Why do people RP around the MSQ? [Post 2.55 Spoilers]

[Magellan]

I don't want this to be a blow-up thread, so please keep replies respectful.

 

I just honestly want to know why people rp around elements based on the MSQ. There have bee a LOT of threads on this site recently about the events of 2.55, and how it affects their roleplay, and I guess it just never occurred to me to have your rp so closely linked to the MSQ, that the MSQ could affect it in any way.

 

Thoughts? Opinions?

[ChewableMorphine]

I wouldn't say it's the MSQ in specific that affects the RP, rather than the blowback from events such as

 

 

The sultanate falling apart, Dravanians nearly destroying Ishgard (again), and the sudden recurrence of Primals thanks to Urianger: that sack of shit who knew too much. Also the fact even bystanders would be like "Why the fuck is the Flame General in prison and the Blades are on high alert"

[Warren Castille]

A friendly request to either mark the OP title with open spoilers, or a request to keep everything under tabs for the time being. I know the content's new and a big deal, but it's still less than a week out. I'm not sure where the statute of limitations are.

[Coatleque]

The whole point of role-playing within a specific world is that your character is bound by the laws, lore, and events that shape that world. Even though many people do not role-play as a Warrior of Light, their characters reactions are still shaped by major events in the world around them. It's an organic reaction that makes our individual stories that much more believable/immersive.

[Maril]

I wouldn't say it's the MSQ in specific that affects the RP, rather than the blowback from events such as

 

 

The sultanate falling apart, Dravanians nearly destroying Ishgard (again), and the sudden recurrence of Primals thanks to Urianger: that sack of shit who knew too much. Also the fact even bystanders would be like "Why the fuck is the Flame General in prison and the Blades are on high alert"

 

This essentially. 

The ripple-effect is big enough to fondle at least a little bit with most characters that RP a lot in Ul'dah, as I see it. 

From what I can tell, most people's own story-lines are not deeply connected with the MSQ, not to an extend of involving the big story characters in it or to say that they indirectly caused something that happened in it. 

 

You could compare it to say, if there was an orbital nuke on an entire zone. People would have to figure out where their characters would have been at that time to ensure they didn't get nuked, and for some it might have been a zone where they had placed some of their story stuff as taking place, such as "this is where my family lives".

[Marisa]

Well, if you live in Ul'dah or Ishgard, 2.55 kind of can't be ignored. It's pretty hard to pretend that your country isn't on the brink of civil war, or that half your population wasn't just decimated by a dragon invasion.

[Tiergan]

The whole point of role-playing within a specific world is that your character is bound by the laws, lore, and events that shape that world. Even though many people do not role-play as a Warrior of Light, their characters reactions are still shaped by major events in the world around them. It's an organic reaction that makes our individual stories that much more believable/immersive.

 

^ Basically this.

 

While most folks don't agree with playing as though all the events of the MSQ are happening specifically to your character (AKA, "I AM THE MAIN CHARACTER WHO DEFEATED ALL THE PRIMALS, FOUGHT GENERAL GAIUS, FOUGHT THE ASCIANS, ETC, ETC, ETC.") the events involved in the MSQ have realm-wide effects that even non-adventurers would feel.

 

Ignoring those events means ignoring a huge chunk of the roleplay setting itself. It's also missing out on a bunch of great RP opportunities. I can only imagine what things might be like for Ishgardians and Ul'dahns who play certain character types.

 

[EDIT: Removed obvious spoilers. Apologies!]

[Nebbs]

Why do you think they do it? You must have some ideas at least.. come on.. not one?

 

Why might one RP around the MSQ?

We all take on board some of the setting to a lesser or greater extent. The MSQ gives a rich experience in RPG terms that some may wish to use for the basis of their character. It provides a very definite instantiation of their character in the game.

 

If you don't know why this is a bad idea then read this [The Role-Play Handbook]

[Sounsyy]

I think that, unlike all other lore and side quests, the MSQ informs "current events" in the world. This is happening now. And while not all is pertinent to RP, there are some events in the MSQ which have wide, rippling effects on the world.

 

 

 

In 1.0 the Prayer Pilgrimages to the far corners of the world to save Eorzea.

The Garleans actually invading Eorzea.

The War of Succession coming to a close.

The assassination and dissolution of the Monarchy in Ul'dah.

Doman refugees seeking asylum in Eorzea.

The first Primal summonings turning the Beastmen into enemies of the city-states. (Most beastmen were actually our allies until 20 years ago.)

