Desmond Aryll

A new level of banner. Wow.

Reality took complete hold. He blinked to clear his sight at he sat up. The Twelve-sent healer was taking care of his arm. His throat was sore but he would keep that to himself. He nodded to S'demyx as he took his leave, not bothering to wipe the blood from his axe before securing it to his back. The Highlander was enjoying his pipe. Whatever he was smoking was pungent enough to be noticeable over the sputtering fires around the wrecked camp. Delwyn was looking at him him, smiling. He returned the smile, nodding once. Then he noticed Delwyn was favoring his left arm and he remembered how close they came to death. Desmond had forgotten the himself and let down his guard before the camp was secure. If not for fate bringing them the healer and Amaare, the three of them would've died, the camp would still stand and only the Twelve knew how many Flames would've given their lives for nothing. He had been careless. "I'm sorry," he said, shame bowing his shoulders.

Awesome, looking forward to reading it! Do you have a link to the wiki? http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/wiki/index.php?title=Galen_Gyur#General Hope that works! Just started filling in some dates/times/bio data that won't change depending on class. Hope to get to it a bit more this evening after work Read the wiki, Galen, he seems a good match. Ishgard is in DC's future...

Yes, please do! I should thank you again for saving my life. -sheds a tear-

I was stone-walled for most of the day. :cry: Server perpetually full for me. I wanted to be there so bad!!! I finally got in a while ago and I was locked out of all LS chats. Bugs indeed.

Great name! I like your concept very much! Mayhap Driftwood Coast can freelance with your fine organization sometime.

I don't believe there are wrong answers here, just preferences so I'll share my view; 1. What chat channels do most RPers constantly use? Say/Party/Tell? Or do most people switch it up depending on where they are and/or who they are with? I kinda just use was makes sense. I like to be mindful of the /say channel, if it's seeing a lot of non RP traffic, then I would use a private chat. Other than that, use what is convenient. 2. How are custom emotes used? Are they used to express a simple action (i.e.: Nald'thal looks down upon Uldah.), or do people tend to be more wordy and reveal inner thoughts (i.e.: Nald'thal looks down upon Uldah, wondering where all the puny people went. Surely the city was full just moments ago!)? This depends on your style. An introvert (writer or avatar) will need more description. Scene set-up might need a touch of elaboration to start. Personally, I keep stuff that isn't directly about my character short. 3. Exactly how often are emotes used? Are they more scarce in a simple conversation between friends, and seen more in like, a scene... or something? Similar to #2. If it works, do it. Depends on you. For instance, say your character is a person of few words, it would make sense to use emotes and descriptions more. Also once you know someone well you might use emotes less as they'll be able to respond to your personality because they "know" you. 4. Is it commonplace for RP to be planned, or is 'freestyle' RP more popular? Usually I only plan big deal things. And even then just the "bullet points". The fun is getting there in ways you didn't anticipate but everyone is different. 5. How does one with a crippling sense of inadequacy find people to RP with? Right here. lol Or just walk up to someone in game. (you know, after you've been stalking them for a while. (Optional) 6. Does your character prefer sweet, sour or spicy food? Desmond grew up in Ul'Dah so he's all about the spices. (I'm calling Ul'Dah as having spicy food btw )

[align=center] ***[/align] It was morning, the sun was coming in through the shear curtains, the wind pushing them about lazily. The bed was soft but there were no sheets. During the summer it seldom got so cold at night that sheets were necessary at all. Without opening his eyes, he knew where he was, the feel of the pillow underneath his head, the mellow aroma of teas mixing with the smokiness of burning wood in the kitchen. He could hear the servants going about the business of getting the house in order for another day. He would get up and venture down the hall, across the courtyard to his mother's room. There he would find her, weaving while she sang under her breath or still in bed herself. If it was the latter, he would jump in bed with her and she would hold him and call him my little prince. Everything was right. Desmond wanted to keep his eyes closed. Everything was right just as it was, right at this moment. There was no need to open them. But somebody was shaking him, their hands had him by both shoulders and they were insistent. He fought them. He fought the urge to open his eyes. To wake up. He didn't need to open his eyes, everything was alright as it was. 'No' They kept shaking him and they were calling his name. Why did they know his name? They shouldn't know that. It made things hard. He couldn't feel his pillow anymore or smell the tea. He wasn't in his room. He wasn't going to see his mother. That was over and this wasn't real. [align=center]***[/align] His head swam as he opened his eyes, bitter reality coming back. Under him was hard-packed earth. The smell of death and things burning filled his nostrils. His arm ached dully below the elbow. Above him faces hovered, looking at him. "What... did we.. were we successful?"

