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Hello everyone and welcome back. Today is an update I've been dreading doing ever since I realized I was going to be picking this back up. You thought the previous updates had a lot of words? Oh you sweet summer child.
Minfilia awaits.
Until not so very long ago, you were but one of the many adventurers seeking to make their way in Eorzea. But for your character and courage, you were raised to the esteemed post of envoy. Thereafter, you traveled the realm, aiding those in need without thought of reward, confirming to Thancred that the Scions would benefit from your aid. And no sooner had you joined us than you personally bested the primal Ifrit.
You have achieved a great deal in a short time, and won fame in so doing. Alas, fame does not come without a price, as you will soon discover. We have guests, Ginger--or rather...you have guests.
Beg pardon!
Officers from each of the grand companies burst into the Solar.
Ahhh, Lady Minfilia. Radiant as always!
I am given to understand that the Scions of the Seventh Dawn have but recently welcomed a new hero into their midst!
I am here on behalf of the Maelstrom, Grand Company of Limsa Lominsa, to offer said hero a place of honor within our ranks!
Yeah, same Minfilia. Same.
As you can see, Ginger, your recent exploits have garnered you the attentions of the Grand Companies of Eorzea. Each organization would have Ifrit's bane for its own. To this end, all three have sent officers to court you. They would not ordinarily go to such lengths to enlist a new recruit. That they have is evidence of their high regard for you.
I find myself wondering how word of Ginger's deeds spread so quickly. That the Immortal Flames should know of her triumph is to be expected...but what of the other Grand Companies?
Eep!
Your reputation precedes you, Mistress Pepper! 'Tis no ordinary woman who can face a primal and emerge the victor! And imagine our pride when we learned that you began your journey as an adventurer in our own Gridania! Know that the people hold you in high esteem, and that you will always be welcome among us. The Order of the Twin Adder has need of valiant women such as you. Join your strength to ours, friend, and together let us ensure that peace ever reigns over the Twelveswood!
What a pleasure it is to finally meet you, Mistress Pepper! My comrades speak of you in the most glowing terms! Why, even before you aided us against the Amalj'aa and their dread primal, yours was already a respected name in Ul'dah. Our people know you and love you well. A woman of your talent belongs with the Immortal Flames. Join your strength to ours, friend, and together let us secure a prosperous future for Ul'dah!
The Admiral was not exaggerating when she said you have the look of a hero! Full often does she speak of you, friend. ...As do many others in Limsa. Long before the rest of Eorzea took note, your name was well known to us, owing to your valorous deeds on behalf of our citizens. It is only natural that we should want you for the Maelstrom. Join your strength to ours, and together let us see the grand vessel of Limsa Lominsa to the shores of glory!
Who would have thought being a girl that could punch good would wind up with officers from the grand companies courting her attention?
Lady Minfilia!
Minfilia has the look of a woman who has been dealing with this nonsense for too long today.
<sigh> Very well... Though I am quite sure you need no reminding, mayhap a brief summary of the situation would help to clarify your thoughts on this matter. As you know, the Grand Companies are all-encompassing organizations empowered to call upon the martial, economic, and technological resources of their respective city-states in times of strife. There are presently three such organizations in Eorzea: the Maelstrom of Limsa Lominsa, the Order of the Twin Adder of Gridania, and the Immortal Flames of Ul'dah.
Serving a Grand Company means serving the nation to which it belongs. You will be charged with its defense, and tasked with advancing its cause. In return for your faithful service, you will be furnished with various rewards, some of which may well prove useful to you in your other endeavors. If you are agonizing over which of the Grand Companies best deserves your loyalty, be at ease-the commitment you make this day need not be permanent. Should you wish to shift your allegiance at a later date, you are entitled to do so. And yet...I concede that it is no small choice you face...
She's not wrong, but she's also only half right. While it's true that you can swap between them, you need to be of sufficiently high rank in order to do so. So whichever one we choose is one we're gonna be stuck with for a while.
Ah! A thought occurs to me! You will, of course, recall that the three city-states are planning to hold remembrance services. Well, as part of the proceedings, I am given to understand that the leader of each Grand Company will deliver an address. Hearing these addresses ought to help you make an informed decision. What say you, my dear officers?
A fine suggestion!
You are as wise as you are beautiful, my lady!
