Talk:First Empaths

Note: I might be wrong on the connection between Trylaine and the First Empaths. It seems the logical conclusion based on the snatches I know about the event, but I've been wrong before. Reene 12:50, 26 November 2007 (CST)

This is a really well written entry, but it doesn't provide much in the way of sources. Was this information gleaned from books, in-game events, or what? --Basselope 16:55, 26 November 2007 (CST)

For our purposes,

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=20&category=17&topic=1&message=48

...And a smattering of currently non-existent posts detailing the Trylaine event, as well as followups explaining the nature of Empathy and Empathic Shock that came after the skill name change. Reene 19:59, 26 November 2007 (CST)

Nicely done, Reene. I would just question one very small point, whether it's accurate to say non-empaths instinctively suppress their empathy, rather than unconsciously learn to suppress it. My understanding was that the empathy is instinctual as a default. --Farman 20:13, 26 November 2007 (CST)

It's a matter of semantics as far as I go. We're told it's a reflex that people automatically pick up and know how to do - you don't have to go out of your way to learn how to suppress your own sense of empathy, it's just something that you do without even knowing it. I'm not sure if I'd call empathy itself instinctual, as this kind of empathy is a supernatural power rather than a human (mortal?) emotional state or mental inclination. If you've a better way of phrasing it in the article to avoid confusion, feel free. Reene 01:58, 27 November 2007 (CST)