In crossroads with RP

[Jerciex]

Hi!

I'll try to keep this short and clear and I welcome advices/tips/etc. Thank you in advance! This is also first time when I dare to rely on community.

Summary and background::idea:

When I started to play this game I never role-played in game and either thought I will start role-playing in this game, but time passed and I saw RPers in-game and got interested. Then I met some people and thanks to them flame to RP was lit up. I started RPing with current character (Delni since 1.0), build background story for Delni (name, family, career), since there was no fantasia/name changes and I don't have motivation/time to level up another character (I have alt, but leveling all again makes me bored and I need levels to get what I want).

With time I have put so much effort to Delni and I'm happy what I have achieved, specially when I think that this has been my first time ever to RP. And I think I have kinda become attached to character, since I have been playing it since 1.0 and I have seen so much trouble to make background/story/character for RP.

Problem 1: Interactions:moogle:

Now lately I have been struggling with my RP. I feel I'm repeating myself over and over again. And it feels like I'm not advancing at all. I found myself relying too much on contacts I have already, because Delni is very cautious with strangers(specially 'Mercs', soldiers etc.)When I meet someone I know, I talk with this and after while my brains go blank and I don't know how to continue. And it usually always is basic "sit down somewhere and talk". Sometimes I improvise something, like "Hi. I'm going to visit Hyrstmill pickup something, but according to reports from Adders tells that Ixali activity in area has increased. Mind to come with me? Just in-case."  These improvised "quests" are fun, but sometimes it feels like I'm only one wanting something from others. And using same "quests" again and again makes me think if I'm recycling things again and just boring others with same plain things. 

Problem 2: Travelling:chocobo:

Because Delni is character with no combat/magic/teleportation skills, she requires almost always escort when she goes somewhere (Except Gridania, Lavender Beds, some "safer" areas in Eastern/Central Shroud). I would like to visit other areas too, but I need to think reason for her to go there, and usually this requires escort(s) too. For example she has visited Coerthas (FC work), Costa Del Sol/Bronze lake (vacation), Ul'dah (Weavers' guild, shopping), Limsa (Culinarians'/fishers' guild, shopping), but with escort(s). There is always meaning behind. She could go other places too but you have to assure her safety and reason for trip. She could be leatherworker (repairs)/cook(everybody eats!)/bookkeeper(caravans requires always someone to take care of cargo and content)

Problem 3: Relationships:love:

Another thing bugging me is relationships. There has been times when someone confesses feelings to Delni. They have been always rejected, because I kinda went "shock". I don't know why. Because I'm guy playing miqo'te (F)? Or am I worried that I'm fooling someone to think me as girl even in reality I'm guy. It is not like I'm hiding fact that I'm guy. I have witnessed many times when people  find out I'm guy, they are usually "No way! Are you serious? I was 110% you are girl! LOL!". After "shock" they jokes about this and we share good laugh and continue. But sometimes I'm worried about reactions. Psst! I know! RP is RP! It has nothing to do with RL, but still..

 

Crossroad I'm in now::arrow:

Path 1:I keep Delni and keep going and trying to improve it

Path 2:I change name and fantasia -> No more Delni (some RP-friends have told me they don't want Delni to disappear and I don't want Delni to disappear after all trouble and "history")

Path 3:I make alternative character and keep Delni (But leveling everything again isn't my thing [Don't have time] and I need levels/gear to make this character to be what I want)

Path 4: I make same as I did in Path 3, but I will use name change and fantasia to make alt into Delni and Main into this other character (Problem, Delni has all achievements/seasonal gear/titles/contacts I want to keep on Delni)

Note: My new character would be elezen male, details are still "secret"

 

Wish: I would like to experience "combats"/"fights"/find myself in strange places in RP too. Ofcourse taking part to fights is not important, others can do that. Basic self-defense is always available like knife/kick into "sensitive areas"/sand into eyes/etc.

 

Questions in my mind to this: :?

1) Have I limited Delni's "abilities" too much?

