Roleplaying: Women in SB Lore

RP: Women in SB Lore

Original: I've seen mention of some females in the lore and history stories, but while some may have an important role, they aren't epic roles. There are no Joan of Arcs or Queen Elizabeths in SB apparently. Maybe its because SB is more patriarchal than even our world. But even so it seems the Furys should have their legendary Xena type hero.

Yet I see no evidence that any woman played a significant role in the major events of the world.

By- Paris Green

Answer: It's a very interesting question. There are really two answers to it: first, the types of literature I've tried to evoke when creating the Shadowbane lore aren't replete with butt-kicking feminine characters. In the Lord of the Rings, for instance, there are only about five feminine characters who are even named, and only one who plays a pivotal role in the outcome of the War of the Ring - and she had to dress as a man to do it! Nearly the same thing is true of the Arthurian canon - women in those tales exist as objects to be loved, rescued, or saved by valorous, virtuous knights. Either that, or they're devious sorceresses out to deceive and destroy everyone. Only in Classical Mythology do you tend to find more than a minimal, token number of woman heroes. It's no coincidence that the most woman oriented aspects of the game (the Amazons, and some of the theology) have a Classical feel. Perhaps I've been a little too true to my sources, but I've been very conscious of the resonance our fake mythic history has with earthly myth.

I've always been careful how I want women portrayed in the backstory. Shrieking damsels in distress get old fast. That's why we've actually tended more toward the villainess model: empowered women usually tend to get demonized by the people who end up writing history. I mean heck, between Ithriana the Elf (turned Lich Queen), Saedron the schizophrenic Moon Goddess, and Khalikryst the chaotic Sun Goddess, mother of the Irekei, you might just have easily asked why most women in SB's history seem to be so evil.

Also, bear in mind that you've only seen the roughest outline of the full history of Aerynth. A list of every monarch in the history of Ethyria and all ten of the Ten Kingdoms would be a bit tedious, I figure. That's not to say there weren't any famous women, just that they haven't shown up in our published lore yet.

Cambruin did have a queen btw, and she did make it through the Turning - a marriage to her is one of the hottest potential commodities in the Age of Strife. Her story hasn't been told yet, but there's your Eleanor of Aquitaine/Queen Elizabeth analog. If I have my way, she'll be a potent force in the FC landscape (if you're into that whole successor to the High King thing).

Finally, social mores are a very potent force. The All-Father and his buddies built a very patriarchal world, with very patriarchal institutions and races. At points that mold has gotten shaken up (Phaedra, the first Amazon, is a fine example), but now, with the Turning, survival may finally have been the great equalizer - it worked for the Irekei. One of the most important people in their history (arguably the savior of their race) was a woman.

When it all boils down to it, I tend to write more realistic male characters (my wife will be quick to tell you, trust me!). After all, it's the mindset I'm used to. If, however, anyone has been offended, I aplogize. Let me know and I'll see what I can do.

If time and space permit, the Amazons will get lore of their own. Then you'll see some heroines...

Point well taken.

Don't worry! I'm not going to "nerf" the backstory or get mired in political correctness: the integrity of the vision and the story comes first. But there is room for more prominent women, so I'll keep that in mind.

Besides, the history of the SB world is just that - history. You guys will get to write the future. Perhaps some Elvish Joan of Arc will re-establish the Deathless Empire. Get to it!

Bear in mind, dear Spaz, that I was only talking about the Lord of the Rings. The Silmarillion haslotsofwomen, I'll grant you.

The Hobbit? Where? Can you name them? Was the thrush female? Surely not one of the Dwarves...

Also, bear in mind I also said women who get to have names. Here's my tally: Galadriel, Arwen, Eowyn, Rose, and Goldberry. Oh yeah - there was also the nurse from the Houses of Healing, but I'm not sure we ever got to learn her name. That's six. Oooh! Lobelia Sackville Baggins (hardly a major character). We're up to seven. Okay, I'll conced the point, Spaz. There might be nine in there after all.

Compare the amount of screen time ANY of these get to the men of the story, and you'll see just how grounded in traditional 19th century thought Tolkien was.

I'm not counting Luthien, Elbereth, or the Entwives - they neveractually appear on stage.

I'm also not counting Shelob. While a she, she's not a person.