Server-wide Freelancer Story Arc

[Merri]

So, I've firmly started to root myself in as a Freelancer. Which basically means I will be without an official roleplaying linkshell, most likely. So, obviously I have been thinking more and more about what sort of opportunities would be available for me. But, after some consideration, I realized the best opportunities wouldn't be ones I would find, rather ones I made come to light myself.

 

And as I thought more and more about it, other Freelancers came to mind. But I didn't want to stop just there. I wanted to work on something that would be able to include all Roleplayers as a whole, linkshell or not. Something they would be welcome to take part in, even if they're already involved with their linkshell's plotline.

 

Yet, before I ramble on to much, I should explain where it all started.

 

As some of you may or may not already know, Rain is a bit of a sailor. I had wanted this to be a background for him, but never persona for days to come. After all, what kind of character would you have it they didn't develop? No, I wanted Rain to become something more over the years. Changing from a dirty fighter, a swashbuckler, a man with loose morals, to a noble knight. The struggles he would have so abruptly changing lifestyles would be endless, but, there had to be some sort of catalyst to start these changes.

 

All of that would have sat in a single map. One of unknown origin. Magic in nature. (Assuming maps are magical, like they were in FFXI.) A map that would drive Rain from his home, and out into the unknown. Away from everything he knew, in pursuit of whatever it was the map held the key to. A journey that would take him across all of Eorzea. Yet, one that would mark him for death by figures that wanted the map for themselves.

 

But I didn't want to just stop there. What if things branched out? What is an adventurer without friends and companions on a perilous journey against a violent and dangerous world?

 

This is where other Freelancers (Or roleplayers, for that matter) would come in. Treasure-hunters, thrill-seekers, anyone who would be willing (or foolish) enough to accompany Rain. Travel across the globe, forming warm friendships, or bitter rivalries. Driving forward to a goal of uncovering something bigger than all of them, each with their own motives for doing so.

 

Now, this would be something that I'd almost want drawn out over a few years, to be honest. Something that would be open to newcommers, and one with plenty of room for some one to drop out if they wanted. It would also be something entirely driven by those involved, with as little outside (OOC) influence as can possibly be had. The locations, the nature of the story itself, and all the countless issues they might get side-tracked on.

 

It would almost be like a guild in it's own, with it's own storyline, yet, there would be no physical ties. Players could jump in and out as they pleased.

 

The story would also focus in on certain areas of Eorzea at a time, and wouldn't bounce all over the world. I almost frown upon the idea of travel by Airship of Chocobo, as staking out on foot is how a true adventurer roughs it in the wild. Plus, it serves to make the world seem that much more massive.

 

Another issue, of course, would be the individual experience. Everyone would have to feel involved. And to remedy that, I had the idea of player driven side-quests of a sort every other week. Where a roleplayer could be chosen from a pool of previous adventurers, and they could sort of drive the storyline for that session. Obviously that's an idea that would be up in the air, but something that could add a bit of diversity. When it comes down to it, though, it would be all about what the player makes of it. They could make the experience memorable if they wished, or just sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

There would be scheduled times each week where the storyline would progress. Perhaps once every Saturday, or Sunday (A very rough example). Maybe for two or three hours. I would want it to be flexible, though, as to fit other players and their schedules. Since it would also be once a week, I (or any other member) would be able to sit down and summarize the events of that session and have it posted, so those who may have missed out, or those who wish to jump in at the next session would be able to know where things are at.

 

Anyways, I better not just ramble and ramble here. I just wanted to push the idea out there, and see if anyone had any interest, but more importantly, if anyone had an ideas to help solidify and further this dream into reality.

[DAISHI]

Sounds like a linkshell.

[Merri]

That's exactly what I wanted to aim for, but the key point is there would be none involved. You wouldn't have to be tied down by a linkshell to be a part of it's story.

 

Obviously it wouldn't be something that would appeal to most people already in Linkshells, since they would be busy with their own plots, which is why it's more directed at Freelancers.

[Gavriel]

Very interesting.

And no, it doesn't have to be a linkshell. If the main event was only once per week, everyone could participate in it, freelancer or not. I see the opportunity here.

[DAISHI]

Maybe you should do a "Freelancer Rollcall" to gauge how much participation would happen.

[Merri]

Yup! Just because some one chooses to be Freelance, doesn't mean they don't want to be a part of something bigger and driven occasionally. This would give them their chance, but still allow them to hold their freedom and drop out whenever they wished.

 

But, hammer out the criticism if you have it. That's part of the reason I made this thread. To build on this until it's in a workable form.

 

And that's a very good idea, Daishi. 'Course, I wouldn't want to go cluttering things up with another thread. Hopefully if they're out there, they'll let their voice be heard on this thread here.

