Aris

Mod post on the official forums: Hopefully that will ease some concerns

Welcome back again!

Nebbs is super helpful, and always encouraging to new roleplayers, which is awesome. ♥

Just to clarify and hopefully ease your concerns, I went into a bit more detail regarding shyness not because of anything you've said but in regards to mental illness sometimes being an 'accessory' nowadays (in culture in general, not necessarily roleplaying). Shyness/anxiety is one of the easiest example of that, and I felt it important to reinforce the distinction between the two and hopefully explain how serious it can be for anyone who doesn't know already. I hope that makes sense. It is a personal subject for many of us, but imo it's interesting (although a bit strange) to see mental illness in RP being discussed in a practical way and not have had the thread go downhill.

Did someone say Neopets? There are others who made it out alive? Welcome, it's nice to meet you!

But just. The thing is. Mental illness is much more complicated than many people think, or the media portrays. For example, often people talk about shyness, but as Warren has mentioned above it isn't necessarily social anxiety. Everyone gets a little shy on time to time, some more than others. Most people are able to work through it. Social anxiety on the other hand is intense and in some cases, crippling. It isn't just worrying about a social situation. Worries are going around and around in your head for ages before and then ages after going over the situation and analysing it. You might start to withdraw from social situations entirely. Your entire life is impacted. There's the physical sensations no-one talks about: finding it hard to breathe, wanting to be sick, feeling like you're legs have disappeared, dizziness, sweating, feeling like you might shit yourself, and more. Then sometimes a full blown panic attack. If you're going to portray a character with mental illness, please do a lot of research on the subject. Proper research. Read stories from the people suffering. Read up on the mental and physical symptoms. Learn about it was a medical perspective as well as a personal one. Don't look to the media for research because as mentioned, it isn't portrayed well. I second Hammersmith's post here. Think about how your character is managing it, or if they aren't. Depending on circumstances it will slowly leak into every aspect of a person's life . It's called an illness for a reason. I have so many feelings and things I want to say regarding this thread but I can't put them into words.

Hello! I'd be very interested (as heals or SMN/BRD) but sadly would need to start an hour earlier. Would there be any chance of this or is the time fixed already? If you don't mind me adding -- if it is fixed and there's anyone else who would like in but can't make the time, please send a message my way and I'll see about setting up another group on a separate thread so not to hijack Natalie's.

My character works at a smithy and is hoping to find new clients there. On that note, if anyone wanted a reason to go.. she's no fighter, so might need a merc escort to travel there safely.

Oops, updated the link. :blush: Thank you both for your replies! I'll start saving up for the HQ gear, and work on CUL.

Welcome back!

Thank you all for your help, it has been greatly appreciated! New questions! I've nearly finished leveling everything, just have ALC and ARM to go. A kind friend has helped me get my BiS accessories too. I wondered what my next step is? I've read a few guides, and wondered if this is still accurate when it comes to melding? I thought I'd see which item for turn-ins is cheapest to make and work on that for Artisan's Gear. Is that a good move or completely the wrong way to go about things? D: Thanks for reading.

Welcome to HRC

Welcome!

Maybe the FC hosting could arrange the time? That way hopefully EU players won't miss out every week (presuming 9pm is EST/PST)

(ignore this post, it was completely unhelpful)

It would be very difficult to run all day for a few days unless there were lots of volunteers on board. Maybe hosts per each GMT/EST/PST who can run it at the appropriate prime time might be more achievable. But still, would have a lot of interest I imagine! To have more recurring events on the server would be pretty cool, and this one has opportunities for everyone.

https://41.media.tumblr.com/b97587cfae3a5f96154448daddfbc201/tumblr_nntsw9ICL31tkrc5po1_500.png[/img] These ideas are more for a fete than a flea market, but.. Raffle with /random Prizes could be a food and drink hamper provided by a local crafter, special prize item from each stall, free drinks/tickets at another event, certain furniture items, certain toy like minions e.g. nana bear if anyone could craft is cheaply If it was near a fishing area, catch the biggest fish Chocobo races (ICly chocobos are provided but OOC you'd ride your own) If there are any IC photographers they could take photos Mind you, all my ideas are vaguely inspired by the primary school fetes I've volunteered at so probably aren't very suitable for Eorzea haha. Regardless whether this is to be a flea market or a fete, as seen at the summit yesterday there are many Free Companies with crafters so I'm sure with lots of advertising it could get lots of sellers. A fete would be too much to arrange regularly, but for a one off thing it could be a bit of fun. To have a regular flea market would be amazing if other sellers got in on it. ;u; I'm rambling and going overboard. So many ideas! It's nice to see crafters get some love. \o/

It felt like that went very well. On behalf of DA, thank you for having us, to Erik for arranging the event, everyone who helped out, and to NB for sharing their house. We're excited for any opportunities that rise from this! & It was really nice to see lots of people from here - it's great to finally put characters to forum posts.

