Of Knightly Valor and Contemplations

And thus, Boswen was born! (An old tale revisited)

2007-07-14T01:59:00.000-05:00

Iceday, April 27, 1026. 11PM

Get the accompanying music:
*Click me, click "Download to Computer" and play me through your favorite music player.*

And lo Boswen did arrive in the great realm of Bastok on that historical day. A great hero was born who cared not for fame or fortune, but for the hearts and lives of his people. Boswen did enlist as an adventurer early in the morning and thusly proceeded to cast many an horrible fiend into an horrible pit of Hell. By strength of sword and bravery of shield Boswen did hasten to enhance his skills against the foul beasts of the air, evil creatures of the sea and vile monsters of the land. Many unjust souls he did send to their maker. Never a kind-hearted one would he harm, but as he grew stronger, he continued to observe the ruthless wrath of the Evil One and his minions.

After much righteous shedding of blood, Boswen began the seemingly great Odyssey back to town from the Konschtat Highlands. That night he harkened to the tale of a Great War of 20 years past, wherein the Evil One enlisted the aid of most of Vana'diel's beastman, such as the troublesome Quadav. The plague of their race waited outside the very doorsteps of Bastok seeking to steal the life, kill the friends, and destroy the hope of the newest recruits. These villainous Quadav preyed on the helpless new adventurers who had ventured out past the average worms and bees of the area to seek harder prey that would be worthy our their new found but over-estimated skill.

*Play me*

Boswen tirelessly pore over the teachings of his companions and other great ones that had come before him for many days and nights. He strove to grasp the wisdom of the ancients and make use of the knowledge that so many before him had gained through much sacrifice. After many hardships, Boswen was finally granted the class of Paladin. With even more fervor than before, Boswen honed his strengths and continually increased his defenses.

*Play me*
(Original: music157.bgw)

After an innumerable extent of moons has passed, Boswen was asked to investigate the whisper of a traitor in the midst of the San d'Orian knighthood. The trail eventually led him to slay not one, but two evil orcs with the help of many trusted companions. As a reward for his efforts, Prince Trion himself awarded Boswen with an honorary knighthood and a new piece of armor befitting of a great knight.

*Play me*

At that very moment, Boswen stood up and said, "I swear to forever protect the weak and the powerless and never allow the shedding of innocent blood while I still have breath my lungs. Ne'er again shall I allow such calamity to befall my friends as what happened twenty years ago! I shall become the bane of all that is evil and the curse of all that is undead!"

*Play me*
(Original: music190.bgw)

Committed to the service of my God, my country, and my companions, I set out that day with my loving wife and my colleagues to continue to hone our skills and prepare for the battles to come. Yes, my friends--I, set out to do these things. For it is I that have been watching over you and protecting you as I wove this tale for you. Our merry band of adventurers has grown ever stronger and ever larger since that day long ago. But one thing has never faltered--my commitment to all that is good and true. Ever shall I strive to protect to innocent and banish the evil from this realm.

*Play me*
(Original: music159.bgw)

Alas, my tale must come to an end for now. The powerful potions I have received from the Aht Urhgan guild of Alchemists is beginning to fade and with it goes my memory. I can feel my very thoughts solidifying behind what fast becomes a sleep induced barrier. As my mind drifts off into the land of dreams, I pray that it stays in Vana'diel, far away from the Nightmare of Diablos's dreamworld, Dynamis. But do not be afraid, good readers. For I go to where my mind may weave another tale for you. Fear not, I shall return again one day. You, dear reader, shall be my audience and I shall once again be your gleeman. Grace, mercy and peace be with thee until we meet again. Fare thee well.

Note: The original .bgw files from whence the midis were made can be played by downloading a plugin named "in_ffxi.dll" for Winamp. Most FFXI music data (i.e. the .bgw files) is located here or somewhere near here (based on installing FFXI to the default location):
C:\Program Files\PlayOnline\SquareEnix\FINAL FANTASY XI\sound\win\music\data

My musings thus far

2007-07-06T03:09:00.001-05:00

Lightningday, October 08, 1025. 5:30 AM

My jouneys have taken me to even farther and wider lands in the last five years here on Vana'diel. There is a beautiful carol here that whispers in the wind throughout several areas of the land. I have many a story to tell, brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, I am in need of some good rest and strong brew to help recall those distant memories. I have heard the tales of veteran Alchemists that live in the terra firma far to the east our own region. The people of that expanse are said to have created many new concoctions through methods unbeknownst to us here in Quon and Mindartia. Perhaps one of these elixirs shall be the solution to my ailing memory. Though my days here have now numbered more than 13 years, my memory does not fail me for lack of youth. Nay, I have always struggled to conjure up much that is dear to me. This infernal contraption of a brain which I have been given is a constant thorn in my flesh. It remembers the simple things but often refuses to muse over that which is paramount. Perhaps I will one day see the reason for my ailment. All things happen for a reason and to the tune of a supernatural plan.

Meanwhile, I shall be sitting at my Desk, trying to recall one of my latest and grandest adventures. My last party as a Ninja took me from level 48-54. It was quite a show! Problem is, it happened about two months ago. With hope, I shall recall it from memory eventually and let said memories leak onto my keyboard, as a particular Windurstian Galka would have put it.

Perhaps I can seek the help of a local alchemist. I am in need of good mind or intelligence potion. Maybe even a charisma potion as well, though I must be careful not to overdose on said potions. I cannot seem to get the creative juices flowing. Methinks a trip to beautiful Purgonorgo Isle would be quite inspiring! Or perchance I shall visit The Sanctuary of Zi'Tah. As I lay there in the magnificent forests, it is almost as if nature itself produces a gentle melody. My experience (and long suffering ^^) as a Paladin has taught me how to be in harmony with the various wildlife there. It is as if all is tranquil while I am there. I have garnered the respect of all creatures great and small. Not a single one will attempt to harm me, for they know that all such endeavors will surely fail. Perhaps one day my skills as a Master of Beasts will even allow me to befriend them in my continuing struggles against the evils that plague this land.

