#also i will be able to play ffxiv again soon so. i am very happy :(( <3< /div> Explore tagged Tumblr posts

[astrxealis]

eepy, tired .....

[autumnslance]

What was it like going from World of Warcraft to FFXIV? As someone who has never played an online RPG before FFXIV I am often :0 ?! when I hear that some people found getting into FFXIV hard because of the mandatory main quest when they just want to go to endgame content as soon as possible. Is going endgame ASAP a regular thing in most online RPGs?

Have a header image of a FFXIV version of my original WoW Main, Discipline Priest Lirriel F’sharri.

Me, a concise answer? Hahaha! Sorry. This got long, so behind a cut it goes and hopefully I answer to Nonny’s satisfaction, taking the questions and breaking them down:

Is going endgame ASAP a regular thing in most online RPGs?

In a lot of games it can be, yes. WoW doesn’t really have a linear overall storyline; each zone has its own story, and each expansion has its own story arc. Nowadays, with how long it’s been running and how big it’s gotten, WoW has revamped their questing so that you decide if you want to go through 1-50 in a specific expac (Burning Crusade, Cataclysm, Wrath of the Lich King, etc), and then catch up to the newest expac for the newest levels, since they also recently did a “level squish” as well as a stats squish, as they had gotten well over 100+ levels in the last couple expansions. Numbers are a problem for long running games (which is why experienced MMO players nodded and some even sighed in relief when the stat squish for Endwalker was announced).

I don’t think FFXIV will be able to do anything similar since their overarching story is so linear; it’s more like playing a single player traditional JRPG with some MMO features attached. I can see them perhaps scaling experience point gain with quests the way they have with the side quests in Shadowbringers, or with Beast Tribe dailies; that would work going forward I think. Unless we get the option to start with the new storyarc starting in 6.1; that could be interesting!

The only other time I had a linear story to go through similarly to FFXIV was early days of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, which I played briefly at launch. Even then, each planet had its own storyline, the overall storyline was the individual class questlines. There was, I think, an overarching plot, but it didn’t really come into play until level cap? I don’t even remember and never got to cap because the grind in that game at launch was awful.

And that’s a thing about many MMOs; the leveling experience is learning about the world, introducing characters and setting, but it’s mostly filler until you get to the endgame where the raiding is--and in WoW, the story is only completed via seeing it in raids (thank goodness for Looking for Raid) and was the main focus mechanically as well. WoW didn’t really have an overarching story in Classic, it was a lot of disparate elements setting up and holdovers from the original RTS games and led to random raid content. Burning Crusade gave us an overarching plot with going to Outland to face Illidan--which honestly wasn’t all that well done storywise. BC is remembered fondly for the quality of life changes and allowing smaller groups to raid, rather than requiring wrangling 40 people. And the raids were challenging and fun--or frustrating, but mileage varies there. But the impetus for “the Dark Portal opened and Illidan’s in Outland being bad” was...pretty much it? Later expacs like Wrath had much better story setup and throughlines as they went, and my one friend described Shadowlands as having something like an MSQ. There are, however, a lot of retcons and putting necessary plot information in supplemental material, which was always frustrating. I’ve likened it before to “imagine going from defeating Tsukuyomi at the end of 4.3 and all the separations and set up there...and then the next patch picking up with getting warped to the First because everything that happened in 4.4 and 4.5 occurs in a novel.” That’s too often been WoW’s method of connecting expansion stories while players languish for a year or more in the last raid content.

I wish I was kidding. FFXIV having a set, quick release schedule, that they keep to so consistently with such good quality--and cosmetic and RP stuff added too!--is astounding to me. I worry for the devs’ health at times--then I hear things like Yoshida turning down requests for crunchy overtime to keep said devs from burning out, hence why the next Ultimate is pushed to 6.1. I appreciate that greatly. Getting anything not pertaining to endgame raid and PvP content in WoW was often impossible, coming with complaints from the raiding community that frivolous additions for sheer fun cost them whole tiers, and seriously 18 months between patches was not unheard of.

What was it like going from World of Warcraft to FFXIV?

