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Scarlett · **11-12-2014, 03:08 PM**

Hello everyone,

So I've been thinking of ideas for a new character and whilst FFXIV puts adventurers and scholars in the spotlight, what about the creative professions ? I'm thinking of a painter, a writer, a tattoo artist, an architect (definitely interested in that last one, I mean somebody must have designed The Goblet/Lavender Beds/Mist right ?).

Also, do we have any lore on architecture ? With the diversity of the Eorzean culture as well as past civilizations like the Allagan Empire, I think that this aspect of the lore could definitely be explored.

So, what do you guys think ?

Eva · **11-12-2014, 03:39 PM**

I think this is a wonderful idea! It always irks me when RPers feel confined by the existing jobs in defining their role(s) - e.g. "I am a dragoon" or "I am a weaver", etc. I want to see more architects, engineers, tattoo artists!! Kudos to you! I say go with it!!

FreelanceWizard · **11-12-2014, 03:47 PM**

Writers, at least, would seem to be a rare breed due to dev statements that the literacy rate in Eorzea is very low. As Fernehalwes put it, "As I (think I may have) mentioned in a past post, literacy rates in Eorzea are quite low. The only people who can read/write are usually the educated writing for the educated." That makes some interesting points about the various newspapers in Eorzea and about adventurers as a whole, but I suppose my larger point is that, without a mass market, professional writers would be somewhat limited in quantity or specialized in topics that the rich, educated class cares about.

As far as I know, we don't know much about any other creative professions, save that they exist by virtue of the wide availability of housing items such as paintings, urns, and the like, and the presence of tattoos. I'd say you have fairly free reign to play here, and you can even include more technical creative professions such as watchmaker, toymaker, or even industrial designer. Someone has to design and make those ubiquitous ceiling fans. Smile

With regards to architecture, it seems to be fairly related to the different city-states or historical entities in question; you can definitely see some differences among the designs of the various ruins in which we adventure, and Ul'dah looks significantly different from Gridania. In fact, if you go by the permitting system in the housing areas, there's fairly strict legal regulations on architecture. You can't build an Gridanian-style house in Mist, for instance.

Sounsyy · **11-12-2014, 03:57 PM**

(11-12-2014, 03:08 PM)Scarlett Wrote: Also, do we have any lore on architecture ? With the diversity of the Eorzean culture as well as past civilizations like the Allagan Empire, I think that this aspect of the lore could definitely be explored.

I love the fact that you want to play a role outside the norm! ^^ There are indeed NPCs who follow professions and such outside what we can play, it's just that they don't get much spotlight time in the game. Things like writers (there are those in lore), airship designers and engineers, and architects (there are those out there as well!).

We have a lot of lore on Eorzean architecture that's kind of spotted here and there.

For instance, Ul'dah's architecture is based on ancient Belah'dian architectural style. Limsa Lominsa was first built using the wreckage of a massive war vessel named the Galadion. In the 700 years since, the city built around the wreckage using the white stone quarried from Vylbrand's cliff faces. The giant water wheel (Figaga's Gift) in Gridania was built by a famous architect's daughter after the architect fell ill and could not finish the project. It is widely considered Gridania's grandest architectural achievement. And lore tells us the Sanctum of the Twelve is made from ivory and was built following the Age of Endless Frost (so 5th Astral Era).

Hope this helps! ^^ Lemme know if you have more questions or wanted to know if there's more lore about a certain culture's architecture and I can look to see what I can find for you!

Sounsyy · **11-12-2014, 04:25 PM**

(11-12-2014, 03:47 PM)FreelanceWizard Wrote: Writers, at least, would seem to be a rare breed due to dev statements that the literacy rate in Eorzea is very low. As Fernehalwes put it, "As I (think I may have) mentioned in a past post, literacy rates in Eorzea are quite low. The only people who can read/write are usually the educated writing for the educated." That makes some interesting points about the various newspapers in Eorzea and about adventurers as a whole, but I suppose my larger point is that, without a mass market, professional writers would be somewhat limited in quantity or specialized in topics that the rich, educated class cares about.

As far as I know, we don't know much about any other creative professions, save that they exist by virtue of the wide availability of housing items such as paintings, urns, and the like, and the presence of tattoos.

We do have lore saying literacy rates are quite low, but we also have a good bit of lore on a fair number of writers. Technical writers and creative ones as well. So could go either way really.

Here's a link to some writers and their works from Fernehalwes: Eorzean Literature

Also, if you look at the description of the bookshelf Housing items, you can see there are a number of tomes of varying subject matter:

Show Content

As for "Creative Writing" we have this juicy tidbit from Fishing:

Antlion Slug Wrote:This sand-dwelling slug is able to maintain its mucous coating by absorbing the moisture from prey it catches at the bottom of conical pits not unlike the ones antlions are known to dig. A famous author once wrote a novel (that he claimed was based on fact) in which antlion slugs were actually intelligent rulers of an underground kingdom.

