[WingsOfStardust]

I would argue against RDD being taken into equation.
I mean, Szass Tam is a lich and nobody seems to really mind, Elira being a half-dragon (eventually) especially through being a RDD should be the same.
She's not "sub" human, she is so much more!

Especially since Elira is mostly mulan and was born a citizen of Thay. But of course it's up to the teams descration.

[The Philosopher]

Well, on the RDD side, I'd say that thanks to Vortar opening doors for their kind, we could allow for the fact that this path to power, as it were, is a very useful one.

[Balanor]

Oh boy. Well here we go.

Just a question ... would half-dragon's count into that equation? As when I reach level 20, Elira will become one. I'd not want to work towards tribune just to lose everything at lvl 20.

If your character's base race is human, no. You're not really a 'half-dragon' - just a human with RDD. Half-Dragons are a non-supported subrace in Thay.

If a half blood is currently a Captain or Tribune and they decide to stay even if demoted would it be possible to give them a compsenation of sorts?

No. Most Thayans, and all Red Wizards, treat non-humans like dirt (i.e. - slaves). They would not give consolation prizes for 'putting a non-human in their place'. That said, your PCs side story at the moment may provide her specifically something else. We can talk about that in PMs or (even better) through playing out the in-game tale.

Unfortunately outside of working for a temple, being a merchant or slaver, the various legions give people a chance to join something so I would not call it a crutch.

The dozens of temples aren't enough of an option??? How about joining one of the guilds then? I would be ecstatic (and I think the DMs would embrace this as well in our talks together) if people would actually use the in-game devices we have (player merchants, houses, forges to create faction items, etc) to start their own factions, stick with them it, and build them up. We had a recent situation where this was highly encouraged but apparently the players involved decided not to pursue it for whatever reason. But if someone(s) were, I am more than willing to commit design resources to making permanent faction areas/items/NPCs if they take off. Sadly, this has yet to occur.

Dread Lancers have Drow in them. Are they limited as above? Obviously this affects me in no way, just curious.

No. Pleiade explained it, but just to confirm, the Dread Lancers are not a tharch legion that enforces the law, but rather a pet project and elite military unit of the zulkirs.

But I do have to ask; indeed it is that Thay considers humans to be the superior race, but in all my reading of the Lore, it's stated that what matters most for a Thayan, in the case of half-breeds like half-elves, half-orcs and the mostly-human beings like tieflings, aasimar, genasi and so on, is the human heritage. For instance, if a half-elf or half-orc is of Mulan heritage, they suffer little prejudice, so much so it's even stated there are few lands as good for a half-orc to live in as Thay.

Can you please provide the specific source material(s) and page number(s) you found this information? A PM with this info is fine - or post if you prefer.

Will these aspects of Thayan society be held into account by the team, moving forward?

Those with some human blood can rise higher than those without in the legion, and the simple fact that Tieflings are not run out of town the moment they arrive should reinforce we do.

I would argue against RDD being taken into equation.
I mean, Szass Tam is a lich and nobody seems to really mind, Elira being a half-dragon (eventually) especially through being a RDD should be the same.

You're seriously comparing your PC to the most powerful zulkir in Thay? :D
Regardless, class choices do not come into the legion faction advancement equation (although some class choices are very difficult to play as effective legionnaires).

Well, on the RDD side, I'd say that thanks to Vortar opening doors for their kind, we could allow for the fact that this path to power, as it were, is a very useful one.

Vortar in this incarnation of the setting is only an arena editor with what's rumored to be an unconfirmed dark background. While his description says he did work for the zulkir, it doesn't not specifically say in what capacity or even that he was a member of a legion (much less the non-canon Thayan Knight he achieved prior to the setting reboot before the faction was officially implemented). Please don’t rely on any experiences with him from prior to the setting reboot as they never occurred in this 'version' of Thay. His description is this with the bolded line recently removed that only implied he may have been a tribune -

You estimate this imposing warrior stands between seven and eight feet tall and must weigh more than thirty stone. A massive greatsword rests easily on his shoulder ablaze with magical fire. Draconic wings lazily beat the air causing the weapons intense heat to radiate in suffocating blasts.

This can only be Vortar, spoken of in fear strangled whispers throughout the Priador. A legendarily brutal and powerful warrior, it is said he was once a legion tribune before the Zulkir of Evocation chose him to serve for deeds so dark only the Zulkir himself knows. It is said he can snap the spine of a man with one hand and if the stories are true, his zeal in destroying his master's enemies is only eclipsed by his love for the taste of elven flesh.

He love of gladiatorial competition eventually led him to be named Editor of the Games for the Bezantur Arena, and he presides over all the munera and other spectacles held there.

--------------------------

But with all this being said, I will add another point that tribunes still have the ability to provide a one-time promotion to *any* member of the legion. So whatever your max rank is for your non-human legionnaire, under very rare circumstances he/she could rise one rank above its current glass ceiling. These promotions can be handed out by PC tribunes or by DMs for unbelievably exceptional valor, etc, etc, etc.

