The Chronicles of Latcarf - Chronicles

Something Found...

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:36:23 -0700

Well, hello there... What's this!? I can't believe I just found my journal under my magna armor in this old coffer that's been sitting in the corner of my Mog House! It's been a few years since I've seen this journal and now that the dust is off, I can't believe I left it to moulder in storage so long.

Looking back through the pages, I recall fond (and painful) memories of the many adventures I've had. Though I haven't been active at all for some years, a read through my chronicles echos a call I heard many, many moons ago, and was powerless not to answer.

The call to adventure...

Many San d'Orian's have heard this same call and, like me, rushed quickly to answer. What I never really realized though, is how the call never stops sounding. Even when my adventures were winding down and I'd resigned myself to the the life of a Professional Angler, the call whispered to me in the salt air and beckoned me in the quiet nights alone.

Once again, I find myself powerless to resist that call. I feel an energy welling up in me that can only mean there's something amiss in Vana'diel and I'm needed to help right a wrong.

After finding my journal today, dusted by years of idleness, I realize I will be writing once more upon its pages as I go forth to answer the call to adventure. I hope that once again, I can help my fellow San d'Orians and experience all Vana'diel has to offer; as long as it doesn't hurt too much.

I guess I'd better pull my armor out of that coffer as well, hadn't I?

Fisherman's Signboard

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:07:15 -0700

What a great day! Today I dropped off the last fish I'll ever have to give Fennella for the Fishing Guild's catch of the day! Today's catch was jungle catfish and I just happened to have four of them sitting on ice crystals in my Mog House. With the few thousand guild points from the catfish, I finally saved enough to purchase the last guild item available; the Fisherman's Signboard. This signboard indicates my guild's services to the public. No only that, it is also a significant symbol of a veteran fisherman. Not too many professional fisherman have the patience and wherewithal to acquire the signboard.

Now that I've finished my duty to the Fishing Guild, I believe I may sign up with the Carpenter's Guild for a while. It will certainly be a welcome change of pace and I've been meaning to work on my carpentry skills once again. For now though - I'm taking a well deserved and much need break from fishing. I have much to be proud but there's still one more thing to do. There'll be plenty of time for it when I'm nice and refreshed...

More images...

Yeah, I've just been fishing...

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:21:51 -0700

I know I haven't been writing much in my chronicles but, in my defense, there hasn't been much to chronicle lately.

I feel as if I'm a slave to Fennella, the fishing guildmaster. Everyday I bring here the catch of the day. Day in and day out, another type of fish. I swear it's almost enough to drive a balance Elvaan mad (not that I was so balanced to begin with). After becoming the best fisherman I could ever be, I figured I would finish my promise to the guild in the hopes of parting with my own fisherman's signboard. Little did I realize just how much they'd expect from me.

We'll I do feel I'll be done soon and I think I'll be moving on to the Woodworker's guild. It will be nice working for another guildmaster for a while. In any case, once I'm back out adventuring again. I'll have many tales to tell. Tsuim's been bugging me lately about rescuing that little girl Palometta so I'm sure there'll be an adventure waiting for us.

Starlight Festival '08

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:45:00 -0800

There's a certain something in the air that only comes around every once in a while. It's a sweet, warm smell, with cheer and joy swirling around. It's a feeling that only a Smilebringer can evoke and it tells me that it's nearly Starlight Celebration time!

In honor of this great time I, of course, had to bring out my dream suit to make myself look as the Smilebrings from the North do. I set about the enjoyable work of putting up my decorations in the Mog House and taking a welcome break from all the fishing and adventuring I usually do.

Snowmen, trees, dream coffers, platters, and stockings all come together to make the old Mog House a brighter place for this Starlight season. This is a great opportunity to slow down, relax, and spend some time with family and friends. Even my buddy Tsuim got into the spirit by wearing her own Smilebringer outfit! What a character she is!

