Lacey is a Garlean ninja. She's a pretty white girl. People didn't like it until lore backed me up saying the Garlean Empire has ninja's in its ranks and trained Garleans in the secrets of the shinobi. It's likely if there are Samurai in the Garlean Empire's ranks who did similar. That is if there are Samurai's in Doma, after all they haven't confirmed there is yet.
RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes
Please be sure to visit https://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/ directly for the new page.
Reasoning for irregular race/nationality combinations |
|
|
RE: Reasoning for irregular race/nationality combinations |
04-15-2015, 10:46 PM
(04-15-2015, 10:19 PM)Faye Wrote: I don't think the OP's real life comparisons meant--let's take the samurai one for example--that only Japanese people can be samurai and no other races are allowed, or that Japanese people make for better samurai, etc. Rather, when people first come up with their character, they start with the idea of an archetype. Well, I guess I can't speak for others--that's how it usually works for me, at least. So when the idea "samurai!" pops into someone's head for a character, it seems a little... counter-intuitive, I guess is the best way to put it, to then make said samurai character a white guy, at least if it's for no reason more than "I prefer to play a white guy." In fact, I'd argue that where real life races are concerned, that can be seem just as (if not more) racist--to change the respective race of a member of some discipline that belongs to another culture, especially when whitewashing or changing from a minority to a majority--than to say "all samurai should be Japanese." What you've described is essentially cultural appropriation, and yes, I would agree it is quite wrong. However, the issue I take with the OP is that the comparisons in game are not accurate to begin with. Ala Mhigo is not all Highlander, as I detailed in this earlier post quite extensively. Nor are all Ishgardians Elezen/Midlander. Nor are all Domans Midlander. Nor are all Ul'dahns Lalafellin despite a significant population of these majority races being presented to us in game. There are native Roegadyn NPCs in Gridania. There are multiple Elezen hailing from Limsa Lominsa. YET, the egregious misconception that there are race locks persists despite evidence presented to the contrary. One Doman Lalafell is labeled an "exception" whereas one Doman Au Ra is taken as part of the norm. Why? One Ishgardian Miqo'te is the "exception" but the Temple Knight's second-in-command is Garlean. No one bats an eye, why? A more accurate RL comparison is to look at Hollywood Films that are set in 1800s England, and when the director is asked why there are no PoC in the film, they reply with something along the lines of "We're trying to keep it true to the time period." As if blacks, asians, or other non-white minorities did not exist in England at the time - which is outrageous. What the OP has said, essentially, is that because my character's race (Miqo'te) is not apart of the Ala Mhigan majority race, that makes her "inauthentic." She is not "true to the setting/time period." Despite one of Ala Mhigo's greatest heroines in lore being... Miqo'te. |
RE: Reasoning for irregular race/nationality combinations |
04-15-2015, 10:47 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-15-2015, 10:54 PM by Meena.)
(04-15-2015, 10:45 PM)Wymsical Wrote:Edit edit:(04-15-2015, 08:18 PM)Flickering Ember Wrote: I wish I could word it better. To me, saying that people should only role-play what is considered "normal" for that race is troubling. How do you establish what is normal? You can't really, because even considering things like culture, people are just people. When you try to generalize and fit everyone in neat little boxes, it's a souring experience even in role-play. Not on an IC level but on a meta level. When I played WoW, the community I was in was very insistent on playing the races according to the stereotype. If you wanted to play a bloodthirsty tauren or a flower-picking orc you would get a lot of flak for that. because the first edit ate my post. grr. This is a well put argument however i've found not many people actually research the lore before diving into the game. Not all of the lore is accessible in any one place and the stuff that is isn't readily updated as it is needed to be. Most people will play the race they want to play instead of researching what is more the norm. I'm all for updating the RPC wikipedia with information but gathering it in the firstplace is difficult. Hotaru Ginji || Argasar Mol || Nonorya Dadarya
 SE pls give FFT Moogles. Kupo |
RE: Reasoning for irregular race/nationality combinations |
04-15-2015, 11:50 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-15-2015, 11:50 PM by Cato.)
I value plausibility above all else when it comes to role-play. If I feel as though a character is just a bizarre amalgamation of various poorly thought out ideas stacked on top of one another then I lose interest pretty fast and don't feel compelled to interact with that particular individual.
In my opinion more role-players need to be satisfied with creating a character that has one or two unique traits instead of pushing the number of special tendencies to ridiculous levels. Eyebrows will quite obviously be raised if someone's character is a half-breed and has the echo and is well connected to various major organisations/key individuals within the lore whilst also being a man hating lesbian and described as beautiful and charismatic. A bit of an extreme example, perhaps, but role-play is a group activity for the most part. Designing a character that doesn't feel like a giant gimmick is important if one values longevity and development. |
RE: Reasoning for irregular race/nationality combinations |
04-16-2015, 04:15 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-16-2015, 06:28 AM by Fox.)
