Your Virtue Has Now Been Signaled

As you might have heard, someone on the internet said something stupid and prejudiced.  I know, shock and horror!  How could this be?

Did I mention this is the internet?  Stupid and prejudiced is kind of the internet's brand.

Specifically, Bob Bledsaw II wrote something nasty about Jews and also that black music appropriated by Elvis is pretty good.

I don't know him, but I've heard of him.  And, of course, I know of Judge's Guild, but I've never used their products.  If there's no chance of it having come from an LSD fever-dream, I'm just not interested.

Predictably, many are coming out of the woodwork to condemn what he said.  That's fine.  I condemn it, too.  Just like when I condemn it from the mouths or twitter accounts of Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and similar progressives.

But what came as a surprise is this - it wasn't the radical left or woke police or social justice warriors who are trying to "out" this old guy as a horrible bigot who must be shunned without any means of supporting himself or his family.  No, it was the neutral-ground fence-sitters, the moderates, the centrists, mild mannered conservatives, and those who don't want to get involved in politics.

Just a year ago, a popular OSR bartender disowned probably the only trans-person he's ever been in close contact with.  And I've received cold stares and silence from many quarters of the community.  But I'm not going to stop being me, just as I'm not going to stop pointing out hypocrisy. 

So, what have we learned from our moral superiors, the political leftists who've tried to deplatform, demonetize, and cancel everyone that deviates from woke scripture, anyone who doesn't pass the litmus test of egalitarian brother and sisterhood, all who stand in the way of intersectional workers of the world uniting?

That it's better to accuse and punish others than to look inward and try make better choices for ourselves.

You change views by discussing them openly, not beating people over the head merely for holding them.

And then you get comments like anti-semitism is merely talking to their OSR base or that President Trump ushered in a new era of racism, anti-semitism, sexism, homo and trans-phobia, etc.  That, too, is bullshit.  Trump has been more pro-Jew and pro-Israel than any President in memory.

I honestly thought we were better than that.  We don't need to virtue signal because, as we all know, that currency is vastly over-inflated, its stock doomed to plummet until 1,000 digital back-pats can only afford you a crust of Democratic Socialist bread.

If you want to stop buying this product or stop promoting that designer, more power to you.  It's a free country, you can do what you want with your dollars and time.  Just don't ask me to sign my name to some blacklist or join the outrage mob or help you force some dude with a terrible worldview from attending an RPG convention. 

VS

p.s. We'll be discussing the issue this Sunday on Inappropriate Characters.

My Identity

I've clarified it on individual terms, but have so far avoided a secondary (or would that be tertiary?) public statement.  And that's probably hurt me in social media because a lot of times people assume the worst.  Especially in this day and age when it seems like half the population are abusers, scumbags, terrorists, intolerant religious zealots, sociopaths, hardened criminals, political extremists, and so on and so forth.

For a quick refresher, here is my original blog post, from over a year ago, where I came out as za'akier, a green-skinned, tentacled humanoid... biologically human*, but still extraterrestrial regarding identity.  And that's what it all comes down to.  How I see myself is different than how others probably view me.  And that's ok... expected, even.

I'm an outsider.  That's one of the reasons why I gravitate towards the writing of H.P. Lovecraft, and why I find a kinship with him and other writers in the Lovecraft Circle, other creators using the Cthulhu Mythos to push something forward, an agenda that goes beyond time and space.

But that's a blog post for another time, I think.

Right now, I want to reassure those who already know and support me, and those I haven't gotten the chance to meet (lot of angry people on reddit), that I'm not against anyone based on skin color, ethnicity, sexual preferences (unless you're a pedophile), identity, gender, politics, creed, etc.

My opening up to the internet about being za'akier wasn't about tearing anyone down or mocking those who are different, marginalized, etc.  On the contrary, I was identifying as an outsider, specifically the kind of alien identification previously mentioned.

To me, the term "trans" means more to me than a penis, vagina, beard, shaved legs, or any of the superficial trappings of biological sex and what we conceptualize as gender.  Transformation is rooted in how we see ourselves, and the cognitive dissonance that might evolve between our own self-perspective and that of the world at large.

To those who've hurt me, whether intentional or not, this past year, I forgive you.  But let's get over our differences sooner than later, yeah?

It's Christmas today.  If I could have one wish for the entire world, it would be for everyone to breathe deeply, try to relax, be themselves (leave the "hivemind" at the door), and get along with as many people as humanly possible.

Merry Christma'as!

VS

* There's some interesting information on "otherkin" which may or may not muddy the waters.  I'm not saying that I'm part of that group, and I'm not saying I'm not.  It's complicated.

Banned (again) From RPG.NET

So, here's a funny thing... I was logging onto rpg.net in order to promote my latest Alpha Blue scenario THOT Audit, and discovered that I was banned.

The first time I was banned (back in 2005, I recall) was for cursing someone within the forum - I performed a magic ritual to destroy those who continually mouthed off.  I don't want to get into too much detail.

But now, this time?  To my knowledge, I haven't said or done anything recently on rpg.net to warrant any kind of moderation, let alone a permanent ban.  But of course, I've done plenty outside that forum, haven't I?

Yes, I've spoken out regarding rpg.net's anti-Trump enforcement.  My identification as trans-human (za'akier) which some took as a joke or insult to the LBGTQZ+ community.  Pushing back against the far-left for trying to control and police games, gamers, and gaming communities into the ground.

For these crimes perpetrated outside the purple walls of rpg.net, I've been banned.  Where else will I not be allowed to exist online?  What other internet group shall attempt to take my voice away?  Is there a movement, now or in the future, that can subvert my inhuman will?

Come find me...

