Currents : Ancient Flames Beckon

It's been a long while since I last went on a mission. So when Helltiger asked me to join a static group which had the sole purpose of accomplishing all sorts of missions, you can bet I didn't think twice (or even once) before saying 'YES!'

The static consists of (jobs subjected to changes if necessary):

- Helltiger (SMN/WHM)
- Sbec (SMN/WHM)
- Boobzy (NIN/WAR)
- Malekfr (WAR/NIN)
- Jrodtaru (WHM/BLM)
- Coeurldelionne (MNK/WAR)

Yesterday, we've set out to climb the inner sanctum of the Crag of Mea. I'm not new to Promyvion areas, even if I don't fully comprehend the whole "memories" theme. All I knew was how to navigate through them, and how efficient Animas are in fighting the most powerful monsters in each of those areas. Thankfully, I wasn't the only one who had previous experience, so interestingly enough, we climbed Mea without too much suffering.

Looking at the time, someone raised the possibility that we could take down two Promyvions in the short time we allowed to ourselves, seeing how quickly we made it to the top of Mea. Me, being the over-cautious person I am... reluctantly agreed to their plan. I might be someone who loves playing it safe, it doesn't mean I'm not a team player. So the plan was as follows:

• Destroy the boss of Mea without using any of our exhaustive (2-hrs) abilities.
• Defeat the boss of Dem using our best abilities, and any leftover animas.

Thankfully, Mea was a breeze, due to our timed usage of the anima we gathered the day prior. Some of us did a quick trip back to Jeuno, to exchange the Recollections we acquired on our way up, then we all gathered to the Crag of Dem for the next phase.

Everything went smoothly, until we reached the 3rd floor. There, we came face to face with a Satiator, a monstrous Empty who would more than gladly feed upon the gooey insides of or craniums to satisfy its neverending hunger for living memories. I suggested I run through, taunt the crowd of Empties onto me while the others made it safely across, then I would be raised back to continue the adventure.

...Helltiger said there'd be no such thing as me biting the bullet for the team, so he went into the frey himself, without any warnings!!! Sadly, no one else were ready to follow-through with the plan, and in order to get across, I had to get the Satiator's attention while a confused team tried to run across the pack of monsters. And there goes my orinial plan into effect. At least, no one else died during that little faux-pas, and two raises later, we were ready to get to the top floor.

The big baddie of Dem gave us some cold sweats. We went in with a plan, but I gave away too generic orders during the fight, like "GO!" at the monster's 50% health cut, which I discussed earlier meant that Helltiger should be using his Astral Flow, while me and Malekfr used ours, while Sbec waited until Helltiger had used his first Blood Pact up before beginning his Astral Flow. We came *that* close to killing it off! That's when things went south.

At that point, the boss started draining HPs like crazy. In the chaos, Jrod was too focused to hear me shout out "Hystero!" as to stop those annoying attacks. By the time he finally used it, there were 4 offsprings in the arena as well. I was giving up hope as me and Malekfr both bit the floor. But thankfully, Helltiger and Sbec were still in there, and they pulled off their second Astral Flow Blood Pacts just in time. We succeeded!

...However, since Jrodtaru was here for his first time, he got instantly booted from the arena after claiming his prize. That meant me and Malekfr had to Home Point out of there. Thankfully the influence of the crystals are able to reach even in the deepest of darkness to recall our bodies back to civilization. So far, the tally is as follows:

Promyvion-Mea : 1/1
Death toll : 0

Promyvion-Dem : 1/1
Death toll : 4

Not too bad considering we have access to a very limited number of abilities in those forsaken areas! We'll be off to Holla in a few days, and believe me, we'll be using both animas and our strongest abilities on that one! I really don't feel like failing it when we're so close to have the whole group able to journey to the Tavnazian Stronghold. Which reminds me.... I'll have to go slay loads of Orcs soon. I'm pretty sure those Fomors didn't like my last trip down in the Aqueducts!

First Encounter of the Fishertaru Kind

I'm about to relate the time I first met my now best friend, Flaru-Wuru.

RandomPerson >> WHAT?!? You're friends with that piece of shit?!?

...First off, I know he's a Beastmaster. However, he's one of the nice ones I've met. He doesn't like overcamping, says it gets him killed most of the time anyways. He strives to find camps where no one else dares to go, even amongst Beastmasters. So if he's near your party, chat with him a bit, I'm sure he'll find a good compromise, which most often mean him leaving for his fishing hole in Sea Serpent Grotto.

Second, I won't hit anyone square in the nose for such a remark about him. 'Cause even though he's kind and gentle, he's... well... I think 'unusual' might be the most polite term, the least one being 'freakingly annoying'. For starters, I've never seen anyone take a death with a smile on his face like he does. I swear, while I shriek in terror on a fatal blow, I'm sure he's giggling in the same instance! It's like a game to him!!! Moreover, and that freaks me out... He regularely talks to his pets!!!

