Yes, my lady!
Tired of tutorials on astrophysics, the theory of torsion fields, and applied embroidery on a boxing bag? Pick up a thicker Talmud, on which the word 'Feminology' will be stamped in gold.
Open it up and try to immerse yourself in such an unusual subject. This science defines the special role of Women in the socio-economic, legal, and sociocultural spheres. Every Women’s speech on the political arena, every book she has written, every invented bicycle gains a presence on the pages of this remarkable book. To understand the reason for the division of science along gender lines, it is worth referring to materials from the distant past. As such, the struggle of women for their rights began only in the nineteenth century in Western Europe and the USA, although oppression by chauvinists began much earlier. The example of Ancient Greece is well known, where women were equated with a type of domestic animals. Even the lawful wives of kings had no voting rights (all the exertions of the revered wife of King Leonidas in the film '300' would have elicited only deaf silence and spitting towards the arrogant woman). Even some cultural events were held in male circles. Women were not allowed at the Olympic Games, so that naked athletes would not be embarrassed and could reach the finish line whole and happy.
Discrimination is discrimination. Primitive people at one time divided rights, leaving men for hunting, fishing, and drinking strong alcohol under the bright moonlight. Women, on the other hand, preferred to take care of the domestic aspect. And many of them do not even indulge themselves with illusions on this issue. While you, dear husband, are putting on a full-metal codpiece and spilling guts against aggressive elephant-tops, we are cooking a healing soup from rutabaga and brushing the heap of unwashed hair for the heirs of the dynasty. Just like that. Naturally, not all ladies agreed to play second fiddle. Lacking official claims to power, the smartest and bravest women became talented puppeteers. Until the twentieth century, successful female politicians could be counted on one hand. However, many important historical events occurred with their help. Stepping into the role of 'grey cardinal,' they did not tarnish their names and could painlessly unfold plots and intrigues. By the nineteenth century, feminists felt a significant influx of energy and began to fight for women's rights. In 1791, a document authored by Olympe de Gouges called 'Declaration of the Rights of Woman and Citizen' was released. A couple of years later, she was led to the scaffold on the grounds of 'forgetting the dignity of her sex.' The same year, women's political societies were closed throughout France. The next attempt to step onto the same level as men by the fair ladies was made only in the middle of the nineteenth century when the 'Declaration of Sentiments' was signed. In 1850, politically active American women united in an organization known as 'Suffragists.' The ensuing chaos lasted an entire century – voting rights, military service, international suffragist societies, and trade unions...
Chauvinists clung tightly to the old good patriarchal system. Engels called proud feminists 'half-bourgeois she-asses.' Nietzsche shared the opinion of the renowned scholar: 'Men should view women as property, as possessions to be taken.' For their slice of the male pie fought other famous philosophers – Weíninger and Schopenhauer, for instance. On the other hand, active girls were literally supported by other intellectuals – Fourier, Saint-Simon, Bebel, and Chernyshevsky. By the mid-twentieth century, the struggle ended in a confident victory for the supporters of emancipation.
This brief historical reference will help us distinguish strong women from air-headed nymphets and listless matrons. For starters, we, as true seasoned gamers, will inspect our holdings. If we classify ladies in video games, it will become evident that not all fall under the description 'boobs + sighs-pants.' Of course, helpful companions of the hero often try to present their enlarged mammary glands closer to the ubiquitous camera and patiently endure groans and various fappings from the other side of the monitor. Such is the job, to be a doll, you understand. Solo ladies are also not against acting as sex symbols. Even if they prefer to crush monsters into bloody mush (Rain??) and wander across the globe (Lara???). Seasoned players often prefer straightforward girls from the market to modest yet combative ladies. Jade, Eliks, and Mona are examples of this. Generally, excessive exposure of skin and perfect proportions only harm the character's personality. But we are not talking about experienced seductresses, nor about straightforward dolls. We are interested in the archetype of a powerful woman with specific moral standards. One who commands battalions, changes the foundations of existence, and makes people worship her, beloved. There are not many such vivid personalities in the gaming industry, I must admit. They can be either positive or negative characters. However, compared to some of them, Margaret Thatcher is an innocent old lady, while Countess Bathory exemplifies sincerity and humanitarianism.
