Pacifism definitely existed during Grundy’s time, and he definitely chose it, multiple times, though he admitted to generally not liking to choose it because he wanted the freedom to unattach, etc. As he reported it, when it was first introduced, it was just as restricting as DP.
And, as you know, not so long ago, and most definitely during his time, PW staves killed, and many alchemists, Craftmasters, and Artisans would fix staves and then choose pacifism, or stay DP.
If someone talks smack to you on the street, what are you going to do? Pull out a knife, rub poisons on it and stab them? I would expect something far cleverer from you. In fact, I find the “straight to arms” tactic and thinking of most players as being poor RP.
Now, if a pacifist were to say to you, “I’m going to kick your butt, cut off your head, and then hang it on my wall,” under the protection of pacifism, obviously you should take it for what it’s worth, and that’s foolish posturing.
I would also recommend you reread my post. I never used the, “I just want to have fun,” argument, nor did I ever say avoiding conflict is bad. There is more to conflict than swords and rituals, and some are more cut out for one form of conflict than the other, and I believe Avalon capable of sustaining both sorts.
I will agree that the threat of violence means virtually nothing now-a-days to a pacifist, but then there are many other ways to make life difficult on a pacifist. Let’s use Fatalus as an example. Admittedly he’s a poor role playing pacifist, but his arena is trading and market control. You, as his enemy, have to best him on those terms, and if you can’t, that’s a failing on your part, not his.
Now, I will also agree that the fact fewer and fewer things are effecting PWs is a shame. Brewing is a great example of something I wish still worked on my sort. Not only was it a thing we had to watch out for, but it’s very realistic that an environmental attack like that would hurt us. It also gave the drive to learn afflictions and cures, and to work to someday getting post ultimate survival.
Similarly, and this is just the economist Alchemist in me talking, I wish the steal ability worked on pacifists. It would mean pacifists would have to buy anchors and keep their coins in their pack. I also don’t think of stealing as a violent assault, and is certainly an ability that can be prevented in a non-violent way, thus a grey area that should exist as something that can be done to a pacifist.
