This chat took place on Pyramid Magazine, from Steve Jackson Games

Pyramid Chat 10/13/03: Christine Morgan

Christine Morgan, one of the authors of Sabledrake Enterprise's new rpg supplement "Naughty and Dice: An Adult Gamer's Guide to Sexual Situations", will be on hand to talk about that product and the role of sex in rpgs. This chat is in a plain, brown wrapper so adults only please!

Ral says, "And we're live."

Christine says, "Good evening, folks. I'm Christine Morgan, here to talk about 'Naughty and Dice: An Adult Gamer's Guide to Sexual Situations."

 The audience cheers and wolf-whistles.

Christine says, "Thank you, thank you."

Christine says, "Today, as it happens, is the official release date for N&D."

Christine says, "This is a project ten years in the making, though of course it's gone in fits and starts."

 Ral says, "Or spurts?"

Christine says, "I was trying not to say it that way, but ... well, okay."

 Ral says, "Sorry, couldn't resist."

Christine says, "So, what can I tell you about N&D?"

 From Table 1, Viriatha says, "Could we get a bit of an overview of what Naughty and Dice -is-? I hadn't heard of it before this week, I'm afraid."

 Ral goes to Q&A mode, just page him to be added to the queue.

Christine says, "Naughty and Dice is a sourcebook for sex in RPGs. It is designed to be adapted to any system and includes rules for skills, spells, ads & disads, pregnancy, STDs, overviews on sex in history. myth, folklore, horror, fantasy, etc."

 From Table 2, knutsen says, "Christine, sex is a touchy issue for some, different people have different limits of tolerance. What is your advice to a GM, or RPG group, who wishes to start exploring the subject of sex, in such a way that no one is made to feel uncomfortable?"

Christine says, "N&D stresses very strongly that this can be a difficult issue, and that the purpose of such rules and content should never be used to harass or make anyone feel uncomfortable. Communication is the key, and I would suggest that any GM wishing to include sexual content in his or her game discusses it with the players beforehand, perhaps individually, to determine what everyone's comfort level is."

Christine says, "And re-check often to make sure that nobody's starting to feel ill at ease."

 Ral says, "And buy lots of blue books."

Christine says, "That'd be helpful, yes."

 From Table 1, Jesdyn says, "And blue movies... What /didn't/ N&D include? I plan to order it, but do you feel like going over some of what you had to cut out, for space or... other reasons?"

 Ral . o O ( Naughty and Dice: The Bobbit Files or What We Had to Cut. )

Christine says, "Well, it doesn't include tables for length, girth, cup size ... we did have to do a quick shuffle revision when the WOTC/D20 decree came down a while ago, but as the D20 stuff was a small part of the book, it didn't hamper us much."

Christine says, "The book is a general overview of the topic, more of a resource than anything else. It includes adventure ideas, magic items, etc."

Christine says, "We didn't actually have to _cut_ anything."

 Ral says, "Anything about unicorns in the book?"

Christine says, "They're mentioned in the Virginity sidebar ;)"

 Ral coughs.

 knutsen stands up from Table 2.

Christine says, "Well, you asked."

 knutsen says, "Can you mention a few of the ads and a few of the disads from the book?"

 knutsen sits down at Table 2.

Christine says, "Sure thing. We call them 'Turn-Ons' and 'Turn-Offs,' with the idea being that a Turn-on is anything that increases a character's chances of either attracting a partner or of successfully reproducing, and Turn-offs decrease those chances. "

Christine says, "So, among the Turn-ons, we have things like High Sperm Count, Multi-Orgasmic, Sexy Feature."

 Ral shows off his horn.

Christine says, "Turn-offs include Erectile Dysfunction, Unresponsive, Social Disease, etc."

 From Table 1, Viriatha says, "So, basically, they involve phiysical features and/or sexual responses. Do things like high-income affect your chances of reproducing?"

Christine says, "There's a Status Symbol Turn-on, which can include income, or having a hot car, or being a rock star ;)"

 From Table 1, Jesdyn says, "How much content, overall, does N&D share with its 'predecessor', GURPS Sex? Did you go in any new directions?"

Christine says, "N&D did evolve from GURPS Sex, and it essentially expands upon that initial article (expands upon? sheesh ... it's ten times the word count; I feel like I've done a Master's thesis!). The cultural stuff -- history, myth, horror, fantasy races -- is all new."

