Au Ra - How will your character react?

[Aoi Fukiku]

 

... Kinda curious what will happen if/when Judge is ever seen without his helmet now.

Ah, Judge doesn't have to worry about John's reaction to him.  He's already meet his first Au Ra when he help deliver a baby Au Ra.  He also may be meeting his second soon too.  He knows Judge, might blink at the horns, and then get upset that Judge might have thought John would treat Judge badly.

 

John Waterstrike: Sir Judge, did you think so little of us, that we would turn away, just because you have horn?  That you could not trust us, after all the time that you have help oversee at the Grindstone.

 

And if Judge is off his horse, John would grab Judge around the waist in a hug and tell him that it wasn't fair that Judge had to hide who he was because of the way he looked.

And then a Ghostly hand of Bri would come down and slap John for being so clingy.

 

I kid,  I kid! I can't wait for Judge to take off his helm. He is totally going to be Flower's father figure.

[Seriphyn]

I'm happy with the results and can't wait for more Au'ra to actually pop up!

 

I mean it when I say I am genuinely pleased that you welcome the sort of conflict I am proposing. I'm not confident all Au Ra roleplayers will encourage it, and that's fine, all a matter of taste. I do worry about that whole "kicking the puppy" business, where I'll attempt to incite conflict with Au Ra in-character, only to fail to realize the other player is probably not looking for such an intense sort of roleplay as I am!

[Kichiro Gunji]

My character grew up isolated in some caverns somewhere. That Duskwights are often the victim of racism and that he saw how racist some of his own kin were to outsiders, he won't be continuing the cycle of racism to any new races he encounters. Even if that means one will likely end up turning him into a pancake.

[Gone.]

I'm happy with the results and can't wait for more Au'ra to actually pop up!

 

I mean it when I say I am genuinely pleased that you welcome the sort of conflict I am proposing. I'm not confident all Au Ra roleplayers will encourage it, and that's fine, all a matter of taste. I do worry about that whole "kicking the puppy" business, where I'll attempt to incite conflict with Au Ra in-character, only to fail to realize the other player is probably not looking for such an intense sort of roleplay as I am!

 

I really don't understand this and maybe I'm missing something, but what is there that's enjoyable about being treated like a racial minority circa late 1800s?

[Lilia Lia]

I really don't understand this and maybe I'm missing something, but what is there that's enjoyable about being treated like a racial minority circa late 1800s?

 

It has story potential.  The need to prove yourself to people who fundamentally suspect or dislike you.  Being misunderstood/distrusted and having to win the trust of those around you.  As Seriphyn pointed out, not everyone will welcome this kind of conflict but many people will see it as the beginning of an interesting story.

[Aaron]

"So you're Elezen with horns? "

[Grott]

Amadeus doesn't care what you look like or where you're from. He's seen weird shit. He isn't surprised easily.

[Aoi Fukiku]

I really don't understand this and maybe I'm missing something, but what is there that's enjoyable about being treated like a racial minority circa late 1800s?

 

It has story potential.  The need to prove yourself to people who fundamentally suspect or dislike you.  Being misunderstood/distrusted and having to win the trust of those around you.  As Seriphyn pointed out, not everyone will welcome this kind of conflict but many people will see it as the beginning of an interesting story.

I am with Lilia on this. It has potential. Some players do not like conflict or would love for their characters to be instantly accepted in to society. My Au'ra, I don't want her to just be accepted as if she is the girl down the street. She is still new to Ul'dah and her people aren't seen elsewhere but though the MSQ right now. I am a firm believer that people fear what they do not understand and I am certain people will fear Au'ra at first because they do not understand them. Especially with how the beast tribes are and well...she has been called a Lizard girl several times.

 

I see this as a way for her to grow and deal with the IC strife players can give her rather then just working off her past as her only conflict in life. If people do not feel comfortable with their characters being treated as such they are always able to walk their character away from the conflict. The player always has the power in the end.

[Gone.]

