Jeantremont

Question! Are there any inquisitors, astrologians, or chirurgeons involved in this plot thus far?

Oops, double post.

(First, I'm not sure if Ishgardian sword-wielders are technically GLA or PLD. Let's go with PLD.) You're definitely going to see more religious fanaticism among Ishgardian Knights than you would any other type of Paladin. They tend to be very single-minded, obsessed with dragons to the point of ignoring every other potential threat, so I'd imagine most of their combat techniques would be geared towards that. They might have a combat style more focused on jumps, upward thrusts, etc. Depending on the individual, they might also place less focus on defensive strategies - killing a dragon is a feat that gets you personal recognition from the archbishop, and dying in battle against the Dravanians is the highest honour. They're indoctrinated to have less fear of death. Ishgardians' focus would be on protecting their city as a whole, not their individual allies. There seems to be less connection between individuals in Ishgard; personal ties are cut very, very easily. So I'd imagine Ishgardian Knights feel less of a compulsion to protect their allies. (This is also highly subject to individual personality, though.) Overall, I'm guessing the Ishgardians would use a more offensive style of combat. If you're playing a character who is an ex-Ishgardian though, chances are they aren't as obsessed with "The Crusade" as their fellows are. They'd take a different outlook on life and combat.

I was more trying to get at the fact that when you look at the many many different cultures in Eorzea, it's highly unlikely that all of these cultures would have one collective act that was considered taboo across the board. To add to your post... This is what Ishgard calls normal:

More "traditional" Keepers would live in the Black Shroud as poachers, in small clans of a couple families. That's far from every Keeper though! Many Miqo'te, Keeper and Seeker, have completely (or at least partially?) thrown tradition aside and integrated themselves into "modern society." They can live anywhere. A good number of them live and work in Gridania, usually as Wood Wailers and other combat-focused professions. For whatever reason, Keepers are very rarely drawn to the merchant or Hearer lifestyles, at least judging by the NPCs. If your character has an adventurer parent or two, it could make sense for you to have been born in just about any location you choose.

I'm inspired by the lore of the game itself. Reading through quests gives you a basis, a setting, from which to build a character. For instance, at level 16ish you run onto a cult... So that led me to wonder what it would be like to play as a member of that cult. Or as a poacher, a pirate, a Garlean, etc. Sometimes I create characters specifically FOR a guild I'd like to join. If I see a guild with a really unique concept, I'll want to create a character that could fit perfectly with that plot! Check out the linkshell hall and see if anything catches your eye.