Zhavi

Zhi's mouth had been open, but at his gesture she snapped it shut. She pouted in silence, pushing herself up and brushing herself off down her front. There were a few grass stains, and everything was intolerably damp. "Ain't got nowhere else t'go," she muttered, crossing her arms. She stared fixedly at the ground. "I aim t'be a good student, Master Lolotaru." She sounded almost sulky.

Dead end. "Oh." She paused and looked down, suddenly awkward. "Will that be me some day?"

My pleasure, have fun!

Behehe, not a lie. I think sometimes it just tends to be more of a subconscious then a conscious, something you don't put words to until someone asks and then you're like "oh! Where did you come from?" Sounds like the guy who thinks before he speaks, eh? But, he sounds like a scholar, and if that's the case you should check out this thread. It could potentially be a great way to meet some likeminded folks! And if you're into mage rp, there's always the Mysterium FC, too. For me, I think what helped the lore stick best is just playing the game. And this is also amazing for getting a sense of the cities.

Ah, school, the bane of free time. Welcome back, I hope your experience with school was a productive one! Gilg is definitely in need of dedicated rpers, so I hope your time there is full of awesome rp. I think I saw you post in their rp discussion thread. . .if that wasn't you, do be sure to pm the players of any gilg characters you fancy. It sounds like open world rp isn't too common over there (though, let's be honest, it's pretty hit or miss on Balmung too), so talking to Gilg players is your best bet to get a steady stream of rp. Happy rping to you!

Ehehe, the talking really really does help. I started out by stalking characters on the wiki (via recent changes) and pming their players hoping to snag the arpees. It succeeded! So I definitely recommend pming people to set stuff up -- you never know what might arise out of it! Welcome to the RPC, and I hope you're able to find some delicious, gooey rp to sink your teeth into. Definitely check out the linkshell/fc forum and the various events going around Balmung -- the people are super nice and pretty damn inclusive.

Belated hello and welcome to the RPC! I totally get the rp itch, I get it pretty frequently (hobby, obsession, ehhh). What sort of rp are you looking to get into? What sort of character do you want to rp with?

Jado Zarado . . . I like it! Your attempts to make a name stick have paid off, in my opinion. No personality? Whaat! I bet you've got a concept or two lurkin' around your noggin waiting to be breathed into life. What sort of rp are you looking to do with him? Something innocent? Nefarious, maybe? Absent-minded scholarhood? A tried-and-true wanderer? Cynical and grouchy sarcasm? Feckless adventures? A tangle of conspiracies? Violence and mayhem? Helping those in need? Maaaaybeee. . .criminal enterprises? Whichever way you go, welcome to the RPC and happy rping to you!

"'Other things?'" Zhi put on her best trying-not-to-look-skeptical face. "Like what?"

Zhi took the pearl, and disappeared it shortly after. She'd used them before, though never for any long period of time. They were useful, but she'd no reason to keep one after a job. But this one -- it was more of a delicate situation. With her act as Joz for Lalataru, she wouldn't dare keep it on her person at all times. There was too high of a risk of it -- somehow -- being discovered by the lalafell, and that would not so easily be explained. Which meant she either had to leave it dark for long stretches of time, or give it to someone else while she was with Lalataru. Brindle was off pretending he wanted to be a whore, which left. . . She shook herself back into reality. "I will." Thatcher's words were taken as a threat. The whoremaster had been backed against a wall, and now that she wasn't running scared she was ready to bare her teeth and claws. Zhi wasn't precisely an ally; she was a hireling, and a new and unproven one at that. Thatcher would savage her if she needed, and Zhi wasn't under any illusions as to what needed might cover. If Zhi was caught out again, there'd be consequences. And in the lee of the rutting clodhopper, Osric, that would finish the job of gutting her. She'd be out of work for months, if she wasn't killed first. She'd come too damn far to go back to begging and scraping to keep herself alive. There could be no failure. "See ye in three days, Thatcher." Zhi ducked her head, and stepped out of the alcove to get back to work. Aie, sleep was overrated anyways.

