Happy Starlight Celebration!

Dear Friends,

I know I have not written lately. Alas, there has not been much to write about. I've been taking things a little slow and just enjoying life. Lately, I have found myself spending more time in Ul'dah. I've been passing my time by dabbling in a little bit of everything! I've been practicing with swords, and bows, staves and even hand-to-hand weapons. I'm having the hardest time deciding which method of combat suits me best. I'm truly a jack of all trades, but master of none.

 

Lately, I've taken a bit of a break to participate in the Starlight celebration. Yes, I Kijimuna have donned that silly white and red costume and trekked to various rural outposts to deliver gifts to poor children. Don't you laugh! I look quite good in it.

I've managed to collect quite a few roasted dodo's during my stint as a smilebringer. I sense a new hobby on the horizon... cooking anyone?

                                      A postcard I received from a friend in Limsa Lominsa

~Kiji

Official!

Dear Friends,

Today I received a great honor! I was issued an official Right of Passage certificate by the Stillglade Fane of Gridania. I am officially recognised as an adventurer of the highest order!

~Kiji

Trouble in Eorzea

Dear Friends,

Things have settled into a lull after all the excitement I detailed in the last letter. I have began a routine of training at the Bentbranch Aetheryte camp during the day, and practicing my Alchemy after nightfall. Things have actually been a bit uneventful. I worry that there is some great evil lurking in the shadows, however. Day by day, it seems that there are less adventurers around. The camps have gone from bustling places, to virtual ghost-towns at times. It's concerning...

I have kept my mind on other things by continuing to hone my skills. However, as of now, no new work has presented itself. I suppose in a way, this is a good thing. I didn't come to Gridania to be a hero. I came simply to apply my trade and acquire a bit of wealth. Although, as you know, fate has it's own plans. Ever since my run-in with the elementals I've found myself craving adventure. I think, that unless the opportunity presents itself soon, I may go looking for it.

That being said, I've laid down the axe for a while and I've been dabbling in a bit of Conjury... can you picture that? Me a spellcaster? Haha!

~Kiji

Fire in the sky

Dear Friends,

The time for the grand rite has come, and so have the moogles! Who would have imagined, but the moogles did accept the children's invitation after all and showed up for the ceremony.

As we were all standing on stage with our masks on, I caught the outsiders mumbling to themselves about spilling the beans on some "great secret" that the elders of Gridania were keeping from everyone. Before I could hear more, the rite had started - then all manners of hell broke loose. Dunstan collapsed to the stage.

 I remember rushing to help him when suddenly there was a brilliant flash of light, then as if in a dream, I found myself and the outsiders somewhere deep in the Black Shroud of the Twelveswood. Confused, we noticed just a few feet away there was a conversation between Khrimm and a group of adults, Dunstan included. It appears that somehow we were seeing the moment right before Khrimm set that tree on fire! He was arguing with them, about keeping secrets and lying about the wildlings. I got the impression that this band of people he was talking to are some of those  that have gone "missing" from Gridania.

As soon as the mysterious vision began, it was over, and I found myself back on the stage surrounded by everyone. I looked to my right and I saw Fye kneeling next to Dunstan. He sat up and smiled at her. Also, Khrimm seemed to be awake and lucid! E-Sumi declared that  Khrimm and Dunstan had been saved!

The celebration was short. For at that very moment the sky darkened suddenly, in a way I've never seen before. It sent chills up my spine... Lightening began to flash through the clouds, and then out of nowhere, the clouds swirled into what appeared to be a fiery vortex! A blazing projectile spewed forth from the vortex and streaked fiercely across the sky. I could tell by the look on brother E-Sumi's face that this was NOT something he was expecting to see.

I caught Dunstan whispering to himself: "So it has begun." Oh, what I wouldn't give to know what secrets these people are keeping. I fear that something VERY perilous is on the horizon. The outsiders seemed to know more then meets the eye as well. I heard the Lalafell, Papalymo, mention something about "The Echo". I tried to hear more, but I suddenly found myself overcome with vertigo and, well... this is a bit embarrassing, but I blacked out!

When I awoke, I found myself in a room at the adventurer's guild. Miounne, the owner, advised me that my expenses were seen to by my friend, and that he also suggested that when I was ready, not matter when that might be, I should stop by the "Waking Sands" in Ul'dah.With that, she left me.

