About the Alliance

If you're looking at this page then it means you like to know a little bit more about the Rpg Dreamers Alliance Linkshell. Well to begin, the Alliance was establish in late April of 2004 when the Playstation 2 Harddrive + FFXI combo. I've actually received my Harddrive and FFXI copy as a review copy for the game as part of Rpg Dreamers.com game coverage in late April while the release of the Harddrive came out much earlier in North America. With an online buddy, Cangeman, from the Playstation mailing list which I also manage, I've gotten a worldpass to the Carbuncle server. I decided to create a Linkshell where members of the Playstation List and possible Rpg Dreamers Forum can join together to have some fun. With money pooled together, RpgdreamersAlliance was establish in late April. Since the months ahead during all the new players from the Playstation 2 entering the world of FFXI, the linkshell had a strong growing where lots of new players gather together. We were basically a low level linkshell. The concept of the linkshell was to provide a place where players can gather together to socialize, get help, and do events together. As summer pass by, members leave and new members come. However the core members of the linkshell remain strong and as the core members continue to grow in level and gain in-game experience, so does the overall appearance of the Linkshell. Today the Linkshell continue to function as an all purpose linkshell, however the majority of the members are now in their 60+ levels. Of course, we still have members from all ranges as we are a linkshell that continue to function as a linkshell for everyone and all levels. But most of our events are geared toward the higher levels due to more players being around the higher level. But if I were to estimate I say 80% are in 50+ in level with 70% in level 60+. This is going by the core loyal members. It's been more than one year now since the Linkshell was form and since that time, the Linkshell remain in it's original form. While other linkshells over the course of the year have broken up or taken form in a new way to improve themselves, the Alliance will remain strong in it's original form. And it will continue to remain strong in it's original form as long as it remain a strong branch of Rpg Dreamers. Current Goals     The Rpg Dreamers Alliance Linkshell is a multi-purpose linkshell. This is a social linkshell, a linkshell for Nation missions, COP missions, & Zilart missions, an Artifact Armor linkshell for members that need help with AF quests, a Genkia limit break linkshell for members that need help with their Genkia quests, and linkshell for members that like to do the various small quests together. In other words, a social and event linkshell. A jack of all trades linkshell I suppose. One thing we are not is that is are not a linkshell that is geared toward one purpose or specific goal. For example, if you are looking for a purely social linkshell then you need to look elsewhere. There are times where the linkshell can be chatty while there are times when it's dead quiet due to people doing things on their own or in a LS event. We are not a linkshell design for being a purely 24 hour social linkshell. If you're looking for a chatty linkshell with none stop talking and some spam then you be best to look elsewhere as we are not design purely for that. Most younger members under the age of 15 don't seem to find much interest in the Alliance due to the fact it's not actively chatty enough for them. This is fine as that's not what we are. We are a multi-purpose linkshell that we do things different each day to keep things interesting. Our goals will remain the same where on some days, it's a free day for members to go off to level up or do something while on other days there's a linkshell event that will be taking place, these can be completing one of the various missions (Nation, COP, ZM) to help members, doing AFs, or Genkia. We like to mix things up to make it more fun. It's boring to be just leveling over and over again. And it's annoying to be listening to none stop chatter. That's not us or our goals in this game. Future Goals     As the majority of the Alliance members approach their end game goals, we like to be able to start doing Dynamis runs and HNM hunting. All part of the multi-purpose thing. However it won't be our specific goals as I stated we don't just do one thing. Camping HNM over and over will be boring as hell but it might be fun to do sometime as a change of pace or just for the fun experience of it. There are other HNM linkshells that are more geared toward that single purpose than what the Alliance will be about. If your main goal is to camp HNM then you best to look for a more purely HNM Linkshell to suite your need. We will definetly like to try and fight some of the HNMs in sky later on just for the experience and excitement of it. The same also apply with Dynamis. As most members approach their 70s, the Alliance will be gathering members to try for Dynamis as one of it's events for the experience and the fun of completing such a run. If you're looking to get your feet wet in Dynamis with the rest of us than maybe this is something you like to do for the experience. Rules     We don't have too many rules or strict rules but that's not to say you shouldn't use common sense when interacting with your fellow Linkshell members. Try to keep swearing down to a minimum. Seeing excessive swearing over LS chat isn't something that people feel comfortable with. Due to the many different types of people in LS, keep the chat to a friendly game base topics. There's no need to go into politics, adult oriented topics, or other non related topics. You might be comfortable with those topics but not everyone so be respectful of others feelings. People come to FFXI to escape the real world and it's problem so why bring them to the game. No open flaming with other members within Linkshell. Yes there are times where you might not get along with 100% of the Linkshell members. Ignore the members you have problems with or try to solve your differences in /tells or contact the LS owner for a resolution. No need to bring your rant or flaming in open LS chat where other members will get aggitated over them. Avoid