[2023] So Jagex doesn't like writing about strong male leads unless they are parodied like Thok? Here are some examples of strong male characters that Jagex has recently written out of the story.

Originally posted by 79215185-1feb-44c6

Thanks for the feedback. When I wrote this post up my initial reaction was actually Nomad which was killed off as a character multiple times and is still used in promotional material (he's all over the Steam version of the game) because apparently he gets positive reactions by the fans. Do you have any real intentions of including a character like him in the future?

Zemouregal is also a character I like a lot. He seems to be the next in line for "Mahjarrat that are going to be written off." I find that a lot of the Mahjarrat are more self-centered and less evil based on their long history with Zaros and are only perceived as evil because their motives do not frequently align with Gielinor's best interests. If by chance Zemo's interests were aligned with Gielinor's maybe he could end up being seen as an ally? Azzy had similar character development until he became too powerful to say on Gielinor.

Originally posted by RS_Owlnine

Part of the problem here, for me at least, is this:

"He's stoic, strong, powerful, never admits defeat, says little, values power in others, doesn't care for deception, and so on."

Ellamaria is not most of these things. She's not stoic. She talks a lot. She seemingly cares for others, regardless of their combat prowess (Roald), she is the one doing the deceiving.

I want to think of the Raptor as being the character he seems he is. But I can't with Ellamaria. The Raptor is just an act. A mask. I now know that the person under that helmet doesn't think the way they speak. It feels like Ellamaria has replaced the Raptor.

Also, if I might ask: Why was the decision made to unmask the Raptor at all?

Originally posted by RS_Owlnine

Wasn't aware there was a stream. Just went and watched the VOD.

So, if I am understanding this correctly, I think the gist of your answer to "Why unmask the Raptor" is basically that the Raptor wasn't being valued as a character, and was used as a tool to further Ellamaria's character. Which isn't quite the way that you worded it, but I believe that's the gist of it, in a nutshell? Do correct me if that's wrong. That's what I am getting from the multiple answers given, such as not realizing people liked the Raptor that much, or that it was an Ellamaria reveal, and not a Raptor reveal. And it sucks, but it is what it is. We're here now.

To provide my feedback on some questions you posed to the chat during the stream:

Yes. I do think it is enough to have a quest companion like the Raptor show up, and just kind've be there, as a fellow adventurer. I didn't need a story about the Raptor, or for the Raptor to drive the story forward. He's a character that I liked, and I was getting to see more of him. That's rad. I would like to see more of that kind've thing in the future. I believe this is, in part, what the signature heroes were originally for.

I would like to see more characters like that in the future. It sucks that the consensus seems to be that the Raptor is dead as a character, sacrificed to learn a lesson, and who knows if a replacement stoic-warrior character will resonate the same way.

I appreciate you responding to the issue though. I've been frustrated by Jagex's silence on the subject of his character of late, while they have been active responding to other feedback. It felt like this issue was going to be ignored, so I do appreciate the honest communication about it.