Another player who was at the table during the incident sent me this meme after the problem player in question (they had a history) left the group chat.

Felt like sharing it here because I’m sure more people should keep this kind of thing in mind.

  • The_Dessarin_River@ttrpg.network
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    11 months ago

    If characters in a story have a disability the question should be “What is the DM/Author trying to say, and how does this character add to the world they are portraying?” The plague of diegetic essentialism etc.

    • overjustic@lemm.ee
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      11 months ago

      That just enforces the idea that people with disabilities are not a normal part of the society. It’s like asking to justify why a character is tall, blonde, old, a woman. People are just people and there’s a huge variation on their shapes, sizes, colors and disability status.

      • The_Dessarin_River@ttrpg.network
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        11 months ago

        I don’t think it does unless you reach some odd answers. The answer could be “to create a world that feels real and inclusive.” A big part of world building is describing places and characters so those descriptions do matter and are not just made for no reason. I don’t need to justify some convoluted way that a healing spell doesn’t work.

        I think we agree though (?), because if a player asked me so bluntly it would probably require a pause to talk it out at the least, and tbh that’s on me for trying to be pithy rather than adding a sentence to clarify.