I really don't understand this and maybe I'm missing something, but what is there that's enjoyable about being treated like a racial minority circa late 1800s?

 

It has story potential.  The need to prove yourself to people who fundamentally suspect or dislike you.  Being misunderstood/distrusted and having to win the trust of those around you.  As Seriphyn pointed out, not everyone will welcome this kind of conflict but many people will see it as the beginning of an interesting story.

 

What is there to prove? Au Ra were born like that, it's not their problem to begin with.

 

Racial tension is one thing, sure. It's there in the game (and much more tasteful in comparison), but lets be honest; a lot of this is just a glorified excuse to bring OOC feelings about Au Ra design into RP just like with the Miqo'te before them. It's going to burn bridges, not build them.

 

Besides, it's insulting and disrespectful to those of us that actually have to deal with being a minority. I get enough harassment in real-life as-is; I certainly don't need any of it here, not when I'm trying my hardest to escape from my worldly woes for at least an hour or two.

 

Edit: For the record, I'm fine with fictionalized conflict, but only when it's actually justified. This isn't.

[Lilia Lia]

Edit: For the record, I'm fine with fictionalized conflict, but only when it's actually justified. This isn't.

 

Have you read the comments in this thread?  We've given a lot of very solid reasons that Au Ra might not be readily accepted.  Namely, they are foreign and never-before-seen, they are suddenly springing up, and in the RP community many of them have secretly been concealing their identities.

 

I can't speak for everyone but at least in my case, there's no OOC hatred of the race.  I may make an Au Ra someday, especially if they have interesting race lore.  If this seems to you like an OOC-ly motivated backlash against the new race, then I'm sorry, but I sincerely think we all have good intentions and are just thinking about what makes the most sense RP-wise.

 

It also seems like most of us accept that not everyone will be open to this kind of RP, so as long as you are up front with people about not wanting to play your Au Ra as a "persecuted minority," I think people will probably be willing to make compromises for you.

[Aoi Fukiku]

I really don't understand this and maybe I'm missing something, but what is there that's enjoyable about being treated like a racial minority circa late 1800s?

 

It has story potential.  The need to prove yourself to people who fundamentally suspect or dislike you.  Being misunderstood/distrusted and having to win the trust of those around you.  As Seriphyn pointed out, not everyone will welcome this kind of conflict but many people will see it as the beginning of an interesting story.

 

What is there to prove? Au Ra were born like that, it's not their problem to begin with.

 

Racial tension is one thing, sure. It's there in the game (and much more tasteful in comparison), but lets be honest; a lot of this is just a glorified excuse to bring OOC feelings about Au Ra design into RP just like with the Miqo'te before them. It's going to burn bridges, not build them.

 

Besides, it's insulting and disrespectful to those of us that actually have to deal with being a minority. I get enough harassment in real-life as-is; I certainly don't need any of it here, not when I'm trying my hardest to escape from my worldly woes for at least an hour or two.

 

Edit: For the record, I'm fine with fictionalized conflict, but only when it's actually justified. This isn't.

Forgive me, but I am confused as to what you are trying to pull from the conflict idea of rp. What personal matters are going to be brought forth by players that NPCs most likely will not say on their own?

 

"Has horns, probably a void sent!" ?

"Looks different!"?

"Looks untrustworthy!"?

"Is a beast that will still our children off in the night!"?

 

I feel as if this is suddenly more personal for you then it should be; as if you are linking your past experiences with something ingame that should not be linked. Perhaps, if this is an issue for you it might be best that you take a breath and step back for a moment.

 

LOHTvwTu59w

[U'roh Tia]

Roh will see these new visitors with curiosity, he sees that they are beings much like himself and will treat them with such respect as they deserve and will want to learn of their culture. But he will also be suspicious of their reasons for hiding so long. But with recent events in his life anyway U'roh is already fairly suspicious.

[shotgunbadger]

Zutoto's 100% interested in them and eager to learn more.

