Return of the Twelve?

 

Dear Friends,

The verdict is in. Meteor comes. Comets and falling debris streak the skies above us. Strange sounds echo through the whispers of the wind, unusual auroras can be seen in the glow of the moon light. Somehow, even with the fall of the White Raven himself, Dalamud moves closer still. Today, I was called before Louisoux and this terrible truth was confirmed. Yet, there is a plan.

Remember all that strange talk some time ago about us common folk having the ability to "summon our own primals"? Well, it seems that was in reference to the Twelve gods of Eorzea. Such desperate times are these that I have been dispatched to visit the long forgotten holy shrines of the Twelve gods and pray for a miracle. Sounds almost ridiculous, does it not? Well friends, what if I told you that while undertaking this errand, I felt something... I swear I did. Each time I knelt my head in prayer I could actually feel the power of the gods shining over me. Could it be? Will the Twelve awaken at our request?

During this pilgrimage, I had quite a chilling encounter. Keeping my faith strong, I knelt in prayer next to one of the stones only to be encountered by the Legatus van Baelsar. He seemed genuinely impressed with the defeat of Darnus. But he warned that despite our victory, Darnus' followers in the Imperial VII'th legion remain committed to their fallen leader's legacy. He warned that a full-scale invasion was still planned and I would do well to inform my superiors to prepare for an all out war. When I questioned him, why he would divulge such information, and why he offered us previous intelligence on Darnus and his plans, he explained that it is his destiny to one day rule of Eorzea and it was not his desire to rule over a land scorched and worthless by the bands of a madman (referring to van Darnus). How nefarious! This fiend is no better! He's only offering us this intelligence so that HE will later have a prize to conquer in the name of the Empire.

As soon as he appeared, he vanished mysteriously. Yet his voice continued to taunt me from an airship high overhead. What manner of technical sorcery is this?!? I beseech the Twelve to answer our prayers. We will need their divine power to overcome the technical monstrosities the Garlean Empire is sure to unleash upon us.

Despite this grim outlook. I have faith. I am not alone. Many adventurers have undertaken the pilgrimage of prayer. Those of us who have been faithful and who have served the Eorzean Alliance have been official recognized. The number of heroes who can claim this this honor grows a bit larger with the passing of every day.  He was been rewarded with a symbol of our deed, a decorative horn at which in the center is mounted a glowing bit of stone from the fallen meteors. This Horn of Dalamud serves as a badge of honor as we prepare to step into the uncharted future, ready to do battles with the gods at our sides.

~Kiji

Fall of the Raven

Dear Friends,

It is a joy to write these words. For the Raven has fallen by my lance. Indeed, Imperial Legatus Nael van Darnus has been defeated! Let me tell you this glorious tale!

I was summoned before the Eorzean Alliance. Intelligence reports had spotted Darnus in Cortheas near some ancient Allagan ruins. This could only mean one thing, he is proceeding with his plans to continue the descent of Dalamud. By whatever foul magiks he intended to accomplish this, we did not know. I was sent to confirm the reports and engage him.

When I arrived, I indeed located him. But what I found defies all explanation.Standing in the middle of the ruins was Darnus. His body was enveloped in light. A single ray of which extended to the heavens all the way to the deadly moon. Like the tractor beam the Empire had constructed, Darnus himself was now guiding Meteor to our world. As I watched, the moon drew ever closer. Fiery rocks broke free and came crashing down to the world below. It had begun! Next, I beheld and amazing sight. The very ground beneath Darnus tore free of the world and ascended into the sky. He had escaped.

Immediately, I returned to Gridania to report. The news was accepted gravely. I feared that all may be lost. However, Cid devised a brilliant plan. We would take his own personal airship The Enterprise (which is built to fly higher than  any other airship in all of the world), to the floating ruins of Rivenroad where we would put an end to the Legatus once and for all.

The battle was perilous indeed. Darnus was formidable opponent. His skills as a Lancer were unlike any I've ever seen, they surpassed even my own. At one point, we thought him defeated. Only to have him rise again, his body surging with dark energy.

Dalamud hung ever closer, fiery meteors plunged to battlefield at Darnus' command. Finally, he vanished. Confused, we spotted him high atop the floating staircase. Entranced and summoning a terrible spell, we continued to attack until finally the long lost magic known as Megaflare we unleashed upon us. It's effects were devastating. Barely clinging to consciousness, I pursued the Legatus back down to battlefield where, with the help of my companions, I landed the killing blow.

