Verad

I'd argue in kind that self-referential and parodical media tend to have significant, if subtle, differences in portrayal, and those are often present in the style being used. Final Fantasy itself, as an extremely self-referential series, is a pretty good example of that - it constantly refers back to itself, but does so to greater or lesser effectiveness depending on style. But for the sake of argument, if portrayal is a third axis of fiction, how would you see it as different from the other two elements?

It's more an issue of style and content being seen as similar-to-identical when they're discrete elements of writing. But you see that in how we discuss the lore as well. Check the 3.4 spoiler thread for a number of posts to the effect of "This would have been much more interesting if the content was portrayed more effectively."

Somewhat. I think in that circumstance some people would argue that those other players are also bads because they should value basic characters. But the character above could be completely appropriate to lore and quite common, yet fail to attract attention because of problems with the portrayal. That could include but is not limited to any number of stylistic errors that are common RP preferences like the use of purple prose, including character thoughts in posts, writing too much/too little at once, aggressive use of "would," amongst other stylistic concerns. It could be something harder to determine like a failure to use appropriately evocative and interesting language - which, as I mentioned in the last post, is subject to caveats about tastes in writing style being subjective - or difficulty in providing and responding to plot hooks. The character may well have a rich, lore-appropriate inner life and a sparkling personality on paper, but still get passed over for play because of an ineffective portrayal.

Counterpoint: Lore adherence is frequently used as a defense for uninteresting characters, and "correctness" is often, wrongly, seen as inherently interesting. Uh, no. Good personality makes a good character. IDK if you're Lord Jesus Christ reincarnated in Eorzea or a merchant that sells moldy popotoes. I take offense to that, sir. My popoto stock is merely differently-colored. Regardless, good personality means nothing if good personalty is badly portrayed through bad writing. And bad writing occurs regardless of whether or not one adheres to the lore. I don't care if your character has passed the perfect correctness checklist - if you write poorly (with the usual caveats about style and taste applied to that), nothing will help.

Counterpoint: Lore adherence is frequently used as a defense for uninteresting characters, and "correctness" is often, wrongly, seen as inherently interesting.

I didn't want people to feel like he just has stuff with him haha, but i suppose I don't have to be that specific. I can just keep the quantity to myself and roll with that. If you want to look at it in broad strokes, you could break the equipment down into one of several categories, as you've taken steps towards doing in your opening post: Defensive equipment, combat equipment, so on. If you can refine those categories further to say four or five, then you can decide that in any given scene his equipment in one of those categories is lacking for one reason or another. This could be decided randomly or just by what makes sense in the circumstances. Once you've decided this, it is therefore possible for him to be caught flat-footed by a lack of equipment in that one category when he really needs it, while still giving a sense that he is overall well-prepared. All of the above presumes you want to avoid really granular bookkeeping, mind. If you're fine with keeping private track of his gear, more power to you.

I feel like you're placing undue emphasis on his exact equipment, It's very rare that knowing how much stuff he has access to is going to be necessary at any given time.

None of the above is actually true in any meaningful way, and presumes certain traits about the community at large that are difficult to determine in a decentralized playerbase.

Because there are thematic elements to a given Job that are represented in the skillset, but can be questioned or challenged through altering the origin or representation of those abilities, leading to interesting conflict and RP opportunities. Because there are vast swathes of blank spaces left unanswered in blanket denials (Really, nobody, in a thousand years, had cause to fight dragons and need to learn a dragon-fighting skillset outside of Ishgard?) that leave plenty of space to create those dread loopholes. Because we live in a postmodernist society that values the breakdown and reassembly of concepts in fiction into new concepts as well as the questioning of arbitrary sources of authority, so strict adherence to canon is sort of old-fashioned. Because spite, I don't know. There are plenty of answers, but I don't think any of them would satisfy you. What answer do you want?

You're probably right that it's receiving a lot of undue attention at this moment because it's new information. Over time, it will fade off until new players start asking questions about what is and isn't acceptable. But in those threads, it will become clear that Dragoon is the new White Mage.

Will you?

