Returning to my roots.
When I rolled on Feathermoon oh so many years ago now, I was a horde undead mage. I played with an rp raid, I was in an rp guild, and everything about my experience was rp-centric. When Bad Things Happened (much drama I won’t reiterate for your sanity and mine), I came alliance side. Friends here, namely some dolt named Tarquin, convinced me that the game didn’t have to be over for me, that I could start over with a new faction and it would be all right.
At the time of my rebirth into Alliance society, I joined yet another RP raid, had some great fun at it, but I wanted to try something different. I went HARD CORE. I subbed for a guild named Catalyst back when Naxxramas was still a 40 man vanilla raid. We killed KT, it was neat, I liked the experience. When Caty had to pare down their roster to 25 for BC, it was very likely they would be taking their veterans, not some newbie priest sub, and so I jumped to Chaos. Over the next few years, I acted as a healer and an officer for them. It was, if nothing else, an enlightening experience. I made some great friends, learned a lot about myself, and learned a lot about raid dynamics, the problems therein, and what it takes to keep a herd of cats pointed in the right direction.
All during this time, I maintained my friendships with the RP’ers. I was in IC and OOC channels, I ran ten mans and heroics with them, and I generally immersed myself in their culture every moment I was online and NOT raiding. Lately – Wrath specifically – I realized that the friendly banter I had with these people was missed during my 25 man raiding. Chaos is a great group of people, don’t get me wrong. I have some fabulous friends there, but their approach to raiding is a little bit more intense than I think I need right now, and so I’ve nearly gone full circle. I’m raiding with the RP’ers in an RP centric raid again. I’m having a great time.
It was a good decision.
I’ll say that it’s not easy leaving one group of friends behind for another group. Part of me felt guilty, especially considering I was an officer for Chaos and leaving meant abandoning duties. I’m comforted knowing that Hurrig, Chaos’s Resident Viking, took up the healing officer mantle and will honestly do a better job than I did. I wasn’t around for the guild outside of 25 man Ulduar. Hurrig does everything with them. That kind of visibility is important, I think. It fosters better guild relationships. It’s hard admitting that I might not have been the best for that job, but I think it’s accurate. I always felt like an Yva divided – I wanted my cake and I wanted to eat it to. For a while, I succeeded. Eventually, though, it wore me out and I had to make a choice.
I’m not sure why I’m putting this up here. This is not my personal blog by any stretch of the imagination, but perhaps it’s because raid hopping happens, it’s actually pretty emotionally draining, and I needed to exorcise my demons. Of course I have doubts – after investing in a guild and a raid for so long, everyone is bound to have doubts when you leave them behind. Chaos was my focus for two years – A Long Damn Time! I can’t think of many groups I’ve stayed around for years at a stretch, especially online, so the worries are natural. It doesn’t mean they’re easy to digest, though.
In closing, I look forward to progressing with my new raid. I look forward to logging onto their ventrilo and goofing around, even if the officers want to strangle me for shouting offensive words in a joking manner (that only happens sometimes, I swear). I think going back to an RP atmosphere is going to enrich the Wrath experience for me, and that is something I truly look forward to pursuing.
Ta!
Filed in Raiding,World of Warcraft 4 Comments so far
Itanya Blade on 30 Jun 2009 at 11:21 am #
Sometimes, you just have to do what is right, even though there are some adverse consequences.
Because sometimes the adverse consequences of staying are no better or even worse.
Danielle (Mootiful) on 30 Jun 2009 at 1:40 pm #
First of all, great blog, and terrific post. I do have a bit of a questions. I have been playing for just under 2 years on a pvp server and I truly want to try my hand at an rppvp server. I have a few questions but until now I didn’t know anyone to ask.
First, the name is Mootiful. I have a story that explains why this is not a traditional name as I really don’t want to change it. Do you think that would be accepted? I love the back story on this.
Second, how is the world pvp for rppvp servers? I hope that it is more active seeing that the rp part would lead to that.
Third, how do I start? I have tried my hand at rerolling a brand new character on rppvp servers and can’t get anyone to even speak to me and it seems no different than my server with toon names such as Pwnnoobs etc.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have read a lot on rp servers already but hope that a live person can help more!
lazyjadexiii on 30 Jun 2009 at 2:03 pm #
Names are funny things. I actually knew a girl who had a very non-rp name (seemingly anyway) but there was an rp reason for it. She got reported, but because she had a good explanation, the gm’s were understanding. She ended up installing an add on called FlagRSP. In her character description, post the physical description of what her character looked like, she added a ((If you want to know about my name, please ask. I assure you it’s IC)) – or something like it – and it actually curtailed the reporting. A lot of RP’ers use this mod to identify one another.
Sadly, I’m horribly inept at answering the world pvp question as Feathermoon is straight rp, not an rp-pvp server. However, my recommendation for your second and third questions are going to be the same. I’d go to the realm forums there and ask. Even if the forums are swimming in a bunch of OOC stuff, usually a few RP’ers will read them, and somone will be able to guide you towards RP guilds or RP friendly locations. If you’re unsure of how to approach, just go inside and observe for a little while, see how people interact. You can always emote something and see if someone takes the hook. I know a lot of new RP’ers on Feathermoon will post an introduction story and then ask in brackets for recommendations on where to go for RP. RP’ers like seeing RP succeed on their servers, so they’re pretty inviting towards new folks on the whole.
I think part of the problem you may have experienced rolling a brand new character is, really, at level 2 you haven’t accomplished a whole lot and no one really knows how much you’d invest in said character. It’s tough for some of these established level 80′s to maybe connect with your fresh-from-the-barrens toon, for example. I can’t say that for certain, but some folks like the characters to have a little bit of weather to them so they know they’re investing their rp in someone who may actually be back? I’m sure other readers might have a comment or two on that as it’s a whole other kettle of fish.
Thanks so much for reading, and hopefully something here works out for you.
falconesse on 30 Jun 2009 at 3:31 pm #
A lot of what Yva said. In the days before battlegrounds, Feathermoon used to see some lively world pvp (Tarren Mill/Southshore, Hammerfall/Refuge Pointe, the entrance to UBRS…) that often ended up having RP attached to it. We do still have our permaflagged characters, but it’s been a while since I’ve heard any stories of epic IC battles out in the world.
If we have anyone reading from an rp-pvp realm, definitely chime in!
Also, Yva’s point about low-level characters is an apt one. I always get a bit leery when a level 2 strolls into the Pig & Whistle and sits down, since pretty much every time it’s happened so far, the person’s shown up with the intention to grief RP, not participate in it. I’d definitely try getting them up a little bit, even if it’s only to 8 or 10. Snag FlagRSP2 if you haven’t yet (linky: http://wow.curse.com/downloads/wow-addons/details/flag-rsp2.aspx ) and put a short description in there. It doesn’t have to be anything involved, just something that indicates to others that yes, you’re low-level, but you’ve invested a bit of thought into the character.
If you’re not already “rp walking” instead of running in major cities, give that a try, as well. Try dropping a /nod or a /smile to other people you see doing the same.
Good luck!