Memoirs of Adventure Creative Writing Contest (NA) - Official Entry Thread

Oh nightly rains and withering winds, why must you assail me so?
Astern on privateer Rhotano, I beset by moonlit glow
My quarry, my fish - nay, my dragon! Swims the depths below
A dragon, a prize, for the heart of Privateer Captain Rhotano

Stormy seas were but a home to he, who truly was Saltsworn
Large boots, nice hat, and always set to sail before the morn
By ferry, by skip, off the Costa del Sol, a fated love was born
With each broken line, snapped out of time, my love grew ever forlorn

The old miqo'te and the sea, that classic adventure in a book
Has nothing to say of a Nepto Dragon, Northern Krill, and the hook
Three Little Thaolos, a fisher's intuition, by the Twelve, is all it took
Plus, endless luck, long hours, and spite for Wawalago's dish to cook

Just what will it take to finally reel him in?
Oh captain, my captain, just let my love win
Nepto Dragon by Krill, or just by plain gumption
And there, upon the darkened surf, the legendary fin!

To catch, to impress, to mooch a smooch at last
I wait with baited breath and hook as I cast
With the tide on my side, and my heartfelt past
I reel in the Dragon, as long as ship's mast!

And now for the day which I have truly wished
Yet the captain looks away, for another fish undished
Many hours and weather windows have come and vanished
For the cat-girl at sea who ended up catfished!

What prize for she, who could barely place third
In the heart of man, with a tale so brazenly absurd?
A small momento would do, it has just occurred
For happiness yet to come, earrings of the bluebird.

Prize Choice: Bluebird Earring

Recently I decided to finally decorate my house. I was initially excited to purchase it and stayed up late to buy it when Shirogane houses became available, but like a cat that had finally caught the prey it always wanted, I didn't know what to do with it.

Looking back, it was like that for a lot of my life. First I became a white mage because I wanted to help people, then progressed to summoner because I had grown tired of helping others, and all the while, nothing seemed to fit me.

Such it was with my house, as well. I had thought to make it like my apartment, full of books to study and a cozy fireplace, but that didn't fit. At the end of the day, I'd lock my house up in Shirogane and go to my apartment in Mist, my real home, to sleep.

When I first went to Ishgard, I picked up a dark knight's sword because I had thought that a combination of helping friends and hurting others would be the best of both worlds. I was right. My friends were safe and I had found my calling. But in hurting others, even in the name of good, you also hurt yourself.

Across the way from my house is a free company’s mansion. To keep up appearances, I decorated the outside and rotated holiday furniture as necessary. My neighbors saw this and were impressed. They wanted to see the inside as well. What they would have seen was that the outside was just a facade and that inside all that waited was nothing. Emptiness. They couldn't know that what they were truly asking was that they wanted to see what was inside of me.

A dark knight's duty is to protect, yes, but also to harm. To swear to protect others is to swear to violence to achieve that goal. More often than not, that protection ended in the death of the aggressor. A single killing was easily shrugged off, but the weight of them all overcame me. It had become too much and my dark knight soul crystal cracked in two. From it, my feelings of regret and remorse for those I killed manifested as Myste. And though he was defeated, his message was not.

One day while in my house and contemplating what I should do with it I realized that I was not actually thinking about that. The emptiness and peacefulness had lulled me into other thoughts. Thoughts of those I had slaughtered to protect friends. I tried to remember my victim's faces, and names, and I found it was a sort of penance. At that moment, I knew what I had to do with my house. It would not be a house to live in, but one to reflect in. The inside would remain empty, with a few token items to make it more comfortable and peaceful and serene.

When I was finished, I was finally comfortable with letting my neighbors see the inside. But even now that is also a facade. They see peace and serenity in the space I have created. What I see is a space dedicated to those I have killed, and those I have yet to kill. This space, empty as I am when I protect others, is my forgiveness to myself for what I must do.

(Ahriman Choker)

I still remember the day we fought the Eyes.

You joked consistently about my "mage tanking" before the fight, back when I still had a tether on some slight healing magic. I teased that someone had to keep my 'goon alive. Neither of us took the battle too seriously - we'd fought it dozens of times. Why would we ever take it seriously?

