Does Lara need to be an aristocrat?

[LadyRufina]

Okay so Karl has been dodging this question every time he is asked it or at least he doesn't make it very clear as to whether she is or she isn't. Do you think that Lara's aristocratic ancestry is still a vital part to her character or could you do without it from now on?

[TranceTrouble]

i wouldn't be upset about it if she isn't an aristocrat anymore. Always believed a fresh start can be good

[Jurre]

Maybe aristocrat is not the right word for what I would want her to be if it means that she is the duchess of York or whatever - feudal aristocracy is totaly irrelivant these days and dukes and earls are usualy in desperate need of money to maintain their medieval mansions. I would rather want her to be upper class; university student, dress stylishly, drink tea and talk a little posh. Something that elevates her above the common uncouth boor.

[Metalrocks]

as long she is down to earth and is more or less like others, i dont really care.

[Darkwoodsoftime]

Karl did say , this is the Journey that Makes Lara who we all know . if that's the case then she should be ... aristocrat ?

then again it's a reboot doesn't really matter to me , we love her as she is

[GoggleboxUK]

Yes, the priviledged 'silver spoon' upbringing and lifestyle is absolutely necessary.

It's the best way to explain how she can afford to travel around the world so much considering she keeps all her treasures in the basement rather than profiteering from them.

After all, Chav Raiders tend to loot London JJB stores rather than discover ancient tombs.

[Metalrocks]

i guess karl avoids the question because maybe he doenst want to spoil anything. her story might be explained in a different way. i guess we know once the game is out. unless LADY keeps pushing him to answer it.

[LadyRufina]

Originally Posted by Metalrocks

i guess karl avoids the question because maybe he doenst want to spoil anything. her story might be explained in a different way. i guess we know once the game is out. unless LADY keeps pushing him to answer it.

All LADY wants to know is if Lara is still a LADY. Is that so bad?

[Elliot Kane]

Top one. Lara being an aristocrat is so much a part of who she is that I'd say it's a core part of her character. Like the brown hair & eyes, it's (Literally) a part of her DNA.

Thing with Lara is that she COULD live a life of indolent luxury, but instead she chooses to forge her own path. That makes her one heck of a lot stronger as a character, IMO.

[adobeARTIST]

yes yes YES! Lara's aristocratic heritage is fundamental to her character history and structure. That sense of style and sophistication (greater emphasis on sophistication) she has gave her more qualities than just the "tough and hot" which has always set her apart from any other female gaming character.

In a way Lara lives in two worlds, that of high society and of the outdoors adventurer. And she finds her own balance of her place in each.

It's also important to remember that because of her unique perspective gained from her archeological exploits, she's anything but the typical aristocrat, she's not a snob, doesn't think she's better than verytbody else nor afraid to ger her finger nails dirty sort of deal. I know I should say all aristocrats are snobs but you get the idea. Likewise her adventuring persona is also tempered by her aristocratic roots, being very cultured and knowledgable. Lara is an aristocrat, but with her fiery independance, does so on her own terms. Same with her arceaology lifestyle.

So CD, better pay attention, DO NOT sacrifice her aristocratic influence in her life, and especially the classy and sophisticated personlaity that contrasts and complements her rugged outdoors visage.

Just don't

[Triangle3]

Lara has always been written as an aristocrat. If Karl tried to change that I would fight against him on that move for as long as our series continues. There is ABSOLUTELY no way that should be taken away from her bio.

[Jurre]

@ GoogleboxUk, Elliot Kane, adobeARTIST:

but do you really like her to be a feudal aristocrat with a title like countess or duchess or do you mean modern aristocracy - money, education, sophistication?

[Copeland]

Well, if not for the story they're going with in this new game I'd say otherwise, but since this is her first adventure I think keeping the whole aristocrat angle adds to everything.

[Metalrocks]

Originally Posted by LadyRufina

All LADY wants to know is if Lara is still a LADY. Is that so bad?

lol, im not having a problem with your question. just a speculation why karl kind of avoids the question.
maybe he thinks, people know it already, so why the question.

[Driber]

I'm still undecided and will wait until the game is released to make up my mind about this one.

Merely the title of "aristocrat" doesn't hold much importance to me personally, I'm more concerned about if not being one anymore would also mean that we will never see Lara in her mansion anymore.

If CD wants to take away Lara's aristocracy but keep the option open of Lara keeping her mansion in some way, then I'd be okay with it.

