An Ishgard Project

[Velaena]

You bring up one of the other things in this vein that irk me with the Miqo'te tribes. Every time I see a Nuhn walking around like it's totally normal I have to fight some internal battle to keep from getting riled up by it.

 

Aren't Nuhn's canonically supposed to stay behind wherever their tribe lives and make babies? Why would they be wandering the world? Why would their tribe -let them-? They have no real power in their tribes (barring some exceptions), so you'd think the breeding males would be kept on a tight leash.

 

But no, you'll constantly see random Nuhns walking around and flirting with anything on two legs, acting like they're the bees knees.

 

Verranicus, I'm unsure why you're treating my thread as a space for you to vent your complaints about other people's play styles. I've encouraged players to share their thoughts, concerns, questions, and suggestions, but you're only making presumptions. This thread isn't even about Nunhs, and Valaena was simply drawing a comparison.

 

If you don't have anything constructive to add to this discussion, please refrain from posting here. The RPC has multiple threads for complaints, but this isn't one of them.

I seriously have to commend you for keeping your calm. I don't think I could. 

 

As for that, I was drawing a comparison of canon constructs that players have adopted into RP. My point was basically, if we can do that and not have too many people object to it, then surely we can RP as members of the Ishgardian Nobility. I'm not saying that you have to be the head of House Haillenarte. They may have a huge extended family that still have the last name but need documents to actually prove their lineage; for example. 

 

What I'm saying is that it is possible to do it in a lore-friendly way. There's no way this will be everybody's cup of tea, as it clearly is not yours. If you don't like it, then simply don't get involved.

[Steel Wolf]

I just wanted to voice my support for this idea. Although I find Ishgard a terrible society and find almost nothing redeeming about them as shown thus far in the MSQ, I adore the thought processes here.

 

As someone who's landed in more than a few FCs/guilds where I felt like a useless drop in a bucket of people who were already friends to begin with and are putting up with my presence, letting people help to get in on the ground floor of a great idea has my luv. <3

[Velaena]

Is this still going forward?

[Candor]

Discussion has slowed down, but it's still a-go! What can I do for you?

[Candor]

It’s been some time but this project hasn’t been forgotten or abandoned, I’ve just been busy. Now I would like to take some time to explain some of the unique ideas that we’ll be investing into House Haillenarte FC, in order to create a fun and engaging RP experience for everyone involved. Let’s take this one thing at a time.

 

Linkshell Chat/FC Chat: This is something we’ve changed. Previously it was arranged so that the LS was IC for the FC members only, and the FC chat was OOC. We’ve reversed that, and the LS is now open to anyone who would simply like to stay in contact and RP with us, regardless of membership or not. Kaylenn originally asked about this, and I’m happy to say that we now have a place where he and players like him can stay in contact.

 

IC Ranks: IC ranking has been streamlined a great deal, and it’s no longer based upon any sort of merit system. We’ll discuss a bit later how we want to equip players with the tools to tell fun and expansive stories, and part of that is to allow them a certain degree of freedom. In other words, now characters can start and be any rank they want, so long as it follows 2 simple guidelines. The first is that it must be realistic and justified - meaning that you can play the captain of the guard, but you need the backstory to give it merit. Obviously, things that can’t reasonably be justified couldn’t be played. The second guideline is that as a rule we discourage players from playing actual Haillenarte characters. Meaning, a character with the name Haillenarte. This second rule isn’t set in stone, but that name carries influence, so anyone playing a Haillenarte will be held to a much higher standard.

 

IC promotions are handled the same way as IC ranks. Your character may advance to whatever rank as you feel it’s appropriate, so long as you can make it believable. So, your captain of the guard can raise to whatever rank is higher - like the Mac Daddy of the Guard - when you feel it’s right, as part of your own narrative.

 

Obviously, this will take some respect on the part of the players. If there’s already a Captain of the Guard, naturally you can’t play the Captain of the Guard to the same House.

 

OOC Ranks: OOC ranks remain the same as before. There’s only 3: Director, Officer, and Patron. They have absolutely nothing to do with IC standing. An Officer can play a low ranking character, and a Patron can play the Mac Daddy of the Guard. I’m the Director and my own character will not be anywhere near the top. The purpose of these ranks is for OOC assistance, moderation, and making valuable resources in the FC Bank available to players who need them. The rank of Officer will also be kept modest, so as not to get confused with any overwhelming authority. Meaning we plan for there to be 2 Officers as a base, and then an additional 1 Officer per 10 active players.

