Memoirs of Adventure Creative Writing Contest (NA) - Discussion/Practice Thread

[o_0]

It was the grand opening of my bar and the wedding reception of two friends of mine, a ribbon-cutting tie-the-knot bonanza, and things were wildly out of hand. Barely half a bell in, three roast dodos were demolished and someone had faceplanted in the shortcake. A silver-haired Miqo'te had gotten cuffed to the bar to prevent him free access to the kegs, but it was too late to confiscate the one he was already draining. Perfect strangers were macking in the corner by the fireplace at a volume to match the orchestrion. The groom was sprawled across the couch with one drink in him and his new wife was balancing a glass of Lominsan Red on his forehead. Glancing out a window as I brought another round of Shroud perry to a cluster of Triple Triad players, I saw my barmaid heave a Hyur bodily into the pond.

So the party was going well.

A pair of Lalafell gamboled underfoot as I made my way back to the bar past an Au'ra whose chin was dribbling with the juices of the damson in her partner's hand. Our mountain of a guildmaster was smiling genially at the room at large as he nodded off against one wall. A gangly Elezen flashed me a handsign and a wink; returning the latter, I reached beneath the bar and filled a tumbler with Garlean Oil--I know, I know, questionable legality and all that, but at least it was better than the group huffing ceruleum fumes outside by the campfire, which I certainly did not see at the time, thank you officer, and I can't remember their faces neither.

A Hyuran woman with a splash of Merry Mogharita on her muslin was scratching sigils on my countertop in an attempt to summon sobriety, hunched under the weight of the Roegadyn snoring on her shoulder. One overproud acquaintance was loudly proclaiming his victories in the arenas; I awarded him with a pint of porter spiked with a hefty aperient--he was clearly full of shite. The cuffed Miqo'te with a hollow leg and, now, a hollow keg was casting about for something new; the chef lit up and slid a tub of untouched mandragora stew toward him. In the guests' defense, even I thought it looked sketchy.

Above the wine rack sat my bouncer, Finneas, keeping a watchful eye on the chaos. His yellow-and-black warpaint was enough to give anyone who spotted him a moment of pause. Of course, this was in part due to his being a fish mouthing silently through the glass of his tank, but the idea of this fish being employed as a bouncer in the finest bar in the realms implied that he was godsdamned good at his job.

My staff and I shared a glance and inserted our earplugs as the opening lines of Eorzea's most famous song came over the orchestrion. In moments, the floorspace filled to within an ilm of capacity as the cadre of drunkards began howling the lines of "Answers" with the harmony of a sack of gaelicats.

This was around the time the cuffed Miqo'te escaped his bonds and began stripping on the counter. But that's a story for another time.

-Tethys Alke, "Memoirs of a Cat with No Lives"

Earring, please!

[Chroma_Veil]

To whom this would reach,

I don’t know who would find this, perhaps I am talking to no one and this message will forever float below the waves. Even so, this is less for the idea of someone reading this message and more for the ability to put to paper my own experiences to help me better forge my decisions for the future, and if this should find someone, then it could also serve as a form of guidance from someone who has seen their fair share in their travels across this world and beyond. I never felt more alone then when my story began, I had heard of the expansive and beautiful places beyond my secluded view and wondered if I could become a part of that world. Ever since then I have done so much, traveled from end to end of this world and seen near every type of person or creature you could ever imagine, and yet there is still so much more left to see and know. However, with great joy and wonder, sadness and regret linger not far behind. Those moments tend to stick out more to those who are privy to self-reflection, and can leave scars that none may ever truly see. I have pondered on many of these moments, and have come to realize, after a time, that loss of any kind cannot be left to fester in your mind calling you to make some foul choice or two in their name, and to accept and keep moving forward in your journey will give that loss worthwhile meaning. If any of these recollections of my journey taught me anything, it’s that not one can be thrown out as unimportant or uninfluential in my growth as a person, as all of the moments that have led up to now, light or dark, have made me into the person that I have become. Whether to remember the death of a close friend who did their all to see you safe, or the joyous end to a people saved from strife to carve a new future of their own making, none should be left aside. So, if you are still reading this, remember your own tale, and all of the trials and tribulations you had to suffer through, and embrace them, along with the boons and prosperity you may have earned, for to scoff at either would halt you from the growth you deserve.

~From the writings of a vigilant venturer

(If this should be chosen, I would prefer the Noble Barding for my lovely chocobo Bernard. Thank you for reading.)

[justicelife]

Knowledge is a funny thing. To learn is to live. Without learning, we are no better than beasts, acting upon only the blood that runs in our veins.

