This is a side RP that I have been planning for a long long time and am still not quite ready to start but I wanted to see if anyone is interested before I put anything into motion.

The super short version is that I want to start an IC mana-burn party. I would like for the group to have 5 or 6 members. The goal of this group is simple really: XP all members' Black Mages to lvl 99 and get all members all of their spells, AF, merits etc. Might even do some Dynamis farming and try to get everyone their magin trial staffs the elemental ones not the Empy but we might even go after that too if people are wanting to try once we have Abyssea access IC. Can also work on other Empy items or gear once we have IC access in ToV.

There will be 3 IC requirements for the Dark Lilies Coven. (The Coven will have its own LS I’ve already made it)

While doing Dark Lilies RP or wearing the DarkLiliesCoven link pearl:

1) You must be a Black Mage
2) You must be on a female character (You don’t have to be female obviously but your character must.)
3) ToV events must not be scheduled. (ToV RP will always take precedent to DL RP)

In regards to the 2nd rule I know there are people who might want to lvl BLM on a male character, I don’t want to exclude those characters but it just would not fit IC for there to be male members, at least not at the start. I have a couple of side plot ideas that could allow members to join that are not female or not even black mages, but those depend a lot on how RP progresses in the coven.

DarkLiliesCoven RP is intended to be canon or at least semi-canon. Anything that happens in ToV will be regarded as canon and can be discussed in DL RP. The coven however is a secret organization and should not be discussed in ToV RP. Now I’m saying it should not but I’m not saying that it can not. If people want to talk about the coven IC during ToV RP that’s fine with me, but depending on who is told about it IC Kaolla might become upset.

That pretty much sums up my idea, there is more to discuss such as if anyone is interested and when they can meet for mana-burn RP etc. There is also things like plot to discuss, such as how to get the RP part of it rolling IC. I’m thinking of having Kaolla post an enchanted note on the board that only female BLMs should be able to read IC.

The main DL plot will revolve around Kaolla’s quest for magical power and her emotional issues when it comes to having friends or a family. But I don’t want that to be the only plot; I want each person who joins to have their own lil side plot revolving around why they became a member, what their goals are within the coven etc.

Okay I’m going to stop now to give people a chance to respond. More plans and details can be added later.

Kaolla

Forgot to mention that this can be for either your main RP char (if your main RP char is female) or you can use a mule or even create a mule for this RP. The DarkLiliesCoven will help all members get BLM to lvl 99 and if that includes helping with limit break quests and sub job quests or re-playing old missions I’m sure anyone who joins would be happy to help. Though some things might have to be done OOC with help from ToV or with people on non-IC jobs.

All I ask is that if you do want to join this side RP that you lvl your BLM to at least lvl 10 before this side plot officially starts so that we can sync up and start XPing as a group as soon as everyone wants to.

Kaolla

Now, aside the fact that I can't really join with the character I enjoy the most, I for now will not make a decision about my female characters. I will delay that to when the plot's final shape takes form. Right now I think there are some issues.

First of all, to my impression, I think it is a wee bit too self-centered. Perhaps some things should be revisioned.

Yes it is a bit Kaolla centric but that’s because I only have my own input so far. I would like for everyone who is interested in joining to suggest at least one subplot centered around their own character that can be followed while doing the Mana-burn Party. This is just a brainstorming page this RP/mana-burn party will not begin until it is ready to start. Which means I’ll need at least 3 other people to sign off on the framework saying that they like it.

I know it seems like Kaolla will be running this party but she won’t I want this to be a group effort among those who are interested in joining. I’m just providing a starting point.

Kaolla

Yes it is a bit Kaolla centric but that’s because I only have my own input so far. I would like for everyone who is interested in joining to suggest at least one subplot centered around their own character that can be followed while doing the Mana-burn Party.Kaolla

Unfortunately I think that's the real problem, it closes a lot of people out, even those that might be interested in joining.

By too self-centered I'm not even talking about the Kaolla leader thing. What I mean is all the rest.

"My job, my gender, my linkpearl, my sister, my friend, my guide, my spells, my armor". I think that is not a way to go. Some males may want to join, some people may want to join but not be BLMs. There may be others who would be interested in doing trials, but maybe not the same you do, or want armors/spells, but not the same you do. Something more on the line of "you scratch my back, I scratch yours" would be better.

