Euthoran Song OoC [Feat. KeM]

I'm going to say leave it, since it was just a glitch, and my post refers to the fact that you're moving as my turn happens.

Just as long as we're all on the same page it's a non-issue.

 

Should Knockback really be chaining like this? It seems really weird, especially when you see a scrawny dragon like Chaneak knocking into and physically moving a bulkier drake like Akensken in the process.

 

I keep finding myself struggling to keep Akensken's views on mercy consistent. One minute he's gazing after enemies that will likely get away and, despite being concerned, muses that this is better as it means less death. Another minute and we see him reviling mercy as a method to get your fellows killed. At first I thought I fucked up and either hadn't figured him out well enough, or had been lazy at some point. At both these times, though, his thoughts felt genuine and fitting, so I guess the only answer is that his viewpoint on mercy is as contradictory as it appears-- which works, since I realize now he should be built around those contradictions. I always imagined him being this dragon tainted by his experiences, both positively and negatively. On one hand he's learned how to live nobly and admirably, and he tries to live that way, but on the other hand he's grown bitter from his tribulations and losses and desires an end to his growing heartache already, occasionally succumbing to emotional impulses just to avoid scenarios that will lead to suffering. Such opposing behaviors would naturally lend themselves to exhibiting contradictions.

(Excuse the rambling; wanted to write this out in the middle of my KeM post-- in part to help myself articulate things-- and felt like sharing.)

 

The fact of the matter is, people in real life don't live by consistent morals. Context shapes how we'll react. Chaneak himself IS a backstabber, this too could be considered out of character, but I felt it was appropriate. It was appropriate because he found himself in a certain situation emotionally; nothing to gain and too much bloodshed with a race he wished got along with his. Similar to how you described Akensken, he's shaped a lot of his opinions on various implied backstories. I think those experiences are very different from Akensken's.

It's fair for one who favors mercy to not like mercy at every turn. Maybe this situation is too hostile to risk sticking out one's neck. Maybe this is the equivalent of befriending the local rat infestation. In the end, people are petty. They want to follow the morals that make them feel good. That's what Chaneak is doing, at the moment. Whether Akensken's more long term sense of morality is correct or unnecessarily wrathful is in the hands of these minor characters.

Morality is complex, and I find it fun that pretending to be dragons is allowing us to explore that somewhat.

 

And then there's Stiria. The bitch who trusts no one, knows no mercy, and only backs down because she knows she can't kill everything.

 

When Flimzy explained Chaneak's personality before the roleplay even began, I figured Akensken probably wouldn't have much patience for him-- a dragon that relies on talking smoothly and making up stories to get by is, to Akensken, at least not worth humoring, and at most merits being deemed a coward. As you can see in the beginning, Akensken has seen Chaneak's general type of behavior before, and has learned it's typically comorbid with dishonorable behavior like treason and betrayal (although he knows it's not fair to automatically stereotype Chaneak into that behavior). I might have jumped the gun a little bit and had Akensken form more extreme opinions than what Chaneak's displayed behavior would merit at the time, due to knowing how I figured Akensken generally would regard him. In the first scene, though, you see all these dragons gathered, and after Aken roars his challenge, he spies Chaneak hanging back (and wearing blatantly human-made garbs). If you were surveying the situation with the intention of understanding how the battle was laid out, what would you think of someone like that? They're probably either not participating, or holding back until the other opponents wear themselves down-- a valid and even smart tactic, but cowardly all the same (to Akensken, at least). In short it was somewhat intentional since I went in knowing what Akensken would likely think of Chaneak, and that might have predisposed how quickly I had him form his judgment, but it also doesn't feel that unjustified in-character. (God bless Spellcheck)

I suspect Akensken might begin to view Feravel as somewhat lax or laid-back given his words right now, but as you said, Feravel is clearly much older and thus has more experience. Maybe, then, he knows better? Aken does try to live wisely, and as such holds elders in esteem due to their experience and wisdom, but he also has a touch of that presumptuous precociousness you might see in kids who believe they're all mature and adult-like, even when they're the same age as their peers.

 

ITT: Dragon conversations held at a distance of what must be greater than 20 yards in-character (from Feravel to Akensken).

 

Oh dear. I pray Stiria keeps a lid on her anger.

 

I don't know if blood pressure is A Thing for dragons, but Stiria's is dangerously high.