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

[irynrael]

When I first started playing Final Fantasy XIV in the lull between A Realm Reborn story finishing and everyone anticipating Heavensward, I had only a single friend to play with. He enjoyed the game a lot and convinced me to give MMOs another try after an abysmal experience with a different one.

I did fine with everything until my first dungeon. I didn’t know whether to use the Duty Finder or Party Finder so I ended up using the latter. An honest newcomer mistake! I still laugh to think about the lonely little Miqo’te I used to be looking for a party in-game by the entrance of Sastasha. The person who joined my party informed me that the Duty Finder would be easier, but that he would be more than happy to help me run it. We started talking and after the dungeon, he invited me to join his free company.

I accepted. Everyone I met there was more friendly and kind than I could have anticipated. It was the complete opposite of my experience with MMOs prior where no one seemed to have the time to help low-level newcomers.

Over the next four years, I lived overseas in both China and Japan. One of the only consistent comforts I had was Final Fantasy XIV and the friends I'd begun to make there. I still remember syncing up for the launch of Stormblood and how that helped me feel a little less alone so far from home.

One of my best friends during that time stayed up late nights and that was my evenings in Japan when I came home from work so we talked a lot. One day, he told me about how he was moving and was looking for someone to help share the costs. I asked when and the time lined up with when my contract in Japan would be complete. It would be not only moving from Japan back to America but from Arizona to New York.

Considering I’m writing this from my room in our apartment in New York, I obviously took him up on it. We all moved in during early June and were able to experience the launch of Shadowbringers a few weeks later together in person. We all woke up at five in the morning to play together right at launch.

I honestly had never imagined this game would shape my life in such impactful ways. It’s always been a solace I can return to when things get rough. Over the last year and during the move back to America, I experienced a lot of social drama and stress that I’m still recovering from. Yet, when I play XIV, I always feel welcomed and loved by the community and my friends there.

While it isn't always amazing or great, overall the way this game has helped me and connected me with others has been amazing. I’ve also come a long way from a tiny, frightened Miqo’te to a large, confident Roegadyn woman who can hold her own. I’m still so glad I gave it a try all those years ago and here’s to hoping I have several more years with it to come.



(Bluebird Earring)

[OfTheWhitewind]

To you,

Adventures are full of meetings and partings. For each hello we give a piece of ourselves. For each parting we lose that piece forever. There is no way of knowing which hello will end in goodbye. We can but try.

To those at the beginning, don't be afraid. You will meet and part with so many but you will become stronger for it. Both the good and the bad will teach you. No matter how much it might hurt in the moment you will overcome it. Be kind, be gentle, be grateful. Never lose the hope you felt when you first stepped foot upon Eorzea's soil.

To those at the end, know that there will always be someone who thinks of you. For whatever your reasoning for ending your journey there will be someone you met along the way who will never forget you. They will speak of you. They will tell stories of your kindness, of your humor, of your strength and of your knowledge. They will have become better because they met you. Leave with the knowledge in your heart that no matter the pain you endured you gave someone else the hope to carry on.

To those with hearts scarred from so many goodbyes, let your sorrow lift you higher than ever before. Don't let the bitterness and the hurt defeat you. Let this pain make you kinder, more patient, and more willing to reach out your hand to those in need. Take your time to heal but never give up. There will be other hellos.

My life has only a precious few summers left but I look back upon it with no regrets. I would have never been the person I became without my experiences and I am grateful to every friend and enemy for it. I hope that you enjoy a similar peace of mind near the end of your days.

Stay strong and true. You'll be all right.

Signed,
An old adventurer

(Prize request: Bluebird Earrings)