As he fell, his body dissipated into an etheric dust which blew away on the wind.With his defeat, his magic began to fail and the ground beneath us began to break apart and plummet back to the world below.

It was at that moment that Cid arrived with the Enterprise and flew us home to our rescue.

Once back in Gridania, we were hailed as heroes. Cid took me aside and thanked me personally. He said that if we had failed, Louisoux has mentioned a cryptic "last resort" that he and the other Archons had at their disposal... The Twelve only know what that might have been...

As the fanfare died, I retired to my room at the Roost. I wonder now, with the defeat of the White Raven himself, what the future holds? Have we won? Is it really over?  What of the Empire? The questions linger... I suppose, I shall continue on the path I have walked these last two years or so.

~Kiji

The beginning of the end...

Dear Friends,

Things in Eorzea are escalating fast... weaponized Imperial airships have been seen in the skies over Cortheas. There are rumors of the them farther south as well. It seems the blow the Eorzean alliance struck to Castrum Novum has not gone unnoticed by the Emporer. An all out assault is brewing, I can sense it in the air. I don't think we've had even a taste of what's to come...

The newly unified Grand Company alliance has began organizing military exercises on some of islands south of Limsa Lominsa. Wild beasts and captured monsters are being used as training fodder. I have yet to enroll and participate, but I should. There is some very nice weaponry being rewarded to participants. The Twelve knows I'll need them.

Make no mistake, I am predicting an out and out war with the Garlaen Empire soon... maybe worse. There is no telling what is one the horizon. Dalamud grows ever larger in the sky and there have even been unconfirmed reports of falling debris from the satellite burning up in the skies above.

Friends, if you are the praying sort, now is the time. I fear for our future but will continue to do all I can to help safeguard to people and lands I love.

~Kiji

Meteor Revealed.

Dear Friends,

A terrible truth has come to light. It is with much fear and sadness that I write this letter. The mystery of "Meteor" has been uncovered.

Today, I was assigned a task by the Twin Adders to locate and assist a team of Grand Company brothers. The team was sent into the shroud to meet with an Ala Mhigan spy. However, reports have reached HQ that they were ambushed by Imperial forces and have suffered a terrible defeat. I was ordered to make haste to their location to lend any assistance possible.

Upon my arrival I found the entire party holed up in a cave, defeated, but still clinging to life. It seems the Imperials attacked them with some type of poison gas. The attack left them nearly defenseless. The Ala Mhigan spy was in the worse shape of them all. Barely clinging to life and fading in and out of consciousness.

One of the Adder officiers, also a protege' of Cid Garlond, offered me a device of his design that he believed will ward off the gas attack. Without the benefits of poison gas, I should be able to overtake the Imperial team stationed nearby.

Indeed, his device worked. No sooner had I too been ambushed by the lethal attack, the mist emitted from the device cleared the air around me allowing me to make quick work of the Imperial team.

Upon returning, the informant was near death. He was rambling incoherently about curses, the ancients, and Meteor. Figuring there was never a better time, I used the power of the echo to achieve some insight into what he was trying to explain.

What I saw, chilled me to the bone.

Hidden behind a large boulder, our informant spied upon a meeting between two Imperial Legati. One of them Van Darnus, who I had the "pleasure" of meeting previously, and another equally imposing character, Gaius van Baelsar.

The two were arguing. Baelsar agreed that the nations of Erozea needed to be brought to their knees. However, he disagreed with Darnus's plan of attack. Rather than fight an extended ground war against the three nations, Nael van Darnus intends to use a long forgotten magic to pull the lesser moon from the sky and crash it into the planet. Thus destroying nearly everything in Eorzea! This is the terror known as Meteor. The recent change of color and size of the moon implies he has already put his plan into motion.

Baelsar expressed  concern over the ability of controlling such magic. It seems that thousands of years ago, the ancient civilization that created such magic was also destroyed by their own inability to effectively wield it.

Darnus explains that the recent discovery of ancient tablets has provided him with the knowledge needed to not only bring about the attack known as Meteor, but also to control with 100% efficiency. More than once he mentioned the "Allag".

The Allag are rumored to be an ancient race of people that once lived in Erozea long before the current age. All that is known about them was gleaned from the scant ruins they left behind. It must be that the Empire has uncovered some ancient Allag magic... This is terrible news.

I continued to listen, and learned that while the plan has already been put into motion, more research still needs to be done, more of these "tomestones" need to be found before the moon of Dalamud can fully be controlled. On top of that, the Legatus expressed his desire to pummel the nations of Erozea with crippling attacks before simply crushing them out of existence. Perhaps this will buy us the time we need to come up with a defense or even a counter attack... Oh, I hope so! Twelve be good!

