Aya

Ultimately Verad's really, right. People will chose their weapons based upon aesthetic and story. Nothing else actually matters. It may be interesting to discuss, but such concerns won't effect who decides a buster sword fits their character. I'm actually getting a feeling that very few RPers will really play in-character DRKs (just as very few play ninjas, at least in my experience), but many will use the job for access to their preferred aesthetic. I can't but see this as an improvement to the game. Mod Edit: This one too, goddamn you people are fast. Or too slow, I can't tell. ~ Melkire

Aya is always looking to meet fences, conmen, thieves, and especially gentlemen who are good company...

Are you on Balmung? Do you have a wiki profile (SIGNATURE ANSWERS - actually the link is broken!)? Where does this puckish rogue live?

MY PONYTAIL AT LAST!

Ul'dah usually! Most often near the Quick Sand :-]

Plzno. I agree, I meant to phrase it so that it would not be answered. :-x And if she does I'll apologize and go hide, Verad!

Oh! I suppose on the bigger question here, I think there's no theoretical reason they couldn't be... political transitions when the basic structures of society remain unchanged can definitely be relatively peaceful. But they do tend to come with general upheaval of some variety, and more often than not significant violence. I think the Velvet Revolution has to be viewed in the context of the Eastern Bloc as a whole in that moment: it could proceed peacefully because of the blood already shed in Poland and the Soviet Union (otherwise it would have ended as had the earlier Czech uprising against the Communists). Overall the collapse of communism was a whimper compared to the Revolution and War that installed it in the first place. Probably a pretty good example of a "peaceful" transition of political system combined with relatively little violence, but significant social changes as well.

They were raised as volunteers, yes they were commissioned by the British army to become a British army unit - how does this differ from Continental Militia? I really don't understand the distinction you're trying to make. The neat and tidy little distinction (with regards to a definitive line drawn where the Revolution began and ended, followed by a foreign invasion) you're trying to make is the stuff of the-winner-writes-the-history. I'd be curious to know what your opinion were on the American Civil War, given how you've set this one up. Regardless, the point is that large numbers of Americans supported the British cause, and fought alongside them (however it is you're trying to categorize them). There was significant civil strife (because it was, in reality, a civil war - the final episode of the English Civil War, really). Communities and families were torn apart by competing loyalties, and atrocities were committed by both sides. Thousands died in open warfare, and as the war ended thousands more were uprooted from their homes to flee for safer climes forever reshaping the nature of North America. It wasn't as bloody as the French Revolution (nothing in Western history to that point had been), but it was hardly peaceful!

Why does PR have to be positive? Perhaps he's established just the reputation he wants. That doesn't mean he couldn't turn that fearsome reputation toward something that wins support. I think the arch of such a leader from rise toward holding power can take quite unexpected turns!

I just want to note that I think both of these assertions are entirely incorrect... :-X Edit: Here's an example of just one such Loyalist Regiment. Modern Canada was essentially founded by Loyalists fleeing newly independent American and potential retribution.

Doesn't really seem any different to me... but I haven't read or seen Game of Thrones so maybe I am missing something.

Hasn't Ul'dah always been cloak and dagger? :-X

Which of course succeeded numerous and simultaneous violent revolutionary movements in India, and was followed immediately by a bloody war between the newly independent countries.

The internal conflicts within the colonies were intense and internecine. I don't think peaceful is really an apt adjective for the era. (Between Loyalist and Patriot, sorry if that wasn't clear )

Honestly I'd have thought that the Syndicate preferred a Monarchy, albeit a weak one. With the Sultana on a throne that they could limit and control they combined having real power, with having the stability of a crowned and beloved head of state. In that sense I've always imagined Monetarists and Royalists as monarchists, just that the Monetarists thought the Syndicate (as the representatives of the moneyed class) should be a check on the Sultana's power, while the Royalist believed she should be politically unfettered from their whims and plotting. Removal of the Monarchy is chaos, and anarchy, a situation in which the Syndicate would be unlikely to emerge intact. Of course, that doesn't mean that vanity might not get the best of those with their hands on the levers of power, but not enough recognition and symbolism to satisfy their own vaingloriousness

Oscare is great! So much fun on the forum, and a good looking fellow in-character :-D

I love all of the artists this forum attracts! Such wonderful work!

Sweetness with hugs and smiles! *huuugs*

Yay! Mad Scientist Hugs! Wish I had good gif for Aya hugs! But hugs all around stiiiiiiiiiiiiill! *Mad Scientist Hugs* *Eleni Hugs!*

There are small RP communities elsewhere, but they are few and far between.. you may find one if you poke around here. I know you can create characters on Balmung at late hours, so it is not hopeless if you decide to try, but it is far from convenient

Barnabaix Pirate! I wanted to stay longer last night to get to know you better! That means you're interesting.. or something! Totally a compliment right?

[Redacted after reading Melkire's post. I respect our Moderator's wishes!] I will just say that I always stated my thoughts on Ishgardian systematic racism as conjecture and inference. Never as fact because, as I have pointed out repeatedly, there is no fact to draw upon!

Fact? Fact?. No, we were discussing an interesting matter of conjecture when you decided to insert yourself as the judge of what is fact where it did not belong, and to do so with considerable condescension (I did catch your reply to me before you edited it). While happily ensconced in your highchair lobbing "That's just conjecture", "Where are the facts?" "Whats the proof?" you've missed the entire point, and utterly obscured what should have been interesting in this entire conversation. Nothing at this stage is provable (except perhaps by those with inside knowledge of Heavenward development) because no evidence is yet available. Your "point", as it were, is nothing but meaningless tautology combined with high-handed rhetoric and a poisonous way of delivering it.

Yes we do know that the major Houses are entirely Elezen (three Wildwood, one Duskwight). There's no evidence of non-Elezen Houses, so I can I turn your own mantra against you? Evidence please :-] The reason the houses are Elezen is because they were there first. Its their city. Hyur are newcomers who have integrated over the past several centuries. The reason Elezen are better and more important is because its their city. Hyur are newcomers. Its not much of a leap. I disagree entirely. Racism is the standard in Eorzea. We know that Ishgard society is racially segregated at the very top (there simply are none but Elezen there). It is possible that beneath this very top layer this situation simply ceases to exist, and all live with harmony united by their common religious conviction; however, this just does not agree with my intuition. It is possible (as I said, we don't know) but I think this is a significantly greater logical leap than to assume that the same stratification is the norm all the way down. Evidence in the case of a yes/no proposition tends to settle the matter! And I would again turn your presumption on its head. National and cultural racism are the norm in Eorzea. The weight to overturn the proposition rests on those attempting to claim it does not exist.

It is not absurd at all. It is entirely reasonable given the environment of the world, and what we know about Ishgard. It fits the rubric. Because of the focus upon religion and the war against the Dravanians there are routes to earn positions of respect and authority within the military, but the firm grip of Elezen upon the levers of power does not seem to be threatened.