• Introduction
• Bookkeeping
• Future of Alliance
• TL;DR

Hi!

Thanks for taking the time to come here and read this!

I needed a way to address you guys besides trying to catch everyone on FC chat and have a conversation, so I hijacked one of my old web layouts, and now here this is!

So, what's this about?

I think most of you are aware that, about two weeks ago from this writing, I was elected Master of this Free Company when Vix decided to quit FFXIV for other pursuits. We miss her and wish her well, but it's time to move forward. For the past two weeks, I've sorta run things as a Lead Officer still--cycling buffs and making sure everyone was doing all right. This works for a while, but, if I've learned anything from leading guilds in MMOs in the past, it's that keeping everything running does us no good if we're not striving toward a purpose. Let's figure out what that purpose is!

But, first things first...

A few bookkeeping things I need to mention!

1. New Buff Rotation

Considering most of us have at least one Disciple of War/Magic class to 50 now, it didn't seem as prudent to have as many days of "Heat of Battle" as we did. We tried a different rotation last week, and it seemed to go pretty well. So, for the forseeable future, the buff order will be...

Monday and Tuesday: That Which Binds Us: Spiritbonding speed is increased.
Wednesday: Earth and Water: Gathering EXP +5%.
Thursday: Helping Hand: Crafting EXP +5%.
Friday-Sunday: The Heat of Battle: Experience gained through combat +5%.

2. Multi-FC Linkshell

A week and a half ago, I was approached by someone who was interested in adding Alliance to a multi-FC linkshell. The basic gist of it is to have a channel linked between FC's to make picking up people for endgame groups (AK/WP, HM Primals) easier. I've been evaluating the system for the past week or so to make sure I knew what I was potentially getting you all into.

I'm happy to report that, besides the administrative linkshell full of FC leaders having an unfortunate tendency to sound like a hall full of resident assistants in a college dorm, the general PUG linkshell seems to be rolling along well. If anyone would like an invite to that, please let me know. I think the main administrator is getting antsy for me to add people. :x

Feel free to check out their main site here.

3. FC Forums

I was going to save this to talk about until afterward, but... we kinda need them, haha. Not having them is a barrier to us getting more organized. I'm looking into options and hopefully we'll be up and running by the end of the week.

In the meantime, don't forget about the gear sheet. It has some limitations in its design (hard to read when you have multiple endgame geared classes) that'll be addressed soon, but we'll keep using it for the time being.

Just so we're clear...

Sorry for the old meme, but I had to do it.

I played all the way to 50 and beyond without joining a Free Company, because so many of them seemed like they were just grasping for members with no real goal. I wasn't sure I was ever going to join a free company, because I knew what I wanted from one and it didn't seem like any of the ones I saw recruiting had it. Then, I made the right friends at the right times, and suddenly I was one of you, and I was happy.

Fast forward three weeks, and suddenly the mantle of leadership is at my feet. It certainly isn't where I expected this to go, but it's not something I can't do. But, because of this, this is as much your Free Company as it is mine. We all have our idea of a perfect FC--let's strive to make Alliance be as close to our collective vision as we can.

Enough of the poetic stuff. What's in store for us?

Waiting on 2.1...

That C@ totally wants me

I don't think I have to tell any of you that this game is in a bit of a lull right now. Most players have finished the main story. A lot of players have started their relic quest. Some are stuck on Titan, but a lot more have finished. Some people have mutiple relics, and a few are deep in Coil.

What does that mean for our FC?

Well, it means that there isn't much laid out in front of us to rally around. A lot of the people who were ahead of me when I joined have quit the game or gone inactive. The people who still come around every day set their own goals--level a second class, craft, gather, get tomes, DF Titan (lol Hppa), but people running out of things to do is the very reason I'm the FC Master in the first place.

At the same time, I don't want to say "we're looking to 2.1" and then leave it there--that kind of farsightedness makes people miss out on things that are close to them. What do we want to do in the here and now that keeps us interested, and together as a group?

Coil?

look at him! he's so excited!

How many of you want to do the Binding Coil of Bahamut?

Actually, no wait. I should ask that a different way: How many of you are interested in the Binding Coil of Bahamut?

I haven't set foot inside yet, even though I'm geared for it and have done my homework on Turn 1. I'm interested though, but I don't really want to do it with a PUG. I'd prefer to do it with players I actually like and who know I'm not a complete failure. (That's you! I hope! x_x;)

I'd love for us to get a static Coil group up and running, and soon! But, first I need to know who's interested and who isn't. If you're interested in Coil, please let me know in-game for the time being. Once we get the forums up, we can collaborate and figure out who's playing what role and what times would be best for everyone.

A Relic Reborn

Some of us already have Relics, but not all of us. Some of us want more! A great way to help grow our FC's power is to help out those players who have Relic requirements to meet.

If you're on a certain part in your relic questline, let us know! I personally like going back and helping, and I'm sure a lot of us are the same way. If you're interested in Coil but don't feel like you're quite geared enough, let us know so we can help you get there! Also, the Multi-FC linkshell is always looking for members for bosses and primal battles!

Looking to 2.1

A lot of interesting news broke recently about 2.1 and what it will contain. The next Live Letter breaks on the 22nd of November, and it should tell us a lot of what we need to know to prepare for Crystal Tower and housing. But, just know that, as of now, I plan on us getting a house and I will help as much as I can with that. I hope you will too!

JACOOOBIIII~ You typed too much!

I know. I'm sorry. I always do it.

TL;DR:

1) There's a Multi-FC Alliance you can be a part of for easier party-building. Let me know in-game if you want in!

2) Guild forums soon. I can't make one of these every time I want to address you all as a body.

3) Let's do Coil! Who's with me?!

4) Stay dedicated to improving everyone's play experience while we wait for 2.1!

My /tell box is always open. (Unless, I'm... you know... in an instance.) If you've got something to ask or say/suggest, please don't hesitate!

See you all in-game!