Edda

She had lost sight of the figure quickly enough. Meandering cautiously behind him, Edda began to head West as best she could. She fought against the incline of the slope until she reached her original destination - a flat boulder jut out of the steep bank overlooking a river. The drop below was nearly 50 fulms into deep waters. An intimidating, if not deadly plunge in her eyes, but that did not stop certain locals leaping off as tests of courage. She dared not approach the edge, so she instead sat on the fallen trunk of a nearby tree to rest. There was never cause for such haste in her walks, and though she was by no means swift in making her way here, her legs and chest ached. Now with a chance for respite, Edda’s mind was left to wander to the gruesome scene at the grove. It felt as if every nerve in her body had gone numb, and it was a wonder her legs were able to carry her as far as they did. What had happened there? An Ixali encampment was several malms away, though it was not unheard of for bands of them to wander so close to civilization. Still, there had been no sign of them from the cursory glance she had spared the area, and the wounds on the bodies were unlike any she had seen on those brought back to Fallgourd for treatment. The distant figure she had seen might have been the cause, but with little effort to hide the bodies, and Wood Wailers being unprofitable targets, it struck her as unlikely. Sitting there listening to the rushing water below her, Edda cursed herself for not making her way back to the road immediately. There was no guarantee it would have been safer, but other Wailers should be alerted, if they did not already know. It was possible they had already discovered it. A reassuring thought, but not enough to placate her desire to forget the scene altogether. It was not far from the road, and the chance of the bodies being happened upon seemed favorable. It would do no harm to check, and if things were as Edda had left them, then she could alert the guards at Fallgourd. Still, she had no desire to witness such brutality again, the thought alone enough to make her feel ill. A familiar image to her, one devoid of anything but fear, the centerpiece of countless sleepless nights – it was not something she could so easily be at ease with. It would be better to wait. And so she did, each minute passed another chance for the dead to be discovered and moved. The mountain range separating the Shroud and Coerthas could be seen more clearly here, a dark stretch of cloud approaching Fallgourd at a steady pace. As she waited, the wind began to quicken, the charge of an oncoming thunderstorm beginning to fill the air. The sun still shone brightly as the afternoon began to pass by, but as soon as the dark cover of clouds could be seen across the river, Edda picked herself up and began to head back down to the road. It was a faster journey downhill, though not any easier. More suited to a ballroom than the rough terrain of the forest, her feet tripped and stumbled over rocks and fallen branches, her arms reaching out to tree trunks to stop herself from falling the rest of the way there. As she arrived at the clearing, Edda stopped to survey what she could. Most of the grove was obscured by low branches, but the smell of death was now mixed with fire, and smoke could be seen rising from the center. What could they possibly need a fire for? The movement of Wood Wailers was notably absent. She slid down to the next tree to get a closer look, small rocks and leaves rolling down the hill from her disturbance. At this new vantage point Edda could make out the form of the person she had seen earlier, hunched over the fire, his back facing her. That the same man would return and leave the bodies undisturbed was telling. She had best avoid this man and return to the safety of her room. He did not yet make any notice of her presence despite her proximity, and so she began to slowly skirt the edge of the grove. No sooner had she let go of the trunk did her foot snag underneath a root, sending her lurching forward. She let out a short yelp as she fell and tumbled down the slope a short ways, stopping only as her back collided with a tree. It was not the first time this had happened, so she was relatively quick in straightening herself out. She was winded however, and she hissed at a sharp sting in her ankle as she sat up. There would be no running now, and the noise she caused had surely been alarming. Edda froze, her breathing hitching as she nursed her ankle, hoping her presence had gone unnoticed.

Both look nice, but... dreads.

Full Stop. This is an MMORPG. No good MMO is ever "finished." Arguments like this do not apply to these types of games. You have been given plenty to do in the mean time before they release more content for you to blow your load on. Crystal Tower and FC Housing were huge marketing points for 2.0 and they did not come out until 2.1. Three months later, yes, but you didn't have to pay more for them. Endgame raids typically are released a few weeks later in order to give the average player ample time to be ready for these things - NOT because they are deliberately withholding content because the game is "unfinished." An MMO's main focus is on longevity and player retention rate: releasing everything at once would not only overwhelm most players, but those that manage to burn through it all would quickly lose interest and quit. This is how it always has been, and will be. If this was Assassin's Creed 54 (or any Ubisoft title, really) or SimCity you might have a compelling argument, but not here. EDIT: Yes, they did. They do it all the time. They did it before the game even launched, and they have been doing so since the game's release in the form of Live Letters. Hence the phrase: "Please look forward to it." Just to drive this point home, as I do not feel the need to pick through your entitlement post: Final Fantasy XIV is not, and will not be for a very long time, a finished game.

