Ever joked there's that one backstory element, dark secret, hidden talent, or personality quirk for your character no one will ever know about because it'll "never come up in RP"?Maybe it can!Our 'Character Wishlist,' in conjunction with our 'RP Scrips,' are a simple pair of systems designed to help provide an equal spread of character spotlight opportunities while (hopefully!) avoiding many common pitfalls among plot-heavy, investment-heavy RP.Upon joining, a player posts not only a character carrd or profile but a 'Character Wishlist.' This wishlist is meant to include personal arcs, character development, or plot beats you would like to experience with this character. For example, if you want your character to be discovered as having once worked in a crime ring, want your character to have some notable combat scene, or want a particularly angsty moment (such as a severe injury), these are all things that could on your Wishlist.Our 'RP Scrips' are a system in which players gain what we call, you're not gonna believe this, RP scrips, simply by showing up and participating in RP. RP scrips can then be spent on opportunities for something on your Wishlist to be highlighted in group-wide in the RP with the mod team ready to assist you with resources like NPCs, housing, and more.

Below you'll find information on the Types of RP we do here, Character Spotlight Opportunities being offered, followed by how to earn and use RP Scrips to help make those character moments you figured would never happen, happen.

TYPES OF RP

For the purpose of this guide, Third Spear will break down its RP into five main sources. These sources are as follows:

Tournament RP
These RPs take place during the tournament events.

Tournament-Related RP
These RPs are relevant to the tournament in some way. Some examples would be two competitors meeting for training prior to a tournament night or a staff member going to visit a vendor character in regards to the venue.

Social RP
These RPs are strictly for social purposes. They consist of characters gathering in low-stakes scenarios to chat, play a hand of cards, and other laid back activities. Social RPs are often held in one of the Lettermore proxy locations, such as the tavern, but are also held out in the world.

Plot RP
Plot RPs are RPs focused on some long-term, plot-heavy element of the Lettermore setting overall. These are RPs that impact either every character (and village NPC!) or a group of characters in a more universal way than Character Arc RP. Some examples include a group being sent out to take down a squad of unicorn poachers or a strange sickness spreading through the village and characters gathering at the church to discuss it.

Character Arc RP
These RPs are similar to Plot RPs, except Character Arc RPs, as the name suggests, focus strictly on one character (although they may sometimes focus on closely related characters such as a pair of siblings or a couple). Character Arc RPs can be either plot-focused or event-focused, and may be dramatic or comedic. It's up to the player what aspect of the character they'd like to feature!

CHARACTER SPOTLIGHT

Likewise for the purpose of this guide, we'll break down the three primary character spotlight opportunities.

Awesome
Spotlighted Awesome(ness) is a scenario where something that would typically be considered 'cool' about your character gets featured. A fighter type of character winning an impressive battle, an aspiring master chef character cooking a meal that impresses the visiting noble who never seems to be impressed by anything — these are just two of many examples.

Angst
Spotlighted Angst is a scenario in which something dramatic happening to or around a character is featured. For example, a character being severely injured or learning via a letter their mercenary brother was recently killed.

Arc
Spotlighted Arc are RPs that spotlight part of an arc centralized on a specific character (or rarely, a set of characters, such as a pair of siblings). Unlike Awesome and Angst scenarios, these RPs usually take more than one scene/event to complete and are generally part of a long-running story line featuring a character.Not all Awesome and Angst scenarios are also Arc RP, but all Arc RP has the option of including moments where a character is cool or angst-ridden.

EARNING RP SCRIPS

Earning RP Scrips is as easy as attending RP! See the table below for reference.

Tournament RP: +10 RP ScripsTournament-Related RP: +5 ScripsSocial RP: +3 RP ScripsPlot RP: +5 RP ScripsCharacter Arc RP: +10 RP Scrips

RP Scrips are capped at 15. The means of which you obtain Scrips can be any of the above! Attending two tournament events would give you 20 Scrips, altered to 15, the cap; attending a tournament event and a plot RP would yield 15 Scrips; attending a Character Arc RP and then two Social RPs would give you 16 Scrips, altered to 15, the cap.

USING RP SCRIPS

Once a player hits 15 Scrips, they have the option of choosing something off their Wishlist to be featured in RP.The player can choose what level of OOC staff/GM involvement they would like in hosting their RP (while keeping in mind Rule 3 and 4 below!) and what exactly they'd like to do.In order to make sure everyone gets a turn, we keep a public list of who spent RP Scrips, and when. Players are not able to have their character spotlighted twice in a row in order to give others a chance.If Person A just had a turn and Person B wants to go next with no one after, the spotlight can go Person A > Person B > Person A.If Person A just had a turn and Person B, Person C, and Person D wants to go, the spotlight order goes Person A > Person B > Person C > Person D > Person A.

RULES & GUIDELINES

1. Characters must be one of the following in order to participate in the Character Wishlist System:- A fighter in the tournament.
- A staff member for the tournament.
- A native resident of Lettermore.Unfortunately, GMs only have so much time available, so we must prioritize spending it on characters who are in it for the long haul versus someone drifting through seeking to do one plot then bail. A character who isn't a resident of Lettermore or helping with the tournament has no reason to be around for long, hence this stipulation.

2. Character Wishlist requests must remain, to a reasonable degree, in a style that involves the Lettermore setting and the characters within.We are not an "Ishgard RP group," really, hence why our concept allows a great many types of characters from all over to have sensible reason to be in the setting long-term. We are, however, a "Lettermore RP group."Wishlist requests that heavily feature other locations are very much welcome in addition to the Lettermore RP setting, but we ask they not be done at the expense of activity within the setting.For example, let's say Character A wants a wishlist RP where his love-hate rivalry with his older brother is a focal point. Rather than whisk several characters away to Ul'dah for two months to meet this brother, consider instead writing the plot so the brother has reason to visit Lettermore. The characters going to Ul'dah and bringing the brother back to Lettermore soon after would also be an option.In brief, we are not looking to be or expecting to be your only source of RP, but please be mindful you aren't completely disregarding our efforts either.As a group we do not believe in the concept of "poaching," and think people can and should RP in multiple places, but we simultaneously recognize that often bad faith actors who don't want to do any of the heavy lifting / work themselves may be inclined to use groups like these with purely self-centered goals in mind. This is what we're looking to avoid with this rule, not your character getting to RP other places.

3. Wishlists and RP Scrips can't be used in regards to the tournament matches.
You can't use points to instantly beat up a competitor on tournament event nights. These are strictly for RPs that occur in regards to more plot-focused elements of the group.

4. Always be sensible, patient, and polite to the GMs/anyone helping you.
Remember these are real humans who have families, jobs, other hobbies, and even just other RP. No one has unlimited energy or free time, so while we strive to be as accommodating as we can, be reasonable with your expectations!This will be enforced. Don't be an asshole.

5. You're responsible for some things, not just the helpers.
If you drag your feet on arranging setup details, don't complain how people aren't supporting you enough, etc. We're here to help, but no one here is your servant. Players must be proactive in creating their own fun as well!

