Berrod Armstrong

Nyx was completely unlikeable as a character for me (though he had a REALLY nice ass holy shit. And he was cute, I guess), and the story was so eye-rolly and SNOEFLAEK SPESHUL. However, it was really really really pretty, and I more or less watched it for that. That and Lena Headey's voice. Mmmm.

I can't wait!

In the world of FFXIV, especially in post-calamity Eorzea, amnesia can serve as a very valid plot point for a great many characters. As always, it's up to how it's executed to determine how engaging it is for other players, but that's the general gist of anything , really. Doing the research and playing it 'respectfully' can be a plus, I suppose, for people who take their roleplay super seriously. However, a player just toying with the trope for the sake of making a campy little story can be just as enjoyable to interact with. Note that this applies to amnesia specifically, not mental illness altogether. Personally, I'd not discourage anyone for going with amnesia (unless it's literally shoved into their character's story in a way that doesn't fit at all -- I kind of ask, 'lol why is that there?'). Is it your first time playing a character who has suffered from it? Go for it! Do you want to research it, or just play it in a tropey fashion? Pick one, go for it, see how it goes, and adjust as you play and learn. Have you played a character who has suffered from amnesia before? Yes? Well -- how was that experience for you? What did you learn from it that you wish to apply to a new character who suffers from it? It's an available plot point for all characters. It's up to us to decide if we want to use it, how to use it, and how to learn from it and improve it if it falls short of the mark. Then again, that's almost anything in roleplay.

Too lazy, kupo...

I think the primal's form was explained -- because of the use of Nidhogg's eyes, and Ilberd's desire to bring a calamity upon the Garleans as well (given that the last calamity in living memory involved a great dragon, it's only suitable that the summoned 'calamitous' primal would be one as well). I never expected it to be Rhalgr or something even remotely griffin-y. I DID wonder if it would have been a super mega angst Ilberd power thing, but I'm okay with the construction that happened to bring Shinryu into fourteen! I mean, I'm not expecting award winning storytelling here, I was okay with what I would have expected from a Final Fantasy game. Also, when they pelted off, one fell short and the other kept going (I think shin went further?). Do you reckon that we'll see one in Ala Mhigo and the other one in Othard? Or something silly like that? I'm hoping we see the damage from that big summoned tidal wave on the other side of the wall. It'd be a really cool touch. If they do that, I'll twist and bend and suspend my disbelief as to why all of that didn't go crashing over the wall and flood the East Shroud as well. Tho...I also know they did that because it's easier to have sky and sea as a backdrop instead of the general topography of an unreleased area. Lel. Overall, it was a tad underwhelming, but a very gentle and cautious lead in that they can easily follow up from. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THE LACK OF A HUGE STINGER IN THE END (Xenos' DSL don't count), but honestly, I rather this than a MASSIVE FIASCO that 70% of gets dropped or left unresolved in the next expansion. I don't want that again. Also, that outfit is cute AF save for the shoes. Waiting patiently to see more on Ala Mhigo, and I'll put my trust in them to show me a good time.

I was careless and entered the maid outfit code along with the butler one for my account. I will always regret that -- I have no female characters, and someone could have at LEAST gotten a maid outfit from me. Let's see how this next promo goes! Crossing my fingers for you EU folks.

I play 8 males in game. I have a crapton of female NPCS as well -- including a particular one at my FC house. Honestly, I lean toward playing males because it's just default to me. I don't even think about it beyond, 'I'mma play with dudemanz'. I play masculine males, feminine males, the inbetweenies, the undefined...honestly, I just pick a person that I want to represent and cram them into a toon -- who I then choose to be male simply because I lean naturally toward that preference in play. I MEAN THEY AIN'T BAD TO LOOK AT, EITHER, SOMETIMES I FETISHIZE THE SHIT OUT OF THEM IN MY OWN ROTTEN MIND AND Just about simple fun for me, tbh!

