Virtue signalling has pushed me away from the Earthdawn RPG.

This is kind of a narcissistic post, since, in reality, I doubt anyone cares. But, isn’t that what the Internet is for? Aren’t we all narcissists on the Internet? I post it publicly because maybe there are others like me out there who feel this way. If so, I’d love to hear from you. Maybe I’m the absurd one? If that’s the case, I’m okay with that too.

PART 1: I QUIT (SORT OF)

Today, I made the decision to ‘quit’ my all time favorite tabletop RPG, Earthdawn. Well, maybe quit isn’t the correct word. No, to be very clear, what I’ve decided is that I will no longer purchase Earthdawn products -- for me or for anyone else.

I will no longer promote Earthdawn as a game people should purchase or play.

Since 1993, when it was nothing more than a pamphlet, I fell in love with the Earthdawn RPG. Now, years later and in its fourth edition, I can tell you that my love for the Step system and the Earthdawn game world has not diminished.

I love the mechanics, the concept of the Disciplines -- (which is why I have a YouTube video series on that very topic) -- and the overall post-apocalyptic fantasy Earthdawn world.

In my travels around the world I have brought Earthdawn with me everywhere. Admittedly, it is sometimes difficult to convince people there are other games out there than DnD and World of Darkness; however, everywhere I brought Earthdawn the game became the game of choice. (I’m only an average GM, so that’s a testament to the game system and setting.)

I have known for a long time that Josh Harrison, the line developer for Earthdawn 4th edition, and I probably could not be friends in the real world. I’ve read his Twitter feed and, well, let’s just say that he and I passionately disagree on a great many topics. With that said, he has been nothing but professional, polite, and friendly with me. He answers my questions, provides clarifications, and is a generally nice person -- and I have nothing but respect for him in that regard.

At this point, you’re probably wondering -- If I love the game, and if Mr. Harrison has been nothing but kind and professional to me -- why I have this sudden negative attitude toward Earthdawn?

The simple answer: Virtue signalling in recent Earthdawn products.

I’ll get to the specifics in a bit.

You see, the 4th edition Earthdawn Player’s Guide, which is the core rule book for Earthdawn, is written like it was created and edited by a human being. However, fast forward to the Earthdawn Companion book and you’ll see that Earthdawn and FASA Games got all ‘woke.’

Please, understand that this decision, rant, or conundrum isn’t something that just hit me 15 minutes ago. I’ve been wrestling with these thought this ever since I received the 4th edition Earthdawn Companion. Every time I do the research for my "Earthdawn Disciplines & Adepts" videos I pick up the Player’s Companion and feel it’s something I’d rather throw in a fire than read.

Truthfully, one of the reasons my videos don’t appear as quickly and as often as I would prefer is because of my disdain for the 4th edition Companion. It sucks the joy and the escapism out of what should be a fantasy game.

Moving along...

One of the reasons it took me so long to decide to actually part ways with Earthdawn is because I didn’t really have a replacement game. There are game systems I enjoy and game worlds I love, but I’d never felt both at the same time outside of Earthdawn. I hadn't found a compelling game world AND system to which I could migrate.

Well, that changed a few months ago when I first picked up Mutant: Year Zero (Fria Ligan / Free League Publishing).

Since being introduced to Mutant: Year Zero, I have also picked up Mutant: Genlab Alpha, Mutant: Mechatron, Coriolis, and Forbidden Lands. With one set of fantastic rules (the Year Zero Engine) I can play modern post-apocalyptic, science fiction, and fantasy. I can be a halfling, a robot, a space-priest, an anthropomorphic animal, and more! I love the game system and the various game worlds.  (Alien, yes, THAT Alien will be coming out soon using the Year Zero Engine as well.)

While very different in specifics, the overall feel of Forbidden Lands is akin to Earthdawn; they are both set in a broken, post-apocalyptic fantasy setting. The more I read Forbidden Lands the more I’m falling in love with it!

