Boo the Hamster

I want to hold a call to arms within five days. As fun as this event can be, it needs to come to a close. When are all of you available? I have sent a letter linked here http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=12699&pid=238171#pid238171 . If you're not on the list of those sent, then I encourage those who would be contacted to spread the word, as I do not know everyone who is involved IC. Please put up a date when you are available, and I will try to host it so as many people as possible can be involved. I am not available on Tuesday/Thursday until 8pm PST, but the rest of the days I will make the time.

Several letters are found within Dubious Distributions, the Shroudwolf Clan residence and letters addressed to Orrin Halgren, Liadan Summerfield, and Jana Ridah... To whom it may concern, We have little time. All of us must come together and find a way to deal with what is going on in the Shroud, lest we let the Shroud be consumed. I announce a call to arms, for all who have worked towards a solution of recent events in the area. Those who do not know of recent going ons must be caught up. We have become divided, and while we sit idle, those who do harm to the Shroud are taking advantage of this. We cannot let this stand. We cannot be divided when we all must band together. I beg of you, please head to the Winds Estate at Plot 28 of the 6th ward within the time stated here: 16th Sun of the First Astral Moon, 17th bell. ((5pm PST, 1/17)). If we cannot work together, then we will never succeed in clearing the Twelvesood of the Void. The sooner we work together, the sooner all of these events will be little more than a footnote in the history of the Shroud. Let those whom you work with on these know Enju Abbagliato.

If Caspar can't make it, I'll take her place.

Enju would look along the poster for a moment, first with a grin, then with a small scowl along his face as he noticed who else was on there. "You look decent, but still. I'm disappointed. I hope she never sees this, or at least approves of your actions." He shook his head as he turned his back, disgusted with himself.

Killer plants? What could possibly go wrong if I went to the blood harvest?

1, 3, 2

Sign me up for event 3. I am derp.

Event 2 for me. Didn't look at my schedule for this week before signing up. Oops.

Sure, sign me up for event 4

I'd have just lol'd and moved on if I was you. People get upset over the dumbest stuff, and that's something you got to figure out yourself. This would be one of those things in my opinion.

He put down the paper with a soft sigh, rubbing his brows as he looked into his late night readings. "Seems she is in trouble again. We'll have to speak sooner than anticipated, but perhaps it's time I began to meddle in affairs. Seems her timing couldn't be better. Hopefully I do not have to choose who I must aid and who cannot receive it, but..." He shook his head, thinking back to the advice he gave Kiht with a soft sigh. He would have kicked the two out long before this happened if he was in charge, but this was one side of a story, from a source that should never have come up in the first place. He looked at the familiar pearl, deciding to interfere a second time.

http://i.imgur.com/foDIqWK.jpg I apparently have a small army prepared for this.

Enju was shuffling through the Drowned Wench, his ears listening to an unusual amount of jeering from some of the sailors there. He looked toward the posters in surprise. He decided not to speak aloud, taking a closer look as he went through his thoughts. 'Crofte? That's an odd choice for her. Let alone Nihka. Wonder why Nihka decided to go for that sort of choice. Still, I can definitely say they both..' He shook his head with that clearing the thoughts from his head, deciding he may as well pick up the paper, and a poster for later. Might make for a good story to hear.

Enju would look toward the Elezen he briefly knew of from months before. She did help with Verad's investigation sure, but this..? This is too much. He listened to the desperate cry of a miracle to happen right this moment, knowing it's absurd to call for such. Desperation from the masses is not what Ishgard needs. Despite his lack of status here, there are some things that must be done for the greater good. "Halone defended more than just this city. Do you not remember the Calamity? Where the Twelve themselves came down to save Eorzea from the dreadwyrm Bahamut? What of the times then? Is that not proof enough that the Twelve themselves existed, where they lent their aid to save Eorzea from complete destruction? Do you forget what Louisoix has done for us?" He stopped there, or thought of it, then simply shook his head, his brows furrowed. "You bring nothing but chaos in your wake. If you divide the people with your nonsense, you're only going to bring doom upon Ishgard. Is that what you desire? To have this city be destroyed and for the people to suffer a fate worse than death because of it? If you truly care for the people, then show it, as those who work with the See do in the Brume, as others have with the hand they extend toward them and those who give their lives in the line of duty against the Horde every sun." He turned his back with that, moving to walk toward the Brume with his words spoken. He couldn't bear to stay a moment longer.

