Aya

Zrusticae! You're thinking way too hard! This is a fun-time thread! Grab some peanuts, light a cigar, sit back and enjoy :-]

Does this actually happen? I don't remember the details, but I was present for the encounter Warren is describing, and yes it did.

It doesn't seem to me like any of them could beat another... even two against one it seems unlikely. Ul'dahn forces in a hostile Shroud? Sailors trying to besiege a desert fortress? Woodsmen trying to attack an island protected by the only navy in the land? I don't see this working for anyone :-] Border skirmishes are a lot more likely, and there it's anyone's game I'd imagine.

Don't let anyone ruin anything for everyone! Just ignore it... some people are like that

Aya pouted playfully, "Awwwwwwwwww..." she glances over to Coatleque, in her elegant dress, wondering just who the Perfumesman thinks she is, "Even to someone as lovely as us, a full 25 gil just to try?" She turns her eyes, wide and blue, back to the fellow, "Are you sure? You know if its as wonderful as you say, we might not be able to resist buying a bottle." Her smile returned, soft and hopeful.

I had made some good RP friends playing TERA, but they all petered away around the time TERA went free to play, and I kind of did too. I had never had any interest in Final Fantasy MMOs, or really that much in the single player RPGs - but out of the blue over a year after I stopped playing TERA, I had a message from one of my friends there about how they were going to play Final Fantasy. I tried the Beta, reconnected with my friends, and then bought the game when it came out (much to my surprise). Most of those friends have since quit FF as well (though two still play), but the community here has really drawn me in and kept me wanting to log on and RP day after day. To me, this game is about the players. So thank you guys! Stay Terrific :-]

Hiiiii! Raven.. I like your gif!! *waves back while dancing!*

Yaaaaaaaay, welcome!

Aya's attention had been on Coatleque as they were approached on the street, and the sudden arrival of the perfumesman was as unexpected as it was surprising, and the girl bumped into him with a enough force to stagger him, and to cause her to gasp as she quickly recovered her blanace. "I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there!" She repeated, breathily and apologetically, as he recovered, and continued on his pitch. Still holding a hand to her chest, where her collar bones met, Aya smiled between the two of them, she grinned to the man almost beaming, She was an associate of Miss M'Jumalis', and was presently wearing one of her fragrances, Desert Bloom! Still, who didn't like an opportunity! "Are you providing samples?" she asked with an expectant smile.

Tiergan, you help make Eorzea a beautiful place. Thank you

Wait.. wha.. huh? did someone say something? I was.. uhm.. dist.. what?

Yay! \o/

Thiiiiiiis thread!

Aya grinned, a laugh light about her lips, "Of course they do! Not that Madam listens! But besides... if you didn't haggle, the Merchants would just overcharge! They would even overcharge the two of us!" The rug merchant himself, his head turned to watch his lovely potential customers, smiled broadly to the two of them, "Not I, miss-es. You can be assured of that!" Aya laughed along with him, "Not yoooou!" she giggled in reply, "Only the fairest prices, and the finest pieces!" she grinned, as she lead Coatleque back out toward the avenue.

And they pose in disguise, making it a little harder to show your grand kids, "This is.... some guy... I think."

Make him a Friendly Drunk! Gets an ale or two and all of a sudden wants to meet everyone! (A little tongue-in-cheek, but if he does like to drink, alcohol can be terrific for removing social inhibitions he might normally display!)

... we are. OH. And it had better look snazzy!

"Drats!" she snapped her fingers, grinning still. "I could really have used one of those...!" She turns around, running her fingers over the woven fabric of a tan and brown rug, marked with a geometric pattern that seemed to change, yet repeat, over-and-over again across the surface of the rug. Without moving her attention from it, she asked quietly, though still smiling pleasantly, "Don't enjoy the market haggling, hmm?" "I like to hear the things they say. Sometimes they tell stories, especially the merchants!"

Aya's bright blues grew wide, a look of astonishment and a brief flash of concern, "... I daresay her Grace would even be jealous of your house." She blinked for a moment, "You don't really think..." she paused, a little doubt in her expression, "nooooo..." the doubt soon replaced with a grin, as she leaned a bit closer. "Ser Crofte.. you didn't just... make a joke, did you?" She let out a giggle, at the hint of bashfulness in the Paladin's reaction, while following her through the store. As Coatleque pulled out the "not-welcome" mat, showing it to Aya, she clapped her hands together excitedly, "Do you think it would work?" She began to laugh again, before the sound of bartering just down the street broke through the relative quiet, a customer engaging energetically with another rug merchant. Aya shook her head, resting her hands on her hips, before miming the angry customer, as if she had heard it all before, motioning dramatically with her hands while mouthing the words "My mother, Gods bless her soul, had the very same rug, and could not have paid more than a dozen tin pieces for the privilege." Aya raised up her shoulders, before dropping them in a playful huff, as the merchant praised the quality, and material of his product. "But just this past week I saw a rug of the same pattern and weave go for well less than half of what you're asking..." She broke into a sudden giggle, grinning at Coatleque, before motioning with her hands, "Now find me one of those that says, 'Handsome Men Only'!"

