Aya

Its the last week of Posters! (Something more to look forward to for the weekend!) In the meantime, some more outtakes Out on the Limsan Night Lost in the Mist The Moonlit Sky of the Sagoli You're on the wrong side of the rock Queenie!!! Wait, what was I supposed to be doing? The Sunset is Almost Upon Us

They tend to do that... *blows kiss* ^_~ (I really like it! I have an FF-related sword I'd love to see drawn if you're ever interested :-] )

Was that free-hand CC? Or did you use a straight edge? I'm just curious, I'm so impressed by how well you draw!

You can also boil the bones down to make broth which is nutritious and delicious for preparing soup, making better ramen, or pretty much anything else.

I once jokingly asked for Aya's Secret Dauntless Code Name to be "Whiskey Sour." Sadly I failed in my effort to get everyone drink-based code names, but I tried! [A real whiskey sour of course~~!!! Simple Syrup, Lemon Juice, and Whiskey! No Sour Mix allowed ]

A bag of rice, some cheap fresh vegetables, and just a couple of spoonfuls of oil can make a very delicious meal. It doesn't take much to be able to cook, really

Happy Heavensward! Happy Friday! Poster Set #4 Immortal Flames Maelstrom Twin Adders

That's so terrific CC! You need to use some non-lined paper though! Really, those eyes! :-D

♪Just a small town girl!♪ ♪Livin' in a lonely world!♪ ♪She took the midnight train!♪ ♪Goin' anywhere♪ ... I thought you said the fun in playing Journey :-]

well, ultimately we all have our own interests and desires for RP, and ours don't necessarily accord I'm not very picky about what other characters look like, and I'm happy to keep it that way!

I have been, and I don't really see how its any different from how I categorized it. You'e worried about the look, and kit of characters representing their role correctly. I really think its entirely unnecessary (which is why I said what I did about a level 1 in starter clothes RPing as if in fancy noble attire). Maybe its just because I am a pen-and-paper and forum RPer at heart. I feel that the avatar should be, at most, a visual-aid for RP when appropriate, but that its the text that is canonical, important, and interesting for RP. If the avatar is useless as a visual aid, I really don't mind, I am more than willing to go along with it, if I'm enjoying the RP. To me, the avatar is a tool, not a limitation. I see far more possibility for fun that way, and wouldn't have it any other way. I know you at least understand that, since you're willing to RP classes that simply don't exist. So I can't fully understand why you apply a different rubric to those that do. To me, they're completely the same. What matters is the RP world, not the game-as-game. I really want to say, again, that I'm not trying to convince you to do otherwise. It really is to each their own, enjoyment of RP is an entirely subjective matter. The only thing I took any exception to, whatsoever, was the suggestion that people who don't want to level a character to RP it, shouldn't bother with MMO RP. Edit: I will just add that I do like it when the visual aid is there! Its fun RPing with people who put a lot of effort into their look, their outfits, gear, and fashion (obviously I do quite a bit of this myself!) I just understand the innate limitations of the game engine's ability to portray our characters.

I've read the entirety of your posts I've responded to! I just entirely disagree on the idea that RP concepts should be tied to the avatar. I think the FF XIV character is a very very poor construct for RP, and virtually useless for any RP that I'm really interested in partaking in. Whether or not I like a character concept is entirely independent of the class levels, gear, etc. of the character trying to pull it off. Osric's point is entirely different, its based upon knowledge, cohesion with the lore, and plausible suspension of disbelief. I don't really agree with him that class level correlates well to the ability to craft an interesting and believable character (even of that class), but I definitely understand where he's coming from. I've just RPed with enough alts, and NPC-alts that I really couldn't care less if the avatar I'm RPing with is even the same race as that of the character.

Its not that you said you wouldn't RP with level 1 characters, its that you said level 1 characters should not even bother RPing in this game (though I realize that may be tongue-in-cheek, that's what I'm replying to).

Could someone have played a knife fighter prior to the rogue class? A gunfighter prior to the Machinist, a two-handed swordsman prior to the Dark Knight? Could someone dual wield swords, fight with a rapier and dagger, fight with a saber and an open-hand? What about someone that wants to use a blowgun, or a sling? What about a whip or someone specialization in ground-fighting or grappling rather than the pummeling strikes of the traditional pugilist? What about a cat burglar, a forest scout, or chocobo-mounted cavalryman with a lance (but not exactly a lancer in FF terms)? Are these verboten without having a class of appropriate level to back it up? If they're not, then what relevance, really, is the class? I understand the idea of not wanting to invest much energy in RP with someone who you don't feel confident will be worth the investment (and if you find, somehow, that level is a truly important indicator for judging that, then so be it!). But this idea that somehow willing to accept in RP that a character can be more than the stats of their stand-in-avatar, means we should shuffle back to the forum RP hole we crawled out of, is pretty much ridiculous; not to mention that the attitude behind the remark cuts-off an immense amount of potential RP and fun. As a pure hypothetical I'd rather spend all of my time with fun and enjoyable level 1 RPers, than the most accomplished but boring level 60's. In essence, I put fun foremost, have no trouble resorting to my imagination, and really try not to be bothered by anything that is irrelevant to what I'm actually doing. I would much rather spend my time imagining that the starting-gear-clad person is garbed in the fancy outfit of a wealthy nobleman, than trying to pretend that the bore is actually fun to RP with. You really don't have to do the same, but I don't see any reason to go on the offensive against people daring to pretend while role playing. Edit: For that matter, Aya typically stands 4-6" taller than her avatar due to being two inches taller (5' 10") than the maximum Midlander female height, and enjoying wearing high heels. I can't possibly represent this in-game due to the strict limitations of the engine we're given to play in. Should I simply forgo that aspect of her physical characteristics so that no one is challenged to imagine her standing taller than they see in game? How is that, really, any different a case?

