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Seriphyn · **07-19-2014, 02:09 PM**

Howdy all,

So, my character is now a 'sipahi' (figured it to be the Ul'dahn term for 'knight') pledged to lord Lolorito, Chairman of the East Aldenard Trading Company. This is an interesting exploration as it is essentially a patriotic and morally upstanding character pledged to a ruthless but pragmatic individual. Cognitive dissonance I find a fascinating state of mind.

Now, we have a lot of Royalists. Do-gooders, Flames, free paladins, Sultansworn, and so on. That's fine, and all. But what about Syndicate RPers who are NOT moustache-twirling villains, but instead composed of individuals who believe that the economic interests of Ul'dah are paramount to the stability and prosperity of the city? They don't have anything against the Sultana necessarily (my character is still a closet Royalist), just they are pragmatists who realize the royalty is a good figurehead but nothing more. The motto of this group would be Lolorito's quote (which he took from the Sultana, granted) of 'The law is the law'. No moves against the Royalists akin to the assassins in the PLD storyline. Lawful Neutral, not Lawful Evil!

The only issue I see with this is if the story continues to paint the Syndicate in a 'villainous' light. We have the new villain who is a Syndicate member, BUT it is strongly hinted at that the rest of the Syndicate would not tolerate his plans. Unlike being, say, an Immortal Flames group which will always be part of the story in a positive light (primarily because they are tied to game mechanics), Syndicate RP might become troublesome akin to what happens to all RP around 'evil' groups. On the other hand, the only reason the Syndicate may be 'evil' is because our characters are surrounded by NPCs who say they're evil, i.e. an echo chamber effect. Kind of like the Garlean Empire. I may be mistaken in my assumption here.

Anyway, curious as to people's thoughts regarding the potential of Syndicate RP, or their thoughts on the morality of the Syndicate in general!

Kage · **07-19-2014, 03:29 PM**

I WANT TO POINT CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO KNOW JAMESON TAEROS TO THIS THREAD.

My recent RP arcs have involved a character, Jameson Taeros, who is heavily implied to have ties to Lolorito.

The best way I could describe him in one word is by saying he really is like "Ul'dah". He is very true to the law is the law. But whereas some people might think he is heartless I think that there are those on the Syndicate who just have their own interests mind. Shuffling people around is one thing but having people outright murdered who are in service is another and wouldn't be stood for unless those set to be killed are dealt with by use of Ul'dahn law.

McBeefâ„¢ · **07-19-2014, 03:38 PM**

The syndicate are definitely lawful neutral. They don't rule by force of arms, but by money and the equivalent of the american dream. They play pretty loose by the system sometimes, but they have an interest in staying inside of it, as that is what gives them power. The ordinary citizen supports the syndicate, and doesn't seek to overthrow it because they think that could be them someday.

So no, while members of the syndicate can do stupid things, as a whole they look out for ul'dah (including the sultanate) because thats where they get their power from. Most would probably fare poorly if the rule of law broke down.

Coatleque · **07-19-2014, 04:41 PM**

I can echo the previous sentiments.

A more simplistic way of seeing it is that people who support the Syndicate would favor Democracy, with all of its failings and corruption. The main fault here is that cleansing a corrupt democracy is a slow and painful process without an outright rebellion.

Those who support the Sultana would favor Monarchy. The main fault there is that when one person holds absolute authority, you have a 50/50 chance of them being utterly evil, or completely just. But changing things always boils down to just one person, which can be removed with a single vial of poison rather than half the country uprising.

The power struggle between the two is what makes for a great story, and consequently good RP. But yes, there are people on both sides who can be viewed as both good or bad. From Crofte's own interaction with Kale, she's already quite surprised with his mannerisms.

Seriphyn · **07-19-2014, 05:04 PM**

Hey, thanks for your replies thus far, I should have been more clear that I -might- be interested in forming an LS (not FC) group of Syndicate RPers.Â

I actually disagree with Royalist vs Monetarist conflict being monarchy vs democracy, but instead a more classical Renaissance/Enlightenment era conflict of monarchy vs republicanism. An Ul'dahn Republic would have democratic elements insofar that the merchant class would probably have the vote, and one would purchase suffrage (thus purchasing their way into that class). More like a merchant republic. It's semantics, true...but there is that slight difference between democracy vs republicanism (ignoring 'democratic republicanism' ofc).

Anyway, this theoretical Syndicate group could include more character types than what a Flames/Sultansworn group could, since the latter is combat-oriented (unlike the other Grand Companies, Flames don't have non-combat elements). It could include non-combat characters, too, especially that Lolorito owns the Weavers' and Goldsmiths' Guild. It could include miners, and well, any DoL/DoH class! What they would -do- however...

