[WANT] Small, Laid back, older player LS

I figured that there's nothing to lose to ask, here, although I hate adding to the "LFG" threads.

I'm looking... for a group. of people. Like a guild. The kind you can talk to on a weird clam shell device. I don't want to ask specific shells, because I want something specific. I want to be responded to. This is an offer up for grabs, I don't want to settle for significantly less, and I'm not begging random busy players with this nonsense. I'm CNJ32, but come what may, I want to ultimately play WHM/RDM/BRD/support classes, full stop. I prefer RDM style, and currently NEED to heal and debuff like an old school RDM. I currently heal/buff/nuke and have plenty of fun doing so in my duo. I've not played in groups over 3 players.

I want a guild so friendly (and eventually close), that it could be a family. I have the ambition and player quality to do end-game, and I strive for a challenge on the masochistic side, but for now I'll be quite happy just to have people to talk to that don't get my fur on end. Please read the rest if you really want a devoted member who will psychotically kill your enemies and bring your name glory. And also log in. I'll even tell everyone you're a pretty cool guy.

The text wall is representing a (if you earn it through being awesome (read: not generous, but truly, genuinely awesome.)) loyal player and guildee, not a filler member who will ditch you for better opportunities.

My best experiences in any game have been in the form of grouping with small groups of players (around 25-30 max) that happen to be on average age 25+ (older than me! stop it!), with the mantra of being "laid back" and "open-minded." These "laid back" fellows always wind up doing amazing in end-game scenarios because they bypass drama and silliness, possess the ambition to get things done despite being laid back, and, just as importantly, the leadership isn't arrogant and people are free to speak their mind without offending a few sissies. Rougher crowds that lack the superpolice kiddo that tries to superimpose his beliefs of what "is okay" is my kind of thing. Maybe more so since I'm trying my damndest to roleplay (note: trying, never have RP'd really) a Limosan. Definitely because I enjoy lively chat. Partially because I don't enjoy fearful restrictions on intellect.

The requirement of being open-minded and laid back is significant because I believe the only way to make lasting, real friendships is to know the person for who they are, not restricted by ignorant rules that are designed to make others feel better. If you're selfish, or cruel, or do nothing but complain, you simply are relieved of your membership when the guild comes to an agreement. Keeping your mannerisms quiet in LS only for it to come out in tells is nothing but a lie, to yourself, and to the guild. So I want the dirty that comes with the good. I'm there for my friends and can help people through their mental dishevel, on that note.

I'm QUITE bummed out that I can't locate any of my old Diabolos buddies from Exodus(Pandemonium)/Bloodmourne(Diabolos) here, but figure that considering the time lapse, the flavor might exist even here, even if the familiar faces and warm home feeling won't for years. I don't care about items, I want friends in Eorzea. We can reassess this arrangement if a half-robe or apple tart drops, but until then I'll love you. Okay?

I played several MMOs, with my proudest playing experiences being in early FFXI as a gen-1 NA player (long before the horrible WOTG crap) who strived to be incredible at group-oriented RDM play. I love support role more than anything in these games, and generally study every element of the game and my job and theorycraft a significant amount.

Hopefully this doesn't come off arrogantly or "-ist" - younger people can be awesome. I just don't want to discuss the latest season of Bleach while I'm trying to roll my r's (it obviously takes intense concentration.) Also I like being the youngest (or one of the youngest) in a group. There, I said it. It's no crime.

Oh, and I come with the best DRK FFXI ever had. We're kind of a package. He can tank and he can kick lots, and lots of butt. My hateful sarcasm and his Encyclopedia Finalfantasia could be a circus act. This is important to consider, because we, for the most part, work best in the same groups/party configurations, or within reason of this.

This was a bit longer than I hoped, as I don't feel like I deserve much said on my behalf here. This is more about you. I hope to hear from someone I can take to iHOP to treat to the senior citizens' menu soon.

We're EST, play 24/7 in realistic time periods. We disappear sometimes for a month or two, but always come back. Sometimes with food. You can have this food.

I would have loved meeting someone in the world, playing with them, and shelling up with them, but right now it feels impossible to guild up this way.

PS: "laid back" includes the understanding that you like your members enough that, despite doing cool stuff with them, you don't get your well worn pantalettes in a twist when they go to play Skyrim, and kick them! (oh, and please, no miqote leader? please? just a personal thing, dont ask.)

PS: a leader who likes NIN/Radiohead earns instant marks on being my favorite leader. Not a requirement. My real requirement list would even scare ME away. Oh, and if this was tl;dr I don't really want to play with you :(

PS: I don't get along with lazy or abusive people, and have a bad habit of chastising those who act either way. It's part of the package, too. I also have an intense disdain for memes. I spent my share of time in /v/ and on WoW, I don't need it now.

Even if there isn't a guild out there for the old school desiree, I'd still love to meet some people, albeit unnaturally if this is the way. Feel free to send me tells if you have no one to talk to.

/psyche.

As far as playing long-term, the deciding factor is just how much like WoW vs old school FFXI this game becomes. I'm not looking for a standard formula MMO, so for as long as it keeps a healthy amount of tedium and hardship and focus on community, this is it. I do plan to stay til 1.20 and almost definitely after, but as odd as this might sound,

the linkshell aspect is the biggest deciding factor.

