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form -as one can see in the unrealistic images portrayed in adult-oriented cartoons and video games- and, as such, the form is explored in different fashions, including the sexual. However, more often than not, it is a simple study of females, their grace, general decency, mannerisms, and posture, as well as their curves, of course, that brings to the imagination of more mature role-players the ideal that women can get a lot more accomplished by their wits AND form in an RPG than a male character can.

I suspect this is generally because most GMs are male, and susceptible to those charms, even if the player of the female character is a large sloppy disaster and can seem to do nothing BUT study the female form and all that goes with it. This entire line of reasoning, I realize, perhaps makes role-players look the worse for wear, but the truth is sometimes very ugly, indeed, and I have written this simply to note that many role-players who do play female characters are not, necessarily, perverts and on their way to the prison house for committing crimes. Rather, these players are mature and simply looking for something to take them from their own hum-drum existences so much that they become completely separated from the world for a few hours of true enjoyment.

However, what I've written above is only a large disclaimer, and the main thrust of this article is designed to speak about real women playing RPGs. Yes, believe it or not, there are real women who need to get away from their normal lives as well, and escape into role-playing, and it is happening on a broadening spectrum. I suspect this is a direct result of the video game industry, truth be told, in that more games these days are geared to attract women to them and, as a result, women get into role-playing on computers and consoles, and then are invited to role-play Dice and Paper games with a group of guys. Truth be told, it is a rare and wonderful treat to see a woman at a role-playing session, not only because she most likely does not have a beard, and she might have a pleasing shape, but because her voice makes a room less stuffy and her intelligence is always a wonderful asset to the group.

In truth, women think in an entirely different universe from men, and more often than not are able to think of things men do not think of -even men who've studied women to be able to role-play their character better. Those thought processes help to clear obstacles in the adventure that might not have been thought of by the rest of the gaming group or resolved before-hand by the GM.

Because of this ability to think, and because of the shape and the voice, of a woman in a gaming group -and I have been in groups with astoundingly beautiful, sexy women- it is best to show the highest amount of respect, the same any man would give any other man, or at least should, while gaming. Truth be told, this has never been a problem for the gaming groups I've been in with women, and I don't believe there was any intent on the thoughts of any of the men at those games, to go beyond respect and trust of the woma/en at the game. Yes, certainly best to respect women there, not only because of their prowess in the game, the intelligence and intuition they show, but because it's the right thing to do.

Learn more about this author, Paul Emerson.
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