One to Fifty, One Zone - Long OP

[Siobu]

If this thread is not being ignored, then it's possible that a response is on the way, perhaps longer than a short paragraph. Either way, it's impossible that we've been unnoticed. Not last week, and especially not now.

I hope visitors can excuse another FF11 reference. Qufim was a successful zone because of many reasons, I feel.

I believe it had a good introduction. It was a long, long journey to Jeuno, and discovering that dark cave in the back of the city was an experience in of itself. When we entered the cave, Jeuno's music disappeared and all we could hear was wind flowing through the tunnel and the drips of water from the ceiling.

After reaching the end of the long, ominous cave, we found ourselves standing in a rocky, snowy wasteland. Wind howling. Thunder and flashes of light in the sky. No music, ominous silence, except for our own footsteps and the sounds of gigas heavy feet. (I believe this was the earliest snow map?)

Strange structures appeared in the distance, sprawling across the map. A huge tower faded into view, looking as though it were made of bone. By the time we reached this tower, we realized it wasn't a decoration. It had an entrance. Even after traveling this far, we still had not reached the end.

Questions erupted. What is this place? What is this tower? Why is everyone so afraid of the night? Am I safe here?

The atmosphere was presented well. I felt cold there. I felt small. I felt so far from Windurst.

Even when we reached a zone, we were still progressing within that zone. Right now, I feel Final Fantasy 14's zones are missing this.

When I'm running through the Black Shroud, I always feel like I'm on my way. I always feel like I'm trying to reach something, trying to find the heart and soul of the zone, but I never quite get there. A path that never takes me somewhere. As if we could never leave that tunnel that opens into Qufim Isle.

Thanks again for the support, everyone. I hope we're offered some acknowledgement.

[Sorel]

Strange structures appeared in the distance, sprawling across the map. A huge tower faded into view, looking as though it were made of bone. By the time we reached this tower, we realized it wasn't a decoration. It had an entrance. Even after traveling this far, we still had not reached the end.

Questions erupted. What is this place? What is this tower? Why is everyone so afraid of the night? Am I safe here?

OMG. I forgot about nights in Qufim!! My first time arriving there I see a whole bunch of players huddled around the exit of the cave.

"Why are we all standing here?"

"It's night time. The undead are out."

"So everytime nightfalls we have to all comback here?"

"If nightfalls and your out there, it's too late. You have to stay at your camp until morning."

"Really??"

"Yeah. It's pretty intense out here."

Qufim was the first leveling zone in FFXI that you visited that was 100% enemy territory. There was no nearby town, no outpost, no chocobo rental. There was cave full of Evil Weapons behind you, a tower full of Giants and Goblins in front of you, and a whole lot of death in between.

Yeah ... you weren't in Kansas anymore.