[Dat Oni]

Edgar is a bit of a unique character. Edgar has a tail, furry ears on the top of his head, and fangs. His eye is broken, and topping it all off, he is considered a rarity among his own species due to a mixed heritage. As a result of all of this, he can empathize with the state of Au Ra as "strange" or "out of place" in Eorzea, and will probably not judge as much as endeavor to learn more about them. The worst he may do is tap their horns to see if they're hollow or not. 

 

Koporo, however, may be less conditioned. Although he is not racist, he has a nasty habit of calling things as he sees them ("SCALY LIZARD FELLARS WIT THEIR HORNS"). For his sake, the Au Ra in question better be patient.

[Seren]

Storyline wise my character is first meeting an Au Ra when he comes to collect a bounty on her. (my friend's character obviously)

 

So she is going to throw lots of rocks at him.

[Orlog]

Jacq is going to be somewhat curious, but largely neutral on the whole thing. In her lack of experience with the world, she pretty much assumes that there's a lot of places and races out there that she has yet to actually see for herself.

 

There's going to be a lot of confusion on how they actually work, biologically, though. Those horns are RIGHT on the temples. Give that shit a good shove and you've got yourself an easy kill.

[Arter Wood]

Depends on how well they're acquainted in Coerthas. If they're against The Holy See and all, that means my character will probably be downright hateful of it.

[Verad]

 

What is there to prove? Au Ra were born like that, it's not their problem to begin with.

 

Racial tension is one thing, sure. It's there in the game (and much more tasteful in comparison), but lets be honest; a lot of this is just a glorified excuse to bring OOC feelings about Au Ra design into RP just like with the Miqo'te before them. It's going to burn bridges, not build them.

 

Besides, it's insulting and disrespectful to those of us that actually have to deal with being a minority. I get enough harassment in real-life as-is; I certainly don't need any of it here, not when I'm trying my hardest to escape from my worldly woes for at least an hour or two.

 

Edit: For the record, I'm fine with fictionalized conflict, but only when it's actually justified. This isn't.

 

What defines a justified fictional conflict?

[111]

 

What is there to prove? Au Ra were born like that, it's not their problem to begin with.

 

Racial tension is one thing, sure. It's there in the game (and much more tasteful in comparison), but lets be honest; a lot of this is just a glorified excuse to bring OOC feelings about Au Ra design into RP just like with the Miqo'te before them. It's going to burn bridges, not build them.

 

Besides, it's insulting and disrespectful to those of us that actually have to deal with being a minority. I get enough harassment in real-life as-is; I certainly don't need any of it here, not when I'm trying my hardest to escape from my worldly woes for at least an hour or two.

 

Edit: For the record, I'm fine with fictionalized conflict, but only when it's actually justified. This isn't.

 

What defines a justified fictional conflict?

 

One supported by the lore and the story of the game.

 

For example, if they created true blood garleans as a playable race. Obviously tension between them and other PCs would make sense given the lore, it would be a justified fictional conflict (I don't really like that nomenclature though)

 

Reacting with hostility to the Au Ra is kind of unjustified though, unless your character has a personal reason for doing so. They're just newcomers to a new land. I can see shock, interest, curiosity, but any large scale hostility (except maybe for things like THEY'RE GONNA TAKE OUR JOBS, or the other bits of generalized discontent immigrant populations tend to bring) seems manufactured to me.

 

Yes they look kind of... beasty, but so do Miqo'te. Other beastlike tribes are perfectly accepted in Eorzean culture, so I just don't see most people being all that freaked out.

[Verad]

 

One supported by the lore and the story of the game.

 

For example, if they created true blood garleans as a playable race. Obviously tension between them and other PCs would make sense given the lore, it would be a justified fictional conflict (I don't really like that nomenclature though)

 

Reacting with hostility to the Au Ra is kind of unjustified though, unless your character has a personal reason for doing so. They're just newcomers to a new land. I can see shock, interest, curiosity, but any large scale hostility (except maybe for things like THEY'RE GONNA TAKE OUR JOBS, or the other bits of generalized discontent immigrant populations tend to bring) seems manufactured to me.

