Zhavi

"What, didn't get yer fill o' bullshit trash talk yet?" She screwed up her face in thought, winced, and settled for half a scowl. "Yer nothin' more'n a walkin' stiff prick, swear on me mam. Ye talk more when ye've gone unfondled. All gratin' an' full o' whingin'." She put thirty in the middle. "Lass'd think ye were tryin' t'soften her up, way ye beat around." She giggled, "'R mebbe not. Dice'll get all cold an' lonely wi' yer tongue loose as 'tis. Roll."

"Hold it'r drink it?" Because she could avoid his probes all night long. Even while drunk. She lifted the flask without waiting for his reply, took a nice long chug. Her resulting grin was a little looser, a little less caring of the pain. Maybe while drunk. Why did she even care? He wanted to know who she'd slept with? Not like it mattered. "Ye seem t'be doin' right fine wi'm," she groused, collecting her scattered coin and putting twenty into the middle. "Get on wi' it, roll."

I take it like this -- in real life, if you go to a city, there is a stereotype. Out of all of those people, out of all of those professions, out of all of the life happening: you're going to find exceptions to the rule. When it comes to characters, yeah, sometimes building and playing those exceptions will get you flak or the dreaded SUE accusation, but as long as you keep an eye pointed towards common sense I think it can be really well executed. (where I'm trying to say - your character doesn't *have* to be an adventurer, your character doesn't *have* to be faced with constant oh hi I hate you and I'm a bigoted son of a bitch, your character doesn't *have* to be stuck learning thaumaturgy from someone who's looking to fleece her and maybe sell a kidney on the black market or wind up in a series of events that would make Murphy turn around and take a second look) At the end of the day, there are a lot of things going into your character and your ideas that I or anyone else won't know about (cuz let's face it, building a character/backstory/raison d'etre is involved and when you're discussing with someone involves a lot of back and forth). But to me, when a problem presents itself in a way that affects my fun, my first thought is "hmmm, how can I get around this without knocking all the blocks over?" So, what are your blocks and how are you going to get around them without knocking them over? What do you really want to play?

A lot of people have suggested Arcanist would be the best fit for my character, but I'm actually leaning more towards THM or CNJ. My character Miranda tends to be ruled by her heart more than her head, so I think it's very possible she wouldn't want the hassle of having to perform all kinds of geometric calculations when she can simply use a staff and her willpower to hurl rocks or fire at enemies. Judging by the fact that there are far fewer Arcanist NPCs than THM and CNJ, I don't think she would be alone in her thoughts there. Another thing is that I tend to lean towards the Job classes being "non-canon" for RPers more likely than not, and the Job storylines simply involved heroes who proved themselves worthy in some form (for example the only non-Padjal WHM). So while SMN or SCH would allow her to be completely separated from others in her own category, I really don't know if becoming a customs agent for the first 30 levels would really be up her alley. Overall I would say she is like a cross between Squall from FF8 and Terra from FF6. I've totally divorced my character from class/jobs, except for the pinkie toe she's dipping into arcanima with Goodfellow's character Lolotaru. So, really, my take on things is to do what makes sense given what you know and what clues are given from comments made by npcs. From what I understand you don't need to be a customs agent in order to be an arcanist; it's just that most (many?) are. As for the whole job debate, I leave that to people who are far more versed with lore than I am. Like I've been saying fairly frequently lately: it's your rp. You have to be happy with what you're writing. Otherwise, what's the point?

I'd suggest it's the latter. People learning how to cast spells are probably prone to being distracted and screwing up from loud noises, and that's probably more true with arcanima, given its emphasis on linguistics and mathematics. I would think that would be actually be more true of the other Discplines, which is partly why it surprised me. For example, Conjury emphasizes the need to get into a meditative state to commune with the elements, while Thaumaturgy is powered by introspection (in fact one of the brothers in the guild is always startled whenever you talk to him). Arcanima, from what I understand, is close to math. Now, I have friends who are good with math and could probably do it in the middle of a loud club. Most people I know, however, need their surroundings to be conducive to concentration -- quiet or playing music or whatever helps them. Strangers being loud generally are discouraged. I mean, sheesh, just looking at the angular design things on the inside of the book when I'm casting something is enough for me to determine that, were arcanists a real thing, I would not be studying it.

