Another polysexual species - the Deniae.

Most of those who have seen a Deni think that all who venture out of their extremely secure cities are female, and that they hide their males inside - yet they do not.
In fact, all Deniae are capable of functioning as several genders. The misconception of strangers is easy to follow, as they all have a sleek and vaguely female build and mammaries, as well as large, rainbow-hued eyes that further their image of the female.
In procreation, there are four distinct roles:
The Prime does spawn a leathery, egg-like structure, with thee receptacles. She will choose thee others to 'fertilize' it.
The first one to do so is called Life: her and the Prime's heritage will influence the child's physique.
The second one is called Voice: her and the Prime's mental capabilities determine the intelligence of the offspring.
The last is referred to as Spark, and it is a great honor to be offered to be the Spark - she is said to pass on gifts like magical or artistic talent, luck and favor of the gods.

The sexual act itself consists of the Prime caressing the 'Hearths' - sensitive points - of the one currently fertilizing the egg, leading to a climax and release of a small leathery sphere containing the genetic material into the egg, upon which the orifice meant for it closes.

Deniae who feel strong affection to each other will engage into sexual activity just for the pleasure. Each Deni has an unique combination of technique and sequence in which her Hearths need to be caressed for maximal pleasure, and the lovers will try discover The Road, as it is called. Many Denia will have lesser Roads that are very pleasant, yet nothing compared to the Great Road, which is most often complicated though, and requires a good deal of empathy and sensitivity from the partner to discover.

Sex, Chainmail and Dice

#8

I would guess that amongst your Elves those who seduced the female Elves would be seen as the best, and those who had to make do with female-looking Elves would be seen, not as inferior,but as slightly lower in the pecking order.Elves would want to know the genuine females from the feminine-looking.Females would be very highly prized as there are so few of them, rather like in Wyoming in the "Wild West" period, where any young attractive white females were treated like royalty.

Sex, Chainmail and Dice

#9

I remember an old netbook, The Book of Carnal Knowledge. It covered a bit of this, and had some nice details, but it did get a little odd at times, with the spells and items, but the mechanics to be implemented in the game were sound.

Really?

What few know these days, the Citadel has also NetBooks in some forgotten corner:
http://www.strolen.com/netbooks/

And the Complete Guide to Unlawful Carnal Knowledge is there, too.
http://www.strolen.com/netbooks/carnal.txt

Sex, Chainmail and Dice

#10

Now, Cheka, there wouldn't be much difficulty telling the true femmes apart from the feminine males, at least for one familiar in their ways - their pursuits shape them. A Kianna would be muscular and sporty, while an Aroi would be slender and fine. An Aroi would never be allowed in the military, and would have better things to do than tending to the livestock. For that matter, you rarely encounter an Aroi with any other weapon than a wizardly stave.
But of course, one who is not familiar with their culture would miss all those hints.

Sex, Chainmail and Dice

#11

While we are so well on our way, we might as well add one more species, right?

The Carod dwell in mountainous regions, their wings allowing them to cross the terrain with ease. Gifted with shapr senses, they view the world from high above, their lands truly but a playground - with their wings, sharp talons and claws, they have little to fear. Their bodies are furred, while their wings carry feathers.
Then, there is another kind of Carod: huge, muscular and little resembling the winged form - their fur is long, growing in a true mane around a head armed with vicious tusks, instead of wings they have a second pair of arms meant to manipulate, while their primary pair has changed into weapons, armed with claws a foot long.

There are three genders amongst the Carod in fact - the Tula and Tahi are winged, and when they couple, a Tahi will bear young - these are not fully evolved though, little more than fat worms perhaps ten iches long to be honest. This is where the last gender, the huge Turren, come in, for they accept the offspring into their bodies and nurture them until they are ready to be born a second time, evolved children then.
A Turren does not pass its heritage directly on, but as they tend to bear the children of their relatives, at least they ensure the continuity of similar genes, if not theirs.

The gender roles are influenced strongly by the differences: Turren do most of the heavy work, as their strong bones are better suited for it, but are not regarded as second-class citizens. In fact, they tend to assume responsiblew positions as well, as they tend to be more sober-minded, stable and responsible than the rather impulsive Tula and Tahi.

Sex, Chainmail and Dice

#12

As if we had not enough weird races, let's add one more:

the Delaani

they're like birds of paradise, colourful, with eyes and hair any colour of the rainbow, radiant as the sun itself; fae-like in their ageless vitality, forever seeming to be at most twenty winters old, little fearing the teeth of time.
Many are their gifts, from a keen mind to a talent for the arcane arts...

The Delaani are frail, their delicate senses preventing them from withstanding pain, and their light physique keeping them from hard labor - to that end, they deal with other races, or employ constructs of magic, in labour and in battle.

While they freely deal with any sentient, and their witty natures allow them to make many friends, the Delaani society is tightly knit, strengthened by the bonds between comrades, colleagues, student and mentor... a sisterhood very loyal to its members.

Yes, a sisterhood. All Delaani are female by default.

Desiring a child, a Delaani picks a virile member of another species, and drains him of his life-force through her needle-like teeth and organs in her palms. The victim is left a dry husk, crumbling to dust soon.

After the deed,she will feel slightly tired, and fall into a deep sleep soon after that, her body secreting a thick cocoon.
A few days later, she will emerge, significantly changed: muscular, tall, and male, without a spark of magical talent. Many of the Changed have a very pronounced sexual drive,and certain tendencies towards aggressiveness as well.

The change will last for two to three weeks, after that the Delaani will 'shed' the male form like a snake sheds old skin, and be her old self again...

Not surprisingly, the Delaani will try to conceal their way of procreation from ANY outsiders. They do not need that sort of bad publicity.