Hydaelyn Role-Players

So recently I was thinking about how Balmung's RP hub is generally Ul'dah, more specifically quicksand and it's surroundings. The alley's partially too as well as obviously residents for events and more specific settings like taverns and etc. Are there any or can there be any other "locations" though for just general hubs?

I mean I know we can RP with whoever(typically) whenever at any spot so long as people agree to go in that direction. Obviously nothing is stopping anyone from saying "let's go to the hot spring in La Noscea" and etc moving there for the scene. However it feels like everything revolves around specific spots in Ul'dah. I know there's specific ways averting this like FC's, linkshells, or just basic RP statics and what not too.

Overall I'm wondering if we can spread out just a bit of RP, if not even to another map, possibly to more areas in Ul'dah or something. Like the only library we currently have atm is just the thaumaturge guild and the dungeons which are of course limited. When I think of going IC and just going to a hub, I feel like quicksand and around is the only source and after a while it feels like it's not quite a good fit for everyone ya know? I'm trying not to sound biased when I say this because it's not just a matter of me needing some tips or something, but think of it like this. Why would an academic go to the quicksand other than maybe a drink or to go to an inn or something? After days in and out of this, it starts to feel lackluster I guess... I had heard the cafe in La Noscea's culinary guild area had people RP'ing at employed waiters/etc or the drowning wench but I never see much in either. Then of course Gridania feels like it's barren to have any RP hubs. Does it all have to be condensed around and in quicksand Ul'dah? We have crafters, adventurers, academics, and all sorts of types of characters which I'm sure some just RP no matter where they are... However sometimes it just feels like no where else is openly available aside from predetermined FC's/LS's/Groups or just going to QS. Every so often I'll meet someone in the open world and maybe stroll by the alley but sometimes I just wonder what other settings exist for people who are immersed nearly 24/7, welcome walk-ups, and improv from the get-go.

EDIT: Also I'm aware not EVERYONE on Balmung roleplays and I'm sure not everyone cares to see it everywhere. I'm only asking for more potential variety/diversity, perhaps even a change with SB coming to make a new hub even. Or to spread it out just a bit more than confining it to Ul'dah's busy quicksand. I'm sure a little less traffic there could be welcome too as well as seeing open RP hubs somewhere besides there.

t;dr: Anywhere else that's an "open hub" besides quicksand and it's perimeter? Like maybe the thaumaturge guild could serve as one for more classy/academic types. The culinary guild in La Noscea for restaurant services and etc, the hot spring in bronze camp lake, or something in Gridania for general travelers to go to besides in Ul'dah?

People RP at Bronze Lake all the time. I've also seen people at the Airship landing, in the Inn at Gridania, at Limsa at the docks, and more. Some people avoid Ul'dah and branch out. There just aren't a lot of them and they have odd hours so when people go looking for it they don't always find it.

(05-25-2017, 10:48 PM)Rowena Everstone Wrote: [ -> ]People RP at Bronze Lake all the time. I've also seen people at the Airship landing, in the Inn at Gridania, at Limsa at the docks, and more. Some people avoid Ul'dah and branch out. There just aren't a lot of them and they have odd hours so when people go looking for it they don't always find it.

Exactly, but a lot of it feels like it's not so much due to just those concepts anymore. Everyone's mindset just seems to be "I'd like to RP... I KNOW THE ONLY PLACE TO GO!" because it's more accessible and easier to get to.

I mean, take for example this picture below.



It's not "quite" in quicksand, it's around the outskirts still which is fine but I see them there so often, sometimes with new faces in that same spot. They talk about how awesome they are, their recent challenges, challenging each other, how badass their weapons/armor is, just general awesome things full-clad-armored adventurers like this would talk about. I know they're probably their own thing but I have seen others join around with them and it feels like they created a nice specific spot for tough warriors to kinda have a "my sword is bigger than yours" battle so to speak. It kinda makes sense too in this location, out in the open town road area in front of everyone. Kinda puts emphasis on "you talk big, prove it!" kinda thing... They made that their own smaller hub just because and it's likely others could join it too of the same variety.

Sure they could go into quicksand, have a drink, have the same discussions there or etc but they don't. Why? It's crowded in there, it's probably no place for full armored warriors to be lugging around swords and stirring a ruckus, and Idk.... They just made it their own. Can't it be possible for us to do the same? If not for all RP, maybe different demographics of players like chefs that want to serve people could have somewhere they can go to. Even if there's no customers, the chefs surely can make scenes with each other and RP together in their free time, bragging about recipes and etc. Or how about scholars discussing good books or magical techniques they've learned in the thaumaturge guild instead of always relying on the book store/library events? I mean I love those events but even the hosts of them get overwhelmed by how many RP'ers come to them and how few staff are available to help out. It's so much because things like going somewhere to find like minded individuals or similar characters is difficult to do otherwise.

