I've always been fascinated with the social aspect of MMO's. A player base is defined not only by the class of the character, but the race as well. Often times we forget that the person underneath the massive Oblivion Helm has a story to tell. A motivation for his/her actions. A background. More importantly, an identity. Choosing a race is among the first things we do in Destiny, as well as any other MMO. It's as important, if not more important, than any cosmetic option given to us at the start of the game. Once we're resurrected by our companion, Ghost, our characters life is given a meaning again. Whether you're a human hell-bent on sending back The Darkness from whence they came. An Awoken seeking out the truth of the cosmos and to unravel the mysteries of the Traveler. Or an Exo, desperately seeking meaning to a forgotten past by killing hordes of vicious beats and gaining purpose as a Guardian. It's up to us as a player to decide what we're fighting for and who we fight for.

I propose this question with an anthropomorphic state of mind. What will The Tower inhabit the most? Why do certain players choose a certain race? For the aesthetic appeal to their facial features? Because they'll look badass in a rad set of malicious armor? Whatever the reason...I'm interested. I care about the soldiers that will stand by my side in battle, pvp, and The Crucible. With Destiny's release approaching us ever so slowly I grow more and more eager to find out who my companions will be.

https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/67668957/0/0 <<<< vote here!

Take a second to vote and let's find out! I'll post the results on my very first YouTube video dedicated to Destiny lore and game play. My first video will be posted within the week!!! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTKMkdCqFA7_DGXYDly3AvQ

Farewell, Guardians.

-Knarfu

In any game I can choose classes and stuff like this, I always be a human first. I like to be myself.

In any game I can choose classes and stuff like this, I always be a human first. I like to be myself.

I'm not convinced that the Awoken aren't human in origin.

My primary choice is Awoken. I find their mystery appealing.

Human is about the only character I don't want. I love the Exo's and I want an Awoken in some form. I just think the hummies are boring.

- No text -

In any game I can choose classes and stuff like this, I always be a human first. I like to be myself.

I'm not convinced that the Awoken aren't human in origin.

They are. From the Grimoire:

Race: Awoken

"The others sing this song of Light and Dark. We, together, have transcended such unimaginative limitations."

It is said that the Awoken were born in the Collapse, descended from those who tried to flee its wrath. Something happened to them out on the edge of the deep black, and they were forever changed.

Today many Awoken live in the distant Reef, aloof and mysterious. But others returned to Earth, where their descendants now fight for the City.

Earthborn Awoken sometimes venture out to the Reef, hoping to learn its secrets - but find no special welcome from the reclusive Queen.

- No text -

Awoken girls have the best hair and blue skin is gorgeous. Oh, and there's this gem:

"The others sing this song of Light and Dark. We, together, have transcended such unimaginative limitations."

There is so much about this that I can identify with.

They even come in ginger:

They even come in ginger:

I guess that means exos don't have souls.

In any game I can choose classes and stuff like this, I always be a human first. I like to be myself.

Same here. I like a character I can relate to. I made one of each class, but my human hunter was the one I liked the best. When I get around to making a second character, I'll make an exo, just because robots are cool, but my main story character will be human.

What is it with Bungie and blue chicks?

ROFL.... SUCH MAJESTY! Its beautiful. O_O

- No text -

- No text -

Relevant.

What is it with Bungie and blue chicks?

Well technically, Cortana wasn't really female; she just identified as one.

Well technically, Cortana wasn't really female; she just identified as one.

She was conceived as a male AI, then changed gender to match the woman whose brain she was modelled after.

I love tits.

Blue skin and purple hair; I went with a character that looks like my girlfriend so that she can feel "involved".

Well technically, Cortana wasn't really female; she just identified as one.

She was conceived as a male AI, then changed gender to match the woman whose brain she was modelled after.

Really? I was under the impression that she had always first been created in the image of her mother, Catherine, instead of modeled otherwise.

Well technically, Cortana wasn't really female; she just identified as one.

She was conceived as a male AI, then changed gender to match the woman whose brain she was modelled after.

Halo: Gender Evolved.

Wonder why she slowly improved her image, until she was like "Nah, birthing-hipped butterface lol"...

Wait, should we label this *OT*?... Halo talk is... OT...

- No text -

- No text -

Really? I was under the impression that she had always first been created in the image of her mother, Catherine, instead of modeled otherwise.