I heard from my Moogle about a dream bell that was built by a master instrument craftsman and after asking around San d'Oria, I was able to find a very high-quality one. Of course, I had to do some work to bring joy to the kind folk of Vana'diel to attain the bell. I hope it's heavenly tone can calm the savage beastmen and make both young and old delight in the Starlight Celebration cheer.

More images...

Napolian

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:56:00 -0800

I met a fellow fisherman at Qufim the other day while fishing off the north-eastern cliffs. He turned out to be a really helpful guy which was very lucky for me that day. I un-luck would have it, I actually got knocked-out there on that cliff side. I'm sure purely by accident, I was invited to to a party and mistakenly I joined it.

As forces work these days in Vana'diel, my fighting skill (and my power and defenses) were reduced to the level of those already in the party! This was very unfortunate for me as their levels were significantly lower than mine. I disbanded as soon as I had joined but the limiting force didn't lift so quickly.

One of the Goblin Bounty Hunters took this opportunity to attack and it laid me out in a single blow! Not only did it hurt, it also hurt my pride. Being the kind adventurer he is, Napolian made his way home via the outpost and returned to me to cast a raise spell upon my nearly lifeless body. Had he not been there, and had he not been as noble as he was, I might still be lying there today!

I wish Napolian all luck in his fishing an his travels and I hope that one day our paths will cross again. Who knows, I might even be able to help him in a time of need as well...

Silver Hook

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:26:00 -0800

As I'd mentioned in a previous entry, I entered my third fish rank contest recently. While in Selbina today, I realized they were finally posting the results of the contest.

With bated breath I asked Chenon to show me the results board. After she "prepared" it for what seemed like forever, it was finally presented to me. I was both happy and sad to see I was in third place with my score of 741. Above me was a 744 entry and 745 entry. I had hopped for the top position of course but I was happy to be in the top three!

I am pretty pleased with my award of a Penguin Ring and 10,000gil. I also go the title of "Silver Hook" this time around. I think I like it much better than the "Copper Hook" title I got before.

I'll certainly be entering the next competition. I'm striving for that "Gold Hook" title!

Tidal Talisman

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:32:00 -0800

I had perchance a recent opportunity to acquire an interesting artifact that is not only curious by its rarity but also by it's function. I'd met an "adventurer" (was he really?), who shall go nameless in my recount here, that tipped me to a very rare metallic pendant. He said these were sometimes found in Olduum burial sites in the far west of the empire of Aht Urghan. The pendant itself was fashioned as the great sea serpent Leviathan coiled around a pillar said to hold up the heavens. It was indeed an impressive relic.

He continued his story stating that these ornaments were worn by Olduum diplomats and possessed peculiar qualities. Once adorned with the jewelry, a "phantasmal robe" (as he called it) was projected over the wearer's body giving him limited powers of teleportation. Of course, I thought this story quite questionable; that is, until the "adventurer" showed my the piece and amazed me by it's powers.

Of course, once he offered to sell it, I couldn't turn away from the opportunity. Being even a bit wary of each other, we decided to conduct the transaction through the Moogles as mediators - a sort of escrow. Once he'd been compensated (I won't go into the price of this piece), I was able to pick the pendant up from the Festive Moogle in Windurst.

The Moogle called the jewelry a "Tidal Talisman." And it works as the man said it does...

Tsuim Learning to Fight

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 17:41:04 -0800

While I was helping Koblakiq by searching for her brother in Davoi, Tsuim decided to join me. Between my CrabFamiliar, Tsuim, and I, we must have finished off 20 or more Orcs. It was during this time, I realized Tsuim had grown stronger. Now that I'm back adventuring, I'll need to take her out on some more quests with me. This is a great way to advance her skills and accomplish my tasks. It's a win-win situation!

Missionary Moblin

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:28:00 -0800

During the time I was fishing armored pisces for the Fishing Guild's rank contest, I happened to talk to a Moblin by the name of Koblakiq. She just sat around with a forlorn expression watching me fish and I couldn't help but try to find out what was wrong.