 

FC Structure: So, as the IC rankings make clear, we’re not terribly worried about a long slog for anyone to start as a serf and eventually rise to the lauded rank of lord. What we’re interested in is creating a place for people to tell their stories in a way that includes others, and so we’re taking special care to create an environment where story elements can be submitted and collected for others’ view and use. For example, Dwayne Johnson plays The Rock the Roegadyn, who is the Mac Daddy of the Guard to House Awesomesauce, a vassal house of Haillenarte, and in telling his story he generates and narrates an NPC called Biggen Grumbles, who is a rather surly lalafel trader who frequents Awesomesauce. Dwayne Johnson would be able to submit Biggen Grumbles into a dedicated place on the forum, where NPCs created and used by players in their narratives will be collected. Later, Paul Ruebens, who plays Pee Wee the lalafel, can read about Biggen Grumbles and work him into his own story. Now, 2 unassociated players are using the same NPC, without contradictions made since Dwayne Johnson defined the NPC, and there didn’t need to be a GM present to make this happen.

 

This will be a common theme of the House Haillenarte FC, with less of a focus on structure and rank and earning one’s place, and more of a focus on collaborative storytelling. Naturally, we understand that this lenient approach isn’t for everyone, there’s likely to be those who misunderstand the purpose, and there’s going to be those who abuse the system. We’re aware and prepared for this, but we don’t feel it’s such a large threat that this unique attitude can’t be attempted.

 

FC Type: I think it’s fairly obvious to say that this is going to be an RP FC, however that doesn’t preclude the rest of the game’s elements. We’re also interested in playing the game, and helping those who aren’t as far along as others in terms of XP, know how, and item level. So, we’re going to be dedicated to those things too. I think right now it’s fair to say that the FC will also cover: Leveling, Dungeons, Guildhests, Trials, and Raids. You’ll just have to stand by for any word on Casual, Hardcore, and PvP.

 

FC Interaction: Everyone is welcome to interact with us! Whether you’re an FC member or not, whether you’re into Ishgardian themed RP or not! If you want to RP, find us, RP with us, we’ll love you for it. We might kidnap you and take you home to meet the family, have dinner, and a friendly game of Twister!

 

FC Theme: And finally, the big one. As we’ve been discussing the FC with others, there’s one theme that’s come up again and again, and it’s made people clap and cheer and throw us parties and give us money and name their children after us. And ice cream. There was ice cream once. We’ve been told each time we mention this little caveat that we should have started with it, so here it is…

 

Game of Thrones! Ishgard is essentially medieval England, except with silly elves with goofy French names. And dragons. Anyway! It has nobles and knights and priests and politics out the hoo-hah! House Haillenarte will be doing its utmost to strike an atmosphere not unlike Game of Thrones. Politics, intrigue, controversy! People might even die! (If the player wants to kill their character. (We understand that character death isn’t up to us. (And we’re not assholes. (Most of the time.))))

 

Alright, there it is. It’s by no means finished. We’ve still got a little over a month to develop, and we’re still only FC Rank 6, but we’re determined to be 8 by the time we launch. As usual, anyone interested in getting in early is more than welcome, as long as they understand that we aren’t holding any FC related RP just yet. But we’re leveling, gearing up, getting ready, and we like new friends!

 

Feel free to share thoughts, concerns, questions and suggestions. We just ask that they be pertinent to the topic.

[shotgunbadger]

I'm very interested in this, I don't have a char to fit that, but I've been kicking some ideas around for other characters as the expansion gets nearer.

 

Regardless I hope to bump into you guys in game anyway, Zutoto sees Ishgard as a fascinating oddity so she'd be eager to talk to members of a major house, even if they're not the power players.

[Candor]

A lot of players have been asking me a couple of frequently asked questions lately, so I thought I would take the time to clarify those specific issues.

 

What do you mean my character can be any IC rank?

I've been trying to make this as clear as possible, but I guess I haven't been doing such a swell job of it. The easiest way to put this is: Your character can be any rank. For example, let's discuss the aforementioned Captain of the Guard. If this is the role you want your character to play, you need only come up with a plausible story to justify it, and ta-da! Your character is the Captain of the Guard. Now, the specifics of the position, such as being the Captain of House Haillenarte's guard, or perhaps the Captain of a lesser House vassaled to Haillenarte, isn't entirely up to you. Things like that will be determined on a first come, first serve basis - and NPCs count! So, let's say that Dwayne Johnson joins first wants his character, The Rock the Roegadyn, to be the Captain of the Guard to House Haillenarte, the rank is his. However, let's say that Heavensward introduces an NPC who is the Captain of the Guard to Haillenarte, then Dwayne Johnson will have to choose a different role. So, he chooses for the Rock the Roegadyn to be the Captain to vassal House Awesomesauce. Next, David Bautista joins and he wants his character, Drax the Au Ra Destroyer to also be Captain of the Guard. He'll have to choose a vassal House too, and a different one than Awesomesauce. Our forum will have a place for characters and their ranks to be cataloged so that this information is easily referenced.