I have an i177 WHM if you're interested. Not really sure what my schedule is going to be like in the next few weeks, but late nights should be good for me (I am EST).

It was a quiet afternoon in the reaches of the Shroud, and though the sun sat unclouded in the sky a cool wind drifted through the branches from Coerthas, chilling the air. There was a stillness in the wood, one that would send shivers down the neck of any resident – the older among them looking to the sky for rain or thunder, or even some terrible sort of wind. Edda was no such resident however, the charge in the air lost on her La Noscean sensibilities. Edda prepared for a walk as she did most other days during her stay in Fallgourd Float. Having never been one for navigation of any sort, each one of her forays took her deeper into the Shroud as she learned the lay of the land, and attempt with little success to hone her ability to call upon the Elementals. The number of times she had gotten lost was far more than she would care to admit, and had only luck and a growing amount of Wood Wailers to thank for her many safe returns. Still, this did not deter her, and her confidence in navigating the expanse of forest between Fallgourd and Hyrstmill grew with each journey. Leaving from the Eastern gate of the small town, Edda struck a peculiar contrast with natives of the Shroud, a feature many Wailers attributed to her penchant for losing her way. Little argument could be made that she was appropriately dressed for the outdoors, but her clothes were neither weathered nor serviceable, a common trait in Gridanian apparel. A finely made dalmatica dyed a modest pink, decorated with golden clasps and patterns, and boots so finely tailored they seemed more suited for display than actual use. She would consider them plain, yet they did nothing to mask her well-groomed appearance. Having left Fallgourd, Edda followed the path as she normally did, before following an easy slope off the trail and into the woods. It was not the first time she had gone this way, being one of many routes she used to climb a steep hill that led to a large boulder with a remarkable view. Edda was no frontiersman, and moved at a slow pace. She reached out to touch the trees and plants as she moved around them, the feel no longer fresh but not yet a memory, only stopping to tighten her ponytail or adjust her boots. The hill was still a ways off, and Edda took a moment to rest on a nearby stump, carefully tucking her dalmatica underneath her. Beside her was a shrub adorned with white flowers, ones that Edda recognized from her own garden at home. She smiled to herself as she reached out to pick one, and it was there she noticed something strange. A line of red streaked across the side of the shrub, as if someone had run by it with a paintbrush. Edda was no stranger to the sight, but her blood ran cold at the sight of it. Pairs of footprints on the ground led up the slope. They were not the prints of any beast, and Edda knew better than to pursue an injured animal. Yet the possibility of someone wandering the woods while injured was enough to compel Edda, and so she gathered herself up and followed the trail at a quicker pace, her heart pounding in her chest. There was more blood spattered on the leaves of trees and bushes through the woods. It was still fresh, and Edda cursed herself for bringing nothing more than a simple rosewood wand with her. It did not take long at her quickened pace for her to stumble upon a small grove. The sight that awaited her there was enough for bile to rise to her mouth almost instantly. Edda snapped her head towards the sky and swallowed it, her breath coming out in ragged gasps. The smell was beginning to manifest under the sun, and from the small look she gleaned Edda knew there were no survivors. It would not be the first time she had witnessed such gore but the sight was still shocking enough for Edda to keep her gaze towards the canopy. Edda did what she could to manage her breathing, closing her mouth and breathing through her nose. She lowered her head to scan the horizon slowly, resolute on not looking down at the carnage. As she looked towards the line of trees up the slope, Edda could make out the distinct figure of a tall man – an Elezen perhaps – as he retreated deeper into the woods. There was no way to tell if he was responsible, or simply the first unfortunate citizen to stumble upon this grove. Edda stumbled forward and followed his trail at a distance, using trees as both support and cover. Whether he was dangerous or not seemed irrelevant in her mind. Though she was close enough to be seen he did not seem to make any notice of her presence, and if she managed to travel just a bit further, she could descend back to Fallgourd in another direction to avoid the grove. Wiping the sweat from her brow with her sleeve, Edda continued forward, her heart still fluttering wildly in fear.