I am not that familiar with the FF scene in particular, but I think there's a little too much effort going on to try to put things in boxes, and too many statements of finality. Its a big world, its a big game, and its a big server with many RP groups. Things exist on a continuum, and you may not always find exactly what you're looking for but you do have many options. The best thing you can do if you want to raid, in any game, is to start looking for groups that you think will meet your interests, and see if you can give them a try. These are really the key things to think about in terms of the group you would like to join: 1) Commitment: Both in terms of time expected to be provided to the group, as well as the expectation of what you must provide to the group. Things such as being required to join the FC, or required to maintain alt classes, or to raid as roles requested by leadership rather than preferred by the player. Expectations for non-raiding time to be committed, and demands on a willingness to do something that isn't fun, but is progress for the group (grinding relentlessly on things that are difficult, for example, rather than stopping when it isn't fun). 2) Attitude and Culture: this varies considerably from group to group, even those with the same sort of expectations. Some lean more toward lighthearted "fun" others find their "fun" only in hard work. This covers things as far ranging as expected behavior and language, treatment of female players, style of humor, and what people talk about beyond the game itself, and just the general level of drama that occurs. 3) Capabilities and Success:This is something that should not be overlooked, and despite some of the suggestions here cannot always be determined from the first two characterstics (especially when dealing with a raiding environment of only EIGHT people). Think about the sort of group you are willing to be a part of, do you really want to kill the final bosses so badly every tier that you're willing to compromise on other factors? Or do you just want to raid with people you like and are happy being a tier behind? This is really worth some serious consideration! Ultimately what you really want is a group that has an attitude and culture that you enjoy that has an acceptable level of commitment and success! Finding that perfect group is pretty much impossible, so you'll always end up compromising in one way or another And even with that in mind, worrying about things won't get you anywhere. All you can do is look and try until you find something to your liking

"Its Ul'dah!" she smiled that brilliant little smile of hers, as if it could stand as an answer to any question. She lead the pair away from the alley, and toward a wider avenue, filled with the hectic hum of market day. "Its not really about the rugs, you know..." she canted her head a bit, eyes slightly narrowed, with a knowing smirk on her features, daring to suggest a shared secret, "Its about imagining the rooms you would buy them for!" As if on cue, Aya sidled up to a large intricately woven rug, dominated by red hues, and intricate patterns. "For the foyer!" she beamed, drawing her hands up excitedly. "Such a wide open, space, with a set of stairs leading up to private chambers!" She gestured one way and the other, "With arched openings leading to the rest of the main floor - this one toward the open courtyard, and the sound of running water - this one to the gallery - and here a painting for guests to talk about as they enter!" She let out an amused laugh, while the merchant himself remained seated several feet away, turning his head, to watch.

But....Ruru isn't a pirate. He's just some shady underworlder now. Even with that said, you can ALWAYS trust Ruru. Always. Mhmmm. :tonberry: You're ALL Pirates!!! (this event has only convinced me further! ^^)

Never trust PIRATES!

What concern or unease Coatleque displayed, was mirrored by Aya's cheerful jauntiness. "Oh of cooooourse!" she answered in her light, lively voice. "I come through here almost every day ~~ unless I'd rather wander through the markets!", she said, leaving her Ishgardian accent lingering upon the air. It always seemed to provide a little mystique, or pause to wonder if her words carried a sagacity belied by the gaiety of her manner and speech. A wonder even more quickly dispelled by the bright little smile she turned between Coatleque and the passersby along the alley. The handful of fruit and food vendors working the Lane offered their wares to the pair, while eyes both labor-weary and idle fell upon them as Aya lead them meandering along, down the length of the Lane, a scenic bypass of sorts. She smiled throughout, greeting and waving, "A wonderful morning isn't it Marion - surprise!- its going to be another hot one!" she laughed with a Lalafel, brandishing a small cart of apples. "Good mooooorning, Cotter~" she nodded to the passing Flames officer with a friendly grin--just enough delight in her voice to draw a smile from the stoic looking Highlander. As they wandered further along, Aya finally gestured toward a junction coming ahead of them, before turning her grin back to Coatleque, "We can head that way. I'd like to walk by some of the rug merchants on our way, wouldn't you?"

Time for some girl talk!! :thumbsup: Nuh uh. Its PARTY time!