Cult Classic Influence: Heathers

 

For a long while, I've been using this blog for either session reports or announcements... product releases, crowdfunding, conventions, culture war politics, etc.  Which means I've been slacking on the gaming content front.  

Well, I came up with something to boost my blogging output and heighten its appeal - while also giving me yet another reason (aside from introducing vintage media to my kids) to revisit such cult classics as Blade Runner, Zardoz, Flash Gordon, Revenge of the Nerds, and Highlander, to name but a few.  

As long as I'm enjoying all the foundational cult classics that have inspired me over the years (including Cha'alt and other products), why not dig deep, deriving (even more, in some cases) campaign setting bits and pieces to make the world come alive?  Not just lore that adds a hint of color, but something tangible, mechanical, or substantive that is directly inspired by what I just watched... something that makes a difference to the players, that the GM can use, not just describe.

My goal is to put out one of these each week (and some weeks I might blog a TV show write-up).  While that might not be realistic, I'm going to try and keep to that schedule.  I'll be on a family vacation next week, so that's already shot, but don't worry, I won't give up!  

Want to motivate me?  I love feedback - especially when folks tell me how they used it in-game.  Last night, I watched Heathers (again) with my oldest, and so without further ado...

Cult Classic Influence #1: Heathers

"The extreme always seems to make an impression."

Anytime the PCs come into contact with (hearing about, setting foot inside, staying there for a little while, and perhaps exiting) a matriarchal society - like the city-state of Ja'alette or Chud-Letha'az, the gilded mauve dark-elf city - or any culture where women are at least equal to or above men, the GM is obliged to come up with a feminine scheme.

Generally speaking, this feminine scheme comes directly from the "Queen Bee" herself, but possibly her subordinates... and on the rarest of occasions, the female drones rebel against her royal highness, either toppling her jeweled crown or their failed attempt merely incites deadly retaliation - "Off with their heads!"

Most importantly, the feminine scheme must show strength, be cruel in nature, and include an aspect of humiliation and/or degradation.  

For example, the Golden Goddess forces her least productive handmaids to fully inhale the magenta lotus which temporarily turns them into "free-use" sluts who will do anything with anyone, anywhere.  As the masculine slaves ravage them, the Golden Goddess and her Priestesses watch from their ivory balconies.  

Now that we have the what, how could this be incorporated into one's game?  I have some ideas...

Maybe the PCs hear a rumor of what will eventually go down, what's already taken place, or happening right now... are the PCs participating?  Perhaps they see the results for themselves or a feminine scheme fugitive runs away, falling into the arms of the reluctant adventurers?  What if the PCs get swept up in the scheme, or one of their friends?  What if it doesn't directly affect the PCs at all, but it goes to show (rather than tell) how messed up their society really is?  How does this alter their relationship with their neighboring city, settlement, or realm?  If everyone's distracted, will they take the opportunity to attack?  Steal that coveted artifact?  Will this stunning and brave display of feminized degeneracy make them less likely to interfere in female-dominated politics?  Going an alternative route, is it possible that bend-over-backwards kindness results in suicidal empathy, leading to the downfall of their civilization?

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Ok, if you enjoyed that, let me know.  I probably won't blog again until after I get back from vacation, so comment down below if you want to make a suggestion.  And thanks for tuning-in, hoss!

Enjoy,

VS

p.s. Want the hardcover Cha'alt trilogy?  Here's how (and they're currently on sale!)!!  Want to join the Kort'thalis mailing list to stay up-to-date on what's going on in the skinematic Vengerverse?  This is it!!  Last but not least, I'm organizing a based-as-fuck RPG convention in Madison, WI this July (Sandy Petersen will be joining us as VENGER CON's Guest of Honor).  Grab your weekend badge for VENGER CON IV: Post-Modern Apocalypse!!!