((the following is rp that was done in game)) [18:28]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Doman Ale, if you would be so kind. [18:30]Caereyn Doendragasyn looks back to Zhavi. "Fair enough. I've already gotten a free drink. Anything else is just a bonus." [18:31]Caereyn Doendragasyn: My crewmen are all capeable of showing a measure of restraint. It's why they are with me, and not on witha bunch of flea-bitten bilge rats. [18:31]Zhavi Streetrunner: || The wench half-curtsied to Caer. After shooting one last uncertain glance at Zhi, she retreated back behind the bar. Zhi watched her go. She raised an eyebrow at Caer. "Ye do lots o'business wi' merchants in town, aye? Could be we've. . .mutual stakes." [18:32]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Perhaps. However, there's the matter of whether o rnot what you have to tell me is worth any time, or gil. [18:33]Zhavi Streetrunner: "Did I ask ye fer gil? Nahh, we're jes chattin', see?" [18:33]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Then what manner of payment do you take? [18:35]Zhavi Streetrunner grinned and drummed her fingers on the edge of the table. "Fair trade's all I'm askin'. " [18:35]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Then you presume to have something I want, and that I have something of equal value that you want. [18:37]Zhavi Streetrunner: "Who's t'say, eh?" Zhi's gaze wandered away from Caer and back to the bar. "Ye hear talk, I'm sure, same as meself. There's been some trouble brewin' wi'the whores' rings. Aye?" [18:38]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Yes, I may have heard something or other about that. Surely you're not suggesting my man is tied to it? [18:39]Zhavi Streetrunner tilted her head first one way, then the other. "Somethin' like that." [19:05]Caereyn Doendragasyn: The affairs of Limsas whorehouses are not my concern. Unless it becomes a threat to the integrity of my crew, and my business. [19:06]Zhavi Streetrunner: "Yer business, an' that o'yer crewman -- why else would I stick me nose in yer affairs if I didn't think it o'concern to ye?" [19:07]Zhavi Streetrunner tutted, looking Caer up and down, "disappointin' ye have so little faith in me name." [19:21]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Faith is for those who lack purpose and will. I have faith in nothing. Trust is another story, but that needs to be earned. I know who you are, but that is nothing to me, personally. I don't usually. deal on such a low level. I am making an exception because you were courteous. [19:24]Zhavi Streetrunner gauged Caer in silence for a few moments. She folded her hands atop the table, and lifted her chin. Her smile became less buoyant, and more polite. "Ye provide luxury goods t'some merchants, who rely on ye fer their custom. They sell much o'that bulk t'the rings. If th'rings're at odds wi'each other, an' they think ye playin' favorites, ye'll be boycotted. I can steer ye true if ye return information fer me. Fair?" [19:29]Caereyn Doendragasyn: I cannot force my goods on anyone. And I do not sell directly to them. I sell higher up the chain. To people who will simply sell the goods elsewhere. One or two whorehouses will do very little to hurt me. You must understand something. I am not doing business with them. -They- are doing business with -me-. Still...if one of my own has put himself in such a position as to have even a small effect on the status quo, I mak ei tmy business to know. Very well then, let's see if we can make a deal. [19:34]Zhavi Streetrunner inclined her head. "As ye say, but even if they're sellin' elsewhere, ain't like there's another market like the whores' waitin' t'gobble up th'fancy stuff. Yer merchants'd have t'sell further afield, meanin' yer profits would drop. Don't downplay what 'tis I'm offerin' t'ye. Aye, we can deal, but ain't jes me standin' t'make profit here." [19:36]Caereyn Doendragasyn: I'm listening. You still haven't told me what it is you want, specifically. [19:38]Zhavi Streetrunner: "Ye have dealin's wi'a merchant by th'name o'Maioh. I want yer take on her, yer dealin's, t'start." [19:42]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Ah, I know the one, yes. I do not deal with her personally, but the person I do deal with deals with her. [19:43]Caereyn Doendragasyn: My goods funnel through him, down to her, and then to the Heavens Gate. [19:43]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Though she's selling something more interesting lately, but that's enough for now. Your turn. [19:44]Zhavi Streetrunner: "One o'yer men has a taste fer