I'm pretty sure rape is a serious enough thing in Eorzea (and perhaps beyond). Given that, I'm also pretty sure: Men rape women. Women rape men. Men rape men. Women rape women. A mix of the sexes rape a single sex. Or a single sex rapes a mix of the sexes. Now then! From a storytelling point of view, do you know what kind of rape would be the most familiar to, and resonate the most with the players? Ding ding! That's right! Men raping women. It's in our media, in our everyday lives...I'm not here to talk about the dynamics of THAT itself though. The thing is, a male raping a female is probably the most familiar and resonant kind of rape there is...and therefore the most useful to place into the very FEW instances of it we see in game. Sad as that is. Another thing -- while I don't agree that sexism is moot in Eorzean society...let's pretend it is for a moment. The instances of allusions to rape we see come from organisations and groups who operate outside -- and against the norms of peaceful Eorzean living. Those standards don't count for them. Those standards mean nothing to them. We can't measure them on that stick! The rape references don't fall flat to me, nor do they seem as a cheap trick to make the badguys seem worse. They murder, pillage and steal, they're already bad. It just falls under just another one of the awful things they do that we get to witness the results of. Within the rating of the game itself, and with respect to the players...it's enough. That's my two gil! I'd happily take any insight into anything I may have overlooked and erred on.

Argh right in the daddy issues! I hope it's good, I love stories like this.

I've seen shaman NPCs myself, using conjury to boot. Hopefully Stormblood will elaborate a bit more, but Ala Mhigans were not just a physically capable people. I play my own shaman as a conjurer-sort who 'tries to commune with the land' and uses a lot of medicinal nasty-tastings until we have more information. In fact, let me dig around and see if there's anything I've missed... http://i.imgur.com/5gG4FOR.jpg[/img] Dis mah dude.

That was my view on it for a while, but my tumblr is like 80% shitposting lol. I just took one of the shiny templates and used it.

Kudos this time to Etaan Bloodwell, Catrine Stout, Ulfarr Reddwing, Sgathaich Alpeach, Una'li Anholho, Helvetus Lennox, Elsbeth Blackheart, Kairi Chelewae, Sayako Liznah and Nalayah Leinen for that awesome and fun random roleplay this morning!

Kudos to both Kumiko Shiima and Rokka'sae Dhmi for that wonderful spot of random RP in the Quicksand today!

FFFFFF--- Finally got around to updating mine, borrowed one of the shiny templates and all...

I LIKED THE PUN, YOU CURMUDGEONS!!! GIVE THE MAN HIS DAD JOKE

I'll try it because I try everything lol. Likely I'll end up loving it...because I love everything. I hate how much fun this game is to me

Dancing. Berrod loves to dance, but he hates the very idea of people finding out.

Berrod sat in Caleb’s office behind the Agron’s desk, begrudgingly framed by the large portrait of the Gridanian Seedseer in the background. He admired the twins’ patriotism, but for the life of him could not understand why even the office had to be loaded with Twin Adder miscellany. The Highlander found himself experiencing a smear of envy; his own homeland and heritage was too diluted to show much more of than a faded banner or two. Aside from that, it was difficult to be patriotic to a place he barely knew – no matter how much he wanted to be. He suddenly became aware that he was mired in distracting thoughts, and shook his head with a grunt. There was a task at hand. He’d been sitting there for over a bell, freshly bathed and placed snugly in a pair of Caden’s shorts. Several sheets and rolls of parchment were scattered on the desk before him; some hand-written, some having been printed by press. They all contained the same sort of information; spaces for rent. The rates were not all unreasonable, but were still steep enough for him to be concerned with the amount of gil they would be pulling from the family coffers. Berrod had spent most of his time seated bouncing back and forth between the idea of using one of the properties listed, or just using their own basement – or perhaps his company room. The latter would prove to be a bit of an awkward affair, since he had offered it for use as a guest room. Still, he needed some sort of indoor training space. A shadow in the corner of his eye caught the redhead’s attention. Sarij was up and about. He gave a slight wave at the still sleepy-looking Sea Wolf and indicated, “There’s bread’n ham on the table downstairs.” That information seemed to be enough for the other, who shuffled down with a grunt of thanks. It wasn’t long before the identical Agrons came shambling behind, their own scowls and squints of grogginess firmly set. It entertained Berrod greatly – he was the only real morning person in the house. As he had done with Sarij, the Highlander pointed them in the direction of sustenance. It only took a moment or two after they had all gone down for Berrod to get to his feet and follow. Training space arrangements were important, yes – but right then, family and food awaited.