Very well! Let Ginger hear our leaders speak, then return here with her decision.
We eagerly await your answer!
I like to think Ginger's been standing there agape the whole time, eyes as wide as dinnerplates, a look of "what the FUCK" plastered on her face.
I know full well that adventurers are by their nature a liberty-loving breed, and not best suited to the discipline of military service, but I strongly urge you to join a Grand Company nonetheless. While the promise of reward is enticing in itself, it is not the only benefit. You are possessed of great power, Ginger, and with it you are capable of doing untold good. Yet know that great power is wont to attract attention-not all of it friendly.
There will be those who wish you ill, and you must needs be on the lookout for them. Yet however vigilant you are, you are but one woman. In the midst of a Grand Company, however, you will be one woman amongst many-a friend amongst friends. Your achievements will be shared, and so will the danger. I can think of no better arrangement. Of course, joining one organization need not mean leaving another. I hope that we can continue to rely upon your aid-the Twelve know that we will have need of it in the days ahead.
The Grand Companies seek to protect their own nations. We Scions, on the other hand, seek to preserve the future of Eorzea as a whole. Similar, yet not quite the same. Now then, I expect that you will be afield more often in the future. As such, I would have you carry this linkpearl with you at all times. It will allow us to stay in touch regardless of location.
Minfilia, it's a sin to tell a lie. Don't do that. She will only ever use the linkpearl to tell us six words that have been burnt into the psyche of every player of this game. Six words that have become a meme and for good reason. If Minfilia uses the linkpearl, she will only ever tell us to P R A Y R E T U R N T O T H E W A K I N G S A N D S
Eorzea is changing, Ginger, and you have the power to help shape it anew. None can say what the morrow will bring, but so long as we believe in ourselves, there is naught we cannot achieve. Now, it is time you made ready for your journey. Before you depart, be sure to speak to Tataru. She will apprise you as to where and when the remembrance services are due to take place.
Minfilia is incapable of getting through one cutscene without monologuing, but this is just setting the stage for the rest of the update. Today is the speech update, and so we get to listen to Kan-E-Senna, Merlwyb, and Raubahn all give speeches about why their nation is the best. Each one is about 7 minutes long and oh god.
Because we're in a new arc, there's a bunch of new dialogue in the storage room.
I have heard word of your deeds. I am sparing in my praise, so know that you have truly impressed me. Be that as it may, it is fortunate that Thancred arrived when he did. Had he been but a moment later, I shudder to think what may have transpired.
The destruction that visited this land cannot be attributed to the forces of the Empire alone. Wyrm of midnight, of breath infernal... For some, a legend made flesh; for others, an insidious symbol of memory lost. We grasp but a piece of this puzzle. Much and more must we question and contemplate ere the fallen moon revealeth its myriad secrets.
Urianger what the fuck are you babbling about?
An experienced warrior like A'aba won't die so easily. He's strong, fast, cunning... Aye, he'll come back safe.
I must confess, I do rather miss that obnoxious Miqo'te's company. A'aba is taking part in a joint operation with the Immortal Flames. I imagine he's having the time of his life right now.
Everythin' looks to be in order. Right -- onto the next customer.
It's nice to see our buddy from the start of the game is doing well.
<crunch> <crunch> <crunch> <crunch> ...Oh, hello again, lass! Meet Percevains -- we was thick as thieves in the old days. Least, I think we was. ...Or it might've been that he was a right creepy bastard, an' I did me best t' avoid him. Still, we was both members o' the old order, so either way we're in this together, eh?
NPCs: Snacking on bread since 2014. Players: snacking on bread since 2019. It seriously took that long for them to add /bread to the game. Still, it is a cute bonding moment between Ginger and Una, snacking on something while standing in silence.
Thancred's over here brooding.
You've put us all to shame with your recent performance in the field. If I'm to keep up, I daresay I'll need bigger knives!
Finally we have this duo.
Speeches? Oh yes, I love them. There's nothing like a good exposition when you're having trouble sleeping!
Five years ago, the three Grand Companies joined as one and fought the Garlean Empire at the Carteneau Flats. And now, for the first time, the people will gather to remember those who fell in battle. That being said, no one has any clear memory of what transpired that fateful day -- not even the leaders of each nation.
