Aya

I have a hard time too, but in the end its like.. anything you put up is better than nothing it may not be as pithy as you like, or as insightful as you like, but it still adds to the overall feel people can get for the character, and its really rewarding to the person receiving the rumor because they know they've made some sort of an impact on another person. It just seems like a good activity for the community as a whole! And now I just realized that I posted my first suggestion-style thread on April Fool's day! Go Aya, you got 'em this time! :dazed:

I can understand that choice! I prefer to leave the old ones up because I think the collection of them together presents a better, more dynamic image of the character, but on the same token, they sometimes reflect things that are no longer the case If people don't want to leave multiple rumors, I at least encourage revisiting them sometimes!

Writing and reading the rumor section of Wikipedia pages is one of my favorite ways to get to know a character and how they're perceived. I love writing rumors for people I've met to leave a little flavor (and hopefully a little amusement) for anyone else who looks at their page, and enjoys it like I do. But it feels to me like the writing and reading of rumors has slowed down quite a bit lately (maybe its just me). Part of that may be because the RP community has grown somewhat more static: people continue to join freshly, but at a slower rate than before. People tend to write one rumor and then never return, as if to add more at a later date is a disservice (rather than a reflection of changing perception over time). I just want to use my rumors on Verad's page as an example: "He's a trader, I guess, but he beguiles with such honesty that I can't imagine he makes a living. I'd serve him, just for the amusement and cheer he brings us though; if Momodi would allow." "I overheard him talking about a theft from his office. He has a hard enough time as it is, who would steal from him?" "I fear his head is growing too big for his britches." "I heard someone say that he's just a fellow who sells little devices that nobody really understands!" "The Dubious Duskwight? Oh yes! He used to be a regular here. But since he moved on up he's found himself too many things to keep his attention. *thoughtful pause* Honestly, I think he has given himself over to fancies; I'm not sure he's even really in the dubious business any more." These rumors are spaced out by months, and I think they help provide insight on the arch of Verad's character as he has evolved since his inception. I don't think the repetition of one character as a rumor-generator has done harm, but instead has helped provide not only insight but timeline to understanding the character (and hopefully a little humor, and the memory of a very amusing conversation with a not-too-bright sell sword he had just hired). Anyway, what I'm trying to encourage (in my very-first non RP thread!) is for people to host a rumor section on their wiki page, and to visit their friends, associates, people they've just met, etc. frequently to add rumors of their own! I really think it is both fun and helpful, and I miss the times when it seemed like there was more active rumor-making!

The sweet face of the monarchy, the symbol of stability and continuity in Ul'dah is imperiled. A member of the Syndicate is dead: murdered. The most famous Ala Mhigan in the city is imprisoned for murdering him. Dangerous, deadly things are afoot: the scent of chaos, disorder, and coup. This adds to the already heady anti-Ishgardian atmosphere due to the Scales plot (I realize that is only canon for those of us accepting it, but it is so for Aya). The city is looking as uninviting, as unfriendly, and unsafe as it ever has. Aya's conversations with an old Ishgardian acquaintance has opened old wounds. Things are not well; things are not peaceful. Aya is worried, but has nowhere to go.

I agree with the other Lala too! Listen to the beared-Lala tough-guy private communication is almost always better!

All of the RP we've ever done has been fun Ruru!

