And now for something completely more recent!

Here's the deal. I would so much love to pursue with my tales of my first adventures, but there is also some stuff happening right now that I'd like to relate. I mean, last night was funny...

I wanted to get my usual free warp back to Jeuno, but I was caught in the middle of a beastman attack on Al Zhabi! I tried to help out as much as I could, but even with all my sweet gear, I wasn't able to make a dent into the Mamool Ja's thick hide. I was easily brushed aside as their attention went for those other mercenaries that had something to contend against such strong beastmen. So I fumed, and fumed... and thought of something.

Coeurl uses Boost
Coeurl's attack was enhanced

Now, I've heard how a Monk can gather their inner chi to strenghten their attacks, and how it didn't just apply to physical attacks. Such an act of boosting one's energy levels also works with projecting a powerful Chi Blast. I also knew that past a certain time, such accumulated energy can't be contained anymore, so I had to time it right if I wanted to get the best out of it. 2 minutes of Boosting later, I unleashed my fury.

Coeurl uses Chi Blast
The Mamool Ja Firespitter takes 38 damage

...heh... I felt even more useless. However, I ill chose my target, as there weren't enough other adventurers taking it on, so it turned on me and I ate dirt in a few shots. Thankfully, being knocked unconscious in such an event doesn't dissipate any acquired knowledge, so I thought I might give it another shot... after preparing myself.

I'm in the process of leveling my White Mage skills, so I can cast both Sneak and Invisible while going on quests requiring some furtive tactics. I picked some of the gear I've stored for those training sessions, and ended up with a +9 boost to my Mind. I also took advantage of the situation to use a different subset of skills to further boost my Mind by another 2 points. That done, I returned to the battle area. However, the Mamool Ja have been routed, and Trolls started their invasion. So I waited with a group of adventurers and started Boosting my inner chi. When finally ready to unleash my powers...

Coeurl uses Chi Blast
The Troll Hoplites takes 18 damage

=O.O=!?!

So much for trying to be useful... It was still fun though, so I stuck around. I occasionally connected a critical hit, and I even got to skill up my evasion before dying to a random scorpion taking notice of poor little me. In the end, I returned to the area by the gate leading to Aht Urghan Whitegate, only to be greeted by the most big, tall and ugly troll I've ever seen (incidentally, that was my first time seeing Trolls and Mamool Ja.) Again, I tried my best with my underpowered Chi Blasts, and only barely made a dent through its armor-like skin. Thankfully, there were enough mercenaries powerful enough to route those beastmen back to their stronghold.

We won!!! ("we" excludes the furson writing this blog entry)

So, finally I got to the gate leading to the residential area, got ready to warp back to Jeuno... Only to realize that warp apprentice has been taken by the invading hordes!

OH NOES!!!! =>.<=

I reluctantly went over to the one who taught the "Warp Taru" his tricks, who incidentally lives near the residential area, but on the Whitegate side of the city. He agreed to send me back to Jeuno, but for a price... I reluctantly agreed to his fee of one Imperial Silver coin, and landed smack in front of the palace in Ru'lude Gardens. That's when I realized, I didn't have enough time left to make the best of a training session. So I just lazed around in my Rent-a-Room for the rest of the evening, my heart still beating from the excitement I had an hour prior.

So... notes to self after this adventure:
- Level Monk some more so I can actually whack some beastman horde next time;
- Level White Mage so I can bolster my Chi Blasts a bit more;
- Get my friggin' Temple Gloves so I can further enhance my chi energy gathering skills.

A lil' survey of sorts

Sorry if I'm breaking away from my stories dating back from my noobish days, but I need to know... Is there anyone interested in hearing more?

That's the thing with this internet thingy... I'm a total noob at that too. So I don't even know if I'm writing stuff no one's reading. Where's the fun in that? It might sound emo-ish, but the starving artist in me is craving for attention.

So should I continue? And if so, should I do 2 or 3 updates a week? It's kinda hard doing any more than that, with the fear of running out of inspiration in a few months if I were to make it a daily event.

In any case, {Take care} {Everyone}!

Quote of the Week

Coeurl >> It's all fun and games, really
Coeurl >> ...until someone needs a Raise III

Getting there is half the battle

A few days later, I finally made it to THF15! Treasure Hunter and Sneak Attack time! I was overjoyed at being able to stick it up someone's back, putting beastmen's lives on the brink of death. Not only that, but I also learned new salvaging techniques which net me with a bit more chance preserving the goods on a monster's rotting hide. Alas, my fun was short-lived, as I found that my usual targets were all considered too low in strength to be considered as part of my training program. I asked my training supervisor for advice.

