Am I the only one sick of reading about the amazingly one sided story telly how evil the White Mantle and their Peacekeepers are?
It seems in every single story written by Murro on the website, the "perfect" scenario to present the White Mantle as obvious bad guys is presented in each blog (I mean "perfect" in a bad way, you know in the fake made up too suspiciously perfect to be true). Why does it have to be so bluntly over the top bashed into our heads that these guys are less than good? Having a bit of a grey area or even just less than stupidly obvious writing is a good thing.
It might just be because I'm a journalist, but the feel I get from the War in Kryta story is a very strong propaganda campaign against the White Mantle. Instead of creating characters with interesting moral dilemmas or actual motivation, these guys feel like bad guys from a children's television show from the 80s who do bad for the sake of doing bad.
Not every White Mantle member is faceless soldier number xxxx. They all have families somewhere, they all have reasons for doing what they do. They don't just beat, murder and steal from random farmers every chance they get. Even the most corrupt armies have a few good eggs and the bad eggs usually have a reason for being bad, good story telling shows us that.
I understand they want us to side with the Shining Blade in the end, but that doesn't mean they have to dumb down the story so much that it's one sidedness begins to push people towards the White Mantle out of spite.
White Mantle & Peacekeepers - Too Evil
dancing gnome
Morphy
They are possessed by the devil, duh.
Aleta
Most journalism has a slant. There are overtones of coercion from the White Mantle themselves over and over again. Like the day they talked to the Ascalon settlers. I've finished Prophecies more then once and the White Mantle are not nice.
Also it's their peace keepers that are doing most of the dirty work. Now I suppose you can argue that they, White Mantle, are brain washed and deluded by the Mursaat that I could go along with to an extent. But only if some finally saw how wrong it is to kill the chosen. I'd love to see a White Mantle betray to the Shining Blade. Now that would be a story
Also it's their peace keepers that are doing most of the dirty work. Now I suppose you can argue that they, White Mantle, are brain washed and deluded by the Mursaat that I could go along with to an extent. But only if some finally saw how wrong it is to kill the chosen. I'd love to see a White Mantle betray to the Shining Blade. Now that would be a story
Zodiac Meteor
Do not trust the Shinning Blade, need we forget they released the Titans amongst Tyria? Lions Arch, Droknars Forge and Ascalon nearly fallen to the Titans wrath! The great cities of Tyria are shaken and weakened, human society will fall under the Shining Blade! We need to revive the Mursaat and unite Tyria into it's former awesome power.
With the Mursaats power, the Charr, Centaurs and other cruel beasts will bow to us.
Down with the Shining Blade! All hail the Mursaat, long live Janthir!
With the Mursaats power, the Charr, Centaurs and other cruel beasts will bow to us.
Down with the Shining Blade! All hail the Mursaat, long live Janthir!
Absolute Destiny
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Originally Posted by zodiac meteor
do not trust the shinning blade, need we forget they released the titans amongst tyria? Lions arch, droknars forge and ascalon nearly fallen to the titans wrath! The great cities of tyria are shaken and weakened, human society will fall under the shining blade! We need to revive the mursaat and unite tyria into it's former awesome power.
With the mursaats power, the charr, centaurs and other cruel beasts will bow to us. Down with the shining blade! All hail the mursaat, long live janthir! |
Black Metal
wow, a rant thread about the good vs evil paradigm.
news flash: as with virtually every rpg ever made, it's good vs evil and you are on the good side
news flash: as with virtually every rpg ever made, it's good vs evil and you are on the good side
Zodiac Meteor
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Originally Posted by Absolute Destiny
Dismantle!!!!!
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The Ascalon Refuges suffered though the Shining Blades world, lost their beloved Prince Rurik. However, I have disturbing news about Prince Rurik. Upon speaking to a Seer, we have discovered that Prince Rurik was a puppet to Vizier Khilbron. The same Shining Blade leader that released the Titans, nearly destroyed civilizations and killed our beloved Mursaat.