6. While this system is here to stay, the details should be considered a work in progress.
The number of scrips may be adjusted, new methods for gaining them may be added, etc. We'll alter details as we go along, if and when necessary.

7. Remember: Earning Scrips is not the point of RP.
It doesn't make your character stronger or better in any way, and it doesn't make you more important OOC than anyone else. The system is strictly here to help provide some sense of order in doling out RP opportunities so that no one is hogging the spotlight and those who are normally too shy to take their fair share have a chance. Nothing more, nothing less.

On an IC level, our story begins with the tale of two sisters born to a family of rolanberry farmers: One misplaced by the end of the Dragonsong War, now a wandering mercenary unheard from for several turns; the other, driven to acts of philanthropy out of the goodness of her heart, but equally so as a distraction for all things missed. No cause is dearer to her than that of restoring her hometown and Coerthas' dwindling unicorn population.And so The Unicorn Tournament was born, in the hopes all the fanfare might draw both funds and attention to these efforts. Those invited to join and assist with this tournament come from all over the world, providing an immediate narrative reason why your character is here long-term!Our cooks aren't just RPing cooks. They can expect RP prompts involving contending with vendors or figuring out what to do in the wake of a rat infestation just before opening night.Our guards don't have to be just RPing guarding the event, they could also be sent out on an assignment to stop an infamous group of unicorn poachers, one of several long-term antagonists for our story lines.There will be events. There will be plots. There will be story-heavy NPCs and player characters alike who live, die, change for better or for worse.If you miss the 'old school' style of immersive MMO RP, consider joining us today.

In a once verdant Coerthas resided the village of Lettermore, said to be named in honor of the scholar who founded it, a learned man who felt each man, woman, and child should be gifted literacy.This cultural legacy was honored well past his lifetime, and Lettermore was known throughout Coerthas as 'the village of well-read farmhands.'Among them, one could find the Mirivons. Simple farmers and merchants, they were 'small town famous' for their numerous rolanberry fields, their relatively foolproof canning and preserving methods, and their much-adored desserts.After the Calamity struck and the climate was thrown into utter chaos, the majority of the Mirivons used their supply of canned, preserved rolanberries to help provide as much sustenance to their people as they could.But one particularly opportunistic daughter had another idea.

Simone Mirivon chose instead to bring these supplies to the city proper. Simone had long dreamed of breaking free of her quaint town life and becoming a knight, perhaps even a dragoon, perhaps even the start of a new noble line one day! Simone offered these homemade sweets to the wealthy at an inflated cost, and in desperate need of something to soothe themselves and their distressed children, many of them paid.With these funds in hand, Simone would go on to purchase armor, a proper sword, shield, and bow, and a trainer who would teach her how to wield them.In time, she would help fight the Dravanian Horde as yet another nameless foot soldier, with hopes of one day slaying a notable dragon, and thus ascending to nobility status.If only the fates cared for our plans.

Simone did find and fight her dragon, except it wasn't only hers. The long-despised son of minor House Aulchet, Henri, chased the same beast, trying himself for glory. To hear the witnesses tell it, had they not worked together in the end, neither would have survived — they barely had even then.To the surprise of some, the Aulchets were grateful to Simone for helping their unruly son survive, and provided her with a hefty sum as a reward, and more importantly, the opportunity to stand as one of their personal House Knights.Although she never became a true noble, a Dragoon, nor a Temple Knight proper, Simone's wealth, goodwill towards the Ishgardian people, and at times vicious dedication to slaying dragons — a career which overtime left her one leg fewer and contending with a patchwork of scars and disfigurements — has many still call her 'Ser.'Left behind was Simone's younger sister, Cecile, who had hoped for her sister's return following the Dragonsong War.

But the wake of the war, Simone found many things, for many reasons, hard to accept, and left for lands unknown. Much to Cecile's chagrin, her sister has yet to be heard from since, although the youngest Mirivon daughter contends Simone is alive out there, somewhere, and one day will return.In the interim, Cecile has free reign of her sister's amassed fortune, and among other interests, has been dedicated to the restoration of Coerthas' unicorn population. So dedicated, in fact, it's often said the youngest Mirivon is "as obsessed with making unicorns live as the elder one was making dragons die."But this wealth the Mirivons possess is far from endless. If Cecile is going to continue this outreach, let alone get anywhere with it, she'll need more funds — not to mention more attention to the cause! The more talk about Ishgard, the more donations, after all!And so, with the help of a great many notable people, Cecile Mirivon begins what is formally known as The Unicorn Tournament!...although as many of the staff will point out, nearly everyone says the name through a sigh. Most of them find the name quite stupid.

We don't adhere to a 'Simpson's time bubble.'We're aware of the MSQ's stance on this issue, but since we aren't going to be interacting with any MSQ characters — aside from brief mentions for continuity reasons when absolutely necessary, at least — it's not really relevant to us.We as a group stand to gain far more than we lose by acknowledging the passage of time versus ignoring it or dancing around confirming whether has time passed.This means if, a year from now, your character is still in Lettermore, it will be acknowledged as such.This includes, for us, the events of MSQ. Heavensward released June 23, 2015. At time of writing, it is August 2025. Therefore, we can assume roughly a decade has passed since then. Our story lines will reflect this accordingly.Other expansion's events will likewise be mentioned when relevant, and when characters have sensible means to know of these happenings. As outlined in our FAQ, those who are not up-to-date on MSQ but who want to remain spoiler free should note there be spoilers here!

Lettermore is not an actual place in Coerthas in-game, but from an IC PoV, it has always been there within the lifetime of any living individual.The town of Lettermore is, in the IC sense, where the bulk of our RP takes place. We abide by the assumption that the majority of the game's maps, from an in-world PoV, are larger than the game itself allows.This includes Coerthas Central Highlands, the area in which Lettermore takes place, somewhere between Skyfire Locks and Dragonhead.The proxy locations we use to RP 'in Lettermore' sometimes include open world places, but the bulk of it takes place in a series of housing / apartments made to resemble the various areas of town. The most notable is of course the tournament venue, but other places, such as an apartment fashioned to be a gaol (jail) or a house made to be an old church.Aside from a character's private IC residences, every location is available for RP at any time. Likewise, we encourage use of open world locations as proxies when desired!

Our view on where Ishgard is currently at:As everyone must, we take liberties, make presumptions, and hazard guesses as to the current state of things on numerous issues. One of which being: Where is Ishgard at politically, socially, in 'modern day'?And to the extent of our RPs and plots, our view is the following:• • • The Brume still exists. Class warfare still exists. Certainly strides are being taken by some well-meaning types such as Aymeric to fix these rifts, and to varying degrees these attempts succeed, but they likewise often fail, or just as / more often, simply need more time to come into fruitition.• • • People are becoming more accepting of dragons and the wrongs committed toward them, but there are still plenty of 'holdouts' of various degrees, reasoning, and backgrounds who are anti-reformist, despite no longer having enough social and political backing to enforce these views.• • • Plenty of citizens still have favorable views, conflicting views, or neutral views of the Holy See and religion in general. Ishgard didn't become Garlemald in a decade. This is, obviously, reflected in this event, which gives a nod to Halone — albeit partially for IC 'marketing' purposes.

