Sig

I like the Thavnarian concept posted above. Another potential option would be to have the sword custom made by a skilled IC smith using plausible in-game materials. The sword itself could be forged of wolfram and/or dark steel (possibly with a dye), which could explain the dark crimson hue, and the gilded portions crafted of gold and auracite tubing (which could act as an aether battery and sponge to assist in the management of darkside-esque powers). No matter how you approach it, just remember that weapon lore is fairly flexible. I ran into into a similar dilemma with Sigurd's great sword (Wootz Fausse) a while back after he received it as an IC gift. The sword has a very Magitek model, but a friend suggested that the sword itself be made of wolfram and contain auracite tubing that 'lights up' once excess aether is charged into it. I'm sure people who RP smiths would love to explore forging a weapon. It could lead to a great scene or potential RP connection!

Ala Mhigo possesses some of the most fascinating and interesting conceptual framework present in the game. The lore about Ala Mhigo is vague enough to permit fairly wide flexibility without intentionally breaking lore. You're embarking on some great potential RP! In terms of how to structure your character, monks are the only canon job that has roots closely tied to Ala Mhigo through confirmed lore, but monks are difficult to RP at times for reasons stated in this thread. Thankfully, Ala Mhigo was a highly militaristic state overcome with civil turmoil before its fall, and its militancy suggests a wide range of combat styles were used in its aggressive military. Bare-fist fighting, great swords, guns, and lances all have confirmed uses in Ala Mhigan lore. Your imagination is really the limit to creating your character in this context. My character has very deep roots in Ala Mhigo, but despises what the nation state of Ala Mhigo stood for, all while caring greatly for its people (including resistance fighters), who he believes are wasting their short lives chasing dead dreams. I've always found it interesting that many good-aligned characters (including some depicted in the MSQ) sympathized with Ala Mhigo and desire to restore it, as lore suggests Ala Mhigo shared the same militaristic disposition as Garlemald. I agree there is a need for an Ala Mhigan specific linkshell (ideally IC), and wish I had the time to spearhead the effort. If anyone feels creative, however, I'd be happy to lend a helping hand and participate. In terms of FCs, I second the Empyrean Vanguard as a great potential source of Ala Mhigan resistance RP or network for characters connected with Ala Mhigo.

Upon review of the record and posts herein, I find that a common trench coat and boots are not only consistent with plausible FFXIV lore, but should be encouraged as a natural extension of basic tailoring patterns one could reasonably expect to exist in a fantasy setting where attire of steam-punk, military, and fantasy origins are common place. I'm tempted to pick up the coat and boots as a casual Sigurd alternative outfit. It would look very dapper. /thread/

Rinny, You seriously are the best, ever, <3. Thanks so much!

This looks like an exceptionally well-thought out and planned event. I'm not sure if real life will permit me to attend yet, but I hope to be able to make it!

Sigurd's theme is Enterprise ("a project or undertaking that is especially difficult, complicated, or risky"). His background amounts to a parade of miserables. He overcame this by rejecting his immediate surroundings and pursuing new opportunities at different turns, despite the risks associated with doing so. Sigurd has re-invented himself three times over his life, and gladly takes on extremely burdensome undertakings when it will benefit himself or someone he cares about. The stress and uncertainty associated with these undertakings lends to his hedonistic disposition, as he tries to milk as much enjoyment out of life as context will allow.