In order to control Prince Rurik, he had to be dead. Which means, Vizier Khilbron killed Prince Rurik!
The Shining Blade are traitors, murderers and heartless. Join the White Mantle and paradise shall be at hand!
Mintha Syl
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Originally Posted by Zodiac Meteor
Do not trust the Shinning Blade, need we forget they released the Titans amongst Tyria?
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Originally Posted by dancing gnome
Not every White Mantle member is faceless soldier number xxxx. They all have families somewhere, they all have reasons for doing what they do. They don't just beat, murder and steal from random farmers every chance they get. Even the most corrupt armies have a few good eggs and the bad eggs usually have a reason for being bad, good story telling shows us that.
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FlyMoto
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Originally Posted by Zodiac Meteor
Arrest him! He wishes to bring Chaos to the world! The Shining Blades world! People of Tyria, do not live the same fate of old Ascalon City.
The Ascalon Refuges suffered though the Shining Blades world, lost their beloved Prince Rurik. However, I have disturbing news about Prince Rurik. Upon speaking to a Seer, we have discovered that Prince Rurik was a puppet to Vizier Khilbron. The same Shining Blade leader that released the Titans, nearly destroyed civilizations and killed our beloved Mursaat. In order to control Prince Rurik, he had to be dead. Which means, Vizier Khilbron killed Prince Rurik! The Shining Blade are traitors, murderers and heartless. Join the White Mantle and paradise shall be at hand! |
Nice try though.
coil
it does kinda seem like they're beating a dead horse. maybe they're just buying time til the content is finalized for release.
Black Metal
totally agree coil. Each Murro update brings tired, rehashed and completely inconsequential tripe to hold us until they get their act together, however many weeks late it will be. It's funny watching the furry roleplayers eat it up though.
tcratty
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Originally Posted by Black Metal
wow, a rant thread about the good vs evil paradigm.
news flash: as with virtually every rpg ever made, it's good vs evil and you are on the good side |
Spiritz
To me its a matter of which side of the fence your on - white mantle are misguided ( which can be said about some faiths who have extreme followers ) and are doing what they deem to be right - the blades are the natural opposition to the acts which the mantle do.
Prophs we have to remember is different to say factions where luxons and kurzicks fight - both sides in gw do unite within storyline and fight a common cause.White mantle/shining blades dont unite as they have no common cause.
If its down to nitpicking - abbadon wasnt always an evil god within gw lore as i think he was the one who gave us the ability to use magic and he only went evil after.
There is no real good or evil - its just a perspective from which side of the fence your sitting on.
Prophs we have to remember is different to say factions where luxons and kurzicks fight - both sides in gw do unite within storyline and fight a common cause.White mantle/shining blades dont unite as they have no common cause.
If its down to nitpicking - abbadon wasnt always an evil god within gw lore as i think he was the one who gave us the ability to use magic and he only went evil after.
There is no real good or evil - its just a perspective from which side of the fence your sitting on.
prey monkie
sooo. ur pissed because anet gave u free extra content which makes vq'ing tyria a lil more fun? and u don't like that because the storyline only shows one side of the story in a virtual world?
WTB GW2!!
WTB GW2!!
dusanyu
Yes because were supposed to find the members of a group that lead innocents to slaughter under false pretenses likable.
Rikimaru
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Originally Posted by dancing gnome
Am I the only one sick of reading about the amazingly one sided story telly how evil the White Mantle and their Peacekeepers are?
