Why help others? Karma. ^_^
I spent 3 or 4 hours last night with a group in Hillsbrad when someone I'd grouped with a week or so earlier asked for help with one of the Battle of Hillsbrad quests. I'd already done it, but the guy'd helped me out with a tricky quest earlier, so I head over to Hillsbrad Fields. He's got a couple of his guildies with him, and we kill those guys in the town hall (the Clerk and Magister).
We end up raiding the Azureload Mine 3 times for various party members, going back to Fields twice more (he'd forgotten to get the Charter, then someone who joined later needed to kill the Magister still), raiding the yeti cave, running to Dun'Garok (although we didn't finish the elite Battle of Hillsbrad quest), and just generally running roughshod over everything in our paths. Warrior, 2 mages, a warlock and a hunter= dead everything. :D
I received very little XP, only a couple stacks of wool and leather, and a couple low-lvl greens that I promptly sent to my AH drone. Why'd I do it? Sheer enjoyment. I rediscovered the reason I liked FFXI: the companionship, and the beauty and joy that is a good party in action. I added a couple new people to my friends list, and hopefully got added to a couple peoples. I was playing until 4am, and didn't even realize it until I happened to glance at the Titan panel clock. Time truly flies when you're having fun... :)
ohmikeghod wrote:
There are other rewards than monetary. All my old guild gave was recognition (and special titles). It was reward enough, and greatly treasured. ...and that's what I meant, not monetary or item rewards.
I've rarely disagreed with you, Mike, but I have to disagree with ya now. Getting recognition or a nifty title should NOT be expected. I don't feel that's any better than saying, "I'll run you through WC for 1g each." You're still expecting something for your assistance. If you want to help someone out, do it for the sake of being a good person. If you get a nice little brass plaque for your office wall, so be it, but that shouldn't be the reason you're aiding others in the first place.
Flip side is, of course, people shouldn't expect help with everything. Most of the game is soloable. And as mentioned by many people before, hand-holding is ultimately harmful... "Teach a man to fish..." and all that, ya know? :)
Edited, Dec 12th 2006 3:29am by Rykhorne