(09-04-2014, 10:52 AM)tjd212 Wrote: I really think that in my experience playing on a non-RP world that I haven't taken the time to stop and smell the roses. Eorzea is a beautiful place with really interesting lore and I think not fully exploring it (or feeling the mmo rat race to get to 50 to gear grind) is really selling the game short.
In my experience, even if a game is great, it's nothing without a good community as well. I've been in your shoes and just go way too much into the non-RP aspect. I'm attempting to get more into RP as well. I've tried other things since FFXIV 2.0 but I keep coming back because of the people here.
As to your questions, here's my take on a few of them:
2. Like others have said, it's not completely necessary, but it's really good to have at least a general personality of your character, a few bits of history in mind( like why they're in the current city or where they live), and what their current role is. I use this method because I'm not good at trying to sit down and has everything out. But one thing you do need to be careful is fabricating too much on the fly to the point where your history seems very disjoint or too ludicrous.
3-4. I think some people try to incorporate too much of the game's mechanics and single player story into their RP. Some people enjoy the authenticity of the feeling of it, but I don't think everyone should be bound by it. There's no merchant, barmaid, or dancer class, but people roleplay it anyway. Not everyone player possesses the echo even though they've played through the storyline. There's abilities people have that aren't programmed into the game either. I think if you try to abide by game mechanics too much, you either won't enjoy the RP or you won't enjoy playing the game. So long as it's not completely lore breaking, I think whatever you do is fine. I have almost all my classes leveled, but none of it is part of my RP because I want to play another role but also want to enjoy the game. I know some people who play 1 class per character to stay IC but it enhances there experience, but I personally would hate it. Use game mechanics to enhance your experience, not handicap it. Choose which style you like, it's a game, you should enjoy it in all facets!