Category Archives: Fiction

???: …Oi!
???: Y’all right, lad?
Grizzled Passenger: You were moanin’ in your sleep an’ sweatin’ buckets besides.
Grizzled Passenger: That’ll be the aether, I reckon. Some are more prone to the sickness than others.
Grizzled Passenger: No need to fret, though. You’ll soon get used to it.
Furry Creature: Feeling better, kupo?
Furry Creature: Aha! You can see us! I had a feeling you could, kupo!
Moogle: We’re moogles, and we live in this wood.
Moogle: Normal folks can’t see or hear us─which makes you special, kupo!
Moogle: And seeing as how you’re special, maybe you can tell us something.
Moogle: The wood’s been restless of late─lots of strange things happening. Have you chanced to witness anything suspicious, kupo?
Moogle: But of course you haven’t─you’ve only just arrived.
Moogle: Well, there’s nothing for it, then─we’ll just have to keep looking. Nice to meet you, kupo!
Grizzled Passenger: Gridania’s still a fair way off, in case you were wonderin’. Seein’ as you’re awake, how’s about you keep me company till we get there?
Grizzled Passenger: Them young’uns don’t much care for conversation, see.
Bremondt: Bremondt’s the name, an’ peddlin’s me trade.
Bremondt: As for your good self, judgin’ by your unusual garments, I’d say you were one of them new adventurers. Am I warm?
Bremondt: I knew it! Goin’ wherever the wind blows, seekin’ fortune an’ glory─now that’s what I call livin’!
Bremondt: So long as you can avoid dyin’, I mean. Ain’t no secret that adventurin’s a risky business─these days especially.
Bremondt: What was it that first attracted you to it?
Bremondt: Glory, eh? Well, if you’re willin’ to take on them tasks as other folk ain’t, an adventurer such as yourself can win fame what coin can’t buy.
Bremondt: When you arrive in town, you’ll want to report to the Adventurers’ Guild.
Bremondt: You can find out everythin’ you need to know about the adventurin’ business in there.
Bremondt: Just remember, though: there’re more important things than fortune an’ glory. Such as breathin’. Ain’t no profit in bein’ dead, an’ that’s a fact.
Wood Wailer: Halt! Go no further!
Bremondt: What’s this, then?
Bremondt: Uwaaah!
Carriage Driver: Wh-What’s going on!?
Wood Wailer: A skirmish has broken out up ahead with the Ixal! For your own safety, you must remain here until─
Wood Wailer: Bloody hells! We shall hold them here! Try to break clear!
Bremondt: That was too bleedin’ close…
Bremondt: Nice of the Ixal to send us a welcomin’ party, though, eh?
Bremondt: Jokin’ aside, this won’t be the last time you meet those feathered fiends, so just you take care, all right?
Bremondt: By the by, is this your first trip to Gridania?
Bremondt: It is!? Well then, let this journeyed itinerant tell you the ins an’ outs of your destination.
Bremondt: The city of Gridania lies slap-bang in the middle of the Black Shroud─the biggest, lushest forest in all Eorzea.
Bremondt: Though it ain’t near as lush as it used to be, sayin’ that. Not since the Calamity laid half of it to waste.
Bremondt: The destruction prompted a herd of new nasties to move in, an’ gave the Ixal unneeded encouragement. Birdman raids’ve become a daily occurrence.
Bremondt: Ah, at long last.
Bremondt: Behold Gridania, the forest nation blessed by the elementals!

The Black Shroud—the ancient forest close to the heart of Eorzea. Beneath the boughs of its towering trees lies the woodland city-state of Gridania. Once a sanctuary from the world beyond the Hedge, even the mighty elementals, eternal guardians of the forest, could not forestall the coming of the Seventh Umbral Era. However, the goddess Nophica was never one to forsake Her children, and today She welcomes another brave soul… …One who may yet play a telling role in the tale of this great realm.

Bremondt: An’ here’s where we part ways, son.
Bremondt: I’m off to the markets to deliver me wares, then it’s back to the highroad for me.
Bremondt: Here, I want you to have this─by way of thanks for keepin’ me company.
Bremondt: Hey─you never did tell me your name, did you? Well, here’s an idea…
Bremondt: Become the sort of storied personage I can brag about havin’ met, an’ I’ll consider us square.

May the Matron take him to Her Bosom, that he may never want.
And in his heart sow serenity, purity, and sanctity.

???: You there! Yes, you!
Wood Wailer: Your face is not known to me. Newly come to the city, no doubt.
Bertennant: I am Bertennant, a Wood Wailer of Gridania.
Bertennant: It is my duty to protect our nation from her enemies while welcoming those who may yet prove her friends. Let us see which you are.

