E'iri's Questions Galore

[E'irawen]

So I might just...keep this thread and ask multiple questions, similar to Weffrey's question box. I feel kind of bad for spamming up the section!

 

My newest question is about E'iri's ability to talk with elementals. I mean, I know it exists, and I've gotten everyone's "blessing" of sorts to let him have it. Unfortunately, though, I didn't get all that far in the game's storyline to know how exactly it works. The most I've seen was little moogles just kind of staring off into space and nodding or shaking their head every now and again to some invisible force.

 

I don't see any other players (immediately off hand) that can do this, either? E'iri is unlikely to really just announce to the world that he can do it and probably just thinks himself crazy. But!

 

Basically, I'm not sure how I should go about actually RPing any of that out when it does come up. Is there any particular norm for it that you guys keep to? Or do I just kind of wing it (within reason)?

[Folken]

Afraid I can't give much advice about how to handle the situation, though generally I've seen that kind of thing crash and burn. But maybe it can work. I think something to point out is to not get discouraged if it's reacted to negatively IC when/if the ability is revealed. Especially if it's a 'gift' you certainly want your character to have.

 

Like, IC, my character would consider anyone saying they speak to elementals as completely batshit insane. And would like roll his eyes(eye?) at the idea, and may very well react negatively to such a claim. So that's just something to ponder.

 

As long as the ability isn't used to meta game or anything like that then I don't particularly see any problem with it. So good luck trying to figure out how to work it in.

[E'irawen]

Nope! Never metagaming.

 

So far people around the RPC here seem to be alright with the idea, OOCly. I know ICly, I expect him to be kind of looked a like "what the shit, man" and the like, and that's perfectly okay. Makes for interesting conversation and interaction, no?

 

I'm just not sure how to RP it out like... Say there is an RP scene going, and for whatever reason, they talk to him- or he to them. I'm not sure how to actually..write that out. Does he just stand there in a daze? Does he actually speak out loud in return? Or does it matter how I go about it?

[Merri]

Conjurers can hear the elementals. It's something well within lore, however it's also something that usually requires years and years of practice and patience. Some people have it easier than others, and Padjal have an almost innate ability to commune with them. I mean, they're chosen by the elementals to basically be a conduit between the elements and gridanians. (Of course, player Padjal doesn't seem like something that will ever happen, and roleplaying one might be really sketchy since there's only a handful known in existence. That, and the lore on them is few and far inbetween.)

 

Communing with the elements is something all conjurers strive to do, and it's basically achieved through meditation. Lots, and lots, and lots of meditation to be able to "hear" them. I think it's not so much talking as "Oh hi elemental, how's it going?" as it is being able to basically just..  ...know what the elementals want. What they feel. Understand them, in a sense.

 

I'm sure an actual Conjurer/White Mage could elaborate more, though. I only finished the WHM and CON stories for the sake of getting my all jobs completion title. <_<;

[Ellie]

I would look up some youtube videos of the White Mage Job quests, as the NPC you talk to for that often converses with elementals and relays the messages to your character. It might give you an idea of how exactly it works.

[Eva]

I would look up some youtube videos of the White Mage Job quests, as the NPC you talk to for that often converses with elementals and relays the messages to your character. It might give you an idea of how exactly it works.

 

I think it's in addition to the White Mage quest line, the Conjurer quests at levels 20/30/36 all deal with another NPC who hears the elementals. Observing both quest lines' video footage would probably be helpful.

 

I know another RPer that role-plays hearing the elementals and he has done in a way that is tasteful and doesn't hedge on godmode or any such thing. And yeah, we sometimes think he's a bit odd... so there may be some of that from the other RPers who are privy to that aspect of the character, if you decide to go that route.

[Yssen]

I think you are on the right track with not telling the world every chance you get. I also do not think there is really a prescribed norm for it. The suggested viewing of the WHM and CON quest lines is a good start. What also might be helpful is viewing or reviewing some of the Gridania related quest stuff us. I know that in the Main Scenario start for Gridania there is a point where an Elemental shows up and most people don't understand it. It just makes various noises at them. Also, I'd check some of the material as far as the Echo is concerned. I know that having it conveys an understanding of various languages and forms of communication. Moogles go over this at one point in a Grid quest, I think. There is a thing made about how the character can understand what the Moogles are saying. Your character may or may not have the Echo, that is entirely up to you as a player, but looking at some of the Echo materials out there on it might give you a good idea as to what it is like to understand something that no one else around you does. Failing that, there is the old stand by of looking like your crazy and talking to yourself when you are really talking to an elemental. I am admittedly not sure if Elementals are not visible to everyone when they are manifested. I do know that you cannot see then when they are inhabiting nature things. My understanding is also that they can still be heard by those that communicate with them when they are being a tree or what have you. Hope this helps.

[Moltove]

The actual conversation wouldn't be that all in-depth anyways. I'm sure Elementals are not gossiping. I'd imagine that those that can listen hear "Forest...angry..." Why is it angry? "Intruders..."/"poachers" Where? "Overthere..."