There's so much untapped potential available, I feel like even the idea of just having a group afk in one area that all have RP tags or RP info in their search comment could even create a source or new hub area. If not hubs for specific groups, at least hubs of different settings to spread it out a lil bit. Even if it's all confined to just Ul'dah. I've heard people mention the spots you've said have RP but every time I go there, (and I've even stayed up at all hours of times for a week throughout each day in a weird sleep cycle I had lol), I see no one or just 1-2 people who aren't even into RP as far as I can tell. Rarely do I see someone afk there but that's about it.... I feel like it's possible to make a new or another hub, somehow.

It sucks that Quicksand is the only hub, but at least it's appropriate there. Bronze Lake is a hospital, and the THM guild is a church. They're not really hangout spots.

(05-25-2017, 11:04 PM)L Wrote: [ -> ]It sucks that Quicksand is the only hub, but at least it's appropriate there. Bronze Lake is a hospital, and the THM guild is a church. They're not really hangout spots.

I always thought bronze lake was more of like a relaxation area. There's hot springs and tables to set drinks on or soak your feet in. Then the lil bar area in that small house I think...

Thm guild... eh... I've taken it as the only library we have now lol. I mean I'm sure there's practices there for worshiping Thal but I could bank not every single book there is just about that or thaumaturge magic. Feels more like all the religious-like stuff was kept more to the back end of it. Makes me wish the arcanist or conjurer guild had some form of library though. Or even just a nice lil section to study around, I'd say Mhin Ketto's area in Gridania but sometimes that has events and it often feels like it's made to be a stage for events too...

The only other one I can think of that will happen will be Costa Del Sol when swimming comes out. I'm sure it'll get a bit of attention at least, I know it has a tiny bit but not much. That'd be more of a beach relaxation hub though than anything non-specific... Which is fine of course but it still sounds like it'd present the same issue of not spreading out all the condensed open RP.

Yeah I am hoping that kugane becomes a big hub eventually. I mean the area is really pretty and its suppose to be seamless. So I imagine the outskirts rp in that area would be way better!

(05-25-2017, 11:14 PM)lumikou Wrote: [ -> ]Yeah I am hoping that kugane become a big hub eventually. I mean the area is really pretty and its suppose to be seamless. So I imagine the outskirts rp in that area would be way better!

Good lord yes. I'm dreaming that Doma or Kugane will be filled with Au Ra tribes and honorable looking Samurai just walking the streets. Ninjas on rooftops too have to happen, imagine all the spies and fun that could happen there. Although that also feels like it'd be spread out a bit... Doma might have a nice small area that could be a good hub for traditional Au Ra, Samurai/Ninjas/Monks and just that general niche of martial arts/tradition.

Side note... I know I keep saying it'd be nice to have lil spots like these as hubs for specific groups but I also would still love to see t all spread out somehow to other locations. Even if it didn't serve a specific purpose or was for a specific type of RP character. I can't emphasize that enough here lol.

(05-25-2017, 11:12 PM)Valic Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-25-2017, 11:04 PM)L Wrote: [ -> ]It sucks that Quicksand is the only hub, but at least it's appropriate there. Bronze Lake is a hospital, and the THM guild is a church. They're not really hangout spots.

I always thought bronze lake was more of like a relaxation area. There's hot springs and tables to set drinks on or soak your feet in. Then the lil bar area in that small house I think...

It's definitely a medical facility. That's what "sanitorium" means, and why the huge majority of the non-staff NPCs there have something wrong with them - a lingering injury, a mental ailment resultant of combat...

...and why when Godbert shows up without invitation, none of the questgivers seem to know what to do with him, or how to tell him that this isn't a holiday resort.

(05-25-2017, 11:31 PM)Kilieit Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-25-2017, 11:12 PM)Valic Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-25-2017, 11:04 PM)L Wrote: [ -> ]It sucks that Quicksand is the only hub, but at least it's appropriate there. Bronze Lake is a hospital, and the THM guild is a church. They're not really hangout spots.

I always thought bronze lake was more of like a relaxation area. There's hot springs and tables to set drinks on or soak your feet in. Then the lil bar area in that small house I think...

It's definitely a medical facility. That's what "sanitorium" means, and why the huge majority of the non-staff NPCs there have something wrong with them - a lingering injury, a mental ailment resultant of combat...

...and why when Godbert shows up without invitation, none of the questgivers seem to know what to do with him, or how to tell him that this isn't a holiday resort.

Now that you mention it, kinda makes sense. Now it sounds more like a for of rehabilitation area, just more for calming the nerves and easing the muscles. I was picturing more of a hospital look when I heard a medical facility.... But anywho, without further derailing lol.