Also if this is a plot with the purpose to have Kao make friends, I don't think this is how it should be done.

The way it sounds like right now, is more or less on the lines of "the current group is not fitting to be Kaolla's friends, so I'll just have them change, or find different friends, instead of trying to change myself."

Perhaps something more friendly to everyone's taste, or something that could at least give everyone a role, would be more fitting. A plot where Kaolla leads the scene would be great (the talks so rarely…) and original, but of course it shouldn't even be a "just look at me and listen to what I have to say" plot. It should be a mix between what you suggested and what the group already does.

I'm sure you will be able to find the right balance, just like with alchemy ingredients :D!

That’s why I made the post to see if there are any people who are interesting in getting the same things done that I am. Considering that my BLM is already lvl 99 and that the first priority of the group will be getting everyone else’s BLM to 99 and getting them all of their spell scrolls along the way (which I already have all of my spells except one) I think the idea is hardly selfish.

Also the individual plans of what will be done any given day will be up to the entire group: do we XP? do we farm a spell scroll? do we help the member who just got lvl 50+ their AF? These are all things that I have absolutely no need of doing but that I would be happy to help the group with.

This is also not going to be done during main RP time, this will be done another night as a side RP. It is something I want to do and I’m posting to see if anyone else is interested. If other people are interested then we can work on tweaking the idea to best fit the group that forms. If it turns out that nobody else is interested then I guess I won’t do the side plot.

Nobody has to do this. Not all plots appeal to every player. There have been side plots introduced that I didn’t care for that actually took up ToV RP time and my options were just go along with it or sit out of the normal RP. I am not trying to force this side RP on anyone and it will not happen when it might interfere with the main RP.

This is a 100% extra RP that’s basically an excuse to put together a mana-burn party while doing some minor RPing from time to time when we rest to heal mana and before and maybe a lil after each party. I’ve posted a bit of what I want the group to be OOC and what Kaolla wants the group to be IC. I’m open to suggestions but at a certain point too many changes will change this from a RP mana-burn party to just a random mana-burn party. I don’t get on FFXI much any more accept for ToV RP so I’m trying to setup another time for me to get on and do stuff. If people are interested great if not I guess I’ll see them during the normal RP times.

Kaolla

… Just dropping in to add some input…

The overall idea isn't a bad one; don't think for a minute that I'm saying that you shouldn't try running a Dark Lily storyline/subplot. There is, however, a few potential problems that I think should be considered.

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The first being, it's a separate linkpearl. I fully acknowledge that you want to keep DL "secret" and that you're planning on doing all DL-related RP on non-scheduled RP days, but the use of a separate linkpearl can, potentially, take away RP from the main group. It can also cause people not to show up to DL because, even though it's not a scheduled RP night, people have randomly logged in and are RPing in ToV (… Or, at least, Kirious and I used to RP often when it wasn't a scheduled night…)

One thing I could suggest is, since you're looking at a group of 5-6 people, just taking any DL "secret" RP to /party. That way, if something else starts happening in ToV, the DL's can at least keep tabs on what's going on.

I've also seen how multiple RPLS's using the same characters in the same agreed "RP Universe" can cause issues within the different groups.

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The second issue I'm seeing is the gender/job barrier. I, personally, have two characters sitting on a bench that (when I can log in again) I think would be interested when their time comes, but one is a male and while the other will have strong tendencies towards black magic, she will never be a strict blackmage.

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Also if this is a plot with the purpose to have Kao make friends, I don't think this is how it should be done.

The way it sounds like right now, is more or less on the lines of "the current group is not fitting to be Kaolla's friends, so I'll just have them change, or find different friends, instead of trying to change myself."Kjara

… Have to say, with the way you have this set up right now with the separate LS and the gender/job restrictions, I agree with Kj's impression. This might also end up backfiring and biting Kao, as a character, in the tail because it could end up isolating her from the main group.