It seems in every single story written by Murro on the website, the "perfect" scenario to present the White Mantle as obvious bad guys is presented in each blog (I mean "perfect" in a bad way, you know in the fake made up too suspiciously perfect to be true). Why does it have to be so bluntly over the top bashed into our heads that these guys are less than good? Having a bit of a grey area or even just less than stupidly obvious writing is a good thing. It might just be because I'm a journalist, but the feel I get from the War in Kryta story is a very strong propaganda campaign against the White Mantle. Instead of creating characters with interesting moral dilemmas or actual motivation, these guys feel like bad guys from a children's television show from the 80s who do bad for the sake of doing bad. Not every White Mantle member is faceless soldier number xxxx. They all have families somewhere, they all have reasons for doing what they do. They don't just beat, murder and steal from random farmers every chance they get. Even the most corrupt armies have a few good eggs and the bad eggs usually have a reason for being bad, good story telling shows us that. I understand they want us to side with the Shining Blade in the end, but that doesn't mean they have to dumb down the story so much that it's one sidedness begins to push people towards the White Mantle out of spite. |
What's the point in stopping commerce and mercilessly torturing their own citizens?
Like you said, it's like they've turned the White Mantle into bad cartoon villains, doing bad things just for the sake of doing bad things.
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Update - Monday, May 10, 2010 Tyrian Events White Mantle patrols have been spotted playing a game of soccer outside Lion's Arch. After losing their ball in a group of skale (which was summarily ripped to pieces), according to witnesses, they went into town to "confiscate" various puppies and kittens to replace it. Much laughter was heard outside the gates soon after. |
Grammar
This event was a lot cooler back when it was a "pick your side" thing.
You know, Obey or Dismantle, remember?
What ever happened to that?
Turns out, the choice was made for us, and now we're being hit over the head with all the "Mantle is evil!!" stuff over and over again while we hold out hope that all this will eventually lead to some new quest content.
I was a lot more excited back when it was still about Obey or Dismantle. There was so much promise and potential with that.
You know, Obey or Dismantle, remember?
What ever happened to that?
Turns out, the choice was made for us, and now we're being hit over the head with all the "Mantle is evil!!" stuff over and over again while we hold out hope that all this will eventually lead to some new quest content.
I was a lot more excited back when it was still about Obey or Dismantle. There was so much promise and potential with that.
StormDragonZ
I was hoping for this:
- White Mantle are just pure evil. All of their intentions lead simply into "you suck and we rule" type situations and ultimately, would gladly kill you for the sake of unseen gods.
- Shining Blade are far from being great. They rather wait till the White Mantle do something, run when things get problematic and then blame each other for stupid reasons when they get defeated.
Therefore, both sides are not worth joining and working with "outsiders" who also choose not to pick a side to settle things once and for all.
Obey or Dismantle? I'd rather Fight!
- White Mantle are just pure evil. All of their intentions lead simply into "you suck and we rule" type situations and ultimately, would gladly kill you for the sake of unseen gods.
- Shining Blade are far from being great. They rather wait till the White Mantle do something, run when things get problematic and then blame each other for stupid reasons when they get defeated.
Therefore, both sides are not worth joining and working with "outsiders" who also choose not to pick a side to settle things once and for all.
Obey or Dismantle? I'd rather Fight!
Zodiac Meteor
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Originally Posted by FlyMoto
It was Dagnar Stoneplate of the Stone Summit who killed Prince Rurik. The Vizier just made use of his body to toy with the Shining Blade.
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Or did the Shining Blade kill him for Vizier to manipulate?
My argument stands tall, the Shining Blade killed Prince Rurik, released havoc with the Titans and trying to over throw the White Mantle protectors.
The Shining Blade is evil! Obey the White Mantle and these unruly murderers will not rule you!
Ariovist Lynxkind
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Originally Posted by Aleta
Also it's their peace keepers that are doing most of the dirty work. Now I suppose you can argue that they, White Mantle, are brain washed and deluded by the Mursaat that I could go along with to an extent. But only if some finally saw how wrong it is to kill the chosen. I'd love to see a White Mantle betray to the Shining Blade. Now that would be a story
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Originally Posted by Zodiac Meteor
Do not trust the Shinning Blade, need we forget they released the Titans amongst Tyria? Lions Arch, Droknars Forge and Ascalon nearly fallen to the Titans wrath! The great cities of Tyria are shaken and weakened, human society will fall under the Shining Blade! We need to revive the Mursaat and unite Tyria into it's former awesome power.
