Is leaving a Major Faction a bad thing?

[Jsc]

Q: Is leaving a Major Faction a bad thing?

This has come up for me recently. A few writers have expressed that leaving a Major Faction is a big deal. Now, I disagree. I think that every character is perfectly entitled to pursue their hopes and dreams no matter the color of their flag. That's just good writing. But recently I have seen people express a certain betrayal about people leaving a Faction? Not the website, mind you. They are still here. Haha. Just... They have chosen to follow their character's story rather than their Faction's politics.

Minor Factions?

Yes. I understand that leaving a Minor Faction is much more disastrous than leaving a Faction with 300 members. I will not even attempt to argue that. So let's ignore that specificity for now and just focus on Major Factions. I would like to have a conversation about why it is so taboo to leave a Major Faction and catch hate and drama for it.

Because I cannot see any reason why negativity is necessary for following your heart.

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

Nope, not in my mind. Alexandra left the Sith Empire by going Turncoat, Solan is likely to leave any day now as the Jedi are not what he thought they were, and Yusan has been in the CIS And the Pubs, only staying in the pubs because of his commitment to Eshan.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

For the average Joe member in a Major Faction, I don't see it as being the biggest of deals, however; I can see that maybe, the Faction Leader leaving it could be a big deal.

 

[Fabula Caromed]

Q: Is leaving a Major Faction a bad thing?

I hope so. Considering how often I do it, it'd make me feel like a rebel.

 

[Aran Finn]

A lot of people get butthurt about other writers leaving their Major Faction. I suggest those people take some time out from this game and assess what's really important in life. Sometimes an IC bounty or vendetta is acceptable when a character betrays or screws over their Major Faction, but if say a Jedi Padawan chose to leave the Republic because they no longer believed in their ideals? That's just good story. People should get over it imo.

 

[Mother Askani]

This ^

 

[Lucianus Adair]

I wholeheartedly believe in doing what is best for the character, what makes sense for the character. Is leaving a faction under those conditions a bad thing, regardless of whether it is major or minor? No. I don't believe so. I don't even think it's taboo.

Then the question comes - how many people leave because of IC reasons, compared with OOC reasons? The separation of these is necessary, but in cases where a faction has become a soul-sucking place to be, OOC, it's hard to keep the two separate. In the end, it's up to the player to analyze their situation to see if they're doing it for the right reasons, and it's up to the people around them to not guilt them for their choices.

 

[Luna Vega]

Mmmm... perhaps it is hard to find loyalty and stability? Or that maybe people feel that way and have gotten tired of it happening? When you have it, then it vanishes? It is not just the person's character wanting to "follow their heart and dreams" that it affects, but the other character's stories they were involved with as well. A lot of people plan and it throws a kink in them.

 

[Verrin Ris'To]

OOCly? I think it depends on the amount of responsibilities they had, but ICly I think it depends on the kind of ties that character has made. If I was best friends/lovers/whatever with someone, and they abandoned the Jedi Order; it wouldn't be surprising that the character would feel betrayed, especially, if the person they considered to be close to them never told them their intentions.

But I don't see that as a bad thing. It is drama which in turn can make for a wonderful RP where they meet again after having separated. Generates good story, but above all, as the writer, I say make your character go where you think would be best.

 

[Jsc]

and it's up to the people around them to not guilt them for their choices.

OOC and IC will always be difficult to separate. A fascinating observation and I'm very glad you mentioned it. However, I will emphasize your last statement to it's fullest. Whatever the reasons for leaving, it's up to the people around you to not shame you for your choices. Excellent words and perhaps the very impact I'd like to have this thread create. Human nature not withstanding. Lol. There will always be drama.

 

[Ashin Varanin]

[member="Sam Jhovna"] - There have literally been entire factions created as zero-drama zones, to avoid the kinds of stigma you're talking about, or to help people deal with it. The Silent Conclave/Levantine Sanctum comes to mind. People talked bad about them for MONTHS for leaving the Jedi, so they took the high road and made their own thing.