Another round! Some of these are a few weeks late. Or more. I don't remember. Generally, I'm always late on things I mean to do. It happens. Xydane, for punchy one-liners and a character who is way too good for his own good. He can roll with whatever is thrown his way, patient even when you have no idea where the hell you're going to rp right after a move in the rp itself, and for being quick on the uptake. Fun to rp with. Also dude, this guy lets me go on romps! ROMPS! Maybe eventually I'll get to drag you down into some dark and even less happy situations, bahaha. Xydane is just one of those characters you want to mess with to see how he'll react -- a sign of a well crafted character to me. ForbieJD (Pyralis), for having a character who is a player and yet still sympathetic to me (which doesn't happen all that frequently), for making use of the bard class in a way that reminds me of Michelle West's bards in her Sun Sword (and related) series (because I'm just a teeny tiny bit obsessed with her), and for writing some really smashing scenes (the one between him and ShayRei -- KUDOS TO YOU TOO -- in the thread Control had me giggling in delight as I read it). Super fun to rp with, and a great sense of humor oocly (burning sensations and all ). Crowmeleon, for having a very engaging character and an interesting hook. I'd told him I wanted to rp with him, we toss down a super basic idea of how our characters would run into each other, and this dude whips out a great first post-thing (what do you call them in game?) and pretty much made it super easy and smooth for me to get Zhi all up in his face. The characterization was brilliant, and though I haven't actually gotten around to rping with him again, I fully intend to. Srsly, if you like mysterious people, rp with this dude. You won't regret it. And yeah, everyone I've rped with has made me happy. This community is just bursting with talent. <3

Zhi saw both their expressions, and rolled her eyes. "Don't forget," she hissed. "Business talk. Need t'learn what they're shufflin' an' why. Don't piss 'er off, fancy?" "Yeah?" The voice came from the other side of the door. Zhi opened it before either of the two men had a chance to sass back at her. Today was one of those days when she could dish it out, but she wasn't taking it back. She stepped out of the way, looked down at Flit with her bored bodyguard expression. Beyond was a cramped little office, occupied by a small desk that was, in all actuality, a table that should have been used for someone's weekly card games. The woman behind it was miqo'te, seeker, and presently occupied with a pile of something blue and glittery scattered across the table. There was little in the way of paperwork, but there was. . .stuff. Crates of stuff. It took up most of the space in the tiny little room, with none of it open to casual inspection by eye. But Zhi could smell something. She wasn't sure what, but something. Interesting. The woman, Hitchins, looked over the three of them and settled on Flit. "What."

Reality came back. Zhi looked up, then quickly back down at the book. "Yeah, how 'bout some letters what make sense?" She forced a grin, "I got what I'm needin'. See ye tomorrow then, aye?"

Your art continues to make me happy. XYDANE, AT LAST YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR AVATAR! also, goddammit, add me to the list. ...quick question, what if I pay you to color something I've already done linework for? ....I have some art a friend was supposed to color but never did, and I am lazy and sad and has money.

Whenever I feel stressed, I always return to Playing For Change. Good music, great concept, really fun to watch. Plus, it just makes me happy.

What I did to integrate myself (am I integrated? I guess so) was to find characters I liked on the wiki and then pm the player here. With forum rp we'd set up a plot ahead of time, but with in game rp generally I'd just come with an idea, and roll forward with a very basic premise. At this point I've rped with people in many different FCs, and if I wanted to try to turn one of those into a home for Zhi I likely could (assuming all the ooc stuff checked out and so on and so forth) -- but she's built to be anti-social, so no FC for her or me. But it is possible, I think; first step is to find people to rp with. Once you've tried rp out with several different people, then you'll start getting more rp opportunities. After that you can start looking at FCs from an IC perspective, and just let things flow that way. But the first step is inevitably communication. If you're in the right place at the right time you'll find it spontaneously in the great wild yonder -- but if you're like me and like to stack odds in your favor, try out the pming-people-you-want-to-rp-with angle. People are friendly. The only time I've ever gotten a no was back when I could only rp on the forums and there were one or two who didn't care for forum rp, in which case they were open to rping in game (unless we're counting people who didn't reply, but eh, let's be optimistic and count that as two ships passing in the night whose comm systems were busted).

"Not if they're all th' same but fer a few bitsy differences," Zhi muttered, rebellious. She wrote S, hesitated over Y before writing it with a stubborn little grimace, and ended it with N. She flicked the paper towards him, leaning back. "Yer name's too long." She tilted her head at him, eyeing him as if she was unsure of what he wanted from her before looking back down to the book. "Who else've I t'meet, then?"

Jingi's upper body relaxed. Her smile became less strained, and more natural -- though it yet harbored a hint of shyness. "Limsa Lominsa is one place best visited; it loses some of its charm once you've lived here for a spell, though I suppose it would be better should you have a surfeit of money." Her confidence made a second bid, and she leaned forward over her menu. "Do you always try your best to impress women you've just met in new cities?" One thing about restaurants: whenever things got awkward the menu (or food, once it arrived) was there to hide behind.

