ryanxwonbin

Was fun, thanks everyone. I think there was huge lag on my end though and had to cut the event short, which is a bit weird since my internet is decent. I checked Speedtest and got about 20 mbps download speed and 5 upload, with a ping of 14. Is there a reason why I'm getting lag? EDIT: I'm in Cali, if that matters, since I believe a lot of US people are East.

Decided to get back to the game after a few months of hibernation. Going to try this out.

http://madokamagicausa.com/rebellion/ Madoka Magica: The Last Rebellion movie theater locations for the United States and Canada are now out. Earliest time is for Los Angeles peeps for December 3, with a pricey $40. The other show times for US range between early December to really late.

Season 3 of Strike Witches has been announced. Dem Japanese love Strike Witches.

In the South Shroud of Aldenard was Buscarron's Druthers; a well-know for travelers and even the shady folks to come and rest. Despite the presence of some thieves and poachers, it seemed the establishment was tightly run in good order and law. People drank their ale and enjoyed themselves; and anyone deemed trouble was kicked out by the local guards and even the patrons themselves. Seated on one table of the tavern was a new face, not just to the house but also to the area that belonged to the Gridanians. An adventurer, perhaps not anything new to these parts and Hydaelyn today. He held light brown leather armor over a white cotton shirt and light bottoms. His boots were light brown as well and over his neck was a unique silver pendant with a sapphire jewel piece in the middle, although parts of it was hidden by a pair of goggles he hung over his nape as well. He was young like many other adventurers, most likely not past twenty. Jet black hair neatly trimmed and pushed to his right side, oval dark brown eyes, and a round face. A small scar went over his left cheek. It was raining this night and the tavern was quite packed with people who took shelter from it. The air was noisy and full of mirth. For Ryan Aphelion however who was new to the area however, he sat alone on the corners of the establishment near the entrance. A plate of food half-finished was on his table and a cup of blackberry ale. The young man did not feel particularly lonely or left out. As a traveler he expected such things to come until he took some time to familiarize the regions he came to and fulfilled leves. He did feel a certain distinct feeling of homesickness, and perhaps a pang of nervousness for these Gridanians who distrusted outsiders. But he kept a calm mask over his face and casually took a sip of his ale, hoping soon he could earn his keep soon enough and perhaps find a party of good friends one day as well. (OOC: Open to all, though I prefer a max of 2 people to interact. This takes place in the past very early on in the game where he is still a bit of a novice and starting out.)

I guess I'm going to be the guy with the rather controversial opinion. For me, people are being elitist when they strongly adhere to their own RP preferences and refuse/demand the same from others. I think that when it comes to RPing, people should be flexible and kind as possible. For instance, in forum RPs, I typically don't like one-line, two-line, RPs. But I don't think it is ever a big deal enough to ever refuse to RP with that person and think of him/her as an inferior RPers. Some people like quick and fast words/action. Some people like explaining the feelings of their characters. Some people like writing essays detailing everything. As long as it doesn't break the rule of things like god-modding, ridiculous lore breaking, meta-games, etc, it is my opinion one should be as accepting as possible. So, sorry to say, when someone goes "I don't want to RP with that person because of [insert subjective style of RPing here]," it feels elitist to me. I'm not going to begrudge the person of course, but that person falls under being an elitist to me.

Well... In the risk of possibly offending people, Free! isn't gay in the sense that it has actual gay character and BL, but it still definitely panders that message for the audience whom are females. Just like how a lot of cute girls SoL anime these days have female characters who aren't technically yuri for each other, but pander to the male audience because they want it. I mean, when you have a guy leg locking on to the stomach of another guy, saying things like "I'll show you a sight you've never seen," etc etc, even though that isn't technically BL, it's a bit obvious what the show is trying to do. That said, I thought Free! was still a good show and surprisingly did the swimming sports thing well.

Well... Personally, my schedule makes it hard for me try a DM and I have never done one fully before. I'll see if I can do a really short quick one this week if I find the time, to see if it would get more people interested.

As someone who does forum RPs and particularly gets irked when I see 20 long paragraphs of writing that are that long just for the sake of being long, I cannot understand the complaint here. From what I understand, your problem is that people are RPing their internal feelings and you can't reply to them. So what? I as a person want to know what other characters are thinking and feeling even if my character doesn't. And most veterans should be good enough not to metagame such knowledge in RPs.

