About Harmonium FC & Atomos Server

[Sadana]

**We now are accepting applications through our new FC website http://harmoniumatomos.enjin.com/home** updated 2/18/15

Whenever I see a blog post written by someone feeling blah about the community on their home server, I often step in and invite them to Atomos and my FC, Harmonium. We’ve got a good bunch of people here, lots of warm fuzzies, and I’d like to share that with others. BUT… it’s probably best that I try to briefly explain what all makes Atomos different; kind of a ‘what to expect’ blog post for those who may consider moving here. It IS different. I can say that because I have played alts on other servers. Hell, I’ve considered moving before. But something keeps me on Atomos…

Some key points:

- It IS a JP server and it’s not Tonberry. Tonberry is the unofficial AUS/SEA server, so it’s more than half EN speaking. Atomos… isn’t. We’re probably 10% of the population. Why this is bad? It can be hard to get a party. Don’t even bother with EN only; you probably won’t get into the DF. Make heavy use of the auto-translate feature. Why is it good? It brings us closer together. We rely on each other. We get to know each other. And we are some stubborn people… We will MAKE it work. We have an English linkshell too to communicate with other EN FCs and JP players who speak English.

- Harmonium is an international FC. A bit more than half are from the Americas; we have a good number from AUS/SEA/EA; and a handful from UK/EU. Why it’s good? Variety is just damn cool. We cover all time zones. Lots of languages. Why it can be bad? Between that many time zones and then personal schedules (and levels), it can be tricky to get parties together for stuff.

- We are very casual. By casual, I mean laid-back, chill, interested in raiding… or not, whatever is good. WE HAVE WIPED ON T2 DUE TO DANCING INSTEAD OF PAYING ATTENTION. XD In endgame raids, for example, we will make suggestions to improve… but mistakes are fine as long as you learn from them eventually. No rage here.

- We help all levels. We’ve got rank newbies who ask “What’s a job?” and we’ve got folks going through Final Coil. And all interests… we have master crafters and gatherers, people with lumis. We don’t focus on anything but having fun in this game.

- We can be quiet. Sometimes there’s lulls in the conversations. That’s ok! Don’t let it intimidate you. Feel free to ask questions. Just, don’t get impatient that it’s not noisy sometimes.

- We can be noisy. Haha. I won’t lie… sometimes it’s very noisy. xD Game topics, literature, philosophy, music… you name it. Hope you read fast. XD Sometimes the conversation is 18+… not ERP or anything… just silliness (like discussing my bushes xD). Cussing is allowed and often decorates atma discussions. XDDD

- Harmonium has an anti-harassment policy. Don’t grief others. Don’t be too negative (like telling others they can’t do something because one person has failed). The closest I’ve ever come to having to use it is gently telling a couple people privately that perhaps they are wording things the wrong way. I will never kick without a few private warnings.

- (Mostly) no trolls in the DF. REALLY rare, even in CT. You go into the DF, expect a smooth run. You CAN DF t5. You DC mid-dungeon, more than likely they will wait for you to return.

- Hardly any RMT. I may get a tell (sadly, in EN) maybe once every 3 months.

- The market is weak. It’s a buyers’ market. Prices are really low compared to any NA/EU server I’ve been on. You CAN make gil, just be prepared to work for it.

- A new player may be completely outfitted with crafted gear made by FC members. XD We’ve had to divvy up who makes what gear since we’re all offering to make things. But not just newbies! Even at higher levels, help is offered. (eta: But please do not take advantage of our members' generosity; remember to help yourself too!)

- I like player run events. :3 We’ve had planned events and parties and lots of spontaneous silliness. We like trying dungeon runs with non-standard pre-mades. I’ve gone around and screenshotted every FC member for our forums. Things like that.

What is it about Atomos and Harmonium? I dunno. People stay. People have left and come back. People have suggested this server and FC to their friends who make alts or transfer in. Mind you, it’s not all sunshine and roses. We have our ups and downs of course, like any group. Sometimes we have 40 people online at once, sometimes we have 14. I’ve been told this FC makes the game so much better. I’ve been told it’s like the tv show, Cheers. xD

Before transferring to any new server, I strongly suggest you make an alt and check it out for a while first. Expect some culture shock (every server’s culture is different, some more than others).

[Sadana]

(reposted from another of my blog entries)

I LOVE getting new transfers to Atomos server, I really do! I love helping folks out and welcoming them to our warm community and (possibly) unique corner of the game. ^^ It's great that people have heard of us (through whatever channels), but PLEASE for the love of pete...

MAKE AN ALT FIRST TO CHECK THINGS OUT!! (this is true of any new server)

I've posted before about what to expect from Harmonium FC and Atomos server (http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest.../blog/1288073/), I hope people will at least skim it. Having alts on a variety of servers, I still call Atomos my home for a reason, BUT I acknowledge that it may seem quite the culture shock to anyone used to a NA/EU server (I'll sort of include Tonberry in this group cause Australians.)