Unicorns: Critically EndangeredFrom Encyclopædia Eorzea: The World of Final Fantasy XIV - Volume I:"These single-horned beastkin are extremely guarded creatures who will rarely, if ever, reveal themselves to man. Atypical cases of unicorns being tamed almost always involve years of gaining the creatures' trust before even first contact is made. House Fortemps—one of Ishgard's four great houses—bears the unicorn on its sigil, believing the creature to represent the majesty and mystery of their ancestry."From the in-game mount text:"Not long ago, Eorzean unicorns numbered in the thousands, and could oft be seen roaming the Coerthas highlands in great majestic herds that would render the mountains white as snow. Poaching has caused the population to decline, and if it were not for your act of kindness, there would be one fewer."Coerthas unicorns play a foundational part of The Third Spear setting, as their preservation is one of the driving forces for starting the tournament, and the tournament is the explanation for why the majority of characters have reason to be there to begin with.On an OOC level, the unicorn mount is obtained via an easy quest given to Conjurers. Chances are you've seen plenty of them in-game, given that. But like with many things in RP, game play world vs RP world are not always 1:1, and this is one such instance.Within the Third Spear RP, we operate under the notion unicorns remain not only endangered, but critically so. The chances your character has ever seen one in person is incredibly low, and so few people have as of late, many characters believe them already extinct.

Character significance, recognition, and influence within our setting is something we strive for, and we expect it both for and from you, too!Ever felt like nothing your character does or could do ever really 'matters'? If you're wanting a feeling like your character is actually 'part' of something, not just a face in a sea of faces — and, notably, are willing to extend this same privilege to others — you're not alone, and it's one our driving forces here at Third Spear. It's the reason we setup how we did, the reason we take place in a homebrew location, among others.Obviously, we are not expecting other groups or unrelated RPers to care what we do here, and needless to say no one should expect that.But if you commit to joining and RPing with us, and are proactive (not just reactive) in getting RP while you're here, our goal is very much to make characters feel like they're not only in a living, breathing world, but they're truly part of it and have influence over it.For example, tournament characters can expect to become increasingly famous around Lettermore, with villagers approaching them to ask about them or give their hot takes on matches. To an extent, this will also extend to Ishgard, as word gets around of the tournament.We're looking for RPers who aren't extremely reserved about letting their characters be influenced either. If there's a character known for something in Limsa and your character is born and raised in Limsa, don't be too cool to have your character know about it. Let your character be inspired, scared, or confused by others when appropriate, and receive that level of RP depth in turn!

Restricted Jobs, Items, etc.Some items, such as Tomestones and Fantasia, we don't acknowledge within our canon. Some jobs or abilities, such as White Magic/Mage, we follow the lore in that these would generally be known by only the WoL and the Padjal. For a full list of our restrictions, see our Rules and Guidelines pages.To reiterate, we are not claiming to be the experts on what makes good RP. We're just a group of people cultivating the kind of setting we like to RP in and style of RP we'd like to see more of.

Lettermore is said to have been named in honor of the scholar who founded it, a learned man who felt each man, woman, and child should be gifted literacy.Their cultural legacy has been honored well past his lifetime, as Lettermore was known throughout Coerthas as 'the village of well-read farmhands.'Lettermore can found between Skyfire Lock and Dragonhead in Coerthas Central Highlands.

The Gaol

Overseen by the elected 'Lettermore Knight' (who is not actually a knight), the gaol serves mostly as a place for rowdy drunks to sleep it off or fist-swinging youth who knocked over a market stall to cool down until their parents can come collect them. There's rarely any significant crime in Lettermore, but if there was, those criminals would end up here.

The Church

Titled Her Fury Blessed, the Lettermore church is a rundown place that's certainly seen better days — better lifetimes, really — but all the same is one of the village's main gathering areas, particularly for the pious among them.

The Tavern & Inn

For those who prefer their deities be in bottle form or simply those looking to kick their feet up for a time, Lettermore's local tavern is the place to go. Small, but cozy, this establishment is often used as a gathering point for purely social matters.

The local tavern is also the local inn. Visiting fighters, spectators, and merchants likely end up here. It's starting to get crowded!

The General Store

While many residents, and undoubtedly many of the newcomers hope for Lettermore to have greater availability of goods and wares in the future, for now most things are had through the general store in the middle of town, not far from the church.

The Chirurgeon's Office

Those in need of healing, wellness checks, and other medical-related matters can stop by the local chirurgeon's office any time, any day, to have a look into what ails them.

The Library

Destroyed once during the Calamity, and again in recent times by a group of outlaws who ransacked the town, the love of the written word all the same remains paramount to Lettermore. Among other things, many of the tournament funds are meant to be funneled into the purchase of new books.

The Tournament Hall

And of course, there's the hosting site of Lettermore's upcoming Unicorn Tournament! To find out more, including a venue tour, see our Tournament info pages.

Think we're missing something?

Anything listed as 'Under Construction' above is actively being built, but if you think the setting could use something specific you don't see here, don't hesitate to let us know! The Third Spear builders are on standby, ready to bring more parts of the setting to life.Please note that, in most cases, we are limited to the space or item limit found within an apartment or FC room.

In the humble settlement of Lettermore sits the rebuilt, repurposed hall for the local tournament known as The Third Spear. Once the site of Lettermore's library, it was left to ruins after the Seventh Umbral Calamity.In the turns to follow, the land has been considered too melancholy, too sacred to touch, and it was with weariness and wariness alike local Cecile Mirivon was permitted to see her vision through, promising to bring newfound prosperity to Lettermore.Whether she keeps her word, time will tell.

Welcome!

Upon entering the venue, guests will be greeted by those prepared to take temporary hold of any weapons while on the premises — unless you're due to fight in the arena, of course! — as well as answer any questions or provide directions around town.The fondness of the interior designer for the color rolanberry will likely be obvious. Those in-the-know would correctly presume this a nod towards the origin of the Mirivon family's moderate wealth, or so the story goes.

Dining Area

A yet-to-be-named establishment within the establishment, for now known as 'the kitchen,' the dining area provides a place to purchase food, drink, or simply for those wishing to take a break from the chaos of the arena and gather quietly.Staff also gathers here on non-event nights to eat, drink, and be merry.The kitchen is supplied both by local vendors and those from beyond Lettermore.

The Arena

Gather here to watch our competitors battle it out for the title of champion! With seating to accommodate everything from the tallest Roegadyn to the smallest Lalafell, there's ample room for every type of spectator.The arena itself can be found behind the enchanted bars, strung across with various wards, crystals, and other items to help the more magically-inclined staff protect the audience from anything that may be otherwise flung their way, be it axe or fireball.