One of the first things I did, after getting back on my feet was to seek out Spark. He mentioned that he had seen the fire too. However, he claims that he did not have anything to do with getting me to the Canopy after I passed out. What "friend" was Miounne referring to? Oh, I hate all this mystery!

~Kiji

The truth is out there...

Dear Friends,

Well wouldn't you know it... danger certainly has a way of finding me when I'm completely unprepared for it! Remember when I said I was skeptical about the existence of the "elementals"? Well forget that! They are most certainly real...

I know this because I had to face one in combat! It started when we found Khrimm... We caught the little bugger standing in front of an ancient tree that he had set ablaze! Also in the vicinity were the two outsiders that I rescued during the airship crash. The whole scene was quite suspicious. But honestly, before I could think on it very much, a forest spirit emerged from the burning tree. A bunch of us from Gridania engaged the elemental and warded it off. But poor Khrimm was left in some type of catatonic state...

Sadly, Fye did not take the news very well. I've figured out that the mask she was attempting to fix was for her brother Dunstan, the one who has been lost to the forest. As if the loss of her brother wasn't hard enough on the girl, now her friend Khrimm may be lost to her as well.

Well, just as I pondering this tragic turn of events, the word begins spreading through town that Dunstan has been found and returned to the Gridania. It seems that the outsiders discovered him deep in the woods and together with some of Gridania's soldiers, escorted him to town.

After a brief meeting, it was decided that a grand rite would be held in attempt to clear him of his woodsin and allow him to remain in Gridania. I have to be honest, watching Dunstan and E-Sumi (one of the horned conjurers I mention earlier) talk, I get impression that there's some secret between them... I'm not quite sure what, but I suspect that there's a lot more to the "wildling" business than meets the eye. Plus, some things said between E-Sumi and the outsiders lead me to believe that they may just be spies for the Garlean Empire to the north!

~Kiji

Wet Feet

Dear Friends,

I wanted to write to let everyone know I'm doing well. I've been spending the last couple days getting to know the layout of the area. During my explorations, one thing I have noticed is the large number of refugees from Ala Mhigo. Despite being destroyed by the mysterious Garlean Empire nearly 15 years ago, the people from that fallen nation still keep a steel resolve.

The nation of Gridania was kind to take them in, and many of the refugees have lent their support to the defense of this great citystate. Ala Mhigo was famous for their "Lancer" warriors, so their skills make a fine addition to the Wood Wailers that defend Gridania from outside threats.

To hear the refugees talk, you'd think that the Empire was planning to invade Eorzea. I suppose such a thing is possible, and there have been rumors and fear of that very thing happening. But so far, there have no reports of Imperial activity in the immediate area.

The Empire is very mysterious. When their terrible Magitek Airships descended on Ala Mhigo it was a slaughter. I wonder if defense against such a powerful force would even be possible? I suppose with the help of the other nations, including the powerful city-state of Ishgard, Erozea would stand a fighting chance. However, Ishgard has been rather reclusive since the fall of Ala Mhigo. Rumors are that they are engaged in some conflict of their own these days. They have denied access to their lands from all outsiders, and even trade with them has slowed to a snails pace. It is for this reason that the other nations have such a shortage of goods and animals. Oh how I'd love to be able to rent a chocobo! Haha!

~Kiji

Expanding Horizons

Dear Friends,

I am happy to announce the arrival of my good friend Sparkajen! He has finally arrived in Gridania and we have been making up for lost time. I mentioned the unfortunate demise of my Pinot in my last letter, well those of us in the linkshell have moved on. I have started a new linkshell for us and I'm happy have Spark along as it's official co-founder.

There's not much new to relate in this letter. Spark and I have been training together and undertaking various guildleves issued to us by the adventurer's guild. I've acquired several new pieces of equipment recently and I've began training in the use of different types of weapons. Can you believe it?!

I decided that the time to focus on alchemy had come, so I've spent several days conducting experiments and perfecting my craft. I'm getting much better. In fact, I began to consider joining the Alchemist's guild. The only thing is, the guild is located in the nation of Ul'dah far to the south. To get there, I must venture all the way thru the Twelvewood and then all the way thru the dry desert region that surrounds it. The thought of such a journey seemed very daunting to me. Sparkajen on the other hand, was excited about it. He proposed we stock up on supplies and give the trek our best shot. Guess what? We did!

