24/08/12 [DMFA #1332] - Fantastic Racism

[MT Hazard]

Where beings prove just as capable of being racist (specist?) as creatures

[Keleth]

Ha ha.

Racism~

[justacritic]

Perhaps it's better that humans are gone from what we have seen things might have gone into full blown wars in the past. Cubi & dragon war nonwithstanding

[Keleth]

Perhaps it's better that humans are gone from what we have seen things might have gone into full blown wars in the past. Cubi & dragon war nonwithstanding

You don't need a certain species around for that sort of violence to occur.

Hatred, Bigotry, Greed and Prejudice are something that everyone has in various amounts. And even if it wasn't with other races, it definately exists internally.

If there's no other side left to fight, We'll fight each other.

[Tapewolf]

Guaranteed safe conduct.  On their word as adventurers.

[Turnsky]

Guaranteed safe conduct.  On their word as adventurers.

They're adventurers, not boy scouts.
Or Samurai.
Or Knights.
Or Klingons.

Something tells me that their 'word' wouldn't hold too much weight given how trigger-happy some of them can be.

[Lying Foo]

Perhaps it's better that humans are gone from what we have seen things might have gone into full blown wars in the past. Cubi & dragon war nonwithstanding

Pretty sure these two statements aren't unconnected.

[Surzsha]

Adventurers... Come on, guys. You're starting to look more like police officers and less like competent protectors. I have faith in you guys and you're blowing it!

But in all seriousness, racism is always apparent even in your most neutral of characters. There actually is no such thing as an unbiased individual. But hell, I'm still torn on being angry at every adventurer ever to exist in fiction, or empathizing with the fact that they are biased against 'Creatures' for a reason...

[joshofspam]

Okay, so the investigate the scene all professional like. But they don't do much but report it and go on their way.

I particularly like how Abel once again catches Wildy off guard again. It's always interesting to see what new face Abel will make her wear after pointing something out to her. The first time was when confronting her about her book, wasn't it?

Sigh, though I was really hoping that the group Wildy was with was better then BOB. It does look like they aren't pursuing it much beyond the murder scene. If you compare the two adventurer groups and there cases, you can see Abel's point here.

[Zeb]

Of course one of the main problems is that creatures are the exact same way when it comes to murdering beings, so they probably feel "Why should we care? They'll gladly kill us on a murder spree, pay a small fine and go back to killing."

[Keleth]

Of course one of the main problems is that creatures are the exact same way when it comes to murdering beings, so they probably feel "Why should we care? They'll gladly kill us on a murder spree, pay a small fine and go back to killing."

That is generally the problem with racism and prejudice yes.

It's also a problem with people having life be worth no value.

[TacticalError]

The main problem here is that most creatures do see beings as having worthless lives- it's not really a racial sterotype if the vast majority of the race fit it. Pre-emptive stabbing/fireballing/harmful verb-ing doesn't seem so extreme in most cases. The whole thing with Mink's (correct use of apostrophe?) mom is probably one of the very few exceptions to a rule.

[KiloFoxx]

y'knw, seeing as Dan is Alexi's Brother, and Merlitz' friend. i'm surprised he hasn't even been mentioned at ALL yet. i suspect that he will be sooner or later. and EVENTUALLY (given this may happen several chapters down the line) it'll come to light that Dan is a 'cubi. i REALLY wonder how these adventurers will take that news. from what i understand, Dan is pretty damn well known. and i'm sure the BOB know that Dan spends a lot of time (I.E. basically all of it) at Lost Lake Inn, and he hasn't even been brought up in a "hey where's Dan?" by them. and certainly Dans word for Able would count more than Wildys.

regardless of what happens here. i sudder to think what'll happen when Dan gets back from SAIA and hears about this. or worse (and MUCH funnier) if he finds out AT SAIA.

[Keleth]

The main problem here is that most creatures do see beings as having worthless lives- it's not really a racial sterotype if the vast majority of the race fit it. Pre-emptive stabbing/fireballing/harmful verb-ing doesn't seem so extreme in most cases. The whole thing with Mink's (correct use of apostrophe?) mom is probably one of the very few exceptions to a rule.

See, that thing you posted right there?

We consider that Prejudice and Stereotypical.

[Tipod]

Am I the only person who finds the implications of this setting's society to be really, really sinister? Like I'm surprised we don't end up seeing more lynchings or people being nailed to crosses.