I started FFXIV at the beginning of Heavensward...but I was still playing WoW. FFXIV was my side game, as I was still invested in roleplay and raiding with my WoW friends. So I mostly enjoyed playing through the story at a leisurely pace, but I didn’t finish ARR for like 2 years. When Stormblood came out I was hitting burnout in WoW despite mostly enjoying Legion, and the quality of life changes for StB really invigorated my interest and ability to play. The longer GCD for FFXIV was actually one of the biggest challenges for me, especially since I had primarily tanked and healed in WoW. I am not an aggressive or competitive player, nor very manually coordinated, so DPS has always been a challenge for me. I find DPS easier in FFXIV thanks to the longer GCD--I’m still not great, but I don’t feel overwhelmed by trying to hit my rotation buttons instantly. It’s taken me a while to get used to tanking, and I still don’t do it in 8man content, except once or twice with my friends. Mostly cuz I’m just enjoying my DPS jobs, really, so haven’t invested in learning.

...And some of my old fear of random roulettes as a lone tank/healer; WoW’s LFG was a toxic pit for various reasons FFXIV has mostly avoided and even my worst day in FFXIV’s roulette is better than a good day in WoW’s, which gave me anxiety and I stopped doing without friends. FFXIV has no Public Test Realm that people expect you to get on pre-patch to not only spoil story moments, but also learn all the fight mechanics ahead of time and if you don’t know them Hour 1 Day 1 of a new patch release you’re deserving of abuse.

I won’t say never, but I just haven’t found myself interested in going back to WoW or feeling invested in that story, though I do sometimes miss my RP characters (and may write more stories for them sometime). I do keep track of certain beloved NPCs and events--a friend streamed a beautiful moment in Ardenweald for me because I did play through what happened to that character in Legion, sobbing the whole time. I’m tracking what’s happening to Anduin Wrynn closely; we’ve literally watched that character grow up in real time over the years from boy prince to king of Stormwind and I’m still a bit heartbroken about his father. But I play for story and characters, and Blizzard’s way of telling those stories and handling those characters lost me, and with how the Acti-Blizz execs and higher level devs act lately (Hazzikostas keeps striking me as out of touch), they don’t give me much incentive to go back. I may not even pick up Diablo 4 at this rate.

So FFXIV’s story hits the right narrative and character focus for me, especially when I buckled in and replayed...and then replayed again...and now have NG+...Anyway, I like how they build the lore and characters and while it’s far from perfect and they have their own flaws, coming from WoW, it’s a lovely change of pace. Not to mention just how Yoshida and his team interact and communicate with the player base, and see the players’ trust as paramount post-1.x.

...I hear that some people found getting into FFXIV hard because of the mandatory main quest when they just want to go to endgame content as soon as possible.

Some people play only to raid; they like mechanics, and challenges, and feeling powerful at max level with the best gear. They don’t care about the overall story--in some cases because they don’t realize it’s so in depth and linear and sensible after/compared to the constant retcons and revamps in games like WoW!--and are just here to play with friends. Cool for them, if that’s what makes them happy! If that’s how they relax and have fun, power to ‘em so long as they aren’t being nasty to others less advanced/able/willing to put in the time and effort for gameplay. But for me, story and characters are far more important, and I raided quite a lot in WoW at various levels of difficulty and raid size. I am old and tired and want to relax and have fun with friends and write stories that get away with me when my characters get a mind of their own. So I rarely do more than Normals, avoiding Savage and Extreme cuz that grind doesn’t interest me. I’ll do stuff I can do on my own to get my progress fix for my brain (like leveling jobs).

The trouble we’re running into now is FFXIV’s linear story is well over 100 hours long. Even with the ARR revamp cutting a lot of chafe, there’s a LOT to get through to reach HW, and then a lot to get to StB, and then to ShB. And there will be a bunch to get through to EW. That’s JUST MSQ, not counting all the side content a new player may also want to catch up on, like the Alliance and Normal raids, PvP, Relics, Hildibrand, side quest stories like Mail Moogle, Beast Tribes, Crafting...the list goes on and on!

Content in a successful MMO must be varied for multiple styles and preferences for the long term health of the game. Roleplayers and story-focused folks tend to be the ones who stick between patches, farming content at a slower pace to get rewards they want for RP or to see story info, as opposed to raid-focused folks who push new content at release for the challenge and glory. Some of those folks also RP or like story though, so go back to farm between blowing up new content. There’s room for all kinds, and there has to be, and while I am sometimes annoyed by people who skip story (or outright dislike it!) while demanding to know how X works or why a character did A thing, they play their way and pay their sub to keep things running same as me and my obsessive need to know the lore and see it for myself. I can certainly understand those players who story skip that much content to get to where their friends are, if that’s the primary reason they play is to raid with pals, and with New Game+ it’s easier than ever for someone to go back and catch up the story later anyway.