 

 

These things are all part of the MSQ, and whether we choose to RP characters experiencing these events first hand or not, these events affect the world at large and the setting in which we RP. A year ago, probably no one in Ul'dah or Gridania had ever even heard of a place called "Doma." (Limsa maybe cuz they trade with everyone in the world.) Now its almost common to meet Doman RPers.

[Seriphyn]

The whole point of role-playing within a specific world is that your character is bound by the laws, lore, and events that shape that world.  Even though many people do not role-play as a Warrior of Light, their characters reactions are still shaped by major events in the world around them.  It's an organic reaction that makes our individual stories that much more believable/immersive.

 

Yepyep.

[Magellan]

I do appreciate the amicable tone so far, and of course understand many of your points. However, as stated, some people haven't gotten through the storyline yet. And so... what is 'current events' to some, is not to others, even if their character legitimately should have experienced it due to their position/title.

 

I understand using the MSQ to enhance your personal rp amongst smaller groups, but am confused as to trying to apply it to the broader community based setting. I mean... we are all on different timelines within the MSQ. My character resides in Ul'dah a lot, and would be very thoroughly confused if someone was rping that the sky was falling, when it very clearly is not to her.

[cuideag]

The whole point of role-playing within a specific world is that your character is bound by the laws, lore, and events that shape that world. Even though many people do not role-play as a Warrior of Light, their characters reactions are still shaped by major events in the world around them. It's an organic reaction that makes our individual stories that much more believable/immersive.

 

This. ^ Neither of my characters really have anything to do with MSQ but what has happened will undoubtedly shape their perspective and might even influence some actions in the future because, hey, it's not a static world and things happen outside of our own personal stories.

[Coatleque]

... some people haven't gotten through the storyline yet. And so... what is 'current events' to some, is not to others...

 

... am confused as to trying to apply it to the broader community based setting. I mean... we are all on different timelines within the MSQ...

 

You do raise a valid concern. The only thing I could suggest in this case is to try your best to ignore spoilers, or seclude yourself away. As more and more people do finish the MSQ up to the current content, the majority of people are going to begin accepting the events as having passed.

 

That, unfortunately, is the price of role-play in an MMO format.

[Tiergan]

I do appreciate the amicable tone so far, and of course understand many of your points. However, as stated, some people haven't gotten through the storyline yet. And so... what is 'current events' to some, is not to others, even if their character legitimately should have experienced it due to their position/title.

 

I understand using the MSQ to enhance your personal rp amongst smaller groups, but am confused as to trying to apply it to the broader community based setting. I mean... we are all on different timelines within the MSQ. My character resides in Ul'dah a lot, and would be very thoroughly confused if someone was rping that the sky was falling, when it very clearly is not to her.

 

I don't remember whether you've had a great deal of experience RPing in MMOs or not. Generally this is always a problem that happens in MMOs that have any sort of basic overarching story.

 

For the most part, in many MMO RP communities, every time a new patch comes out, its contents are the 'update' for current events happening in the world. Otherwise the world would still be in its extremely stagnant 1.0 version or 2.0 relaunch version of itself for all of the RP community which would be very stale, would lock out new things like Doman roleplayers -- and would even prohibit everything in the upcoming expansion as all of the events in the MSQ lead up to what is coming next. (AKA, you wouldn't be able to RP an Au Ra because they are virtually non-existent in the MSQ save for one main NPC.)

 

Also, it would directly clash with small things SE does to the world itself to imply time has changed, such as Mor Dhona constantly being updated to show that as time progresses, it becomes a bigger and better place.

 

While this isn't necessarily fair for newer RPers or people who are much slower to complete the MSQ - it would prove to be more of a detriment than an asset over time. Especially as SE continues to change/update the world and most of the RP community will have completed the story quests over those who have not.

[Magellan]

I do appreciate the amicable tone so far, and of course understand many of your points. However, as stated, some people haven't gotten through the storyline yet. And so... what is 'current events' to some, is not to others, even if their character legitimately should have experienced it due to their position/title.

 

I understand using the MSQ to enhance your personal rp amongst smaller groups, but am confused as to trying to apply it to the broader community based setting. I mean... we are all on different timelines within the MSQ. My character resides in Ul'dah a lot, and would be very thoroughly confused if someone was rping that the sky was falling, when it very clearly is not to her.

 

I don't remember whether you've had a great deal of experience RPing in MMOs or not.  Generally this is always a problem that happens in MMOs that have any sort of basic overarching story.

