This post reminded me of something I've noticed in every - and I do mean EVERY - RPG I've ever run.

Why is it that, invariably, at least one member of any group I run will remove a dead monster's teeth/claws/hide/etc. and keep them as souvenirs?  It's not just D&D where this happens.  Hell, I even had a player do this with a dead Gnoph-Keh in Call of Cthulhu.

Honestly, it's like some hidden gamer taxidermical instinct that mysteriously appears right along with "loot the corpses."

-O

It could be about the level of intimiacy. Skinning someone, "getting under his skin", is like the ultimate exploration and at the same time the removal of even the last barrier. When you skin the bear, you get to know the bear, you get to be the bear, maybe.

Well, back in olden times -- I think Dragon #50 had a particularly influential article -- there was darn good reason to dismember a dragon.  Almost all the body parts had *some* use in one article or another over the years.

Additionally, if you've played a lot of Gygax modules, you *know* to slit open the monster and search its stomach for treasure.  That sort of mentality leads to the "amateur taxidermy" scenario, I think.  Might as well keep something even if it doesn't have treasure in its tummy.

And, final, most people are brutal savages who would love to keep bloody trophies of their victims.  So this is a socially acceptable way of doing it.  

in olden times, many magic item recipes required parts of magical items - why not collect them as you come across them just in case?

that's what we wind up doing; almost entirely due to the influence of our resident old skooler.  

of course, do we ever actually USE any of the parts later now that wev'e been playing together for over 3 years?  well, who knows, it might actually happen someday.  

That's just it - I think the characters keep them as souvenirs.  I still think it's kind of creepy.

Now, in fairness, I did let the CoC characters get some use out of the Gnoph-Keh's horn...  I guess it's not always useless.

I don't know that it's old-school.  My players by and large are novices and have only been playing in the 3.x/d20 days.

-O

The taking of trophies seems to be a part of the human mind. We all do it to a degree (although it's not always animal parts).

I think it's linked to memory and attachment of accomplishment in some way. I'm sure there are deep explored papers on the subject somewhere if one wants to seriously delve into the subject.

The same reason people steal panties, really.

Er... I mean people other than me. Yeah.

Quote from: Name LipsThe same reason people steal panties, really.

Er... I mean people other than me. Yeah.

If you have "killing and skinning" and "stealing panties" in the same mental box, I don't think you're quite the hippy you claim to be.  :deviousgrin:

Quote

Quote from: obrynThat's just it - I think the characters keep them as souvenirs.  I still think it's kind of creepy.

Maybe it's a literal "Kill 'em and take their stuff":ponder:

Regards,
David R

Quote from: Name LipsThe same reason people steal panties, really.

Er... I mean people other than me. Yeah.

Oh? What's your reason, then? :O

-mice

Greetings!

Yeah! Gotta love trophies baby! When playing, taking trophies of your slain enemies is always fun. Plus, it serves as proof to the other warriors back at the hall that you aren't just bragging--you are actually the ruthless son-of-a bitch you claim to be!

Plus, who can forget the additional potential for profit? Ivory, horn, furs, rare eyes, strange hearts and flasks of dragon blood or succubus lips can be sold to wizards, scholars, and other whack-jobs that want these items back in the great city-state.

And well, that extra gold gained--yes, *GOLD!* allows your character to gamble, eat good meat, buy new weapons and armour, and enjoy more ale and whores! Goddamn, gotta get more of those sexy bellydancing women to entertain the fighting men before we go out on the next mission, right? After all, fighting demons, lizard men, hordes of orcs and evil giants requires top-notch morale, man!

Remember what motivates warriors throughout history? GOLD, GLORY, and BOOTY!:)

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: SHARKRemember what motivates warriors throughout history? GOLD, GLORY, and BOOTY!:)

Both types of booty, even.  

Sounds like you'd make a hell of an Iron Heroes DM!

Quote from: CyberzombieBoth types of booty, even.  

Sounds like you'd make a hell of an Iron Heroes DM!

Greetings!

You think so Cyberzombie? Yeah, I've always liked plundering the natural resources from defeated monsters! Booty *indeed* my friend! Women, gold, glory, smoke, booze--the good life for warriors!:)

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

ever played Hackmaster?    sounds like it might be right up your alley, from what i know of it.