Waxing Philosophical: Can there be a Pirate King/Queen?

[EriChar]

The question is simple, really... Can an OC on site actually go 'all the way' and become Pirate King or Queen?

One acknowledges that the mechanics to doing so are slowly being revealed, I feel we should not focus on the means of the question at this venture just yet, but more the base concept. I don't think this is a thread that should be open to arguments and suggestions on how to take the canon info rather recently revealed about opening the 'path' to Raftel, and rather the intent of the thread is to discuss the goal itself and not the destination.


Any character could have the Pirate King/One Piece as their goal from the get go, yet as a long term member, it has been a question that I have never found a concrete answer for.
Arguably, the series is going to make one of the canon's the Pirate King, likely Luffy but Oda could toss a curveball our way. For years, this very fact meant that there was an unspoken notion that it wouldn't work out well if that was your goal. We clung to the coat tails of the series and seemed to be waiting for the series to give us that.

Then in recent times, we put a greater emphasis on establishing our own work of canon, so naturally this will mean our universe forms a radically different 'AU' to what is seen in the series. So, with that in mind, could a person with the right crew and stories make it all the way to Raftel and claim the prize that waits there?

The goal itself perhaps carries a certain taboo, I'd say? On site, I've seen a few times where people whose goals overlap with canon goals to have been met with a sense of stigma, even to the degree of mockery over a percieved lacking creativity? This is a shame if you consider the setting, and probably not very realistic. The whole point of Roger's speech was to inspire others to this goal, so why is it considered 'lame' to share the same inspiration as Luffy? It's been shown that even lofty level pirates like Shichibukai and Yonkou have ambitions that high, and honestly, there are times when this stigma makes it feel like other goals naturally have to be lesser? I don't think that is true at all. If becoming the Pirate King or the Strongest Sword is something that excites you, then fill your boots! Dream big and go for the highest peak you and your can climb!

Naturally this character doesn't necessarily need to be an OC. If someone wants to 'helm' the adventures of a canon like Luffy and punch for that goal, they surely could do! Canon's have had a lot of miss and not much hit on site but I think a determined mind could master a canon and take them there. Don't be discouraged because you like 'existing' personalities!

So, do I think there can be site Pirate King? Yes, I do. I think it's perfectly possible and I'd like to see more support of that goal on site. However, I am but one soul, and one of the few certainties in life is that someone somewhere will not share your opinion!

I don't care if you wanna come in here and say you don't think there should be a pirate king, or if there can't be one. I also would love it if people support my ideas or have something completely different to add to this simple yes/no situation!

Get talking BV, and lets hope we breed some excitement rather than discontent and confusion!

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[Nomics]

First off, to answer the question that's been asked, yes I do think that an original character could become the Pirate King/Queen of the Bon Voyage AU of the One Piece world (patent pending). However, I think that it could only be achieved by an individual with the most extreme example of perseverance and determination, that of which the likes we've probably never seen.

From failed threads, to writer's block, slow thread reviews and character updates, site inactivity and the never ending spectre of the vigors and stressors of real life, it's a feat that does seem insurmountable. A hidden fact along with this, is that not only does reaching such a lofty goal depend on one's own unflinching commitment, but the continued involvement and dependence on the help of others. At the end of the day, you can't solo thread your way to the top; you need partners to write and compete with, mods and admins to approve character upgrades, other members to rate and grade the threads that you've completed, etc.

As to some of your other points I do agree that there is a sort of stigma to being a "Luffy clone" or as seeming as though you lack originality with broad statements such as "Wishing to sail the seas, conquering adventure along the way, on the way to the world's greatest treasure, the One Piece." Maybe it's our own minds playing tricks on us that makes us try to layer and create character goals and quirks that aren't so simple, so basic, for fear of judgment from our peers. Yet at the same time, we probably wouldn't have these fears if wasn't a real thing right?

With that being said however, I feel like I'm losing the points I'm trying to make so early in the morning, so I'll just end by saying that I feel rejuvenated and galvanized by this thread's topic and that one of my next characters, either original or a Canon will be working towards this goal or something VERY similar.

[Vio]

<sup>Like you said, EriChar, there's a lot of stigma surrounding the goal of becoming the Pirate King. However, I'd argue (just as has been argued) that because the site is steadily shifting into an Alternate Universe, many new doors have been opened.

Part of my intent in establishing the site as a not wholly canon one was to offer leniency, while also sticking to the fundamentals and roots of the series as a whole. We know things exist and, for as long as the series continues, we'll continue to discover new and intriguing parts of the world. Right now, Luffy is contesting against Big Mom, but the questions we've asked and have had answered have not been focused on Luffy. We ask those questions as fans of the series. Instead, as a site, we've asked other questions. What is the New World like? How do we get to Raftel? How do the Yonkou function?

Those questions are being answered, piece by piece.

To answer the big bugbear question, I'd say yes! There is the chance for somebody to become Pirate King here on the site. For now, it's off limits simply because nobody is there yet. No single character nor crew has made it anywhere near far enough, or achieved enough, to establish themselves as such. We've got people steadily approaching our Daibukai roles (our mini-Shichibukai) and I'd like to make a similar sister system to the Yonkou at some point. For now, it's a long way away.

The possibilities will grow - the site will grow - for as long as the series progresses. At some point, we'll even have OCs contesting canon characters, perhaps even having our own Dressrosa Arc in future. There's a lot more legwork to commit to, but we'll get there! I wonder who will become Pirate King? One step at a time.</sup>

[Blaka]

In theory - yeah, sure, we should allow that!

Like the people above have said before me though - think about what that means: Finding the Road Poneglyphs, be able to understand them, make it past everyone else, including Canon characters like Marshall D. Teach, to Raftel and..Idk, stick your flag in the ground.

Theoretically, that's possible. But in practice, the amount of sheer luck, insane levels of determination and support from everyone important ever Luffy is displaying is something I don't think any OC can feasably ask for. It's a goal characters can dream of for sure; however the near impossibility of the task has only recently been made clear to us.

Then there's the quiet little fact that nobody but Robin can read Poneglyphs. So that in itself is kind of tricky to work around. You can get very very close, just like the Yonko have, maybe even closer. But actually achieve it? Whoever manages it would truly deserve the title.

[EriChar]

Undoubtedly there are some tall hurdles to leap over, but I don't really wanna dwell on those too much; it's a goal that is eons away as Vio says, and Mr Nomics has clearly spelled out the far greater hurdles than simple issues of RP obstacles to deal with. The pitfalls of blocked writing will surely bar many more souls than matters of symbology or power hungry hippoes!

So, what do you think would be the best way to overcome these pitfalls? If we had a member/crew who went for that grand goal and took it, do you think they'd be a blinding mass of energy and determination? Or would they be something more humble but perservering, going slow and subtle toward that prize?

Actually, the WHO is quite interesting. WHO would be your dream Pirate king? Is there an OC or even a canon you'd like to see in the crown? Or perhaps someone who doesn't exist yet but could snatch the title for themselves?

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