A few questions regarding equipment.

[Xatsh]

I highly agree with the getting a ls in Uldah for 3 reason.

1) Information most linkshells have more veteran members, easy source of info.
2) Grouping, best way to play the game... usually 2-3xs the amount of sp/hr compared to soloing and you will need them for NMS and stuff.
3) The Rank 24 wall, that is where SE's massive beginer sp/xp bonus ends and the amount it takes to level goes up but the sp per kill on mobs is almost halved. Without a group to grind with or do leves with your leveling pace solo will slow down to nightmarish proportions.

People not getting into a LS and people not grouping at 24 is why so many people drop out of the game around that level. Solo is not that fun, it is slow as all get out (you will get around 80-140sp a kill), and the better parts of the game is all around 30+ (more class quest, missions, nms, side quest, ect)

[VydarrTyr]

I see. What's a "NM"?

Like Ruri said, NMs are Notorious Monsters. They often look like other mobs, but have a special name. Like Uraeus, Cactuar Jack, or Downy Dunston. They're a souped up version of the normal mob, and they often drop some really nice piece of gear or something that can be crafted into really nice gear.

And the problem with that is, as much as I'd love to party up. There's literally no one in Gridania. If I had some friends, maybe this wouldn't be an issue. But the few people that I have talked to, either do not speak English or just completely ignore me.

... I've had lots of suggestions to head over to Ul'Dah but I have no idea on how to get there.

Yeah, Gridania tends to be a ghost town. Of the three starter cities, it tends to be the one that's most empty. (Which is unfortunate, because I think it's really pretty.)

Here's a map of The Black Shroud. It should look a lot like the map that you can call up in-game through the main menu. There are two green triangles in the upper middle of that red circle. Those are the entrances/exits for Gridania.

If you scroll the map all the way to the bottom (left-click on the map and drag it down), there's another green triangle all the way down at the bottom. If you hover over that triangle, it says "Thanalan." That's the zone that Uldah is in. You're going to want to run there. So, essentially, follow the road from Gridania South all the way to the end.

Here's a map of Thanalan. When you're entering from The Black Shroud, you're going to start from that green triangle in the top right. (Again, if you hover over it, it will say "The Black Shroud.") You're going to want to follow the road West until you get to the middle of that red circle. The road splits there. You're going to want to take the path South. That will run you right to the front gates of Uldah.

As long as we're talking about traveling, if you want to check out Limsa Lominsa, you're going to want to run all the way West in Thanalan. See the area on the far left with the picture of an anchor? If you hover over it, it says "Ferry Docks." You're going to want to run there. Enter through the gate, and go stand down near the dock by the water. Eventually, a ferry will arrive, and you'll automatically get on the boat.

Ride the boat -- it takes 5 - 10 minutes -- and then you'll arrive in Limsa Lominsa.

Don't forget to touch the crystal in each city. (Go stand near the crystal, open your main menu, and click on Aetheryte. That will "attune" you to the crystal.) That way, instead of running there, you can teleport. Which is sooo much faster.

Like Ruri and Xatsh said, I'd highly suggest joining a linkshell as soon as possible. In my opinion, the FFXIV community is the best thing going for it. It's generally better than any other MMO community I've experienced. They'll keep you coming back to the game for a long time.

Have fun!

[Quoc]

Wow your right about the community, you guys have been a big help. Just want to make sure but, me going to Ul'Dah won't interrupt the game flow will it? For example, just because I chose Gridania as my starting city doesn't mean Ul'Dah won't have things for me to do right?

*EDIT* I just made it to Thanalan and it's a complete change in scenery. It was at night so I was able to see the stars. For the first time, I can actually see the sky. What a beautiful game. That 12 minute jog was well worth it.

[Xatsh]

You will have to go back to Grid for some story quest and what not, but besides that nope. You can do everything everyone else can in uldah.

[Ruri]

You will have to go back to Grid for some story quest and what not, but besides that nope. You can do everything everyone else can in uldah.

What they said. Starting in a city only ties to the story quests other than that you can go anywhere for leve quests etc.

[Quoc]

Alright thanks, I think I pretty much have this game figured out. Thanks for all the help!