Kapiru-Bakapiru >> You could go train in Tahrongi Canyon...
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> or join a training party in...

Kapiru-Bakapiru uses a Festive Fan
Kapiru-Bakapiru uses a Papillion
Kapiru-Bakapiru uses a Popstar
Kapiru-Bakapiru trades a brochure with Coeurl

Kapiru-Bakapiru >> SOOTHING VALKURM DUNES!!!
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> YES!!! Valkurm Dunes!!!
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> Where dhamsels fly and goblins gamble!!!
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> It is a wonderful resort for a vacation
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> and all that is made easily accessible to...
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> YOU!! THE ADVENTURER!!!
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> and do we have a special for YOU!!!
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> For an easy payment of 500 Gil,
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> you get a ticket for a cruise to Selbina
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> where you'll meet fellow adventurers
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> and have a relaxing good time!
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> You'll also get a free gift
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> upon presenting your voucher
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> to our representative in sweet Selbina!
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> So what do you say?

...In retrospect, I can't help but think that tarutaru was short a few feathers of a chicken coop. But at the time, I felt excited to have a trip at a "rebate" price. So I signed up, forked the Gil, and...

Coeurl >> ...This ticket says "departing in Mhaura"...
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> Yep. We do not have the comodities here in Windurst
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> so you'll have to travel to Mhaura to get on the ship
Coeurl >> ...Isn't that a bit far?
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> Not so much, but be careful on the way
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> it's such an extravagant cruise
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> that even Goblins would kill to get your ticket.

Coeurl panics!!!

Kapiru-Bakapiru >> Oh! Look at the time!
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> I have another suck... err... trainee coming in!
Kapiru-Bakapiru >> So be on your way! Have fun! Ta-taaaa-ru!!!

He pushed me so hard out of the room that it felt like being warped from one end of Windurst to another. Oh well... Ticket in one hand, maps in the other, I plotted a course from Windurst to Mhaura. From the looks of it, I would have to travel through Eastern Sarutabaruta, then Tahrongi Canyon, and finally Buburimu Penninsula to get to destination. I geared up for the adventure, and set out on foot for what seemed at the time like a vacation. I expected taking some sun on the cruise, then lay down on the white beaches shown on the brochure. It sure looked promising from a newbie's perspective.

But we all know no amount of foreshadowing can hide what's coming up, right?

So off I ran through Sarutabaruta without a hitch. Obviously, word has spreaded amongst the lower Yagudo ranks that I take pleasure in seeing them squirm under my mighty dagger, killing them simply because they have nifty necklaces that Nanaa Mihgo finds interesting to own. Making through Tahrongi Canyon wasn't much harder, though I saw a few tougher Goblins on the way, but nothing too hard to avoid. Next was Buburimu Penninsula...

...oh boy...

First, I asserted that bunnies, mandies and birdies do not attack unless provoked. Goblins however... they scared me. From the looks of it, just one was enough to give me a good whooping back to my Home Point in Windurst. So I threaded VERY carefully, which really wasn't easy with all those huge rocks spreaded all over the path. I was sure that a Goblin was laying in wait behind each and every one of them to ambush me. Somehow, I got lucky and made it to the final stretch between me and the beginning of good times.

Coeurl >> [...Guys?]
Mayatriplesixx >> [Hey! What's up Coeurl?]
Terrania >> [Oh, hey there!]
Coeurl >> [I need to know something...]
Coeurl >> [I know dhalmels have been domesticated in Windurst]
Coeurl >> [but what about those in the wild?]
Terrania >> [...obviously, they are not domesticated.] :P
Maya >> [Hehehe... What Terra said.]
Coeurl >> [Eh... that's not what I meant.]
Coeurl >> [I want to know, are those ones aggressive?]
Maya >> [Nope!]
Coeurl >> [Oh, ok... holy sh...]

Coeurl is stabbed in the back by a Goblin Mugger
Coeurl is defeated by her lack of attention
Coeurl lost a level

Maya >> [What's wrong?]
Coeurl >> [Got unexpectedly hit by a roaming Goblin.]
Maya >> [Heh... Those suckers can be annoying.]
Coeurl >> [W-wait! How come I can still communicate with you?]
Terrania >> [You're wearing your crystal, right?]
Coeurl >> [...Yah?]
Terrania >> [That keeps your consciousness aware,]
Terrania >> [even when you get knocked down.]
Terrania >> [That's why you can still talk through your linkshell]
Terrania >> [but can't say or shout anything physically.]
Maya >> [...Wow, never thought about that, really...]
Coeurl >> [Ok, Home Pointing...]

That really sucked for me... That meant walking from Windurst to Mhaura all over again! The trip was a bit less lonely that time around, as I found better company in chatting with my LS through the trip.

Maya >> [Off to the dunes for the first time?]
Coeurl >> [Yah!]
Maya >> [My condolensces.] :P
Coeurl >> [Huh?]
Terrania >> [Oh... nothing!]

I could have sworn hearing Terrania whispering in a low voice, then her and Maya chuckling a bit, though I couldn't quite make out what she might have said.

Second attempt was fruitful at reaching Mhaura without dying. Finding the ferry's dock wasn't that hard in such a small port town. I handed my ticket to the clerk, which gave me a polite smile as I was allowed onto the dock. Seven long minutes later, the ship finally arrived.

Coeurl >> ...is that it?
Dieh Yamilsiah >> Is what it?
Coeurl >> That ship, is that the ferry?
Dieh >> Yup.
Coeurl >> That's a freight ship!!!
Dieh >> Yup, that too.
Coeurl >> That's can't be right...
Coeurl >> I was promised a cruise to Selbia
Dieh >> I assure you, that ship can cruise no problem.
Coeurl >> B-but..!
Dieh >> C'mon, on you go!
Dieh >> Unless you want to wait another 15 minutes?
Dieh >> I assure you, the next ship won't be any prettier.

I reluctantly walked into the hull of the ship, the same place the merchandise was taken aboard. I felt like I was nothing more than cargo... I took out my pamphlet, still left to grab the dream I had of spending a few days out in the sun, with the occasionnal training session.

The ferry finally departed once the hull was completely charged up with Windurstian produce and products from the Bonecraft and Weaver guilds. The mixed smell of cherries, oranges and other products I didn't dare identify pushed me up on deck. Sadly, the day was rainy as well, but staying in the open did beat the cargo hull and engine room combined. I watched as fishermen did their thing, but was a bit surprised to see them cast and recast Sneak as needed. I didn't understand why, the few crabs and pugils showing up on deck idled away.

I'm sure you guessed what happened next. 'cause I sure didn't on the dot. I mean, when things go from "standing calmly on top of a freight ship" to "total blackout with an aftertaste of extreme pain", you ask yourself some questions about what happened.

Coeurl >> [Whoa!]
Maya >> [Hey girl, what's up?]
Coeurl >> [Not me anymore, that's for sure...]
Coeurl >> [Something wacked me down in one shot.]
Terrania >> [..Oh dear...]
Terrania >> [We really should have warned you.]
Coeurl >> [About what?]
Maya >> [The Sea Horror.]
Coeurl >> [...I got killed by some ghost?!?]
Terrania >> [No, but that thing's much worse.]
Maya >> [Terrible beast of the seas.]
Terrania >> [Most notorious monster around.]
Maya >> [I'm so glad I don't need to board the ferry anymore.]
Coeurl >> [...that bad?]
Maya >> [Yah... I'll have to get my revenge on that beast someday.]
Terrania >> [Same here.]

Home pointed... Travelled back to Mhaura... ...Home pointed YET AGAIN, damn Goblin Ambusher... Made it to Mhaura, and set my Home Point there this time, in case that Sea Horror would show up again.

Terrania >> [You should be safe if you stay in the hull of the ship]
Maya >> [That is, if no one's stupid enough to drag the best there...]
Coeurl >> [Gosh, I'm oozing in confidence right now...]
Maya >> [It's still the best option until you can ride chocobos.]
Coeurl >> [Thanks for the condolences earlier.]
Coeurl >> [They sure are appropriate for what happened so far.]
Maya >> ...
Terrania >> ...

And thus I steltwartly held my ground in the cargo hull, thinking the stench was more than worth avoiding another painful memory to be added to my so far short career as an adventuress. As we reached the open sea, I started hearing screams up on deck about pirates, but decided to make very little of the cackling, bone-rattling noises and shrieks of agony. Nu-huh, I'm not getting curious about that, enough xp lost in a single day.

And to say I still held onto the hope that Valkurm Dunes would be worth all that trouble...

Living La Vida Sarutabaruta

I finally made it to the big 1-0! Yay! Level 10! Evasion Boost!

Coeurl >> Fear me Sarutabaruta, here I come!!!

