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By Chiela
FFXIV PLL #75 Recap - 6.3 Live Letter Part 2
Hello everyone! Welcome to the recap of Patch 6.3 live letter part 2.
Video recap can be viewed here:
Live translations of every PLL can be viewed on HurricaneChiela's twitch channel.
On Friday December 23rd, part two of the 6.3 live letter was held, revealing new information about what’s in store for us.
Yoshi P starts the PLL by mentioning how tight it was for them to deliver patch 6.3 on schedule. Many difficulties for the dev team to overcome in delivering this patch. They talk about quickly selling out tickets for the Eorzean symphony, and while it was difficult to manage in the current climate they were glad to be able to have it.
Patch 6.3’s name is “Gods Revel, Lands Tremble” and will be released on January 10th.
Content to come in 6.3
New Main Scenario Quests Sidequests Tataru’s Grand Endeavor Tales of Newfound Adventure - a side story after finishing the MSQ. This time there will be more for you to do. 6.35 somehow further Hildibrand adventures - some crazy things to come Further Manderville Weapons 6.35 Tribal Quests - The Loporrits 6.35. Will take a look at the life of Loporrits, and how they move forward as creations of Hydaelyn. Some of Yoshida’s favorite content amongst the 6.3 patch! New Dungeon - Lapis Manalis, players joined by fan favorite Zero New Trials - can’t reveal further New Unreal Trial - Sophia New Alliance Raid: Euphrosyne, there is much they can't show yet Ultimate Duty 5 - The Omega Protocol (Ultimate)
Release two weeks after patch 6.3 Players must first complete Abyssos the eighth circle savage It feels pretty fast (since the last ultimate) but they’d had to keep it a secret to prevent players from speculating too much on what mechanics might be included Duty Support for various Heavensward duties Job Adjustments PvP series 3 begins, season 5 of crystalline conflict begins, new arena The Clockwork Castletown Crafting and Gathering Updates Tool Enhancement Quests - Splendorous Tools New Custom Deliveries: Anden - could he be turned back into a human? Collectability value UI improvements New course added to leap of faith in the gold saucer - the first in a while.
Deep Dungeon 3 - Eureka Orthos
Must complete the MSQ “Endwalker” and progress to floor 50 of palace of the dead If you’ve done any palace of the dead you will understand what kind of content this is The bosses coming in Eureka will be much more like regular bosses compared to in Heaven on High - maybe this means more mechanics? Island Sanctuary Updates
New ways to sort through the UI to figure out what's best to queue in the workshop Can view factors like popularity and supply while setting agenda
Treasure hunt update
New dungeon only appears in Elpis. Housing update
additional 6 regular wards and 6 subdivisions per world - available for purchase via the lottery system. In newer servers with houses still available currently, the wards will not be added just yet. Look for the lodestone post to come to see which will be available to private buyers and free companies UI improvements
Icons for damage type in battle log and flying text. Up until patch 6.3 there is a lot of content, and they want to make sure to get all of this info up to date with this information - please let them know if they miss anything or make an error! Display remaining time for buffs / debuffs in the party list Miscellaneous Updates
Alternative UI theme Clear Blue
Portraits will now display when using the duty finder - alliance raids will show your 8 person party only. Don’t forget to set it so that you’re not the only one with the default portrait! Expansion of activities available while using fashion accessories. Some parts of it will be customized - certain parts may be able to be turned on or off. More emotes will be able to be used and potentially usable while mounted. Ability to automatically open an umbrella when rain is detected. They wanted to represent the feeling similar to real life - if it’s raining you pull out your umbrella Ability to collectively entrust duplicates of stackable items to your retainer Export from portraits editor to adventurer plate and vice versa
Job Adjustments
General adjustments
There will be adjustments to usability for certain actions - this will be explained when the patch releases Paladin
Significant adjustments extending to action rotations. For everyone who mains Paladin, the rotation has changed a lot - they apologize. Adjustment Objectives: Improve ability to deal burst damage, because of PLD's reliance on DoT damage, they don’t have as much burst - they will try to damage over time into burst damage. Paladin's defensive abilities compared to other tanks are quite difficult to use, so they are trying to alleviate some of that difficulty. Main adjustments (not all of them just the biggest ones):
Rotation has been shortened to accommodate high powered actions. Damage over time effects for Goring Blade and Blade of Valor was removed and their potency was adjusted. Divine Might is now applied after weaponskill combos, allowing an enhanced holy spirit to be executed once without casting. Holy Shelltron’s effect has been changed to reduce damage taken, enhancing defensive capabilities against DoT. Previously removed bulwark ability has been revamped and reintroduced, offering increased defensive capability. This is just a general overview as they are continuing to work on Paladin and will be until the patch releases.