The bit about being male initially was a sarcastic response to Korny's obvious troll. But yeah, the above was always my understanding too.

Wait, should we label this *OT*?... Halo talk is... OT...

No, but maybe we should label it ‘Korny Troll Thread’?

- No text -

- No text -

Grizzlei 2016

Really? I was under the impression that she had always first been created in the image of her mother, Catherine, instead of modeled otherwise.

The bit about being male initially was a sarcastic response to Korny's obvious troll. But yeah, the above was always my understanding too.

Heh.

Having read the novels, it was my understanding that AIs chose their own appearance, not that it was predetermined by programming. Therefore, there were no innately "female" or "male" AI. It was up to their own preference, so despite being modeled after Halsey's brain, Cortana could have chosen to look like Halsey's Journal for all we know...

‘Korny Troll Thread’?

That sounds redundant.

Having read the novels, it was my understanding that AIs chose their own appearance, not that it was predetermined by programming. Therefore, there were no innately "female" or "male" AI. It was up to their own preference, so despite being modeled after Halsey's brain, Cortana could have chosen to look like Halsey's Journal for all we know...

Yeah, they're born gender neutral so long as their creators don't design them in any particular way. Advanced constructs merely take after their host's brain in a certain fashion, but their identity doesn't necessarily reflect that former personality and appearance. Cortana decided to have a feminine identity and take after her mother's appearance, but their personalities to an extent are wholly different.

Artificial intelligence is fucking awesome.

...you'll always stay true?

...that's all you'll do?

...you live in a shoe?

I need to work on that line.

Blue skin and purple hair; I went with a character that looks like my girlfriend so that she can feel "involved".

Heh... Since for some reason (unknown by man) Dragon's Dogma doesn't have co-op, I modeled my Pawn after my own girlfriend, giving her the same combat traits and dress style that she would have used. Sounds kind of lame, but when I was limping out of a cave with her at my side, it felt special anyway, and she appreciated it IRL...

That's really the filename.

Having read the novels, it was my understanding that AIs chose their own appearance, not that it was predetermined by programming. Therefore, there were no innately "female" or "male" AI. It was up to their own preference, so despite being modeled after Halsey's brain, Cortana could have chosen to look like Halsey's Journal for all we know...

Yeah, they're born gender neutral so long as their creators don't design them in any particular way. Advanced constructs merely take after their host's brain in a certain fashion, but their identity doesn't necessarily reflect that former personality and appearance. Cortana decided to have a feminine identity and take after her mother's appearance, but their personalities to an extent are wholly different.

Artificial intelligence is fucking awesome.

Indeed. Which makes me wonder about Ghosts. If they were made by the traveler, what drove it to make them intelligent and with free will, yet desiring to be subservient to a Guardian?

Also, since we're found in Russia, why is our Ghost British? I know he's been searching a long time, but wasn't London burned before the existence of the Guardians?

Edit: Yes, I am under the assumption that all British people live in London.

- No text -

Indeed. Which makes me wonder about Ghosts. If they were made by the traveler, what drove it to make them intelligent and with free will, yet desiring to be subservient to a Guardian?

Also, since we're found in Russia, why is our Ghost British? I know he's been searching a long time, but wasn't London burned before the existence of the Guardians?

I kinda think the Ghosts might be deceased life just as the Guardians were.

Indeed. Which makes me wonder about Ghosts. If they were made by the traveler, what drove it to make them intelligent and with free will, yet desiring to be subservient to a Guardian?

To what extent do they have "free will?"

Can they be said to be subservient to their Guardian?

Edit: Yes, I am under the assumption that all British people live in London.

Hardly any British people live in London, in my experience...!

Indeed. Which makes me wonder about Ghosts. If they were made by the traveler, what drove it to make them intelligent and with free will, yet desiring to be subservient to a Guardian?

To what extent do they have "free will?"

They apparently talk to themselves as they scour about for years looking for their Guardian. As Griz notes, they may have been based off of dead people, much like the Guardians, and if that were the case, then they'd definitely know of freedom, even if they didn't have their full memories (Guardians apparently remember speech). In any case, it was said that they choose their Guardian...

Can they be said to be subservient to their Guardian?

"I'm your Ghost."
Not sure to what extent yet, but they seem to specifically consider Guardians their "boss", since they work pretty much as tools of the Guardian, although Pedro did say "We're in this together", so there's that...

