Help Me | Loyalist Characters

[Liam]

Hey everyone! So, I've been wanting to make a loyalist character for a while now. Possibily even somone who goes into politics. But! I am at a crossroads. Because despite my....3-4 years of hl2rp, I have NEVER made a loyalist. Guess I'm just rebel scum through and through. I was hoping people could give me a few pointers on how to make my loyalist realistic. And find the balance between rebel scum and super duper mega fan #1 of The Union. Because in my time I have seen supporters that I think just take it...too far. Like that old man you find in Megaton in Fallout 3 spouting about The Enclave. And while I love those characters, I want a little more balance with mine.

 

[Appetite Ruining Kebab]

Loyalism doesn't have to be pure fanaticism for the Combine, it can just be a vehicle for some other motivation - obsession with a luxurious life, fear of poverty, seeking out loyalist privileges to further some personal project or as a means of revenge against an individual or demographic of individuals without committing yourself to civil protection, etc.

Your "style" of loyalism can also differ. You can be someone who fakes their opinions for the sake of advancement, or toes the very dangerous line between being brutally honest but just useful enough not to be discarded. You can try to conform to the IC laws absolutely, or you can bend them around for the sake of getting ahead or protecting your friends. You can choose to live a comfortable existence, or join up with a unionist militia and go after suspected criminals personally.

The most important thing is to imagine that you're playing a character who happens to be a Loyalist, not a Loyalist Character

 

[Liam]

Loyalism doesn't have to be pure fanaticism for the Combine, it can just be a vehicle for some other motivation - obsession with a luxurious life, fear of poverty, seeking out loyalist privileges to further some personal project or as a means of revenge against an individual or demographic of individuals without committing yourself to civil protection, etc.

Your "style" of loyalism can also differ. You can be someone who fakes their opinions for the sake of advancement, or toes the very dangerous line between being brutally honest but just useful enough not to be discarded. You can try to conform to the IC laws absolutely, or you can bend them around for the sake of getting ahead or protecting your friends. You can choose to live a comfortable existence, or join up with a unionist militia and go after suspected criminals personally.

The most important thing is to imagine that you're playing a character who happens to be a Loyalist, not a Loyalist Character

Thanks. This is definitley helpful. Especially that last part.

 

[Noodle]

The most important thing is to imagine that you're playing a character who happens to be a Loyalist, not a Loyalist Character

This is extremely true.

Depending on where you want to go, or reach I would suggest you get into a faction first and slowly build up your network there. From there on out you ought to find ways to make your character seem invaluable. Going further up the chain will result in a lot less loyalism- rather it will result in how efficient you are as an individual, how cunning you are, and so fourth. It is in essence a lot similar to politics, lobbyism, and all of that.

If you want to enter the CCA I would suggest finding a sub-faction under the CCA such as the BOE, MOC or even the Security Council. What is important is how efficient you are in brainstorming, creating a network or circle, gaining trust, and getting noticed in the correct ways. Initiative is one of the most important traits one could have if done correctly.

If you have any more direct questions then let us know.

 

[ShadoWiz4rd]

Loyalism doesn't have to be pure fanaticism for the Combine, it can just be a vehicle for some other motivation - obsession with a luxurious life, fear of poverty, seeking out loyalist privileges to further some personal project or as a means of revenge against an individual or demographic of individuals without committing yourself to civil protection, etc.

Your "style" of loyalism can also differ. You can be someone who fakes their opinions for the sake of advancement, or toes the very dangerous line between being brutally honest but just useful enough not to be discarded. You can try to conform to the IC laws absolutely, or you can bend them around for the sake of getting ahead or protecting your friends. You can choose to live a comfortable existence, or join up with a unionist militia and go after suspected criminals personally.

The most important thing is to imagine that you're playing a character who happens to be a Loyalist, not a Loyalist Character

I've always found the most realistic reason for loyalism is that in reality most people don't actually violently resist totalitarian reigmes its always a small amount of people, Most just wish to get by and look after their families.

Think of it this way, I can fight and die and get my friends and family killed for a cause with no clear end-goal, Or I can survive and try and cut the best life I can by conforming and try and live a normal life to the benefit of myself and my loved ones.

