POOHEAD189

Current Mood in One Gif

Writing the taboo

I'd never seen the thread before. It was a year before I joined the mod group, I believe.

Also agreed

I'll be the first one to say that the execution of a taboo always matters. Rape, mental illness, war crimes, genocide or slavery can be depicted or executed in a manner that can help contribute to the enjoyment and engagement of a roleplay. However, the way you approach it matters. The tone and how you ultimately convey this taboo matters. How do you frame the taboo within your RP? Does it play an important role in your narrative or story? Are you deliberately focusing on the merits of this taboo in any way? If so, why?

@Bork Lazer

Writing the taboo

There is no taboo subject when it comes to being an author. There are taboo subjects for readers, however, which is entirely different. An author has the freedom to write about sex, racism, murder, genocide, slavery, rape, jaywalking, etc. They have that freedom and it is actually a service to the public that such things are discussed. I find it absolutely reprehensible that things like Tom Sawyer have been yanked out of schools, though of course that is a "reader's" choice and not the author so it's somewhat different. It is all up to the writer on what they can or cannot put in their book. If a modern black African wants to write a book from a 13th century Mongolian's perspective, he can and should if that is what he wants to do. There is no 'story you cannot write' or 'story that isn't yours to tell.'

When it comes to an RP however, it's simply up to what you and your partner are mutually, consensually comfortable with. That and you also need to follow the Guild guidelines if you write it publicly. I think being 'tasteless' is how you write something rather than what you write. For instance, smut can easily be tasteless if done incorrectly. But if done correctly it's a nice experience if you do it with someone you trust (or don't, whatever floats your boat).

I think the only subject matter I condemn as 'taboo' is misinformation and lying in order to spread an ideology, even if it is a harmless one. You can, of course, spread the truth or embellish if you're writing a novel. But using said novel to intentionally spread information that is false, particularly if it is harmful, is a cardinal sin in my book.

What Are You Listening To?

Deify

God of Princelings

One good thing about today.

Spent 90 minutes working out in the sun.

Deify

God of Gothic Lovers

The Hyborian Chronicles: Of Sword and Sorcery

A strong east wind blew over the desolate earth as Abelard raised his hands in supplication, having dropped his sword and staff. The light of the newly risen sun glinted off the spearheads, their edges sharpened to pierce both flesh and mail. A cry of curious demand in Stygian rose behind them. The two were quickly relieved of their weapons and taken to the camp below to be surrounded by harsh lancers, ebony tribesmen of fierce strength, and towering thugs of stygian strain. Out of the crowd poked Ibn-vakir who was short enough to step through the legs of one of the giants. He spread a smile of teeth the color of mule piss save for the missing teeth so far not replaced with any wealth.

Two of the nomads had brought forth a wooden chair covered in skins that Khaseem Bai reclined upon, sitting as arrogantly as if he were the newly crowned king of Iranistan. In one hand he held his spear while in the other he nipped at an apple unfamiliarly, the fruit a strange sight in this unforgiving land. No doubt a sign of his fortune and prestige. He must be drunk on his own power if he thought that would intimidate Abelard and particularly the warrioress Anya. Even though he attempted to keep earthly matters from his mind, Abelard fretted the imminent fear of death in equal measure to how the smell of the pork churned his stomach.

"How strange to find such two foreign jackals." Ibn-vakir said. His smile spread like the plague with his mustached pulled along as well. "Better kill these two quickly, my lord. We cannot have word getting out on the location of the Opal."

Abelard laughed suddenly, one of the first times he had shown any emotion since meeting Anya. He grinned as feircely as any cimmerian barbarian. "You little fool, Ibn-vakir. You did not think we would ever meet with your precious master, did you? Khaseem Bai you are called? This one had already given me the location of the Opal, and had promised to deliver the same to this one beside me. He then wished to join the winning side and lied to you, telling you we were already in pursuit of the prize. He wished for your assassins to silence us, so that you may never learned he attempted to buy your trust with deceit."

Ibn-vakir paled, the grog in his stomach finally wearing off on his mind. Khaseem Bai's face, at ease before, was now a mask of fury and disgust. With a simple wave of his hand he had two of the giants grab Ibn-vakir the wretch.

"No master! He lies!" The thief shrieked in terror as he was rooted into the ground. Almost ritualistically, and it likely was knowing Set's laws, one of the giants took his belt knife and cut open Ibn-vakir's stomach. Blood and bile and a putrid stench erupted from his torn open belly. The thief sank to his knees, eyes wide opened in death. Despite himself, Abelard found it satisfying. His claim had also been a bluff without divine intervention, but seeing as Khaseem Bai did not correct him, his bluff had been correct and the warlord's side of the claims were confirmed plausible.
@Penny