They apparently talk to themselves as they scour about for years looking for their Guardian. As Griz notes, they may have been based off of dead people, much like the Guardians, and if that were the case, then they'd definitely know of freedom, even if they didn't have their full memories (Guardians apparently remember speech). In any case, it was said that they choose their Guardian...

I'm not seeing the point. They could easily be robots (with clever speech functionality) programmed to find a guardian, and then use the guardian to help accomplish various tasks.

(There is, of course, a worthwhile question here about what "free will" actually is.)

"I'm your Ghost."

That form of possessive doesn't imply subservience. In many practical uses it merely implies (often exclusive) association.

I mean, a dictator/slave owner/something could (grammatically appropriately) say "I'm your master" to a subject.

Not sure to what extent yet, but they seem to specifically consider Guardians their "boss", since they work pretty much as tools of the Guardian

In terms of dependence, there are strong relationships both ways. The ghost certainly can't do much without a guardian to shoot things with, but the guardian wouldn't be alive without the ghost.

The ghost is a tool of the guardian, but the guardian is seemingly also a tool of ghost (the entire purpose of a ghost might be to use a guardian as a tool).

"I'm your Ghost."

In the Grimoire thread I posted this supposition that they are a kind of familiar, so when they say the above, from a certain perspective they are your ghost.

Not sure to what extent yet, but they seem to specifically consider Guardians their "boss", since they work pretty much as tools of the Guardian

In terms of dependence, there are strong relationships both ways. The ghost certainly can't do much without a guardian to shoot things with, but the guardian wouldn't be alive without the ghost.

I've always viewed it as a partnership, as a meeting of equals (albeit with very different functions), rather than any sort of hierarchy.

Exo Warlock, specifically. If I create other characters, I'll probably repeat what I did in the Beta and have one of each species. Primary will be that Exo, though. Wish there was an option to leave the helmet on in the Tower.

Awoken Female Hunter, no contest. Humans are boring, robots are emotionless. White hair, white eyes, white warpaint all the way

Human Female Hunter will definitely by my primary character. Tentatively planning on an Awoken Male Warlock and Exo Male Titan as my supplemental characters.

Blue skin and purple hair; I went with a character that looks like my girlfriend so that she can feel "involved".

You're dating Cortana?

Except as a Titan.

Ha, my girlfriend is actually pale and blonde (and lovely, of course). But she asked me if my female hunter in the game was meant to be her, so I was like "...uh....yeah....?"

Because they are so sexo.

If I ever do make a non-human class, it would be an Exo. They (and their dance) are awesome.

Why do certain players choose a certain race? For the aesthetic appeal to their facial features? Because they'll look badass in a rad set of malicious armor Whatever the reason...I'm interested.

It started with Morrowind, where I wanted to create a class that would fit my playstyle. Redguards were the best for me, and since then, I always try to make my characters resemble one another (a long lineage, if you will). So for the Alpha and Beta, I replicated my Skyrim character as best I could...

I care about the soldiers that will stand by my side in battle, pvp, and The Crucible. With Destiny's release approaching us ever so slowly I grow more and more eager to find out who my companions will be.

https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/67668957/0/0 <<<< vote here!

Poll looks fairly even, but those Khajiit-tier awoken do seem to be lagging behind a bit.

Edit: Yes, I am under the assumption that all British people live in London.

Hardly any British people live in London, in my experience...!

British isn't the same thing as English, anyways. I mean, English people are British, but so are say, the Welsh, right?

space magic

Avatar needs MOAR BEARD!

British isn't the same thing as English, anyways. I mean, English people are British, but so are say, the Welsh, right?

But if every English is British, his statement (as he meant, of course [assuming it is the joke I think it is]) still stands, no?

I'm going to try and have three different characters going at once. It looks like I won't have much time off during the winter, so I'll try and mix it up whenever I can play.

The mention of darkness infused weapon parts may allow a little paragon/renegade character alignment roleplaying.

Edit: Yes, I am under the assumption that all British people live in London.

Hardly any British people live in London, in my experience...!

Mine too ;-)

British isn't the same thing as English, anyways. I mean, English people are British, but so are say, the Welsh, right?

But if every English is British, his statement (as he meant, of course [assuming it is the joke I think it is]) still stands, no?

I think we would all be best served by bringing Welsh Nationalism into this thread.