So it turns out she'd stopped receiving letters from her brother Zeelozok who's gone to Davoi to speak with the Orcish Overlord. I kinda felt sorry for her and when she asked me to go to Davoi and search for him, I kinda agreed to do it.

I looked all over that rustic place but I couldn't find hide nor hair of Koblakiq's brother in Davoi. I killed a bunch of Orcs and eventually I found a soiled letter that looked as if it were penned by Moblin hand. I figured I'd take this back to Koblakiq and see if it would give her any clue to her brother's whereabouts.

The letter I found was indeed from Koblakiq's brother. Zeelozok wrote that he was able to talk with the Orcish Overlord but that the Overlord was too stupid to understand him. He was taken captive and the Orcs told him Moblins and people were "only good for eating." Fortunately, Zeelozok (being a very good digger) dug a tunnel out of Davoi and escaped. He also helped out some other captives who repaid his kindness in gil. Koblakiq passed on the gil to me as the Moblins really have no use for it.

It's never a bad thing to do favors for folks in need and it's always a great thing when you unexpectedly make 4000 gil from doing it! Thanks Koblakiq!!

Veteran Fisherman

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:00:02 -0800

During my armored pisces fishing trip, I felt my skill increase a bit. I decided, after I'd dropped off some "catch-of-the-day" silver sharks to Fennella that I'd ask Thubu Parohren about my fishing rank. She said I was ready to be promoted and told me to catch her a gigant squid.

I'd seen a few fishermen pulling up those squid on the cliffs of Qufim Island. I figured I'd head over there and get one myself. It was long before I'd managed to catch one and I immediately returned to Thubu Parohren to offer her my catch. She seemed totally amazed that I'd actually caught a gigant squid and although she was the one awarding me the title of Veteran, she said it was I who could teach her a thing or two!

So I went back to my Mog House feeling pretty great today! I've reached the top of the fisherman ranks and am proud to think of myself as a Veteran fisherman!

The Latest Fish Rank Contest

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:17:34 -0800

Stopping by the Fisherman's Guild in Selbina I decided to stop and chat with Chenon. It seems they've just kicked off another Fish Rank Contest. This time around they're looking for the largest (weight and length) Armored Pisces around. I dug my fishing guide out of the chest in my Mog House (glad it was still there), dusted it off and found that Armored Pisces could be a real challenge for me.

So I set out for Oldton Movalpolos via North Gustaberg. With my trusty Lu Shang's rod and a sinking minnow lure, I set up for a few days of fishing on one of the lower platforms (H-10 on the map) above the deep underground reservoir.

The Moblin's around me didn't seem to mind me being there and I kept my nose out of their business. Even with the full moon on my side, Armored Pisces didn't bite too much. When they did nip at my bait, I had trouble wearing them down enough to be able to land them sometimes. I probably only reeled in 98% of the fish I hooked. The guide was right, these are tough buggers!

After a few days of fishing, I'd caught what I hoped would be a good candidate for the Fish Rank Contest and so I returned to Chenon in Selbina and had her register my catch. I hope it puts me in the top 3!

Oh Goodness....

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:11:23 -0800

It has been so long since I've written. I'm not about to expend the energy it would take to recap what I've been doing but I will say that none of it has been adventuring! In an Altanian effort, I pulled myself out of my Mog House today and headed straight for Qufim Island for a little black sole fishing. Unfortunately, the moon was not on my side so I promptly quite after a few fruitless casts. Oh well, in any case, you ought to be able to find me there fishing again for a while.

It's so nice to feel the cold air biting my cheek and the salty spray tickling my nose. It's been along time since I've indulged in my favorite pastime...

Latcarf's Image Gallery

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:40:21 -0800

I do so much as an adventurer it's often hard to find the time to write about it in my journal here. No matter what I'm doing, I'm usually capturing some images of me doing it. I figured, since I often don't have time to write, but I always have images of my adventures, why don't I show those off?

