Brendan - for what its worth, nudity in outer plane situations is something I would consider.

How many images of hell show folks suffering fully clothed? The wicked are nude as a part of their suffering; the faithful are nude because they are clothed in innocence or purity (or maybe in filmy, moisture resistant comfortable wear for cloud play).

How many deities are depicted nude or partially nude as well - thinking especially those in warmer climates - Greek gods, Egyptian, etc?

Quote from: Catelf;810834Sheesh, that almost sounds like an idea I have had on something I call "living Houri" would be a good one, considering it is very possible to be sensual, sexual, and even give sexual pleasure without having intercourse, just ask BDSM-practioners and fetishists.....

i do have a friend whos a dom i might go do just that

Quote from: Bren;810928If I had realized so many people would be confused by illustrations of historical reconstructions, I'd have included the citations for the cultures along with the illustrations.

regardless of peoples responses you should have cited the cultures (the artists to but thats not as important)

Quote from: tuypo1;811086regardless of peoples responses you should have cited the cultures (the artists to but thats not as important)

Hiint: Look at the post, hit "Quote" and follow the web address in the Image.

Okay....

Anything wrong with this cover?:




- Ed C.

Quote from: Koltar;811092Okay....

Anything wrong with this cover?:

It's odd that she is sucking her stomach in like someone posing for a swimsuit photo while she is doing a spell.

Quote from: Koltar;811092Okay....

Anything wrong with this cover?:
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/wizards/img/cover_lg.jpg



- Ed C.

As far as taste goes? I don't think so. I like the art style and I am not enough of an artist to truly technically critique it so it seems fine to me. Magical rites performed in the nude aren't uncommon.

Quote from: Bren;811093It's odd that she is sucking her stomach in like someone posing for a swimsuit photo while she is doing a spell.

That's the somatic component. The material component was apparently most of her clothing.

At first I thought she was maybe holding her breath because the incense was poisonous, but I realized that would have expanded her diaphram not her chest.

Quote from: rawma;811095That's the somatic component. The material component was apparently most of her clothing.

Now I get it. I just never made the connection.

Quote from: Lynn;811068Brendan - for what its worth, nudity in outer plane situations is something I would consider.

How many images of hell show folks suffering fully clothed? The wicked are nude as a part of their suffering; the faithful are nude because they are clothed in innocence or purity (or maybe in filmy, moisture resistant comfortable wear for cloud play).

How many deities are depicted nude or partially nude as well - thinking especially those in warmer climates - Greek gods, Egyptian, etc?

Now I'm picturing a mashup of Barbarella and Planescape

Quote from: Koltar;811092Okay....

Anything wrong with this cover?:


- Ed C.

Her bangs are weird

Hair Bra is wimping out.  Real answer to your question, of course not.

Quote from: Koltar;811092Okay....

Anything wrong with this cover?:

http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/wizards/img/cover_lg.jpg

Thanks for the specific example. I'm not familiar with the book content, but I believe it is a non-setting-specific resource book for magic - right? So there's no real telling if the nudity is appropriate for the setting per se. Is there anything in the book that suggests nudity as an option for characters? i.e. Are there any reasons in the book for a caster to be nude when doing a ritual?

As I suggested earlier, my usual criteria is that I like the covers to have something to do with the actual RPG content. So if there are expected to be nude PCs and/or NPCs as significant parts of the game, I'd expect them in illustrations.

Lacking the specifics, though, I would lean towards thinking it is a decorative nude, which I generally dislike - because it doesn't seem like something from an expected adventure, but rather just a bit of eye candy. (The sucked-in stomach and shaven armpits also suggest that to me.)

I think it's a great piece BECAUSE it's eye-catching! :-) When this book was published, it was expected to be competing with other books on a book shelf in a gaming store. I have a "print" of this picture framed on my wall in my family room! :-) I feel it is appropriate to the themes in the book AND the marketing strategy used at the time.

In the modern era of micro-publishing, POD, PDF and the uber-niche markets carved out of the niche market, I imagine it's really up to your potential audience how you might want to market a book. The potential marketing techniques you use to garner interest could involve myriad things outside (or in addition to) an enticing picture of hinted boobies. :-)

At least it doesn't attempt to show her cleavage AND ass crack simultaneously. That's something.