RPG Thoughts: Extinguish the Points of Light
October 19, 2024
As I understand it, the ‘points of light’ concept in fantasy role-playing games refers to centres of civilization—the light—surrounded by barbarism, or at least uncharted dangers. The idea is that the heroes work out of the points to bring that light to the darkness—the uncharted areas.
For me, this is messed up on a lot of levels.
The biggest problem with the concept is that historically this is what colonizers used when the ‘discovered’ lands and then sought to ‘civilize them.’ In case I need to be more clear: it’s a great excuse from some straight up genocide!
But also, it’s important to remember that in the pre-industrial period that most fantasy RPGs are set, those “points of light” would also be “points of authoritarian control.” Maybe it’s a kingdom, maybe it’s an empire, maybe it’s a merchant republic or an oligarchy. In the end, it is a place where the rulers do whatever they want and where there might be rule by law, but there sure ain’t rule of law. If what you want to play is plucky adventurers rising the corporate hierarchy by making sure the status stays quo, fill your boots. But for me? Man, that does not sound appetizing.
If we apply the ‘points of light’ concept to the Robin Hood myth, Nottingham would be the point of light—the centre of civilization—while Sherwood Forest would be the darkness. That’s odd, because I’m rooting for Robin Hood not the sheriff, and I bet you are too. In the context of the day, Robin Hood is uncivilized. Robin Hood is barbaric.
We can ‘no true Scotsman’ this and say places without rule of law and respect for human dignity are obviously not points of light, but that’s what kingdoms and empires and nobilities have been throughout history—out to protect their power and exploit their subjects.
So I say set your heroes in the darkness. Put them on the periphery, protecting the people who are out there trying to build a life for themselves away from the predations of the rich and powerful. Put them in Sherwood, maybe adventuring into Nottingham as Robin Hood did. Have them topple the status quo rather than buy into it.
Use that point of light to start the fire that burns it all down.