Being a relative newcomer to RP myself, I have experienced many of the same roadblocks that you seem to have encountered. Ultimately their solution will depend upon your own creativity but I can offer some suggestions that worked well for me.
Firstly, I would not advise changing the character right now. You have built up a solid foundation, which you seem to be happy with. In addition if you change now, many of the same issues could follow you to your new character. Now to address your three 'trouble spots'.
Traveling I actually love what you are doing in this area. I treat IC travel very similarly myself, restricting each of my characters to their home city except for exceptional circumstances. I find that making travel into a large ordeal adds character development, when it does become necessary. People who gloss over travel actually miss lots of interesting story opportunities.
Suggestions Delni's reluctance to travel could actually create some interesting chances for development. The trick is finding a reason for her to be pushed outside of her comfort zone.
Maybe there is a great business opportunity in another city state, but she will need to oversee it personally. She might need to hire a mercenary escort and be extremely uncomfortable with the idea. Other pressing reasons for travel include running away from something, visiting an ill relative, or pursuing education not offered in Gridania. You already have an excellent grasp of what makes Delni uncomfortable. The trick is finding a way to force these things on her and watching how she reacts to the stress of adventure.
Interactions This is most likely the root cause of your difficulties and why you find yourself 'stuck'. From your description, you seem to have exhausted the current plots available to your character but don't know how to move into new territory. Although sometimes the only answer is a fresh character, the problem can almost always be solved by developing and adding new elements to your existing character. For a simple tradeswoman and secretary, who has barely left Gridania, your options for development and growth are nearly limitless!
*This doesn't mean that you made a mistake by imposing strict limits on her initially. Some of the best RP characters that I have ever seen, have developed from humble beginnings and they are far more realistic and emotionally rich because of it.*
Suggestions Although I love the idea of an artisan character, I do recommend trying to develop at least one magic or combat class, simply because of the opportunities it provides. Don't fall into the common trap of just giving her a new ability overnight. Instead I would select a class with lore that you particularly enjoy and give Delni an IC reason to begin learning it. This process could take months and provide tons of opportunity for interaction and conversation, while she learns and looks for people to help her. Â
My other suggestion requires a little more thought and effort but may be the most fruitful. You probably need to give Denli some kind of conflict. Points of conflict are rarely included in any character bio, because they work best when added to an already established character. They provide a catalyst for change and growth, which prevents stagnation and repetition. Similar to the first point you need to give Denli a reason to change her established habits and patterns of behavior. Then you can explore her reactions and possibly create permanent changes. The conflict is only limited by your imagination but here are some things that could work for a Gridanian artisan.
-Denli has been contacted by a relative that she believed dead and must travel to another city state to meet them.
- Having borrowed money to keep her leatherworking business afloat, Denli is now over her head in debt and must flee her creditors.
- Wishing to expand her business, Denli travels to Ul'dah, where she seeks to form connections with the wealthy merchants there. Â
- To avoid import taxes, Denli decides to hire a Limsian smuggler. Now she just needs to find one with out being caught.
There are probably several pages worth of possibilities here. They could challenge her reluctance to travel, force her to meet new people, and possibly provide her with a reason to take up another class. Maybe the best option could do all three?
Relationships I saved this one until last, because it is a very tricky subject. Depending on luck and the people behind the keys, relationships can be either the best or the worst thing to happen to a character. On the good side they can provide you with a wealth of development options you may not have otherwise considered. However they can also be awkward, cause drama, and run into problems if your partner leaves unexpectedly. I also understand your reluctance to explore a relationship, with a female character. I'm a girl, who RP's characters of both sexes, but I tend to be leery of RPing relationships as a male, and generally place IC barriers to prevent it. I've seen it done very well by other folks though, so try not to get too discouraged.
Suggestions My only suggestion here would be don't start up an IC relationship, unless you are familiar with the person OOC and can trust them, both to maintain the IC/OOC divide and to keep the OOC communication very open. Also remember that RPing a relationship doesn't imply or require ERP. Fading to black is used all the time and actually preferred by many RPers.
I know this is quite the wall of text, but you hit upon some deep questions.
From what I can gather, you and I would probably enjoy RPing together. We just need a good reason to have your Gridanian artist encounter my Limsian mercenary or my Ul'dahn Gladiator.... It would probably make them all uncomfortable and be tons of fun for us.
