Bushido Blade

I picked up a hatchet at the auction house and set out for the Sanctuary in search of a great tree. I soon found the biggest tree I've ever seen in my life. Strangely enough, where I found it didn't show up on my map (I think it was around J-8). After dismounting my chocobo and looking around the tree, I saw what might be a "sacred branch" candidate. I swung the hatchet and heard the crisp crack and a deep thud as it made contact with, and cut partially through, the branch. At that very moment, I sensed something behind me. I turned and found a large living tree swinging its long branches right at my face.

I quickly called out a CrabFamiliar and told it to attack the Guardian Treant that had appeared behind me. After my crab had the tree's full attention, I attacked it myself. The Treant got a few good hits on me but my crab bore the brunt of its attacks. Together we defeated the Guardian and I stuck the sacred sprig Ranemaud gave me in the space where the branch had been. With this part of my quest accomplished, I went back to the Sanctuary of Zi'Tah Outpost to get a teleport back to San d'Oria.

After a bit of rest and recuperation, I set out for the Konschtat Highlands in search of the bomb Aeka spoke about. It wasn't long until I found a dark, dirty cave with soot and the smell of smelted ore emanating from it. I knew this had to be the place.

I placed the oriental steel Aeka had given me at the back of the cave. A fiery hot Forger bomb rose from the ash and soot and quickly consumed the steel. When it saw me, it breathed fire toward me, singeing the noble's ribbon in my hair. I called a CrabFamiliar and we both fought it back until I was able to recover the piece of bomb steel forged by the fiery beast. With the necessary materials in hand, I hastily returned to Norg.

When I returned to Jaucribaix, Gilgamesh (leader of the Tenshodo) came upon us. He had much to tell me about the nature and spirit of a Samurai. He explained how they test people using the trials I'd just completed as a way to weed out the weak. Jaucribaix said he would craft a katana for me and when he was finished, Gilgamesh told me I could become a Samurai. Jaucribaix contended that his work would take three days and that I should return to him when the time is up to receive my new sword.

I spent the three days in Norg, talking with adventurers and Tenshodo, fishing, and exploring the small pirate haven. When I returned to Jaucribaix he'd crafted me "Mumeito" - a great katana. With my spirit and effort infused in the blade, I could now become a Samurai.

Although I still love being a Beastmaster, the abilities of the Samurai intrigue me. Someday I might even choose to wield Mumeito against the Beastmen of Vana'diel.