gamegrene.com

Also, I agree it doesn't really belong at a gaming table.
I like to see myself as having an open mind. If it works for you, go ahead and use it. But I simply fail to see how adventuring, roleplaying, and dungeon crawling, can be enhanced by an entire book dedicated to it.

The closest I would probaly come is an npc trying to seduce a PC, for instance like a succubus. And if they did "do it" persay, it wouldn't be graphical.

This is the first positive review that I've seen of it. It generally gets slammed - not for adult content but for being cheesy. I've had sex come up in games but don't see a need for rules to govern it. It also forces players to make a choice - if they spend skill and feats on on stuff in the book, they are weaker in everything else. I've browsed it and just don't see a need for more rules.

Here is a more typical review. It's Something Awful so of course they are harsh; but they give examples of the actual contents
http://www.somethingawful.com/articles.php?a=2327

While I agree that your "average" gaming group may not want to incorporate this material into a game, I think its pretty clear that this book is not intended for an average group.

My group, for instance, runs a very story heavy and political game, where personal relationships are very important. Though I didn't anticipate this, it has worked quite well, even though 7 of our 9 participants are male. The game masters (3 including myself) have been very sensitive to how far players want to go with this sort of thing. Some players don't want to have in game sexual relationships, others want to fade to black at appropriate times, others may want to go farther, but I like the fade to black technique :)

The sex is a tiny part of game, maybe 1% of group roleplaying time and 1% to 5% of individual roleplaying time. But the relationships formed between PC and NPC (and PC and PC) serve to motivate many of our stories. A pair of homosexual lovers were recently seperated when one (NPC) was captured in battle. Now the PC has a challenge that goes far deeper than just "you're friend was captured."

--Chris

I could see how many would be uncomfortable using this in their campaign, and though I wouldn't use it with my current group... we are the typical 'beer-and-pretzels' group... I have been a part of groups that could use this sort of resource. After all, isn't role-playing (as opposed to Roll-playing) all about interaction? Maybe I'm a bit abnormal (and I think not), but I can't remember the last day I as a person hadn't thought of sex in some way, shape, or form, and it is maybe once a month sex isn't a topic in some conversation I have throughout the day. I guess my point is, it is a part of my life, and I think any realistic portrayal of a character will have some element of sex involved, even if it is just an undercurrent.

*And those are my 2 cents worth :)*

My problem with this book, is pretty much that I cant for the life of me imagine why you would have to have an entire book on the topic.
I mean, let's look at what kinds of things wich realistically come into play in a campaign not revolving around sex.

STDs - No harm in having one or two of those described along with other diseases. Makes players think twice before bedding the barmaid. ;)

Spells & Magic - No really, I mean, if we humans had access to magics, I bet we would use it to enhance our sexlives before throwing fireballs. But more interesting is the midwife-aspect of healing. In a medieval world world where bloodlines and heirs are evrything, think how useful an abortion or prophylactic spell would be. Or a fertility spell when you need that heir ASAP. And really, the love spell/potion is really too much of a classic to be left out of any self respecting magic system.

Conception - Here's an interesting thing. If we go back to the whole heirs&bloodlines thingy, this is a really big deal. I mean once you've managed to get a politically and economically sound catch, making heirs is important. Of course, that isnt really about sex. Rolling once per intercourse is just silly. Once per month/year or so should be enough to find out if an heir is produced. In this case, the act itself isn't important, only the result.
When the result is less important, like deciding wether that barmaid the PC spent the night with in that last inn has gotten a lot rounder next time the PC's roll in... well, couldn't that just be left up to the GM?

The act itself - Well... is this really important? I mean the events leading up to it and such, sure, but the act itself. The James Bond style should work just fine, ie the couple starts kissing, tumbles to the bed, disrobing... CUT!
A short intermisson later, we cut back to the couple, smoking in bed. I mean... is there really a need to get more graphic than that, unless something out of the ordinary occurs during the act? (Like ninjas bursting through the window during the act. During such occasions, it could be useful to know who's on top, tied up or suspended from the ceiling. But this shouldnt be a problem to get through without getting very graphic.)