 

Yes they look kind of... beasty, but so do Miqo'te. Other beastlike tribes are perfectly accepted in Eorzean culture, so I just don't see most people being all that freaked out.

 

By that definition, I don't think we can say much one way or the another about conflict being unjustifiable, because we don't know much of anything about their lore or their story - only their appearance.

 

If it turns out that there's longstanding antipathy between Ishgard and the Au Ra clans, for example, suddenly there's a justifiable in-setting conflict, one that a number of Ishgardian RPers are going to need to incorporate. I don't know if that's likely or not, but it's a possibility. Or maybe they have very harmonious relations and then there's even less justification. 

 

But that's one possible definition. Vetiver's definition seemed to have more to do with whether it might make other players uncomfortable, or whether the conflict served some kind of thematic purpose. So to continue in that vein, if we find it's possible that this kind of conflict is justifiable through in-game lore, is it still unjustified for other reasons?

[Aoi Fukiku]

 

What is there to prove? Au Ra were born like that, it's not their problem to begin with.

 

Racial tension is one thing, sure. It's there in the game (and much more tasteful in comparison), but lets be honest; a lot of this is just a glorified excuse to bring OOC feelings about Au Ra design into RP just like with the Miqo'te before them. It's going to burn bridges, not build them.

 

Besides, it's insulting and disrespectful to those of us that actually have to deal with being a minority. I get enough harassment in real-life as-is; I certainly don't need any of it here, not when I'm trying my hardest to escape from my worldly woes for at least an hour or two.

 

Edit: For the record, I'm fine with fictionalized conflict, but only when it's actually justified. This isn't.

 

What defines a justified fictional conflict?

 

One supported by the lore and the story of the game.

 

For example, if they created true blood garleans as a playable race. Obviously tension between them and other PCs would make sense given the lore, it would be a justified fictional conflict (I don't really like that nomenclature though)

 

Reacting with hostility to the Au Ra is kind of unjustified though, unless your character has a personal reason for doing so. They're just newcomers to a new land. I can see shock, interest, curiosity, but any large scale hostility (except maybe for things like THEY'RE GONNA TAKE OUR JOBS, or the other bits of generalized discontent immigrant populations tend to bring) seems manufactured to me.

 

Yes they look kind of... beasty, but so do Miqo'te. Other beastlike tribes are perfectly accepted in Eorzean culture, so I just don't see most people being all that freaked out.

That is the thing though, they are new to the area and many people have a good chance of fearing what they don't understand and when fear is involved so does hate soon flourish. I can see some NPCS running through the markets telling mother's to hide their children at night because the Demons are here or something like that. I can see some shops refusing to sell to Au'ra merely because of how they look. Sure, they are born this way but they are not from the land and misunderstandings are bound to happen.

 

Not everyone will be sunshine and rainbows and want to meet them. There will be people out there that hate them for them just being them.

[Kurt S.]

Kurt would likely be a bit hostile to be honest seeing as one, though hooded, kinda sorta tried to mug him while Leanne was busy cashing in on her date auction purchase. No way he'd forget those weird bumps on the cloak's hood.

 

Ramen and Nah would be curious or intrigued with them.

 

At the end of the day, as long as no one outright kills my au ra I'm a happy camper.

[111]

 

One supported by the lore and the story of the game.

 

For example, if they created true blood garleans as a playable race. Obviously tension between them and other PCs would make sense given the lore, it would be a justified fictional conflict (I don't really like that nomenclature though)

 

Reacting with hostility to the Au Ra is kind of unjustified though, unless your character has a personal reason for doing so. They're just newcomers to a new land. I can see shock, interest, curiosity, but any large scale hostility (except maybe for things like THEY'RE GONNA TAKE OUR JOBS, or the other bits of generalized discontent immigrant populations tend to bring) seems manufactured to me.