3 yagudos gangs up on Coeurl
Coeurl is defeated by her inflated ego

...at least I had time to kill more monsters before that unfortunate miscalculation, so I didn't fall back down a level. But back out I went, and following the advice of my new linkshell friends, I targetted bees, crawlers, mandragoras and yagudos around Starfall Hillock in West Sarutabaruta. They told me of some people in town that constantly needed items from those monsters (except for bees, since they are pure profit.) Those people are:

• Illu Bohjaa, who needed Crawler Calculi as proof of exterminating the vermins eating her dhalmels' food supplies;
• Yoran-Oran, who's studying the phenomenon of mandragora migration from Kazham to Sarutabaruta;
• Nanaa Mihgo, who's collecting *LOTS* of Yagudo Necklaces for some odd reason.

So I was running around, picking my fights more carefully, making a killing in supplying wind crystals, beehive chips and silk threads to crafters, while making my name a bit more well known in Windurst. ...I know, Mihgo isn't the type of spreading the word in that nation, but my fellow guildmates told me she's quite influential in Norg, wherever that is, and that I should get started with getting known there ASAP. Anyways, all went well, and I was starting to believe I could do that with one hand in the back and blindfolded. With that in mind, I thought it'd be fun to charge that next crawler with my eyes closed, just for kicks.

So I closed my eyes, ran up to its position using the icky noises to tell where it was, swung at it... missed... but heard the tell-tale sound of a crawler dying.

Galkator defeats the Crawler

I opened my eyes, and there was a massive Galka gathering the loot from my crawler. ...*MY* crawler!!!

Coeurl >> HEY!!!
Coeurl >> I was clearly going to fight that crawler!
Galkator >> Tough luck, I was going to fight it too.
Galkator >> I just happened to get to it first.

Coeurl examines Galkator
Coeurl realizes Galkator is a L67 Monk

Coeurl >> Couldn't you go kill tougher crawlers elsewhere?
Galkator >> Yah, I sure could...
Galkator >> But I'm here right now, ain't I?
Galkator >> Besides, I'm trying to get some Windurst fame.
Coeurl >> How? By going overkill on defenseless creatures?
Galkator >> Hey. Those people only care about results.
Galkator >> Whether I'm L75 or L1 doesn't matter to them.

Coeurl fumes in front of Galkator

Coeurl >> I'm trying to make a living here!!!
Coeurl >> Can't you respect that at least?!?
Galkator >> ...You're weird...
Galkator >> You can always go to Eastern Sarutabaruta.
Galkator >> If I'm here, that means I'm not over there.

Coeurl fumes some more in front of Galkator
Coeurl motions angrily at Galkator

Coeurl >> STAY OFF MY TURF!!!
Galkator >> Listen lady, you can either argue or do something about it.
Galkator >> And judging from your gear,
Galkator >> you're in no position to push me around.
Galkator >> So why don't you try... I don't know...
Galkator >> ...go farm elsewhere? Ain't that a nifty concept?

Coeurl fumes so much steam's coming out of her Leather Vest

Ok... ok... let's play his game then. Time to farm like I never farmed before. I spot a bee, draw my knife, run towards it...

Galkator uses Chi Blast
Galkator defeats the Giant Bee

Coeurl >> Hey!!!
Galkator >> You have to be faster than that.

...Great... At least he used up that ability, hopefully it's cooling down, like my Steal ability. So I see another crawler. I run again towards it...

Galkator uses Provoke
Galkator whoops the Crawler's squishy innards
Galkator defeats the Crawler

Coeurl >> WHAT THE?!?
Galkator >> You may want to reconsider your options.

It was a struggle defending my ground, I kept running around, and he would follow me wherever I went, striking down as often as possible the monsters I tried to claim before he did. I only got to two bees and a mandragora in 10 minutes. I tried getting to a Carrion Crow, thinking he wouldn't take it down as all it offered was measely bird feathers, his signet being useless in this region... Nah, he wanted me out for sure. In all that while, we could have farmed each our separate ways in the same region, only if he did have a bit of respect for my inability to attack targets from a distance...

And that's when I realized something... Something Kuppipi told me as I pondered my choice of starting jobs...

...I can use bows and arrows.

So I made it back to town, unloaded my goods, loaded on a bow and three stacks of arrows, and made it back to compete against Galkator. First thing I did was wait until he started running towards a Yagudo, I unloaded a shot. The power of my crystal shard kicked it, and he was unable to lay a finger on it. I proceeded to kick the yag's ass (as much as a L10 Thief can), and laughed out loud after my achievement.

Galkator >> Hehehe, nice job outclaiming me...
Galkator >> but what will you do about them?

Galkator points at the Yagudo Acolyte
Galkator points at the Yagudo Scribe

Coeurl >> Oh shi...

