The Mithran Adventurer

I finally made my way back to my home of Bastok. I wanted to find a new sword to use and grab my warrior's gear to prepare for the trip to Khazam. As I was walking the Markets, I saw a Mithran that I had once helped out. Her name is Nbu Latteh. She had been venturing out across Vana'diel and wanted to give her child a present. I made a copper ring, a technique I had learned through my studies in Gold Smithing and gave it to the young girl. The child responded that she didn't want presents, but that she wanted her mother to just come home.

Now that I finally had run into her again, I thought I'd mention this. Nbu seemed slightly alarmed by the information and promised she'd go back to her...eventually. I had no idea why she would want to hide from her own child.

Then I ran into Parnika, a Hume guard who often gives directions to the city. I had a very brief conversation with her. She seemed to be eyeing Nbu very closely. Parnika thinks she's a mysterious character and figures we should keep a close eye on her. I personally don't see anything wrong with Nbu, seems like a perfectly normal Mithran to me.

I went and stopped by the Auction House to look for some swords. I had been looking on and off for a while, but still, nothing was available to my interest or budget. I really hope I can get a new sword before my journey, this Long Sword just isn't cutting it anymore. Sorry for the pun. :)

Watching the Weather

I spent the next day relaxing in the remote village of Selbina. The salt blowing off the southern seas refreshed my senses. I checked the local vendors for their specialities, enjoying a few fine fish-dishes. I planned on setting out a day later and head back to my home country of Bastok. There, I'd make final preparations for my trip to Kazham and figure out how to get there.

I was letting my feet soak in the sea when I had an apiffany. Today was an especially sunny day. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. However, I have seen days when there were plenty of clouds and days that were tremendously hotter. The variation of weather seems to be in affect any where you go. Sometimes it's sunny in the Valkrum Dunes and some times its so dusty you can't see two feet in front of you. And so I wondered, is it possible to predict these variations?

Maybe yes, maybe no. I remember one time when I was passing through the Pashhow Marshlands. It was rainny and murky, and it made me miserable. If only there were a way to figure out when it's going to rain or not.

I remembered a certain group who devoted themselves to studying the weather. Sure enough, after talking to a few local residents, I found someone who was part of the group. Her name is Wachiwi.

She immediately spouted out a report, almost robotically, but when I asked her that I was interested in the group, she almost flushed. She thought it was funny that a young man like me would be interested in things like the consistency of weather. To tell you the truth, I was a little surprised myself. Nonetheless, Wachiwi was nice enough to inform me about her group. Unfortunately, they weren't looking for new recruits at the time and felt like they had a pretty good cover on the weather.

I asked her how they were able to know the weather 3 days in advance. She was relucant to reply. Then she told me it was a secret that only their group knew. After talking with her for a while longer, I was able to get some valuable information. She told me of some of the past few months and the weather on each of those days. I jotted it down on a small little piece of paper.

Later that night, I sat down to review my notes. I decided to make them into a clearer chart that'd explain the percentages of weather in different locations:

I'm going to keep a look out for the weather from now on and continue to update my chart. One day, perhaps the offical weather forecasting group of Vana'diel will accept me to its ranks. Worse that could happen is finding out a way to predict the weather. :)

If interested in viewing the statistical data that I have gathered thus far, check here (altough, it's quite cryptic).

Party #3

Several weeks have passed since I came to the Valkrum Dunes. I've met several people who've come and gone. I feel relatively confident in my skills as a White Mage now, enough to where I'm not constantly looking back over my shoulder in fear of the dangerous locals monsters. A little more polishing of the skills and I'll be heading for Kazham!

I joined a team and continued my duties. A Galkan monk, the powerhouse of the group, took interest in the Spirit Masques I had obtained from the Sunbreeze Festival. He put it on and we all had a good laugh. It seems everybody in the party felt relatively relaxed and unafraid of the area. This was a good party to finish up the last bit of White Mage trainning I had left to do.

We got lucky when Malala, a Tarutaru, showed up. Malala was good friends with one of the other taru's in the party. However, Malala's skill was unmatched by our entire party's skill combined. This little Taru was tough and extremely powerful. He watched over us while we trainned, curing the wounded. Altough I couldn't hone in my spell-casting with him around, I couldn't deny I enjoyed having him around. He kept us safe and gave us good advice. I was even able to practice using my staff as a weapon since my casting was barely even needed. Well, curing wasn't needed. I know a few enfeebling spells that can send monsters into a daze. I rarely get to practice these skills.

Before I knew it, we all felt satisfied with our progress and disbanded to venture elsewhere. I gave my respectful acknowledgement to the company and bowed to Malala as I set off for Selbina to get some much needed sleep.

Party #2

I joined yet another party. In fact, I'm sitting with them now. At least, the modified version of the team after the little incident. I'll have to be short, for I'm on watch duty as I write this entry.
They're good people. Not the most advance team of experience grabbers, but we've maintained a steady flow over the past day or two. There was another White Mage in the group, but after we got ambushed by a pyro-maniac goblin who blew us all up, we didn't see him again. We had been moved by the local militia watching the area. We recovered in Selbina and returned to the battlefront. There we met a young Summoner who agreed to join our band. It's always exciting watching what those powerful mages can do.