 

Yes they look kind of... beasty, but so do Miqo'te. Other beastlike tribes are perfectly accepted in Eorzean culture, so I just don't see most people being all that freaked out.

 

By that definition, I don't think we can say much one way or the another about conflict being unjustifiable, because we don't know much of anything about their lore or their story - only their appearance.

 

If it turns out that there's longstanding antipathy between Ishgard and the Au Ra clans, for example, suddenly there's a justifiable in-setting conflict, one that a number of Ishgardian RPers are going to need to incorporate. I don't know if that's likely or not, but it's a possibility. Or maybe they have very harmonious relations and then there's even less justification. 

 

But that's one possible definition. Vetiver's definition seemed to have more to do with whether it might make other players uncomfortable, or whether the conflict served some kind of thematic purpose. So to continue in that vein, if we find it's possible that this kind of conflict is justifiable through in-game lore, is it still unjustified for other reasons?

 

It is possible, however nothing up until now has lead us to believe that is the case. Though anything can be revealed.

 

And no, to answer the second question you posed, I don't think so. Regardless of any real world issues, Eorzea is portrayed as a land in the midst of turmoil and change. Part of that is racism.

 

The fact that a player might find in game racism problematic, or that it might remind one of issues of discrimination which face us in the real world, does not mean that it should not be RPed. Racism is written into the lore, much like many other troubling topics like rape, murder, slavery, and war. If Au Ra are discriminated against in the Lore, then expect that to flow out in RP, and if people don't like it they should choose a different race.

 

For example, my Brass Blade character treats all Highlanders like shit, because of the refugee problem in Ul'dah. He mocks them, tells them their kind isn't wanted here, and generally is an ass. However, it is just mirroring the attitude shown by Brass Blades in the lore.

[Aoi Fukiku]

 

One supported by the lore and the story of the game.

 

For example, if they created true blood garleans as a playable race. Obviously tension between them and other PCs would make sense given the lore, it would be a justified fictional conflict (I don't really like that nomenclature though)

 

Reacting with hostility to the Au Ra is kind of unjustified though, unless your character has a personal reason for doing so. They're just newcomers to a new land. I can see shock, interest, curiosity, but any large scale hostility (except maybe for things like THEY'RE GONNA TAKE OUR JOBS, or the other bits of generalized discontent immigrant populations tend to bring) seems manufactured to me.

 

Yes they look kind of... beasty, but so do Miqo'te. Other beastlike tribes are perfectly accepted in Eorzean culture, so I just don't see most people being all that freaked out.

 

By that definition, I don't think we can say much one way or the another about conflict being unjustifiable, because we don't know much of anything about their lore or their story - only their appearance.

 

If it turns out that there's longstanding antipathy between Ishgard and the Au Ra clans, for example, suddenly there's a justifiable in-setting conflict, one that a number of Ishgardian RPers are going to need to incorporate. I don't know if that's likely or not, but it's a possibility. Or maybe they have very harmonious relations and then there's even less justification. 

 

But that's one possible definition. Vetiver's definition seemed to have more to do with whether it might make other players uncomfortable, or whether the conflict served some kind of thematic purpose. So to continue in that vein, if we find it's possible that this kind of conflict is justifiable through in-game lore, is it still unjustified for other reasons?

 

It is possible, however nothing up until now has lead us to believe that is the case. Though anything can be revealed.

 

And no, to answer the second question you posed, I don't think so. Regardless of any real world issues, Eorzea is portrayed as a land in the midst of turmoil and change. Part of that is racism.

 

The fact that a player might find in game racism problematic, or that it might remind one of issues of discrimination which face us in the real world, does not mean that it should not be RPed. Racism is written into the lore, much like many other troubling topics like rape, murder, slavery, and war. If Au Ra are discriminated against in the Lore, then expect that to flow out in RP, and if people don't like it they should choose a different race.

 

For example, my Brass Blade character treats all Highlanders like shit, because of the refugee problem in Ul'dah. He mocks them, tells them their kind isn't wanted here, and generally is an ass. However, it is just mirroring the attitude shown by Brass Blades in the lore.