To bad you didn't roll on Figaro because that IS what our LS is all about. If you change your mind though, you can visit otogibank.ca and look at what we offer. We have a HUGE variety of players that play everyday to here and there. All players are in their mid 20s to 40 with diversity in married, unmarried, significant others to divorced single parents. It's ALWAYS fun. Also, you can visit here for some other info.

Good luck! :)

Too bad indeed. If the offer is still up when the time comes (I really don't have hopes of meeting anyone on Rabanastre, but I'm a pessimist in video game communities now) I'd throw all my money at S-E for a transfer there just to give you guys a chance.

Thanks for the reply, and offer, and I hope for the best for you guys!

Ahoy Mirh-

Now that introductions have been made, I'll get straight to the point- Rabanastre is a much better server than we are given credit for! We just seem to have more world poachers than native players on our community forums here on el Lodestone.

Also remember positive perception can be a powerful thing! It will take some luck and persistance- but I am sure there is the perfect community for you close to home here.

Also+1, I did read your entire post! I agree with most of it (78%+) and it was also very entertaining. Due to the awesomeness of it though, and the many contradictions I stumbled upon- I wont advertise my home of Carnival as the perfect shell for you.

But I read your massive text assault so I leave it now up to you to read mine!- Carnival is currently full (and currently working out a reform) but if you decide you truly want to be a Carny- I will work something out and make two slots for you and your partner in crime.

In the event you decide to leave Rabanastre: I will be sad to see another go- but I wish you luck in finding a good community to be a part of regardless! I personally would not leave my friends on this server for any other. The only real negative we have on Rabanastre is the BG LS- but they are fun to mess with sometimes.

I'm not in the business of trying to sell my linkshell to people- and that's not really why I'm here- I'm just passing by defending a really good server with a seemingly bad name :D

Hey, thanks for the reply!

I did indeed read up on Carnival before my first post here, and lit up instantly at the start of your group's description - until, indeed, the contradictions came about. I think your group would be both amazing and satisfying to be associated with or near in the best of times, and, with that said, it would be more so that I'd rather protect you from myself, than the other way around! This is why I didn't simply post a much, much more compact version of my pseudo-manifesto in the recruitment/information thread.

With that said, Carnival would the Titan to my Terra, the closest I've seen to what I wanted since the old days in over 5 years, and I could contently calm down my expectations if it meant meeting wonderful people. As it would be rude to suggest I'd like to take you up on the offer if and when room is available - it would seem like I'm suggesting I'd be 'settling', and your fine group deserves more than this - maybe I'll just keep up with your development/public news here and, once my partner and I have discussed what we should do in Eorzea, we can contact you then.

Leaving the server would be my last resort, and only if I've failed to make friends here. With that said, I've not met anyone here since the CE pre-release, and they have since quit, of course. It is good to see there are players here confident in the server - I wasn't even partially deterred from it until recently, myself. Perhaps when 1.20 comes about, we'll see more posters here, and it will feel a bit more lively.

So, come what may, I hope the best for you and your team!

well well!

as weird as it sounds, I am actually very pleased you respect me and my LS enough to not "settle" for us. If there is one thing I cannot stand, it is members who simply join for the sake of being in a LS- any LS that can kick and has a pulse. "hey you guys seem active, I'd like to have something in my chat log finally" or my favorite, "I have many LS but I will use you guys for when no one else is around." I shall definitely be revising my "open to all!" policy come the great 2012 reform.

I should also add, I was much like you a year ago when I was born into this world! I just wanted to adventure, and group up with strangers for things and meet some people. Then one day, once I actually had a good circle of friend, we would all just rock-paper-scissors for who's gonna make the LS. Nine months- two craptastic linkshells- and a sad face FL later- I decide to just take the extreme and create my own ideal and dream LS. (Jims Dreamy Linkshell was not a good LS name tho) thus I constructed Carnival.

I did not plan for a large LS- just a good group of like-minded adventurers with similar goals and interests, and people who can properly use exclamation points. My XI LS was like eleven people- but I would not trade those eleven people for anything! But then Carnival exploded and the gates rushed down by small Roes, giant Lalafells, and ill tempered chocobos. I ran the LS with putting my own ambitions aside, and constantly asked for (and got!) that juicy feedback on what everyone wanted. Pretty much every time, people just wanted more LS mates! due to fall classes, I pretty much left recruitment in the hands of my leaders. Three months later~ we are at member cap.

If you ask me to name all my members though- at crossbow point ofc- I will give a list of 20-30 people. These are the ones that I know their RL name- age- favorite final fantasy- where they work- their favorite color and candy bar- their fav class and city- time zone- favorite cheese- etc. We are basically a small community within a community- and for that reason I consider this home failure- this home I put everything into. But I will take what I have learned and create a much stronger LS come January- one more similar to your original post. (actually I will probably split the LS like dodgeball team- those who favor XIV on the left- those who favor community on the right- and I will take the people on the right and run)

Also, even though I say "we are open to all ages!" Our average LS age by natural selection seems to hover around thirty-ish. If you read our introductions thread, most people are between 25-35 and are married or have families! One of my best friends in XI was/is some 15 year old kid - who was the coolest and funniest person and the most amazing BRD (and still mature player) I've ever seen - so he has skewed my perception on young gamers and mostly why I still defend them today. Also, our anime discussions are rare- always tame- and always two sided and entertaining. "what the chizz are half those words you just said!?"

