#friendsim analysis

OptimisticDuelist recently released a video on hope entitled Devotion and Delusion in which he outlined some of his ideas on the aspect of Hope. While I largely agree with the ideas he sets forward, I feel like Rage is just as linked to the idea of devotion as Hope is, if not more so. Specifically, it seems linked to unconditional devotion to a person or career, rather than an ideology.

Just look at our canon, and semi-canon, Ragebound. The Makaras are devoted to Lord English, and Kurloz inspires this same kind of unconditional devotion to him and, though she remains largely unaware of it, to his master, in Meulin. Xefros is devoted to Dammek to such an intense degree that he is willing to completely undermine his own agency and interests in service of his moirail’s. Lynera is so devoted to Bronya that she kills anyone who she sees as a threat to their relationship and acts as her right hand troll, even though she knows Bronya doesn’t see her as a romantic prospect.

Even Nihkee and Charun, who lack this specific personal devotion to an individual, each have an equally intense devotion to their craft. Nihkee is so devoted to the practice of Muscular Theatre that she refuses to phone it in, even in matches against trolls higher on the Hemospectrum. Charun lives in a cave and appears to have no connections whatsoever save their devotion to the meaningless beauty of Garbage Art, and is willing to risk significant physical injury to acquire particularly appealing materials.

Gamzee’s devotion to Lord English is so intense and unconditional that he betrays his friends in every single timeline, and is willing to sustain countless indiginities and injuries, including  being shot multiple times to bring about the coming of his god. Xefros doesn’t literally worship Dammek, but he comes close. His interest in sports, his personal property, all come second to Dammek’s. A good part of this is undoubtedly Dammek’s  abusive behavior, but with the rest of the pattern evident, you cannot deny the connection.

and Zebedes communing with animals.

Both of these examples are within one shade of the caste in which they are common; and not just that, but one shade /UP/ in caste. So, a bit of a neat little curiosity, perhaps included in the game with the intent of showing that the hemospectrum is not quite as cut and dried as Alternian society might want you  to believe, but nothing more than that.

Right?

There is some evidence which seems to suggest that Boldir Lamati is a lime blood, it’s a pretty popular theory that’s been floating around the internet, even on this very site. It’s based on the level of insight she seems to have on the workings of Paradox Space,

the unusual abilities she seems to display,

and her troll call card, which was apparently a slightly unusual color. Now, I can’t speak on the third item, but caste-specific traits can, in rare cases, show up in blood colors other than the ones which to they are common, specifically in the caste directly above their usual one on the hemospectrum. 

And what caste is directly above lime? 

Olive.

So, if this kind of insight, and these kinds of powers are the birthright of limebloods, then it only makes sense that Boldir might have access to them.