industrythirteen

@Unnamed Mercenary Oh hey thanks! Also, I remember you from years ago. Nice to see a familiar name. Hope all is well!

Hey folks. It's been a while since I've dropped in (4 years?!) and advertised my commission service. The links in this thread still work, even if the images/code are broken. I'll fix up my commission prices and post some new sample work for those in the market for getting some art done of their character. Some recent samples:

I haven't had the urge to RP in a few weeks now. I'm anxious to get over that ambivalence, but I can't force it. That said, what's always caused me to hesitate to go out and get RP are a few things. When I played a Roe, I was constantly sent unsolicited tells for ERP, and very specific types of ERP just by virtue of playing a femroe and standing idle in the Quicksand. While YKINMKATO, it got to a point where I had to forgo going to public spaces, or seeking out RP altogether outside of my then FC. I could not escape it, even when I was not RPing. It was very discouraging. After I race-name-changed to my Au Ra, I was a lot happier with her concept overall, and that non-sense stopped altogether. I don't get creepy ERP tells anymore, but I still feel a little residual cringe when I RP in public spaces. I like playing characters with carnival mode elements. It's a good way for me to get over my introverted nature and engage, rather than wait for what I think is an appropriate moment, and continue to waffle. I have to force myself out of my comfort zone, and lucky for me, RP is one of the best ways I can do that. What worries me the most about playing this type of character, even though it suits me, is that I do not want to burden other people unnecessarily with her non-sense, especially if they're not game for interacting with a character with sometimes ridiculous behavior, or even reading it in scrolling chat. I worry that I'm being obnoxious, or others may think I'm weird for the sake of being weird. I'm more concerned as to whether I'm entertaining the other person. When I hit my groove with my character, I tend to know how they will react to just about any given situation. I can rattle off reactions super fast, I'm super confident in my posts, I'm very consistent with the character, and I worry about stealing a scene. I've done it before unintentionally. For this reason, I tend to opt out of participating in events, and prefer to make brief appearances, deferring to others even when it may go against how I think my character would behave. I'd rather cooperate and compromise. While having the attention of one person at a time is all well and good, and giving that person my undivided attention in return, I don't want to create moments where I even perceive that I may have killed the chat (and/or RP) because people are watching (and of course, in my mind, judging me and my roleplay.) It seems to me that a lot of these anxieties are just that, and in my head most likely. I find myself none the less bound by them. The only way I ever really discourage these thoughts and feelings of mine is to shoot people a tell to ask them if they're having fun. If I think I've offended someone, I want to address it immediately and apologize.

http://41.media.tumblr.com/62c19178b606349008dd4ffe0387d445/tumblr_nz7x3y6LaZ1rue9d8o1_1280.jpg[/img] Portrait I did for Ayu. I am also always open for commissions! Pricelist on first post updated to reflect work from 2015. No changes to prices.

https://36.media.tumblr.com/fc048cb868b8667cf7321fd8ca699a08/tumblr_nyyteuHJRq1rue9d8o1_1280.jpg Commission for Isla complete!

Two new commissions done this week! https://36.media.tumblr.com/174d4e9de3fc15fa84d808e5d8b6dfe8/tumblr_nvoazmnR5U1rue9d8o1_1280.jpg and a [NSFW] Au Ra commission!

To me, OOC and real life always come first. Hands down. RP is a collaborative effort out-of-character before it is in-character, and requires working with other players to entertain one another. First and foremost, the player in question, usually, is our friend, or soon will be, and we should make every effort to include them, to work with them, to meet them halfway if there is ever a character or roleplay-based storytelling issue. It is still an out-of-character issue that should first be addressed. I personally think that a solid OOC foundation makes for a much better RP experience. That said, sometimes there just isn't a good fit between new member and FC, and that's okay. I personally don't subscribe to the idea of absolute guild loyalty. I think people know what is best for them, and they should trust themselves to make the right decisions for them. It really is okay to just say 'this isn't working for me, thank you, but no thank you,' and leave on good terms. It is also nice to give the FC leadership a heads up as to something that might be an on-going problem. While that may require an uncomfortable exit interview conversation, no one is under any obligation to have that conversation. For me at least, as a co-leader of an FC, I'd at least like to know what I could have done better. What I don't necessarily think is an ideal approach is to isolate or hold back during the initial trial-run of joining the FC. I think new members should be as active as possible, and established members too should help those new members adjust. That trial period is just as much, if not more, for the new member to figure out if the FC will work for them, as it is for the leadership to assess whether the new member is a good fit for the FC.