PvP
Demonstrates the new CC arena, showing teleporting doors. There are environmental effects reminiscent of Eden’s promise 1 tiles.
A festival begins and effects are activated such as AoE's, gold coins are scattered around the arena granting LB gauge when collected. This will happen once per match.
New outfits to be released in 6.3, including the PvP series reward armor set.
Alliance Raid - Euphrosyne
After entering, Yoshi P shows off fields of yellow under blue skies and clouds.
We follow G’raha Tia through the fields. They marvel at the environment changing, and question what G’raha is doing with his strange instrument.
They feel that the development team has been doing a great job recently. The work that has been done is particularly impressive. Many of the environments and designs are going to be unique to what we’ve seen so far in xiv. People seemed to have a lot of fun with the first alliance raid, they look forward to expanding on the lore and there are many new mechanics to show off in the new fights! Yoshi P mentions the third fight in particular is his favorite.
Alliance raid armor sets:
Tank
Maiming
Striking
Ranged
Scouting
Healing
Casting
The Omega Protocol (Ultimate)
The entire fight is Omega, from start to finish. Similar difficulty level to DSR, but not more difficult. Will release 2 weeks after 6.3 and they will finish their final adjustments by then.
New Treasure Dungeon - The Shifting Gymnasium Agonon
Yoshi P shows off some gameplay in the new treasure map dungeon, working in a similar way to the shifting altars from previous expansions. Yoshi P runs through the typical emotions as the roulette kicks him out of the dungeon.
New treasure map glamour
New Leap of Faith course
A pretty jumping course in the treetops. Be careful or you will fall! Collect the medals in the same way as in previous iterations. Yoshi P struggles through the course and marvels at how well some players do at these courses.
Deep Dungeon 3 - Eureka Orthos
Deep dungeon Overview - What is deep dungeon?
Must be level 81 or above to enter Entry for 1-4 players no role restrictions, difficulty unaffected by party size To unlock, accept quest from “Koh Rabntah” in Mor Dhona to unlock, with the addition of this quest previous quests associated with Koh Rabntah will be removed. Going in looks the same as with previous Deep dungeons, with the familiar two save files. Yoshida talks through some of the basics and fights a few monsters, explaining features like aetherpool, pomanders, traps. Because of the randomization, it's a different challenge every time you enter
Yoshi P briefly fights the floor 10 boss, an allagan-looking Korrigan, with various mechanics related to parts of the floor.
Yoshi P showcases a new pomander, dreadnought, a transformation pomander with 2 abilities, one similar to the "rage" pomander in PotD (one shots enemies and knocks them back) and the other similar to the "lust" pomander (applies a stacking debuff on enemies).
He also used EO's replacement for magicite: a Demiclone that follows and helps the player fight enemies on the current floor. It disappears after the player moves to the next floor.
New items available in 6.3
New short hair style will be available, most likely from EO.
New mounts. A new gold saucer mount and what seemed to be expensive gilded mounts, perhaps purchasable for a large sum of gil.
New way to transfer items between retainer and inventory
Yoshi P shows the new UI interactions with retainers, including selecting all types of items you want to mass transfer onto the retainer - for stackable items only at the moment. He further explained the loading bar was required while communication between the client and database occurred.
