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!