 

The angrier ones sometimes don't even talk to or even attack the listeners so there's even less communicating, though someone who knows of the Elementals will be able to figure out that, yeah, their pissed, there's probably some kid burning a tree somewhere..

 

I'll agree, you have nothing to worry about, especially because you can't godmode with the actual theme and logical sense of communing with Elementals. But do understand it's a long road of training and people might be more inclined to believe you're full of it, rather than think you're abusing the actual power. So essentially, it has to show with your character.

[Momo]

I say go for it, but my best advice on something like this is also as such: make sure it fits well into your character's story.  That first and foremost will garner more respect for your character from the OOC crowd, so that maybe those who RP with you are willing to interact and specifically aid your interaction with elementals in relation to an RP event or random chat.  Really make it fit, so no random at the end of your character's bio: "oh and he speaks to elementals", something more along the lines of: "his mother had died, but the voices of the wandering elementals had chosen to focus their attention of him, and had produced a miracle which saved him from a shared end, now however, he was alone..." or some other such relatable thing in his story that really gives foundation and credibility to your choice in RP tools.

 

Okay, good luck friend, hope to see you around!

[E'irawen]

Thank you all!

 

 

I have another much less involved question.

 

I realize that people probably use guns in RP and what not and that it can be a specialty regardless. But I know it's been hinted by Yoshi that we'll have a musketeer guild at some point.

 

Do you guys avoid saying your character is part of it, for now? until then?

[Shuck]

Thank you all!

 

 

I have another much less involved question.

 

I realize that people probably use guns in RP and what not and that it can be a specialty regardless. But I know it's been hinted by Yoshi that we'll have a musketeer guild at some point.

 

Do you guys avoid saying your character is part of it, for now? until then?

 

Personally, I avoid it. The Musketeers have their own presence in the game (That being a kind of police force in Limsa Lomninsa), so until those doors are open for recruitment, I tend to steer clear of declaring any affiliations.

 

On top of that: The Barracuda Knights have very specific types of firearms at their disposal. Listing a gun that is somewhat atypical might not be a bad idea.

 

Example: It's safe to assume that they keep on top of firearms advances. They clearly utilize Howdah pistols, and what look to be early bolt-action rifles. Given that our characters may not be with the Barracuda Knights, they might not have access to things that are more advanced than say, a Blunderbuss. Or a few wheellocks.

[E'irawen]

Thank you all!

 

 

I have another much less involved question.

 

I realize that people probably use guns in RP and what not and that it can be a specialty regardless. But I know it's been hinted by Yoshi that we'll have a musketeer guild at some point.

 

Do you guys avoid saying your character is part of it, for now? until then?

 

Personally, I avoid it. The Musketeers have their own presence in the game (That being a kind of police force in Limsa Lomninsa), so until those doors are open for recruitment, I tend to steer clear of declaring any affiliations.

 

On top of that: The Barracuda Knights have very specific types of firearms at their disposal. Listing a gun that is somewhat atypical might not be a bad idea.

 

Example: It's safe to assume that they keep on top of firearms advances. They clearly utilize Howdah pistols, and what look to be early bolt-action rifles. Given that our characters may not be with the Barracuda Knights, they might not have access to things that are more advanced than say, a Blunderbuss. Or a few wheellocks.

 

Okay then! I thought so, but I was just curious. But I venture that just a typical pistol or something is alright to go along with?

[Rhio]

But I venture that just a typical pistol or something is alright to go along with?

 

You can, but that brings up the question of why it is you're not using it in situations where it would be useful. This is a subject close to my heart, as given my choice of everything Rhio would be wielding a gun or dual-wielding swords. Or both. But those aren't in the game, so explanations have to exist for why she doesn't use these things.

 

Generally, I think that guns are rare in Eorzea simply because the society as a whole does not have the ability to maintain them. Firearms are complicated devices, and even if you have one somehow, without the ability to get ammunition or powder it's not terribly useful. And short of the Barracudas, there's really no place which sells or maintains the weapons, leading you to a pistol that would have a very limited supply of ammunition (if any) and a distinct lack of options if it gets dirty or jammed or otherwise damaged.

 

It certainly makes sense for your character to have a pistol, but it seems like something he'd be disinclined to fire.

[Ryanti]

 

 

You can, but that brings up the question of why it is you're not using it in situations where it would be useful. This is a subject close to my heart, as given my choice of everything Rhio would be wielding a gun or dual-wielding swords. Or both. But those aren't in the game, so explanations have to exist for why she doesn't use these things.

 

Generally, I think that guns are rare in Eorzea simply because the society as a whole does not have the ability to maintain them. Firearms are complicated devices, and even if you have one somehow, without the ability to get ammunition or powder it's not terribly useful. And short of the Barracudas, there's really no place which sells or maintains the weapons, leading you to a pistol that would have a very limited supply of ammunition (if any) and a distinct lack of options if it gets dirty or jammed or otherwise damaged.

 

It certainly makes sense for your character to have a pistol, but it seems like something he'd be disinclined to fire.

 

 

This sums up my point exactly. I feel like I owe Rhio a few bucks for writing it.

