The EverFlame

The EverFlame is an inclusive, 21+ IC/OOC Free Company on Balmung that focuses on adventure and aid alongside those who are searching for a second chance.

Character Growth Expectations - In the EverFlame, we are looking for fun character development. Stories of adventure and growth. You won't be the Warrior of Light here, nor will you be a constant center of attention. When it comes to learning or changing professions, jobs, or practices it need to be done over time. Again, you are not the Warrior of Light and cannot be good at everything or be everything. Every character has successes, failures, struggles, and learning experiences and we want to see that with character-focused plot points. We are more than happy to help you with character development, but we don't want to see Jimmy the Warrior kicking down the door one day holding a paintbrush and casting Bob Ross level spells knowing everything about Pictomancy.

Lore-Flexibility - The EverFlame is lore-flexible, meaning we take an approach to RP that allows for changing paradigms within the lore. We do, however, draw hard lines on some things. This list is not exhaustive and might be updated or changed in the future based upon additions to the game, retcons, or additional information found in resources like side quests or the Encyclopedia Eorzea: No Voidsent, no WoL, no notable NPCs, no Sineaters, no Allagan characters, no Automatons, no allied tribe characters (ie Amaljaa, Lopporits, Sahagin, etc.), no characters from other Shards, no multiversal travelers from other fiction, no canon characters from other Final Fantasy titles, no homebrew jobs, no tomephones, no cars, no modernized venues (This means nightclubs and rave halls as well as modern or semi-modern bars. Solution 9 related material is fine.), no underage characters of any kind.

As counter-examples, things we would allow: motorcycles, all glamours, Garlean-level technology, characters that are "Pureblood" Garlean, technology or characters from Solution 9, characters of mixed race origins.

IC =/= OOC - No meta-gaming, no power-gaming, no having your character act like a dickhead ICly because you're upset with someone OOCly or vice versa. Character ideals, beliefs, and behaviors do not reflect those of the player. Do not assume negative behavior or certain belief from a character with the player themselves.

No Lamping Permitted - Lamping is the practice of attending RP OOCly while not present ICly. While "lamping" itself is not bad and even has utility as a practice, we've made the decision to strictly forbid it. In the past, lamping has lead to OOC/IC bleeding, metagaming, and even anxiety/distress for people we've known.

An Additional Note on Characters of Mixed Race Origin. There is established lore for characters of differentiating parentage. While we absolutely allow for characters that follow this established lore; that the races are not so drastically different as to be unlikely to have a child and that the mother determines racial identifiers and more generally. What we'd like to avoid are "hybrid" characters; i.e. Miqo'te with Xaela scales.

Job Variations - We recognize all existing jobs currently available for play and will accept variations on existing jobs within reason. An example would be a Far Eastern Pictomancer using black ink and motifs more familiar to that culture. What we won't recognize are jobs not yet added or completely invented whole cloth.

Job Stone Limitations - To prevent a character from being overpowered and constantly switching jobs at the drop of a hat, characters will have a limit of two job stones in their possession and backstory. If your character does not have a job stone but dabbles in different skills like one-handed and two-handed swords with a basic understanding of conjury, that's okay! The EverFlame follows the tiers outlined in https://ffxiv-rp-jobrarity.carrd.co/#tiers that state which job stones are accessible and which ones are not. NOTE: Bear in mind characters are NOT allowed to swap IC jobs to fit the narrative.

Job Realism - While we are a "lore-flexible" FC and allow variations on existing jobs within reason, everyone is expected to follow realism in regards to job alterations. For example: A platemail greatsword fighter using ninja mantras and doing vanishing acts will not be acceptable. However, a ninja who uses a bow is acceptable since the focus will still be ninja with a very common weapon alteration. Acceptable variants on jobs are at the discretion of leadership and are subject to change.