Aduu Avagnar · **07-19-2014, 06:44 PM**

usingÂ thisÂ resource, I came to the following conclusions.

Show Content

Raubahn: Lawful Neutral with tendencies to good
He tends to do the right thing that benefits Ul'dah and its citizenship

Lolorito: Lawful Evil
playing through the Ul'dahn 2.0 starting quests, you witness his Brass Blades, on order of Lolorito attempt to kill someone seeking to rise their position. in Horizon you witness the corruption within the Brass Blades that is seemingly given with permission from Lolorito, although that would never be admitted to publicly

Teledji: Lawful Evil
The megalomanical madman behind the Cartenau Reclamation Act, seeking to raise his position through the acquisition of the Cartenau Flats and the weapon that rests within, as well as masterminding the riots and dissent within Ul'dah, seemingly Machiavellian in his approach.

Godbert Manderville: Unknown
we don't know that much about their personality to acruately make a call regarding their alignment

tl;dr
I don't believe that you can claim that the Syndicate falls under the umbrella of a specific alignment, due to the fact that it is made of individuals, that seem to be at differing ends of the spectrum.

for the full pages:
Lawful Neutral
Lawful Evil

Seriphyn · **07-19-2014, 07:05 PM**

Oh, that much is true. I meant to say that the 'Lawful Neutral' would be a feature of a Syndicate RP group, rather than claiming that of the Syndicate itself. A shallow descriptor, but just something to get the general idea. This wouldn't be so much a discussion of alignments, instead exploring the concept that a Syndicate RP group doesn't have be all ebil and plotting.

Aduu Avagnar · **07-19-2014, 07:11 PM**

(07-19-2014, 07:05 PM)Seriphyn Wrote: Oh, that much is true. I meant to say that the 'Lawful Neutral' would be a feature of a Syndicate RP group, rather than claiming that of the Syndicate itself. A shallow descriptor, but just something to get the general idea. This wouldn't be so much a discussion of alignments, instead exploring the concept that a Syndicate RP group doesn't have be all ebil and plotting.

Ah, fair enough then, I guess I misunderstood when reading.

And as to the Flames not having a non-military arm, the only one (in the handy flowcharts at least) to visibly have a logistics arm is the Adders, though I do believe that the other two Grand Companies would have them, they would conceivably fail to function without them.

That is not to say that there wasn't any sort of outsourcing to a group funded by the Syndicate however, I could imagine that as the Syndicate attempt to leverage some control over Raubahn in regards to military matters.

Kellach Woods · **07-19-2014, 07:20 PM**

I'm pretty sure anything remotely intellectual involving either the Jackets or the Maelstrom goes through Maelvaan's Gate. They even do audits at the behest of Limsa authorities!

If it wasn't for the fact that the Brass Blades are an extremely unsympathetic sort in the story I'd be down for the group being Lawful Neutral. The FIRST thing you see them do is straight up set up someone for a bribe. That does not seem like anything someone lawful neutral would do.

Mijisaa Qisaa · **07-20-2014, 07:20 PM**

(07-19-2014, 02:09 PM)Seriphyn Wrote: But what about Syndicate RPers who are NOT moustache-twirling villains, but instead composed of individuals who believe that the economic interests of Ul'dah are paramount to the stability and prosperity of the city? They don't have anything against the Sultana necessarily (my character is still a closet Royalist), just they are pragmatists who realize the royalty is a good figurehead but nothing more.

(07-19-2014, 03:38 PM)Natalie Mcbeef Wrote: So no, while members of the syndicate can do stupid things, as a whole they look out for ul'dah (including the sultanate) because thats where they get their power from. Most would probably fare poorly if the rule of law broke down.

I agree with these two statements in regards to the 'lawful neutral' argument. Mijisaa, being a successful Ul'dahn business woman who dabbles somewhere between lawful neutral to lawful evil, supports both the Syndicate and the Sultana. Â She sees them as two parts of the same system that makes Ul'dah (and herself) prosperous. Having one of the parts too autocratic would ruin the city and having breakdown of laws is also never good for business. Â Mijisaa supports the Sultana because she's a good figurehead, someone for the common people to rally around, and she supports the Syndicate because they make sure things keep working. Sure, the lines are blurred but so are the lines in Mijisaa's life so it makes no difference to her.

Roen · **07-20-2014, 09:39 PM**

I write and plot for Jameson along with the player who never checks these forums. He also plays Anden Anduron who is a Captain of the Brass Blades.