The Menders' Tent

Never judge a book by its cover — and neither so the mending tent! While it may not look like much from the outside, within is an array of supplies the medical staff to treat the venue's injured fighters.Supplies are purchased both from locals and vendors beyond the gates of Lettermore.

The Overlook

This balcony, known as the Overlook, is the roost of tournament founder Cecile Mirivon, likely a guard or two, and any esteemed guest for the evening. It's stocked with fine wine, fine food, and a quieter bit of conversation between matches.Fighters will often be invited up to discuss their fighting technique, and spectators to share a tale or two for this rapt group of listeners.

Combatant Lounge

Outfitted with numerous chairs, couches, reading material, and a variety of food and drink better than anywhere else within the venue, this lounge is occupied only by the tournament's fighters, their attendants, and occasionally other staff as needed. This place serves as a waiting area before matches and likewise a place for the competitors to build camaraderie away from the public eye.

| THE GREETERS |

Greeters are front desk staff who welcome incoming guests and provide the check in / check out services for any form of weapons, which are prohibited on the premises for all but scheduled combatants.

●○○ Great fit for characters who enjoy interacting with a lot of people in
short bursts.
●○○ Likely the first and last character every visitor sees.
●○○ Great for players who enjoy one x one banter / rapport between co-workers. We attempt to keep at least two greeter characters scheduled at a time. It's a great opportunity to RP with your fellow Third Spear staff!

EXAMPLE STAFF RP PROMPTS

(Staff RP Prompts are the potential for optional RP events / happenings relating to a staff member's specific role. You can read more about Staff RP Prompts in the FAQ.)

●○○ An assassin arrives at the venue to eliminate one of the competitors, but is found out by a Greeter.
●○○ Greeter character(s) in charge of stalling an important but surly investor unexpectedly visiting the venue, potentially saving the day, or causing disaster!
●○○ A visitor to the venue has gone missing, and some corrupt authority figure is trying to make a cover story of their whereabouts. But the Greeters know what they saw!

BACK TO HIRING PAGE

| THE COOKS |

Cooks are dining area staff in charge of not only cooking (gasp), but menu creation, stock and supply bookkeeping, and interacting with relevant vendors to keep things functioning within the Third Spear. They work closely with their bartender colleagues.

●○○ Great fit for characters who are passionate about food and sharing that passion.
●○○ Players who enjoy the idea of creating (rotating) menus and introducing new items would likely enjoy this role! (Please note all menu items must suit the tone of the event.)
●○○ Great fit for RPers who would enjoy their character interacting with vendors and being partially in-charge of the supply chain.
●○○ Build a long-term rapport with your fellow kitchen staff, the Bartenders!

EXAMPLE STAFF RP PROMPTS

(Staff RP Prompts are the potential for optional RP events / happenings relating to a staff member's specific role. You can read more about Staff RP Prompts in the Staff FAQ.)

●○○ An angry vendor will no longer do business with the Third Spear over some perceived slight. Will Cook save the day or opt to seek out a new business partner?
●○○ An entire moon's supply of a much-needed ingredient is somehow destroyed just before opening night! What's a Cook to do?
●○○ Cook decides to make menu items based on the happenings in the arena.

BACK TO HIRING PAGE

| THE BARTENDERS |

Bartenders are dining area staff in charge of mixing and serving drinks, as well as drink menu creation, stock and supply bookkeeping, and interacting with relevant vendors to keep things functioning within the Third Spear. They work closely with their chef colleagues.

●○○ Great fit for characters who are passionate about food and drink and sharing that passion.
●○○ Players who enjoy the idea of creating (rotating) drink menus and introducing new items would likely enjoy this role! (Please note all drink menu items must suit the tone of the event.)
●○○ Great fit for RPers who would enjoy their character interacting with vendors and being partially in-charge of the supply chain.
●○○ Build a long-term rapport with your fellow kitchen staff, the Cooks!

EXAMPLE STAFF RP PROMPTS

(Staff RP Prompts are the potential for optional RP events / happenings relating to a staff member's specific role. You can read more about Staff RP Prompts in the Staff FAQ.)

●○○ An angry vendor will no longer do business with the Third Spear over some perceived slight. Will Bartender save the day or opt to seek out a new business partner?
●○○ Bartender hits the streets to ask some locals what they'd like to see on the menu.
●○○ Bartender decides to make drink menu items based on the happenings in the arena.

BACK TO HIRING PAGE

| THE OFFICIALS |

Officials are referee characters who monitor the arena matches and keep track of points for contenders and audience members. This role requires familiarity with our simple combat system. If you're interested but nervous OOC, we can do as many non-canon practice matches as you need!

●○○ Great fit for players wanting to get truly invested in the Third Spear homebrew RP. This is one of our most-needed roles on an OOC level, and those who can be trusted with this will in turn be trusted with other responsibilities and opportunities!
●○○ Great fit for stern characters who enjoy creating order. Or perhaps a wallflower trying to come out of her shell?
●○○ Build a long-term rapport and earn respect from the entire venue. This is an important role!

POTENTIAL STAFF RP PROMPTS

(Staff RP Prompts are the potential for optional RP events / happenings relating to a staff member's specific role. You can read more about Staff RP Prompts in the Staff FAQ.)

●○○ Officials get up close and personal with the combat side of the RP, and all the plot hooks that come with that. While they may be fewer and farther between than some other roles, they are significant when they do occur!

BACK TO HIRING PAGE

| THE COMMENTATORS |

Commentators are characters who monitor the arena matches and provide commentary to the audience regrading both the match and the fighters themselves. This role requires characters willing to be enthusiastic, charming, and loud, and players willing to read the carrds of our fighters and really highlight aspects of the characters!

●○○ Great fit for characters who are a 'people person' and love generating hype and excitement.
●○○ Great fit for players who enjoy writing banter that strikes a balance between being entertaining and observational while not being pointlessly disparaging.
●○○ Great fit for players wanting to get truly invested in the Third Spear homebrew RP. This is one of our most-needed roles on an OOC level and involves a lot of focus!

POTENTIAL STAFF RP PROMPTS

(Staff RP Prompts are the potential for optional RP events / happenings relating to a staff member's specific role. You can read more about Staff RP Prompts in the Staff FAQ.)

●○○ Commentators get up close and personal with the combat side of the RP, and all the plot hooks that come with that. While they may be fewer and farther between than some other roles, they are significant when they do occur!

INTERESTED? FILL OUT OUR STAFF FORM
FOUND BY CLICKING HERE.

BACK TO HIRING PAGE

| THE ATTENDANTS |

Combat Attendants are characters who monitor the combatant lounge and provide whatever care the area and its occupants require. They are the most important line of contact between the venue owners and the combatants, whether a fighter wants watermelon slices to be added to the food cart or there's a rivalry about to boil over out of the arena that needs alerting. They get to know the fighters more than any other role, and are never far from the action.

●○○ Great fit for characters who enjoy being around ambitious fighter types, grizzled fighter types, and all in-between, despite not being one themselves.
●○○ Possibly the best role for being some degree of involved in almost every aspect of the venue. One of the only non-fighters allowed in the combatant lounge!
●○○ Great fit for players who enjoy having their character assist people in dynamic ways that change every RP.

