I am sure the Rangers lay weight on roleplaying when they choose new members, but maybe they have a different view of how to roleplay a Ranger, than you have...

Define stereotypical evil, you ask...Well, first of all, we are talking stereotypical evil in Genesis here, not in real life. And, so most of the possibilities you mention, as how one can roleplay an evil character, is not viable. Secondly, I guess I should have written stereotypical Morgul Mage roleplay. For even as we can both agree that there in theory is many options one can choose to roleplay, the Mages seem (in my opinion) to be very stereotypical. Because they all act in the same way. That’s what makes the cliche. So, again I agree with you that it might not be stereotypical evil, but more stereotypical Mage roleplay.

I cannot see how being arrogant and haughty, has anything to do with being "powerful"...I see those two traits as being typical Morgul Mage traits, be they low ranked Apprentices or Lord Necromancers. Of course other individuals are arrogant and haughty as well, but I cant think of another guild, where every member acts this way.

I can only agree with you that knowledge is power, if you know how to use it. And are allowed to use it. And again, no, knowledge is not a trait of the powerfull, it might be a good thing to have, but not a necessity, at least not in the Realms we are talking about.

The Mages do not roleplay the stereotypical powerful, they roleplay a cliche of a Mage of Morgul, they (almost) all act the exact same way. That was what I meant to say, not that the Mages represent the stereotype of power within Genesis. I still believe that the Immortals take care, that no mortal is granted powers that would shift the balance of power, so I doubt the Mages are more powerful in general than the common Gladiator.

And what good is it to possess powers which you are not allowed to use, because you are chained to a strict set of rules? It is fine for all those that do not care about powermongering (the group I belong to), but for those that wants to show off, it would certainly be disturbing.

Again on hope. Yes, hope is useful for those who are not in total control of a given situation. But, no one can be in total control of any given situation, when there is more than one part involved. For even though you have prepared as best you can, you can never predict the response you are going to get to your actions. Your experience may tell you what outcome is most likely, but certainty is never available.

As a last note. All this talk about how anyone should roleplay their character is a matter of personal taste, so if people are fine with how they roleplay, then that's acceptable to me. I just wanted to state my opinion on the subject.

Forgive me if this note may seems a little messy, but it is a little difficult to run a conversation on such subjects through this media.

Regards
Mortimor's Player

You can't get a more pathetic fool than that.

If the Society is so 'powerless' as you seem to believe, (from the last few notes, you seem to be the only one believing that) whats the harm in leaving your name, worm? I'd be more than happy to 'discuss' my 'powerlessness' with you within the game *msmile*.

Until then,
Locklear.

I'm not self proclamid. I have already killed one, and will do so again. You are a fool, and arrogant bastard. Instead of saying a lot of empty things, I suggest you to come to the point.

How can you call yourself powerful when going on the offensive would mean the end of your guild in an instant? Believe me, the intercession of wizards saved your guild far more than it saved ours.

Still, your foolish and empty prattle is always amusing, I must admit.

In response to Mortimor:
I expect roleplay from roleplaying guilds... nothing more, nothing less. The Morgul Mages, the Union, and the knights all put emphasis on the roleplaying ability of applicants. I would have assumed the rangers did to. If I ever came across a Mage acting out of character, I would flay him senseless, and then have him or her carted off to the Pit in Mordor, quite merciful of me, as the Nine have dealt out worse punishments than that.

As for your regard of Mage roleplay. Define 'stereotypical evil' ? I can personally see a multitude of evil possibilities... the barbaric slaughterer, the cold assasin, the crafty swindler, the manipulative advisor, the heartless thief, none of which fit absolutely as defining an evil person.

Many mages may seem arrogant and haughty, but then it is they who have been hand picked to serve the highest and mightiest of powers, and have achieved feats that defy most peoples imaginations. Is that necessarily a trait of evil? Not, in my mind, unless you believe evil comes from being amazingly powerful. Most mages are mysterious and distant to most. We have secrets that we don't want you to have.

Knowledge is power, and to be quite frank, we have a lot of it. Is that another trait of evil? Nay, it is another trait of the powerful. Perhaps you meant to say that Morgul Mages roleplay the stereotypically powerful? Or perhaps you think the Society represents the stereotype of power within Genesis? *msmile* How quaint.

What you describe is certainly not evil, and I personally do not believe there is such a thing as a 'stereotypical evil', as evil can take so many forms... it is boundless. Anyway, I drift off into the realms of philosophy.

On the topic of hope: Hope is truly unnecessary for those who have foresight and who are prepared, only useful for those who don't have control of a given situation. Thus, by my definition, hope is for the foolish.

To the two whiners: Smaug the Pretender, and the self proclaimed Mage killer *snicker*.
Yes, we are indeed powerful... extremely powerful. So ware our wrath! But, as any magician will testify, we had to work damn hard to achieve what powers we have. Naturally, I do not expect a fool gladiator who mouths off third hand gossip like a fishwife (Myst is a ranger who has not run into the displeasure of a mage yet, nor is he a monk) or a dead lizard to understand what it is like to be a mage, but the immortals do, and that is why we are still as we are. Mages cannot be classed in the same way as warriors are. Anyone who tries justifying comparisons between the two only make themselves look more the idiot.

And so, I return to the shadows,
Locklear, the Lord Necromancer.

Did you slay Zingil? Well, thats something to brag about even for us dragons. But have you tried to fight a mage lately? Obviously they can make us!?!? The mighty dragons stunned by looking into our eyes. I used to laugh at mages but now, well try it out Skie. You wouldnt stand a chance.

I didn’t say that the Mages do not roleplay. They do, all the time, and I should know. And I applaud that, no doubt about that. All I said was that the way Mages roleplay their characters, is not that varied, nor is it that "hard" to roleplay. (if one can use the word "hard" in this situation) And I also said, that I do not think that the way Mages choose to roleplay, is any better, than those of the Rangers, or any other guild...

Regards
Mortimor's player.

I just wanted to say thanks to Zingil for being such a tasty meal! I must admit, the look of surprise on his face as it froze into a rictus of fear was just delicious!

I guess that the moral of the story is that no matter how arrogant you are, and how big you think you are, we dragons are more than a match for you mortals!

The mages do roleplay, but only with themself. What they do not know is that it isn't hard at all to roleplay with oneself.

Words mages use when they meet other people: wretch, servant, slave, be gone, you are dismissed, who are you, introduce yourself and I should kill you.

Re: Locklear

Have you thought about to change your tactics when you roleplay?