Housing Exterior and Items
New collectable minions
Misc. Announcements
Nier reincarnation collaboration event starts from December 25 New years mahjong broadcast on january 9 2023, where various ffxiv related people will be playing mahjong. 2023 will mark 10 years since A Realm Reborn. Because it is the 10 year anniversary, there is a lot of plans and things for the community to look forward to in 2023. Limited time pop-up collaboration skincare shop opening in LUCUA 1100 Osaka, from January 18 to 24. Crystalline Conflict Community Cup Japan. Sign up between 23rd December and 15th January. Taking place at the end of January and early February they will be streamed live on twitch. Eorzean Symphony orchestral album vol. 3. will be released in April 2023. Eorzean Symphony North America and Europe announced, in North America on July 30th the day after fan festival. In Europe October 23 also following fan festival. Japan fanfest announced for January 7-8 2024 in Tokyo. Thanks to all of the ffxiv community support that made this possible, with this fan fest to cap off the 10th anniversary year.
Recommencement of housing auto demolition. Now Hiring Marketing Manager for MMO products in North America. Heavensturn event starting January 1 2023. 6.3 Patch note reading January 10 at 3pm JST. Patch maintenance time will not be 24 hours. Final Fantasy 16 pre-orders are now available - releasing Thursday June 22. We hope this info was helpful to you, and we will continue recapping the live letter in the future. Happy holidays everyone!
Check out the next PLL translation live on HurricaneChiela's twitch channel.
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By Chiela
FFXIV PLL #74 Recap - 6.3 Live Letter Part 1
Hello everyone! Welcome to the recap of Patch 6.3 live letter part 1.
This is our first time trying out a recap, so feel free to give us some feedback on ways we can improve, etc.
Video recap can be viewed here:
Live translations of the next PLL can be viewed on HurricaneChiela's twitch channel.
On Friday November 12th, part one of the 6.3 live letter was held, revealing new information about what’s in store for us.
This is the 74th live letter, and also the 10 year anniversary of the 1.0 servers shutting down. For part 1, they mentioned they will introduce a lot of content and then go into greater detail in part 2. From the following, Yoshi P will be involved in approving and finalizing a lot of content for 6.3, so much more is in store for us in part 2.
Patch 6.3’s name is “Gods Revel, Lands Tremble” and will be released in early January 2023.
Content to come in 6.3
New Main Scenario Quests
From the screenshots, Zero will be heavily involved in the next patch. Alphinaud and Alisaie will come back after a long break.
Tataru’s Grand Endeavor
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen Hancock and Tataru together, Yoshi P was wondering aloud where the story will take us.
Tales of Newfound Adventure
Yoshi P mentioned there are probably some players who haven’t done this, and if you haven’t tried it yet you should check it out because the story is very good.
Somehow further Hildibrand
Continues in 6.35 with a new cute friend. The dev team spent a long time making sure to get the balance right between the head and eyes.
Manderville Weapons
Also continuing in 6.35. They teased this screenshot and again were wondering aloud what this has to do with the relic quest.
New Tribal Quests 6.35 - The Loporrits for Crafters
Yoshi P tried to get viewers to guess what might be the next tribal quest, and many successfully guessed Loporrits. There’s going to be a lot of fun stuff that happens with them, so definitely go and check it out.
New Dungeon - Lapis Manalis as part of the MSQ
Yoshi P mentioned that there’s a lot of depth to this place from a lore standpoint, but they don’t want to say too much about it. The Japanese name includes “snow mountain” in it, which fits with the screenshots being shown.
There’s a lot that’s going to happen with the 13th, and they’re teasing that the story will continue forward there. “I don’t want to spoil it, so I’m not going to say anything!”
New trials - Normal and Extreme
It was mentioned in previous patches, but one thing they love is the sense of surprise they can give Warriors of Light when seeing new content for the first time, and so they want to preserve that surprise even if the MSQ hints at the direction it might take. As such, they are keeping the next trial’s content a secret for now.
New Unreal Trial - Containment Bay P1T6 (Unreal), Sophia
There are quite a few mechanics in Sophia, and they wanted to clean it up for this and make sure it fits the modern day of gameplay while preserving the original experience of the fight.
New Alliance Raid - Myths of the Realm 2 - “Euphrosyne”
Yoshi P mentioned that it’s also hard for him to pronounce the name of the new alliance raid. And again they’re trying to tease us about which gods will come around this time, they don’t want to reveal it yet.
They showed a couple of screenshots, one with Graha and a strange device on his back. Some chat members joked that it looks like a slot machine.