Work today has been abnormally boring and tedious, making it time for a thought-stirring IC prompt. Please feel free to select one of your FFXIV characters (ideally your main) and share information in response to the following question: 1. What are the top three funniest moments your character has encountered? Top 3 Funniest IC Moments 1. The Miqo'te Squirt Gun Incident. A teenage friend barged into Sigurd's private quarters while Sigurd was putting the moves on a blonde woman. Sigurd shooed the teen away and the blonde woman left the room. This made Sigurd lonely so he decided to go greet his new neighbors after hearing they operated an IC courtesan house. Sigurd ended up inviting one of his new neighbors, who happened to be a busty, blonde Miqo'te courtesan wearing a Thavairian Bustle, back to his private quarters "for a drink." Sigurd was forging neighborly relations when the teen returned and knocked on the door (again). The blonde woman returned drunk at that time and knocked on the door violently beside the teen because she changed her mind about "sharing a drink" with Sigurd. However, Sigurd demanded they leave because he was enjoying the company of his new neighbor. The teen and blonde refused and continued to knock. Sigurd then called his business partner over a link shell to remove them from the hall. Unable to tolerate being interrupted again, Sigurd gave the teen and the drunk blonde a final warning. They continued knocking. Because they refused to leave, Sigurd kindly asked his neighbor to "gross them out" in exchange for gil. Being a professional working girl, she agreed, and Sigurd finally opened the door. The teen and drunk blonde barged inside. Seconds later, Sigurd's business partner stormed in with two free company associates all wearing heavy plate, ready to eject the teen and drunk blonde. But it was too late. Sigurd had already scooped his new neighbor up, pushed her Tharvairian Bustle aside, aimed her like a squint-gun towards the intruders, and shouted, "spray!" The intruders screamed in horror and scrambled out of the room before anything gross happened. Sigurd's business partner, a ten-year veteran,collapsed outside, breathing heavily while he explained that in his ten years as a tactician, he'd never seen such an effective room-clearing tactic. Unfortunately, Sigurd soon learned his new neighbor was only interested in "business" that evening, as opposed to "drinking wine" without being paid. Sigurd called her a "carbuncle-clock counter" and asked her to leave. He went to sleep sad and lonely that evening. How cheap and disappointing. 2. All Saint's Wake for the Poor. Sigurd and his dear, independently wealthy friend Lord Elmo Gallette decided to celebrate the most spooky time of the year by going to a haunted house party dressed up as the thing that scared Elmo the most--the dirty, impoverished masses. Sigurd convinced his dear friend to be charitable and buy their costumes off a few street rats in Pearl Lane. Elmo agreed and paid several poor lads a total of 10 gil for the rags off their backs. Sigurd and Elmo helped one another get dressed for the party, even applying dirt to their faces to really play the part. Upon entering the spooky party, Sigurd and Elmo gave homage to the poor masses by mimicking their simple dialects: "...Ugh, Mighty kind of you, Miss, to offer this-here candy. Gonna grab a few more handfuls for little Billy's sake, ole' Elmo here can barely keep that growing boy fed." Sigurd, a vintner, complimented the hostess for offering free wine, explaining it was the first time he'd tried wine, as he only drank water to make sure he had enough gil to feed his six children. Sigurd later apologized for dumping a bowl of candy into his over-sized pants. The hostess was forgiving because Sigurd explained, "...this-here candy is the only thing I reckon' will keep my six boys fed comin' up this winter. Blessins' of the Twelve upon ye." Sigurd's wife was enraged when she heard Elmo and Sigurd laughing wildly over a link pearl during the event, and demanded that the two insensitive men show sympathy for the poor. Elmo and Sigurd begrudgingly heeded to the charitable spirit to escape further nagging by donating the rags they called costumes to a nearby charity after leaving the party. 3. It's the best day of your life, ser mullet. Sigurd felt very sorry for an acquaintance he pitied due to the poor man's past marital problems and unsightly mullet. The poor man had also made the mistake of spreading nasty rumors about Sigurd. Being a forgiving man, however, Sigurd decided to brighten the man's day upon spotting him in the Quicksand. Sigurd had always perceived of the poor man as a grim, moody dark-knight type who always seemed to have trouble with the ladies. Therefore, Sigurd rounded up four female acquaintances who happened to be in the Quicksand that evening, and convinced them to swarm the poor man, shower him with compliments, and hug him tightly. The ladies performed exceptionally. Meanwhile, Sigurd opined the poor man's striking mullet had unleashed the ladies' carnal desires to a point they could not keep their hands off him. Sigurd promised the poor man it was the "best day of his life" and that "it will be many moons before you find this much attention again." Sigurd assured the poor man that no thanks were necessary because he had failed to protect the man from such an outpouring of affection. The poor man was shocked and embarrassed. This made Sigurd sad, but no one could tell because he was laughing too hard. The poor man treated the ladies with respect but soon after left the Quicksand. How awful.

