Character Building Q&A

[Idunnea]

You invite a friend over to your house for the afternoon. Describe what your friend would see upon entering your home.

 

 

The entryway is kept clean and free of clutter. Two pairs of boots reside at the bottom of the first step; one fairly new made from reddish leather, the other pair, in a faded mud-caked green, are of considerably smaller size and very shabby condition. Looking ahead, one would find hanging potted plants along the stairway, basking in the sunlight from the aligned windows above. The stairs lead directly to what could be classified as a kitchen, albeit an unorthodox one. Various shelves and drawers are lined with jars, tins, and vessels housing a rainbow of colored masses. Herbs are set out for drying on a small table in front of a larger window.

Water in a kettle shrieks lightly in the background, waiting to be made into tea. There isnât much chance to explore the rest of the home as it is blocked by towering piles of herbology books and various plants scattered wherever there is a hint of sunlight. Out of the three rooms in the back, two are open. To the left end of the hall is a large room seemingly used for entertaining in the past. A few games have been left out, but itâs near impossible to tell what they were due to dust collecting on top of them. Across the way from the living room, is a small study reflecting the clutter of the outside hall and home. Books are piled just short of the ceiling, a step ladder sits against one of the piles threatening to topple it. In the corner is a tiny cot, just large enough for Idunnea to rest on with a small table and lamp on the side. The room at the direct end of the hall is not a possibility judging from the massive padlock on the door...

 

 

During the casual small-talk that ensues, your friend asks you if you have read any good books lately. How do you respond?

 

 

Two mugs of sweet-smelling amber clunk onto the edge of the table, spilling a few drops. She couldnât help that she was barely tall enough to see over the table. The purchase wasnât her choice anyway. Climbing awkwardly onto her chair, eyes scan across the surroundings. After a momentâs appraisal, glassy coral eyes settle back on the source of the question, a single eyebrow furrowing in disbelief. âYer being funny, right?â She muses, âPoint out any tome in this place and Iâll find ya something good âbout it. Even if itâs only to sqoosh a pesky bug with.â

 

 

Your friend eventually leaves, and you're still bored. Restless, you leave the house and set out for a walk. Describe the neighborhood you live in.

 

 

Various glass and earthenware objects shift and settle around in the little Lalafellâs shoulder bag resulting in a clinking, jingling shuffle. Her muddy jade boots immediately meet a hand-made cobblestone path leading from the front door, winding through a large plot of land speckled with small gardens and flowered patches. The scent would make one dizzy if they chose to loiter too long. At the end of the path, a small box meant for mail fused with the ground below as it decomposed. Connected to that, a âfenceâ made of old wooden stumps collected from the surrounding forest and meadow. There was no real âneighborhoodâ to speak of-- only wildlife, vegetation, and a small babbling creek that trailed around the property and then back into the forest. However, town isnât far and within a 20-minute walk following dirt trails and carved mountain paths, one would be sitting on the mossy steps of Gridaniaâs majesty.

 

 

Oh no! An orphan is in trouble! Down the street from where you stand, a small street urchin is being bullied by three larger youths. What do you do about it?

 

 

The sound of shattering earthenware and a yelp resounded through the area. She had missed the boy she was aiming for, but still managed to get their attention. âMaybe I shouldaâve tried underhand. Still, not ba-- oh, fuzzlesticks...â Not only had she gained their attention, but from the looks of things, a swift beating was also being added to the list. Yelping, she scampered around the corner. Turning the same corner in pursuit, the youths met with a shimmering cloud and the little Lalafell with her shirt brought up over her ears as a makeshift mask. Glaring coral eyes sparked with a fine mix of victory, wisdom, and mischief. A small gloved hand flicked a pouch labeled 'Condensed Malboro Gland Powderâ as she trotted by the now confused, paralyzed and dumbfounded silent youths in return to check on the orphan.

 

 

Adventure time! The next day, still restless, you decide that what you need is a good change of pace. How do you pack for your four-day road trip to Ishgard?

 

A gargantuan rucksack towered on top of the Lalafellâs back. It was obviously made to be used by one of the larger races, perhaps Hyur or Elezen, but she found the size more useful than a burden. It occasionally clinks like yestersayâs bag, but most of the fragiles inside were already muffled and wrapped protectively with clothing or homemade fabrics that she was hoping to sell along the way.

 

 

Along your journey, you spot some bandits waiting at a bridge across a wide but slow moving river up ahead of you. They haven't seen you yet. You need to cross the bridge to get to where you're going. How do you handle the situation?