[thefallenofbajhiri]

Prompt 14: Scour

Please note that I am not actively participating in the FFXIV Writing Prompts for 2019. For one I am VERY late to the start and two, I don’t do so well when it comes to these things obviously. I do however want to write stories to these prompts with a character in particular. And that is Toshinaku here.

Please also be mindful of your safety as some of these prompts may contain material and content not suitable for younger audiences.

FFXIV Write Week Two Prompt - Cour FFXIV Oneshot (Potentially, may be referenced in further Prompts) Music: Everyone Loves a Villain - Eater of Worlds Rating: MATURE! This story contains VERY graphic Gore once again in the transformation department, this story also contains Character Death. I’m pretty sure that the Body Horror that tends to come with Toshi since so many of the prompts just lead to these things. Character Death and graphic melting bodies, please take care of yourself and only read if you are over the age of 18. Warning: Detailed and Graphic Gore, Blood and Transformation as well as Character Death. For those who have gone through Shadowbringers an have seen a very specific scene in Ahm Arang… thing that but cranked up to 1000. Pairings: None Summary: While the promise was there it was not kept... Toshinaku’s lies were found out and his helper showed that he has morals. Not sitting well with this, Toshinaku corners his pet in the room of an Inn and shows just what happens when you displease him... however apart of Sozoh’a remains as Toshi wonders about just what he has become... Word Count: 1,496

"Oh my little pet just look at what you have done..." those words were purred out in a bone chilling manner. The Voidsent had resorted to taking on his natural form once again after having stockpiled on as much Aether as he could "Isssss yourrrrrr life so worthlesssssss to you? Arrrrrrre you ssssso willing to throw it away?" cold, cruel... and bitter... Toshinaku hissed out softly, his body was slowly starting to eat away at itself as those seals were doing what they were intended "You had one tassssssk to do and you failed... worthlesssssss... truly worthlesssssssss..." His eyes narrowed as he watched the Au Ra practically tripping over his feet as he scrambled back... he had drawn the Au Ra in once again but this time it was because of his anger. Oh how he tried to mold the Xaela, how he tried to make sure he was going to do the job and give him the information that he wanted but no... "What isssss your life worrrrrth anymorrrrre?" he growled out watching the Xaela as he was frantically reaching behind him to try and open the door.