So I will share some thoughts on them both.

Jameson is squarely on the Monetarist side and works closely with Lolorito. He walks the fine line between Lawful neutral and Lawful evil. His actions and decisions are driven by his own motivations, and I don't want to really give away what's going on with him, but he has blackmailed, framed, and possibly been responsible for torturing people. He has also provided his own cure for the poison that was plaguing Ul'Dah.Â

I see him very much doing what is necessary for both himself, but also possibly for Ul'Dah.

Same with Anden, who is ambitious and ruthless, and will do anything he can to keep the Brass Blades in line, for the good of Ul'Dah. He is considered an antagonist, but he firmly believes most of his decisions and actions benefit Ul'Dah and look to advance himself in the ranks because he believes he is good for the Jewel.

They are not played often though, I usually have to pull the player into plots. So while they can join this LS, I don't think you'd see them often.

I like the idea though.

Seriphyn · **07-21-2014, 10:18 AM**

(07-19-2014, 07:20 PM)Kellach Woods Wrote: I'm pretty sure anything remotely intellectual involving either the Jackets or the Maelstrom goes through Maelvaan's Gate. They even do audits at the behest of Limsa authorities!

If it wasn't for the fact that the Brass Blades are an extremely unsympathetic sort in the story I'd be down for the group being Lawful Neutral. The FIRST thing you see them do is straight up set up someone for a bribe. That does not seem like anything someone lawful neutral would do.

Re: Brass Blades...strictly IMO, but less that they are inherently corrupt but more that not enough is done against corruption. There are Brass Blades who shout 'For Ul'dah!' like true patriots when defending Highbridge...from that, it means you can easily be a non-corrupt Brass Blade I reckon...

Also, there seem to be different Brass Blade units that have a sort of knightly name to them. Brass Blades of the Rose, then Brass Blades of the ...Remora? Or something, during the 2.3 Hildibrand questline.

Kage · **07-21-2014, 10:50 AM**

Honestly I never did read much about the alignments and so forth. It's never been something I ever had to deal with until I heard about them in the last few months ish.

I also would state that I believe most Brass Blades would be lawful neutral and that it's possible that most of the Syndicate are either Lawful Neutral or Lawful Evil. I'm not sure where the line is drawn ><

Many Blades, while the organization is shown to set people up for bribes etc, will still put their lives up to save the people of Ul'dah. As evidenced by the same scene showing the corruption, they also give their lives in fighting off against the Amalj'aa. Those guarding other locations as well as the Gates of Ul'dah also come to peoples' aid (fighting off the little tiny mobs or the FATEs etc).

They're just, as a whole, not the most generous of compassions.

Aduu Avagnar · **07-21-2014, 11:05 AM**

however, how much of the coming to peoples aids is because it is just, and how much is because they most like wouldn't get paid if they didn't?

As I pointed out above, you can't put an alignment tag on the entirety of an organisation, unless that organisation consists solely, or primarily of a particular type.

Through the Ul'dah story quests for instance is the Lalafel (I forget his rank, though I think he is a captain?) in the Brass Blades who is completely unaware of the corruption within the Blades, and it mentor who was aware, but iirc he was shunned and removed to a distant posting (with the refugees) for being clean.

So yes, there are members of the Blades who are there to do the right thing.

The syndicate themselves are only 6 people, and we have only interacted with 4 of them, two of which seem clearly Lawful Evil.

McBeefâ„¢ · **07-21-2014, 12:46 PM**

I think only one person on the syndicate can possibly be seen as evil, and that's the one orchestrating the events of the 2.3 patch. As far as Lorilito, scamming refugees and such doesn't make you evil.

An interesting semi quote I heard once is that, "In order to be an effective leader of a sovereign state, you need to be willing to let tens of thousands of people die." In a normal sense, that would make someone a monster, but with few exceptions in human history it's always been the state of things. Leaders have to make decisions, and often there is no perfect answer. I don't think you can apply adventurer D&D morality to the syndicate.

For example, lets say that he did do everything Nanamo wanted, what if the coffers ran out and they couldn't pay the brass blades? What if it caused massive inflation to the economy of the city and food shortages? What if Ul'dah lost it's competitive edge financially to a place like Limsa (which conveniently doesn't have to deal with refugee problems) and became a second rate power.

In order to be a good leader of a country with as tenuous as Ul'dah's is, you have to make hard decisions. Now it's possible Lorilito could find a way to help everyone and keep Ul'dahs might, but I wouldn't judge him so harshly for what he does.

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Syndicate 'Lawful Neutral' group (some 2.3 story spoilers)

RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes