Calamity? Such an American word to me. Calamity Jane starring Doris Day is probably the reason that I think this way! I realize that it is not particularly an American word and what it means otherwise but I can’t shake the stigma. So I am going to relate calamity to the genre of game I would least like to play or run.
Calamity
Westerns. I just can not bring myself to look at running a game in this style. Do not get me wrong though. I used to love my western movies and as a child, I used to devour western comic books. I just can’t think of playing a game in this style. I once bought the Deadlands RPG because I thought it would be so cool to run. Problem is, once I got it, I just could not picture anything to run it with. Even in one of my favourite games, Lords of Gossamer and Shadow, a player created a character that ran a western-themed town in his world. I just could not get enthused with the setting. I tried though.
I think it may be that when I got older I realised that this period represented such a small part of the past. That was also hindered by the fact that I identified with the Native American world view than that of the cowboy. Outside of America, this period is highlighted in a Cowboys and Indians style conflict and I think I just lost my love for it with that focus. It was a calamity that I just could not identify with! Anyhow, that is just me – keep rolling.
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I’m with you! I always had more time for the Native Americans than the cowboys in the films but I don’t know enough to feel comfortable playing a Native American in such a game – I think I’d fall into stereotypes and, given the way the cultures have been treated over the years, that makes me very uncomfortable to do.
That said, I do kinda like Deadlands. I like a bit of the Weird in settings. I’m not completely sold on Savage Worlds, though, as the system feels lacking in something I can’t put my finger on.
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There is a game that focuses on American Indian folklore called Edrigohr. I own a copy but not got it to the table yet.