Ardent Lotus «Pearl»

The House of the Hidden Pearl—nestled along the shore of the Mists—serves as a reprieve from the ails of the realm. It’s frequented by all manner of adventurers, mercenaries, scholars, and even a few rare Grand Company members. Seated at the bar, they’re united by a search for fruitful work and unique opportunities. Camaraderie through arms, or at least a desire for a plump coinpurse.Beneath the din and clamor of the tavern and inn, however, is a sturdier foundation. Though few in numbers, the Ardent Lotus Clan has mettle and spirit—the sort forged from a combined desire of its hunters to make this Star an onze safer. They do not operate in the open. Yet far too small to stand among the titans of the realm’s other clans and free companies, they nevertheless toil away where they’re able.Come in, put up your weapon, and have a seat. Enjoy the fruits and libations of lands east and west. Stick around long enough, and you might just put down roots…

About the Free Company

in-character

The Ardent Lotus Clan is a small group of daring souls, unified for various reasons and motivations. They organize hunts, leves, or missions for the various threats that may harm those they care about—or for a large sum of gil. Or both! There are many types of characters within the clan and each has their own motives for fighting.More simply: they are a loose mercenary group that goes on missions and adventures together.Though they're small and none-too-organized right now, there is plenty of potential for growth for something far beyond what exists.We offer both character-centric and FC-wide arcs that take place at various times during the month. Officers do host these, but members are also free (and encouraged!) to run and host their own RP events. We also have a recurring social night within the tavern every Sunday starting at 8:00pm EDT/EST.For more information about both the Ardent Lotus Clan and the House of the Hidden Pearl, click the respective buttons at the top of this page.

out-of-character

We’re a chill group of gamers ranging from ages ~22 to 45 that play FFXIV in our spare time. We enjoy chatting in our Discord server, RPing, PvE, other games, and just being friends with one another.
We are an LGBTQIA+ friendly Free Company.
Most of us have full-time jobs and some have children, so we, as a whole group, are not and cannot be online 24/7. Our most active hours during the week are from 4:00pm EST/EDT until around 1-2:00am EST/EDT. We have folks from across all of the North America and a few in the UK.Ardent Lotus «Pearl» is a Balmung only Free Company. We do not accept members from other servers at this time unless your main RP character has a home on Balmung. This isn't written in stone forever, but for now it is the case.As such, we do not offer a Cross-World Linkshell and we do not allow anyone who isn't a member or a former member of the FC in the Discord server on a permanent basis.As of now we have roughly 15 active members and are looking to expand to around 20-25 active folks maximum. We are likely considered a small RP/casual PvE guild. Our founding date is October 30, 2013, so we've been around as a group for quite a while! Though we may not be as new, we are still quite welcoming and open to new members.

The Ardent Lotus Clan

Becoming an official member of the Ardent Lotus Clan ICly is not required or assumed upon joining «Pearl». This can seem a little confusing at first, but it's quite simple: the "clan" itself is merely just a linkshell between friends!The clan itself is no secret, but it takes a little effort to get into--which requires new members of the FC to role-play! Since it is friendship/camaraderie-based it makes sense that a character would need to befriend someone within the Ardent Lotus Clan in order to become part of it. And there are plenty of opportunities to get started. Coming to one of our many social nights (where characters can imbibe to loosen up!) is the perfect way to introduce new characters to more established ones without needing a "good" reason to mingle. The tavern serves as a connection point for new characters to come in, get comfortable, and get to know some folks. Then, they can eventually go on adventures with them.We prefer this organic method of joining an adventure clan or group rather than "forced" membership. Once your character is a Lotus, they will get their own linkpearl and have access to bigger, dangerous, and lucrative jobs that cannot be handled alone.As for when these adventurers get to flex their strength, officers hold combat-related events about twice monthly, sometimes more. We use an in-house, simple dice/trait system that is elaborated upon in a channel in our Discord server. Members are welcome and encouraged to host their own events!

The House of the Hidden Pearl

The House of the Hidden Pearl is a hostelry that serves as a levemete, notice board, social gathering spot, and a logical IC reason for characters to come together. In the cellar, there is a room solely dedicated to the Ardent Lotus Clan right next to the room with the notice board, levemete, and hunt postings.It should be said: Ardent Lotus is not a tavern/slice of life FC, though social slice-of-life role-play can and does occur often. We are an adventurer/mercenary/hunter FC that uses a tavern as a connection spot. Most staff are NPCs so characters can come and go as they please with no obligation to the tavern itself.However, if your character does end up wanting to work at the Hidden Pearl either full time or as a side-gig, this can be arranged!The Hidden Pearl has many amenities available to patrons, including:

  • Bar & Restaurant (Main Floor/Second Floor)

  • Adventurer's Guild Levemete & Noticeboard (Cellar)

  • Performance Stage (Second Floor)

  • Double Moon Lounge for Adventurers (Cellar)

  • Outdoor Garden & Deck (Yard)

  • Chocobo Stable (Yard)

  • Inn Rooms (Private Rooms #1 and #30)

  • Onsen (Private Room #8)

  • Infirmary (Private Room #11)

  • Tea Room (Private Room #58)

  • Indoor Garden (Private Room #33)

  • Restrooms (Private Room #43)

  • Library & Study (Private Room #17)

  • Dojo (Private Room #18)

And of course the Mist beach is only a staircase away! To learn more about the Hidden Pearl, you can explore the pages linked below.

