Harmonixer

Oh wow, this game is full of cool bits of lore that I wouldn't even have known about if it weren't for Sounsyy's posts. Really, this forum in general. People ask good questions and good discussions come up from it. The Woodsin bit is so cool, if terrifying. On the subject of Authority, and the main topic: It's been suggested earlier but I think it bears repeating to a certain degree. It may be easier to solicit your services as opposed to applying them directly to the people in question. I don't mind it so much myself, but people have their own ideas on how things are and how it applies to their hyper powered characters. It's so difficult to get someone to respect another without a spending some time sending out OOC tells. I imagine the most effective way to get around this is to build your reputation through spreading the word out as often and as widely as you can. Since it's community based, as RP is- you'll need a lot of feedback from outside sources. Having canned macros for /tell agreements and the like is how I've seen it done. It can work, and community feedback is very helpful for this sort of thing. Appearance is huge, and presentation is so key here. You have a very difficult task, needing to seem imposing beyond brawn. Speech, mannerisms and the ability to provide exact answers couldn't be more important here. The longer you speak, the less likely someone is to listen. So concise yet entertaining. When I played WoW for a while, years back one of my favorite memories was this fellow that used to play a gnome in the Deeprun Tram. For those that don't know, it's a underground railway that connects two major cities, crafted by gnomes and dwarves I believe. Anyway, it's just as much a public mode of transportation as we have in life- so it's not exactly the cleanest. In game there's crushed cups and cans and paper everywhere on the ground, generally dirty and not well kept. Overflowing trashcans and rats. This gnome was dressed in what could only have been regarded as a uniform and had the title akin to -The Conductor-. I had been on my way to another RP meet and I encountered him somewhat ICly. He caught me off guard rather. "Excuse me sir..." 'Hmm?' "You dropped this." -opens a trade window with me, it's some gray trash loot- 'Huh? OH' -by then, I had seen his title and caught on to what he was doing- "I work hard to keep this place operational! You could do much to at least clean up your mess!" 'Of course sir, how careless of me.' -we complete the trade and I apologize icly again, he grumbles off and continues to wander about the place talking to players- I didn't see him again after that, to memory at least. I felt his approach was worth mentioning. It didn't require a tell, but I was already in character and while I wasn't exactly littering icly, it was still something very engaging and interesting I felt. I guess what I'm trying to say is, find the niche and the rest will work for itself I feel.

Mark this day on your calendars, everyone. It's the first time Z and I have completely agreed on something and all I have to do is point at this paragraph. It's like this wherever he goes, not to put him on blast. He's an incredibly vocal individual and while I like to sort of 'see things from all sides' even I have difficulty siding with a̶l̶o̶t̶ some of things he's said. It's okay Z, I still think you're a cool guy. So when it comes to making characters, I have very often said I make better villains than I do anything else. It's often requested and the old phrase of 'someone's got to do it'. However a lot of careful planning in involved whenever I've done it. There's the whole bits of communication, but we aren't focusing on that here. My so-called effectiveness lies in 'placement' and positioning of the characters. More specifically, I play antagonists that file a very specific goal and focus on a very particular vice or thought process. Leaving it open to others to work around it. I like making counters to thing, but in interesting ways. That and sometimes crushing hero white knight #6000 is oh so satisfying when it's done 'fairly'. I provide plenty of options to overcome, but make it interesting. By no means would I say I just play a carpet for people to walk on, but I've can honestly say I've only made -one- 'powerful' character. Which I've long since retired because he was just too much and he covers subjects that actually make me uncomfortable as a person. Like, he's done some vile shit. But what 'boss' character hasn't right? In relation to that, I've tried to make an effort to have all of my characters follow this framework in some way. It tends to be more fun, and I like being somewhat of a vehicle for others, because it lets the RP take it somewhere that isn't completely planned out and can truly grow. Partners providing that is, there's only so much I can do, you know?

I'm bummed I couldn't stay up for the finals, been a blast to watch so far. Grats to all the winners and a nod to all the participants. Hopefully next time everyone is more clear on the rules and everyone will get to walk out with everything them came in with. At some point I'll enter, once I have this temp character ironed out. Was nice to see some more names to attach faces to as well.

