What exactly is a Dominus?

I think that Megadei are separated from giant robots by their ability to act and reason by and for themselves. So they're more like androids than mindless mechanical men.

From my point of view, and probably most of the original MFL members views, Domini are the absolute masters of their "fate assigned" megadeus. These Domini are the only ones who can use the megadeus properly and be able to battle and win.

Alex Rosewater IS the Dominus of Big Fau, because he was able to bring out the power hidden inside Big Fau's core memories.
Roger Smith is the Dominus of Big O because he was able to battle for what HE believed in and also respect his megadeus and not leave it damaged and forgotten after a battle.
Schwarzwald WAS the dominus of Big Duo, but since he was not able to use it for its true purpose, Schwarzwald was rejected. Alan Gabriel wasn't its Dominus either because it was piloted for its original purpose which was to find the truth. Destroying people with memories (Roger Smith) would defeat the purpose of finding the real truth.

Anyone could possibly pilot a megadeus or a Big, but it doesn't mean they can bring out tghe true power and purpose of the Big.

I like the Master of Household, head of a family image, particularly given how fraught that sort of position has become in Japanese society (and in America, too for that matter).

You have to be in charge without being "master" in the sense of being Lord or God of the family.

How do you head a family of people you want to treat as equal? How can two married people treat each other as equals while at the same time, this ancient patriarchial idea generates and defines the man's role in a dominant way?

For that matter, the linguistic root of the word Dominus might qualify as another sort of memory. Are men destined to be "in charge" of the household simply because of how ancient peoples and ancient languages were put together? How can you move on/progress/get past that sort of detrius without surrendering your identity (racial, cultural)?

Narsham

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Originally posted by evanASF27 From my point of view, and probably most of the original MFL members views, Domini are the absolute masters of their "fate assigned" megadeus. These Domini are the only ones who can use the megadeus properly and be able to battle and win. Alex Rosewater IS the Dominus of Big Fau, because he was able to bring out the power hidden inside Big Fau's core memories. Roger Smith is the Dominus of Big O because he was able to battle for what HE believed in and also respect his megadeus and not leave it damaged and forgotten after a battle. Schwarzwald WAS the dominus of Big Duo, but since he was not able to use it for its true purpose, Schwarzwald was rejected. Alan Gabriel wasn't its Dominus either because it was piloted for its original purpose which was to find the truth. Destroying people with memories (Roger Smith) would defeat the purpose of finding the real truth. Anyone could possibly pilot a megadeus or a Big, but it doesn't mean they can bring out tghe true power and purpose of the Big.

Are we Domini, or merely very convincing pilots? Be careful not to confuse the two, Evan. When Dorothy was in trouble (I think in Stripes) and Big O stopped in mid battle, was Roger the absolute master then? A megadeus will do as it is commanded, but still has free will and will put the pilot in it's place when necessary. Roger Smith knew this and never fought for an unjust cause. Schwarzwald knew of it, and treated Big Duo with the respect it deserved. That is what makes them true domini.

Alex Rosewater, Alan Gabriel, they saw the megadei as mere tools, and were rejected for it. Big Fau was hacked with the help of Beck, but Duo knew who it's dominus was and killed the unworthy man who tried to take his place.

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Originally posted by evanASF27 Schwarzwald WAS the dominus of Big Duo, but since he was not able to use it for its true purpose, Schwarzwald was rejected.

I don't agree. I don't think Schwartzwald was ever rejected by Big Duo. Quite the opposite - It seems Schwarzie was one of few to ever pilot a Big without tampering and hacks (Norman and Angel not withstanding). Moreover, he actually seemed to help Big Duo regain control from Alan, after the very serious hardware hack job that was made to Big Duo to allow Alan to be able to pilot him at all. I think the sentience in Big Duo had basically been bypassed by all the sub-control systems being directly hooked into Alan Gariel's cybernetic systems. Schwartzwald's ghostly presence in Big Duo Inferno actually inferrs to me that Schwartzwald may have at one time actually 'connected' with Big Duo with the 'wires in the back' method - part of his presence obviously remained in Big Duo, even after the extensive rebuild and hacks.

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Continuation of post by evanASF27 Anyone could possibly pilot a megadeus or a Big, but it doesn't mean they can bring out tghe true power and purpose of the Big.

I don't think anyone could pilot a Big - only those who the Big finds 'worthy' could pilot it - I think that's the reason for the 'Cast in the name of God - Ye not guilty' startup/init message.

One other interesting point, to the whole concept of a Dominus being the master of a 'family'. Remember the scene where Big Fau had run amuck, and was no longer responding to Alex's control? Remember how Big O casually walked over and put his hands on Big Fau, as if to calm him down, and Big Fau responded by shutting down? Maybe that's part of what is special about being a Dominus - the ability to control (or at least communicate directly) with Bigs and/or megadei from your Big.

That (if true) would nicely dovetail with the concept of 'Dominus of Megadeus' being the head of the megadei household - or 'family'

[EDIT] Thinking about it some more, maybe a 'true' Dominus doesn't even have to be in a Big to communicate with it - I just remembered Big O comming to save Roger in R-D, and the scene in Stripes(?) after Big O stopped fighting, and as Roger was leaving Big O, he turned around and asked 'Big O, are you sure?'. Maybe a true Dominus can telepathically communicate with - and maybe control(?) - other Bigs and Megadei. Maybe Roger doesn't fully understand that yet - the 'power' is not fully awakened yet?

Wid stray thought - maybe the origional Major Smith lost someone he loved - like Dorothy Wayneright - and maybe he was so mad/consumed with grief, that he telepathically triggered 'the event'?