Just wait it out. First day growing pains. It'll stabilize and you'll be able to get in.

S'demyx' axe flipped end over end and landed in the dirt a few feet away. Desmond flexed his hands. The left was still weak. No matter, he would use it one handed. He picked it up ran strode over to help. Delwyn's targe was coming apart. He could see it was in two pieces already as the axe went up and over the Roegaedyn's head. Desmond flanked the giant as just as the enemy raised the axe to it's maximum height, he swung his own axe horizontally with all the strength he could manage with one arm. "Eeyaaargh!" he cried as he brought the ax around and planted it it the Roegaedyn's side. The Bandit dropped his axe. It clattered to the dirt behind him. Putting one hand on the axe coming out of his midsection, he turned to face his attacker. Desmond let go of the handle and stared up at the him. There was a moment of stillness before the Roegaedyn put his hands around Desmond's throat, picking him up, clear off the ground.

As his eyes closed, he was knocked sideways, the numbness in his arm was replaced with blinding, white pain that made him gasp between his gritted teeth. Once he was able to focus his eyes he saw a smaller figure standing before the Roegaedyn. "Delwyn?" he croaked. He tried to rise but his arm reminded him immediately of his condition. Looking down, he concentrated on flexing his fingers but they wouldn't move. He was sure it was broken. He struggled to his knees anyway. If Delwyn would die because of his mistake then he would too. He felt fingers touch his left arm. It sent pain washing over him again but only for a moment before warmth sprouted from the spot of the injury. It was the female Miqo'te. Desmond looked at her face, she was saying words under her breath and her eye was glowing like before. The pain was still there but it wasn't incapacitating now. He could feel his fingers again. 'Thank the Tweve she wandered into our company.' Then she looked up towards Delwyn. her eye shined brighter and her outstretched hand lit up with the same energy. The beleagered looking Delwyn's chest glowed white for a moment. He seemed to straighten a little bit but it was still a one sided fight. He had no sword and only his targe to fend off the giant. He had to help. He weapon was nowhere to be found. he looked around for something to use.

Im in the same boat as Malfice. Although it sucks that I can't play at all, hopefully these population problems will be dealt with by tomorrow when I unleash Desmond on the world!

All around him the camp was in disarray. The bandits were all defeated or worse. 'Thank the twelve, it looks like we've done it.' He thought to himself as he wiped the blood off his gladius. The few men who were still alive were being harassed by Amaare from a distance while S'demyx made his bloody way towards them. Even the mage had managed to get involved, saving the life of the cat warrior with a well timed protection spell. Although the male would never admit it. Desmond released a breath he was aware he was holding. This was the first time he had coordinated an attack and by the Twelve's guidance, he had been successful and no one was lost. He started making his way to the central tent. He surmised it was the tent of the leader, who was off somewhere, oblivious of his homelessness. He smiled as the sense of accomplishment hit. He was still smiling when he opened the tent flap and a gargantuan great-axe cut through the air directly at him. His smile melted away. In a desperate attempt to defend he ducked and brought up his buckler. 'CLANG!' He couldn't feel his arm. It hung limp at his side. He was sprawled in the dirt. "Come to my place, will you? I'll show you hospitality." A huge Roegaedyn stalked out of the tent, a wicked looking axe in his hand. Desmond struggled to get to his hands and knees. Fingers frantically searched in his gauntlet for the vile of healing potion S'demyx had given him. He found tiny bits of glass and dampness instead. It had been broken with the impact of the giant's blow. "I may be dead, boy. But so are you." He said. Taking the final step and raising his axe over his head. Scrabbling in the dirt he looked for his gladius. It was nowhere to be found. Looking up at the giant, he realized that even if he did have his sword, it wouldn't matter. A sense of acceptance washed over him. He would die here. 'It had gone so well.' he thought and bowed his head...

Lol I actually did the exact same thing. I got: Cran-apple juice 1 gallon of drinking water protein bars half dozen plums Chef boyardee soup a thing of raisins. I'm good to go!

What I mean is stat dumping into strength for MRD, GLD, PUG and lancer. Hopefully with the introduction of new jobs, you will get something similar to what seems to be happening with Arcanist. Where there will be one way to build for Scholar and one way for Summoner.

I hope the that as new jobs are added, differing stat builds will become viable. Still kinda disappointing that 4 starting classes all share the same stat allocation recommendations.

LoU is my current benchmark for what a story can be in a video game so I definitely agree with you. Best thing I've seen all year.