Even that sounds like it would be nice for medical workers of any field, even mages in the arts of healing magic. Every time I've been it's very few or none there ~.~;

(05-25-2017, 11:36 PM)Valic Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-25-2017, 11:31 PM)Kilieit Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-25-2017, 11:12 PM)Valic Wrote: [ -> ]

(05-25-2017, 11:04 PM)L Wrote: [ -> ]It sucks that Quicksand is the only hub, but at least it's appropriate there. Bronze Lake is a hospital, and the THM guild is a church. They're not really hangout spots.

I always thought bronze lake was more of like a relaxation area. There's hot springs and tables to set drinks on or soak your feet in. Then the lil bar area in that small house I think...

It's definitely a medical facility. That's what "sanitorium" means, and why the huge majority of the non-staff NPCs there have something wrong with them - a lingering injury, a mental ailment resultant of combat...

...and why when Godbert shows up without invitation, none of the questgivers seem to know what to do with him, or how to tell him that this isn't a holiday resort.

Now that you mention it, kinda makes sense. Now it sounds more like a for of rehabilitation area, just more for calming the nerves and easing the muscles. I was picturing more of a hospital look when I heard a medical facility.... But anywho, without further derailing lol.

Even that sounds like it would be nice for medical workers of any field, even mages in the arts of healing magic. Every time I've been it's very few or none there ~.~;

I hang around there on L'ohba, but it's mostly to idle because the only people showing up are level 1 ERP alts looking to get their rocks off, or non-RP FCs running a date auction to cash in on desperate people.

Non-RP ones do that?..... What... Also wow, I kinda figured no level 1 alt would go through the trouble of going all that way. Figured they'd just go to the QS >_>;

I've always kinda wanted to see some hubs out in the shroud. I remember having a fun time once examining a hunter that was prolly just a player testing her dps on the striking dummy, but it turned into a cool RP session exchanging stories... She fell asleep at some point :c. Never RP'd again.... It's a shame because Gridania and the shroud is beautiful, plus the animals there make nice wild life and the rivers there for fishing or just sight seeing in general.

If it helps, once SB is out I'm planning to run RP evenings at the Resistance hub(s) in Gyr Abania if possible (seeming we don't know how the MSQ will go after all, but I'm praying we at least keep one non Garlean raided Resistance hub. Or reclaim one in the MSQ).

Part of me feels that'd be a great idea for opening into SB. It'll surely be a political area for any Ala Mhigan based lore and I know I'll be going there to further my studies in red magic etc. Though like most areas in brand new expansions, the political aspect might vary with RP a bit here and there. Plus of course it'd be a new area that would require certain story to be completed, as much as I welcome RP'ers to complete the story to better understand the game and current events.... It'd be harder for some to just casually meet and hang around. Props to you if you can keep it a constant thing though, even in Ala Mhigo(which I'm praying we liberate and make our base of operations or something at the very least... Where else are we gonna go in Gyr Bania ya know?).

You know what's a good way to create a hub?

By consistently and reliably being somewhere. By making sure people know you're there. By getting a group and just grinding that shit out every. Single. Day.


You know how the Quicksand got so busy? Because people were there. Aya waitressed. Warren and Crofte (edit - crofte, right? aghaghagh why am I so bad at names) stood at their pillars. For awhile the brass blade peeps were rping their thang, and they'd swing through. People were actively rping in Ul'dah, and they consistently stopped into the Quicksand. Their contacts would come in to rp with them. Word spread, and people came to expect that there would be rp in the Quicksand, and so it became a self-fulfilling prophesy.

You want a hub elsewhere? Do the same thing. Even when it feels dry and stale, even if you don't feel like it, you gotta have people there on the reg. It also helps if it's a place where lower level characters can get to without having to travel a huge distance, but hey, depends on what you wanna build and where.



But if you want my unsolicited advice, don't come to the community asking someone, anyone to make it a reality. Build it. Nothing is stopping you, man. Sky is the limit.

Just be prepared for the long haul.

(05-26-2017, 01:17 AM)Valic Wrote: [ -> ]It'd be harder for some to just casually meet and hang around. Props to you if you can keep it a constant thing though, even in Ala Mhigo

Yeah, I get people being 'locked out'. I totally get that. But if I can get a handful of people enjoying that type of RP? I'm happy with that already, really. Doesn't need to be some huge ass hub to be successful.

Hells, one of my best RP times was from me constantly being in Coerthas Central Highlanders pre-HW. The Observatorium also wasn't considered a noob friendly place, but eh, the Ishgardians and folk interested in RPing with Ishgardians would find a way to get there. I'm pretty sure it will be the same in SB. So I'm not too stressed about it.

And all we did? Just RP there in the open, and people will come sooner or later. (that said I did notify people in several LSes about it, but that was about it.)