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Yeah, that's pretty much where I am. And in answer to an earlier question, I do actually expect a higher level of historical accuracy from Mythras because it's one of its general selling points. I expect the same kind of level of "history with a few tweaks" in the Maelstrom line for similar reasons and would hold Osprey's historical wargames to an even higher standard. I wouldn't hold D&D to that level because D&D has never been a historical game, it's a pulp fantasy game with a few fantasy trappings.This is one) why I was interested in the book - because the Mythras line has, heretofore set a high standard of scholarship, and two) why I would take at face value the claims of someone who is a part of and deeply knowledgeable regarding the culture and history stating that the book reinforces certain very harmful racial stereotypes and is riddled with inaccuracies.
What's much more critical for me than the "cultural appropriation" argument is the charge that the book uses a narrow range of largely outdated academic sources and gets things wrong because of that. Do I know for certain that's correct? No, I don't. But I observe that I haven't seen one of the book's would be defenders actually try and refute that argument. When they do, I'll listen. But until then I have a list of what look to me like detailed and specific criticisms compared to those who tell me the book is fine because essentially "trust me, bro". I'm always going to lean to believing the former over the latter in areas outside my own expertise.Now, I don't agree with all of his criticisms because many come from an ideological framework that I do not share, and I don't need to know anything about any one particular culture to have a different perspective in general on concepts like "cultural appropriation". Moreover, I don't agree with the behaviour or condemnations of other folks who clearly have their own agendas. And based just on what I've actually seen myself, I'm sure TDM has had to deal with more than it's fair share of exaggerated, inappropriate, and utterly unproductive hatemongering and threats from badfaith actors looking for any excuse to get off on their latest hit of self-righteousness, because that's sadly par for the course these days.
But that doesn't invalidate the legitimate critiques, even if it increases the signal to noise ratio to the point that fair points can get drowned out.