I, um... I'm sorry about all the attention you're getting, Ginger... I might have sung your praises a little too loudly...and often...to a few too many people. Ahem. Next time, I'll be sure to hold my tongue-literally, if necessary. Anyway, I expect you want to know where and when the remembrance services are taking place? If all goes to plan, Gridania's Grand Company, the Order of the Twin Adder, will hold the first of the three services, and Elder Seedseer Kan-E-Senna will deliver her address at Mih Khetto's Amphitheatre.
I should probably mention at this point that due to the organizational challenges involved in assembling all of the involved parties, it's possible that the order of the services might change... Still, there's not much we can do about that, so make Gridania your first port of call. Next, you'll need to go to Ul'dah, where Flame General Raubahn Aldynn will be addressing the masses at the Royal Promenade. Oh, and it's rumored there's to be a special guest! How exciting.
Last but not least, you must make your way to the Stateroom in Limsa Lominsa, where Maelstrom Chief Admiral Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn will be giving her address. The room is accessible via the Admiral's Lift. Identify yourself to the sentry, Zanthael, and he will admit you. Got all that? Well, off you go, then. I hope you find the remembrance services suitably educational! I suggest visiting the city-states in my prescribed order, though with your record of impeccable timing and luck, the schedule may well change in favor of your preferred travel plans. Farewell!
The final line there means "just go to whichever city you want first." Ul'dah is closest, so we'll make that our first port of call.
Hark you, souls of flame, drawn to the bosom of the desert, where the fire burns brightest and shall rage forevermore! Where since antiquity, under the sage and judicious rule of the Ul Dynasty, we have wrought sand into gold! Where by the Grace and Glory of Nald'thal have our brave sons and daughters flourished and prospered--I speak of Ul'dah!
Meanwhile in Gridania...
Ginger's clone walks around.
Our forebears were once strangers in the Twelveswood. Fearful of the greenwrath, they hid themselves in the dark recesses of the earth. Yet they dreamed of basking in the dappled sunlight of the forest. Through great effort, they proved their worth to the elementals, and were granted a place beneath the boughs. So it was that Gridania was born, some five centuries ago.
Working hand in hand, the Hyur and the Elezen settlers sowed the seeds of our civilization. And soon they were joined by folk of all races. So nourished by the waters of unity and blessed by the light of the Matron, Gridania flourished into the great nation it is today.
The Greenwrath is the wrath of Gridania's elementals. These are capricious spirits that very obviously have "future Trial bosses" written all over them. They dont like it when poachers kill in the forest. So when someone kills a deer without their permission, they go find a peaceful settlement of miqo'te within the forest's borders and induce the wolves nearby to madness and wipe it off the face of the map. That's the Greenwrath. The Gridanians use this Greenwrath as an excuse to be racist toward Keeper miqo'te and Duskwight elezen.
The Elementals of the Twelveswood once got so pissed off that they caused one of the previous Calamities of Eorzea. Seriously. They actually made the wind blow so hard that life was forced to hide in caves to survive. Bahamut's Calamity weakened them considerably and now they can barely influence the world. The worst they can do is blight some crops and make treants vaguely irritable.
Meanwhile across the continent...
You might think showing all three speeches at once would be chaotic and hard to follow. They're literally all the same speech just with some words changed around. I call this efficiency.
Brothers and sisters of the sea, hearken unto me! Look upon this, our mighty crimson standard, and tell me your hearts do not swell with pride! Seven hundred summers have come and gone since our forefathers first ran aground in this fertile bay. In that time, guided by the Mother of Oceans, Limsa Lominsa has grown from humble fishing village to uncontested ruler of the five seas and beyond!
It's the twins from the start of the LP! They were in the carriage with us.
Did you look, as the Admiral bid you? It is a rather stirring standard, I must say. The crimson field is meant to signify the blood of fallen crewmates, while the black longship represents a pirate vessel.
There, at the Flame General's back flies the Grand Company's standard. Note the sigil. The golden scales of order balance the jewel of prosperity with the flame of might.
The entwined serpents represent the unity between Hyur and Elezen. An elegant symbol, do you not agree?
Great and many are the gifts our nation has given the realm. In Eorzea's darkest hour, on the killing fields of Carteneau, none spent more in blood and gold than we. Thus was the VIIth Imperial Legion laid low!
