Aris

I remember how daunting it felt when I first hit 50! It can feel quite overwhelming with so much to catch up on, but you'll get used to the post-50 lifestyle soon, promise. I'd like to just reiterate what Warren has said - even if you are truly awful, most pug groups will stick it out and try to finish. Honestly, everyone was new once, and no-one really thinks twice when someone says 'I'm new'. There are some horror stories but that's because people rarely talk about the good experiences. To be honest I'm sure you're pretty good, so I wouldn't worry about that any way! If you are concerned about the mechanics there are lots of video and text guides for pretty much everything. I'm not sure if you've got your relic yet, but that's an easy i80-90 weapon. I highly recommend Crystal Tower as it's friendly to people at i50, the queues aren't as long now and it drops i80 gear. And the first few times you've run it it's quite exciting. I'm just repeating what people have said already though :blush: But I'm also more than happy to come along and help if you would like some friendly company. I know it can feel a bit odd to reach out and actually ask people who've offered things but we wouldn't offer if we didn't want to help. I can heal or DPS, and it's much needed healing practise for me, so please send a /tell to Aris Frey if you'd like a hand! There are a few HM dungeons I've not done yet either so we can be newbies together.

Never spend money when tired. That's how you end up missing a million gil and log in to new glamours. Can confirm. Did this over the weekend.

Personally I wouldn't mind. If we were roleplaying over forums for example, it wouldn't make a difference either way and we'd just be going by what each other says, and in-game I have a similar perspective. I get the impression many RPers here are quite understanding, so if you explain you've not leveled it up but your character is a Blacksmith, then I doubt it'd be a huge issue. It's the quality of the RP that matters in the end. You'll probably still get a couple of odd looks wondering why your character isn't the BSM class as the option is there! I imagine if it was a battle class it might be a bigger issue. As others have said though, it would probably be helpful to level it up! For starters, you'll get the equipment involved, and the BSM outfit, which would help it be more believable and 'complete'. It would also open up some other RP opportunities - doing IC trades or making weapons, etc. It'll help make a good basis for your character. Disciple of Hand classes aren't too bad to level up either, especially using leves. I've found myself becoming quite addicted to crafting. :blush: There are lots of classes to chose from, so depending on your view on what a 'tinker' is, there could be lots of options! Let me know if you do chose to level it up, as I'll craft you some HQ clothes to help.

I have nothing against blind runs. My Battle on Big Bridge run was done blind. Someone said they were new and not to spoil anything, so we went in without any information and had ourselves a grand old time. My issue lies in people who either assume you should already know the fight - or refuse to tell you pertinent information - despite being told that you're new. I don't mind blind runs, but if no one is wanting to be surprised? Please tell me things! Especially if I'm the tank or healer! Oh it wasn't aimed at any one here, just where Melodia commented that someone said "wait so we're going in blind? Ugh.." YES WE ARE WHOO. What you've said is definitely frustrating. ;;

Thank you all for the understanding responses regarding my last post. It surprises me that some don't enjoy blind runs - they're my favourite! Did WoD as healer about an hour after the servers opened and everyone was new, took the full two hours and we couldn't clear the last boss, but it was so much fun! But I imagine I was quite lucky as the everyone was pretty chilled throughout the whole thing. ..This is more of a happy post than a rant post. (Maybe we should have a 'positive experiences' thread too? ) A rant to make it appropriate: Keeper last boss as SMN is awful. Awful.

A little rant from me, but I've put it under read more because of potential sensitive subject.

Hello, welcome back! It'll be nice to hear more about you and your characters. Will hopefully see you around!

In regards to EU on Balmung - I've seen a few more EU friendly events over the past few months than I did when I first arrived here. Generally 8pm onwards, but sadly most seem to start 11pm+ GMT. This also applies for PvE statics as well. Not RP related but still. I do get the impression the EU population is slowly growing though, as there isn't a EU roleplay server as big as Balmung. Hopefully we'll keep growing.

Hi, welcome to FFXIV! Balmung and Gilgamesh are legacy servers, and due to the high population of people on them already they only open various times throughout the day when there's a smaller amount of traffic logging on/off. Sadly at the moment they're both closed most of the time, Balmung in particular, probably due to the upcoming Patch 2.5 being released next week and the expansion coming so more people have been playing. I'm not sure about Gilgamesh, but the best time to get onto Balmung is early morning EST (4am-8am from what I understand) Wednesdays-Thursdays. Also before 20 minutes before maintenance starts as many people have logged off by then. The next one is Jan 19th (link) so that would be a good opportunity to try! They are open sometimes, and so you might want to keep checking back, but from what I gather you haven't even started playing yet, so it might be worth trying a different server so you can actually start playing to see if you enjoy it! You can have up to 8 characters, so you can always make a new character on Balmung/Gilgamesh later, or there is the option to transfer your character for £11. But as I said, it's probably worth just playing first, especially if you have a free trial period! I'm not sure what others have RP but I'm sure someone else will come along and be able to answer.

