Alright so Gilgamesh won the title of unofficial non legacy server for the RPC. *Does a little dance and mini celebration*
  Now the real work begins, its time for us who will be making Gilgamesh our home to set a strong roleplay foundation. I truly suggest all of those who are making their home there to start mentioning any projects you have, linkshells, Free Companies and the like. Its up to us to build up the server and provide a great place to go for roleplayers.
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As mentioned previously I will be doing a rp event for launch, I would definitely be into taking any suggestions for this event as well as accepting any help that anyone may be willing to provide whether it be participation in helping to run the event or resources, etc. Any help at all is a great thing and the more involved in various ways the better.
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I'd also like to bring up other things. For one I know many here are brand new to roleplaying. Well welcome to the site I know everyone here is glad to have you *claps*. If you are roleplaying for the first time and are planning to rp on Gilgamesh especially please feel free to ask any questions. Myself along with the community that is starting on the server will be more than happy to help with anything. I have no problem with doing any courses whether ICly or OOCly in the actual game or on the forums on rp practices, rp terms and the like. Whether its putting down a question or questions in this thread or sending me a pm either way my doors are always open so just ask away. Roleplaying can be a daunting experience for the first time. I know many wish to ask why but don't necessarily know how.
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Just remember there are no stupid questions. New roleplayers are the most important part of any community. You guys are the glue that keeps the community together and are a telling indicator of how friendly a community is. As what is considered the now secondary/alternate rp server (I won't be calling it this) to Balmung, Gilgamesh needs you guys and we all will do everything we can to make sure that you all have a wonderful experience and make sure to provide an environment that new roleplayers and novice roleplayers can thrive in. One of the benefits of a -new- server is that everyone is new. Now is the time to start building relationships, and during the next phase will be an excellent time to practice your roleplaying.
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Any questions, and I do mean any questions anyone who is considering playing on Gilgamesh has please, put them in this thread
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Here are some terms and definitions for those new to roleplay.
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RP- a shorter way to say Roleplay. In mmos roleplay is the act of immersing yourself into the game world by playing a person or acting out the part of a character who lives in the world.
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IC- In character, basically means when you are in roleplay mode
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OOC - Out of character- this means that the person is not roleplaying at the moment, an indicator of being able to tell when a roleplayer is in OOC mode is when they are having conversations where they are typing out their sentences with these symbols around their words (( )). For example: ((Oh hey Mike how you doing man, did you ever manage to get that sword?)). If you see a person typing with double parenthesis, I can guarantee you that's an rper.
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Heavy/Hardcore- These terms denote a type of roleplay. Heavy/hardcore roleplayers are the ones who are basically always in character, whether they are participating in tavern roleplay or adventuring and leveling the majority of the time they are roleplaying if not all the time. I myself am a heavy roleplayer. Heavy roleplay usually also means that this type of roleplayer constantly roleplays and is not as likely to have "OOC" days. A surefire indicator of a heavy roleplayer is slow leveling due to mainly wanting to roleplay above anything else. Many heavy/hardcore roleplayers are extremely slow levelers because the point of them playing a mmo is for roleplaying before anything else.
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Medium- This person switches between IC and OOC modes a little more often. Many medium roleplayers are usually in character most of the time, but they are privy to have OOC moments like for example many medium roleplayers don't engage in "leveling in character" all the time unless it was something that was planned and set up beforehand. They are more prone to separate in character and out of character moments and for example may not roleplay during a raid. They also may have OOC days for things like leveling and crafting. Many medium roleplayers may plan their rp before hand. A surefire indicator of a medium and light roleplayer is hearing things like ((Man I just finished that raid, I'm going to take a break and roleplay for a bit)).
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*Many roleplayers slide back and forth between heavy and medium status
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3. Light - These roleplayers the majority of the time tend to be OOC. They do roleplay but often times need reasons to do it. for example events or preplanned meetings. They are open to it and do it pretty casually. Lots of times you will find a good number of light roleplay guilds in mmos due to the leadership not minding of if roleplayers join which many times is a non roleplaying group. They may also have members who are curious about roleplay but its not the main reason of playing the game for them. For these guys roleplay may be a fun thing to do on the side in between leveling, crafting, etc.