Sparkajen and I made the perilous journey! We arrived in Ul'dah safe and sound. And what a place! Ul'dah is fascinating. There is so much to see and so much to do. I was a bit saddened to see that the Alchemist's guild would not recognise me as a member, it seems I have some more practicing to do before they will consider my application. But the good news is, now that I've attuned myself to the aetheryte crystal in Ul'dah, it's only a warp away!

Dangerous Times

                                                                                Sonata

            

Dear Friends,

I wanted to write to let everyone know that I am doing well. Gridania is being very good to me and I'm happy to report that I am making progress in my alchemical studies! However, it is with sadness that I must relay this horrible news. The new friend I mentioned in my previous letter; Pinot, appears to have gone missing.

After a day or two of not seeing him around, we fear that he may have been slain in the forest outside of town. Some of my shellmates suggest that perhaps he was taken in by his woodsin and turned into one of the "wildlings" that people here in Gridania speak of so often. That would be terrible! With these thoughts fresh in my mind, I have been focusing on improving my combat abilities quite a bit. I hate to admit it, but I've actually been slacking a bit on my study of alchemy. But in times like these I feel that safety is a first. It is important to defend oneself against the terrible things that lurk outside the safety of town.

On a much happier note, my exploits in working for the adventurer's guild have blessed me with many spoils. So many in fact that I've had a hard time finding buyers for many of the items that I don't need. Luckily I have found a solution! The good people at the Carline Canopy have helped me employ a nice young Elezen lady to tend to the security and sale of my property! Her name is Sonata and she is more than happy to work directly for me spending her days in the Market Wards selling the things I don't want and buying the supplies that I do need! Of course, she is receiving a percentage of all the sales and transactions, but that's only fair.

I still have not received my cleansing ritual- some of my new friends are very concerned about this. They worry that the woodsin that clings to my spirit may overtake me. But I'm not so sure anymore. I'm starting to become very skeptical about all of this "elemental" business. I did stop by the carpenter's guild to be fitted for my ritual mask. In fact, while doing so I met the young woman Fye that the moogles told me about. Her's is a sad story indeed. It seems that her brother was contaminated by woodsin as well and even though he had undergone the cleansing ritual he was changed into a wildling and vanished into the twelvewood. The girl had taken his ritual mask to the moogles for repair, thinking that the mask was broken. Why else would the ritual not have worked properly? Upon meeting her- she implored me to talk to the moogles again and ask them if there was anyway to save her brother Dunstan from his fate. Fye has a friend, a very rebellious young man; Khrimm, who doesn't seem to believe in the elementals. While I was seeking out the moogles to comply with Fye's request. I found him in the deep of the woods chopping and wounding many of the great trees there. The moogle I was speaking with was very distrught over his behavior! All that aside, the pudgy little moogle I spoke to did claim to confer with the elementals and he gave me a message to take back to Gridania: They want Fye to stay out of the forest. How unusual, don't you think?

Anyways, my delivering this message seems to have caused quite an uproar in Gridania. Apparently, the elementals never speak to anyone, even through moogles. So the fact that I was given this request is quite a big deal. I was asked to speak at the Archer's guild to relay my story to them. Afterwards, they explained to me in the utmost confidence (so don't go telling everyone!!!), that Fye's brother Dunstan has been discovered to be the one that brought down the Hedge on the day of my arrival. They are worried that in his "wilding-form" he is trying to track down Fye and take him with her. They have implored me to help them hunt him down for the safety of Fye... I don't know what to do. Something about all of this just doesn't seem right. So far there's no word on Dunstan's whereabouts. So I suppose I'd better continue my training, as it seems I'm going to get stuck in the middle of all this nonsense one way or the other.

I will close this letter with a bit of good news. My old friend Victorino Sparkajen has written me! He is planning to come to Gridania as well. In fact, he is expected to arrive in just a few days! It will so nice seeing an old friend. Perhaps, the two of us will even team up in our adventures!

Learning the ropes

 

Dear Friends,

Things are starting to settle down. Well, as settled as they can be when you're an adventurer. That's right, I said it, I'm an adventurer! How did that happen? It's quite simple really. I learned quickly that if I wanted to procure the supplies I need for my Alchemy experiments, I'd need a steady supply of gil. 