And why not keep adding randomness, this quote comes to mind; "I don't care about items, I want friends in Eorzea. We can reassess this arrangement if a half-robe or apple tart drops, but until then I'll love you. Okay?"- for this quote alone I will always leave two empty seats in my LS with your name on it! and you're more than welcome to stay up to date with our community site- and you can even join the site without joining our linkshell- and stay commitment free- and get to know our core members or just post random thoughts on our site feed. Our website members are the true carnival- and our in game LS is the one I cannot wait to burn to the ground.

wow did I just write all that >.> sorry bout that. As you can tell, I am big on community- so when it comes to LS talks I just open my mouth and cities fall out!

Linkshell business aside for a moment however- I am just a regular player on Rabanastre first. Well, regular as in ringleader- eccentric billionaire- walking chunk of metal type regular. If you ever feel like chatting, want to vent about your latest exp party, want to hear my joke of the day, or need assistance with something- add me to FL or hit me up anytime! I shall do the same you, only without your permission

You guys like cheese? Why didn't you say so?

I'll do so! You can contact if you ever want to, although I've been forum wallowing more than in game. I'll post a respectable response in a moment.

I do get the impression FFXIV encourages people to be more um, promiscuous (haw) towards their linkshell collection. When I played FFXI, even more casual and social oriented players stuck with one shell. This new concept of whoring it up does come as a foreign concept to me. I was "raised" on concepts of allegiance and pride. It's "just a game" but I believe in working hard in everything you do - If you can't be passionate about it, it's not worth doing!

I was spoiled in FFXI, as I entered with a group of friends. I was always around friends, so having friends became the definitive raison du livre of FFXI to me. If I could re-establish this, my ultimate goals are significantly more ambitious - I just have my priorities perfected through years of being deprived of what should be the dream experience - which is quite modest, honestly.

As prideful as I was with my larger groups of friends, I was significantly proud to be part of the extremely small, 1-group-sized HNMLS that made all the bigger HNMLS servers look like a joke. I left it for morality conflict reasons (One of the leaders was messing with the minds of the members, who talked about it to me, but were too intimidated to speak up. One day, I logged in, made a small speech, and broke the pearl as no one had the guts to do it first.) This sounds like I come with drama, but this only has needed to happen once, and I'm merely trying to covey three points: 1) I'm an elitist in that I do love smaller, amazing groups that work surgically, like a recon squad somewhat; 2) I don't stand for bullshit leadership as a mentor/counciler/confidant/support-type personality; 3) as always I combined my second and third point into the second point. CRAP.

It's funny because the last carnation of the shell I was in in FFXI, the leadership encouraged to have us all on a real name basis. Not quite what you're saying, but it feels like leaders who are passionate enough to really know their members eventually lead some of the most happy groups. Although I do wonder what you mean by favoring XIV - perhaps as in, favoring the modern indifferent style players have come to have in regarding who is family or not? :p It sounds like a stellar idea, if so.

In truth, my old groups were open to all ages and actually were mostly made of older players by default. There was a younger guy or two in there, who sort of acted like a cute little mascot/humor well for us. I think it goes without saying that the younger players who don't stick to younger players are usually pretty enjoyable to have around. I'm not necessarily bothered by anime as much as I'm bothered by bad anime, though! I'm actually a little odd and watch a significant lot of cartoons (with some anime), but most anime is too filler to stand hearing about. Heh. Of course this is just fodder - the idea is that naruto and bleach fans tend to be personalities that won't like me much.

But really, young people in general don't bother me so much. Even most people I meet a year younger than me feel like they're 10 years younger, so I've had to adapt to the weird mental gaps.

Quote:

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I don't care about items, I want friends in Eorzea. We can reassess this arrangement if a half-robe or apple tart drops, but until then I'll love you. Okay?

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It's a bit funny for me since only a couple people perhaps know how incredibly obsessed I became about acquiring a half-robe of any material in beta/CE release - although my dream was to look like the Culinarian Miqo'te clothing-wise. Slightly bit so of an inside joke, but not really ;-) But, /blush, your appreciation for that is quite noted and your open seats quite appreciated!

Maybe I'll check into your offer with the site. The threads on Lodestone forums are starting to run together for me in a very common conflict theme.

It's definitely nice to see someone spirited enough in what they're doing to say what they want to say. You have no idea how long it's been since I've talked to a group leader who didn't speak purely in acronyms.

Now, before I continue - I do keep likening what you say to my "groups" - I'm merely doing this to say that, although my interests may seem very specific, what I wound up being part of that I'm looking for was originally based off simply playing a certain way - my entire original post more or less describes the composition. Maybe if we wound up grouping, in 10 years I'll be posting somewhere that I want a such and such group, and then cite off all the members of the group as requirements. Yes, I require a big funny drunk guy who always laughs at lalafells/tarutarus, a kid who HATES bicycles, a 30 year old woman who is always eating fig newtons, - etc.

I guess my last reserve is wondering if I'm too abrasive for you guys, and wondering if I need to control something about how I come off. That would be the way to determine if we're compatible - The only literal thing I stand by in my search post is that I believe it's imperative to speak your mind / speak freely / be relaxed. But I suppose hearing those jokes of the day, as it were, would give me insight to what's fine :P

As I said, really, only laziness and abusiveness offends me, personally. I can be pretty crude, though. I'd like to think I offend people with logic, though, when I do offend.