With the Mursaats power, the Charr, Centaurs and other cruel beasts will bow to us. Down with the Shining Blade! All hail the Mursaat, long live Janthir! |
And as for the 'cruel beasts' bowing to the Mursaat, I still question what the hell they did to stop the undead menace plaguing Kryta. If they had have dealt with it they might actually still be around.
Amy Awien
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Originally Posted by Mintha Syl
... and, remember, it's always Glint's fault! ...
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Zodiac Meteor
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Originally Posted by Ariovist Lynxkind
Actually... that was us, the heroes of the peace. at that point the Shining Blade were in disarray thanks to the Mursaat and the White Mantle.
And as for the 'cruel beasts' bowing to the Mursaat, I still question what the hell they did to stop the undead menace plaguing Kryta. If they had have dealt with it they might actually still be around. |
You betrayed Prince Rurik, you betrayed the White Mantle and you betrayed Kryta!
The Drunkard
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Originally Posted by prey monkie
sooo. ur pissed because anet gave u free extra content
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OT: I'm a bit dissapointed by how our character act so "good" in GW1, why can't my character be a villian and cause chaos? The only way you can do it in GW1 is by grieving and bitching with groups.
Kook~NBK~
If the White Mantle weren't so damn evil, maybe there wouldn't be reports of the evil crap they and their goons keep pulling. Did you ever think of that?
Zodiac Meteor
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Originally Posted by Kook~NBK~
If the White Mantle weren't so damn evil, maybe there wouldn't be reports of the evil deads they and their goons keep pulling. Did you ever think of that?
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If I recall Saidra kidnapped the Chosen and escort them to the Wilds, only for the poor chosen to become a meal to a large spider.
The innocent Chosen died in the Shining Blade hands, need I say more?
recon54
These so called "Heroes of Peace" are part of the Rebel Alliance and traitors! Now lets take them away!
Garreth MacLeod
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Originally Posted by dancing gnome
Not every White Mantle member is faceless soldier number xxxx. They all have families somewhere, they all have reasons for doing what they do. They don't just beat, murder and steal from random farmers every chance they get. Even the most corrupt armies have a few good eggs and the bad eggs usually have a reason for being bad, good story telling shows us that.
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Originally Posted by Zodiac Meteor
If I recall Saidra kidnapped the Chosen and escort them to the Wilds, only for the poor chosen to become a meal to a large spider.
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Arduin
Wow, has this been going on for nearly a month already?
Zodiac Meteor
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Originally Posted by recon54
These so called "Heroes of Peace" are part of the Rebel Alliance and traitors! Now lets take them away!
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Mark our words, Heroes of Peace, one wrong move and the force of the White Mantle will be on your heads.
All hail the White Mantle!
Long live the Mursaat Deity!
CronkTheImpaler
Some groups are just evil, no way around it. Im sure there were a few nice family orientated Nazi's, but ya know what?? Nuremburg!! White Mantle is an evil and deceptive group. All tyrants rule through fear! Take one's money and one's ability to feed their family and you have the perfect storm for an uprising.
Long live the Shining Blade!! Down with the Deceivers!!!
C
Long live the Shining Blade!! Down with the Deceivers!!!
C
Oleg
Anet are actually walking a tight rope with this story. A group in power controlling its populace, trade and demanding complete obediance. They are in the first stages of ethnic cleansing. And you want a balanced story? Anet would be crazy to try and show balance is portrayinv the two groups. They would be courting the title of Nazi sympathisers. Or shouldx they show the benefits of Mao's reign? They can, however, show individuals who are conflicted and they have. At least two White Mantle have changed sides. That's where the complexity and balance will lay.
