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Raleirosen

Raleirosen

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Just something I've been thinking about recently, and since this forum is currently on life support I might as well make a thread.

Basically, I'm curious as to the relationship between player character motivation and faction choice, and whether it's always so cut and dry. Are all Saradominists insufferable do-gooders who strive to protect the weak and innocent? Are all Zamorakians power-hungry social Darwinists? etc.

To quote the start of DoD...

Gypsy Aris:
Hmm. I see. Why do you complete quests? Why do you adventure?
Player:
To gain knowledge and skills.
Player:
For the joy of adventuring.
Player:
To earn glory and renown.
Player:
To get a reward at the end.

Obviously these aren't the only possible motivations for doing what the World Guardian does, but I added it here just for reference since it's an actual in-game choice where you can express character motivation. So, what is your character after, and how do you reconcile that with the goals/values of your faction? Patrolling Lore FC almost makes you wish for a Great Revision.

15-Mar-2017 15:26:04

Raleirosen

Raleirosen

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For myself, primary motivation would be the "joy of adventuring," as above; in it for kicks, essentially. I've been Zarosian for a while (since Zaros is clearly the coolest god in the game amirite guise) but lately it's become obvious that his stated goals don't necessarily lend themselves to a world of adventure. Guess you could say my character is experiencing a crisis of faith. Hence this thread. Patrolling Lore FC almost makes you wish for a Great Revision.

15-Mar-2017 15:26:13 - Last edited on 15-Mar-2017 15:38:36 by Raleirosen

Raleirosen

Raleirosen

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To clarify, the question that this thread poses is: how does your choice of faction advance your character's motivations? Patrolling Lore FC almost makes you wish for a Great Revision.

15-Mar-2017 15:26:18 - Last edited on 18-Mar-2017 00:54:59 by Raleirosen

Ancient Drew

Ancient Drew

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I wonder if anyone thought of making a deliberately evil Saradominist who aided in lulling the people into a false sense of security, before plotting to dethrone Saradomin and become a tyrant that makes him look like Gary Stu?

I'm a Zarosian, but I have a lot of Armadylean sympathies. Therefore, I have my own sense of justice while seeking to attain power and wisdom for myself, in the hopes that I can become a hero that can overcome anything and solve any problem. Prepare for hell on RuneScape in Naval Cataclysm!

Pokemon battle? Friend Code: 4614-0426-2439

15-Mar-2017 16:10:32 - Last edited on 15-Mar-2017 16:11:49 by Ancient Drew

William Witt
Aug Member 2023

William Witt

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My current conception of my character (as of the Ashdale backstory. I love Ashdale so much) -

He was raised Saradominist, like most villagers of Ashdale, but his family wasn't *especially* devout. They attended church on Sundays, etc., but were no more pious than the average citizen of Gielinor.

My character had been naive and sheltered on idyllic Ashdale. His subsequent travels on the mainland, and all the awful things he's seen on his quests, have had the effect of developing in him a strong sense of faith. He's come to be increasingly convinced that the world is a hurt and broken one, and *needs* Saradomin. That Saradomin is the answer to all the injustice and suffering he has witnessed, and continues to witness. He may still be adventuring "for the joy of adventuring", but helping others and protecting the innocent in Saradomin's name is something he definitely strives for. But he's not out to be a hero - Saradomin is the hero we need, in his eyes.
The Asgarnian ale must flow.

15-Mar-2017 16:33:50

Hazeel

Hazeel

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Power. Shits and giggles.

Not really hard to narrow down the motivations. I'm sure everyone falls into some category of wanting power/advancement, protection, a fun time, a feeling of belonging in a higher organization, or else they simply do what they do because they can't be without their precious moral high ground. Runescape doesn't need a hero...it needs a villain. An all encompassing force of evil that will remain ever-threatening and use chaos to make the peoples of Gielinor tolerate each other, grow strong together, and fight side by side against this evil. I am that villain.

