Victory!

Dear Friends,

Today the newly reformed Eorzean Alliance has stuck a major victory against the oppression of the Empire. After analyzing the information recovered from the airship crash, Cid Garlond learned that Empire has constructed a radio transmitter which is located in their new outpost of Castrum Novum. It is this transmitter that is acting a remote control for Dalamud. It is believed that by destroying it we will be able to sever the influence that the Empire has over the celestial body and prevent catastrophe!

I joined one of many raid teams that was being put together and made way for the rendezvous point just south of the stronghold. Once there, we prepared to storm the outpost. We didn't have time to plan a quiet infiltration, this was going to be an all-out assault.

Once inside, we faced resistance unlike any I've encountered before. There were slews of Imperial troops and enough magitek vehicles to make any adventurer think twice. Eventually, we were able to battle our way to control room only to find the magitek transmitter heavily guarded.

Not only, was the core itself protected by energy field generators, another magitek vanguard stalked the room to fend off intruders. Finally, with a well placed strategy, we were able to knock the generators offline long enough to cause critical damage to the transmitter.

Our immediate celebration was short-lived. From the flames of the control room's destructed emerged none other than Legatus van Darnus.  Indeed, he did rave like a mad man. He claimed that his "new master" did not require the aid of machines. Darnus claimed that with newly recovered magic at his disposal, he alone could control the fall of Dalamud. With that power, he will destroy all of Eorzea's primals and inhabitants, remaking the world as he sees fit.

It hard to tell if there is any truth to his words. But there is no doubt we have struck a decisive blow to the Empire's plans! May this be the first of many victories to come!

~Kiji

Coming Together

Dear Friends,

The rumors of the new imperial outpost in Mor Dhona are true. There can be no doubting their intentions now. They are preparing to strike Gridania. Kan-E-Senna has decided to proceed with her intentions of recreating the Eorzean Alliance. Today I was asked to officially deliver her request to the leaders of the other Grand Companies. I must admit, I didn't expect much of a warm reception. But it seems that my reputation has become quite an asset. Both leader's expressed concern for their own defenses, but promised to consider my request, pending the cooperation of all other parties. Something which seemed unlikely.

I arrived back in Gridania to advise Kan-E-Senna of my results only to be surprised by the immediate arrival of both grand company leaders. It seems my attempts to persuade them were a success! Sadly, our celebrations were short lived. The meeting was interrupted by a messenger, an Imperial airship has crashed in a remote area of Mor Dhona not far the the new Castrum Novum stronghold. As of this moment, the Imperials have not located the wreckage. This might be our chance to obtain some valuable intelligence.

Immediately, I raced to the crash site only to find I was a bit late, it was crawling with Imperial agents. I was able to combat them long enough to obtain some interesting effects from the crash site. As I was preparing to make my escape I was confronted by none other than Legatus Baelsar. I prepared for a battle like no other, but there was no need, he only wished to speak.

He seemed to suggest that the crash of this airship was no accident, rather he himself orchestrated the event. He lamented for a moment that his companion Legatus Darnus has gone completely mad. He says that the plan to control Dalamud was approved by the Emperor only due to the Darnus' deceit and trickery. He suspects that Darnus has ulterior intentions that are not in the best interest of the Empire.

If I did not know better, I'd say that Baelsar is almost hoping for that Darnus fails. He left me with an odd sense of confusion. I wonder how much of his words were lies?  I have a feeling, few if any.

I returned to Gridania and provided my intelligence to Cid Garlond. He became excited as he discovered valuable information regarding the operation of the magitek transmitter located in Castrum Novum stronghold. It is this transmitter that  seems to control Dalamud. Once we have had a chance to study it, we may be able to deal a lethal blow to the Empire's plans!

~Kiji

Imperial Peril

Dear Friends,

The situation with the resistance came to a boil today. Reports of Imperial activity in northern Mor Dhona have been come frequent and the resistance leader revealed his plan to storm an Imperial encampment in attempt to steal an airship. The plan is then to navigate the airship to Ala Mhigo and use it liberate the occupied city. As courageous as that plan may sound, it is indeed very risky. Not to mention an act of vengeance. I have been asked by the resistance leader to join the operation. Lady Minfilla advised the the choice was mine alone.