I was about to get my ass handed to me, but as I tried to duck the initial blows from the Yagudo Initiate's buddies, I felt a wave of energy zoom past me.

Galkator uses Chi Blast
Galkator Defeats the Yagudo Scribe

Galkator >> That should even the odds
Coeurl >> ...Thank you... ...but why?
Galkator >> I did say I was farming here, remember?

Galkator smiles warmly at Coeurl

I kinda froze at this unexpected turn of events, as I thought I had figured him out as an arrogant prick at first. But instead, in retrospect, I realized I was the one with a less-than-stellar attitude. It's not like I own any piece of land outside of Windurst. Heck, the only place I can really call 'mine' is my Mog House.

Galkator >> ...you might want to take on the Yagudo you claimed...

Indeed, from my spacing out, I didn't realize outright I was still under assault from the Acolyte, and Galkator was unable to do anything since it was bound to me through my crystal shard. I came close to falling under those blows and spells, but thankfully a Yagudo's Poison doesn't last forever. So I completed my day of farming using my bow and arrows, much to my delight (and plight, I kept missing the wide side of a crawler!) Sure, Galkator was still stiff competition, but I didn't mind it as much anymore.

Linguistic Hijinx

As you know, a lot of people of Vana'diel are bilingual. It is so important that all services provided by the three nations, as well as the Duchy of Jeuno, must be available in those two languages. However, our new generation of adventurers tends to speak only one of those two languages. Sadly, that means most of us can't get a job working for the government. I doubt any of us would want it otherwise, unless we want to retire our adventuring equipment for the dream desk job... Yah, like that'd ever happen to me.

I surprise lots of people when they learn I'm bilingual. However, that isn't exactly valorizing, since my native language isn't one of the two officially recognized by all nations. Moreover, those who speak French like me aren't exactly seen with a good eye. Nobody knows for sure why, but a drunk fishing Tarutaru throwing up in Chateau d'Oraguille's moat... while one of the princes passed by... followed by obscenities shouted without holding back...

It took a month to get San d'Oria's children to stop cussing in French. Some guards created a drinking game when you heard the words "calisse", "tabarnak" or "ostie". Sadly, three of them died from alcohol poisoning, which coincided with the day orcs threw all those mannequin parts over the wall. The number of kids going "ostie de calisse de tabarnak" was staggering. Ever since that day, "Frenchies" weren't exactly looked at with a good eye, especially in San d'Oria (where, ironically, most Elvann names are derived from french words.) Can't blame a single Tarutaru for that, had to blame all those who spoke the language...

Why mention that? It's mainely because I had a (not so) brilliant idea. I wanted to have a French-speaking guild. Somewhere I wouldn't have to hide my accent anymore, where I could be myself and speak with others who share the same linguistic inheritence I had. So off to get a Linkshell (8,000 Gil), and parked myself smack in the middle of Windurst Woods, by the fountain, to start advertising.

Note: I'll put all dialect spoken in french [in between brackets like these], seeing {those ones} are reserved for that *other* language.

Coeurl >> [Anyone interested in a french-speaking Linkshell?]
Coeurl >> [Please tell Coeurldelionne]
Adventurer1 >> lol! A frenchie!!!
Adventurer2 >> What, those backbone-deficient cowards?
Adventurer2 >> What hole did that one crawled out of?

Suffice to say, I already felt like that was going to be one of those experiences I wouldn't forget through my next 5 incarnations if I were a Galka. But as I felt melting from the cumulative shame, I had a glimmer of hope. Sadly, I don't remember that Elvann woman's name, so I'll call her 'Q' until I can remember.

Q >> [How many people are in your linkshell?]
Coeurl >> [Just me so far... Are you interested?]
Q >> [Not really...]

My heart sunk and my ears flopped down from deception.

Q >> [I'm already part of an established french-speaking linkshell]
Q >> [Would you like to join?]

I was soooo relieved! Sure, I got a bit of flak for coming out of the proverbial closet, but I was introduced to my first ever linkshell : Coureursdesbois ([Woodsmen], for a lack of a better translation.)

The welcome was rather... interesting, for lack of polite better words. I mean, I introduce myself to the crew, and already I was treated with such familiarity... I dunno why, it was quite uncomforting. Sexual innuendos abounded as they gladly welcomed the "sex bombshell" into their midst... They must have read *that* Tarutaru Times edition, I thought to myself. I was about to drop my pearl when the leader talked to me personnally.

Sinner >> [Don't mind them, they're just poking fun at you.]
Sinner >> [You're more than welcome if you can put up]
Sinner >> [with a few crazy Tarutarus and Galkas]
Coeurl >> [T.. thank you...]
Sinner >> [If any of them gives you trouble]
Sinner >> [give me a howler, I'll see what I can do.]

