Sig

Unfortunately, we are unable to openly discuss and and critique the concept of designating another "unofficial" RP server. The thread on this forum does not contain an option for users to select that no alternative unofficial should be designated. The member who posted the thread has refused via PM request to supplement the poll to include that option, and the moderation staff has closed all threads and prohibited the discussion of opposing another "unofficial" server designation. Opening a new thread is the only remaining way to address a critical issue relevant to a poll that has been opened for a two-day period only. If any member of the moderator staff believes this thread should be closed, I respectfully request that Nero and several other moderators make that decision as a collective, and with the understanding that you are censoring a valid viewpoint and demonstrating clear bias. Fragmenting the Balmung RP community across servers could be detrimental to the long-term health of FFXIV’s roleplay community, and all RP should be consolidated on Balmung. Roleplayers depend on large, vibrant, and centralized hubs to provide the great number of RP opportunities, contacts, and types of roleplay. Server selection should not be an artificial barrier that limits RP. Without a centralized hub, RPers struggle to find roleplay that suits their unique tastes and preferences, and the amount of roleplay in general drastically declines. All prior attempts to establish an alternative RP server have resulted in little more than homogeneous 20-50 person RP communities that offer little in terms of public RP, open world RP, and diverse types of RP. Please understand that those types of communities are severely limited in scope of RP, content, frequency of RP, and generally taper off after a few months, rendering everyone’s efforts wasted. RPers need /one/ large, diverse, and central RP hub (Balmung), or RP ends up more about scrounging up participants than the actual content. Stagnation is the bane of roleplay communities. It would be unfortunate to see great RP'ers expend tremendous time and effort trying to form yet another tiny enclave in the middle of nowhere, and watch that community remain small, homogenous, and eventually decline. RP'ers need to stick together for the sake of quality RP, man. We need to bring it in for a giant Balmung group hug. No alternative unofficial RP should be designated, and RPers should take action to consolidate RP on Balmung while pressuring SE to lift the transfer restrictions.

You are a NA player and can do both RP and PvE easily. EU players can't do both due to one little thing called LATENCY. I personally refuse to pay a monthly sub just for RP as I can't do anything other than that after the server move. EU server should be established. And that is the difference between any former attempt and this one. We are forced to do this by a little fact that we can't play the game like we used to. Actually, I have erratic play schedules and also can't partake of most NA timezone material. And most EU players I know hover around 150-200 ping after the database transfers, which is completely manageable [my ping from the west coast US used to be around that before data center relocation]. The sky does not appear to be falling for most EU players I know. I'm sorry you're having difficulties. I still have not seen a viable argument how a server move will result in anything more than a tiny 20-50 person RP community. Free transfers will not fix things. Please understand that those types of communities are severely limited in scope of RP, content, frequency of RP, and generally taper off after a few months, rendering everyone's efforts wasted. RPers need large and vibrant central RP hubs, or RP ends up more about scrounging up participants than the actual content. I don't want to see great EU RP'ers run off into the dark to form a tiny conclave of RP that gradually tapers off and dies over time. NA and EU RPers need each other. RP'ers need to stick together for the sake of quality RP, man. We need to bring it in for a giant Balmung group hug.

I challenge anyone who supports the effort to create an alternative RP server to explain how this initiative will be different than the numerous other failed attempts to create alternative RP servers. All prior attempts to create anything greater than a 20-50 person RP clique on another server have failed due to disorganization, conflicting player interests, and the lack of a player base large enough to sustain RP. This time will be no different. Some posters express concern about the lack of EU events; however, it is very likely that there will be even /less/ events to attend if EU players break off from the general population and form their own community. There will also be less potential RP partners and types of RP. You will not have a sufficient player base to sustain a vibrant, diverse, and healthy RP community in the long-term. It is one thing for a few new RPers who physically can't access Balmung at the present time to select a server to play on until Balmung is open for transfer, it's another thing to repeat the failed efforts of the past and divide a vibrant RP community.

I strongly encourage all EU roleplayers to stay on Balmung. The greatest threat to the long-term health of the RP community in FFXIV is gradual fragmentation, dwindling population numbers, and a slow decline that eventually kills the community. We have seen this threat play out on a small scale countless times before when players attempt to create "alternative RP servers." The idea that RP could flourish on any server is nice, but it is simply not realistic and wastes the time of all parties involved in the effort. Finding RP should not be a game that is won or lost depending on what sever you play on. Roleplayers depends on large, vibrant, and diverse communities, and we should not allow artificial restrictions (like server choice) to limit our pool of potential RP partners and themes. There is strength in numbers, and the one sustainable RP community that amounts to something more than a small 20-50 person clique (i.e. - Balmung) would be a much sadder place without our EU friends.