I want sparkles

Aya rose from the warm water of the bath with a long sigh. It had been just the thing she needed—as it so often was. She took in the soothing fragrance of bathing oils, sweet-scented candles, and moisturizing skin treatments. As the water began to drain she slowly unwrapped the towel from around her hair, letting the long, slightly wetted, blonde locks fall free behind he shoulders. She let the water drip from her body—the warm air of her room suddenly felt of a slight chill. There was another deep breath; another sigh of relief as the scent of chamomile joined the chorus. She soaked her hair in the tea, helping further lighten the blonde in those long months spent without the full bleaching brilliance of summer sunlight. The room's southern exposure meant it bore the full brunt of the sun's morning heat, the exterior stonework would become hot enough to bake upon by mid-day. It even penetrated the fogged, clouded-glass of the small bathing room, banishing the drying-chill upon the half of her body exposed to the window. She smiled as she turned around, feeling the sun's warmth upon the other side as her fingers began to comb through her hair, working out little tangles along their way. A few moments later she stepped out of the drained bath, wrapping a rich, velvet towel around her body. It was one of those simple luxuries she had been able to afford. An indulgence of just the variety she once longed for in the Towered City of her adolescence - a little slice of teenage dream come true. The smile upon her lips grew more satisfied. She stepped out into the main area of the Hourglass room that had been her home for a year, brush in hand. She took a seat upon her window sill, glancing outside through the glare of the sun as she straightened the strands of her hair with one hand, drawing the brush along with the other, until the long strands recoiled ever-so-slightly with their natural waviness. She thought about her makeup for the day: carmined lips, an Ul'dahn mascara that added such a fullness to her long lashes. A touch of a light, slightly peach dusting for eye shadow, to accent her fair hair and skin. She thought of what she should wear: a trip to the market, to the tea houses, and about town for the afternoon. A shift later that evening, just the second in a week, Madame was convinced the mob was becoming quieter. She let out a happy, relieved sigh. The stress of that day in the Sagoli had finally been washed away. It had taken days of comfortable baths, quiet nights, and the easy succoring bliss of pleasantness. The tension of those days leading up to the hectic expedition, and the whirlwind of violence that culminated in the rescue of hear dear friend, Verad, had melted away in the face of simple creature comfort. She could, at last, relax. Happily, she listened to the sound of the outside world going by. In that moment, wonderfully apart from it all, as if the troubles of the world were an abandoned relic of yesterday. She smiled again, closed her eyes, and brushed her hair. She wanted nothing more than a little peace, and the chance of a good time. She had no idea what trouble was then awaiting the city. The change, upheaval, and near-chaos already afoot. She had no idea the ill-wind blowing it the distant north, and the uncertainty it would carry for the Jewel's smiling, Ishgardian barmaid.

Exactly! And there's this whole issue that its only one city, and a city with a very resilient cultural structure that will probably survive the shock and continue to be the wealthiest and most comfortable in the land. Ul'dah has nothing to gain via Garlean rule, and the others have even less so Anyway, I'm just like rambling blah blah blah. They could certainly craft a story whereby the Garelans become the heroes, but I don't really think the direction its gone so far is a case of that. What they've done is set up a very dramatic and very believable situation based on political and cultural conflict in their most interesting city-state. I really had my doubts about their story writing, but I'm really impressed by this last patch "May you live in interesting times" never felt so relevant to an MMO.

Honestly... I would probably define "bad guy" as "a ruthless guy who does whatever he has to do to reach his goals." That sounds pretty spot on! :-D I do realize that what he's done is not fully endorsed by the Garlean Empire, but they are nonetheless acts of the Garlean Empire in Eorzea, and as far as any Eorzeans are concerned are official acts of the Empire. Regardless, one cannot excuse the leader for acts of his subordinates (something we can draw parallels to easily with historical context). The Roman Empire did expand its imperium through intervention in such local disorder (their conquest of Greece and Macedon, is a prime example). They were also capable of acts of utter depravity - and so you can draw parallels. But it would be very hard for me to swallow the idea that because their are corrupt Ul'dahn's (a tautology isn't it?) working together with an aggrieved racial group to bring Chaos to Ul'dah, that suddenly Eorzeans would (or should, in the grey-area proposition) prefer rule by the moon-droppers than by their own indigenous sort. Agreed, agreed, agreed!!!

Well, you've at least made me realize that the MSQ could be worse. Thank you Graeham ^_~

I don't suppose I really mean that I hope there's no room for redeeming aspects. Of course the Garlean Empire has redeeming aspects. They just fade into complete and utter meaningless given the weight of their wickedness as its been put on clear display to Eorzea. Any shift to establish them as anything but villains will really be impossible for me to swallow. Edit: Not to say that there aren't interesting character archs that have characters doing just that!

I think the chance of that happening after they literally dropped a moon on Eorzea is nill. I certainly hope that's the case.

