Adrian

[align=center][/align] [align=center]Medium RP | Plot-driven[/align] Founded by the chirurgeon Reinette Sompt, who grew bored with the tedious and sterile view of her apartment. Longing for adventure beyond the reaches of the four main city-states, she gathered together investments and friends alike to find the balance between joy and comforts. On this she founded Blackthorn Explorers . Named so after one of the main investors of the organization, it has since grown beyond to include those beyond just martial prowess. After its namesake, profiting from adventuring into unknown lands in pursuit of technology, sagecraft, cartography, and whatever may need doing is the main doings of Blackthorn Explorers. Because of this, peoples of many varying backgrounds are called for. Adventurers and mercenaries for their ability to keep others safe; scouts and trailblazers for their knowledge of terrain; artisans and merchants who shall always keep us well-stocked and in the graces of locals - as well as establishing trade in far reaches; scholars whose insight prove invaluable in such remote locations. Those and more are welcome among BTE. In the future, it is the hope of Blackthorn Explorers to grow in such strength as to follow their own desires. One they they will need no longer to take the contracts of others, but to pursue that which eludes them in the wilderness. There are adventures to be had in the beyond, and when strength waxes then it shall be unveiled.

Character: Staelufre Lysmerl In the house of many people, there was often very few secrets. Doors were left unlocked, and peace was a struggle to maintain. So it was always a relief to the miqo’te to unlock her mate’s office and hear the little click of the latch falling closed once inside. Staelufre relaxed, tail swinging, and walked over to the kitchenette to grab some of the candies left out. She chewed on them, thoughtfully and happily, and walked over to the desk with purpose of stealing a nap underneath it. That’s when she noticed a little package on the table. Her tail wiggles, and immediately the pink-haired woman rips into it, revealing a small flat stone. It rested easily in her hand, a beautiful shade of red. She turned the thing this way and that, letting it change in depth depending on how the light played. Most interestingly, there was the carving of an owl in flight across the front. Immediately partaken to the thing by imagery alone, she put the little stone in her pocket. Next was a note: Staelufre had no idea who those were, and that made her even more curious. She carefully folded the note and stowed it in a separate pocket, sucking thoughtfully on her candy. Why give one to her? It was surely meant to her, with the image of the owl carved on the front. L'aenoh, after all, was no owl. She wondered if the little crimson stone was actually meant to bring her good fortune, or was it meant to bring fortune to those mysterious Sisters? The miqo'te's mind continued to race, golden eyes narrowed at a spot on the wall. She could riddle out nothing, as of yet. There was too little to go off of, too many variables and too many unknowns. She would need help. Perhaps Swygsath would know. Well. It wasn’t going to be a mystery solved right this bell, so she found her blankets and sheep-shaped pillow and climbed under L’aenoh’s desk to sleep away the early afternoon. The nightmares hadn't stopped recently, and she wanted some true peace for at least half a sun.

My Christmas present to Chuchukepa (it's early, I know). A picture of his character! Being really grumpy about everything, probably.

I updated the front page! Commissions for the holidays? Who'd have thought.