But truly, thanks for your time and response. I'd definitely like to get in touch sometime. I won't say I'm dying to join you just yet, as I'm not quite sure if that kind of statement should wait until January or not, buuuuut.. I think my neurotic side towards what makes the perfect experience has relaxed a bit after seeing what you've had to say.

And holy hell, I don't expect anyone to read this post.

I was really open to the idea of multiple LS on at the same time at first. A grand opportunity to meet and keep in touch with a large and diverse population! Then I saw it in action.. and I now wish the system be gone away with. I can name more than one occasion where I have seen 30+ members online, and lil ole Jim talkin to himself for 3 hrs and spamming the chat log until more than one or two members shows a pulse. But the notion that my chat is filling up 27 peoples chat windows, as they openly ignore me or can't bother to say hello, this is my just deserts.

Oh and we did have a poll on cheese- cheddar won much to my dismay! muenster only got three votes- and one person even voted for "no cheese is good cheese" and I liked him too much to try to kick him from the LS for not liking cheese

I am also not trying to convert you into a carny- nor twist your elbow- or whatever the saying is these days. I was just using that as a ploy to come back here and talk with you because you are so interesting. As much as I may need to save my members from you! also would we (probably) not sate your hunger to be the best, feed your ego in an argument, and fulfill your great ambitions to be part of a group that annihilates the competition and makes other LS run home embarrassed. Our LS ambitions are formed around no shame, no ego, no elitism, no drama- (I myself openly admit many times to watching iCarly- Adventure Time- Gumball and playing JRPGs) we are just 100% fun- games- friends.

However, with such one-sided and extreme philosophies- much of our members now do not quite fit as well as I would have hoped. Many share a semblance to you somewhat. I do not bash the other side of the spectrum- they just want to enjoy XIV differently than I do! I respect that, and after reading your posts, I understand it and respect it even more. I just don't feel I should be in charge of a LS with members with such ambitions. Which is why I feel a LS split is necessary. I will run the community LS, based on closeness, socializing with you friends, having fun, taking it easy, playing carnival games, and lower rank members doing things at their own pace and ignoring game politics.

Then there will be Dark Carnival! (or some much better name when the time comes) All of our people who mainly wish to enjoy XIV with others- and be the best- and don't want to participate in my community games- want to run high lvl content as much as possible, and be part of a LS more akin to an endgame LS in XI- they will hop ship into a LS with a much more appropriate leader. Once I find that leader (which I have a few candidates!)

Another topic of much debate! "I believe it's imperative to speak your mind / speak freely / be relaxed." (sorry I don't take the effort to use official quotes) I agree! everyone needs to be relaxed and feel free to say whatever comes to mind. As much as I wish that could be a 100% policy- people need to consider their entire audience. I don't feel there should ever be a reason to cuss out your LS mates, start an argument with them, act completely vulgar or sexually explicit towards them- when this free-speech reaches that point, I think it is the leaders job to intervene. Of course this depends on group of people I suppose, and whether they wish to treat a linkshell like a public area, or a bunch of friends in the basement- personally I like LS to feel more public and open.

Joining a LS, I feel, should be a bigger deal than most people make it out to be, and why it seems like I put so much effort into it (these are the people I plan to spend my entire XIV career with after all!) Which is why I much respect your highly specific and detailed post. And why I tried to make my post much more detailed than simply "new LS on Rabs- social casual shell- hit me up in game if interested, cyaz!" The more people in a group who share the same ambitions and goal, the better it will be for everyone involved! Thus I wish you great luck in your hunt- even if it takes much time and effort- and even if you end up in my LS eventually.

also I enjoy your mega long posts- and if you have a XIV blog- or make one in the future- I will gladly read it :D

You know, after a bit I actually talked to my partner about just how offensive I am. the truthful is I'm pretty tame with very small bursts now and then, and as your worry seems to be more about excessive vulgarity, I don't think I'm so horrible after all. We tried to come up with examples of just exactly what would probably make a group like yours want to kick someone, and came up with more or less the same kind of people our Exodus/Bloodmourne group kicked - people with no personality, beyond being excessively vulgar or offensive, as if they absolutely cannot muster anything worse. (I"m sure the occasional dead baby or bambi joke wouldn't go too well over either, but it's not so common these days!)

Ahem!

There are few things I would not do for provolone or brie. Blue cheese and meunster are fine too. Havarti is hard to beat short of these! I do miss the days I could sit and down a block of mozzerella..

But I am aware of your intentions. At this point I'm just realizing my expectations are too silly and specific. Or, better said, it's all quite appealing and I'm comfortable with the idea. There's no "What if.." at all.

I hear what you're saying - Before I played WoW I was incredibly talkative and I was accustomed to conversation. During WoW, I realized absolutely no one cares to talk, drama and such later, find myself saying very little in games. I realized my sense of humor went wasted, my efforts to entertain or inform went ignored, and my occasional desire for witty or smarty-pants talk were simply piteously picked up by my partner. Kind of like someone taking their mom to the prom, I suppose.

Being the best is really in the eye of the beholder. I noticed you guys say you're the "self-proclaimed best"! That's more or less what really matters. If you're having that much fun and feel unified (even if not right not, perhaps), and can truly joke about it, then of course it's as true as it should be. As for ambitions, that would take time to sate even in the best guilds (Even if BlueGartr would have me after all these years, I'm not interested in Ifrit and end game will take time to really appear) I'm quite modest, if it's fair to say so myself, and my ego is never pushed on anyone else. I gave up expecting people try a loooooooooong time ago. They'll feel bad someday.