one o'Thatcher's whores. It's been noticed. By more'n jes me, as it happens." [19:46]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Hmm... [19:46]Caereyn Doendragasyn leans back a bit and closes his eyes in thought, remaining silent for a long moment. [19:47]Zhavi Streetrunner waits, eyes on Doendragasyn. [19:49]Caereyn Doendragasyn: If true, that could indeed be a problem. Personal attatchment has no place in this line of business. Tell me which of my men you are talking about, and I will tell you more about Maioh. [19:51]Zhavi Streetrunner: "An' after? Might be I got need fer a . . .reliable source hereabouts, wi'the merchants. An' in return. . ." she shrugged, eyebrows rising, "could be there's things yer wantin' a better knowin' 'bout." [19:54]Caereyn Doendragasyn: After. If there's more business in the future, so be it. If not, so be it. However... [19:57]Zhavi Streetrunner took a sip of her drink as she waited. [19:58]Caereyn Doendragasyn continues to watch her,as he did early on. "I'm sorry. I believe I set my terms. You give me the name of my man, and I tell you about Maioh." [20:00]Zhavi Streetrunner placed the drink carefully down, and then rested her hands on the table. She described the man she'd seen, and gave his name as well as the name of the companion he'd visited. [20:01]Caereyn Doendragasyn nods. "I see. Well, now I know that you're not simply trying to put one over on me. [20:01]Zhavi Streetrunner smirked, tipping her head forward in acknowledgement. [20:02]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Very well. Maioh is selling sensitive information about Thatcher to her enemies. [20:04]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Oh, now that I can't tell you, but rest assured, it's reliable information. [20:06]Zhavi Streetrunner considered saying something, but refrained. "Do ye come across such things wi'yer other merchants so easily?" [20:08]Caereyn Doendragasyn: You'd be surprised. A little leverage can go a long way, if applied to the right place, at the right time. Let's just say that some of my dealings are of things larger than profit, and status. [20:09]Zhavi Streetrunner: "Yer a clever man, is what yer sayin'." [20:11]Caereyn Doendragasyn: If i weren't, my business would stop at unloading goods for a fraction of the price to small time dealers. [20:13]Zhavi Streetrunner snorted a laugh. "As ye say. Clever enough t'know what information Maioh is dealin'?" [20:15]Caereyn Doendragasyn: That, I can't tell you. As I've said, I don't deal with her directly, and I've had no cause to care, though now it appears my crew and dealings are at least in a small way, involved. [20:15]Caereyn Doendragasyn: That being the case, I believe I'll make the effort to find out. [20:19]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Not too difficult a task, and in return, you will keep me informed of all the dealings on the bottom rung of lowtown. [20:21]Zhavi Streetrunner: "All?" Zhi raised an eyebrow. "That'd be spillin' a lot o'secrets, Cap'n. [20:23]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Of course, I don't need to know every time some scummer hawks a stolen wristwatch... [20:23]Caereyn Doendragasyn: The sensitive things. When there is something that canbe used as leverage. [20:24]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Of course, this is goigto be left up to your personal judgement. [20:24]Zhavi Streetrunner: "Ye think there ain't much t'know? Tell ye what, ye give me an area o'concern t'match yon merchants, an' I'll keep ye informed." [20:26]Caereyn Doendragasyn: That's fair. Alright. Any major changes in the status quo. Anything that has the potential to shift the balance. That is my price. [20:27]Zhavi Streetrunner: "Ye've a deal, Cap'n. How long will it take ye t'scope Maioh?" [20:27]Caereyn Doendragasyn: I can have the information you want by tomorrow evening. [20:28]Zhavi Streetrunner tilted her chin down and looked at Caer askance. "Ye work fast," she murmured. Louder, she said, "I'll have words fer ye, then. Where d'ye want t'meet t'morrow?" [20:30]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Lower Limsa, the south dock. [20:30]Zhavi Streetrunner: "A'right. Ye any last words fer me?" [20:30]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Indeed I do. [20:31]Caereyn Doendragasyn pauses for a moment. [20:31]Caereyn Doendragasyn: Thank you for the drink. [20:31]Zhavi Streetrunner lifted her chin, presenting him with a cool smile. [20:32]Zhavi Streetrunner: "Aye." [20:33]Caereyn Doendragasyn stands, and heads through the door near the bar, to the back area.

