Chapter 1 Self
Mindset
When we think about anxiety, we come to realize that it's a natural and complex emotion. Perhaps we are reminded of past experiences or unsure how to navigate certain situations. Maybe we’re wondering what others think of us or worry if we might negatively affect someone else’s day. Some anxiety can be good and even push us to do better.
It also reveals some wonderful qualities you may not realize you have. While some might say, “Overthinking can lead to anxiety,” there's another side to consider. Those who overthink often have an analytical mind, a keen eye for details, a deep sense of empathy, and a knack for planning ahead. These are invaluable qualities we can embrace and write a different story for ourselves.
Preparing for Your Adventure
The more you know before venturing into the unknown, the better equipped you'll be for the journey ahead. Follow these initial steps to cover your bases!
Learn the Basics: Every data center and culture has its own views and rules for roleplaying in FFXIV but, there are some fundamentals shared across all. Check out our Beginner’s Guide to RP.
Interests: Do you want to give RP a try at least once? Do you wish to craft epic stories with other roleplayers? Start by having a general idea of what you'd like to explore first. If you're unsure, consider visiting a beginner-friendly RP venue to observe. As you engage in RP, you'll learn more about your preferences and discover new things you enjoy!
Backstories: Decide whether you want to create a new character for RP or use one you already have. Write a sentence or two about your character’s origins and if you’re feeling inspired, write some more! Remember, you don't need to be a lore expert, and you can always modify your character's story as you go along. It's your story, after all.
Research: Search for venues/shops using the Party Finder tool and contact the organizer with any questions you may have. Take note of the ones that seem interesting to you! How to use Party Finder is covered in Chapter 3 of the Beginner’s Guide to RP!
Tip:
Create a document with important notes you want at your fingertips: RP basics, details about your character, pre-written conversation responses, your favorite venues, and so on. Having this information easily accessible is a helpful way to support your RP experience.
One Step at a Time
Anxiety is tricky. We might not always identify its exact cause so instead of trying to pinpoint the trigger, try setting small goals to help you work toward the outcome you’d like.
Goal setting is useful in nearly every aspect of roleplaying and can be used for character development, storyline goals, managing your time between real life and FINAL FANTASY XIV, and much more.
Let’s use this scenario to create some goals:
Thancred has several years of experience in text-based chatroom RP, but he's never ventured into 3D MMORPG roleplaying. The idea of navigating unfamiliar in-game systems while surrounded by other players can be overwhelming for him.
Sample Goals
Goal 1. Research some venues.
Open Party Finder and note which venues are beginner-friendly.
Message the venue owner and let them know you’re new to RP and ask if their place is a good location to observe.
Goal 2. Visit a venue to observe.
Visit a venue on your list or try one in Party Finder.
Let the venue owner know you're new, so they can inform their staff that you're there just to observe and not interact.
Enter the venue, choose a seat, and observe. Keep your RP tag off to avoid interactions with others if the venue observes Immersive RP rules.
Goal 3. Visit a venue and interact by ordering something.
On your next visit to a venue, make interacting with the staff your primary focus.
With your RP tag on, just order a meal or drink from a staff member and express your gratitude for their service.
Tip:
Reward yourself for achieving your goals, and if you don't reach them for the day, be gentle with yourself and think about breaking the task into smaller steps!
Bleed (Character vs. Self)
If you’re concerned about anxiety, it's important to consider the term 'bleeding.' Imagine a doorway separating your emotions from those of your character. Adjusting the number of similarities you have with your character, like their traits, backstory, and even appearance, can help you manage how open or closed that door is.
Some players mentioned they began by roleplaying characters that mirrored their own shyness and anxiety. Such reflections can blur the lines, leading to internalizing the character's experiences, which can have both positive and negative impacts in real life. For many, this blending of feelings is inevitable and, at times, even desired.
A player shared that they served in the military and roleplaying a character who served in an Eorzean military group like, The Immortal Flames of Ul'dah helped them work through some difficult issues in real life.
The main takeaway: Be very careful. Remember you understand yourself better than a guide on the internet. Regularly check in with your emotions during role-playing scenarios. If certain situations deeply affect you, consider making some adjustments to increase the separation between yourself and your character if that is your preference. In interviews, many players have expressed that it's almost impossible to avoid some overlap during RP.
Cultural Differences
‘Bleed’ in roleplaying games, coined by Emily Care Boss in 2007, is an important topic for the Nordic Live-Action Roleplaying (LARPing) community. In parts of the world like Japan, many players deeply immerse themselves in their characters, going so far as to refer to Eorzea as 'Realzea'. Learn more about this in an upcoming article.
Tip:
All players have the freedom to play FINAL FANTASY XIV as they wish (while, of course, following the Terms of Service). If your goal is to immerse yourself in your character and experience their emotions, it's important to set that expectation ahead of time, especially when interacting with others in roleplaying environments who are RPing from the perspective of their characters.
Changing my default internal narrative away from "Am I being annoying?" and focusing on other people in a positive way like, “What are some things about their character I enjoy?” went a long way toward overcoming my sense of anxiety, and making new connections along the way.
- Feather A. (Materia)
I shelved that character and decided to make one that was confident and unapologetic for what they were. This was ultimately what pulled me out of that place, and how I met some of my best friends.
- Shieke H. (Crystal)
あなたのキャラクターがなぜそのジョブになったのかを考えるだけで、すでにあなたはロールプレイをしているといえます。ロールプレイはルールの多い敷居の高い遊びばかりではないので、自分のしたいロールプレイからはじめてみてください。
Just by thinking about why your character became a certain job, you're already roleplaying. Roleplay doesn't have to be a complex and rule-heavy activity, so start with the kind of roleplay you want to do.