Achewood came back after a lengthy hiatus and has been posting once-weekly. It had a bad run of storylines before its hiatus, but seems to have come back in fine form. A good comic if you enjoy absurdist dialogue and people whose heads are made out of cartilage.

Personally I wouldn't stop anyone from retconning if they felt the need. But a heck of a lot can happen in a thousand-year-old city-state with a history that is one-third forgotten and one-third rewritten by authorities with a vested interest in the revision. People will figure out something to keep playing, some people will fume about this, neither of them will play with each other (which was probably the case before this anyway), and things will move on without much change.

Most likely possibility is that players on the RPC underestimated the in game power of dragoons compared to Black/White Mages, to use your example.

DingDingDing. Can we have accompanying novels pls. *Hurls Nero at SE* A good possible outcome, but given the track record of past MMO novels, I'd rather not take my chances. Richard Knaak. Jesus.

Why can't this game be a novel?

I have free dubious goods and business cards for whomever can find me. Supplies are extremely limited. I am near the fat chocobo.

Some crappy, beaten-up copy of a book, tossed aside amongst other materials the vendor couldn't even give a way, and a vague sense that he owed someone in the Silver Bazaar a lot of money.

There's quite a few, but the board culture here is more staunchly lore-based, with a reliance on "It works for you but I personally wouldn't play with that character" as a response to workshopping concepts that stray too far. Players with a looser relationship to the lore tend to be more decentralized. Tumblr has many of them if you're willing to put in the time and effort to search.

Dinner scene was all right. The WoL's fears over poison were well-handled and I was pretty charmed by the glee in Aymeric's reaction when I suggested he come with me on the next adventure. I am apparently a sucker for the sentimental because the koboldling's story and the altered Titan fight really got to me. I didn't like the Warriors of Darkness being resolved so quickly, in the first patch where we really interact with them as more than a looming, foreshadowed threat. Not great pacing, and it undermined their previous build-up. I think they would have been better resolved in 3.5 or similar. As far as how the actual events played out, I'm fine with those; I just think they happened too fast.

Do you have a specific event in mind?

Leggerless is added. I have also, on advice, bumped the event times by half an hour to accommodate West Coast players.

Merchant, Marine Episode 1: Roe Country For Old Men "Please help me. A band of pirates I dare not name in this letter has been harassing me over the past fortnight. I fear for my life and the life of my family if I do not do as they wish, but I cannot do as they wish. I dare not trust the Yellowjackets for aid. If you would offer me aid, come to Swiftperch at the seventh evening bell five days hence. You will be rewarded all I can spare." -A small, desperately discreet notice amongst the leve listings at the Drowning Wench. Day/Time: Monday, October 10th, 7:30 PM CST Slots Available: 1. Qara Hotgo 2. Osric Melkire 3. Zanzan Yanzan 4. Leanne Delphium Salt in the Wound Following a powerful storm in Lower La Noscea, Moraby workers discovered that the privateering sloop-of-war Maiden's Wound has run aground on the Salt Strand. A full survey of the wreckage has been prevented by the need to discourage qiqirn scavengers, and Maelstrom officials have cordoned the area until Company-affiliated adventurers can assess the ship for damage and survivors as well as assess the cause of the accident. Day/Time: Tuesday, October 11th, 7:30 PM CST Slots Available: 1. W'Chaza Yheli 2. 3. Klynzahr Ihrnachtwyn 4. Liadan Summerfield 5. Gallien Vyese Notes: This is, as might be expected at this point, a Fate-14 storyline. The IC thread for the plot can be found here. This will be a little unusual compared to other storylines, as outlined below: We will be using the 2.0 version of the rules, found here. If you are a veteran of this roll system, the changes are small but significant, and outlined in the introduction. If you are a newcomer to this system, this document will cover what you need. I will be happy to help you with new sheets or making changes to your old one in either case - contact me via the RPC or in-game. Because this is a nautical storyline, there will also be some business to do with ships. If you would like to make your own ship, the rules for that can be found here. If you do not want to make your own ship, that is fine. It will be possible to hire some premade ones to save you the trouble. Events that require a ship will be marked as such. Some of these events may require lengthy travel time which will take your character out of action for a little bit, unable to effectively use aetheryte to RP elsewhere. Such events will be marked as Travel events; please make accommodations for them in your own RP if you choose them. I will be online specifically to help people with rules and character sheets from 7-9 PM CST on Friday for the duration of the story. These are guaranteed "office hours," but if you need my help at another time let me know and we can work something out.