I know this will sound strange, maybe even hypocritical, but I will probably complete my Earthdawn Disciplines & Adepts YouTube series just to say I completed it. Also, for the most part, those videos are good for previous, pre-woke, editions of the game. However, the follow up videos where I planned to discuss combat, spell casting, talent knacks, Questors, enchanting, illusions, Horrors, and etc. are probably not going to be made.

At least not as long as the publisher continues to virtue signal.

The same way I quit commie DnD with its 3rd edition, I now quit woke Earthdawn with its 4th edition.

PART 2: WHY I QUIT

So, what prompted me to semi-abandon Earthdawn and type this crazy-long post?

It is the use of plural pronouns (they, their, them, etc.) in place of singular pronouns (he/she).

Let’s look at what the dictionary has to say about this. In the Merriam-Webster dictionary we find:

he
1 : that male one who is neither speaker nor hearer
2 - used in a generic sense or when the sex of the person is unspecified

“Used in a generic sense or when the sex of the person is unspecified.” BAM! Right there! According to the rules of the English language “he” may be used as gender neutral.

Now, to be fair, let me also point out that Merriam-Webster does state the following:

"The use of they, their, them, and themselves as pronouns of indefinite gender and indefinite number is well established in speech and writing, even in literary and formal contexts. This gives you the option of using the plural pronouns where you think they sound best, and of using the singular pronouns (such as he, she, he or she, and their inflected forms) where you think they sound best."

Even dictionary.com, which is owned by a who's who of crazy left-wing nut jobs, states:

he
1. the male person or animal being discussed or last mentioned; that male.
2. anyone (without reference to gender); that person:

Look at definition number two. Again, ‘he’ is the gender neutral pronoun.

The examples given by Merriam-Webster also include quotes from Shakespeare, who, while a great storyteller, was not a grammatical genius; additionally, he spoke to the commoners, the masses, in the common tongue. In no way, shape or form should he be used as an example of proper English.

Using that philosophy, let’s consider that it was common practice, especially in the legal profession, to use double negatives as a point of emphasis. Should we now consider, “That won't do you no good,” as acceptable in a formal context?

Earthadawn Player's Guide:

"The magician pinches himself and flicks his wrist as if throwing a dart, then makes a Spellcasting test against the target’s Mystic Defense."

Earthdawn Companion:

"As a Simple action for 4 Strain, the adept can alter the features of their face and head, giving them a better sense of astral space."

I know my English teachers and professors would have graded me down had I written that second example. Rghtfully so! The plural pronoun does not sound best.

The words used in the Earthdawn Player’s Guide are appropriate and in accordance with the rules of English. The Player’s Guide is a great book for a wonderful world/system.

On the other hand, the words used in the Earthdawn Companion make the book sound like it was written by a five year old, not the publisher of a professional product. The words are virtue signalling trash meant to cater to a tiny, tiny minority -- who mostly don’t even play games like this.

If you're one of the authors or publishers who cater to such shenanigans (e.g Stars Without Number) I will not support your game. And before you say, “good riddance,” remember, I’m the one that actually buys your game. I’m the one that plays and promotes your game.

Now, let's look at the other side of the coin, a wonderful way to be inclusive without sounding like a child or virtue signally trash.

Fria Ligan (Free League Publishing), the publisher of Mutant: Year Zero, uses what I consider to be a great model for gender and pronouns in its products: 

To reflect both genders in the way the rules are written, and still keep the language consistent, we use ‘he’ for unnamed players, PCs and NPCs, while the GM is always a ‘she’.

This is perfect!  This style uses appropriate English, aids in both clarity and simplicity, and doesn’t sound like it was written by a child. If some male is butthurt over the GM being presented as female, he should dunk his head under water three times and come up twice. If some female is upset the males are more represented she can jump into a bathtub with a plugged-in toaster.

In discussing my stance on this topic with people who see this differently, I have received the following questions:

Q: What about using the new pronouns just to be nice?

