The WOL and Mass Murder

[JunseiKei]

Assuming that FFXIV runs that far, is it really murder in war?

Murder is murder. In the event of war, you have an army of murderers, and would-be murderers, given legal cause by a certain group. Even in self defense, it is still murder.

The DRK 60 to 70 quests touches on the subject brought up by the OP. Even if you don't plan to play DRK, I'd really recommend leveling up the class just to see the story.

[Canopia]

Murder is murder. In the event of war, you have an army of murderers, and would-be murderers, given legal cause by a certain group. Even in self defense, it is still murder.

The DRK 60 to 70 quests touches on the subject brought up by the OP. Even if you don't plan to play DRK, I'd really recommend leveling up the class just to see the story.

I dont believe war is murder, I view murder as bringing harm and death upon someone who had no intention of harming you. In war, you either kill them or they kill you. Short of desertion, that is the only reality, and unless you are in a region that drafts/conscripts people into the military, thats what you signed up for. To sacrifice your life and others on the battlefield to safeguard your home. Sure, there are bloodthirsty people out there that sign up because they view it as legal murder but not every soldier is of that mindset. If they dont stand up and fight, there is chance their family and the people they care about will be the ones brought to harm. And to view their sacrifices as murder brings disrespect and dishonor to them and their families. There have always been rules to govern warfare, sometimes people disregard those rules and at the end of the conflict tend to be brought to pay for those crimes. Also as there is always going to be unavoidable deaths along the way. If you throw a rock in the air in an empty field and it happens to fall and hit someone on the head you didnt even know was there and killed them. Does that really make you a murderer? Id assume youd want them charged and imprisoned/executed for a simple mistake huh.

[JunseiKei]

IJS, that's why many soldiers are given drugs to help deal with the acts they have done. Suffer from PTSD. I've had a good chunk of my family serve, both willing and not (and we're Americans, a draft did occur, least you forget and not everyone has passed away that personally remember it). Taking life is murder, regardless of how others may justify it. They still commit murder, though it has been bestowed upon them by the government to be pardoned for their acts (justifiable homicide).

If you throw a rock in the air in an empty field and it happens to fall and hit someone on the head you didnt even know was there and killed them. Does that really make you a murderer?

That is called manslaughter. Murder is done with intent, so no.

Either or, what I'm getting at is the WoL does commit murder, but does it for "the greater good," giving them a pardon from those around them.
Flip the reasoning over: if you've read the lore book, you understand what the Garleans have suffered through (centuries of raiding from the "lesser" races). We call them murderers, but they are just as justified. Why are we pardoned and not they? Mainly because we fight on the [ultimately] victor's side and that is how the story is written. I'd like to think they'll eventually be redeemed because of those circumstances. We've given the beastmen redemption; I'd love to see the same extended to the Garleans. The Ascians are still the overarching nemesis.

[Coratanni]

IJS, that's why many soldiers are given drugs to help deal with the acts they have done. Suffer from PTSD. I've had a good chunk of my family serve, both willing and not (and we're Americans, a draft did occur, least you forget and not everyone has passed away that personally remember it). Taking life is murder, regardless of how others may justify it. They still commit murder, though it has been bestowed upon them by the government to be pardoned for their acts (justifiable homicide).

Considering my father was in Vietnam, Grandfather was in WW2, Great-grandfather was in WW1, and 75% of my friends served in every war since the Korean war... Not to mention the friends who had to flee their homeland in Vietnam or face execution by the Viet Cong(and they had family members killed and dumped in the river who didn't leave). Your post disgusts me in so many ways.

[ThirdChild_ZKI]

Murder is murder. In the event of war, you have an army of murderers, and would-be murderers, given legal cause by a certain group. Even in self defense, it is still murder.

Not to bring reality into it, but in a life or death situation, no sane person's going to question if their own self defense/preservation is justified or not.

Eorzea's not a perfect place. Hydaelyn's not a perfect world. People fight, people die. Some for big causes, some just suddenly and unceremoniously. It's safe to assume that the life of an adventurer can be a violent path, depending on the situation. No it doesn't have to be, but as the WoL, we've made a name for ourselves being the one that steps up to the challenge each time, ready to fight if need be. Whether it's a trial of strength, self-defense, a revolution, or a trap sprung, fighting is what we do. If death of another means we live, we simply choose our own life over our enemy's life. And that's perfectly normal.

[Dualgunner]

Murder is murder.

Murder *is* murder, but killing is not murder. Murder defined as "The unlawful premeditated killing of another" by Google. Given legal cause means it's no longer unlawful. In self-defense means it's not premeditated.