Rolling In The Deep

Dear Friends,

Wow. I feel lucky to be alive. Let me tell you about my latest adventure.

I finally ended my long-term visit to Ul'dah and was ready to make my way for Limsa Lominsa. However, due to the new accessibility that airships provide, I decided first to stop in Gridania to turn in some supplies I crafted for a local guild. While I was hanging around the Canopy, I stopped to talk to "Mother" Miounne. I mentioned my plans to travel to Limsa Lominsa, and she asked me if I would do her a service.

She explained that she had been asked to send an adventurer to an isolated cave that is hidden away on the same island where Limsa Lominsa sits. The cave is said to home to a magical stone that was stolen from Gridania a while back. The stone is rumored to house the spirit of an elemental.

Recently, the cave has become a hotspot of activity with pirates due to rumors of a treasure discovery. Mother asked that I travel to Limsa Lominsa and speak with a particular pirate to learn more. She gave me a pre-paid airship ticket, and asked that I report back if I'm able to find the stone. How exciting!

This was first time visiting the island nation of Limsa Lominsa and it is lovely! The fresh air of the sea was invigorating after spending so much time in the desert-like climate of Ul'dah. The whole city is filled with colorful characters. Pirates, and scoundrels. Mojo would feel right at home. Haha!

I rallied some companions from the Linkshell and we set out in search of the cave. I stopped and spoke with the marauder Mother mentioned. He seemed to think I was more foolish than anything else, but he did mark the location of the cave "Shposhae" on my map. He mentioned that the site is believed to contain the hidden treasure of a legendary pirate known as Mistbeard. The legend continues to say that throughout the cave are half buried chests filled with treasure. However, the chests are locked tighter than a Mi'qote's panty drawer. Some adventurers claim that to keep the treasure safe, old Mistbeard fed the keys to the various beasts that call the cave home. On more than one occasions, a key has been found in the belly of a slain monster... Whoa.

What a creepy place.... The cave leads deep underground to an area littered with still-glowing corals. The place is infested with bats, crabs, and slugs. We found it to be a great spot to get in a bit of combat training, as the monsters in the cave seem to be endless.

I can't explain the elation that we all felt when we finally came across an old bronze chest! We continued to exterminate the hostile crabs in the vicinity until we finally found one with a key in it's gut! The chest contained a bit of gil and some clothing, nothing too exciting. However, we know there's more down there. At one point we turned a corner and found a chamber FILLED with odd looking creatures. We were not about to run in blind and risk getting eaten, so we headed back for the surface.

Something tells me, we will return to this spot to hunt for treasure many times in the future.

~Kiji

Materia!

Dear Friends,

I have something really neat to tell you. Today, I undertook a job from a local merchant. He asked that I deliver some crafting material to a Goblin camped out in Northern Thanalan. There was a nice sum of gil in it for me, so I happily took the job.

When I arrived, the Goblin explained (in the typically odd way that goblins speak) that he specialized in the crafting of materia. In case you're not aware, materia is a mysterious crystal substance that can be formed using the spirit energy of physical objects. He explained that the longer a living creature uses a particular object, such as a weapon or a tool, the user and the object form a spiritual bond. Once that bond is strong enough, it is possible (through the use of cutting edge science) to harness that energy and change it into materia. Once created, materia can then be joined with other physical objects to enhance their power or effectiveness.

I had heard of such a science, but never thought I'd find myself in a position to actually use it. Haha! Well, what do you know? It was there at the goblins camp that I was able to extract some materia from a pair of old beat up wristguards I had been toting around.

The next step for me will be learning to bond materia to a new item. However, I'm afraid my skills as a craftsman are still a bit lacking. Seems I have something to look forward to!

~Kiji

The Path of The Twelve

Dear Friends,

Oh my. I have something EXCITING to tell you. During my visit to Ul'dah, I decided to finally follow up on the tip given to me by "mother" from the Canopy in Gridania. It's been a while since I mentioned it, so allow to refresh your memories.

Do you remember the whole fiasco with Grand Rite? Back when we danced at the ceremony? Well if you recall, during the ceremony I passed out briefly. It was around the same time that I had the mysterious vision of Seedseers and "wildings" out in the Black Shroud. At any rate, when I woke from my unexpected sleep, I was instructed to meet a "friend" at the Waking Sands in the Market Wards of Ul'dah when the time was right.

Well, the Twelve must have a plan for me. Because as I was poking around the Waking Sands. I encountered as face I'd not seen in a while. The Hermit of the Wood! If you recall from some of my letters, he's the odd fellow that tried to chase the children and myself away from the old tree stump where all the Moogle sightings took place. But I digress, he was there and he recognised me. As he approached me he made a comment about how he wasn't sure if I was ever going to show up or not. He was standing with a young Lalafell girl he introduced as Tataru. He explained that he invited me here because after observing me for a time, he believed there was something special about me. He seemed to suggest that he was a member of a secret organization, and that he had referred me as a potential member to the leader, Lady Minfilia.