Would you accept a story showing all the good the Nazi regoime were trying to achoeve? There's no "hook" there.
Would you accept a story showing all the good the Nazi regoime were trying to achoeve? There's no "hook" there.
Amy Awien
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Originally Posted by Zodiac Meteor
... not only did they help the undead menace escape multiple times, ...
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| they unsealed the Door of Komalie, letting the Lich Lord wreak havoc on Kryta. |
Neither the Mursaat nor Titans belong on the surface of Tyria, pushing them back was in the interest of the various (free) peoples of Tyria
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| You betrayed Prince Rurik, you betrayed the White Mantle and you betrayed Kryta! |
The White Mantle deceived their own people as well as us, the Ascalonian heroes, there is no betrayal in the choice to abandon their cause as soon as became clear how they sacrificed the people of Kryta and how they had betrayed the people of Kryta.
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Originally Posted by Zodiac Meteor
Simply a bad seed among many good ones. Do you honestly expect us to keep track of each member all the time?
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| If I recall Saidra kidnapped the Chosen and escort them to the Wilds, only for the poor chosen to become a meal to a large spider. The innocent Chosen died in the Shining Blade hands, need I say more? |
Kook~NBK~
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Originally Posted by Zodiac Meteor
Simply a bad seed among many good ones. Do you honestly expect us to keep track of each member all the time?
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If I recall Saidra kidnapped the Chosen and escort them to the Wilds, only for the poor chosen to become a meal to a large spider. The innocent Chosen died in the Shining Blade hands, need I say more? |
The only reason the Mursaat are called the "unseen ones" is because the White Mantle are too blind to see the truth!
AbaddonReborn
i don't know i see the White Mantle worshiping the Mursaat out of fear most of them and some are worshiping cause they really believe there true gods but that's what i think so i could be wrong on the part most of the Mantles serve the Unseen gods out of fear.
But i support the White Mantles down with the Shining Blade #Obey!!
But i support the White Mantles down with the Shining Blade #Obey!!
AbaddonReborn
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Originally Posted by Grammar
This event was a lot cooler back when it was a "pick your side" thing.
You know, Obey or Dismantle, remember? What ever happened to that? Turns out, the choice was made for us, and now we're being hit over the head with all the "Mantle is evil!!" stuff over and over again while we hold out hope that all this will eventually lead to some new quest content. I was a lot more excited back when it was still about Obey or Dismantle. There was so much promise and potential with that. |
Ariovist Lynxkind
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Originally Posted by Zodiac Meteor
You call yourselves the heroes of peace? Interesting, the so called, heroes of peace assisted Vizier, not only did they help the undead menace escape multiple times, they unsealed the Door of Komalie, letting the Lich Lord wreak havoc on Kryta. This undead menace of yours sounds like a good friend that you stabbed in the back!
You betrayed Prince Rurik, you betrayed the White Mantle and you betrayed Kryta! |
As for heroes of peace? no, I would probably claim to be a weapon of mass destruction with the path we carved through the land, but that is a topic for another debate.
As for the Undead menace, that was there and building before our characters even crossed the Shiverpeaks (or sailed into Lion's Arch, depending on where you came in), and the Mantle and their almighty gods the Mursaat had been doing nothing to really stop it. Makes me wonder if the Mursaat's inaction there that sealed their own fates....
We betrayed Rurick... how? he was the idiot that told us to go on and got himself killed (sorry, the only death in the game that causes sympathy to me is Saidra, only cause we dont have to carry her ass like we do Rurik or Togo).
As for betraying the Mantle, well duh! Would you willingly stand their and have your throat slit when you know it isnt going to solve the problem? And betraying Kryta... Well, I am a Kurzick, so meh, got my own boneheads to deal with
BrettM
Personally, I don't see the Shining Blade as unalloyed good, particularly after this latest update.