 

So, I can choose my rank, meaning I can just be an Officer if I want to?

This is the one that seems to be confusing most people. Officer is an OOC rank. It is the rank of the player, not of the character. Everyone joins as a Patron, the standard rank. Officers are selected based on a number of criterion like leadership experience, attitude, and availability. And they're selected by me and a consensus of all Officers at the time. The purpose of an Officer is not to have authority over anyone, but to be a helping hand and in the event of OOC disputes, to help settle them. They also have access to the third page of the FC Bank, a place specifically reserved for valuable items and materials. The only way a Patron could gain access to anything on the third page of the Bank is to ask an Officer to withdraw it for them. This way we can have things that help everyone in big ways without worrying that access will be abused.

 

And your own character isn't IC in charge of the FC?

The answer to this is two-fold. The first part is to understand that House Haillenarte FC covers a wide array of characterizations - some characters will be vassal nobles beholden to House Haillenarte, others will be merchants that are employed by independent organizations but frequently do business with House Haillenarte, others will be inquisitors of the church who work with House Haillenarte, some will be mercenaries that work for their own mercenary companies but have been employed by House Haillenarte, so on and so forth. There's no real organization to be in charge of, and since no character may be an actual Haillenarte noble, no one can be in charge of Haillenarte itself. So, there's that.

 

The second part part is - no. My character wouldn't be anywhere near the top of anything, and I fully intend for him to keep to realistic stations that he happens on via RP. Even if that means he's hired as a tracker for some Haillenarte soldiers, and he stays a lowly tracker.

 

I can play a mercenary that's loyal to his own mercenary company, within the House Haillenarte FC? Like an FC within an FC?

Yes! Exactly! This is something we're really excited about. The ability for characters to tell their own stories won't be limited to simply narrating one's place within Haillenarte's structure, but to also expand and illustrate the surrounding structure of the character itself. So, let's go back to Dwayne Johnson. This time he wants The Rock the Roegadyn to be the Commander of the Awesomesauce Mercenary Company, who has been employed by House Haillenarte. He can build, rank, manage Awesomesauce Company however he wants, including recruiting players into House Haillenarte FC specifically to join Awesomesauce Company. If he wants, and his support grows large enough, we'll even give him his own section on the forums to manage Awesomesauce Company specific things. We cannot emphasize enough the freedom that will be granted to players to create and tell their own stories within the FC.

 

I hope this clarifies for anyone else who wants to ask these same questions. As more arise, I'll do my best to answer them!

[Velaena]

I love the Game of Thrones link. Bannermen to House Haillenarte ^^

[Candor]

This is an update on an old, and likely forgotten-about, project!

 

Yes, I spun an ambitious yarn pre-HW about the new FC community that I would be building, dated to release with the new expansion. And, yes, I didn't quite deliver. The players who supported the effort took a decent shot at it, and the FC even reached level 8! Then things happened as they're wont to do, I poofed, the FC was deleted, and the project itself was lost like so much dust in the wind. Poetic imagery!

 

However, I'm a stubborn old goat and just refuse to give up. Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, but... Here I go again! But not on my own! (If you don't get the reference, you're too young.) I've got some of my old supporters, and some new ones, who have decided to take another crack at establishing this unique FC with me. With one small change.

 

Previously it had been decided that we wouldn't be recruiting or running plots until we reached level 8, but this time around we're doing those things while reaching level 8. We've already got a bit of plot going, gradually building relations between characters, meeting for RP, and making wacky paper mache hats based on our favorite Pokemon. (If you don't know any Pokemon, you're too old.) Okay, we probably aren't doing that last one.

 

Anyway, while this isn't a cry for recruitment, it is an alert to all those folks who were interested, and to any new players who might be, that we're back and taking a crack at it, and all support and RP is welcome!

 

tl;dr: House Haillenarte FC is back in development and Jon Bon Jovi is the best Pokemon.

[Branson Thorne]

This is an update on an old, and likely forgotten-about, project!

 

Yes, I spun an ambitious yarn pre-HW about the new FC community that I would be building, dated to release with the new expansion. And, yes, I didn't quite deliver. The players who supported the effort took a decent shot at it, and the FC even reached level 8! Then things happened as they're wont to do, I poofed, the FC was deleted, and the project itself was lost like so much dust in the wind. Poetic imagery!