The letter arrived promptly, as Edda expected it would. Though it possessed none of the usual acerbity she had come to expect in missives from home, the fear of what lay beyond the letter was enough to give Edda chills. The map Jancis had provided was neat and legible, and Edda had arranged for each item on the provided list to be readied and waiting for her arrival in Gridania. A simple cane made of oak, and a set of clothes tailored for outdoor use, but not devoid of the lavish quality she was so used to. An array of her belongings had been sent ahead to Fallgourd, where she planned to stay, as she had before for the brief intervals she visited the Shroud. Where Jancis planned on taking her first Edda was unsure, but a core of trepidation sat in her chest as the airship made its way to Gridania. There is little to fear, Edda repeated to herself as the ship landed and the apprehension ran cold through her veins all the way to her fingertips. An attendant at the landing had her requested cane, and holding it awkwardly in both arms Edda found the mantra in her head did little to assuage her fears. Eying the comings and goings of the natives, and the few Wailers that stood watch, Edda felt very much the fool, and took a seat at the curved bench across from the landing. Surely there had been some mistake regarding her abilities? Though she had not received the care and attention her brother had for his talents in conjury, the arcanist that had taught both her and her sister was well-respected. Her training had been brief yet specific, and it was through Edda’s own studies that she came to apply what she had learned beyond mending scrapes and bruises. Edda furrowed her brow as she watched the airship begin to board for its next departure, the sound of the inn drifting down the winding staircase. Who was she to doubt? An unnerving thought, but she was not accomplished in the art by any means, and there were few she knew that were as skilled and knowing as Jancis. Turning her gaze downward, Edda glared at the polished wood floor, her grip tightening on the cane resting in her lap. Her father would assuredly be disappointed if he knew. The look of reproach that would bloom on his face was pictured clearly in her mind’s eye. Her uncle and his family resided in Gridania, and Edda knew special care would have to be taken to avoid attracting their attention, however lax it may have become since the passing of her great aunt. Edda bit her lip and lifted her head to look towards the stairs. Surely Jancis would be arriving soon, and so she waited, pushing her thoughts to the back of her mind.

The gear is... Well. It's certainly better than Dreadwyrm, that's for sure.

Yeah I'm pretty sure Alexander Savage is going to be the one that is harder than the Ex Primals but not as bad as Savage SCoB. Making "story mode" harder than something like Ramuh Ex makes little sense. There is most likely a mix-up in there somewhere.

Keep trying to get into Fate parties if you can. Party Finder first, if that doesn't work, ask in shout until you find one. As a WHM in Fate parties your best bet is to just spam aero on as many mobs as you can so you can "tag" the Fate, and receive credit. Participation in a Fate is determined by how much threat you and your party generates, not how many adds you manage to kill, so throw out a few aeros and spam medica/medica II to increase your threat. Your party members should be doing their share too, so unless something goes horribly wrong, gold is pretty much guaranteed.

Perhaps less of a focus on privilege, and maybe more: "How easy is/was your character's life?" I'm not really one to beat a dead horse over the fact that real world privileges are difficult if not impossible to apply to Eorzea, but there are certainly instances where a character would have a much rougher time than another (i.e. a Duskwight growing up in Gridania vs. a Wildwood).

If it happens there, it has to happen here! Right!? R-right...? muh PS3 limitations Still an ant that didn't sink down on its first launch >_>....! Don't diss on the oldies!

If you're planning on transferring only one character, I'd just go for whichever one you'd like to roleplay on the most. Level should not matter in terms of roleplay. I say should because let's be honest here folks - there are some really bangin' outfits you get at higher levels... though all that takes is time. There are a lot of people on Balmung that have alts that haven't seen past 15, so no worries.

I hate it when I'm RPing and then I get 90kd. What the shit, man.

I already intended to, actually.

Heh heh heh... ...I'm going back to bed.

Great, first Osric, now these two. I'm getting banned from all sides. I'll be gone in two weeks at this rate. P.S. Nero is a weeb.

Thank you Warren. One more question, if you bid on a match, and someone outbids you, do you get a chance to outbid them? Or is it just a one-time thing and hope you win it.

So, how exactly does the bidding work? As a spectator, do I bid on one fighter, or a pair?

f1Gi1GZN1SA I imagine this will happen one day. Word for word.

Ohmygosh look at Haurchefant being all... in the story cutscenes and stuff! Could this be what I am most excited for, aside from new glamors? Mark my words, I will marry that NPC.