If you are interested feel free to send me a /tell on Klinzahr Irnahctwyn.
Firstly, I would not advise changing the character right now. You have built up a solid foundation, which you seem to be happy with. In addition if you change now, many of the same issues could follow you to your new character. Now to address your three 'trouble spots'.
Traveling I actually love what you are doing in this area. I treat IC travel very similarly myself, restricting each of my characters to their home city except for exceptional circumstances. I find that making travel into a large ordeal adds character development, when it does become necessary. People who gloss over travel actually miss lots of interesting story opportunities.
Suggestions Delni's reluctance to travel could actually create some interesting chances for development. The trick is finding a reason for her to be pushed outside of her comfort zone.
Maybe there is a great business opportunity in another city state, but she will need to oversee it personally. She might need to hire a mercenary escort and be extremely uncomfortable with the idea. Other pressing reasons for travel include running away from something, visiting an ill relative, or pursuing education not offered in Gridania. You already have an excellent grasp of what makes Delni uncomfortable. The trick is finding a way to force these things on her and watching how she reacts to the stress of adventure.
Interactions This is most likely the root cause of your difficulties and why you find yourself 'stuck'. From your description, you seem to have exhausted the current plots available to your character but don't know how to move into new territory. Although sometimes the only answer is a fresh character, the problem can almost always be solved by developing and adding new elements to your existing character. For a simple tradeswoman and secretary, who has barely left Gridania, your options for development and growth are nearly limitless!
*This doesn't mean that you made a mistake by imposing strict limits on her initially. Some of the best RP characters that I have ever seen, have developed from humble beginnings and they are far more realistic and emotionally rich because of it.*
Suggestions Although I love the idea of an artisan character, I do recommend trying to develop at least one magic or combat class, simply because of the opportunities it provides. Don't fall into the common trap of just giving her a new ability overnight. Instead I would select a class with lore that you particularly enjoy and give Delni an IC reason to begin learning it. This process could take months and provide tons of opportunity for interaction and conversation, while she learns and looks for people to help her. Â
My other suggestion requires a little more thought and effort but may be the most fruitful. You probably need to give Denli some kind of conflict. Points of conflict are rarely included in any character bio, because they work best when added to an already established character. They provide a catalyst for change and growth, which prevents stagnation and repetition. Similar to the first point you need to give Denli a reason to change her established habits and patterns of behavior. Then you can explore her reactions and possibly create permanent changes. The conflict is only limited by your imagination but here are some things that could work for a Gridanian artisan.
-Denli has been contacted by a relative that she believed dead and must travel to another city state to meet them.
- Having borrowed money to keep her leatherworking business afloat, Denli is now over her head in debt and must flee her creditors.
- Wishing to expand her business, Denli travels to Ul'dah, where she seeks to form connections with the wealthy merchants there. Â
- To avoid import taxes, Denli decides to hire a Limsian smuggler. Now she just needs to find one with out being caught.
There are probably several pages worth of possibilities here. They could challenge her reluctance to travel, force her to meet new people, and possibly provide her with a reason to take up another class. Maybe the best option could do all three?
Relationships I saved this one until last, because it is a very tricky subject. Depending on luck and the people behind the keys, relationships can be either the best or the worst thing to happen to a character. On the good side they can provide you with a wealth of development options you may not have otherwise considered. However they can also be awkward, cause drama, and run into problems if your partner leaves unexpectedly. I also understand your reluctance to explore a relationship, with a female character. I'm a girl, who RP's characters of both sexes, but I tend to be leery of RPing relationships as a male, and generally place IC barriers to prevent it. I've seen it done very well by other folks though, so try not to get too discouraged.
Suggestions My only suggestion here would be don't start up an IC relationship, unless you are familiar with the person OOC and can trust them, both to maintain the IC/OOC divide and to keep the OOC communication very open. Also remember that RPing a relationship doesn't imply or require ERP. Fading to black is used all the time and actually preferred by many RPers.
I know this is quite the wall of text, but you hit upon some deep questions.
From what I can gather, you and I would probably enjoy RPing together. We just need a good reason to have your Gridanian artist encounter my Limsian mercenary or my Ul'dahn Gladiator.... It would probably make them all uncomfortable and be tons of fun for us.
If you are interested feel free to send me a /tell on Klinzahr Irnahctwyn.