VS

Honorable, Senile, and Incontinent

So, there's a new g+ community calling itself The Honorable OSR.

Let's take a look, shall we?

This is their list of demands... uh, I mean community guidelines.  Such winners as...

• "Opposing the presence of aggressors anywhere in the hobby and urging audiences away from venues that accomodate them."
• "No glorious individuality unto assholery."  (Wow, get out your pulitzer prize nominations, everyone!)
• "Every profile applying for membership in this community first gets skimmed for any red flags indicating they aren't compatible with the above expectations.

And in another post on there, the rest of the OSR (or at least the more problematic elements) are labeled "regressive bigots."  Really?  Just because we want to be free to do as we damn well please (assuming we're not doing anything illegal, of course)? 

It's the OSR for SJWs then, is it?  Yeah, that's what the world needs now.  Let's punish the individual, drive people out of the hobby, de-platform, de-monetize, harass, spread lies, and just generally gatekeep the shit out of old school D&D.

Yeah, it looks like the fractional OSR is even more divided than it was last month.  For what it's worth, I'm happy to have been the straw that broke the camel's back.

While it would be nice to have unity, I'm ok just letting whatever cancerous parts of the OSR - or any RPG niche - or any group no matter what they're into - just die off already. 

The post about what to do or not do about Stuart's old OSR logo and future OSR logos is telling.  There are no leaders among the honorable OSR.  Everyone is asking questions, looking around for someone to tell them what's what.  Here's some advice - do what you think is best without worrying how it's going to look to some other person out in cyberspace.  Be an individual!  Think for yourself!

"Yes, we must be individuals; we must think for ourselves," all the gray-faced NPCs say in unison!

You guys leaving or telling us "dishonorable OSR" or perhaps "inglorious OSR" sounds better... to leave won't affect me or my work.  If anything, it'll just fan the flames of hatred towards the true fascists, totalitarians, authoritarians, SJWs, and poop-heads who are certain they know better than the rest of us.

;)

Venger As'Nas Satanis
High Priest of Kort'thalis Publishing

p.s. Just in case the subtext is lost on some readers - the non "honorable" OSR (you know, the rest of us normal folks), are the ones fighting actual fascism... just like the Inglorious Bastards!

Trans-Human-Phobia

So, I've seen my fair share of abuse, harassment, mistreatment, and outright lies spread about me since yesterday's blog post.  Wow, that was fast!

I've even had my posts/comments flagged so they were taken down by Google.  I'm disputing those, but that will surely take some time.

I chalk this up to transphobia.  Well, that and people assuming they know me better than they actually do.

For those still unsure, this is not a joke or jab at trans-people or some kind of publicity stunt.

I simply identify as a green-skinned, tentacled, alien humanoid - za'akier.  That's who I feel that I am, what I believe myself to be and identify with.

As for other trans-people, I feel for you!  Yeah, this past 24 hours has revealed quite a bit.  Of course, nothing compared to what people have to go through in real life.  My struggles are merely on the internet.  I don't really mention the whole za'akier thing with friends, family, co-workers, etc.

But we all knew the ugly side behind the civil veneer, right?  It's hard to come out and face the mob - on both sides!  So, my tentacles go out to everyone.

I'm very much a free-speech advocate and admire Jordan B. Peterson's efforts to fight against radical-left tyranny, as well as, the far-right extremists in the world.  Both are abhorrent to me!  I don't believe the government should compel its citizens to use certain words, such as preferred pronouns (even if those words are kind or appropriate under the circumstances).

Furthermore, I don't believe in hate-speech.  Who decides what is hateful?  By their own standards, many SJWs who've interacted with me yesterday and today would be guilty of such a thing.  Yet, I wouldn't want any of them to be fined or imprisoned for speaking their mind.

A couple people mentioned something about doing a charity thing for some of my products.  I think that's awesome, but don't want to strong-arm anyone into donating or having to decide which charities are the most worthy or anyone wondering if I'll pocket the money because I'm some kind of scumbag (I'm not, actually).

So, instead, I'm simply making certain titles FREE from now until after my birthday on November 25th.  If you're so inclined, donate the money saved to whatever trans-person or otherkin charity of your choosing.

Here is the core rulebook Alpha Blue.

Here is the best-selling Adventure Writing Like A Fucking Boss.

Here is everybody's favorite OSR campaign setting / adventure by Kort'thalis Publishing The Islands of Purple-Haunted Putrescence.

Enjoy,

VS

VS Is No Longer Human

Whew, deep breath...

For a considerable amount of time, I've felt like someone else.  Not necessarily uncomfortable in my own skin... just different internally than who I was on the outside and how society viewed me.

I know the internet feeds on disagreement, but I'm hoping that many of you will accept the fact that I don't consider myself human anymore... and haven't for a long time.

Strangely enough, it was briefly mentioned in the Alpha Blue series of adventures, Kobayashi Maroon.  Looking back, I've used creative (RPG) writing as a way of becoming the real me.

But over the last couple weeks, I've decided to come out regarding my transition into a za'akier.  What's a za'akir?  I'm glad you asked... a green-skinned, tentacled, alien humanoid.  In many ways, quite human-like, but of course it's not the same thing.

Biologically, I'll probably have to remain the way I was born.  However, I identify as za'akier.  When referring to me, please use my preferred pronouns are za'a (he), zul (him), and zal (his).  Yes, I'm still very much "male."

While I don't expect the vast majority to respect my choice or preferences, all the same, I wanted to come out to you all because it's who I am now.

Thanks to everyone making my transition easier!

VS

p.s. November 12th - 19th is Trans Awareness Week, so it seemed fitting.  ;)