Then the Tonze wiped out half the party at the midpoint of the fight. We didn't panic, we just kept fighting. We had done this hundreds of times to protect Coerthas. We could do it - we always did. Then I heard our tank yell as down she went, quickly followed by half the party.

And then the Eye turned to me.

I was pinned between cliffside and stone, just a robed Black Mage with so much magic, I was the one of the party left to draw its ire. I couldn’t take hits from a small Cyclops, much less Steropes, and deign to live. But here we were, down to barebones of the warriors we started with. And the Eye was looking directly at me, charging. I remember shrieking something, I don't remember the words, but I was fully prepared to die at that point. But if I died, I was going down in a Fire III of glory. My magic blazed around me as all I could see was Steropes, raising his club--

Then I heard you yell, and down he fell, the great Cyclops defeated. Slain at the hand of you, my 'goon. Rewards met us but all I remember is a half-shriek of relief.

We didn't stop laughing in relief and disbelief for what felt like hours. And even now, looking back on it, I cannot help but smile in disbelief.

A Dragoon and a Black Mage, we make an odd pair. Our friends together are different, wild. Warriors of Light, of Darkness, of Whim perhaps. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

-Ryu Mral

(Prize Choice: Bluebird Earring)

https://img2.finalfantasyxiv.com/acc...819e722855.jpg

Something doesn’t feel right.

Nothing has felt right for her since Hraesvelgr’s trial. As the clamour of battle grew closer, she and all of those with her knew which side the battle favored. The bridge that connected Ishgard and Coerthas came into view. Its stones adorned with the bodies of soldiers and dragons alike. It was a miracle the bridge still stood. Eventually the mismatched group landed on the bridge to support the dwindling soldiers.

Fighting to protect their homeland. It was a sweet thought. The Warrior of Light smiled as they landed. It was difficult to avoid thinking about the times she failed, but this time she was there. She wouldn’t fail again. To the soldiers, seeing Aymeric, a Scion and the Warrior of Light descending from the dragons that had frightened them a moment ago was a well needed reprieve. Artoriel approached them. “You’re late, Warrior of Light”.

The dragons now appeared as their saviors, escorted by the one who had been working against the darkness that Nidhogg and his brood had raised against Ishgard. Surely, the tide had turned in Ishgard’s favor. That mighty dragon with scales akin to the untouched snow, as large as the one that had been plaguing them, the one that had been lusting for vengeance and death. That very dragon that they heard rumors and stories about. Hraesvelgr was here for them. And then... They spoke. Even though they could not understand the booming voices of the dragons, their meaning was clear in their minds.

“Wherefore standest thou with these vermin, Brother” Nidhogg exclaimed.

“Abandon this war, shade”. It seemed, to the soldiers’ delight, Hraesvelgr was truly on their side. “The suffering thou sowest serveth no end. The traitors’ progeny have learned of their forefathers betrayal, and seek now to make amends with our kind. Never shall our grief be assuaged nor our loss forgotten, but reconciliation may yet halt the spread of this plague of enmity. Forsake thy vengeance and be at peace.” Hraesvelgr truly was benevolent. Perhaps with his brood brother convincing him-- perhaps they could forgive the loss of their brood sister, all those years ago?

Nidhogg roared, drowning all of those that stood in the heat from his breath. “What soft-headed ramblings are these? Thy dalliance with that vile maid hath robbed thee of thy wits! Mayhap her cloying perfume hath made the forget the stench of our brood-sister’s lifeblood!” Peace had been a fleeting hope, the rage within Hraesvelgr was rekindled with Nidhogg’s words, his eyes ablaze.

“Thou darest speak thus of my beloved!?”

“Ah! So the flames of rage may yet be kindled! I feared thy heart’s fire had since gone out. But waste not thy fury on words, Brother-- thou shalt have need of it for the battle!” The two brothers roared at each other, prepared to fight to the death. The rest of the soldiers, and even the Warrior of Light, were no more than spectators to their infighting.

