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Candor · **02-04-2015, 07:17 AM**

Hello again, RPC.

After a long absence from the game, I've returned and have been exploring the RP community on Balmung once again. More than anything I've noticed excitement for the Heavensward expansion, with many ideas flying about regarding the opening of Ishgard, focus on the Dragoon job, and everything else dragon related and awesome. Oh, and Machinists! I can't help but fall victim to it myself, since Ishgard was the city that interested me most pre-launch over a year ago, and I was very disappointed to learn that not only was Ishgard going to be off limits, but also an elezen populated state. I had my hopes up for highlanders.

Now, some players may remember my project to revitalize RP in Limsa Lominsa and my starting of the Limsa Lominsan character directory. The former was fairly successful before I left the game, but I can't speak for how well it lasted after I left. However the latter remains a heavily trafficked thread. Now, I plan to start a new project not unlike my attempt to bring RP to the city by the sea. Except this time, it's one Free Company and it's focused on Ishgard.

I'll keep things simple for now, as this is very preliminary and the purpose of this post is simply to alert other Ishgard enthusiasts and hopefully make some new RP friends.The FC's premise is House Haillenarte - yes, the canon House Haillenarte. It's obviously a noble house FC, but I'm going to take an unusual approach this time in that the FC members are not going to be the nobility of Haillenarte. Instead I want to focus on the supporting structure of a major noble name, or more specifically the vassal nobility, ministers, craftsmen, wards, soldiers and anyone else that makes up the super structure of any noble house.

My rough plan for now will be to expand and grow the meta-FC to level 8, create an enjin site for the FC, and develop the FC's documentation (lore, ranks, guidelines, etc.) Meanwhile I would like to work with any players or FCs that are interested in being involved, and even welcome feedback from players that don't wish to be involved but have constructive opinions. The goal will be to have House Haillenarte FC fully developed and ready for recruitment by the launch of Heavensward - but that's not to say I would be unwilling to recruit any enterprising individuals now, if they would like to help with the development.

Much like I did with the Lominsan project, I'll structure and outline my goals and phases as I proceed to keep all RPers abreast. I do hope this generates interest and this new FC can contribute to the already great atmosphere of Balmung.

SessionZero · **02-04-2015, 10:38 AM**

I cannot support enough the creation of more Ishgard-based Free Companies. Ishgard is a fascinating city-state just oozing with RP potential and lore (though I take umbrage with being disappointed Ishgard is an Elezen city-state. Elezen master race Tongue

Â ).

Your idea sounds like an interesting one and I sincerely hope it all pans out for you. The FC I am in, the Black Sun Vanguard, is an Ishgard-based military style FC that I am sure would be more than willing to help in any way we can, and would be more than happy to RP with you and your members once you get the ball rolling.

Good luck with your endeavor sir. I hope we cross paths in the snowy fields of Coerthas.

Virella · **02-05-2015, 04:16 PM**

Even if I'm very new, and European, I wouldn't mind helping out!

I do admit though, with raiding and the timezone difference, I'm not certain how active I can be, but I'd be up for lending a hand regardless.

Candor · **02-10-2015, 06:31 PM**

For the very first stage I thought it would be best to answer a lot of the questions that the founding members have been asking me. So, let's take a little time for some Q&A!

Q: If it's an Ishgardian FC, does that mean only elezen are allowed to join?

A: Of course not! It's an Ishgardian FC, but Ishgard isn't exclusive to elezen. Certainly midlanders will be present, just because they're everywhere, and who knows how a player might justify any other race being involved in any of the game's political bodies. The point is that every race - and every gender and class, for that matter - are welcome to House Haillenarte FC!

Q: Don't you feel presumptuous claiming a canon faction for your own FC?

A: Not really, no, and I'll explain why. This FC won't be representing the nobles of House Haillenarte. My character certainly isn't a member of the noble house, for example. At best the Haillenartes themselves will be represented by occasional NPCs. The FC will actually focus around the people that make a noble house possible - retainers, vassals, ministers, wards, soldiers, craftsmen, dignitaries, etc. None of whom will be direct Haillenartes.

Q: So no one is allowed to use the Haillenarte last name?

A: They are, but in choosing to be a core member of that family, the player would be agreeing to extra scrutiny from myself and my officers, to ensure that they're not abusing the name's influence in ways that will shed negative light on the FC or its members. So, on the one hand they would gain the RP benefits of playing a high noble, but on the other hand they would be closely monitored OOC.

Q: How will that effect guild ranks? Will there be a clear cut system of who has authority over who?

A: That's a good question. This one has taken some thought, because it's difficult to determine who has more authority between non-nobles in this kind of arrangement. Guild ranks will be OOC and very simple: Administrator, Officer, and Member. I think their definitions are self explanatory. For IC ranks I'm developing a tier system that will not necessarily be a character's rank so much as it will be his level of prestige and influence within the FC. This will also likely be simple, and will only contain 4 levels. However, it's still under development.

Q: But your character will start at the highest influence tier and be IC in-charge, right?

A: No, actually. My character will go through the same process as every other character. There will be a small number of characters that start on higher influence tiers, as determined by back stories and such, but none of those characters will be mine.

Q: So, a player of low OOC rank might have a character that out influences a character belonging to a player of high OOC rank?