Hidden Pearl Staff

The following are the IC staff of the Hidden Pearl. While a handful of them are player characters (PCs) the vast majority are NPCs that are willing and able to help characters that wander in the hostelry any time of day. These characters are denoted by (NPC) next to their names. All members of the FC have control over these NPCs, so please make use of them for your scenes and stories!

Kuina Mori
Co-Owner & Proprietor (PC)
Together with her brother, Naohiro Mori, Kuina opened the House of the Hidden Pearl. It began as a gift to Eorzea, a legacy to leave behind, but in turn became so much more.
Kuina mostly keeps to the books and out of the public eye, but occasionally she does make a spirited presence! She is the current overseer and manager of the Hidden Pearl. Speak with her about hiring, affiliations, or major concerns.

inn & tavern staff

M’zhundi Ahzi
Head Bartender & Restaurant Manager (NPC)
This pleasant, light-eyed Seeker gal is primarily the barkeep for the Hidden Pearl’s main floor. She sees to the recipes, specials, and other restaurant duties that need performing when not slinging shots to weary travelers. Overworked, but certainly not underpaid, M'zhundi is ever bubbly and happy to serve. She loves listening to the patrons, but tries to keep from yapping too much, since she has a lot to do!

Temulun Angura
Receptionist & Inn Manager (NPC)
As a fellow refugee, Temulun sought out the position of Inn receptionist and manservant to the brother and sister team after knowing them briefly in Ul'dah. He is polite, efficient, but rather soft spoken. He tends to the Inn rooms and keeps them tidy, as well as brings patrons their breakfasts in the morning. Temulun also performs basic duties to help Kuina, such as cleaning and laundry. He rarely goes downstairs or leaves his post, as he is a bit intimidated by boisterous mercenaries.

M’bheq Tia
Host (NPC)
A relative of M’zhundi, M’bheq serves the Hidden Pearl by helping patrons to their seats upstairs in the restaurant. For many moons, guests always seemed to congregate near the door…but no more! M’bheq is here to make sure that guests are comfortable and tended to right away.

Evrelle Cavumard
Bartender & Sous Chef (NPC)
This young Gridanian lass is a good friend of Aisbhar’s through circumstances that he’d rather not talk about with nosy adventurers. Evrelle is a pleasant woman who tends the bar upstairs. While still a little green around the gills, this elezen is eager to serve patrons their drinks with a smile. She is able to cook certain meals and appetizers to relieve some of the burden off Aelfred.

Aelfred Sawyer
Head Chef (NPC)
Also hailing from Limsa Lominsa, Kuina hired the Bismarck-chef-wanna-be the most recently of all her staff. With business going well and M’zhundi being stretched to her limit, Aelfred relieves her burden and serves as the dedicated cook for the Hidden Pearl. (Under the miqo’te’s watchful eye, of course~) While he is not native to the Far East, the man’s culinary gifts are not to be overlooked; he is able to capture the essence of both Eorzean and foreign delights with expert ease.

I’ason Silverlight
Gatherer & Part-Time Waiter (PC)
A shy, quiet soul, I'ason is a provider to the Hidden Pearl. He gathers many items, such as meat and herbs, to assist with the burden of upkeeping a busy tavern full of hungry patrons. I'ason also has been known to prepare small meals and helps M'zhundi with prep and cooking throughout the quieter daytime bells.

Haruka Uesugi
Bartender, Waitress & Kitchen Porter (PC)
Quiet and unflappable, this half-Doman woman tends the bars alongside M'zhundi and Evrelle and helps out as needed with any variety of tasks. Coming on a time of need for the Hidden Pearl, she's a friendly and consistent face for many of the regulars, and has a great deal of experience with drinks of all sorts. However, she specializes in making tea "properly," even supplying her own blends when permitted.

amenity staff

Aisbhar Bloeblysson
Adventurer's Guild Levemete & Huntmaster (NPC)
Hailing from Limsa Lominsa, the imposingly well-dressed figure in the basement is the keeper of leves, contracts, and jobs for all the prospective mercenaries, hunters, and adventurers that would like to get paid. Aisbhar is well known and has many, many connections to Grand Companies, as well as more seedier types. If you are looking for something to do for a fair bit of coin, he’s your man.

Xihra Goldpaw
Repair Man (PC)
As the talented mechanic and magitek whiz of a now disbanded Free Company, Ainle has many tasks around the Hidden Pearl that keep him busy as Naohiro and Kuina’s go-to repair miqo'te man.

Mandy Arixan
Infirmary Attendant & Mender (PC)
Though armed with a foul mouth and often stubborn to a fault, Mandy is one of the Hidden Pearl Infirmary's menders. She makes sure everything is stocked, clean, and purified for injured adventurers and specializes in conjury when healing. Why does an inn/tavern have its own infirmary, you ask? Adventurers are a bloody bunch.