[Choice: Scarf of Wondrous Wit]

My name is Aros and I have been known by many names across Eorzea: Warrior of Light, Eikon Slayer, Liberator of Ala Mhigo, and...”Little Sapling” thanks to some adorable Fae. And yet, I’m always thrust into all these dangerous situations by the Scions and it’s not as if I have any say in the matter; I can hardly get a word in edge-wise before Alphinaud whisks me away to the Sigmascape lies a type of technologically constructed holoscape, or some such (I just smile and nod as Cid speaks his techno babble). Together, the Scions and I (by that I just mean “I”) ventured forth to do battle with whatever fanciful phantasmagoria await us. In eager anticipation, I thought to myself: “If experience has taught me anything it’s to...Oh shite! Is that a Godsdamn Train?!” https://img2.finalfantasyxiv.com/acc...5f2b8960d3.jpg
As always when things take a turn for the worst, I blame Alphinaud! Yonder Train seemed a tad peeved, for it had jettisoned me across the cart and into hands of a smiling specter.Before I could take the time to collect myself, I spotted the vile Train following parallel our train cart. Pressing the advantage, I leaped across the gap that separated us, delivering a ferocious flurry of kicks at the smock stack atop yon loathsome locomotive’s head. Without warning, “Acid Rain” began to burn my flesh as the “Diabolical Whistle” rendered me almost deaf. And just when I thought I couldn’t stands no more, Leo and his ilk returned for another go…
“Enough is enough!” I screamed in unbridled anger, ready to unleash my “Limit Break” on the steel beast. Summoning all my strength, I smote the Ghost Train and caused it to derail.
https://img2.finalfantasyxiv.com/acc...0c726cbb07.jpg
Seeking to appease the spirits of the monks who had lived in days long past, I called forth the ghost of Ivon Couerlfist, the mightiest of our order and one who wore a beard like no other. “Insolent cub! Why have you interrupted my slumber?!” the spirit bellowed at me. Taken aback, I responded; “Forgive me Master, but I bring good tidings; I’ve felled a Phantom Train and gained prestige for our order! Mayhaps I can take my place with our greatest Monks including yourself with a modest statue?” “Enough of your blubbering, boy!” the great Ivon wailed, “Look yonder at the statue still yet preserved.” The elder Monk pointed in the direction of a massive statue carved into the bedrock, what I found was a giant of man holding high a train over his head, ready to suplex the locomotive into the ground. Investigating further, I found a plaque upon the statue’s base, the name inscribed read: “Sabin Figaro”.

Thank you for listening to my story. I'd be interested in the Royal Barding is applicable. May you walk tin the light of the Crystals.

I initially wasn't going to do this. But reading others' experiences here, made me reflect upon my own. And I am compelled to open my heart, to submit my own message in a bottle. I want to contribute to this wonderful mural of stories.

I came to Hydaelyn to escape my own life, where dark thoughts, doubts and anxieties plagued me, and my future was uncertain and terrifying. To find refuge in the bright land of Eorzea.

But I was unprepared for the beauty in this world. In Zenith, the ruins of Dravania filled me with awe and sorrow, a monument to what people could do in cooperation, and the destruction wrought by the greed in our hearts. Our world, reflected in story. In the endless plains of the Azim, I felt a tug on my heart as wanderlust seeped into me. And in the Crystarium, where the residents had made their world a better place through cooperation. Hope from hopelessness.

And finally, when we stood atop the ruins of Amaurot, opposite Emet-Selch, I felt that tug again. When he looked at us with sad, tired eyes, and said "Remember us", and my character merely nodded and smiled. She would remember them, that they had lived.

This hit me hardest. All throughout our journey, I had seen my character help out so many people. Without hesitation and no expectation of reward, she would jump to action, aiding those in need. Even as I, the player, only did things with expectation of reward. This is the greatest strength of my character as the warrior of light; her compassion. Her unerring tendency to lend her strength to those in need. My character is a reflection of me in this world, and yet where she is a shining beacon of hope and solidarity, I am at best Fray, a distrusting cynic. It's made me want to become a better person; to become a warrior of light in our world, just as my character is in this one.