all caps and spamming please. Those of you who are familiar with message board pretty much know the reason behind this. Please no advertising or recruiting of members to join other Linkshell. That is very rude and will not be tolerated. Just commons sense stuff. The Fundamentals of an Alliance Member     Let's look at the fundamentals of being a linkshell member first. In my experience in this game, I've notice there are three types of linkshell members, Linkshell Hoppers, Regular Linkshell Members, and Core Loyal Linkshell Members. The Linkshell Hoppers, people who basically don't stick with one linkshell but go from one linkshell to the next. They own quite a few linkshells and drop in to say hi and bye or just drop in asking for help. These people rarely get any help from any linkshells due to the fact that they hop from one linkshell to the next. It amazes me why some of these people have problems figuring out why is it that they can't get any help at all or why no one help them. The Regular Linkshell members are people who aren't linkshell hopping, they do use their linkshell pearl as their main linkshell or they do have another linkshell that they are a part of but they understand the point of dividing time between the different linkshells that they are in that they aren't concieved as just linkshell hopping. They are not the backbone of a linkshell but they are the troops of a linkshell. They wear their linkshells with pride (or maybe they don't have any other LS to wear. -_-) and they actively talk to other members and even party with them. But they don't actively volunteer to help other LS members or take part in LS events unless it suite their needs. The majority of all Linkshells have these members and these types of members make up the majority of the roster in a Linkshell. If a Linkshell is an army unit then these regular linkshell members are the grunts of the army unit. The Core Loyal members are the ones that are the backbone of a linkshell. They are the members that typically grew up with the linkshell or only wear that one linkshell and no other linkshell pearls. They actively volunteer to help others out, they actively show up to LS events to help others out, and they are willing to leave a party to come to a LS event or to help a LS member out. They are willing to commit their free time or put an effort of their time on hold so they can help other LS members out or help the LS out in LS events barring any real life situation. In order for a linkshell to survive long term, a linkshell must have some core loyal members. Without any core loyal members, a linkshell is a linkshell that does nothing. It is the core loyal members that will be the ones that will help out with a LS event or help another member out. You certainly can't rely on linkshell hoppers for anything and the regular linkshells are a 50-50 chance, it's the core loyal members that you will rely on the most and will be asking the most when it comes to helping with LS events or other LS members out. The Sky HNM/HNM members, are ones that are using the Alliance as their end game Linkshell. They have their other regular Linkshell that they belong to that will provide them with that they need in terms of missions, quests, and other none-Sky HNM activities. They don't request anything from the Alliance other than to show up for Sky HNM/HNM events. As such a point system has been put in place for all Sky HNM events and for all members to give fair treatment to everyone base solely on your activities as these Sky HNM/HNM events. To read more about the point system, please go to the Sky HNM link. Where do I fit in the Alliance?     The answer to that question is best answer by you. If you're going to be a Linkshell Hopper then you'll be ignore most of your time and you'll end up being kick out sooner or later. Why should the Alliance help you when you're not willing to take the time to actually be part of the Alliance? Being a Linkshell Hopper, you pretty much add nothing to the Alliance other than to fill up some chatting space. You be better off joining another Linkshell that is willing to take you in even if you are a LS Hopper just so they can add you to their member count. We're not that desparate.     Going to be a Regular Linkshell member? No problem. Every single linkshell need regular linkshell members just as every single army need grunts. Without the grunts, you have just officers in charge which means there's no army. There are no bad regular linkshell members as the bad ones get kicked out, however there are no great regular linkshell members too. Regular linkshell members are basically good standing members. There are many reasons why you just prefer to be regular member as oppose to the core loyal members. You don't have the time to dedicate yourself to a linkshell as you want to so you can't help out as much as needed which is understandable since real life does comes first, you have your own game to play and your own goals & objectives that you don't feel you should immediately put them on hold to help out right away, or sometimes you just don't feel like just logging in to help out a LS or a LS member with something. These are all understandable reasons and this is afterall just a game so no one will point a gun to your head telling you, you need to be actively involve with the LS at every turn. Everyone has different characteristic. Some are more willing to help out than others and some have more of a sense of code of loyalty than others. There's no right or wrong in that particular way. However keep things in mind that this game is about being in a group to do things and to achieve things together. If you're not willing to go out of your way or take the time to help others out then others and the LS won't go out of their ways to help you out. It's a two way street and not a one way street. You can't expect LS members to go out of their way and put their time on hold to help you out when you're not willing to turn the favor in return. Now this isn't to say we won't help you out with this or that. It's just that we won't go out of our way to help you or dropped what we are doing just to help you. You are a member afterall and we still help you but when we help you depends on the time and who we need to help