 

For the most part, in many MMO RP communities, every time a new patch comes out, its contents are the 'update' for current events happening in the world.  Otherwise the world would still be in its extremely stagnant 1.0 version or 2.0 relaunch version of itself for all of the RP community which would be very stale, would lock out new things like Doman roleplayers -- and would even prohibit everything in the upcoming expansion as all of the events in the MSQ lead up to what is coming next.

 

Also, it would directly clash with small things SE does to the world itself to imply time has changed, such as Mor Dhona constantly being updated to show that as time progresses, it becomes a bigger and better place.  

 

While this isn't necessarily fair for newer RPers or people who are much slower to complete the MSQ - it would prove to be more of a detriment than an asset over time.  Especially as SE continues to change/update the world and most of the RP community will have completed the story quests over those who have not.

Yea, it's a fair point. It just raises a concern in me that mmo communities are no place for casuals. I feel like I'm breaking my back already trying to get caught up in PvE, let alone RP, and it's just extremely overwhelming at times. I think I've just got to accept that mmo rp is not the correct realm for me, and stick to my smaller groups.

 

Thanks for the viewpoints on this all. Much appreciated <3

[Seriphyn]

Yea, it's a fair point. It just raises a concern in me that mmo communities are no place for casuals. I feel like I'm breaking my back already trying to get caught up in PvE, let alone RP, and it's just extremely overwhelming at times. I think I've just got to accept that mmo rp is not the correct realm for me, and stick to my smaller groups.

 

Thanks for the viewpoints on this all. Much appreciated <3

 

It's not too tricky. Time between patches is 3 months, and the time to complete MSQ patch increments is measured in hours. 

 

That being said, I do believe that there should be a certain 'grace period' in public RP locations like the Quicksand where people are discretionary about plot reveals out in the open.

[Coatleque]

That being said, I do believe that there should be a certain 'grace period' in public RP locations like the Quicksand where people are discretionary about plot reveals out in the open.

 

Sounds great on paper of course. Will never happen when a thousand strangers over the internet converge in one location.

[Magellan]

Yea, it's a fair point. It just raises a concern in me that mmo communities are no place for casuals. I feel like I'm breaking my back already trying to get caught up in PvE, let alone RP, and it's just extremely overwhelming at times. I think I've just got to accept that mmo rp is not the correct realm for me, and stick to my smaller groups.

 

Thanks for the viewpoints on this all. Much appreciated <3

 

It's not too tricky. Time between patches is 3 months, and the time to complete MSQ patch increments is measured in hours. 

 

That being said, I do believe that there should be a certain 'grace period' in public RP locations like the Quicksand where people are discretionary about plot reveals out in the open.

It took me 2 years to reach lvl 50 I'm a bit of a 'special' case. (though not a special snowflake!)

[Tiergan]

Yea, it's a fair point. It just raises a concern in me that mmo communities are no place for casuals. I feel like I'm breaking my back already trying to get caught up in PvE, let alone RP, and it's just extremely overwhelming at times. I think I've just got to accept that mmo rp is not the correct realm for me, and stick to my smaller groups.

 

Thanks for the viewpoints on this all. Much appreciated <3

 

It's not too tricky. Time between patches is 3 months, and the time to complete MSQ patch increments is measured in hours. 

 

That being said, I do believe that there should be a certain 'grace period' in public RP locations like the Quicksand where people are discretionary about plot reveals out in the open.

It took me 2 years to reach lvl 50 I'm a bit of a 'special' case. (though not a special snowflake!)

 

You also took a massive break from playing for a while, hon.

 

Also, please don't take this the wrong way as I don't mean this as harshly as it might come off, but if you have so little time that you can't tackle the MSQ - is it really worth paying the monthly subscription? I've always felt that if the game itself doesn't interest you enough where you actually want to play it, it would be much cheaper to just find a chat/tumblr/skype/forum-based RP community to engage in as it would be way more flexible, easier to tailor to your needs, and also free.

[Magellan]

Yea, it's a fair point. It just raises a concern in me that mmo communities are no place for casuals. I feel like I'm breaking my back already trying to get caught up in PvE, let alone RP, and it's just extremely overwhelming at times. I think I've just got to accept that mmo rp is not the correct realm for me, and stick to my smaller groups.

 

Thanks for the viewpoints on this all. Much appreciated <3

 

It's not too tricky. Time between patches is 3 months, and the time to complete MSQ patch increments is measured in hours. 

 

That being said, I do believe that there should be a certain 'grace period' in public RP locations like the Quicksand where people are discretionary about plot reveals out in the open.

It took me 2 years to reach lvl 50 I'm a bit of a 'special' case. (though not a special snowflake!)