XIV is a game, but to say it is only that diminishes its impact. In our world, the emotions in my heart easily overwhelm, and in my haste to convey them to others, words tend to tumble from my mouth. It's hard for me to connect with others. But here in XIV, I've met many wonderful friends. I found the other half of my heart. I walked lands that took my breath away. I found home.

And I'm not the only one. From reading other entries in this thread, XIV has touched the lives of so many. People have found loves and homes of their own in this beautiful game. And so many people have felt that same tug on their hearts, and been changed for the better.

So I wanted to say thank you, to everyone who had a hand in building this beautiful world. Thank you for the stories and the music and the wonderful experiences you've all given me. And when I must eventually close the gates, and step away from Eorzea back into our world, I will always cherish the memories that this place has given me. I'll remember the lessons my warrior of light taught me, that I may become a warrior of light in our world as well.

“Why did you just charge in like that?”

Thryss looked towards the voice, roused from her tavern musings. A blonde miqo’te woman appeared to be arguing with a rather indignant au’ra male twice her height. Lover’s quarrel, the adventurer thought with a wry grin to herself. The Quicksands never failed to provide a spectacle.

“Why didn’t you follow my lead?” The au’ra man said with annoyance, looking down at the cat-eared woman, “we could have taken the whole pack if you’d just kept up. It was the fastest way to get you to your goal.”

“I didn’t hire you just to have you fight at any provocation!” The miqo’te said angrily, “and we didn’t make it, did we? We’re lucky to be alive!”

Ah, business quarrel, Thryss amended mentally with less interest and another sip of ale.

“Because you wouldn’t keep up,” the man said, throwing his hands up in frustration.

Thryss just shook her head in mild amusement. New adventurers were always coming through the Quicksands. Momodi, who happened to run the Adventurer’s Guild as well as the tavern, was usually pretty good about matching up groups, but sometimes those groups just can’t work together. Adventuring was a high-risk proposition at the best of times, and required a group to be willing to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses to succeed. Edda’s ill-fated end was still spoken of as a cautionary tale.

“I release you from our contract!” The miqo’te said with finality, “I’ll find someone else to help me.”

“Good luck, kitten,” the au’ra said derisively, “I’m the best you’re going to find in Ul’dah,” and stomped off fuming.

Good for her, Thryss thought as she sipped her ale and returned to more sedate introspections and people-watching.

Lost in her ruminations, she didn’t hear the polite cough at first. Thryss looked around, and then down to find Momodi at her side, looking up at her sweetly. And the selfsame young miqo’te adventurer that had been arguing a quarter bell earlier was standing behind her. Thryss groaned inwardly.

“I heard you were out of work,” said the diminutive barkeep with mischievous innocence, “so I found you some.” And with that sauntered off, leaving the two women to size each other up.

Thryss kept her expression neutral and gestured for the other miqo’te to have a seat. The blonde woman sat down with a wary look. The scarlet-haired miqo’te offered what she hoped was a reassuring grin, “so, you’re looking to hire a bodyguard?”

“I don’t need a bodyguard,” the blonde woman replied with annoyance, “My mission simply requires more than one person.”

“Ah,” Thryss said, “you need a partner.”

The blonde woman brushed back a lock of her long hair considering the words, “I suppose I do.”

“I can be that. I’m Thryss Moonwhispers,” the scarlet-haired miqo’te said, offering her hand across the table.

With a tentative smile the blonde woman gave the other’s hand a quick shake, “I’m Z’anne Pennubrae.”

Prize: Gaelicap

Now that I’ve put pen to paper, there’s so much I want to say and not nearly enough time or space to convey it all. What to write, what to write… I have so many fond memories you see. From the day I arrived in Gridania to start my adventure to the days after saving another realm from a flood of light of all things. What a ride it has been and I know there’s more yet to come.
But anyway, as a bard worth her strings, I shall regale you with a tale of one of my fondest memories.

Long time ago, I was tasked with retrieving some stolen goods from some bandits in Southern Thanalan. I snuck into the base, found the goods but couldn’t get out for fear of being caught and outnumbered. So I waited. Eventually a fight broke out and I started making my escape but an adventurer, a dark-skinned hyur with silver hair, offered to see me to safety.

