Brynhilde

It's a shame the Gridanian items are so drab. We didn't even get a pair of tie-dye hemp trousers or a peace symbol pendant.

Psh. We both know Steel's end goal has always been eloping with Bryn and finding a way for the two of them to have a small horde of adorable Hyur/Roe hybrid babies. Somehow.

Woman playing a woman here. I play male characters here and there, briefly. But I just love the strong woman warrior archetype too much to seriously consider playing anything else.

Welcome back to FFXIV! When you say you played after launch, do you mean version 1.0, or the launch of ARR? If it was the former, be prepared for a bit of a shock! Heck, prepare for a shock even if it's the latter. We've had a heck of a lot of new content added since August 2013. In regards to your search for an FC, it would be helpful to know your timezone. While there's groups out there for all zones, some have a focus on either NA or EU. My own FC, Aeon, has people across both european and north american time zones. Our weekly events take place at time that most can attend. We're always looking for talented RPers to join us, and you can check us out at rune.enjin.com Happy hunting!

This is Bryn's. Scandinavian accent, a little deep, but with sweetness. [video=youtube]

We certainly do! We love to help new players out with stuff.

Authorities Admit : Exact Number of Dead and Motives for Murder Unknown Roromai Didimai, reporting for the Tonberry’s Lantern A new fear stalks the streets of the three city-states after ‘dozens’ of killings occur within the space of a sennight. Authorities deny any link between the murders. “I was headin’ home after a night at the Wench. I saw a load of people all crowded around something, so I went to go see. When I shoved my way in, that’s when I saw him.” Grymgybal Thosintoumsyn, self-described ‘professional ladies man’ and resident of the Thalassocracy, tells me as he nurses a great stein of ale. “I got a good gander before the Yellowjackets sent us all away, but I almost wish I ‘adn’t. He was just a lad, looked like. He was layin’ down in a pool of his own blood. It was ‘orrible. Just ‘orrible.” Although he was unaware at the time, Grymgybal had that night laid eyes upon the body of just one individual among many to have fallen prey to a new and gruesome campaign of murders rampaging through the city-states. Although the killings have taken place in Gridania, Ul’dah and Limsa Lominsa, authorities are thus far tight-lipped over any connection between them. As news of the murders spreads rapidly within the populace, however, law enforcement are keen to discourage panic. I met up with Yellowjacket Captain Silver Brook to put to her the questions people are asking. “We can confirm that there have been deaths within the city in recent suns. We wish to reassure the people of Limsa Lominsa that we are pursuing these cases with absolute determination, and that those responsible will be brought to justice.” I asked her whether there was a possible connection between the murders. “There is nothing to suggest at this point that these killings are linked in any way.” What about the rumours circulating that the victims have each been mutilated? “I cannot comment on the specifics of these cases.” Answers the Captain. “However, I would like to urge any and all individuals with information regarding these killings to come forward and assist us in preventing further deaths.” Seeing that I was unlikely to get anymore out of the Captain, I bid her farewell and made my way to meet T’zharhi Rhena, a noted Scholar who specializes in violent crime. Did she have a take on these mysterious killings? “Ah, well, the sudden rise of murders in so short a span of time rules out simple crimes of passion, if you will, and gang-related violence.” The diminutive Seeker says, pushing her pince-nez to the bridge of her nose. “Um, the fact that the deaths are happening across the city-states suggests that they could be the work of some kind of cartel. Or, uh, they would if there was some uniformity to the killings, or some kind of calling card, if you will. But there isn’t.” So, I ask, what is Rhena’s personal theory, if she has one? “Um, the sheer number of the killings as well as the rumour of, ah… Butchery, if you will, suggests to me that these murders are the work of a cult either established or up-and-coming. The Lambs of Dalamud, for example, are known to have killed both lay folk and adventurers in a bloody manner, as sacrifices to their God. But at this point in time, uh… Well, there really is no way of knowing for sure.” Fear and confusion thus abounds, but one thing seems certain: these deaths are a nightmare far from over.

I like it.