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Nobody has to do this. Not all plots appeal to every player. There have been side plots introduced that I didn’t care for that actually took up ToV RP time and my options were just go along with it or sit out of the normal RP.Kaolla

Okay, I understand this completely, but (and if whole next section this sounds mean/bitchy, I apologize) if you don't like what you're seeing, start planning and running events for the group! The only reason I even introduced Mirror so early (seriously, it should've been a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time before he was mentioned even as an NPC) was because I was noticing a trend of, if the group had a social day and Avi wasn't on yet or didn't already have something planned, people didn't stick around – a lot of "Hey, did Avi plan something for today? No? Okay, seeya later!". As a group, we can't depend on Avi to plan everything for us and for all of his events to be appealing to everyone. And when others plan events, there's always a chance that it's not going to appeal to everyone. But if an event isn't something that's not appealing, there's two ways to fix it: still go (and, trust me, Draen went to fully half of the Mission-based RP's kicking and screaming on the inside) or sit out and use that time to plan your own events.

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I don't think there'll EVER be a time where EVERYONE turns down an event you plan – low turnouts, mostly because of schedules, but I don't think you'll ever get totally snubbed. I can't tell you how many times people have said that they want to get to know Kao better, and running an event or two and (instead of making a new LS for just a handful of people for a subplot) slowly 'recruiting' through the events for a secret coven within the group would be a great step for Kao as a character, while adding more to the overall group. And, again, if you want to keep DL's activities secret by using alternate RP days for the group and/or keeping the RP in /party, I think those'll be better choices than bringing people to a completely different linkshell.

Avi was always -really- good with me when it came to letting me run events, making sure I had a fully-formed plan, and (for my first event) helping me out with the opening logistics. I doubt he'd do anything less for others!


So, in the end, the overall idea is good… I just think how you're currently thinking about running it needs work.

I want to make just a couple more clarifications just incase people are getting the wrong impression. After that I’ll just wait and see if anyone is interested.

For one the character you choose to use for this will not be restricted to being ONLY a black mage, it is simply the job that will be used for the mana-burn parties. Your character is free to RP on whatever jobs they want to. But, the group will be much easier to plan events for if everyone has basically the same goals as far as items gear and trials. If the group has 3 BLMs in it and a RDM and a SCH that triples the number of potential trials and NMs etc. that people will need help with. And to be honest I just don’t have the time IRL to help with all of that. Also at lvl 99 an all BLM group will eventually be able to pwn with the Meteor spell once it’s out.

As for the separate LS it doesn’t have to be used. I just thought it would look cool to have a group of all female BLMs out with a DarkLiliesCoven LS. But whatever.

And lastly this is not supposed to be a groundbreaking serious side plot. This is just for fun. Basically it’s a mana-burn party. It’s for people who want to lvl and gear BLM and the RPing is to keep it from being painfully spastic and rushed like so many mana-burn parties tend to be. So this id for people who want to casually lvl BLM. Other things can happen since RP is always unpredictable but this isn’t meant to be some big secret plot.

As for the only female characters part, this is mostly because sometimes a girl just wants time with other girls. Yes I know half the female chars in ToV are played by guys but that’s not the point. I don’t want this RP to be anti-male but I would like for it to be a chance for a little “girl time.” Think of it as a women’s version of all those men only groups they have IRL Elks Lodges or shiners or whatever those groups are that they spoof in the Flintstones with that water buffalo group. I think the reason some people might be reluctant to join if it’s like that is because they’re afraid Kaolla is trying to create her own lesbian harem. Trust me that’s not the plot. Though the plot of someone like Kenjii thinking that that’s what Kaolla is trying to do and flipping out because of it could be hilarious.

I think I’ll just leave it at that for now. I have to get ready for work now anyways, so I’ll see if anyone else says anything or shows any interest.

Kaolla

I just wanted to point out one thing…

For one the character you choose to use for this will not be restricted to being ONLY a black mage, it is simply the job that will be used for the mana-burn parties. Your character is free to RP on whatever jobs they want to. But, the group will be much easier to plan events for if everyone has basically the same goals as far as items gear and trials. If the group has 3 BLMs in it and a RDM and a SCH that triples the number of potential trials and NMs etc, that people will need help with. And to be honest I just don’t have the time IRL to help with all of that. Also at lvl 99 an all BLM group will eventually be able to pwn with the Meteor spell once it’s out.Kaolla

It would be awesome to see 6 BLM's using Meteor, once they get it. But the main thing I wanted to point out was the trial part, and bolded it.

Scholar can only do staff trials and RDM only has one other trial set which is sword… So it doesn't triple that number at all unless you're going to be building mythics.



Mana burn: I'm an old school black mage and I solo'd almost all of my levels. Almost all mana burns had 1 RDM or BRD (Refresh whore) and a puller. The refresh whore could pull to making for 5 BLM's max in a pt. This spot could easily be a RDM or a SCH instead, especially with Accession making them nice for these kind of pt's.