Somehow, Zhi managed to maintain her expression. She drew her eyebrows down, pursed her lips, and eyed Lalataru. "If ye say so. . ." The book was viewed with a hesitant interest. "That what ye use t'do -- " she jerked her head towards the rocks.

Lalataru was really making it difficult. Zhi'd heard about him acquiring the book Galleon wanted, but there was no way to directly bring it up, and he wasn't being as talkative as she wanted. She couldn't be sure that the books he was talking about were related to the single one she sought. But, if she could just keep him talking. . . "Ye changed yer life 'cause o'books?" Zhi's voice was raised in mild incredulity. Books were not exactly prized in the lowtown.

Zhi watched Thatcher's changing expressions. She liked what she saw there. She nodded. Hesitated. "Ye could always play at bein' weak. But ye'd need t'think it through an' have a purpose in mind." She tapped her temple. "That'll come easier once I got better words fer ye t'hear. Give me three days afore another meetin'. I got some . . . folk lined up t'share words wi'." She was going to have to push herself harder if she expected to finish her job for Galleon soon. And she needed to finish it soon. The longer it went on, the more likely she'd be discovered. And that. . . Thatcher's job required delicacy. Hard to move about if she was having to look over her shoulder for members of the Gate, and the jacks besides. "Meantime, think it might be best fer ye t'give me one o'yer pearls. There was some trouble -- naught t'do wi'yerself an' yorn -- I'm layin' low fer now. Might have t'be on th'move. Easier fer ye t'catch me when yer needin' to."

Hum, you know, my experience has been fairly opposite of yours. To me, the RPC is the central hub for FFXIV rp. I don't know what exactly you're looking for (like 20+ people posting in various things per day? 50? More?), but since I re-joined back in March (I don't think any of the people I rped with/talked to back in 2010 are still around, and if they are we've forgotten each other) I've been exclusively using the RPC to form rp connections. I scroll through the wiki on a regular basis (using "recent changes"), have looked through the Balmung FC and Linkshells, and keep an eye on all the new threads. When I see something that might work with my character, I post. When I see a character mine might work with, I pm the player. If I have a specific question about types of rp, I post a thread in RP discussion. I mean, I dunno, I guess I'm not like the belle at the ball in terms of how much rp I'm getting, but I am certainly getting enough to make me happy! And, this way I was able to connect with ShayRei (and all the people who agreed to forum rp with me, they're all AWESOME) and start building a more concrete base from which to rp from. But, you can always try your hand at recreating what Guild Wars had. Each community is very different though, and once something is established it can be hard to get people to change. Still though, pretty much, if you want a long lasting free company with dedicated members you're going to have to likely start by approaching people one on one. It's time consuming and can be frustrating as all hell (you win some, you lose some, you win some, you lose a whole bunch, etc), but that's recruitment for anything. You have to put in a lot of time and effort, and you probably won't see a return on it immediately. But, you know, there are a lot of interested rpers hanging about -- just have to collect them and make sure you've got the right fit. (apologies if I totally missed the point of your post, somehow)

"I've got me own interests 'cross th'city, though ye know that." Zhi watched a wench approach -- finally! -- to see what Droendragasyn wanted to order. She leaned into her hands, her ribs pressing into the table's edge. "Might be there's summat of interest fer both o'us, wi'yer man's wand'rin'. But ye know me type, hey? I don't sing fer th'pleasure o'me own voice." She leaned back, lifting one hand to wave off the wench's attention. "Whatever he wants."

"Inspiration?" Zhi peeked up over her hands, resting her chin on them. She watched him. Her eyes were wide with curiosity.

Okidokes, so kind of a general round up and rambly post to cement some things. (forgive me for my rambles, I have been told that I am incapable of being succinct many, many times) 1) Please post your availability to rp here. I know it's an extra pain to register and stuff over there, but this way we've got a central location with everyone's availability where we won't have to go digging through forum posts. That way when it comes to planning bigger group events, we can just go off of that for initial times/days. 2) There are 7 main ways to get your character in easily. We can always brainstorm, too, if none of these suit. Andralyn runs her business sorta alongside Vance's. She uses his ship, so there are two parts to work with there. Client Employee of Andralyn's Companions (whore/merc/etc). Employee of Vance's ship & business (sailor/ship's crew/whatever) Affiliate of Andralyn's business (supplier/tradesman/ally of some sort/whatever) Affiliate of Vance's ship & business (merchant/tradesman/ally of some sort/whatever) Information dealer/smuggler (someone able to provide information) => through Zhi Pressganged (ie your character was just in the wrong damn place at the wrong damn time) => probably through Zhi Please note: Andy would prefer crew members to be in the Heaven's Gate FC. It would be optimal for the companions (gee that is such a nicer word than whore >>) and affiliates to be as well, but the linkshell is good enough for that. (please please do free a space if you are able) So where I see people falling: Denn: Information dealer/smuggler => I'll rp you in. Dog: Affiliate of Andralyn's, Enteris', or background dealing. We can talk more if you don't know which angle you'd rather go with. Ruru: An innocent client, daww. That'll be Rei. Pyralis: A former client. Due to the way the rp is going down you can choose to either go through Zhi, D'ly and Del, or through Andralyn. If you don't have a preference we can talk more. Askier: We'll discuss once your superawesome rp thing in Ul'dah is concluded. Vaughn: Yes! This is actually what I pmed you about. :3 I think I misunderstood your last pm and thought you were gonna ask your rp partner about joining or summat. But! Due to stuff, we can either start with Zhi finding him, or Andralyn (or he could even approach her after hearing rumors? Would he have had contact with her in the past?) C'kayah: Unless you want to go with C approaching Andralyn or Vance with some sort of nefarious dealmaking thing, Zhi'd likely be the one bringing him in. I leave that up to you, unless you want to discuss it more! iluguys. <3