Unfortunately for him, the doors had been sealed by melting away the metal knob on it and jamming the inner workings of the mechanisms to make absolutely sure that his little toy wasn't able to escape "Y-you said you weren't going to h-hurt anyone... t-that you wouldn't hurt..." Toshi snorted out softly as he practically lunged forward and slammed his bulky form against the Xaela... reaching to grapple with the other Au Ra's arms and jerking them above his head. The voidsent didn't stop there however as he used the weight of that serpentine tail of his to hold the Xaela down as he stretched those muscles to the point that they were beginning to rip and shoulder blades began to pop as the joints snapped and were torn out of place earning a cry from the other man. Oh what had he become... "All thissssss time I played along with thissssss little game... all you had to do my little pet wasssssss give me inforrrrrmation..." "Information that you were going to use to hurt people!" Another cry was drawn out of the Xaela as Toshinaku twisted one of those arms in a painful manner, twisting it in a circular motion which further snapped it from its place and made the limb completely useless "Inforrrrrmation that would ssssset me frrrree..." his anger was slowly beginning to boil over... and the more frustrated and annoyed he got... well the more he was likely to simply tear his little pet apart rather than just suck away his life and be done with it. His grip tightened on the uninjured wrist as he hissed again... "You knew what I wassssss... you knew what you werrrrre getting into..." he muttered out against the side of the Xaela's face... quiet and bitter as his eyes narrowed into thin slits "Afterrrrrr all you werrrrre one of thosssssse found in the Thaumaturrrrges Guild... you took up Alchemy to trrrrrry and bring lessssserrrrrrr voidsssssent to you..." Slowly that bulky and muscular take began to coil its way around the Xaela's form... wrapping around feet and then coiling up slowly... very slowly. He was making sure that this little bastard was going to feel every one of his bones breaking as those coils constricted and squeezed the life out of him "You wanted to fuck sssso many of usssssss... wanted to ssssssstart with thossssse lesssssser and go from there. You were lusssssting for ussssssss the moment you ssssssaw yourrrr firssssst. Ssssssuch a ssssselfisssssh little thing you were..." a loud crackling followed those words, a shrill cry escaping the Xaela before his mouth was being covered and the limp arm left to drop to his side... He was done playing now... coils started to twist and wrap around the Xaela's form much quicker as Toshi dragged him down to the floor so that the weight of his body wouldn't be a problem to him. The crackling of bones followed as the heaviest part of that serpentine body would curl it's way around coming to a rest finally on the Au Ra's chest and squeezing. The end of his tail wrapping itself around his throat and covering his mouth "You could have had all of thossssse ssssselfisssssh desssssirrresssss but insssstead you thrrrrew it all away. You jusssst had to grow a hearrrrt..." Toshi was however soon cut off from continuing as finally the Aether he had consumed and built up burnt out and the sudden pained groan to escape his lips followed. His body starting to smoke as that tail of his began to boil and blister up. Scales melting away like the wax of a candle once again. He could see the fear in his little toys eyes and the bitter smirk to cross his features this time... oh he could just take his life easily but he wanted the little bitch to suffer dearly for his grave mistake. He knew well the way his body acted once the seals began to force him to turn back. It would begin to burn away... boiling with a heat so intense that anything caught within those coils would suffer along with it. With each sharp burst of agonizing pain Toshi would squeeze those coils and dig those ribs right into the smaller mans form biting and tearing into his flesh. The voidsent would even take in a heavy breath just to stretch out the sides of that body and let it out so the ribs were acting like actual teeth... using the movements to chew, bite and tear. To allow for the agonizing heat to do the same to his pet as it was to him. The Xaela's death was going to be agonizingly slow... Toshi wasn't going to let him die until he felt he had truly earned it. Melting flesh would drip down and what was on the inside would just allow for small tiny droplets to fall and then burn tiny holes through flesh and bone. Pairing such things with the way those ribs were being used and you had a truly disturbing means to torture someone by denying them death. He saw the pleading look in his former pets eyes... "Oh you wisssssh forrrrr me to end it?" he purred out, cruel and disturbing the grin was that danced across his face "You have not earrrrrned a quick death little pet..." Not yet... and likely not until he had finally melted away entirely. Toshi could feel how the small mans form was starting to melt with his... melting and falling apart as those ribs finally just sunk in and the voidsent kept them in place... a cage that trapped and sealed the Alchemist to his fate. Slowly he allowed for his eyes to drift close... by this point he was numb to the pain, after all... he fought to maintain this form often. Fighting against the seals and try to push them to the point where they broke... but sadly he was likely never going to break them. Melted flesh mingled with melting flesh as the Xaela slowly boiled away inside... bones starting to show as everything began to fall apart and ooze its way onto the floor forming a giant mess of gore and boiling blood. He could feel the bones finally dropping and falling apart, shattered and completely destroyed by his coils as he'd constricted them and made sure that they were going to be of no use should the little bastard have escaped. Finally it was over and as Toshinaku slowly draw back so that he could stand on those disgusting legs that he'd been cursed with he simply looked down at the dissolved mess of gore and rot. The only knowledge that there had once been an Au Ra somewhere in that mess was the horned skull... the rest of the skeletal remains were nothing but shattered and broken bones. The sound of a low sigh came out of the Voidsent as he brought his hand to rest on his hip... his tail swaying slowly behind him. What had he become that this was what he did now? A creature that was so cruel that he utterly destroyed everything in the most brutal of ways. He was once a happy child who wanted to make his family proud, a hunter that brought home the largest of boars... a nimble and agile boy who could get the most delicious of honey for everyone. For a moment there was a sad look to cross his features as those memories were coming back in small flashes... he was a monster now... Sozoh'a had died with the rest of his family. Turning his head to a side he huffed out a heavy breath he had a mess to scour now and he had to make sure to do so before he left the inn room. 