One. . .two. . .three. Zhi nodded to them each, giving Miza a quick flash of a grin before settling back into something more businesslike. For Zhi, that meant a smug little leer. "A'right, first thing's first. Flit, ye'll be on lookout -- did ye manage t'pull patrol where th' paperwork is hidden? Miza'll be second on lookout -- jes like th'old days, eh? -- an' ye --" she pointed to the last arrived. "Cap'n promised me someone what knows his way 'round liftin' things. Ye better be what he promised'r I'll be givin' him me best regards. What's yer name, then?"

Limsan Lominsan? What? WHERE? Pleased to meet you! Happy to see you've returned to the game. AND YOU'RE PACIFIC! Us people around the west coast have to stick together, I tell you, it's a madhouse of central/easterners and Europeans out there! So, hopefully I'll get to see you around and stuff. Raz is cool, you should rp with him. Aerghwab is also cool, though I haven't rped with him yet -- so hopefully some day I'll run into him and/or you and delightful rp will follow! Welcome back!

UPDATED AT LAAAASSSSTTT AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA. I still probably forgot people in the relationships section. I still don't get how to properly do tables within tables. I DON'T CARE I ACTUALLY UPDATED IIIIIITTTT! I don't understand how you people can just casually update it after every rp. It's a pain in the ass! So much pain!

Weeeeeell, even if you want to fake it, or even if you find him a few months from now, just gimme a holler. I'm down to continue it whenever. <3

Watching a man die. . . .or at least appear to. I used the hairdresser dude for the first time today. THERE IS A DIRT FACEPAINT OPTION. So now Zhi can look dirty. Yayy!

*coughcoughcoughcough* canwestilldothatforumrpwhenyoufindyourmuseforNaoh'to? But, should (any of) your character(s) drop by Limsa, do give me a holler -- I very much enjoyed rping with you. Welcome back! Glad everything got resolved!

B was written, if shakily, but she balked on the next one. She sighed. "'Sit th'curvy one, or the one wi' angles? Swear, could take half o'these out an' still do jes fine. What's th'need fer so many what sound near th'same?" And there it was, the complaint she'd ever-so-patiently been holding.

Zhi rolled her eyes. She grumbled something under her breath, T, Y, and R appearing on the page in barely legible script. The next letter, however, she balked at. She looked up. "Don't know th'next -- 'less there was another one o' yer breathin' letters 'twixt those." She tapped her pencil against the first three she'd written, expression and tone of voice as smarmy as could be.

Hey there! A good place to start with lore is the wiki (and there is a naming guide for the roegadyn in there, as well as roegadyn words here -- but don't stress over it, imo). Another good place is just by doing some questing and stuff -- they front load the story quest with the basics of ARR as well as whatever city-state you start in, so it definitely helps. There is a lovely roleplaying guide here, which you can use to freshen up on the basics if it's been awhile since you've rped or you haven't rped in a mmo before. Most of all, have fun. Don't be afraid to make mistakes -- everyone makes mistakes. As long as you put in the effort and keep trying, you'll become old hat in no time. Welcome to the RPC!

Hey there! Ahaha, don't worry about feeling old -- there are numerous people playing here who have left their youth behind them. And, there are also a plethora of great Free Company and Linkshells who can claim wonderful members. One thing you can say about the community here is how friendly it is, and how open to outsiders. So long as you're willing to put in some effort, you shouldn't have a problem acclimating. Check out the Linkshell/FC Hall if you haven't already. Welcome to the RPC! I hope your thesis goes smoothly, and once you're able to indulge in more game time that you're able to find the rp you're looking for.

Every utterance of direct praise was pleasing, but it also made Jingi uncomfortable. The duality of her reaction showed, especially when she took his hand. Her touch was light, hesitant: she was ready to withdraw at the slightest provocation. She was charmed, but wary. Very wary. Hard not to be, really, what with the lateness of the evening, the place she'd met him, and far too many stories from the girls (and, sometimes, boys) of Jaded bouncing around between her ears. Not all men were half so earnest as they appeared, and this one was very, very forward for having just met her. But she didn't want him to prove Noki right. She wanted this gentleman to be genuine. She was studiously quiet as they walked the remainder of the way to the Bismark. Any comments or questions he might have asked would have been deflected away with smiles and short replies. She was not rude, but she was evasive. She was hoping a meal might settle him -- and herself -- down. The last thing she needed was to have made her day worse for herself. Or to embarrass herself. Gods, she hadn't already done that, had she? She sighed as she sat down at the table they'd been shown to. She looked over the menu, glad to be near so many other people, and then looked back up to him. "So, what are your plans now that you are in Limsa Lominsa? Do you need help finding your way back home?"

Zhi muttered something impolite, waving her hand to dismiss her previous words. Grudgingly. "Fair, fair. We done wi' that name or are there more letters hidin' about its' tail?" She caught the pantomime, and narrowed her eyes at him as if trying to decide what his purpose was.