In my journeys I have encountered a phenomenal photographer who has captured the very essence of our world. Such talent could only be matched by a writer as equally awe-inspiring as Selece's portraits. In a majestic attempt to meld these great talents of image, writing, and sound, I have began my own project, starting with this thought. Only time shall tell what tangled web I shall weave. You, dear reader, shall be my audience and I shall be your gleeman. Gace, mercy and peace be with thee until we meet again. Fare thee well, friends.

New heights

2007-04-21T04:17:00.000-05:00

Windsday, June 30, 1020. 1 AM.

And so it was time to begin our party. (No, it didn't take 4 days for them to arrive, I just haven't had a chance to right about that night until now.) Our Trio's Corsair had finally arrived, as had a Summoner friend of ours. Next came a Red Mage and a Dark Knight, both of which we found in Jeuno before we left. Things went wonderfully for several hours, but then our Summoner had to leave. I never learned how, but somehow she managed to hookup a spare linkshell to a baby monitor. We all heard the cry of her young child and tried to finish off the last mob quickly.

"I'm sorry, all," she said. "I have to go. My baby needs me. It was good partying with you all. See you again!" And off she went, instantly warping back home to her daughter.

It was a great few hours, but we all wanted to stay and fight, the bloodlust not yet subsided. So, I did a shout on my pearl and asked some of my companions in Jeuno and Aht Urhgan to see if they saw anyone that wanted to join us. I was pleasantly suprised to find that one of Eponine and I's friends piped up on our linkshell and wanted to bring her white mage. Unfortunately, the dark knight had to get up early for school and our Corsair was begining to fall asleep between dice rolls. Firing a powerful gun half-asleep is a dangerous combination. I told him to go home and get some rest before he shot someone in our party or simply got mauled by accidentally shooting one of the Antican near our camp in Quicksand Caves. We promised we'd help him catch back up to our level later.

So the DRK and our COR left, and we found a RNG and a replacement COR. The Japanese Corsair I invited didn't seem to understand much of what I was saying. I cut him some slack, being that English seemed to be his 2nd language, but this guy just seemed a little dense. He rolled good dice for our mages and our melee, and only busted his rolls once or twice. He took a long time to get to camp, but he usually dit decent damage to the mob. He just seemed kind of out of it, like he was on autopilot or something.

He was surely hitting the mob plenty accurately enough to have been able to peform a weeapon skill well before I was ready. (As a Ranger, I was already ready before the melee!) And yet, I would tell him I was ready to skillchain with him and get no response. I tried telling him gently at first, then more loudly in case he was hard of hearing (and also partly out of frustration, I must confess). It seemed he would perform his weapon skill compltely randomly--sometimes when I was ready, sometimes when I was not. Luckily, I had the Ranger backup skillchain with me.

I was tempted to kick the new Corsair a few times, but I couldn't find anyone else that wanted to join an experience points party. Most Japanese I've partied with are fairly intelligent, so it was quite a shock. Apparently our Summoner's child went back to sleep after it was fed, and so her eldest daughter was able to continue babysitting. I wanted to reinvite her, but her spot was already taken.

We continued killing the local giant spiders and giant bettles for several hours and most of us made level 47 before we all agreed everyone was too tired and that we should all go. We had some nice highlights, though! Our whitemage casted several Banishga II spells that seemed to hurt the beetles quite a bit. I even got to inflict some strong damage with my second tier elemental Ninjitsu. The party particularly enjoyed my "Blinded by Ninjitsu Science" chant when I blinded the mobs with Kurayami: Ni. They weren't sure where, but they all said it reminded them of something from a far off land.

Yeah, it was fun doing more experience partying, but not so much of the blitzing this time. When Trei and Epo and I first started (back when I was a RDM for the group), it seemed like experience points were coming at an astronomical rate. We all got signet, partied as a trio most of the time, used our exp bands, and had Corsair's roll active at the end of most fights. After the jungles I switched from my crazy RDM/WAR tank to a more fitting WAR/NIN tank. I stayed this way until mid-way through the Crawler's Nest, at which point I finally caught up to my Ninja.

The monsters have gotten progressively harder, as expected. We came long ago to the conclusion that we could no longer effectively gain experience on our own. Perhaps it would be better stated that it is now much more efficient to recruit the aid of three more members and take on the local beasts as a full party. Maybe there will come a time again where many tasks can once again be done by only two or three of us. We shall see what the future holds. Well, I suppose that's long enough of a letter for now. I hope to hear from everyone soon! Take care.

Age old conversations

2007-04-21T00:47:00.000-05:00

Darksday, June 26, 1020. 10 PM.

"The sky is dark, but the night is still young! There is much to be done tonight, sweetheart," I whispered to Eponine. As we sat there in the cool desert breeze waiting for our party to arrive, we pondered an age old discussion: Which was "better" Paladin, or Ninja? "I enjoy the Ninja class, but as hard as I try, I cannot put myself in harm's way between our party and the beasts here."

"Well, I wouldn't go that far, honey. You do a great job of keeping the attention of these brutes on you and away from us. Ninjas just don't know how to cover their team in an emergency like a Paladin can--it's like you forget that ability or something when you ask your moogle to change your class. Luckily you can still provoke the mob's attention with your warrior support role. That always helps. Besides, we've traveled all the way to Aht Urhgan as our team of my Red Mage and your Paladin, darling. We've only come half as far or so as a Bard and Ninja team. I'm sure you will shine as a Ninja in the days to come just as well as you have as a Paladin... except, um, err... minus the shiny armor and stuff," she said, giggling.

