02-16-2020, 08:43 PM
(02-14-2020, 11:01 AM)FutureSojourner Wrote: As a scholar of religion (in the real world), I don't like the idea of lumping Heretics, Blood and Fire, Serkeanar, and maybe even the Cult of the Dark One into the "evil" category. You can "spin" the 'theology' of any of these religions in such a way that they could paint the OTG as evil and place themselves in a righteous position. Where I think "unplayability" comes into play is when a faction refuses to work with others -- that is what should make them NPC material. If the goals of a faction is to be THE ONLY religion and destroy every other Religion and force every other faction to bend to their will that (in my opinion) makes them unplayable as a player faction -- the faction would be isolated and unable to play the "political game." But using a Good vs Evil dichotomy in the game with some factions being "Good" and others being "Evil" is too black and white ignores all the beautiful shades of grey.
True enough, but I was trying to use "good/evil" and "good/bad" in the most generic of ways (which is why I kept putting it in quotes). Perhaps it could be better described (much like you indicated) that "bad" was for groups that don't want to get along with anyone (possibly with the exception of groups effectively like their own). If a faction is intent on "evil" (i.e. causing harm to everyone else), then to me that qualifies as not being a good faction for players. And that's what I'm trying to keep separated out.
See also my previous note about organized factions sounding reasonably playable, even those that were mostly in opposition to most players' behaviors.