(04-15-2015, 04:16 AM)Seriphyn Wrote: So why not play an Elezen? You can play the exception, fine, but is there a reason you did not pick the main race? That is the question I am putting forward! I'm just going to touch on this one question here. The reason why I have a lancer miqo'te? Because back in beta I rolled my miqo'te boy as a lancer because I do like the lancer class. Why not Elezen? I do -not- like the proportions. I'm sorry but I think they're off visually, I do not find them to be something I can tolerate on an artistic level. Boy have I tried to like them, but I just can't get into them. I know some people may like it, and that's all well and fine. I don't have a problem with whatever people play. Everyone has their own views. But that's the reason why I won't roll an Elezen. I could roll a hyur; but I rarely play human-based classes only because I'm a human IRL. I enjoy fantasy races more. It's just my preference. I don't play myself as a character or anything, but I do prefer to have a fantastical race. Does it bend lore? Probably a bit. But I've seen much worse bent lore-wise. There are a lot of miqo'te around; and I realized that after I took a break... Man are there a lot of miqo'tes... BUT. I'm not going to let that ruin my enjoyment of the race. It's sort of like; "Oh man, everyone loves that series now and the fans have mainstreamed it, so I'm not going to watch it anymore!". Just because something has become popular isn't going to be the changing point for my like of a race. I've always liked the miqo'te even from when I played 1.0, and I'll continue to play them very likely. Just as I'll every so often play a Roe-female as I like them as well, a lot. So yes. I rolled a lancer-miqo'te because I -like- the lancer class and I -like- miqo'te (which I have heavily read into lore wise). If people don't want to rp with me because one of my tertiary characters is a miqo'te-lancer then so be it. When I did rp Kai'to more than I do now I never ran into rude people demanding to know why I'm playing something that wasn't in-the-vein. And if I got a rude message I'd honestly just ignore it and continue to play what I enjoy. This being said I -do- rp straight-on the mark characters as well. My main, an alchemist; while she is miqo'te she is a traditionally based tribal miqo'te. To add on; if for some reason I wish to make Kai'to a dragoon that will be decided later on with heavy reading into lore and consideration of how to make it plausible. For now though, the kid's a lancer and one that is learning still. Nohni Vhaze || Khad Dotharl
|
RE: Reasoning for irregular race/nationality combinations |
04-16-2015, 04:27 AM
(04-15-2015, 10:46 PM)Sounsyy Wrote:(04-15-2015, 10:19 PM)Faye Wrote: I don't think the OP's real life comparisons meant--let's take the samurai one for example--that only Japanese people can be samurai and no other races are allowed, or that Japanese people make for better samurai, etc. Rather, when people first come up with their character, they start with the idea of an archetype. Well, I guess I can't speak for others--that's how it usually works for me, at least. So when the idea "samurai!" pops into someone's head for a character, it seems a little... counter-intuitive, I guess is the best way to put it, to then make said samurai character a white guy, at least if it's for no reason more than "I prefer to play a white guy." In fact, I'd argue that where real life races are concerned, that can be seem just as (if not more) racist--to change the respective race of a member of some discipline that belongs to another culture, especially when whitewashing or changing from a minority to a majority--than to say "all samurai should be Japanese." This is correct. We are dealing with a lot of assumption and educated guessing when it comes to Ishgard. None of us have been there, and won't be there until June. While there is nothing wrong with an educated guess, throwing up a barrier to explain how someone is "doing it wrong" based on assumption and such IS wrong. Lets take a little speculative lore walk. We know that after the fall of Gelmorra some of the Duskwight Elezen went to Ishgard to seek refuge. They did this because of hostility, ire, and violence thrown their way by the Gridanians. As close off as Ishgardian culture was, it was a better option than staying in the Black Shroud. Now, Keepers of the Moon also made the Black Shround their home and faced the exact same ire, violence, and hostility as the Duskwights. It is not too far fetched to think that there would be some Keepers in the way back past who made the same decision as some Duskwights did. A few generations of a Keeper population living in Ishgard later, and you probably have some Keeper Miqo'te Dragoons. Granted, the above is all speculation. It is still fairly reasonable speculation, however. We need to remember that the City States are more diverse than we think. Prior to the fall of Ala Mhigo, there were constant wars between City States over territory. Displaced refugees would have migrated and settled constantly, creating the diversity we now see. While a City State may have been founded by X race, that does not mean that X race is the only race that has populated a City State over the centuries. Yar. |
RE: Reasoning for irregular race/nationality combinations |
04-16-2015, 06:29 AM
While I like plausibility in my roleplay and I, of course, like to be lore compliant, honestly if it's within the bounds of lore and well explained I probably won't mind.
