FenixDarkblaze

I vote that these drawings are now the best thing on this website. Would love if you were able to do mah Highlander, too, if you get the time! Outfit! And closer look at face!

My character is a retired Dragoon, but he's also an Imperial. He learned the art from an Ishgardian defector. I think that's a plausible scenario. Dragoon isn't necessarily a forbidden art -- it may be rare outside of Ishgard to a point, but not impossible to learn.

I do enjoy playing characters that invite interaction in some form or another -- but not because of say, beauty or immaculate skill or anything of the sort. I don't want to be the center of the universe around whom everyone turns, but simply make it easy to find a reason to RP with my character, to want to interact with them. For example, my World of Warcraft character, Solieyu, was a hyperactive, obnoxious and half-manic Night Elf. Playing that sort of character made it very easy for me to engage in RP with well, just about anyone because it was well within his personality to walk up to someone and start babbling about whatever was in his brain at that particular moment. For my Final Fantasy character, Fenix, I'm taking a much different approach -- for me, this character is all about challenging myself to play something new and refreshing. He is a very mysterious, quiet character -- little is known about him, and he reveals very little. He is a skilled fighter, but he has realistic weaknesses and strengths -- at least, as far as I believe. But to me, the trick to playing that sort of character is not to go overboard with it. Just because he is mysterious and a closed book doesn't mean his past has to be grand or filled with nothing but sorrow. I write him to have this air of mystery simply to invoke questions in other peoples' characters to allow hooks for interaction. 'Where does he come from?' 'Why is he so guarded about his past?' 'Who is he, really?' Things of that sort. Even if the truth behind his past is entirely mundane and 'normal,' I'm challenging myself to make the character intriguing enough to make people want to find that out. Maybe that's a bit attention seeking, but to me interaction is what RP is all about, and giving people ways to do that is helpful, I think.

For my part, I very rarely alt in games because I enjoy focusing on a single character and playing out that character's story -- trying to juggle one or more characters makes me feel like I am sometimes missing great opportunities for character action and development on one or the other. So, my focus is always on a single character. As for martial vs. magic, this is my first time playing a magic-based character and I see it as a new challenge for myself. My character, Fenix, is a learned Black Mage and focuses mostly on slinging spells. He is a Highlander, however, and in excellent physical condition so he is very capable of throwing a few punches if the situation calls for it. He has very little martial training however, and therefore would definitely be unable to go toe-to-toe with a trained swordsman or pugilist. He is simply capable of defending himself adequately in physical confrontation if need be.

Game launches are always nuts. Just give it a few weeks at most, some people will lose interest, hopefully they place an auto-kick feature for AFK'ers.. It will clear up with time, I think. Even if in the end the only thing left is a queue to get in at all hours, it's better than simply being locked out.

I haven't been able to dig up this answer anywhere but I might just be overlooking. Will there be a way to invite other people into your character's house? Because I think being able to use those as RP settings would be the BEST THING EVER. Next to guild strongholds and stuff.

Well, I think it's all in the execution. A person could have the most detailed backstory imaginable, but if they weave it in a way that leaves zero room for character development or interaction, then it will fall flat. Part of RP is having the world and interactions shape your character. At least to me. But on the flip side, a person who again weaves a long, detailed backstory and manages to leave the character room to continue growing and changing.. So yeah, I think it just comes down to the execution and what the person writing the character feels most comfortable with and able to pull off the best. As for myself, I tend to go for a minimalist approach to character backgrounds -- Leaving enough that there is a solid path that leads to where I begin playing the character in live RP, but I try to avoid great conclusions in backstory. I prefer to play my characters at the beginning or in the middle of the big events that will shape who they become, and let the rest of the world decide who he/she turns into.