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Next I'm going to run down some different types of rp concepts that are commonly seen on roleplaying servers. I'm also going to mention some things that make Final Fantasy XIV: ARR a unique place for roleplaying due to new opportunities and areas of roleplay that we have not seen in some time or never have seen in a mmo. The game truly is a roleplayers goldmine and in my opinion provides just as many if not more opportunities for unique rp than the upcoming rp friendly Wildstar.
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1. Non combat classes- Disciples of the Land and Disciples of the hand. In my opinion the crafting and gathering classes will be the biggest drivers of roleplay in game. For those who have seen the anime series Sword Art Online you will know exactly what I'm talking about. Adventures and quests set around gathering an important crafting piece are some of the most fantastic rp opportunities one can have, and who will be driving much of this? The crafters, not since Star Wars Galaxies have we seen a game where the crafter truly can be what they are, the merchant, the builder, etc.
     Add on top of this the ability to turn your houses into shops by labeling them public and leaving retainers in them and you probably have the best environment ever for crafting I've personally known of in a game. I seriously suggest taking these opportunities to spark roleplaying if you decide to play or multiclass with a crafting/gathering class. My character will be multiclassing with Alchemy, Fishing and Culinarian along with his combat classes/jobs and I can tell you this, I will be doing events based on his crafting and gathering abilities. Â
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2. Hub roleplay- Yes I know many do not like what is commonly called -tavern-rp. Well let me tell you this. Personally I love tavern roleplay. I believe its a great place to meet new people and increase opportunities for roleplay. I also believe its a great way to practice and observe roleplayers in action if you are new to roleplay. Its also a great way to make a place more lively as well as provide a way to spark new adventures. Yes you heard me right. Tavern roleplay sparks new adventures. My pen and paper roleplayers know exactly what I'm talking about.
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     Think about how many epic quests were started from finding someone in a tavern or finding a writing posted up in a tavern by someone looking for help. Add on top of this crafters and gatherers looking for adventurers to help with them finding a material or ingredient they need but can only be found in a extremely dangerous place like a dungeon and tavern rp can lead to all different types of great adventures. Its also a place to rest after a great adventure as well. A watering hole for adventurers to come to in between adventures. The more player run taverns the better in my opinion as they all come to have different feels and clientele. Ever seen the old television series Cheers? Those situations do absolutely happen in tavern roleplay. Never doubt the power of hub rp. I personally would love to see IC Bazaars where different merchants are there peddling their wares at a set location every week or two weeks or so.
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3. If you want something, do it. Many times in rp I find that roleplayers are not aggressive enough with going after what they wish. If you want to see more adventure roleplay, initiate it. Don't wait for someone else to do it. If you need help getting its started ask for help. Communities need proactive members, one person, or only a few people cannot do everything. Don't be afraid, and don't be shy and remember that everyone had to start off somewhere. We all had to do something for the first time to get good at it. Remember this. If there is something that you want to see, please go ahead and get it started. Or at least ask if it exists. A community needs those who are constantly trying things, and if you mess up, don't worry about it. Pick yourself up, brush yourself off and try again. Trust me, not trying at all just makes the community smaller, and we should all be trying to make it bigger.
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3. One of the non written rules of roleplaying is: Enjoy the world. this game truly has a lot of little things for rpers to enjoy. New details are being added to the world even now to make the game feel more alive. Things like constellations in the night sky, the weather, the fact that it rains in cities for example provide fantastic roleplay opportunities. How many times have we seen romantic comedies that consist of the couples meeting somewhere in the rain for the first time? This game now provides those opportunities due to the fact that weather for example is such a constant thing. Taverns getting full from people getting in from the rain for example? Roleplay gold and an opportunity for great rp not seen in many of todays greatest mmos.
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Last phase my character met up with another for the first time and as they were talking outside they saw a geyser, which led into more roleplay. He met a fantastic couple (Rhynka and Razamir - love you guys) and they all went to Vesper bay together to sit in the small tavern there. (I honestly love the coziness of Vesper Bay and think it will be a great place for IC dating personally, its in the Ul'dah area). Use these little moments the game provides, they spark roleplaying conversation and help make the world feel more alive as a whole. They are there to enjoy, so enjoy them.
Â
I will be putting up threads like this from now on so again if you have any questions please just ask. I encourage others who can provide advice (especially if you are planning on playing on Gilgamesh) to do the same.
