[HOE] Women's roles in RPG's

[Dusarat@aol.com]

Right on Reuben!
    Though the guys seem on the purty side for HoE, they're putting more ugly 
ones in, but on the women..

    I mean...

    Really.  The female Doomsayers should be just about the most unique 
looking femfolk around, and the only one they have a picture of.... Barbi 
Brin who is built like an Image Babe.  Jo should be scarred to high heaven 
(And she would be proud to be so!).  There's only one old woman in the 
adventures, and you would think there are more.  Where are the stout truck 
driver types?  The rugged former gang-bangers turned raiders?  Men get 
scarred, how about some rad burns, slashes, disfiguring mutations, and warts 
for some of the women too.  

    When most men think of putting in female characters, you can see the 
gender stupidity present since only purty ones seem to appear.  It's as if, 
the female has to be pretty before she can be interesting in any way (Which, 
is how women are treated in the USA, but that's another story).  It's on a 
level that is virtually unconscious.  I bet the writers don't say "If she 
isn't physically gorgeous, she can't possibly make for a good character", but 
when you see the woman that do come out, that's what happens.  

    One of my favorite series of books, one which has some of the most 
interesting characters is Terry Pratchett's Discworld.  And, on average, the 
women are average looking but NOT boring (No one ever called Granny 
Weatherwax boring).   Which is as it should be.  Some good looking ones, some 
not, some dumb ones, some smart, some fat, some thin.  Menfolk come in all 
flavors, so should the women folk.

    Sadly enough, for those of you in the 'it's all in good fun' category, 
it's more fun when the women actually have character, instead of being 
silicon cut-outs.  



PC is just Plain Courtesy
                                    Damon