[movingtoamultimuseblog-blog]

So, I know most people do these bias lists but I feel like they're a little hollow sometimes? Like one of those obligatory thank yous. I hope that mine does not seem this way. I am super grateful however to each and every one of you that do follow me. It's been almost three months now since I've been on this site as Sombra and I know I'm not the most active what with having to work, but I do genuinely appreciate everything. Most of you I don't really know or interact with and the fact that you all stick around is amazing. It's a silent sort of support but it does mean a lot. For those that just joined recently, this thank you does extend to you as well. Had it not been for you, I would not have broken the 100 follower mark. So please, I want you to know you're all just as important<3

That being said, let me move onto some of the more notable people as well as the two most important people on this site to me. If your name is not on here, it is just simply because we have not interacted yet. Either I am a bit too busy or I'm too shy. Either way, it's all on me. ; w ; <3 Forgive me. 

Seriously force me to talk with you however and that will change it all!

This is going to be long so please bear with me !!!

I love you both so much - I know you two already know

@deathforsaken  

Skull, you're probably going to hear this forever and then some but you've been amazing to me. Yes, sure, we both have our bad days and sometimes that can cause some issues but I always move on and love you no matter what. Just to think that in a few months, we'll have been together for a year already. Time really flies, doesn't it? And what with the good news you got today, I'm so happy that so much turned around for you once I walked in. I don't feel like I ever really do enough for you, and that's partially because I'm always wanting to give you love every waking second, but I just want you to know that you mean so, so very much to me. I'll admit; I'll always be terrified of being close. There are likely going to be days where I refuse to be affectionate though I'm glad to say I've kept them from happening. Just know that even on those days, there is no where I would rather be than by your side. I look forward to visiting soon, to being able to hold your hand, to do all the little gay things. I'm not normally one for them as fluff sometimes bores me halfway to hell, but for you? I never want the fluffy parts to end along with the other things. You're so worth it, love, and never let anyone ever tell you otherwise again. Just like you will seriously never be alone again.

@survivorguilt

Sunny. Oh my god where do I begin? You're so sweet and kind and I know you're saying you're just being honest like I did to you but you deserve to hear it every day. At first, I was so nervous to speak with you because Skull is the social one and the two of you clicked so fast. And I'll admit? I'm a bit envious that you two can do so much together roleplay-wise. xD But I know that's because you both have the best pairing ever and you make it feel so real. That aside, I'm so happy we started to talk, us being the shy beans and potatoes that we are. I want to make sure that your days aren't filled with those dark moments again. I want to make you smile, to try tears of joy, to maybe one day get to hear your laugh to the antics we have. I have fun being able to talk with you in the duration of the day and both you and Skull make work bearable. As cliche and gay as this sounds, you're the little sunshine to make the day not so grey. I hope that I'm able to do the same for you and that you stick around for quite some time because I've gotten attached~<3

Some really cool people that I wanna give love to~!

@fanged-mccree 

Kofi; we haven't talked yet but you're super sweet? Like oh my god, you're just far too nice. When you answered that number meme, I was honestly shocked to see my url there? Like, aaaah ;//A//; <333 You write very well and I enjoy when I see you on my dash. You're a very nice person and just, I'm still so flattered. There are some days where I don't feel very secure about my writing, especially due to who I picked and how I play her very platonically, so seeing words like yours are super reassuring and they make me smile. <3 If you ever want to write anything together, feel free to hit me up, okay? <333333

@kagonosuzume

Az!! I am so sorry I still have not written your starter! I've been so busy that I keep not getting around to it and I feel awful! ; A ; That being said, you're precious and sweet and I love every last one of your shit posts as well as your actual ones. You're a great writer and I love seeing you on my dash all the time. <333 I'm excited to see what the Pacific Rim AU group may bring and I seriously need to talk with you soon about what you would like for your starter because I'm hopeless. </3 You're great in my books~!