I'm going to echo these thoughts. While I am an 'Actor' and on rare occasion a 'Driver' when in my own group of people, and enjoy doing that for people I know enough about their characters to work with them, I am rarely ever anything but an Introvert when out in public. Mostly because I feel like joining RP out in the world is intrusive, and frankly none of the my business. I am happy to go out in a group of folks I know, but it takes a pretty big effort on my part to put myself out there when alone. The difference for me is that I know I am a textbook introvert, and I know that in order to get RP I have to go make it. These are things not lost on me. It is whether I have the social energy to go and do it because I only have so much social capital I can spend on these things, and I should spend it wisely. There often isn't something going on that catches my attention, and that is on me. If something doesn't stand out to me, I move on. Whatever. I didn't get random RP that night. Maybe I'll screw up my courage another night and try again later when I have my energy back. That said, I had an epiphany a few months back. As a player, I am an introvert. As an introvert, I can't play introverted characters. It simply doesn't work for me, and I end up feeling isolated and aimless. RP gives me a safe space to extrovert. The question isn't whether wallflowers, and by extension introverts, need to be 'eliminated,' which I feel is an awful choice of words. I think it is recognizing that everyone needs to meet each other at least half way in roleplay. No one player can do all the work. That isn't fair to anyone. For the wallflower, as stated, a hand likely needs to be extended to them, and someone needs to extend that hand, whether it is the 'Introvert' wallflower, or the 'Driver,' or 'Actor.' The wallflower can extend that hand first, too. All it takes is a tell to someone 'hey, can I come over and RP with you?' which is the least someone like me, an introvert, can do, and probably to good results, too.

I'm going to echo what a lot of folks have said here. It's a crap shoot, and it's work. It's a lot of work, and it can take an emotional toll on the player playing the 'bad guy' if they're not prepared for it because there will be miscommunications, and there will be times where players are on the defensive. The good news is there are few behaviors that can help. They certainly won't negate the potential for out-of-character drama, but they could minimize it. Two things, and these are going to sound very contradictory, but bare with me. Do not tell people OOC that the character is a 'bad guy' or a criminal, or up to no good. This is something that can be discussed with good friends for a laugh, or people that want to tell a larger story; players that are on your side, that can help you play a better villain if they're down for it. Your own personal hype-man, so to speak. Telling people you are not familiar with, immediately, up front, like that is going to color the way people treat the character right off the bat without them ever interacting with them. I don't think this can be helped under most circumstances. This is roleplay, show me, don't tell me, basically. Let the behavior of the character speak for the character. Criminals rarely ever announce "I am a criminal!" either, so that is something I'd avoid in-character too. The character will gain a reputation through actions and behavior, so be prepared for it. Even keep a list of players and their characters that you interact with in a villainous way. Take notes! Whomever is playing the bad guy, however, does need to communicate with people. I recommend OOC contact with players at all stages, saying what you'd like the character to get up, ask what the other person if they're like to get involved, and what they are or aren't comfortable with, because this is basically setting up a scene for not only entertaining yourselves, but other people around you. If you both can't agree on how you want things to go, what the goal is, then walk away. Walk away from anything that doesn't make you, the player, feel comfortable. This allows both players to engage in behavior that is choreographed and controlled, but without the other players (and their characters) around you knowing. Super mysterious! This is good for general brawls and fights, too. If for some reason a bunch of characters, or players, come up to you and are all up in your face about something, and you're very confused, send them a tell first. Ask them why they are doing what they are doing so you know what to expect. A roleplayer on the defensive is a very, very ugly thing, and frankly it sucks all the fun out of the roleplay if someone is feeling attacked, in-character, or out, and whether they think it is or isn't justified. There is no fourth wall because while we are all playing characters, there is a real person behind that character, and their leisure activity should not be a source of distress for them, whether they are playing a villain, or not. Some players like torturing the shit out of their characters, others don't. The key is to just be up front about your intentions, what you want, and depending on the type of villain your'e playing (examples in others posts) be prepared to either adapt and evolve, or shelf the character for good.

We're recruiting! Roegadyn, Elezen, Highlanders and Lalafell all strongly encouraged to apply!

We've still got room for growth! PST Ayushiridara Khatagin for an invite!

http://41.media.tumblr.com/0a54762dee7c59bf0783b9a22f01dfb0/tumblr_nu3lipYVH71rue9d8o1_r2_1280.jpg[/img] Commission complete!

