Gone

I'm going to bump (and reply!) to this, as I swear half the time I'm on this site, I'm simply (re)reading this thread. It helps to combat my instinct to constantly tell myself 'well look at everyone else having fun, what's wrong with you?' I could also quote half the previous posts in my own, since I've read a lot of insecurities that I share with others -- also a nice feeling. Misery loves company and all that! But this one seems the most relevant to me, since I'm also attempting to reply with my own uncertainties, a topic I could definitely write several essays on, ha. I truncated it, but it definitely resonates with me; This is basically my situation too. I've roleplayed for a long time, across many different MMOs, and I've never felt so walled-off (or felt that the greater community was walled-off) as I have in FFXIV. And as a result, I guess my biggest uncertainty is simply -- 'Is this all worth it?' trying to break into a community that seems so resistant. Now, I try to chalk that up to a number of things. Obviously there are people playing here that have done so since pre-ARR (I was one of them, but I didn't stick around); obviously folks are more apt to have formed connections already and aren't really interested in expanding beyond them. Most MMOs, as far as RP goes, seem to be fairly guild-centric in one manner or another, too, so that's not a FFXIV-unique phenomenon. Maybe there was super-server drama in the past that frightened some people off of public RP, or expanding their contacts, I don't know. There are, I will concede, many reasons not to step beyond one's existing contacts. The RP community here seems to have a weird tumblr fetish too, though that's a different topic. But this is definitely a new experience for me, and one that I'll admit has gone a long way to turning me off of the game in particular. Even in 'the-game-that-must-not-be-named,' which is quite a bit older then FFXIV, I never really had an issue finding at least some people who were amicable to new friends, wanted the lengthier connections (or even just an RP pal to do ingame things with), etc etc. Here, it feels like you're either part of the 'status quo' or you're an outsider -- you don't matter. I've certainly tried. Wrote up a public page for the wiki, attempted to reach out to folks via the forum and ingame (and much love for those few who I have had the privilege of RPing with <3), even attended a few larger events, despite that they're not my forte at all, for the same reasons as Graeham lists in the quoted passage above. And because I am fairly shy, I'll concede that too. And yet I seem to have even fewer social connections than I started the game with, back before ARR. It's as though folks don't know what to do with someone who isn't a gritty mercenary or a kawaii catgirl, and who hasn't been around since 2000-whatever. I do miss having those special sorts of friends -- the sort that you spend years RPing with off and on, that you can pal around and experience content ingame with. But I realize these are the rare sorts, too; and not even the point of my post! I'm letting myself be nostalgic for a second -- I'd be happy with more people to roleplay with, period, hah. The (devil/angel) on my shoulder is telling me just to wait for Legion to launch so I can go back where I belong. At least I still enjoy other parts of FFXIV, as I've actually discovered I'm a decent tank and it's not totally frightening like I first thought it might be. Hooray dark knight!

No need to think too much on it either! Viv would happily undertake any number of menial tasks -- she's used to this method of 'appraising' by which potential contractors will first assign a seemingly unimportant task, just to see how trustworthy and/or efficient she is. Beyond that, she'd not be opposed to simply meeting with those who found her offer interesting, to assist them in discovering how best they might make use of her services. She's a bit of an odd bird, and the relatively friendly sort, so truthfully there's no reason one couldn't meet with her outside of an intent to utilize her contract, too.

I'd welcome the chance to have Vivienne and Izayoi cross paths. She might serve as an effective 'foil' to Izayoi's idealistic nature, being the more mature and experienced (read: somewhat jaded) sort, though never to the point where she'd discourage such behavior. Though I hesitate to call Vivienne maternal, she has the potential to fall into a 'big sister'-ish role, as she's used to having students, and has a teacher's patience when it comes to interacting with others. She's a good listener and would fall easily into the role of a confidante, one Izayoi might be able to trust to return the sort of straight-talk that the Xaela exhibits. She understands well the benefits and dangers of being guided entirely by emotion, and might be able to offer relevant advice when necessary. Feel free to drop me a line ingame or via private message if you're interested, and I'd be happy to help us come up with something together~ I'm on Pacific time and can typically be found online at various hours of the evening.

