One of my favorite rp communities only has 20-30 people active in it. You don't need a Balmung size group for good rp, just for ease of finding open world rp.
My advice? Don't try to start a rp server.
Try to start good rp with what you have.
"I know plenty between various FCs and linkshells and what not, or people who would RP if their was more of an RP community"
You know what I'm fond of saying? I only need one person to build a fulfilling, engaging rp experience. Start rping with people. Build your stories. Be interactive. Be welcoming. But don't focus on the server, focus on the people you have and what you can do with them. Then once you've got your group and your rp, talk to newbies here who are looking for more of an intimate rp experience (don't falsely advertise), tell them what you have going on, see if they're interested.
It's far easier to build off a core then to just tell people to 'come here, some of us want to rp!'
You rp first. The rest comes with time and consistency.
edit - because honestly? The only way you'd attract me to another server is if you say 'we did this and this rp, and this kind of storytelling and these twists and these sorts of characters and we're having a blast!' Then I go 'ooh, that kind of plotting? Those kinds of characters? I like that kind of stuff. I wanna rp with you guys.'
My advice? Don't try to start a rp server.
Try to start good rp with what you have.
"I know plenty between various FCs and linkshells and what not, or people who would RP if their was more of an RP community"
You know what I'm fond of saying? I only need one person to build a fulfilling, engaging rp experience. Start rping with people. Build your stories. Be interactive. Be welcoming. But don't focus on the server, focus on the people you have and what you can do with them. Then once you've got your group and your rp, talk to newbies here who are looking for more of an intimate rp experience (don't falsely advertise), tell them what you have going on, see if they're interested.
It's far easier to build off a core then to just tell people to 'come here, some of us want to rp!'
You rp first. The rest comes with time and consistency.
edit - because honestly? The only way you'd attract me to another server is if you say 'we did this and this rp, and this kind of storytelling and these twists and these sorts of characters and we're having a blast!' Then I go 'ooh, that kind of plotting? Those kinds of characters? I like that kind of stuff. I wanna rp with you guys.'