I hope this finds you well.
To my hero, my shining star in this morbid darkness.
I remember the day very vividly. The day where I was all by meself barely awake in Kugane, my face smashed against the lumber with cheeks flared red. The only thing I can't really remember is how many bottles of sake I drank that day, not like that'd matter much to the hero sort like you. I struggled to stand up when you walked into the hostelry. You walked past me without a second thought, why would you? I was a empty broken shell of a woman, clinging to the alcohol and nothing else. I'm unsure if it was my stupor or the sorrows blinding me as you walked past. I saw someone I once loved, someone who were the stars to my dearly cloaked night. I reached out to you with everything I had and I did catch the tail of your coat. You had no reason to stop or even notice me that day. Still... still you looked over, seeing this drunken lalafellin woman clinging to you with teary eyes. Neither the Twelve or I knew aught of what would come as a result of my stupidity. I doubt you even knew either.
You took me with you, to some place I barely remember. The faint scent of roses were all that I recall in that night. The following morning, you sat across from me and asked me why I tried to stop you that night. I know naught of what to tell you and yet... my chest tightened, my heart screamed to paint the still air between us with the colors of my tale. I tried to laugh it off, saying naught more than I was seeing only an illusion in you. You knew better somehow and decided impossibly to take me along with you. You saw my emptiness, you saw my heartbreak and you still accepted me. Every night we'd share a lovely tale and drink til I passed out. I fought the Garleans with you, I crafted concoctions of myriad purposes and I comforted you in the darkest days. Through Doma we liberated, through Ishgard you brought peace and in the lives of millions, you've brought hope. I know this letter may not mean much now if you still remember who I was.
I loved you for the sins you forgiven in me and the happiness you've brought me. We were as close as family and I hope that even now as you read this. You'll look fondly back on our adventurers when I was still here. When I still lived. My time is going to be up soon. I hope this letter finds you well, Warrior of Light. I can't even begin to thank you for everything you did for me in those short summers. Our adventures together were the happiest I've ever been and I'll remember them fondly even in passing. I hope the warmth and the love you're brought me will bring you peace one day. You... deserve it more than anyone else, dear friend.
Signed,
One of your many admirers.
(If I were to win I'd like bluebird earring.)
The Fleeting Memories of an Ancient
The story of Shadowbringers was very touching and heartfelt. I honestly found myself relating to and yearning to know more about the Ascians and almost crying at Emet-Selch’s last words. I would like to put forth a short narrative from his perspective in his final moments. If any of this is in any way shape or form similar to the actual future plot of the game, etc, it is only coincidence!
If my entry is selected, I would like the Gaelicap.
It has been countless millennia since the sundering of our once beautiful star.
O how mine heart aches as I recount all that is now lost to the three of us who remain; the families that may no longer dine together, the vast and extraordinary creations that were brought forth by our creative imaginations, the unfathomable cities we wrought, the infinite mysteries that we scoured.
These hobbled creatures who now inhabit the shards know nothing of what has been lost. Fools, the lot of them! They think themselves worthy of even a mere existence? They know not what they set themselves against. They know not how Hydaelyn manipulates them to do her bidding. To mock us and scoff at those of us who sought to save our star.
O dear friend, how mistaken you were to set your will against us. To turn against the Convocation as you did. Your soul is lost, sundered just like the very star that you sought to protect. You brought wisdom to the Convocation that the other members scant could match. Your conviction to your ideals burned bright and hot. A light that smote every corner and bore all reason to bear.
It was you who plotted against Zodiark. It was you who, with your mere force of will, moved many hearts to join your cause. It was you brought about the creation of Hydaelyn. It was you who helped usher the final days upon us. Yet despite all that this entails, I cannot bring myself to fault you. You are still dear to me, friend.
I remember the ages we spent together, you and I. Always were you the caring one, the one who shouldered every sorrow, who sought to salve every wound. Your resolve was indomitable. I do not believe that anyone cared more for our star than you did, and I do not believe that I cared for anyone more than I cared for you. You moved me in ways that no other could. It is no wonder that you found a multitude to flock to your cause.
My life flashes before me now, eons unfathomable in length to the pitiful creatures of the shards. All the weight that I have borne is lifting now. With this, I feel as though I now have some inkling of the soul that stands before me. It has a familiar color… A color that I would recognize anywhere, no matter how fragmented. I must make one final request now before I am lost to the aethereal sea permanently.
You must remember… remember us. Remember that we once lived… goodbye, dear friend. May you one day remember who you truly are.
Thank you for reading my entry.
A Most Gentlemanly Man...
It had all started when I met the miqo'te Nashu Mhakaracca. She had been so desperate to find her missing partner (boss?) that I could not help but oblige. She seemed so sincere. Following her to the Sagoli Desert and unceremoniously beating up a few gentlemanly zombies, that's when I met him (and learned Nashu was a pyromaniac).
The man...
The legend...
Hildibrand Manderville.
I was in awe! I was inspired! I was...A little weirded out but I knew I was in the presence of a legendary inspector. And thus he took me on the weirdest adventure I had ever been on. Missing jewels! A purple octopus! A red man named Gilgamesh! It was all so exciting.
And at the end of it all?
Even I became a little bit more....
Gentlemanly.
https://img2.finalfantasyxiv.com/acc...7edf34895d.png
(if selected id like the noble barding!)
Memoirs of Adventure (Selected Prize: Scarf of Wondrous Wit)
Truthfully? No one memory would serve to justify my time in the world of Eorzea. Defeating bosses with the Free Company? Or maybe socializing, and meeting the best people in this game? Perhaps alone, rather, the first time I stepped out, and looked upon the rolling hills of the Steppe, or the icy plains of Coerthas. None of these memories served to settle that feeling I get in my soul when I reminisce on this land. For in reality, no one experience could do it justice. Eorzea is a place of many wonder, not one. From putting the soul of Nidhogg to rest, to liberating Ala Mhigo. Bringing darkness to the First, and keeping the light of hope burning. This is what this Fantasy means to me. A collection of memories, glittering like the stars in the sky, and just as beautiful. And for this I thank the Creators, and remind all adventurers young and old, new and veteran, to keep these stars glittering in your heart for as long as you can. One light the night sky doesn't make, one memory Eorzea is not.
Thank you, Kawa Kagon (Jenova)