There's lots of gil to be made in Gridania, that's for sure. And with more adventurers filtering in every day there's ample opportunity to earn my share. These fighter-types (of which I have somehow found myself teaming up with - but more on that later) have a great need for things like leather, metal, and a variety of other materials. They are more than willing to part with their hard earned gil to acquire the items they need.

I found myself contemplating this over a drink at the Canopy, when I was approached by a fellow Lalafell. He introduced himself as "Pinot"and asked if he could join me for a bit. It seems he has also recently ventured into town. Pinot proposed a plan in which he would organize a Linkshell of like-minded people that could work together and help each other get started in this vast new world that lay before us. Before I knew it, I was an officer in a linkshell organization! 

The linkshell is currently 8 members-strong, so we are a very tight group. We've decided to try our hand at undertaking some of those Guildleves that adventurers find so popular. Leves are little plates of stained-crystal. Each has a mural representing one of the saints. Leves distributed by the Adventurer's Guild as a way to both employ aspiring adventurers and provide services for the common good. For example, one of our first levequests involved clearing out an infestation of moles near Camp Bentbranch just outside of town. This means the lot of us equipped our weapons (still sounds weird to say that...) and headed out to hunt down the beasts. As of today, I've undertaken several battlecraft-style guildleves and I'm becoming quite adept with my axe. I'm like a regular Marauder, if I do say so myself. In fact, I'm considering trying my hand at a variety of weapons. One can never be too prepared.

Needless to say, after a day or two of adventuring around Camp Bentbranch. I found my pockets filled with more gil and spoils than I've ever had before! I was able to purchase some more alchemy materials and spent a little quiet-time in market wards practicing my art. I'm definitely learning more every time I sit down to work. Although, I admit I've taken it rather easy so far- I've fallen back on the relatively flawless practice of distilling dirty water. Haha! But it pays off, as there are many culinarians and would-be-chefs around who need clean water to prepare their dishes.

On a similar note, I somehow found myself drafted to go with some linkshell members on a mining expedition. Fancy that! Me with a pickaxe digging for precious rocks! Well, I just might surprise you. I've managed to dig up some decent ores. It's defiantly a hobby I can fall back on in hard times. The same goes for fishing. A young Miqo'te was in the market ward making quite a fuss over the lack of fresh fish for sale. She was offering top-gil for 2 simple trout. Why she just didn't pick up a rod and get them for herself if beyond me. I was quite happy to spend a few minutes fishing them up and collecting her reward. Haha!

~Kiji

An exciting first day!

Dear Friends,

Well, I made it to Gridania! I'm here safe and sound, but wow, do I have a story to tell you!! It was the most amazing thing! As you might already know, I was making this journey so that I could further my studies in the art of Alchemy. I figured the best environment for me to do so would be among the lush forests and magics that make Gridania famous. So, I gathered my tools and I took with me my prized possessions: a set of armored bracers from the far east, a pair enchanted shoes (in case I need to flee quickly from some trouble), a pair goggles from the Garlond Ironworks, and the Onion Helmet given to me by my family (often gifted to youngsters as they set out to start life's journey).

I was not far from my destination when it happened. There I was, simply walking through the forest minding my own business, when I noticed everything seem to get very very quiet. I could have sworn I heard a disembodied voice speak to me! It was lovely, like an angel in my head. I'm still not sure what that was all about. I was quiet taken aback by it to be honest, and it stopped me in my tracks for a moment. Good thing too! Because, mere seconds later an airship crashed down from the sky- into the forest clearing in front of me! Yes! you read that right!

I was knocked clean onto my rump! When the smoke cleared, I noticed two poor souls laying among the wreckage. A fellow Lalafell and a young Hyur lady. Of course, I ran to their aid. Thank the Twelve they were alright. But just as we were making our introductions we were attacked by a pack of wolves! Not being versed in the arts of combat I wasn't sure what to do. So I grabbed some nearby stones and chucked them at the beasts. Thankfully, the young lady, who apparently is a warrior of some sort, made quick work of them. Just as we thought we had escaped being eaten for lunch, a second wave of them appeared. Oh it was terrible! Then suddenly the whole ground seemed to shake... You'll never guess what happened! A Treant emerged from the ground and snatched up the beasts! Yes! A Treant!!!!