Warren is really busting out the badass prompts. Daniel Day Lewis narrates: Sigurd Promo 1: "Rain had always followed Sigurd, and it fell from the void itself - dampening every footstep, weeping from every cloud, unending. A warm touch, light hearted words, and a desire to stop and smell what flowers grew on life's muddy path did not stop the rain, but they provided enough reason to keep walking." Sigurd Promo 2: "I'm a simple vintner and entrepreneur, and I have a genuine deal for you, Miss. Gods, don't mind the knives and great sword - tools of any honest businessman. Shall I get us both a drink?" NC-17. Screening at your local independent movie theater or film festival.

Gaaaah, what a sweet and thoughtful idea, Rinny. I'll venture a post: 1. Falconer's Shirt (it would look so dashing on Sigurd with dat jet black dye, <3); 2. Thavnairian Bustle (...already know who I'd give it to as a IC Starlight Celebration gift, .); 3. Company Tabard (see above - but for an IC gift for a different person); 4. Fat cat (an IC gift!) ------- If my post number comes up for other items, please sell and donate to WOE for future events.

I'll try to send out a gift tomorrow or Wednesday! Thanks for putting this together, Rinny. It's an extremely thoughtful and cute idea, <3.

At work, December 21, 2015 OOC update: I've always wanted this LS to serve as the functional OOC and IC equivalent of the bar "Cheers" from the iconic self-titled 80's sitcom. I've tried very hard to promote that sort of environment. Some of us banter in OOC about silly or improper topics that make others' heads hurt. Some of us bombard the channel with random IC chatter. Some of us incorporate ongoing plots or heavy RP into the channel. At the end of the day, I think we have a warm, welcoming environment, and we're always happy to extend that environment to others. Need some friends? Come on board. Need some more RP partners? C'mere. Need somewhere to crack the occasional joke about mpreg futas at the Quicksand? I have a beer with your name on it. Need somewhere to develop your character or reach out to new characters? I have another beer with your name on it. Need a vessel for your seedy, morally questionable plot? Everyone will know your name. Just need a hug and somewhere warm to stay? C'mere, again. FC or friend drama got you down? I have more beer than I know what to do with. Need me to mediate your dispute or lend an ear? I'll never bill you for my time. But most of all, have a great holiday season! h1irjgfMC3A

Khyran is one of my all-time favorite characters and is RP'ed by an amazing writer (and person). If you're looking for innovative, thought-provoking plot-driven RP, it's difficult to find a better RP partner. ...Let's keep pushing our delicious plots, Khy, <3.

This is a great thought-provoking thread. I'll highlight a few concerns below: 1. Sigurd is obscenely extroverted, superficial, and long-winded. As a result, he has met a large number of other characters who are played by /amazing/ RP'ers. My largest insecurity is the fact that I do not have time to RP with everyone I want to RP with due to RL obligations, and I often feel terrible because I cannot RP all the scenes I have in mind, or I feel guilty for slowing down plots. On a related note, I often feel guilty for seeming "cliquish" because most of the time I have for RP is spent pursuing on-going character relationships or plots. 2. Sigurd does really stupid shit sometimes. His conduct is often offensive, perverted, and highly erratic. Personally, I'm very reserved, calm, and extremely sensitive to other people's feelings. I sometimes get worried that people might have a bad impression of me due to Sigurd's zany antics. 3. Sigurd is very multi-faceted. Some people have only seen his cheery, public face. Others have seen darker aspects of his personality; even fewer have seen how kind, affectionate, and loyal he can be. I sometimes worry that RP'ers who see one side of him will think I am not RPing him consistently or reasonably if they encounter another aspect of his personality.

Several posters have correctly stated causing a fiasco during a planned RP event is rude to the organizers. The best approach you could probably take to accommodate your desired scene and the RP of others during the festival would be to form a group with your mark, and RP the stealing aspect of the encounter in group chat, away from prying eyes. You could use a variety of plot devices to make it valid, such as the theft occurring away from the main event area, or the crowd being so thick that it drowns out yells. Once an event goes public its hard to gauge how people will react, especially if you have not RP'ed with them extensively.

