Bold Plans

Dear Friends,

I have some news. Today I was summoned again by the consortium for what seemed like some trivial business. Still trying to resolve the whole crystal-trade dilemma,  I was tasked on a quest to the region of Mor Dhona. Its seems the beastmen have a liking for unaspected crystals, and the sands in the Mor Dhona region are known for their ability to drain the elemental aspect from things. I took a bag full of various crystals there and waited around while they were drained of their elemental magic.

When I returned to the consortium, I was given orders to report to Lady Minfilia. An important meeting was about to be held.

Upon arrival, I bumped into Aerylia. She was quite irritated. Its seems while I was out running errands in Mor Dhona, she was tasked with essay work. Haha!

Aery, myself, and others gathered in the meeting hall and waited for Minfilia to speak. The topic she addressed was quite chilling... Do you remember when I wrote of escorting the caravan from Ul'dah to Gridania? I told you about a strange Imperial airship hovering over the forest? Well it seems that these ships have been seen in the vicinity of all three city-states. The imperials are dropping linkpearls from the ships. The Empire is using the linkpearls to broadcast a propaganda message to mass population of Erozea.

They are claiming that it is the beast tribes they are preparing for battle with. The empire states they have intelligence that shows the beastmen, in league with their primal gods are preparing to strike the three nations. The empire is going to war with the beast tribes. They have offered us their "protection" in exchange for our sovereignty. How ludicrous!

What makes this matter even worse is that anyone who consorts with beastmen are considered to be enemies of the empire. This is of serious concern to us who are members of the Path of the Twelve. Those of us touched by the power of the Echo are able to speak with the beastmen. This makes us imperial targets by default.

All of this was very alarming to say the least. After most everyone had left the meeting, Aerylia and I spoke privately with Minfilia. She revealed that she did indeed have a back up plan, if diplomacy was unable to resolve this tense situation with the Empire; She plans to try to forge an alliance with the beast tribes! How radical! While I personally have no qualms with such an alliance, it would be a very hard sell to most citizens.

What crazy skies we live under these days, I tell you.

~Kiji