Closed Fist ending as Open palm Follower? [spoilers!]

[Tirigon]

I know it is possible to convert Dawn Star / Silk Fox to the Closed Fist and have them stay with you and rule if you taint the Water Dragon (Closed Fist ending).

I wondered... is it also possible to convert them if you follow the Open palm throughout the story?

[xeph]

You can't convert a follower to the Way of the Closed Fist if you are playing as a follower of the Way of the Open Palm. It wouldn't really make sense.

[Tirigon]

^
Dunno if it wouldn't make sense. I mean, most of the "Closed Fist" options arent really the way of strength but simply being an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, in spite of Smilining Mountain telling you that this is exactly how it not is...

In fact, often they are even the direct opposite, since many closed fist options are about taking the easy way out instead of fighting (for example, dropping the cannon in the pirate island, to skip a fight with 3 of them)

The follower dialogues however are usually abut the actual philosophy - promoting strength of will and taking charge of your own fate and happiness.

It is quite possible - and indeed more logical than the actual ingame choices - to follow that philosophy while still being nice to people.

Also I always figured that the Closed Fist ending makes more sense for a follower of the Open palm - and indeed, is not Master Li himself a follower of the Open Palm, taking the rule because he believes it to be for the best of all?

[xeph]

It's true, the execution of the Way of the Closed Fist is contradictory at best. I've always felt that there is much more to it than simply walking around, being an ass. Bioware wasn't quite there yet with their system of decision-making, often forcing you to make either a Closed Fist or Open Palm decision, which would then cause an alignment shift (much like KotOR with Light and Dark).

However, I don't see why a follower of the Way of the Open Palm would poison the Water Dragon. Followers of the Open Palm are dedicated to peace - their goal is to fight against chaos and tyranny and they work to lessen the burderns of others. They seek balance and order - I don't think the destruction of the guardian of the Spirit World would bring any sort of order, as you can see in-game, with mad spirits, denied access to the Underworld, roam the land of the living. To take the Water Dragon's power for your own is an act of selfishness, in my opinion, out of a hunger for power that true followers of the Open Palm do not possess.

Master Li may try to fool the player into thinking his rule is for the best, but really his actions are born out of pure selfishness. He desires to become as a God: "I killed hundreds of your kind, thousands. Just for the chance to become a god." That's my two cents worth, anyhow. You are entitled to your opinion.

In any case, it is not possible in-game to follow the Open Palm and convert party members to the Closed Fist.

[Tirigon]

Originally posted by xephtastic:

However, I don't see why a follower of the Way of the Open Palm would poison the Water Dragon. Followers of the Open Palm are dedicated to peace - their goal is to fight against chaos and tyranny and they work to lessen the burderns of others. They seek balance and order - I don't think the destruction of the guardian of the Spirit World would bring any sort of order, as you can see in-game, with mad spirits, denied access to the Underworld, roam the land of the living. To take the Water Dragon's power for your own is an act of selfishness, in my opinion, out of a hunger for power that true followers of the Open Palm do not possess.

The way I see it one could use that power to free mankind from heavenly rule.

[xeph]

Well, in the case of Jade Empire, I don't see that mankind needs to be freed, but I suppose it's all a matter of opinion? To me, the heavenly rulers are what's keeping things together. They keep things organised, they protect order. Take the Celestial Bureaucracy, for example - if they didn't keep track of events as they do, there would be chaos. Each 'member', so to speak, of the Celestial Bureaucracy has their own role and responsibilities to keep things from falling to pieces.