Lalafell not taken seriously in RP.

[Dravus]

I just don't let negative stereotypes reinforced by player characters dictate how my character views the other playable races. It's a stance I urge every role-player to embrace because whilst it can be nice to shape a character's judgement of other races based on actual in-game interaction...a lot of the time it is a completely jarring contrast to how that race is actually perceived within the game world.

 

In other words, just because a lot of lalafell may be role-played as being like children it does not mean that it's the norm. It's always kind of jarring for me when I find myself enthusiastic about a particular race (in my case, Au Ra) but I end up having to wade through some very silly stereotypes at almost every turn just because the majority of Au Ra are portrayed a certain way...even when the NPC's that we encounter don't act that way.

[Blue]

I just don't let negative stereotypes reinforced by player characters dictate how my character views the other playable races. It's a stance I urge every role-player to embrace because whilst it can be nice to shape a character's judgement of other races based on actual in-game interaction...a lot of the time it is a completely jarring contrast to how that race is actually perceived within the game world.

 

In other words, just because a lot of lalafell may be role-played as being like children it does not mean that it's the norm. It's always kind of jarring for me when I find myself enthusiastic about a particular race (in my case, Au Ra) but I end up having to wade through some very silly stereotypes at almost every turn just because the majority of Au Ra are portrayed a certain way...even when the NPC's that we encounter don't act that way.

 

Exactly the point I was trying to make, myself. A lot of the stereotypes are driven by OOC behaviors more than IC, too (or, again, enforced by how the character creator/gear options will make us look). That is how Lalafell become cutesy little thing, Au Ra become anime girls, and Miqo'te become slutty toys.

 

I'll also add this in so that I don't get told I'm being off topic again. In my linkshell there is this Lalafell RPer who does often OOCly put himself down BECAUSE he is a Lalafell. For example, when we once RPd our group being attacked, he stepped out saying "no one would take if he tried to do something anyway". And he does this a lot, (even though we have never given him a reason to be that way, we are all ICly very aware of Lalafell strength and of the miner twins throwing a Roe out in that cutscene and blah blah blah, so it is likely that he is depressed about the open RP he gets out of the LS) and we don't really know what to do with him other than inviting him to try RP something.

[Pumpkinweed]

I just don't let negative stereotypes reinforced by player characters dictate how my character views the other playable races. It's a stance I urge every role-player to embrace because whilst it can be nice to shape a character's judgement of other races based on actual in-game interaction...a lot of the time it is a completely jarring contrast to how that race is actually perceived within the game world.

 

In other words, just because a lot of lalafell may be role-played as being like children it does not mean that it's the norm. It's always kind of jarring for me when I find myself enthusiastic about a particular race (in my case, Au Ra) but I end up having to wade through some very silly stereotypes at almost every turn just because the majority of Au Ra are portrayed a certain way...even when the NPC's that we encounter don't act that way.

 

Exactly the point I was trying to make, myself. A lot of the stereotypes are driven by OOC behaviors more than IC, too (or, again, enforced by how the character creator/gear options will make us look). That is how Lalafell become cutesy little thing, Au Ra become anime girls, and Miqo'te become slutty toys.

 

I'll also add this in so that I don't get told I'm being off topic again. In my linkshell there is this Lalafell RPer who does often OOCly put himself down BECAUSE he is a Lalafell. For example, when we once RPd our group being attacked, he stepped out saying "no one would take if he tried to do something anyway". And he does this a lot, (even though we have never given him a reason to be that way, we are all ICly very aware of Lalafell strength and of the miner twins throwing a Roe out in that cutscene and blah blah blah, so it is likely that he is depressed about the open RP he gets out of the LS) and we don't really know what to do with him other than inviting him to try RP something.

 

Poor guy. The problem a lot of players also seem to have is that if they are not accepted on some wide spectrum, they tend to either feel their character has failed or that no one likes them. It's a bleed issue. Play for yourself and play to have fun. If you want role-play, you have to go get it. Sitting around at the Quicksand doesn't merit RP for anyone really (unless you play a female sadly). No, you have to be willing to get up, say hello and go from there.

[K'nahli]

Outside of miqo'te being a prime favourite among ERP'ers, I don't see where that stereotype comes from and it kind of annoys me that it's perpetuated as some partially-embraced truth.