I went ahead and gathered a few other quick references for the existence of some other creative professions that one could use as references:

Painter:

Quote:Lominsan Cityscape
A copy of the cityscape painting titled The Navigator's Veil. Original artist unknown.

Quote:Enquire Within
A commissioned oil painting of realm-renowned agent of enquiry Hildibrand and his faithful assistant Nashu Mhakaracca. Original artist unknown.

Cartographer:

Quote:Eorzean Map
The map of Eorzea as charted by the famous explorer and cartographer Roddard Ironheart.

Astrologian:

Quote:Star Globe
A spherical map of the heavens based off of legendary Ishgardian astrologian Adaunel the Younger's lifetime of findings.

Sculptor:

Quote:#26 - The Navigator
Carved centuries past by a famous Roegadyn sculptor, this massive stone effigy located in the center of Aleport's lower plaza serves as hallowed ground upon which sailors might offer solemn prayers to the watcher of the seas before embarking on their journeys across the untamed deep.

Architect:

Quote:#37 - The Carline Canopy
Nestled cozily within the inn known as the Roost lies the relaxing Calrine Canopy, a haven for those seeking a respite from travel's travails or questing's quandaries. Figaga's Gift, the towering waterwheel found outside the cafe, powers the saws and lathes of the Carpenters' Guild, and is widely considered Gridania's grandest architectural achievement.

Glass Blowers (Crystal Blowers??):
The images depicting Eorzea's 40 Saints performing their Virtuous acts on the Leveplates are said to be made of "stained crystal" ie. stained glass, so someone has to make them...

Oscare · **11-12-2014, 04:46 PM**

I would certainly believe there are musicians and painters and tattoo designers out there! Not only are like 90% of the popular housing items support this, but I think Rowena's study would support the architecture theory very well too. The tomestones are depictions of art left behind by the Allagans of their arts, like philosophy and poetics (which is defined as the study of linguistic effects on literature), so obviously the Allagans were interested in more things than just war and advancements for war.Â

There instruments, paintings, globes, actual tattoos -- I would definitely like to see more creative players. It'd be a pretty cool idea to toy with.

OttoVann · **11-12-2014, 05:35 PM**

Why not branch off a bit?

Otto is a fashion designer in that he makes clothes and jewelry. He doesnt call himself a weaver or a goldsmith. Why not work up carpentry/blacksmithing and be a house architect?

Aeylis Bloodbinder · **11-12-2014, 05:37 PM**

My character's company works in lumber and carpentry provision (and soon an expansion to ore provisions), but not necessarily the creative aspects. Â If you do go the architect route, feel free to poke at me if you want to RP her business helping you build whatever you need!

Jazz Egi · **11-12-2014, 10:26 PM**

Tallera is an everything-goes sort of scholar. Not a particularly gifted mage but what other settings might deem a natural philosopher. She has been teaching Iron Sea literacy, and will continue to spread fancy book learnings. The literacy rate is a disgrace!

Blue · **11-14-2014, 04:57 AM**

Chiara is a goldsmith, but mainly specialized in clockwork (so mammets, and other minions); I guess that makes her a toy-maker by definition!

Prior to moving to Limsa Lominsa to join the Maelstrom, Valeria lived in a village of monster hunters; would that count as a "creative" profession?

Clive is probably the most "creative" I have. He is a brawler-for-hire. He is paid to fake fights with his customers and purposefully lose against them to make them show off in front of the crowd. He is actually an excellent fighter, but he prefers to hurt his pride and do this rather than starve and live out of the Ul'dahn walls with the other refugees. Ul'dah is full of people wishing to show off their (low) fighting skills, and a lot of incompetent gladiators have been granted admission to the Coliseum thanks to him! XD

Salinas · **11-14-2014, 04:56 PM**

Years before she started formally training as a conjurer, Caelia grew up on a ranch in Bentbranch Meadows raising chocobos. Her family consists of chocobo wranglers, so she has a way with them horse birdies. Not necessarily a profession since she didn't continue with it. (When she does find the time to visit the Shroud, she is often seen helping out on the ranch if she has the time. You can take the girl from the ranch, but you can't take the ranch from the girl...)

Recently, she's been put under the care to look after Noxaelius' chocobo, Rinia, along with her own! But that's because she serves as his Housekeeper. So it came with the job.