 

You also took a massive break from playing for a while, hon.

 

Also, please don't take this the wrong way as I don't mean this as harshly as it might come off, but if you have so little time that you can't tackle the MSQ - is it really worth paying the monthly subscription?  I've always felt that if the game itself doesn't interest you enough where you actually want to play it, it would be much cheaper to just find a chat/tumblr/skype/forum-based RP community to engage in as it would be way more flexible, easier to tailor to your needs, and also free.

Nah, I don't take it harshly. It's a legitimate question, and the first time I played, I genuinely disliked the game, and was only here for rps (hence my ultra-slow leveling). So in that instance, you were probably 100% correct.

 

This time around, I'm actually enjoying the game quite a lot. To the point that I find myself rping less and less. However, the MSQ thoroughly bores me, as does much of the lore. That isn't to say that I set out to make lore-breaking characters, on the contrary, I try to adhere to as much of it as possible. But it does mean during my game time I'm much more likely to run dungeons or do challenge log, and stay as many malms away from questing as possible because... they just aren't fun to me . I skip the cutscenes almost universally, and rush through them merely to progress my character and open up more content.

 

So to see that the community is revolving around the MSQ I guess was a bit of a wake-up call, that my lack of interest in the MSQ and its associated lore will limit my rp opportunities.

[Coatleque]

So to see that the community is revolving around the MSQ I guess was a bit of a wake-up call, that my lack of interest in the MSQ and its associated lore will limit my rp opportunities.

 

Well, I wouldn't say it's "revolving" around it per say.

 

Crofte, for example, is a Sultansworn. So things happening in Ul'dah right now will play heavily into how she reacts to things during Role-play.

 

Everything happening in Ishgard, however, I pretty much ignore.

[Kellach Woods]

So to see that the community is revolving around the MSQ I guess was a bit of a wake-up call, that my lack of interest in the MSQ and its associated lore will limit my rp opportunities.

 

The MSQ is the backdrop, so to speak. It's a common denominator we can use to say "this is what is currently going on in the world right now".

 

My character has dick all to do with the MSQ. So he just keeps doing what he's doing.

[Chris Ganale]

Three of my eight characters would even be affected by it. One is an ex-Flames veteran and from Ul'dah, so obviously he's going to be greatly affected by the events, especially when the Syndicate is starting to drive smaller businesses into the ground since that means they're going to be coming after his employer/love interest. And that's not going to end well for whatever Syndicate lackey and his mook troop of Blades shows up to close her down.

 

Another character has no care at all for Ul'dah, but is keenly interested in the Dragonsong War because his father-figure mentor is a guard captain of House Fortemps, and was originally slated to die at the Steps of Faith until I played it and realized it wasn't the massive defeat I was expecting it to be. Still working on tweaking that story.

 

My only other character that would be 'affected' is only really going to be 'affected' by it in that it won't take her long to add up the numbers and realize that the Syndicate has either done in or flat usurped the sultanate and is attempting to seize control of Ul'dah. But she doesn't care and it doesn't truly have an affect on her because she's got her hands full dealing with Garlean assassins. And is going, "Huh, glad I decided to move out when I did."

 

The other five? They'd be hard-pressed to even notice shady shit going on in the Desert Jewel, as they're all in plots in Limsa or Gridania.

[CrimsonMars]

I don't. Chiyo is one of the last people to be up to date on anything regarding the main scenario since she isn't a Sultansworn, and unless her friends and family are involved, she has nothing to do with Ishgard.

[ArmachiA]

Basically if it looks like something it going to have a wide sweeping impact on the world around you in the MSQ, it's probably wise to evaluate how it effect your character. I.E. The Calamity - none of the 1.0 roleplayers knew about it and had to make MAJOR adjustments to their characters because it had such a wide reaching scope. Every single corner of Eorzea was effected, it was impossible to pretend it didn't happen at all. It's really easy to take a step back and go "Okay so this looks like it will have wide reaching consequences , does that effect my character at all? If yes, how?"

 

Then play accordingly.

 

On time, My FC generally regards each event as happening right before a patch. So, for example, the events of 2.3 will be put in during patch 2.4 (If applicable) in order to lesson spoilers and give people ample time to prepare. In 2.55 we plan on having Ellion (The IC leader) make a call to go help with the Steps of Faith (Since it actually says Free Company's went) but won't be doing that till about a week or two before 3.0 comes out.

Time is always iffy from group to group, so it's best to generally keep timelines hazy when rping in the open world. Haven't had an issue with it yet, really.