2) Am I too strict with background?

3) Am I over-thinking about some stupid details?

4) Am I trying to achieve too much?

5) Am I too serious?

6) Should I think something where she learns new "skills" in RP? (personally it feels kinda odd that 26years old learns suddenly combat skills and can fight against monsters and start hunting. Specially when you think her background where she has been always artisan/well-educated and how she have lived inside city whole life)

7) Am I just too devoted to character because I had it since 1.0?

 

Short recap about Delni::!:

A) Secretary/manager in Free Company and artisan in Leatherworkers' guild

B) Skills: Leatherworker, cooking, reading, calculating

C) Delni don't have any combat/magic/teleportation skills

D) She needs almost always escort when going somewhere

E) Cautious when meeting new people, specially when meeting mercenaries/soldiers/hired-arms

F) Delni have randomly "quests" available other RPers, primarily for ones Delni knows.

G) My First RP character ever

 

It turned out to be bigger than I thought. I hope you will comment, because comments will help me improve as role-player and maybe even help me get solution to my struggle. And ofcourse improve my character!

Thank you!

:thumbsup:

[D'eshel]

It feels like to me, your biggest problem is that you are afraid to tackle on new things and from what I see, that is exactly what you need. You worry that you have restricted your character's skills too much, but try to turn it around. Make it so that it is your character's goal (seeing how she does not trust strangers as well and she is often forced to rely on them to get somewhere) to for example learn teleportation magic... or any magic altogether.

 

Another good course of action would be to seek new contacts on this lovely side that would help you with this goal and any other. If you dread about repetition, do your best not to lead into such a situation! Improvise! Seek characters with which you would be able to try and do something you haven't done before, but wanted to.

[Khorijin Orben]

I'd say keep your charatcer. It seems your biggest obstacle is finding contacts. I'm relatively new to the roleplay community on this game and the lore surrounding the game, but I've also found it difficult to find new and meaningful connections for story telling and development until I came to the RPC. This website is chock full of tools and things you can use to start building connections with people interested in helping you out! Here's my advice:

 

1. Check out the Making Connections forum category, if you have not already, to meet fresh, new people.

2. Find some RP link shells, both OOC and IC, that match you/your character's wants and needs.

3. Maybe go to events listed here as well? I'm not sure if that's your cup of tea, but networking seems to be the thing you need to do to build interesting connections. 

 

If you want to contact me in game and we can talk about some RP potential between our characters (Nick is a doctor who does a lot of traveling as well). Always looking for new clients and friends!

 

And don't worry about being a guy who plays a female character. I used to feel the same, but the more I roleplayed with other people, I found out 98% of the people who matter won't care. This is coming from a lady who primarily plays men.

[Klynzahr]

Being a relative newcomer to RP myself, I have experienced many of the same roadblocks that you seem to have encountered. Ultimately their solution will depend upon your own creativity but I can offer some suggestions that worked well for me.

 

Firstly, I would not advise changing the character right now. You have built up a solid foundation, which you seem to be happy with. In addition if you change now, many of the same issues could follow you to your new character. Now to address your three 'trouble spots'.

 

Traveling I actually love what you are doing in this area. I treat IC travel very similarly myself, restricting each of my characters to their home city except for exceptional circumstances. I find that making travel into a large ordeal adds character development, when it does become necessary. People who gloss over travel actually miss lots of interesting story opportunities.

 

Suggestions Delni's reluctance to travel could actually create some interesting chances for development. The trick is finding a reason for her to be pushed outside of her comfort zone.

 

Maybe there is a great business opportunity in another city state, but she will need to oversee it personally. She might need to hire a mercenary escort and be extremely uncomfortable with the idea. Other pressing reasons for travel include running away from something, visiting an ill relative, or pursuing education not offered in Gridania. You already have an excellent grasp of what makes Delni uncomfortable. The trick is finding a way to force these things on her and watching how she reacts to the stress of adventure.

