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Essay: Has Anyone Played a Homosexual Character?
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Essay: Has Anyone Played a Homosexual Character?
(from the original Guide)
This essay was derived from a conversation of the topic on a Internet RPG discussion list. The thoughts written here are not necessarily those of any one person. Many points of view went into this essay. Also, the validity of statements made is not known.
" I've never played one, but... "
" We're not gay, not that there's anything wrong with being gay. "
The " Army of Lovers" (i. e. exclusively homosexual company of soldiers) was something out of the ancient Greek city-states. There was only one city-state, Thebes, where being gay was a " requirement" if you wished to become a soldier. This was not a strict requirement, but was considered highly advantageous. It was reported to be (by writers in other city states) to be one of the most effective armies at the time. The unit was called the Thebian Sacred Band, and they served under Alexander. They worked in buddy teams: a spear-men and a shield man. They were renowned for their extreme closeness, fierceness, and efficiency in battle (esp. if their lover was killed! )
Note, that in Sparta, all male children were raised up by the state, trained to be soldiers, the menial work was left to the " helotas" (slaves). They had male companionship for most of the time, so that is why their sexual interests were different. In Sparta, homosexuality was accepted, but not like it was in Thebes. Spartans had more of a Roman respect for women.
That's not to say that romantic involvement, or even long-term relationships, weren't common between soldiers in the other city-states. It had a lot to do with the inequality of women, and their place, in ancient Greek society. In ancient Greece, women were considered inferior to men. Not quite (but almost) property. Certainly not something a person would want to spend lots of quality time with. The most common opinion of women was that they were good for one thing - having babies. If a man had to have sex for that, well, that's one of the things a dutiful husband did. But if you wanted a relationship, passionate sex, someone you could talk with afterwards, men were where it was at (although this is a bit exaggerated).
It was common practice in upper-crust Athenian society for young boys to be " taken in" by an older gentleman, who would become the youth's mentor and also lover. This was considered a healthy upbringing.
From what remained of the Greek literature, it is obvious that women were more often that subject of male sexual desire than men. After all, it was a women (Helena) for whom the Spartans fought for a couple of decades with the Trojans, according to Homeros. Odysseus and his soldiers were tempted several times by females, on his journey to home, and it was a female (his wife) he wanted to return to so badly, and this female was courted by many - noble - males, and he got so mad when he saw this that he wiped out all those males because of one female.
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Now, in Rome things were not quite the same. The Romans held a similar low opinion of women. Not quite as low, but it was down there. Women were considered eminently suitable for sex. Discussion, companionship, camaraderie, were all still male-oriented, but women were considered capable of satisfying the purely physical needs. That's not to say that there was anything wrong with having sex with a man. As long as you were on top. Screwing a guy was manly; being screwed was effeminate, shameful. Caesar came under fire several times, not because of his numerous affairs with men, but because he liked to be on the bottom. However, although it is true that women had their strict rule in the society, they were not supposed to mingle in politics, and so on. But those that read " Antigone" from Sophocles will see that they were thought of as domestic animals. Or even worse, women were considered property to be used for the reason of reproduction and personal gain for a family.
Most Romans were very touchy on the issue of homosexuality. If one wanted to be a homosexual, it was all right as long as one was closeted. If one were open, one could pretty much kiss any chance of a political life goodbye! Nero was the Emperor, and could crush his enemies. If he wanted to be a homosexual, it was all right because he had power. Romans believed that men should have women, and the women should be subservient to men. If one wanted to have another man, go ahead, just don't tell anyone!
It wasn't brought up in Glory of Rome, but actually Julius Caesar's Tenth Legion had a slight reputation for being Caesar's " favorite" legion.
Both societies were very male oriented, which is why there is little writing about lesbians at the time (though the practice existed).
In a typical European setting, homosexuality would certainly be frowned upon. This does not, of course, mean that there aren't any homosexuals running around - just that they are secretive, repressed, etc.
One can't deny that homosexuality was widespread before the advent of Christianity, but it was considered as an alternative only, not the necessarily the way. In any case, there is no need to make an issue with homosexuality in a campaign, but having various sexual orientations can really make for interesting adventures.
For example, a nobleman's gay lover vanishes or is captured - perhaps to be used against him. So he hires a group of discreet adventures to deal with the situation.
In the Thieves' World books, there are a group of mercenaries known as " Sacred Banders" They appear to be male couples who are excellent fighting teams (it is assumed that they shared the same tents, and did certain things... but they didn't go into it). They are supposedly based on some historical Athenian units, or some such thing.
On one campaign world, which has evolved to cover many continents and cultures, there is a whole spectrum of sexual attitudes. In some cultures, homosexuality is not frowned upon, and is indeed considered to be normal. There is even an island based upon an Aztec legend where there are only women. They are ruled by priestesses who is divinely enabled to brew a potion which will impregnate a woman.
One adventuring party spent a long time travelling with a pirate named Dalin and first mate, Shandar. The two guys were clearly best friends who had been adventuring together for many years. The party was always impressed with how close they were. The group never even suspected the truth.
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And now a small excerpt about a strange character:
" Hendrix is an old, ugly, gnome illusionist. He is lawful evil, and his goal is to have sex with as many different people/things as possible. He wants them willing and alive, but he'll take them by force if necessary. He's also fond of guile.
He has a ring of polymorph self and a couple of other trinkets he's acquired along the way. Whenever he starts a new adventure he joins the adventuring party in disguise. Most of the disguises are helped out by his trinkets, but some of them aren't even plausible. Yet, somehow they keep getting accepted, though. Some examples are Dorien Wolfride, a female halfling ranger, Noli of Clan Ironfoots, a male dwarf wizard (he can't cast spells but fakes it), and Honeysuckle Rapevictimson, a male half-orc paladin.
Hendrix is actually doing quite well in his mission. Unfortunately, the other adventurers are rabid heterosexuals, so Hendrix has only attempted hetero seduction. He can't wait to see their faces when he's found out. "
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