(Pinned on the market-boards in the various cities are small, elegantly-penned notes; missives easily lost beneath the sea of flyers, pamphlets and lists posted around them. Sometimes, however, they flutter loose -- as though choosing those who might need them the most. Each is marked with a the sigil of a stylized black flower overlaid upon a white crescent moon) [align=center]~*~[/align] [align=center]Hydaelyn's children, I call to thee. [/align] [align=center]Brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, kin and comrades. [/align] [align=center]There exists only one constant in this life. [/align] [align=center]The subsistence of mortal will, an everlasting battle between [/align] [align=center]the chaos of emotion and the order of reason. [/align] [align=center]These aspects are present in every one of our lives, [/align] [align=center]And I seek to assist you in bringing one -- or both -- to fruition. [/align] [align=center]Hydaelyn's children, I offer myself to thee. [/align] [align=center]An instrument to add to the orchestra at your direction. [/align] [align=center]Is there a task that weighs upon your mind? [/align] [align=center]A scheme that must be woven? [/align] [align=center]A ward that needs be guarded? [/align] [align=center]A vengeance that needs be sated? [/align] [align=center]A broken heart that must be consoled? [/align] [align=center]Even an errand that one feels too complacent to undertake? [/align] [align=center]Speak it to me, and I will see it done. [/align] [align=center]And in return, I ask not coin, nor power, nor prestige. [/align] [align=center]I ask only that you tell me why. [/align] [align=center]It is war that interests me -- [/align] [align=center]The war between chaos and order in the mortal heart. [/align] [align=center]Speak truth to me; reveal your reasons [/align] [align=center]The forces amongst your will that motivate the task [/align] [align=center]Bare your heart to me. [/align] [align=center]This is the price I ask, for my service. [/align] [align=center]I am many things -- a spellweaver, a sorceress, [/align] [align=center]A soothsayer, a philosopher, a lover and a killer [/align] [align=center]A soldier, an archer, a seer and a scientist. [/align] [align=center]I am many things, and I can be a great deal more. [/align] [align=center]But I am no judicator, interested in judging good or evil. [/align] [align=center]Whether your reasons are sufficient or no; [/align] [align=center]that is all that matters to me. [/align] [align=center]Mark your inquiries with my sigil, [/align] [align=center]and we will speak. [/align] [align=center]~The Sable Witch [/align] ---------------- Hey folks~ In an endeavor to begin roleplaying and building a repertoire of contacts, Vivienne du Sindflare, self-stylized as the Sable Witch, is contracting out her services in return for insight into the 'human condition' (so to speak; not everyone's a hyur in FFXIV!) What services does the Sable Witch offer? Anything that she is capable of doing. Contracts can be for something as simple as escorting a researcher through an expedition route, or procuring a crafting order for delivery, or offering comforting words and a warm presence to a grieving individual...all the way to lengthier arrangements such as a bodyguard, advisor, instructor (magics, summoning, etc), or participant in a scheme that takes time to execute, a la Game-of-Thrones-esque plots, assassinations, rival-House intrigue, and so forth. Vivienne has many talents beyond her combat abilities (which favor magical combat, but she is proficient at a variety of forms). Specific inquiries can be made via letter as to whether she is suitable for a particular task or no. You can read more about Vivienne herself here. What's the catch? The price? The catch is that in order for a character to propose a task for the Sable Witch, they'll have to explain why they want this particular task performed. The more compelling the character's reasons, the more likely Vivienne is to accept. Why? She's motivated by knowing what makes people tick. Her interest is not in the contracts themselves, but in how they might enlighten her as to the other person's motives (and by extension, the motives of people in general). You might think of her as something of a social psychologist. So, for example, Vivienne would turn down a bodyguard contract if the other party said 'simply because my life is in danger.' That's not a compelling reason and doesn't explain much. However, if said character indicated that they were fleeing the wrath of a rival noble house due to marriage intrigue and a duel gone awry, the Sable Witch would be hard-pressed to turn down such a task. She might play devil's advocate a bit, but that's only part of her nature. Will she decline a task because ______? There are two reasons Vivienne might decline a task. Vivienne will decline a proposed contract if her 'price' of explanation is not valid. This can be insufficient reasoning or outright lying about said reasons. A client's dishonesty is considered an immediate breach of contract -- how can the Sable Witch learn of individual motivation, if the reasons given for such motivation are untrue? Second, she will decline a contract if she believes it is not in her ability to fulfill it, or (in rare cases) it interferes with a pre-existing contract. This is, in her view, common sense. She won't enter into an agreement without being confident she can undertake what it requires of her. It is also impossible for her to take a contract that forbids her from taking other contracts. That being said, these are likely the only two reasons she will decline a task. Things that don't matter at all to her -- morality (whether a task could be considered good, evil, etc), the nature of the task (given the reasons are what interest her, it doesn't matter if the task is something as simple as picking flowers), what it requires of her (ex: courtesan-esque contracts are no different than normal contracts, presuming the appropriate reasons are given), the duration (how long a task might take) and so forth. How should I contact her about a potential task/contract? Given that ingame mail is restricted to friends only, I welcome you to send IC letters from your character(s) to Vivienne via this forum's private message system -- it's easier and quicker for me to send replies here as well. You can also contact me ingame, though given I use duty finder a fair amount, you might find your whispers won't go through half the time! If Vivienne responds favorably, the next step is to set up an ingame, in-person meeting between herself and her prospective client in order to solidify the terms of the deal. TL;DR - Duskwight sorceress and mystic open to undertaking various tasks, from small to large - Paid in reasons for said task, rather than gil - Duration can be anything, from a single hour's task to a several-month scheme. - Send an IC letter via private message to inquire, and to set up a meeting. - General questions? Post 'em here or send me a message. <3

