Aya

Alright, well, that can be arranged!

I do not think this thread needs to be emotional, really. I understand that there are unique challenges to role-playing Lalafel, and its sad to hear stories of them not being taken seriously when they are played as such. But this thread is full of well-intentioned people (as is the RPC in general). Nowhere in the origin of this thread was there anything personal or accusatory. I think all of us are prepared to be flexible with regards to other players' RP, even when at times they might exceed what we would consider reasonable. Even if someone's character has to imagine that there is an outside source of such strength (such as aether) I do not think that anyone here would outright refuse to acknowledge it. I think it would be an inaccurate description of this thread to claim that anyone were trying to tell anyone else how to RP, and that is a good thing that I think we should keep in mind and appreciate! Given that the initial question cannot be answered via the Lore, it can be broadly restated as, "What effect does the physical strength of Lalafel have on roleplay?" I think we've done a good job exploring that, and like any such topic there will be disagreement, but quite a number of different opinions on that have been discussed. To direct my thoughts toward Lalafel players directly, I think I would sum up this discussion as follows: when thinking about the physical strength of your character you will want to consider both the effects it has on your roleplay, and on the manner in which other players interpret it. Players, and characters, will look differently upon a Lalafel throwing around the strength of a Highlander than they will one who is notably weaker. Both can be sound character concepts. (Inserting personal opinion: Although one stretches credulity for the sake of eliminating potentially interesting weakness, it may still be worthwhile for the overall concept of the character, and provide its own interesting point of RP.) Anyway... I just really appreciate the RPC community!

You wanted to be shipped with Verad?

Asked on the lore forum thread. Asked on the reddit thread where they are gathering questions to ask Yoshi-p in the reddit interview that they will get at fanfest. Edit: What if in a process similar to evolution and natural selection, lalafell bodies naturally (and not consciously) somehow have converted aether into a form of... well muscle power? I think it would be disappointing if this were to be the case. It would mean a less varied, less interesting, and less immersive world. In-character it would dampen Aya's respect and admiration for Lalafel such as Kage and any Lalafel member of the Blades, the Grand Companies, etc., but no doubt it would mean that their lives were vastly easier. Edit: She would still love Kage, but the full, heartening impact of Lalafel courage would be diminished

These couple of sentences are terrific

~*sits in the corner, calming watching this thread*~

So a playful little aside is being taken as the main content of my post? Okay I don't have anything further to add!

I'll just say what I did the first time we were shipped in this thread! "That poor Duskwight!"

Both are true, but they're examples that are interesting in large part for their ability to overcome deficiencies of strength and stature. What's being suggested here is that Lalafel do not possess such deficiencies, or else that they're thoroughly mitigated aetherically to render them moot. I don't think even Warren is against the idea of a "slight, but well-trained Lalafel warrior wreaking havoc upon unexpecting foes with his well trained sword-arm." What he is hesitant about, and I think with good reason, is the concept that every Lalafel has the strength of a Highlander (plus the quick mind of a Lalafel) buried within provided he can tap into the aether to produce it.

I am with Warren in one sense: I think if you wish to play a Lalafel, but also wish to fully mitigate the physical disadvantages that come with being a Lalafel, you're kind of missing the point, and an opportunity for interesting character development. If you want to be as strong and quick as a Highlander, play a Highlander. If you want to have to rely on willpower, cleverness, and efficient use of resources and less obvious advantages, then Lalafel may provide some interesting opportunities

Two eggs, over-easy. Two pieces of toast. Its what Aya eats when she gets off work

I definitely fall into the Magic Girl category! \o/

Viking swords are especially silly since they were just looking for a quick way to replace Gladiator Daggers....

This. Personally I do not want to attribute much meaning to the word as if it might be a title or moniker as the only thing behind it is that... it's named Sipahi. But there's so many things like Battlemages and Warlocks and Templars that I essentially think it's a style of arms and not a title per say. Proooobably true Sounds like a neat title to run with though, its doubtful any lore will ever be released to suggest that its use is incorrect. Just a type of warrior from Ul'dah's past, which apparently inspired the design of Brass Blade and Immortal Flames uniforms.

Maybe in Persian use... in Ottoman use it is virtually synonymous with "knight" in the European sense They were men provided with land holdings in exchange for their service as heavy cavalry in time of war (in addition to providing feudal levies from their lands). They even used armor, barding, and equipment similar to Western knights long after that had fallen out of favor in Western Europe. Sad that it sounds like there is no lore in FF to help piece together what its intended meaning is (if it was even intended to have any meaning beyond providing a particular style of armor).

Considering the term is used in-game on equipment, I can't see "Sipahi" being verbotten! It seems reasonable (if what you say about mentions of mounted Ul'dahn forces are correct) that these are feudal forces from outside the city used in times of war rather than the current tentative peace? They would probably be land holders too to afford to be cavalry? While the Blades are more of a city-based militia (doubling as a gendarme). I also don't see why Lolorito wouldn't have as many variety of assets as he could get his hands on. Having some of the Sultana's land holding retainers on his payroll seems like a situation he would come to appreciate

*blinks* What?

I really don't understand the hangup over this, in general. There are so few weapon models in this game, and that just happens to be one of the most popular. Although it is "Curtana" I don't really think that even has to be referenced in dealing with the player version. Its just a neat looking sword and shield that smiths make. Why bother calling it a replica? Maybe I'm just not getting something.. but I guess I think we need a little more suspension of disbelief here, or we're going to have to start coming up with a good explanation why there are only a couple dozen different sets of clothes in the world. It's a replica because there is lore behind /that/ particular model, as with Zanetsuken. My entire point is that if you take the model literally, and thus have to hand wave it away lore-wise, then we are unable to suspend disbelief on the nature of items in the game itself. If we take that model literally, then there are only a handful of clothing designs in the entire world. Models are representative, not definitive. Well ~ I think they should be, anyway!

I really don't understand the hangup over this, in general. There are so few weapon models in this game, and that just happens to be one of the most popular. Although it is "Curtana" I don't really think that even has to be referenced in dealing with the player version. Its just a neat looking sword and shield that smiths make. Why bother calling it a replica? Maybe I'm just not getting something.. but I guess I think we need a little more suspension of disbelief here, or we're going to have to start coming up with a good explanation why there are only a couple dozen different sets of clothes in the world.

Thank you! I think that's why I liked it too!

So neat!

Being quiet, reflective, and possessing a depth of emotion that she rarely expresses.

Some of us villains are nice and friendly! ...and maybe not always malicious. Some also have a lot of gil, and more importantly, know how to spend it...

Aya's no villain. But she might enjoy their company.. depending on the villain :-D