Three aspects are factors for me on this topic:
A. Personal Immersion
Speaking from personal opinion as a very visual person, nothing creates immersion like actually watching my character fight or craft. Even if you aren't IC 100% of the time (I'm not because I like leveling all the jobs, not just my RP ones), watching your character at work in what they actually do as people gives you a frame of reference for how combat and crafting actually look and 'feel' like in the game world. It adds an extra sensory layer to my immersion and helps me get in to character. So does seeing my character in their crafting or battle gear! Of course, some people prefer to use the game as a platform to express their own imaginations, and that's the flip side of my personal preference which subordinates my creative expression to Square's.
B. Quest Lore
While you could absolutely hop on to FFXIVDB and read all of the crafting and combat quest text transcripts, I have a much more entertaining time watching the NPC cutscenes and such while getting the story for my RP class. Personally, I don't like literally using the job quests as my own story, but they are awesome reference material for writing your own story. They really give you a sense of what the job actually is and does in the game world! For example, you would never know the Rogue Guild is actually a super-lawful organization in Limsa Lominsa unless you did the quests (or read them online, as I first did).
C. External Response
Perhaps above all, for me, personally, I love reacting in-character to the in-game stimuli around me. If someone is loudly hammering away at a sword or helm, I like for my character to take notice as they pass through the markets. If someone is dressed in impressive armor or shabby rags, I like for my character to make assumptions or inferences accordingly. RPing sensory stimuli make RP more interactive for me and also makes it easier to find things to improv and bring up in conversation. It also makes walk-up RP easier!
That's my three cents. Totally personal preference, but a perspective for you to consider! I have lots of fun with it. （＾ω＾）
A. Personal Immersion
Speaking from personal opinion as a very visual person, nothing creates immersion like actually watching my character fight or craft. Even if you aren't IC 100% of the time (I'm not because I like leveling all the jobs, not just my RP ones), watching your character at work in what they actually do as people gives you a frame of reference for how combat and crafting actually look and 'feel' like in the game world. It adds an extra sensory layer to my immersion and helps me get in to character. So does seeing my character in their crafting or battle gear! Of course, some people prefer to use the game as a platform to express their own imaginations, and that's the flip side of my personal preference which subordinates my creative expression to Square's.
B. Quest Lore
While you could absolutely hop on to FFXIVDB and read all of the crafting and combat quest text transcripts, I have a much more entertaining time watching the NPC cutscenes and such while getting the story for my RP class. Personally, I don't like literally using the job quests as my own story, but they are awesome reference material for writing your own story. They really give you a sense of what the job actually is and does in the game world! For example, you would never know the Rogue Guild is actually a super-lawful organization in Limsa Lominsa unless you did the quests (or read them online, as I first did).
C. External Response
Perhaps above all, for me, personally, I love reacting in-character to the in-game stimuli around me. If someone is loudly hammering away at a sword or helm, I like for my character to take notice as they pass through the markets. If someone is dressed in impressive armor or shabby rags, I like for my character to make assumptions or inferences accordingly. RPing sensory stimuli make RP more interactive for me and also makes it easier to find things to improv and bring up in conversation. It also makes walk-up RP easier!
That's my three cents. Totally personal preference, but a perspective for you to consider! I have lots of fun with it. （＾ω＾）