Character: Staelufre Lysmerl Watching: Oscare Iono The basement of the Still Shore was a restful place. She enjoyed the cushioned chairs that sat in the library, and the expansive map table that told of all of Eorzea. Not even Valenor's room bothered her, despite how odd it smelled at times. No, she quite liked the quiet little place that no one but the officers seemed to remember. The books were fascinating enough to take up bells of time, while she sat in odd positions on the rugs or in the chairs. Conversation drifted down, but she primarily ignored it. People came and went. That was, until something made her ears prick. An unknown male speaking, saying, "The rancor exists. I hear their screams, the yelps of all those dead that I murdered with my own hands." Intrigued by who was speaking about murder in the common room, the miqo'te crept up the stairs and perched upon them. His voice kept on, clearer now that she wasn't hidden behind bookshelves and a ceiling. "My lover bleeding within my own arms and sentence of death. The Calamity is the only reason why I'm alive. It allowed me my escape." The Calamity? And who was this unknown man trying to escape from? She leaned against the wall, letting her body go utterly still. Listening, rather than watching this time around. If he did not want everyone to know it, she felt it proper that he should speak of it in a more private place than the lounge of her free company's house. Then, of all surprises, a familiar voice spoke. Solkeim, the Blessed Violet. Perhaps this should not be so shocking. Solkeim carried great love and care for the whole realm, and it would be well within her capabilities to tend to someone who sounded so torn up about their past. "War and the Calamity have torn many. The few it have not are really the outsiders. Need not carry that burden; many can handle your pain and is much easier to bear with more shoulders holding it." She did not understand, it seemed, to heed the true message of his words. But the sentiment was sweet. She was offering this stranger help with the torments he suffered. Pure, kind Solkeim. Such generosity was rare, and thus Staelufre coveted it as much as she feared it'd be taken advantage of. "I don't think you understand, the Calamity wasn't what caused all those deaths. My entire cohort... I personally wiped them out, one by one." Cohort. Her ears perked. Cohort was an Imperial term. She knew of no one within Eorzea's continent to assign cohorts of troops about. This man who Solkeim cared for so was of the enemy's allegiance. A Garlean. Yet a traitor to his own kind. Did this make him safe, or only more dangerous? To have systematically destroyed one's own cohort showed a dangerous inability to feel empathy or loyalty. It made him more dangerous, in her mind. If he could not even ally himself to his own nation, what did that mean for him in a land he did not grow up in? She seethed, but remained silently sitting. It would do no good to interrupt now. "To escape? To leave the duress they pushed upon you? All hate war... 'I hate as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.'... must needs not leave out why." Solkeim was seeking reason for his traitorous behavior. She wished to believe, and Staelufre's heart yearned for her friend. Do not so easily believe a man who could kill his own friends, she begged silently. "I overstayed my welcome for now. I need to head back to the Agents. Stay safe, and heal nicely..." The rest he mumbled, but she caught "...thank Byregot..." before they both moved for the door. The agents? Staelufre's tail twitched, fluffed up in irritation. She could not trust this shadow of a man. Waiting many breaths, she followed out the door and walked right past them, before rounding parallel to the aqueducts and hiding beneath the wall. They said their farewells, and nothing more was caught. Staelufre couldn't resist. She popped up and asked the ever-yearning question. "Who was that?" "Is Oscare, fairly good hunter and something of a friend. Very lost within his own thoughts though, sadly. Is all I can do to try to lead him out of them to the confident man he once was," explained Jancis. Oscare. She had the name now, and knew who to be wary of. She'd seen his face, and his posture. If he was not silent of his heritage, Staelufre felt it only safest to warn those who could protect her home best.

I'd always be more than happy to help you, Jancis! C: I loved the last event so I super look forward to this one.

Franz's greeting, "Salut Mlle" took her off-guard. She stared at him, smile still in place but eyes trying to read where he learned such manners. Anyone who addressed her as mademoiselle made her uncertain. Were they doing so to be polite, or to mock her? Having met the mercenary but twice before, she doubted it was the latter. His face was too kind and genial to be trying to laugh at her heritage. "You certainly seemed out of place perusing the Ossuary's shelves. The gossip those thaumaturges can muster." There's a soft titter, Reinette clearly disapproving of the way her peers talked behind strangers' backs. "Regardless, I am very grateful you enjoy the books. Please do stop by or ask if you need any more recommendations." Sigurd, sweet as ever, set her heart fluttering with his simple greeting. She sat beside him, and immediately sought his hand to hold onto. "Ah, food would do me well. And you, I imagine. Have you eaten since supper last eve?" the lady scolded. As if she were one to talk. The pair of them often became too lost in their own minds to think of foods, and often scrambled for something when their stomachs began to protest. Which was soon to come for Reinette. The clam chowder bowls looked delicious and hearty, and she had no qualms against fish herself. The one who ordered them, Jancis, made her smile as always with such a warm welcome. "Swimming and voidsent as topics at the dinner table? I dare say we have mixed manners." She accepted a bowl with word of thanks, smiling at the others. By the look on Jancis' face, the duskwight decided to go with prior topic. Despite her own interest in voidsent. "I did not learn to swim until my later summers. There are large bodies of water in the caverns, our family did not find it befitting to dredge into them. Then, when I was permitted to the surface, I had to beg my cousins to let me go swimming with them in the small lakes. It is a very peculiar sensation one must adjust to," she admitted with a shy smile to Sigurd. "And with L'aenoh and his unyielding amount of pranks, I can understand a certain amount of wariness."

