(OPEN) The Great Eorzean Literacy Test, Page 2

[Steel Wolf]

In the center of New Gridania, just near the Adventurer's Guild and Aetheryte Plaza is placed a large stand that has been lashed down with stakes and ties. Placed on this stand is a large sign written in a flourishing script, and below that is nailed a long scroll with a writing charcoal tied to it.

 

The sign reads:

 

Citizens of Eorzea

 

I was dismayed at the tenor of the last test I had posted ere on similar signage, but despite the appalling content, I was most pleased that a great many of you appear to have a modest grasp of the common tongue and reasonable writing skill. It is to further my findings that this test begins anew.

 

Should anyone reading this have missed the last test, then I shall explain.

 

Who I am is not important, but the nature of my work is vital. I intend to discern the ability of our citizenry to communicate effectively and write clearly, as language and oration are of the most important during times of strife and crisis. A soldier's inability to convey threat and a general's failure to clarify orders are the first in a line of casualties of war.

 

Thus, this test is meant to ensure that those who label themselves as "adventurers" or others who take arms to the defense of our realm are able to clearly communicate to others.

 

The test shall carry out with these instructions:

• Attached to this sign you shall see a writing charcoal. You are on your honor to not pilfer this writing tool.
  
• Taking up said writing tool, each person in turn shall continue a story that I have generously begun.
  
• Each writer shall continue the story one sentence at a time, leaving off where the previous writer did and following that writer's lead.
  

This will be carefully scrutinized by me to study not only clarity of intent, but ability to think on one's feet and level of writing skill.

 

I trust that this will not degrade into another terrible piece of buffoonery as the previous test's results had yielded. I have threadbare faith, but faith all the same, that this realm's champions can prove their mental mettle.

 

Let us begin.

 

 

Ser Feodred's blade gleamed menacingly in the sunlight as the knight faced his foe.

[Melodia]

The woman smirked with hate in her eyes as she watched Ser Feodred before her.

[Elysia]

Laughing, she lifted her hands, ringed in extravagant swirls of black ink, and called down an elaborate curse on the only man to ever have loved her.

[111]

Ser Knibbles, the Knight's trusty chocobo, fell surrounded by dark energy, "I thought we had something special," the sorceress wails at the bird.

[Zetchryn]

Ser Feodred, with a look of anguish upon his face, called out for mercy for his secret lover, and the child they shared.

[Perth]

 

Atoli shifts on her feet as she looks over the current process of the parchment's story, her eyes narrowing as she folds an arm over her chest and supports the other to thoughtfully rub her chin. With a slow shake of her head, she picks up the charcoal and simply writes:

 

 

bacon bread

 

 

She snickers to herself like a juvenile delinquent and scuttles off into a corner, tucking herself away and taking a seat as she watches the remainder of the responses with a wolfish grin.

 

(( *Atoli fails the literacy test* ))

 

[111]

Alas, poor bacon bread might now go fatherless, as Ser Feodred removed his helm, revealing that they were actually Lady Feodred, "Ser Knibbles Chose me! You must let your jealousy go!"