ES - Re: response to role playing

[Richard Culver]

>But I knew a norseman once who aspired to knighthood, and
>I told him never to let his persona be an excuse for
>unchivalrous behavior.
>
>- Galen


  Very true indeed, your Excellency.  This sort goes back to how I feel 
persona play is educational.  Anyone who has really read, for example, 
thorough accounts of Scandinavian culture would know it was really a high 
culture.  Yes, it was violent, but I would argue really no more so than 
anywhere else at the time nor were the incidents as wide spread as we tend 
to think.
   Having played as Scandinavian persona when I first played in '92, I 
personally tried to avoid the stereotypes.  These were a folk with an 
abundant level of culture which ended up greatly shaping the world we have 
today.  Some think the greatest sin is not getting a battle death, but if 
you read most of the myths and the sagas, these people cared more about 
maintaining hospitality and the repercussions of breaking it.
   On a broader level, there was a great respect for the dead and leaving 
them be.  They just did not steal anything.  If people will note the two 
times a major monster battle happens in Beowulf, it was after a thegn to a 
king decided it would be fun to rob a grave.
    Knowing stuff like this really puts in perspective to me personally.  I 
often find, even across religious and cultural lines, many ideals are held, 
even in the most seemingly venomous of lands.

Godspeed,
Cyniric

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