I'm happy this thread exists, because I was really confused on the subject myself. I like to think that it's similar to how Photon Arts in Phantasy Star (and some Artes in Tales series) are handled. At least, that's how I'm applying it to my brain to process it easier. You wouldn't exactly become a perfect expert at whatever it is you are doing, but you'd have a much better idea how to do it more successfully and effectively. Our characters still get stronger with their own talents and experiences, but this is more of a tool than say- and end all be all solution to training and everything related to it. And yes, FFT was many, many hours of my young life. Despite absolutely hating it when it first came out, I played it in spite of a friend that was obsessed with it. I thought if I had beat it for myself, I could tell him to stfu and it wouldn't even be that amazing, years later I still played it.

I applaud the response at all, the fact that it's been addressed at all really pleases me in fact.

It's obviously still in it's infant stages, but given enough support (and time, with a MCH on the way) I think it could work. Would we be separating the types of firearms? Say, rifles and 'heavier' arms and then pistols and the like? Just a passing thought, and if it was already mentioned and I overlooked it I apologize. Certain types of weapons obviously have a time and a place, or should it be limited to a certain types in particular. Regardless, I'd like to see it happen. Even if its less often than the other events. Simply because having people to coordinate is difficult enough as it is, depending on the timing I might be interested in assisting as well.

Jars of poisoned super bees too, we should be wary of the clumsy. But yeah, in a realm of RP there's a lot more fun things than trying to make a close range one sided gun fight 'work'.

Except, as far as we've seen, guns have no cast time. Sufficiently powerful magic at least requires concentration and focus and time to channel. An unskilled lalafell child with a pistol can accidentally heartshot a master mage trying to summon Meteor. Guns just feel like there's no balance to them after the first shot. Bolded the part I was going to focus on. Let me preface by saying this: I fully agree with you, yet something occurred to me. Now this is for the realm of conversation, but someone with a highly magical or very simply poisoned bladed weapon could be just as dangerous. Be it dagger, knife, pins, letter opener, whateverthing. Considering the effects of the poison or enchanted weapon. You wouldn't need -any- skill to graze flesh with those sorts of things, or to point it at someone. Some poisons are nearly instant! Also what mage could fireball something that close to them, unless they shielded it- oi, it goes on and on. The differences would be distance, but anyone who's ever fired a pistol can tell you that you can miss something right in front of you. But like I mentioned before, muzzleflash/debris can kill you alone. Like I said, I don't disagree, it's just something to consider when it comes to this subject.

I would think that magic is more 'deadly' in the right sort of applications, even that is a whole other can of worms. It can be applied to everything too, let's not forget that. We have to consider things like muzzleflash, which is deadly in it's own right- distance, bullets used vs whatever it's actually hitting etc etc. My conclusion is that we can't consider them any more or less deadly than anything else that exists.

This is a big one, really. When you're playing an adversary to someone, there's really no such thing as too much OOC communication. It's going to seem like a broken record at this point, but I feel really compelled to quote stuff like this in particular because I feel so strongly about it. Now I admit, there is a certain amount of joy in random 'mystery' RP where it's just full immersion to to speak and both parties are doing their best to stay in character. More often than not though, something happens and then it turns sour quickly. We are all living breathing humans on eithersides of the screen (Mostly, some of you are definitely shape shifting bio-masses) and have CONDISHUNS and feelings and deserve to be considered and respected, without compromising what makes us happy. It doesn't take much to ask someone about something or to casually communicate your overall intent. From experience, I am often requested to play villain-like or antagonistic characters. Normally, this would be a bad thing (and in some ways it kind of is) but it results well and is usually well received because all parties know I don't actually feel the way the RP is presented beeeecaaause I've communicated and people end up knowing -me- the player and are comfortable with it before I bother continuing. Also in agreement with the wish fulfillment department. Just don't do that. You'll only end up disappointed. People with openly hate you for it or secretly plot to move on from your RP and you as a person. I've seen it countless times and I hope to see it never again if it can be helped. I think it's okay to have a little bit of yourself in characters, but don't overextend your powerfantasy welcome.