@cuervocanto

Crow~! I love you? I love you. You and Zevran are amazing and despite the fact that I don't know much about the Dragon Age universe, speaking with you and learning about it from you makes it seem enjoyable. I normally like games like that but every time I tried to sit down and play, I found myself super distracted. ; w ; That being said, I loved playing Heroes with you and I love the intellectual conversations we can also have! I really look forward to playing FFXIV with you soon as well and I hope we have great cat and dragon people antics~! I'll even start a character with you so we can go through it all together~<333 I know I have that meme to write for you still and I'll have to message you soon on that because of the number I got. xD Anyways, keep on being awesome because that's just how you are~<3

@rebelmasked & @delafoi

SYDNEY. Can I love you for a moment? For like several actually? Both your Arno and Wrench are absolutely amazing and you're so funny too! Because of you, I decided to go and borrow a friend's copy of Watch Dogs 2 just so I can play it to get a better idea for the game. It's an unpopular opinion but I actually did like the first one. I just never had the time to get the second to play for myself. <3333 I really want to rp more with you in the future and I want the best, sassy hacker friends ever. <333333

@trickster-rat

Hannah?~ Sweetie, your Junkers will probably always be my favorite. Not because it's good, which it is, but because he's just such a sweetheart in your hands? Like I love him? He and my Sombra make the best pair to be the besties of the god of death, honestly. I do honestly want to do more with them soon and I have to say you're a good writer as well <3 Keep it up, Hannah. You're young but you have a lot of potential behind you. <3333

@timedeath

So, I know we haven't talked much yet save for a few little things here and there but I have to say you're such a good Gabe? Like, if Skull weren't nabbing my bias, you would be my favorite. You write very well and I enjoy seeing you on my dash also. Perhaps we can plot together sometime and get a thread going. <3 I know it can be a little strange for someone you barely know to offer such a thing but if things end up negative again for you, just know that my IM is always open okay? I may not respond right away because of work but I absolutely WILL get to you. <3

@stcrdcst

Ally. You're such a strange little thing and I love it. The quick little quips and comments, the pictures you share, the dash watches, they're also so funny and make me smile. You have a very casual and laidback form of roleplaying but I enjoy it. It brings me back to the days when roleplayed was something more simple and relaxed. Your OC is a delight and I hope you continue to write for more years to come. <333 Don't ever lose that okay? You're seriously great despite what anyone ever says~

You guys are awesome too~!

We maybe just started talking or had a few conversations in passing. I want anyone who is mentioned here to know that I do enjoy your writing styles and just because maybe I don't talk very often or I'm off doing other things, doesn't mean I don't like you. Each of you are absolute delights and I hope to see more of you soon! (Also pls push me to be social? I want to be but sometimes I'm too shy! The same goes for plotting!) I may be the really nice anon in your inbox however giving you the encouraging words you need or want to hear if I haven’t spoken to you yet as well! <3

@mechagain, @keepcalmand-tracer-on, @cauchemarr, @llacus, @dragonsealed, @fingergxns, @warscourge, @bombra, @diiisplaced

Please know that just because you are not on this list does not mean that I don’t enjoy you. I am seriously thankful for each and every last one of you. So thank you all again and I hope that as things change, I can continue to meet more of you and enjoy the community to its fullest~<333

THANK YOU FOR 100+ FOLLOWERS~<333

                                                                                               - Cross~<3

[injur3d-s0ul]

Staying Grounded (FFXIV)

Under the afternoon skies of the city-state Limsa Lominsa, the residents and travelers seemed to be going about their normal lives. Roaming around the markets of Hawker’s Alley was a young Miqo'te girl and boy. Though the two have never met before, their lives would soon be intertwined with one another.

“I hate being on the ground this long, it’s killing me.”  Said N’ero Valtoni as he looked down at the sheet he was given.  Dressed in the tell-tale high altitude garb of the Sky Pirates, he resembled an old-earth boat captain with his black leather boots and forest green leather coat.  He wore a necklace resembling his ship’s crest, which rested on his chest over a loose-fitting red shirt.  “Ah so you are a pirate!” a fluffy light-pink haired Miqo’te girl snapped at him. Little to his knowledge there had been an eavesdropper in the midst. As he stood off to the side of the Lominsan Aetheryte he hadn’t noticed someone was coming his way. “You look far too clean to be a pirate,” she sniffed the air “and no stench.” Taken aback by the sudden interest from this stranger, N’ero tried to keep his composure. “I’m guessing you’re the guide here or something,” N’ero asked smugly, and he could tell she wasn’t amused by that comment as she stared him down.