"Heh. Something like that, I hope. I can still be your valiant knight on the inside even if I hide in the shadows, right?" I asked.

"Of course!" she exclaimed. "You'll always be my knight in shining armor... as long as I can always be your fair maiden!"

"There could never be another, my dear. You will always be m'lady. But truly, how do you think I fare as a 'Brave Sir Ninja?'" I joked.

"Actually, I think you've been doing quite well. And I wouldn't say it's all because of your armor, either. Surely it is of great help, and many thanks are still owed to all those who helped us get it for you. But it is you who makes it all work. Your training as a Paladin has given you much knowledge to bring to the table of the Ninja. You have strengths and weaknesses with each class, sweetie."

"Yeah--my Ninja relies and casting shadows to prevent damage, and thus fast hitting mobs like the Mandies in the jungle can prove a triffle more difficult than other mobs. My Paladin, however, relies on straight defense and vitality to take less damage, as well as the ability to magically heal some of that damage away. However, I have limited mana with which to heal myself as a Paladin, whereas I am limited only by the amount of gil I wish to spend on shihei as a Ninja. So my Ninja might be able to survive longer against the same mob... that is, once I reach the same level as my Paladin?"

"Perhaps, but everyone needs a team, darling," she replied. "While your Ninja may often need less support from the mages to heal you, your Paladin has much more natural abilities to keep the attention of our prey focused on you and you alone."

"This is true.. and this will remain true even once both my Ninja and my Paladin have reached level 75. However, I'd have to say that as an average geared Ninja, I will be naturally better at dealing damage than I could as an average geared Paladin. Those shuriken, for example, are quite handy," I remarked. "Well, perhaps we can ponder this more later. It seems our party has finally arrived, dear."

A new milestone!

2007-04-06T04:54:00.000-05:00

Lightningday, June 16, 1019

Hello! I'm back--and in less than a tenth of the time than my last post! Wow, more than six years went by between my last post and the one before it. This time around it is less than six months later. My, how the time flies. I'd bet it's only been a week's time back on Earth. Time seems to pass much faster here, but somehow we have the energy to adventure for several days at a time without the need for rest. It is quite a magnificient phenomenon...

Anyways, I have reached a grand milestone in my career here. I've joined the ranks of Artisan Goldsmiths and exchanged the credits I've earned along the way for my Guild Apron!! As I placed the top proudly around my neck and quickly tied the ropes, I instantly felt more powerful at my craft and wondered what I should do next. This new found power would not only help me create better, stronger armor, but because of it, I would be even better at protecting my companions and keeping the attention of our prey focused on me. I pity the poor souless creatures that would dare try to harm me now. I feel even worse for the beastman that DO have a soul, for I shall be even greater now at vanquishing them and banishing their soul to hell.

Well, maybe it isn't that useful, but it's still a great milestone. It will be easier to increase skill in any future attempts and I will have slightly better chances at making high quality items with my craft. And, I will be much more recognizable as an accomplished Goldsmith. It's not that I desire the fame (well, maybe a little). If my countrymen need something hand-crafted with skill that only a Goldsmith can master, more of them may now look to me for such assistance.

Remember, me dear friends. For as long as I have breath, I will always be happy to lend my assistance in any way for which I am able.

A short hello

2007-03-29T05:14:00.000-05:00

(11-26-1018)

Wow! Has it been six years here already? I feel like I've only aged a few months! Even so, it's good to talk to you again, dear friend.

Much has happened to me since last we spoke. I'm an even stronger Paladin and a higher-ranking Bastokan now. Beating up those back-talking Colibris and those fire-breathing crawlers ("Erucas" they call them on that continent) has taken quite a toll on me. My dear wife Eponine has been faithfully fighting alongside me for quite a while now. Those first few levels went by very quickly, some lasting as short as an hour. Our moogles tell us we're about half way to level sixty-three now. She plays the red-mage class very well. Without her incredible gift of healing, I would have quite literally died many times along the way. My companions and I have not had much time to venture out to the new continent lately, and so I have taken up the ways of the Warrior and the ways of the Ninja again.

My gear had become quite dusty lying in mog house for a good couple of a years or so. Thankfully my moogle was able to get it dry-cleaned for me. When last I played warrior I was using a some military weapons I bought from someone who did something called a "Garrison." Since then I've done my inner Warrior's artifact weapon quest and purchased something called a "Combat Caster's axe" to go with it from a generous Mithra. Yeah, not exactly very exciting, but the partys I got in with this equipment were a blast! I've been in a set party on various jobs with a Corsair and my faithful wife (this time joining the fray as a Bard) since we were in Valkrum Dunes. I played as a Red Mage until we left altepa and then decided that my Warrior would better compliment the party. Now that we've caught up to where I left my Ninja, I can be an ever better compliment to the party. All I have to do now is smack a few million gil worth of items out of the local wildlife...

Well, I must go for now. Other duties call. It was good to talk to you again, friend. Perhaps I will write more again soon.