Lifafa Lifa
Infirmary Mender (NPC)
Lifa is a kind and studious mender that is always available to adventurers after they return from leves or other dangerous missions. Her preferred method of healing is through Arcanima, but she is practiced in conjury and astrology methods as well as more rudimentary, non-magickal medical care. She can also provide follow-up care for those that need or seek it.

ardent lotus clan

Kaldi Gorsimi
Ardent Lotus Clan "Leader" (PC)
Leader is a very loose term when it comes to Kaldi's place amongst the more established Lotuses. He was entrusted with the linkshell pearls' distribution and is tasked to choose new Lotus members that seem trustworthy enough to be part of the inner circle of adventurers. The grim viera still doesn't understand why, but has taken to his new charge with some seriousness.

Contact

In FFXIV:
Leader - Kaldi Gorsimi
Officers - Shona Howell, Ludevit Yanasch, Senelle Silverlight & Amirah Shamaat

Discord id:
Leader - Aiden#0007
Tumblr:
@hidden-pearl

Rules

The Basics1.) Treat each other with respect. The golden rule applies everywhere. We should not have to list out everything that is disrespectful. Use your head, and you'll be fine.2.) Do not troll, spam, flame or get into any sort of controversial, political, or religious debates/discussions in any public FC channel. There are other chats/forums for that talk, or you may discuss it in private.3.) When representing the FC in game, please try to set a good example. Do not be rude to PUG groups, crash other FC's or public event roleplay inappropriately, or be a general nuisance in game. If an officer hears of this kind of behaviour from any of our members, be aware that it will be immediately addressed.4.) Ardent Lotus «Pearl» is respective of all types of people, including those of differing sexual orientations, gender identities, religious views, and other assorted sensitive issues. If you can only refer to things as "gay" or compare poor raid runs to being "raped", you will not find a home here.5.) As implied above, we are an LGBTQI+ friendly FC. Please do not refer to people as "traps", "transvestites" or any other out-dated slang/offensive term for any member of the LGBTQI+ community.6.) We are an 21+ guild only. No exceptions.Free Company Rules1.) In game, new members with the "Newcomer" rank should not buy a room in the FC house until they are made a "Hidden Pearl." Thank you for your cooperation.2.) Do not beg for gil or game items.3.) Do not attempt to sell items to members. If you want to sell something for gil, use the market board for its intended purpose.4.) We are an adult guild, so swearing is allowed in all channels. However, we are also friends, so if someone is sensitive to a certain word, please be respectful.5.) While no one is perfect, please try to use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It makes a difference, especially during roleplay. Folks that do not follow this usually have a difficult time finding roleplay with us, in most cases.6.) In game FC Chat is for OOC talk. Discord channels are all labeled for their uses.7.) Do not spam images, videos, or memes in Discord. Linking an occasional video or whatnot is just fine! But spamming is never fine.8.) Keep ALL pornographic/lewd/NSFW content in the #nsfw channel. Also, obey all rules within said channel. It's not a free-for-all and some kinks are meant to be shamed.NOTE: Do not post ANY pornographic/lewd/NSFW content of Lalafell or any child-like/diminutive fantasy race. According to Discord devs they are considered minors, and our server would risk deletion.9.) Absolutely do not post, link, or talk about spoilers for FFXIV, any other games, or movies. Please, be considerate of your FC mates. Spoilers are literally the worst.Character Rules1.) Standard unwritten roleplay rules are in practice here. No godmodding, killing or severely injuring another character without player consent, etc. If you have a question about something going on in RP, do not hesitate to ask either in FC chat or privately.2.) Do not assume another character's participation in your plot or event without OOC communication first. If something drastic is likely going to happen to another character in your roleplay, please give the player as much OOC heads up as you can. Better to spoil the story than to sour a friendship!3.) We are an FC that abides within the parameters of the FFXIV universe and its lore. Logical head-canon is welcome and very accepted, but blatant outliers that are not supported at all by this game's lore (ex: vampires, werewolves, angels/demons, cyborgs, androids) cannot find a home in this FC. This rule includes alts. We also do not allow characters that are half/part-primal, ghosts, or any sort of immortal being. If you have a question, ask!4.) Having multiple RP linkshells and/or FCs on alts is allowed, of course. However, we only accept main RP characters in the FC. If you find yourself wanting to shift away from your main character to a character outside of this FC, please let an officer know.5.) You may have as many alts in the FC as you would like once you are made into a Hidden Pearl. Please ask an officer for an invite!Event Rules1.) Participation in events, whether RP or dungeons or otherwise, is highly recommended. There is no quota that you have to meet on a weekly or monthly basis or anything like that. But, as a guild and your friends, we want to see you around!2.) FC events can take place both in game and Discord Channels. If you wish to participate with the FC fully, having those two options available is essential. Contact an officer if you have questions.3.) Check the appropriate Discord channels regarding events before asking! The officers work very hard to be transparent and informative by posting these things so members can easily find what they need at any given time. Please use them and stay informed!These rules are subject to change at any time. Please ask an officer if you have questions.