 

Interactions  This is most likely the root cause of your difficulties and why you find yourself 'stuck'. From your description, you seem to have exhausted the current plots available to your character but don't know how to move into new territory. Although sometimes the only answer is a fresh character, the problem can almost always be solved by developing and adding new elements to your existing character. For a simple tradeswoman and secretary, who has barely left Gridania, your options for development and growth are nearly limitless!

:thumbsup:

 

*This doesn't mean that you made a mistake by imposing strict limits on her initially. Some of the best RP characters that I have ever seen, have developed from humble beginnings and they are far more realistic and emotionally rich because of it.*

 

Suggestions Although I love the idea of an artisan character, I do recommend trying to develop at least one magic or combat class, simply because of the opportunities it provides. Don't fall into the common trap of just giving her a new ability overnight. Instead I would select a class with lore that you particularly enjoy and give Delni an IC reason to begin learning it. This process could take months and provide tons of opportunity for interaction and conversation, while she learns and looks for people to help her.  

 

My other suggestion requires a little more thought and effort but may be the most fruitful. You probably need to give Denli some kind of conflict. Points of conflict are rarely included in any character bio, because they work best when added to an already established character. They provide a catalyst for change and growth, which prevents stagnation and repetition. Similar to the first point you need to give Denli a reason to change her established habits and patterns of behavior. Then you can explore her reactions and possibly create permanent changes. The conflict is only limited by your imagination but here are some things that could work for a Gridanian artisan.

 

-Denli has been contacted by a relative that she believed dead and must travel to another city state to meet them.

- Having borrowed money to keep her leatherworking business afloat, Denli is now over her head in debt and must flee her creditors.

- Wishing to expand her business, Denli travels to Ul'dah, where she seeks to form connections with the wealthy merchants there.  

- To avoid import taxes, Denli decides to hire a Limsian smuggler. Now she just needs to find one with out being caught.

 

There are probably several pages worth of possibilities here. They could challenge her reluctance to travel, force her to meet new people, and possibly provide her with a reason to take up another class. Maybe the best option could do all three?

 

Relationships I saved this one until last, because it is a very tricky subject. Depending on luck and the people behind the keys, relationships can be either the best or the worst thing to happen to a character. On the good side they can provide you with a wealth of development options you may not have otherwise considered. However they can also be awkward, cause drama, and run into problems if your partner leaves unexpectedly. I also understand your reluctance to explore a relationship, with a female character. I'm a girl, who RP's characters of both sexes, but I tend to be leery of RPing relationships as a male, and generally place IC barriers to prevent it. I've seen it done very well by other folks though, so try not to get too discouraged.

 

Suggestions My only suggestion here would be don't start up an IC relationship, unless you are familiar with the person OOC and can trust them, both to maintain the IC/OOC divide and to keep the OOC communication very open. Also remember that RPing a relationship doesn't imply or require ERP. Fading to black is used all the time and actually preferred by many RPers.

 

I know this is quite the wall of text, but you hit upon some deep questions.

 

From what I can gather, you and I would probably enjoy RPing together. We just need a good reason to have your Gridanian artist encounter my Limsian mercenary or my Ul'dahn Gladiator.... It would probably make them all uncomfortable and be tons of fun for us.

 

If you are interested feel free to send me a /tell on Klinzahr Irnahctwyn.

[Jerciex]

First thank you all for answers! I think I'm getting idea here and feeling more self-confident.

 

It is true I might feel I lack contacts like there was said. I have joined to some RP-linkshells and made some contacts via them (local blacksmith, another is very good friend of Delni). Maybe I should try get more active in them and really be brave and just "bomb others" if someone wants to create something. I try make new ones and get outside of comfort-zone! Also having goal would be good, so I'll try think some goal.

I have been in some events but timezones or lack of escort have made it "impossible" go to one. Or it is weak excuse I'm making

Also adding some combat skill might be smart idea, but learning one will take time because she have work to do - in guild and in Free Company.

 

Thank you again for comments!:bouncy:

[g0ne]

:tonberry:

 

Make Delni disappear only if you want to die. 