“Gods, it’s a gloomy place, isn’t it?” Noticing the expression of skepticism on Slaeglac’s face was a difficult thing given the myriad scars and wrinkles mapped out along the roegadyn’s brow, but Everard had known his captain for a few cycles now, and could read the signs as the pair looked past the beach to the island’s interior. “If anybody used to live here, well, a soul could see why they left.” He was hard-pressed to disagree with the man. The sky had been overcast for the whole of the sennight since they’d entered the island’s waters, the clouds a dull, thin grey that threatened rain but never quite delivered, save for a strange sort of damp that went beyond the usual that permeated the Tumult. The sand beneath their boots had the look of a few-days-old porridge served at the not-quite-worst sailors’ inns, and, he thought as he shifted his feet, something of its texture as well. Where the beach gave way to green some yalms in the distance, the grass seemed a deep and vibrant hue, but strangely limp, as if apologizing for ruining the tone. If the rest of the Sea of Jade were like this, Everard thought, then it certainly didn’t live up to its name, and it damn sure wasn’t Vylbrand. No sparkling waters and bright blue skies to be had here. And yet . . . “Looks like that’s the last boat.” The comment snapped Everard out of his thoughts, and he turned to face the sea, following the captain’s attention. The Tumult was anchored in the distance, a pinnace some yalms closer and approaching. With no sun to trouble his sight, Everard could pick out the shapes of the crew as they rowed, a few crates scattered amongst them. “Have them haul it up onto the site, then we’ll head back to ship, start unloading in the morning.” “No watch on the supplies?” “Mm. Small one.” Saeglac clucked his tongue and shook his head. “Harbor’s safe from view, and we’ve seen no sail on the horizon, but better prepared than not. Seen anybody drop a crate?” Everard chuckled, looking over the other two empty boats, scattered along the shore. “A few in the morning trips, before they learned. Marked their names.” “Give it to them for the night, with an extra share to ease the pain. Should suffice.” “Aye.” They were silent for a moment, taking in the pattern of the waves on the shore, still in flood tide. “You’re sure it won’t come out, sir?” “Oh, I’m damn sure it will come out, but no harm there. That’s part of the point, isn’t it?” Saeglac’s laugh was low and deep, rumbling, almost a snore. “Some parts needn’t, and those parts won’t. Don’t worry your head, lad; it’s all squared away. Supplier’s made it clear this’s the only load we need haul ourselves. She’ll handle the rest.” “With respect, sir, there’s still that risk.” Everard did his best to keep his voice level. He’d never had the saltier tongue of the typical Limsan sailor, an odd trait even amongst those tamed by the Maelstrom. Now he was thankful for it to keep the tremor out of his voice. “Soon enough things will be clear whether we’re hauling things or not.” “That’s so, that’s so.” The furrow of the captain’s brow narrowed a little, and he reached up to his neck, toying with thick fingers at an old sahagin’s tooth on a string. “ What has you worried, Sawyer? We’ve been over this, much as I dared. You were for it, the mates were for it, the crew was for it, and we both know they’re never all for anything but more drink. Hasn’t been some new shite come up that I don’t know about, has there?” “No, sir.” Here Everard was emphatic. “I was for it then and I’m for it now. Everything’s just as you said. But it’s a bold thing to try. You don’t fear the good Sisters finding out too soon?” The suddenness of Slaeglac’s laugh made Everard stumble, a sound so long and bellowing, that the rowers on the pinnace paused in the distance. It was the same booming sound that most often announced the captain’s presence in a boarding action, axes in hand to finish the battle. “You ever hear about Merry Mord Tiller, Sawyer? Well before your time, he was, so mayhaps not, but you do surprise me on occasion.” The captain had regained his composure, and watched the pinnace crew struggle to move again with a hint of a smile. “I can’t say as I have, sir.” “That’s fine, that’s fine. Good pirate, of the old style, Tiller, in