Yea, my best bet for you is to try out a different role until you can gear up your tank, or get used to the fact that you will not be able to hold aggro. Item level 75 is abysmally low, so low that it is impossible for you to hold aggro if anyone is near item level 105 or above. That's just reality. If you can find people who are willing to craft tank gear that is around i100 if you want to go back into tanking soon, it will help you a lot. I would suggest getting your relic weapon and upgrading it to zenith. Your weapon is the most important upgrade for holding threat, so it will not be much, but it will help. As something for you to keep in mind, your goal should be at least one patch behind content. I doubt most people will be able to go through savage alexander, so your goal whenever you hit 60 with your tank should be at least i155ish. It sounds like a lot, but it's doable. There is one thing to keep in mind though. It is not your fault that you cannot hold aggro, it is your lack of gear. That will be fixed in time if you keep doing what you're doing as a tank, and the ease of play with higher gear will help your stress with tanking.

A fortnight ago... Enju had returned to Ishgard and subsequently taken to the Congregation of Our Knights Most Holy. He needed to reveal who he was to get passage through the city, despite what he had done. An honorable action for one nation and a disgrace to this one. He looked toward his family pendant as he was led into an interrogation room, a narrow room with two chairs and a desk between, weapon taken away as the interrogation began. It was an inevitability for this to happen, it was just a matter of when it would. He hoped for their sakes that they would at least be able to have shelter provided by his own family. If only he knew what their fate was, seeming as they disappeared after the events at the Steps of Faith. 'They're being decent, at least,' he thought. Looking toward the knight ahead of him revealed an Elezen, clean shaven and eyes fiercely locked onto him. Though his face had the facade of a calculated demeanor, he remembered the man for who he was. He had a knight in full regalia on each side. Probably muscle to rough him up, and protect the interrogator. "You left us nearly seven years ago. Abandoned the archbishop and your duty in Ishgard. Why? Why have you returned?" His arms were folded. Little point in hiding when his face was well known within these parts. A Dragoon who had fled during the Calamity, and for what? He disappeared for a long while, hid himself outside of their walls until recently. "I merely seek passage through now, ser. You'd have heard why already." Enju was in no mood to talk, and it was rather clear more from grief than through defiance. Enju looked toward the table in front of him. How long has it been..? He was to let go by now, she wouldn't want that. "You left for Carteneau. Though in doing so you've shirked your duty, and ignored the call to return. You know what we do to those who abandon their men, yes?" Enju's eyes shot up toward the man suddenly. The fierce change in personality was apparent, and spooked the man in front of him, and the two knights that stood by his side. "I left to fight for Ishgard there, what we used to fight for! I believed in her, and I went with her to battle. Whether it was worth it or not I still question to this day." His voice roared at first, and then went softer and softer as he spoke. He let out a long sigh after he finished, his gaze avoiding the interrogator's. The interrogator relaxed, a legitimately curious gaze moved along his face now. This was more than he expected. "Her?" "My lady. She's fallen now, so I would rather not state her name. It's what others have done for their wives here, so I would ask that you let me do the same." "And you've not been involved with Ishgard since?" "Not since the Calamity, no." He moved his head down with that. He kept his eyes along the table for some time, silence around the room for one tick, then three, then five. His thoughts raced toward the times before. The time of the Exiles who ousted a conspiracy with a forgotten group. The wyrmtears of Ul'dah, and the random aid he would provide toward the Houses, despite their grumblings. Finally, Enju looked up to see the interrogator in the eyes. Men like this were noble. They only wish to protect their city, their people. Perhaps he would succeed unlike himself. Perhaps he would not, and watch as they fall before wing and claw. Or would he leave like the others? It wasn't his position to question these things, nor would he ever find out. The interrogator finally spoke, letting out a deep sigh, face stern with frustration as he knew he couldn't just kill someone so valuable. "I am sorry for your loss. Normally we would kill deserters, but as you already saw, we are in desperate need of aid, and you've aided us before in several ways, despite your secrecy on aid, the knights of Dzemael recognized your technique. I cannot have you here due to what you are. So I will do this instead. You may rest here, but afterwards, these doors will be closed to you. Your name will not be remembered, and you cannot return here as a Dragoon. You are no knight, and neither highborn nor lowborn. You are simply an adventurer now, a mercenary. An outcast. If we ever consider your aid, we will request it via messenger." The three left right afterwards as Enju sat within the room. He shut his eyes with that, left to mull over his thoughts as he rested inside the room. Too tired to move, he would have been dragged toward one of the cots by some passerbys, needing the room for others who would return. They're an honorable lot, at least. It is not a mercy he would have given, if he was in the interrogator's shoes. He shook as he slept, the movements he made during his rest made it all too clear to those watching him that he told the truth. They left him to sleep, with more questions than answers.