Any thoughts on shows from next season? I assume most people are going to try Kill la Kill, Log Horizon, and Kyoukai no Kanata while fans of Infinite Stratos and Valvrave the Liberator are picking the second season up. There's also the Blazblue one as well.

Fridays are typically hanging out with your friends/party days. Saturdays are rest days. I still think Saturday is a better idea.

I've read the manga and don't watch it either. To be honest, I think it's vastly overrated. In any case, don't watch the Fate/Stay Night anime! Visual novel is the way to go.

While there are many merits to RPing as characters in game, I think there are merits to forum RPs as well. Lack of trolls, ability to post details, more time on fleshing a character out... etc. That said, forum RP seems somewhat small here. I was wondering what people would think of running quest/dungeon/job RPs in the Town Square subforum to increase it. Simply, those who have the time and find DMing intriguing throw their fantasy in to making a thread, open up slots for character who participate, and proceed to DM for a group of RPers. I think it would be great for connecting Balmung and Gilgamesh players while setting up more friends to RP in the near future. Thoughts, concerns, shoot!

I'll try and use this as well when possible. Also feel free to throw me a friend request for easier RP attempts.

OOC: Sorry, but I think I'll gracefully bow out of this RP. Classes and work doesn't allow me to post as much as you guys and reading through 10 posts when I come home is too much. >.>

Oh great elementals... Ryan thought to himself with a slight frown. There were many clumsy people in Eozera, even himself sometimes included, but the two present before him were nothing he had seen before. It was as if he was watching a play by actors as the table made a thud and some food from the table bounced off the plates. He thought it best to perhaps keep the jests to himself whenever interacting with these two. "Well, Masters Aartur and Yayaan, why don't the both you have a seat as well, seemingly as how we've all become acquainted now and the other tables full. We were speaking of our birth homes and the adventures we have had as part of these guilds. Please, tell me yours." He gestured lightly to the empty seats for the two partners. "Ryan Aphelion is my name, from a small port village near Limsa Lominsa."

It seemed quite a commotion had come to their table... And another pair of strange adventurers. A man who seemed as frantic as Kieaira, a large bulking of a man who seemed quite casual, and a rather abusive Lalafell who seemed to be the keeper of the previous Hyur. No response was given by Ryan, who rubbed his chin then took a glance at Elisan to make a shrug at the unexpected new commotion. Perhaps scenes like these were common in "rich" Ul'dah. He looked back at the man who was trying to apologize, but could not find himself the ability to do so. "I dare say, you just found your soul-mate here... Our Miquo'te friend here is not angry, just a bit easily frightened. An apology will do no wrong." The Hyur received the odd thought that he seemed to have become a mediator at this point. Though perhaps the joke he started with would cause more harm than good to these shy people. Resisting the urge to make another shrug, he took another sip of his ale, waiting to see what the responses would be.

"It seems we all have some stories we could share," Ryan replied with a smile and a nod. He could sense, particularly from Elisan, that the two were in particular leaving their origins and information vague. No offense taken by the Hyur; he knew very well it to be selfish to expect strangers to open themselves and knew when not to pry too deeply in their backgrounds. Instead, he decided to speak of adventure as they were of such kind and currently occupying an adventurer's guild no less. "Have you two seen any adventures or jobs that would make a good tale? Pray, tell me if so. I am interested."

Hey, thought I'd make this since I didn't see a thread for it before. I've seen a fair share of people using Japanese names/themes with their characters, so thought there would be quite a few fans around here. I myself started watching anime since around 2009 and have been watching seasonly airing shows since then. Currently for this Summer season, very much enjoying Symphogear, Love Lab, Monogatari.

To be very fair, for the average normal person who just wants to play the game, RPing looks really strange and uncomfortable to them. And while we have chosen to be in the Balmung server, I don't believe SE ever said it was an official place for us. It's like if you were at a park to have a picnic, and right there in the field is a death metal band playing loud music. I think it's only fair that we don't act like the game belongs to us, and act as the bullied victims. If possible with a few people, I think we should keep it to party chat. Otherwise just ignore when other players gripe.

