To echo Merri's point, it just gets worse over time. The loss of stats, mitigation, and abilities from not carrying a shield will start to seriously catch up with you when the dungeon difficulty ramps up (early on this is visible in Toto-rak, where even a well-equipped Gladiator gets to play health bar ping-pong with the healer; in Haukke, I'm pretty sure you'd be nearly impossible to keep alive). I think it's safe to say that, yes, you would be a liability, and you'd probably catch flak IC for doing so. Characters in the world are aware of the use of shields, and someone who chooses not to wear one without a good reason (e.g., carrying a two-handed weapon, having to cast using two hands) is going to raise some eyebrows ICly.
Worst of all, among non-RPers, this would reinforce by providing an example the perception that RPers don't know how to play, don't care to learn, and put immersion above gameplay to the detriment of a group. That'll drop some serious OOC flak on you.
I apologize for this sounding harsh, but I implore you to reconsider this course of action. You're basically choosing aesthetics over the survival of your group and at the same time tossing aside the lore of your class as established by its mechanics.
Solo, of course, you can do whatever you like, but again, since this steps outside what a Gladiator normally does, you might get some odd looks or questions from people IC when you're out questing -- since to their characters, you're doing something abnormal.
Worst of all, among non-RPers, this would reinforce by providing an example the perception that RPers don't know how to play, don't care to learn, and put immersion above gameplay to the detriment of a group. That'll drop some serious OOC flak on you.
I apologize for this sounding harsh, but I implore you to reconsider this course of action. You're basically choosing aesthetics over the survival of your group and at the same time tossing aside the lore of your class as established by its mechanics.
Solo, of course, you can do whatever you like, but again, since this steps outside what a Gladiator normally does, you might get some odd looks or questions from people IC when you're out questing -- since to their characters, you're doing something abnormal.
The Freelance Wizard
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