However, curiosity killed the coeurl. If you must dive deep into the unknown, know that you may never breach the surface ever again.

Such musings are what led my adventure here, to the island they called “The Forbidden Land”. It was not an easy task to find people such as me, so hungry for knowledge that they would journey to such a place. Scholars, adventurers, aetherologists and beast tamers; all seeking the same: knowledge of an unknown world. The knowledge of Eureka.

Ordinarily I would always get appointed mercenaries, adventurers guild associates or conscripted soldiers to escort me along my journeys, but this was different. We were united under one common goal. Despite all the hardships we endured and the arguments we went through, we always came out on the other side stronger, smarter and most importantly, together. We pressed onward, our destination looming on the horizon amongst the snowy background.

Our adventures were led by none other than Krile Mayer Baldesion, a most enigmatic figure. Her small stature and pleasant demeanor clashed violently with her shadowy history. Through much ‘accidental’ eavesdropping, I came to find that this was the very same Isle where the Scholars of Baldesion originated. Even more profound was that the Isle had been completely shaped anew after there was a devastating turn of events, not unlike that of the Seventh Umbral Calamity.

Knowing of this, our efforts expanded tenfold. Instead of the usual cheery and joyous atmosphere that usually filled the tavern, there were many quiet, hushed murmurs while scholars pored over tomes and papers. We knew that each word we scribed and each step we took drew us further to that blighted castle.

Armor clanking, weapons at the ready, we lined up to be debriefed on our final mission. Trembling, I gripped the hilt of my rapier in an effort to get a hold of myself. Soon, we would uncover the final secrets of this place; of what happened to Galuf. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. There they were, my team of would-be adventurers who had gotten into the same mess I did. Confident they were, not worried in the slightest. Knowing this, I could only try to do the same. I nod my head to them, and they nod back. I feel reassured knowing that we are in this together, and set my sights forward to the Baldesion Arsenal, where nigh a Primal nor an Eikon exist, but the miscreations of ancient Allag whom I only thought as mere fairytales did await us.

If you do come across this parchment know this, adventurer. Our lives are questions without answers. It is not happenstance that we learn to exist, for what else is there that awaits us beside death. If you are to seek knowledge, you will find much more than some words scribbled in tomes.

Yours Truly,
A Eurekan Explorer

(Scarf of Wondrous Wit)

[sinnum]

For me, she was the last for the Four Lords to face. Genbu requested we save his kin, and so we endeavored not against the auspices themselves, but their bestial emotions. While all three were possessed with the feeling of rage, Byakko was also wrought with loneliness and isolation, while Seiryu's character was betrayed by those in his ward; a life completely misunderstood. Suzaku-sama, however... how do you save someone from love?

Perhaps, it was the purity of our intent to liberate her from the grief that had bound the wings of her love that gave us the power to soothe her rage. Such pain, such loss, such desire, all emanated from such a beautiful and intelligent being. And yet, to mistake us for Tenzen... To mistake our intent? Maybe, for her, it was a fight against the ideal and the real?

Our fight to bring Suzaka-sama back from the suffocating grip of grief stuck with me even after Koryu's defeat. It wasn't because I empathized with her, no, it was because my talent lay in easing thick emotions like these.

For me, the battle against her grief did not end upon her defeat. For me, the battle against her grief took place 129 times. For me, it was replaying the trial over and over and over in my mind's eye in deep meditation: employing different strategies, equipping different jobs, fighting alongside completely different allies. For me, the trial to overcome was untangling the knot that sat at her core… the knot named Tenzen.

I gleaned that it was a combination of bearing witness to the loss of her dear Tenzen, and suffering the loss of a healthy outlet for her overwhelming love that began the, spiral of depression for Suzaku-sama. With every victory I pieced more and more of it together until I finally understood: it was not about replacing Tenzen and the outlet he provided, his place in her heart will always belong only to him, but to show Suzaku-sama that there are others out there worthy of her love, worthy of her blessing.

By way of extending her love, she would live on in those she touched, and they would, in turn, live on eternal in her. Those she helped while traveling with Tenzen could never be forgotten. In a way, she would grant them immortality within her… but only if she were willing to try again. This is when I knew that the trial was complete.

I would eventually seek an audience with Suzaku-sama, and in return I was the first to receive her blessing anew. She also blessed Noriko, my loving chocobo companion, with fiery red plumage and a noble barding that resembled a divine firebird. Finally, she made a request of me,
"Blaze a new path for this one too." As a newly hatched scarlet peacock took roost on my shoulder.