POTENTIAL STAFF RP PROMPTS

(Staff RP Prompts are the potential for optional RP events / happenings relating to a staff member's specific role. You can read more about Staff RP Prompts in the Staff FAQ.)

●○○ Attendants can expect to often be secondhand dragged into any (IC!) figher drama.
●○○ Attendants have the opportunity to associate regularly with numerous roles and all the potential plot hooks that come with having your nose in a lot of people's business!

BACK TO HIRING PAGE

| THE MENDERS |

Menders are characters who help heal primarily the combatants, but also staff and spectators when necessary. They may be aether-based, such as use of conjury, or the more worldly type of doctor. Mender characters follow our [RP healing guide] when RPing relevant scenes.

●○○ Great fit for, not surprisingly, any healer, doctor, or medic-adjacent characters.
●○○ Players who want their character to have a defined and important role that still allows for a character to leave their post regularly to observe matches or socialize would likely enjoy this role!

POTENTIAL STAFF RP PROMPTS

(Staff RP Prompts are the potential for optional RP events / happenings relating to a staff member's specific role. You can read more about Staff RP Prompts in the Staff FAQ.)

●○○ Menders could serve as medics during plot RPs, as well as within the venue, if desired.
●○○ Menders will at times have opportunity to quite literally save a life!
●○○ ... or perhaps they didn't? Potential for angsty character development and scenarios is always on the table!

BACK TO HIRING PAGE

| THE GUARDS |

Guards are what's on the tin! These characters patrol the venue, with the exception of the combatant lounge and medical tent (unless summoned), making certain everything is in order and everyone is behaving as they should.

●○○ Good for players with a good head on their shoulders and a fair mind. The owners OOC will not always be able to keep up with everything, and guard players are granted actual OOC authority to enforce the rules and remove OOC trolls or RPers who are breaking the rules.
●○○ Great fit for characters who enjoy enforcing order, and as a potential secondary bonus depending on their personality, having the opportunity to often witness and socialize with various aspects of the venue.

POTENTIAL STAFF RP PROMPTS

(Staff RP Prompts are the potential for optional RP events / happenings relating to a staff member's specific role. You can read more about Staff RP Prompts in the Staff FAQ.)

●○○ Guards, obviously, know the ins and outs of combat. If desired, they are often sent out on plot-related missions as the main adventurers or as bodyguards that involve or may involve combat.
●○○ Guards can be assigned as a personal bodyguard for a specific character, such as a visiting noble. This opportunity is unique to this role.
●○○ Guards may have opportunity to stop planned, plot-based threats to the venue or its staff.

BACK TO HIRING PAGE

| THE SOCIALITES |

Socialites are a unique and all too important role not only IC but OOC within the venue. These characters and their players are tasked with finding dynamic ways to include shy or nervous RPers and their characters into the event.(You will not be asked to endlessly RP with a character who refuses to do anything but grunt for 20 minutes despite your best efforts. The happiness of our staff always comes first!)

●○○ Good for players who enjoy making people feel included and helping newer or shyer RPers.
●○○ Great fit for characters who are very social or want to learn how to be.

POTENTIAL STAFF RP PROMPTS

(Staff RP Prompts are the potential for optional RP events / happenings relating to a staff member's specific role. You can read more about Staff RP Prompts in the Staff FAQ.)

●○○ Socialites may at times discover a plot-focused surprise among the audience.

BACK TO HIRING PAGE

| THE INVESTORS |

Investors are often NPCs, but occasionally are player characters, who financially supported the venue as a startup and/or support the ongoing efforts of the venue and/or the overall plot(s), such as the Unicorn Initiative. They may be minor House Ishgardian nobility, a highly successful Ul'dahn merchant, or anything else that's at least passable legal and upstanding on paper.

●○○ Great fit for characters who are nobles, merchants, or otherwise financially well-off. Note we are not looking for characters with endless wealth who can throw any given amount of gil at every problem, so please be mindful of overdoing it!
●○○ Good for players who want to have smaller bursts / groups of RP, as investor characters are welcome into an invitation-only observation deck in the arena that's quieter than the main floor.

POTENTIAL STAFF RP PROMPTS

(Staff RP Prompts are the potential for optional RP events / happenings relating to a staff member's specific role. You can read more about Staff RP Prompts in the Staff FAQ.)

●○○ Investors have a great many opportunities available to them both within the venue and regarding the plot. The more trustworthy a player proves to be OOC with handling these types of plots, the more opportunities will flow down to them!

BACK TO HIRING PAGE

| THE VENDORS |

Vendors are often NPCs, but occasionally are player characters or entire groups, who provide things or services the venue needs it doesn't have access to purely in-house. For example, stocking the kitchens or the medical tent.

●○○ Good for players who want to be involved with Third Spear but can't make it to the events for whatever reason. Many of our staff works closely with venue characters, from the cooks to the owners!
●○○ Great fit for characters who specialize in a specific field / market and are looking to drum up business with a regular, reoccurring client.

POTENTIAL STAFF RP PROMPTS

(Staff RP Prompts are the potential for optional RP events / happenings relating to a staff member's specific role. You can read more about Staff RP Prompts in the Staff FAQ.)

●○○ Vendors have a great many opportunities available to them both within the venue and regarding the plot. The more trustworthy a player (or group!) proves to be OOC with handling these types of plots, the more opportunities will flow down to them!

BACK TO HIRING PAGE

To a fierce adventurer,

Or perhaps a mercenary, soldier, or some plucky nobody one of the scouts took a liking to.Whoever is reading this, do read on.My name is Cecile Mirivon, of the Mirivon Rolanberry Fortune. But you may not know me at all, and no matter if you don't. You will, and I look forward to meeting you in turn.Myself and the inhabitants of Lettermore cordially urge you to join us in Coerthas Central Highlands. We are seeking contenders for an upcoming tournament and you, my soon-to-be friend, are personally invited.No matter if you're a grizzled sort who cares not for friends though. We have the promise of fame and fortune awaiting you just as well.If that doesn't entice you, maybe a chance to pit your skills against those of likewise noteworthy combat prowess?And if you need another reason, the weather is beautiful this time of year.I'm joking of course.Feel free to write me back at your earliest convenience. You can find my address at the bottom of this letter. If you need coin for the courier, tell them to put it on Simone Mirivon's tab.Alternatively, use the map attached to this invitation and find your way!

Cecile Mirivon

OOC \ Rules

01. 99% of the time, contact @thethirdspear versus a member of admin directly.

Running an RP group is tough. Running an event is tough. We're doing both here at The Third Spear.Our admin team are old hats at this hobby and very familiar with the concept of burnout and how it can lead to an untimely end for otherwise great RP groups.Among other steps we're taking to avoid admin burnout, we have @thethirdspear on Discord as our official account for 99% of inquiries. The vast majority of the time, any questions, concerns, or other things that for some reason can't be said in the group's Discord Q&A channel should go to @thethirdspear's DMs.This allows our admin team to fully switch 'off' from 'leader mode' and relax, helping to prevent burnout.