 

[Liam]

@Immerseus @CaptainSneed Thanks for even more good advice

 

[emmet]

Loyalism doesn't have to be pure fanaticism for the Combine, it can just be a vehicle for some other motivation - obsession with a luxurious life, fear of poverty, seeking out loyalist privileges to further some personal project or as a means of revenge against an individual or demographic of individuals without committing yourself to civil protection, etc.

Your "style" of loyalism can also differ. You can be someone who fakes their opinions for the sake of advancement, or toes the very dangerous line between being brutally honest but just useful enough not to be discarded. You can try to conform to the IC laws absolutely, or you can bend them around for the sake of getting ahead or protecting your friends. You can choose to live a comfortable existence, or join up with a unionist militia and go after suspected criminals personally.

The most important thing is to imagine that you're playing a character who happens to be a Loyalist, not a Loyalist Character

Well, well, well...

 

[ZeroPants]

Hey everyone! So, I've been wanting to make a loyalist character for a while now. Possibily even somone who goes into politics. But! I am at a crossroads. Because despite my....3-4 years of hl2rp, I have NEVER made a loyalist. Guess I'm just rebel scum through and through. I was hoping people could give me a few pointers on how to make my loyalist realistic. And find the balance between rebel scum and super duper mega fan #1 of The Union. Because in my time I have seen supporters that I think just take it...too far. Like that old man you find in Megaton in Fallout 3 spouting about The Enclave. And while I love those characters, I want a little more balance with mine.

Keep in mind that loyalism doesn't make you evil unless you do it specifically to make people suffer, which *most* people don't do.

Never build a character off of any sort of alignment chart, like lawful good or chaotic evil, it only limits you, people are much more complicated.

A morally grey character is always the most fun to play, some people will see you as an antagonist, while others will agree with you, it makes an interesting story for everyone involved.

Here are some ideas:

1, Coward - A character that supports the combine out of a sense of fear, perhaps they had a traumatizing encounter with a rebel group that made them flee to the combine for safety, or they could support the combine just so they dont get hurt.

2, Materialist - A character that supports the combine to gain better things for themselves or for their family, someone that climbs the collaboration ladder so they can have better clothes, food and apartments.

3, Sympathizer - A character that views the combine as the best hope for humanity, (after all, humanity was close to being overrun by xenian wildlife after the cascade, just take a look at the lore map). You dont need to agree with the combines ideals, but you view them as the only way humanity will survive in this new world.

4, Infiltrator - Not really a loyalist, but these characters are secret rebels that use loyalism as a way to infiltrate UU groups, a ton of rebels tend to do this, from what I've seen, just be careful, if you mess up once you can lose everything.

5, Celebrity - Perhaps you just want to have a higher tier so you stand out above the rest of the citizens, that's cool too.

These aren't the only things you can do with loyalism, just the first thing that came to mind

 

[Liam]

Keep in mind that loyalism doesn't make you evil unless you do it specifically to make people suffer, which *most* people don't do.

Never build a character off of any sort of alignment chart, like lawful good or chaotic evil, it only limits you, people are much more complicated.

A morally grey character is always the most fun to play, some people will see you as an antagonist, while others will agree with you, it makes an interesting story for everyone involved.

Here are some ideas:

1, Coward - A character that supports the combine out of a sense of fear, perhaps they had a traumatizing encounter with a rebel group that made them flee to the combine for safety, or they could support the combine just so they dont get hurt.

2, Materialist - A character that supports the combine to gain better things for themselves or for their family, someone that climbs the collaboration ladder so they can have better clothes, food and apartments.

3, Sympathizer - A character that views the combine as the best hope for humanity, (after all, humanity was close to being overrun by xenian wildlife after the cascade, just take a look at the lore map). You dont need to agree with the combines ideals, but you view them as the only way humanity will survive in this new world.

4, Infiltrator - Not really a loyalist, but these characters are secret rebels that use loyalism as a way to infiltrate UU groups, a ton of rebels tend to do this, from what I've seen, just be careful, if you mess up once you can lose everything.