Whelp, thanks to all your suggestions, she's now all done! Here's Vivienne as she looks in-game (namely, with armor this time) I also might try the 'battle-dreads' look when working on my melee classes (plus I get a distinctly Kerrigan vibe from them, so there's that too). Thankfully just a quick trip to the aesthetician! Now I'll get to work on a wiki entry. Thanks everyone for helping me pick a look! Hopefully I'll get to roleplay with you all soon, too~

Haha, thank you all for your input! Since you all agree, that makes it easier for me to decide too. <3 I'll Fantasia her up sometime today and post a picture or two of the final version (as she'll have armor beyond the default then) just to make sure she turned out well. Duskwight it is~

Well, first off I suppose I should introduce myself~ But, I'm not sure what you can call me yet, since I haven't settled on a character to RP! More on that later. For the time being just Ivory or Raven is fine. I'm not really new to FFXIV, as I started playing back before ARR, but didn't stick around (at least I picked Balmung, which means I haven't had to tangle with getting-on-the-right-server-ness). Since then I've been on-again-off-again until around last month, when I picked up the Final Fantasy baton again and stuck with it. Prior to that I was a proud FFXI player for many years, and have dabbled in most everything else, roleplayed here and there since my teenage years, and so forth. And, along with sticking around ingame, I decided it was past time that I tried to involve myself socially a bit more than I have been (shy and soloplayer-ish). So here I am! That being said, I'm a little torn, and I hope you folks can offer me some opinions of your own to help me decide! I'm trying to decide between two sorts of characters, a male Au Ra and a female Duskwight Elezen -- aesthetically, that is. The characters' IC concepts work for either, and are somewhat independent of what they look like. So I'm curious, as someone who hasn't been involved in the community up to this point, which it is that you folks find more pleasing or unique to the eye. I realize aesthetics are entirely subjective, but I like hearing opinions, and I really am stumped. If there's differences in each 'racial' RP community too, do let me know -- that's something I know basically nothing about (if Au Ra only RP with other Au Ra, etc etc). Here's my first draft of each -- Male Au Ra (Xaela) (I will admit there are a lot of male Au Ra running around, though -- I don't know if that's good or bad!) Female Elezen Duskwight 1 Female Elezen Duskwight 2 (I'll also concede I like the way the game armor fits an Elezen a bit better than a male Au Ra -- the latter always feels a bit...stretched, to me. I'm really torn on skin tone here; I do like the lavender-ish look of the first on a more human-ish skin tone, but the second feels more 'true' to a Duskwight) I acknowledge the last two as similar, but they use different faces, so sadly it's not a simple matter of visiting the aesthetician and changing if I got cold feet. And I'd prefer not to have to buy even more vials of Fantasia! Thanks for your input! Once I've settled on a character, then I'll make a wiki and start actively seeking connections. For the moment, my current character wasn't really created with RP in mind, so there's a Fantasia in my future no matter what, haha.