This is definitely the reality! There are many fad diets out there but when it comes down to it, eating well, everything in moderation, and a bit of exercise each day is the best way to remain healthy. I would like to add though, I don't think it's necessary to deny yourself anything. You want that chocolate bar? Have it! Craving some cheese and onion crisps? Go for it! I don't blame you. Mmmm. But there's no need to have a second and third packet. Recognize why you want the food - are you bored? Are you feeling down? Eating for the wrong reasons are often a reason why people can start gaining weight. (This isn't aimed at 'you' I mean 'you' as as everyone. Specifically me. I need to stop eating for the sake of it.)

I can't speak for any other diets, but I know lots of people of all ages that have been on the 5:2 diet with positive results. Some have stayed on it and feel like it's manageable for them, whereas others have since come off it. Some have put weight back on and gone on it again. As far as 'fad diets' go, it's more gentle to your body instead of something extreme. And when you think about it, it's only twice a week where you're cutting back your diet and (ideally) eating healthy meals. Which is very manageable to me any way. From what I've heard, it's good to spread the two days out rather than having them in a row. I think I'd do one of the days earlier in the week to 'get it out of the way', and the other on a weekday, as weekends are associated with relaxing. Another tip might be.. rather than trying different things on your regular days (smaller portions for example) at first just focus on those two days, so you're easing yourself into it. Previously when I've tried dieting, if I've thought of lots of different things to do at once it feels a lot more daunting. But that may just be me! I think you'll be able to do it! Swimming is a fab idea, one of the best exercises and quite enjoyable too. I've been thinking about doing it as well, so maybe will start and we can cheer each other on.

I'm very glad about this because I always forget. SO EXCITED FOR THIS PATCH.

[align=center]https://40.media.tumblr.com/f64593b5abf2d00191b34e57ff4aeff1/tumblr_ni8ign4zl51tkrc5po2_1280.jpg[/img][/align] [align=center]Thanks everyone who came along to help Steel and I with our relics yesterday! <3 And thank you to Steel for putting up with me pulling all the things. Guess which idiot left the cursor in the screenshot. Every time ;-;[/align]

Moved post to thank you thread, I'm not sure if it's off topic here But thanks everyone who came along and helped Steel and I with our relics yesterday <3

...I LOVE THIS! Repeating...WE WILL GET ALL THE RPC-ERS READY. AAAAALLL OOOFFFF THEEEEEEEMMM!!! *blasts off on the shining wings of hope* Count me in to help! :lol: Hm, let's see. I'm not skilled enough craft wise to give the needed gear, but I can provide healing for all the things. I've also got some dungeons to do if anyone needs the soldiery bonus to help gear up.

I'm having the same problem now haha. I moved Aris from Adders to Flames ICly, but might find some reason to shuffle her over to Maelstorm because their gear is awesome. Glamours are the real end game here. Good luck deciding!

SO EXCITED. Blind dungeon runs are my favourite dungeon runs.

If you go on xivdb > database > items > company you can see related armour and weapons. Some gear has pictures that people have uploaded for a better look. Also the lodestone itself has quality item database. It requires a little more searching through, but more people upload photos there than on xivdb. Using the advanced search and typing in keyboards related to the GC will should help eg. 'serpent' for Twin Adder related gear. A lot of the really neat GC gear isn't available until you've opened up hunts at level 50. Hope this helps.

That sounds like so much fun, exactly the sort of thing I've been wanting to my FC to do but always feel too embarrassed. Not the same situation, but I finally got my Garuda EX clear yesterday, and by accident we went in with 3 healers. I know it's arguably the easiest ex primal any way, but it was one of the most fun runs I've done for ages. I need to go for it and just ask them lol. To be honest I don't really set myself any other challenges aside from trying out daily roulettes or PvP as different classes. Something I am going to do in regards to RP is make my next character something completely different from what I've thought to do before. I've usually gone for a 'safer' option, so it'll be exciting to challenge myself to push my boundaries. (Should have done it ages ago really!) I'm interested to hear what others have to say, could do with some new ideas.

A big welcome to Balmung! Hope you enjoy it, hopefully see you around

Aris can't read, and wouldn't know where to begin. She recognizes a few basic words, for example guild and inn, but doesn't really understand the letters. She would like to learn though.