Relations & Orientations - I could be useful to know something about the world around you and it's moral standards. In a kingdom where they execute sodomites (no at all uncommen in our own medieval day) you probaly shouldnt be standing around with "Will Bugger For Food" sign.
But really, what is acceptable and what isnt should really be brought up in the campaign setting.

In short, this is pretty much what is needed to be included. For most games, bunched up, this would cover a page or possibly two at the most, without any need to get graphic about it.

My fantasy game of choice - Eon (available only in Swedish) has pretty much got it all.
STDs - Two are described among the other diseases. The most graphic about the is probably the names (rough translations: "Bluecrotch" and "Flaystick") wich, as an added bonus, sound disgustingly painful.

Spells & Magic: There is the prophylactic and the abortion spell, as well as fertility and lust/love spells, as well as potency spell. Once again, a few suggestive spell names (Barallon's lasting stand, The magnificent monolith of Ekivokus, Madrianna's unchecked lust) is about as graphic as it gets.

Conception - basically the heir-making bit is covered with a roll per month for a steady couple. Modfiers applies for being very active or cautios. Thoroughly unexciting. Accidental conceptions is not covered by the rules (but the disadvantage Bastard child can be rolled up during character creation).

The act itself - Nothing, nada, zip. There is a character trait called 'Amor' to give an idea of how interested the character is in pursuing romantic interested (yup, this is the one affected by the lust/love spell) as well as the seduction skill, but they're just the means of getting there.

Realtions &Orientatns - Covered, as it should, in the campaign setting material.

Now, if you feel compelled to go beyond this, you're probably better off engaging in "the other kind of roleplaying".

Oh. This turned out kinda rant-ish. And big.

/Joel

If you're interested enough in such things in your RPG...write them yourself. The act of trying to do such will help you decide whether or not you're actually that serious about it, and will help you decide if they're too damn awkward to use before you bring something really weird to the table. After all, if you can't even make yourself write it without blushing and giggling a lot, well...how do you think it will perform in your game? Just an idea. Feel free to ignore.

Joel, I would really be surprised if you could cover ALL of those topics in two pages.

Heck, just the bare essential sex-related spells would take up that much space... and that's just the ones you mention.

It's really funny, but the list you give is pretty much the table of contents for the BOEF.

The fact is, there are lots of people out there who play DnD around a table (or through IRC or message boards) who want a less Victorian way of dealing with the less violent parts of life.

"Yes, sex happens, babies happen, roll the dice, summarize, and get to the FUN part... the blood!" is fine for a lot of groups out there... but killing monsters and taking their stuff is just the beginning for others.

"Joel, I would really be surprised if you could cover ALL of those topics in two pages."

*checks his copy* *nods* Have to say, it's about right. Although those are in different sections of the book, not concentrated on one page.

"Heck, just the bare essential sex-related spells would take up that much space... and that's just the ones you mention."

Nope, not necessary. There are four of them, not counting the various effects you can combine to create a virtually infinite amount of spells (pornographic or not). One is Passion, raising or lowering the person's amorous inclinations. Potence increases... well, physical readiness, or lowers it. Seduction speaks for itself. And finally, Conception messes with those childbearing chances.

"It's really funny, but the list you give is pretty much the table of contents for the BOEF."

Then why did I hear rumors about "Nipple Clamps of Exquisite Pain" and similar pseudomodernistic rubbish?

"The fact is, there are lots of people out there who play DnD around a table (or through IRC or message boards) who want a less Victorian way of dealing with the less violent parts of life."

It's their prerogative. I personally believe in creating a plausible experience, where elves don't walk around wearing latex masks and ball gags. All these prestigue classes and mystical objects seem to impose a very contemporary present-day view on what some consider "edgy" sexuality upon a medieval setting, which is a severe turn-off for me... pun not intended. :)