... Er. Well, if there's anyone who needs help with raising chocobos and such, you could always seek Caelia out. If you're in the Mist area... or Central Shroud. Heh.

Dasair · **11-14-2014, 05:32 PM**

Along the lines of 'writer', I might have a nice in-between if there's a debate between if one can make a living off it in Eorzea or not. Â Granted, as it was stated, 'the educated likely write for the educated', so if there are writers, they're likely wealthy or at least in some position to have access to that knowledge. Â But in terms of that for a different example, my character is not so much a writer, but a scribe. Â

From this angle, he might be hypothetically hired to write up things from documents for others, record findings, create signage text, or even transcribe a story for either historical or creative purposes. Â I haven't done much with it yet, but in that sense, it could be a really interesting rp element to have, being able to sit and listen to, say, a story from another character's retelling, and put it down into text upon their request. Â Â

On the flipside, a scribe is also perfectly capable of writing things for themselves, so should they also have a creative streak, the 'writer' side is covered while still having clearer possibilities in Eorzean society. Â That is, if you thought merely 'writer' itself might be iffy. Â :>

My nerd character is also a book-binder and book-mender, so he's pretty heavy into the 'literary' side of things, but all that said, creative professions are pretty great. Â I'd have suggested cartographer (since basically anyone who travels seems to be expected to have a map, by the way most npcs talk) if it hadn't already been noted.

Jazz Egi · **11-14-2014, 07:55 PM**

(11-14-2014, 05:32 PM)Dasair Wrote: Along the lines of 'writer', I might have a nice in-between if there's a debate between if one can make a living off it in Eorzea or not. Â Granted, as it was stated, 'the educated likely write for the educated', so if there are writers, they're likely wealthy or at least in some position to have access to that knowledge. Â But in terms of that for a different example, my character is not so much a writer, but a scribe. Â

From this angle, he might be hypothetically hired to write up things from documents for others, record findings, create signage text, or even transcribe a story for either historical or creative purposes. Â I haven't done much with it yet, but in that sense, it could be a really interesting rp element to have, being able to sit and listen to, say, a story from another character's retelling, and put it down into text upon their request. Â Â

On the flipside, a scribe is also perfectly capable of writing things for themselves, so should they also have a creative streak, the 'writer' side is covered while still having clearer possibilities in Eorzean society. Â That is, if you thought merely 'writer' itself might be iffy. Â :>

My nerd character is also a book-binder and book-mender, so he's pretty heavy into the 'literary' side of things, but all that said, creative professions are pretty great. Â I'd have suggested cartographer (since basically anyone who travels seems to be expected to have a map, by the way most npcs talk) if it hadn't already been noted.

Why have we not met? But really, scribe was always a viable trade in a largely illiterate society. The illiterate had news to spread too, so dictation was very important. As for cartography, the potential for for jobs is limitless. Imagine how much space it would take in your pack for all the maps available to your character ingame.

Scarlett · **11-15-2014, 05:39 PM**

Ah, so many answers, glad this is becoming a lively thread !

Eva: It's true that the basic classes and jobs can be restricting, but I think that what's most important is not to build a character solely around his or her profession. ^^

FreelanceWizard: True, although the fact that newspapers exist would hint that there is a sufficient audience that buys them, and thus more readers than one might think.
Yes, the game gives a lot of room for invention in that respect. Also, great ideas you have, those are interesting professions.

Sounsyy: Thanks a lot for the lore ! I hope that the game provides us with more information on Allagan architecture, the Crystal Tower is gorgeous. We'll also see more of Coerthas' with Heavensward. I hadn't though of cartographer, astrologist or sculptor for some reason, those are definitely good options. You mentioned Roddard Ironheart, but his grand children are also cartographer, you can find them in game. Nedrick Ironheart in Vesper Bay grants you access to a few dungeons and is the starting point of Relics and Millith Ironheart gives you the sightseeing log.

Oscare: I hadn't thought of the tomestones, we really need more lore about the Allagan !

OttoVann: Good idea though I would rather simply roleplay it, I'm not very good with crafting classes. x)

Aeylis: Thank you, I'll probably take you on that offer !

Jazz Egi: Ah, how interesting ! Totally support your character.

Blue: Clockworking, yet another branch I hadn't thought of. xD And that's up to you to decide. And oh, excellent idea, I could definitely see that happening in Ul'dah, looking at the mentalities of the people.

Salinas: Ah I see; chocobo raising would work too !

Dasair: Oh yes, that definitely seems like a more... doable profession than creative writing. He must have a lot of work to do.

As I said, cartography sounds very promising ! It's already been exploited in game by a few npcs and as ffxiv leaves a lot of room for exploration, I could definitely see it happening.

Creative professions in Eorzea

RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes