The Long Road to Jeuno

Can you imagine my surprise when I was turned down a rental at the chocobo stables in San d'Oria?

Coeurl >> Why can't I ride a chocobo?
Camereine >> Sorry m'am, but you need a chocobo licence.
Coeurl >> But I'm level 20 now!
Camereine >> You still need to apply for a licence m'am.
Coeurl >> Ok... Can you give me an application form?
Camereine >> No can do m'am. We don't stock those forms here.
Coeurl >> So... How do I go about getting an application form?
Camereine >> You might want the central office in Jeuno, m'am.
Coeurl >> ...But Jeuno's like a full-hour run from here!
Coeurl >> Can't I even ride a chocobo just for that?
Camereine >> Sorry m'am.
Coeurl >> B-But what if I die on the way, and lose my level 20?!
Camereine >> You won't be able to apply for a licence.
Coeurl >> ...HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET THERE WITHOUT DYING?!?
Coeurl >> I CAN BE BEATEN TO DEATH TENFOLD ON THE WAY!!!
Camereine >> I understand your frustration m'am.
Camereine >> I wish I could help you...
Camereine >> But I'm only doing my job.

Sweet. Just sweet. Now I'm stuck walking from point A to point B again. Why can't I get an application for a chocobo riding licence in a nation's capital? Why do I have to run to Jeuno for that? And why the heck should I be losing my latest grade in achievement in thievery skills if I die while running from point A to point B? It's not like I'm trying to sneak through a beastman's stronghold, why should I lose experience points for doing something that's not even related to my training?

Coeurl >> WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!
Random >> What's wrong Coeurly?
Coeurl >> I WANT TO RIDE THE CHOCOBO!!!
Random >> Calm down!
Random >> Can you describe the problem to me?
Coeurl >> I need to run to Jeuno on foot to get my licence
Coeurl >> But I know I'll die on the way!
Coeurl >> And if that happens, I lose my level!
Coeurl >> And if I lose my level, I CAN'T GET A LICENCE!!!
Random >> Gosh... I wish I could come escort you...
Random >> But I'm a bit tied up at the moment.

Coeurl weeps uncontrollably

Sinner >> I think I have an idea.
Coeurl >> ..?
Sinner >> Can't you switch to another job?
Sinner >> That way you won't lose your level.
Coeurl >> ...But I won't be able to get a licence
Coeurl >> if I show up as a level 1 newbie!
Sinner >> ...Coeurl?
Sinner >> You know they have Rent-A-Rooms in Jeuno too, right?

I can't believe it took me a minute to put two and two together! Gosh, I truly deserved being a Rank 1 adventuress! Following the advice if my linkshell leader, I asked Mogri to set me up as a White Mage, and left San d'Oria, making my way towards La Theine Plateau... I failed to understand that now, lower level orcs would be most pleased to give me a beating. It wasn't long before I Home Pointed... in Selbina.

Coeurl >> I'M SUCH AN IDIOT!!!
Coeurl >> Can't believe I'm stuck in Selbina now!
Random >> What? Not like Jeuno's any further.
Random >> Even better, this can give you options.
Coeurl >> ...?
Random >> Going through Jugner Forest can be a bitch.
Random >> Why not try going through Pashhow Marshlands?

Following Random's advice, I headed towards the southeastern border of Valkurm Dunes, being careful while crossing the tunnel on the way, as I recognized the type of bats that like to dwell in such damp conditions, as well as feasting on poor souls threading in their dens.

Making my way past Konechat... Konchstats... Kornstatch... *THE* Highlands, and into Pashhow Marshlands, I came to a realization.

Coeurl >> OH NOES!!!
Random >> What now...
Coeurl >> I DUN HAVE A MAP!!!
Random >> ...
Random >> You know...
Random >> There's a road...
Coeurl >> ...
Random >> It may not be made of gold
Random >> But it does lead to Jeuno
Coeurl >> ...You sure?
Random >> Pretty much
Random >> Not like they'd built a road leading to nowhere
Random >> Just follow the road, and avoid beastmen and the like
Random >> And you should make it to the big city just fine.

And forth I went, on that beaten path, leading through a reekful marsh filled with turtle-beastmen. I was glad I was wearing boots for this journey, even though my socks got kinda soggy nonetheless as the humidity and transpiration found their way into my footwear.

Coeurl >> I got a bit of a pickle...
Random >> ...don't tell me you need a raise.
Coeurl >> No, not that.
Coeurl >> There's a fork in the road.
Random >> What's your position?
Coeurl >> Let me check my shard... (H-6)
Random >> Okay... what are the paths' directions?
Coeurl >> One leading west, and the other north-east.
Random >> ...And what direction were you going?
Coeurl >> I was going north until I got here.
Random >> Okay... Jeuno's to the north-east, so take that path.
Coeurl >> Are you sure?
Random >> Not 100%, but that's most likely the right direction.
Coeurl >> ...Your confidence comforts me...
Random >> You could always ask for local help
Coeurl >> ...ask which? The turtle-men or the goblins?

Seeing as I was standing in the middle of nowhere, no adventurers in the vicinity, and goblins roaming about, I felt I had better cut to the chase and chance it with the north-eastern path. After a few more dodging moments, I finally made it to the outpost... which was overrun by beastmen. Oh joy. Can't ask for more directions there. At least the northern path seemed to be leading somewhere. Wasn't I glad to finally take a sit in Rolanberry Fields, giving myself a good foot massage after squeezing the foul-smelling juicy mix that saturated my socks.

Note to self: take a bath once I get to Jeuno.

Correction : *IF* I make it to Jeuno.

Taking a deep breath, I started marching onto the clearly define path. I didn't stay on it for very long though, as there were more Quadavs strolling around there than there were Tarutarus in Windurst. You'd think there was a convention going on, with a free buffet of rolanberries and adventurers. Informing myself from Random and Sinner, I was told to mostly watch out for the beastmen on the way, that I should be safe as long as I don't go into Ochu Country. Still, those Quadavs were pretty much barricading the road. So I ran around, artfully dodging the poor-sighted turtle-beastmen as best I could.

Things went smoothly, as I finally saw the great city of Jeuno off in the far distance, towering above the hills. That sight renewed my hope, and I finally engaged the last leg of my run. I still made careful decisions on how to proceed, however the outer ruins made that last leg very treacherous. In fact, that landscapic feature nearly became my downfall, as I suddenly heard a familiar sound: black magic being given shape by a mage. I turned around to see the source, in hope it was some adventurer doing the casting, but my heart sank rapidly when I saw a goblin leering at me, thoughts of murder dancing in his eyes behind his mask. I knew I had no hope to survive this onslaught, but made a run for it anyways, crying sadly at the impending doom.

Goblin Shaman gains the effect of Blaze Spikes

...Did I say crying? I meant valiantly running away from doom! Yah, that's how it went! I made a dash for the city, in the hopes I could outrun my assaillant. So far I was lucky, but as I crossed the outer gates of the city, I heard that tell-tale sound again behind me.

Goblin Shaman starts casting Stonega

OH NO!!! I'M GONNA DIE!!! AND SO CLOSE TO THE CITY!!! I can't believe this is happening to me!!! ...AGAIN!!! I still kept running, the city is so close!! I suddenly felt the earth tremble, the spell was taking effect! There was a loud rumble, as I was projected forward, outside of the circle of the spell. I made it barely! I outdistanced the spell's range! YES!!! JEUNO HERE I COME!!!

And so I zoned in, and I got dizzy from the shift accompanying those annoying moments. I was entering the safety of the city!

...wait...

...Why am I being envelopped in darkness?

...No strength to speak...

Coeurl >> Uh...
Coeurl >> What happened?
Sinner >> I doubt I can answer that better than you Coeurl
Sinner >> Why don't you tell us what happened?
Coeurl >> I'm confused...
Coeurl >> I ran to the city, zoned...
Coeurl >> and now I'm taking a dirt nap.
Coeurl >> How's that possible?
Sinner >> Wait, was there something chasing you before you zoned?
Coeurl >> ...Yah, a black mage goblin.
Coeurl >> But I outran it.
Sinner >> Gosh... That sucks.
Coeurl >> You know what happened?
Sinner >> Not really...
Sinner >> Usually, when I get killed as I enter a zoneline
Sinner >> I end up dead in the zone I tried to leave.
Sinner >> You're telling me you still made it to Jeuno?
Coeurl >> ...According to my crystal, yah.
Coeurl >> This is a major bummer...
Coeurl >> I made it to the big city alright...
Coeurl >> Just not standing on my two feet.
Sinner >> ...For the love of Altanna, don't Home Point.
Sinner >> I'll look for a raise for you.
Coeurl >> ...You'd do that for me?
Sinner >> Hey, it's not like there aren't any White Mages in Jeuno.
Sinner >> ...I've got a friend in town, she's on her way.

I thanked the Star Sybil for that Raise. I'm sure I embarassed that White Mage so much I profusively bowed, kneeled and thanked her. Sure, I was exhausted, both from the long run to town and the raise sickness. But I finally made it to the great duchy of Jeuno. Now, to get registered to ride a chocobo!

...First, shower. Then, chocobo!