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Merri · **07-26-2010, 04:10 PM**

So, I've firmly started to root myself in as a Freelancer. Which basically means I will be without an official roleplaying linkshell, most likely. So, obviously I have been thinking more and more about what sort of opportunities would be available for me. But, after some consideration, I realized the best opportunities wouldn't be ones I would find, rather ones I made come to light myself.

And as I thought more and more about it, other Freelancers came to mind. But I didn't want to stop just there. I wanted to work on something that would be able to include all Roleplayers as a whole, linkshell or not. Something they would be welcome to take part in, even if they're already involved with their linkshell's plotline.

Yet, before I ramble on to much, I should explain where it all started.

As some of you may or may not already know, Rain is a bit of a sailor. I had wanted this to be a background for him, but never persona for days to come. After all, what kind of character would you have it they didn't develop? No, I wanted Rain to become something more over the years. Changing from a dirty fighter, a swashbuckler, a man with loose morals, to a noble knight. The struggles he would have so abruptly changing lifestyles would be endless, but, there had to be some sort of catalyst to start these changes.

All of that would have sat in a single map. One of unknown origin. Magic in nature. (Assuming maps are magical, like they were in FFXI.) A map that would drive Rain from his home, and out into the unknown. Away from everything he knew, in pursuit of whatever it was the map held the key to. A journey that would take him across all of Eorzea. Yet, one that would mark him for death by figures that wanted the map for themselves.

But I didn't want to just stop there. What if things branched out? What is an adventurer without friends and companions on a perilous journey against a violent and dangerous world?

This is where other Freelancers (Or roleplayers, for that matter) would come in. Treasure-hunters, thrill-seekers, anyone who would be willing (or foolish) enough to accompany Rain. Travel across the globe, forming warm friendships, or bitter rivalries. Driving forward to a goal of uncovering something bigger than all of them, each with their own motives for doing so.

Now, this would be something that I'd almost want drawn out over a few years, to be honest. Something that would be open to newcommers, and one with plenty of room for some one to drop out if they wanted. It would also be something entirely driven by those involved, with as little outside (OOC) influence as can possibly be had. The locations, the nature of the story itself, and all the countless issues they might get side-tracked on.

It would almost be like a guild in it's own, with it's own storyline, yet, there would be no physical ties. Players could jump in and out as they pleased.

The story would also focus in on certain areas of Eorzea at a time, and wouldn't bounce all over the world. I almost frown upon the idea of travel by Airship of Chocobo, as staking out on foot is how a true adventurer roughs it in the wild. Plus, it serves to make the world seem that much more massive.

Another issue, of course, would be the individual experience. Everyone would have to feel involved. And to remedy that, I had the idea of player driven side-quests of a sort every other week. Where a roleplayer could be chosen from a pool of previous adventurers, and they could sort of drive the storyline for that session. Obviously that's an idea that would be up in the air, but something that could add a bit of diversity. When it comes down to it, though, it would be all about what the player makes of it. They could make the experience memorable if they wished, or just sit back and enjoy the ride.

There would be scheduled times each week where the storyline would progress. Perhaps once every Saturday, or Sunday (A very rough example). Maybe for two or three hours. I would want it to be flexible, though, as to fit other players and their schedules. Since it would also be once a week, I (or any other member) would be able to sit down and summarize the events of that session and have it posted, so those who may have missed out, or those who wish to jump in at the next session would be able to know where things are at.

Anyways, I better not just ramble and ramble here. I just wanted to push the idea out there, and see if anyone had any interest, but more importantly, if anyone had an ideas to help solidify and further this dream into reality.

DAISHI · **07-26-2010, 04:14 PM**

Sounds like a linkshell.

Merri · **07-26-2010, 04:16 PM**

That's exactly what I wanted to aim for, but the key point is there would be none involved. You wouldn't have to be tied down by a linkshell to be a part of it's story.

Obviously it wouldn't be something that would appeal to most people already in Linkshells, since they would be busy with their own plots, which is why it's more directed at Freelancers.

Gavriel · **07-26-2010, 04:19 PM**

Very interesting.
And no, it doesn't have to be a linkshell. If the main event was only once per week, everyone could participate in it, freelancer or not. I see the opportunity here.

DAISHI · **07-26-2010, 04:21 PM**

Maybe you should do a "Freelancer Rollcall" to gauge how much participation would happen.

Merri · **07-26-2010, 04:24 PM**

Yup! Just because some one chooses to be Freelance, doesn't mean they don't want to be a part of something bigger and driven occasionally. This would give them their chance, but still allow them to hold their freedom and drop out whenever they wished.

But, hammer out the criticism if you have it. That's part of the reason I made this thread. To build on this until it's in a workable form.

And that's a very good idea, Daishi. 'Course, I wouldn't want to go cluttering things up with another thread. Hopefully if they're out there, they'll let their voice be heard on this thread here.

Aveline · **07-26-2010, 04:26 PM**

That's a really excellent idea. Big Grin

I had been kind of wondering how much participation with the RP community freelancers would get if they weren't in a linkshell, but I think you have found one way to do so. ^^ I like.