[Tapewolf]

Let's see... they don't know about Jyrras or the rats, so to the best of their knowledge the inn is otherwise empty.  did they really just suggest leaving the inn with Alexsi still lying on the floor...?

If not, have they considered what's likely to happen when she wakes up?  Even if Abel or Wildy don't say "They tried to murder you" (which is completely true and so far, the BOB fully deserve to have Alexsi loose on them), even if they cover for the BOB, the last thing she saw was a bunch of adventurers zapping her so she's liable to work it out on her own.

[Surzsha]

Am I the only person who finds the implications of this setting's society to be really, really sinister? Like I'm surprised we don't end up seeing more lynchings or people being nailed to crosses.

I actually read one Furrae-based story that involved a group of beings literally tearing a winged individual apart with their bare paws and holding up the body parts like trophies (and during a rescue mission to boot), so... Yeah. I'm sure there's worse than lynch mobs and run-by crucifixions.

But hey... we're just here to have some bloody good fun, right? 

[Plotting]

Let's see... they don't know about Jyrras or the rats, so to the best of their knowledge the inn is otherwise empty.  did they really just suggest leaving the inn with Alexsi still lying on the floor...?

Well they do think she is a 'Cubi, and they don't even want to believe that Wildly is a Being without verifying it via a method of their choosing. I don't think they would care about Alexsi at this point in time. Also when they do realize that she is a Being I doubt it would be more than a case of "our bad" to them.

If not, have they considered what's likely to happen when she wakes up?  Even if Abel or Wildy don't say "They tried to murder you" (which is completely true and so far, the BOB fully deserve to have Alexsi loose on them), even if they cover for the BOB, the last thing she saw was a bunch of adventurers zapping her so she's liable to work it out on her own.

And even Mythos working for bad guys know you do Not piss of Alexsi.

When Alexsi comes to she might bend the B-O-B in ways that Beings are not meant to bend. 

[TacticalError]

The main problem here is that most creatures do see beings as having worthless lives- it's not really a racial sterotype if the vast majority of the race fit it. Pre-emptive stabbing/fireballing/harmful verb-ing doesn't seem so extreme in most cases. The whole thing with Mink's (correct use of apostrophe?) mom is probably one of the very few exceptions to a rule.

See, that thing you posted right there?

We consider that Prejudice and Stereotypical.

This probably sounds like a stupid question, but why?

[llearch n'n'daCorna]

The main problem here is that most creatures do see beings as having worthless lives- it's not really a racial sterotype if the vast majority of the race fit it. Pre-emptive stabbing/fireballing/harmful verb-ing doesn't seem so extreme in most cases. The whole thing with Mink's (correct use of apostrophe?) mom is probably one of the very few exceptions to a rule.

See, that thing you posted right there?

We consider that Prejudice and Stereotypical.

This probably sounds like a stupid question, but why?

Also, Drath? Could you not include me in your royal "We", there? I'm not sure what you're getting at, either.

[Nino]

The main problem here is that most creatures do see beings as having worthless lives- it's not really a racial sterotype if the vast majority of the race fit it. Pre-emptive stabbing/fireballing/harmful verb-ing doesn't seem so extreme in most cases. The whole thing with Mink's (correct use of apostrophe?) mom is probably one of the very few exceptions to a rule.

See, that thing you posted right there?

We consider that Prejudice and Stereotypical.

I'm guessing you read this as him saying that beings have worthless lives is a true stereotype maybe? I'm just wondering, because that's what I thought it was saying at first, but it's also very late.

I'm not really convinced it's the 'vast majority' of creatures as so much as a very damaging and decently sized minority for many types of creatures (certainly many types of mythos wouldn't hold this attitude toward beings?), but either way he's got a point. Though obviously this anti-creature attitude beings have adopted is what Abel is critiquing here.

(I actually think it could be argued something is stereotypical even if the majority of a race has that quality to assume EVERY member does, but I think there's a gray area on certain issues like this where you could assume or keep in mind that about creatures as a whole while still giving individuals a chance at the same time - since having that stereotype could be the difference between life and death, it's sort of a beneficial stereotype for beings to keep).

edit: you know, since beings outnumber creatures, Furrae has what could be considered an oppressed majority - weird.