[Sten]

I would like to applaud this new decree and shout "HURRAY!"

[Animayhem]

Player guilds/Factions.

I play on two world's which have guilds/factions. My character's on those worlds are guild leaders.

The one world was fully admin backed sky was the limit etc. However, as technically it was concidered a drain on resources, players had to prove the worth of their guild by actively appearing in game or roleplaying in the forums then make posts so and so did such and such. As leaders we had to crack the whip so to speak if we wish the guild alive. It started to become more of a job then as enjoyment. Suffice it to say, many guilds fell. Then the admin dissolved the guilds as they were but players could restablish or create guild but they would be responsible. Player group housing was available though guild members had to be responsible for paying the monthly taxes. It could be designed by the build team or a player. There was no mandated rules or posting to keep it active except payment of taxes on group homes.

Many players embraced the new ideas yet many did not as they had to give up their guild items.

Aside from any bells or whistles offered, the main key is getting group members together which is like herding cats. Many people here have many characters and of course different timezones.

As for temples well advancement only goes so far unless you are a cleric and some of the Temples which may not require clerics your character may not be interested in or you as a player.

Players choices in factions not only are determined by their character but also the time and energy they have to commit to same.

[Hellstrom]

Player guilds/Factions.

I play on two world's which have guilds/factions. My character's on those worlds are guild leaders.

The one world was fully admin backed sky was the limit etc. However, as technically it was concidered a drain on resources, players had to prove the worth of their guild by actively appearing in game or roleplaying in the forums then make posts so and so did such and such. As leaders we had to crack the whip so to speak if we wish the guild alive. It started to become more of a job then as enjoyment. Suffice it to say, many guilds fell. Then the admin dissolved the guilds as they were but players could restablish or create guild but they would be responsible. Player group housing was available though guild members had to be responsible for paying the monthly taxes. It could be designed by the build team or a player. There was no mandated rules or posting to keep it active except payment of taxes on group homes.

Many players embraced the new ideas yet many did not as they had to give up their guild items.

Aside from any bells or whistles offered, the main key is getting group members together which is like herding cats. Many people here have many characters and of course different timezones.

If I understand this part of your post correctly, you seem to be saying that setting up and running a player guild or faction isn't easy. I think that's a given.

As for temples well advancement only goes so far unless you are a cleric and some of the Temples which may not require clerics your character may not be interested in or you as a player.

Players choices in factions not only are determined by their character but also the time and energy they have to commit to same.

I'm not clear on what your point is in this part of your post. Are you saying that because a players play times may be limited there should be no race-based factional limits? I'd strongly disagree with that. Whichever faction your character chooses to join, IMO the decision should be an IC-based RP decision, not based on OOC factors or info.

There ARE other factions out there than legions, temples, or being a merchant. My first character on Thay (Big), was a gnome wizard who worshipped Mystra. None of the factions made sense for him until he happened to stumble across the Harper recruiter and happily joined them. The point being - why join a faction that doesn't make IC sense for OOC reasons? If there's a temple you want to join that isn't joinable, talk to Thayan about writing the faction conversation and making it joinable. Or just worship your deity and be a merchant. Or an adventurer. Or a mercenary. Or a wilderness guide. Or a sage. There are a lot of choices, and joining a faction isn't always the answer for every character concept.

[Balanor]

As for temples well advancement only goes so far unless you are a cleric and some of the Temples which may not require clerics your character may not be interested in or you as a player.

I want to clarify/correct this statement so people don't get the wrong idea from it. Temple clergy advancement occurs for clerics, paladins, and druids as well as blackguards and divine champions (CoT). All other classes can rise from initiate to a member at least - which does give them the faction item and access to merchants/restricted areas of the temples.

Clergy Initiate - Lay Member who has at least 1 Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Blackguard, or Divine Champion level. Note that not all faiths allow Druids, Paladins, or Blackguards so review the in-game list of Forgotten Realms gods in the Player Guide for those that do.

[Bertram Anders]

This post, contains all the join-able factions in it. Well I think Thayan Knight isn't on the list, but I digress.

There are many, many, many options for characters to chose from. Hellstrom is right, faction options should fit because of IC reasons not OOC reasons. Your options are only limited by your imagination! If there is something out there you want and its not available take initiative!

[WingsOfStardust]

If your character's base race is human, no. You're not really a 'half-dragon' - just a human with RDD. Half-Dragons are a non-supported subrace in Thay.

Though, at lvl 10 RDD your race switches to Half-Dragon, does it not?
I just want to be sure that at lvl 20, some script suddenly does not kick in and KICK ME down a few ranks :P

[Muse]

Part of me do think it's a bit much to take in. This being as non-humans now cannot rank past Lieutenant as well as most to all Thayan Knights being of human blood. I understand this is how the cookie crumbles, or for Thay, how the prejudice rises. Perhaps thayan knight choices can be further seen then, instead of one to maybe another race to add to such? Gives some non-humans in the legion a little bit of hope to look forward too.