It’s D&D. It’s puppets. It’s… sparking a heated debate about sexism and misogyny within the D&D community?
Well, this is the internet, after all.
- See also:
Wizards of the Coast launched its actual play puppet show Stuff of Legends on February 2, which ignited responses about the way a specific puppet character is portrayed.
Stuff of Legends, the all-new Dungeons & Dragons adventure with character puppets from @TheJovenshire, premieres today at 9AM PT!
👀: https://t.co/avqskaauig pic.twitter.com/8oYkpmOoD0
— Dungeons & Dragons (@Wizards_DnD) February 2, 2021
The character in question, Arieola Borealis, was created by Shanna Malcolm, who evidently had some input about the puppet’s design.
“I wanted the actors to have FULL control over the design of their characters. @BrandonLOVESYOU wanted a fish puppet with crazy eyes, and @shannamalcolm was VERY specific saying she wanted Arie to have the biggest boobs a puppet could have!” states a tweet from showrunner Joshua Ovenshire.
Fun #StuffofLegends Fact! I wanted the actors to have FULL control over the design of their characters. @BrandonLOVESYOU wanted a fish puppet with crazy eyes, and @shannamalcolm was VERY specific saying she wanted Arie to have the biggest boobs a puppet could have! pic.twitter.com/8YLpbXThQi
— First name: Joven Last name: Shire (@TheJovenshire) February 2, 2021
Critics of the design are stating that it reinforces the sexist stereotypes that have long been an issue in the hobby, as well as noting that it could potentially bar children from enjoying the puppet show.
I’m with you, cheese guy. Stuff like this is why some people are hesitant to get into D&D.
It can be an intellectually challenging and fun hobby, but there’s this pervasive “dudebro” attitude in a lot of tabletop circles that wards off otherwise eager newbies. That really sucks.— MangoLaCroix!! (@CroixMango) February 3, 2021
It kills me that the defense is “But a woman designed it!” like as if internalized misogyny isn’t a thing.
— Krystal C. (@krystaldcasey) February 4, 2021
Others are saying that the woman behind the character has every right to have Arie portrayed just how she likes.
Okay so at first I thought it was an annoying boy thing to give that muppet giant bazongas but knowing the person who plays them designed it, I think that’s 100% fantastic and so, so funny!
— Daddy Angel (@champagnzee) February 2, 2021
How about you don’t censor how women want their characters to look? Acting like this design exists solely to cater to men is misogynist as fuck, and dismissive of the woman behind the design. I know women who dress like this not for any man, but for themselves.
— Willow (@TheBioticGod) February 3, 2021
And, as there always is at a table of D&D players, there were a few who just had some fun with the whole situation:
mrw the props dept–already in tears and pleading–are forced to bring me sample after sample of ever more preposterously insane Heaving Muppet Jugs pic.twitter.com/d7hstoGk05
— of arms and the devil-man i sing (@swimming_blerd) February 2, 2021
it’s so fucked up that you did this pic.twitter.com/vFBfGitzd4
— 👅🔥🔥🚒 (@mespicey) February 3, 2021
Everyone who fell for the crop. pic.twitter.com/iCQ8Do5Qrg
— TheGoldenSeriesX (@ConnorNSFGraves) February 2, 2021
The first episode of Stuff of Legends can be found on The Jovenshire’s YouTube channel, and you can watch the trailer here:
