Hypothetical: A Crippled Annie

[Hammer Britannia]

Given the amount of abuse he puts her through, that's...

Let's just chalk that up to "worrying."

I think it's more the idea that abuse and a troubled past make someone really mysterious and interesting. Well, as long as they're from an upper middle class or above family, and not one of those dreadful poors.

It's not the case outside badly written fiction of course, but it sure is a popular trope.

Annie is pretty much an edgy NS leader.

"She may have committed genocide of billions of people, but she was denied Ice Cream at the age of 5 so it makes it okay!"

[Caracasus]

I think it's more the idea that abuse and a troubled past make someone really mysterious and interesting. Well, as long as they're from an upper middle class or above family, and not one of those dreadful poors.

It's not the case outside badly written fiction of course, but it sure is a popular trope.

Annie is pretty much an edgy NS leader.

"She may have committed genocide of billions of people, but she was denied Ice Cream at the age of 5 so it makes it okay!"

I heard her parents got her a tub of Neoplitan from Tescos but ate the chocolate one first.

Which, you know, makes the genocide a tad more understandable.

[The Two Jerseys]

then I see no reason to alter this

it is unlikely that Annie would have learned how to swim (not that it be useful anyways if she's crippled)

however, in the IM verse, all high born women are drilled/know how to fight with specialized ceremonial duelling blades/short swords; so even without magic, Annie is able to hold her own against commoners in fights if she has access to these types of weapons

obviously not as proficient as a full time knight but its still something; but everyone (magical or non magical) in the high born class must have some way of defending their personal honour if it comes to it

So this is now full on bullshit anime middle ages.

Alrighty where's my wench with huge tracts of land.

Is that what they call tits in this universe?

Yeah. Our world has more in common with Meadievil Europe than this one.

I want to visit Meadievel Europe, sounds like a good place to drink

"Good morrow, travelers, I bid thee welcome to Ye Olde Hooteres, where the wenches are busty and the ale flows like a river!"

[Hammer Britannia]

Annie is pretty much an edgy NS leader.

"She may have committed genocide of billions of people, but she was denied Ice Cream at the age of 5 so it makes it okay!"

I heard her parents got her a tub of Neoplitan from Tescos but ate the chocolate one first.

Which, you know, makes the genocide a tad more understandable.

That is the best reason for genocide

[Galloism]

So this is now full on bullshit anime middle ages.

Alrighty where's my wench with huge tracts of land.

Is that what they call tits in this universe?

I want to visit Meadievel Europe, sounds like a good place to drink

"Good morrow, travelers, I bid thee welcome to Ye Olde Hooteres, where the wenches are busty and the ale flows like a river!"

Would visit.

[Infected Mushroom]

Annie is pretty much an edgy NS leader.

"She may have committed genocide of billions of people, but she was denied Ice Cream at the age of 5 so it makes it okay!"

I heard her parents got her a tub of Neoplitan from Tescos but ate the chocolate one first.

Which, you know, makes the genocide a tad more understandable.

This sounds like psychological abuse

It’s the parents saying “we’re in control. When we give you a treat, it’s on our terms. You like the chocolates? Too bad.”

[Caracasus]

I heard her parents got her a tub of Neoplitan from Tescos but ate the chocolate one first.

Which, you know, makes the genocide a tad more understandable.

This sounds like psychological abuse

It’s the parents saying “we’re in control. When we give you a treat, it’s on our terms. You like the chocolates? Too bad.”

Okay IM, forgetting the hypothetical here for a bit and actually putting it into serious mode because that's actually a valid point you've made.

I'd agree that in some circumstances what I just described could certainly fit an abusive relationship between parents and children. Food is a very basic human need as is enjoyment of food, and manipulative/abusive parents certainly do tend towards strict control of food for their children not due to health concerns but because they wish to exert control for the sake of exerting control. The example I gave off the top of my head certainly would fit within a pattern of abusive behaviour as would an emotionally manipulative relationship based on withholding attention/affection for real or imagined slights etc.

I'd also add that wealth is no compensation for not having abusive parents. It's entirely possible for wealthy parents to be abusive and the relative wealth of the individual isn't really a factor here. Abuse is abuse, and having a lot of money really doesn't compensate for that.

Now back to the hypothetical. Abusive childhoods don't excuse genocide. I can guarantee that in these hypotheticals you're probably talking to people who did have abusive childhoods - so attempting to justify witch hitler's actions on "she had a shit childhood" might come off as insulting.