Tataru led me to Minfilia's chambers and it was there that I met with her. Minfilia is a rather lovely young Hyur. She introduced herself as the caretaker of a secret organization known as The Path of Twelve. She explained that their group is dedicated to the investigation and documentation of instances of divine intervention. She explained that they have eyes and ears scattered about Eorzea, keeping watch for any such events. The Hermit of the Wood, is but one of these agents.

It was at that moment, that I had one of my "episodes". I had a vision in my mind of a conversation between Minfilia and the Hermit, they were discussing my collapse at the Grand Rite. There was also a mention of a sudden increase in reports of people just like myself. Then POOF!  Just as soon as the vision started, it was over.

Minfilia seemed to recognise what just happened. She explained that she believes these visions, or flashes of insight, are a gift from the gods. She said that they have a name for it, within their organization. They call it The Echo. She mentioned that recently, many who have witnessed the strange phenomena in the skies have also been touched by this gift. She explained further, that The Path of the Twelve is to be a refuge for the people who have this gift. A place to learn and study The Echo. It has been noticed that many with The Echo can also speak and understand languages that are unknown to them. This sent a shiver down my spine, as I was able to converse with that Moogle in the woods...

It is her personal belief that those touched by The Echo, have been chosen by the gods to be the saviors of Eorzea in the dark days ahead... I was speechless. To think that I might have some mystical gift... It's unfathomable.

At this point, Minfilia asked if I would join the Path of the Twelve. She explained that even though at this time, she cannot promise and any firm answers, she believed that through the organization, I would come to learn the answers that I seek.

I have to admit, I wasn't sure what to think of her offer, but something about her words rang true to my heart. After some consideration, I agreed. I was escorted by Tataru back out in the main area of the Waking Sands, where I was formally registered as  Walker in The Path of the Twelve. Tataru explained that members of the organization often worked together, and that she would introduce me to my "Path Companion".

I was introduced to a rather flirtatious young Miq'ote Conjurer named Aerylia. I was given a Linkpearl for the organization, and Aerylia and I were left to get to know each other a bit. She suggested that we meet at the local Adventurer's Guild over dinner to discuss our "future together". GULP!

I must admit, we had a nice meal. She had quite a way of talking... innuendos seemed to fly from her mouth. Haha! I do think that she is a rather nice person, and I look forward to sharing adventures with her. We parted ways, and agreed to keep in touch until we were summoned by the organization in the future.

With that, I retired for the evening. I have to admit, a lot of information was poured in my little head today. Hints and allegations that I had not considered. Am I really someone chosen by the Twelve for some greater purpose? Or am I simply some charltan with vertigo and delisuons of grandeur? Time will tell I guess.

~Kiji

Enjoying the sights!

Dear Friends,

I've still been enjoying the sights in Ul'dah! I've spent a little time taking on some guildleves at local camps, and making new friends. I'm planning on making my flight to Limsa Lominsa tomorrow, so I expect I'll quite a bit to write about soon!

~Kiji

My Little Chocobo

Dear Friends,

I'm not the only one excited about the recent availability of chocobos! Haha! I've enclosed an article from the Hearald, it's a rather nice write up on the subject!

http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com/pl/company/maelstrom/news/num03.html


~Kiji

The plot thickens...

Dear Friends,

My trip to Ul'dah as become very interesting... I had taken on a small job for the local temple, passing out trinkets to some locals who made some rather high-gil donations. It was during this job, that news of a recent airship crash came to my attention. It seems that an airship was headed towards Ul'dah when it crashed mysteriously. Recent intelligence reports have sighted some mysterious bandits looting through the wreckage. I agreed to scout the site and chase off any looters. However, when I arrived, I was ambushed by some rather unsavory characters. I had to fight for my life I tell you! My defeat of these knaves serves as proof that my battle skills are improving every day.

It turns out that I arrived just in time, the bandits had cornered two innocent surveyors from the Garlond Ironworks at the wreckage site. The surveyors informed me that they believed the bandits were actually Imperial scouts sent to snoop around the wrecked airship.

I returned to temple with this news, and was asked to keep this whole matter under my hat. Of course, I can tell you, right? You'll keep it secret!

~Kiji

Oh, Chocobo!

Dear Friends,

It is with GREAT excitement that I write you to say that I have finally rented my first Chocobo! I can't tell you how many times I wished there were enough chocobos to go around, so the stables would finally allow rentals. Well, as I mentioned in a previous letter, the nation of Ishgard has finally delivered enough healthy chocobos to the three nations, that rentals have been made available to the public!

To celebrate, I'm going to head back to Ul'dah for a few days in search of new adventures. Once I am finished there, I do believe I am going to try my luck at hitching a ride all the way to Limsa Lominsa on an airship! I have never been to the island nation of Limsa Lominsa, so visiting it via airship is sure to be double the thrill! That event will still be several days off, but I'll be sure to let you all know.

~Kiji