I really do like the idea of pacifism in Lusternia.

There are people who love to bash, and love to duel and do combat, and PK each other. That's fine. But there are those of us who'd rather not have anything to do with it. And unfortunately for us, because we don't want to do it, don't learn how to do it, we make easy targets for those who do. (Not a rant, just common sense.)

I'll use myself as an example, because it's for my own benefit that I'd like to see pacifism, anyway. I'm more happy to do commodity quests, and make things, than I am to go bashing or killing other people. Granted, sometimes I have to kill a cow for certain commodity quests, but that's a nessecary evil. And I kill rats for monetary purposes (and to level up, considering how teeny I really still am, with my big mouth). However, reading Iggy's post in the idiots forum about how he was killed for no reason at all, while he was doing innocent commodity quests, brings this to my attention and makes me think, yeah, pacifism could be a good thing.

Anyway, the point is, I don't think pacifism would cause Lusternia to become unbalanced. Every city or commune has their warriors and people who want to bash and PK. But theres also people who take care of the cities and communes in other ways, by doing commodities quests and other things. It might help to balance life out.

My idea goes something like this. People who want to have pacifism can CHOOSE PACIFISM, and they will be under the mantle of pacifism for one Lusternian year. During this time, the only aggressive actions that they may do are killing the particular animal for commodity quests, ratting, weeviling, and the Newton's Caverns. No one else may take aggressive action against the pacifist. However, if there is an airborne poison, which would affect everyone in the room, it would only be fair that pacifists in the area would also be harmed. After the year is up, they may either choose pacifism again, or go on their way without it.

Heh.. I love the Crusading Pacificist. Kill anyone that wins a battle, and hold no ties to a certain group. Someone needs to do this!

I like CHOOSE PACIFISM.

ok, two points.

First, pacifism doesn't mean you don't get attacked. Choosing not to be an aggressor doesn't magically protect you (IRL, this is) from others attacking you. Bully: "Gimme your lunch money or eat knuckle sandwich!" Pacifist: "But I'm a pacifist, I'm magically protected from your punches." You can be a pacifist in Lusternia. You're going to die sometimes. In reality, lots of pacifists die (mostly on account of the whole 'not fighting back' part). In fact, dying makes a stronger statement of your beliefs, because you say "I am so convinced pacifism is the right choice that I am willing to not lift a hand even as I am killed." Magical protection makes it pretty easy to expose the beliefs of a pacifist.

Second, remember the '1000 idiot factor,' With every good idea, you have to think about what effects it will have when 1000 idiots try every possible way to abuse it. As the idiot-in-residence for this thread, let me list a few ideas:
1. People using pacifism to enter enemy territory. Even if guards hit through pacifism, you still cripple the players ability to respond to threats.
2. Combine the above with movement abilities, and you have indestructable teleport beacons at various strategic locations.
3. People will get themselves into huge trouble, killing and stealing and looting or whatnot, then as soon as someone is poised to move against them, they suddenly choose pacifism. Not only avoiding all retribution, but also making an absurd and OOC choice to do it, simply for convinience.
4. Army general types will choose pacifism, and lead groups of people. They can issue orders, use movement abilities, name targets, and be the person everyone follows, and you can't break up the group or kill the leader.
5. People with pacifism will hold all the eggs during pk egghunts, so they can't be killed and lose them. They will also be given all the important quest items for comm quests, power quests, or larger quests (notes with poetry on them, for example) so that one team can't 'lose' their items.

To steal a movie quote, "Pacifism is not something to hide behind." I can respect people who want to be pacifists, but to expect special treatment and magical protection because you're pacifists doesn't sit right with me.

CHOSE PACIFISM could be a seperate 'character' that you would choose at the start, when they join a city/commune they could be the diplomats, etc, but unable to 'interact' with the 'pvp' group, which means no teleport, defense buffs, etc, they can still talk and whatever else. *shrug*

That's getting ridiculous. It reminds me of separations of PKers and NonPKers in many muds. Would be utterly stupid in Lusternia.

Yea pacifism and IRE Don't go together, though your always free to avoid conflict and be the silent but deadly type.

I think it's impossible to get pacifism working PERFECTLY. But then again, perfection is impossible to begin with.

Like someone said before, CHOOSE PACIFISM would be easily manipulated.

Pacifists should know the hardships of the life they chose and should learn to deal with it.

I played a pacifist in Aetolia, and did just great at it. (never killed a rat) If I wanted to do that charachter again, I would have the best time in lusternia.

If by PACIFISM, you mean that you'll cripple all your offensive skills and will wander around peacefully, wearing a white toga.. well, why not.
But if by PACIFISM, you mean that you'll cripple _my_ ability to kill you.. huh! erm.. no, i don't think it's going to work.

Well I can see that this is going over like a lead balloon. That's ok, though. After reading numerous Lusternia help files and considering my own personal skills, I'm thinking that the way of pacifism is not the way to go. Not for me, at least.

As a pacifist you should pick a guild as a healer, have influence, and perhaps some planar and environemtn and discernment skills and the such. Your guild skills will mostly not be needed, except maybe healing.