I'm not sure if I'd be able to participate at first as I'm still pretty nervous and hoping to build up to big events :blush:, but if it would be a regular thing I'd definitely be interested in the future My character Nara works at a smithy, and would be interested in selling her wares and getting her brand out there. OOCly, hopefully it would be a way to find some long term RP and jobs. So yep, 100% behind this! It would be a nice, different, environment to socialise in as well. Could also have people street performing if they wanted to, or fortune tellers with their own stall, and that sort of thing?

I'm sorry to hear you've had so much trouble. Especially with shyness working against you too; failing something reinforces the shyness which reinforces how difficult it is. It's a horrible cycle which I understand well. The server is clique based - to be honest I doubt there's any escaping that in any MMO. Free Companies are a type of clique in themselves except often, as ArmachiA has shown, many are welcoming. I understand you don't want to plan roleplay, but joining a Free Company or LS might still help because at least it would give you some regular contacts that you can initiate regular, random, roleplay with. Which will ideally build into more substantial roleplay for yourself and your character. You don't deserve to get any hate for this post, you've simply said the problems you're experiencing. I hope you come back and answer some of the questions people have asked, so we can approach the problem proactively.

I've zero experience setting up roleplay, but wistfully think about it () and imagine I'd PM someone either on here or in-game and ask if they'd like to meet up. I like to plan more, so I'd explain about my character first and ask if they think their character would be interested in meeting and if they think there's RP potential. The latter isn't necessary - some people like to dive in. Free Companies would help find roleplay and provide common ground. The Town Square forum on here is also a super easy way to join in. Just check out the (open) threads. Making a story thread and wiki about your character is a good way to get your character out there for others to see. That's my next plan any how.

Welcome!

If I might link to Ilwe'ran's post here that has helped me in the past, not so much about walk-ups but about just generally initiating roleplay. The key is to have a reason to talk to someone. Like in real life, if you don't have a reason to talk to someone standing across the room, you won't do it. Giving your character a purpose to be there will also help give the conversation a bit of direction. Going to events is especially helpful in that regard, as the purpose to be there is the event. You approach people and talk about whatever is going on and it's all very natural and expected. And as Seriphyn mentioned earlier, following 'real life' prompts can be helpful too. For example, when I go in to the local shop often people are talking about the weather, or might comment on how busy it is. While the conversation might take a little effort after that to get going (because talking about the weather can only last so long) both of you know that 'you're in. First step, complete.' That is where having a purpose to be there can help, because there's a hook for further conversation if the player doesn't provide one. If you're nervous, I've found the best thing to do is tell the other person. If you're worried about telling them, maybe consider approaching someone on this forum for walk-up RP first, because shyness is something that's often talking about on here, and most people are very understanding about it. Remember that it isn't anything personal if the RP doesn't go very well. Finding someone you really connect with won't always happen instantly, especially in walk-up situations, where you might not know much about the other's character. Sometimes it does, and you find someone you fit in with perfectly and conversation will flow easily. Often, you'll start talking to someone and realise they and you don't really have anything in common and it might be a bit awkward. Other times, you'll feel like there's some potential there and wouldn't mind seeing them again in the future. Was it your fault? No, just that people often don't connect because you're too different or a variety of different reasons (in this case, your characters haven't connected, nothing related to you IRL), or that person was distracted, or was busy doing something else. It's really difficult sometimes, but just need to keep trying.

Completely behind this! I was under the impression that horns and scales -- particularly the horns -- were going to be the defining feature in Au Ra customization. I like the way they've done the scales, and the variety of horn sizes. It would have been awesome to be able to mix and match with the horns though. I'm not optimistic that they'll change anything, but no harm in raising our voices on it.

Um. Well. One thing that might encourage folk to RP somewhere is if there are already people RPing in the area. For example.. we would advertise lots in-game that we're trying out different RP spots, and this week it's Camp Bronze Lake. We would have a group of people there roleplaying already so people can join in if they wish or wait for a walk-up themselves, hopefully encouraging some slice-of-life roleplay in a new setting. Each week somewhere different. I'm on my phone and that took ages to type and I've realised it is too specific and mightn't encourage a permanent new hub but could be quite fun any way. It's late here and I'm a little sleepy but will try to think of other ideas. I like the idea of your social days The key would be advertising and consistancy. Sometimes I see people roleplay in the two other Adventurer's Guilds so there is something to build on.