Lets talk romance!

[Marcy]

I will write anything, and I mean, anything, so long as the story is good and there is decent communication OOC. I'm pretty picky with long-term writing partners so I never go into IC romance or similarly involved storylines without making sure there is a firm understanding of boundaries and a certain level of writing proficiency, as well as character chemistry so the story can evolve organically and I am not doing all the work.

 

It's really about making something that has room for growth, conflict, and complexity. I love writing fluff as much as heavy drama, I love humor and horror and at the end the thing that matters most is that the RP is fun.

 

Like Sol, I'm super into relationship dynamics of any kind and human interaction in general, and the depth they can add to a story. I can talk about that stuff to the point of being obnoxious and write stupidly complex characters as a result -- figuring out their reactions and emotional state is like solving a puzzle, and having their relationships change and shape their journeys is the real draw of collaborative writing for me.

[Branson Thorne]

My Ishgard Noble, Dacein Vallerimont is in a committed relationship, though it's in the early stages and though not quite established official, but the romance is there.

 

It's been played as your typical "over-romance" fashion. Completely smitten with each other, love at first site, eyes for nobody else but each other. Honorable Knight/Dragoon with his Noble Lady is pretty much the whole premise of their relationship. And it's been a blast.

 

On the other hand, my main RP Character, R'tah Tia is a walking disaster when it comes to Romance.

 

He doesn't trust people easily. And due to his past romance that, when was official, lasted only 1 day, he trusts people even less. Since then, he's made some SLIGHT progress with his current interest but it's very messy. Lots of setbacks, misunderstandings, miscommunication, complications with current relationships etc. It's a beautiful disaster.

 

So basically, as long as the romance fits my character, I don't really have a preference. If RPed properly, any type of romance can be fun.

[Tatsu]

Theres romance involved indepth with FFXIV RP?    Wow, i have plenty to look forward 2

[Paradox]

A'rklonn is a romantic at heart. The thing about romances is they take a *lot* of your time. I generally don't play a lot of romances on anyone but my main as well since..he's really the one I play most. So it's hard for me to do any kind of romance on alts since it would kind of be unfair to the other player unless it was also one of their not often played alts. That said.

 

I like all kinds of romance. From love at first sight, or lust-that-turns-to-love, to friends that become lovers, and so on. There are different degrees of passion, exploration, and warmth involved with all of them and while I'm a cynical, pessimistic asshole a lot of the time, I've got a romantic still left in me somewhere. Trapped in a cage asking for bread and water most likely, but it's still there.

[Dis]

Like A'rk, I primarily focus on Glio, because I don't think it's fair to saddle someone else's main character with a romance that I'm not on that much to play.  That said, from romance to rivalmance to 'I love to hate you', I adore it all in my RP.

 

When it comes to Glioca, she's definitely a flip-flop between softer romance (poetry, picnics and quiet nights together reading) and more dramatic romance (fighting, arguments, hate-sex and slamming doors), as well as tragic romances (I watch a lot of Japanese and Chinese dramas, don't judge).  My other characters vary, but the other one I play the most, Liviana, is definitely a shoujo anime romance type.  Things are cute and fluffy and it's mostly just adorable and lovey-dovey.

 

I think romance is like ice cream, there's a flavor out there for everyone, and mixing them can sometimes create an awesome new flavor, and other times you just want to throw the tub of ice cream out the window and start over.

 

Me, personally, I'm a closet romantic with a prince (not the singer) complex.

[K'coca Razbe]

I love romance and having fun with that special someone. There's a lot of great things about a nice stable girl/boy friend to go on dates, cuddle, and be affectionate with. IMO its the little quiet moments that make a love story, the kind of stuff couples do adds just as much to the story as the big dramatics. This also makes the inevitable monster fights and action more exciting as you're fighting beside the one you lover, I like the idea of a characters that complement one another in combat being in love :lol: Finally the mushy stuff is sooooo cute and such fun to RP

[Kylin]

Mod note: Moved to RP discussion since this seems to cater around RP interactions more so than gameplay.