Berrod was the first to stir, as usual. He felt the soft sheets beneath him, the cozy, warm, somewhat musky air of the room about him, and the weight of assorted limbs upon his bare body. The Highlander was in the midst of quite the tangle; one that he knew he would not be able to extract himself from unless he woke one of the others – particularly Sarij, whose heavy arm was locked around his waist. Berrod’s head was also captured by the cleave of his chest. It was pushed sideways two ilms every time the Sea Wolf breathed. Given that the red-headed Highlander was on his back in the dim before dawn, he could not tell whether the hand that cradled his scruffy jaw was Caleb’s or Caden’s – he suspected the one on his stomach was Caleb’s, for he knew the Agron enjoyed resting it there. Berrod took a deep breath that spread his chest then exhaled. His prison of lovers afforded him time to think – something he both dreaded and was grateful for. Perhaps it had been serendipity that Caleb had found him mulling things over outside of the Pugilist’s guild in Ul’Dah. That line of thought was reinforced when Sarij happened upon them both not too long afterward. Berrod had been sitting on a bench, thinking desperately on how to move forward with what he wanted to do, as opposed to what he felt he had to do. When Caleb approached him he decided to ask advice of the man, against the dissenting roar of his pride. “I wanna start teachin’ an’ trainin’ more. Almost full time,”He’d disclosed, “But if I do that, I’ll be bringin’ less money in the household. In fact, I’ll probably be losin’ more gil than makin’, fer the first few moons.” Caleb, having been the kind man he was, had gently reminded Berrod that the household wasn’t hurting for money, and that the other three would be happy to help support him. Even remembering the way he smiled, and how ready the man was to help him achieve his goal – the redhead momentarily surfaced from the recollection and felt his face grow hot. He lifted his one available hand – the other was firmly trapped under the nearer of the Agrons – to rub at his nose and forehead. There was never any mistaking what love felt like when it came to those three, and every reminder was as much torture as it was joy. Once he had finished his squirming, the Highlander returned to his train of thought. Caleb’s answer had riled instant protest – Berrod did not want to be the only one in the house without a substantial income, even for a while. Despite himself, he expressed to Caleb that he felt that he wouldn’t be much of a man if he didn’t put his equal part into the household’s finances. Fortunately for Caleb, Sarij had happened upon them, and was able to help the Agron get Berrod to understand that it was alright for him to lean on them. Again he became aware of his face heating – but instead of rubbing it, he simply exhaled. Almost two years bonded, more than three years together, and he still struggled with the prospect of allowing himself to depend on them entirely for a time. He knew progress with that stubborn bit of his personality would be slow, but this was maddening. In the end he had relented, and allowed himself to rely on them. Together they sat at that bench for almost a bell to simply discuss things that came to mind, at the forefront of which was the starlight celebrations. Berrod personally despised the season; he much preferred the customs of Winter’s Knell – even if he had to travel to snowy climes to build his own Father Frost. Caleb however, was in love with the Starlight celebration, and so Berrod resolved not to let his own grumpy view on it douse the Agron’s flame (originally he had conspired to hide the Starlight decorations, but aside from him being the obvious culprit, his adoration for Caleb won him over). Another prime topic was the camping trip they had kept putting off. It had been far too long since their last one; those trips had always proven to be bonding experiences that traversed simple conversations or activities in a city. It would be the first time Sarij joined them as well, so Berrod had been adamant that they get that going as soon as possible. After the talk they had traveled back home, where Caleb and Sarij arranged dinner. Caden arrived home from work only a tenth-bell later, and joined Berrod in the bath. At the table they rehashed everything for Caden, and solidified plans to go camping – at last, after moons of delay. Cleaning, decorating (Berrod tried not to look as aghast as he felt) and lounging followed, and when Sarij and Caleb had their bath, Berrod took the trio upstairs to express his appreciation in the most enthusiastic manner he knew how. So did it lead to their current tangle; a symphony of light snores, warm skin and the weight of draped limbs. Sunlight began to stream in through the spaces in the curtains – the redhead had missed his opportunity for some training before dawn. Nevertheless, as it illuminated the men he loved and the cover of security they provided him with, he was willing to let that pass, just for today. The future was bright, after all, and in their embrace, he had the time and comfort to finish thinking on exactly what he needed to do.

Berrod doesn't do Starlight, he sticks to as many Winter's Knell traditions as he can. However, Mountain would enjoy seeing the company house's new warding system complete and functional before the season is over.

I dunno. It took nearly a whole month. That's pretty amazing given how fast people normally grab housing. Oh no, I meant the 15 or so apartments that I saw free just a couple days ago. Word must have gotten out.

Holy shit, those went fast!

There are apartments in the subdivision of ward 6 in the goblet, I think. 15 last I counted. Might be less by now.

Just got mine! I ordered super saver as well though...

Berrod - Man lives same bad life twice in 25 years.