LORE Discussion...

I am just curious how people feel about the Lore of Defiant versus Guardian. I know we're playing Guardian, which is fine with me, and I don't want anyone thinking I'm complaining about that decision. My question is basically how do you feel about being 'Chosen' versus being driven and inspired?
It is my feeling that the Defiant basically saw the situation and came up with a way to deal with it through their own ingenuity. Whereas the Guardian side was chosen by the Vigil. Look at the Boar Spear... He wouldn't even have chosen for himself to be ascended, and got taken out again before actually doing anything to benefit the cause, as it were.
I love to write, have been published on some minor things, and was part of my favorite thing when I used to DM. This story, as much as I love it, seems to favor the Defiant as being the ones who will actually achieve the goal.
Just curious what others think...

I see it as spirituality vs. technology, or, if you prefer, humanism vs. faith in something greater than oneself. Most people have chosen a side in that debate and have made up their mind which they think will ultimately win. I'm sure those biases will be translated to the game, as well. As of yet, neither side has undeniably been proven correct (in our world or Telara). I imagine the majority of people will favor the Defiant's chances, but I think the Guardian's faith will win the day.

I have to agree - The Guardians have a devout belief in the fiath - their faith of their gods. They were brought back and this faith is waht carries them as "divine warriors". The Defiant no longer have this faith in the gods - they believe the gods abandoned them before and that technology is what will win - their faith is in their technology and not in the gods. This is a very derisive factor. Two totally different doctrines that are present in our world. The Guardians would totally believe that the Defiants are in the wrong here - I mean the Guardians have been brought back by divine intervention. How could something not so totally restore your faith and belief as to be resurrected by the bery gods where all your faith was to begin with. But from the Defiants view - what could not so totally destroy that faith - as to think you were abandoned by them and that is why you lost the fight to begin with - where were they in your most dire time of need. Very interesting concept - and picking the "right" side is no easy task - there may be no wrong or right. It is all about where your faith lies - in the gods, or in technology.

» Edited on: 2011-02-23 15:20:31

In the end, I really feel like there is no right and wrong side, no good and bad. It is another reason I love this game. They have started with a foundation of balance. Both sides feel equally 'just' in their methods and reasoning to achieve the same goal. I think it is my personal bias in life of doing more than believing that causes me to think the Defiant may have an edge. But as was said, we don't know yet. I am so much more into this Lore than any other game I've played though. 17 1/2 hours... ;-)

Remember this, The Defiant Ascended have returned from the Future... They SAW the destruction of Telara. They know the Vigal didn't prevent this so they won't blindly follow the Gods this time around. The Guardian Ascended, on the other hand, were pulled forward 20 years from when they died. We haven't lived thru that future yet and have no reason to doubt our Gods. I am proud to serve our Gods in this noble cause to save Telara. Here is an Ode to the Vigal I wrote a few weeks ago after walking my dog, Rifty, thru a sunny day after a winter storm. http://forums.riftgame.com/showthread.php?18617-Ode-to-the-Gods... Ode to the Gods... This is the Vigil's world, and to my listening ears All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is the Vigils's world: I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; Their hands the wonders wrought. This is the Vigil's world, the birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, declare their Makers praise. This is the Vigil's world: They shine in all that's fair; In the rustling grass I hear Them pass; They speaks to me everywhere. This is the Vigil's world. O let me ne'er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, The Gods ARE the rulers yet. This is the Vigil's world: why should my heart be sad? Lord Cyril is our King; let the heavens ring! Cyril reigns; let the earth be glad! This is Lord Cyril's world, dreaming, I see His face. I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, "The Lord is in this place." This is our Vigil's world, from the shining courts above, The Beloved One, His Asended Son, Cyril came—a pledge of deathless love. This is my Vigil's world, should my heart be ever sad? Lord Cyril is our King—let the heavens ring.Cyril reigns—let the earth be glad. This is my Vigil's world. Now closer to Heaven bound, For dear to my God is the earth the Asended trod. No place but is holy ground. This is my Vigil's world. though I walk a desert lone. In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze the Gods make Their glory known. This is my Vigil's world, a wandering I may roam Whate'er my lot, it matters not, My heart is still at home. Go Guardians!

Very nice Mac! A truely inspiring bit of work there, I applaude you!

Lovely, Mac! I'm torn between the Guardians and the Defiant. I like the plotline of the Defiant better, but the Guardian zones seem more appealing. Plus Guardians have dwarves! It's definitely religion vs. technology... for now. But within that basic framework there are so many things that they can do. There's a ton of potential for plot twists... like extra factions, races, or individuals that are neutral, more time travel, surprise revelations that turn things on their head. Trion can push the story forward and keep it from getting stagnant, and I'm anxious to see what they do with it. :)

Everything I wanted to say in the beginning of this but didn't want to influence the discussion too heavily. The fact that Defiant have seen the future and all. These female dwarves are definitely the best artwork I've seen on a dwarf personally. They can actually look pretty. They need to fix the males hands though. They look alien. I am very partial to the high elves myself, and am torn over Tavril joining the Vigil to begin with, but the guidance is still there, and the elves will still protect Telara the best they can, standing besides the fellow Guardians to finally banish Regulos forever. Awesome lyric, Mac. The Bard in Sanctum should be handed that one to sing when we visit her to dance a bit.

I would interject, here, that the Defiant seeing "a" future and travelling back in time may just create that future in which Telara is burning. Their meddling in the timeline has undoubtedly changed the playing field.

The way I see it (from a Guardian perspective), the Defiant have seen A future, not necessarily THE future... IF we even choose to believe their story in the first place. The very act of them coming back changes this "past" (the game's "present"), which in turn changes that "future", no? And could the Vigil not have known the Defiant would travel back in time, and factored that into their plans for the Guardians to be the ones who gain the ultimate victory? I think it's masterfully conceived. Each side can "justify" why they're the "good guys" and the other side is the "bad guys". Sure, one side or the other may appeal more to us, from our OOC perspective, but our characters have all the material they need to be more-or-less rabid ideologues. Edit: clarity

» Edited on: 2011-02-23 18:43:34