 

 

The rucksack drops down onto one of the banditâs feet, signaling someone approached while they were chatting. âOh, fuzzlesticks! I apologize, ser. I saw yâall taking lunch and fancied Iâd join, but Iâve gone and done this..!â The rucksack rolls to the side, spilling a few wrapped pouches which catch the eyes of the bandits. She picks one up and unfolds the fabric, revealing some thin wafers that smell lightly moldy. âMake it up to ya with a crisp? I made em myself,â she puffs triumphantly. Itâs only after the bandits have partook of the âcrispsâ that she feigns shock and surprise. âOh, Iâve goneân done it again!! âDehydrated fungar caps.â I just canât read anything without my glasses! Sorry fellows, you might want to take a dip in the river before you lose everything you ate in the last month!â Pushing the glasses back onto her face, she packs up and heads on her way, but not before âassistingâ one of the slumped bandits to purge with a swift kick to the abdomen.

 

You have just arrived for the first time in a new big city. Where do you go first?

 

 

An inn. The pressure of the rucksack threatens to take a few more inches of what little height there is. Then to find a bookstore and a tea shop!

 

 

 

For being the 1,000th tourist to the city, you have been given a 6,000 gil voucher to spend as you like at the Ishgard Department Store (think FFXIV version of Macy's). What do you spend it on?

 

A few high-end tea blends and one over-sized tunic in a deep green. Any remaining of the voucher is handed off to the next person in line or someone who looks like they could use it.

 

 

 

All of that shopping has made you deliriously hungry. What sort of food establishment do you seek out for lunch?

 

Fresh grilled meat stand! Kabobs, kabobs, kabobs! There is nothing better than a mouth full of juicy cooked meat!

 

 

Five months later and safely back at home, you realize the Winter Festival is approaching! What sort of present do you pick out for your mother (or nearest living relative, or closest friend)?

 

 

Making a matching set of cream colored scarves and moogle hats for the colder months.

 

[Kagato]

You invite a friend over to your house for the afternoon. Describe what your friend would see upon entering your home.

A: A world map and perhaps a globe as well. Navigating equipment strewn about a work desk. The basic necessities such as a bed, table, chairs, and fireplace. A lot of state-of-the-art cooking supplies for baking, grilling, boiling, broiling, frying, anything you can think of. The kitchen practically takes up half of the room. A bookshelf full of mystery novels, encyclopedias of the world, cookbooks, and magic spells.

 

 

During the casual small-talk that ensues, your friend asks you if you have read any good books lately. How do you respond?

A: Are you kidding? When I'm not trying to memorize recipes in a cookbook and reading informative entries on different parts of the world and it's wildlife, I'm reading mystery stories. I love a good who-done-it.

 

 

Your friend eventually leaves, and you're still bored. Restless, you leave the house and set out for a walk. Describe the neighborhood you live in.

A: The sound of waves splashing against the stone structures of the city as well as the calls of the seagulls overhead is the perfect evening ambiance... that is until I get closer to the very loud, but otherwise harmless pub full of adventurers and pirates just looking to have a great evening to end the day.

 

Oh no! An orphan is in trouble! Down the street from where you stand, a small street urchin is being bullied by three larger youths. What do you do about it?

A: I "accidentally" bump all three bullies into the water. "Oops! Sorry! I didn't see you there! Might want to get out quickly. I hear those waters have become a recent home for sharks. Oh a way to climb out? I think there's one a good 5 minute swim toward the docks. Don't cut yourselves! Sharks are attracted to blood! Hey kid, you hungry? Need a place to sleep? I've got room. You like Lobster? I'll make you a Lobster you'll never forget."

 

 

Adventure time! The next day, still restless, you decide that what you need is a good change of pace. How do you pack for your four-day road trip to Ishgard?

A: Simple camping supplies with all the necessary items to fish and hunt. I'll back light enough to travel, but I won't travel so light that I'm missing something to use for cooking and survival. And of course, that Orphan will be with me so he/she can bring whatever he/she likes.

 

 

Along your journey, you spot some bandits waiting at a bridge across a wide but slow moving river up ahead of you. They haven't seen you yet. You need to cross the bridge to get to where you're going. How do you handle the situation?

A: I continue across the bridge. Just because they look dangerous doesn't mean they are. I often feel sad when people stay away from me because they think I look scary. Either way, if they ARE bandits, they just better hope they have a spare set of clean undies.

