Early D&D, inspired as it was (hell, outright birthed) by historical wargames, channelled medieval Europe heavily. Gary's obsession with polearms is legendary; but it was more than that, and what else would we expect from a fantastic medieval wargame? Of course, the fantastic precedes a European mileu by millenia and extends beyond its borders to storied parts beyond. But Europe, with its armored knights and dragons, really stuck...
And part of this was medieveal Christendom, especially in regards to clerics. Now TSR, already aware of a growing panic, wisely avoided statting up Jesus; but its earliest artwork nonetheless depicted many clerics as Christian. From crosses (already effective against vampires) to monkish tonsures, early D&D art had a thing for the Church, doubtless because its faith heavily influenced the medieval expereince as understood by many.
Here's three of my favorites, with thoughts on what they meant to the early hobby:
(1) RESURRECTION. These decidedly Christian clerics are providing a service attributed to the saints. Indeed, healing and/or restoration is emphasized in this tradition...
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(2) A DUNGEON DWELLERS MINIATURE. Nothing says "Back in the name of (_______)" quite like a cross shoved in evil's face. There's no doubt who this adventurer serves...
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(3) A FUN MEDIEVAL MONK. Played for laughs; but again, there's zero doubt that this is supposed to be the party's cleric. Crosses and tonsures made for shorthand...
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Again, this was all about recognition. The fantasy genre by way of gaming was still being created, and historical influences reigned supreme. Magic users still wore robes emblazoned with moons and stars, and fighters wore historically accurate armor and weaponry (Gary's polearms) because this is how these concepts were understood. Fortunately, time and steady mainstreaming changed this; but a certain storybook charm absolutely remains.
And there's more. Much more. Part Water? Sticks to Snakes? Their collective religious influences are obvious. Early D&D was a fantastic medievel wargame, and its understanding of the world was clearly centered thereupon. Even so, Greyhawk had its original deities, including non-human ones from the start; and the game quickly moved past its European roots to encompass the world's fantastical traditions, fertile ground for creative minds...
Escapism is a key element for me in enjoying RPGs. I have always been exclusively interested in imagining mythical pantheons of deity of another world and reality such as those found in AD&D Deities & Demi-Gods or the earlier OD&D supplement version....
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly concur!
DeleteInterestingly that was a criticism of clerics that Ken St.Andre made ( to close to Judeo Christian mindset of the really world.) Which is why clerics where never an archetype in T&T. But T&T did so well making the archetypes broad enough that you could flavor them in anyway, whether a hardy and valiant crusader warrior, or a wise theologian magician.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of many reasons why I appreciate T&T and still run it for people who want something different.
T&T is a great system for so many reasons...
DeleteI forgot to mention that, in my opinion, the best take of a monotheistic faith in an rpg is the Sovereign of the Shudder Mountains (DCC the Chain Coffin adventure.) The faith takes many traits from the monotheistic faiths of the real world. (Zoratarians focus on fire and light, ancient Hebrews take of God as the creator of everything and the other gods are mere creations of them, and the primative Christian movements asthetic with white or yellow plated wood churches.) What makes the Sovereign an interesting take is again, it doesn't say the other gods don't exist, but are mere creations of the Sovereign. But also there are two other faiths to choose from .Nengal the wild one, and the three (devil/demon worship.)
ReplyDeleteShudder Mountains also has rules for lay priest to turn unholy and lay on hands , which is pretty nifty and awards roleplaying, you're not as good as a cleric, but in a pinch you can help out.