A: Yes! This is something I'm looking forward to a great deal, actually. The separation between "We are the players" and "We are the characters" is going to be a large part of how this FC operates. House Haillenarte FC isn't going to be about the grind to climb the hierarchical ladder, but more about cooperating as players to make fun stories together for our characters. We're even going to feature a new approach on character story telling, but more on that later.

I'll answer more questions and continue to update the concept of this FC as we draw nearer to the release of Heavensward. In the meantime, I welcome any player to ask anything they want and I'll answer!

Zelmanov · **02-12-2015, 01:52 PM**

Though I am roleplaying as House Fortemps Dragoon, I'd like to extend my support to this FC and its efforts in hopes of fostering a strong, consistent roleplay in Ishgard to rival that of Ul'dah's upon expansion.

Desu Nee · **02-12-2015, 02:33 PM**

I created an Elven specifically for a future Ishgard project, count me in. She's still level 1 and an alt, but I would desire a lot to be in and help in any way I can

TheWizard · **02-12-2015, 03:41 PM**

Haha, I made a half-Elezen lancer last year whom I rped as a member of a vassal house to House Haillenarte. He had aspirations of becoming a dragoon and/or chocobo knight, but often found his training put on hold for Elezen or those of higher rank.

Verranicus · **02-15-2015, 03:20 AM**

It's risky to do anything relating to a canon organization that we have little to no lore on because whatever you presume to be correct could end up being way off base.

With Heavensward so close I find it kind of baffling that people can't just bite the bullet and hold off til then as opposed to getting their hopes up for what could in the end become entirely non-canon.

Tiergan · **02-15-2015, 05:33 AM**

With the disclaimer that I feel that anyone can RP whatever they like if they're having fun: I also think it's super risky to take a canon faction like this - especially before more lore gets released that could potentially mess up all your plans and especially if you're letting folks take last names that link them directly to the house or creating occasional NPCs that are supposed to speak for the house. Personally, I feel that it's probably a safer bet to just create a regular, original noble house that you can do whatever you like with without having to fear of being constrained by what SE might do with the major faction.

Candor · **02-15-2015, 02:12 PM**

Verranicus and Tiergan, I hear your concerns. However, I need to point out again that this FC won't be an FC until Heavensward launches, meaning that I'm doing precisely what you're both suggesting and waiting for SE's canon before proceeding. In the meantime I'm earning FC rank, creating awareness, recruiting like-minded players that want to assist in those tasks, and developing the resources that help an FC be successful, such as a forum. I have no plans for House Hallienarte beyond infrastructure details, and there are no NPCs yet because there is no FC and no plot yet. As for people naming their characters Haillenarte - there's already a good number of Haillenarte characters on Balmung that were created long before this FC's announcement and have absolutely nothing to do with my project. So, it really wouldn't matter if I allowed it, encouraged it, or forbade it - it's already happening.

Having said all of that, I do recognize that I've given control of my central theme over to SE and that they're not the most predictable lot. I'm prepared for that, even should they decide to kill off all the Haillenartes in Heavensward. That may not be the safest approach, as Tiergan pointed out, but it's what I've chosen to do and I'm confident that the founding members aren't making their decisions without also considering the same.

(02-15-2015, 03:20 AM)Verranicus Wrote: With Heavensward so close I find it kind of baffling that people can't just bite the bullet and hold off til then as opposed to getting their hopes up for what could in the end become entirely non-canon.

Verranicus, this comment doesn't strike me as constructive criticism. My project isn't motivated by impatience or hope.

Nalin · **02-15-2015, 09:34 PM**

As someone who is extremely excited for anything and all things Ishgard related, I support this idea! We need some more Ishgardian RPers; ones that populate the Coerthas areas and the like! Not too many RPs happen out in the snowylands right now which makes it difficult for the people trying to RP hardcore Ishgardian characters. Hoping that will change come expansion. Which, by the look of this thread, may in fact happen!

I don't have anyone who can join the FC, but I like the idea and wish you the best of luck! If you need a grumpy, self-proclaimed Dragoon who is a merc for hire, just hit up Nalin! : D

V'aleera · **02-15-2015, 09:41 PM**

V'aleera is a Haillenarte knight, so I support this and will be keeping my on how things proceed for you in the future.

TheLastCandle · **02-15-2015, 10:00 PM**

Yvelont was previously a knight in service to House Fortemps. Circumstances have since brought him to Gridania, where he serves loyally as a ranger and tracker, but current events may soon lead him back home. Regardless, just throwing it out there that I might be open to some crossover RP with the FC. Yvelont's past allegiances aren't exactly secret any longer. Smile

Tiergan · **02-15-2015, 10:00 PM**

So long as you're aware of the potential problems that could crop up. I ran into an issue semi-similar to this back in another MMO. The guild I was in revolved around a certain faction that turned out to all be villains in later updates. It was very awkward. :V

Candor · **02-16-2015, 06:20 PM**

Of course anyone and everyone is - and will be - welcome to RP with the House Haillenarte FC, regardless of their own FC loyalties. In fact, I encourage cross-FC RP!

Tiergan, I do appreciate your concern, and I am aware of the risks. Part of the appeal of this project is taking a lot of the control out of my own hands and adhering to whatever unexpected twists and turns SE may throw at us. Certainly some twists will be more difficult to adapt to than others, but I have faith in my fellow RPers and myself that we will find a way.

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An Ishgard Project

RPC has moved! These pages have been kept for historical purposes