 

You have just arrived for the first time in a new big city. Where do you go first?

A: The nearest inn. I can save sightseeing and fun until after I found myself some lodging.

 

For being the 1,000th tourist to the city, you have been given a 6,000 gil voucher to spend as you like at the Ishgard Department Store (think FFXIV version of Macy's). What do you spend it on?

A: New clothes for the orphan. Even if he/she ultimate;y doesn't want to stay with me, a new set of clothes would at least help him out.

 

 

All of that shopping has made you deliriously hungry. What sort of food establishment do you seek out for lunch?

A: HA! I'll make something that puts the restaurant to shame. Though, if it's just for the fun of eating out, somewhere that serves some great seafood or even something barbequed!

 

 

Five months later and safely back at home, you realize the Winter Festival is approaching! What sort of present do you pick out for your mother (or nearest living relative, or closest friend)?

A: Jewelry, of course. Something nice and shiny. If it's too much for my blood, I don't have to give a material item. Perhaps something as simple as a great memory to remember forever will suffice. If it's a pretty young lady, I'll do both.

[frobones]

You invite a friend over to your house for the afternoon. Describe what your friend would see upon entering your home.

 

"Ah, well you see... my home is actually quite mobile. My friend would be aboard my airship the Fatewind. Within my captain's quarters he or she would see various curios I've uncovered around the world displayed along the walls. They would also quickly notice the very large map of Eorzea, littered with pin tacks and string and notes, plastered on the wall behind my desk. Upon my desk they would notice a globe of Hydaelyn. If that friend were to take a closer look at the globe they would notice some charted islands not found on any map they've seen before. They would also notice the cluttered mess of paper and books across my desk. A rather large bookshelf filled to the brim off to the side of the room would certainly catch their attention."

 

 

During the casual small-talk that ensues, your friend asks you if you have read any good books lately. How do you respond?

 

"Ah yes! Funny you should ask. I just finished reading '1001 Ways to Prepare the Dodo bird'. It presents some very interesting ways to serve that tasty avian."

 

 

Your friend eventually leaves, and you're still bored. Restless, you leave the house and set out for a walk. Describe the neighborhood you live in.

 

"Yes, like I've mentioned before, my airship is my home. My 'neighborhood' changes quite often. However, my most acquainted neighborhood is the open sky. There are days where the sun shines bright and not a cloud in the sky, then there are days when it's covered in grey and violently stormy."

 

 

Oh no! An orphan is in trouble! Down the street from where you stand, a small street urchin is being bullied by three larger youths. What do you do about it?

 

Levonche slightly winces at the hypothetical situation, "Well, I would certainly approach, calling out to them as I drew near. If that wasn't enough to scare them off I would prop the poor child in question onto my shoulders and proceed to admonish the three bullies. Hopefully my scolding put some sense into them. I'd then offer the child a life aboard my airship, an informal adoption so to speak. If the child declines, I'd give him or her enough gil to survive for quite some time."

 

 

Adventure time! The next day, still restless, you decide that what you need is a good change of pace. How do you pack for your four-day road trip to Ishgard?

 

Levonche chuckles, "My friend, I travel in style. My airship the Fatewind could get me there within the day." With a smug grin he says, "Since my airship is my home, I wouldn't need to pack!"

 

 

Along your journey, you spot some bandits waiting at a bridge across a wide but slow moving river up ahead of you. They haven't seen you yet. You need to cross the bridge to get to where you're going. How do you handle the situation?

 

"Hmmm..." Levonche says with his hand on his chin. "A hypothetical within a hypothetical... alright, let's say I didn't have the Fatewind and I came across this situation. As I approached the bridge, my stride would not change, but my hands would be near my hora in preparation for a fight. If I sense no aggression as I grew near I would politely greet them as I passed by. If they tried anything funny..." a smirk suddenly streaks across his face, "let's just say I would have some fun that day."

 

 

You have just arrived for the first time in a new big city. Where do you go first?

 

"The tavern! And then to any fine dining the city may have. Then I would visit the culinary guild to try and find tasty recipes to add to my collection."

 

 

For being the 1,000th tourist to the city, you have been given a 6,000 gil voucher to spend as you like at the Ishgard Department Store (think FFXIV version of Macy's). What do you spend it on?

 

"Hmm... a modest sum. I suppose I would purchase all culinary equipment unique to Ishgard and every cookbook they have to offer. If there is any gil remaining, I would spend it on fine clothing. Perhaps a very expensive and elaborately fashioned leather jacket."