15-Mar-2017 19:22:44

Questcaping
Feb Member 2020

Questcaping

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My character (I'll call her by her Fremennik name, Doktin, because she's currently a follower of V and because "Questcaping" isn't exactly in-character) came to follow Guthix of her own accord during the Fifth Age. She generally agrees with the whole balance philosophy, though she's not exactly good at staying balanced herself -- D&D alignments-wise, she tends towards Chaotic Good (though that's becoming more Neutral Good as of late). She does as she will, adventuring for fun and for memories and to help out those in need.

She was devastated by Guthix's death, and is stubbornly determined to honour him through her adventures in the Sixth Age (which isn't exactly in line with "remember your purpose, forget me", but there's no way she's ever forgetting him). This has been her standard outfit ever since The World Wakes -- note Juna's gift and the general obvious green Guthixian-ness of it all. Also the Yin-Yang amulet to represent balance.



As far as official alignment via the God Emissaries goes, Doktin's been torn between the Godless and V. She strongly believes that gods should stay well out of the way, but the Godless are frustratingly disunited. She's with her girlfriend Zanik on this one:

Original message details are unavailable.
Zanik: I joined the Godless as soon as I heard Holstein's speech.
Zanik: All types of mortals under a common banner, standing together against the gods! It's inspiring! Like when the two of us faced Bandos, but on a global scale!
Zanik: But now...I'm not even sure what the Godless are doing. Kara-Meir stood by while two gods nearly destroyed Lumbridge, and again at Falador. I begged her to join Armadyl's side against Bandos, but she wouldn't listen.
Zanik: But we have no chance against the gods unless we work together, and the Godless are still our best shot at that. I guess I'll have to see what happens.
Questcaping the Finally Questcaped

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15-Mar-2017 19:32:55

Questcaping
Feb Member 2020

Questcaping

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Ever since meeting V, though, Doktin's come to think that he (or rather his faction ) might be their best shot instead. He united the Fremennik and the Moon Clan, however briefly, in his return and then in mourning his passing. So right from the start, the figurehead of the faction is a symbol of unity.

Yes, he's dead , but she honestly thinks he might be better to follow that way. He's now essentially a symbol, a set of ideals of heroism and refusing to accept the rule of gods, not someone who can mislead them -- he's now too dead to do so. And she's read his book, about how he'd have started a God Wars in order to strategically wipe out all other gods (as if that'd work, and not just cause more suffering for everyone)... as much as she may mourn him, perhaps it's best that he didn't live to carry it out.

While Doktin is very much up to bring down the gods, she believes that the best way to do so is through subterfuge, rather than all-out warfare -- in order to minimise collateral damage. As such, she was intrigued by Zamorak's idea to steal the Stone of Jas and short-circuit Sliske's game, and went along with it as a result. She then aided him against Sliske in the final confrontation. Was honestly starting to consider aligning with him for a while, sympathising with his ideology of chaos. Probably unwisely so. She's rethought it considerably since, and though she still finds Zamorak interesting, admirable and relatively true to his beliefs, she won't ultimately take his side. Individual battles, she'll help him. But not the entire war.

Other gods... the only other god she's seriously considered aligning herself with is Armadyl, but she's wary of him going too far. Wary of Seren for similar reasons, but generally sympathetic with both. Distrusts Zaros, but not all Zarosians (she's quite fond of Wahisietel, for instance). Glad Bandos is dead. Saradomin is everything she hates. And she's absolutely down to party with Marimbo, any time.
Questcaping the Finally Questcaped

Runefest attendee 2017-2019

15-Mar-2017 19:33:03

Raleirosen

Raleirosen

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Hazeel said :
Not really hard to narrow down the motivations. I'm sure everyone falls into some category of wanting power/advancement, protection, a fun time, a feeling of belonging in a higher organization, or else they simply do what they do because they can't be without their precious moral high ground. I agree, motivations probably aren't that varied. But I wonder how diverse the factions are in terms of the motivations of their adherents.

In your case, I think I can put two and two together. :^)

William Witt said :
My character had been naive and sheltered on idyllic Ashdale. [...] Saradomin is the hero we need, in his eyes. A little boring, but at least it's cohesive. Patrolling Lore FC almost makes you wish for a Great Revision.

15-Mar-2017 19:54:00 - Last edited on 15-Mar-2017 19:58:31 by Raleirosen

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