This was no mere city goer he was messing with. The look in her eyes told him that she had also taken part in a number of adventures herself.“Sorry. Umm, I was actually looking for a place called The Drowning Wench.” N’ero said, scratching his head and looking away. “Could you help me?” Beginning to ease her expression and unfold her arms, she let’s out a sigh. “I suppose, but when traveling you should be a bit more respectful. You mind telling me who you are?” the pink haired girl asked. Realizing he was still holding the sheet of paper he folded it up and shoved it into the pocket of his pants. “Names N’ero, and I’m trying to finish my business here and get the heck out of this place. How about you?” He followed her forward in the direction of the lift that would take them up to The Drowning Wench. N’ero makes sure to take in the sights, the buildings made of stone, the ships in the distance, and he’d never seen so many ax wielders in one place. “Elyssia Tr’iere-” she mustered out before being interrupted by an unusual stranger. “Heiress of the well respected Tr’iere Merchantry here in Lominsa and you sir are more than you lead on..” The pair turn around to see a Lalafell man dressed in a jet black Daystar robe and toting around a globe of an Astrologian, which only enhanced his peculiar behavior.

The two were both confused as to whom this character was with the painted on grin and how he alluded to knowing more about them then a mere stranger should. “Excuse me?” Elyssia was upset but chose to hold her ground so that the onlookers couldn’t notice. You could hear the whispers of people questioning the actions of this star mage especially toward the well praised Elyssia Tr’iere. “My apologies Lady Tr’iere, it was not my intent to upset you. I admire your strength to save face, but that tail of yours speaks for you” said the robed man. “Is there a problem here? Wait...” said N’ero deciding to express his confusion. He pulled out the paper from his pocket and looked it over again. The information given to him about who he was to meet in this distant land had a line that described this man who was standing before him.  “I take it that paper tells you who I am. I’ve foreseen that much, but why do you seek to find me?” asked the robed Lalafell. N’ero looks up from the paper with stars in his eyes all whilst Elyssia looks up at him in confusion. She had seen this man around the city for quite some time and unlike most intriguing people in Lominsa, she knew very little of the robed man. You could ordinarily catch him taking up a seat at the restaurant run by the culinarian guild, usually with one other person. Most likely they were conducting business. “Can we take this somewhere... more suitable for exchange?” said the Lalafell. The party of three moved up to the Drowning Wench and found a table at the back and took a seat. “So you’re the Great Kweshsadily Daniel!?” N’ero said almost shouting. “That would be me, and you are N’ero Valtoni, Sky Pirate from the Sea of Clouds. Why have our destinies come to intertwine today?” Daniel asked with a smile. Elyssia was astonished by this new information that was just so nonchalantly put out on the table. “Umm, Sky Pirate N’ero?” she said looking at the red-eyed cat-boy, she had heard of them before but why one was in this region was to be questioned. “Hm? You spoke that you knew I was a pirate when we met.” N’ero said with obvious confusion.

She sat beside him at the wooden table with Daniel across from them twirling his star globe. “Yeah, but I meant one that sailed the waters of Hydaelyn, not in her skies.” She said, hiding her face from N’ero’s airheadedness.“Mister Kweshsadily, I’ve come to this city to ask for your help tracking someone” N’ero said looking across at the star mage with hopeful eyes.Daniel was ready to proceed with what he does best, fortune telling. “Tracking, hmm... I can do that. Let us take a walk out in the open, under the stars.” Said Daniel, pushing out his chair and hopping down. They all began to walk to the terrace located at the very back of the Wench. “Say, Lady Tr’iere,” Daniel began as he stopped and looked back at the two Miqo'te “What possesses you to stay as a companion of young N’ero?” She was taken back by the comment, she had always been curious about the going on's within her homeland and this was no exception. N’ero had been wondering the same as well, but she had easily become nice to have around due to his inviting nature. “We’re friends! Also, Elyssia was happy to help me around this place and it’s still hard for me to even handle this salty air.” N’ero said with a laugh. “Oh? I am glad to help you, but more importantly, I wanna keep my eye you. Airhead.” Said Elyssia giving N’ero a slight smile. N’ero remembered Daniel addressing her as Lady Tr’iere, he took a step back to note her appearance.  Elyssia wore a full sleeved, knee-length white dress with a high collar, covered by a black and rose armored vest-coat.  Her ornate boots were colored rose and went up to her thighs.  She also wore fingerless rose gloves.  All of it did speak of royalty, but he still wondered why she was sticking with him through this. Daniel smiled at the two of them before continuing on toward the terrace.