Thanks to Sinner, I didn't jump ship right away. Should I have? I dunno... I had some quite wild times with the Coureurdesbois crew, so it did compensate for those few times I was the bottom of the running gags. I never dared say anything about how uncomfortable those moments felt, as it seemed it would have been the same even in a "traditional language" guild.

Q >> [Actually, she's not THAT well endowed by nature]
Q >> ...mt?

Quote of the Day

Taken from my list of excuses for n00bish behaviors:

Coeurl >> I know Gigases are aggressive by sight
Coeurl >> and that I should run behind them.
Coeurl >> But they are so ugly
Coeurl >> I can't tell which way they are facing.

My First Day Out (Part 2)

...And if you thought that was the worst of my first day as a Thief, then brace yourself, it ain't over yet!

I informed myself about the local fauna (and flora if you include mandragoras), as well as what goods can be extracted from their corpses. One product that stood out was Silk Threads from the hordes of crawlers spread throughout the savannah. Of course, before going after them, I learned my lesson from my encounters with the rarabs, and leveled until they were no more than Decent Challenges and nothing more to me. Last thing I wanted was to have my tail handed to me by a bug...

Off to killing more rarabs, got my Level 5, which meant I finally was allowed to be taught how to Steal from monsters. Got trained, used it, and realized how much that sucked. It's not like those rarabs had any valuables on them anyways. Next got to Level 7, and finally I was ready to take on crawlers. I did a quick trip back to town first, bought a full set of leather clothing, then ventured back out Shiva's Gate to hunt for the big Gil. I spotted one after very little time searching, seemed easy enough to fight. The fight was a bit slow, I wasn't able to do much damage, as I felt like I was stabbing a blump of jelly. After getting covered in sticky threads, I reaped the rewards...

Coeurl found an Earth Crystal on the Crawler
Coeurl found a Crawler Calculus on the Crawler

...I must have ripped open its innards to get some weird concretion as a calculus out of that thing... Knowing where it came from, I left it there, wondering who the heck would want such a thing. Sadly, no useful silk thread, the icky stuff covering me not being usable for crafting purposes. A bit further, I saw my next prey, again an easy prey. So I run up to it, engage... with much trouble, as I was still dealing with those sticky threads, which hampered my movements greatly. I had my prey down to half its health when it pulled out a defensive move, rolling itself into a cocoon, making it that much harder for me to penetrate its already thick enough husk. Through further fighting, I finally got its health down to a sliver, while I was still holding to half of my own reserves, when he threw a jet of poisonous spit at me. More determined than even, I swung at it widely, and connected in a sweet spot, killing the monster, and collecting my first Silk Thread. Yay me! Now to rest up...

...?

Dang, that poison made me feel all woozy, and I couldn't tend my wounds appropriately. Oh well, gonna wait for that poison to wear off.

Coeurl>> ...
Coeurl>> ...
Coeurl>> ...Dang it, it's taking its darn time to wear off...
Coeurl>> ...
Coeurl>> ...
Coeurl>> ...I don't see any medics...
Coeurl>> ...I sure could use one right now...
Coeurl>> ...and why are antidotes so exhorbitantly expensive?
Coeurl>> ...
Coeurl>> ...I really don't feel that well...

And for good cause, as my health was down to a sliver as well... And the poison still coursed through my veins... I was growing eager with anticipation for a recovery as I felt my last forces drained from me... ...slowly... ...VERY slowly...

...When darkness came, something strange happened. I felt more than my lifeforce lost. I again called upon the crystal's strength to be taken back to my Home Point, and be revitalized...

...I felt a draft...

...and that Tarutaru's checking me out a lot...

...and who left a set of leather armor on the floor there?

Parene-Burene>> HEY LOOKARU!!! A NEKKID MITHRA!!!

Parene-Burene points at Coeurl
Parene-Burene bursts out in laughter next to Coeurl

...o.O?!?

...And indeed that set of leather armor was mine. Apparently, that little thing more I lost besides my lifeforce, was the experience I earned to get to my 7th level, which meant I dropped back to the 6th! And with that the proficiency needed to wear that leather armor!! I really shouldn't have sold my starting armor when I got that last level, but then again... ...I needed room in my inventory for the goods I'd be gathering. But now... I needed to put on something! I made a dash back to the armor shop.

Guruna-Maguruna>> Hello, how can I...

Guruna-Maguruna examines Coeurl

Guruna-Maguruna>> Here, take this.