Funny you should mention that because my friend and I were discussing this from a, "Good lord, maybe they WOULD be better off under Imperial rule...!" perspective. Psssh. A little creative destruction is what makes the world go 'round. Just ask Rhalgar

Thank you for the lovely post Sounsyy! I love the arch you've drawn out with the Ala Mhigans, talk about a serious and understandable source of tension and conflict. That is so very very good. (And makes me worry somewhat for this Ishgardian Ala Mhigan doing just fine in Ul'dah).

Totally checked out. Looooong time ago.

Honestly, most of Eorzea's inhabitants are racist as all hell. This is seen in countless examples throughout the game through Fates, random npc dialogue, and other means. I'm pretty sure some of the more local people would /not/ have liked the look of Yugiri, or may have tried to kill her by the horns alone. In fact, I'm honestly more surprised Haurchefant wasn't in shock with Yugiri, but he's such a bro in the English dialogue. A fair point, I suppose, though I've seen far more regional antagonism (i.e. against outsiders generally) than against different races in particular, but I may just not have noticed. She just looks incredibly human to me. Just like I didn't realize that the Padjal were non-human until I read that they were. And... it may be time for this fox to go to ground, if things get any more out of hand!

To be fair, most Royal Guards are not very effective. Their purpose is symbolic of the power of the monarch they serve, and as far as I am aware they never have made a real difference in historical contexts. They either change sides, surrender, are killed, or else slowly peter out as a meaningful force. They wear the fancy outfits. Put on the fancy hats. Look really good in ceremonies, and perhaps serve as a slight check against those who would plot against the monarch, but in the end are nothing more than a speed bump on the route toward revolution or usurpation. In that regard, the Sultan Sworn seem par for the course. The Au Ra roll out seems ridiculously anti-climactic. She's a midlander with horns, not so different than a Padjal. If she just told us that some Hyur from Doma looked that way no one would have blinked—why the mask? I agree entirely! Sort of... or not at all! I don't think its a failing really... I'd rather see the MSQ as a series of cut scenes or text that didn't involve the player, and didn't require a series of quests to complete in game (in order to access current content). The MSQ itself is, to me, the very greatest failing of this game. I like the lore tidbits that it unveils, and that's about it, otherwise I only complete it because its strictly required. Since this part of the MSQ is so dramatic, I am actually looking forward to it at least

Aya giggled delightedly at the sight of the two cats. She gladly accepted the Lalafel-handful of peanuts, and crouched down beside the small group, offering one between two fingers toward the felines. One looked up at her as she did, begin its deceptively quick waddle toward her. She flashed a grin to Kage, "I really don't know that I can keep a cat..." The cat nipped at her fingers, stealing away the peanut and meowing plaintively. She offered him another. "He is adorable though..!" She laughed as she stood back up and turned to leave, offering a way back to her friend. "Its good to see you Kage, don't be a stranger now!" As she began to step away, the waddling cat followed behind her, though it looked as though he could roll faster than he could walk. There were more peanuts to be had, and he would not be denied!

I'm happy to say that Aya's already Leanne's friend! She's a fun Miqo'te with a terrific hat :-]

I dunno. I totally bite.

There's supposed to be an incoming chat function on the RPC, that may help eventually! I know I tend to be wary of handing out out-of-game contact information myself.

Its wonderful that we have such terrific people continuing to roll on and come to Balmung!

Exactly! We have to do the same exact things as new people to find RP. It is easier because we do have contacts, but the basic activity is the same: go out looking for RP, try to interject ourselves into conversations, or events, and generally be active in either generating or searching for RP to engage in. The basic concepts are no different for an established RPer than they are for a new one, there is vanishingly little RP that just "falls into your lap". Really glad to hear you're getting a chance to RP with new people and point them toward useful lore Tiergan, that' so wonderful!

This, which is why I said "FC level" as opposed to "in a FC". Small groups of folks all on the same page, as Wizard said. Well I was replying to Kiht as well.. you hadn't really drawn the distinction clearly, and Freelance hadn't posted yet! :-D