Like any server/FC/LS, you get out what you put in. No, no, wait... this is a good thing! It doesn't actually take that much effort to get so much out of the game. Added benefit, I would say. Be friendly, be patient. Those traits will get you SO far (anywhere)!

I hate to add this, but I should be up front...Harmonium is one of the bigger FCs on Atomos; the other English FCs are... not. If you join a different FC, it may seem REALLY quiet. HARM tries to use the English LS as much as we can... but honestly, we default to our FC chat. Even in HARM, it can get quiet. We have about 50-60 active currently but are lucky to see 20 online at once. So many time zones! It's damn cool to have people from all over the globe! ^^ But yeah, they don't all play at the same time. XD

[Zereath]

Can i join your FC? I'm new to this game and i didn't know anyone yet...

[Sadana]

Yep! Sorry I just saw your comment now. ^^; I'll look for you in game.

eta: Or you can do a player search for my name or just a blank search for all English client players and contact anyone that has <<HARM>> as their FC.

[Sadana]

When checking out a new server and FC, I suggest a week as a good stretch of time to get to know people and their schedules. If you log in one day when people are super silly or maybe sad over something or pretty much just quiet and keeping to themselves, that does not give you an overview; it just gives you a snapshot of 'right then' in that FC. I'll allow that it will color your judgment for the future. We're human, can't avoid that. But being patient and checking out a new home for at least a handful of days will reward you with a better idea of whether they are right for you and may be just what you are looking for in a FC. ^^

[Sadana]

Harmonium has had a great wave of immigration over the past few months that quickly made us the largest FC on Atomos server. Most of these folks come because of my blog posts or posts on the OF mentioning the culture of Harmonium as being a sort of relaxed haven from the assholes found elsewhere. (This is still the case! ^^v) I posted an "about us" to the OF, my blog, and our FC forums, as well as posted the link to one of these on some threads about bad experiences with other FCs/the DF/etc.

What confuses me is that some folks get to Harmonium, LOVE the community, and then start complaining about lack of endgame/hardcore activities. I've alluded to and even clearly stated that this is the case in the "about us". We are a collection of casuals in that many of us play a lot, but aren't focused on progression. We do whatever seems fun to us at the time. We do EVERYTHING in this game (minus Savage coil), but we aren't organized about it.

Harmonium is like going on vacation. You spend your time with people you want to spend time with doing fun, relaxing things. (Anyone who does fast paced, adventure vacations [hardcore players] aren't our target audience.)

For those who want no-hate endgame parties, we actually can offer that. But you will have to WORK for it. For a variety of reasons (mostly time zone and schedule), we don't speak statics. Hell, we don't even speak regular and organized. If anyone wants to create something like a static in Harm, you will have to do it on your own. All it takes is someone saying T6 practice, Wednesday at 9pm EST and then people who say they want to go need to actually show up. Sad to say, this has never happened. We HAVE had a t5 practice party that had a game of chicken to see who could get closest to Twin. (A bard won. He said he was delivering pizza. xD)

Point is... Don't come to Harm wanting all the warm fuzzies we offer, knowing there's a trade off, while deep down expecting hardcore raiding.

[Sadana]

A quick update since it's been a while... xD
We've gotten a number of awesome people in our FC over the past few months! Folks are farming SCoB now and learning FCoB. Some people love farming EX primals for weapons and what have you. (wish I was one of them! XD )
Most of all, we are still very much a chill, welcoming FC. Now with more people!!

[ash1007]

Hi Harmonium Guild,
I've just started playing FF XIV and get attracted by your post while looking for a server to join.

Would you mind letting me to join your guild? (I still don't know where to search for FC in FFXIV yet)

Platform: PS4
My IGN: Ash Crimson (This is also my real english name)
Job wanna be: Ninja
Time Zone: GMT+7 (I'm from Vietnam)

Due my work time, i'm active around 6PM to 0AM on weekday and almost full day on weekend so i consider myself as a casual player.

Thank you very much.

P/S: Sorry if i spammed in your guild box. I still dont know how to contact any of your officer in game. =.="

[Sadana]

Hi Ash!

Apologies for missing this comment until now! _(_ _)_ You're welcome to join; just submit an application to the FC if you haven't already. An officer will accept when they see the request.

[ash1007]

Hi Valia, I'm glad that you allowed me to be part of Harmonium FC ^_^. But still, at which level and how can i apply to join your FC ? Because FFXIV doesn't have FC finder system, does it? Or do i have to complete more story quest to unlock that system?

Oh yeah, here is my PSN ID: Ash-1007. Too bad that i chose to play FF XIV on PS4 over PC because it's so hard to type any chat text (even thou i bought a portable bluetooth keyboard for PS4). >.>