Flaru >> Carrie's my best friend, she always listens to me
Flaru >> and she never said anything bad about me.
Flaru >> How many friends do you know who respect you that well?

...I'm a regular reader of Goblin Smithy's blog, and when I heard him say that, I had a sudden urge to shout to him

Coeurl >> LOOK!!! BEHIND YOU!!! A PATH!!!

Finally, I can't help but be nice to him, since he's been funding my adventures for the longest time now. Ever since he 'temporarily' retired his wooly Beastmaster artifact attire, he's been fishing like a mad Tarutaru. He keeps saying he'll go face Maat some time, he's obviously more passionate with his fishing than with adventuring. I blame his Lu Shang rod, ever since he got that, he never let go of it. It's almost as though that rod was glued to his hands. The only times he lets go of it is when he's cooking up the fish he caught. Suffice to say, he kept sending me Gil, under the pretense he didn't need it. At some point, Mogri started complaining about back aches due to handling that much Gil being delivered to my house. That's why I decided to start taking expensive jobs for adventuring.

So... where was I?

Oh yeah! It was my first visit to San d'Oria, the Castle City. Mind you, that dates back to when many people were starting up a career in adventuring, so it was buzzing with much more activity than nowadays. ...Yes, I do mean that, there was a time that walking into South San d'Oria dropped my I.Q. by 10 points easily. But not that day, I think on the contrary I made other people's I.Q. drop by just as much.

Shouter1 >> Anyone wants to buy my Sheep Skins?
Shouter2 >> What's the recipe for Arrowwood Lumber?
Coeurl >> Where do I apply for a Rent-A-Room?
Shouter3 >> Can someone escort me to Jeuno? Pretty please?

I got a very prompt response to my question... ...Responses actually

Answer1 >> Stop shouting for stupid questions
Answer2 >> lol ur n00b!!!
Answer3 >> It's in the eastern part of town on your map.

Coeurl >> ...I don't have a map...
Answer3 >> Oh? New to town then?
Coeurl >> ...Yah...
Answer3 >> Just follow the road east of the Auction House
Answer3 >> you can't miss the Residential Area
Coeurl >> Thank you so much! =^-^=
Answer3 >> np

I followed those directions with haste, and finally saw the lined up Mog Houses in the distance. However, that was a mere glimpse before I was intentionally tripped to the ground.

Fulchia >> WAIT!!!!
Coeurl >> Are you the one who tripped me?
Fulchia >> You were about to commit a crime.
Fulchia >> You should be thanking me.
Coeurl >> What crime?
Fulchia >> Entering the Residential Area without permission.
Fulchia >> By San d'Orian law, that's a jailable offense
Coeurl >> ...Ok, how do I get permission then?
Fulchia >> You must talk to me, foreigner.
Coeurl >> You're responsible for the Rent-a-Room program?
Fulchia >> Affirmative.
Fulchia >> State your name and nation.
Coeurl >> Coeurl de Lionne, from Windurst
Fulchia >> ...Done, you now have a Rent-a-Room
Fulchia >> District D, 8th Avenue, Number 225
Fulchia >> Now move along, foreigner!
Coeurl >> That fast? How did you do that?
Fulchia >> I said move along, foreigner!!!

Coeurl grumpily moves along

I was surprised to see Mogri peppingly greeting me in my Rent-A-Room. I didn't bother (read : forgot) asking how he got there so fast, so I simply exchanged greetings, handed him my subjob scroll, and asked him to change me to WAR/THF, as advised by the White Mage with whom I partied in the dunes. He suggested I get it to either 15 or 18, depending on my goals. I didn't remember why I should pick either number, so I aimed to train as a Warrior until 15th level. Storing my Thieving gear, I left my Mog House in direction of the armourer I passed on the way to the Residential Area, and gladly geared myself in Bronze armour. That sure was cheaper than buying from the Windurst Auction House. It wasn't long I went out the eastern gate and into East Ronfaure.

The change of scenery was something. Instead of a savannah, I was greeted by a lusty forest, calling on my soul to calmness. Had I known, I would have planned an adventuring vacation here instead. Obviously, I was there to train first and foremost, so rabbits and worms were the first to fall under my blade. It wasn't long before I was able to move a bit further, much to my joy. That was when I first saw Flaru-Wuru.

It was my first time seeing someone fishing outside of a city, in which case I never really bothered noticing. Heck, there was a fishing guild in Windurst, that was like a common sight for the young girl I was when I played around town. But out in the wild, where monsters roam... That was a first. So I watched him... and watched him...