 

Lalafel on the other hand actually make sense since everything about their animation plays to the idea that they are cute and adorable. I certainly utilise mine for the sake of light-hearted, cutesy RP; not because it's how I perceive lalafel in general, but because their design easily caters to it. He is quite young, however.

[Dante Abigor]

Honestly I see it done more by lalafell Rpers than the rest of the races in general. It does not really bother me personally seeing as my character typically uses the stereotype to his advantage. IF someone decides at a glance he needs to be treated like a kid, he isnt gonna shout at em and tell them to stop, he is more likely to let them pamper him or whatever and then later set them up for either regret or a surprise.

 

I can see how it CAN get tiresome, especially in plot Rp, but really Ive been Rping a lalafell so long its easier to just roll with it in your own way rather than get offended about it.

[Kimikimi]

While playing on my alt, there were a couple of times where a lalafell walked up trying to RP but was shot down pretty quickly just for being a lalafell. Myself while playing a lalafell have felt this. Either it be me walking introducing myself then being hugged. Or myself trying to start RP only to be ignored or be called popoto or potato ic... My character brushes it off, but ooc I feel excluded from RP just because of my race choice.

 

I also want to recount a tale, it was about a year ago, I created a lalafell alt. The tale was a serious one, people did take it seriously. The Lalafell was a five year old girl, (Already in that stereotype there) however, she had been abandoned and left in Ul'dah to fend for herself. It was a little more of an experiment on how a child like this would be treated and react to people and RP and such. Even if the RP left me feeling depressed. The people that took it all seriously were amazing. Not one person judged the small child, or tried to do something immature with her. They all attempted to try and find a place for the girl to stay. She eventually was taken to the flames, and wasnt seen again, but it showed me that RP can come in any way and form, that people are very open to these experiences.

 

But now, I want to add. Over the past year since that happened the community has changed. I am sure if I did this again. The results would come out much different.

[Riik]

I'm beginning to suspect that this issue is one more based around the more casual RPers (especially those who don't get too involved with things such as these forums etc). The other day, I witnessed some pretty casual RP in the Quicksand during which an Au Ra treated a lalafell in a silly, cutesy-wutesy way and the lalafell behaved in a silly cutesy-wutesy manner in return. It made me facepalm as I witnessed it, but it wasn't something I'd expect to see from serious RPers.

 

And although I have yet to RP since coming back to these forums, people here who have come in contact with me thus far have been pretty mature over the whole lalafell thing. And from my past experiences, most of the RPs I've been in, I don't recall being treated childishly except when my character warrants such treatment. And Riku isn't even an adult lalafell (by far), yet he's been treated as an equal by adult characters (who have also been patient with his immaturities). There were one or two more casual RPers back then who might have been a bit meh, but as I said, from serious RPers, I've had little to no problems.

 

If this was an issue that was to bleed through to the series RP scene, then yes, it would be something to work on. But from my perspective, it isn't. Fact is, casual RPers just RP to pass the time and have a bit of fun. They see an adorable lalafell, they treat the lalafell that way. You really just have to expect this sort of thing from walk-up public RPs.

[Kellach Woods]

Lalafel on the other hand actually make sense since everything about their animation plays to the idea that they are cute and adorable. I certainly utilise mine for the sake of light-hearted, cutesy RP; not because it's how I perceive lalafel in general, but because their design easily caters to it. He is quite young, however.

 

The laugh animation is just... fucking terrible.

 

Can you imagine, say, Papashan just putting their hand in front of their mouth and giggling like a six year old? 'cause that's what they'd have him do with the stock lala animation.

 

The thing with Lalas is that they're not childlike, but they are very expressive. It's not just "Welcome to this establishment." It's "WELCOME HONORED TRAVELLER! TO THE BEST INN IN THE LAND!" with the jumping for joy and everything.

 

At least animation wise.

 

I could see a DRK Lala from Ul'dah viewing themselves as Thal's reaper.

 

Too bad my Lala is a pure, chaste lady who seeks only join the ranks of the Sultansworn... who'll then be pushed away from that goal by a much more grandiose fate.

[Garalona]

Keep in mind the Quicksand is the kind of place where you'll see the best and worst RP in the span of an hour, so don't despair if you happen to roll snake eyes in the RP crap shoot there and encounter something bad.

[Leomoon]

I've RPed with a few Lala's that where more real about there RP but I see a lot of trolls as Lalafels.