As a commission artist, I always have mixed feelings when I see these threads. On one hand, not giving a delivery date, and not staying in constant contact with your client is really unprofessional. Really, really unprofessional. On the other hand, contacting the artist directly is the best way to go. I understand that you are new to getting work done, and you want some feedback. I get that. I was in a situation once where a client talked to just about everyone else but me when they had an issue, and it could have been resolved asap if they had just contacted me in the first place. My personal policy is to keep my clients informed at every stage. Sometimes I have something to show them every week, sometimes its every 12 days. There is no point in updating them unless I have significant progress to show them. But, I give a delivery date of 4 to 6 weeks, depending on what I have going on and what I have on my docket. Balancing five or more commissions, depending on how fast an artist works, or what their time allows can be a real challenge. I have my limits. That doesn't excuse a lack of contact. That is something that is learned with experience. So, please do email them and tell them, in a calm and clear manner, what you would like; whether that is just asking about an update, or asking for a refund.

If you are feeling that your RP, or your character, is in a rut, may I suggest pulling your character out of a situation that you, or she, is familiar with, and putting her into a place that is extremely foreign to her? Interact with folks that are not nobility, that are not high society. Could be a fun experiment! I mean, really, what could go wrong!

Food for thought about putting a lot of emphasis on backstory: Have you done so much work on the backstory, given your character so much history that their story has already been told? Has so much happened to the character already that you may not know where to take it because the character has already, in your head, lived such a rich life? If the answer is yes, I'd go in and take out the weakest aspects of the story, and then see what happens if you take out the strongest, as a mental exercise. I like to refer to my character's background as just noise. That is what it becomes for me, personally, because while I need to know where she came from, my interest is where she is at now, in the present. So, I need to know what makes the most mental noise for her to move her forward into the present. Is there simply too much information to choose from, and you're feeling overwhelmed? Take one aspect you like the most from Mongolian culture, or the SENIX tribal canon lore, and build around that one thing. After that is comfortable, branch out to something related to that. Do you know who the character is, do you know how the character would react to several different situations, or does this feel forced, and you are unsure? If that is the case, consider this, figure out a core consistency to the character. That isn't to say there won't be variation, or a situation may crop up where you do not know just yet how the character will react, but at the core, I would say, in my opinion, there should be a set of parameters. These are all mostly rhetorical questions that I ask my friends when they are having trouble coming up with a character concept, or running into trouble playing the character. I just ask questions, and they answer those questions for themselves. There is nothing that says you have to have the character pat down, figured out when you start RPing. My final suggestion is that you may just need to put the character into practice, and hone the character based on your interactions, what feels right, what doesn't feel right, and cut the things that aren't working, or just feel unnecessary. Like Coco Chanel said: "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off." On an Au Ra specific-level, I invited you to Scales of Othard. Just talk at people. Seriously, just start laying out the character to folks, if you want specific opinions on Au Ra things. People will answer, promise! Feel free to hit me up in-game, too, if you'd like to chat, or RP. I co-run Remnant (remRP) with Bearcave/Ieyasu Ryushin and we have a ton of Au Ra RPers with all different types of personalities and histories. (Hi Kaiz!) We have so many in fact I feel like we ought to put a cap on recruiting Au Ra RPers XD

Also very underwhelmed by the choices. To me, they're not varied enough from one another, or what is already currently offered, for my tastes. I voted for female no. 23 because that is a hairstyle I would have liked for my Roe back when I played a Roe. Not so much for my Au Ra, now, although it could work. Also, asymmetry! For male, I went with no. 9, only because I like the red hair tie. Maybe they'll let us submit some horn styles some day

I'm not sure if the horns are spongy, or more solid. Humans ears are made of cartilage, on the outside, and help direct or funnel the sound, which is a frequency, into the inner ear to be processed and interpreted by the brain. Oversimplification, I know, but to my reasoning, I think the horns probably function similarly, or are taken a step further. I am making a load of inferences and assumptions. Is the horn just an extension, like a giant earlobe, that help to better capture the frequencies of sound, or more frequencies, at different ranges? Do they work sort of like echo-location for better spacial-awareness (as is stated in the lore) as frequencies bounces off the extended surface? Personally this isn't something I've worked with much in RP just yet, mainly because I haven't had much opportunity or inclination. I'm amused by the idea that the horns (and even scales) are probably the same material as hair or fingernails, or even spongy. If the horns are spongy or more cartilage-like, they could be pierced or adorned with jewelry. They could be pierced or adorned just the same, even if they are comprised of a harder material. Human beings pierce, brand, scar, and basically adorn almost anything, regardless of how much it may hurt, even if the adornment may interfere with function or the process has the potential for last damage. Sometimes it even enhances! But that is a different topic altogether. Personally, I find the overall design of the Au Ra, as much as I love them, to be just flat lazy or uninspired, especially where the horns are concerned. The positioning of the earrings on the model feels like an afterthought. I wouldn't take the in-game model at face value as it is just that, a model, and in-game models rarely capture the diversity of bodies due to technical restraints. I think it is for that reason that they couldn't push the design in a more interesting direction. Easy for me to say. I I want to make a deviation, I can just paint one for myself. And frequently I do.