Yoshi P mentioned that they will start working on adjustments for the alliance raid from next week.
For the second screenshot, many jokes were made that it looks like the Windows XP default background.
Ultimate Duty #5
Releasing 2 weeks after 6.3 - end of January
Currently they’re keeping all details a secret, with more to come in part 2, and if it’s okay for him to zone into the fight he will.
Players were trying to figure out when the next ultimate would happen, and Yoshi P mentioned that there were rumors about it releasing in 6.5, but they’re on schedule for it to release 6.3. It’s a tight schedule of course and they felt it would be tough for them but they made their deadline.
New Deep Dungeon 3. Eureka Orthos - Coming in 6.35
The dev team released Palace of the Dead in Heavensward and Heaven on High in Stormblood, and then decided to skip over making a new one for Shadowbringers. However, they didn’t realize just how much the community loved deep dungeon as much as they do, so they decided to add a new one.
They also mentioned that they’re aware of just how many players are challenging deep dungeon solo, and that there’s many who have soloed both deep dungeons on all jobs! Lovely shoutout to the deep dungeon community.
EO is unlocked by completing MSQ “Endwalker” and floor 50 of Palace of the Dead Players with a job at level 81 or higher can enter. Start from level 81 in the dungeon. Rules and functionality are generally identical to prior DD’s but some new features will be included. Duty support for level 60 Heavensward MSQ dungeons
This includes a redesign for The Aetherochemical Research Facility. Adding in more and more duty support, with plans to add it for all dungeons in HW. Job Adjustments (PvE/PvP)
Paladin rotation will be completely changed in 6.3, but otherwise not much in the way of large PvE changes. They asked for a bit more time before revealing what exactly those changes will look like as they’re still adjusting them. Expect more updates in the part 2 live letter.
PvP Adjustments
There will be some job adjustments in PvP, and changes for content like Rival Wings, so look forward to more information in the part 2 live letter.
Series 3 will begin Season 5 begins New CC arena
There was a lot of feedback from players that the Cloud map was the least popular and highly disliked by players. As such, they’ve decided to put it in the map rotation less frequently, but the exact rotation hasn’t been decided yet.
Crafting and Gathering Updates
Tool Enhancement Quests
Coming in 6.35. There’s going to be an interesting story involved with this one, so definitely don’t miss it.
New Custom Deliveries
Not much information on this one but they’re sure no one can guess who will involved in this questline.
Misc. crafting and gathering updates
Collectability values will be displayed when gathering collectables Additions to the fish guide New spearfishing area will be added to Upper La Noscea, the first to allow diving from the ARR regions
Island Sanctuary Updates
New sanctuary ranks and visions New item rewards New materials crops animals and handicrafts New structures Improvements to the workshop interface Option to collect yields/leavings at once Animals under care will be eligible for release when a new animal is captured Save orchestrion settings Visitors will now hear the islekeep’s orchestrion Notifications when visitors arrive at your island
They’re also planning to add further updates in 6.4, such as placing outdoor furniture. Yoshi P asked for a bit more time for them to work on that before implementing it.
New Treasure Hunt Dungeon
The Shifting Gymnasion Agonon
Accessible via a new Elpis-centric treasure map, which can only be accessed in the Elpis zone.
Gold Saucer Update
New course added for leap of faith. Yoshi P expressed a bit of uncertainty how this will work with the game’s updated collision system, so they may need to make some changes before implementing it.
Housing
Additional wards for all residential areas 6 new wards and subdivisions 1800 new plots per world Planned for sale by lottery UI Updates
Icons for damage type in the battle log and flying text Buff/Debuff timers in party list
Misc Updates
A new UI theme which they can’t show today but will preview later. Portraits will now display when using DF 24 person content will only show your party member portraits Expansion of actions available while using fashion accessories Cast glamours and dye retainer equipment while using fashion accessories Ability to cast glamours on your own equipment directly from retainers inventory Ability to filter newly added items at sundry splendors vendors
We hope this info was helpful to you, and we will continue recapping the live letter in the future!
Check out the next PLL translation live on HurricaneChiela's twitch channel.