Completion Part 3 (OOC)

2007-02-02T04:37:00.000-05:00

So a friend reads my Part 2 post and says "We all need to find a new game to play, hopefully one that doesnt suck the life outta you." I know he meant well, but he's also one of the players who left FFXI to play PSU. Of course, he also comes back to FFXI a lot too (11 days straight so far), but won't admit that "he's back." :P

So yeah, about that... That's an interesting topic. Eponine and I have sworn off other MMOs. We love playing FFXI and I have no doubt that her and I would enjoy PSU or maybe even WoW (the game to which half of Bob's LS [our co workers] moved) or whatever... However, once we're done with FF11, we're done with MMOs--permanently. I don't want to join another MMO only to see all the friends I make eventually leave that one too. I could then go join that new MMO and probably end up leaving the previous one behind (again) without feeling like I finished it (again). Then I'd have to learn yet another game (again), only to leave that game in a few years too (again), etc... It's an ugly cycle in which we don't wish to participate. MMOs have such a vast amount of content, that I could probably never feel like I have "completed" them. That's important to me. I like getting to the end of an RPG and watching it say "The End." I feel like I've completed something. I might not ever see that with FFXI--especially if we were to quit now after all our hard work. It's funny, I didn't want to play FF11 when I first heard about it and learned it had a monthly fee. Believe it or not, I was also (originally) turned off by the fact that EXP Parties seemed to be a large majority of the game. I actually rated leveling much lower than everything else in previous RPGs. I liked fighting the bosses and fighting each of the normal mobs two or three times each, but I hated the random battles. I liked the mini games and the storyline and the music much more. I might (big maybe) have still bought most of the games if they were just long 40-60 hour movies with boss fights and mini games strewn in between and what not... (That's probably pushing it a bit far, but you get the idea). Nowadays I love joining the set party every week (or so) to level up my PLD with them. It's great fun. I don't think I enjoy the "pickup parties" in my other jobs quite as much, but I do enjoy them. Maybe when I get them closer to 60 I will enjoy them more, but probably not. I think it's just the social aspect of getting to party with my friends (all of which in that set party I know from real life) that I enjoy :)

So, yeah. This MMO (like others, in general) is sucking the life out of us. It's not that I neccessarily mind this problem, and it's not happening so fast that we can't recover or that our real life is ruined somehow. In fact, I've voluntarily played FF for something crazy like 152 Earth days so far (since March 2005), and I still want to play more. But there are simply so many other things that we used to do BEFORE we played FF11, that we don't want to be involved in another MMO after this. Sure, we'll probably just fill our time with other video games, movies, tv, board games, or whatever, but we won't feel rushed like we sort of do with FFXI. And I'll probably enjoy talking to my coworkers about the events in the MMOs they play, and watching videos on YouTube about it (i.e. living vicariously through them, haha).

There's soo much to do in this game that I wonder if I'll even be able to finish the main storylines (missions) before the player base fades. I hate to admit it, but I can see the effects of this too. Apukohai mentioned to me that a few nights ago during a peak play time, there was only 100 people seeking to level up a job.

I wouldn't say FFXI has become a grind for us or anything. I still tend to play during a large majority of my free time, but I enjoy it and I do it of my free will. I don't do it because I feel I need to do it. Eponine generally only plays when I play, but that's normal for her. I enjoy it a bit more and she needs a bit of a break from it when I'm at work (i.e., she's not an addict like I am :P). (Oh and FYI--we're not total geeks. (lol) We still have a wonderful social life! We go out on a date (outside!) every two weeks, goto church every Sunday, and do other various things that aren't related to the game.)

Also, because there is just SOO much to do, I haven't taken the time to enjoy many of the other offline games I've bought. I have the following sitting on my shelves (in Chronological purchase order, to the best my memory serves me): LUNAR: Silver Star Story Complete (PSX Version), LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue Complete (Also for PSX), FF1 - FF6 (Spanning several re-release CDs for PSX), Enter The Matrix (PS2 Version), Wild Arms 3, Star Ocean 3: TtEoT, FF7:DoC, FF12, XenoSaga 3, Matrix: Path of Neo. Yes, that's 15 games. I probably am missing some, but that list will prove my point well enough. Most of those games listed have been played for 5 hours or less. FF12 (40+ hrs so, purchased on release date 3 months ago) and FF7:DoC (only 10 hours or so, purchased even longer ago) are the only exceptions. Several of those titles have not even been opened yet!! It's not that I can't stop playing FF11 to play those games, it's that I simply don't. I played most of them when I first bought them, and others were purchased as much as a year prior to when I started playing FF11. (Those games I just hadn't had a chance to get to, as I was enjoying other games that I had purchased... And because I started FF11, I haven't yet taken the time to play them.) I could easily put down FF11 and play the other games at anytime. During exteneded maintenance or when I am geared up and waiting to do some event (and don't feel like doing anything else while I wait to exp with someone or do a mission, or whatever), I do play them--but those times are rare. There is simply SOO much to do in FF11, that I have allowed it to consume a large majority of my time. It is like crack, I will readily admit my addiction, and I like it. If I join another MMO, I have no doubt that I'll do the same thing again. Everyone who has left tells me that their new MMO can put "picked up and put down in an hour" or what not. They say that WoW or PSU (or whatever) doesn't take as much time as FF11 does. Maybe that's true, but it wouldn't be for me. I'm sure I'd voluntarily let it suck me in and I'd enjoy it like the drug that is FF11.

So... in reply, I must say {No thanks.} You guys will always be a close group of friends with a special place in my heart, even if you all leave Vana'diel one day. I will never forget all the great adventures we have had and the many more we will hopefully continue to have in the future. But here in Vana'diel is where I must finish my days. When the last of us has left, I will cherish the memories we all had together, but where you go I simply cannot follow.

Completion Part 2 (OOC)

2007-02-02T03:43:00.000-05:00

{Please forgive me.}, {friend}. It has been almost a month since I last wrote to you, my precious reader. I tried to write this one in character, but I didn't think I could convey my thoughts as well from Boswen's perspective. Too many referances to things that just aren't in FFXI.

So, I come to you again with a bit of a heavy heart. I promise I will have more good news and happy reading (as in the last five posts before this) very soon. But for now, this is what I needed to write. Forgive me if I have become too emotional in this letter. That is how it originally flowed out of my fingers. It is my {True Strike} from the heart, dear reader. I cannot attempt to change my words to be acceptable by a larger audience, and I believe you will appreciate it this way.