Obviously, we won't see her mansion in TR9, so I suppose I may have to wait even longer

[Elliot Kane]

Originally Posted by Jurre

@ GoogleboxUk, Elliot Kane, adobeARTIST:

but do you really like her to be a feudal aristocrat with a title like countess or duchess or do you mean modern aristocracy - money, education, sophistication?

Not sure I understand your question, Jurre. An aristocrat is someone with a title and preferably coming from a long line of people with titles.

Neither money, education nor sophistication can make someone an aristocrat.

[LadyRufina]

Originally Posted by Driber

I'm still undecided and will wait until the game is released to make up my mind about this one.

Merely the title of "aristocrat" doesn't hold much importance to me personally, I'm more concerned about if not being one anymore would also mean that we will never see Lara in her mansion anymore.

If CD wants to take away Lara's aristocracy but keep the option open of Lara keeping her mansion in some way, then I'd be okay with it.

Obviously, we won't see her mansion in TR9, so I suppose I may have to wait even longer

Aristocrats aren't just rich people with titles though; they come from a long line of great people who battled with great honour for their creed and country. It shows that even in the modern ages, Lara is just as strong willed as her ancestors. We know that Lara still comes from money but I want her to be from old money, where it could play a massive role in her lineage and background.

[Copeland]

The difference between being rich and an aristocrat are big, if she just won the lottery or something and that's why she was rich it'd be stupid compared to being an aristocrat, where here family has a past of fighting etc.

[Elliot Kane]

Originally Posted by LadyRufina

Aristocrats aren't just rich people with titles though; they come from a long line of great people who battled for their creed and country. It shows that even in the modern ages, Lara is just as strong willed as her ancestors. We know that Lara still comes from money but I want her to be from old money, where it could play a massive role in her lineage and background.

I prefer 'a long line of cut-throat bastards' personally

The Duke of Westminster (Britain's oldest aristocratic family, IIRC) was once asked why his family has risen to the top, and he said something like 'Because we were bigger bullies than anyone else'

Either way, there is no doubt at all that being an aristocrat from an old family means a very long line of people who were very, very good at surviving at the real cutting edge of their world.

It makes total sense for Lara to be one, and it always has. It's the one thing from her background (Other than her physical appearance) I would not have even considered changing for a reboot.

[LadyRufina]

Originally Posted by Elliot Kane

I prefer 'a long line of cut-throat bastards' personally

The Duke of Westminster (Britain's oldest aristocratic family, IIRC) was once asked why his family has risen to the top, and he said something like 'Because we were bigger bullies than anyone else'

Either way, there is no doubt at all that being an aristocrat from an old family means a very long line of people who were very, very good at surviving at the real cutting edge of their world.

It makes total sense for Lara to be one, and it always has. It's the one thing from her background (Other than her physical appearance) I would not have even considered changing for a reboot.

Well if you look in-between the lineage then yes, they were mostly vicious, calculative people who wouldn't give a second thought on betraying their 'friends' but then look at the start and most were honourable families who deserved their title (probably)

[Jurre]

Originally Posted by Elliot Kane

Not sure I understand your question, Jurre. An aristocrat is someone with a title and preferably coming from a long line of people with titles.

Literally, yes, but the modern day aristocrats, in the sense of people who are running things, are businessmen, politicians, maybe even public intellectuals.

So if you want her to be feudal aristocrat, what title would you want her to have? Lady Scarborough? Countess of Wessex?

[Driber]

Originally Posted by LadyRufina

We know that Lara still comes from money...

Source?

[LadyRufina]

Originally Posted by Driber

Source?

Either the TRF or Eidos Forum 15 min. community interview with Karl. I'll look.

EDIT: from 0:50

[Elliot Kane]

Originally Posted by LadyRufina

Well if you look in-between the lineage then yes, they were mostly vicious, calculative people who wouldn't give a second thought on betraying their 'friends' but then look at the start and most were honourable families who deserved their title (probably)

Well, a Duke was originally a warlord, which says it all, I think!

Originally Posted by Jurre

Literally, yes, but the modern day aristocrats, in the sense of people who are running things, are businessmen, politicians, maybe even public intellectuals.

So if you want her to be feudal aristocrat, what title would you want her to have? Lady Scarborough? Countess of Wessex?

Maybe in THEIR eyes they are aristocrats, but it's not the same thing.

As for a title - don't care. It's the attitude that comes with the background that matters, not the specific title.

[Flintmelody]

It's such a fundamental pillar of who Lara is that there is no good reason to get rid of it. I implore everyone at CD that if you are thinking of removing this aspet just don't cos yu will end up annoying so many of your fans so much.