 

...

 

Okay, moving on to a serious note. I've told you this many times, but here I go again!

 

1. Be brave

2. Use the Making Connections thread

3. Stop worrying too much

4. Be brave

5. Actively look for RP

6. DON'T YOU DARE KILL DELNI

7. Be brave

8. Poke people for RP. Do it, do it, I say!!

9. RP is RP. Have lots of fun!

10. Did I mention be brave?

[g0ne]

Kurt! Hey,Kurt!!

 

SMILE assistant! Get over here! 

 

Do something, you've got loads of characters!

[Kurt S.]

A lot of those problems of yours can be solved with the '/tell to win' philosophy. Making first contact OOCly is important really.

[g0ne]

A lot of those problems of yours can be solved with the '/tell to win' philosophy. Making first contact OOCly is important really.

 

Prepare the /tell cannon!! Do it, do it, I say!

[Jerciex]

"Eeeks! I'm being threated! "

So I should approach people OOCly more. I see. Never thought that, I keep that in mind :thumbsup:.

[Kurt S.]

"Eeeks! I'm being threated! "

So I should approach people OOCly more. I see. Never thought that, I keep that in mind :thumbsup:.

 

I make it a point to approach OOCly first. Helps if that's your entry point and as well as distinguishing whether a character is or isn't IC If it isn't so readily obvious. Communication is key just as much as spontainiety and grand adventure to go with it.

[D'eshel]

That's some philosophy from this community that still makes me ponder, why exactly should we feel obliged to make OOC interactions first if we just want to roleplay? If it's walkup, spontaneous, random RP, I dare say just get it rolling or roll with it, there's no need to discuss it beforehand as if it were rocket science.

 

Derailing thread is derailing.

[Y'lani]

That's some philosophy from this community that still makes me ponder, why exactly should we feel obliged to make OOC interactions first if we just want to roleplay? If it's walkup, spontaneous, random RP, I dare say just get it rolling or roll with it, there's no need to discuss it beforehand as if it were rocket science.

 

Derailing thread is derailing. 

 

I like to do it simply to see what the other person is like OOC. I love seeing the contrast between a player and their character -- how are they alike? How are they different? Not only that, but I have made a few wonderful friends by approaching them OOC first... and then they became one of my character's regulars.

 

I especially feel like it throws out some tension when you play a brash, unpredictable character. If anything, I find it useful as to ensure folk aren't made uncomfortable.

 

The most practical reason for it is to check whether or whether not they're IC; not everybody is a heavy roleplayer and IC at all times.

 

By the way, I thought Klinzahr's advice was really great. 

 

EDIT: I-I apologize for this scattered mess of a post. Mobile does that to me sometimes.

[D'eshel]

Well, okay, but there's double sides of the coin. In my opinion, in roleplaying the focus should land on the character and not the player. Sure, it's nice if you can get along with them, but that's not a given for the RP to be enjoyable, hence I see that it's not really required in that regard. Besides, to what you have said, I doubt that you can figure out the similarities between the player and their character based on a simple OOC introduction before the RP, mm? And that's what I'm reffering to.

 

 

 

I especially feel like it throws out some tension when you play a brash, unpredictable character. If anything, I find it useful as to ensure folk aren't made uncomfortable.

 

Well, again, I think that the line with IC and OOC blurs here. If a character is uncomfortable with another character, why not react on a IC basis? It's simple as that. If only, that potentially leads to more RP. It feels like to me as if you would be trying to give information about your character on a OOC level while aquiring it through IC means could be more fun and, I like to repeat myself I know, creates more RP.

 

The most practical reason for it is to check whether or whether not they're IC; not everybody is a heavy roleplayer and IC at all times.

 

Well, that I can agree with. Still, it's not a must! We should be free to interact with people even if we're not sure they are roleplayers? It's not like the things we do are taboo and non-roleplayers will report us to the authorities should they get a scent of us.