If a DPS screws up once and gets hit by some stupid AoE in a stressful situation, but lives, just slap a regen on them and forget about it. Regen is by far a WHMs most powerful MP cost:Healing spell, and if you don't anticipate any more damage on a DPS for a while, regen is a great way to conserve MP. If they're pulling aggro, or ignore AoEs, or are just... somehow constantly taking damage, just throw a cure at them once and a while. The Name of the Game for Learning to WHM is "Never Use Cure 2 If You Can Help It." As for Medica, use it sparingly, like to top off the group after an AoE (like those little fire thingies hitting the bonfires and exploding in Halatali; Ifrit's aoe). It's fine to let DPS sit at about 80%+ health after that kind of stuff, honestly, so that's your call.

Trying not to! But with XV coming out, and now a VII Remake, I don't know if they would have the assets necessary for a XII HD release. If not because of financing or manpower, because of marketing. I can't help but think that VII pushed a XII HD release back. But we'll see. Square has yet to have their conference. Now I won't be able to sleep. :frustrated: If they do do it, they will probably outsource the HD port to another company like they did with X/X-2, which took quite a load off the amount of work they had to do. Although, really all they have to do is upscale the game and make a few tweaks, since 12 is easily the best looking PS2 game and looks amazing when emulated... I imagine it would come out after FFXV as filler between that and KH3. We won't be seeing Final Fantasy VII news for a WHILE now, so I don't think it will be affecting any other releases or plans they have. :thumbsup:

I am excited. I expressed, very keenly, what my desire is and what my issues are with the title. If they throw in something as stupidly simple as a bonus dungeon or even go to town like they did with X/X-2 HD, I will adore the game. If FF7 is getting remade with the new engine for the sake of looks, I will be pissed because that is not enough to warrant such a huge asking price. It's a legitimate concern. You can't fault me for being realistic. Also, for the love of FUCK, can we stop referring to the individual development teams working on the many projects as Square Enix? Do you realize what you are implying? I'm fairly sure Naoki Yoshida did not develop FFXIII. And I'm quite certain the music for Kingdom Hearts was not composed by Nobuo Uematsu. There are different Dev teams behind these series, and I'm tired of hearing that "Squeenix" is the source of all the trouble. When you use a catch-all like that, you make it sound like everyone in the corporate proper is held accountable. And that's just not the case. Unfortunately, a remake with an entirely new engine is what people were expecting ever since that tech demo for the PS3 years ago. I am sorry if that is not up your alley, but that had always been Square's ace in the hole, and it looks like they're going for it. Perhaps not for the sake of looks, not really sure what that means, but for the sake of making money, which is their main goal. Not everyone's favorite flavor, but they do what they want. And I shall thank you to let you know that referring to "Square Enix" as a single entity is perfectly fine and acceptable. Everyone and their grandmother knows that there are several divisions working on different games and completely separate from each other, division 3 for FFXV, 2 for KH3, and most likely 1 for FFVII (and Mobius Final Fantasy). Please do not expect me to write out something ridiculous like "If Square Enix Japan Division 1, currently headed by Ito can pull it off" or some such nonsense. God. Seriously. That's the primary reason why I was happy about X's HD remaster. Because if it sold well then it meant XII had a chance. Doesn't look like it now, though. Maybe more in the future. Don't give up hope! There have been rumors that they were planning on it, and if not tomorrow during the SE conference, maybe during TGS? I'm SURE it will happen, it's just a question of when!

So if you were a fan of sim city, would you enjoy the one that was released in 2013? Oh, yay, new sim city! I hope it's g-- oh, it's .. trash. Just saying, your logic isn't thought through. Not all fans love everything. Edit: Needless to say, my logic isn't the best either. Think of it as a port to a game you don't really care about, and you like others more. Okay, if I think of it like that, then I still don't see the problem. I was not really a huge fan of Final Fantasy X/X-2, but I am glad they made the HD port, and even more glad it sold well. Why? Because I fucking adore Final Fantasy XII, and if SE sees a PS2 port doing very well, they will be more inclined to do an HD remaster of the game I do like. Guaranteed, no, but the chance is there. If they manage to pull off an FFVII remake, and it makes enough money to buy every exec at SE Japan a new B2, then maybe they'll remake Final Fantasy IX, which would make my head explode even harder than it did when a new PS3 retailed for 600 USD.

Holy shit people, if you actually like Final Fantasy the series there is no reason to NOT be excited for this port. If Square Enix can actually pull this off (hurrr >implying), then it will mean nothing but good news for the series. After the ass disaster that was FFXIII and it's ilk, SE has been much more responsive to fan feedback, and if they get enough thumbs up for revisiting and remaking older games, who's to stop them from doing more? Now get those rods out of your butts and be happy, I mean - it could have been a port to the iOS for Chrissake, and that would have been good cause to be upset.