first. It makes no sense to help a member that's sometimes help other members out first when a member that always help other members out second. The member that always help comes first. Just logical and you need to understand that. This game isn't about always helping people since it's about having fun and making friends but this is just a scenario in case you need help in the future. Don't demand you get help right away because you're a regular member and have been loyal to the linkshell because that won't go far. Action speak louder than words and being just loyal and friendly with everyone isn't enough. Getting upset because you can't get help right away isn't the way to go. Just as we don't demand that you show up and help out all the time when we may in fact need you and we won't be upset if you decide not to show up or can't show up. Be patient and understanding with us just as we are with you. You are still a valuable part of the Alliance and we'll try and get you the help you need as soon as possible. In the mean time just have fun with the game and being part of the LS. This game isn't going to end soon nor will your world come crashing down if you can't get help right away. We all have our own game to play so remember that.     Ask not what your Linkshell can do for you, ask what you can do for it. If you decide to take this approach and be a Core Loyal member which very few people do these days unless they actually grow with a linkshell from the beginning, then many will remember your good deeds. Being active in a Linkshell whether it's talking with other members, partying with other members, or even helping other members out whenever help is needed, people will remember your actions. The Alliance will remember you for being there at a LS event or being there to help out other members. You will most likely have an easier time getting help when the need arises because others will remember you for being there for them when they needed help. They not only will like you as a person but also like you for being there for them and will return the favor. It also makes it easier for us to gather people together to help you on your event day. Nothing is worst then getting people to come and help you when they say, "You know, I'm just not in the mood to do a coffer key hunt. Besides he/she never came and help me with my coffer key hunt, so why should I go out of my way to help him/her back?" You won't have that problem because people will remember you have going out of your way and taking your free time to log in and help out. It's a two way street and for all the good deeds you do for LS, LS will try to do the same for you. Just common sense. To Be Or Not To Be Active, That Is The Question     The best way to fit in and be part of the group is to try and be active. Come to events and help members out and make friends. In other words, volunteer to help people out. This ensure you get a good rep with people in the long run and generally make a name yourself as someone everyone likes. You don't have to come to all the events but try to come for some. By not going to events, you'll missing out on some of the fun and at the same time you begin to distant yourself with what others in the LS are doing. This is why members who are active in the Linkshell tend to be there for the long haul while those that aren't active start to drift away. Check out the Events section to find out what the Linkshell is doing and at the same time you can also request an Event for you that you need help on at the Events Section too. Be pro-active as oppose to hiding in the shadow and not engaging with other members. Don't just help out your friends or the friends in your kliq in LS, help out LS members as a whole. If you're only hanging out with your LS Kliq friends then basically you are an outsider to the whole LS. Keep that in mind. I need help with something. Can I get it?     The answer is no if you're asking for gil. LOL. But if you need help with something like a mission, quest, or getting an item then yes we will try and help you out the best we can if you are a regular or core member. The Alliance take pride in the fact that we try not to have any of our regular and core members shouting in Jueno for help. If an Alliance member is shouting in Jueno for help then it means that we're not able to help them at a time that help was needed or that we aren't able to help. Not enough people are able to show up or not enough people at the right level to help out. That do happen from time to time but for the most part we try to pride ourselves in making sure no Alliance member needs to shout in Jueno.     There are two ways to ask for help. You can randomly ask anyone in Linkshell if they are busy and can help you or you can request for a LS event help. Randomly asking anyone in LS for help is fine but don't assume or have an expectation of getting help as you will be disappointed. Most people have their own game to play and as such is busy. However you might get lucky and find someone that isn't busy and is willing to help out. Assuming the kind of help you need doesn't require an alliance to be gather and help out. The best way to get help is to request for a time and day for help. This is easier for both parties. Those that need the help and those that can come to help. We are a Linkshell that like to schedule a time and day for helping out others whether this is through a major event that require a small alliance or whether it's just needed a couple of people to come. By scheduling a time and day, those that are helping can free up the time in real life and in game life so that we can come and help you out. It also allow us to do some research on what it is that you need help with for those that aren't sure what sort of mission or quest that you need help on and what needs to be done. However you do need to be patient when requesting help because there are times where most are too busy to help you or there are others that requested help and need help more ahead of you. The game won't end anytime soon so you should be able to afford the luxury of being patient. Remember that we are an organized Linkshell the does things base on scheduling.     