...and dispatched a stupid Orc, and watched him while I rested... Gosh, that looked boring. All he did was cast his line, reel in the catch, sometimes lose it, and sometimes re-organize his gobbiebag's contents to make more room for more fish. Curious as I was, I wanted to know more about why he was fishing out here.

Coeurl >> Are you fishing?
Flaru >> ...
Flaru >> ...no, I'm mining.
Flaru >> In fact...

Flaru picks up a pebble
Flaru throws a pebble at Coeurl

Flaru >> LOOK!!! A ROCK!!!
Flaru >> AIN'T THAT RICH!!!
Coeurl >> HEy!! HEY!! What's the big idea?
Flaru >> Throwing rocks at people who ask stupid questions.
Flaru >> In case you again missed the obvious.
Coeurl >> That wasn't a stupid question!
Flaru >> ...Yah right...
Flaru >> I have a fishing pole in my hands
Flaru >> and I'm catching fish
Flaru >> so obviously, I must be mining or something.
Coeurl >> I never mentionned mining!
Flaru >> ...oblivious to sarcasm as well...
Flaru >> Gosh... where were you raised? In a barn?
Coeurl >> I'll let you know I have friends who work on farms
Coeurl >> and they're quite smart people too!
Flaru >> ...
Flaru >> I was referring to dhalmels, not farmers...
Flaru >> You are missing a few marbles.

Coeurl fumes in front of the fishertaru

Flaru takes a Yagudo Drink out of his gobbiebag
Flaru dunks it in one gulp

Coeurl >> ...You're drunk?
Flaru >> I ain't no drunk!
Flaru >> I just happen to like the taste of fermented grapes
Flaru >> Now scram! You're scaring the fishies!

I couldn't help but have some hidden sympathy for the little tyke. However, that was so well hidden from myself that I rather took offense to his attitude. "What a piece of shit" was my first impression of him. I spent the rest of the day killing stuff, raking in crystals and... yah, that's pretty much all that was worthwhile in that area. I did miss Sarutabaruta for that Gil-making opportunism.

...What? I never said my first time meeting with Flaru-Wuru was a pleasant one!

Old Man of the Sea

I was proudly walking into Selbina that day. Not only did I had my first party, and learned tons of new stuff that I was able to practice at the same time, I also gathered all of Isacio's requested items. So first thing I did was to walk down to his usual spot, as he again stared intensively at the sea.

Isacio >> ...I'll always be waiting...
Isacio >> ...be sure you are worth the wait...
Coeurl >> ...Excuse me?
Isacio >> ...someday, we'll meet again...

Coeurl pokes Isacio

Isacio >> ...and... what?
Coeurl >> Hello, it's me again.
Isacio >> Who the blazes are you?
Coeurl >> Coeurl de Lionne
Isacio >> Sorry, don't know ya.
Coeurl >> ...the girl with the voucher?
Isacio >> ...oh!
Isacio >> Didn't I tell you there was no free gift anymore?
Coeurl >> Well... yah...
Isacio >> So why the heck are you bothering me again?
Coeurl >> But... you asked me to bring you some items!
Isacio >> I did? Oh! So, you got the goods?

I half expected a greedy leer in his eyes, but they were rather softened, as expecting a precious gift. SO I handed over the Crab Apron, Dhamselfly Worm and Magicked Skull.

Isacio >> Thank you...
Isacio >> You don't know how much that means to me.
Coeurl >> ...
Coeurl >> So...
Isacio >> What are you still here for?
Coeurl >> You promised a gift if I brought you those items.
Isacio >> ...Oh. Sorry, forgot about that.
Coeurl >> What is it? What is it?
Isacio >> Calm down, lassie!
Isacio >> Here, take this.

Isacio trades a Scroll of Job Adjustment to Coeurl

Coeurl >> What the hell?!? I don't know any magic!
Coeurl >> ...and what does a Job Adjustment spell do anyways?
Isacio >> You're an adventuress, right?
Coeurl >> Yah?
Isacio >> Then you must have a Moogle companion?
Coeurl >> ...yup...
Isacio >> The scroll is for him.
Coeurl >> Huh?!?
Isacio >> That spell will allow him to adjust your subjob
Coeurl >> ...oh really?!
Isacio >> Yes, really.
Coeurl >> No way!! I'm getting a subjob!?!

Coeurl jumps up and down in excitement

Isacio >> Glad you're happy with your gift.
Isacio >> Now, if you'll excuse me...

Isacio throws away a Crab Apron into the sea
Isacio throws away a Dhamselfly Worm into the sea
Isacio throws away a Magicked Skull into the sea

Coeurl >> HEY!!!
Coeurl >> Do you know how hard it was to get those things?!?
Isacio >> Shhhhhh...
Coeurl >> =o.O=??
Isacio >> Please, give me some time alone...
Coeurl >> ...

