Chapter 1 Getting Started
/roleplaying
You may have seen this tag next to a player’s name during your adventures in Eorzea. Using the RP tag primarily lets other players know you are roleplaying or seeking to roleplay. The type of RP and styles you are open to can be defined through your in-game search comment discussed later.
Additional meanings
The player may be resting and indicating they do not wish to do other forms of content at the moment. (Roulettes, Raiding, etc.)
Though /busy is more commonly used for this, the RP tag may indicate the player is still working on their Main Scenario Quest if out in the world questing or in a Duty.
Let’s Chat!
There are a few ways to use in-game chat commands to RP.
Public: /emote and /say
Most RP is communicated through the /emote and /em commands to describe your actions AND dialogue. Whenever you use this command, the message appearing in your chat log will always begin with your character’s first and last name. This message is visible to everyone around you and is sometimes used in conjunction with /say. Custom emotes written in the third-person perspective and dialogue is written from a first-person perspective. Check the example below!
Private: /party and /tell & linkshells
When role-playing in private you can communicate your actions and dialogue via /party or /tell. Your interactions are done similarly to public chat however you may reference yourself in the third person or use *asterisks. Some RP groups like to form Linkshells and would follow the same format below.
/em Legaia looks around the room and can smell something foul. She gives Ziero a pointed glance. “Did… did you just?”
/em Ziero lifts his head and stares at her in disbelief. “What? How could you, I’m on the other side of the room!”
/say Ziero: “…Besides, you smelt it you dealt it.”
/em Legaia cups her hand over her mouth and nose and points to a nearby dusty crate. A muffled, “Can you open this?” escaped from under her hand.
/em Ziero gives Legaia a dirty look and sighs. “Yeah, make the voidsent employee do all the dirty work, right?” He walks over to the dusty crate and notices the label. “Mudpies.”
/say Shiosai: “And of course, more senbei. Want anything more substantial?”
/em Mutaro paused for a moment, before responding, “Onigirrri.” His head tilted for a moment, “Sssalmon?” Ah yes, he had seen that certain ‘fish’ before, and instantly his blue eyes lit up.
/say Shiosai: “Salmon onigiri. I’ll make you some, then. Just a few minutes on both of those.”
/say Mutaro: “Take time, will be herrre.” Another single tail flick from the large Au’ra. Mutaro, being the dumb lizard he was, had no understanding of magic or need.
/say Legaia: “Do you seek adventure? What is it that drives you?”
/em Anastasia softened her honeyed tone to a whisper, leaning back against the emerald pillows behind her. “Drives me…” She muttered, with a thoughtful tilt of her head.
/em Legaia gently swirls her glass and takes a sip. “Sorry if that is a rather pointed question to start off with.”
/say Anastasia: “Not a thing to apologize for, this is the direction I need.”
/em Anastasia curled her crimson lips to flash a gentle fanged smile at Legaia Lindblum.
/tell Raih’li >> “Welcome to The Dancing Daisy, friend! May I give you a menu? Today’s special is creamy oyster stew, served with fresh baked bread or crackers.”
/tell >> Raih’li: “I’d love a menu, thank you!”
/tell Raih’li >> *Rai slid a menu onto the table in front of his guest. “We also have a menu specific for our coffee house offerings if you are interested. Can I get you started with some appetizers or drinks while you look at the menu?” His lower pitch voice helped travel under any other noise in the room so as to be easily heard.
/tell >> Raih’li: Legaia’s eyes scan the long list of options on the elegant menu decorated in daisies. “I think I know what I’d like to order actually. Could I have the Fried Fish and Chips served Hannish style, please? Oh, and you can surprise me with the drink!” She closes the menu and slides it back toward Rai.
Chat Etiquette
Grammar & Sentence Structure
A common concern amongst new role-players is the use of proper grammar and sentence structure during RP. It is actually quite common to see spelling mistakes and run-on sentences! We naturally speak in run-on sentences and this translates to our dialogue in-game. You may even encounter some interesting accents on your roleplaying adventures! In short, don’t worry about it!
RP Chat Symbols
Common symbols used in chat during RP
Using Emotes
As you become more comfortable with the chat log, you can start introducing the use of emotes!
Example: In your last message, you laughed at someone’s joke and immediately typed /laugh after entering your message.
Adding in-game emotes adds immersion and can be fun!
NOTE: It is highly recommended to disable the emote log message to help reduce chat log clutter around your peers.
Disabling Emote Log Messages
Use as many emotes as you like but make sure to disable the log message!
Chat Log Filtering!
This tutorial is not just useful for role-playing environments! Final Fantasy XIV’s chat log can get quite busy and it at times can be too much information to look at especially in busy areas.
Notes:
Control what information you can see in each of your chat logs (4 logs maximum.)
You can only rename logs #3 and #4 to what you like however you can still filter all logs.
Window Transparency and Log Text Colors can improve the chat log experience.
Scripted vs. Improvised RP
Most role-playing when starting out in Final Fantasy XIV is improvised. Your interactions are created in real-time as you respond to new information in your surroundings from other role-players. Everything happening in the present shapes the story.
Scripted RP involves planning ahead of time for some elements. For example, you and a friend decide you want both of your characters to engage in battle at your favorite tavern tonight. Later that evening, as planned, you and your friend go to the tavern and act out your story. It’s fun to see how other roleplayers react to scripted RP, especially with fun themes like murder mysteries!
Do I need a backstory?
If you’re just beginning your RP adventure, don’t worry about creating an elaborate backstory for your character! At the very least, think about where your character comes from. Limsa Lominsa? Ul’dah? An unknown land?
If you determine RP is something you enjoy, you can start building upon your story! Many tools exist that can help you in a variety of ways. Check the Additional Resources in the RP Hub
As you progress through the Main Scenario Quest, you will notice your player character is the story’s main protagonist. The title Warrior of Light or WoL is important and treated as a unique entity in the roleplaying universe.
The Warrior of Light
When roleplaying in-character (IC), most roleplayers choose to create a backstory that is separate from the Warrior of Light as a commonly accepted norm. The WoL exists in the RP universe as the hero known for their strength and deeds, and your RP character is someone else within that universe.
The reasons for this are:
The Warrior of Light is very strong and can limit some story-telling elements.
Playing the role of the WoL who has experienced unique pivotal moments, as told by the MSQ, can be a bit confusing in an RP environment.
This does not mean you cannot RP as the Warrior of Light. Be sure to let other roleplayers know that this is your preferred way to RP ahead of time.
Tip: You can inform others about your RP preferences in your Adventure Plate’s Search Comment. Coming up next!
Adventure Plates
With the introduction of Adventure Plates, viewing a player’s Search Comment is much easier! You can learn much about others via their plate in areas where roleplaying is more prevalent.
Since you’re now starting, I wouldn’t worry about setting up your own plate just yet. Let’s talk about some common terms you may see when viewing another player’s Adventure Plate!
Walkup/Tell (WU/T or W/T): This means the player is approachable via /tell and you may initiate a conversation with them this way. This does not mean players who don’t use this are not welcome to direct messages from others. Rather, the player is open to conversation but may not be the type of person to initiate first.
External Websites: You may see a link to a website using the carrd.co domain or ref.st. Carrd sites are commonly used for character biographies, RP venues, and more. Chapter 3 will cover how venues utilize it. Refsheet.net is used primarily for character profiles and artwork.
You will encounter additional terms as you meet more players. Refer to the Glossary for a full list!