"Kieaira... Elisan... Then a pleasure to meet you both," the Hyur replied, taking a sip of his ale, careful not to take too much of the liquor that burned his chest. He found the way the three had not settled themselves a tad out of place, but it was more welcome than conducting simple business that all these other hardy-adventures. It had been quite some time since he had conversed on these friendly terms. "Limsa Lominsa is indeed a grand place. Great food, exotic items, the smell of the fresh sea. At night the skies are illuminated with countless stars. Mayhaps not for the pirates and the few rival trading companies feuding now and then, it would be perfect." He paused, seemingly haven gone on to a tangent. Perhaps a symptom of missing his home after these years of travel. "Are you two originally from the city?" he asked, not wishing to be the selfish one who blabbed on about himself and his home city.

Ryan rubbed his neck, thinking what a strange fellow this Miqo'te was. The least he could do was take the offer of a drink after causing the small ruckus in the tavern; though on the back of his mind strangers making drinks for him raised all sorts of danger alarms. For whatever reason however, he did not feel the need for any caution against the Miqo'te. She seemed.... Genuinely a frightened person who wanted to appease others. "Yes... Thank you, that would be lovely," he replied in a somewhat awkward tone, not having the quick wits and experience to reply as did the Elzen. He sat back down. "Quite unfortunate, it seems I must wait longer for a job," he said glancing back at the Elzen. "Well... Since we three have seemed to acquainted ourselves in this strange manner, do you mind if I ask for your names? To start with, I am Ryan Aphelion, from the outskirts of Limsa Lominsa. It is my first time here in Ul'Dah."

(OOC: We'll go with my char sitting nearby as elisan rolled with. Long as I get some RP, whatev!) "Aye," the young Hyur replied to the seemingly elegant and well-spoken Elezen. "I would much rather do a job that may test my skill than delivering letters or moving crates. I have tested my lance in the fields of Noscea and the forests of the Shrouds, and wish to see how they fare in these sands. But only a fool heads straight for the first sign of danger alone. I would much enjoy a few companions whom I can work together with, so that I may learn without getting devoured by the Vultures that roam these lands." He had already studied some of the creatures that roamed the sands around these parts, but reading and theorizing could only get one so far. As the Miqo'te suddenly sprang up in fright and retreated to another part of the room, the awkwardness of the situation was not missed on the young man. He rubbed his chin with a slight frown, half-wondering why such an easily frightened person was at an adventurer's guild and half-wondering how he should apologize without scaring the girl again. Perhaps removing that cloak of his would help? He did just so as he stood from his seat, but did not move towards the Miqo'te. "I... Uhhh... I apologize. I meant no harm." If she would peak through the covers of her hands, the young Hyur was someone who looked nothing terrifying. With the exception of a scar on his right cheek, Ryan was a young man with soft-looking eyes and an even softer looking face. He looked too green amongst the other grizzled adventurers.

Ul'Dah was a wretched and unlikeable place for the traveler. Born in the Noscea region, close to Limsa Lominsa, he was far more used to the cooler and more temperate weather. Gridania had proven itself to be a place of fair weather as well, even with the overabundance of nature that seemed to tread on him everywhere he walked. Yet, the storms of Limsa Lominsa and smell of Gridania could not match Ul'Dah's atrocious heatwave and the pangs of brown sand that stretched for miles. What was worse was the kind of people he ran in to; first a snotty noblewoman that seemed to jeer at him for being part of the common plebs, then when he walked on the outer parts of the city, he was besieged by beggars who wanted to sell him odd trinkets and the like. So it was with a somewhat curt mood that Ryan Aphelion sat in a table at the Quicksand along with two other adventurers there. The seated three had been planning a job of guarding a caravan of sorts, and all seemed to go well until the young man revealed that he was a newcomer to the city. Not wishing to take with them a green adventurer who did not know the ways around the region, they snorted and wave him off before leaving. And they paid no attention to Miqo'te that had seated herself on the table a few seconds past. The young man in brown cloak, his head hidden by his hood, eyed the adventurers as they left then gazed back at the Miqo'te who sat. His dark brown eyes, rounded nose, parts of his dark black hair, and stubbled mouth could at least be seen. "Hello," he replied in a casual manner before taking a sip of his blackberry ale. "May I suppose that you are looking for work as well? I am rather running short on gil, and need to fill in a job soon..." At the moment, pastries were brought by a serving girl who pointed out the person that had served the Miqo'te. Ryan took a glance at the stranger, looked back at the Miqo'te, and made a shrug. It seemed there were some good people here after all... (OOC: Eep... Looks like terrible timing on my part. Carry on without my character if it becomes too much of a hassle!)