[Faye]

I'm beginning to suspect that this issue is one more based around the more casual RPers (especially those who don't get too involved with things such as these forums etc). The other day, I witnessed some pretty casual RP in the Quicksand during which an Au Ra treated a lalafell in a silly, cutesy-wutesy way and the lalafell behaved in a silly cutesy-wutesy manner in return. It made me facepalm as I witnessed it, but it wasn't something I'd expect to see from serious RPers.

 

And although I have yet to RP since coming back to these forums, people here who have come in contact with me thus far have been pretty mature over the whole lalafell thing. And from my past experiences, most of the RPs I've been in, I don't recall being treated childishly except when my character warrants such treatment. And Riku isn't even an adult lalafell (by far), yet he's been treated as an equal by adult characters (who have also been patient with his immaturities). There were one or two more casual RPers back then who might have been a bit meh, but as I said, from serious RPers, I've had little to no problems.

 

If this was an issue that was to bleed through to the series RP scene, then yes, it would be something to work on. But from my perspective, it isn't. Fact is, casual RPers just RP to pass the time and have a bit of fun. They see an adorable lalafell, they treat the lalafell that way. You really just have to expect this sort of thing from walk-up public RPs.

 

^ This, pretty much. Even if a heavy RPer doesn't take lalafell seriously, their character probably still isn't going to pet a total stranger IC. There are people on the server who RP who don't frequent the RPC, don't follow/know the lore, don't separate RP from game mechanics, don't create a storyline, don't build a real character, don't care for believability or RP etiquette--basically, people who just have "IC" interactions to pass the time when they're tired of PvE or waiting for a queue. There's really nothing to be done about it aside from realize they embrace a different style of RP and move on if that's not what you're looking for.

 

As for what the OP said about people straight up ignoring lalafell... sadly, a lot of people who lurk the Quicksand are just looking for ERP--or rather, looking for cybersex while using "RP" as a convenient hook. Understandably, lalafell aren't the ideal for the most of them. Generally, if you don't fit that sort of person's preference, they won't approach you and will outright ignore your own emotes. That's nothing to do with being a lalafell necessarily, though. If you weren't their type in general--say you were a male character but they only want to ERP with female characters--you'd get ignored, anyway.

 

Alternatively, there are also people who for whatever reason RP in public RP spots but will only acknowledge people/characters they already know. If you see someone chatting up another character yet ignoring you, it's likely nothing to do with your character being a lalafell.

[Aya]

I've honestly always felt that "not being taken seriously" is one of those traits that makes Lalafel so dangerous.  Now, if people refuse ICly to take a character seriously, that's unfortunate, but also generally indicative of someone who's not much of a loss as an RP friend.

[Momo]

There is a stigma with Lalafell, plain and simple.  There are a number of reasons given at any time, most of them fairly predictable, and anyone who RPs as a Lalafell has probably heard them at some point.  I have conferred with many other RPers of different backgrounds/races/intensities, and all have said these things at one point or another, while acknowledging that they are making statements which are trivial and predictable.  The list of replies are as follows (in no particular order, though I could probably rank them too):

 

1) Lalafell are too cliquey.

2) Lalafell look too much like children for me to take them seriously, romantically or as characters in general.

3) Lalafell are too small.

4) Lalafell are a "troll" race.

5) Lalafell too often play to their cutesy appearance, which makes it hard to take the rest seriously.

 

 

There are some more general lines you get, but these pretty much cover everything, and apply to the instance of romantic relationships in RP and often everyday relationships.  If you aren't a Lalafell, then you will not hear most of these things, and when you do, you will think nothing of them, when in reality Lalafell players who came into the fold of our RP community not thinking about the kind of attitudes towards their character that they would inevitably face, kind of get blind-sided at first, which then evolves into a disdain for RPers (good, casual, heavy, whatever) who immediately fall into these safety net lines to avoid meaningful RP with Lalafell.

 

A few things about how I view Lalafell, and I suspect about how many other serious Lalafell RPers view their characters that you should take into account before interacting with us (which you wouldn't apparently need pointed out in other situations, but apparently in ours is a "special case").