If no one is able to help you right away or you don't want to be patient in getting help and need help now, unfortunately the only other option is to shout in Jueno for help like most non Alliance members. Understand as a whole, the Alliance work as an organize linkshell with a set time and day for events for members. We do not do things at the spur of the moment or drop in the middle of what we are doing because certain individuals need help right away. That's not how we operate. As long as you understand that we don't operate in a spur of the moment thing and decided to shout for help then it's no problem with us but don't get upset with us because no one decides to help you right away. Just understand how the Alliance function. Also understand that many other people need help too and sometimes the schedule is crowded to be able to set something up for you right away. This goes back to being patient and wait when we are able to set a day and time for you. When Not to Join Us     While this game is meant for everyone to have fun and being in a Linkshell is a great way to have fun with others, there are certain times when a Linkshell doesn't suite you or fit your needs. Only consider joining the Alliance if you are serious about being apart of the Alliance and the group. There's no point in asking for a pearl if you're only going to add it to your many other Linkshell pearl collections and just leaving it in Moogle House and putting it on when the other Linkshells you have is dead. It's just taking up your inventory space which you don't need it to do. Don't ask for a pearl if your only intent was to use it in a rotation with your seven other linkshell pearls where you come in and say hi and bye after a span of 5 minutes. It doesn't make you look good in any Linkshell community. And asking for a Linkshell pearl so you can try it out for one or two days doesn't make yourself look good too. You're just wasting your time in askig for a pearl. Remember that there's a sense of loyalty and pride that goes with being part of a clan. If you don't have that sense of loyalty and pride then you need to find a Linkshell that will give you that feeling. We don't need a member that drop bys once every three months. Misconception 1. We do not lend you money. You can ask if someone can lend you money as asking can't hurt but don't assume that LS members are suppose to lend you money. If they do fine, if they don't move on. Assuming that they are suppose to will only disappoint you. 2. Come and raise me. Do not assume that just because you are dead some where and there's no one around to raise you that a LS member is suppose to come and raise you. No one will travel through various different zones just to raise you. You can ask if someone can come if they are not busy or if someone can find someone in the area to raise you but don't assume that it's their duty to come. 3. "Err guys, I'm out of arrows, food, ect. Can someone buy some and bring it here for me? I'll pay you." No. LS members are not your personally fetch dogs. Sure you can ask if someone is coming out your way or if people aren't busy and willing to travel through varous zones just to get your goods that you forgot to take when you went out exping but don't assume that they have to help you do that. We are not your fetch dogs. 4. Teleports and Warps. Same thing. You can always ask and it's nice of LS member to help provide such services but don't assume that its their duty to do so. 5. Guys I need this mission done. Come and help me. Err no. Nothing wrong with asking but as stated above and you should read above, there's a proper way of requesting for help. Nothing wrong with spur of the moment request but don't get your hopes up on getting it unless most people aren't busy. Chances are there's an event that they have to do, or helping other members, or off on their own doing something else. Thinking that people are suppose to drop what they are doing to help you because of a spur of the moment request will only get you upset and disappointed. 6. Popping in and looking for help or looking to set up a schedule event for you and then popping out and back to your other main LS. This is consider rude and those that continue to do this will be ignore and possibly kick. This is the equivalent of LS hopping. Don't just show up simply to look for an event that suite your need or looking to have an event to set up to help you and then going back to your other LS. We're here to help LS members not those that only drop by when they need something from LS. 6. Popping in and looking for help for your friends from other LS. You can always ask to see if anyone is busy and willing to help but don't expect it. Nothing can hurt from asking, just dont' expect and assume that we are suppose to help your friends from other LS out. We'll not here to look after other members from other LS. That's what their LS is for. If we have something that we are doing that is of common interests than sure. If we'll doing an event and your friend or friends happen to need it to then sure they can tag along. However just don't expect us to go out of our way in helping members from outside LS if there's no common interest. We'll not gonna plan an event simply to help your friend out. Why mention these? While they may seem like common sense on what people should expect and shouldn't expect, some people tend to assume that LS members must drop everything and come help right away. Then they get upset that LS isn't helping them. By putting this here, you can know ahead of time on what to expect and what not to expect. And decide for yourself. Closing Comments     I hope this page gives you an idea on what the Alliance is about and it's members. Despite all the mumble jumble and stuff mention above, just be yourself and make friends with those within the Linkshell. Don't worry about being a regular or core member. Just have fun with the game and with your LS friends. Eventually you'll find your place in the Linkshell if you care to stick around long enough and you be okay. If not then there are other LS that you can join that will suite your needs better. If you have any comments or questions then feel free to contact an Alliance member in the game or myself. If you feel the Alliance is the kind of Linkshell for you then feel free to try and join us at the sign up page here.