December 18, 2015 at work pre-Christmas update: Pirates. Courtesans. Garleans. Babies. Voidsents. Internal maimings, oh my! It's been a busy November and December in Ebonbrand, and we have several plot arcs underway. Glorious leader Septimus Rem Nero Varus Nerva has been busy plotting. We're looking forward to some great RP in the new year! Although we've slowed recruiting for the time being, we're always happy to discuss finding interested RP'ers a place in our lovely little family. As an aside, property value in the Ebonbrand neighborhood was greatly impacted when the fine ladies and gentlemen of purchased the plot next door and began putting it to commercial uses. We have the best neighbors ever, :*).

Don't worry you were there in spirit. Finally got rid of some of your white wine, and nai was trying to offer the new shot you taught her till Rini shut her down. She could have earned such lucrative tips, :*). Great to hear that the event went off well!

Love the ole' WOE tavern and folks. I wish I could have attended, but RL work and holiday obligations have been crazy lately.

And always remember in your epic quest for PVE glory that all the time grinding could be directed towards delicious RP content. The grind can always wait.

I've used minions on occasion in RP for a variety of reasons, usually in scenes that are comedic or sentimental in nature. One of the best use of a minion in RP I've seen is when a friend who RP's an engineer constructed an accompaniment node ICly to keep him company while going through martial issues with his IC wife. I'd laugh so hard each time to the node went "beep boop" over IC LSes to signify his IC loneliness and grappling with personal issues. Sigurd sometimes helps take care of a fat cat he gave someone very close to him; it's mostly a comedic plot device.

I'm a huge fan of the grindstone/combat events, but do not participate in them for IC reasons, so my knowledge is somewhat limited. The advice above on grindstone mechanics, however, is great and widely used for similar combat RP styles. I'd offer up Sig as a potential teacher, but he'd be absolutely terrible at the role for several reasons. However, if you ever want to work on action writing or combat style posts, let me know, I'd be happy to provide input in-game. I usually RP a more atmospheric, gritty style of RP combat that emphasizes emotion and environment; the combat is usually short in terms of number of actions, violent, and brutal. The largest piece of advice is to incorporate your surroundings and other players into a potential post, as it often makes the scene more interesting. Let me give you an example: Sigurd's fingers clenched the poor hilt like a vice, wrists twisting upwards to direct the great sword that extended from the hilt outward at waist level in a guarded, defensive posture. His feet maintained a wide stance for both mobility and support, boots brushing over the occasional blade of grass that billowed up from the dry soils. Beads of sweat rolled down his brow under the searing desert sun, platinum locks pasted against his forehead - cobalt eyes unflinching in their calculated assessment of the mark, no matter how much the rays bit down. He studied her light armament carefully, taking note of the tiny daggers clutched between her fingers, predicting she would have to come within his blade's significant reach to put them to use. He stood motionless like a sentinel ready to react at the slightest twitch, all while soft winds rolled down nearby dunes, sending blades of grass and sand alike over his black, plated coat.

Aya! Excellent RP'er (amazing public performances). And, not to mention: (1) Best; (2) Barmaid; (3) Character; (4) Ever.

Countless eyes had read over the suspicious note pinned to the sandstone wall of the alley. For several weeks now, the note had stood the test of time unscathed. The dry, temperament weather of Thanalan ensured precipitation had not spoiled a single letter scrawled on the page. The note still carried the voidsent hunter's cryptic message. But it was far less legible now, as a strange font had been scribbled across it in what appeared to be dried blood formed in wide, fat letters: "What an adorable little message written by a dove with naughty intent. Cute. Sadly, a dove cannot fly for days. It eventually falls to the ground. Try as it might to remain in the sky, a dove always falls. Always. -- /S/"