Let's start with some background. I am in a set party with Malkier, Apukohai, Diablobob, Kamiru, and Eponine. We're all around level 61, so based on the data from this site, we have about 451,000 exp left until we all hit 75 (+ a 1 death buffer). At approximately 20k per set party, that equals 23 set parties. If we can mangage two per week, that equals 12 weeks. At one per week (we're lucky if we can get that sometimes -.-), that equals 23 weeks...

12 weeks (2 per week) = ~3 months = end of April
23 weeks (1 per week) = ~6 months = middle of July

{/sigh}... I guess I can settle for that, but my Ninja will probably get upto 75 well before that as it has zero scheduling conflicts to consider. Oh well, we'll see what happens...

A dear friend of mine named Apukohai has made comments that he doesn't forsee himself playing FFXI much after the set party hits 75. I believe his words (he discussed this with me and Mal at work tonight) were something to the extent that "It would be a transition point for me." I asked him if he meant transitioning to another MMO, and he said no. He just doesn't see much for him in the game after we hit 75. Some of the old guys from Bob's LS (Knights of Omega Plan) and the old set party (before Eponine and I joined it) have left FF for WoW, but Apu said he dreads the thought of WoW's grind.... So he probably won't be leaving FF for WoW (and probably not PSU for that matter). Whether or not we can (or even if we should) convince him to stay past April or July will be another question entirely.

Anyways, we'll see what happens, but don't worry--I'm not leaving anytime soon. It's Apu that I wonder about. Malkier wasn't sure how long he'd stay either, but it didn't sound like he wanted to leave so soon after we all hit 75. He openly admitted that he doesn't play much more except for the set party. That's fine, that's his perrogative too. But he also said he didn't even think our set would LAST to 75, actually -.- {/sigh}. That was the reason I figured out those calculations actually. I needed to reassure myself that everything would be ok, similar to how a cat will purr when it is distressed (or something).

Bob on the other hand seems to be set on staying well past 75. He loves telling us about the gear he plans to get for his end game SAM. One piece of which, btw, is Enkelado's Bracelets (drops from the highest NM in Delkfutt's Tower), a pair of level 70 STR+11 bracelets. Hopefully we can all help him get those once he reaches 69/70ish.

And so, I am torn. PLD is my "first love," if you will, and I really want to see it get to 75. I love being the tank. I'm disappointed that we've been partying since September 2005 and we've only gained 21 levels. That's pathetic, honestly. I had fun and enjoyed their company each and every time we were together, but I also wish that we had partied more faithfully and had attained level 75 by now. But now the closer I get my PLD to 75, the more I'll be reminded that some of my friends may be leaving shortly thereafter. It's like a really good movie or most any RPG I've ever played. At the end of the game I'm torn for a few hours. On the one had I'm glad to have finally completed it. But on the other, I'm sad that my adventures in that land are over. Sometimes I'll go to the trouble of reloading my saved game just before the final boss and exploring stuff once more to see if there was anything else I could do in the game. I played through FFX-2 twice just so I could get that 100% completion and see both sides of the story + the little extra cutscene at the very end (the one in Zanarkand that was disappointingly not CGd, but just real time quality instead).

I am now on ZM14 (AA or DM fight) and I, for one, plan to finish ZM (once I reach a 75 Job) before finally qutting. I also wanna finish CoP and ToAU... Maybe complete my Goldsmithing to 100. I wrote a whole post about it at the begining of this blog, so I won't repeat myself.

Well, that's all for now. I think I've talked your ears off (wrote your eyes out?) enough for one night. I'll have more for you later.

She Finally Arrived!

2006-12-28T06:52:00.000-05:00

08-02-1012

While I waited anxiously for my wife to arrive, I trained as a monk up to a strength fifteen times greater than when I had began, and I trained as a warrior up to thirty times stronger than I once was. After reaching this level, many townsfolk offered me new quests to learn the abilities of a Paladin and a Ninja and a Dragoon, and many others. Then one day my Moogle finally received a letter about my wife. Her passport was ready and she was coming to Vana’diel in a few days. I worried at first if she was able to able to tie up all of our loose ends back home, and then I wondered what I was thinking—glad that I could finally see her again. It had been almost four years on this world since I had seen her. The letter? Oh, I shall read it to you:

Boswen,

Hi, Darling! Oh, how I have missed you so! Have you enjoyed yourself while you were waiting for me? I can’t talk long. They finally got my paperwork in order and I am waiting to board the flight to Vana’diel! I hope you were able to learn the ropes there and get familiar with the place. I’m sure I will need your help when I arrive. I can’t wait to see you! They finally got my passport paperwork in order and I will be on my way to Vana’diel soon. Please try not to miss me too much—I will be there soon! Oh, Sweetie… It will be so good to see you again. Have you found any nice places for us to go on dates? What are living arrangements like there? I guess I will find out soon enough. The attendants here tell me it is a long trip, but that something called “Moogle Magic” should get this letter to you within minutes! Oh! They are calling for us to come aboard. Don’t worry about the shop, dear. Our family gladly offered to take care of it for us while we were away. I have to go, but I will see you in a few days, Darling. I love you, Sweetheart!

Your Loving Wife,
Eponine

P.S. You like that name? It came to me in a dream one night when I was thinking of you.

Back on our home world, my wife and I managed a medieval Arms and Armoury shop. We had just started off less than a year before I left, but we both felt a higher calling to Vana'diel... Unfortunately, her passport took almost two months longer to process than mine had taken. I shall have to tell you about her and our adventures together in one of my next entries. I was relieved to read that we had found a caretaker for our humble shop. Our family has always been willing to watch over us and guide us as needed, and this was no exception.