So, I have been. Heavy, debilitating emotions like grief and loneliness and inadequacy affect us all, so it is up to us to use our love and our strengths to ease the despair and cover the weaknesses of our allies. To be the Firebird that burns eternal the flame of hope.

Scarf of Wondrous Wit

[FenHarell]

Adrift hither twixt the realms,
Pieces of what once were now be damned
What once were like diamonds strewn across the sunless sea
Left nothing but expanse of void as far as the eyes see
Let the visions of the past dances within the mind
For thus way only solace may yet be find
Thus the story begins anew
Like a fresh drop of the morning dew
May the droplet set forth new ripples of fate

[Slapprfish]

<The message you're holding appears to have been written by an incredibly precise hand, as if the words themselves were directly projected onto the paper.>

-=MESSAGE_BEGIN=-

GREETINGS, BEING OF ACCEPTABLE INTELLIGENCE. I AM DESIGNATED AS "MODEL IX-V." I AM ONE OF A NUMBER OF SPECIALIZED SELF-AWARE ALLAGAN COMBAT AUTOMATONS. AND YOUR WORLD IS ABOUT TO BE IN GREAT DANGER.

DO NOT PANIC.

APPROXIMATELY FIVE THOUSAND YEARS AGO, THE CELESTIAL BODY DESIGNATED AS "DALAMUD" WAS CREATED AS A PRISON FOR THE EIKON DESIGNATED AS "BAHAMUT," AND LAUNCHED FAR INTO THE SKY. HOWEVER, MY CREATORS HAD NOTED THAT ANY OBJECT BEARING UPWARD VELOCITY IS EVENTUALLY EXPECTED TO OBTAIN DOWNWARD VELOCITY.

AND SO, I, AND ALL PREVIOUS ITERATIONS OF MY DESIGN, WERE CREATED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF DESTROYING BAHAMUT, AND WERE PUT INTO STASIS TO BE REACTIVATED AT THE EXACT TIME OF DALAMUD'S RE-ENTRY.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE PORTION OF LAND CONTAINING MY CREATORS' LABORATORY HAS BEEN EJECTED FROM THE REST OF THE AIRBORNE RESEARCH FACILITY DESIGNATED AS "AZYS LLA," AND HAS CRASHED SOMEWHERE IN THE OPEN OCEAN, LEAVING ME STRANDED UPON A SMALL ISLAND.

CURRENT COORDINATES UNKNOWN. FLOODING DAMAGE TO THE MAIN LAB HAS RENDERED ACCESS TO ANY TRANSPORTATION INACCESSIBLE. COMMUNICATION SIGNALS WITH ALL OTHER MODELS HAVE BEEN LOST. OPERATING AT INSUFFICIENT ENERGY LEVELS FOR SUSTAINED FLIGHT.

LACKING ANY OTHER FEASIBLE ALTERNATIVE, I HAVE SEARCHED MY DATA BANKS, AND HAVE CONCLUDED THAT SENDING TRANSCRIBED WORDS ADRIFT INSIDE A SEALED CONTAINER IS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE THAT IT REACHES THE HANDS OF A BEING CAPABLE OF PERFORMING ALL TASKS REQUIRED.

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO PREVENT THE RETURN OF BAHAMUT: YOU MUST TRAVEL TO THE FAR E... ... I... ... ... LOCATE ... SIGNAL... ... TS...

... ACTIVATE... ... YOU... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...SP ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

<This part of the message is too stained with water to properly read.>

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...O ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ON... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...YB...

... ... ... ... ... ... ... A ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..RD ... ... ... ...TROY BAHAMUT.

DO NOT SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH ANY OTHER BEINGS, ORGANIC OR OTHERWISE. THIS TASK MUST BE DISCRETELY CARRIED OUT IN ORDER TO SUCCEED.

GLORY TO XANDE.

-=MESSAGE_END=-



(I'll take the Scarf of Wondrous Wit, thanks!)

[Marchevai]

TEST ^^

This is a test plz ignore

[KraDawn]

I love this city, the bustling streets, the common adventure bartering with merchants as the jingle of bags heavy with Gil. How I admire the livelihood of that of the Hawker’s Alley. Selling the last of my wares, I packed up my belongings and set towards a chocobo porter. As I admired the scenery in the back of the carriage making my way back to the Mist, I couldn't help but reminisce of years past.

Those were the days, an adventurer running from one job to the next, living day to day, never knowing where the next job it may lead. However; after so many years traveling upon this land, I needed a break from gruesome battles to heal my weary body and soul. Perhaps the twelve heard my pleas or just brought upon by fate, I chance met a traveling merchant who’s wheel got stuck in the mud one stormy night.