Well, if you did want to be from XI specifically, there is the idea that one would have to be a master of magic akin to Shantotto to come out of the other side intact. if the event had anything to say about it. It really depends on what kind of character you want to be. Normally I'd say that ordinary characters tend to make a more interesting story than main hero x/y/z, but let's make an exception with yours for the sake of argument. Otherwise, you'd have to enter through the void, and somehow have a portal open up from the realm of XIV which beings such as the Cloud of Darkness or other void beings of similar power are the only ones able to do so far as far as I'm aware (I could be wrong in this, but that's how good my memory is right now). Or have some god-like being transport you to Eorzea, but with what price? It's not really a question of how as more of why you want this story. I'm not a big fan of these stories, but to say it is impossible is false. It's just the matter of circumstances being so out of this world that simply going 'I'm from Vana'diel because blahblahblah' immediately would drive most people away from how absurd it sounds IC. Does that mean it isn't interesting OOC? Not necessarily if it is well written. It's just a high-fantasy theme, which may or may not work with others RP. Edit: Actually forgot about Gilgamesh, see above.

I just don't acknowledge Fantasia IC. It is not an IC-item, and will never be used that way in my head, plain and simple. If I enjoy RP'ing with that person, I will continue RP'ing with them. If I don't, then I don't. I would rather hear they are (new race) all along rather than hear Fantasia. From a mechanical standpoint it's understandable at least, so long as it's not more than one race change.

A little late to the thread, but it's a thing I've seen. It's alright, though I've met quite a few who were raised by non-Miqo'te. There are some Miqo'te up in the north, though they are rare, and a Seeker will never be one of those (unless they went up all the way through to the Dravanian Forelands) as far as I'm aware. So far, other areas that I know of (I've been up to The Churning Mists so far) are so cold that Seekers will actually die from it if they remain there for too long. Something to keep in mind if you decide to choose the lands of Ishgard or Dravania. Orphans are picked up by families. That is a thing and a common story that happens in XIV. Why other races would pick up others not of their race, who knows? I don't see other races picking up other races' children often, but it does happen.

Oh, well that makes more sense. Still, I'm a bit hesitant on saying that separating from the main religion is entirely the best idea. I mean, sure, the Twelve are acknowledged, though Halone better be primary worship if that makes sense.