To be honest, I personally felt that the whole idea was poorly devised. I was about to announce my intentions to stay out of it until Aery rushed off to join them. The damned girl... I couldn't leave her alone to face such a dangerous situation so I too made my way for camp Revenant's Toll in Mor Dhona. The gathering point for the operation.

Upon my arrival, I find the camp under siege by the Garlean Empire. However, just as I was preparing to join the battle, the Imperial party flees for the mountains. I pursue them on foot and manage to catch them (thanks to my trusty Herme's Sandals)! However, it seems to be ambush... I follow the Imperials into a clearing where a flying Imperial Juggernaught swoops down from the sky and aims it's guns right for me! Oh dear!

I manage to escape it's payload just in the nick of time. It's attack falling on two of the Imperial soldiers instead. The Twelve, thank you for these quick shoes!! It is at this very moment that I catch sight of Aerylia and the resistance leader. We have little time to celebrate as we are approached by none other than Legatus Baelsar!  Just as menacing as he was in my visions, he declares his intention to destroy us once and for all.

Just then, those two mysterious characters, Papalymo and Yda (the ones that crashed into the hedge on my very first day in Gridania) appear with two other strangers. Together, the begin an assault on the Legatus. Everything happened so fast I can barely remember it... There was gunfire, flashes of magic... next, Baelsar seems to call a blast of fire down from the sky, resulting in the largest explosion I have ever seen...

Everything goes black. When I awake, I find myself in a cave. Everything seems so surreal. I see a group of neglected looking children huddled together. I try speaking to them, but they seem to be lost in their own little worlds. They mumble statements of malice toward Eorzea, and praise for the Empire. Before I can speak with them further, I hear approaching footsteps. I hide in the shadows and watch. An Imperial officer speaks to the children and fills their young minds with vile propaganda. It's a terrible sight... But apparently it was all a dream or a vision... The next thing I remember is hearing the sound of my name being called, and I wake up to find Aery leaning over me. She is elated to see that I am alive.

Papalymo stands next to her, as mysterious as always. It seems that he was able to stave off the Imperial Legatus with the help of his strange friends. He explains that this should be a lesson to me. He suggests that I am not yet ready to do battle against the Empire. His advice to wait until the proper time. This angers Aerylia. She lashes back at him claiming that we cannot simply sit by and do nothing. Through her emotions, the truth is finally revealed. She is from Ala Mhigo. Her hatred towards the empire was forged to an edge when her city was invaded as a yong child. It all makes sense now.Her rage is amplified by the admission of failure stated by the resistance. They have decided that what little rewards they have gained through their operations has been overshadowed by the loss of life they have suffered. There is talk of disbanding their organization. It is a sad moment of clarity... the Empire seems to be nearly unstoppable.

Papalymo tells us that we are blessed with a power we do not yet understand. And until the time that we do, we should exercise caution and patience. As Papalymo leaves, Aery and I decide to head back to the Merchant Wards to advise Minfillia of what we have learned.

Minfillia shared his assessment of the situation. She feels that until the nations of Erozea are able to match the strength of the Empire, we should suspend all offensive operations. (Thank god the Grand Companies get stronger by the day). She still feels that if we could align ourselves with the beast-tribes, we would have a fighting chance, but even that is not looking so good these days....

Friends. I hate to sound so grim. But I truly feels that an part of my life has just come to a conclusion. As we stand today. We are no match for the Garlean Empire.

That being said, From this day forward, I commit myself to the Grand Company of the Twin Adders. With the sole purpose of doing all I can to make Erozea stronger and ready to tackle the dark days ahead. Regardless of the what the Empire may throw at us, be it soldiers, Magitek, or even Meteor. I will do all in my power to uphold the honor and defense of Erozea.

~Kiji