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By Angelusdemonus
Final Fantasy XIV will be appearing on Awesome Games Done Quick 2023 (AGDQ2023)! The run will air on the GDQ Twitch channel (https://www.twitch.tv/gamesdonequick) on: Friday, January 13th at 7:26PM ET.
For the full schedule, please visit here: https://gamesdonequick.com/schedule
Awesome Games Done Quick is a charity video game marathon event that highlights speedrunners and high level gameplay. For this event, the charity will benefit the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
The specific run that will be appearing on AGDQ2023 will be: Deep Dungeon - Palace of the Dead, Solo, Floors 171-180 on Machinist (MCH) run by Angelus Demonus.
Although not an actual speedrun, this would be considered as a skill/challenge run. The run will showcase one of the hardest floors of the whole F1-200 Necromancer Title Solo challenge on MCH which includes a showdown with the F180 Boss: Dendainsonne/Behemoth.
For more information on the charity event, please visit this website: https://gamesdonequick.com/
If you wish to check out the runner appearing in AGDQ2023, you can visit their Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/angelusdemonus
===============================
ファイナルファンタジーXIVはAGDQ 2023で見られます！1月14日09:26 JST GDQ Twitchチャンネル（https://www.twitch.tv/gamesdonequick）に配信されます。
全スケジュール：https://gamesdonequick.com/schedule
AGDQとは、「Awesome Games Done Quick」の頭文字を取ったもので、年始に毎年行っているチャリティーのためのオンラインのゲーミングマラソンのイベントです。スピードランをする人とShowcaseと言う形で様々なスーパープレイが見れます。
チャリティー配信となっているだけあり、プレイヤーたちがゲームをやりながら寄付金も募っています。寄付金はガンを防止するために活動している非営利団体である「Prevent Cancer Foundation」に寄付されます。
具体的に、配信するコンテンツのはディープダンジョンです！到達する予定は機工士で死者宮殿ソロ171-180階です。
AGDQの普通のスピードランじゃなくて、寧ろにチャレンジランということです。ネクロマンサーというアチーブメントを取る挑戦の中で、一番難しい階を紹介します。Dendainsonne/Behemothという１８０階ボスと闘うことも含めています。
チャリティー配信の詳しい情報はこのウェブサイトに書いてあります：
https://gamesdonequick.com/
AGDQ2023に参加するプレイヤーのTwitchチャンネル：
https://www.twitch.tv/angelusdemonus
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By ara
This year, Final Fantasy XIV will be attending PAX in Melbourne from Friday, October 7th to Sunday, October 9th. Events include a Fan Gathering and various Battle Challenges!
PAX is a convention celebrating gaming culture, giving fans an opportunity to interact with their favorite game developers, publishers, and more! Read below for more exciting news on what the Final Fantasy XIV panel will have in store for the community.
FFXIV Returns to PAX AUS (Source)
We're delighted to announce that FINAL FANTASY XIV Online will be returning to PAX in Melbourne to reunite with all the Warriors of Light down under!
Experienced adventurers should get ready to battle against Zodiark in order to get your hands on an "I BEAT ZODIARK" T-shirt, while newcomers can visit the Sprout Corner to explore Eorzea, try out the Duty Support system, and get a copy of the Starter Edition for free!
A Fan Gathering will also be hosted in Melbourne on the evening of Thursday, October 6, where both FFXIV veterans and new adventurers are welcome to join in!
PAX AUS 2022
Show Dates
Friday, October 7, 2022 through Sunday, October 9, 2022
Location
Melbourne Convention Centre
1 Convention Centre PL, South Wharf 3006
Melbourne, Australia
Battle Challenge
Warriors of Light, Zodiark will challenge you at PAX AUS!
Sprout Corner
If you've got mates eager to take their first steps in FINAL FANTASY XIV, be sure to bring them to the Sprout Corner!
Newcomers can explore Eorzea, experience the Duty Support system, and get a copy of the Starter Edition for free!
Beginner's Battle Challenge
Experience a Battle Challenge designed for new players starting out in the game.
Challenge Ifrit to get your hands on an FFXIV Water Bottle!
Panasonic SoundSlayer Gaming Speaker
We're teaming up with Panasonic at PAX! Come visit us on Sprout Corner, where visitors will be able to experience the SoundSlayer Wearable Immersive Gaming Speaker System first-hand.