 

However, I'm a stubborn old goat and just refuse to give up. Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, but... Here I go again! But not on my own! (If you don't get the reference, you're too young.) I've got some of my old supporters, and some new ones, who have decided to take another crack at establishing this unique FC with me. With one small change.

 

Previously it had been decided that we wouldn't be recruiting or running plots until we reached level 8, but this time around we're doing those things while reaching level 8. We've already got a bit of plot going, gradually building relations between characters, meeting for RP, and making wacky paper mache hats based on our favorite Pokemon. (If you don't know any Pokemon, you're too old.) Okay, we probably aren't doing that last one.

 

Anyway, while this isn't a cry for recruitment, it is an alert to all those folks who were interested, and to any new players who might be, that we're back and taking a crack at it, and all support and RP is welcome!

 

tl;dr: House Haillenarte FC is back in development and Jon Bon Jovi is the best Pokemon.

Given how my Elezen Noble is a knight for Haillenarte, guessing this would be appropriate for him....

[Candor]

Given how my Elezen Noble is a knight for Haillenarte, guessing this would be appropriate for him....

 

I'm not so sure. I might expect to see a Haillenarte loyal knight in a traveling troupe of troublesome troubadours. My alliteration was unintentional. Anyway! Yes, it sounds like it good fit and we're happy to make your character's acquaintance and RP with you any time. Feel free to reach out to myself on Maddox Gyr, or one of the others. Though I'll warn you that the end of the fall semester and impending holidays does have RP time a bit stretched between us. You know, the usual.

 

We don't have an FC profile up yet, but you can find more information, like our staff list, at www.haillenarte.enjin.com

 

Hope to RP with you soon.

[Roen]

Hm... I know a few others who are currently carrying on a storyline peripherally involving House Durendaire and Fortemps...

 

It would be great to have these houses mix it up!

[SharlayanBlues]

I personally quite like the sound of this idea, I'd love for there to be more things based around Ishgard and its surrounding areas, currently there isn't much of it or I just happen to be missing it.

 

I'm for one trying to expand my connections as my character is a Freelancer within Ishgard, so would there ever need the chance for outside help, this could be a good thing to work with!

But still, good luck with it anyhow!

[Candor]

@ Roen, I don't know who they are, but I'd be all for some stuff if they are. Maybe you feel up to making introductions?

 

@ Vinland, we do have an IC LS that we use to invite folks who don't necessarily want to join, but do want to interact. Also, the nature of this particular FC allowed for more flexible roles like mercenaries to be members without adhering to anyone else's IC authority.

[SharlayanBlues]

@Candor

Feel free to add me in game or throw me an invite whenever.

I'm on most of the time and am on now if thats anything!

[Riven]

Sent you a PM about it, and I should hopefully be online tonight!

[V'aleera]

Nice to see this getting followed up on. I look forward to seeing how things progress for you.

[Candor]

I'm pleased to announce that House Haillenarte has officially launched! Sure, it's after a 7 month delay, but at least we're not Star Citizen! The information found across the pages of this thread is all still valid as the unique concept of this FC hasn't changed, and a more summarized version can be found on linkshell directory profile. Those interested may also explore our forums which I have made fully available (read only) to the public.

 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the RPC's own Sounsyy for providing a massive amount of Ishgard lore, to keep this FC on track. Thanks, Sounsyy!

 

Any and all interested folks can contact me here, in-game, or post in the LS profile. Thanks for your attention and support throughout this process!

[Ekidna]

I rp as a noblewoman pledged to Dzemael House, but I'd be delighted to meet you ICly anyway. Ishgardian rp is great :love:

 

Feel free to add me if you see me online!

I'm always here on the evening (utc+2) and at more adequate hours on the week-end.

[Silinat]

I rp as a noblewoman pledged to Dzemael House, but I'd be delighted to meet you ICly anyway. Ishgardian rp is great :love:

 

Feel free to add me if you see me online!

I'm always here on the evening (utc+2) and at more adequate hours on the week-end.

 

One of our goals is to foster rp between the players of the differen houses. I play Ambriel Haillenarte and would be glad to meet up for some roleplay. 

[Dresden Voltaire]

I already belong to an FC, but this looks very promising! I rp as a Temple Knight, so if you guys have a linkshell or something instead, I'd be glad to join!

 

If you see me online (UTC+8), don't hesitate to reach out! I love Ishgardian RP!

[Silinat]

I already belong to an FC, but this looks very promising! I rp as a Temple Knight, so if you guys have a linkshell or something instead, I'd be glad to join!

 

If you see me online (UTC+8), don't hesitate to reach out! I love Ishgardian RP!

 

Thanks for the interest. We do have a linkshell I would be happy to send you an invite to..