Hello, as many of you know, I am Erik Mynhier, one of the Sultansworn on Balmung. I and several other Sworn have been approached about roleplaying as a Sworn, either with those of us who have been Sworn since launch, or just by themselves. Some of us got together and had a talk about this. Trying to come up with someway of helping these new players without telling people what to do. The Sultansworn role is a tricky one, especially if it is your first RP. There is the line one walks when playing authority, a truck-load of lore, and haters. We who have been doing this the longest have a responsibility to help I feel. A few things before I write on, this IS NOT A SET OF RULES. It is simply a set of guidelines gathered from Sworn RPers. You can read this, decide you hate it all and never follow it and you won't hurt my feelings. We all pay our $15 a month, you can do as you like, think of this as advice. Two, if you are a Sworn RPer, but never mix with me, Crofte, or any other active Sworn, great, you don't have to. I would ask though that you add your advice here. As stated this is not a set of rules for Sworn on Balmung, its just a helpful guide for people new to the idea.
1. Sworn do not have to be locked in the Chamber of Rule.
By the Lore, Sultansworn are the Guardians of the Ruler of Thanalan. In game events do show however that the Sworn (in the case spoken of, a group lead by the Grandmaster) have and do leave the Chamber. It is assumed by some of us, if not all, that the Sworn seem to resemble modern security details such as the USA's Secret Service. It is assumed that instead of simply guarding the Sultana, that the mission may be broader, Sultansworn guard the Queen, and investigate all threats to the Crown, as well as crimes involving the Sultanate, like theft of jewels. Of course how far you wish to reach depends on your tastes, and the willingness of those you RP with,
2. We are all Knights of the Round.
The legend of King Arthur states that he made a Round Table so all could be equal. This was debated extensively, many thoughts on this. But it came to be agreed that due to the nature of authority-RP, and how people bleed through to their characters, it is important that all Sworn be considered equal. From what Lore states, what little it says, there seems to be four ranks mentioned in the Sworn. The first is the Grandmaster, met in a quest, this little Lala (I don't say his name for spoiler sake) is the Boss of the Bosses. Next we have the Captain of the Sworn, Jenlyns. He is the primary Sworn NPC as you master the quest. Since these two ranks are played by NPCs, its safe to assume players cannot and should not try to play these ranks. Bad idea guys, don't do it. The next two ranks are more open, the Sultansworn Elite are the NPCs shown in the AF armor. This is the primary role taken by Roleplayers, it is assumed that these are sort of the senior-grunt class of the Order. Following behind are the ordinary Sworn, the ones that wear the tabards. Most... but not all, seem to IC these as young or even trainee Sworn. These last two roles are the common roles taken, Elite and Trainee. This allows for growth, as the trainee can often hook with an Elite to be trained on their path to their potential, also being in a teacher/student dynamic can be fun. What is important is that Elite respects Elite, Elite respects Trainee, and so on. We are all real people and deserve to be respected. This is hardest with teacher and student. One must maintain respect.
3. So wait... you're a Sworn... and a Flame?
Guard duty is boring....... so boring. Roleplayers love to have fun, but that can be hard when your character's careers is to follow a Lala about and maybe chase a jewel thief. Sworn are after all not the police (Brass Blades), or even the army (Immortal Flames). They are the palace guard primarily. So here is where many Sworn RPers bend the Lore a bit. Many declare a side mission, a special task or duty assigned to them by superiors. This often gives an IC reason to leave the palace where none would have been. An example would be Erik, an Immortal Flame, Erik became a Sworn days after the Calamity. So he has only been a Sworn for 6 years. As such he is much more a soldier then a knight, though his upbringing may fool you. So what did I do? IC I kept Erik a Flame also. His appointment to the Sworn was agreed upon by both agencies so that he could act on the side as liaison to both organization. Now I have an established story that allows me freedom to RP as a Sworn... or a Flame.... or both. All it takes is a big imagination to find a way to justify a way to do things. As long as its not to crazy (one I heard once was he was a Sworn, but also the secret brother to the Sultana o_O ), most people will accept it.
4. The Trials
Some of you may remember that Natalie Mcbeef started Sworn Trials a while back and they were very popular. Well with so many asking, some of us will be setting up trials for anyone who wants them. Now not taking them means nothing. We won't not RP with you if you don't do them, "Oh he won't do our trials, well he's no sworn then...) No, no, no, no, no. These are for fun only. Just good old RP fun. They are not required to RP as a Sworn. You know why? Because we are not the boss of you. Like this guideline, this is just offered as a fun thing for new players, if they so choose to try them.
5. Be Excellent To Each Other
The number one rule in the RPC, is the only rule I wish I could enforce. We are all great folks, you are, I am, they are too. Everyone's cool here, so be cool back. This type of RP can stress you, and the power it grants can stress others. Try to remember that behind that avi, is another person. Don't get that armor and start picking on people, don't let them pick on you. Just be cool, and party on.
Well that's it. If you are or were a Sworn in the past, and would like to add some advice, by all means do so, help these new players out. This is a big sandwich of an RP to bite into, they need some pointers. If you would like help in starting a Sworn RP or character, feel free to contact here or in game any of the very visible Sultansworn that walk these mean streets looking nice in our armor. For names there are several who have agreed to help new Sworn players should they feel they need help, Nyalie Lihzeh, Anelia Sadowyn, Coatleque Crofte, or myself, Erik Mynhier. Good luck.