 

That said, I have a fairly complicated view on RP romances. Until XIV, I pretty much never RPed them at all (aside from like once...and that was a nightmare) and even considered myself a staunch advocate against them. In previous MMO RP communities, I'd usually end up making some NPC and having my character's romantic endeavors revolve around said NPC (although said NPC usually ended up dying lolz). When I joined XIV, I started to engross myself significantly more in character romances with other characters. It really opened up a ton of doors for character development that I never realized existed. The stories I've had revolving around these relationships have been absolutely spectacular so far (though still no happily ever after :dodgy: ).

 

My biggest grief with RP romances is actually in regards to how unapproachable it can make you. A lot of RPers have troubles approaching others to initiate RP as is. Add to that a seemingly impenetrable duo and it gets even worse. It's easier to approach one person for RP/storyline ideas than it is to approach TWO. While it's perfectly natural for RP couples to spend a lot of time together, I think it's really important that they also make a conscious effort to stay as approachable as possible. Going to an IC party? Find a reason to have the duo part ways briefly and mingle with others. Don't go to some corner together away from the crowd. And so on and so forth.

 

So in summary: I'm all for RP romances and think they open a plethora of doors for character development. But it's up to those RPing these romances to keep themselves open to the other RPers in their LS/FC/the greater community. Nobody wants to feel like a third wheel after all (well, almost nobody anyway).

[Shofie]

I don't really enjoy RP romances with most people, because people tend to not understand where the line is and they blur OOC and IC way too often. I've watched too many people be harassed over "romance" and in one case it bordered on outright stalking.

[Momo]

Above comments aside (because let's face it, that is true, people get way into things that are for RP only), RP romance can be fun, relaxing, engaging, and all the other things that any other type of RP can be.  Some characters I keep open to love, others just sleep around, and still others I keep romance off-screen so as to police it myself.  It depends on the character, but should always be kept fun, and as an addition to the plot, instead of the whole plot!

[Gabineaux]

I like to write really long romantic plots.. and then smash them with a big hammer. Just destroy. Two characters ago I think I ruined three other character's IC lives. That was fun. Don't RP romance with me.

 

 

I think my favourite.. and I won't name any names.. was when my character and another played rock paper scissors. In regards to something.. in a romantic nature. Yep. That was pretty prime RP.

[Renata Turner]

Renata was written to be a cold, icy, hostile, detached, no fucks given bitch.

 

That's how she was supposed to be and that's how I wanted her.

 

 

Then...she meets this Midlander. I had a bout of mono at the time, and so I was on fairly often. They became unlikely friends. And then more developed. 

 

That was almost a year ago, and Renata and Percival are still going strong, despite my own OOC absence from the game for irl reasons. 

 

(It helps that Perci's player is an awesome person and has, over the past year, become someone I consider to be a dear friend.)

 

_{(Pers, you're awesome and I'm glad every day to have you as my rp partner.)}

[AmeKusakari]

I'm iffy about romances in rp.  In the past in another mmo, I had a person who got -too- involved in their character and mine, and started to get jealous and possessive of both the character and my time, and it got really weird.  (They would get annoyed or angry at me if I rped with other people...)  and so that's made me super wary of romantic or relationship rps.

It hasn't entirely deterred me from the idea, but I would have to be sure that the person has a clear understanding of the difference between in-game and Irl, and be fairly laid back.  I don't like a romance to be the center of the rp, but it can be a nice accent to the character development.

 

Ame is already set to be in a romantic relationship with my partner's character, but my my other character Jellal is single, however not very romantic.  He's pretty set on his revenge, so it would take allot of effort to catch his interests. Someone would have to be fairly stubborn and determined to get much other than a glare from him lol.