This is a troubling but probable observation made by a PVEer on the thread on the official FFXIV forums: "Ultimately, this is now on the RPers to figure out what they are going to do. Sitting around and not planning, not finding a new server to build a community on, will only hurt you. Balmung will remain locked for months, maybe even years. Your community will not grow, you can't make new alts nor risk deleting old ones. Things will stagnate, and the community will start to slowly die, while the PvE community will continue to do what they always do. Start planning now, or you'll just tear your community apart and deal yourself irreparable damage. There is no official RP server, and if SE makes one, it will be a brand-new server you need to make new characters or transfer to. Start planning a solution for your problem, and put in the work to make it succeed. RP in this game is purely fan-made right now, so your solution will have to be as well." The restriction on transfers creates a very real risk of roleplay community decline. I've heard at least half a dozen friends and RP acquiescences opine that "this will be just like 2.0 and 3.0, and they'll open the server back up in a couple of months." This is a very probable scenario, but it can't be taken as granted. Roleplayers should therefore think of contingencies. The best contingency is for everyone in Balmung to hold fast (not to transfer or try to create yet another alternative "unofficial" RP server). Roleplayers should have access to a large, diverse, and vibrant roleplay hub (Balmung) that can afford the most roleplay opportunities to the broadest selection of RPers. We should ideally put pressure on SE to lift the restriction as soon as possible, disclose the date it will be lifted, or designate an official RP server.

There are two threads on the SE forums addressing this issue: Petition to Revoke Restriction on Server Transfers Transfer Restrictions and Roleplayers I strongly encourage all RPers to post in support of those threads on the official forms. SE should immediately terminate the server transfer restriction or at least disclose the specific date when the transfer restriction will be lifted. The long-term health of the RP community depends on a large, diverse, and vibrant central RP hub (Balmung), and until we know SE's intent - no one can assess the extent to which the server restrictions will harm the RP community.

I fundamentally oppose designating another RP server and encourage all RPers to concentrate RP on Balmung. The only reason why a person should not RP on Balmung is if they are new player to the game and therefore physically cannot access the server at the present time. The greatest threat to the long-term health of the RP community in FFXIV is disorganization and fragmentation across numerous servers. Server choice should not be an artificial limitation that constricts who and how you can roleplay. Unfortunately, on smaller servers, RPers do not enjoy the same breadth of choice in terms of in-character content and styles of roleplay. It is critical that RPers stick together and form as large of a community as possible. This creates greater RP opportunities and a more meaningful community.

Please cease the aggressive, patronizing rhetoric towards the original poster. As many have said in this thread, large public events are absolutely terrible when it comes to making new contacts and networking. Do not assume that other roleplayers harbor assumptions about your characters or are constantly judging you. Roleplay characters you find entertaining and amusing. Most importantly, sending RPers tells is generally the best way to initiate roleplay.

As a grown adult with finite game time and a ton of obligations, I am very excited about the possibility of jump potions and believe they will greatly benefit roleplayers (especially those with limited schedules and multiple characters). I believe the concerns about a skill gap between new and old players are greatly overstated due to the relative simplicity of the game. The proposed prices are slightly steep, but are completely worth the return on the investment if a player simply wants to make a new character or catch up quickly to enjoy time with friends. Long overdue!

Le Bump.

...Call me a heretic, but FFXIV lore, considering its extreme ambiguity and after-the-fact implementation, is meant to be bent to facilitate tasteful roleplay and story telling. Dragoons should not allow a two sentence excerpt from a recently published lore book destroy characters and limit RP. This isn't a federal statute enacted by congress. It's the product of one or two members of the FFXIV "lore team." Bend that lore with impunity.

*burns all RP holy texts* Relax. Enjoy yourself. Keep an open mind. Show others patience, kindness, and tolerance. This is an online video game. Do not judge other people. Judgmental individuals and elitists deserve no mercy.