I took a few steps back, eyeing the old man lower his head and close his eyes, standing there solemnly, as the items slowly drifted away. After a while, I saw a tear run down his cheek, but he didn't bothered wiping it off, still in his peaceful pose. I stared in awe at such a spectacle: the old man seemed to be paying a tribute to the sea, pleading it to return his lost love. I made myself as discreet as possible as I walked away from his personnal ceremony.

With that scroll in hand, I readied myself for a return trip to my Mog House in Windurst. However, I had concerns...

Coeurl >> ...I don't want to take the ferry again...
Random >> You need to get back to Windurst?
Coeurl >> Yah, I want to give my scroll to my moogle
Coeurl >> and gain the ability to sub a secondary job
Random >> Why don't you go to San d'Oria instead?
Coeurl >> ...because my Mog House is in Windurst?
Coeurl >> {Hello!}?
Lamproit >> lol!
Random >> ...you knew there's a program for adventurers
Random >> that allows us to rent rooms in other cities?
Coeurl >> Oh really?
Lamproit >> Sure! They call it the Rent-A-Room program.
Coeurl >> ...and what about Mogri?
Random >> Your moogle? He'll move to San d'Oria as well.
Coeurl >> ...and my furniture?
Random >> ...no, that stays in your Mog House.
Lamproit >> Hey Random?
Lamproit >> Ever wondered how Moogles get to travel so fast?
Random >> ...
Random >> You're thinking too much.

And so I've set out for San d'Oria instead of Windurst, half-relieved at not having to take another trip on that accursed ferry. Thankfully, Lamproit was training as a Beastmaster in La Theine Plateau, and was happy to escort me through the place, leaving me with the general path leading to the great castle city of San d'Oria, home town of my late grand-daddy on my mother's side. ...Yes, I have a bit of Elvaan blood coursing through my veins, but I swear, I've got just as much resentment against that. I mean, being associated with Elvaans...

Coeurl shivers

Valkurm Dunes Take Two

As implied in my last post, my second attempt at a party was the direct result of the failure of my first one. The White Mage quickly picked back up the former members of our last party (minus one obvious exception), and proceeded to find other members to complete our 6-manned party. Within 10 minutes, our setup was PLD/WAR/DRK/THF(me)/WHM/BLM. WhiteMage didn't lose any time telling each newly joining member where the camp was and what we'd be fighting. So everyone gets to camp and...

BlackMage examines Coeurl

BlackMage >> Ditch the THF
Coeurl >> =O.O=!!!
WhiteMage >> What's wrong with the THF?
BlackMage >> Check her out

WhiteMage examines Coeurl

WhiteMage >> I don't see what's wrong?
BlackMage >> SHE'S A FREAKING GIMPY NOOB!!!
Coeurl >> =-.o=??
WhiteMage >> What are you complaining about?
WhiteMage >> She's got a good weapon and armor for her level
BlackMage >> SHE'S USING A FREAKING DAGGER!!!
BlackMage >> THFs ARE SUPPOSED TO USE SWORDS!
BlackMage >> MOREOVER, SHE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A SUB!
BlackMage >> AND SHE'S F***ING RANK 1!!!
Coeurl >> ...I should use swords?
BlackMage >> SHUT UP, YOU F***ING GIMP!
BlackMage >> WHY DON'T YOU QUIT ADVENTURING
BlackMage >> AND MAKE ROOM FOR THE PROFESSIONALS
Coeurl >> HEY!!!
Coeurl >> It's my first time around here!
Coeurl >> How should I know all that stuff?
BlackMage >> YOUR FREAKING THF's GUILD!!!
BlackMage >> YOU SHOULD HAVE ASKED AROUND THERE!
BlackMage >> THEY WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU THFs ARE GIMPY WITH DAGGERS!
WhiteMage >> Please calm down...
BlackMage >> I will once you KICK THE GIMP!!!
Coeurl >> STOP CALLING ME GIMP!!!
WhiteMage >> CALM DOWN!!!
BlackMage >> Why should I, YOU'RE A GIMP!!!
Coeurl >> STOP IT!!!
WhiteMage >> Ok, I'm kicking the weakest link right now.
BlackMage >> About time...
Coeurl >> =O.O=!!!

