Quote:For those of us playing adventurers (which isn't all, but seems to be the trend), it makes sense to have fairly "liberal" perspectives. Those of us playing characters (adventurers or otherwise) whose backgrounds include reasons to be less open-minded on certain subjects should certainly be capable of indulging in-character prejudices (with open OOC communication). I don't think anyone should expect or avoid certain attitudes with any adventurer they play. Go with what makes sense for your character's past and present.
We're a diverse group of people, in character and out, and we're far from average.
Pretty much this. Very few people seem to be RPing commoners, and it's fine for people to have unusual beliefs from the norm. The average Eorzean's belief is certainly a part of the setting and will most likely play a role in a character's backstory and life, but it isn't necessarily reflected in a PC's belief.
Most role-players seem to play characters who fall into the following categories: adventurers of some sort, more specialized mercenaries, tradespeople and merchants, scholars, and criminals/outcasts. All of these demographics are likely to have open-minded or unique outlooks upon the world as a whole. Of course, by the same token, they don't HAVE to have progressive outlooks on things. Some may even have prejudices that are completely estranged from Eorzean society. Your character may not be in any of these categories, in which case, it's possible their beliefs will fall in line with the traditional. Just as likely, though, they've have unique life experiences which shaped their lives different. Very few people I know of play a commoner who is common in EVERY regard. Of course, this is all the prerogative of a character's particular player, and that's really the bottom line.
Unless you're in the business of telling people what they should and should not be playing, I'm not sure why character's tending towards the open-minded is a bad thing. Yes, Eorzea can be a dark and spiteful place with plenty of gritty themes. They can be fun to work with and incorporate into your character. It's wrong to assume, though, that because people don't wish to play a more hateful character that they don't acknowledge these themes are present in the setting. Some prefer to be a light in the darkness. Many even enjoy the conflict of their character's bright idealism clashing with a shady reality. It's true that some people wish to just surround themselves with lighthearted and pleasant RP, and that's their right. It doesn't even necessarily clash with the setting. Even in real life, people can live in a pleasant bubble of a community and remain oblivious to the plight and strife of the world at large.
I suppose my final thoughts on the matter, and advice to those who wish there was more 'presence' of the darker side of the setting in RP would be to make it happen. Be the bad guy, stir up trouble, light the fire. Many of us who play so-called idealists would welcome opposition that comes in the form rigid traditionalism. Frankly, I would love to see Nadine's forward-thinking outlook be challenged by more conventional Ishgardians.
I know the "if you want something to happen, do it yourself" mantra is a bit trite in roleplay communities, but it's so for a reason, as it is often the best solution to a perceived problem.
