How To Improve Item Level

[GeminiReed]

Also as youre 50+, you can get ironworks gear at mor dhona, from Auriana at x22:y6,7.... though i guess you wont have poetics yet?

Quite so. They won't have good sources of Poetics yet. Castrum Meridianum and the following story instance gate access to alliance raids, 8-man trials, dungeons that drop poetics, and the related roulettes. While beast tribes are unlocked prior they yield a pittance.

OP, like others have mentioned you'll want to do your job quest and crack open the coffer given to you when you finish the level 50 quest. That'll be more than enough but you'll probably want to buy an ilvl 70+ lance off the marketboard.

[SnowVix]

Ul'dah has a shop near the Goldsmith's Guild that sells ilvl 29 accessories, other than that, ARR does not really have a place to buy accessories past that item level, and you'll want to either buy them on the marketboard or unlock Goldsmith to craft them yourself (and Miner to get the raw materials)

and as others have mentioned, catch up on your job quests and get that ilvl 90 left side.

[Jojoya]

Surprise! Surprise!

I go to complete the quest "Rock the Castrum" and cannot enter it because my item level is only 36 and 42 is required in order to proceed.

The problem is my neck, wrists, and rings, which currently have a respective item level of 5,18, 15, and 15.

The only ones I have found in shops are also junk.

How do I go about improving these items?

Quests?

Is there a marketplace somewhere where they can be purchased? I have close to 200k gil.

Thank you for your help!

Qaija

Accessories (belt, earrings, neck, bracelet, rings) tend to be rewarded by side quests and not MSQ.

There's a bit of a gap for them on vendors in the 35-49 range, making the MB a primary source though it can be expensive. And you won't be able to buy the level 50 tomestone accessories until you complete Castrum and Praetorium.

Best way to do it - ask someone you know who has level Goldsmith to at least 50 to make the accessories you need (belts are usually Leatherworkers though sometimes Weaver or Armorer). They can tell you what materials are needed. Buying the materials from the MB is usually a lot cheaper than buying the finished item.

I know I'm replying a bit on the late side so I hope you have what you need by now.

[Floortank]

If you come to Balmung I'll craft you some stuff for free.