(( Hello! This is my first attempt at writing a story for a character in a very, very long time, so I would love to hear thoughts and comments on it! Thank you for the time! )) --- The desert winds were particularly unforgiving today. Hot gusts of air lashed the windswept figure, robed and hooded in black as he continued his steady trek down the worn path. Fenix kept his hand on his head to ensure the winds didn't blow his hood off, head bowed and eyes cast at the road to protect them from the stinging wind. The great city of Ul'dah loomed in the distance, completely dwarfing the man as he made his approach. His free hand rose and grasped the strap of his nondescript brown pack, shoulder shifting to readjust the heavy load. As he came to the Gate of Nald, he paused a moment and turned his gaze upward. Home. It was nothing less to him now, even if he had only been here for less than a year. He knew its streets as well as any, and he was oftentimes a familiar site wandering the streets. Turning his gaze straight forward, he continued on his way and passed through the gates. No time to waste on sentimentality, he had business to take care of. --- Fenix stood at the nondescript stall in the Sapphire Avenue Exchange. The owner, a dusky-haired Miqo'te, had his back turned to the man currently as he fussed about his wares that stood on makeshift shelves at the back of the stall. Vases and other oddities, all antique from the looks of them. Fenix did not call for the distracted peddler. He simply waited. After a few minutes, the Miqo'te turned around and nearly jumped in surprise. "Ah, Fenix! I didn't know you were there!" The man quickly stepped forward to the counter of his stall, Fenix only offering a nod in greeting as he unshouldered his pack and setting it carefully on the counter-top. He pulled at the string keeping it closed as the Miqo'te waited expectantly, talking. "You were gone nearly a month this time, hm? I was beginning to wonder if something unfortunate had happened. I'm glad to see you home and well." Fenix looked up and only offered another nod in response. Fenix began pulling the contents of the bag out and setting them out to display to the peddler. They were antiques, dusty but most of them were in very good condition. Judging by the dirt upon them, they had long been buried. A large vase, a sword.. ten or twelve items in all. Once Fenix had finished, the Miqo'te leaned down and reached beneath his counter, laying out a piece of parchment and a stick of charcoal on the counter top. "Same as always, then. Give me a moment and I'll tell you what you have here.." The Miqo'te picked up one of the objects, turning it over in his hands and murmuring to himself. After a little bit of time, he set the object down and scribbled something onto the parchment. He repeated this with each object, until he had a complete list made -- details as to what the objects may be and what time they may be from, as well as a price value. And each object, it seemed, was quite valuable indeed. The Miqo'te shook his head in amazement as Fenix looked the list over intently. "I gotta say, Fenix, I'm still damn impressed with your eye. You never fail to bring in good items. So.. sellin' any of them today?" Fenix rolled the parchment up and slid it into his robe with a shake of his head. He untied his coin purse from his belt and counted out a handful of gil, setting it on the counter -- payment for the appraisals. Afterwards, he began to pack up his items again with only a few words, "Sorry. Not for sale." The Miqo'te gave a long sigh, shaking his head again. "I knew I shouldn't have asked. Not even once you've bothered to sell anything you've found, not to me or anyone! Hell, it seems like I'm the last person that ever sees the damn things until you take them to who-knows-where! You don't sell them, trade them, display them.. What do you do with them? Why do you keep them?" Fenix offered no response. He finished packing his belongings and shouldered the pack, offering the Miqo'te a nod of thanks and then he was gone, leaving the Miqo'te watching after him, confused as all of Fenix' visits tended to leave him. --- Fenix opened the creaking door to his home. He stepped inside and quietly shut the door behind him, locking it. His house was nondescript, both on the inside and the out. A simple three-room home. The main room had a table with two dusty chairs, as well as three bookshelves stacked to the brim with many different books. To the right was the bedroom, nondescript as well. A bed, nightstand and a chest of his clothes, nothing more. But it was the room on the left that seemed to stand out, if only because of the door.. it was much sturdier-looking than even the front door, with three seperate locks. It was this door that Fenix approached. The three locks didn't seem to fit keys. They were ornate as well, much more expensive-looking than anything in the rest of the house. Fenix raised his hand, touching the first lock and focusing his gaze. The lock began to glow and with a click, unlocked -- apparently, the locks responded to magic. He repeated this motion with the other two locks and opened the door, stepping inside. This room was by far the largest of the home, and its contents would likely leave many speechless. The room was filled with treasure -- not Gil, but valuables of all sorts. Antiques, jewelry, armor and weapons.. all of exquisite quality and great value. He gazed upon his small horde a moment, the Miqo'te's question running through his mind again. 'Why do you keep them?' The answer is simple, he thought to himself as he unshouldered his pack. All that has value in this world is mine.

You might know Fenix from.. -Always seen walking around Ul'dah -At the Arrzaneth Ossuary, leafing through book after book -On his rare ventures outside the city, often in the vicinity of ancient ruins and the like -At the Quicksand, having a drink alone -Can sometimes be found at night on the rooftops in Ul'dah, writing in an old book

Picked out a few to start, might add more later! Cryptically Unhelpful Answer Mysterious Past An Ice Person Shock and Awe Having a Blast The Stoic The Quiet One Mathematician's Answer Destructive Saviour Dark and Troubled Past Playing with Fire

I just finished up my character's article on the wiki and would love to have some feedback on what I've made. Any comments or constructive criticism is appreciated! What I'm really hoping to know is if it seems too cliched, or if he seems like someone that would actually be pretty interesting to get to know and RP with. I'm also looking for comments on his appearance, it took me forever to get the look down! Thank you for your time, folks! http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/wiki/index.php?title=Fenix

'Sup. Decided to finally stop lurking and join the forums officially before game launch! I'm a long-time MMO player and RP'er as well. I AM ALSO VERY LOUD AND ROWDY AND HAVE NO INSIDE VOICE. Some of you may know me from the Wyrmrest Accord server in World of Warcraft, which was my old stomping grounds before I retired from the game. I played Solieyu of the White Sigil guild! I'm looking forward to starting fresh in a new RP community and enjoying created great stories with you all!