A: 'Nice' has no place in connection to the rules of English grammar.  The grammar rules of English are not capable of being naughty or nice, they simply... are.  If you read into something universal and benign just to feel aggrieved that is on you.

Q: Why can’t you be supportive of their feelings… positions?

A: Because the rules of English trump feelings. If you are hurt over established English rules the issue is with you not me.  See my answer above for further clarity.

Q: Why do you care so much what the word is?

A: Because I believe in professionalism. When you write a professional product you follow the established rules of spelling and grammar. You don’t make up your own shit for the sake of pandering to an excessively small (if vocal) crowd. Grammar > feelings.

Q: You know language changes over time, right?

A: Yes, come back to me in 150 years and tell me if the pronouns we have been using for centuries are changed.

All of the above questions or arguments presented to me are about feelings -- not science, not fact -- just feelings. Feelings do not matter when it comes to grammar. ‘He’ is the gender neutral term and, as such, is proper in that context. Complaints about its use as the gender neutral pronoun should be filed with the Hurt Feeling Report  and submitted to the Whaaaaambulance.

If your book is written to use plural pronouns in place of singular, or if, God forbid, someone writes a book using ‘ze’ and ‘zir,’ I can promise you that I will not own your book. If I do somehow end up owning the book, you can bet it was given to me as a gift -- or I stole it. I will not pay for virtue signalling, grievance trash.

At worst, I may purchase the first book, because I didn’t know it included this garbage, but I will not buy any future products. And you know what the difference between me and the people who complain about 'he' as a gender neutral pronoun is? I actually play these games and try to spread the word of the ones I like -- such as the Mutant: Year Zero, Coriolis, and Forbidden Lands. Great games, from a wonderful and inclusive publisher!

There is nothing explicitly inclusive about using made up baby-talk pronouns, nor is there anything explicitly exclusive about the gender neutral use of ‘he.’ If it’s good enough for the dictionary, it’s good enough for you and me.

I will not give my money to people who feel that the feelings of a tiny, tiny minority are more important than using the English language in a proper and appropriate manner.

Q: Why do you care? Why are you going to let a simple word ruin your fun?

A: Because reading the (Earthdawn Companion) book literally ruins my fun. When I read the 4th Edition Companion I don’t see a book on gaming -- a hobby of escapism -- I see a book of virtue signalling.

Ultimately, in the world of butthurt feelings, I am right. I have the high ground because I have the English language on my side. You have… uhhhh… You have nothing but crybaby feelings. You don’t get to cry foul and steal victory when I. Am. Right.

Also, because somewhere I have to take a stand. Whether alone or as an example to others, this is where I make my stand. I can tolerate a great many things if the product is good. If the game is fun I can tolerate some shenanigans. I guess, in regard to Earthdawn, at this point it’s simply the straw that broke the camel’s back. I’ve had enough and I will not support this bullshit.

I can only hope that Get Woke Go Broke applies here.

Anecdotal Tangent...

RPGs are in a sort of Golden Age right now with the popularity of 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons -- (which I do not play). Unlike the comic book industry, which is clearly divided into mainstream and ComicsGate, the RPG community (for now) is still surging.

People like me, who choose not to support these games or companies, won't make a difference today, as new blood is being brought into the RPG community. Even if the old guard of RPG gamers were to join forces to boycott, quit, or otherwise subvert the radicalized virtual signalling of these publishers, it won’t make that much of a difference at this time. However, I wonder what it will look like 10 to 15 years from now when the fad passes and us old-timey nerds are still the ones who remain.

To be very, very clear:  I don't gatekeep players based on gender, politics, ethnicity, orientation, or whatever, but I will gatekeep the games I play at my table when the publisher caters to a whiny minority; who develops products that look like something written by reform school rejects.

I can’t believe I long for the days of being ridiculed and terrorized as a nerd for playing AD&D back in the 80s.

#Earthdawn #SJW #Gender #RPG #TTRPG