Crowds always made Suetonius Donatus anxious. The mourners assembled to pay tribute to those lost in a war instigated by his people were no exception. Having scouted out the tribute venue several hours in advance, Sue made camp on an outcrop overlooking the improvised stage. His very own perch to view the tribute without disturbance or troublesome small talk. A place to accomplish work while waiting for the performances to begin. It helped that work had gradually become easier for the Garlean engineer-turned dentist-turned philanthropist. Having earned distinguishing honors in most “book-heavy” courses offered at Garlemald’s finest military academies, commanding officers heralded the effeminate, soft-spoken Midlander a future military genius. Ironically, the legionaries of Garlemald observed Sue’s poorest work. He never studied, cared, or tried. Especially when the subject involved conflict. More than one centurion excused the Midlander’s lackluster martial prowess, disinterest in pageantry, and social awkward. Sue had no friends by choice. Sue avoided social interaction like the plague. His sole comforts existed in silent, introverted reflection. Why was Magitek seen as an artifice of war? How could the Garlean public ignore the atrocities committed in the name of despots? Were people so afraid that they actually believed life had been not worth living before the empire came to power? These questions came to Sue in silent moments of self-reflection. He had no answers. Dreaming was the only way to quiet his mind. The engineer dreamed of a brave new world where Magitek saved and nurtured life. He dreamed of art and culture. Dreams about how things should be. Silly dreams. Magitek rockets propelling Eorzean and Garlean over the horizon and toward heavily bodies. Carefree summers spent in breezy meadows. Music for the sake of music. While dreaming, the engineer dabbled with magitek in private, inventing many practical inventions that would be deemed “useless” by his superiors: a ceruleum-powered toothbrush; a magitek toaster capable of browning bread in seconds, and magitek self-inking writing instruments. Garlean culture frowned on invention deplete of military uses. Conversely, these were the only inventions that inspired Sue. Defecting had been an act of child’s play for the introverted savant. After narrowly passing physical training after attending several remedial camps intended for the “brainy types,” Sue was shipped to the western front. Expected to formulate strategies to suppress the local opo-opos that the empire graciously recognized as Ala Mhigans. No one noticed when the censors and spotlights went dark that night. Sue even closed the back door. The engineer soon discovered that Eorzeans had terrible oral hygiene. Often lacking anything to say and savvy enough to remain silent to avoid potential prejudice, the Garlean oft watched people while they conversed in public settings. Most Eorzeans had terrible teeth. Easy to remedy for a mind that grappled with dreams and magitek innovation. Why were there no dentists in this land of aether and unseen wonders? Perhaps not all propaganda regarding primitive Eorzean customers was untrue. Dentistry proved to be an easy way to earn a living. The engineer exceled at his new profession. Mostly because his patients understandably never expected him to maintain a conversation during appointments. Dentistry, unfortunately, dulled the senses. This changed when a new, exceptionally loud patient managed, somehow, to strike a conversation while Sue performed a routine cleaning. Mr. Sundsteigen could never keep his fat mouth shut. Every appointment. Pointless questions. One after another. Stupid jokes. Sue smiled and nodded at most. He showed no expression when comments struck a poor nerve. The self-described vintner, however, eventually got Sue talking. First about the weather, then about “classy broads,” then Garlemald. And magitek. And things changed. Mr. Sundsteigen offered a generous retainer conditioned on a non-compete. Sue hastily accepted. Simple work. Drafting voluminous reports for a loud, impatient man. A rude but simple man. Easy to satisfy, zero oversight, and minimal expectations. And Sue got to work alone while dreaming for a change. The tribute concert started just after mid-day. Sue had been drafting a draft infiltration plan for his employer when the first performer took the stage. Sue clicked the magitek pen grasped between his frail fingers and looked down to the assembled crowd below. Even at this distance it made him nervous. Mr. Sundsteigen and nothing short of a cohort of assorted “lovely female associates” were in attendance. Sue could hear his loud, annoying employer over the music at times. Thank the spirits Sue had carved out his private nook. From his viewpoint, the engineer smiled contently while enjoying the type of music that /really/ mattered. Music that conveyed emotion. Music that broke rules. Music for music’s sake. Gears turned. The first performer carried an exceptional melody, though Sue could barely make out her voice from the distance. The second sung a woeful tune that delighted the engineer, but her claws struggled to project the sound of her stringed instrument very far. The third performance, a quartet of four young women, amused the engineer, even when he overheard Mr. Sundsteigen making several crude comments about how two of the blonde performers happened to be “lookers.” How Sue hated that man at times. Odette Saoirse and Ric Spades. The fourth performance. A lover and friend of Mr. Sundsteigen. He spoke about them both during cleanings somehow. Sue didn’t care for the vocalist-bardess’ choice of attire. Slutty. Inappropriate for a tribute to the dead. Odette moved her hips and flaunted her bust too much. It detracted from the music. More akin for low-brow parlor music reserved for cabarets. At least Spades, the guitarist, carried a good beat and nailed most major chord progressions. But the music pouring from Spades’ instrument too struggled to reach the engineer from his perch. "A ceruleum resonator could amplify the sound of vibrations from a steel string,” the engineer spoke quietly to himself, “and an Orchestration could amplify those sounds. A magitek bit could process the sounds between the guitar and Orchestrion.” Invention. Sue turned the page of his notebook, flipping past the half-finished report for Mr. Sundsteigen. During the next performance, he sketched an image of a guitar similar to that played by Spades moments before: but with seven strings; sitting atop a hollow body forged from a conductive metal, electrum. The electrum guitar. Sue almost finished his preliminary diagram for the invention spawned from imagination. Then a symphony of lights enveloped him. And a voice. Dozens of small lanterns bearing candles spiraled about him in a dozen directions. And her voice. The engineer peered down at the woman singing a dirge to the fallen. Peering through his rimmed spectacles, the engineer confirmed her identity – the Lady Grayve. A maker of music. Sue turned the page from his diagram. And began scribing verse. Lyrics came easily. Music was basically math. People were the hard part. Especially performances and sharing music. But some things were worth the risk. ((OOC:Special thanks to Ciel/Glace (fairasmorninglight.tumblr.com) for inspiring this post and devoting so much time/effortto promoting public music RP events. Look forward toperforming with Sue in the future. )) - sig-ffxiv.tumblr.com