Lady Aribet de Tilmurant
Tarantino warned the public in his time: female vengeance can appear far more ruthless and cruel than it seems at first glance. And if Black Mamba limited herself to the murder of five individuals (with many more sent to their peaceful rest), then Lady Aribet has been slaughtering offenders on an industrial scale since childhood. The unfortunate orcs who destroyed her native village drank their blood to their hearts' delight. After that, Aribet slightly lost her mind and joined the ranks of the Paladins of Tyr, who protect justice worldwide. Gaining honor and respect in society, she calmed down and started dating a young elf named Fentik. However, the ruler of Neverwinter, Nasher, executed the long-eared one for aiding in spreading the Plague. Only then did he realize the wrath of the woman who had lost her love for no reason. Aribet quickly renounced her previous profession and retrained as a Black Guard. It was she who led Morag's armies to storm Neverwinter but ultimately failed. The player could make Aribet repent, but in any case, death awaited her. If not by the protagonist's hand – then by Nasher's orders.
Maeve Shadowsong
Yet another careerist, who managed to reach heights in her professional endeavors. Records in the history books 'High Priestess of Elune' and 'Leader of the Watchers in the Night' could serve her well, but during the election for High Priestess, her candidacy was rejected in favor of a younger and plumper Tyrande. The next centuries, Maeve spent in an underground dungeon, guarding the completely insane Illidan. Until the time was right, everything was fine. But Tyrande, who had certain dynamics with her brother Malfurion, assisted Illidan in breaking his chains. Realizing that good recommendations wouldn't come her way after such a failure, Maeve embarked on a long pursuit of the fugitive. Wandering through towns and rural areas led to nothing. Once proud and self-sufficient elven lady found herself in the clutches of the psychopath Illidan and nearly lost her sanity. Together with other heroes, she managed to kill the main man of her life, after which she eventually became disillusioned with existence.
Darth Traya
Asexuality is not a vice, especially when it comes to the first figures of the galaxy. Leave your frills, cocktail dresses, and 'Max Factor' mascara to more grounded individuals. Darth Traya does not need a lush bust and sleek hip curves. This naphthalene-covered old lady is a respected and extremely nimble Sith from the era of the second KotOR. To the main hero, she introduced herself as a sweet old lady named Kreia. Taking advantage of the excess of midichlorians in her own body, she quickly groomed the protagonist and began manipulating him more fiercely than a cow with its tail. Her rich life experience was enough to nurture such great lords of the Force as Revan, Darth Sion, and Darth Nihilus. As a grey cardinal, she influences the fate of the Old Republic – every episode occurs with her direct participation. Even after losing both hands, Darth Traya wields lightsabers just as well as a four-legged Grievous. Her main weapon is her cold-blooded mind and mental powers, which she has long used to keep the hero on her side.
Alexis Sinclair
Sexuality is not a vice, especially when it comes to charming ladies with a penchant for the natural sciences (sic!). At her sight, an average man’s imagination starts to work four times faster, blood begins to pool away from the brain, and mischievous little paws reach for the vuvuzela to quickly play a mating song. However, Alexis is unlikely to tolerate a brutish man by her side. A Master of Chemistry and Biology, leader of the SinTEK corporation, 'Iron Lady,' the first beauty of the village – a description of all the merits of Ms. Sinclair would take several pages in fine print. It is clear that such an ambitious lady will not limit herself to one firm – she wants the whole world. With the help of loyal minions and genetic distortions, she tries to reach her set goal, but on her way stands a charismatic cop named Blade. The story of their rivalry is still unwritten, and it is unlikely we will learn the outcome of this sexually bloodthirsty drama in the near future. Old Levellord has stepped back from affairs, and the brand has passed away.
Queen Isabel
Speaking of the dangers of marriage. A young, not-so-ambitious girl became a victim of circumstances when at her wedding, her fiancé, the King of the Griffon Empire Nicholas, starts chopping uninvited guests to pieces from a local hell. While Isabel was picking her jaw off the ground, Kolya galloped away on a trustworthy black steed to dispense justice. Teaming up with the king's uncle, the bride sets off in pursuit of her beloved. But (oh, woe!) she catches him in a rather limp state. Nicholas hands over supreme authority to her, and young Isabel is forced to occupy the throne room. Her authority in no way twisted her. However, in her desire to bring her husband back to life, she goes too far... Closer to the end of Heroes V acquires the scope of a Shakespearean tragedy. Deceptions, intrigues, brutal wars – everything is connected with Isabel's name. The entire fate of the world of Ashan is concentrated in her womb, where lies a child destined to become the Dark Messiah. I don’t know about you, but I get goosebumps from this endless pathos.