 

1) Lalafell are not cliquey, we band together because it is in the nature of Lalafells to do so.  I don't know why, but the people who RP or Play Lalafell tend to be a sort which likes to interact with others of their race.  Some are staunch Lalafell supporters to the point that other races become secondary to us, and frankly, I am not sure where that doesn't fit in with lore anyways?  But I will say, this is not how I am, I only support Lalafell so far against other races, because of the push I feel against us makes me do so.  As an adventurer, a feeling of freedom of these sorts of things should really be the norm IC and OOC in my opinion.

 

2) Yes, okay, yes, we look young, we have a youthful look to us and our actions.  As an RPer who thinks of their IC body as a physical extension of the character which lives in my mind and at my fingertips, I shy away from using many of our physically visible emotes because I feel them contrary to Momoto and how he acts.  I use some of them ironically or sarcastically when necessary, but that is with friends who know Momoto's mood and general countenance, and who know I am not being cutesy.  Bottom line, we are not young unless stated, if you can't tell then that isn't our fault, but we should be treated with respect and equality as RPers like any other race, and these statements shouldn't need to be made to any RPer, but hey, apparently that isn't the case!

 

3) We are small yes, thank you for your observation, we are indeed of a smaller stature.  I primarily think of Lalafells as the "dwarf" race of the game.  NPC Lalafells are more often than not, quite serious/evil/very much not children or cute in any way, and that should be a cursor for how you view Lalafell characters: not children.  The whole appearance of our race is constrained as the other races are, by Japanese stylized designs.  So unlike "traditional" western dwarves, we do not have long beards, or old man/santa appearances which would be a bit harder for the Japanese fan-base and home-team designers to process into the style of the game, but we should be treated as such: just as tough if not tougher than other races, sexual beings like any other, and often good-natured, but not necessarily cute upon first meeting.

 

4) I don't think this needs to be addressed, any race with obvious qualities that differ from others will attract trolls, Roes can be trolls for their immense size, Auri can be trolls for their stereotypical "anime" hair and general appearance, and so on...this is not a point to be made...put an afro on anything and it becomes a troll race...

 

5) Some of us are cutesy, because a girl or boy can think, "Oh what a cute race, I have a character which is jolly and happy and I think this race would fit well!"  Well, okay...sure, but that sort of personality can fit into any race...a Roe can be jolly, an Auri girl can be happy and cute, and you may pat them on the head out-rightly or refuse to ERP with them or enter "serious" RP relationships with them, but they do not make up the norm, nor would you assume to treat others of the same race the way you treat them.

 

Alright, well...yeah, that got away from me, I have been avoiding coming to this thread, because as my friends and acquaintances know, I have been a Lalafell since 1.0, when the RP community was entirely different, and we didn't really encounter these sorts of things, so when I returned to the RP community some time later, I was really surprised, then continuously disappointed by how interactions between Lalafells and other races would work out.  That situation where this sort of thing happened, and it cut off avenues of RP over and over, sort of gets you down, then makes you passionate when the subject comes up I guess.

[Manari]

Ever since 1.0, I've always felt that any RP'er that isn't able to take Lalafell seriously simply has trouble getting immersed into the world. Lalafell are everywhere in Eorzea, both doing everyday grunt work and holding important positions of power. There is really no reason to treat them ICly like a child, because you never ever see that happen in the lore. It's just the player's OOC thought and feelings on what they see bleeding into their character.

 

The only way this could work in character is if your non-Lalafell character had somehow never encountered Lalafell before, but even so, it would be very insulting to treat an adult Lalafell this way IC. There isn't anything wrong with the Lalafell, they aren't deformed or have any kind of Gary Coleman condition. That is how Lalafell look and it's an accepted part of the in-game world.

 

Now short jokes are a different matter. I think those would really happen in Eorzea, just as jokes about Roegadyn and Elezen sizes and shapes happen as well.

[Sylentmana]

Any race whose main means of movement involves 'waddling' does not deserve to be taken seriously as a people.

[Melodia]

I would echo Manari's comments. Lalafell aren't "strange" in the world. In fact they are a major dominant race. If your character is prejudiced or dislikes Lalafell that's one thing, but the player shouldn't let personal feelings about Lalafell bleed into the character like that. They are for the most part treated with respect and even a bit of trepidation during the MSQ and the lore doesn't discount them as a race for the way they walk or look. When I do encounter a Lalafell I treat them like any other race because its the character, not the look, that is important.

 

EDIT: Full disclosure, was a Lala in game for a long while. Ruru!