[Momoka]

Lunelle is not a character who will ever be monogamous. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Shes flirtatious, shes promiscious, and she will very likely take you home and make sweet sweet dusky love to you, but shes not interested in more than that. Romance RP can be fun, gods knows I enjoy it, but often times I find the journey more exciting than the destination. It helps that my rp partner/irl partner feels the same way I do, and both our characters, while the best of friends, will never be more than BFFs who sometimes touch each other's butts.

[DND]

I have always been a tragic, star-crossed lovers, hopeless romantic sort ever since I fell in love with Romeo & Juliet/ Tristan and Isolde and other similar stories as a child. I practically raised myself on trashy romance novels and rom com movies after that. So in general, all romance is good romance, because who doesn't love love! Slice of life, uncontrollable desire, subtle cues, etc. It's all looooovely!

 

However, that being said... my favorite kinds tend to be the complex ones. Sure there is room for the doe eyed, we can't stop touching each other or the world will surely perish sort of romance, but for me, it's the other sorts that are most interesting. The reason that Romeo and Juliet or Tristan and Isolde and other such stories where so powerful in their romance was because it was a struggle (and usually someone dies- spoiler alert in hindsight). The most powerful romance seems to be that which you might lose, void of any complacency.

 

No, no one HAS to die, nor be in constant danger. Just- don't make it easy lol Sass, witty banter, hating each other at first, forbidden unions. Anything to give it that edge of complexity and mystery.

 

Also- absolutely must, must, must be a well rounded, fun, and sane individual oocly. I get all into my toons stories like anyone else (especially after 13 yrs rping) and yes it can be fun and sad and happy and annoying at times. You will feel things OOCly from rping your toon! That's not a crime and is totally understandable. You may not OOCly feel everything your toon does like love, lust, anger etc (that's a no no), but you might feel a bit bummed if things go amiss or happy when they go well and you're enjoying the rp etc.

 

But in an rp partner you absolutely have- to- have someone who does not bring ooc things ic, or cause problems oocly because of the issues icly and vise versa. I see it like a one way glass mirror. OOC is on one side, IC is on the other. OOC can see into the IC room and thus may judge it one way or another, but isn't IN the room and cannot react entirely upon what IC does. IC cannot in any way see or even know the existence of OOC.

 

Ok... too much ncis. my bad.

 

Anywho! Hopeless romantic babble forever aside, I find that if my rp centers around romance, it gets restless no matter how good it is. So in addition, and lastly, I'd add- totally need the romance to be a side dish to the entree that is my general RP.

 

Entree: Adventure/Organized FC of some sort RP.

Side Dish: Romance RP

2nd Side Dish: 1-1/Friend/Odd Jobs/Stranger RP.

Dessert: Well- you know. Kinda compliments the side dish from time to time, but if you partake too much you'll get fat.

[Coda]

I enjoy romance, but every time I give it shot in RP, it always winds up being a little disappointing. Maybe it's just me, but it always seems to fizzle or fall off. I much rather write it into a character's background if I involve my characters with another at all.

[Lonaroix]

While I don't necessarily hate it, I wouldn't say I'm big on RP romances either. Some previous posts have already brought it up, I reckon, that some people take it way too seriously and OOC and IC start mingling together - with plenty of ruckus and drama as a result! That's not to say all my experiences with romance are bad, but I've definitely become more wary over the years before I open up to a romance plot.

 

I never center my RP around romance, however. I think it's a fun element to spice up the story and it'll lead to character development galore, but it's never the sole purpose of why I created a certain character. Nor do I particularly crave kissykissycuddle RP 24/7. In my honest personal opinion ( and it's okay if you disagree, each to his own ), constant romance RP would grow redundant after a while, to the point I might grow bored of my own character. I definitely adore it when it's done infrequently and inbetween my character's plethora of other adventures, but I'd rather not be RPing a romcom! Again - might just be personal taste.

