Question about Black Mages and RPing

[ErikLossart]

Hi all.

 

Had a quick question I wanted to ask so I can get some opinions.

 

Erik is a mercenary.  A lazy, amoral and greedy mercenary/bounty hunter.  He also happens to be a Black Mage, a fact which he tries to use to increase the amount he charges prospective clients when doing work.

 

However, considering the Black Mage lore in FFXIV, would the normal response to Erik's claims of Black Mageness be:

 

A) Laughter

B) A nervous smile and backing away

C) Kill the potentially dangerous lunatic

[Olofantur]

Hello,

 

I would classify responses based on the level of knowledge the person had and your specific wording.

 

I imagine it going down in a few different ways. I'd treat it like speaking about LOTR.

With some one who has very little historical or Arcane knowledge I think they'd assume you're a loony. and dangerous particularly if you proved your aptitude. Most likely people who don't live in cities, village folk who would be unable to distinguish between varying types of magic. (Like Atton says in Knights of the Old Republic "they don't see Sith and Jedi, just people with too much power running around killing each other.")

 

Some one with Historical but no Thaumaturgical/Magical background would likely dismiss it as legend. perhaps acknowledging you as a Thaumaturge of Nald'Thal without knowing of the separation. I've encountered both incredulity and nervousness when expressing that Quarimar has gone beyond the Thaumatuge lessons of the Ossuary. But they hardly think I am a "Black mage" of the same type as legend, more an over-eager scholar who has dug up some old magic through tomes. Again it would depend on how you represented or provided proof, i'm fairly droll in that I offer writings and my garb. Not really the type to go showing away like Guy Fawkes night.

 

Then you'd have people with Thaumaturgical backgrounds who (like the Lalafellan teachers within the Ossuary) would be able to appreciate and acknowledge the difference in abilities. Again personality dependent but i'd be extremely nervous, like I am in character with White mages, when I know a power can lay the land destitute. I always try to be careful when dealing with its practitioners. It would likely see a splitting response, with people being both cautious/interested or treating it as Taboo, a mistake that should not be repeated (at least in scholarly groups.).

 

As for the perspective of a mercenary? I'd be cautious dealing with any self styled "Black Mage" the Ossuary Thaumaturges are an esoteric lot in and of themselves let alone something out of legend. Some one might even be more prejudice if they had interaction with possessed individuals or voidsent with similar abilities (Such as the youngest Lalafellan brother during the Thaumaturge quest line.)

 

Hope thats along the lines of what you were looking for, we could talk more about it if you like, I'm not sure how you go about your day so I don't know along the lines that clients would be approached, Ah well, Hope to see you in Eorzea.

 

Quick Edit: Sorry about the terrible spelling mobile device isn't proofreading for me and English isn't my best.

[erosskye]

The Black usually causes B

[ErikLossart]

Thanks for the info

 

 

Erik's styled in the mold of mercenaries / destruction for hire in the vein of folk like Lina Inverse & the MacDougal Brothers, though he lacks the former's short temper and the latter's tendency towards coldness.  Erik's more laid back, though his temper gets the best of him when sufficiently pushed, annoyed or his hat is touched..

 

As for how he approaches clients?  Word of mouth, posting ads for his services on tavern walls, approaching people offering bounties or flat out opening a stall in the Ul'dah market and selling his services.

 

Mind you, I have a backstory as to WHY he acts as a mercenary.  It's not something as simple as flat, antagonistic greed.

[Olofantur]

 

As for how he approaches clients?  Word of mouth, posting ads for his services on tavern walls, approaching people offering bounties or flat out opening a stall in the Ul'dah market and selling his services.

 

Mind you, I have a backstory as to WHY he acts as a mercenary.  It's not something as simple as flat, antagonistic greed.

 

If he's an established presence (what i'm assuming for word of mouth) then I would imagine that most people who approach either have an idea of what the title entails or are at least looking for something more potent.

 

Then i'd presume they'd be cautious instead of downright afraid. Acknowledging the danger while still desiring to make use of it (Ala' large camp fire cooking).

 

The closest Parallel I can imagine for my own character is that he has a small reputation as a Goldsmith, and people are disbelieving of his heritage until he meets them face to face.

 

Hmm, would you (for mercenary work) ever be asked to provide an "example" of your skills? I think that would lead people to genuine fear, the unknowing in particular, where as it would still cause a small amount of cautious respect in people even expecting it. (The parallel I imagine being stunt drivers, seeing them do something so technical when you don't know much about it is terrifying, and when you understand a little its still a 'wow he's crazy' but more subdued.) /shrug, just my way of looking at it.