Although I'm sure you guys have plenty of fun with games/events, I would quite happily do without those. I used to do that stuff in FFXI, but i think you can have a community/very close friend group that does content too! But it sounds fun :p

(Which means I fit in an extreme middle of your two LS ideas. I suppose I should just look forward to Skyrim for now and back off.)

When I say speak your mind, I definitely do not agree to cussing out your members. The worst example - the most offensive- I can come up with here is if someone is being a complete prick openly, you don't stay quiet until Jim Telos logs on to deal with it - you defend them. It can be in a very cut and dry manner, and not actually be dramatic. But, if that meanie instigator is being a pretentious dick, then you can let him know! At least make your member-mate feel like he has the group's back, not just Jim Telos' protection. Or, wow. Better said: This isn't Telos' guild, but our guild. You're going to act our of character, we're all of like mind and won't tolerate it. This also kind of saves the need for an elite council that decides everything since everyone is more or less on the same page, WITHIN reason.

Speaking your mind simply suggests you don't have to be afraid of offending the entire group and being "reported" to the leader because you make a funny observation. "Man, Dragoon sure looks easy." Shouldn't offend the group, but maybe get a smart conversation about how you're wrong about Dragoon. It doesn't have to end dramatically and it certainly SHOULD NOT recieve bad karma or ill feelings. If that's the case - there's no free speech, but a bunch of insecure people who don't know how to talk or interpret and intend to hold grudges based off their own shortcomings.. The idea is you pretend at least, you're close, and trust each other's intentions to some degree.

Maybe that's just crazy talk! I believe in speaking up if it's needed.

I went off tangent, but specifically - I don't believe in making anyone feel crappy just because it's convenient or they picked a different class or believe in the tooth fairy. If they say something you disagree with, you should be allowed to refute the point intelligently (or not at all). Sexually harassing members was something my LSes strongly punished, but in WoW I had to endure it for months straight just to prove I'm "one of the guys and nothing offends me." Nothing really does - except worthless leadership and lowlives. Oh, and lazy people. and abusive people. But you get the idea.

We do seem in full agreement. My neurotic mind just forgets that other people, do, indeed, understand what's reasonable. It's like the old case of if something is illegal pornography - if it looks like it is, it is. You simply know a bad cookie when you encounter them.

as I may have said earlier (about 4 books ago, around the time Frodo left the Shire) I'm under the impression the Free Companies are what we'd consider Linkshells these days. I don't know, but I still think LSes should be special. Although we do have a lot of NPC shells, so many it's just how it is? Either way, some freaking group in this game should be highly regarded as home. and family.


So I suppose my last concern then would be that I'm fitting like in the dead middle, as I did say. My ambitions would simply lead to salivating over us doing end game stuff, as it IS part of the great dream of a group experiencing the whole game - I'd never expect it to be the meat of what we do. Unless you're entirely casual, I'd imagine every group in this game will eventually take pecks at whatever is considered end-game. The idea is, if it's just a small group of us doing it, it's even more fun than say, a large group doing it. Pride can be in the form of us destroying it as pros, or eventually doing it as completely off-focused and it being dumb luck, but falling through.

Either way, I get the impression that even in a mad fluke you would still not imagine seeing your main group after the reform doing this content, and all I can really imagine the stay there is getting to 50 - and enjoying it immensely - but never evolving past this ceiling. Which is contradictive - you guys seem to like doing content!

Of course, I'm being contradictive, i know. I'm not hard pressed for anything but the essentials - warm home, relaxing environment, lively talk, and manning up to do the interesting content. Whether this content is done casually and at a slow pace, or religiously, and very well - it's all good. What matters is the engine.

I do keep a XIV blog, and it does give insight to how I feel, and what my goals are. I thought about sharing the link to give you an idea of how I may be in a situation that required observation and opinion, but always second-guessed.
http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com...cicuid=2389996

That should link to it. But I consider the blog thing a safe haven to speak unadulterated, so I pour it all out there. User end warning.

At the risk of sounding condescending:

"i want a social shell that doesnt JUST sit around naked in Gridania emoting. I want to eventually sit around naked in ifrit's lair or the XIV equivilant to Kirin's room emoting, within a casual and enjoyable timeframe for everyone."

If it's unreasonable to eventually challenge ourselves or do content beyond helping with a dungeon/quest, and the "FFXIV-oriented" shell is simply all about getting content done (like a content-oriented-only group in WoW, or some of the very greed-based/take-anyone HNMLS groups in FFXI), I suppose we can at least drop the formal talks of eventually grouping! Haha.

It is pretty interesting reading both your posts/replies (yes I read all of them). I am a member of Carny but I'm not as active as some of the LS members. I really feel both sides of this topic.

In FFXI, I was in a small, but very good, LS. We were all friends who had found themselves in-game. We didn't do endgame or anything like that but we did some special things. Like finishing CoP, with unconventional jobs; doing Nyzul Isle, in very few runs. Those are what made me proud to have them as LS mates but not what keep me there. It was their friendship that did.

We had quality over quantity. What I find frustrating in FFXIV is the lack of base or community in-game. Oh, the Carny LS is great but this game is so much more solo friendly. You don't HAVE to rely on a party or LS so often, and as such, there is a lack or lessening of in-game social interaction.

