The Chronicles of Latcarf

In between running around, fighting in Qufim Island, and helping Eidolons linkshell members, I was able to get out to Ordelle's Caves a few more times in search of keys and magical patterns.

When I first received my Magna Gauntlets, I learned from Guttrix that magical patterns only appear at certain times for certain races (and sexes) in certain places. Of course, the first thought in my mind was "how am I supposed to know where to go and when?" Before I could even ask the question, the smelly little Guttrix answered it for me.

He said he knew when and where a magical pattern could be found. For me (a male Elvaan), it was currently in the Maze of Shakhrami. I'd never been to that place and honestly, I had no intention of going there. I decided I'd come back in a while and talk to Guttrix again.

When I finally did get back to Lower Jeuno, Guttrix informed me that the pattern was now in Gusgen Mines! Well, I'd certainly been there and I had absolutely no inclination to go back anytime soon (if ever)! I decided to come back again later and see where else I could find the pattern.

I've been soooo busy lately, I haven't had time to write in my journal! I've been spending alot of time in the back caves of Korroloka Tunnel as a Beastmaster, learning how to tame beasts and running from Gigas! The Eidolons linkshell members have been getting together for excursions into Valkurm Dunes and Qufim Island where I've helped out at as a Black Mage. I've been trying to fish up the catches of the month for the fishing guild. I've been helping out other adventurers whenever possible, and I've been working to get new gear and equipment.

There's so much to be done I've hardly had time to think about it all, much less write about it! On top of all of that, I've been creative lately too!

Last night I made a triumphant return to Valkurm Dunes. Well, ok, not so triumphant - I rode in on Chocobo, but a return nonetheless!

My Eidolons linkshell has been growing, it's up to 15 members now (amazing what a few pearl-sacks can do ), and some of them wanted fight as lower level jobs.

As a Black Mage, I was merely level 18 (according to the master mages in Windurst) so I decided to join them and try my hand at black magic again. Practicing black magic was a welcome change from taming beasts and I was happy to go to the Dunes again just for that reason. I got to admit, it's quite a rush to cast fire on a monster right after two weapon skills combine into the effect of Liquefaction. The burst of magic is severely detrimental to the poor monster!

We spent a fair amount of time fighting as a very harmonious group. We only had one knockout which was not bad at all for a party in the Dunes! I believe I've achieved the abilities of a level 20 Black mage now. This is good because I'm closing the gap between my white magic skills and my black magic skills. I'm half as good at black magic as I am at white magic, which is just where I want to be. Especially since I use Black Mage as a sub-job to White Mage.

I might continue to work on my skills at black magic, the black arts intrigue me and the effort gives me a nice distraction from learning the taming of beasts!

Lately, I've been working so hard as a Fisherman. Everyday, the fishing guild designates a fish as the "catch of the day". As members of the guild, my fishermen colleagues and I must catch a certain number of these fish.

Today, I need to catch 1 stack (12 pieces) and 9 individuals of tiger cod. Yesterday it was 5 stacks of moat carp and the day before that it was giant catfish. The variety of catches are taking me literally all over Vana'diel!

The guild doesn't pay us gil for our catches but they do allow us guild credit. TWe can use the credit to buy key items and specialty equipment that can't be found anywhere else.

The catch of the day takes alot of my fishing time, but I can't say as I really mind. Feeling the salt air riding on the Selbina to Mhaura ship, warming my feet on the hot sands of Bibiki Bay, feeling the cooling breeze near a Jugner Forest stream, and watching the sunset on the coast in North Gustaberg cannot be beat.

It's a fishing life for me!

I finally got around to delivering the Conflict letters given to me by Excenmille. While I was in Windurst, I was allowed an audience with the Star Sybil (the leader of the Federation of Windurst)! After speaking with her, I talked with the Windurstian Conflict leader: Mhabi Molkot in the Clerical Chamber of Heaven's Tower (Windurst Walls). After she finished berating me, she gave me her approval to join in Conflict.

From Windurst, I paid a visit to Bastok where I was allowed audience with the President of Bastok. He admonished me about the checkered past between San d'Oria and Bastok but in the end, he gave his approval on my participation in the game of Conflict. Next, I talked with the Bastokan Conflict leader: Invincible Shield, in Metalworks (G-8 on the map). After making some jokes at my expense, he gave his approval to join in Conflict.

I went straight back to San d'Oria where I talked to Excenmille again. After describing the Conflict system a little (which is formally called Ballista), he granted me my license. Now that I am able to participate in Ballista, I will be showing Mhabi Molkot, and Invincible Shield where they can put there snide remarks. I'll be teaching them what an adventurer from San d'Oria can really do!