that he was a bloodthirsty bastard and a profitable one besides. Even had himself a little fleet - I think about eight sail strong?” The captain’s eyes narrowed. “Ten, maybe? Something like that. It was solid. Sailed on one of his ships me’self when I was a young thing, but that was well a’fore this story. “All is well and good for the good Tiller, but word comes around to the Dutiful Sisters that he’s been breaking the code. Stealing from some good and wealthy Limsans who had the coin to complain. So of course, he falls under the Eye, and then, the blades of the rogues, and gods, what a mistake that was.” “And they learned to their horror that the charges were fabricated and they had executed the wrong man?” “Swive no, he was guilty as sin and of more besides. The Sisters aren’t stupid. But that wasn’t the end of it, you see. It wasn’t as if the rogues would put all eight or ten of those ships to the sword for one captain’s crimes, and they set to fighting amongst themselves over which of the captains would take Merry Mord’s place at their head. “Bloody stuff - bloodier than the usual stuff in Limsa, to be sure. Squabbles between ships is one thing, but it took to the streets, and it took to families. It took to a few villages taking raids they shouldn’t have because someone heard somewhere that they’d let the wrong ship take harbor. Got so bad it came to the Barracuda mustering to put them all down properly. The Merry Massacre, it was called, when people cared for such names.” Slaeglac closed his eyes. “I remember stumbling home from a tavern one night, still little more’n a stripling, and finding a knife at my side and hearing a whisper asking which ship I stood for, the Surprise or the Longshot. Of course I hadn’t served in Tiller’s fleet for a cycle, but someone saw me, and remembered, and that was enough. All I could do was give ‘em a coinflip of an answer. A lucky one, it turned out.” He turned his head to regard Everard with a curious expression. “Now, you’re a sharp one. What do you suppose the rogues did after all of this?” Folding his arms together, Everard cast his eyes up to the clouds as he thought. The captain had a habit of this sort of thing, talking in old sea stories to make them into parables, and it was always expected of his chief mate to find a proper answer. “They didn’t do anything, did they? Nothing different, that is.” “Ah, he’s got it this time! Just so, they didn’t change a damn thing. The code was the code, and they kept to it as they saw fit, all that blood be damned.” Slaeglac offered Everard a heavy pat on the back and a shrug. “I try to keep that in mind when I think about if I’d be swayed away from something because the Sisters might take an interest, is all. Here, they’re almost there - go give them a hand with those last crates, hm? Try not to drop any.” “Aye, sir.” Suppressing a sigh, Everard knelt down to roll up his leggings and wade into the waves. A thought struck him“Why didn’t any of the ships quit, sir? Mord was the binding caulk for them, wasn’t he? They could have agreed to split the fleet as easily as anything.” “One did try, now that you mention it. The Coerthan North. Tried claiming their rights as free pirates and to sail where they pleased. Didn’t last a fortnight before the others tore it apart.” Slaeglac had a rueful smile on his face as he spoke. “Freedom’s a fine thing in Limsa, until you stand to gain more without it than you do with it.” “Ominous thought, sir.” “Indeed. Try not to think it so much, Sawyer.” The captain raised his voice to a shout as the pinnace reached shore. “About time you lazy whoresons! Get that cargo to proper land!”

Our monthly update includes two major changes: 1. Leadership of the LS has passed to Nihka Mioni. She will handle invites and moderation for the shell. 2. Because I cannot leave well enough alone, included is a substantial revision of the rules originally written for Fate-14, included below: Fate-14 2.0 If you've been in an event, the core of the system is still the same. The goal has been to clean up what hasn't worked and simplify some of the basic systems. A list of the major changes can be found in the introduction. Note that if you preferred the old version of the rules, those are still available via the links in this thread.