I found my FFXI LS by chance, but we became friends, really good friends. We'd skype and talk about other things as well as do in-game events. I have yet to find that level of commitment in FFXIV. Maybe it's my fault. I'm not as open as I was in that game or maybe it is just that I'm older and don't make friends like I used to.

Regardless, of the fact both of what you are talking about appeals to me. The strong social aspect of knowing your LS mates and also of getting something done in this game.

I don't like asking for help and giving it, but I find the LS chat window is not as 'in my focus' as it was in FFXI. Thus, I find I miss a lot of LS chat as a result. Maybe I should combine my windows so I would notice LS chat more but honestly it seems information flies so fast on the windows. I think that coupled with the solo-ability of this game is why most people looking for a small, serious LS will be in for a shock. That is only my opinion however.

Mirh, they do seem like a helpful LS and a lot of the members do like raiding and such, it is just the LS is not in your face about it. I hope you join as they genuinely seem like a good LS.

In closing, Jim I thank you for the LS membership and moreover maybe I haven't proved myself in the LS like I should have. I'm just trying to find 'myself/my char' and see how it all goes. I'm probably doing a disservice to the LS by even typing in this thread considering how engaging both you and Mirh's conversations have been thus far. It just seemed like a good place to 'out' my feelings.

Blessings of the Twelve on both of you!

Firesoul,

It may sound silly, the amount of people these days who just don't appreciate overanalysis or really seeing people put a lot of thought on the "why" - but I've spent a long time wondering why things "are" these days how they are - my biggest fear about this was that it has to do with age, indeed - that as we grow older, we just lose that bouncy talkative open-ness.

If you don't mind me using you as a catalyst - you're the example of what I want. Wow, that comes off odd. But really. You nailed the thing I was trying to say and failed to do so in under 100,000 words. Quality over quantity, our bonds kept us together... We finished CoP as a small unit (truth be told, a unit within a unit, like core members, but still 1/3 static(s) of the LS). Finishing CoP meant so little. Standing in sea, bathing in that music, being chased by those fish. Uh, being chased by those other guys... being chased by the other ones.. Oh, dying to the "UFOs" and eventually doing some XP.. together, meant more than anything for years to come in any video game. Screw epics, screw personal glory, screw downing raid bosses. S-E did something no one else cares to do- make an incredible, unforgettable world that only makes memories with friends stronger. You start to understand why people left the game so easily without anyone.

My pride doesn't exceed me, but, neither do I like asking for help. I'm used to being someone you can depend on (Although it does get tiresome to be on your own when you do need something). Asking for an LS was submitting to the idea I'm incapable of naturally making friends in a game or attracting like-minds. It clearly doesn't sound like I'm alone, though, in believing FFXIV just feels almost void of a social community in-game. These forums are almost magical, though, in respect to other game forums.

in Beta I sat in the adventure guild on a server and talked openly with people, and it was the first time in years anyone wanted to do so. I thought immediently there was something, but after the release no one cared. I blame the fact the game has an obsessive encouragement to always be busy, like WoW, and certainly breeds out the concepts of patients and relaxing now and then.

FFXI LS chat was the life of the party and the reason to log in.

Thanks for your reassurance though, Firesoul. I do get the impression, definitely more so now. Despite what you may be thinking, your speaking up has added a major dimension to this.

(Although now, it's a little embarassing, it's just a "lemme in" thread! It's funny imagining how many people won't understand that there's so much more to it.)

Hey there ! Sorry for the late reply, I have a reason but I do not like to live in the past- so moving on

Also great to see you speaking your mind Fire Soul! I wish more would follow your example- this is a public forum afterall- and a pretty interesting discussion on linkshells and game communities in general.

I realize you are pretty new to the shell (and I don't really see you much!) but if you dig deep, Carnies are very dependent on each-other, and though the game allows and is solo friendly, our community leans on each-others backs all the time, thus we never have to sleep in the mud.

I also remember my relationships from XI, and nothing seems to be able to touch those. But those friendships were made over the course of years and years! I hope you do decide to open up more and become more active one day. Our LS community has some great potential- and I find myself already getting sentimental over old screenshots from a month or two past.

I should add, our members really impressed me when within a month of knowing each-other we were already exchanging phone numbers, so we could call and text each-other if an event of some sort came up on the fly :cool:

All that aside, Carnival is a work in progress still, so I hope one day it will feel like home to you and many others, as it is starting to feel like to me. I see a lot of people compare their XIV groups with that of their experiences in XI, but many times they brush of XIV gamers in general and they don't take the same effort that they used to to become part of a real community.

As for Mirh! I don't know where to start, this would've made for a great and interesting real time discussion but I will do the best with what I gots- and I gots a forum post.

I'll start with events! the last word in our description. Our Carnival events are mostly based around the actual games content! and it is not -naked town runs- emote parties- 80's new wave lyric offs (although I am still trying to get this off the ground)- etc etc that you might be thinking. But there are also the just "for fun and money" community projects that I am working on/expanding on and encouraging participation in. Things like Player of the Week voting- to showcase and recognize our players that go above and beyond and are loyal to Carnival, the 9-day polls, fortnightly challenges- random challenges I issue for cash prizes (or ??? Boxes) and pretty much most the business on our website (with an exception of scheduled raids and hunts or spiritbinding etc) is community based- with about 1/2 to 2/3 being XIV relevant.