Merri · **07-26-2010, 05:06 PM**

And I figure if we have a few people from different linkshells that end up being interested, it would also be a small way to get at least some form of inter-linkshell roleplay going on. Give others a chance to meet some people from some of the many linkshells that will be around.

Give freelancers who are participating the means to meet some of these people, and maybe even throw their freelance title aside and join a linkshell after clicking with some one. Who knows?

Smiling River · **07-26-2010, 05:32 PM**

I'm a little confused. What will people be actually doing thought? Traveling, for what?

Merri · **07-26-2010, 05:40 PM**

Adventuring, flat out. The main goal would be treasure hunting, though, as stated in my big ol' clunky post. Something that might be able to give a roleplayer a reason to visit a certain area they normally wouldn't have gone. Give their character a reason to explore Eorzea. Give their character a means to sate their hunger for thrills. I mean, sure, some one can do that all on their own, or with their linkshells, but for those Freelancers who don't want to do it alone? Or those in linkshells that want something a bit different? This would be an option.

As I said, I'd like this to span several months, if not years, so when it came down to it, it would really just be a form of driven, group roleplay. Another way to develop your character, and be a part of a massive story that might end up linking dozens of people together.

Eventually, it would all culminate, as everything has to end some time, but deep down it would just be a means to connecting both Freelancers and Linkshell members to a goal. Giving a reason for them to interact and meet more characters. And, well, providing the opportunity for some great roleplay.

Faust · **07-26-2010, 06:21 PM**

While I have a hard time envisioning the big picture application of this, I could potentially be involved in it, so I guess there's that. I'm still freelancing myself, though I would eventually like to find a guild that suits me.

I'm probably going to want a LS that facilitates the RP more than defining it. i.e., a LS where freelancer characters can coordinate RP efforts, rather than one where you're expected to have your character play a certain role in the guild (like being a soldier, or bandit, or what have you, for the big boss person of the LS). But I also would like to be in a "good" RP group that has some reasonably high standards for RP. I dunno. I haven't looked at specific guilds very seriously yet.

Smiling River · **07-26-2010, 06:43 PM**

Quote:As I said, I'd like this to span several months, if not years, so when it came down to it, it would really just be a form of driven, group roleplay. Another way to develop your character, and be a part of a massive story that might end up linking dozens of people together.

I guess I was confused by your use of the word "story", mainly, is there one? It seems you want it to be f;at out adventuring/treasure hunting, which indicated that there is no central story to it. It makes me wonder what exactly will draw people together to this RP?

Just asking so that I know how I can hook my character to this, I want to check it out.

Merri · **07-26-2010, 07:17 PM**

Mason Wrote:I guess I was confused by your use of the word "story", mainly, is there one? It seems you want it to be f;at out adventuring/treasure hunting, which indicated that there is no central story to it. It makes me wonder what exactly will draw people together to this RP?

Just asking so that I know how I can hook my character to this, I want to check it out.

Yeah, there will be a central story driving it all. An end goal. It would just be driven by the characters themselves, though. The foundation would be there, with something for the characters to be driven to accomplish, but how it's accomplished and when would all depend on those involved. This isn't to say there wouldn't be a bit of planning to get things on track, and provide goals and what not to be accomplished, but I'd want it to be as open as possible to keep things fresh and surprising.

Essentially, they would be solving a puzzle. Obviously it wouldn't be a map from "Point A to B" if there were some sort of great artifact or treasure involved. It would be full of all sorts of loops and mysteries to throw people off the trail and safeguard the treasure from your average band of hunters.

In your case, it could simply be the thought of some mysterious cache of artifacts and treasures that could be out there just waiting to be studied. (Unless you would go at it with a different character that isn't affiliated with A.E.T.H.E.R.) For some one else it could be the thought of wealth. I could go on, but I won't.

And thinking back, I suppose it wouldn't have to be drawn out over an extremely long period of time. As keeping people interested that long could be troublesome. But, maybe five, six, or seven months. Long enough to really get people deep in if they wanted, but short enough to a point where people wouldn't feel like it's being dragged on forever. Plus, just because one chapter would come to an end, doesn't mean more questions couldn't arise from the finish of that adventure, spawning an entirely new plot to run down to keep things going.

Tyriont · **07-26-2010, 09:18 PM**

One of the reasons I love RPing Ty as a pirate is because of the sense of freedom I get from it. While I'm going to be helping run Spectral Wardens with Ren, I also intend to interact with other shells and freelance RPers as well. This time around, I won't be having Ty's own story be a major driving factor. My villain character will certainly be there, because I love playing him too, but...what's a good example? Ah, I intend to use Ty as Shadow was used in FF6 before he joins the party proper. He'll show up to help out, but may well take off when something he's needed elsewhere. Or gets bored.

Ergo, I'm quite interested in this idea.

ArmachiA · **07-26-2010, 09:25 PM**

The Crimson Blades is a freeform guild that runs on the assumption that those people have other lives besides just treasure hunting and looting, and we even go by code names to each other so our real identities can't be revealed.

So you'll probably see a lot of CB interested, since it's from the treasure hunting perspective.

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