Y'raya

It made it to Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/two-final-fantasy-xiv-players-buy-dozens-of-homes-spar-1796692020

Granted, all lower level stuff so far, but I feel like the slight class restructuring feels nice, and I definitely like that I don't have to run off and level something else to unlock my jobs.

[align=center]First Chapter[/align] [align=center][/align] I'm not quite sure how to begin here. I'm sure I'll edit this out later, as this is more a stream of thought than writing. That's why we draft things first, I suppose. It's hard to know where to begin. All stories have a beginning, sure. All people have their origins. Writing about many people makes that difficult. This isn't so much a story, with players in their respective roles. Life simple doesn't work like such a tale. A bard's song is quick, concise, pointed. Life goes on seemingly endlessly, until it does not. Some of it is boring. Much of it, in fact. Some of it is decidedly not so. I think I'll start with the Sea Wolf. Her name was often a joke to one of our other characters, in her less sensitive moments (which, I'm sure, most would argue there were plenty). Awyrbryda Faezbharwyn, or as it would be in the tongue of the Roegadyn, "Absent Bride, Daughter of Fat Bear". One might think that an odd thing to name a daughter, considering, but her father would have told you different. Bharwym Ahldaentsyn (Fat Bear, Son of Old Duck), who often felt his family had a history of choosing unfortunate names for their children, had long hoped for a daughter. When he met his wife to be as a child, she had quickly agreed to his family's ill fortune (self-inflicted as it may have been), and it had been an odd topic of conversation to bond over. As their love for each other grew with time, and quite a lot of time at that, the far more fortunately named Sthalwyda Swarhundrwyn (Steel Willow, Daughter of Black Dog) made it clear to him that she wished their child to have a name that spoke of strength, and independence. A name belonging to a fierce spirit that would not be bound. Though she passed after bringing her child into the world, her wish was upheld. Here was her daughter, a woman who would never be kept. Awyrbryda did many years later find herself married, a moment in her life that would make her name feel quite ironic considering. Though her life to that point had been as quiet as one can imagine the life of such a woman to be (Author's note: This is very misleading. Her life was hardly quiet. It's just that all the lives around her were equally noisy.), her husband was lost during the Great Calamity, and she quickly uprooted herself. Though she still referred to Limsa Lominsa as her home, she left the city she had spent her life in and found herself among the people of the world. You might wonder the point to all of this, though if you're reading this draft you should really consider keeping your nose out of other peoples things (and if you've taken this book please do kindly return it). The point is rather simple. Life is not like the stories we tell in taverns, or that bards sing of in their ballads. Life is life, and these little things and moments shape people. These people then go on, living their lives and passing by one another, sometimes clashing and sometimes bonding. There is no grand author penning some neat and perfect tale here. Just myself telling their stories, relaying to you what happens when so many uniquely messy tales happen to intersect at just the right time and inspire those like myself to tell them.

I wasn't too surprised either. I'll have to keep my eyes open, because I know things will settle, and I think Hingashi opens up at some point. Still grinding everything out too, because I'm one of those RPers that can't have just one character. I gotta make all of them. I love the server though. Just in case anyone who was considering looks here. Mateus has been awesome. Need to get in more with the guild scene, but I've got my eye on a couple potential homes for my people, if they'll have me. First things first, though. Level 50, and cool outfits.

I mean, there's still apartments, but it looks like everything filled up! Behold the power of transfer and leveling incentives! I will admit, that is one bummer coming into this game. I'd love to think that I could eventually have a house, but the likelihood of it is so low, without having to like... buy a plot from someone who already has one. I know that's been the norm on Balmung since forever, but... yeah. Kind of a bummer that such a cool piece of game content (and one that's so important for certain things like Chocobo raising or gardening) is so damn impossible to get.

[align=center]From the most recent journal of Y’raya Shul, the last few having been unfortunately misplaced.[/align] [align=center] [/align] Every time I walk into the Drowning Wench, I feel oddly at home. I mean, sure, the sea air sometimes takes a little adjusting. Maybe just because I've spent so much time in the desert. I just love that the people here are just a little rougher around the edges. My kind of people. I'm not saying that Ul'dah doesn't have that type. Oh, we've got that type aplenty. It's just a little more downplayed. Underneath the surface. Wouldn't be good to advertise in a town under guard to that degree. I mean here the Yellowjackets keep the peace and all, but in when you’re in Limsa you don't always feel like you need to hide that you're a little shifty. Soon I'll head back to Ul'dah again. Out here running an errand for an old friend. Going to enjoy the seafood while I still can. I really need to get that sorted when I'm in Thanalan. It's not like I can't get to Vesper Bay easily enough, it's just out of the way, and I'm lazy. Still, there's a ways to go before home, and I'm sure once I get there, trouble will be waiting. Maybe I can find some soon.