It would prove the bloodiest battle in recent memory. Countless Gridanian lives were lost.
That day, the world bore witness to the united strength of Limsa Lominsa! I swear to you-no army ever fought harder, or with more courage. Yet many of ours did not survive.
So that's how it happened! How soon history forgets.
Join me now in remembering...
...five years ago, countless Eorzeans laid down their lives that we might behold another dawn.
Let us pray for our absent brothers and sisters, that they might know happiness in the great beyond, as Thal's honored guests.
And how do you propose to honor the memory of those you cannot remember, pray tell?
And now, but five years into this Seventh Umbral Era, the spirit of sacrifice which granted us our strength is all but dead. Look around you. What do you see? A people divided, downtrodden and enthralled! Where are the merciful alms of the rich? Where is the just steel of the righteous?
Let none be mistaken--the Garleans remain the greatest threat to our survival. If we are to stand against them, we must remember what it is to be united.
We are well-nigh surrounded. Yet there are those among us who would rather turn their swords against their crewmates than our cannons against our foes. How can we hope to repel our many enemies when mutiny breeds below deck? There is but one course left to us!
Victory and Fortune walk hand in hand! Ye who seek glory and wealth! Look not to what little you can snatch from your neighbor, but to the boundless wealth of the world beyond!
And together, let us heal the forest's wounds, that our progeny might live in harmony beneath these ancient boughs. For serenity, purity, and sanctity!
Mark ye well: a crew without unity is no crew at all-'tis but a mass of drowned men.
In the name of the sultana, I beseech you! Line not your own coffers, but those of the Immortal Flames! Seek not to prosper from Ul'dah, but to restore her to prosperity!
Did Raubahn just say "GIVE THE FLAMES YOUR MONEY, ASSHOLES" but in so many nicer words?
People of Ul'dah! I, Nanamo, seventeenth in the line of Ul, address you. Much has been made of the wealth of Ul'dah. Yet those who measure that wealth in coins and carats are gravely deceived. For the true wealth of Ul'dah lies in the health, happiness, and hopes of her people. Beloved subjects, I bid you raise aloft the torch of Ul'dah, that her Flames might serve as a beacon for all Eorzea to see!
After each speech, we meet with the twins. The words are mostly the same as well. The early game of FFXIV has a lot of copying and pasting, and I'm not expending more effort than they did. Nevermind that it was 4x the effort to do what I did above.
If you'll permit me. Alphinaud. ...And my sister, Alisaie, at your service. I saw at a glance that you were a fellow traveler. You might call us students of history, sampling the realm's remembrances in pursuit of...enlightenment.
The Ul'dahns have a long history of conflict with the Amalj'aa, the beast tribe that worships the primal Ifrit. Judging by your look of distaste, I take it you have encountered them. The Ul'dahns do not shy from confrontation. If aught threatens their precious prosperity, they will seek to crush it. So have they dealt with Ifrit thus far, smothering his flames each time he is stoked to life.
The Gridanians are unfortunate enough to have to contend with two beast tribes. The Ixal are unquestionably the more troublesome, being of a naturally warlike disposition, and wont to summon their bloodthirsty primal, Garuda. The sylphs, by contrast, are peaceful in nature, being mischievous rather than malevolent, and have long been on friendly terms with the Gridanians-until recently, at least. Alas, they have grown aloof, a change observed at roughly the time they summoned the primal Ramuh.
As the Admiral mentioned in her address, Limsa Lominsa is plagued by two beast tribes. The first are the fishlike Sahagin, worshipers of the primal Leviathan. The second are the kobolds, who dwell beneath the earth, and take the primal Titan for their god. As if the beast tribes' presence weren't troublesome enough, the Garleans have also chosen to erect a fortress right in the Lominsans' backyard.
Meanwhile, refugees continue to arrive in droves, and Ul'dah has no clear policy on how to deal with them. After all, not even the sultanate's coffers are bottomless. And even assuming they had the coin, resources will ever be finite. Which brings me back to the subject of Ifrit. It has been observed that the Amalj'aa are summoning him with ever-increasing frequency. Every time they do so, the Ul'dahns send their forces to smite the primal, and though they invariably succeed, each victory is bought with blood. It is a war of attrition which they cannot well sustain.