 

[Seris Vant]

Well everyone deserves to do as he or she wishes. And no matter the amount of arm twisting if they want to do it they shall do so. There has been atleast two notable big leaves in the past month-ish. I believe the one was more OOC driven and the newer IC. Both are valid reasons for leaving. If you can't stand to be working with someone / someones. Then you should not be bearer of the burden to continue to do so. No matter the detriment to the faction it may impose, so long as you are not at fault for the issue at hand. Because if you are; obviously you are being the jerk. And you should try and be the bigger person and come to reconcile with the other party for the faction as a whole. Of course those are mighty big boots to walk in and some just can't or won't. But thats their issue to work with.

IC'ly is obviously the best reason to be leaving a faction. If the direction your character is taking drives you away then you must break ties to stay on your chosen path. Or if it is just becoming something you envisioned it to be and no longer is. Why stick around if you can't believe in it anymore? There are many valid points to depart. Some better than others, some more on a whim, which is fine. It would be best if the change could be a gradual progression. That won't often be the case of course. As people are saying if your role is minor, all the power to do as you with. But if you are a leader or important member, you do kind of owe a responsibility that will heavily affect the faction. And leaving should be a planned matter so the change over and all that will be smooth and keep the waters calm. I can't agree with a person of importance to just up and leave. But I'll leave it as this as to my thoughts on recent events.

 

[Jsc]

[member="Ashin Varanin"]

While I cannot speak for Carn Dista or the Republic Faction as a whole, it would be my greatest honor to look to those members who have suffered such and say: Well done sirs and ma'ams. You inspire me. God bless you and may you find everything you seek.

I cannot fix the past or even hope to change the future. But I would gladly suffer with such fine people for honor's sake.

 

[Quietus]

I avoid this all together by not joining factions.

 

[Moroi Wareyasui]

I think the majority of the negativity you're seeing right now is because of who left, not that people left. The majority of the active trainers all bailed, so there's a huge dearth of activity for newer folks in terms of character progression. [member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

I think the majority of the negativity you're seeing right now is because of who left, not that people left. The majority of the active trainers all bailed, so there's a huge dearth of activity for newer folks in terms of character progression. [member="Sam Jhovna"]

No no. While this topic was perhaps inspired by recent events, (which shall remain unnamed for good form,) I believe the moral to be of a much higher subject matter. That of avoiding negativity via baseless assumption. Or perhaps avoiding drama all together.

I am not pointing fingers at recent events. I am striving to learn from them.

 

[Jonathon Patches]

There are factions? Never been a part of one... huh, who knew?

(Write the story that's true to your character, leave the OOC behind).

 

[Alexandra Feanor]

[member="Jonathon Patches"]

Plus you can kick ass and take names without being penalized :d

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

OOCly factions are there to be fun. ICly if a character no longer fits in, if they've reached a stage where affiliating with a faction no longer makes sense for them then by all means they have a right to leave.

Say ideological and political disagreements as I think it can be said was the case with the Jedi who left the Republic in what [member="Ashin Varanin"] would say was the 'Third Great Schism' and formed the Silent Conclave and later the Levantine Sanctum.

Of course, ICly people could regard that as a betrayal and as 'abandoning the flag' but that's an IC matter, to be seen as separate from OOC interactions.

Speaking personally, Siobhan started as a Jedi but switched to Omega Pyre very early because frankly her being a Jedi made little sense since she did share their ideology or their Code and the Pyre was the ideal home for her. Over time she rose through the ranks and rose to the top after Tegaea became Lady Protector. ICly Tegaea had to step down due to a Sith assassination attempt and Siobhan likewise resigned and went with her because that's the one person she follows (there were OOC reasons for why this storyline took place, but it was a logical development for her). Her only present faction affiliation is a minor one.


As for Moira, she's switched faction affiliations from the start again and again because she's a backstabber who feels no loyalty (except to the idea of exterminating organics and establishing droid supremacy). Any alliance or faction affiliation on her part is solely a means to the end.

 

[sabrina]

ic wise, yes their should be consequences, but ooc wise no one should care.
ic as they see you as traitor, or coward, or some thing. If they see you in rp, and know about you leaving, then yes it should be acted out.
ooc, where all adults, I think, so should be no hard feelings.