BlackMage was kicked from the party

BlackMage >> WHAT THE F***?!?
BlackMage >> PUT ME BACK IN THE PARTY RIGHT NOW!!!
WhiteMage >> I didn't get the memo saying that I died
WhiteMage >> and you were made the leader,
WhiteMage >> as last I checked I'm the one calling the shots
BlackMage >> HOW DARE YOU KICK ME!!!
BlackMage >> I'M A L75 RED MAGE *AND* WHITE MAGE!!!
WhiteMage >> ...L75 Red Mage with a L16 Black Mage job?
BlackMage >> ...
BlackMage >> F*** YOU!!!
BlackMage >> AT LEAST I'M NOT PUTTING UP WITH F***ING GIMPS!!!

With that, the Black Mage departed. My heart was still pounding hard from that confrontation. I never thought someone would be so retentive about new adventurers. What a way to have my baptism in the world of partying.

Coeurl >> What was his problem?
White Mage >> ...VDAS
DarkKnight >> Huh?
Warrior >> Whazzat?
WhiteMage >> "Valkurm Dunes Allergy Syndrome"
WhiteMage >> I just came up with the term
WhiteMage >> for people who can't stand newbies.
Warrior >> lol!
Coeurl >> ...=-.-=;
WhiteMage >> Don't feel bad about being new to this.
Coeurl >> ...Thank you.
Warrior >> But u should get a sword
Coeurl >> ...really?
WhiteMage >> Well, yah. It's better to go sword until L33
WhiteMage >> Either that, or hand-to-hand.
Coeurl >> Why's that? Aren't thieves better with daggers?

So I was thoroughly explained how certain Weapon Skills have their damage amplified with Sneak Attack, and how come L33 I get my first dagger Weapon Skill that has the same effect. I was also adviced to skill-up my Sword by leveling Warrior solo before taking Thief back for the run towards L30. After we picked a sub-less Red Mage to fill in the vacant slot, we started fighting monsters. During that party's duration, I learned about Skillchains, pulling (I was allowed to do a few pulls while the Warrior was away), food (I was offered a few free Meat Mithkabobs for my trouble, yummy stuff =^-^=), as well as witness how Paladins tank. The leader went as far as offer to take on skeletons at night so I could get my Magicked Skull for old man Isacio. I do wonder however how come the Red Mage asked for help on the same item as well... How valuable was that thing anyways?

So, the rest of the day was spent leveling up, and I finally reached L18 and a half, as well as gathered all 3 of Isacio's items. It was quite comforting having found such a group for my second party. Only notable event that happened after we started was some shouting we heard from the other side of the hill where we were camping for goblins.

BlackMage >> WTF ANALCARROT?!? YOU F***ING SUCK ASS!!!
WhiteMage >> I doubt it. She uses a sword and has a leveled subjob.
WhiteMage >> So according to your standards, she should be a good THF.
BlackMage >> F*** OFF YOU GIMP LOVER!!!

The Paladin and Red Mage wondered why the rest of us laughed our asses off.

Walk in the Sand

Walking out in Valkurm Dunes was definitely not pleasant. If I were to describe the experience to someone new to the place, I'd probably say it's sandy beaches loitered by training parties, with a few corpses splattered here and there. It's also somewhere people start partying for the first time, so you have to be ready for a bit of confrontation between the older generations and the newbies who felt like runts as they didn't knew much about partying. Add a bit of spice of stupidity for those few people who think they know what they're doing, even though they have no experience whatsoever building a party from the ground up.

However, that wasn't the first experience I got, for the moment I stepped outside, I got greeted by a convention of goblins. I dare anyone to say that having your flesh torn by swords and bones crushed by staves, with a few Fires and Stonegas thrown into the mix is a pleasant experience. To the goblins' credit, the pain didn't last very long, they were incredibly effective in what they did to me.

How did I walk into that mix? Thing is, Vana'diel is divided into "zones", and our crystal shards pick up on those delimitations. The moment we walk from one such zone to another, we feel so disoriented we can't really figure what we're doing at the time. It's a small price to pay for being adventurers. So obviously, word got through Selbina rather quickly, and people were standing, sitting and resting near the zoneline leading to Valkurm Dunes, waiting for some messiah to clear the way. Eventually, we got greeted by good news, as we were told some higher-tier adventurers cleared the goblin barricade outside town.

...anyways, I finally got to sit down outside the city's zone, still dazed from both the zoning and the ghost-like pain of 6 swords skewering me from different angles, and signaled on my crystal shard that I was an adventuress actively looking for a group to train together. So I waited...

And... got an invitation rather quickly, in all honesty. Back then, I thought that was pretty much standard behavior, but my years of experience would later tell me I was lucky... in a sense. For in the other sense, my first party would steel me for the first time when it came to expectations from other adventurers. And yet, I really should have known, just by the name of the person who invited me. It was a mithra going by the name of...

...Analcarrot.

Coeurl >> Did your mom felt like shit the day you were born?

