Ratongas, evil?

[Rikini]

<DIV>I'm curious why Ratongas were designed, or designated  as Evil.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>as I understand the lore, Ratongas racially lived somewhere in the vicinity of the Deserts of Ro and Freeport. Perhaps in the tunnels of Freeport. Ratongas aided the Militia during a conflict. Then now, they are said to be aiding the Gnomes.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But still, why evil? Was that becuase since Ratongas live racially, in or near Freeport, that the only way to ensure we start out in Freeport is to make us 'evil'?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I would be curious to hear a lore writer's take on this. If anyone knows a site where this info is given it would help me round out my character.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>(I really would prefer to not get a thousand 'you're a rat, you're filthy vermin type flames, please. Constructive information would be helpful.)</DIV><p>Message Edited by Rikini on <span class=date_text>12-23-2004</span> <span class=time_text>04:33 PM</span>

[Raze]

<DIV><FONT color=#ffffff>From what ive read, they are not "evil" but no-one knows what their motives are and they are very self involved. Basically they are looking out for themselves and have their own agenda.</FONT></DIV>

[Kondul]

Generally, Ratongas are thought of as evil cause, well, they are. Talking to some of the NPC ratongas, and you start to get a bit of an insite into their mentality. They're are very much a "Puttin #1 first" race. Forget Loyalty, forget Faith, they do something, the first question they ask is "what's in it for me?" This, naturally, doesn't fit very well into Qeynos' "Happy to help" mentality.Also, if you look into their lore, Although they were created by Brell Serelis, he wanted to mellow them from the original, very evil, Roelicki type Ratonga, So he asked Bristlebane to lend a hand, and voila, they figured out how to be sneaky and underhanded.

[Ra]

<DIV> <DIV>EVIL, no.  sneaky, un-trustworthy, opportunisitc and mischevious yes.  Remeber there really is no Good and Evil in EQ2.  Freeport and Qeynos do not openly war.  Its really more of a left wing right wing thing going. The communist/socialist Qeynos and the Facist/capitalist Freeport.  Hehe, what i mean is, Ratonga live in freeport because its close to their old home, and they made a deal with Lucan D'lere.  Being Freportian doesnt make one Evil. it simply places you in a city where monetary gain and questionable ethics, if any at all are common.</DIV> <DIV>Oh, there are many Evil Freeportians indeed.  But its ones actions that make you evil not your racial origins.</DIV></DIV>

[Stuntie]

<DIV>The Ratonga seem to have been developed by SOE to fill the role of "evil halflings". You can't have half;ings in Freeport as they are obviously a good race.</DIV> <DIV>So they chose the Ratonga - similar size, great scout class. So if you wanted to be evil, but didn't want to play a halfling, you got the Ratonga.</DIV> <DIV>(And throw in the magic side as well to help balance the sides, as trolls and ogres and such like are not so good for wizards.)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Ratonga also bear more than a passing resemblence to Games Workshop's Skaven ratmen. Who are most definately evil.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Personally I find the female Ratonga far too cute to even look evil.</DIV> <DIV>And the males just seem more like lovable rougues than viscious cut-throats.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As far as in game politics go, I think its because they knew Lucan would accept them in, whereas Qeynos would have probably declined them.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Trepan]

They've never done anything to help Qeynos. They DID take actions that allowed Lucan to maintain his grasp on power.The balance sheet is weighted towards evil. They may not necessarily BE evil, but their racial record isn't one that accords them a label of "Good" either. Lucan may know something of their origins that he's holding over their heads, too. They may not yet be beyond redemption...

[alerka]

<DIV>Actually, if you read the lore, Ratonga are VERY evil. Their ancestors, the Roekillik (spelling?) went on a killing spree and took over almost the entire Underfoot. Only the hand of their creator, Brell was able to stop them by locking them in the deepest part of Underfoot.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The Ratonga are no less evil than their ancestors, just less powerful.</DIV>

[calabusdab]

<DIV>the kerra are cats ( I HATE CATS ) the ratonga are rats u just can them in the same city they would tear each other apart</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>theres my 2 copper</DIV>

[Kondul]

They might, but then, you have the will of the Overlord keeping them civil. And the few rats that betray to Qeynos, are surrounded by "kinder, gentler" Kerra, so they're probably safe as well. :p

[TheWays]

<DIV>But they do start in the same city, Kerra can be just as "evil" as erudites, half elves, etc.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I agree with Raum on the fact that Freeport is not necessarily evil or chaotic or whatever, but more of having a different set of ethics and way of getting things done.  The people of Freeport and the people of Qeynos have the same enemies and the same goals, they just want different things from them.  The Ratonga definitely fit in well with the Freeport ethics and lifestyle.  They are by design sneaky and underhanded (like a furry halfling paints a good picture) but they are also something so much more.  They are Arcane Scientists in that their pursuit of knowledge is for greed and power.  They are assassins and brigands because they care about as much for your life as Lucan does, your coin on the other hand...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>They are "evil" because they lack honor and integrity, something every "good" race has in spades. I do like the idea that Lucan has some sort of insider info on them and they are more or less "servants" of Freeport rather than citizens.</DIV>

[TheWays]

<DIV>Sorry for the double post...</DIV><p>Message Edited by TheWays on <span class=date_text>12-30-2004</span> <span class=time_text>11:13 PM</span>

[DaemonSlay]

<DIV>My Ratonga (Lurk) isnt exactly EVIL as in "Maim! KilL! Destrooooy!"</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Lurk is the most fearfull Ratonga In Norrath, Sacred Of anything that cast magic, and of course any trolls and Ogres or kerra who want to Design a new sport involving Lurk as the ball ... e.g Lurk ball and basket Lurk...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>He trembles alot, and can be bullied into doing praticully anything in his power... He was once told to hop down the tavern stairs on his head singing a song... or he would be burnt Inside out.. of course, Lurk did as requested.. fearing The bully, and quaking in his boots.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>However, as soon as terribly powerfull scary thing has gone ... or the not so powerfull scary thing has gone...</DIV> <DIV>Lurk plots and mutters vile things </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>"Stupid smelly Troll-thing!! soon you wills Die-die! not so tough with a dagger in your head are you? stupid rotten... every thing so unfair to poor lurk... *Gnaws his tail* *grumble*"</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But of course, Lurks threats are never carried out, and he continues to be Be bullied to this day..</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So whilst not nesserecerily Evil, he does have some pretty sinister ideas..</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But of course, this is just my Ratonga, other Ratongs are fearless! <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Or soem run to Qeynos... Lurk cant go to Qeynos though.. as he is too scared that Lucan D'leur will Destroy him and send "Big natsies" to eat Lurk..</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I suppose because The ratonga are sneaky stealthy ruthless assassins and are always Double crossing people... They live in Freeport.. </DIV>