Reinette had, like Jancis, received notice of the note Franz left giving invitation to all Coralites to the lunch at the Bismarck. Thinking of the few dried foods in her rooms, or the left-over meals upstairs, she decided something hot and prepared by an actual chef would be more than welcome. The duskwight set off by way of boat from the Mists and walked with a leisurely pace through the bottom wharf of Limsa Lominsa. There had been an unusual amount of activity on the docks - each person too busy to be paused and questioned - but it was no concern to the chirurgeon. Keeping on until she reached the Bismarck, it was then easy to find the group who had gathered by way of Franz's generosity. Reinette lingered a yalm away, watching the activity with an easy smile. Jancis, whom she was fond of, looked to be quite worn for such an easy day. It was good to see her hale and hungry, considering the young lady's recent injuries. It meant her body was healing well, and that put Reinette at ease. Otto Vann, who always surprised her by turning up in interesting places, seemed perfectly at ease with the La Noscean weather. Despite his lack of shirt. She noted Franz, who wore a simple tabard. He looked, by first sights, a simple mercenary from Ul'dah and she wondered at his interests in the lost civilizations. He seemed more intelligent than first put forth. Reinette finally approached the full table when she saw Sigurd, stepping forward quickly to place her hand upon his shoulder. "Mon cher." A typical greeting, but always with warmth. "I'm glad to see you eating for once." Her left hand lingered on his shoulder, the right hidden with unconscious skill behind his back. It was left maimed by recent scars, clearly burnt even under the half-gloves she wore. At times, the right hand would shake without her notice, as if it were cold. Turning to the other three, all of whom she considered friends, Reinette bowed from her waist. "Good sun to you all. I hope I am not intruding upon a scene already comfortable. I thought I would come to give company, if it is welcome."

Unfortunately, I probably won't make it this time around. u n u I hope everything goes great, though!

\ o / Yes! Oscare and Otto! The party don't start until these fella's walk into the room.

Whoops... meant to edit not quote.

This is of Anisa Samar. The sweetie paid me 100k right before jumping into T6 so I got it out quick as I can. I hope she enjoys!

Hey, did you think of adding medics to your staff? If so, my character Reinette Sompt is always looking for an opportunity to help out.

I updated the front page! Now doing commissions for gil!!! Whoooo!

When: Oct. 31st, 7:00pm PST Where: The Still Shore. Mists, Ward 6, Plot 4. Why: To celebrate All Saints' Wake! Dress Code: Costume!!! The Coral Sea throws its doors open to Eorzea! Come and celebrate All Saints' Wake with booze, food and candy. There will be a costume contest and much more. See the thread for more details. Everyone is welcome, but weapons to be checked at the door! Those interested would see posters or hear by word of mouth of the Still Shore throwing a haunted mansion type party. Those in costume are allowed into the spooky manor. There will be fireworks set off on the front lawn. Food, drinks and candy served up the stairs (if you can find it!) in the bar and kitchen area. Downstairs there will be scary stories told. At the end of the night (9 PST) a costume contest will be held for all applicants who decide to enter! First, second and third place winners will each be given a mystery prize. I hope to see everyone there!

I'd love for Reinette to attend! I wouldn't mind helping you host, Jancis.

I'd be willing to go for this. Dhemgeim's really only made to be a PLD (i95) in character, but I can also sub WHM or BRD if needs be!