It's 'simple' concept, but challenging (and fun!) to RP. I'm lucky to have a patient friend that lets me stumble around with it. I hope to have it down better by the time the expansion rolls around. I don't recall running into a blind character on Wildstar. A shame, it sounds like it would have been fun. Us vision impaired need to stick together! Bring em' on I say.

-eye narrow- Get out of mah Charles! But no seriously, I was going to transfer over a somewhat existing blind character- if lore/everything else permitted it. Rather, if it was fitting at all. That is eeriely close to what I had in mind, but was waiting to be certain about. Hah, that blows my mind. I guess I should have expect it though! Less of a focus on mechanics though, very likely going to be more melee oriented if it seems right. The wait for details is killing me. edit:words and things

Unfortunately, as evidenced here, people can disappear through conditions far outside their control. The way I tend to treat it in RP is very similar to how I feel like we should treat it in life: Continue to press forward, armed with the goods things we've gathered along the way. This of course by no means says you should simply forget it all, rather use it to a sort of bittersweet advantage. Chances are, a lot of your characters developments came from your now missing partner. This should be loosely taken into account I feel. Putting the story on hold should only extend to certain details, I'll let you decide on what those are. But really, the best thing to do is to not get stuck in the past too much. It's a painful, sometimes incredibly stressful thing to do. Believe me, I know. But there's so much to be seen and learned and gained from others that you have to make the best of it. Maybe it's generic advice, but I think the thing to remember is that your future partner(s) could be communicated to understand this sort of fear you might have, or help you overcome it. I was very fortunate to have supportive friends and great listeners. But as ever, prepare yourself for their possible return- just remember the pair of your may be far different from when you left off. This too, could also be a great thing. I like to remain optimistic, you could add even more wonderful things to your RP! Best of luck. I don't believe we should suffer from our losses, we should get stronger and come back better than before. /endsappyshit But seriously. Get going!

I've lost hours reading through so many of these. I'd be happy to contribute, alas... I don't have a character to submit yet. I love the formats you all use, very easy on the eyes. It's funny to see how much it's changed over the years. Wikis make this so much better. I suppose in the meantime I'll keep reading. This way I can steal all of your powers and- Whoops. Carry on.

@FreelanceWizard: "that's fuckin' BRUTAL" Echoing Amelia's sentiments, actually. You aren't the only one! Really! I do feel a lot of anxiety coming over me when it comes to RP on this game. I've only had one particular incident back when I first played where someone was outwardly correcting me and quite rudely mind you. What's great about that is they don't play anymore to my knowledge and they themselves were wrong, come to find out. Regardless, I was even somewhat hesitant about rping on this game a lot of times simply because the lore is a bit more like how it 'used' to be. Which by no means is a bad thing, just coming from other titles is an adjustment I need to get used to again. Normally, I say fuck all to what people think but I don't see nearly as much leeway on this game, in my own mind anyway. It's very difficult (and somewhat pointless) to deviate from a lot of the lore here. This might paint me as a bad guy to say, but I don't know how else to put it quite yet.

I was watching this video the other day and thinking to myself how cool it was. I didn't really know about any of that, and after asking a few questions and reading more on the subject I have to admit for a little bit there, I wanted an archer. Still, I think is an excellent tool for RP. Even if it's just for discussion!