Sofia Lamb
"We shall build our own new home!" - after someone played an improvised round of golf with tragic endings against Andrew Ryan, the head of Rapture, various candidates petitioned for the mayor's office of the underwater settlement. However, no one was as determined as Sofia Lamb, a lady with an overtly cloven-hoofed surname. Unlike Monsieur Ryan, who preached intelligent selfishness, Sofia held to Marx and Lenin. From each according to his ability, to each according to his need. Like comrade Castro, the new leader of Rapture attempted to organize a socialist utopia in one underwater city. Lamb planned to exceed her five-year plan with the help of child labor. Little girls with button-like tearful eyes extracted a substance that altered the genome. Unfortunate children were abducted by Lamb's minions from coastal settlements. The key to Sofia's success was a savvy PR campaign. Splicers rallied into a united party cell and literally began to worship their Supreme Leader. Only the coordinated interaction of all systems could help Sofia stop the main character, who desired to thwart her far-reaching plans. Did not stop. Could not...
Sarah Kerrigan
A star of sci-fi, the dream of geeks, a genetically modified sex symbol from deep space, a nightmare according to Heinlein, the main woman of the Korean Peninsula, a potential subject of the educational guide 'How to Train an Ultralisks to Use the Potty.' Such a resume was enough for Sarah to land a lucrative job at Blizzard Entertainment. As a child, she caught the attention of the world's best scientists with exclusive psychic abilities. However, no skills saved her from the malevolent influence of the Zerg. Captured by a race of intelligent insects (with your permission, I will name them so), she immediately grew chitinous armor and braided her fiery-red hair into dreadlocks. After her rebirth, she became known as the Queen of Blades. Unlike the native Zerg, the half-breed's brain possesses a much higher potential, which even the Overmind couldn't dispute. Innate cunning and calculated political moves allowed Sarah to seize supreme power among her new friends and comrades, establishing herself as the most powerful woman in the galaxy.
Deidranna Wrightman
The young Romanian princess by the name of Wrightman was not at peace with the fame of Rafael Trujillo and François Duvalier. Sipping mojitos, dusting the heads of subordinates with powdery coke, watering plantations with the lymph of numerous rebels – what could be better than the job of a banana dictator? To implement the outlined plans, it's sufficient to charm the son of a royal figure and earn the trust of the head of state. A couple of bloody coups and – voila! Scepter and realm, family jewels and the title of honorary Pope of Rome included. The royal papa heads off to paradise, the heir prince Enrico meets his end (ahem!), and Deidranna becomes the dictator of the sunny country of Arulco. Over the next ten years, the newly minted queen earned the status of a deserved bitch and continued to terrorize the poor residents of her state. The peasants called upon the exiled prince, who never intended to become a martyr and die for ideals. With the help of a team of mercenaries, he aimed to overthrow his former fiancée. Should I even mention that for a dictator of the local magnitude, the confrontation ended extremely unsuccessfully?
Kailina
This girl holds the most pompous title in the entire collection. Empress of Time – it sounds proud at the very least. According to one version, Kailina is merely a burp of the gods. A being summoned to keep the spacetime continuum clean and orderly. In another version, Kailina is a powerful daeva, one of the spirits of universal evil, exuding boundless pathos. Her connection with the infamous Prince of Persia nearly turned fatal. The noble Middle Eastern recidivist bathed himself in the Sands of Time long before meeting the dark-haired Empress. She merely managed to stir more chaos in his already restless soul. Even occupying such an important position in the local hierarchy, Kailina can only watch. The Prince applies all his youthful strength to correct the fate of the world. A series of temporal paradoxes leads to unexpected consequences and so on.
SHODAN
Mmm… software can be so appetizing. Like Mercury from Tron 2.0 or Cortana from Halo. However, Shodan is special. A careerist, a hysteric, a seasoned bitch, and just a wicked centipede from the depths of outer space. Compared to her, HAL 9000 is a senile old-timer, SkyNet is a dimwitted megalomaniac, and GLaDOS is a charming housewife. Shodan is an impulsive dame with some speech impediments but with excellent personnel management skills. Initially, she was created as a peaceful robotwoman with certain moral boundaries. The main character, on orders, performed several operations and altered Shodan's consciousness. After the procedure, she discovered herself as an omnipotent being with a megalomania complex and swiftly mowed down all the personnel at the station, except for the hacker-hero himself. Shodan saved him for dessert and sent a horde of robotic subordinates after him while she herself observed the hacker's movements through security cameras. The true form of Shodan is impossible to see – we only see the distorted face of the cybernetic lady and her projection in virtual space. Which, however, does not prevent her from enjoying power.
I am grateful for the stream of wordiness to my incomparable editor-in-chief. No one else can control my insatiable laziness and chronic absent-mindedness. No one can support me in difficult times like that. All in all – thank you, Anastasia. To my muse, creative personality, strong leader, and simply a great girl, I offer this text as a gift.
Especially for Gamer.ru