Yep, just like that. Also he taught Dhemgeim to surf, which might or might not be related. But! I am glad everyone had fun.

Well this is a little late, but thank you to EVERYONE who showed! I'm sorry I didn't get to RP with all of you. I also decided to just sort of let people wander off into their own little side-adventures, which felt like it worked out since there was such a big turn-out. The chat scroll was real. But, I will definitely hold another one of these - since it seems to be pretty popular. To those who I wish to rp with and didn't, I will doubly make sure to harass next time.

Dhemgeim sat in a room in the Quicksand, on the bed with her feet in the ground and elbows pillared against her knees. She did not look comfortable. The room was hot. An oil lamp had been glowing, but it had only added to the heat so was blown out. Now, she sat in darkness. The din under her feet was still audible, only growing more irritating. Like some insect buzzing in her room that could not be found or rid of. Just as the cacophony from the tavern was not as it seemed, the woman did not feel at all a woman at that moment. She was a storm. The sea lay within her and it was not calm. Clouds roiled and thundered, and the rain poured. She would have made bad company to anyone who stood before her, caught within the gales that would have easily torn asunder any mast. This was why she sat in the dark. Why she was so furious and why she sat alone were an answer one and the same. The more she thought about it, the more the storm grew. Soon, she felt, it was going to overtake her and she would become more storm than woman rather than as she was now; a woman carrying the storm within. Tausenadel was gone. She had no idea how else to put it. Off, wandering somewhere probably. Finding something exciting to tame or some... maybe some new lass to sleep with. Dhemgeim’s shoulders quivered, the storm nearly escaping from its shell. But she was not a smart woman. She imagined those arms; the first arms that had held her with any real love. Then she thought of them, around some imaginary woman out there in Eorzea and her whole back spasmed. She felt like destroying her room, destroying everything in her sight and then finding something else to upend. Instead, she sat there in the humid and enclosed. What she missed was his jokes. No one was as witty at their banter, and as thoroughly as she tried to tease or jest, no one could pick up her end to carry off like he did. She liked the way he had lifted her. No one would even think to lift Dhemgeim right over their shoulder, like she was some spring lass. Not before, and now not even after. Where was he? Did he miss her in the ways she missed him? Did he think of her? A hand lashed out and struck the nearby wall. Shuddering, Dhemgeim was left without answers. She was left alone in a room too humid to sleep. The only thing left was her storm that was ever-threatening. She had thought -- It wasn’t something she could believe breaking, those beliefs that had once been so strong. They had been a fact. While her realm was not broken, she was the one who felt broken when those facts were now in question. Her darling - her dearest - he... Did he think of her at all? Did he remember their deeds and vows, the silly things they had done in privacy and the bold actions in public? Something within her was sliding, cleaving in half while she sat on that bed. A sudden hiccup rose, but it did not make it entirely. It sat painfully in her chest, and the roegadyn doubled over. She choked, then the hiccup burst free. Her voice hitched, and warm tears. The storm did not rage under her skin. Dhemgeim choked as she tried to stop crying. All she wished right then was for a hand to hold, familiar and pocked in scars. She opened her mouth wide to scream, but the only thing that came out was the quietest whimper. Her whole body hurt. It had ached all day with the pain and now she was overwhelmed, sinking. Wishing for help was in vain. Dhemgeim knew that by now, her nights that were filled with pain and loneliness never once answered. This was her fault, she told herself. She had driven him away, so wracked by confusion and indecision. It was her fault for isolating Tausenadel from her heart and mind. She knew this now, and she could do nothing over it. He was gone. No one would lift her. No one to... laugh like he had. One less person who made her feel less like a strong roegadyn, but like a person. A tender, feeling woman who could love as much as she was loved. She’d lost this great thing, so mighty and astounding. Dhemgeim had broken her own heart, and she was drowning in it now. She moved into the bed, laying atop the sheets. The tears still warmed her cheeks, breaths just small gasps while her body wrung in a pain that was new. No amount of guilt or fear felt as she did now. No sword or lance had dug so deep into her. It was new and ravaging, leaving the woman in shakes against the bed while she tried to breathe and think. It took several minutes, until finally she could lay there with the pain. It was a dull ache, emitting from a hollow between her breasts. She opened her mouth, of a mind to scream to fill the hollow. Not wanting the attention, she refrained. Instead, Dhemgeim wondered. Would he return? What would she do until he did, or if he never did? He had been her entire realm... Had she told him that? The woman, for a moment, doubted that she had. It had just been such a simple fact but one so easily overlooked at the time. It was not something, she felt, she would be able to let go. No matter who came close to her right now - Hornet, Hundrbera came to mind - she mourned the man whom she’d pushed away. Who had been boyish and mature in the same breath. Her myna, now lost out somewhere. Maybe he’d even gone across the seas.