???: …Hey. Hey, you!
Grizzled Passenger: Y’all right, lass?
Grizzled Passenger: You were moanin’ somethin’ fierce for a while there.
Grizzled Passenger: Feelin’ the effects of the aether, I reckon.
Grizzled Passenger: You’ll get used to it, though, don’t worry.
Brass Blade Captain: You there─halt!
Carriage Driver: What’s all this about!?
Brass Blade Captain: Inspection! Men, search the carriage!
Grizzled Passenger: I’m just an honest peddler, friend. So, er…don’t be too disappointed if you don’t find nothin’, eh?
Brass Blade: Mind your tongue, old man, lest I cut it out!
Brass Blade: Sir, look! Somnus!
Brass Blade Captain: Honest peddler, was it? Since when do honest peddlers deal in prohibited herbs?
Brass Blade Captain: You’re in a lot of trouble, old man. You’ll rot in a dungeon till the end of your days…unless you can afford the fine.
Grizzled Passenger: Heh, business as usual…
Grizzled Passenger: Uwaaah!
Brass Blade Runner: Amalj’aa! Amalj’aa! To arms! To arms!
Brass Blade Captain: Seven hells… Consider this a warning! Now go─all of you!
Grizzled Passenger: Phew… That kind of excitement ain’t good for the heart.
Grizzled Passenger: You be careful ’round them Brass Blades, lass. Bastards’ll have the shirt off your back if they fancy it. Like common bandits, they are, only less honest.
Grizzled Passenger: Thank the gods for sendin’ some beastmen to the rescue, eh!?
Grizzled Passenger: Hey, seein’ as we’ve still got a long ride ahead, you mind keepin’ me company till we arrive?
Grizzled Passenger: Them young’uns don’t much care for conversation, see.
Brendt: Brendt’s the name, an’ peddlin’s me trade.
Brendt: An’ judgin’ by your unusual garments, I’ll wager you’re one of them new adventurers.
Brendt: I knew it! Goin’ wherever the wind blows, seekin’ fortune an’ glory─now that’s what I call livin’!
Brendt: So long as you can avoid dyin’, I mean. Ain’t no secret that adventurin’s a risky business─these days especially.
Brendt: What was it that first attracted you to it?
Brendt: …Power? As in, er…power to do good? Like protectin’ the weak, an’ fightin’ for what’s right, an’ all that? Aye, I thought that’s what you meant. Well, adventurers do get up to a lot of fightin’, that’s for sure. You’ll never be short of a chance to polish your warcraft in the adventurin’ business.
Brendt: When you arrive in town, you’d best enroll at the Adventurers’ Guild─they’ll set you on the right path.
Brendt: An’ it wouldn’t hurt to join a guild, neither.
Brendt: Ul’dah’s home to a few, so if you fancy learnin’ how to fight with a sword, your fists, or even spells, you should think about seekin’ one out.
Brendt: Just remember, though: there’re more important things than fortune an’ glory. Such as breathin’. Ain’t no profit in bein’ dead, an’ that’s a fact.
Brendt: By the by, is this your first trip to Ul’dah?
Brendt: It is!? Well then, let this journeyed itinerant tell you the ins an’ outs of your destination.
Brendt: Ul’dah’s ruled by the sultana in name, but as most folk know, the Syndicate holds all the real power.
Brendt: Them and their Monetarist cronies would happily get rid of Her Grace altogether, but that won’t happen while she still commands the loyalty of the Royalists─an’ the Royalists are nothin’ if not loyal.
Brendt: These factions have long fought over power, throwin’ the weight of their wealth against each other, an’ they show no sign of stoppin’.
Brendt: ‘Course the lizardmen─that’s the Amalj’aa─couldn’t care less about Ul’dahn politics. They have their own interests, see─an’ they ain’t afraid to use force to serve ’em.
Brendt: They say war is a gift to peddlers─need breedin’ profit─an’ though it shames me to say it, I’m inclined to agree…
Brendt: Ah, at long last.
Brendt: Behold Ul’dah, jewel of Thanalan, where folk turn sand into gold!

Deep in the sunbaked south, surrounded by the shifting sands of an endless desert, she rises.
A solitary rose amidst the dust and rock. A symbol of defiance. Her name: Ul’dah.
Even with the coming of the Seventh Umbral Era, hope springs eternal for the mongers and merchants who vie for lost fortunes in this bustling oasis.
As the Twin Faces of Nald’thal maintain Their vigil over all that has been and shall be, the present proffers a brave soul…
…One whose arrival could mark the beginning of a new era of prosperity for the realm.

Brendt: An’ here’s where we part ways, lass.
Brendt: I’m off to the markets to deliver me wares, then it’s on to the highroad for me.
Brendt: Here, I want you to have this─by way of thanks for puttin’ up with me prattle.
Brendt: You never did tell me your name, though. Hey, but here’s an idea…
Brendt: Become the sort of storied personage I can brag about havin’ met, an’ I’ll consider us square.

May the Traders nurture our fortunes as They kindle the flames which burn within us all.
For by fire are we reborn.

???: Oi, ‘venturer! Over here!
???: Aye, I mean you.
???: Fresh off the carriage, by any chance? Eh? How can I tell? Heh!
Wymond: Name’s Wymond, an’ my business is knowin’ every bugger else’s!
Wymond: Now then, what if I was to offer you some invaluable advice by way of welcome to our fair city? Free of charge, even─just this once, like.

I close my eyes, tell us why must we suffer
Release your hands, for your will drags us under
My legs grow tired, tell us where must we wander
How can we carry on if redemption’s beyond us?

To all of my children in whom Life flows abundant
To all of my children to whom Death hath passed his judgement
The soul yearns for honor, and the flesh the hereafter
Look to those who walked before to lead those who walk after

Shining is the Land’s light of justice
Ever flows the Land’s well of purpose
Walk free, walk free, walk free, believe…
The Land is alive, so believe…

Suffer (Feel) Promise (Think) Witness (Teach) Reason
(Sleep) Weather (Sleep) Wander (Sleep) Answer
Sleep on

Now open your eyes while our plight is repeated
Still deaf to our cries, lost in hope we lie defeated
Our souls have been torn, and our bodies forsaken
Bearing sins of the past, for our future is taken

Mired by a plague of doubt, the Land, she mourns
Tell us why, given Life, we are meant to die, helpless in our cries?

Witness (Feel) Suffer (Think) Borrow (Teach) Reason
(Hear) Follow (Feel) Stumble (Think) Wander (Teach) Listen
(Blink) Whisper (Blink) Shoulder (Blink) Ponder (Blink) Weather
(Hear) Answer (Look) Answer (Think) Answer together

In one fleeting moment, from the Land doth life flow
In the same fleeting moment
Thou must live
Die
And know