02. Be decent.

Practice basic OOC decency towards everyone around you. This includes not only the usual (sexist remarks, etc.), but likewise acts of passive aggression or dramamongering behaviors including but not limited to:- Scheming OOC to make an RP or IC interaction go a certain way with express purpose of making another player distressed or confused.- Scheming to 'bait' someone into a conversation with express purpose of taking screenshots and slandering the other player to a third party.- Just don't start shit for no reason, okay?For the sake of preserving the group, the Third Spear admin reserve the right to remove problem players who refuse to curb drama-starting OOC behaviors.

03. No OOC trashtalking or general bad attitudes.

No callouts of any sort. No name-and-shame. No trash talking other groups or events.This includes vagueposting. (ex: "A group I used to be in I won't name...")You will never be forced to RP with anyone you dislike OOC, but note we will not bar entry for anyone because you personally don't like them. This goes for admin as well as members. Don't get along with a member of the admin team? You can still join as long as you follow the rules.For extreme transgressions (ex: nude screenshots of children), contact @thethirdspear to discuss the matter. If and when we have need of a blacklist, names will be added accordingly, but the venue, Discord, etc., should remain on-topic.

04. No real world political or religious discussion.

No real world political or religious debates within the RP areas, the Discord, or any other space relevant to the group. This includes vagueposting. (ex: "That thing that happened yesterday we can't talk about...")

05. We're running an RP group, not curing cancer. Treat the admin, GMs, and other content creators like humans. Because they are.

As mentioned prior, we're aware of the common pitfalls that lead to burnout, and among those is a certain few players in any given group having unrealistic, if not outright entitled, demands of admin, GMs, event runners, etc. Sometimes, even otherwise reasonable players get passionate about their RP and character and say or do things they may regret.Remember: Those who help made and/or help operate The Third Spear are humans first. They have lives, families, other hobbies, and at times simply want to do personal / other RPs.Know that we will not tolerate mistreatment of our staff and admin team.It doesn't matter if someone threatens to leave over it. It doesn't matter how long they've been here or how popular their character is or any other factor. If someone starts acting unhinged towards our team, that person will be given one opportunity to calm down, and if they refuse, be removed from the group.

RP \ Rules

01. We are an IC=/=OOC RP group.

We are not our characters. Expect some degree of disagreement, distress, darkness, etc. in the RPs involving this group, whether out in Lettermore or during the tournament. Those who are unable to abide by the IC vs OOC divide will find the Third Spear unsuitable for their preferred style of RP.

02. Avoid constantly escalating every scenario.

The above being said, don't be excessive to the point of constant disruptions regardless of if it's "what your character would do."Not everything needs to be escalated. Murderhobos, spotlight hogs, etc., who frequently disrupt events for all others involved with blatant Main Character Syndrome behaviors will be asked to stop the behavior(s). If refused, the player may face removal from the group.

03. No slapstick / pure gimmick characters.

For the purpose of this group and all of its events, characters who exist solely for 'gimmick' style humor are prohibited. Example: Contenders arriving looking to battle with a frying pan.

04. Heed the group's lore and general 'tone.'

Read our setting information, particularly the Group Canon Lore page, and be certain this is something you agree to and would enjoy before trying to invest in more plot-heavy elements of the group. (Our group canon can be handwaved to some degree for those who simply plan to visit the tournament event as a spectator.)While we respect and adamantly agree with everyone's right to RP as they'd like, The Third Spear is going for a specific tone with its RP. As such we have limitations on the types of characters, powers, and items viable to th RP here (regardless of if they could be made technically lore-plausible).Our restrictions are as follows:

CHARACTER RESTRICTIONS- Black & White Magic Practitioners (Secretive ones are accepted case-by-case.)
- Public / Known Dark Knights (Secretive ones are accepted case-by-case.)
- Public / Known Reapers (Secretive ones are accepted case-by-case.)
- Voidsent, Endless, Sin Eaters, etc.
- Dimensional / AU travelers.
- Vampires, Fae, etc.
- Ascians / Ancients
- MSQ NPCs or close relations to MSQ NPCs
- Gods or other deities
- Very modernized characters / slang, such as "Dude!"
- Often lore-limited but not outlawed jobs and character types, such as being an official Dragoon, or RPing an actual dragon. Some things are case-by-case, but the more default power a trait grants your character over others or the setting, the more we'll want to discuss it in advance.RESTRICTED ITEMS- Tomestones
- Cameras (usually)
- Fantasia
- General excessive modern tech, Allagan tech, etc. Please keep Magitek within reasonable limits.ADDITIONAL NOTES- Garlean characters may face IC (and IC only!) hostilities from others. Please keep this in mind when choosing to attend the RP with a visibly Garlean character.Mini FAQCan my character, such as a voidsent, join if there's no mention of them being a voidsent?Characters of this nature may attend tournament events as spectators, but we unfortunately are restricted from the bulk of the RP. We've tried to permit this in the past and inevitably the fact someone is actually a World of Warcraft character always comes up eventually.

05. A note on romantic / erotica RP in relation to the Third Spear.

We're going to be blunt on this: If your character takes someone to bed, that is your and your character's business. We are not inherently against characters meeting flings or long-term romantic partners within the RP here.However, keep it reasonable. Don't have your character pump-and-dump his way through so many characters that it will inevitably stir up OOC drama OR so that it becomes the only noteworthy IC drama. We don't want either, and we will take whatever means necessary to avoid the group spiraling into this.Likewise, if your characters are a monogamous couple, great! But we aren't the audience to your love story, so keep it reasonable. Those who are in an OOC relationship as well as an IC one should be especially mindful of this.

06. On post length / styles.

We're welcoming to a variety of post styles here at Third Spear, whether people want to write two paragraphs or two lines. Nitpicking others for their preferred post style is not permitted regardless of what that style is.However, we do ask people, in either direction, be mindful of others around them.Sometimes people want to 'actually write': Let them.Sometimes time of is of the essence, and faster posts are better than stunning posts.

07. Our RP rating.

Our plot RP has a 21+ OOC requirement due to potential for dark themes, violence, etc.Our venue / tournament RP is 18+ OOC. Due to acts of violence, this venue is rated for M for Mature. However, any sexual content within the venue should remain PG-13 at most. Those with hentai-sized boobs and similar MARE mods will be asked to remove them or leave the venue. Those caught ERPing in the venue, including via mistell from party / whisper, will be blacklisted from future events.

08. On MARE / mods.

While MARE is welcome, it is optional. We are a vanilla-friendly group, whether we're out in the open world doing a plot or it's tournament night. It's up to the players involved to be sure their vanilla character is presentable for those on PS5 or those who simply opt not to use MARE. Make sure you're still wearing pants with your mods off!

The information below details rules and guidelines for combat RP specifically within the tournament. Combat during plot RPs, spar RPs, etc., will vary depending on the persons involved and (when relevant) the GM running the RP.

