Bikini Chainmail (for real this time)

                                                    Most of us that have watched old fantasy movies and read through old D&D books have asked ourselves the same question at some point:   "How can that skimpy bit of chainmail protect this woman in the heat of combat?" 

      In a fantasy world there might even be some viable answers.  However, the question at hand is how this is going to impact your introducing women to Dungeons and Dragons.  This probably comes down to the most basic tenet of DMing, which is that it is all about the player/person in question.  Ideally, you are friends with the people you are asking to join your group or that you are showing the game for the first time. 

     I do think that there is a valid concern about the game and/or genre being perceived as overly-masculine, if not down right misogynistic and sexist. The most important thing to communicate to new players is that this game is both about having fun their way and that the collaborative nature of the game allows the DM and players to work together to create the type of environment in which they all feel comfortable.  There sure are people out there who would love to play in a campaign where women are subjugated and the players go around flirting with bar wenches in every town.
    
     Again, the key here is that everyone is on the same page.  The above example is no more a "wrong" way to play the game than if my group wants to partake of adult beverages or prefers to play at a game store versus someone's home.  That does not mean I condone sexism obviously, and I could make the argument that even people who wished to play in such a campaign are not necessarily sexist themselves - as the game in question is one of fantasy, imagination and role playing.
 
    If prospective female players feel comfortable that the people at your table will be respectful and pleasant, both to them and their character, they are both much more likely to be willing to play and to wind up having fun in your game.  That being said, if you prefer sweaty lascivious dudes to comprise the entirety of your gaming group and/or social circle...do as you please.



Until next time. 
   


 -DM Josh