I have a hunch that what people who never liked Garlemald to begin with consider to be 'character growth' is very different to what those who do like it - flaws and all - would desire. Which brings us right back to me simply stating that I'd appreciate more variety. I'm not sure why a request along those lines bothers some of the usual suspects and it does strike me as a bit strange given that some of those same posters insisted that the story supposedly 'had to' go a certain way when it came to the Scions and Hydaelyn.

I'm more interested in the unique elements of every nation and culture we come across rather than listening to the Scions and City State leaders engage in their usual sophistry. As an example, the presence of organisations along the lines of the Illidari in WoW or the Reachmen of Markath in ESO never bow down to the player character but still persist in the world as a force that stand as either allies or opponents as the situation demands it. Such need not come at the cost of the Scions, either - you guys can still have them front and centre if you so wish. It's just that some of us - again - simply want some variety. For characters and factions to exist that are not simply there to be fodder to be cut down and come to align with everything the player character and their immediate social circle so desire.

Either way, this is a conversation that has been had many times before and I've explained my points quite often. I suspect at this point those who do not 'get it' either never will or are feigning not understanding in an effort to misdirect and reframe what is actually being stated.