As someone that has lurked this board for (years now? hard to recall) and more or less, introduced themselves as 'someone who returned to a game they had otherwise forgotten about because of a particularly appealing upcoming playable race', I feel as though I have to post. I'm a little worried that this will come as too little, too late, seeing as how this is at page 11 and the topic changed so much but I'll deal with it all the same. On the subject of cats and mannerisms in general: I guess you could same I'm somewhat of a gimmick rper. I enjoy making trademark things about character, since I feel people are largely the same way and making them a part of their core. People change their lives based on media they intake. Things like music, hobbies, social views. All these things are almost always apparent in one way or another, so it's only natural that characters ears flicker, or click claws or grind their teeth, play with their hair. Sure they don't have to do it every single sentence, but it should come up on occasion I feel. We're obviously more complex than the underwear we do or don't have on, but it does play a part in what we are in some way. Now this is sort of where I derail slightly- To be clear, I fully admit that I came back to play this for a few reasons. The primary one being the advent of an expansion, and the Au Ra. I have already rambled on why I find them appealing but along comes a lot of 'social obligations' to roleplay. I purposely choose RP because I find it to be the most enjoyable format for me to play a game over a longer period of time. I like community, I enjoy meeting new people and making friends, I greatly enjoy learning things. When 2.0 was announced I was pretty excited to learn about male miqos- I had always wondered why they weren't much of a thing before and thought like many others 'hey that'll be cool'. This was long before I had realized what their lore and the community would become. I should have known, thinking back. So, 2.0 launches and I roll one, learn a little about the lore and quickly realize that they really aren't the race for me. I think their animations are lovingly done and their appearance is welcome but ultimately, they make me uncomfortable to RP. So, to prevent myself from experiencing what I like to call 'the text based facialdickslapping' I ended up rolling something I think I can accurately RP and still find pretty cool to play as, a highlander. Their lore, appearances mesh well with me and for the most part I'm met with success when I actually spend time with other players. Eventually, I lose interest in the game and move on for the time being, Promising myself that this is indeed a great title and worth coming back to. Just not really catching my eye now. Smashcut to where I am now: "holyfuck, Seathe's the Scaleless daughter from Dark Souls is a fucking playable race? There's dood versions and their stupid tall and brooding and edgelordy? I HAVE TO COME BACK" Then, the reality: "There's not a lot of lore, I have no idea if I'm ever going to like them outside of appearances, I don't want to be a dick to others by lorebreaking too much and while that shouldn't matter to anyone but me... I'm part of a community that is strongly divided on the subject of cats and everything in between" I would not go as far as to say that I purely want to please others by RPing this accurately. I believe there is a merit to contributing to a group but it should really be about enjoying myself WITHOUT hindering others, as many as possible. Everyone bends lore a little, it's perfectly fine and I'm by no means trying to defend being flat out 'wrong', but I'm at a point now where I can't even make a character to exist amongst others because I don't have enough information. I've decided for myself, long before this that I would try to never ever RP something that people couldn't be around. It's not fun to RP by yourself, or to be a character that simply 'can't' exist. So my hands are tied on him. I can't even decide on his appearance because that too, might be lore breaking. And the obvious lack of images for what's available to us as players and the like. My point is, I shouldn't have to feel guilty for wanting something because I'm worried that I might not be exactly to someone else's liking or set up rules. I should however be respectful and understanding of others on their decisions when it comes to RP. It's funny, isn't it? My performance, so to speak is going to strongly effect my enjoyment of time spent with others. Such is the core of a lot of RP. tl;dr I'm going to try to make the best dragon man for myself that others can enjoy without compromising what ultimately makes me happy. I'm waiting till we have more info, in the meantime I'm rping an male elezen which I think I've seen like 20 of on the whole realm and it vaguely weirds me out.

On the subject of tiny tanks, I've always thought it more to do with the fact that it doesn't always have to a straight mitigation tank. It's possible for them to just be a distraction tank. Magical abilities to augment incoming damage and more of a focus on diverting it from your allies. For many years, I played a tiny undead corpse. She loved candy because daddy said she wasn't supposed to have any in life. While it didn't make any sense for her to be effected by the sugar, shes hyperactive by personality and her armor never really fit properly. She just made a lot of noise and teared ass around and caused enough of a commotion that her friends could smash whatever got in their way. Being nimble and quick, had it's advantages. It made sense to me, she'd have been terrible at sneaking with all that armor clanging around. Whenever I play these anything with the trinity format- I gravitate towards the tank classes. I like helping others and I don't mind being responsible for a parties well being if it means I need to get hit in the face for them. Mostly. For aesthetics, I love dual wielding. I was lucky in TERA that Warriors could cater to both of those. But really, it comes down to how good my armor looks. I absolutely love plate. Sword and Board is almost always a must. Although, I can't get into it for this game. Marauders are pretty beast and I like their lore a lot. As for my upcoming Au Ra? Everything. Oh you bet you ass I'm going to rock them as everything.