I'm not that cruel though. I didn't put any mind to making witty remarks, though I did think of a few. I mean, who in the right mind would call their daughter Analcarrot? What kind of vindictative attitude does it take to slap an ill-bearing name to scar one youth's whole life? I'm sure the poor soul has suffered since her first day at school.

Teacher >> Hello! We have a new student today, and her name's...
Teacher >> ...oh gosh, you've got to be kidding me...
Teacher >> ...Analcarrot?
Student1 >> I love carrots!
Student2 >> San d'Orian are my favorites!
Student1 >> ...where do anal carrots come from?

Oh... how the truth would have scarred them. But still, not as much as that Analcarrot's youth must have been. How do you go about explaining to all your friends (if you made any) how you got such an assy name? I mean, no shit... I decided to not compound to that young lady's suffering. I'm sure having dealt with so much crap in one's life has built some character and thick skin. So I accepted the invitation, and following instructions from my adventurer's guide to partying, I made my way to the blue dot indicators projected onto the map from my crystal shard. Those things are awfully practical when you know how to use them. Upon arrival at the camp, I saw we were already 4 up out of the potential 6 party members the manual stated as standard partying procedure, so we had time to unwind a bit. I was also greeted by that silver-haired mithra leader.

(please take note, this isn't the actual log of the events. It happened so long ago that I have to fill in the blanks with the impressions I have left from them. So my apologies to Analcarrot, I might be overexagerating... a tad bit.)

Analcarrot >> Hay!!! weir seestarz!
Coeurl >> ...pardon?
Analcarrot >> weir boat meatrah teevz!

Coeurl stares blankly at Analcarrot

Whatever "understanding" and "compassion" I had for that girl just jumped out the window, and fled beyond the horizon. I swear, I wasn't entirely sure if it was the humidity on the beach, but it looked like she was drooling when she was speaking... I started having doubts about the party's possibility of standing ground against the monsters we were supposed to fight. Again, according to my manual, we were supposed to be fighting monsters that would totally rape our asses... (must stop making those lame jokes...) that would deal us a swift death if we were to fight them by ourselves, but by our combined efforts and proper party dynamics, have the outcome reversed with us standing victorious. So far we were up to a setup of THF, THF, WHM and DRK.

DarkKnight >> Who's going to tank?
Analcarrot >> wutz a tenk?
DarkKnight >> ...ooooh boy...

WhiteMage >> Anyone else coming?
Analcarrot >> lolz eim loukeen!
WhiteMage >> There's a Warrior looking for a group, how 'bout him?
Analcarrot >> ei dun see eem?
WhiteMage >> He's in LaTheine Plateau
Analcarrot >> ukay, sant eenveit

Coeurl >> Gosh, this is taking a while...
Analcarrot >> pooleen Goblin Leecher, gait raidee!!!
WhiteMage >> <(O.O)>!!!
DarkKnight >> -.-;
Coeurl >> =o_0=?!?

Pandemonium followed shortly after. Lots of pandemonium followed. The Dark Knight valiantly provoked it. The White Mage tried to cure him best he could, I tried landing a Sneak Attack, but the goblin kept darting left and right. We wore it down to 60% HPs, when a gobbie bomb detered our will to make a stand. The Dark Knight shouted "ZONE!!!", the White Mage was in the middle of a cure and pulled hate, the Warrior went "What the hell?" when he zoned into Valkurm Dunes... In the end, the White Mage was smart enough to call for help on the goblin, and as we neared the zone to Selbina, some higher levels doing guard duty saved us from a grim fate.

DarkKnight >> What the hell were you thinking?!?
DarkKnight >> Couldn't you wait until we got a full PT?
Analcarrot >> Butt Coe sed 2 pool!
Coeurl >> ...Huh?!?
WhiteMage >> ...Let me check the log.
Coeurl >> I never said anything like that.
WhiteMage >> Coeurl said, and I quote,
WhiteMage >> "Gosh, this is taking a while..."
Analcarrot >> toul j0
WhiteMage >> No, she never said we should fight anything
Coeurl >> ...You understand that kind of gibberish talk?
WhiteMage >> I have a long career as an adventurer,
WhiteMage >> I'm a bit fluent in l33t
WhiteMage >> though this one's a bit harder to understand.
Coeurl >> O...kay?
Analcarrot >> neweiss, wii kuld av teiken eet
Analcarrot >> wii wur 4 hageinst wun.
WhiteMage >> <(-.-)>;
Warrior >> u guys ok?
DarkKnight >> I wish I could say yes...
Warrior >> If u dun mind, I think I'll look for Nother group
DarkKnight >> Yah... I think it would be for the best
Whitemage >> Alrightaru, {Disbanding Party}
Analcarrot >> Butt u kent deesbend, eim teh leedar!