'Brynhilde' is an altered version of the Germanic traditional name Brünhilda(and other variations), meaning 'armoured in battle'. It also comes from a character from Germanic Folklore, as well as a historical person. Aside from simply suiting Bryn as an armoured, tanky-knight type, the traditional form of the name is actually one of her middle names. She took it as her first name when she fled Gyr Abania and the Resistance, in order to evade the Empire's hunting. The different spelling is her own artistic flourish. 'Wulf' is a simplified version of her family name, Brandulfr. She didn't feel the need to make it too dissimilar, as variations of 'Wolf' and the use of 'Wolf' as both a suffix and prefix are very common among the Highlanders. Also, she was too proud to abandon her birth name completely. The family name "Brandulfr" means "Blade Wolf", and refers to an ancient familial folklore tale in which one of Brynhilde's fore-mothers is said to have struck a deal with a dire wolf which had 'fangs as terrible as a knight's blade each'. I did a lot of research in Germanic naming conventions (particularly those of the noble classes) to come up with Bryn's birth name, which is of noble origin. In full, her real name is "Freiin Adelfrida Brünhilda Roswitha von und zu Brandulfr". But I think we can all agree that 'Bryn' is a lot more convenient.

Roromai Didimai, reporting for the Tonberry's Lantern The sun rises on a cool Thanalan morning. It’s quiet in the Sultanate’s lands as the Calamity’s beleaguered refugees awaken, and so you could be forgiven for being ignorant of the chaos allegedly running rampant through the camps in recent weeks. But complaints by the camp's inhabitants speak of a quiet terror tearing families apart, and being deliberately overlooked by the authorities. I headed out to one of the larger camps lining Ul’dah’s city walls this Watersday morning to see if I could find a refugee willing to talk to me regarding these allegations. The residents of the camp seemed determined to give me the swerve, most even refusing to meet my eye. Eventually I managed to track down a scruffy young Midlander who seemed more than eager to discuss these troubles. Alex Clayworth is much like every other Midlander refugee you find. Dirty, depressed, and with that look of hopelessness in his eyes. But he was adamant that I would hear the full story to understand the refugee’s plight. “It’s real strange, like. They ain’t… We don’t hear nuffin’, yeah? It started slow at first, like. A few people. Didn’t really notice. People come and go all the time round here.” Nothing alarming at first indeed, readers. Alas, this too is what the refugees thought. “Then we started to notice, like. People who’d been in camp for moons just… vanished. Leavin’ behind family, yeah? That ain’t right. Groups at a time. Not just one or two, like. Ten, fifteen. Lots of ‘em. Somethin’s pickin’ us off, yeah? The people vanish in the night, like. I don’t know how. Me Ma was one of them, yeah? She had a fever, so she’d been sleepin’ days. We shared a tent. I go to sleep, no noise, nuffin’. Wake in the mornin’ and she ain’t there any more. No one’s seen her, and others have vanished. It ain’t right, and no one is listenin’!” It is difficult to listen to the boy’s distress, but I bid farewell to Alex and his dusty home, and turn my attentions to a Brass Blade conversing with a merchant at the city gate. Was it true that the law knows what is happening to the refugees, and is looking the other way? “Look, people come and go from these camps all of the time.” The Blade - an imposing Hellsguard who refuses to give his name and rank - says. “And there’s so many of them. How are we supposed to keep track of their numbers? It’s an absurd expectation. As for people going missing, well. I’d want to leave too, if I were forced in with this rabble.” “That’s just the thing, there’s too many!” Interjects the Lalafellin merchant beside the Blade. “And they are each of them naught but a drain on our resources and space, not to mention that they and their camps are unsightly, and magnets for crime and depravity. If a few of these scroungers leave, or go missing, or what have you -- well, I daresay it’s a win for Ul’dah and Her honest, hard working citizens.” Despite my persistent questioning, I leave unsatisfied with the answers I receive. The Refugees’ claims regarding the Blades’ complacency over the missing people are controversial, and I can neither confirm nor deny them. But one thing seems to me to be plainly evident; there is a dark horror ravaging the poor of the Sultanate’s refugee camps. Without allies to step forward to offer the hand of clemency, families will continue to be torn apart, and will be lost to a fate shadowy and unknown.

Sthaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal. Sthal is a badass, but such a softie at heart. I'm looking forward to seeing where her Dark Knight arc takes her, and any drama that'll include.

Bryn's known as an incorrigible flirt. But what most don't know is that it's almost aaaall bluff. Challenge her to make good on her offers and promises however, and if she genuinely finds you attractive, she'll light up like a Starlight tree and beat a hasty retreat. She's also rather awkward regarding the sight of bare flesh, and so tends to avoid beaches and hot springs.

I had an awesome time RPing with Rhyllona last night. Her character is varied and interesting. Looking forward to next time!