I hope everyone is as excited for this as I am! The invention of physical activities may wait until a later incarnation of beach party. So far, I am really only planning on engaging people in more talkative activities.

I've used the Razor Kraken in the past and that was very nice. It hurt my ears a little bit but it was just something that took time for the ear pieces to adjust. Right now I'm using a Sennheiser - which was a gift and fairly expensive from what I understand, so it's not on the top of my recommended list. But I've honestly never had better.

Updated the OP with the next event's information. It's all also on the calender, but figured I'd make double sure everyone knew!

I guess... we can participate in some lalafell golf. Or bury all the lalafell in the sand and let the tides sweep them away! We'll have to take up miqo'te tossing anyway or Siha will be sorely disappointed.

I'll first start by agreeing with Austratus and more firmly with Bryn. See, Bryn had a wonderful point in that it's ultimately your FC. You should want to log on and see your friends and want to play with them. That's the ultimate goal of a game. How you achieve your end to have that fun is dictated by each person who plays it. So, naturally, you won't view fun the same as some other people. And yes, your acceptance of fun can be strict and limiting so that you can ensure what you do is worth your time and what you want to do constructively. That might be called elitism. Yet, I've encountered two types of elitism. There's passive and active forms of elitism. Neither are particularly good, neither are particularly bad in my experience. My good friend and the founder of my free company, Renaud Becquerel, did a good job of defining passive and active forms of elitism. You can read it all here but honestly I'll cut to the quick. What you seem to be afraid of is coming across as an active elitist. I'm conjecturing here so please do correct me if I'm wrong, but you seem to not want to be the group to spread aggressive gossip about a bad experience and gain a negative reputation for spreading hate on people. I understand that. I agree with the philosophy that all RP is legitimate - I just don't have to participate if I don't want to. That brings us to passive elitism: Which is when you see something someone is doing and you think, "hey that thing isn't for me" and don't act on it. You pass judgment that maybe this bit of lore-bending or that bit of ERPing doesn't suit your fancy and you'd rather not partake. Doesn't really sound awful, but it can get strict and you might not RP with a whole group of people because you think they just aren't up to your standards. It's still elitism but the key difference is that you aren't making actions to force your views on them or anyone else. I'll come out and kind of say that the Coral Sea is somewhat a passive elitist FC. We have a rule that gives us full rights to decline or kick anyone we want to. For what reason? For the reason that it's our FC. If you make us uncomfortable or by any means not want you, then we shouldn't have to permit presence. You're in our house and you may be our friend, but friends still act cordial. We want to have fun and not feel forced to interact with our own members. I don't see why any other FC should be the same. Or any guild in any game, actually. It's not your job to make a place for people to gather. I don't want a second job on a virtual game I play to get away from my real one. I just want to have fun with my friends and I don't see a problem with others trying to achieve the same. No matter how they go about it (so long, of course, they don't force it on me). So. To sum up my rant in response to your rant. Do what you want. If you join another MMO and don't want to lead? That's cool. If you decide to take it on again? Sweet. Another challenge to overcome. Whichever way, I hope you enjoy your time online.