The Skye’s The Limit

A Final Fantasy XIV Travelogue

Today’s Grimoire Entry

Mon précieux grimoire,

So much has happened today, that I do not know where to begin! It was simply incroyable!

I awoke with the early morning sun… and a healthy dose of encouragement from Madame Momodi. Apparently, the client had arrived early, and was most désireux to meet with me. I dashed down the stairs, and saw the delightful Papashan! Our meeting was short-lived, though; he quickly told me of trouble at the Copperbell Mines. Several géants had escaped imprisonment during a mining accident, and they needed to be brought to heel before they could escape and bring ruin to Thanalan.

Needless to say, I was most eager to accept. In the time since I’ve arrived, Ul’dah has become my second home; a place where je peux me relaxer, where I feel truly at ease. I would not let harm come to it.

I quickly rushed out to find a waiting party of aventuriers waiting by the entrance. Together, we stepped forth into the dark caverns of Copperbell Mines, seeking victory.

Les cavernes were most treacherous, with many suspended walkways and rickety lifts. Mes camarades were seasoned warriors from afar, though even some of them seemed nervous as we walked along the stone paths. Monsieur Hewas the archer and Madameoiselle Riao the conjurer, were cool and collected, as if they’d seen these areas before. As les monstres, from Coblyns, to Blasting Caps, to the foul Ichorous Ire gathered, we managed to somehow persevere, slowly making our way into the mine’s deepest depths. There, it seemed, we were just in time.

With a loud Crash! Un géant burst through the wall! He was massive! Easily the size of the tallest tree in Gridania! And behind him, smaller followers poured out, heading toward the supports of the chamber. I quickly started hurling mes boules de feu at the smaller fry, before Monsieur Hewas cried out “Skye! Focus on the big one!” I turned my attention to him, and snapped back to reality, delivering the heat of a thousand suns with each cast. Before long, the monstre fell, and his followers returned to the depths from whence they came. The four of us said our au revoirs, as we made our way to the entrance, each hoping that we’d be able to fight alongside one another some other day.

Upon returning to Ul’dah, I was met by Monsieur Painted Mesa, who was eager to offer his thanks in Papashan’s stead. Before we could talk long, though, we heard a loud shriek! Outside the Quicksand! We ran outside, and found une fille, who was being accosted by thugs! They claimed that she had stolen, though by the Twelve, she swore otherwise. I stepped in to help, as nobody else seemed willing… making quick work of the thugs where they stood.  With a smile and a merci, she hurried off. Just then, I had another vision… another portent of things not long past. I did not even notice Monsieur Thancred stepping up to greet me!

Que c’est embarrassant…

Thankfully, he was eager to wait until I could recover. He had a message: “Ask Madame Momodi about the Scions of the Seventh Dawn.” And with that, he left with the quickness. I stepped back inside, to see the good madame greeting another new adventurer… what avvenures they’ll have, in this wonderful kingdom.

I smiled and sighed before making my inquiry. To say she was surprised would be un euphémisme. She explained that the Scions were… like mighty Avengers of Eorzea, protecting the weakest from the greatest problems to face the land… and they awaited me in Vesper Bay. Before I went, though, she asked me to talk with une aventurière… une fillette named Edda, who had lost her party… I met with the girl, who felt like all was lost… I’m not sure if I said the right things, or even good things… but… she seemed relieved, upbeat even. She wanted to return to her homeland… and start anew.

I smiled a little and wished her un bon voyage. I do hope she finds her own happiness in this land, as well.

I saw her off with a friendly wave, and was quickly off, myself… to Vesper Bay. There, I would meet with the Scions: the mighty protectors of our land, led by the great Minfilia. They told me of their mission and deeds, and what awaited next. I would not have much time to celebrate, though, as people were disappearing… and there was fear that it was monstres, who were tied to a Crystal robbery just days before. I was to report to Drybone at once!

To help me in my travels, I was granted two retainers: Urdehild and Versandi, who would see to my affairs in town, while I was busy on the road. I thanked them for their service, and promised them a proper greeting… but there was an emergency to be solved. I quickly set out, as they went about keeping my business in order.

~Merci beaucoup!

Today’s Blog Post

Before we begin, I’d like to offer one piece of advice for the Copperbell Mines: focus on the boss when you get to the last chamber. When he falls, the entire battle ends in victory – the adds are there to distract you.

With that out of the way, let’s get into the fun stuff!

This time around, I’d like to talk about the shiny new feature that had been unlocked this time: retainers. Retainers are among the most useful additions I’ve come across yet. More useful than the aesthetician, definitely more useful than dyes and glamours. Retainers are, basically, your window to the marketplaces around the world. Through retainers, you’re finally able to sell items on the Market Boards to earn quick coin, and you can entrust your wards to hold hundreds of items, which should finally free up that cluttered inventory.

It’s certainly not a perfect system by any stretch – there are a few quirks, like the way that summoning a retainer pulls your items from sale until they’re dismissed, and an inability to manage more than one retainer at a time. Still, these are minor, and their addition to your team will make traveling through Eorzea leagues easier than it ever had been up to this point.

Over the next few days, I’ll be doing some research to see how retainers can help to bring in the big bucks, as I’ll be working to save up some cash toward a pretty big purchase. With me luck, as this will be a true science experiment!