Anyway, I'd say more, but I really need to keep a close eye on the surroundings...

あかるい！

Feeling satisfied with my Mage refresh course at the Palborough Mines, I decided it was time to see if I could handle a group enviornment. On the Quon continent, that means one thing: a journey to the Valkrum Dunes. Given, it is not my favorite place, but it will be substantial in terms of experience. I felt ready to try the more challenging of creatures and pull the expected weight of a White Mage.

My eyes had to adjust to the morning sunlight as I exited the mines and made way across Gustaberg to the Konchstat Highlands. Once there, it was only a stone throw away to the Dunes. I've always been amazed by the sudden drop off from the highlands to the long-stretched beach of Valkrum. The path is a very dangerous one and rewards you with sand to your ankles and intensified sunlight.

The sun was already a decent amount past high noon when I arrived at the dunes. I had made excellent time getting there, although I was quite out of breath. As always, there was a large community of adventurers at the entrance. There were thieves bragging about their recent steals and bards doing their thing; all of them looking for compatible people to join ranks with.

When you walk into the dunes wearing a White Mage's cloth, it doesn't take a second to get recognized. Immediately, I was approached by several potential teammates. After some careful selection, I finally joined a small group of relatively equal experience. We set out for a spot north of the central outpost.

We spent very little time planning strategy. We simply selected a puller, a tank and his backup and got down to business. We just fought the local crabs. It was a slow process, but we made decent headway. We had a few setbacks when a goblin or two snuck up on our camp spot.

Before I knew it, it was night. I told the party we should rest and regain our strength and continue in the morning. I kicked off my shoes (and shook out the sand) and helped the Black mage produce a small bon-fire. We cooked our large supply of crab and settled in for the night. I took first watch.

I noticed on the rock I was sitting on someone had etched in a message. It said: あかるい！ I admit, I couldn't understand what it meant exactly, but it made me think of someone...

Dark Days

Daylight does not shine within the Palborough Mines. Instead, we have dim, flickering lights glimmering off the sparse torches. There is a stream that flows on the lower floor. Directly above this wide cavern is a flowing river that supposedly connects with the Zeruhn Mines. The water from that river seeps through the rocks and falls into the steady stream below. This is where I've been for the past few days.

I attempted going deeper into the mines when I realized I was too weak to handle the Quadavs. An Onyx Quadav nearly ended my life had it not been for another mining adventurer who happened to be passing by. I was really curious to find Bu'Ghi Howlblade, a Quadav soldier who reports on the mines from time to time to the Quadav forces. I was hoping I could catch him and claim the rewards. However, there was no guarantee he was even there. And, after the Onyx Quadav, I doubt I'd have much luck.

So I moved to the stream and stayed close. I'd venture out and fight a Quad or two and then come back to rest. When I got tired or hungry, I set out to fishing in the stream. Usually, I'd only pull out a rusty bucket or nothing at all. Everyonce in a while, I caught a tri-colored carp. These don't sell well and are quite tasty for a snack, so they became my meal for the days I spent in the mines.

However, you have to be careful of the crabs in the water. They get angry when you disturb the water too often. As long as I kept an eye out for them, they weren't a problem. Of course, I'm not going to say they weren't an appetizing meal. They will snap, I just made sure they were squashed before they could do much damage.

Then, one day, I caught one on my reel. Knowing it was just a crab, I figured I'd reel it in anyway and make myself a good breakfast. What came out of the water was huge and rampant. I barely had a chance to pull out my staff before the crab was clawing at my chest. I quickly realized it hand the upper hand, figuratively speaking. I started to run for the shaft to the upper level when I noticed someone coming down the tunnel. I shouted for help, but only got a blank stare. I started to panic. I ran up to the person and pleaded for his help. He looked at me and nodded, as if he barely understood what I was saying. He then spat a few words on his tongue and I felt a rush of white energy flow through my body. He pulled out his staff and fought the crab that was close behind.

Thanks to this man, known only as Murrdog to me, I survived another day. Murrdog then went up the elevator shaft with his friend and I didn't see them again.

Deep within the Mines

It's been a while since I've traversed the Palborough Mines. It reeks of death and misfortune. It was once a place for prospering for my fellow countrymen, but when the Quadavs found it, it became a graveyard. Many were slaughtered on both sides and the entire shaft became a desolate wasteland of curving caverns.

Nowadays, only Adventurers come here to mine. There is no order of operation or security. It's still heavily populated with Quadavs. Technically, I suppose it belongs to them now. However, the turtles don't run the place. In fact, I rarely see anything other than the unexperienced or retired Quads roaming around. I've heard of a few select names rolling around of higher-ups that frequent the place and report on its status. Sadly enough, the effort needed to exterminate the beastman is too cost-deficient and has fallen on the priority of Bastokian leaders as a low-class trainning mission.

It's a sad sight really. You won't come across any bones like you would see in the Gusgen Mines, but there are plenty of Silver Name tags lying around. The old miners use to wear them before they were ambushed by the Quads.

I found practice quickly. Young Quadavs find White Mages to be easy prey. That's fine by me, I have enough Warrior knowledge to use my staff accordingly if needed. The practice is good to hone in on my casting. The slew of Quads I took at the front of the mines posed little challenge, so I dared to go deeper into the mines...