Although our marriage was recognized by our home world long ago, we plan to have a ceremony here one day as well. It would be both to reaffirm our commitment to each other, to celebrate our new life on this new world, and to invite the cherished friends we hoped to gain to witness our blessed union. Even as of this writing we have not yet had our ceremony. Perhaps we will one day…

Death and Life

2006-12-28T06:49:00.000-05:00

08-01-1012

This concept of jobs and levels themselves were still somewhat foreign to me. This was probably the cause for the many "dirt snacks" (that's local slang for getting knocked out) I tasted. After finishing off the current monster, my companions would often chime in with things like “Mmm, how’s that dirt taste?” to which I would reply “Needs salt.” This was a common theme, as death almost always seemed to result in landing face down. Luckily, there was always a helpful citizen around to "raise" me--another concept I still don't quite understand, even now. Perhaps we are only made unconscious and the mages here simply cure that ailment, like any other.

Back home death was the end. If you were shot in the chest and had no doctors to heal you, you died shortly after that. Even their curing magic still amazes me. I can be dripping blood and full of cuts and bruises and other battle scars--but a few simple chants from a healer and it's as if nothing ever happened (except for the stains on my clothes, maybe). Back home we had no second chances, no magically ability to bring you back to life. Even worse, one single shot would kill you. I've been shot multiple times with goblin crossbows, and I've only "died" from these shots if I was already severely injured or had no healer with me. Not only that, but it seemed that the stronger I got, the less it hurt when I was shot by the goblins I fought back in Gustaberg. Nowadays I don't even get scratched--that is, if they can even hit me. At my current level, I can either dodge their crossbow bolts (not likely), or their hands quiver with such fear when they see me, that their accuracy becomes incredibly poor.

I'm still not really sure what happens between those last breaths of consciousness as I hit the ground, and magically arising to my feet. I can never remember anything during that time. It feels like I am drawing my final breath, then I suddenly realize that I am rising up from the ground onto my feet--almost instantaneously. One time my group was not able to find someone to raise me in time and my spirit could no longer hold on. Luckily, I did not vanish completely but was sent back to something called a "Home Point."

The first time that I died outside of town I somehow wound up back in my Mog House. The last thing I knew was that I was trying to slay a massive sheep up on a hill. Then suddenly I was in my room looking straight at my Moogle. Before I realized he wasn't the sheep I started to take a swing at him. He winced expecting pain, but I luckily pulled back before I could hurt the little guy. My Moogle noticed how pale I suddenly went and how shocked I must have been. Dying and returning to one’s home point can be quite a jolt the first few times. Luckily, he seems infinitely stronger than me in case I had not been able to pull back my punch. I quickly apologized and explained what I was doing on the hill before being sent home. He understood and explained to be about home points and how I could set mine at the giant crystals around town--it would certainly save him a few more possible whacks on the head. I can only imagine what I would do if ever I accidentally hit my little Moogle buddy. I felt so bad that I bought him some stuff he asked for the next day--not much, just a Beetle Ring and a Power Bow. To my surprise, he came back with a gift of a bigger closet so he could hold more of my neat junk... and more armor and whatnot too. A quick hug and a thank you and then I went off to attempt those sheep again…

New Beginnings

2006-12-28T06:48:00.001-05:00

07-30-1012

My clothes seemed completely out of place here. I was so glad to shed them and adorn the "race specific gear" I was finally issued--they even gave me a real sword! I met several of this world's other races that first day. Galkas, one of the many races of this world, live here in Bastok as well. In only the few days I have been here I have noticed how unfairly they are treated by some of the townsfolk, as if they are lower citizens then humans ("Humes" they call us). I never could understand that.

I was really excited on the first day that I got to go out and use my sword. I soon grew much more experienced at battle and was easily slaying ... (*sarcastic drum roll*) worms and bees. Oh boy, I thought. Woohoo. I could squish those things back home, although much smaller, mind you. After fighting many pesky worms and lizards I acquired various ore and something called fire crystals. I visited the local Goldsmith’s Guild to see if they could explain how it worked. Indeed, Reinberta and Fatimah were able to just that for me. I soon learned how to smelt the copper ores I had found into copper ingots and then later how to combine some copper and zinc ores into brass. I must admit, my first few attempts looked like shiny animal droppings, but Fatimah was able to show me how to fix them and do it right the first time. If I wanted more practice but had run out of ores from the worms I killed, I could even buy more ore from Teerth or Visala. The guild members who ran the shop were all very helpful and very courteous, but I suppose any business would want to treat its customers kindly. I’m not yet sure if it is heartfelt kindness or just a façade to get more of my gil. I’ve only been here for a few days, so I have not yet had time to gain anyone’s trust.

A lack of gil and thirst for more strength compelled me to go back and fight more of the vermin outside. Though I felt like I had grown stronger, I sure didn't feel like I had accomplished much. I wanted to rid the land of the real pests--the growing problem of the local beastman hordes just outside of town. One of these strange beast races was called "Quadav" -- massive humanoid turtle-like creatures that packed a mean punch. Anything that could swing a sword at you with what seems like the strength of a five oxen must surely be avoided until you have gained the strength of seven bulls--or until you can get a few of your friends to help take it down.