I was sure we were goners! The Treant had turned his attention towards us. But, get this, we were rescued by Moogles!!!  They came floating in, playing their magical instruments - and they lead the Treant off in the other direction. The moogles were accompanied by a strange boy with horns. It was all so surreal! I even managed to capture a piece of the Treant's vine as a souvenir.

In a nutshell, we were warned that the wrath of the forest was on us. Apparently, the crashing of the airship disrupted some sort of magical ward kept over the area. We were taken to Gridania for questioning.

It was there that I found myself as patron in the luxurious establishment the Carline Canopy, also known as the Adventurer's Guild! Yes... I had made it to Gridania! Now, here's the best part. Through a surprising turn of events, I have found myself to be an adventurer!

It all started quite by accident. As if my little thrist with the Treant wasn't adventurous enough, the matron of the guild pointed me in the right direction as far as selling my Treant vine. It seems the Leatherworker's Guild pays top gil for such items. I was also told under no uncertain terms that I needed to participate in a cleansing ritual to rid my body of the "greenwrath" I had unleashed by disturbing the forest. The young lady at the guild is a very helpful sort. She has such a nurturing nature, she's known by many simply as "Mother". She gave me a linkpearl in case I needed any help while I was out and about, and she sent off to the the nearest Aetheryte camp, just outside of town. It seems that adventurers use these mystical devices to undertake various tasks and fulfill their duties. One can tune their body's vibrations to them and often commune with the deity of their choice - but I'm sure you already knew that. I was a bit nervous leaving town, there are wild animals and dangerous creatures out there. Luckily for me, Gridania employs many adventurers to keep the beasts at bay, my trip to the Aetheryte was uneventful.

I'm telling you, it's been quite a day. After making a bit of coin by selling that vine, I followed the instructions given to me and paid a visit to conjurers for this "cleansing ritual". They pointed me to botanist's guild where I was instructed by a group of children on how to perform a sacred dance. Basically, I must dance at an upcoming cleansing ritual to rid myself of the "greenwrath". Oh boy.

I thought I was done, to be quite honest. But the children demanded that I escort them outside of town to a special location in the forest- to repay them for their services. It was completely against my better judgement, but I did feel a bit obligated- not to mention that I'm a stranger in a strange land. I'll do what I must to fit in. However, after my last tangle in the forest, I thought it wise to maybe bring some sort of defense with me. I stopped by the local market and procured myself a nice sturdy axe- just in case I run in to any more trouble. Once I was ready, I met up with the children on the outskirts of town.

The destination was a solitary treestump out in the forest. It's a place famous as a gathering place for moogles. Many people will leave a broken item on the stump, and return later to find it repaired with moogle-magic. The trek out to the stump was a bit perilous... We were accosted by several large insects. Thank heavens I had the foresight to purchase that axe. I was given no choice but to use it in self defense! It was scary, yet exciting at the same time!!! I tell you, I felt like a real warrior holding it in my hands. When we finally arrived, the children revealed their purpose for wanting to visit the site. They left a letter for the moogles. An invitation to the upcoming cleansing ritual. It was sweet- but the moment was ruined by the appearance of a grumpy old forest hermit. He chastised the children- while that was happening, the second most amazing thing of the day occured! A moogle appeared at the stump and spoke to me!!! Yes really! Who knew I could talk to moogles? Not I! Anyways, he gave me a message to pass on to someone named Fye. He/she left a mask on the stump, but the poor moogle was confused. He said it was not broken. He told me to relay that message to her. When hermit saw this exchange, he was taken aback. He seemed to know this person Fye. He escorted both myself, and the children back to Gridania.

Once there, I was thanked profusely by the botanist's guild for watching over the little ones. I was even given a cash reward! It's been a very exciting day!! I now have enough gil to purchase the alchemy supplies that I need. But something tells me that's not all I'll be buying. The thrill of battle and the rewards that it brings are great indeed. I think I may hang out at the Adventurer's Guild a while longer. Perhaps, I'll accept some of those fancy-looking Guildleves that they distribute and try my hand at using one or two at the local Aetheryte. Yes, my heart is still in alchemy. But, if I can hold my own with a weapon too, perhaps there's a greater calling for me?

I'll keep you informed on what I decide.

~Kiji