 

 

All of that shopping has made you deliriously hungry. What sort of food establishment do you seek out for lunch?

 

"I would treat myself to the finest dining establishment Ishgard has to offer and order the special of the day with an expensive bottle of wine."

 

 

Five months later and safely back at home, you realize the Winter Festival is approaching! What sort of present do you pick out for your mother (or nearest living relative, or closest friend)?

 

"A finely fashioned ornamental greatsword. She would certainly appreciate that."

[Smiling River]

You invite a friend over to your house for the afternoon. Describe what your friend would see upon entering your home.

 

Mason's home is small and tidy. Although he has just recently settled in, everything seems unpacked and in it's place. Paintings and drawings line his walls, some of which are his own. There is usually a magazine or a newspaper on the coffee table. His work station seems almost bare, all the paperwork being carefully arranged. He has two bookcases which are almost full. A comfortable armchair catches good light from the window, while the rest of the seating is turned to face each other providing a warm atmosphere.

 

 

During the casual small-talk that ensues, your friend asks you if you have read any good books lately. How do you respond?

Mason would probably mention a few books that the friend might find interesting. A lot of his reading is academic, so if this friend is a co-worker or someone with adequate understanding of biology Mason might go off into a descriptive tangent about the latest study or technique. He still reads 'junk' fiction about brave mystic heroes, although not as often as he did when he was a kid.

 

 

Your friend eventually leaves, and you're still bored. Restless, you leave the house and set out for a walk. Describe the neighborhood you live in.

 

It would be a middle-class neighborhood, not too far from the buzz of the market wards. Mason got a small place here, in the best neighborhood that he can afford at this point. Most of his neighbors work as engineers, artists, politicians, teachers, and business owners.

 

 

Oh no! An orphan is in trouble! Down the street from where you stand, a small street urchin is being bullied by three larger youths. What do you do about it?

 

Mason would intervene, although after some hesitation. After all, is it really his place to teach other people's kids manners? He would feel bad for the kid being bullied though, and break up the scene.

 

 

Adventure time! The next day, still restless, you decide that what you need is a good change of pace. How do you pack for your four-day road trip to Ishgard?

 

His profession as a surgeon demands a special briefcase filled with all the tools one would need for the job. This would be his only way to make money and/or help anyone in need so he would most likely take that with him. Besides this he would bring a large backpack, containing the essential change of clothes, some food for the road, one or two books and a journal.

 

 

Along your journey, you spot some bandits waiting at a bridge across a wide but slow moving river up ahead of you. They haven't seen you yet. You need to cross the bridge to get to where you're going. How do you handle the situation?

Depending on how threatening they looked, he would either approach them directly and try to convince them that he is a royal doctor sent to perform a surgery on the leader of Ishgard OR he would spend some time planning a way to distract them away from the bridge just long enough for him to get out of sight. Just inside the nearby forest he would build basic non-lethal traps. Perhaps making some rustling noises he would attract the attention of one or two bandits. With the help of traps and some of his medicine that can easily make a person uncontentious for a while (usually used during serious operations) he'd take care of them. Then he'd hide their bodies and wait for the rest of the crew to get suspicious and go look for them. At this time Mason would most likely try crossing the bridge.

 

 

You have just arrived for the first time in a new big city. Where do you go first?

 

The Inn, get a room for a few nights and talk to some other travelers.

 

 

For being the 1,000th tourist to the city, you have been given a 6,000 gil voucher to spend as you like at the Ishgard Department Store (think FFXIV version of Macy's). What do you spend it on?

 

A new book or two, maybe clothes, definitely something to remind him of Ishgard. The rest he would probably spend on day-to-day expenses such as food.

 

 

All of that shopping has made you deliriously hungry. What sort of food establishment do you seek out for lunch?

 

Mason would try to eat local dishes, providing they have no meat.

 

 

Five months later and safely back at home, you realize the Winter Festival is approaching! What sort of present do you pick out for your mother (or nearest living relative, or closest friend)?

 

He would buy his mother jewelry, his father a new watch. Maybe a butcher knife he saw in Ishgard unlike any they have in Ul'dah!

[Satisiun]

You invite a friend over to your house for the afternoon. Describe what your friend would see upon entering your home.