Fan Gathering
A Fan Gathering will also be hosted in Melbourne on the evening of Thursday, October 6, where both FFXIV veterans and new adventurers are welcome to join in!
We have 200 seats available for this Fan Gathering. To register for one, please send an email to:
[email protected]
Your email needs to contain the following information:
Your full name Your age If you would like to bring an additional guest
・The full name of your additional guest
・The age of your additional guest Please take the time to read our Privacy Notice.
Please also ensure that you have your guest's permission to share their name and age.
When
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Location
The Emerald Peacock
233 Lonsdale Street, Level 1
Melbourne, Australia
Visit the venue's website here!
Visit the PAX Aus website.
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By ara
The final entry in the collection "Tales From the Dawn" has been published. This time, it follows Jullus, a Garlean prominent in Endwalker's Garlemald arc, as he struggles to rebuild his nation in the aftermath of the Final Days.
With the conclusion of Endwalker, we are thrown into another narrative in Sharlayan, without any news of how our enemy-turned-friend from Garlemald is faring alongside our favorite Leveilleur twins. Jullus began as a close-minded Garlean soldier tempered by their extremely discriminating view of outsiders such as the Warrior of Light's alliance, but shows a significant amount of character development over the span of the Garlemald arc. Personally, he's become one of my favorite NPCs after the Scions; that's saying something in a game with a massive cast spanning four whole expansions!
We are brought along with him on his difficult journey to recover his homeland — his heartbreak, his sorrow, his history are laid bare in bittersweet detail. We explore the echoes of Garlemald's erstwhile glory, beneath the layers of their antagonistic front. I may have choked up a bit reading some of the passages, as the descriptions of Jullus' loss are so vivid it felt like I was physically there myself. What do you think of the Endwalker side stories, and which one is your favorite?
A Question of Death (Source)
Jullus awoke to near darkness.
He was but one of many soldiers, young and old, lying in Tertium. Every ilm of the carriage floor was covered in bedrolls, leaving no room for careless movement.
Taking care not to disturb the others, he sat up, straining to make out the hands of the old clock salvaged by who-knows-who that was hidden somewhere in the gloom. The near edge of dawn... Further down, beyond his sleeping fellows, was the wavering blue glow of the ceruleum stove.
It was not the cold that had roused him from his slumber. We're old friends now. Before accepting the Ilsabard contingent's proffered aid, his people had little materiel─and certainly no magic─to warm frozen fingers and toes. The exhaustion that often carried him to sleep still failed to prevent him from regularly stirring in the night.
Thinking he might pass the time with fresh air at least, he reached down to drag his boots and bag towards him. Conscious of every noise, he dressed stealthily, holding his breath when Publius rolled over next to him. Fortunately, there came no word of complaint, and Jullus was free to slip out and mull over the events of the previous night in peace.
They'd been huddled around a lamp in an out-of-the-way corner, the familiar scent of honey and spices wafting from their cradled mugs─one small comfort afforded by a surplus in rations. The conversation had again settled into a lull when Publius broke the silence.
"I may just leave for Sharlayan."
The grimacing youth─of an age with Jullus, though low in rank─had barely spoken a word all evening. Now that he had, none knew how to respond.
It wasn't surprising. Inevitable, really. Survive the Telophoroi and Final Days they had, but Garlemald was still in a sorry state. The Emperor was gone, the senate disbanded, and nations were hesitant to commit to any policy concerning the erstwhile empire.
There had been some hesitant steps toward forming an interim government, but neither Garlemald nor its neighbors had the means to establish one immediately. The provincial leaders were waiting to see which way the winds would blow, welcoming their countrymen home while making no moves to resurrect the Empire themselves. Rumors that this or that province was poised to formally declare independence, or had as good as seceded already, ran rampant.
It was only natural to give Garlemald up as a lost cause. Even as some returned to rebuild, others who had been tempered and taken to other nations for treatment petitioned to remain there, and these nations─Sharlayan among them─welcomed the refugees with open arms. Though Publius might be the first among present company, he would not be the last to make a new home far from the old.