Now, I know this sounds negative but I'm not meaning it to be, I'm meaning for it to be more contructive and show where/how a RDM or a SCH could fit into a party for a mana burn.


Gender ONRY: I know why this is written, besides girls night, and I understand the reasoning. But after I leveled my BLM to 99, bought all the spells (seriously did), and work on it I decided I'd never level a mage again. Gil isn't really that big of a problem, as is the time to farm the spells and level a new character. And out of my mules, I only have 1 that is undecided. I have my lvl55 RDM (Eria), and two others. As stated above, leveling BLM to 99 on either them doesn't interest me due to it not being worth my gil and hours spent doing what I did once already.

I got off topic there. ^^;; The original Dark Lillies were a female only group, so it'd be fitting for the new Dark Lillies to follow in their foot steps. EXCEPT FOR: They did have a galka by the name of "Pretty Heart." lol


See Links for information:
Volume 1
http://ffxi.gamerescape.com/wiki/The_Dark_Lilies_%28Volume_1%29
Volume 2
http://ffxi.gamerescape.com/wiki/The_Dark_Lilies_%28Volume_2%29
Volume 3
http://ffxi.gamerescape.com/wiki/The_Dark_Lilies_%28Volume_3%29



Overall: I agree, this could be a fun idea, and seeing the coven return with new members would be cool. Especially since the first six were vaporized by the shadow lord. Okay turned into Fomors, same difference. lol

Yes I know about Pretty Heart, which works because Galka are technically genderless due to the fact that they reproduce via reincarnation. (though there are different opinions on how to take that) But ever since Kaolla was lifted off the ground by her tail by a Galka Kaolla has major issues with Galkas she would never feel comfortable helping a Galka become stronger in magic.

And yes I know mana-burn parties often have other jobs for refresh, I however do not want a fast mana-burn I want the party to have to rest from time to time to recover MP it is during those rest periods that all of the RPing would happen.

The message I’m getting so far is that nobody is really interested in a Dark Lilies type RP. It does however seem that people would be interested in something more like a Siren’s Sword Magic Club. Or a Magic School independent of the one in Windurst.

This could be a fun idea but it is not my idea. Kaolla would probably be interested in joining something like that IC and I would be interested OOC in doing it as long as the time works with my work/sleep schedule. I however would still like to do a RP featuring a new DarkLiliesCoven. I was planning on eventually opening up the “coven” to non lilies in a lil sub plot.

The plan was eventually to allow members of the coven to bring a “partner” into the coven, if they desired to do so. If anyone is familiar with Robert Jorden’s Wheel of Time books the “partner” would be very much like the Warders from the above mentioned series of books. This plot could be done in a variety of ways, the partner could voluntarily become a lily’s “warder” or a lily could trick or force their partner into becoming their protector. Forced IC only of course it would have to be planed and agreed to OOC before hand if that option is to be taken of course.

The partner/warder or whatever we choose to call it IC can be of any job and any gender. The extent of the magical bond between a lily and her partner is something that I haven’t decided on yet, and didn’t plan on implementing without first discussing it with Avi and others to see if this would work within the ToV rules. Perhaps if this sub-plot were to be implemented sooner rather than later it would help get the party rolling. I would however like for the actual members of the Coven to be female black mages.

I have mentioned the “warder” idea to Avi before though I’m not sure if he remembers me talking to him about it. I might have mentioned it to others too, I think I might have talked to Sae about it too once.

I didn’t mention this subplot before because I was hoping to have someone lined up to be Kaolla’s partner so that she could be the first to “bind a warder” (phrase taken from Wheel of Time books) and then with that event as an example other members would get the idea to choose their own partners. Of course Kaolla isn’t close enough to anyone IC to trust them that much. The basic premise is that once a lily choose a partner that the lily and her partner could read each others’ (thought posts) in both Dark Lilies and ToV RP. Again this hasn’t been approved yet it’s just a rough idea still in the works.

Now that I’ve revealed a bit more of my plans maybe people will have a better idea of how to help polish them. Also due to my work schedule DL RP would probably be sometime on Fridays though it could be any time early morning to late night I’m free the entire day most weeks at least for now.

Okay enough from me for now time for more input from others,
Laters

Kaolla