 

But yeah, guns are a big deal if you're not a Barracuda. Ryanti's father has one, but there's a whole entire tale about how he got it, and in his backstory, when the gun goes off (very rarely) it has that 'big deal, holy shit' feeling to it.

 

Outside of Limsa, I would imagine guns to be similar to lightsabers after Vader, very rare, cherished my collectors, and highly prized.

 

If Musketeer does get introduced, one could probably write it off as innovations in technology that allows for mass produced firearms to become more available in the marketplace.

[E'irawen]

Thanks guys! Got it all settled.

 

Next question might be a really annoying, awkward one, that I kind of fully prepare to get potential flack for, lol.

 

But the question is: If a character you've made hasn't had any RP or interaction yet, and thusly no one has met him ICly, but everyone OOCly is aware of them to an extent for a couple months. Is it weird to change something like their name, if you're not satisfied with it? I've been kind of fine tuning some things, and it was a thought that came up. But I'd really like not to bother anyone if it's an inconvenience.

[Rhio]

If a character you've made hasn't had any RP or interaction yet, and thusly no one has met him ICly, but everyone OOCly is aware of them to an extent for a couple months. Is it weird to change something like their name, if you're not satisfied with it?

 

Heck no. If no one knows your character IC, the players might not be used to the name change, but until you start interacting with others in a strictly IC sense you don't have to feel stuck with a name you don't want.

 

Once you're in-game and interacting canonically, as it were, you're locked in. But until it's been put on the record, anything is subject to change.

 

This sums up my point exactly. I feel like I owe Rhio a few bucks for writing it.

 

Nah, I already have people who pay me. I show up here pro bono.

[Ryanti]

 

 

Once you're in-game and interacting canonically, as it were, you're locked in.

 

 

Well, you could technically say you legally changed your name, I think. I tend to incorporate those tiny little life activities into RP I suppose.

 

But I still wouldn't recommend doing it. It's just kind of, I don't know, weird. I can't find a better word for it.

 

 

Nah, I already have people who pay me. I show up here pro bono.

 

But it's not professional work..

 

Unless there exists professional work about friendship and love and community bonding.

 

Professional.. socializer?

[E'irawen]

Thanks for sharing your opinions on it! I feel a bit better. Really wanted to change E'iri's name for personal reasons, related to some IRL crap. So I just didn't wanna jump into RPs to have fun, only to have some memories brought up, y'know?

 

But at the same rate, I didn't want to cause anyone grief.

 

 

Thank you!

[Rhio]

Unless there exists professional work about friendship and love and community bonding.

 

I get paid to talk about roleplaying in a broad sense; this is just the narrower single-target version.

[Kylin]

For the record, I have (ICly AND OOCly) changed my character's name. As said before, you're kind of ICly locked in once you start interacting with characters. But there are ways to go about changes to your name ICly. Kylin was originally called "Castiel." Due to various reasons, I decided to change it to Kylin. ICly, I went about this by having him find his deceased mother's diary and finding out that "Kylin" was the name she wanted to go with when he was born. Around this time, Kylin was at odds with his father as well. As another act of rebellion against his father, he thus had the name changed from Castiel to Kylin. He's the exact same character and can still ICly be called "Castiel," but by now most of the people I have ICly interacted with know that his name has changed and call him as such.

 

In your case, a simple retcon would actually suffice since you haven't actually interacted with others ICly yet (assuming you haven't of course ).

[E'irawen]

Thanks, Kylin! I feel much more relieved about the decision, lol.  I haven't RPed with anyone canonly. Only a few little non-canon things here and there. So it's all good.

 

Thank you, again!

[Rhostel]

I wouldn't mind changing Rhostel's surname, come to think of it. I picked a Scottish one (Donlan) because I had no idea what Highlander surnames should be like, and now I barely have any idea beyond 'that was probably wrong'. Still, it's never been used in RP, not that I've RPed her much anyway. Even if I had, I have an excuse (using a pseudonym to draw less attention to being an extremely rare Highlander woman) which need no longer apply. It's just the only example I have to work from is Aldynn.

[E'irawen]

I've been trying my best to kind of... Well, I'm not 100% sure on a lot of naming traditions for most races, except "Miqote sunseekers usually have an apostrophe after the first letter" and something about Moonkeeper names being short. 2-3 syllables at most.

 

But otherwise, I have nooo idea. So I've been just kind of like, picking a name I like (Take K'aworu for example).  His name started out as Kaoru, but I didn't really want a straight up Japanese name, personally. So I kind of mussed with the spelling a bit [may or may not have had inspiration from Neon Genesis Evangelion]. Added necessary apostrophe, and poof!  It still sounds..appropriate. And I still got what I wanted. It's still even pronounced Kaoru, really.

[Rhostel]

Well, Miqo'te names seem to mostly be 'random strings that look like garbled Japanese' apart from the apostrophe rule, so I think you're okay.

[Gossamer]

Haha, I don't think I've seen a Miqo'te name I've confidently decided how to pronounce. I'm using Niklas as what my character goes by, but his actual birth name will probably be similarly as garbled as others.