  Now the real work begins, its time for us who will be making Gilgamesh our home to set a strong roleplay foundation. I truly suggest all of those who are making their home there to start mentioning any projects you have, linkshells, Free Companies and the like. Its up to us to build up the server and provide a great place to go for roleplayers.
Â
As mentioned previously I will be doing a rp event for launch, I would definitely be into taking any suggestions for this event as well as accepting any help that anyone may be willing to provide whether it be participation in helping to run the event or resources, etc. Any help at all is a great thing and the more involved in various ways the better.
Â
I'd also like to bring up other things. For one I know many here are brand new to roleplaying. Well welcome to the site I know everyone here is glad to have you *claps*. If you are roleplaying for the first time and are planning to rp on Gilgamesh especially please feel free to ask any questions. Myself along with the community that is starting on the server will be more than happy to help with anything. I have no problem with doing any courses whether ICly or OOCly in the actual game or on the forums on rp practices, rp terms and the like. Whether its putting down a question or questions in this thread or sending me a pm either way my doors are always open so just ask away. Roleplaying can be a daunting experience for the first time. I know many wish to ask why but don't necessarily know how.
Â
Just remember there are no stupid questions. New roleplayers are the most important part of any community. You guys are the glue that keeps the community together and are a telling indicator of how friendly a community is. As what is considered the now secondary/alternate rp server (I won't be calling it this) to Balmung, Gilgamesh needs you guys and we all will do everything we can to make sure that you all have a wonderful experience and make sure to provide an environment that new roleplayers and novice roleplayers can thrive in. One of the benefits of a -new- server is that everyone is new. Now is the time to start building relationships, and during the next phase will be an excellent time to practice your roleplaying.
Â
Any questions, and I do mean any questions anyone who is considering playing on Gilgamesh has please, put them in this thread
Â
Here are some terms and definitions for those new to roleplay.
Â
RP- a shorter way to say Roleplay. In mmos roleplay is the act of immersing yourself into the game world by playing a person or acting out the part of a character who lives in the world.
Â
IC- In character, basically means when you are in roleplay mode
Â
OOC - Out of character- this means that the person is not roleplaying at the moment, an indicator of being able to tell when a roleplayer is in OOC mode is when they are having conversations where they are typing out their sentences with these symbols around their words (( )). For example: ((Oh hey Mike how you doing man, did you ever manage to get that sword?)). If you see a person typing with double parenthesis, I can guarantee you that's an rper.
Â
Heavy/Hardcore- These terms denote a type of roleplay. Heavy/hardcore roleplayers are the ones who are basically always in character, whether they are participating in tavern roleplay or adventuring and leveling the majority of the time they are roleplaying if not all the time. I myself am a heavy roleplayer. Heavy roleplay usually also means that this type of roleplayer constantly roleplays and is not as likely to have "OOC" days. A surefire indicator of a heavy roleplayer is slow leveling due to mainly wanting to roleplay above anything else. Many heavy/hardcore roleplayers are extremely slow levelers because the point of them playing a mmo is for roleplaying before anything else.
Â
Medium- This person switches between IC and OOC modes a little more often. Many medium roleplayers are usually in character most of the time, but they are privy to have OOC moments like for example many medium roleplayers don't engage in "leveling in character" all the time unless it was something that was planned and set up beforehand. They are more prone to separate in character and out of character moments and for example may not roleplay during a raid. They also may have OOC days for things like leveling and crafting. Many medium roleplayers may plan their rp before hand. A surefire indicator of a medium and light roleplayer is hearing things like ((Man I just finished that raid, I'm going to take a break and roleplay for a bit)).
Â
*Many roleplayers slide back and forth between heavy and medium status
Â
3. Light - These roleplayers the majority of the time tend to be OOC. They do roleplay but often times need reasons to do it. for example events or preplanned meetings. They are open to it and do it pretty casually. Lots of times you will find a good number of light roleplay guilds in mmos due to the leadership not minding of if roleplayers join which many times is a non roleplaying group. They may also have members who are curious about roleplay but its not the main reason of playing the game for them. For these guys roleplay may be a fun thing to do on the side in between leveling, crafting, etc.