[Aveline]

That's a really excellent idea. I had been kind of wondering how much participation with the RP community freelancers would get if they weren't in a linkshell, but I think you have found one way to do so. ^^ I like.

[Merri]

And I figure if we have a few people from different linkshells that end up being interested, it would also be a small way to get at least some form of inter-linkshell roleplay going on. Give others a chance to meet some people from some of the many linkshells that will be around.

 

Give freelancers who are participating the means to meet some of these people, and maybe even throw their freelance title aside and join a linkshell after clicking with some one. Who knows?

[Smiling River]

I'm a little confused. What will people be actually doing thought? Traveling, for what?

[Merri]

Adventuring, flat out. The main goal would be treasure hunting, though, as stated in my big ol' clunky post. Something that might be able to give a roleplayer a reason to visit a certain area they normally wouldn't have gone. Give their character a reason to explore Eorzea. Give their character a means to sate their hunger for thrills. I mean, sure, some one can do that all on their own, or with their linkshells, but for those Freelancers who don't want to do it alone? Or those in linkshells that want something a bit different? This would be an option.

 

As I said, I'd like this to span several months, if not years, so when it came down to it, it would really just be a form of driven, group roleplay. Another way to develop your character, and be a part of a massive story that might end up linking dozens of people together.

 

Eventually, it would all culminate, as everything has to end some time, but deep down it would just be a means to connecting both Freelancers and Linkshell members to a goal. Giving a reason for them to interact and meet more characters. And, well, providing the opportunity for some great roleplay.

[Faust]

While I have a hard time envisioning the big picture application of this, I could potentially be involved in it, so I guess there's that. I'm still freelancing myself, though I would eventually like to find a guild that suits me.

 

I'm probably going to want a LS that facilitates the RP more than defining it. i.e., a LS where freelancer characters can coordinate RP efforts, rather than one where you're expected to have your character play a certain role in the guild (like being a soldier, or bandit, or what have you, for the big boss person of the LS). But I also would like to be in a "good" RP group that has some reasonably high standards for RP. I dunno. I haven't looked at specific guilds very seriously yet.

[Smiling River]

As I said, I'd like this to span several months, if not years, so when it came down to it, it would really just be a form of driven, group roleplay. Another way to develop your character, and be a part of a massive story that might end up linking dozens of people together.

 

I guess I was confused by your use of the word "story", mainly, is there one? It seems you want it to be f;at out adventuring/treasure hunting, which indicated that there is no central story to it. It makes me wonder what exactly will draw people together to this RP?

 

Just asking so that I know how I can hook my character to this, I want to check it out.

[Merri]

I guess I was confused by your use of the word "story", mainly, is there one? It seems you want it to be f;at out adventuring/treasure hunting, which indicated that there is no central story to it. It makes me wonder what exactly will draw people together to this RP?

 

Just asking so that I know how I can hook my character to this, I want to check it out.

 

Yeah, there will be a central story driving it all. An end goal. It would just be driven by the characters themselves, though. The foundation would be there, with something for the characters to be driven to accomplish, but how it's accomplished and when would all depend on those involved. This isn't to say there wouldn't be a bit of planning to get things on track, and provide goals and what not to be accomplished, but I'd want it to be as open as possible to keep things fresh and surprising.

 

Essentially, they would be solving a puzzle. Obviously it wouldn't be a map from "Point A to B" if there were some sort of great artifact or treasure involved. It would be full of all sorts of loops and mysteries to throw people off the trail and safeguard the treasure from your average band of hunters.

 

In your case, it could simply be the thought of some mysterious cache of artifacts and treasures that could be out there just waiting to be studied. (Unless you would go at it with a different character that isn't affiliated with A.E.T.H.E.R.) For some one else it could be the thought of wealth. I could go on, but I won't.

 

And thinking back, I suppose it wouldn't have to be drawn out over an extremely long period of time. As keeping people interested that long could be troublesome. But, maybe five, six, or seven months. Long enough to really get people deep in if they wanted, but short enough to a point where people wouldn't feel like it's being dragged on forever. Plus, just because one chapter would come to an end, doesn't mean more questions couldn't arise from the finish of that adventure, spawning an entirely new plot to run down to keep things going.

[Tyriont]

One of the reasons I love RPing Ty as a pirate is because of the sense of freedom I get from it. While I'm going to be helping run Spectral Wardens with Ren, I also intend to interact with other shells and freelance RPers as well. This time around, I won't be having Ty's own story be a major driving factor. My villain character will certainly be there, because I love playing him too, but...what's a good example? Ah, I intend to use Ty as Shadow was used in FF6 before he joins the party proper. He'll show up to help out, but may well take off when something he's needed elsewhere. Or gets bored.