To my amazement, there were even "Goblins" here -- something I thought only existed in comics about web-slinging super heroes and what not. These little punks fought dirty, doing things like lobbing bombs and wildly charging at their opponents. Sometimes they would knock me right off my feet for a moment. They weren't that difficult of a monster, as long as I choose the easier looking ones. (Dear me! It felt strange saying "monster" when I had first started as an adventurer.) If all else failed, I'd simply wind up next to my Moogle, stunned. Still, time brought more and more of these Goblins across my path and I began to form quite a grudge against them. The infamous "Dunes" and those blasted Jungles didn't help any. (I'm sure you've all heard of these places by now. That horribly bright sand always had a way of getting under my skin and making stubborn monsters harder to fight. And I hated navigating those confounded jungle trails--I got lost more than any good adventurer ever should have.) I've lost count of how many times those darn Goblins have knocked me out cold. And those little boogers just love to sneak up on you when you're in the middle of beating up something else. Much later in my adventuring career I finally reconciled my differences with the goblins--at least to some extent. In Jueno, one of them aided me by magically increasing the size of my backpack, while another crafted me a wonderful new set of armor from some simple patterns I found around the world. In a land far away from Bastok called “Aht Urhgan,” I even fought along side them, aiding the town in its defense against the great and many evils of that land.... But I digress. Those are other stories far ahead of this one, to be told some other time.

I still enjoy beating up the evil Goblins every now and again, but I don't target them anymore than the other local monsters. At one point I was so furious with them that I wanted to come back to the dunes when I was stronger and slay as many of them as I could find. (This startled some, while others suggested I take up the Dark Knight profession). It was a long and hard journey up to my warrior’s twentieth level. After all, it was my first job and learning the ropes is not easy. After increasing my warrior skill twenty times over, I talked to an old coot named Isacio that wanted some kind of magic skull, a worm and a crab shell. I didn’t understand why, but I happily obliged. Something about proving myself worthy was the only way he would teach me his fighting techniques. After giving him what he requested, he taught me how to wield the abilities of multiple job classes. I didn’t feel any different, so I had to test out this newfound skill. I returned to Bastok, laughing at the garbage that tried to attack me on the way back. I had tried out each of the jobs I had learned for a few hours when I had first arrived in Bastok. Each seemed interesting, but Warrior had caught my fancy first, as had Monk, albeit much more briefly. When I arrived in The Dunes as my Warrior, I was asked to distract the mobs away from everyone else and focus it’s attention on me. I was happy to take the heat, as I had plenty of good healers during my time there. Monk’s naturally high health and vitality seemed the perfect support role to my warrior class, and vice-a-versa. Too my surprise, I felt stronger playing Monk with this new support role ability than I felt beforehand. After increasing my monk skill just ten times over, I suddenly remembered how to provoke a monster’s anger against me. It was quite thrilling!

The Great Republic

2006-12-28T06:30:00.000-05:00

07-29-1012

As I arrived here, I was greeted by a kind welcoming committee and shown around Bastok. After spending the day viewing all the sites of this wonderful city and getting a good grasp of my surroundings, I decided to retire for the evening. One of the benefits of this wonderful adventurer program is the free studio apartment they give us. The kind townsfolk explained to me how to get to my apartment--they call them "Mog Houses" here. What exactly is a "Mog" I wondered. It didn't take long to find out. Upon entering my room, I was greeted by a marvelous creature called a "Moogle." I had seen them in the brochures but thought for sure they were some type of hologram. In fact, I think I startled the poor Moogle. I reached out my hand to try to put it through what I thought was an empty image. Instead, I nudged him in the stomach and suddenly pulled back my hand, shocked. "I'm sorry, I didn't think you guys were real," I told him. "There's nothing like you on my home world." "Oh, I didn't mind, Kupo. The other Moogles told me this might happen, Kupo!"

It was odd to have this servant-like creature at my beck and call, but also somehow comforting. He explained to me all about the "job" system and how armor and weapons worked here. It was not so different as I had imagined--probably much like the medieval age was back home, with a few exceptions. I could probably equip anything I chose back on my home world, had I the strength to carry it. Here, however, there was some kind of magic that bound armor and weapons to specific job classes and experience levels. Some armor was even bound to an individual's soul and could not be used by another.

So, with the day nearing to a close, I decided it was best I get some rest. The first few nights were slept on the uncomfortable floor, but I didn’t mind. I did some errands for the local townsfolk as best as I could for a few days, trying to earn money to buy a simple bed. I sure wish they furnished these places too. The Moogle told me that I would have a furnished room if I visited the other nations. I planned to do just that -- if only so I could sleep in a nice warm bed. In the meantime, I learned a lot about this adventuring thing from the townsfolk, my Moogle, and other adventurers. I couldn’t wait to get my armor and a decent weapon so I could start training to protect my wife when she arrived.

A New Land

2006-12-28T06:14:00.000-05:00

I had originally planned to release this post as one long entry, but I decided to split it into five parts for easier reading. I've been working on it off and on since Christmas Eve morning, so I hope they are well worth it. So without further ado, I give you my sudden burst of first entries in character. Enjoy!

07-28-1012

I am called Boswen. I was born on my home world as "Bowen," belonging to the Swan clan. This world was in the 4th month of its 436th year at the time. A new life and a new world requires a new way of thinking--so I try to base my time lines upon this world. Some would say that I am nearly 600 years old--surely a magical being like the once immortal elves of the distant lands of Lothlórien. Few from this world know of that place. Nay, I would guess that some might have even traveled here from there. Had I told the townsfolk my age in their terms, some would think I had gone mad or would simply not believe me, while others still would be frightened of me. I am only 22 on my home world, so I thought it best to choose a similarly suitable age for this world. The concept of age doesn't seem at all like that of my home world. Why, I know some friends that arrived here in Vana'diel on its 938th year--that's nearly 74 years ago! Where they were born or what their true age may be, I do not know. But they don't seem a day over 30! Some wonderful mystery about this world is it's ever-present youthfulness. Sure, many of the townsfolk range from young children to wise elders, but the adventurers seem to have a youthful fire that burns within them—even the gray-haired Elvaan.