(This is under the assumption that FFXIV houses will be like XI, and simply be one, large room)

 

"Let's see," Satisiun said as he thought about the layout of his household. "Likely the work desk over in the far left corner with matching seat, for one. My bed is near that as well. There's also the fireplace situated in the middle, which I tend to keep covered with a grate, considering that the whole house is made of wood. Don't want to cause any accidents, right?"

 

Chuckling, Satisiun continued. "I also have an aquarium on the other side atop my dresser drawer, and a couple potted plants flanking either side of it. Not much else, though ... I tend to be out of the house so often, I don't really spruce it up a lot."

 

During the casual small-talk that ensues, your friend asks you if you have read any good books lately. How do you respond?

"Probably that I can't think of any," Satisiun confesses, shrugging his shoulders. "I haven't really sat down and read a book in a long time, for the same reasons my house is pretty bare."

 

Your friend eventually leaves, and you're still bored. Restless, you leave the house and set out for a walk. Describe the neighborhood you live in.

"Pretty peaceful, actually," Satisiun responded with a smile, pausing to take a small drink from his canteen before continuing, his throat having parched some from answering the previous questions. "A lot of the houses overlook the pathway that head back towards the market and guild areas of Gridania, and if you head further in to the residential area, you'll find a different stream from the one that makes its way through the city. It's always good when you want to find a place to go and do nothing but walk."

 

Oh no! An orphan is in trouble! Down the street from where you stand, a small street urchin is being bullied by three larger youths. What do you do about it?

"I'm not surprised, for one," Satisiun confesses with a sigh, and a small roll of his blue eyes. "A lot of the kids in Gridania, for whatever reason, are real bullies. But I'd step in and tell them to leave, and they tend to respond when adults, even strangers, tell them what to do."

 

Another swig from his water canteen was taken to again quench his throat amidst all this answer giving, before continuing.

 

"I'd probably take the child I helped to the tavern, and get them situated with the keeper there before heading home. They'd have better luck figuring out who the child belongs to than I would."

 

Adventure time! The next day, still restless, you decide that what you need is a good change of pace. How do you pack for your four-day road trip to Ishgard?

"I ... wait ..." Satisiun said, his brow quirked in a rather confused expression. "But ... Ishgard is only a day's trip from Gridania, not four."

 

Pressed to answer anyway in the hypothetical, Satisiun sighed. "Okay. Then I guess just a good, sturdy pair of clothes for my time out in the field, and then enough water canteens and Meat Miqo'tebobs to last me. There's enough Aetheryte spots between here and Ishgard that I shouldn't have any problems finding safe or comfortable sleeping arrangements."

 

Along your journey, you spot some bandits waiting at a bridge across a wide but slow moving river up ahead of you. They haven't seen you yet. You need to cross the bridge to get to where you're going. How do you handle the situation?

Satisiun gave a small shrug before answering.

 

"Discretion is the better part of valor, and I'm only one adventurer to several bandits. I'll lay low until they leave."

 

You have just arrived for the first time in a new big city. Where do you go first?

Satisiun rubbed his chin for a moment in contemplative thought, blue eyes looking rather thoughtful for such a simple question before he finally turned to the survey taker, and speaking again.

 

"The city seems to have some really tall towers and peaks throughout. I'd love to head to one of those first, and see just what the view is around the region, and the city itself, before doing anything else."

 

For being the 1,000th tourist to the city, you have been given a 6,000 gil voucher to spend as you like at the Ishgard Department Store (think FFXIV version of Macy's). What do you spend it on?

While looking momentarily enthusiastic, Satisiun then paused, and reaching for the back of his head began to rub at his dark hair, laughing almost in an embarrassed fashion.

 

"I was about to say something silly, but then I realized I always seem to run my equipment ragged," said the Lancer with a stupid grin. "So I guess on repairs instead of anything else. Lots and lots of repairs."

 

All of that shopping has made you deliriously hungry. What sort of food establishment do you seek out for lunch?

"Nothing too special," Satisiun replies. "And after so much cured meat during the trip, something different might be nice. Maybe a bread stand?"

 

The curious look from the survey taker made Satisiun blink, then laugh a little. "What? I mean, I know it's plain. But I don't have a problem with that. Sometimes the plainer things are better."

 

 

Five months later and safely back at home, you realize the Winter Festival is approaching! What sort of present do you pick out for your mother (or nearest living relative, or closest friend)?

"She'd probably enjoy a new, warm robe or wool blouse, or something similar," Satisiun said as he mulled ideas over in his head. "She lives over in The Silver Bazaar, and the winters around the Ul'dah region and deserts can be pretty unforgiving."