Publius stared into his cup as the moment dragged on. In this nation of the fallen, what was left to say?
"...You should speak with Alphinaud or Alisaie on the morrow. They'll put you in contact with someone you can trust," Jullus ventured. The ever-helpful pair was staying at Camp Broken Glass, and like as not had plenty to be doing already, but he would be remiss not to mention it.
"I'll do that."
With that small gesture, the atmosphere changed. Publius exhaled in relief, and the others were soon offering their own words of encouragement and vows to meet again. Though their drinks had long gone cold, their cheers gave them warmth enough.
"To our brothers and our homeland!"
The brisk winds carried away sleep's warm haze as Jullus climbed the slope that led out of the station. Beyond the shaft's angular portal, the weak morning light revealed the stark outline of his reality.
The remaining spire of the once-shining Palatium Novum stood alone in the city center, amongst homes reduced to steel skeletons and grey rubble. Beyond these unnatural hills loomed the Tower of Babil, grasping for the heavens.
Tertium's surrounds had been spared out-and-out obliteration, but were dead all the same. None remained to hurry to work or school, or stagger home after a night on the town. None remained to clear snow from a neighbor's path, or rove helplessly in their dog's wake. The people who had given this place life a few short months ago were gone. How many even had the chance to say good-bye?
Jullus breathed deep of the frozen air, but though its icy pinpricks grounded him in the present, it was powerless to dispel the long nightmare. The vision endured, implacable, without regard for the dreamers. To the shrewdest of minds and the purest of hearts, fate offered no justice nor justification.
"Yet you would ask me why."
That injury should have healed. Yet it itched at him now─a scab that bled and bled, threatening to hollow him out from within. Even as he picked at it, his feet carried him forward─better to survey the surrounds for threats─and into the silent city.
Unforgiving grey. Destruction and loss. All silent as the grave, as if even beasts preferred not to pick through these bones of an empire so early in the morn.
A flash of movement caught his eye─a scrap of old newsprint trapped in the tumbledown debris of a roadside ruin. The last will and testament of someone's breakfast table. He drew closer, mindful of the potential for further collapse.
"I remember this..."
A special edition, distributed on Unity Day several years past. The celebration commemorating Garlemald's founding and the heroes who had labored for the Empire was always a tremendous affair for residents of the capital, most of whom spent the day reveling. The eldest told stories of meager harvests and desperate clashes as choirs sang old marching songs. Hawkers along the avenues sold food, drinks, traditional adornments from the campi, and the latest magitek baubles.
Naught was more highly anticipated than the military parade─a show of strength and patriotism that never failed to inspire both awe and pride. Countless soldiers and magitek units moved in time through the city, beating a steady rhythm towards the imperial palace, where the Emperor's family stood assembled to receive them.
They led us to greatness. We who formed the vanguard of history's grand march forward. His city was the heart of the world, through which flowed blood stronger than steel─a bond between countrymen that would remain unbroken even should their every enemy join together to oppose them. Glory be to Garlemald.
The Unity Day described in this print had taken place while Jullus was in the academy, and marked the last year that the ailing Solus had been in attendance. Though the lead article detailing the events and speeches of the day was in tatters, the accompanying portrait of the imperial family remained.
At its center, naturally, was the stern visage of Solus zos Galvus. Though still dignified in his old age, the gaze which he fixed upon the reader was more melancholic than proud. Never saw the man smile once. To the Emperor's right stood Titus, second of Solus's sons, along with his wife Arrecina and son Nerva. Both Titus and his son had a strained look about them, not dissimilar to the younger Solus found in the history books.
On His Radiance's left was his grandson Varis, the only legacy of the deceased crown prince Lucius. A proud one, too─Varis was tall and broad of shoulder, and his comportment marked him a prime candidate for high legatus even then. His wife and right-hand, Carosa, had passed away in her prime, and so he was flanked instead by his mother, Hypatia. Though she departed to join Carosa a mere year after this portrait was taken, she supported Varis's claim to the throne until the very end. And then there was the young man with a faraway look in his eyes and an air of detachment...
"Would you be 'happier' had I a 'good reason'?"
Zenos yae Galvus. Though his anger had cooled since their encounter on the Eblan Rime, Jullus nevertheless found himself wrenched back to the present with no little displeasure.