This... Exactly this. It's like when Warlocks in WoW are "best buddies" with their demonic minions. NO! They are DEMONS! You ENSLAVED THEM! They want you DEAD if you didn't have the power to control them! That's what they do!!! It's exactly the same with Voidsent! It is possible to befriend your demons, it's just very unlikely that it will ever happen. There's two sides to it, with that. One being that you as a player might be in that sort of position- would mean that a lot of OTHER things would need to take place and if it were 'easy' to do. Everyone would do it. Perhaps I'm more open minded with lore, but if reasoned well enough and if all parties are respectful of each other, we can continue to play along. I myself, am not a fan of either extreme. Loremongers and outright Lorebreakers, whatever you wish to call it. I think a healthy balance is fun and it's about enjoying ourselves. So far, I'm finding this community to be the most divided on this fact. I hope everyone can come to a medium, sooner than later.

I'm sure it doesn't speak good things about me when it comes to RP but I'm willing to jump in fresh with a new lvl1 Au Ra and adjust accordingly. Generally I like to do a lot of research first before I pick a race, but I like them way too much based on what 'may' be true and looks alone and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Part of RP for me is learning as I go. It's ment to be an adventure, and I've been doing it long enough that I feel like I can handle it. I still have a highlander that I'm pretty fond of, but I can't find myself passing this up.

If the thing I'm hearing about their origins are true, it won't be the first time something like this has happened: I can't be the only one that thought of that. The story behind this one for those who don't know, is something along the lines of this: Pictured is the daughter of a goddess that feel in love with an insane outcast dragon. She was born with an awful power, so they locked her away in a fairytale style painting in efforts to protect her (or others from her). I know it's not exactly the same, but it strongly reminded me of it. I admit, while I haven't been active on this game I've kept an ear to the ground for the expansion. It's always been somewhere on list of things to get back to, and I can safely say this will bring me back in a heartbeat. I'm an absolute sucker for claws and horns, having a vaguely beastial race appeals to me on many levels, since I was never completely happy with the male races of this game. I mean look at the guys, towering monsters. Not quite as elegant as the elezen, not as broad as the roegadyn and not quite as rugged as the highlanders. Yet, tailed, and have an extra 'feature'. It's perfect for my tastes. Don't get me wrong. I'm still really fond of of the existing ones, I wouldn't change a thing! Most preferred highlanders. So I like and appreciate them. But these guys? Definitely. I have no shame in admitting it. Call me Sonic the Edgehog or Grimdark Deathkill- I think their design is just right. Having played a lot of other beast-like-type races in other games, I was always really unhappy with armor mutations. Since they have to be on everyone, they never did quite get it right. Stretched out textures and absurd clipping issues. I'd still play them, but coming of charr and draken- I'm very happy to see this. That is until, they make a fully mechanical race. Automatons, biomechanical, whatever. Then again, RPing them is always a mixed bag. A big guy with horns though? I'm much more comfortable with, even if it is somewhat predictable. EDIT: I was going to refrain from commenting on the difference between the sexes, but having seen so much of it on this forum and a few other places I can't help but weigh in. Personally, I like the differences. It could do with the fact that I greatly appreciate height variance between couples. I think it stems mostly from them being a good middle-ground for me. My friends have good feedback on them. I've noticed that a lot of my female friends won't play races that are drastically different from the others because they feel too out of place. The rest of them do whatever they can to stand out. All of that is perfectly fine to me. I stand my ground on it, I think both sexes look great and glad they chose that direction. I've seen what people do when they have customization choices in games and they almost always pick the 'safer' routes, the more familiar and the least different. Look at every male that you know that made a short, red haired female with the largest weapon option. I'll always think back to 5 Signet black and red colorschemed Warriors from Guild Wars 2. A wealth of options, even among creative RPer leads to the same trends. And it perfectly fine, I suspect that if the females were much different, even less people would play them. They have horns, and scales that match the males, just more subtle. I like it. This is not to say they won't add more options later. Also, my first post. Hi.