Quote Originally Posted by Belhi View Post
Im going to be honest, I don't really know where people are getting the sense that the Ascians aren't villains from. Regardless of their intentions they are responsible for carnage and suffering on a massive scale throughout history with no sign of regret or remorse even if necessary, and frankly seem to hold those who live on Hydaelyn with little regard and frankly sometimes a fair degree of contempt. That's ignoring the fact they are basically stealing the bodies of people to use has shells.
I'm not saying they aren't antagonists, at least for the moment. I'm not saying their methods don't need work (a fact Eldibus has shown he understands). I am saying that the "root of all evil" label we've slapped on them is fairly naive, and not really true to the spirit of the series. "Oh, just beat all twelve fourteen of these totally inhuman overlords and everything will be peace, love, and rainbows? Sign me up!" It's... too simple?

And yes, I bring this up a lot, but we had precisely one character describe, in detail, how the sole purpose his entire existence was to surrender himself as a vessel for an ancient Allagan will (and an unbroken line of ancestors all groomed from birth for the same purpose for 5000 years), and never batted an eyelash because it was for the "light of hope." Not to mention Koh Rabntah, who may never regain control of her life, but it's okay because she gives us upgrades and tells us how wonderful we are. It's cool if we do it, because we're working for the "greater good," but if Ascians do it for the benefit of their world, their beliefs, it's evil? Just like that?