Just a couple questions Oaken, if you have the time.

First off, on what grounds did you assume the right to speak for the Balmung's RP communities? (Yes, plural, communities. Balmung's RP groups split up into subsections like most other RP locale.)

You take on this argumentative stance, attempting to hold an air of authority, but all of your so called facts are conjecture - making claims that a closed off community cannot remain healthy long term. Where's your cited examples of this? Why haven't you investigated counter examples and what made them successful?

In the end you're impressing no one, and are just making yourself full of bluster. I'm sure you think you're doing your best to represent your argument - but you are undermining yourself - and embarrassing the surrounding community which brings me to the next pointed question.

Did you truly think for more than yourself when making this thread. Are you aware of who you happen to be representing, intentionally or otherwise?

Sorry but IMO, you're making Ardent Lotus look bad within the RP community, which is sad because Shoshopu works so hard to host SpellGuard and to keep it as an attractive event to go to.

You're making the RP community look terrible, because most of the community doesn't bother taking up the official forums commonly and do their best to make due with their lot. I know drama is part of what we do and enjoy - but we don't need your help looking bad to non-rpers. We got plenty of other interesting things to keep people down-talking about us.

Have you considered the possibility of there being better, more fruitful efforts to invest your time?

Instead of raising this issue repetitively, you could be making attempts to rally more active RPers, have friends in Balmung who don't RP, consider trying it. You could assist with networking and organizing events and headhunting players who have "Walk ups welcome." on their status and connecting them with other people.

You could have taken the energy you've spent to argue with other people, and drafted a plotline for friends - private or public, that would have gotten people re-energized.

I don't believe FFXIV's RP Community currently has a population problem. We've got plenty of RPers that have sequestered themselves, paused role-playing or simply are wandering looking for a place or activities to enjoy themselves in.

You obviously have a lot of energy, so, why don't you apply it somewhere it's actually going to be useful. Your call for Balmung to be unlocked isn't unique nor will resonate its request any louder than it has already rung. But in the meanwhile, neglecting to properly assist and maintain the existing community by blaming outside sources will assure that the communities stagnate and fall apart before the Server opens again.


Which leads me to my last question.

Have you considered the notion that it may ultimately be the Balmung Rp Community's Responsibility for its own health?

We can blame outside sources or we can own our situation and make the best of it. Its your decision.

Meanwhile I'm helping work getting my circle of friend active again - and with that, this is about as much effort I'm going to spare for this conversation. Be patient. Balmung will unlock when it's ready. We have to do our part in the meanwhile.