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Author Topic: From RPGPundit's Blog: The Original Magic Deer Rant!  (Read 3304 times)

hgjs

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From RPGPundit's Blog: The Original Magic Deer Rant!
« Reply #15 on: September 13, 2006, 08:40:31 AM »
Quote from: Balbinus
The Magic Deer is real.  I understand it is actually in genre, though since I have never read any romantic fantasy I can't swear to that.

But my understanding is that magic deer and the like are genre defining, not genre breaking.

I was a fan of Tamora Pierce and the like when I was in middle school, but I don't recall much in the way of Magic Deer.  Then again, I don't recall said fantasy being utopian (as per the "What is Romantic Fantasy?" section in the book) either -- usually the plucky young heroes and heroines start off struggling against the expectations of a society that doesn't accept them for who they are.
 

The Yann Waters

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From RPGPundit's Blog: The Original Magic Deer Rant!
« Reply #16 on: September 13, 2006, 10:30:23 AM »
"'The targets for assassination are chosen by the wisdom of the crystal unicorns,' Yasha says. 'And it is the Dryadine, the great blooming benevolent trees, so vulnerable, so wise, that choose the unworthy for the gulags. Even your own father, Viktor, who hurt you so. You must believe in them, Viktor. They are the hand of Light.'"

Rebecca Borgstrom, "Soviet Romantic Fantasy"
Previously known by the name of "GrimGent".

jhkim

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From RPGPundit's Blog: The Original Magic Deer Rant!
« Reply #17 on: September 13, 2006, 12:05:04 PM »
Quote from: hgjs
Yes, it exists.  It's called the Golden Hart.  And the rant was no exaggeration -- well, perhaps in calling the people of Aldis "slaves of the deer."  After all, even though the kingdom's ruler is chosen by the Golden Hart, and every member of the nobility is indirectly chosen by the Golden Hart (through the Blue Rose Scepter), the people live a rather good life.


Look, this is highly deceptive in the least.  The Golden Hart is the divine or semi-divine force which chooses the sovereign in Aldis.  Its direct intervention is generally limited to choosing and crowning the new ruler.  It has rarely appeared at other times.  It aided the original rebellion which formed Aldis by conferring immunity to sorcery to all those within sight of it.  It has also appeared twice in 300 years since to depose a ruler.  It does nothing to enforce the sovereign's rule, however.  

The Blue Rose Scepter is simply an artifact that detects alignment -- it can tell once in the lifetime of a person whether they are of Light alignment at that time.  

Make of it what you will.  

Personally, I don't see how this is any more intrusive than a good-aligned god in D&D, say.  The god is actually far more active, because he is constantly checking all his people and if they turn alignment away from his, he strips them of their powers.

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From RPGPundit's Blog: The Original Magic Deer Rant!
« Reply #18 on: September 13, 2006, 04:21:13 PM »
Quote from: hgjs
I was a fan of Tamora Pierce and the like when I was in middle school, but I don't recall much in the way of Magic Deer.  Then again, I don't recall said fantasy being utopian (as per the "What is Romantic Fantasy?" section in the book) either -- usually the plucky young heroes and heroines start off struggling against the expectations of a society that doesn't accept them for who they are.


Yup, therein's the irony. Most Romantic Fantasy does NOT suppose a utopian setting, but rather often quite the opposite. The heros or heroinnes of the setting have to struggle against a society that discriminates against them.

Instead, we get Steve Kenson's Nannystate-Liberal Wiccan Wankfest.

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Balbinus

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From RPGPundit's Blog: The Original Magic Deer Rant!
« Reply #19 on: September 13, 2006, 04:43:43 PM »
Quote from: Balbinus
The Magic Deer is real.  I understand it is actually in genre, though since I have never read any romantic fantasy I can't swear to that.

But my understanding is that magic deer and the like are genre defining, not genre breaking.


Sorry to quote myself, but from follow up posts I understand I was wrong and it has bugger all to do with the genre.

Mr. Analytical

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From RPGPundit's Blog: The Original Magic Deer Rant!
« Reply #20 on: September 13, 2006, 04:54:09 PM »
Quote from: Balbinus
Sorry to quote myself, but from follow up posts I understand I was wrong and it has bugger all to do with the genre.


  Oh... and here I was about to point to the similarities between the Golden Hart and the Unicorn from Amber... :unicorn:

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From RPGPundit's Blog: The Original Magic Deer Rant!
« Reply #21 on: September 13, 2006, 04:59:55 PM »
Quote from: Mr. Analytical
Oh... and here I was about to point to the similarities between the Golden Hart and the Unicorn from Amber... :unicorn:


I hate to admit it, but I haven't read the Amber books yet.

Hastur T. Fannon

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From RPGPundit's Blog: The Original Magic Deer Rant!
« Reply #22 on: September 13, 2006, 05:35:28 PM »
Quote from: jhkim
Look, this is highly deceptive in the least.  The Golden Hart is the divine or semi-divine force which chooses the sovereign in Aldis.  Its direct intervention is generally limited to choosing and crowning the new ruler.  It has rarely appeared at other times.  It aided the original rebellion which formed Aldis by conferring immunity to sorcery to all those within sight of it.  It has also appeared twice in 300 years since to depose a ruler.  It does nothing to enforce the sovereign's rule, however.

So basically he's a horny Aslan?

(sorry about that - I couldn't resist it)
 

T-Willard

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From RPGPundit's Blog: The Original Magic Deer Rant!
« Reply #23 on: September 13, 2006, 05:44:03 PM »
Quote from: mythusmage
You've never had a whitetail buck poke more holes in you than a cheap sieve. :) During breeding season the little shits are dangerous. Those antlers can do some serious damage. Elk and moose are a lot worse. A moose kick can drive your pelvis up into your guts. Believe me, when a half ton of bull elk wants you out of his way, you get out of his way.

Try visiting East Tennessee during rutting season and see how far you get with Bambi.

Really? They can be dangerous?

I'd never realized that, after living in bumfuck Washington State for all those years, I'd always assumed deer were short little rodents that bound through the grass and live peacefully with mankind after their escape from NIHM. :)

Seriously, I know all about Elk, Moose, and Deer, I lived in waaaaaay rural Washington State for a long time, and idiot deer used to dance around my backyard out of season all the fucking time. I hated the asswipes for eating my garden.
Yeah, deer can be a little dangerous, but holy shit, elevating the Golden Hart (Sounds like they ripped off the Golden Hind myself) to such preposterous levels, such as conferring immunity to sorcery and leading a rebellion twice in 300 years against a ruler, doesn't sound like that much better.

Someone needs to call Cerebus and Fenris and let them know their lunch got away.
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From RPGPundit's Blog: The Original Magic Deer Rant!
« Reply #24 on: September 13, 2006, 06:49:11 PM »
Quote from: Mr. Analytical
Oh... and here I was about to point to the similarities between the Golden Hart and the Unicorn from Amber... :unicorn:


Pretty fucking few, other than that both are magical animals and the Unicorn picks a King of Amber. Remember, though, that Unicorn was said King's Grandma (or was it Grandpa?)..

Zelazny was one wierd sonofabitch. God, I miss him.

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