Those cheeses you listed were not even in my poll- perhaps you are the true cheese connoisseur after all- and my polling skills failed again.

We have a lot of running jokes about being the "self-proclaimed greatest LS!" or "Rabanastre's all around best LS- voted by members of Carnival". I view our group as the anti BG LS - in such that we are the source of our own self worth - and care little to nothing to outsiders opinions on us. Should we wipe or fail, and somehow half the server is around to see it, we simply lick our wounds, stand up and try again!

I agree very much with your opinions on speaking openly. I almost agree too much. But not all are as reasonable as you, and even less are as comfortable with confrontation. So for that reason, I try to make sure that people at least feel comfortable coming to me with their personal player issues- if someone's being inappropriate or harassing others. But that has only come up a few times and is mostly the result of not running background checks and being careful of who you invite to the LS in the first place! There is virtually no conflict or arguing in this LS. Disagreements and strong opinions come up- but they are always rational and people are decent and reasonable towards eachother. This was not my doing- it is just that people slowly start to view and respect each-other as friends and not just as players or verbal competition.

With all that business said, if you have a sense of humor you pretty have a free ticket to say whatever you want in Carnival. If this wasn't a public forum with moderators I would lay down some example of why I made our three rules, but I'm sure your imagination can fill in the blanks. Much like you say, if there is personality and humor behind what you say, it is a much different story than being vulgar and inappropriate just for the sake of it. With my last post(s)- it was not directed at you and I was not assuming you would act completely rude, inappropriate or egotistical around your own LS mates- I was just simply laying down general thoughts based on my experiences. You seem very rational, reasonable, and intelligent and I am sure anything you do comes with good reason! and/or is hilarious

Also worth mentioning, this is still a pretty new shell! I was already R50 when I opened Carnival, but I tried to keep it a secret. I mainly wanted to join up with newer and lower rank members so that we could all go up in the ranks together. Thus by the time we hit the end game- we would have a blast doing it! and our personal relationships would be the driving force between our groups- and we wouldn't see eachother as classes or as ranks/numbers- but as people and as adventurers, and as (cue cheesy music) friends~

Social Casual Event- was never planned to stand for chatty lazy bums. I would just much rather be late to the party, and know that my friends have my back, then rush to danger with strangers, or someone who would gladly trade me for a chance at an Ifrits Axe. Carnival itself is full of incredibly competent and skilled players, ones who also play with an open-mind and encourage creativity and diversity- while discouraging elitism or any kind of harassment. and many of them are already working on double socketing materia into their equipment!
And we also have members who only play an hour here and there- who enjoy crafting, harvesting, chatting and participating in our community games or assaulting our website while at work.

What is a Carnival- if it does not have fun and games for all

Here's something I stumbled and disagree with, for arguments sake ; "that as we grow older, we just lose that bouncy talkative open-ness." I know I ripped that our of context, but anyways! Personally- as I have grown older I have become more bouncy and open, and much more talkative and silly. As a teenager I was all about showing off my MENSA results and reading Oscar Wilde listening to the Smiths, being mopey and thinking I was too good for everyone. Now I am the flip side of myself! A general walking ball of positive energy and social friendliness and made up words and humor. If I could, I would change my name from Jim Telos to Jim Smileyface. But it's possible something is wrong with me or I am simply the victim of circumstance.

"I'm quite modest, if it's fair to say so myself, and my ego is never pushed on anyone else" this was my only real qualm or concern with how well you would fit in with us. It is well and good to have ego- confidence- self worth- all that jazz- but when it is pushed on others in efforts to demean or humiliate them, that is when it becomes dangerous. But after reading more of your posts I realize you are not in the demographic at all!

Honestly I have no idea what I'm talking about anymore. This is a bunch of random paragraphs laying out my thoughts that were sparked from reading your past posts and Fire Souls, and I tried to get it down as fast as possible while being complete- but I'm sure I missed much, and was much more I wanted to say- I just hope somewhere in there I got my point across.

I guess I'll say the one relevant thing at the end! Mirh you seem cool beans, the more of your stuff I read the more I agree with it. I was glad to invite you into our home from my first post- the rest was just for general community and LS discussion. This turned into much more than a seek and invite thread! For now though I'll just say- I hope you look forward to and enjoy skyrim! I respect you too much to invite you to my temp and currently unused shell- so prolly in about a month, if you're still around, I'll try once more to talk you into joining Carnival 2.0.

perhaps I will come back later when I have time to proofread and make sense of this jumble! or add even more randomness. but for now (as I run out the door late for my modeling class); That's it for me, I need a glass of water (yes I talk out loud as I type) faretheewell :D

Hey [DONTEMOTICONIT]:p[/DONTEMOTICONIT] Ffffffh me it emoticoned I'm sure. Whatever. I'll deal with it.

I've been delving into BF3 a bit to some strange level of success, hence a less than punctual reply. Hopefully everything is fine on your end, sounds concerning!

Haha, I didn't necessarily truly believe that. It was kind of just a bizarre extreme example.

Quote:

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Those cheeses you listed were not even in my poll- perhaps you are the true cheese connoisseur after all- and my polling skills failed again.

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They're all common table cheeses! Even Sargento and Kraft make pre-sliced packets of it. the trick is to look "up" when you're at the cheese section, they're usually hanging .. around my height. Someday I'll wear my platform boots to the store and graduate to the top shelf stuff.