Christine says, "We had always intended to follow up the first article with one on pregnancy, so those rules are new, too."

Christine says, "Personal experience, really ... GURPS Sex was ten years ago ... Becca's ninth birthday is in a couple of weeks ..."

Christine says, "Playtesting."

 From Table 9, Kamika-Z says, "As far as you're willing to say, which was the chapter you felt was the weakest, in concept, that improved the most in your eyes?"

 From Table 9, Kamika-Z says, "As in, things you're willing to disclose, that aren't simply 'Read the book and see if you can guess'."

Christine says, "Of the material in the original, I think the most improvement was in the sections having to do with magic and myth. Many more spells and items now, as well as looking at the role sex plays in creation myths, religion, etc."

Christine says, "Which is probably because this time, I had to actually sit down and do research."

 Ral bites back any position jokes.

 From Table 2, knutsen says, "Does the book deal solely with the physics and physiology of sex, the climax of a romantic affair if you will, or does it also touch upon the preceding phases, i.e. attraction, flirting, more emotional/psychological stuff? EOQ."

Christine says, "The latter. The skills section includes Flirting, Kissing, Seduction, and so on. It's much more about that than the mechanics of the sex act."

Christine says, "The last thing we wanted was to break sex down into the equivalent of combat rounds, thrust-by-thrust."

 From Table 1, Lenin says, ""Will N&D allow players to bring sexual issues to a game at a more general level? Forex, if you fadeout at the passionate kiss, can you still roll for chances of pregnancy, falling out with the in-laws, chance of infection, and whatnot? (Kind of follows on from the previous answer....)"

Christine says, "Well, I'd want to roleplay the falling out with the in-laws aspect, but otherwise, yes."

 Ral says, "Anything dealing with racial/species compatibility issues?"

Christine says, "Yes. There's a chapter on the classic fantasy races -- my version thereof, anyway -- and another on sample alien races. Also on hybrids. Big sidebar on Xenophilia. "

 Ral says, "Printed 'Banned from GenCon' stickers for the books yet?"

Christine says, "Probably ought to."

Christine says, "The cover art is a plain brown wrapper already, with some strategic rips and tears, and warning stamps, and stickers."

 From Table 2, knutsen says, "Your description of the cover art reminds me... What about beautification? Are there rules, or guidelines, for the application of make-up, or wearing of semi-revealing clothing, so as to make one self more attractive?"

 From Table 2, knutsen says, "EOQ"

Christine says, "Yes, and a bit on some of the hideous and even deadly things people have done throughout history to make themselves more attractive. Renaissance ladies used to use belladonna eyedrops to dilate their pupils, for instance."

 Ral . o O ( Deadly eyeshade... )

Christine says, "Standards of beauty in different culturs, as well."

 From Table 2, knutsen says, "I was going to ask about that. If a player buys the Total Hottie advantage for her character, and she moves to a different culture, are those wasted points? That seems unfair to me. EOQ"

Christine says, "Could indeed be, but it's that way already. Someone who's gorgeous for an orc, say, is still not likely to be attractive to an elf."

Christine says, "But something as encompassing as 'Total Hottie' would hopefully extend to more than physical beauty."

Christine says, "In certain cases the modifiers might apply only to those of one's own culture, though."

 Ral . o O ( Amongst dwarves it is generally agreed that it's not the size of the battleaxe but how you swing it. )

Christine says, "It'd be up to the GM and players to tweak the rules to fit the game world."

 Ral says, "Anyone else have a probing question to ask?"

 From Table 9, Kamika-Z says, "So, with this one looking to garner as much attention as you hoped, what's planned for the follow-up? (^_^)"

Christine says, "Hoo, boy ..."

 Ral says, ""

 Ral says, "An in depth look at childcare in fantasy worlds?"

Christine says, "Well, I'm sure that we're bound to get letters telling us that we didn't cover certain topics in nearly enough depth ... but I don't know if I'm brave enough to tackle a whole book on fetishes and BDSM, personally."

 Ral says, "If you decide to do one on catgirls I'd be happy to write it for you."

Christine says, "All catgirls all the time? Catgirls Gone Wild?"

 Ral says, "Crazy Catgirl Explosion!"

Christine says, "No problem finding artists, I'd expect. One of the biggest challenges for N&D was trying to get some beefcake art to go with the cheesecake."