When I had signed up to become an adventurer back on my home world, the form only asked for one name--neither my given nor my surname, just a name. It was as if Vana'diel’s adventurer recruitment stations wanted to create a sense of unity or something--or perhaps just didn't care. They said that some of the townsfolk were the only ones with traditional given names and surnames. Adventurers were known only by their first name and country of citizenship or preferred job class. Examples they gave were great adventurers such as "Alison the Amazing Thief," "Argentos of Windurst" or sometimes just by first name, such as "Guankim." By the suggestion of my dear wife, I combined my first name with my clan name to form "Boswen." New life, new thinking, and now I had a new name. They also suggested I seek the assistance of local guilds, such as "The Treant Alliance" or "Wings of Fire," or "Thumb Monkeys."

I arrived in Vana'diel on what was the 3rd day of Vana'diel's 12th month, in the 966th year of the first age. That was almost 45 and one half years ago, according to this world. If I had aged that much on my home world, I would have been considered "over the hill" by now. Here in this great land, however, I feel as though I am barely into my youth. Even though time seems to move much faster here, my physical body seems to age much slower. My years in Vana’diel will surpass the age of my parents soon--quite an odd feeling. When last I saw them, I was leaving their land to travel to Vana'diel and enlist in Bastok's adventurer program. I always wanted to see new places and try to really do some good for the world. I had hoped that I could do both this way--maybe even become one of the great Mythril Musketeers I read about in all the brochures. I can no longer remember my true age, but it matters not anymore. I plan to live out my days here as a citizen aligned towards a lawful good nature. I have always been an honorable and kindhearted soul that enjoys helping others in need and would gladly lie down my life for that of my friends.

I regretfully missed the turn of the millennium here--it must have been a sight to be seen, or so I imagine. What struck me as odd, however, is that none of the four nations here had any kind of celebration to commemorate the new millennium. Why, back home it was a grandiose event! Everyone was worried that the coming of the third age would cause mass problems with their primitive technology. At the same time, everyone was celebrating the coming of the New Year and the end of the present one. In this world, celebrations of Christmas cheer and the New Year only happen once every 25 years or so. Could it be that this world moves 25 times faster than my home world!? It sure doesn't seem as such. Days and nights here don't seem any different than at home, save for a much more beautiful horizon as far as the eye can see. Mayhap I just don't notice the ever passing of time.

Contemplations of Completion (OOC)

2006-12-19T05:51:00.001-05:00

I have sometimes contemplated what I will do if I ever feel like I have "completed" FFXI. I don't think that will happen anytime soon, and I don't think I could ever stop without reason. Nor could I stop because there is some newer "better" land on which to live, as some of my close friends have done (with WoW and PSU). I enjoy FFXI so much that I have decided FFXI may be my first and last MMO. I do not wish to stretch myself thin, attempting to live a dual life between multiple lands (MMOs). I believe to do so is foolishness. I could never become a master of either life. I could truly only carve out a meager half-hearted existance in both. I have seen it happen with many of my friends who have attempted to live in both worlds. I am grateful that they have not left me entirely, and I am happy that they are enjoying life where they felt it was greener. But I am also saddened, for my life is here and here alone.

Also, if my life in Vana'diel must cease (either by way of unforseen events in real life or by way of the dreaded inevitably of servers permantly shutting down), I wish to retire gracefully and in good standing with my fellow comrades in arms. I wish to complete my career as someone viewed as a kindhearted old man who was thought of as a hero in his youth. I desire this not for want of fame, but that I could be truly thought of as someone helpful, someone who made a difference in the lives of his companions.

There is nearly nothing that can stop me in my quest at this point. To me, finally attaining level 75 with at least one job, fooling around with merit points for a month or two, and beating all of the missions is what I see as a complete life. (That is, I would like to at least attain Bastok Rank 10, and complete ROTZ, CoP and ToAU... Maybe even complete Sandy's and Windy's missions too.) I might even try to gain the highest possible ToAU Mercenary Rank. To me, that would be "beating" the game (just like when you see "The End" on the off-line FF games). Or at least, that would be the biggest chunk of meat of the game, if you will. Like in all previous FF games, there is a main storyline, and then there are countless hours of side quests to do. To me, the missions are the main storyline and my main focus.I might even try Dynamis if I can get a high enough level job to be helpful there. I hear running through them all has some interesting storyline to be read. I might even try to finish all my currently active quests and do join a "God"/HNM LS. Getting my Goldsmithing the rest of the way (currently at 64.7+1) to 100 is still something I'd like to complete, if I can ever find a good way to earn 30+ million in a reasonable time. You know, some other neat stuff like that...

But truly, all of that is just side quests to give me additional stuff to do on my journey. Not to make light of all the other non-mission stuff to do within the game. I enjoy almost every aspect of life in Vana'diel--accept maybe the dunes :P But the real reason I think I'll stay in Vana'diel is the family. Even after the servers shutdown, I could never forget the life I enjoyed here.I enjoy role playing, and Paladin is my favorite job (if you haven't noticed by my blog title). Sure, I have other jobs leveled and I enjoyed doing so, but I play them primarly to become more verstile by having plenty of good support jobs. I also enjoy a change of pace every now and again. I liken it to a vacation for when too many wounds have dragged my spirits down. But at my heart, I really like the Tank role. In Vana'diel, I live to be a valorous protector of the weak, fight honorably, and do good service for my friends and loved ones.

If by some unforseen event, life forces me to retire early, I don't think I could ever sell my account to gil sellers. My life in Vana'diel is like a piece of me, and to sell it to those good for nothing gil sellers would be like sending my own kin as a sheep before the slaughter.

P.S.: This post is the result of reading a wonderful blog: Memoirs of a FFXI Thief, by Alison the Amazing Thief. Thank you for inspiring me, Alison. Specifically, it started as a comment I was going to make (before it got too long) to this post.