It's both. If you don't have the setting and framework inside which to be "noble", then you can't have SMA. It's not a medieval simulator, obviously, but there is a definite setting in which we should strive to play.
A framework of what it means to be noble doesn't necesarily require alot in terms of physical settings though. We could for example simply say something like a noble should be (not saying this is how it should be)
- Respectful of the established Hierarchy
- Devout in the pursuit of their religion
- Superior to the Peasantry
- Mindful of their honour and how other percieve it
and have a basic framework without a whole heap of references to real world movements or ideas. To me there seems to be two sides to the SMA debate,
- those that think the RP and Behaviors are the alpha and reference to settings and frameworks function to support them
- Those that think the Setting and Frameworks are Alpha, and that the behaviors and atmosphere can only come about as a function of them
Both parties seem to have the same basic outcome desires, but as they approach the start point differently, you end up with the resultant conflict.
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