That a capable adventurer like you would be a valuable addition to their crew is beyond question.
Well, perhaps we will find out-if the Elder Seedseer's words fell on fertile ground...
Alphinaud and Alisaie both walk off as the rest of the crowd disperses around Ginger.
I did Limsa last, so that's where Ginger is when...
*ring ring*
Ginger, this is Minfilia. You are well, I hope? Would I be correct in thinking that the final remembrance service has now concluded? A moment ago, you say? What a coincidence! Jesting aside, I trust you remember our guests from the Grand Companies? Well, delighted though we are to have them here at the Waking Sands, it would not do to keep them in suspense any longer than necessary. In short: hurry back!
I think Ginger has a stalker.
Orokin is kinda staring off into space, so we'll just leave her alone.
And running through town, we find some rando who sent Ginger a friend request. He's not one of y'all, he's just some rando. Some rando who tried to RP adopting Ginger out to a recently-married couple. Seriously. I didn't stick around to find out just what sort of RP they wanted and why they needed a lalafell to do it. And now that guy's following us. 
...Why am we even friends with him, come to think of it? Gonna fix that next time I log on...
Back at Minfilia finally.
Welcome back, Ginger. Were the Grand Company leaders' words as illuminating as you had hoped? Aye, each nation is beset with problems. I trust you see now why your services are in such demand. Would that there were more of you, Ginger. But you must be tired from your journey. Why don't you rest awhile, and take a moment to reflect on your decision? Once your mind is made up, pray give the Grand Company officers your answer.
The twins certainly aren't drawing attention to themselves. Two bodyguards and a private table in an otherwise nearly empty bar.
They're 16. Momodi is really fucking up here.
The gods only know what "grand" company our adventurer friend will keep. Hmph. The wheels of change are in motion regardless.
Brother, are you certain this course is best?
What sort of sick parent makes identical twins of opposite genders dress the same? That's gotta give you a complex growing up! By the way: Alisaie has different colors on her outfit and wears lipstick. That's how you can tell her apart from Alphinaud.
Whatever do you mean, dear sister?
The so-called "remembrance" ceremonies were little more than standard-waving rallies. ...As though the Calamity and Seventh Umbral Era warranted scarcely a mention!
Well, of course they were "standard-waving rallies."
Since you are so observant, mayhap you noticed what mention was made of the Warriors of Light? None. I suppose they must have forgotten the heroes who spared Eorzea a fate worse than the Calamity? No, dear Alisaie, they haven't "forgotten" these details. They have elected to omit them.
Deep are the wounds the Calamity inflicted upon Eorzea. So deep, in fact, that the realm still bleeds. Needless to say, the beast tribes and their primals do little to alleviate the pain. So the task of salving Eorzea's wounds falls to the Scions of the Seventh Dawn-with a little help from our friends the Grand Companies. Remembrance will yield no remedy.
If our world is to heal, we must put the horrors of the Calamity behind us.
Our grandfather would never entrust the fate of the realm to despots who rewrite history to their convenience!
There must be another way to cure what ails this world-and I mean to find it!
You are most welcome to try. Our paths may differ, but our destination is the same. In time, I daresay we will see eye to eye.
I should hope so.
M-M'lady!
We are to escort you!
Hope does not come into it. We share the burden of this fate, dear sister, and will prevail together or not at all. The salve will serve not only to close up our present wounds...
...but prevent old ones from opening anew.
Yes, it's perfectly normal and natural to dislike Alphinaud right now. He's a smug little bastard who thinks he knows the answers to the world's problems and he's going to get much worse. I say this now because he's not only a good guy, but he's one of the main cast. So we'll be seeing a lot of Alphinaud across this LP.
You all voted for the Flames, so...
Welcome back, adventurer! I take it General Raubahn's words kindled a fire within you?
*nods*
Excellent! I feared that the incident with the traitor may have soured your opinion of us. It gladdens me to see that isn't the case. But before we can count you as one of our own, you must be formally inducted into our ranks. Please proceed to the Hall of Flames and identify yourself to the personnel officer. I will notify him of your coming. With your strength joined to ours, we shall surely prevail over our enemies, be they beastmen or imperials.
I'm actually gonna cut this update early here.
NEXT TIME: Ginger joins the Immortal Flames and gets her first assignment! Also she gets her driver's license