A Taste of Victory!

I had encouraged Elden to come out of hiding to help work on his archery skills. We had picked up various guildleves and I was on my way to meet him at Camp Tranquil when I stumbled into something entirely unforgettable. Imperials were marching out of the shroud into a clearing and making a makeshift camp. This was not a simple exercise or routine, but a full scale invasion force. I had heard from Alfgar in Ul'dah that several groups had been staging attacks on camps across Eorzea, but to think I should stumble into one myself!

I immediately called to Elden through his linkshell, Elysium, and we met at a militia dispatch who had come by chocobo and enlisted to help repel these invaders, but could we do it alone? Another young, Lalafell mage came to join us and help heal us as we began to push the Empire back the way they had come - away from Camp Tranquil. The three of us managed to claim the eastern bank of the river passing through the Tranquil Paths, but it was there at the river our Lalafell companion fell and did not rise again.

Hold the Line!

 Elden and I were on our own. We managed to use a guerrilla tactics to keep the enemy from crossing the river. They sent hounds after us as well as soldiers armed to the teeth, but we were able to stop them all from crossing the shallows of the river. We even pushed through to the western bank and were fighting the good fight there when the enemy suddenly and unexpectedly called for retreat and withdrew into the forests once more. We thought to give chase, but the militiaman summoned us and rewarded us with deaspected crystals before riding off to give his report. It was a fierce battle and Gridania lost a true ally in the banks of that muddy water. Sadly, I do not recall even her name if she had given it.

The Eastern Bank is Secure

Triumphant Return

I find myself back in Eorzea, fresh off the boat once again, exactly one year to the day from the time I first set foot upon her shores. Nimla and I have returned from our travels abroad to visit with friends and family of our homeland. We had a fantastic time away, but were always longing to resume our lives in Eorzea. I found myself unburdened by thoughts of the Empire and of the Echo while I was away, but they lingered yet on the edges of my mind - knowing that some day I would have to return to see set right what was wrong with my new homeland. We hope to someday raise our children here and want very much for it to be safe.

It All Begins Again

Sadly we missed one of the year's biggest festivals - the Firefall Faire which took place in the hot summer months. We were fortunate that our dearest friend Eowynn had managed to get her hands on some delightful Lalafell swim gear that was circulating around the time of the Faire. Though we missed the hot months of summer in which to show them off and swim, we will have them for next year at least.

Unfortunately, our return was also marked with sadness. The Moogle Knights had disbanded, and our friend Eowynn was leaving Eorzea indefinitely to pursue career opportunities abroad. These turns of events left us feeling a little lost and certainly lonely as we made our way through the streets of Limsa Lominsa. Some former Knights had decided to band together under a new banner and invited us along, but we needed time to think on what we would do with our future - which now seemed wide open. I decided it was time for me to leave Moogle Incorporated, though, Nimla decided to stay with them longer.

After parting with Eowynn and discussing the prospect of joining this strike team known as Blizzard, we discovered that we had returned to Eorzea on "Foundation Day." It is a festival being hosted by the Immortal Flames of Ul'dah to commemorate the creation of the Grand Companies of Eorzea more than a millennium past. There appears to be fireworks and other manner of festivities all around the three city-states to celebrate the Grand Companies and the Eorzean Alliance. Nimla and I were not much in the mood to celebrate, but with days to come perhaps we, too, will fire off some fireworks.

Swimming in Aether Plaza Fountain!