... to this humble refuge, where the merciless elements outside seem determined to test your resolve. Fear not, for within these walls, though the air may bear a slight chill and a hint of dampness, a comforting warmth beckons you like a gentle embrace. The fire crackles softly, casting flickering shadows that dance along the timbered walls, while a hearty soup simmers in the hearth, its rich aroma weaving a spell of solace in the air.I invite you to draw near to the flames, to settle upon a sturdy stool that awaits your presence, where the glow will chase away the cold from your weary limbs. Our attentive maids stand ready, eager to provide you with fresh garments, ensuring that the biting chill does not creep into your very bones and lay claim to your spirit.Wrap yourself in a couple of plush blankets, allowing their warmth to envelop you like a tender cocoon, and take a moment to ponder the choices before you. The tempest outside rages with relentless fury, a wild symphony that offers little promise of reprieve, and in such a tempestuous hour, might it not be wise to consider the comfort of staying the night?Our establishment boasts many vacant rooms, each one a quiet sanctuary, where the hallways whisper secrets of tranquility and the promise of restful slumber, inviting you to surrender to deep thoughts and the peculiar dreams that often accompany a night away from the world's chaos. So, I ask you, dear traveler: why not allow yourself the indulgence of remaining here, where the world outside feels like a distant memory, and the warmth of companionship awaits?

Perhaps you departed, or perhaps you linger still. It seems the mansion holds the power to choose those who may remain, casting its spell over the unwary. You’ve encountered the vivid ensemble that claims this place as their sanctuary, each one beckoning you towards sweet surrender, striking every chord within your soul.The tender, the gentle, the passionate, the wrathful, the cunning—they lull their way into the surrender of your soul, burrowing deep beneath your skin and into the recesses of your mind. A yearning stirs within you to stay. Has the mansion woven your fate, or have you embraced it willingly?

Tales of the Holders and their enigmatic Objects have emerged from myriad sources, many of which teeter on the brink of credibility. The authenticity of these narratives remains perpetually suspect, as it is designed to be. Yet, despite their dubious origins, a consistent narrative flows through them: a collection of Objects, when united, heralds unspeakable calamities.Who, then, are the Holders? They are concepts incarnate, manifestations of essence and intention. There exists no definitive criterion for what constitutes a Holder; their ambitions, transgressions, and virtues are as varied as the stars. Bound together by nothing save the Mansion itself, they serve as willing or unwitting cogs in a larger machination, their eventual convergence inevitable. Each Holder, true to their title, possesses an Object. This bond is both deep and paradoxical; the Holder and the Object reflections of one another, starkly contrasting, intertwining to complete and curse each other, bestowing both agony and ecstasy.

And what, you might ask, constitutes an Object? It could be a simple pin, a pulsating heart, or a weathered letter. Soon enough, you shall discover the Object destined for you. Within the dim recesses of the mansion, each denizen has been summoned with purpose, their skills and aspirations interwoven into the mansion’s grand scheme. The silent maids, the meticulous butler, the diligent artisans, the cunning thieves, the lovers, the insidious—all play their part.As the next wandering soul drawn to this assembly, you find yourself ensnared in a fate that is as enticing as it is treacherous, a journey that may lead to either exaltation or devastation. The mansion beckons your name in whispers, enticing you into the depths of your own longings. Will you heed its summons, or will you retreat from the seduction of the unknown? With each fleeting moment, the distinction between Holders and Objects begins to dissolve, hinting that they may not be disparate entities but rather intertwined aspects of a singular, disquieting truth. The fog thickens, and the air grows heavy with expectancy—what revelations lie in wait for those brave enough to venture into the shadows?

Respect is essential for any community to thrive. This principle emphasizes the importance of civility, eliminating the need to reiterate common standards against harassment, bullying, and bigotry. Always value your peers and their perspectives; avoid creating conflict over issues related to religion, race, gender, culture, and the like.Should you need assistance or wish to report a concern, please contact an admin.

[Acceptance Requirements]
⸻ ✦ Must be 18 or older.
⸻ ✦ Must be a literate roleplayer.
(When applying, please include a sample of your writing.)

[Roleplaying Guidelines]✦ We encourage creativity and invite you to craft your character as you envision. However, keep in mind that excessively powerful characters can diminish the collaborative enjoyment of storytelling. Avoid godmodding, metagaming, and auto-hitting, and do not make decisions for other characters. (You know it.)✦ Keep Out of Character (OOC) discussions separate from In Character (IC) channels.✦ Strive for descriptive writing, as it enhances interactions and maintains narrative flow.✦ While we are all adults, please restrict NSFW roleplay to private conversations.✦ If your writing involves extreme violence or potentially triggering themes, ensure that you have consent from all participants.✦ Respect others’ time and contributions; if you wish to withdraw from a particular plot or cease writing, please inform everyone involved. If you need to take a break from the community, notify the admins. Likewise, be mindful of others’ real-life commitments and exercise patience.✦ If you choose to discontinue your roleplaying experience with our community, please inform an admin. If you decide to take a break, we will reserve your spot for four months. After this period, we will remove your character from our lore, and your Holder title and Object will be made available for new members.✦ Each character is entitled to one Holder title and Object. You are welcome to have alternative characters (alts). If you are dissatisfied with your Holder title and Object, please submit a request to an admin, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.✦ Remember that you are not your character, nor is your character a reflection of you.