His homeland was gone. That much was plain, even as he clung to the ragged scrap of remembrance. He hadn't known then whence the fervor of that day would lead, but knew well now that it would never be reborn. Even should Garlemald rise from the ashes, its age had ended.
And what of us? A new day had dawned, and Jullus would not suffer his people to remain in the dark. Yet what star were they to follow?
Jullus shook out the paper, folded it neatly, and tucked it in his pocket before leaving the ruin behind.
The streets were still and silent, his crunching footsteps the only sound. Playing his role of watchman, he investigated the semi-intact structures he came across, but found little of note. No food or supplies remained, only the detritus of peaceful lives─naught worth saving then or now. A fine layer of ash covered splintered furniture and forgotten trinkets, forming cairns in the gloom.
After a time, he arrived at a house he had never explored in his prior wanderings. With the roof torn off and the walls half-crumbled, it seemed unlikely to hold anything of value, but he nevertheless picked his way through the frosted rubble that would have once formed the lintel. Once inside, he dusted himself off and took in his surroundings─and drew a startled breath.
Jullus had seen enough death by now to recognize it at a glance. He approached the soldier and knelt to examine his corpse. Though the cold had prevented significant decay, it was clear he had died some time ago. Had it been during the war, the body would have been removed, so he could only be one of the tempered or their victims. The bite and scratch marks suggested the latter. Like the scars my family gave me.
He removed the helmet carefully─not a face he recognized, so probably not a member of the Ist Legion. Just another poor soul who had escaped the tempering, exhausted the last of his strength, and died anyway.
Jullus would offer no gods-bound prayers as an Eorzean might, but nevertheless set the helmet aside to pay his respects. Though the sentiment rang hollow, he silently encouraged the deceased to find peace with his ancestors and watch over his kin.
Alphinaud and Alisaie claimed that the Scions had visited the aetherial sea, where all souls returned. There, they were healed of their traumas and washed clean of memories─even should not a single prayer be offered on their behalf. Their deeds in life had no bearing on their place within the relentless machinery of death and rebirth─made no more difference than Garlemald's vaunted unity had to its ultimate fate.
If the twins spoke true, then what meaning was there in any of it? What was life, if not another pointless parade?
It occurred to him that this was probably not the most respectful place to ruminate on life's worth. My new friend here would certainly have an opinion. He had no tools for a proper burial, but if he could at least make note of the man's name...
Alas, there was no identification to be found. Understandably not a priority for you at the time. His armaments were standard-issue, and provided no hint either. Although...
"What have we here?"
Gently prising open the corpse's fist revealed the empty case for a magitek armor identification key. Had it been stolen after his death? That didn't make sense─a thief wouldn't have repositioned the dead man's hand, which had been clutching the thing so desperately. As if in prayer. But if he had reason to hope that a comrade might escape, or that rescue was on the way, then maybe...
"You gave it away," Jullus muttered, as another memory surfaced in his mind.
It was summer─of the same year as the newsprint he'd found earlier. A friend had insisted he read some poetry collection, and in the spirit of camaraderie Jullus obliged. He had little interest in elegies, often finding them difficult to parse, but one inscrutable passage had stayed with him:
"Let this be my final gift to you. In death, my love."
In death we have the power to bequeath the life we might have had─the possibilities and potential─to others. To grant them what they need to go on...or so the poet said.
Was your key one such gift?
Would my mother, my brother, my sister─would they tell me to accept theirs?
Lord Quintus, with his suicide? My comrades, whom I failed? My countrymen, gone without a word?
Did you leave your lives, and your love, to me?
The dead do not answer, yet the wound within ceases its bleeding for a time.
If that is our truth...
"Then let it be our meaning. Let it be the chain which binds us through generations. Live on in me, as I would have in you."
And perhaps...
"Perhaps we may yet live on in others."
The dead do not answer, but light shines through the broken ceiling, and Jullus follows it to behold a brightened sky. His comrades at Tertium will be waking soon. In apology and gratitude, he offers one last silent prayer to his kinsman ere departing.
Be at peace─and know that you are with me.
Jullus stands, and forges ahead into the dawn.
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