 From Table 2, knutsen says, "What about rules or guidelines for overwhelming beauty? Like Helen of Troy, who was gorgeous enough to start a genuine war? Or Galadriel, who was beautiful enough to make someone of a different species fall for her? Is there any of that? GURPS stops at Very Beautiful, which I frankly think is a mistake. EOQ"

Christine says, "We don't have specific rules for that in N&D. In my personal GURPS game, I allow additional levels, like 'Unearthly Beauty,' which elves can take in comparison to humans or other races. I'd recommend with the N&D rules taking whatever level of beauty your game system allows, and adding on the Sexy Features and Inner Beauty and Allure until it's just overpowering ;)"

 Ral ponders a particularly literal minded character in search of something to make him more attractive hearing that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

Christine says, "Hey, given some of the icky stuff people used to use for makeup and hair care products, it wouldn't surprise me one bit."

 Ral says, "Could lead to a drop in the local eye tyrant population."

 Ral says, "Any sections on doing the naughty tentacle thing for the demons?"

Christine says, "The chapter on sex and horror does mention 'monsters,' and even 'tentacled Lovecraftian horrors,' but I suppose they'd just have to adapt the sex skills to include uses of various extra appendages."

 From Table 1, Lenin says, ""All sniggering aside, what books did you find the most useful in your research?"

 Ral says, "And are they listed in a bibliography in the book?"

Christine says, "Got a shelf-ful. 'Sex in History.' 'The Prehistory of Sex.' 'Sexy Origins and Intimate Things.' 'The Mythology of Sex.' 'Sex in Elizabethan England.' 'The Cartoon Guide to Sex' (by the Cartoon History of the Universe guy)."

Christine says, "There is a bibliography, yes."

 From Table 1, Brandon says, "Sorry, this may have been asked and answered (sorry about showing up late), but earlier you mentioned a little about spells and magic; does the book have much on the "popular" version of Tantric magic?"

Christine says, "A sidebar on Tantric sex, a sidebar on sex and Wicca. "

 From Table 1, Brandon says, "Thank you ;)"

Christine says, "Welcome!"

Christine says, "The book research was certainly interesting, I must say."

 From Table 1, Jesdyn says, "Did things change on you any, between 3e and 3.5e? I almost hesitate to point out the heavily increased applicability of, uhm, grapple checks..."

Christine says, "N&D doesn't rely on any one system, so it didn't cause us any problems."

Christine says, "Me, I favor the rules for 'kissing in combat,' though."

 Ral says, "Hmmm... Any LARP rules? ;-)"

Christine says, "Um, no ... figured that would be getting a little too complicated ;)"

 Ral . o O ( Boffer would take on a whole new meaning. )

 From Table 2, knutsen says, "What about rules or guidelines for struggling to resist temptation? Like a celibate character trying to stick to his or her vows? Or a married character trying to stay faithful. Those are interesting struggles, but can be difficult to roleplay. Rules or guidelines would make it easier. EOQ"

 Ral . o O ( "But honey, she was nymph! I couldn't help myself!" )

 Devin emerges from the elevator.

 Devin sits down at Table 2.

Christine says, "Will rolls -- or the character's Sexuality statistic, which N&D covers -- can be modified by sworn vows of chastity or fidelity. Of course, those same rolls can also be modified by the degree of temptation."

Christine waves back

 Ral says, "Any last questions anyone?"

 From Table 1, Lenin says, "When will Warehouse 23 have N&D in stock?"

 From Table 1, Lenin says, "Not that I'm eager or anything...."

Christine says, "It's already shipped to some distributors, and Michelle said she'd placed a pre-order, so I would think it'd be soon."

 From Table 2, knutsen says, "Can a player give his character a disad, such as Less Able to Resist Readheads, or some other sexual/romantic preference type disad? EOQ"

Christine says, "Sure. If it's a preference, it'd be more along the lines of a quirk, whereas if said character was unable to function with any non-redhead, it'd be a fetish."

 Ral says, "Well it looks like we're spent."

 Ral says, "I'd just like to thank you for c- er, stopping by. :-)"

Christine says, "I'd like to say a big thank-you to everyone for being here, and to SJ Games for being so encouraging and supportive. Also to John Kovalic for letting me use 'Castle Spank' as an adventure idea ;)"

Christine says, "Everybody's just been great."

 The audience claps.