The night sky was full of stars and it made them wonder where time had gone. N’ero and Elyssia watched in anticipation as Daniel walked to the center of the terrace. The occupants inside the Drowning Wench were taking glances as the Astrologian worked his magic. Daniel quickly flung his right hand through the air creating a large set of glowing cards that would circle around him. N’ero’s excitement had reached its peak as he watched each magic-propelled card, and his eyes stayed wide in amazement. Elyssia wasn’t as easily amazed as her counterpart, though her interest in the healing magic of the Astrologian began to surface as she watched carefully. Starting from the bottom the card began to manifest above the head of Kweshsadily. “This is it…” He said, relaxing his body as the card started to dissipate. N’ero gathered himself together after being awestruck by Daniel’s performance, “That was... magnificent.” Ever since he was a child N’ero was always interested in magic and it’s users. Though he himself was never one to be a disciple of any class of magic, he enjoyed whenever it was demonstrated and respected the amount of training one had to dedicate themselves to it. Daniel goes inside “That wasn’t a light show N’ero, don’t you have anything to ask him?” Asked Elyssia, playing off her subtle curiosity as she went inside and grabbed a seat. “You’re right,” Nero said, following behind Elyssia as they returned to their table inside the alehouse. “Mister Daniel, were you able to see where it is I have to go?” “Good things are in store for you both, your fates joined together by the stars,” Daniel said, smiling at the two of them. “Uhh…” Bleated N’ero, as his cheeks began to redden. “T-this isn’t what he came to you for,” muttered Elyssia looking away from the table with her nose to the ceiling. “The location you’re looking for, young sky pirate is North of here, you’ll find yourself in the land scattered with remnants of old.” Proclaimed Daniel. N’ero nodded as he listened to the enlightened Lalafell. “Should I expect you not to warn me of any dangers ahead?” He asked. Daniel pondered the notion “I’ve told you all I care to say.” He said. Realizing that he has done more than enough to satisfy his obligation, Elyssia let out a giggle as N’ero reached into his pocket to hand a fist full of gil to the Astrologian. “Thanks so much Mister Kweshsadily, you’ve helped a bunch,”  N’ero said as he rose from his seat and pushed in the chair, he began heading for the nearest exit.

Before he had the chance to leave the alehouse, he could practically feel the eyes of his companion stabbing daggers into his back. Stopping in his tracks he turned to see the Great Kweshsadily taking his leave avoiding the conflict that was about to arise. Elyssia had her hands planted on the table and agitation in her eyes “Where exactly do you think you’re going N’ero?” she said as she pushed in her chair and beelined his direction. He cracked a nervous smile “I was goi-” he said before being grabbed by the arm and dragged along.  Elyssia knew that this stranger to Lominsa was informed of dangers of traversing at night which hardened her stance even more about sticking by his side. Approaching a man behind the counter near the lift they had previously used to arrive at the Drowning Wench, Elyssia had one thing on her mind: rest, and at daylight, she’ll see what type of situation this mysterious Miqo’te has gotten her involved in. “Aye Lady Tri’ere nice to see ya… uh who’s this guy?” asked the Roe dressed in service attire. N’ero had been turned away from Elyssia and the desk when he heard the man ask about him. “You wanna know who I am…” N’ero said making himself sound as dramatic as possible, “As you’ve probably guessed-” cut short when Elyssia put her hand over his mouth. “This is N’ero, he’s new around here, can we please just have a room,” she said getting straight to the point, her hand had still been over N’ero’s mouth. “Elyssia!” he said muffled behind her hand and furrowing his brow disappointed she ruined his introduction. The Innkeep glanced at the two strange guests then moved to the back to grab a room key and set it down on the desk in front of them. “Umm one key?” asked Elyssia whose hand was free now from its duty of silencing N’ero. “Oh sorry, Lady Tri’ere I just assumed..” the Innkeep said stopping at the sight of Elyssia’s unamused expression. “One should never assume things they know nothing about,” Elyssia said with a surprisingly calm tone of voice, “It’s okay.” Elyssia smiled at the Innkeep which one could tell soothed his nerves. N’ero had actually picked up on this and began wondering to himself just how much of an influence the “Tr’iere” family had in this place. He brought a set of keys this time and the two headed up to the inn rooms.