[Additional Notes]✦ The Holders does not strictly adhere to Final Fantasy XIV lore; in fact, it operates almost fully independently of it. This allows for the inclusion of both lore-adherent characters and those from other backgrounds. We invite you to embrace characters based on FFXIV lore as well as those from different narratives.✦ The lore of The Holders is collaboratively developed by the community. Admins will provide regular updates on recent events and news, which we encourage you to incorporate into your own narratives. The most rewarding roleplay emerges when our stories intertwine. We invite you to create your own events and utilize this community in ways that resonate with you, as long as it remains respectful.✦ If an admin is unavailable during a particular event, or if character developments (such as a new relationship) occur in private discussions, feel free to share these updates with an admin to help keep the community informed. However, you are not obligated to do so. For instance, if you wish to keep a new relationship under wraps for lore reasons, you are free to maintain that discretion.✦ While this is primarily a Final Fantasy XIV roleplay community, we welcome roleplay that takes place over Discord, in the server, or through private messages. We understand that not everyone can attend in-game events, especially during content downtimes and if players pause their subscriptions.

[Rules as of October 8, 2024]

✦ We currently have a Free Company in Rafflesia, featuring a large house and a workshop. As of October 2024, we are in the midst of renovations and furnishing the space. Once completed, it will serve as the headquarters for our roleplay community. We warmly invite new members who are interested in joining us!

The biography template is designed to assist you in creating a well-developed character that aligns with the unique lore of our community. It also includes a Player Questionnaire that you may choose to complete, allowing us to understand your preferences and learn more about you as a writer and player.

Below is the template. You can copy and paste it to submit via Discord, send it as a PDF or DOC file, or provide us with a link to a Google Doc.
You can also use this link, which will take you to a Google Doc version of the template.
To get started, simply make a copy of the document.Once your character is approved, you will have a conversation with an admin who will ask a few questions about your character. Afterward, you will be assigned your Object. You may express a preference for a specific Object, or you can opt to leave the decision to the admin.

While most of the fields are optional, those marked in red are required.Italics are guidelines.

“Quote…” (up to three)

Full Name:
Nickname:
Titles:
Age:
Birthdate:
Gender:
Pronouns:
Race: (we accept races that are not FFXIV adherent)
Orientation:
Alignment:
Occupation:Appearance: (A detailed description of your character's physical appearance, such as height, hair color, eye color, clothing, etc.)Personality: (Your character’s overall demeanor (ex. calm, wrathful, cunning, etc.) and how they interact with others)Skills: (Please provide a Name and a short Description. Defined as any kind of talent or skill that is not relevant to fighting (ex. pickpocketing))Abilities: (Please provide a Name and a short Description. Defined as any kind of ability, spell, etc. that would be mainly used during fighting)Biography: (Write here an abridged biography for your character, nothing more than five paragraphs.)Relationships: (Make sure to give us a name, what kind of relationship your character shares with them, and any relevant information.)

(assign a number from 0 to 5)✦ PhysicalStrength – Raw physical power; how much force they can exert or how hard they can hit.
Dexterity – Precision, hand-eye coordination, and reflexes; useful for tasks requiring fine motor skills and quick reactions.
Endurance – Physical stamina and ability to sustain effort over time; represents toughness and resistance to fatigue.
Agility – Quickness, flexibility, and overall body coordination; ability to move fluidly and dodge.
Constitution – Overall health, resilience to illness, and physical durability in the face of injury.✦ MentalIntelligence – Analytical ability, reasoning, and capacity to learn or process information quickly.
Wisdom – Practical knowledge, experience, and good judgment in life situations; often tied to common sense.
Creativity – Ability to innovate, imagine, and think outside the box; encompasses problem-solving and artistic talent.
Focus – Concentration and ability to maintain attention on tasks or goals without being easily distracted.
Memory – The capacity to retain and recall knowledge, facts, and experiences accurately.✦ EmotionalWillpower – Inner strength and determination; resistance to temptation or manipulation, and ability to stick with difficult tasks.
Empathy – Ability to connect with others on an emotional level, understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
Courage – Ability to face fear, danger, or adversity head-on; determination to act in spite of risk.
Resilience – Emotional and mental toughness, ability to bounce back from failure, stress, or trauma.
Instinct – Gut reactions and natural inclinations in ambiguous or high-pressure situations.✦ SocialCharisma – Overall charm, likability, and magnetism; ability to sway others through personal appeal.
Manipulation – Skill in controlling or influencing others covertly for personal gain, whether through deceit or persuasion.
Leadership – Ability to inspire, direct, and guide others; effectiveness in taking charge and rallying people behind a cause or goal.
Social Perception – Awareness of social cues, body language, and the intentions or emotions of others, even when not openly expressed.
Luck – The role of fortune in a character’s life, affecting how often things go in their favor unexpectedly.

Player Questionnaire

How would you describe your preferred roleplaying style?
(For example: fast-paced, detailed, casual, multi-para, etc. This helps others understand how you like to engage in roleplay.)Are there any specific topics or themes you wish to avoid in roleplay?
(This helps ensure that both we and the community respect your personal boundaries and preferences for content.)Do you have any accessibility needs or accommodations that we should be aware of to make your experience more comfortable?
(Additionally, if you have any specific triggers or content warnings we should be mindful of, please let us know.)Are there any specific guidelines or preferences you’d like listed on your community page?
(Examples: "No NSFW content," "Multi-Para Roleplayer," "Character-driven stories only," etc.)Does your character have a Carrd or other profile site?
(If so, we can link it directly to your community page for easy reference.)If you have any additional notes or details you’d like us to add to your community page—whether related to your character, roleplay preferences, or questions—please share them here.