[Zeb]

The main problem here is that most creatures do see beings as having worthless lives- it's not really a racial sterotype if the vast majority of the race fit it. Pre-emptive stabbing/fireballing/harmful verb-ing doesn't seem so extreme in most cases. The whole thing with Mink's (correct use of apostrophe?) mom is probably one of the very few exceptions to a rule.

See, that thing you posted right there?

We consider that Prejudice and Stereotypical.

I'm guessing you read this as him saying that beings have worthless lives is a true stereotype maybe? I'm just wondering, because that's what I thought it was saying at first, but it's also very late.

I'm not really convinced it's the 'vast majority' of creatures as so much as a very damaging and decently sized minority for many types of creatures (certainly many types of mythos wouldn't hold this attitude toward beings?), but either way he's got a point. Though obviously this anti-creature attitude beings have adopted is what Abel is critiquing here.

(I actually think it could be argued something is stereotypical even if the majority of a race has that quality to assume EVERY member does, but I think there's a gray area on certain issues like this where you could assume or keep in mind that about creatures as a whole while still giving individuals a chance at the same time - since having that stereotype could be the difference between life and death, it's sort of a beneficial stereotype for beings to keep).

edit: you know, since beings outnumber creatures, Furrae has what could be considered an oppressed majority - weird.

It works out when you think of the creatures rely more on the oppressed majority being majority due to being considered cattle by some of the creature races. Weak, easily culled, and feeding the strong as they cannot resist and thus feeding the creature race by extension.

It's kind of weird when you consider that by old standards, before the time it is now creatures used to snack on beings like cattle due to being unopposed while they have more options, then you still have the now where you still see some creatures eating beings normally and teaching their children that it's proper to do so.

[Jigsaw Forte]

Am I the only person who finds the implications of this setting's society to be really, really sinister? Like I'm surprised we don't end up seeing more lynchings or people being nailed to crosses.

Fully extrapolated, so is the Kevin & Kell verse. A society held together by anonymous murder in the name of dietary requirements can only work so long.

Then again, it's not like our own world is completely without these qualities, which I suspect is part of the point.

[Tipod]

Fully extrapolated, so is the Kevin & Kell verse. A society held together by anonymous murder in the name of dietary requirements can only work so long.

Then again, it's not like our own world is completely without these qualities, which I suspect is part of the point.

Well yeah but someone already looked at Kevin & Kell like that (which is mildly NSFW I guess).

[joshofspam]

Actually when you really focus in on the different races, they really aren't mentally different from one another. Kria was very close friends to Abel's mother and tried her darnedest to try to strong arm Fa'lina in getting Abel to stay (Though she did come to respect Fa'lina a little) and obviously Aniz's actions jaded Kria's view of that race in general. But we also know that Kria was involved in the attack on that Being outpost.

Abel though being a snarky cubi, often tries to at least do the right thing to help others when he can.

What it seems like in this world is it's more of the actual physical capabilities effect the way they perceive others and how the powers make others perceive them, but that perception can't over all effect how they interact with others. But it can tint the interaction in a negative or positive way.

[Lying Foo]

Am I the only person who finds the implications of this setting's society to be really, really sinister? Like I'm surprised we don't end up seeing more lynchings or people being nailed to crosses.

Fully extrapolated, so is the Kevin & Kell verse. A society held together by anonymous murder in the name of dietary requirements can only work so long.

Then again, it's not like our own world is completely without these qualities, which I suspect is part of the point.

This strip is a lot like K&K, except it's more open about how sinister it is.  There's a kind of drama arising from the relations between the races here that only exists in K&K to add some quick drama to a storyline, and then the fact that not only do half the cast happily eat people, but their entire society is built around it, goes back to the background, without a peep by even the human characters.  This world's dark side, although the characters are used to it, has real, lasting ramifications even in the most carefree moments.

Also, regarding the prejudice of adventurers, let's be fair: we have no reason at all to think that the attitudes of Kria and Regina are exceptional among Demons, and plenty of reason to think they aren't.  Depending on how much respect one gives the semi-early strips, even Lorenda will chow down on the occasional Being for unjustifiably petty reasons.  Abel's Story shows that Kria was in her youth held too nice by her kin.  (Although you know what they say about converts...)  Cubi seem to be better, but keep in mind that even though Jakob says that the changeling gambit is uncommon, and my guess would be it usually doesn't go as badly as Aniz's version, it's common enough that he assumed it was the reason for Dan having been raised as a Being, and enough that he made pamphlets; also, Destania didn't only have one student, and my guess would be those of her students who are outside the academy... well, they ain't porn stars.  Dragons, too, seem to be causing a lot of trouble, since they usually end up being the villains of the "noodle" adventures.