Going to be very blunt, at this point, unless we get proven wrong in a few hours I do not think there is such a thing as non-Ishgardian Temple Knights, unless you wish to have heresy claims and a beheading, hanging or a trip down withdrop following next. I really, really do not think Ishgardians are happy to let outsiders in their sacred order at this point. So ehm. Yeah. Ishgardians do leave the city. Read into the lore and you will see they have business with the other cities. They simply do not go on holidays, fun days off ect. Everything they do has to be in the name of the Holy War. So by your own admission it is possible there could be Ishgardians outside the city of Ishgard. I don't see how that precludes Temple Knights who don't live in Ishgard. They leave the city, ergo, there are some who are not in the city. My character, Lord-Commander of the Ark Knights, is a Temple Knight assigned to a distasteful duty away from the city as a punishment for some sin or infraction. He recruits from a pool of non-Ishgardian soldiers or disgraced Ishgardian Knights to keep his forces up, because it's not like the church is just going to send him perfectly good troops while a war is on. I don't understand the objection anyway. If there is an orthodoxy, there is also an unorthodoxy. Otherwise, why bother stipulating that the church is orthodox? It implies there is more than one faction within the church. So why can't there be more than one faction of Temple Knight? And I'm not worried about anyone crying heresy. Why should they? Because not every member of my division is Ishgardian? Why would they care? We're not even in Ishgard. I should think they'd be pleased, that we can defend non-Ishgardian holy sites without using Ishgardian soldiers. And there are twelve gods. Twelve of them. They can't all have the same tenets in their faith, or why bother having twelve gods? So maybe the followers of Halone, the Fury don't agree with the recruitment practices of my division. But maybe Oschon, the Wanderer is all about it. But even after saying all that, I don't even mind being declared a heretic. In fact, I'm largely okay with the motivational dissonance there. "Kill him, he's a heretic!" "Why? Does he worship the Primals?" "No, he does our job for us!" "..." TL;DR - I get it, you don't want anyone using the name of a canon organisation without being completely within the bounds of said canon. That's why I proposed the change from Temple to Ark Knight. P.S. I am now thinking of calling them - in addition to calling them Ark Knights - the Order of the Southern Sky (again as an homage to my favorite Final Fantasy, FFT.) The issue I am trying to get here is that canonically, if you are an Ishgardian and serve the See, your butt better be in Ishgard /right now/. There is a war that is about to spiral out of control in the city and the lands west of Ishgard and what are you doing guarding..whatever it is you're guarding? Do you not want to defend your home? Do you want to sacrifice your family to invaders that are clearly able to enter when they wish? The main defense is breached, what are you doing wasting manpower that is not in the main city? These are questions you will have to experience and answer, and most of them are going to be seen with rather violent responses from those dedicated to the city. At best, you'd be called a loon by those who do serve Ishgard. At worst, you would most definitely be called a heretic. There is logic and reason in these thoughts and accusations, even if your path is what it is. Though the orthodoxy/unorthodoxy thing is logical, we have but a few hours to tell if that is actually true or not. As far as anyone knows, this world is /not/ a free willing one that lets you do what it wishes. Especially not Ishgard. It is their way or the guillotine up there as far as anyone is aware. I'll note that there are very few exceptions to this rule, but they have earned it through merits time and time again. If it is proven wrong, this idea is put up to a firing squad. It is something you need to keep in mind.

I had a similar problem that you had a while ago. My character is essentially a secondary due to his position as a retainer, and I refused to look for RP because of it (I'm not saying this is what you do, but this is a common problem when people do not look for RP outside of their comfort zone). You know what the person that had the master position over my character did? They threw me out of their RP for 4-8 months to try and find my own place in the RP setting outside of the master/servant relation. This is the point where you need to make connections, set up meets with people whether through events or characters you find interesting OOC. I don't get tons of RP, but I do get RP that I enjoy. Best thing you can do is send tells to people you think would make good RP between yours and their character OOC. In any RP you participate in, -you- have to make the push to get in. If you're not going to do it, then don't expect to get any RP.

(( 2 ))

Enju might see what his past life has changed to, but ultimately he will go where he is directed. He is not going to go willingly due to leaving that life behind, but he will do what must be done. If that means going to Ishgard to serve his master, and protect her from the threats that arrive from the region, then so be it.