[Y'lani]

Well, okay, but there's double sides of the coin. In my opinion, in roleplaying the focus should land on the character and not the player. Sure, it's nice if you can get along with them, but that's not a given for the RP to be enjoyable, hence I see that it's not really required in that regard. Besides, to what you have said, I doubt that you can figure out the similarities between the player and their character based on a simple OOC introduction before the RP, mm? And that's what I'm reffering to.

 

 

 

I especially feel like it throws out some tension when you play a brash, unpredictable character. If anything, I find it useful as to ensure folk aren't made uncomfortable.

 

Well, again, I think that the line with IC and OOC blurs here. If a character is uncomfortable with another character, why not react on a IC basis? It's simple as that. If only, that potentially leads to more RP. It feels like to me as if you would be trying to give information about your character on a OOC level while aquiring it through IC means could be more fun and, I like to repeat myself I know, creates more RP.

 

The most practical reason for it is to check whether or whether not they're IC; not everybody is a heavy roleplayer and IC at all times.

 

Well, that I can agree with. Still, it's not a must! We should be free to interact with people even if we're not sure they are roleplayers? It's not like the things we do are taboo and non-roleplayers will report us to the authorities should they get a scent of us.

 

I'll agree with you on your first point. It isn't a must, just something I like to do because new people and all. If I'm roleplaying with somebody, it's kinda nice to talk with them OOC and poke fun at our characters.

 

As for your second point... I'll have to disagree with. If it was only a matter of a character being uncomfortable with mine, it wouldn't matter so much -- although on several different occasions, I have seen people react likewise to my character OOC. I've kept this small guideline in my head ever since my character made a player cry because... she wouldn't acknowledge that character by their name; I played an arrogant type that felt they were better than others. 

 

If they did report us, I'd have a laugh. 

[D'eshel]

I've kept this small guideline in my head ever since my character made a player cry because... she wouldn't acknowledge that character by their name; I played an arrogant type that felt they were better than others.

 

I don't mean to be rude, but don't you think that's just... Oh, I don't know, weird? I mean, sure, this is an mmorpg we are playing and these are other people we are interacting with and there are some rules, but people often forget that it's a two-way road.

 

I agree with you on the point that chatting with someone you roleplay can be fun. Heck, I do it as often as I can. My original point was that, however helpful OOC interactions before RP may or may not be, I don't think it should be A) a must or B) encouraged that heavily. People should be able to freely go about and try to interact, in their character, with whomever they choose. That is roleplaying after all.

 

Maybe I'm overacting or misread some bits in this thread, I just got a general vibe that OOC interactions (in random encounters) are heavily encouraged if you want to find some RP. (using the forums as a means of reaching contacts is a diffrent matter and I'm totally okay with that, just to clarify.) It's like telling someone that they'll only have a good spaghetti sauce if they'll add garlic to it, but nobody has to like garlic.

 

I'll stop with the derailing already, sorry!

[Y'lani]

I've kept this small guideline in my head ever since my character made a player cry because... she wouldn't acknowledge that character by their name; I played an arrogant type that felt they were better than others.

 

I don't mean to be rude, but don't you think that's just... Oh, I don't know, weird? I mean, sure, this is an mmorpg we are playing and these are other people we are interacting with and there are some rules, but people often forget that it's a two-way road.

 

I agree with you on the point that chatting with someone you roleplay can be fun. Heck, I do it as often as I can. My original point was that, however helpful OOC interactions before RP may or may not be, I don't think it should be A) a must or B) encouraged that heavily. People should be able to freely go about and try to interact, in their character, with whomever they choose. That is roleplaying after all.

 

Maybe I'm overacting or misread some bits in this thread, I just got a general vibe that OOC interactions (in random encounters) are heavily encouraged if you want to find some RP. (using the forums as a means of reaching contacts is a diffrent matter and I'm totally okay with that, just to clarify.) It's like telling someone that they'll only have a good spaghetti sauce if they'll add garlic to it, but nobody has to like garlic.