A fun thread concept! Sigurd has a lot of different facets of his personality but the following encapsulates much of his current state of mind: JEOf28REDw0 "Out of the dark, into the light, In the dawn of terrestrial birth. New-born yet older than time, Conceived in the depths of the earth. Though strange lay the waters from which they emerged, They glanced upon the world as their own. Yet deep in their hearts they knew all the time That this was not really their home. So they rode on. Yes, they rode on. On hidden roads, through barren wastelands, Untrodden by both man and beast. From the distance their fire was gleaming Like a lamp amidst dark eternity. A bitter moon hovered above them. The night lit sole by its glow. From high in a sky of ominous dye In which dark clouds drifted slow. So they rode on. Yes, they rode on. They rode with shut eyes as the sun rose. Regardless of earth's vanity. But with wide open eyes, they paced the night And pondered its mysteries. They sat at the crossroads with high and with low, Yet neither could alter their course. Riches were offered unto them, Yet indifferent and without remorse They rode on. Yes, they rode on. And each lonely vagrant that crossed their path, Felt how his heart grew cold. Yet be marvelled at their scarred faces, So beautiful, distant and old. Some say they've heard them singing In strange tongues of melancholy; Of the gods, of the night, and of glory. Of the dead, and their memory. So they rode on. Yes, they rode on. Say goodbye to the light. Come twilight, come dark night. Say goodbye to the light, Come twilight, come dark night. Could you have rode there with them? Would you have joined their march? Or would you have them ride on? Away into the dark? Would you have been able to let go? Of illusions of right and of wrong? And if they came to die; Would you have rode on?"

Sigurd had endured an awful evening at the Black and White ball, culminating in his dearest friend, Septimus Rem Nero Varus Nerva, punching him square in the jaw for simply uttering Septimus' full, gods-given name in public several times. But perhaps the most awful, lingering part of that evening was a wine-stain that ruined one of his fitted formal shirts. The Highlander had been recovering from the Garlean's "lucky punch" when a ebony-skin Miqo'te flung the glass of wine at him after finding Sigurd's conduct mildly objectionable. Despite the force of Septimius' blow, Sigurd had not been punched so hard that he forgot the Miqo'te's face. "...Gods dammit. Jaw still hur--," he muttered from that aching jaw, stopping mid-sentence as his eyes rolled over the promotional flier that had been posted outside the Quicksand. The Highlander stopped dead in his tracks. The face of the Miqo'te who had flung wine on his shirt stared right back at him from the page. The streets of Ul'dah carried his voice: "A prude /and/ a FRAUD! Vexing! Vexing!! VEXING!!!" As much as Sigurd desired to scream additional disclaimers about the Miqo'te's marketing practices, his jaw ached far too much, leaving him unable to do much more than nurse it with a hand. At least his favorite watering hole was steps away and held the promise of 'one more drink' before work.

What a difficult and thought-provoking thread! I enjoy every form of RP listed on the poll, and it's extremely difficult to pick a favorite (which probably comes down to my mood on any given day). However, I tend to enjoy the following types of RP the most: 1. Heavy-Plot RP (mature and dramatic). There are few things more satisfying than well-written, heavy-plot RP that addresses dramatic and mature themes tastefully. These themes sometimes include violent conflict, emotional problems, disputes over love and friendship, crude humor, and scenes that take place in gritty, surreal settings. I find this type of RP tends to weave the best elements of combat, romance, drama, and slice of life RP into a lovely blend. 2. Comedy RP. I adore witty comedy RP. However, comedy RP can be very difficult to perform in a way that will amuse others both ICly and OOCly. It can also be taken too far and become offensive. In my experience, the funniest comedy RP'ers usually do not have to try very hard to be hilarious. One of the best lines I've seen recently was when a very egocentric, judgmental character who leads a FC chastised one of his employees like a grumpy supervisor for attending a bonding ceremony in a rental tuxedo: "...Ah, I see that your pants are not pressed." 3. Flirtatious/Romantic RP. Flirtatious and romantic elements in RP can help forge strong emotional connections between characters and tend to add depth to other RP subparts. 4. Slice of Life RP. Whether it is hanging around the Quicksand or bantering with people over IC LSes, slice of life RP is very amusing and helps round off characters!