Guruna-Maguruna wishes to trade a Robe with Coeurl
Coeurl completes the trade
Coeurl equips the Robe

Coeurl>> ...Thanks! How much do I owe you?
Guruna-Maguruna>> Nothing
Guruna-Maguruna>> It's a service we give to adventurers
Guruna-Maguruna>> when they lose a level due to an untimely death
Coeurl>> Thank you so much!
Coeurl>> I'll have to repay you somehow someday!
Guruna-Maguruna>> Oh, I'm sure you will.

Guruna-Maguruna waves goodbye at Coeurl
Guruna-Maguruna grins roguishly at Coeurl

I wondered what that last bit was about...

...for a week...

...which is when I read the latest issue of Tarutaru Times.

I swear, I was too ashamed to get back into town for the next month, so most often I camped under the stars, eating hare meat over a camp fire. I made sure the only reason I would be in town would be to sell my crystals and silk threads, then getting out ASAP before people would recognize me as the latest "Miss Tail". The only person who comforted me was another adventuress who was glad someone finally distracted attention away from her. I can only guess she was on the cover when she was caught Home Point'ing after an aggravating Level Down effect.

My First Day Out

My first day of adventuring sure was something! I might not remember the finer points of it, but I can make out some details if I think carefully about them.

Like receiving my very own crystal shard that I was told to wear at all times. From what I gathered, that is the item War Warlocks need to enchant with Signet so I can convert the essence of monsters into elemental crystals. It also serves as a homing beacon whenever I fall unconscious, as to teleport me back to one of those gigantic crystal appartus they call Home Points. And boy, weren't they kidding when they said I'd be needing it shortly. I was also given an Onion Knife for my trouble, and an extensive 4-hour course on how to stab monsters, which I felt was greatly overkill. Lastly, I was offered an Adventurer's Coupon, tradable to some newly created doll-like creature called Cardian for a nifty 50 Gil.

Looking back, that was much more crummy than nifty, I couldn't even buy a paper clip with that kind of Gil.

Next thing you know, I make for Shiva's Gate, ask for Signet for the first time (*glee*), and head outside the city gates. I remembered how, when a young kitty, we were given target practice against some mini mandies near the fountain in Windurst Woods, as going outside was a big no-no due to the always imminent beastman raids. I felt giddy seeing those Small Mandragora all over again, and decided to pick on one to start off. A few swings later, it fell to my awesome thieving skills! ...which pretty much was summed up to "stab-stab-stabbity-stab". And to reap my rewards! ...nothing... ok, time for my next victim. I spot another mandragora, and wear it down until it falls under my blade.

Coeurl finds a 2-Leaf Mandragora Bud on the Small Mandragora
Coeurl finds a Earth Crystal on the Small Mandragora

Wheeeee! Not too shavvy! My very first crystal! It was odd how it simply plopped off the mandragora's back on my finishing blow, as materialized out of thin air. I was afraid it would be complicated to extract those crystals from slain monsters, that there was a trick to it that I had to learn after killing a few hundred dozens of monsters. That kind of ease encouraged me, so next I fought a Bumblebee. Again, very little effort involved, and I got myself a Wind Crystal and Rarab Tail for my troubles! Whee!

After that fight, I took a little rest, and once I felt my energy completely recovered, I looked around eagerly, like a kitty in a candy shop, wagging my tail excitedly, trying to find my next prey. And there it was, a poor, little, defenseless Savanna Rarab. So I drew out my little knife, and charged...

5 hits later... from the Rarab's behalf that is, the world spun around until darkness engulfed me.

What the heck?!? That Bumblebee I just killed had a Rarab's Tail in its guts! How the heck would I get killed so easily when those creatures are the prey of such harmless creatures? I gathered my willpower and called upon the crystal resting on my chest to take me somewhere safe, by thinking three times "There's no place like a Home Point..." I felt a sudden urge of energy as my senses recovered, and I was standing next to the Orastery. I was alive! ...still, getting my tail kicked by a bunny... That was slightly less encouraging.

I resolved myself nonetheless, and kept killing Bumblebees and Small Mandragora until I finally made to level 2! Yay me!!! The sudden surge of energy from that event replenished my reserves, so I immediately went for that Rarab who got me to Home Point for the first time in my career.

...Darkness ...Life ...Bumblebees and Small Mandragoras ...Level 3.

