An increasing number of women are pulling on up to 40 kilograms of steel armour to take part in historic medieval combat.
So, amongst the many other weird excuses for bikini armor, and nonsense explanations why buffoons don't believe women could have been warriors (despite the abundant historical evidence they have always fought), has always been this idea they wouldn't be able to or want to put on 40 kilograms of gear and throw down.
Seems it not only happens but its becoming an increasingly popular way for women to unwind in Australia.
While I'm healing from oral surgery, I've been watching the shows that I used to watch when I was a child. I've watched The Andy Griffith Show, My Three Sons, The Flying Nun, and Gidget so far. It's refreshing to see wholesome TV where there's no violence or subterfuge or people acting poorly. It's fun and funny and the people are charming. They are being helpful and acting like I wish people still did on TV. Heck, I wish that people focused on acting this way for real. I miss TV programming like this. It reinforces positive thoughts and actions, and it's a great example of how we should act in life. I think that they should start creating programs like these again. We should insist on it and stop watching the horrible shows that have replaced these kinds of shows. Considering what is considered entertaining and is common viewing fare these days, it's no wonder that sooooooo many people have anxiety. We should have programs that teach our kids to behave kindly and in a positive manner. Shows that set a good example. I feel happier from watching these shows. I'm gonna watch them more for sure. It's great to see people acting nicely and being kind to each other. TV should have a social responsibility to reinforce these ideals, not the violent, selfish, manipulative garbage that is prominent in programming today. The only somewhat violent show that I watched today is Bugs Bunny. He's so charming that he can get away with it, in my opinion 😁 thankfully, there's nothing graphic in those cartoons. I am enjoying TV more today than I have in a long, long time. 😊😍🙏🏼
I lust watched Moana again, and really noticed how completely absent the Girl Proving She’s As Good As The Boys trope is. If this movie had been about a son of the chief instead of a daughter, it would have been exactly the same. (Maybe the conversation about the definition of “princess” might change, but that’s a maybe. The guys wear skirts too.)
But no one tells her she can’t Do The Thing because she’s female. Maui even takes pains to be inclusive with his pronouns and such. She’s held back by chieftain-in-training responsibilities, and her father’s well-earned distrust of the open sea. Not by “let the menfolk handle this.” No one questions her right to be the next chief, either.
I feel like the culture of this movie has already experienced a groundbreaking Girls Can Do Anything moment -- probably at the hands of an ancestor of Moana’s. (She certainly takes after her great-x grandma.) How often do we actually get to see that? It’s always the same tired story, where the beginning of the movie has everyone dumping on the girl even though she’s clearly and objectively more capable than the boys, then by the end the authority figure/s apologize and everyone cheers. Then what?
Moana is what. Gender is no more considered here than right-handedness or favorite fruit. It’s not a factor.
And it’s glorious.
(Also, thank you to whoever made the editing decision to NOT use the storyboard idea from the DVD extras, which would have made the movie That Same Freakin’ Story Again. Thank you so much.)
So, this image has been viral on the Internets in armor nerd circles a few times, but I never saw anyone talk about the artist and how she also does amazing stuff like this.
And this.
And this.
Gambargin is mostly active on Facebook, but has a huge, HUGE backlog of amazing drawings of warrior women on Instagram and deviantArt.
I love this For Honor trailer not just for the obvious charm but for it showcasing how as armor evolved, it maintained its ability to become fancy and memorable. Sometimes fashion armor looks like a breastplate and the world's floofiest coat and hat.
It goes perfectly with this video that reminds us that ridiculous armor doesn't need to be sexy. Sometimes ridiculous armour is cloth and oil, and sometimes its a perishable foodstuff or a mascot costume with 2 bottles of dairy or double denim.
Armor, particularly when you mix in magic and sci-fi, can be so many things—so we really must stop defaulting it to being tacky lingerie. Be clever, prize historic accuracy or just be silly.
Just don't make boring bikini armor and then tie yourself in knots trying to legitimize it.
Okay, I covered the stuff in Baldur's Gate 3 is mixed and complicated. Let's talk about an objectively well executed character and visually designed - Minthara.
From a general writing perspective, she's exactly what I mean when I say it's not enough to support, women's rights - we need to support their wrongs. She is complicated, ruthless and villainous in a way we rarely get to see female characters - and every aspect of her design supports and conveys it.
Spoilers below the cut.
We are first introduced to her in here scheming:
And then when you get to meet her in game, the vibes are immaculate. No notes.
The armor design here is genuinely AAA grade. Multiple layers of protection, intimidation through jagged designs without endangering the wearer. Decorative pauldrons to convey power, materials indicating her fantastic background.
But she has camp gear and even underwear that expresses additional elements of her character and personality.
Check out her majesty... then compare it to her camp clothes, and her underwear.
What I really like about this is the general trend that is consistent upon key character traits of Minthara's: she is pragmatic in the field, a dreamer in private and determined to live, love or die on her own terms.
Her camp attire is sexy, but in a way that conveys her domineering and confident attitude. Her underwear is sex, but not uncomfortable or or any sort of indicator of that she feels her gender also demands submissiveness.
And, without going into the details - the writing makes her a unicorn evil woman character who is uninterested in changing her ways, but as complicated and feeling as her more moral peers.
Now, all we need is for society to evolve to where she can also be the kind of buff muscle mommy you expect to rush into combat dual wielding maces with perfect confidence.
-wincenworks
(This still from Heart of Flames by Miracle of Sound with Karliene, footage created by Mispap1)