(( This was mostly just a weird way for me to kind of semi-introduce my characters. New thread will have more, from multiple perspectives, including short stories, other characters journals, overheard conversations, and so on. All posts from new thread will also go up on my Tumblr. ))

Journals are weird. I mean, my thoughts are my thoughts, right? They're in my head. And... no, I'm losing it. Whatever. Point is, this is weird. I'm decided to go visit Pokiki one more time on my way back to Ul'dah. It's been about a week or so since I left Limsa Lominsa. The anchovies are already gone. Pacing is not my strong suit. Or self-control, I guess. Worth it. Finally found that annoying Keeper that passes through Ul'dah from time to time. Smug little... I see him a lot at the Golden Saucer. He's always playing cards, I think. I don't know why he bothers me so much. Something shifty about him? Or is that just me being paranoid? He did buy me dinner that once. Don't know why. He didn't even come over and join me. Just left, and I found out later he'd paid for it. Strange man. OH! I better run. They're announcing the winning Cactpot numbers! Why am I even writing that? Or this? Whatever. Journals are weird. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (The rest of the pages are blank. She must've lost this journal some time ago.)

If there's one thing I like about the Roegadyn in Ul'dah, it's my ability to pronounce their names. Tall Oak. Red Boar. Blustering Oaf. That last one isn't an actual name, I don't think, but you get the idea. Still, I love the Sea Wolves. Sure, they can be... bold. And loud. And occasionally brutish. But they're endearing, right? And generally helpful in a pinch. This one in particular came in at just the right moment. I try to pick my fights well, meaning one-on-one and heavily leaning in my favor. Sometimes plans just kind of get thrown to the wind. Those times it's always nice to have some vibrant-haired giant of a woman to come barrel through the mongrels trying to pin you down and rip your face off with their yellow teeth. Also, their breath... the dogs, not the woman. Her breath is fine. I assume. Not that I know. Shut up, me.

Spending the day visiting Limsa Lominsa. Feels good to be back here. Everything smells salty, and fishy. I swear I can pick up the scent of the Bismark from across town. The Drowning Wench seems quiet this early in the day. Hardly anyone around, except for some redhead in the corner with a book, and one of those glowing rabbit things on her shoulder. Every now and then she pushes her glasses up, turns a page, or gives an annoyed glance to something that made a noise. How can you spend so much time here and never look outside? ----- She did finally leave. It took half the day. It almost became a game for me. How long can I stare and make faces without her noticing? I'm not sure she ever did. I spent the rest of the day fishing. Hopefully someone at the Bismark can help me prepare these well enough to keep for when I head home.

Mages worry me. Creepy demon women worry me. Creepy demon women with magic terrify me. Also, why are elves so tall, anyways?

Back in Thanalan. Did a little work out of Black Brush today. Issues with the local Qirin. Lucky me, I happen to take the same job as Red Boar. Look, if you do this kind of work in Thanalan, hiring your blade out and the like, and you haven't met Red Boar? Gods you're lucky. I never would have thought someone so large could be such a pest. He's loud, and brazen, and just... ugh! I mean, sure, when you're a gladiator that's probably a good thing. Make some noise, get the crowds attention. Out here it's just irritating. I try to sneak, and he's suddenly running past me and bashing things with his shield. I swear I saw him throw it at something at one point. Is that a thing you're even supposed to do with a shield? Throw it? Seems to defeat the purpose of having one. Makes it a lot harder to work, too, when some fool is just smashing up a camp you're trying to pick off slowly. I managed to give him the slip after getting back into town. Once he spotted me it was like he thought we were old buddies. I think he forgets me, half the time. Tripped me up once as I was, ah... exercising. Let's go with that. I mean, why would I be running from anyone, right? After I ducked away, he just moved right along to annoying some other poor soul. I think I'll keep my head down a while longer. Until he's left. Just to be safe. I miss the quiet already.