I met this same Hyur many times afterwards. He seemed to have an uncanny knack for finding me in the some of the worst predicaments and yet also found me at some of my earliest, proudest moments. I had shared a few drinks with him here and there, too. I’d since learned to be humble and thanked him for his help each time. But strangely, the stronger I became, the less I saw of him. I like to think I caught a glimpse of him here and there. Then slowly, those glimpses faded into memory, a fond memory at that. I’ve wondered now and then what became of that man, my guardian angel for time it seemed. Was he still an adventurer? Had he settled down somewhere? Or perhaps he found a new frontier to explore? Regardless, I hoped he was doing well. And now years later, I still spare a thought for that memory.

I’m almost out of space and ink. Let’s see… starting a new chapter in life is always the hard part and living through it all can be even harder. But keep moving forward and don’t forget the path you’ve walked. Don’t forget the good and bad you’ve had whether it be by yourself or shared with company. It’s these little experiences combined that shape us. Take those little steps and in time they could become grand leaps of which you could have never imagined possible. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, accept help and offer help. Things will not always go your way but what’s life without a few bumps in the road? I mean, there’s craters too but I hope by the time you come across those, you’ll be strong enough to brave it or at least have those around you to see you to the next dawn.

‘Aight, I think that’ll do. Should you find comfort in these words, they are yours for the taking. Should my brief tale stir the winds at your back that you need to take off on the rest of your life, then please, take a leap, spread your wings and fly, won’t you? And who knows, perhaps one day I’ll be regaled of a tale from your own legacy.

-From the Bard before anything, the Skysinger, the Song upon the Wind… to whom I may never meet, but will regardless, wish you well.
(If I place, Bluebird Earrings)
https://i.imgur.com/wD00JIR.jpg

“Have you ever seen a flying whale?” I asked the barkeep.

When he shook his head, I smirked, “then I’ve a story for you.”

“I recall an evening spent with my Free Company,” I said to the barkeep, nursing an ale, “we were farming extremes for mounts, and simply having fun with each other.”

I finished my ale and motioned for another, “five adventurers, all told. We had two tanks, two damage dealers, and a healer. We rotated roles, and fought our hardest.”

“We were on an island in the sky to fight this flying whale, so it was unsurprising one of us eventually fell off. What we weren’t expecting was that it was intentional. Our healer, the fool, had decided to jump into the abyss below.”

“Granted, this was not our first time dealing with an ally who’d fallen off the ledge, though this was the first time we were taken by surprise. When our healer had jumped off, he’d dragged the tank to his side and made him jump off with him.”

“After ensuring everyone was okay, we had some laughs. We tried again to kill the beast, and lo and behold, the healer did it again!”

“It wasn’t long before it became something of a competition to see who could do this in the most humourous of situations. This happened in other fights too, such as against the Primal, Titan.”

“The one hero who was never dragged to their doom was me.”

“I enjoy spending time with my Free Company and having friends in game. They help me strive to be better, because they do content I traditionally have avoided, such as raids, as I long to join them. Keep your friends close, everyone. Perhaps close enough to rescue,” I said, winking at the barkeep, placing my payment on the table, and taking my leave.

“Never forget, everyone, even heroes, need fun.”

- Yet Another Dragoon
(Choice: Gaelicap)

The entire prospect of it seemed absurd; I almost didn’t give it a second thought.

Almost.

There are always tasks to be accepted, and work to be done. And that’s not even getting into the troubles that are far above your average adventurer – invaders, Primals, otherworldly beings bent on seeing all of this misery continue…

And to think of me, playing in the dirt like some child? It was ludicrous. Absurd.

That’s not to say I couldn’t see that there were benefits to part of it – for the average person, that is. Just nothing that could be of use to me, I had thought.

But the more complicated things became, the more the thought of it took root (no pun intended). To be able to focus on nothing but the soil in your hands, and thinking no further then what seed to plant next. Nothing beyond the stretch of muscles flowing into the swing of the hatchet; the lulling, rhythmic sound of metal biting into wood.

In a time of turmoil, it was peaceful. Cathartic, even. It suddenly didn’t seem so absurd, anymore.

-An Adventurer In Botany

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Chosen Item: Bluebird Earring