It's quite funny you are, as you say, such a positive-outward type. I've had two friends from FFXI, one my first LS leader, who quite remind me of what I'm seeing here- which leads me to really go 'hmmm' and smile. It really would play out interestingly.

It's funny in that either side of the coin in guilds are just as attractive to me. You could say a guild that really thrives on its values being firsts, the ones who writes guides, the ones who do the impossible lack something the other guild has, and the same way. I found in either sense I was completely content - probably because when I was working with the elite I was never quite alone. It was sort of like being some kind of amazing soldier, then the uniform comes off after the day is over (or the night, depends on when Nidhogg was gunna pop) and you're just one of the people and rank and such stop meaning anything. Well, there was the beautiful chance to be the "nice stormtrooper" - I like to liken my history there as on the lines of Ty Lee from Avatar: The Last Airbender. That analogy isn't gunna be something I depend on though.

I loved the "gang warfare" mentality though of early HNMLS, where the tension is so thick you have to use a chainsaw to cut through it, but don't because you're a total badass ready to pounce. The kill order from the leader and all rules are broken, if people are banned.. well.. come at me bro, etc.

Similarly, I love the feeling of getting something done with a group post-elite that you have no true faith in their competence or devotion (Although value their companionship and playing with them). It can feel just as exciting as being the first to do something. I won't compare completing something with the 'family LS" to how much I love the LS gang warfare, for the same reason a remarried type can't compare their love for an ex spouse/current, but you get the idea (hopefully) overall. They both have perks that flood the gaps to the point that I see nothing to be longing for. One could feel more close in most cases, and in most cases the kids could stop being such wimps and tough this event out for another hour, but at least.. something.

It's really sad that elitism is such a negative thing. If you really think about it, have you ever encountered a real elite who treats others like they're unwashed? Elitists never have bothered me because there has never been a true elite in my encounters that acted this way. I'm not getting cheesy here or even mildly philosophical about this - literally, the people who act like big shit really are probably the most clueless people out there. They found a quick fix, apply it, see results, jump to conclusions, and feel like they're something. These people are my playground!

It's easy to 'say' you're elite and puff up because you found success. I've never given my respect to any heroes due to this. Although this all sounds convoluted, pretend I don't sound like I have a deeper shade social immaturity and introversion and you'll get what I'm saying: Elitists are low tier because they're swine with balloon personalities and no credibility. If they're respected, it's because equally lazy people found their shortcut messiah.

There is a caveat to the ego bit. I have pretty much no self-esteem - I have confidence in my abilities, and my confidence comes from experience and comprehension. (Snip - I'll save the cold steel layout here.) I study people, how they think, how they act, I study history, spoken word, culture, psychology, philosophy. Whatever my problems be, I'm far from insensitive, and I'm far from blindly introverted. I'm far from a personality that will point out your flaws and leave you at it. Even then, for me to say anything, it would be something I know personally that I can correct through logic, or know that you can correct and may not realize it's a problem, and eloquently explain everything in the process that will neither make you feel inferior or that I feel superior. I believe in respecting others, but I believe in bettering ourselves.

Things I say have a cold twinge sometimes. I promise to you though that my worse impendence is encouragement. If encouragement as above, within reason (as implied), and not a nagging fashion (for emphasis here..) or bitter (emphasis cont.), is still too impending, then...how overwhelming! How would one enjoy the company of such impotency?

(You know, leading a fight with paralyze might be more sensible as it's a potential first strike miss. Oh, that's your reasoning? okay :3)

Oh gosh. You know, that's how I feel about my posts. I'm trying to stay on topic, and I want to make sense, but at the same time kashfbjhdsafbjhsafbdsajkfhbaiurhiuewhfosa rwoihtr oiwehroie

I do agree this would have been easier in real time, and possibly more managable/reasonable. I did stake out in FFXIV for a bit seeing if you'd appear, but I wasn't quite doing so in reasonable periods of daylight. If you're comfortable with it and feel like saying something, you can contact via AIM (think my profile lists a name) (LoonyDoll)(edit: I mixed lodestone up with guildworks) to save an hour of typing and proofreading :p But of course that can wait for ingame too - or whatever, really. Between BF3 and Skyrim, my FFXIV will be limited for a while, simply because it's less stressful knowing if Skyrim will be more like Morrowind or not - or, better said, I'd rather risk a sniper aiming at my head in 1080p (i.e., that gorgeous bush just tried to kill you) than anxiously worry about every little bump along FFXIV's plans. I've far from quit FFXIV, though. I've thrown so much energy into FFXIV and it's like trying to breathe in a grocery bag after a while.

Thanks again for your future group invite and pseudo-invite and, of course, the interesting talk. I'd be happy either way, I think. Once we get back into the swing of FFXIV though even lukewarm LS antics (random people talking, or only 2-3 talking) would be more welcome than the constant "Do we do leves? ok... hey the timer is going, but what if Yoshida makes FFXIV like Aion?" situations. Somewhat of a mental buffer and new ideas flowing, if that makes sense.
(tl;dr even the crappiest guild on the planet is better than none, which means even the LS you don't approve of would be like licking batterie something awesome.

Now this is an interesting topic going on here. Something with intellectual read. Anyways, I am also looking for a casual and kinda jump into the game and talk LS. I have had the account since release and only just now found some time to play the game. Anyways.. I'm looking for a laid-back LS.