Third time was the charm, thankfully, I finally got my revenge on that Rarab. Ironically, I went so hard on it that I didn't get anything salvageable from its corpse. No matter, I had plenty of Wind and Earth Crystals to fund some new gear. So I went back to town, sold all my goods, and... found nothing good to buy at the shops at the pier. With my newly made 290 Gil, I candidly skipped to the Auction House in Windurst Woods. I love that place, always busy with activity, plenty of adventurers trading their old, worn gear for new one. I checked the prices and...

WHAT?!? 2,000 Gil for a basic Bronze Cap?!? That's way too expensive!!! I could barely afford a Bronze Dagger as it was, and it was actually worse than the Onion Knife I was carrying! That price was obviously overly inflated! With that kind of price gouging, I would much rather wait until I could wear a Leather set of armor once I hit level 7! Curiosity got the best of me though, as I wondered how much crystals were going for on that market...

...

...

Note to self : the middleman sucks. From now on, sell your goods on the Auction House.

Signing Up

Hello, and welcome to my little blog! Sure, this isn't very big, but I thought I might as well write down my (mis)adventures in Vana'diel, if anything to keep myself cheered up at the highlights and lowpoints of my life. But first, a little about myself is in order, dontcha think?

I was born in the Federation of Windurst, and learned the way of the huntress as I grew up. Those were hard times, with the war going on and everything, so we were all trained to become defenders for our nation. Thankfully, we were spared the war effort at our coming of age, as the Shadowlord had been defeated in its stronghold. Peace was finally upon us.

So, with all that training I earned freely during my childhood, I figured it would have been a waste to not use it for some purpose. The latest trend started in the Duchy of Jeuno was crystal synthesis, which required the collecting of ingredients to be combined into wondrous items, ingredients which more often than not were found in the wild. Also, our local War Warlocks were rewarding people for thinning down the monster herds and beastmen forces left behind the war by casting a Signet spell to those interested, which sometimes converted the essence of the defeated into a crystallic form. Obviously, those crystals were in high demand by crafters, so might as well benefit from that 'free' spell.

Yah, the spell wasn't entirely free, much to my dismay. To earn the right to receive a Signet, one had to sign up as an adventurer for their home nation, which would help their nation gain influence on different regions. Seemed kinda complicated, but I didn't want to bother with details too much, so I moseyed along to Heaven's Tower to sign up. Heh, if that's all that's required to make a killing in Gil, then why the heck not? So I put down my name, age, date of birth, ...

..."job"?

I asked the clerk what that meant.

Kupipi >> Oh, it's nothingaru
Kupipi >> just affects your starter's package.
Coeurl >> Huh? We get goodies just signing up?
Kupipi >> Yup, basic training and a few trinkets.
Kupipi >> What do you wantaru to be?
Coeurl >> I dunno... what are my choices?

She kindly pointed to the text below that requested piece of information.

Coeurl >> ...
Coeurl >> ...No "huntress"?
Kupipi >> Oh, sorry, you can't pick that.
Kupipi >> Rangers need to reach 30th level as another job
Kupipi >> before they can receive their basic training
Coeurl >> But I've been trained as a huntress since my childhood...
Kupipi >> That might be good for rarabs and mandies
Kupipi >> But you'll be facing much greater foes
Kupipi >> when you'll reach the outer lands.
Coeurl >> Outer lands?
Coeurl >> But all I want is to provide materials and crystals
Coeurl >> hunting local fauna so I can make a living.
Kupipi >> Ah? Well in that case,
Kupipi >> might I suggest starting off as a Thief?
Coeurl >> ...HEY!! I'm a law-binding citizen!
Coeurl >> I'm nothing like that Nanaa Mhigo character!
Kupipi >> Oh! No-no-no-no! It's nothing like that.
Kupipi >> See, you're not stealing from other citizens.
Kupipi >> You're stealing from monsters!
Coeurl >> ...
Coeurl >> ...Can't I already loot them once they're dead anyways?
Kupipi >> Sure, but you might damage the items they carry
Kupipi >> if you're not careful enough while you fight them.
Kupipi >> A Thief learns how to take those items during the fight
Kupipi >> before they ever get damaged.
Kupipi >> They also eventually learn how to avoid
Kupipi >> damaging those items during a fight.
Coeurl >> ...Does that mean...
Coeurl >> ...I get more items by being a Thief?
Kupipi >> Yup! Since less are lostaru to battle wear'n'tear.

A smile formed on my face. That was everything I wanted! Too bad my training as a huntress wasn't going to pay off...

Kupipi >> Oh! Almost forgot!
Kupipi >> You can use ranged weapons as a Thief as well!

...I think I fell in love...

...At least until I reached that 30th level of expertise as a Thief. Then Ranger would be mine!

Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!!