That is all fine but you are also telling people that if it is not set in to the game it cannot be Rp'd. Each person is in charge of their own character. I know Miqo'te who are racist against Hyur just from RP interactions with them. My Au'ra is becoming racist against Miqo'te due to several very unhappy incidents with them through RP herself. I've seen Midlanders hate on lalafells. Racism is not just from npc. It can be taught through families and learned from others or through actions/interactions with races.

 

At this point,. I say if someone wants to RP the conflict and the other player is accepting; go for it. If someone tries to rp the conflict and the other player is uncomfortable a simple tell should fix that. If not? Blacklist and move on.

[111]

 

One supported by the lore and the story of the game.

 

For example, if they created true blood garleans as a playable race. Obviously tension between them and other PCs would make sense given the lore, it would be a justified fictional conflict (I don't really like that nomenclature though)

 

Reacting with hostility to the Au Ra is kind of unjustified though, unless your character has a personal reason for doing so. They're just newcomers to a new land. I can see shock, interest, curiosity, but any large scale hostility (except maybe for things like THEY'RE GONNA TAKE OUR JOBS, or the other bits of generalized discontent immigrant populations tend to bring) seems manufactured to me.

 

Yes they look kind of... beasty, but so do Miqo'te. Other beastlike tribes are perfectly accepted in Eorzean culture, so I just don't see most people being all that freaked out.

 

By that definition, I don't think we can say much one way or the another about conflict being unjustifiable, because we don't know much of anything about their lore or their story - only their appearance.

 

If it turns out that there's longstanding antipathy between Ishgard and the Au Ra clans, for example, suddenly there's a justifiable in-setting conflict, one that a number of Ishgardian RPers are going to need to incorporate. I don't know if that's likely or not, but it's a possibility. Or maybe they have very harmonious relations and then there's even less justification. 

 

But that's one possible definition. Vetiver's definition seemed to have more to do with whether it might make other players uncomfortable, or whether the conflict served some kind of thematic purpose. So to continue in that vein, if we find it's possible that this kind of conflict is justifiable through in-game lore, is it still unjustified for other reasons?

 

It is possible, however nothing up until now has lead us to believe that is the case. Though anything can be revealed.

 

And no, to answer the second question you posed, I don't think so. Regardless of any real world issues, Eorzea is portrayed as a land in the midst of turmoil and change. Part of that is racism.

 

The fact that a player might find in game racism problematic, or that it might remind one of issues of discrimination which face us in the real world, does not mean that it should not be RPed. Racism is written into the lore, much like many other troubling topics like rape, murder, slavery, and war. If Au Ra are discriminated against in the Lore, then expect that to flow out in RP, and if people don't like it they should choose a different race.

 

For example, my Brass Blade character treats all Highlanders like shit, because of the refugee problem in Ul'dah. He mocks them, tells them their kind isn't wanted here, and generally is an ass. However, it is just mirroring the attitude shown by Brass Blades in the lore.

That is all fine but you are also telling people that if it is not set in to the game it cannot be Rp'd. Each person is in charge of their own character. I know Miqo'te who are racist against Hyur just from RP interactions with them. My Au'ra is becoming racist against Miqo'te due to several very unhappy incidents with them through RP herself. I've seen Midlanders hate on lalafells. Racism is not just from npc. It can be taught through families and learned from others or through actions/interactions with races.

 

At this point,. I say if someone wants to RP the conflict and the other player is accepting; go for it. If someone tries to rp the conflict and the other player is uncomfortable a simple tell should fix that. If not? Blacklist and move on.

 

I don't think you read my post:

"Reacting with hostility to the Au Ra is kind of unjustified though, unless your character has a personal reason for doing so."

 

I agree, nothing wrong with people doing it on their own for their own reasons. I'm just saying there is nothing as of yet which implies there is large scale or systemic discrimination against the Au Ra.