Nimimi hesitated as the lalafell approached her. While waiting for her chocobo porter she'd been watching him making his way steadily up the high street, interviewing citizens with a bounce in his step that couldn't be deterred by the even the most bewildered reply. He was getting closer. She looked around helplessly, trying to think of response. Here he comes. Isn't her porter ready yet?! "You there! Hello! Kali Kalrath, Lalfell on the Path. Tell me, friend, what do YOU like about Ul'dah?" "Um.." The lalafell was grinning from ear to ear. His smile was so infectious she couldn't help but smile back, and realised her answer. "Why, it's the people of course! When it comes down to it, you can always find someone willin' to help! And lots of hardworkin' folk like yourself!" Nimimi squeaked.

Getting used to hotbars is definitely more complicated as an Arcanist because you've got the added pet bar. :lol: Honestly though, you'll be acquainted with everything in no time! It's a very fun class to play.

Ah, a fellow arcanist! Nice choice. If I remember rightly, when you first join the first hotbar has your abilities, a second has red menu buttons, and then as an arcanist you'll also have the pet hotbar (which may be separate). I think that's it? Stance specific would be most helpful! Character Configuration: Hotbar -> Cross hotbar Set Selection - Enable customization for when weapon is drawn - Sets automatically switch when sheathing or drawing your weapon. (Here's a helpful bit about it) I'm not sure how else to explain, so thought I'd show you what I've done and hopefully it might help. Personally I've assigned hotbar 1 and 2 for when my weapon is drawn, and put anything extra on hotbar 8. When my weapon is sheathed, I click through 3 different hotbars and don't mind doing it, but in the area above you can specifically assign a number to be your sheathed one if it suits you. I also removed all of the red menu links and only access the menu through 'start', which works for me, and disabled the pet hotbar and put the pet abilities I use on 1 & 2. You can disable it in the hotbar menu. [align=center]https://38.media.tumblr.com/752fae87497ff97b5ccd4fb99f7accf5/tumblr_nhxeb04ILO1tkrc5po1_1280.jpg[/img][/align] [align=center]~ Welcome ~ to my screen! It's a bit of a mess, I need to fix things. [/align] [align=center]https://31.media.tumblr.com/5ab9fe91b3045ef5855c341b5193a418/tumblr_nhxetjGVI41tkrc5po1_1280.jpg[/img][/align] [align=center]https://33.media.tumblr.com/598735b429a7eef6a7508e18072f6c07/tumblr_nhxetjGVI41tkrc5po2_1280.png[/img][/align] [align=center]Hotbar 1 & 2. On 2, on the left is pet Garuda Egi's abilities, Obey, Heel, Place and Sic. [/align] [align=center]You don't really need to worry about this at the moment, but when you get to later levels, you'll want to have full control over your pet. At early levels it's on to leave them on Sic (attack).[/align] [align=center]https://33.media.tumblr.com/4aa07a58c43bc97d494484aa601d70c5/tumblr_nhxetjGVI41tkrc5po3_1280.png[/img][/align] [align=center]Hotbar 8. Teleport, Return, Emotes, my mount, Linkshell and Free Company links. The stuff on the other side is changed depending on what I'm doing in game. In this case, I recently went to a friend's Eternal Bonding and put party stuff on there. [/align] [align=center]https://31.media.tumblr.com/84d5b18a281620d3e4be9b5ba87d1c84/tumblr_nhxetjGVI41tkrc5po4_1280.png[/img][/align] [align=center] This is the LB>RB hotbar. Currently empty because I've been changing things, but this is what it looks like any way.[/align] And that's everything I think. Swapping hotbars you quickly get used to as you remember where everything is and it becomes automatic, but at first I remember it being a bit overwhelming. I hope this helps a bit! Sorry for rambling and massive post.

I use a controller, plus keyboard when RPing or raiding. Super slow at typing otherwise, but thankfully it seems most people are patient and know there are many PS4 players without a keyboard Typing longer messages in combat is more or less impossible (for me any way) as I need to stop to type and it takes ages and argghh. There could be the option to make some macro replies and sticking them on a separate hotbar if you wanted, but it's not ideal when trying to explain something or general conversion lol. Good for raiding though if you don't have a voice program. My favourite customization is making it so only certain hotbars appear when your weapon is equipped. Another quick & easy hotbar switch is the option of holding R2 then pressing L2, vice versa. L1 + R1 equip/unequip L1 + center bar removes the stuff around the screen L1 + R3 toggles cursor mode - R2/L2 are right and left click L2/R2 + L1/R1 cycles through enemies (you can edit the target filters as you see fit though) Will add more as I remember