Warrior has left the party
DarkKnight has left the party
WhiteMage has left the party

Again, on a teethering board between two choices...

Analcarrot >> plz dun leev mii seestarz!!!

Coeurl has left the party

...Did she had to make the choice so obvious? Walking back towards Selbina, I decided to sit back again near the outer gate, with my LFG flag back up, in the hopes I would get an invitation from someone who had less unscrewed bolts in her head.

WhiteMage >> {Party}? <(^-^)>

Not So Free Gift

I was relieved when the ferry finally docked in the small, coastal town of Selbina. The day was sunny on this side of the world, a cooling breeze blew through the town, the sand warm and cozy... Yah, that felt like paradise. I booked out of the dock as a Black Mage was busy tractoring all the bodies loitering the ferry's deck onto the dock. I felt bad for them... then I reminded myself how often I died on my way here.

It was a good reminder as well, as my first order of business was to find the Home Point in this town. Once that was set, I was onto my second order of business: handing in my voucher for my free gift. I pondered what it could be... A spa kit? A bathing suit? According to the voucher, I had to find a man called Isacio. Asking around town, they pointed me to an old man endlessly staring at the sea, as though he was waiting on something.

Coeurl >> Excuse me...
Isacio >> ...the next ship...
Isacio >> ...it won't be a ferry...
Isacio >> ...and she'll be on it...

Coeurl pokes Isacio

Coeurl >> ...Excuse me..?
Isacio >> ...eh?
Coeurl >> I'm here to turn in this voucher.
Isacio >> ...eh?
Coeurl >> It's from "Vana'diel Cruises"

Isacio's eyes are filled with delight

Isacio >> I knew it!!!
Isacio >> We're finally back in business!
Isacio >> ...but where is the cruise ship?
Coeurl >> ...apparently, there was none.
Coeurl >> I had to ride the ferry.
Isacio >> ...let me see that voucher, please.

Coeurl trades her Voucher to Isacio
Isacio sighs dejectedly

Isacio >> ...alas... she still won't come...

Isacio cries in front of Coeurl
Coeurl comforts Isacio

Coeurl >> euh... there there...
Coeurl >> What's wrong, sir?
Isacio >> I'm waiting for my beloved to come...
Isacio >> She promised she'd take the next cruise ship
Isacio >> but rumors spreaded the ship sunk
Isacio >> I still won't believe my love was taken by the sea
Isacio >> I know in my heart she's still out there...
Isacio >> Maybe she drifted to a deserted island...

Isacio stares off at the sea.

Coeurl >> So... no special gift for me?
Isacio >> What? Why are you asking me for a gift?
Coeurl >> ...the voucher I just gave you?
Isacio >> ...oh, that?
Isacio >> I'm sorry, but the voucher expired 40 years ago.
Coeurl >> =0.0=?!?
Coeurl >> 40 years?!? But I got that like five days ago!!!
Isacio >> ...and it still feels like yesterday...
Isacio >> ...we had one of the most booming businesses around
Isacio >> ...but then word of the war came...

Coeurl sighs dejectedly...

Isacio >> Hey! A bit of respect for your elders, young lass!!!
Coeurl >> ...sorry! I didn't mean to...
Isacio >> ...you young'uns...
Isacio >> ...never caring about old timers like me...
Isacio >> ...acting like we owe you the world...
Coeurl >> But I...
Isacio >> LOOK AT YOU!!!
Isacio >> Coming to me expecting a gift of some sort!!!
Coeurl >> But..! But..!
Isacio >> You can't get anything for nothing in this world!
Isacio >> No, young girl, you need to work hard for it!
Isacio >> In my time, we had to strangle goblins with our bare hands
Isacio >> ...And those fiends used to be 30 feet tall!!!
Isacio >> It took two of us to spread our arms around their necks!
Isacio >> ...I still feel bad for Tarutarus back then...

Coeurl stares blankly at Isacio

Isacio >> You young'uns are lucky nowadays
Isacio >> It rained so much that they shrunk during those years
Isacio >> And that's without your fancy "jobs"...
Isacio >> ...what? Why are you looking at me like that?
Coeurl >> ...er...
Coeurl >> ...I think I'll be going...
Isacio >> WAIT!!!

The urgency he had in his tone meant only one thing : it's been the longest time since someone talked to him. ...I can see why no one else in that small village bothered with the old coot. And so I was on that teethering board between two obvious choices... Should I keep walking away? Or should I be hearing what he might have to say next, under penalty of falling asleep out of sheer boredom? I was about to bite my tail for having sympathy for the old man, but postponed that to after someone would wake me from the upcoming coma.

Isacio >> You youg'uns... Always in a hurry to get somewhere
Isacio >> And yet you never know where you want to go...
Coeurl >> I know where I wanna go...