Combat \ Rules

01. Play up your opponent!

Characters can be sore losers, shit talkers, all of the above, but we expect good sportsmanship from you the player.If your emotes consistently downplay the prowess of your opponent character, such as emoting during a hit how your character mostly dodged with his godlike agility, you will be given one warning to correct the behavior.If the behavior continues, the match will be forfeited by the rulebreaker and the opponent character will be declared the winner. (We will make RP posts detailing the loss from an IC PoV.)

02. These aren't death brawls. Attempts to murder people will be penalized.

Characters who are blatantly trying to kill their opponent will be removed and banned from the venue. If you, the player, are okay with this, then that's fine! Ideally, let us know OOC there's about to be trouble beforehand, the sooner the better. Likewise, anyone wanting to accidentally kill their character IC within the venue is permitted, but again, discuss it OOC with staff first.

03. OOC consent is not required for every match emote, and should not be expected.

Characters will take hits of various types and sustain various injuries without prior OOC discussion aside from the obvious "no permanent injury or death without prior discussion" deals. By participating in the event, a player accepts some of what happens to their character is out of their hands, and agrees to play along with whatever happens.

04. The healers can and will heal your character enough to be stabilized. Characters who refuse healing of all types and bleed to death all over the floor or writhe in pain for attention will be removed from the venue.

We get it: Injury can make for great RP! But keep in mind if you're going too far or not, and that there are other people trying to RP at the event. Our healers are expected to allow their characters to be effective while also permitting some level of 'injury RP' if desired, but combatant players must likewise be reasonable.

05. Your character can't endanger anyone beyond the fight arena / cage wards. This isn't up for debate, so please don't make it one!

The combat arena is protected by a series of wards that safeguards the audience from any spells, thrown weapons, and so on. Your character is not such an uber spellcaster they broke the wards, nor did they throw their weapon so hard it shattered them.

06. Keep in mind our 'lore tone,' as well as our general tone, and our restricted types of magic, combat, et cetera.

As detailed in our RP rules, the venue restricts certain character types, and by extension certain combat types. These restrictions include:

POWER RESTRICTIONS- Black & White Magic
- Obvious Dark Knight stuff
- Obvious Reaper stuff
- Weapons that steal people's souls and other, similar scenarios.Mini FAQWhat if my character is sneaky about it?We allow this on a case-by-case basis. Contact the admin and we'll discuss it with you!

07. Variants of 'cheap shots' are tolerated to a point.

Aside from obvious attempts at wanton slaughter (ex: blatantly attempting to decapitate your opponent), moves that may be called 'cheap shots' are tolerated to a point. A character may get angry enough to, say, try and elbow someone in the face and break their nose.We won't attempt to detail every single scenario and possibility, we'd be here all day, but different characters can, will, and are permitted to, have different views on where 'cheap shots' start and end. This goes for the spectators, staff, and fighters alike.However, we ask people be reasonable as RPers and know when enough is enough. Don't have your character continuously try to kick someone in the balls, don't slap someone on the ass with sexual undertones as a 'hit,' etc.

01. How do I join?

First, read through this carrd to be sure we have the style of RP that would be a good fit for you. Next, join our Discord by clicking the icon below:

• Discord

After that, our joining process consists of the following:Step 1: Apply here (This form will not save your e-mail or any personal information.)Step 2: If there's anything in your application that we need clarity on, we'll ask you about it at this step. If there isn't, you'll receive a welcome DM from The Third Spear and a guild officer will create a post for you in our RP Scrips channel.Step 3: Post in the Character Profile and Character Wishlist channels for your character(s).Step 4: All done!

We understand an application process can be nerve-wracking for some, but rest assured we are not looking to 'fail' you. We don't care if your prose is a bit rusty and you need to get back into the groove or you haven't done group RPs for a year and need time to get used to it again.Above all, we value those who have similar goals in their RP. If you've read through this carrd, our rules, etc., and thought, "Yeah, we'd be a good fit for each other!" then we're happy to have you, work with you, and we want you to succeed within the group, whatever that success looks like for you.

02. Are there activity requirements?

Activity requirements: No.Expectations of honoring commitments: Yes.'Flaking' has become a rampant problem on XIV the last several years, and is one of the leading causes of GM / leader burnout. We respect the time of our members, but that respect is expected to go both ways. Players who frequently no-show or bail last minute may be subject to temporary suspension from joining other events and plots.

03. Is this group OOC affiliated with...

At time of writing, we are not and have never been working in affiliation with any group, hub, FC, or otherwise unrelated player, Ishgardian-focused or otherwise, beyond the main RP hub Discord. We are not a reboot group, nor a branch-off of a currently existing one.We are not looking to compete, compare, etc. with any other RP, person, plot, hub, or venue.This project is simply meant as a fun place to have an ongoing story line and event among friends and meet some great writers along the way. Nothing more, nothing less.

04. Do you accept OOC affiliates?

Yep! And sometimes no.We are happy to collaborate for events like recruitment fairs, galas, etc., as long as there is a mutual respect for both/all groups involved and their RP goals.However, we are not a free GM service. We will turn down any offers from groups with burnt out leads / GMs who are hoping the new kid on the block can pick up the slack. Like everyone, our team unfortunately only has so much free time and energy, and we understandably seek to invest the bulk of those efforts among those who have likewise invested in us.

05. Where does the plot RP and/or tournament RP take place OOC?

IC speaking, all our 'areas' are in the same place. This place is Lettermore, a settlement in Coerthas Central Highlands.OOC, our houses, apartments, FC rooms, etc., we use to represent the settlement of Lettermore are typically found around Dynamis. While we initially hosted some things in Crystal housing, we have opted to relocate everything to Dynamis due to frequent congestion with Balmung and increasingly Mateus.By numbers, the bulk of our locations are on Maduin. Our tournament venue, however, is on Rafflesia.For returning players who may not know: Data center travel to Dynamis from Crystal is very, very easy and only takes a few minutes to go back and forth. Feel free to ask if you need assistance with this.

06. I have another question not answered here or elsewhere on the carrd.

Sure! Here are your options:1. You can join the Discord and ask in our Questions and Suggestions channel.2. You can DM @thethirdspear on Discord.

01. Why can't I RP Thancred / a public Reaper / [thing]?

To reiterate, we adamantly support everyone's right to RP how they'd like. This extends to ourselves.This doesn't mean we hate players who choose different styles of RP than us, it simply means that we, like anything, are not a good fit for everyone.For those we are not, we hope they find ample RP and spaces better suited for their personal preferences and style. For those who do enjoy the same type of things we do, we hope you consider joining us!

02. Are there activity requirements?

Activity requirements: No.Expectations of honoring commitments: Yes.'Flaking' has become a rampant problem on XIV the last several years, and is one of the leading causes of GM / leader burnout. We respect the time of our members, but that respect is expected to go both ways. Players who frequently no-show or bail last minute may be subject to temporary suspension from joining other events and plots.