That first part is what I'm curious about, too, and unfortunately google translate is only so good (hint: its a damn mess.) I'd like access to all of the positions, regardless of race and gender. We shall see.

I'll keep an eye out for you two!

Portrait done for my character. I'm always open for commissions. PM me!

This is an issue I've run into with roleplay from the very beginning in my experiences RPing in MMOs. This is my number one pet peeve in RP. It's a lot of posturing, which gets really old, really fast. I don't find it cute. I'm not entertained by a bunch of chest beating, and even less so by people talking about how badass they are in-character. Talk is cheap, don't tell me; Show me that you or your character don't have a chip on their shoulders or something to prove to yourself or others. I talk to them OOC and ask what they want out of the RP, and if they just want to throw their weight around, I disengage and ignore because chances are they aren't interested in cooperating or entertaining anyone but themselves. If they want to entertain folks with a fight, then we discuss how it's going to go, and what will work out for both parties. If someone wants to cause a scene in-character, I think it behooves them to contact people out-of-character first to set things up so that no one is put on the defensive. edit: some additional thoughts I just had. There is nothing anyone of us can do to enforce our authority, whether we have it, or we perceive that we have it, in any situation. There is nothing that will make anyone go along with what we have to say in RP, ever, because it's not enforceable due to the limitations of the mechanics of any given game that we might play. There's no dueling in FFXIV, there isn't any open world PVP where people might have to defend themselves if they mouth off to the wrong person. This often makes me feel like my hands are tied, and why I am so quick to disengage from a situation because if someone doesn't want to cooperate out-of-character to make for a better in-character interaction, there isn't anything to be done about it, and I'd rather not waste my energy.

We now have a house in the Goblet: Ward 4, Plot 42!

Resource tab updated. 71 members and growing! We still have plenty of room!

I think an interruption to the usual weekly event could have been fun, should the guy have gotten permission, and worked with the venue coordinators, with the intent to entertain other RPers at the event that otherwise are observers. After all, RP is a cooperative effort. Plus, shouldn't The Judge have something to do besides look like a badass on horseback? But, from the accounts, it doesn't seem to have been the case that the guy made any attempts to be a team player, and was extremely rude. To me, it also came across as extremely childish. As others have said, coordinator's rules are what matter here, as it is their time and effort that goes into the event. Coordinating an interruption of that size is also a LOT of work and player wrangling to make sure all the players understand what's going on.

This hasn't been as big a deal to me in FFXIV, given the way it is set up. In every MMO I've ever played that had a dueling function, or some PVP that was open world, it made sense to me that if I wanted to be taken seriously, if I wanted to run my mouth even a little bit in character, I should probably be able to back it up with my ability to defend myself with my button pushing, if it ever came down to that. However, in FFXIV, I can't just duel someone that's being rude in-character. There isn't a function for it. There's a lot of posturing, which annoys me, and then I wish people would just get on with it and stop stalling or wasting people's time. Call that a pet peeve of mine. While I can talk to someone OOC, and prefer to, to get the ball rolling, I'm not always going to be able to convince someone there is more to RPing than throwing their weight around. So, while I believe in backing my own shit up, I also want to tell a story that entertains the other people around me. If I run my mouth in a tabletop game, or pull some shit with my character, dice and stats are what is going to matter if they want to take a swing at my character, or vice versa. I don't see why this should be any different in an mmo system: We work with what we are given—buttons to push, gear, stats, etc. Just because I say something, doesn't mean others need to believe it, or take me seriously if I'm a level 10, and they are a level 50 (or 60.) I make allowances for certain things, certainly, as some folks aren't playing super experience combat-based characters, or someone is an NPC for an on-going story. That's completely logical to me. I also understand that not everyone is as good at playing a game as others, or even good at pvp where open-world pvp or dueling is available. My response to that is to say make friends that can and will have your back. Have them champion for you, or be your minions. Who doesn't love minions?! It is storytelling after all in the overall scheme of things. Some characters let others do the fighting for them.