Â
Next I'm going to run down some different types of rp concepts that are commonly seen on roleplaying servers. I'm also going to mention some things that make Final Fantasy XIV: ARR a unique place for roleplaying due to new opportunities and areas of roleplay that we have not seen in some time or never have seen in a mmo. The game truly is a roleplayers goldmine and in my opinion provides just as many if not more opportunities for unique rp than the upcoming rp friendly Wildstar.
Â
1. Non combat classes- Disciples of the Land and Disciples of the hand. In my opinion the crafting and gathering classes will be the biggest drivers of roleplay in game. For those who have seen the anime series Sword Art Online you will know exactly what I'm talking about. Adventures and quests set around gathering an important crafting piece are some of the most fantastic rp opportunities one can have, and who will be driving much of this? The crafters, not since Star Wars Galaxies have we seen a game where the crafter truly can be what they are, the merchant, the builder, etc.
     Add on top of this the ability to turn your houses into shops by labeling them public and leaving retainers in them and you probably have the best environment ever for crafting I've personally known of in a game. I seriously suggest taking these opportunities to spark roleplaying if you decide to play or multiclass with a crafting/gathering class. My character will be multiclassing with Alchemy, Fishing and Culinarian along with his combat classes/jobs and I can tell you this, I will be doing events based on his crafting and gathering abilities. Â
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2. Hub roleplay- Yes I know many do not like what is commonly called -tavern-rp. Well let me tell you this. Personally I love tavern roleplay. I believe its a great place to meet new people and increase opportunities for roleplay. I also believe its a great way to practice and observe roleplayers in action if you are new to roleplay. Its also a great way to make a place more lively as well as provide a way to spark new adventures. Yes you heard me right. Tavern roleplay sparks new adventures. My pen and paper roleplayers know exactly what I'm talking about.
    Â
     Think about how many epic quests were started from finding someone in a tavern or finding a writing posted up in a tavern by someone looking for help. Add on top of this crafters and gatherers looking for adventurers to help with them finding a material or ingredient they need but can only be found in a extremely dangerous place like a dungeon and tavern rp can lead to all different types of great adventures. Its also a place to rest after a great adventure as well. A watering hole for adventurers to come to in between adventures. The more player run taverns the better in my opinion as they all come to have different feels and clientele. Ever seen the old television series Cheers? Those situations do absolutely happen in tavern roleplay. Never doubt the power of hub rp. I personally would love to see IC Bazaars where different merchants are there peddling their wares at a set location every week or two weeks or so.
Â
3. If you want something, do it. Many times in rp I find that roleplayers are not aggressive enough with going after what they wish. If you want to see more adventure roleplay, initiate it. Don't wait for someone else to do it. If you need help getting its started ask for help. Communities need proactive members, one person, or only a few people cannot do everything. Don't be afraid, and don't be shy and remember that everyone had to start off somewhere. We all had to do something for the first time to get good at it. Remember this. If there is something that you want to see, please go ahead and get it started. Or at least ask if it exists. A community needs those who are constantly trying things, and if you mess up, don't worry about it. Pick yourself up, brush yourself off and try again. Trust me, not trying at all just makes the community smaller, and we should all be trying to make it bigger.
Â
3. One of the non written rules of roleplaying is: Enjoy the world. this game truly has a lot of little things for rpers to enjoy. New details are being added to the world even now to make the game feel more alive. Things like constellations in the night sky, the weather, the fact that it rains in cities for example provide fantastic roleplay opportunities. How many times have we seen romantic comedies that consist of the couples meeting somewhere in the rain for the first time? This game now provides those opportunities due to the fact that weather for example is such a constant thing. Taverns getting full from people getting in from the rain for example? Roleplay gold and an opportunity for great rp not seen in many of todays greatest mmos.
Â
Last phase my character met up with another for the first time and as they were talking outside they saw a geyser, which led into more roleplay. He met a fantastic couple (Rhynka and Razamir - love you guys) and they all went to Vesper bay together to sit in the small tavern there. (I honestly love the coziness of Vesper Bay and think it will be a great place for IC dating personally, its in the Ul'dah area). Use these little moments the game provides, they spark roleplaying conversation and help make the world feel more alive as a whole. They are there to enjoy, so enjoy them.
Â
I will be putting up threads like this from now on so again if you have any questions please just ask. I encourage others who can provide advice (especially if you are planning on playing on Gilgamesh) to do the same.
A good FFXIV lore site: http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/wiki/Eorzea