Poll: Slummer & Gangster Players; For Or Against Limitations On Heavy Armor In The Slums?

[Jack_Castle]

The Conversation Thus Far:​

A debate revolving around whether or not criminals in the slums ought to be wearing heavy armor has been going on the Crime General Skype for a few days now. Armor such as but not limited to, Full Plate Armor*, Half Plate Armor**, and Quarter Plate Armor***,(These definitions are not historically accurate but stand as a reference for MassiveCraft due to In-game implementation) Arguments have been made on many sides, all parties agree that full plate is out of the question and the voting options have been drafted to accommodate that. This poll is here to give a voice to the silent majority of RPers who would be affected by this, as well as stand as a reference for such limitations.

The general attitude of the those in favor of putting limitations on armor in the slums is that it is unreasonable. Further comments from MonMarty (I am paraphrasing) say that in his opinion the starving homeless peasants of the slums would probably swarm and rob a person like this. However; it remains unclear what kind of people inhabit the slums, starving peasants tend to be a temporary issue as they tend to starve to death. Semantics aside and in more deliberate interaction Mon has commented that; justification for any kind of heavy armor possession can be easily fabricated by creative enough or industrious enough players. And this could be subject to a kind of God Rp where said person is involved due to the unsubstantiated source of their armor. (This was paraphrased but still accurate). Personally, I feel that heavy armor tends to be difficult to deal with for most characters as knowledge of armor's weaknesses is not commonplace; thus making it unfair. But as it has been pointed out, fair isn't the aim of RP.

To those against limitations, the general attitude is that IC progression and continuity should be the determining factor of what a character possesses. Players expressed that it's not impossible nor unjustifiable for people to have armor in the slums. (Quoting Kyberulf as his thoughts were the most collected on the subject)-"Armor may not be cheap but it is by no means reserved for the upper-class elites. If someone can legitimately explain as to why them having armor makes sense they should be allowed it in some capacity". Other players fielded similar arguments albeit with more a conservative tone. Personally, I think a case by case basis ought to be established and be the subject of staff intervention if enough players agree that the player in question is in contempt of etiquette. Additionally, I think that more slummers should equip themselves with black-iron daggers to curve usage of steel armor.

Leave a comment below if you wish to join the flow of the conversation with your own ideas.




*All parts of the body with minute exemptions are armored. With joints shielded and then additionally armored in chainmail: Example

Spoiler: Full Plate

**Head/Neck, cuirass/chest-plate, hands/forearms, shins/feet, and sometimes shoulders are armored in plate armor more so from the front, everywhere else is chainmail, leather or half-leather^, gambison, or cloth. Example:

Spoiler: Half Plate

***Cuirass/chest-plate, Head/Neck, and Hands, with Chainmail, Leather/half-leather^, and Gambison in all other places. Not to be mistaken for Medium armor for Mercenaries, which is; a cuirass/chest-plate and skirt/hip-guard up to chainmail, and half-leather^ elsewhere. (neck/head/hands may not be armored).

Spoiler: Quarter Plate

^I am unclear on what Half-Leather is supposed to be, I think its either half leather and half metal, or half leather and half cloth.

 

[Reaganism]

The last main battle in the slums sort-of proved that "plate armour" is largely irrelevant. The main thing I would argue for would be a more fair compromise, considering the past encounters:

Military armour/weapon, alchemy or magic. Choose one, but not more for an individual slums fighter. I was more triggered by plate armoured people throwing alchemy stuff from both sides than I was triggered by either plate or magic any time.

 

[GoodDreamer]

I feel that armor should be a thing locked behind character applications. If your character isn't approved, they probably shouldn't have armor in anything other than special circumstances.
Other than that, the best repellent is permission. If someone can justify having armor, then they can do whatever they want with it. However, if they bring that armor into the slums, they should give up perms for everyone to that armor. It's the same as walking around with your nose touching your phone in a bad neighborhood. Someone's going to take it. Bringing armor into the slums is an even worse idea, so it should have consequences.

 

[Suzzie]

No. Not full plate, rarely plate at all. Not unless you have something like noble backing. That makes for a mystery - Who's backing them, where how why? Honestly, I'd like to see all wealthy gangs have some sort of noble backing, which bridges the two roleplay scenes together.

All other armor, such as chain or leather should be fair game. But plate? Nah.

To further elaborate:

If you are a peasant, with a low tier job, living in a low tier place in the slums, no, armor isn't for you. The reason why it's 'reserved' for upper class people is the fact they, y'know. Have the money. Why would you pile money on metal when you need to fill your belly first?

 

[ElderShrub]

Personally if there's going to be a ban, I'd argue it should be against en masse usage of plate armour. I have no problem with Bloodcast Knights wearing half-plate working their way through the slums, or just a really rich great gang leader having a set of armor. It's not like full plate can't be worked around if planned for. (Alchemy or thermal weapons could be a good counter.) Sure it gives them a distinct advantage. But so does alchemy, or polearms, or such.

The problem is when you get large amounts of people using it without sufficient IC justification. If this is the case then bring lore staff down upon them and try to sort things out that way. An OOC ban just creates awkward fringe circumstances. The offenders who don't make IC justifications will just switch to inexplicably having something else. Like alchemy. While people who legitimately could end up with armour end up stiffed and suffering the brunt of this ban.

Plus, sometimes its fun to face off against an armored opponent. The problem here is with people who make their characters needlessly or inexplicably wealthy. Not with the item they choose to spend that wealth on. Finally, remember the slums aren't just starving peasants. They contain disgraced characters hiding from the law, powerful vampire covens, and structured and organized crime syndicates. They do have access to certain things. Moreso than nobles when it comes to elements such as illegal alchemy or contraband.