Limited Use for Fantasias - Fantasias, despite the quest added in Dawntrail, are not recognized as readily available items to be used ICly. If you are tired of your character and want to change, you will have to start a clean slate with the FC. Fantasias can be used to change cosmetics such as eye color or height, but dramatic changes such as your character's race will constitute as a new character.

Keep 'Fantasy' in Final Fantasy - We do not associate with modern-era/cyberpunk venues, brothels, bordellos, fetish free companies, etc. We are NOT a fetish FC. Please keep ERP content behind closed doors. We do not want these themes involved with our overlying story. However, if that is all you seek then there are other free companies that can cater to that specific nature of RP.

Due to some of the content the free company will explore during roleplay, the player must be 21 years or older to join. In addition, we cannot accept any underage characters. The character must be 21 years or older.

No Bigotry - We are an LGBT+ friendly FC. Both bigots and 'phobes of any stripe are not tolerated here. We have a zero tolerance policy for these types of things as well as harassment. Harassment includes, but not limited to, targeted attacks, call-outs, intimidation of any form, unsolicited photos, threats, etc. These are grounds for a swift, immediate, and permanent ban without warning.

No Politics - We avoid all political discussions/debates from public channels in game and out. If you would like to discuss it, please take it to DMs or another server. News-worthy current events, like the Texas flooding or California wildfires for example, can be discussed openly.

Religion Topics - When it comes to religion, we follow a simple rule: No evangelizing, no demeaning. People can discuss religion as an interest, but neither preaching nor insulting are allowed. The first time and minor violations of these rules will typically just result in a warning and deletion of the message. Subsequent and egregious behavior will result in a ban.

No White Knighting - That means, do not be offended, or act in aggressive defense of a perceived/assumed offense or slight, on behalf of another member without their request/confirmation or permission. If something bothers you, please reach out to an officer or the FC Leader directly. We are all adults and should be able to discuss concerns/issues between the affected person(s) and the officers/leadership should something arise.

If you have problems with another member, please try your best to work out the issue like adults before coming to the officers or free company leader. If there is an issue with a specific officer, the free company leader should be notified as soon as possible.

No Pornography - We don't mind tasteful screenshots of characters, but please avoid explicit pornography or discussion of these topics regarding characters. If you're unsure of the nature of your screenshot is appropriate, please place a NSFW filter with a warning content on it. This includes other media.

Unsolicited Pictures and Messages - If you happen to receive any unsolicited pictures or messages from any members that are provocative in nature, notify the FC leader immediately. This behavior is not tolerated and will result in a ban.

Spoilers - Do not discuss spoilers outside of marked spoiler channels. This includes emotional spoilers, which is telling someone how they will feel during a certain time in the MSQ. Examples are: "Oh, you're at <REDACTED>? You're going to be soooo mad!" or "You're going to feel sad after you talk to <NAMED NPC>". What this does is ruin pure emotional responses from the player since they were warned about a change in the MSQ atmosphere.

Please be mindful and respectful to those currently going through the MSQ. Any discussions, typed or spoken, or screenshots outside of the spoilers channel will be deleted and a reminder will be issued. Continued disregard of this rule will be grounds for removal.

RP Participation - Our main focus within the EverFlame is roleplay so we expect all to participate. Everyone must be involved with some sort of RP within the free company once a month. It does not have to be during any scheduled RP events. It can be small groups or one-on-ones. As long as people are developing characters/stories and interacting!

Hiatus and Leave of Absence - We understand that life happens outside of FFXIV and sometimes we need to take a step back to take care of situations. If a member has to be away for more than 14 days, the officers must be notified so you and your character can be placed on a hiatus status.

After 30 days of hiatus, an officer will reach out to the member to check-in. Depending on the situation at hand, if a member has been on hiatus for a total of 90 days, membership will be subject to removal. Previous members can re-apply for the FC as long as they are in good standing. Examples of hiatus that can go over 90 days are hospitalization, caretaker of family member, natural disasters, etc.

If you finished reading all of the rules, be sure to add the word 'updog' on your application so we know you actually read them.