NPC Insults - do they know the player's true race?

jesterstear · August 2014

I've been playing through the Ebonheart Pact at Veteran rank, on a couple of occasions I've run past Nord guards in the rift who've said, "The only thing worse than a high elf is an orc!" as I went by.

I've also heard them talk about Dark Elves and Argonians, but the tone of voice was different, it was either an open discussion or a statement they were expecting me to agree with. "The only thing worse than a high elf..!" was definitely voiced as a taunt. Also, they seem to repeat the other statements at random intervals, but the insult was definitely triggered by my passing.

I could just be imagining it, but it'd be pretty cool if the npc was programmed to choose the correct insult to target the player depending on his race. Which then beg's the question about the whole premise of Cadwell's Almanac. Apparently you play the other faction's campaign with your true identity masked, yet this Nord appears to know your real race well enough.

AlexDougherty · August 2014

No, I have played a Dunmer in the AD and been told that Dunmer are scum and I should kill them, the fact is the NPCs have no idea what your race is.

theroyalestpythonnub18_ESO · August 2014

I met an Altmer in Phaer that told me she didn't want to know what sort of things lived in my fur. At the college of Aldmeri Propriety, I was told that they weren't accepting anymore khajiiti students. There are a select few NPCs that will comment on your race.

Bookwyrm · August 2014

Yeah, I think some NPCs are aware of your race, whereas others are oblivious. I think it would be best if they could add a race check for all NPC dialogue so uncomfortable situations don't arise like the ones mentioned. If I'm a Dunmer, and you're speaking to me as if I'm not one (while denigrating them at the same time), it puts me in an awkward position. I mean, it'd be one thing if you were openly insulting me, personally, but to insult my race as if I should agree with you (because I'm "not of that race") is awkward.

Tabbycat · August 2014

When they insult you despite your race, it could also be because they consider you an outsider.

If you played a Dunmer in TES III: Morrowind, for example, you were still treated rudely by other Dunmer because you were considered an Outlander. You actually had to build up a good reputation before the Ordinators would even be friendly to you.

It would be interesting if ZOS pursues something similar with the Justice System. If you have a reputation for being a thief and a murderer in a town, the guards should be rude to you.

Humor · August 2014

I've had an Argonian tell me, "You're not welcome here Dark Elf". As the character I'm on right now is a Dark Elf indeed.

I don't need anymore proof than that to realize at the very least, some NPC's can tell my race apart.

Although, I wouldn't be surprised if races actually did, however, it would appear to me that you'd probably have to be apart of the actual faction your race belongs to. This is starting to sound like it makes sense. I'm part of Ebonheart, where the Dark Elf "belongs", and the Khajiit @theroyalestpythonnub18_ESO mentioned is part of the Aldmeri which I believe is where they belong as well. Pretty much to sum it up, is if you pick a race, and join a diff faction than you're supposed to be in, you're most likely not going to hear any comments towards your race.

My Woold Elf never heard any racial slurs while being part of Ebonheart, so I found it interesting that the Dark Elf would be told off by an Argonian. I'm sure If I really wanted to test this out, it would probably turn out just as I say (Maybe). But I'd rather not spend the time trying to figure out something like that, if someone else wants to, be my guest.

Sabin1269 · August 2014

I've interacted with a few of them where they seem to react to the correct race I'm playing (Khajiit) and others that have referred to me as Argonian and another which was either Bosmer or Altmer. It would be cool if they did know what race you were and acted accordingly. It would have been better when I went through the Moon Hallowed and Khajiit oriented quest if they acted like I was a Khajiit and it worked out better.

Tabbycat · August 2014

Humor wrote: »

I've had an Argonian tell me, "You're not welcome here Dark Elf". As the character I'm on right now is a Dark Elf indeed.

I don't need anymore proof than that to realize at the very least, some NPC's can tell my race apart.

Although, I wouldn't be surprised if races actually did, however, it would appear to me that you'd probably have to be apart of the actual faction your race belongs to. This is starting to sound like it makes sense. I'm part of Ebonheart, where the Dark Elf "belongs", and the Khajiit @theroyalestpythonnub18_ESO mentioned is part of the Aldmeri which I believe is where they belong as well. Pretty much to sum it up, is if you pick a race, and join a diff faction than you're supposed to be in, you're most likely not going to hear any comments towards your race.

My Woold Elf never heard any racial slurs while being part of Ebonheart, so I found it interesting that the Dark Elf would be told off by an Argonian. I'm sure If I really wanted to test this out, it would probably turn out just as I say (Maybe). But I'd rather not spend the time trying to figure out something like that, if someone else wants to, be my guest.

The Argonian is probably still upset about Dark Elves keeping his people (and the Khajiit) as slaves. Historically speaking, he's not going to be on good terms with you.

When you quest through EP, I believe there's one quest where an Argonian makes a salve to help the Dunmer. When you help them, the people comment "An Argonian savage made this?"

Dunmer are very racist but not quite as bad as the Altmer who think they're better than every other race on Nirn, though.

smeeprocketnub19_ESO · August 2014

At least dunmer have that sarcastic sense of humor to make up for the racism.

Singular · August 2014

theroyalestpythonnub18_ESO wrote: »

I met an Altmer in Phaer that told me she didn't want to know what sort of things lived in my fur. At the college of Aldmeri Propriety, I was told that they weren't accepting anymore khajiiti students. There are a select few NPCs that will comment on your race.

That's cool. When the justice system comes out, and we can kill the racists, that will be fun.

Humor · August 2014

Singular wrote: »

theroyalestpythonnub18_ESO wrote: »

I met an Altmer in Phaer that told me she didn't want to know what sort of things lived in my fur. At the college of Aldmeri Propriety, I was told that they weren't accepting anymore khajiiti students. There are a select few NPCs that will comment on your race.

That's cool. When the justice system comes out, and we can kill the racists, that will be fun.

Or alternatively, just kill off all the slaves period, and there will be no need for the racism. I don't want no damned Iguana , or Cat pissing and shitting all over the place whenever they feel the need to.

Royalroacho · August 2014

Humor wrote: »

Singular wrote: »

theroyalestpythonnub18_ESO wrote: »

I met an Altmer in Phaer that told me she didn't want to know what sort of things lived in my fur. At the college of Aldmeri Propriety, I was told that they weren't accepting anymore khajiiti students. There are a select few NPCs that will comment on your race.

That's cool. When the justice system comes out, and we can kill the racists, that will be fun.

Or alternatively, just kill off all the slaves period, and there will be no need for the racism. I don't want no damned Iguana , or Cat pissing and shitting all over the place whenever they feel the need to.

Genocide probably wont work. Then theyll resort to hair and eye color discrimination.