I returned to Gridania with a full report of all I have learned. As one might expect, Cid Garlond was disturbed by the news. He explained the the Empire has been experimenting with "meteor" magic for many years. In fact, a botched experiment ten years ago destroyed an entire Imperial citadel. Never did he imagine they would attempt to use the magic to do something as heinous as crashing the moon into the planet itself.

Cid thanked me for my report and stated that both the Grand Companies and the Garlond Ironworks would act quickly on the information.

I was rewarded for my efforts. In this mission, in fact, I was promoted to First Class! Sad to say, I did not find much celebration in this promotion. I can only hope a plan is devised to prevent this terrible plan of the Empire's from coming to light.

~Kiji

Gauis van Baelsar

It Kills With Fire

Dear Friends,

Today I confronted and defeated the legendary Primal Ifrit in battle! Sadly, it was not quite the victory that I'd hoped for. I fear we only banished the beast temporarily. I'll explain why in a moment.

I had recruited the help of one of my Linkshell mates, and two other adventurers we met in Gridania. As we stepped thru the gate into the Bowl of Embers. It was very unsettling scene. The sun in the sky glowed black as if eclipsed. The very horizon seemed to burn with hellfire. Ifrit was as colossal as I remember. We could feel the heat pouring off of him as we approached.

The battle was fierce. I must admit that if it were not for the help of my companions, I would never have been able to defeat a creature of this power. The ability to work together, each of us doing our own part, is what saved the day.

Once the fatal blow was struck, the flames that encircled the battlefield surged upward and dissipated all in an instant. We found ourselves in a remote area of Thanalan. A strange sound hummed overhead, and I looked up to see an enormous Imperial airship hovering above us. The sound of footsteps caught my attention and I turned to see a party of Imperial troops approaching us! Leading them, was a man donned from head to toe in ornate armor.

He introduced himself as Legatus Nael van Darnus of the Garlean Empire. He congratulated us on our bravery and our victory of Ifrit. However, we claimed that our success was of little import. Only with assistance from the Empire would be stand a chance against the "impending doom" that threatened all of Eorzea. He insisted that Garlean Empire only has the best interest of it's neighbors at heart. I must admit, his charisma almost made me wonder if perhaps, we have all been blinded by fear. But in my gut, I knew better.

 He quoted the prophecy of the Seventh Umbral Era as he pulled pulled his lance free from his back. His weapon began to glow with the light of bright blue aether. He explained that our world would be destroyed by a "crimson star from the heavens"... Could he be referring to Dalamud? Is the red moon, the "meteor" that I've heard mention of?? Thoughts began to race through my mind, it all happened to fast. In an instant, a beam of light shot from the tip of his weapons and stuck the node that brought us here. There was a bright flash, and we found ourselves back in Gridania.

Slightly dazed, we reported back to Louisoix all that had transpired. He seemed very concerned both about our battle with Ifrit and our encounter with Nael van Darnus. The weapon that seemed to eradicate the node troubled him particularly. He also seemed convinced that our victory over Ifrit was fleeting, at best. It seems the Primal has been absorbing the power of aether. The very same thing that the Empire seem bent on achieving. Now we are all concerned that Ifrit may return even stronger than before. But this time, the node does not exist to take us to his hideout. I dare not speculate further.

We were commended for our duty, and in fact, I was promoted to the rank of 2nd class! Already, a new task has being prepared for me. I will report back as soon as possible.

~Kiji

 

Soldier of Fortune

Dear Friends,

It seems like so long ago that I came to Eorzea with the mindset to study the art of alchemy. Fate has a funny way of changing your life in the blink of an eye. I have spent the last several weeks working almost exclusively for the three Grand Companies of Eorzea. I wish I could go into detail over everything I've experienced in just the last few days, but it would simply be too much to write.

In a nutshell, I have learned some pretty astounding truths. There is something big coming. We've all known that, but only now is it starting to make itself clear. I believe the archon, Urianger. It has been revealed to me that he, as well as Papalymo, and several others are members of a secret group, not unlike the Path of the Twelve. They were sent to Eorzea from a far away land, to warn us all of the future ahead. Urianger was tasked with inspiring the recreation of the Grand Companies. I have even been privy to a meeting between him and the leader of the Maelstrom (what an oddly exciting young lady she is!).