As long as Zhi is involved? Never. Or, at least, not until he learns to handle awkward situations! >

Forbie - Okidokes, I'm going to wait for Rei to reply, and after that (unless she has another idea) I'll contact D'ly's and Del's players to see what they think about the scene set up. Thanks so much for volunteering! (you too, Ruru and Dog!) Last : Ehehe, Zhi is no stranger to backstabbing if it nets her more gains. Even if they wind up working different sides in this, chances are they could emerge as allies at the end. Okay, once Rei weighs in Imma talk to her about setting up a brainstorming session for Coral's Parlor/Jaded so we can solidify some of the details for them and to work out Denn's initial involvement. <3<3 you guys are so awesome you have no idea.

Laststander: OMG, would you be willing to have Denn work for the guys who are trying to take Andralyn out? Forbie: how long ago would you say his last encounter with one of Andralyn's people was? Zhi just assigned Del & D'ly to follow up on some rumors (and some whores spreading the rumors teeheehee), so it's definitely possible -- if it wasn't too long ago -- that one or both might run into Pyralis, which would then lead to *ahem* talks. >: ) Dog: That sounds perfect. We still have some brainstorming to do in regards to movements being taken by all sides (as you can see from this thread, we're just moving all the starting pieces into place), but that hint of untrustworthiness is definitely some friction that could lead to some kickass do-or-die moments. Hmhm, let's see what Rei has to say when she comes back into the thread.

Zhi's curiosity was piqued when he mentioned personal studies, but before she could ask he said something else. Something very important. She let her ears go slightly back and sideways; a sign of being at ease for miqo'te. "A collection? Why'd ye do that? Will I need to?" Her words came slow and languorous: her apparent curiosity stifled by the release of pent-up tension her success had provided.

Yeeeeessss. Former as in he's been stolen away by one of the competitors or was driven away by the rumors?

I um. . . I got distracted and failed *cough* Seriously though, Denn and Dog? *fans self* I'll need to set up some antag npcs (or search out some volunteers) to get knocked the eff down! Plus I totally need Zhi to finish giving Denn the clothing (if you haven't already moved on from that, major apologies I didn't contact you sooner). . .but, yeah. I think we could definitely have Zhi either bring Denn in herself or recommend Andralyn to hire her. We're working on pulling in a couple other people who I think would really work to bring Dog in. . .if not, perhaps we can work out a past business relationship between Dog and Andy (the ring aside, she runs a business and is in need of material things -- some of which might be illegal and require the services of a smuggler, we can discuss that), which could maybe be what has him paying attention to the rumors? WE CAN TALK. DEF. Whee, I'm really excited. Um. Here's the basic plot setup -- still working out some kinks, but please do check it out! <3

Zhi lifted her hands in order to rest her forehead on them. Her wet shirt had settled into the crevasse left by the upward push of her shoulderblades. If Zhi could have seen herself in that moment, she would have labeled the sight pathetic; lack of meat on the bones proclaimed incompetence. At least, that's how it was on the streets. You were underfed, you were poor. Gutterborn. She'd tried to leave that life behind her years ago. Arcanist. Arcanist. Something in her wavered. "Huh," she muttered, closing her eyes against the backs of her hands. "Tell me. . .tell me how ye became an arcanist."