I had to use all my willpower to keep myself from saying that the place I wanted to be was on the next ferry back to Mhaura, far, far away from him.

Coeurl >> I wanna go to the Dunes to train and relax.
Isacio >> ...
Isacio >> Those aren't exactly compatible activities, you know...
Coeurl >> ...didn't mean to do them at the same time.
Isacio >> Hmm...
Isacio >> I just might have something for you lass...

Coeurl smiles warmly at Isacio
Coeurl presents her open hands to Isacio

Isacio >> You young'un... all the same...
Isacio >> ...always wanting something for nothing...

Coeurl pouts...

Isacio >> I could give you something nice...
Isacio >> ...in exchange for a small service.
Coeurl >> ...huh... ...what do I need to do?
Isacio >> You said you were going to train in the Dunes, right?
Coeurl >> ...uh-huh?
Isacio >> I need some items from those monsters.
Isacio >> nothing fancy, really...
Isacio >> and since you'll be training by fighting them...
Coeurl >> You want me to gather those items for you?
Isacio >> ...there might be some hope for you yet.

Coeurl blushes in embarassment...

Coeurl >> So... what is it you need?
Isacio >> ...you have to promise me one thing.
Isacio >> You must not ask me why I'm gathering those items.
Coeurl >> ...I don't even know what you...
Isacio >> PROMISE ME! OR NO DEAL!!!
Coeurl >> Ok! Ok! I promise I won't ask!
Isacio >> Good. Now listen carefully...
Isacio >> I need a Crab Apron...
Isacio >> A Damselfly Worm...
Isacio >> ...and a Magicked Skull.

Coeurl looks at Isacio questionably

Isacio >> YOU PROMISED!!!
Coeurl >> Alright! Alright! I get it! No questions!
Isacio >> Don't worry, I'll have something nice for you

Isacio smiles gently at Coeurl

Coeurl >> ...hey! Don't you get naughty ideas!!!
Isacio >> Nothing of the sort, young lass
Isacio >> my heart will always belongs to another lady...

Isacio sighs dejectedly
Isacio stares off silently at the sea...

I wondered what kind of person would be needing such odd items. Were they part of some sick, dark ritual? Were they collector's items? Or is he just some old wacko who lost his mind to a long lost love? ...I heard the old expression "curiosity killed the cat", so at first, I thought I'd be giving no mind to his odd query. But something in that smile he gave was comforting me enough into seek out those items. How hard could it be? The dunes is bound to be full of other adventurers, more than happy to train together, on smooth, sandy beaches overlooking a soothing sunset, far off in the distance over the sea... I'm sure training in such a calming scene will be smooth sailing.

...Oh woe were my expectations...

Getting slowly back on track

I know, I know... lack of updates makes this blog outdated. Best way to compare it is to that feeling you get the moment you walk into Aht Urghan Whitegate: totally laggy, as though life started to speed ahead of you and you can't keep up with it anymore. But I gotta say, I've had quite a good time lately.

Why's that? Is it because I started partying in the new mideastern areas, where our battle experience is being enhanced thanks to the Astral Candescence? Well, a bit, I made it to L58 as a Monk, which is a great improvement, though twice I had to call out for Sahyu to even out the last few experience points lacking from a proper Level Up. No biggie, it's my policy to never demand people to disregard their other obligations just so I can get that "ding". Sahyu's quite happy too for that policy, for otherwise we wouldn't have spent that much time improving her own skills.

Nah, the one thing I'm really happy about the late times is that small reunion I've had with some good old friends, namely Kinah, Ruffentuff and Miliel. You see, all three retired from the adventurer's path a while back, partly thanks to our training static's disbanding. At the time, I felt a bit guilty, as I did want to get my Darksday mornings back in my own furry hands. But there was another reason for that parting away, however I shall not mention it, as it was a rather private matter.

Biggest regret of that reunion was that Shadangel wasn't able to come. Apparently, he had a lot of paperwork to fill in San d'Oria, so he couldn't make it to our reunion place. We decided to meet at the Tavnazian Stronghold, as it was one of the last places we visited together. We were still able to smell the sweat we've left the day we ran all the way there after completing our Promyvion missions. Gosh... those were the days. We went to picnic on that cliff overlooking the old ruins of the older Tavnazian Citadel... What a sight... though we had to leave promptly before nightfall, it sure was nice to visit that place all over again.

Seeing them inspired me anew to continue with my stories from way back when I was a newbie to everything in the world of adventuring. I so much want to get to the part when we started our static, that was some turning point in my career, that's fo' sure. So hang on tight, I'll be telling the story of my first time in Valkurm Dunes starting next post! =^-^=