Take a look at Livia, who has essentially enslaved Zinn and Blimm via extortionate threats, while Salma does nothing more than express feeble reservations about the justice of doing so. Listen to Livia with her despicable "with us or against us" line and her promise to take care of the dirty work while Salma puts on a show of purity that will have her beloved by the people. An arrangement which seems to suit Salma just fine. Heaven help us if Livia ever does get her hands on the Scepter of Orr. She'll make the Mantle Inquisition look about as threatening as a convention of librarians.
Take a look at Evennia, whose behavior with Langmar was rude, childish, and illogical. (Which is no real surprise, given the number of "miscalculations" for which she has been responsible in the past.) She raises stupidity to an art form.
Salma certainly deserves praise for her willingness to employ the mentally and morally challenged as ambassadors.
Take a look at Livia, who has essentially enslaved Zinn and Blimm via extortionate threats, while Salma does nothing more than express feeble reservations about the justice of doing so. Listen to Livia with her despicable "with us or against us" line and her promise to take care of the dirty work while Salma puts on a show of purity that will have her beloved by the people. An arrangement which seems to suit Salma just fine. Heaven help us if Livia ever does get her hands on the Scepter of Orr. She'll make the Mantle Inquisition look about as threatening as a convention of librarians.
Take a look at Evennia, whose behavior with Langmar was rude, childish, and illogical. (Which is no real surprise, given the number of "miscalculations" for which she has been responsible in the past.) She raises stupidity to an art form.
Salma certainly deserves praise for her willingness to employ the mentally and morally challenged as ambassadors.
Hells Fury
Would be cool if there were no sides cause we could just let those krytan naggers both White Mantle and Shining Blade kill each other in the name of their own stupid beliefs. And make room for ascalon refugees.
jazilla
i always lol at the people supporting the White Mantle on this forum as well as FaceBook and in game. The White Mantle will kill you upon aggro whether you support them or not, and that $10 you spent to get the SB/White Mantle Disguise, it won't keep them from trying to kill you either. Everyone here realizes that we all fight against the Mursaat and Mantle in Prophecies right? Or is that lost on some peeps?
Solar Light
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Originally Posted by BrettM
Personally, I don't see the Shining Blade as unalloyed good, particularly after this latest update.
Take a look at Livia, who has essentially enslaved Zinn and Blimm via extortionate threats, while Salma does nothing more than express feeble reservations about the justice of doing so. Listen to Livia with her despicable "with us or against us" line and her promise to take care of the dirty work while Salma puts on a show of purity that will have her beloved by the people. An arrangement which seems to suit Salma just fine. Heaven help us if Livia ever does get her hands on the Scepter of Orr. She'll make the Mantle Inquisition look about as threatening as a convention of librarians. Take a look at Evennia, whose behavior with Langmar was rude, childish, and illogical. (Which is no real surprise, given the number of "miscalculations" for which she has been responsible in the past.) She raises stupidity to an art form. Salma certainly deserves praise for her willingness to employ the mentally and morally challenged as ambassadors. |
Who hates Kryta.
Now..... lets think...... Evennia/Salma are currently promising future Krytan assistance towards driving out the Charr.
If this has succeeded to any real capacity, Ascalon would not have fallen as it will, so..... we can conclude Evennia/Adelbern will screw this up and all we see is token support from the Vanguard for the Krytan War and Kryta watching Ascalon burn, or the Charr ROFLstomping whats left of Ascalon AND whatever help Kryta sends.
So, until I see how this pans out, I do not know who to hate right now, as I am a major fan of Ascalon, Rurik, other notable Ascalon people, and some minor respect for Adelbern (he is the king <,< )
I dont care about Livias treatment of the Asurans..... first, the Asurans really didnt care about the threats at all, all that caught their attention was the notion of interesting work and a new lab to work in, so, we can conclude Livia is also stupid at dealing with Asurans and all those threats and notions of arrest were pointless.
Plus, well, Zinn DID make the golem that tried to kill Salma.