[joshofspam]

This strip is a lot like K&K, except it's more open about how sinister it is.  There's a kind of drama arising from the relations between the races here that only exists in K&K to add some quick drama to a storyline, and then the fact that not only do half the cast happily eat people, but their entire society is built around it, goes back to the background, without a peep by even the human characters.  This world's dark side, although the characters are used to it, has real, lasting ramifications even in the most carefree moments.

Also, regarding the prejudice of adventurers, let's be fair: we have no reason at all to think that the attitudes of Kria and Regina are exceptional among Demons, and plenty of reason to think they aren't.  Depending on how much respect one gives the semi-early strips, even Lorenda will chow down on the occasional Being for unjustifiably petty reasons.  Abel's Story shows that Kria was in her youth held too nice by her kin.  (Although you know what they say about converts...)  Cubi seem to be better, but keep in mind that even though Jakob says that the changeling gambit is uncommon, and my guess would be it usually doesn't go as badly as Aniz's version, it's common enough that he assumed it was the reason for Dan having been raised as a Being, and enough that he made pamphlets; also, Destania didn't only have one student, and my guess would be those of her students who are outside the academy... well, they ain't porn stars.  Dragons, too, seem to be causing a lot of trouble, since they usually end up being the villains of the "noodle" adventures.

Though to say that the Creatures society is completely built around eating people might be a bit of a stretch.

Though one can't deny if a creature eats a being, it doesn't seem like the courts really perceive it in equal offense of the action taken by the creature.

Then again, adventurers aren't what one would consider police. There closer to hitman and mercenaries. Their avengers and avenging doesn't come with much with a trial and ones day in court. Their made for vengeance when laws fall short.

Though you can also see that the Beings and Creatures aren't blind to the changing of times either. When you look at what Jyrras is working on in his secret lab and take into account how the Creature counsil is taking an interest in Jyrras, you can see that things are changing.

[Tapewolf]

Cubi seem to be better, but keep in mind that even though Jakob says that the changeling gambit is uncommon, and my guess would be it usually doesn't go as badly as Aniz's version, it's common enough that he assumed it was the reason for Dan having been raised as a Being,

You may be jumping to conclusions.  The changeling strategy is certainly not the only reason you might want to bring someone up as a Being.  It's quite likely that 'Cubi hiding out among Beings will want to do this, a'la Dan.  After all, if they can get them accepted by the locals as slightly weird Beings, local adventuring groups are more likely to treat them nice-ish, and the locals will vouch for them.  Yes, it's a little sneaky, but IMHO that would be a fairly good survival strategy.  If your clan has pro-Being sympathies (and I have no idea how common that actually is aside from Jin) I can imagine they'd do something like that too.

Another thing to bear in mind is that Destania ran out on them, leaving Alexsi to carry the burden of what Dan was (which she kind of forgot about, leaving Dan to find out the hard way).  Had he been tended by his parents more closely, they'd probably have taken him aside one day and broken the news to him.

EDIT: Another interesting fact is that Abel says around p600 that adventurers-turned 'Cubi are fairly common in SAIA

EDIT EDIT: http://missmab.com/Comics/Vol_602.php

[joshofspam]

EDIT: Another interesting fact is that Abel says around p600 that adventurers-turned 'Cubi are fairly common in SAIA

That is an interesting fact.

Though considering how the beings are such a reliable means of propagating their species and how cubi feed on emotions. It would be understandable that cubi would have closer ties on average with beings then most races.

So I guess it shouldn't be so surprising that cubi that where once adventurers thinking they were beings is a common thing at Saia. After all, Dan did seem to have latent magical capability as a child and magic might come in handy in the Adventurer field of work.

[Ignuus66]

EDIT: Another interesting fact is that Abel says around p600 that adventurers-turned 'Cubi are fairly common in SAIA

I am guessing most leave the adventuring career, and/or assimilate with the surrounding culture, which happens a lot, normal people actually assimilate with new cultures to fit in more after living there for quite some time, and I would imagine that 300 years is more than enough for the original way of life to be completely changed, and if you think that people actually change completely, so much that the original enviroment they came from seems foreign in only 10 years... I'd say that being at Saia is brainwashing in action within itself.