It's not too late to change the fate of the world. Details are sketchy, but somehow it's all tied into moon of Dalamud, and the strange red color it has recently taken on. It has something to do with the sudden increase in monsters, and the recent actions of the Empire.

I've learned that Cid Garlond was once in the employ of Garlemald. He was the creator of many of the terrible Magitek machines that invaded Ala Mihgo. Filled with guilt and outrage at what the Empire had done, he defected to Eorzea to lend his services in any way he could. I can see his heart, and I trust him.

Nowhere is safe. Imperial spies are everywhere, we've found them within the ranks of the city-states, employees of the Ironworks, and even within the Grand Companies. Luckily, we were able to catch several after learning their identities. One of them, however, did escape us.

Over the last few days, I have attended grand recruitment ceremonies for all three companies. I have listened to speeches of each leader. I have had the pleasure of meeting them, and being personally invited into their ranks as contracted member.

It is after much reflection, I have made my choice. Today, I was recognised as a Serpent Private Third Class in the Order of the Twin Adders. I have decided to make Gridania my new home, both physically and by pledge.

I'm a bit overwhelmed after thinking back on everything the last few days have brought. I think I will retire for the night. If I'm going to offer the best I have to both the company and all of Eorzea, I will need to begin rigorous training. I have no doubt that war is coming, and I am no longer primarily Kijimuna the Alchemist. I am Kijimuna the soldier.

~Kiji

Imperial Battle

Dear Friends,


I have something very terrible to report. Today I did battle with Garlean Imperial Soldiers.

I was summoned by the Twin Adders to investigate possible Imperial activity deep within the Black Shroud. It seems a group on conjurers were sent on a mission to erect some magical wards in the forest when they came under attack. I was given the coordinates of their destination and asked to assist in any way possible.

When I arrived, the conjurers were nowhere to be found. Instead, I spotted a party of Imperial footsoldiers. I engaged them. Their willingness to take hostile action against me leads me to believe that these rumors of war are true. After all the Imperial activity I've seen lately, I no longer have a doubt as to their intentions.

I was victorious against them. Upon inspection, I found a strange letter sewed into the uniform of one of the men. I took it back to base where it was inspected. As it turns out, the solider carrying it was not Garlean, but rather from Ala Mhigo. While the cipher used in the note was unreadable, the conjurers in Gridania were able to sense that the content of the letter was not malicious, but actually honorable in it's intent. 

I was then tasked with taking the letter to a small Ala Mhigo refugee outpost in Thanalan. When I arrived, I presented the letter only to learn that the soldier I battled was not truly a Garlean, but rather an Ala Mhigo spy... Oh, I felt terrible! I killed an innocent man in the heat of battle.

I was assured that I had done no wrong. In fact, his identity was to remain a secret. The soldier's goal was to see the letter delivered at all costs, and I made sure that his mission was realized. Despite these reassurances, I now bear the weight of this guilt.

The test of the letter was as follows:

"Latest reports indicate Imperial Legatus Nael van Darnus has left eastern theatre. Joining forces on the western front. Changes made to invasion plans by high command. Fighting grows more fierce, imperial soldiers seem...changed. More savage, violent. New magitek devices deployed to strongholds on western front. Have been assigned to installation labor...

They force us to kill daily─something, anything. If only to keep us in the habit. They seek to make it a reflex in us. My grip on things is slowly slipping─on my faith...and my mind. I don't know who or what I am anymore. Darkness descends from all sides... Yet there at the center...there, brilliant, unwavering, and whole...my beacon, my lodestar...Ala Mhigo"

Included with the letter were design plans for some sort of Imperial Military device. I was asked to take the plans back to the headquarters of the Twin Adder.

Upon my return to base, the commanders were shocked to learn the letter carried such valuable information. The designs were to be provided immediately to the Garlond Ironworks for study.

As I was being debriefed a team of officers made their way through the company hall. They were walking with none other than the Ironwork's Master, Cid Garlond! What an honor to see such a legendary individual.

I was not able to hear all of their conversation, but what I did catch chilled me to the bone.

One of the men with Cid mentioned something to the extent of "Your hypothesis has proven to be correct, Master Cid."

To which Cid only grimaced and replied with a single word:  "Meteor..." With that, they walked away, out of earshot.

I shudder to think what he may mean. Such an innocent word, but yet, spoken with such dire resignation.

My friends, I fear that there are dark days ahead. This shroud of darkness is sure to claim the lives of many more innocent men. All I can do is try to ensure that I save more lives than I'm forced to take.



~Kiji

                                                                        Cid Garlond