I went to visit Gridania today. Pokiki wanted some company on the way back, and thing have been kind of quiet lately, anyhow. Besides, it'll be nice to go somewhere cool, and pleasant, and full of rivers and lakes. There was this girl on the Airship with us. Xaela, I think her people are called. Black scales, right? Her people can be so varied. Pale skinned, dark skinned, blazing eyes of all sorts of colors... she was... well, I used to think grey was just drab, right? But she was all black, and white, and grey, and... I had trouble not looking at her. She didn't seem to pay it any mind. There was just something almost ethereal about her. Like a walking ghost. Another Xaela sat across from her. He was quiet. Didn't speak. Just looked at her. She smiled at him, but just sat there, staring out over the landscape. She seemed twitchy, kind of. Her hand kept moving. Don't know what that was all about. She smiled at him again when we docked, and then got up and left. She smiled at me, too. Pokiki practically had to pull me out of my seat while I watched her leave. She was interesting.

There is a problem with Lalafell. Don't get me wrong. I mean, I don't mean to... y'know. Come off like that. At all. That's... wow, I am digging a hole for myself in my own journal. That's a new one. What I mean is that they're almost too cute to rob. I mean, really. Little mustaches, funny little hats, little button noses... I'm saying "little" a lot here. I've gone from racist to sizeist in a few sentences. Is that even a word? Sizeist? Anyroad, I had an old friend come visit me today. Pokiki and I don't see each other often, but she's always nice to have around. Doesn't take up much room, even in conversations, which is great for someone who has trouble keeping their mouth closed. I think she has as much trouble here as I do, with all the dust around, even though her cousins are everywhere in this city. Gridania has spoiled her, I guess. All that green everywhere. She was around a lot when I ran around in Limsa Lominsa. Always nice to me. Liked to just sit there and watch the water as I fish. Feels weird still, that I hardly know anyone here. I should do something about that.

I love Ul'dah. Don't get me wrong. I've lived here a long time, and I love it. I mean, sure, it's dusty and arid and... all the other kind of unpleasant things it is. I didn't used to think they were unpleasant, but living by the sea will spoil you. But it is pretty! In it's own way. The food is okay. The people are great, even if some of them are a bit stuffy. And the money... oh, the marks you'll find in this city. Jewels everywhere. Enough coin to buy all the jewels everywhere. Expensive pieces of art, or vases, or... vases full of jewels and art, if you don't mind sticking out and have the stamina to run for long periods of time. I am just so very sick of crayfish. I would murder for an anchovy. Just one. I don't even need multiple. I will kill the last person who wronged... well, whoever walks in here next, if they bring me a single anchovy, or I will die trying. It's worth it. I should probably be more careful scribbling about murder in the middle of the Quicksand. Not that I murder. People, that is. Does killing Ixal count as murder? What about bandits? I mean, I am getting paid. And the people paying are typically law-abiding or law-enforcing... where is that line drawn, exactly? I've lived here a few years now. Ever since the calamity. I'd run away home, but something always seems to keep me around. And sure I travel, but... this is home now, I guess. Whining aside, I do mean what I said. I love this city. I just never thought I'd find a good fishing hole more valuable than all the jewelry in the world. Gods I miss the ocean. Now I smell anchovies. I bet it's that scruffy looking Keeper again...

Fishing and eating fish. Fishing in anticipation of eating fish. Cooking, even though she's terrible at it. Mostly fish. More seriously, Y'raya loves food. I don't know if it's a guilty pleasure, but she's certainly the sort that, if there's room in her gut, just has to try whatever tasty sounding morsel is offered to her. She's also hooked on playing Mini Cactpot tickets. It's become a habit for her. She spends more time than she should at the Golden Saucer, and if she runs out of MGP she immediately buys her way back in.

I. Basic Info Characters: Y'raya Shul, Pokiki Poki, Khutula Kha, Red Boar, Ivreane Dreavovette, Kirstine Addock, Awyrbryda Faezbharwyn, Momoshi Tatashi Primary character: To be decided! I'll spend time on all, however. Waiting to see who feels most comfortable, and is enjoyable to spend my time with. Linkshells: None Yet Primary RP linkshell: See above II. RP Style Amount of RP (light, medium, heavy): Heavy. If you approach me IC while running quests alone, I will likely RP right back at you. I love random encounters out in the world at large, given I'm not really grinding something out (in which case, I'm probably not in the overworld). I RP in whisper and other chats too, from time to time, but prefer the interactions in person unless something has to be done while offline (or something is being filled in from offline time). Views on RP combat and injuries: Roll duel or pre-decided outcomes, will take my licks, no forced character death ever. Fine with a good back and forth too. I'm not the type to think my characters are the most awesome ever. They're good at what they do, bad at what they don't, and middling as some other stuff. Just, y'know, don't walk all over me. Views on IC romance: My characters are people. It won't be forced, but it may happen. Not for all of them, though. Views on non-romantic RP (family ties, etc): If family members pop up, awesome. I leave things vague there for a reason. Views on lore: I always do my best to make my characters fit the world they're in, but I'm not going to go off on anyone who is having fun RPing differently. Views on chat functions (/say, /linkshell, etc): If it's not in a chat channel (general, FC, party) what I say is IC unless in (( )), and < > is IC Xaela language. III. Other Info Country: United States Timezone: Pacific Standard Time Contact info: Reach out here, unless IC in game, or previously in contact. I tend to ignore random whispers, but am always open to IC contact. Get to know my characters, and you're more likely to get to know me. [align=center][glow=blue]~Special announcements can be found in the posts below~[/glow][/align]