 

I'll stop with the derailing already, sorry! 

 

Oh, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I've never had my characters cross any lines (as far as I know) so I was just taken aback and turned it into a mini habit. I would heavily encourage it if a player plays a villain, but otherwise, it is far from a necessity.

 

OOC communication before the first walk-up definitely isn't something you need to do. You can initiate a roleplay however you like, within the realm of plausibility, of course, although it isn't guaranteed that the other player will respond to your attempts. Keep at it! You'll find somebody who will in due time.

 

For the OP: as others have stated, be brave! Just putting yourself out there sparks up a bunch more continuous roleplay. I'd also tackle some of the "Making Connections" threads. I've gotten a lot of use out of them.

[Jerciex]

Don't worry about derailing. It is all good. With these experiences and thought you have told here are really helpful. They allows me think things differently and somehow "outside the box".

Sometimes it feels like your own thinking isn't enough

 

I do like idea where you use your personal feeling to affect ICly, because everybody cannot be "best friends" and stuff. But it usually makes RP short, but maybe it is good. Why RP should be always long sessions in one place? Even 5min RP can be "delicious" and maybe during time it turns out into something bigger.

 

What comes to "Making Connections", I have been looking into it. I just need to psych myself and be brave and approach there.

 

[Kurt S.]

I don't know where I said that philosophy is a must. I just said it's important and I do it. Too often I've tried to interact with so--ohh haha they're afk, let's wait or even even hi the--hah they logged out. For the former case you've got people who don't log out like ever so waiting for that is futile.

 

So let me make my words perfectly clear. This is something I do and I dont speak for anyone else.

 

Given your summary and background segment I suggest you keep Delni.

 

Those 'quests' you do is a fun concept to play around with really. It takes RP out into the world and doesnt let it stagnate to just a tavern rp, not that there's anything wrong with that. In fact if you're feeling adventurous you could use that 'quest' thing as an initial launch pad into something more.

 

Say you need to go Bentbranch to pick something up. Buuut it didn't arrive from Quarrymill buut you actually need it now/dont have time to wait. So you go to Quarrymill. Aha Quarrymill! But oh noes the trade caravan from Ul'dah that stops here hasnt arrived at all yet which explains why your parcel hasnt made it to Bentbranch or something. So you've got your burly friend with a spear or something propose a jaunt to Camp Tranquil.

 

Under the assumption they say yes you go camp tranquil and lo and behold the caravan is there stuck at Camp Tranquil so you go pick up the thing and go home. Or if you want to extend it have them find out that it hasnt arrived there yet but was last sighted to leave bridge. Not sure if there are bandit spawns there but there are a bunch of amal'jaa spawns that could make a nice life threatening encounter. Get that adrenaline pumping.

 

Use those quests to chain into something that might take her to Ul'dah. Of course this is probably just a convoluted method and you're free to disregard it.

 

If you're looking for someone to take you from Gridania to Uldah I have Nah Amariyo who can do just that since she tries to make the periodical walk or chocobo ride from Ul'dah to Gridania and back because she still visits daddy dearest running the family shop in Old Gridania. She's always eager to help out so we just need to make 1st contact. Barring that I have a dragoon I could throw your way too.

[D'eshel]

I don't know where I said that philosophy is a must. I just said it's important and I do it. Too often I've tried to interact with so--ohh haha they're afk, let's wait or even even hi the--hah they logged out. For the former case you've got people who don't log out like ever so waiting for that is futile.

 

So let me make my words perfectly clear. This is something I do and I dont speak for anyone else.

 

Well, forgive me for making the wrong assumption, then!  I must have misread your intentions or exxagerated a little bit. As I said before, that kind of approach is something I agree with, however it shouldn't come to a situation where a OOC tell should ever become mandatory to start RP with someone out there in the wild.

 

Back to being on topic, though, OP: My character is still in the works and he's still getting his skills in most aspects, but should you ever have a need of an escort, a soul to go out and explore places with or just chat, do hit me up ingame!