So to that end I've started publishing:

The Chronicles of Latcarf Snapshot Gallery

Here you'll be able to see all the great things I've been doing lately, even if I don't have time to write about them. Please check it out and let me know what you think.

Busy, Busy, Busy...

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 13:52:00 -0800

From my lack of journal entries lately, it might seem that I haven't been doing much. To the contrary, I've been very, very busy!

Of course, this time of year there's always alot going on. First off, the Moogles held the annual Starlight Celebration and I mostly certainly participated by donning my Dream outfit and handing out presents for the kiddies. I even participated in a Moogle event where we had to find specific adventurers and trade cards with them, among other treats, I got a pair of Dream Boots +1 to complete my Dream outfit. The boots are kind of nice actually, in that not only can they be used to cast Sneak, but they also enhance the sneak effect! I understand now why the Smilebringers are always able to get into the townsfolk's house with no disruption to the sleeping children.

After the fun and games were over, I spent some time in the Uleguerand Range honing my skills as a Beastmaster. I was even lucky enough to find another adventuring Beastmaster named Everquest with whom I teamed up to take on some of the nastiest hounds I've fought in my adventuring life.

After all of the effort, it seemed my innate Beastmaster abilities had gone as far as they would so I went back to Maat to ask for some more guidance. He sent me off on a quest that had me in the Orc's Monastic Cavern, the Quadav's Qulun Dome, and the Yagudo's Castle Oztroja. That was a bit of tough work but in the end, it helped me break some of my limitations.

After that, it was back to Beastmaster work. This time I ventured down into the Boyahda Tree in the Sanctuary of Zi'tah. It turns out that the rumors are true about this being the biggest tree in the sanctuary. As a matter of fact, there are hills, valleys, tunnels, rivers, waterfalls and many, many plants and animals down there. It really gave me quite an opportunity to hone my skills charming animals.

And, as if this all wasn't enough, I also had an opportunity to talk to the little fashion girl, Brygid in Bastok Markets who found me a nice piece of body armor called a Gaudy Harness. She didn't just hand it over though; she wanted to trade me for an Ophiuchus Subligar which was pretty tough to get. Eventually Sparkkplug and I were able to find one on a Fomor Beastmaster we defeated down in the Phomiuna Aqueducts. I can't say the Aqueducts were a bad experience though, it's not everyday you see the likes of a diremite!

Recently, there's been sightings all over Vana'diel of rodent-like (rat or mouse) creatures running around outdoors. Some have said the bear gifts and spells for those adventurers who talk to them and you know I'll need to find out if the rumors are true myself.

So, I have certainly been busy and that's my excuse for not writing in my journal lately. Unfortunately, it's also my excuse for not fishing or crafting very much lately either but that excuse will only hold out for so long. When my pocketbook runs dry, I'll need to start some more fishing for profit. I can't neglect my job for too long without feeling the impact!

Back to the Beginning

nospam@example.com (Latcarf) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:50:00 -0800

After much deliberation, I decided to investigate the Cavernous Maws I, and others, had seen literally popping up all over the Quon and Midartia continents. I re-entered the one I'd found in Batallia Downs and returned to the past again. There I met Sparkklug and an old friend named Wasper. Sparkk told me how Garlaige Citadel was a San d'Orian stronghold in the Great Crystal War of the past and that we should see if we could find more information there.

So, we set out through Sauromugue Champaign and eventually made it to Garlaige Citadel. Sparkk was right, the citadel was not the decrepit, ruin of a dungeon that I'd always known it to be. Instead it was a well fortified, well outfitted, headquarters of San d'Orian resistance against the Beastman onslaught. We searched around for a bit and eventually found Randecque, who said we should join up with the Knights of the Iron Ram as soon as possible and gave us red recommendation letters to take to the Captain of the Iron Rams: Mainchelite, in San d'Oria.

Continue reading "Back to the Beginning"