Here's the thing for me: "I'm a Miqote Dragoon because <Nice, well thought out backstory using lore and bending it where necessary in order to reach a satisfying character one would like to play>" I won't even bat an eye. "I'm a Miqote Dragoon for just... uhh... cuz." Will make me dubious of your character but will still not make me not roleplay with you. I like plausibility for ME personally - my characters are deeply rooted in what could and could not be possible, taking rather ordinary, average characters and thrusting them into the extraordinary. That's really fun and interesting -for me-. I don't expect that to be fun and interesting for all people. As long as you aren't lore breaking, and have a well thought out character, the only thing that's going to matter to me is if your Miqote Dragoon is actually just... interesting to talk to. And that's my take on it. |
RE: Reasoning for irregular race/nationality combinations |
04-16-2015, 06:36 AM
(04-16-2015, 06:29 AM)ArmachiA Wrote: <snip> Exactly, and very well said. (Sorry for snipping, just wanted to make the post shorter  ) And those are my thoughts along the lines as well. If you are going to make a miqo'te-dragoon; have a plausible, well thought out story. I chose the two personally because I like the class and race, but that doesn't mean I, or anyone should slack off and say "Uh... cuz..." and leave it at that. But it is a good starting point. We do find ourselves interested in particular races, classes etc. I honestly haven't played Kai'to in quite some time so I forget a lot of his story (I literally stopped playing XIV for quite a while). However when I went in as a lancer; I expected him to learn throughout his play. If my characters are young I tend to like to play them from apprenticeship+ because it gives me a lot of room to round the character. -Hence why he isn't a dragoon now, and if he is in the future; then I would read further into the lore than I currently have. Nohni Vhaze || Khad Dotharl
|
RE: Reasoning for irregular race/nationality combinations |
04-16-2015, 08:05 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-16-2015, 08:08 AM by Kellach Woods.)
Like seriously the only place that wouldn't be plausible to have ALL the races is Gridania due to how strict the Elementals are, and even then... You have everything but Roes in 2.0.
People just wanna hate to hate is what I've seen in this thread. SMH. Pretty sure if I looked far enough I could take a shit on every single character in this thread because nothing is absolutely lore-proof. Since, you know IT'S STILL BEING WRITTEN and IT CAN'T COVER EVERYTHING. |
RE: Reasoning for irregular race/nationality combinations |
04-16-2015, 10:12 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-16-2015, 10:13 AM by Milly.)
I just had a thought. Is it ever explicitly stated that that Ishgardians are natively Elezen and don't like, or natively include, Miqo'te and/or Lalafell...? Because I don't personally remember race ever being brought up in regards to any of the nations, not even for Gridania.
Instead what's stated is they don't like 'outsiders' and it seems as a player base we've made an assumption that that means 'race' when actually... it just means people who aren't from Ishgard/Gridania. It doesn't matter if you're Elezen, Roe, Hyur if you're not from Ishgard they don't like you. Are we just concluding that there's no Miqo'te Ishgardians because we've not had it confirmed yet? Please correct me if I'm wrong, I don't have the best memory, I just get a feeling there's some assumption about race discrimination (as I mentioned earlier in the thread this is more common in other games such as XI) when, as far as I recall, race is rarely if ever brought up as being an issue. It's one of the things I like about this game. Also, I've never unlocked Dragoon so I might sound quite stupid but why is a Miqo'te Dragoon consistently being cited as implausible? The game lets you do it, so how is it explained when you unlock it? You don't need to go to Ishgard to be a Dragoon I'd have thought..? |
RE: Reasoning for irregular race/nationality combinations |
04-16-2015, 10:18 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-16-2015, 10:23 AM by Gegenji.)
(04-16-2015, 10:12 AM)Milly Wrote: I just had a thought. Is it ever explicitly stated that that Ishgardians are natively Elezen and Hyurs and don't like, or natively include, Miqo'te and/or Lalafell...? Because I don't personally remember race ever being brought up in regards to any of the nations, not even for Gridania. As has been mentioned, technically none of the races are "native" to Eorzea at all. So none of them are natively Ishgardian. Elezen and Hyur just happen to be the majority. Which makes your point I kinda snipped out for length quite relevant - they are the majority, not the sole occupants of Ishgard. They may hold the highest positions and see themselves as "true" Ishgardians, that doesn't mean there couldn't be some low-class Roegadyn or Miqo'te family in there somewhere struggling to survive the rigors of the caste-based society and racial tensions. Which leads to the second point I kept in. It's only implausible if you consider that there can be no Ishgardian Miqo'te, since the idea of a non-Ishgardian being trained in the Dragoon arts would likely be akin to divulging state secrets. Either you'd have to have someone (or something - since Soul Crystals exist) who is defying the laws of Ishgard to teach a non-Ishgardian the ways of dragonslaying... or they'd have to have been somehow either already a part of Ishgard or somehow accepted into their ranks. The latter being harder to justify due to Ishgard's generally xenophobic nature. Which is a major point. Xenophobia is fear of anything "foreign or strange." If you have a family (or multiple families) of Miqo'te that have been living in Ishgard for years, then they're neither foreign nor strange since they've been there for ages! |
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »
|
|
|
|
Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)