2~ So, the three starter storylines are all fairly similar in functionality. In the opening CS, you'll get a short rundown of each city's history and current endeavors. Your first quest once you load into the game will be to register with the Adventurer's Guild of your starter city. Afterwards, you'll be taken to three places: The Market Wards, the City-State's Aetheryte, and the Guild of your starter Class.Â
From there, you'll quickly get thrown into the current affairs of your respective city-state. By doing as many of the local quests as you can stomach, you'll get a perspective of some of the lore and history of the city and as you level, your Guild-assigned "Class Quests" will generally direct you to whichever zone is appropriate for your level, as well as ICly educating you about the role of your chosen class at a basic level.
If you choose Limsa Lominsa, you'll become engulfed in the never-ending struggle of politics and the daunting task of keeping beasts and men who act like beasts in line. Limsa Lominsa is a nation stretched thin across the high seas. The Sahagin beastmen attack their ships at sea while the Kobolds defend their sacred lands against the Lominsans who continue to encroach upon their territory. There's also some pirates, as you may have heard. But rest assured, not everyone in Limsa does Pirate talk.Â
If you choose Gridania, you'll come to find purity, sanctity, and serenity within a forest that is never, ever at peace. Gridania was hit hardest by the Calamity and is desperately trying to recover after the 5 years. Her people are in great need and your first 15+ levels, you'll be the one to aid them. There's a little something for everyone in Grid. Hiking, Gardening, Angry Birds...Â
If you choose Ul'dah, you best keep your friends close and your fannypack full of gil closer. It's a rough town, made even rougher by the Calamity. There's a great disparity between the very rich and the unlucky, and you'll be trying to bridge this gap. (And make a little extra for yourself on the side.) Your first 15 levels will be spent trying to carve out your place in the Jewel of the Desert.Â
Around Lv15 the storylines start converging back together as you begin to dig deeper into the events unfolding in the three cities. You'll face some inner demons and uncover some sinister forces at work behind the scenes. But it's probably just pirates. Anyways, these events will propel you into the limelight and you'll start moving on to the next hottest thing. This is when you'll attract the attention of the Grand Companies.
3~ The Grand Companies were originally formed about 1600 years ago during the 6th Umbral Era. They symbolize the union of the previously warring city-states in an effort to combat forces behind the Umbral Events at hand. 1600 years later, this idea was resurrected with the coming of the 7th Umbral Era. The modern city-states once again cast aside their differences just as their predecessors had done. These Companies survived the Calamity and continue to exist into this storyline.
If you want to know more details about the three modern Grand Companies I'd suggest checking out this link here:Â The Grand Companies of Eorzea
5~ In the long run, no. The current gear available from the GCs isn't all that great. However, if you're starting out, GC gear can make a great first step towards even better gear. So it's more about getting a leg up in the "gearing up" process and being vanity than it is for functionality.
Possibly when/if they ever release the higher GC ranks and GC storylines again, there'll be better gear that will accompany them.
As for Paladin/Warrior, feel free to send me a message if you have any questions about the class, leveling up, etc. I main those two and would be happy to help you out if you need. ^^
From there, you'll quickly get thrown into the current affairs of your respective city-state. By doing as many of the local quests as you can stomach, you'll get a perspective of some of the lore and history of the city and as you level, your Guild-assigned "Class Quests" will generally direct you to whichever zone is appropriate for your level, as well as ICly educating you about the role of your chosen class at a basic level.
If you choose Limsa Lominsa, you'll become engulfed in the never-ending struggle of politics and the daunting task of keeping beasts and men who act like beasts in line. Limsa Lominsa is a nation stretched thin across the high seas. The Sahagin beastmen attack their ships at sea while the Kobolds defend their sacred lands against the Lominsans who continue to encroach upon their territory. There's also some pirates, as you may have heard. But rest assured, not everyone in Limsa does Pirate talk.Â
If you choose Gridania, you'll come to find purity, sanctity, and serenity within a forest that is never, ever at peace. Gridania was hit hardest by the Calamity and is desperately trying to recover after the 5 years. Her people are in great need and your first 15+ levels, you'll be the one to aid them. There's a little something for everyone in Grid. Hiking, Gardening, Angry Birds...Â
If you choose Ul'dah, you best keep your friends close and your fannypack full of gil closer. It's a rough town, made even rougher by the Calamity. There's a great disparity between the very rich and the unlucky, and you'll be trying to bridge this gap. (And make a little extra for yourself on the side.) Your first 15 levels will be spent trying to carve out your place in the Jewel of the Desert.Â
Around Lv15 the storylines start converging back together as you begin to dig deeper into the events unfolding in the three cities. You'll face some inner demons and uncover some sinister forces at work behind the scenes. But it's probably just pirates. Anyways, these events will propel you into the limelight and you'll start moving on to the next hottest thing. This is when you'll attract the attention of the Grand Companies.
3~ The Grand Companies were originally formed about 1600 years ago during the 6th Umbral Era. They symbolize the union of the previously warring city-states in an effort to combat forces behind the Umbral Events at hand. 1600 years later, this idea was resurrected with the coming of the 7th Umbral Era. The modern city-states once again cast aside their differences just as their predecessors had done. These Companies survived the Calamity and continue to exist into this storyline.
If you want to know more details about the three modern Grand Companies I'd suggest checking out this link here:Â The Grand Companies of Eorzea
5~ In the long run, no. The current gear available from the GCs isn't all that great. However, if you're starting out, GC gear can make a great first step towards even better gear. So it's more about getting a leg up in the "gearing up" process and being vanity than it is for functionality.
Possibly when/if they ever release the higher GC ranks and GC storylines again, there'll be better gear that will accompany them.
As for Paladin/Warrior, feel free to send me a message if you have any questions about the class, leveling up, etc. I main those two and would be happy to help you out if you need. ^^