June/July 2016 Update: The RP train never stops. Ever.

Processing third-party claims at work. Going to bed early a few hours after getting home from work and downloading the patch. Logging on when servers go up and participating in the Great Housing Cluster of June 2016.

Pray to whatever Gods you worship (be they the old or the new). We'll all need it. This is going to be a cluster of monumental proportion.

May 2016 Update: We're still as dank as ever! Feel free to message for an invite!

Always happy to extend invites! Easiest way is to catch me, Odette Saoirse, or A'lyhhia Asah in-game, and ask for an invite. My play schedule is a bit wacky, but one of us three are on fairly regularly!

Sig's three step roleplaying guide: Approach 1: (1) - Use the forums or in-game observations to identify roleplayers whose prose, character content, and RP style appear entertaining and valuable to you. (2) - Send the roleplayers you identified OOC PM's in-game or messages through the forums expressing polite admiration for their RP prowess and ask whether they would like to RP. It's also a good idea to ask whether they know anyone who is looking for RP. Explain you're new to the server. (3) - Enjoy the roleplay and profit. Approach 2: (1) - Approach a character ICly in the Quicksand or around Ul'dah. (2) - Propose either drinking with the character or rope them in on some type of interesting quest or idea. (3) - Enjoy the roleplay and profit. Approach 3: (1) - Review linkshells on this website and identify several linkshells that would mesh well with your character. Most LS (especially IC LSes) are clamoring for more members. (2) - Obtain an invite to the linkshell by sending its leader an invite request and either RP through the linkshell or use it OOCly to obtain RP. (3) - Enjoy the roleplay and profit. Repeat these steps over and over, and you'll eventually be drowning in far more RP than you can handle. Avoid toxic drama at all costs. Always be kind to others. And most importantly: enjoy the roleplay and profit, $$$.

Well, folks, after a bit of stability in RL, I'm able to play once again but on a limited schedule! This means you can now bug me again for in-game invites or send me private messages with questions! Hurray!

January 5, 2016 update (change in primary contacts): Due to the press of real life obligations and business, my in-game play time will be severely limited for the foreseeable future. However, Amesoeurs remains active and welcomes a wide variety of RP'ers. Odette Saoirse (Capheira) has been kind enough to agree to help co-lead the LS with me to keep things floating. If you need an invite, please contact Odette Saoirse or me in-game. Khana Borlaaq, Septimus Nerva, and Skylar Brooks can also invite folks. Hope everyone is having a great new year so far!

Crossing fingers already for aesthetically pleasing armors or glamour outfits that do not require massive PVE timesinks to obtain.

Agreed. Few things are worse than screen lurkers.

Oh, interesting. Lighting could really impact RP in ways. If I think about it, I almost always open windows or turn lights on when I RP. Weird.

I'm curious to see if other roleplayers have any customs, quirks, or habits they do before or during RP sessions that help promote immersion, creativity, or enjoyment of RP. For example, I almost always try to minimize all RL distractions (especially cell phone and web browsing) and listen to albums during RP sessions (vinyl when possible). I'm also a sucker for lighting scented candles and drinking (especially IPAs and red wine) during roleplay. I find that I RP better and enjoy it more when I observe these customs. What sort of customs, quicks, or habits help your roleplay?