A Kijimuna Reborn

 

 

 

 

Dear Friends,

It has been five years since many of you last received a letter from me. I've come to learn that many if not all of you do not remember me. But, believe me, I remember all of you. Though five years have passed since the coming of Dalamud at what is now known as The Battle of Cartenau, for me it has been only an instant.

Amid the din of blades meeting armor, and screams of death, those of us you now call the Warriors of Light looked to the sky as Dalamud made it's approach. We saw the shell of the moon collapse revealing the terrible dragon Bahamut. This was last thing we saw before we were enveloped with a white light. What occurred next, I really cannot explain. I have no real recollection. I do recall that I dreamed. In my dreams I saw a hooded figure. His face was obscured with a mask. He mocked me. I also heard the voice of the Echo - beckoning me.

The next thing I knew, I was in the light again. When the light faded and my vision was restored, I found myself outside of Gridania. Only, it wasn't like the Gridania that I remembered. It was different. As if it had been completely rebuilt... Come to find out, IT WAS! I ran to the Canopy and found Mother Miounne. But she did not remember me. For a moment, there was a glimmer of recognition in her eye as we spoke, but it faded as fast as it appeared. Almost as if her memory was altered by some unknown magic. Much like she did on my original arrival to Gridania, all those years ago, she asked me to enroll as a member of the adventurer's guild. In a daze, I agreed and as she continued to speak to me, things started to fall into place. She talked about the war. It seems that while everyone remembers the adventurers that fought against the Garlean invasion, no one is able to remember their names or faces. We have come to be known as the Warriors of Light.

As Dalamud descended, the terrible dragon Bahamut emerged from it and laid waste to everything in its path. At the sight of the beast, the Garlean's retreated. The coming of Dalamud and the flaming meteors it rained from sky decimated the entire land of Eorzea. Whole regions were destroyed, others were forever changed. Ul'dah and Limsa Lominsa suffered little. But Gridania was hit hard. The whole city is now barely recognizable. But, in the five years that passed, it has been rebuilt. In fact, many consider New Gridania to be quite an improvement over the original.

The lay of the land is not all that was affected during the Calamity. Coming of Dalamud and the attacks by the voidsent Atomos permanently altered the flow of aether that our society so vastly depended on. Established linkshells were rendered useless. Transportation by aether has also been changed radically.

Reeling from all of this information, I decided not to reveal my identity at this time. I decided instead to wander about town and try to better understand everything that has transpired. From what I can gather, both us "Light Warriors" and the dragon Bahamut vanished with the arrival of the mysterious light. The archon Louisoix has also not been seen since the battle. If I had to venture a guess, I think it safe to assume Louisoix had a little something to do with saving our skins. Perhaps his goal to summon the powers of the Twelve to our aid was met with some small degree of success after all.

After exploring Gridania and undertaking some errands for the locals, I started to get a handle on many of the changes. For everything that was changed, there were just as many things that had stayed the same. I found this to be quite comforting.

As far as changes go, I found one thing to be most curious. My furry little Moogle friends have actually come out of hiding! These rascals are now operating a delivery service of sorts! Can you believe that?! During my exploration of town I also came upon an individual who dealt with material salvaged from the Calamity. I actually found several of my own personal valuables among the collection of salvaged gear! Thankfully, my items and I have now been reunited!

During my trek around New Gridania, I soon came to the realization that while I may have been a recognized hero the last time I was here, thanks to whatever mystical power is at work, I am now little more than a stranger. None of the guildmasters recognized me. Neither did the officers of the Twin Adder. In fact, at this point, I cannot even get the time of day from the bastards!

All in all, It's been quite an unusual experience. I still have lots of questions and few answers. I'm sure that more pieces of this puzzle will fall into place over the coming days. But for now, it is time for sleep!

~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

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