[Snowflakehusky]

I suppose I could -do- romance, its just that it takes a -lot- to impress me and make me go n'awwwww.

 

My views on romance are a bit complicated. Woo me but master me, make me laugh but keep me on my toes, ohgodidontknowokijustdont.

 

Most romantic rp I have witnessed so far[and I'm -very- new to this game in particular], in public[aka the Sands], has made me cringe.

 

I think I'm going  the courtesan route with my character as that way I can meet lots of role-players, yet don't have to pretend I enjoy being wooed by them once our time together is over.

 

Monogamy is cool, IF said character is worth it.Most are tools and are not.

 

I'm a curmudgeon, SUE ME.

 

 

* any /all references to cutesie anime will be shot down immediately.no.not with me.just don't.

 

** basically ,I just want someone dark, magnetic and brooding like the Winter Soldier and as sexy, so I can write long posts about rain, sex and -regret-. What can I say,I'm Slavic. >>

[Altitis Acquired]

I don't do romances.

Sure, Cail would flirt immensely with guys, but never get too close. He'll make friends and some become very close friends, so heart-wrenching bromances? That could happen. But never romances.

 

There's a deeper reason for this, as I have a past of trust issues and once had a stalker fall for me after having an IC romance with him (and only IC!), so it's territory I'm very wary about treading.

[TK Hikaru]

I'm alright with writing romance, there's something about having an oc care about someone else a lot that just makes it so fun to tear it apart me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

That said, I never expected Chouwa to settle into a romance easily given her history of short flings. Definitely pictured some kind of 'Ah fuck how do I avoid this' situation. Turn my back and the next thing I know she's crushing hard on the cute Au ra and said Au ra's crushing on her as well.

 

As for the kind of romances I like, I definitely like the romances where there's a clear partnership going on. There's an equal balance of power between all parties and yes there's fights, but there's also snuggles and silly jokes.

 

I'm also a sucker for height differences but that's just additional fluff.

[Mia Moui]

I'm not in-game enough to start or sustain such a thing but fortunately for me, Mia is absolutely opposed to any kind of romantic entanglement.

[Tierney Weaver]

Am I the only one who thinks it's kinda corny?

 

I avoid getting myself into romance RP. It weirds me out

[Warren Castille]

Am I the only one who thinks it's kinda corny?

 

I avoid getting myself into romance RP. It weirds me out

 

Nope. It's as subjective a topic as any other genre of writing or roleplay, and as such will have people who just aren't into it or just don't get it. Pretty natural when comparing hobbies!

[Derek]

Good character chemistry, perfect scenery to fit the mood, and some sweet moments with some cute words here and there. Icing on the cake is the thought put into it to make it special for the partner.

 

That's just how I roll. :thumbsup:

[Leih]

OOC I like romances and find them fun. Though I really like when they are natural to the story and not forced. Character chemistry is very important. On the player to player basis, there has to be some trust between players and also respect in the fact that our characters are the ones in a relationship. Not us. So, being friends is okay. More than that, nope. 

 

Leih is a hyperactive sweet girl with an independent personality, within her means since she's a slave without the title... She's also very trusting. She is more prone to see people as sibling figures than romantic partners, so if she is romanced it has to be someone who gets to know her well enough. And probably someone that can counteract her hyperactivity and trusting personality. Also someone willing to take it slow with her.

 

Altani Olkund.... well... er... She doesn't trust anyone and avoids getting close to people. So... yeah... Not seeing a future romantic life possible.

 

That's my take on romances and my characters'.

[Kiipa Nulstat]

I enjoy playing with chemistry and the like with characters, though this does not always result in romance and that's perfectly fine for me. I regularly rip my characters to shreds emotionally, so affection is just another blade to cut with.

 

Mild silliness aside, as long as something develops naturally and intrigues me, I'm pretty okay flying with it. I only play romances with friends, though. I've had a few people get really, really creepy and that's just no good.