5, Celebrity - Perhaps you just want to have a higher tier so you stand out above the rest of the citizens, that's cool too.

These aren't the only things you can do with loyalism, just the first thing that came to mind

Ooh I like this. The idea of making a celebrity/materialist kinda person sounds intresting. And yes morally grey is the best way to go. I've always done that with rebels but until I made this thread I was struggling to apply that to loyalism.

 

[Equinox]

Despite what some say here, you can definitely have a character who alligns with and may even be fanatical with the Combine. Remember that from the average perspective of a citizen, in our lore, the Combine have saved humanity from extinction by Xenian dominancy and have also eliminated issues that have plagued humanity since its beginning. At least, thats how it appears.

Consider that, IRL, people who have much more information will follow political parties for a lot less in a much shorter amount of time. Then consider that in the world of HL2, people have a LOT less information (which is only provided by the Combine in consistent fashion), and have been living under their rule for over a decade. There would arguably be a sizable population of people who support, or at least tolerate the Combine.

 

[Liam]

Despite what some say here, you can definitely have a character who alligns with and may even be fanatical with the Combine. Remember that from the average perspective of a citizen, in our lore, the Combine have saved humanity from extinction by Xenian dominancy and have also eliminated issues that have plagued humanity since its beginning. At least, thats how it appears.

Consider that, IRL, people who have much more information will follow political parties for a lot less in a much shorter amount of time. Then consider that in the world of HL2, people have a LOT less information (which is only provided by the Combine in consistent fashion), and have been living under their rule for over a decade. There would arguably be a sizable population of people who support, or at least tolerate the Combine.

Very true! I think me struggling with this is just a reflection of me irl. I've been living on our real world planet for longer than the ficitional combine have been on earth in lore, and I am dis-illusioned from all sides of politics. So understanding how somone can be a stoic supporter of something so politicial is alien to me lol but you've helped me understand the perspective of somone who does here.

 

[Appleby0]

Very true! I think me struggling with this is just a reflection of me irl. I've been living on our real world planet for longer than the ficitional combine have been on earth in lore, and I am dis-illusioned from all sides of politics. So understanding how somone can be a stoic supporter of something so politicial is alien to me lol but you've helped me understand the perspective of somone who does here.

Well the Combine isn't necessarily a political entity. Your char could be loyal to the Benefactors or the idea of the Union as a whole, instead of one of the "Union ideologies" after all. Take my char, Reginald, for instance. The reason he is a pro-Combine fanatic and slavishly loyal to the Benefactors is because his life was completely ruined by the portal storms and he was essentially a washed up wreck.

Then the Combine showed up and solved the storms, provided law and order and essentially hit a massive "Reset" button for everyone who survived, and for someone who had pretty much nothing at that point with no way to move up that was a godsend.

Now Reginald has a comfy apartment in the Loyalist housing, his own trivia show and is a respectable gentlemen once again, all thanks to the timely intervention of the Benefactors invasion, or as he sees it "Liberation." He is essentially loyal to them out of gratitude and a genuine belief that they want to help. After all, he's done very well under their rule and has every reason to view them as saviors.

Just some ideas on possible non-political motives for a fanatical char, hope this helps!

 

[Liam]

Well the Combine isn't necessarily a political entity. Your char could be loyal to the Benefactors or the idea of the Union as a whole, instead of one of the "Union ideologies" after all. Take my char, Reginald, for instance. The reason he is a pro-Combine fanatic and slavishly loyal to the Benefactors is because his life was completely ruined by the portal storms and he was essentially a washed up wreck.

Then the Combine showed up and solved the storms, provided law and order and essentially hit a massive "Reset" button for everyone who survived, and for someone who had pretty much nothing at that point with no way to move up that was a godsend.

Now Reginald has a comfy apartment in the Loyalist housing, his own trivia show and is a respectable gentlemen once again, all thanks to the timely intervention of the Benefactors invasion, or as he sees it "Liberation." He is essentially loyal to them out of gratitude and a genuine belief that they want to help. After all, he's done very well under their rule and has every reason to view them as saviors.

Just some ideas on possible non-political motives for a fanatical char, hope this helps!

Another great angle to look at this from. Thanks!