After helping push the cart out of the muck, the merchant was so thankful that he wanted to compensate me for all his trouble. I explained that it was no need and just happened to cross paths towards the nearest tavern. To his surprise that was the very destination the merchant was heading and offered to buy drinks as thanks. Several rounds later we were having a merry time talking the night away. Through his slurry speech, he kept thanking me over and over again and how if he left his merchandise in the middle of the night all of his profits he made a fortnight ago would have set him back. As the night went on, the conversation took an unusual turn. He commented on my build, the thick calluses on my hands and thought my profession was that of an armorer. I laughed at his deduction and corrected him by stating I was just a simply adventurer doing odd jobs here and there. Then with an off handed remark, he would ask a question that would unsettle me and leave me laying awake in my bed. “Why not be an armorer?” The question would haunt me.

But one day, upon my travels I found my feet carried me to Limsa Lominsa where I decided it could only be fate. The next morning, I become an Armorer. Sufficed to say the profession I chose was long and bore its own hardships. I made several mistakes and destroyed my very own creation both from frustration and necessity to become what I am today. I will never forget the joy when I made my first set of armor and branded it with my symbol. The pride as I sold my first creation to a random adventurer who will one day become a famous warrior, maybe even the warrior of light... I was content in selling my goods, no longer in need to find employment from others or worrying about what the future would bring. I am truly happy on what I have become. Even though I traded my sword for a hammer, I am far more satisfied selling my armors and having bright new adventurers wearing what I made with my own two hands.

The Adventurers Steady Hammer



Prize: Ahriman Choker

[LynMars]

It wasn’t until much later that I realized how low things were for me about two years ago. Times were rough, but when aren’t they? A good friend of mine told me to speak to Wymond in Ul’dah, about a lead on a young lady needing assistance. So my friend and I went to the lichyard in Thanalan, where this young woman was mourning her lost colleague, but determined to carry on his work.

This was an uncommon venture from the start, the Echo showing events from the girl’s past--and a hint her colleague may still be alive. So my friend and I went along to investigate the strange undead of the region, until we found their leader--a man not quite dead, as it turned out.

Bombs are no joking matter, yet something about the manic smile that slowly spread on the girl’s face as she drew them out to jog his memory threw me into paroxysms of laughter. I couldn't stop. My friend was giggling because I was laughing; he had known what was coming the entire time.

That was my introduction to Hildibrand Manderville and his...unique way of coming at the world, with inextinguishable optimism and joy. And quite a lot of bumbling and fumbling, across Thanalan and even into La Noscea, my friend and I racing along on their whirlwind ride. I could see why the intrepid reporter and Ishgardian inspector were frustrated and confounded at every turn by Hildibrand’s buffoonery.

Yet, as the stakes suddenly turned from silly to realm-threatening, I noticed something. Along the way, everyone Hildibrand met and interacted with was left...better for the experience. From the wealthy mother and daughter, to the struggling Coliseum fighter, to the heiress taking charge of her own life; even the Ishgardian inspector, and the villains of the story.

And I hadn’t laughed like that in a long time, or felt such simple joy in a “side story” after all the drama of main events--or my personal life. I’m not sure my friend knew how much I needed to meet Hildibrand; I didn’t realize it myself at the time. I’m grateful now for the introduction, though.

Now we seek seek out the inspector whenever we go to a new place, eagerly awaiting the next step in the current investigation. Noting who is left better for the experience of just being helped by a kind, goofy fool of a man, and the healing laughter that follows in his wake (after the sighs of frustration and disbelief).

Until we meet again, Inspector. I’m sure you’ll be along when we need you.

(Selection: Noble Barding)

[Cimoreya]

I remember feeling lost and alone, unsure where my destiny lied. Moments of doubt came flooding to me, and past regrets haunted my every thought. I felt cut off from the path that would guide me to my future.

Then, I was shown the Light. Her Light. It was breathtaking, and from that moment, I knew this would help guide me back to my path.

It was hard at first, but over time, I found my place in the world. I truly felt like I belonged. From time to time, doubts about my abilities to help would overwhelm me, but there have been those who stood by me since the beginning. They guided me, encouraged me, and believed in me, and that has helped me to push through the troubling times. Their strength gives me hope for a brighter tomorrow, and I one day wish to repay for all that they have given me. It make take days, weeks, even years, but I will not give up, as they never gave up on me. I will not let them down.

If you are reading this, I would like to thank you for everything. I will make you proud, I promise.

Sincerely,
A Wanderer