03. What about post length? Grammar?

We urge people to make certain their posts are easily understood and use at least minimal punctuation, such as quotation marks and periods.As for post length and styles, this will vary by RPer, and that variance is more than welcomed here. Whether people like to dig deep into their character's psyche or post only two lines of action-based text, we expect people to be respectful of differences in preference.We also ask people be mindful of what is going on around them. If we're in a group RP and looking to keep things under two hours, a faster post can sometimes be more important than a stunning one. Likewise, if you arrive at an RP scene that's clearly one where people are stretching the writing muscles, don't get upset if people don't want to switch to one-liner mode.

04. Can my character be from Lettermore or have some connection to the setting in the past?

Yes! If you're applying with a Lettermore character, you can either DM @thethirdspear or simply start the application process yourself.If you want your character to have somehow been involved with the settlement in the past, feel free to DM @thethirdspear.

05. What times / days are the RPs?

Our plot and social gathering RPs take place with a start time of 7 PM EST or 8 PM EST on weekdays, and weekends vary with a start time of anywhere from 2 PM EST to 9 PM EST to accommodate the needs of our RPers. Our plot and social gatherings average two hours, but will never be more than four hours.The tournament events take place every second and fourth Friday, for four hours total, at 7 PM EST to 11 PM EST, with shifts from 7 to 9 and then 9 to 11, although shifts can be adjusted as needed.While we have EU and PST staff and would like to offer more friendly times for them on non-weekends and that is a goal of ours, this is not possible at this time. We are looking for help with this, though, so if hosting EU or PST-friendly times is something you're interested in, let us know!

06. Where do the RPs take place?

Mostly in-game, although we do have RP channels, such as our Correspondence channel for letters and linkpearl conversations.Our houses, apartments, FC rooms, etc., we use to represent the settlement of Lettermore are typically found around Dynamis. While we initially hosted some things in Crystal housing, we have opted to relocate everything to Dynamis due to frequent congestion with Balmung and increasingly Mateus.By numbers, the bulk of our locations are on Maduin. Our tournament venue, however, is on Rafflesia.For returning players who may not know: Data center travel to Dynamis from Crystal is very, very easy and only takes a few minutes to go back and forth. Feel free to ask if you need assistance with this.

07. I have another question not answered here or elsewhere on the carrd.

Sure! Here are your options:1. You can join the Discord and ask in our Questions and Suggestions channel.2. You can DM @thethirdspear on Discord.

01. Does the tournament use real gil?

No, all gil transactions are strictly IC. Exceptions are made if someone wishes to voluntarily tip a staff member OOC. We allow this, and the staff member keeps 100% of whatever gil they are tipped.

02. What are the 'Staff RP Prompts' mentioned on the hiring pages?

'Staff RP Prompts' are the potential for optional RP events / happenings relating to a staff member's specific role. Some of them take place within the venue, and some outside of it. These are not guaranteed happenings — and they definitely shouldn't be expected every event — but for players who are proactive about helping to generate their own RP opportunities and eager to get more RP in, the OOC DM staff is always ready to help.

03. Can my character have multiple staff roles?

Yes! If your character is a good cook but you'd also like to give match commentary a try, a character can be both a Cook and a Commentator. If you strictly want to RP a Cook, that's fine too.Some roles naturally overlap when desired, such as a Bartender also being a Cook, or a Commentator also being an Official.As we are a very new project, certain rules don't currently apply but will be considered later to accomplish things such as helping people take turns playing roles that only require one or a few characters. This applies to our founding members as well. Everyone has to take turns, and every staff member is important!

04. How many fighters can enroll in the tournament?

We have eight slots, and then a waiting list.

05. Can my character be the lead of a department? For example, the head chef or the captain of the guards?

Yes! But not yet. Right now the majority of these roles are occupied by NPCs or considered vacant IC. They can be filled later by the characters of players who prove they're gonna stick around!

06. Can my character be an apprentice / complete newbie at their job?

Yep! Whether you simply want to play that type of character for the sake of it or it's a way for you the player to ease into things, we welcome characters who are just learning to cook, etc.Note, though, this may not be applicable for all roles. For example, we won't have someone who started RPing last week playing an Official, as that requires OOC knowledge on how to keep track of points for the sake of the event.

07. How detailed does my RP need to be? Let's say my character is a cook.

This will vary by RPer, and that variance is more than welcomed here.Some may want to get deeply immersive and detailed about their characters prepping vegetables, etc. Others may post two lines indicating their character chopped vegetables off-screen.The only things we ask are people be mindful of the patrons (don't keep someone waiting 15 minutes because you want to write a really, really good emote about pouring soup!) and mindful to not veer into slapstick RP territory. For example, don't have your character reach into a pocket dimension and pull out an entire roast dodo.

08. When and how long are shifts for staff?

Ideally, shifts are either the entirety of the event, or blocks of 7-9 PM EST and 9-11 PM EST. However, if you can only manage one hour, that's completely fine! Schedules change, and so will the expectations of when you're joining us. We'll work with those who work with us!

09. Where is the tournament hall / venue?

Dynamis - RafflesiaEmpyreumWard 23, Plot 12

10. I have another question not answered here or elsewhere on the carrd.

Sure! Here are your options:1. You can join the Discord and ask in our Questions and Suggestions channel.2. You can DM @thethirdspear on Discord.

COMBAT \ SYSTEM

The Third Spear uses its own simple roll system for combat. Interested combatants who are nervous about utilizing a system new to them can reach out to the staff OOC at any time for help with OOC practice duels. We'll help you with as many as you need!

GETTING STARTED

FIRST . . .
At the start of each match, the players of both combatants and the official overseeing the match will join a party. All rolls are to take place in PARTY CHAT in order to help the audience obtain a more immersive RP experience. Make sure your default chat is set to party or the dice command may not work!

01.
In party chat, each player rolls /dice 3, and the highest rolling character begins the match. IC, this is decided via a coin flip, with one side being a dragon and one side being knight. Whichever character rolls highest 'calls' the flip correctly.02.
Fighters continue to roll /dice 3 in party, using the references below, and then emote their responses to the rolls in local.

03.
There must be an action and reaction post for every roll. For example, if your opponent hits uncontested, you must either:1. Immediately acknowledge the hit in a post.
or
2. Roll for your next turn, and acknowledge the hit alongside whatever your character does after for their roll.

AND THE WINNER IS . . .Fights go on until:A fighter lands three hits.
or
30 minutes of real time have passed (timed by the player of the official/referee), at which point both players roll OOC for "sudden death." (No actual death involved.) Highest gets the next point and wins the match.Note: Sudden Death outcomes subject to change at the discretion of the Official's player if there's reasonable suspicion a combatant player is deliberately stalling posts in an effort to force outcomes.

Inspiration credit for our combat system goes to our friend @Sector 5 over in
City of Heroes: Homecoming (no carrd links available! CoH Community: wedontdothathere.gif) and that of Nomad's Mettle.

With limited resources comes a limited menu. Rock Bottom's menu rotates weekly, based on availability of shipments and goods.