An Android App update killed my squeenix software token! Was gonna run a few dungeons and hunt some late night RP, but I got kicked from the game by the dungeon queue, and discovered I'm now locked out of my account. HUZZAH. So I'm making this thread for no other reason than that this sucks and I'm bored. How goes the stuff, Mateus? Throw a little love my way so I can come hunt you all down on my many various alts, and engage in GLORIOUS ROLEPLAY. I mean that very seriously. I know it doesn't seem like it. Just trust me. I'm not shifty. Ignore the rogue knives. >.>

I have no clue, but once I can get to freakin' 50 on my brd, I plan to unlock mch, so I'll let you know if it still counts or not. Also have to love how it stacks with the novice xp ring and ala mhigan earrings-- along side FC bonus xp. The xp! The xp runs like gooooold!! OH MY GOD, I KNOW. It feels so breezy. I've level two people to 20 just in the evenings after work (I am diagnosed with Altitis). I'm probably going to take Y'raya to like... 59 and then risk it, just to be safe. Maybe knock out from crafting/gathering while I'm at it, or go for Ninja on top of Monk.

What I don't know yet is how it counts the levels. Anyone know if the boost counts other jobs/classes or profession classes towards that level 60 count?

I'm nearly level 20, and I have done nothing but what was listed above. I'm well ahead of my story quest level, too.

Sorry. I'm just expressing how awesome it is to be on Mateus right now, and just do story quests/class quests/hunting log so far and just be able to crank through stuff. This is awesome. Thanks, Squeenix!

As fresh Mateus native I personally appreciate any effort to promote the server because more RP for everyone means more RP for me, but this is not the attitude we should be presenting, much less on forums that are so heavily tilted in Balmung's favor at present. Many people who have been helping us here are from Balmung, or are Balmung people rolling alts, or they've moved / will move entirely but still understandably have a soft spot for their original server. Really, people, stop saying things like this. While I've never played on Balmung, I have seen a lot of it due to the person who got me into this game being from there. Mateus is neither better (let alone "WAY BETTER") nor worse. It is different. Let's stop this ridiculous server rivalry trend. Balmung needs Mateus or when it opens again people will flood their server and they'll be right back to the issues they're having now. Mateus needs Balmung if it has any hope of ever having plentiful, varied events and FCs -- though I understand some people would prefer to be an oh-so-exclusively sandbox, but well, I'm not talking to those sorts. I'm afraid you'll just have to learn to share. The focus should be "Welcome to Mateus!" not "lol Balmung suxorz amirite?" To anyone reading this from Balmung who is now concerned about joining us, this is not the prevailing attitude at all. I and many others welcome all of you and have nothing but respect for your server. I agree. There will always be people you might not like, parts of the community will always feel cliqueish, ERPers are there whether you like it or not (and still, really, what's the big deal?), and we shouldn't be taking shots at Balmung. Lots of good people there, who have helped found even this community here for us to use. People who even, in some cases, are reaching out to help, promoting us here, and even in some cases joining us. Let Mateus stand on it's own, and let's not get into the whole "comparing contrasting" game that keeps ripping these discussions apart, and potentially deterring people from joining us who may find it petty.

I had them lock my thread because it had stopped being a discussion before the second page was full.

Somebody lock this. It's way off track and has fallen deep into the realm of people bashing each other. Far from what I intended, and it's not furthering anything at all beyond adding another thread to yell at each other in, and there's plenty of that already. Writing my original post was clearly a mistake. In the meantime, I'll be playing on Mateus on a few characters until I can transfer, as that seems to be where the bulk of efforts are being made, and look forward to playing with you all!