Out Takes #8! Almost time for the fourth set of posters :-] The Sagoli is a scary place! Queenie trying to pose Aya Just Right! (I really love that Gridanian axe!) A Gridanian bikini on a snowy day in Ul'dah... that makes sense! Arrrrrrrrr! On the Lookout in Limsa! CLOSEUP

I don't understand why MMO RP should lack the same sense of imagination that other RP embraces. Why place such unnecessary limits on it? The OOC game in FF, not to mention the MSQ, results in characters so ridiculous that they cannot be RPed plausibly. So why is there any reason to turn that ridiculous equation around? It just doesn't make sense to me. Not to mention the shortcomings of the game in representing the full breadth of actual professions and skill sets available in the world of Eorzea (a shortcoming strictly shared by any MMO, by necessity). Live, and play free. Its more fun that way (at least to me). Edit: I just want to add that these is one of those unresolvable, intractable, and forever standing philosophical disagreements that occur within RP communities. There is no real way to reach consensus; its just a matter that people disagree on :-]

This sounds like an excellent reason for my character to come to Ul'dah, not necessarily as a refugee but as a new start to a boring life. All of this feedback is greatly appreciated and really helped direct my attention on the various wikis. Thank you! That's what Aya did.. after a stint in Gridania! (before getting chased out for unpaid debts! haha) Its my pleasure! :-]

I think many people are attracted there because the city-state is known for its wealth and prosperity. I forget a lot of details myself and tend to frequent wikis I might find. I would recommend reading as much quest material as possible, even the sidequests, because they tend to throw in snippets of lore, culture, history, etc. Ul'dah is literally the only place in Eorzea where a refugee who arrives with nothing, can become a high standing member of society. Its the most upwardly mobile, most prosperous, and most open society in Eorzea (by far).

They are Highlander Hyur from Ala Mhigo (Ala Mhigo was the city-state capital of Tyr Abania, just like Ul'dah is to Thanalan). It was a militant and militarily powerful state closest to the Garlean border, and was overrun about 20 years ago. Refugees flooded south west, most trying to enter Ul'dah with varied results (the General of the Immortal Flames, and a member of the Syndicate, Rauhban, is a Highlander refugee who has done very well for himself). They're also present in Gridania and Limsa Lominsa as well. There's a large number of RPers who play Highlander refugees as well (Aya included!) Edit: Just to mention, not all Ala Mhigans were Hyur, just most. Sounssy's character (one of our resident lore masters) is a Miqo'te Ala Mhigan refugee who became a Limsan pirate! (Maelstrom at least!)

You picked a background that can work, literally, anywhere in Eorzea! So you have free reign to decide where she's from, what city-state region, and really the character of her home and upbringing! There are advantages to playing something somewhat generic :-] In terms of what to be aware of.. its like.. we don't really want to spoiler the MSQ do we? The 1.0 storyline is something to be familiar with: the Garlean Empire invaded, literally dropping a moon on Eorzea. When it crashed there was massive destruction everywhere, and aether-infused crystals have wreaked havoc with Eorzea. Coerthas fell into a deep winter that has not passed (more than five years on), Thanalan became wetter, beastmen roam (though I guess they always did!). There have been multiple primal summonings in Eorzea since then, there's a continued presence of Garleans, and Eorzea has united (with friction) in an Eorzean Alliance that mostly features the three Grand Companies: Limsa Lominsa's Maelstrom, Gridania's Twin Adders, and Ul'dah's Immortal Flames. And.. in terms of cultures, those of all the major races. There's good information on the wiki about all of them. I don't think there are any non-playable races you really have to worry about in that regard (goblins and sylphs, maybe, but the former are mostly comic relief, and the latter are really restricted to the Deep Shroud).

WELCOME TO BALMUNG!!!! *sooooon*

Balmung is the most pleasant, active, and enjoyable RP experience I've had in any MMO! That's not to say its all Hugs and Cake (outside of Hugs and Cake!) but its pretty amazing, and if you want some Fantasy RP I can't recommend it highly enough :-] I have been out of the loop of RP for a little while though, but I doubt things have changed much! People do express some of their trouble finding RP on Balmung, and that's just really true anywhere. Any social group can be hard to get into, and I just encourage you to do your best! Welcome to the RPC!

Let us know how it goes :-D :-D I really am curious if most people hopped in during the pre-release or not!

Haha! I'll be over here.. doing other things to enjoy summer for a while... Good luck to everyone trying to play though, I hope the game is stable and a blast!

Oooh, so very nice!