 

Ergo, I'm quite interested in this idea.

[ArmachiA]

The Crimson Blades is a freeform guild that runs on the assumption that those people have other lives besides just treasure hunting and looting, and we even go by code names to each other so our real identities can't be revealed.

 

So you'll probably see a lot of CB interested, since it's from the treasure hunting perspective.

[Shamadconde]

I was thinking the exact same thing Armi.....GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!!!

[Aniir]

I see no reason why this should not be. A wonderful idea! You have captured my interest

[Merri]

Alright, well, since there has been at least some form of interest, I sat down and wrote up more or less what would kick everything off. The events that would start Rain on his journey. The main point of it, though, would be to give a glimpse of how the map itself works, and consequently how it would drive the story and roleplay.

 

It's by no means "Official", but, it's an idea. So, if anyone would like to give it a read, just let me know and i'll send it in a PM, as I don't want to throw it up publicly on the forums just yet.

[Axl]

This kind of reminds me of how certain character's in GTAIV were, Johnny Klebbitz for example, you would hear about him and what he is doing throughout the storyline, and a couple times you actually work alongside him. I am imagining something like that, from my perspective.

[Merri]

That right there is something I'd really want to avoid, though. No one would want there to be any hint of a central character behind it. There is a certain bit of inevitability in the fact that Rain would hold the map, but outside of that, he would be dead in the water without the assistance of others. He would have his own motives for wanting to move forward, but require the aid of others to even do so. And others would need Rain and his map in order to have a chance at the loot. They would use each other.

 

It would also provide a means for a villain to make an entrance. Perhaps some one who wants the treasure all to themselves, and attempts relentlessly to steal the map. Maybe their extremely up front about it by just straight up attacking the group, or maybe they work their way into the inner circle and snatch it right from under the groups nose. The map would be the burden of everyone involved.

[DAISHI]

You can't control that though. Central characters will rise because of the nature of this. In reality that happens and in this that will happen. With lack of a narrative, people will creative narratives, and the strongest of those writers will rise to the top and be the central cast.

[Dreamer]

Wouldn't it just be good to archive all of the freelancers' individual storylines? I may be wrong, but it seems to me that if a freelancer wanted a general over-arching story that affected themselves as well as others, then they would just join a linkshell.

[Merri]

Well, see, that's just it. Simply put, they might not. Being a part of a linkshell essentially means being tied down. It also just sort of takes away from the idea of being a "Freelancer".

 

This wouldn't operate within the confines of a linkshell, and people would be free to come and go as they please. It would just be a way for those people to be a part or something bigger without having to try and kick something started themselves. And if they wanted to, they still very well could, obviously. Plus, this would be open to all, and have the possibility to include anyone. Some people enjoy jumping in and running with a story, and this provides the means to do just that.

 

Somebody always has to take initiative, otherwise nothing would ever get started. I'm just taking the initiative to try and kick the ball rolling with some Freelancers, and other roleplayers in general.

[Kylin]

You seem to be describing the "Epic" in some ways. The RPC Council will eventually (after settling into the game and getting linkshells in running order) plan and coordinate a large-scale storyline that encompasses all linkshells and freelance RPers. There would be RPC sponsored quests to move it along while allowing some room for some of it to be RPed within individual guilds and in the freelance world.

 

Of course, this large-scale event wouldn't be nearly as often as what you're trying to achieve here. A single Epic storyline would likely only happen once a year (maybe twice depending on how grueling the planning process becomes) and last probably about 4-6 weeks from start to end. It seems as though you're aiming for something a tad bit different though.

 

Also, anyone (linkshell member or freelancer) can post public events in the Bulletin Board section. Feel free to utilize it as necessary.

 

Good luck getting this off the ground. Freelancers in particular might be difficult to mobilize though (hence why they have no Council representation at this time >.>).

[Merri]

I guess when i'm hitting hard on the "Epic" tones, it's really more referring to the size of things. An adventure that would cover the entire continent. Something massive. Not so much epic in the sense of battles with giant beasts and legions of evil doers. Not that kind of epic. (We'll leave the dragon-slaying to the professionals. Or, you know, ourselves during the game's storylines. )

 

Just something with a solid base to spawn some deep, meaningful roleplay.

 

This is something that wouldn't start up until those involved are settled into the game, as well. After all, we really only know about the areas surrounding Limsa-lominsa at this point, and that's not enough to start brainstorming any solid ideas involving the other city-states and their surrounding areas, as well as the wilds of Eorzea.

 

If I were to outline it as plainly as possible, it'd have to be this.

 

A weekly, two-three hour event following an open story of vengeance, greed, and a hunt for the truth.

 

Something for some people to follow if they really enjoy the story, or something fun to jump into if you're bored some evening and you hear it's going down.