I am constantly saddened by the fact that only the language of the Roegadyn has been given any spotlight by FFXIV's devs. They have stated numerous times in interviews that, despite having allied in recent years for mutual survival, Eorzea's population remains fragmented along racial and 'tribal' lines. It seems natural to me that in such situations each 'tribe' would have not only its own cultural practices (again, as stated by SE), but also its own languages. In support of this, we can look to Eorzea's naming conventions. We of course have the Roegadyn dictionary as a result of explaining where those often hard-to-read Roe names come from. But a glance at the official lore forums explicitly states that the races draw their names from Earth cultures. Take, for example, the Hyur. Midlanders have names from Anglo-Saxon and British Celtic languages. The Highlanders, on the other hand, have names based in old Germanic languages (Two prominent Highlander characters in the lore/game, Theodoric and Hildebrand, draw their names from Germanic history and legend, respectively). As for Roegadyn, it's fairly easy to see that the language is a modified form of the modern day Scandinavian languages. This fits well, as the Sea Wolves are clearly modelled off of the Viking culture with their old sailing, warring and pillaging ways. With all this in mind, it's reasonable to assume that there were once many languages in Eorzea, and that elements of those old racial and tribal languages aside from those of the Roegadyn could survive alongside the common tongue. I personally RP my Highlander character as speaking one of the 'old Ala Mhigan' tongues, a kind of modified old German. One day I'll sit down and formerly create the language, just for funzies.

NO FEMROE SHALL BE FOREVER ALONE ON MY WATCH. Ahem. Next time I see you around, I'll say hi.

Welcome to Balmung, and to the RPC. I hope to see you around.

Hello and welcome to Balmung, and to the RPC.

The key difference is your motivation for your IC actions, and the difference is this: "This is what I will do." Versus, "This is what this character would do." The latter is 'roleplay'. The former is something else entirely; a kind of personal wish-fulfilment which, if not understood, consented to, expected and accepted by all involved parties, is dangerous and prone to create a big, ugly mess. The role-player occupies an awkward place between writer and actor; If our characters' lives are a play, we are essentially both its playwright and its cast. But this places us on the outside looking in, as there is a degree of detachment there. While we may be fond of our characters, we never really are them, and should not strive to be. But when you dive through that fourth wall, RPing your character becomes an exercise in ego. When we fail to maintain that separation and consider our character's actions, trials and successes to be our own, things can get horrible very quickly. Because then, of course, things are a lot more personal. 'IC' romances and conflicts turn from events happening merely in an unfolding fiction to things we have an all-too-intimate investment in, and that's when feelings get hurt. There have been many wonderful contributions to this thread already which have said much of what I would say, so I shan't prattle on. What I will say is that if someone's using RP is wish-fulfilment (and I don't think all RP is wish fulfilment; you couldn't pay me to have Brynhilde's life), that is not in itself wrong, if all parties involved know that that's what's going on. It's when the IC/OOC bleed is either unintentional, or not consented to by the other party(ies), that it is dangerous and not okay.

HIGHLANDER APPROVED.

Welcome to Balmung, and to the RPC! If you see Brynhilde Wulf about, say hi.

This was a lot of fun. Thanks for letting us join in!

I age Bryn in real time. She was 38 when ARR launched, she's now 40. I feel like ageing her allows me to have her reflect on the events of the last year-or-so with greater gravity and accuracy.

Far more important: is it just me, or does anyone else see a couple new hairstyles in that screenie?

Brynhilde is much the same. She comes from a very old and traditionalist Ala Mhigan Highlander family, and as such still possesses bit of what you could fairly describe as bigotry against other races. It seems sensible to me to believe that a culture (Ala Mhigo) both consisting of a majority race (The Highlanders, presumably) and steeped in a love of war and conquest would naturally foster a sense of racial supremacy in many of its citizens. So Bryn has disdain for Highlanders who 'mix' with Midlanders, whom she derides as 'Half Hyur'. She considers Miqo'te primitive and licentious, and judges any non-Miqo'te who pair with them. She feels that Elezen are unduly arrogant and, owing to their willowy frames, unattractive. Lalafell are avaricious and weak, and are children to her eyes. She has respect for (and no small amount of attraction to) Roegadyn, due to their physical strength. She does still fall prey to the stereotype of them being brutish and simple, though... Which, of course, is the typical view of the Ala Mhigans!