[Hammersmith]

This thread suffered the wrath of Gogon's Mustache!!!

 

Ah.  This thread is open again.

 

And we've already seen the path to being taken seriously as a lala

 

bBeSi-ODfJk

[Riik]

Moderators, please allow me this one post to go off-topic, because I simply must praise Hammersmith for their use of Weebl in their previous post .

 

In all seriousness though, apart from a few individuals, it's nice to see (from a lalafell player's perspective) that there are plenty of people here who respect lalafell as an RPers racial choice (not that I really doubted it from the members of the community serious enough to frequent the forums).

 

Now if only there was a way to stop non-RPers from petting me or trading me cookies whilst I'm mid-RP

[Rufus Wightman]

OP, you gotta start RPing lalafell more ruthlessly. Look at the lalafellin members of the Syndicate of Ul'dah. They're - by and large - a bunch of devious, underhanded buggers, who tear down those who don't think they're some form of threat. Lalafell can be damned scary, and not necessarily always with finance in mind. You ever seen a lalafell with a great axe, cleaving people into chunks on the field of battle? My character has. And he's shit-scared of them.

[Kimikimi]

OP, you gotta start RPing lalafell more ruthlessly. Look at the lalafellin members of the Syndicate of Ul'dah. They're - by and large - a bunch of devious, underhanded buggers, who tear down those who don't think they're some form of threat. Lalafell can be damned scary, and not necessarily always with finance in mind. You ever seen a lalafell with a great axe, cleaving people into chunks on the field of battle? My character has. And he's shit-scared of them.

Back on topic . My lalafell is a 21 year old female, she isn't played like a child at all, currently she is having a sort of issue with being a lalafell because she feels she is treated like a child. She is very intelligent, and doesn't act childish at all. Physically she has the new ponytail hairstyle and a somewhat younger look to her. I think people are surprised when they discover she is the way she is.

 

Course I know I will always get random hugs, and tells saying how cute I look.

[Unnamed Mercenary]

OP, you gotta start RPing lalafell more ruthlessly. Look at the lalafellin members of the Syndicate of Ul'dah. They're - by and large - a bunch of devious, underhanded buggers, who tear down those who don't think they're some form of threat. Lalafell can be damned scary, and not necessarily always with finance in mind. You ever seen a lalafell with a great axe, cleaving people into chunks on the field of battle? My character has. And he's shit-scared of them.

Back on topic . My lalafell is a 21 year old female, she isn't played like a child at all, currently she is having a sort of issue with being a lalafell because she feels she is treated like a child. She is very intelligent, and doesn't act childish at all. Physically she has the new ponytail hairstyle and a somewhat younger look to her. I think people are surprised when they discover she is the way she is.

 

Course I know I will always get random hugs, and tells saying how cute I look.

 

Sadly, "looking young/cute" may be something she's haunted with for a great many cycles. I'd definitely recommend the advice given above, which is "exploit it". If someone isn't going to take your character seriously despite her being a serious character, it'll ultimately become a game of trying to convince the person, or exploiting them ICly in such a way that they make a fool of themselves.

 

Or...you'll want to find people who'll take your character seriously from the start. Perhaps find ways for her to get introduced to the people you normally RP with, and their friends.

[111]

Osric has a female lala brass blade alt, and people take her seriously when she kicks the shit out of them for causing trouble.

Something we need to RP more.

[S'imba]

S'imba tends to bunch races into stereotypes in his mind...though with Lalafell he believes them to be fundamentally evil. The only thing theyou care about in his mind is making more gil. Even the cutesy ones are evil little manipulators. 

 

He once got his ass beaten by a female lalafell blade after he tried to talk his way out of it...and she was truly incorruptible. Wouldn't even take a bribe from the bitter old man who showed up to help S'imba.

 

Combat wise I tend to see Lalafell as more than capable...kinda like an ant packing things bigger than themselves. I tend to imagine Lalafell to have the density of a brick. Like pudgy but that layer of fat is covering some serious muscle...no way it's true just an amusing head canon I have.

[TheLastCandle]

My Plainsfolk is basically a hobbit. It's how I've always viewed them in my own little headcanon so I try to exemplify it. So far he's getting the reaction I'm looking for; not treated like a child by any stretch.

[111]

What if there was a lalafell pedophile.

 

They'd have the perfect disguise.