Absolutely! I'll be in early tomorrow starting things off. Desmond won't be able to join us until Saturday unfortunately, but we're gearing towards launch at full speed! If you're interested, we've got an origin story thread going on here: A Coast in the Desert Don't know what time zone you guys are on--I'm Pacific, so I'll be on at 2am tonight (eek) until I pass out. I'll likely be around much of Saturday and Sunday, though. Looking forward to it Been following the origin story thread. I'll definitely jump in once I win one side of my internal job/class debate! I started a wiki page that I'll be filling out more after that, as well. Definitely fun to put it all together. Glad to hear you're gonna be around, Galen! I'm pacific too. I'll see you guys after Friday (damn you, EU SE account, I couldn't resist your temptations)...:frustrated:

Nice write up. It shows that you know what you're talking about. Although people will inherently disagree with reviews for the sheer thrill of it. I thought your conclusions were supported by reasonable points. I don't quite agree with the overall score. I would push it up one more to 9 because of the unflinching, flawed character of Joel. He's no hero and it's a credit to the dev team that they made a game where one reflexively sympathizes with him. It's best discussed in spoiler zones as the ending has a lot to do with how I feel about it. But that's besides the point. You did a great job elaborating on your reasoning and the love of the medium was apparent. I don't know what else one needs in a reviewer. :thumbsup:

S'demyx tore through the first two bandits like parchment. Desmond had to respect the amount of carnage one Miqo'te could make. He trotted into the camp, orienting himself to the nearest tent. Just as he neared the tent flaps two men came bursting out. The closest man swinging a hand-axe overhead directly at his face. Desmond batted the axe away with his buckler and stuck his gladius in the man's throat. He kicked the dying man off his weapon with a boot to the stomach and went after the second man. The remaining enemy was more judicious, taking the time it took Desmond to kill the first to square himself. He was holding a spear. He stabbed it forward, Desmond dodged right. Again he stabbed, this time it was a dodge left. The man tried once more, expecting a dodge but Desmond parried left, grabbed the spear by the shaft as he dropped his buckler and rammed his gladius into his chest. Desmond let him slide off as his legs went out from under him. By his count, half of the enemy should be dead.

Desmond watched from afar as Delwyn took care of the first sentry. On his side of the camp, the sentry was slowly making his way towards the spot where Desmond lay hidden. Holding his breath, he waited for him to pass by. He emerged from the darkness and putting one hand over the swarthy man's mouth he inserted his gladius into the meaty part of the his lower back. He struggled for a few moments. Desmond held him firm. Then the man relaxed and fell to the floor softly. Desmond stared at the body. He took a moment to look at the man's face. His teachers had taught him that every opponent is as much a man as you. No one was unworthy of a tribute, however small. He resolved to pay this man his later. Others would be joining him shortly. He looked back towards where S'demyx and the others would be waiting for a signal. He waved his gladius in the air.

Desmond wasn't quite sure what he would've done. S'demyx had looked poised to attack. He himself wasn't positive he wasn't in agreement a moment before. Delwyn on the other hand had exposed himself, walked in front of the big Coeurl and stopped them all from possibly committing an atrocity. The big man, a Highlander by Desmond's guess was friendly enough, despite his roguish appearance. " -me and da girl here been needin a good scrap. Count me in." the Hyur namd Amaare said. 'Unbelievable,' He thought, shaking his head. 'This Delwyn is favored by the Twelve I wager. How else is he still breathing?' He brushed a dried twig from his shoulder as he came out of the bush and cleared his throat. "Our business here awaits us over that ridge, friend," Desmond said as he approached, keeping the coeurl within sight. "If you are sincere, we thank you. Keep your gil, There will be enough for everyone if we get through this unharmed." He looked behind him, S'demyx was coming, along with the healer. "It seems we are five, not counting our feathered or-" he bobbed his head towards the Hyur's cat, "furred friends." They gathered close. Desmond strapped on his buckler and glanced at Delwyn. The red-hair nodded grimly. He returned the expression and drew his gladius. 'Gift us some of whatever luck you carry, Delwyn.'

Welcome Galen. Welcome to the site. it's been a life saver for me waiting for the game to come back. Although it's only a couple of days left, every little bit helps. If you're stomping around Ul'Dah on G (that's what I'm calling Gilgamesh, it's gonna catch on for sure!), maybe I'll bump into ya sometime. :thumbsup:

What a supremely great idea. Good luck to you. And please don't hesitate to update us on the story. Hopefully there will be hard to get, delicious hotdogs.

I hop around a ton but overall, if I had to pick one it would be Radiohead. Thom is a crazy bastard. Q888PBtrWc0