First Contract (Carpentry)

This morning I decided to take some jobs as a carpenter for the supplies and the experience. Bango Zango had me make a handful of ash fishing rods for the fleet which was a real challenge for me, but I was able to handle it. It gave me more confidence that I could work with ash and similar types of wood. I restocked with Bonchacha in Upper Keeners - she's not only my store front, but also my lumber yard. While I was doing this, I got a contract from a local blacksmith. Knowing I could now work well with ash, I agreed to make twelve ash hammer grips for the price of thirty thousand gil. It was perhaps a bit on the cheap side (considering all the wind shards it consumed) but a profit is a profit. I also managed to recruit the blacksmith into Elysium since the linkshell was lacking in that regard lately.

I intended to work on carpentry and perhaps fashion myself some new weapons - but I was pulled away by Elysium member Alma to fight dodo's east of Limsa. Fighting the good fight consumed the rest of my entire day.

Pirates!

When I awoke this morning at the camp at Skull Valley I was summoned to battle by the Battlewarden. He instructed me to kill enough stray dodo to draw out the kobold he'd tracked into the valley. I managed to defeat four dodo, an ocean roseling and five weevils that attacked me all at once - to draw out this kobold. Though nervous I was eager to test my abilities as a conjurer against this intelligent foe. Although his spells stung quite painfully, my magic was stronger than his. The Battlewarden rewarded me with 2000gil and I set off on my way back to town.

I returned back to Linsa Lominsa to check the guild for leves and manage Bonchacha's store front. While I was passing through the Mizzenmast, Baderon motioned for me. He mentioned there were a lot more rumors floating around the Mizzenmast about the sea serpent. Speculation says it may be the legendary creature bound by the goddess Llymlaen. While we were discussing the creature, another adventurer came to report what we already knew - the Knights had fallen at Seal Rock. Apparently during the dispute with the sahagin, the Misery, a ship of the Kraken's Arms (pirates, I gather) made it to Seal Rock. The Mizzenmast was abuzz with rumors and whispers. It was then that I noticed Y'shtola again.

She has a Budding Wand! I'm jealous.

She was standing just outside the main area of the Mizzenmast. She noticed me looking at her and approached. She didn't seem to remember me (which is odd since I feel like she's following me) but asked if I had come across any shadowless figures working with the sahagin. Now that she mentioned it - there had been something odd about Emerick so I told her what I'd seen. Our conversation was interrupted by a horn sounding outside - it sounded like a war horn and Y'shtola called it "Astalicia" but I'm not sure what that means.

I asked Baderon what "Astalicia" meant and he told me it was the marauder ship down in the harbor. He also said if I wanted to know more about the sea serpent and the last time it surfaced to attack I should ask the pirates aboard who helped drive the beast back out to sea. Apparently the Astalicia is home to a guild that welcomes pirates and trains them with axe skills. I had to admit - I wanted to meet these marauders. I headed down to the Astalicia.

Astalicia at Dawn

As I stepped aboard, I was surprised to see how many qiqirn were aboard. A miqo'te named Ighii Moui warned me to leave them alone; she said they have a place on a ship as lookouts and formidable warriors with a hatred for sahagin. I took that under advisement and went to search for someone who could answer my questions.

Buburoon of the Astalicia

The one-eyed pirate Rostnsthal offered to take me to the serpent for some coin and drink. Although skeptical I gave him a few gil and promptly received a roegadyn punch to the chest. Rage filled me and I thought to reach for my wand, but I held back unsure if I could match skills with this rugged pirate. Our scuffle was interrupted before it began by inquisitive Knights. Although the pirates tried to repel them Commodore Sthalmann knocked them off their feet by himself. One-eyed roegadyn are formidable! Sthalmann demanded to see Carvallain.

A pirate captain dressed all in blue strode up from below deck, taunting the Commodore at his defeat by the Sahagin. Sthalmann demanded Emerick be turned over to the Knights! I was nearly floored. Whoever this Emerick is he's certainly important. I wish I had apprehended him at Oschon's Torch! The Commodore accused Emerick of selling sea charts to the sahagin and being responsible for their defeat. Carvallain was disgusted by this idea and grudgingly allowed the Knights to search the ship for this traitor to Linsa Lominsa. How do I get caught up in these situations? I trailed discreetly behind the search party.

I caught Carvallain talking to another captain named Rhoswen about her man Merodaulyn selling the charts to the sahagin. So the plot thickens, but Merod had been caught up in the ambush so Rhoswen was interested in this  betrayal by Emerick on a personal level. I decided to catch up with the Knights before the captains over heard me. I caught up to the Commodore just as he hoisted a battered body (which appeared to be Emerick) over his shoulder. I heard no signs of a scuffle so he must have been mistreated before the Knights found him in the cargo holds.

Thinking the festivities to be over, I made my way back topside hoping to get off this crazy ship. I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of Rostnsthal - I had forgotten our previous engagement in the bustle of the Knights' raid. He apologized for the misunderstanding earlier - told me if I happen to gut some Barracudas, he'd make me a member of his crew. It was a tempting? offer but I'd like to leave the Knights guts on the inside for now. I don't need the Commodore breaking down my door and dragging me out in my sleep. Rostnsthal left the Astalicia and once he was out of sight - I returned to my regularly scheduled day.

This was enough festivities for one lalafell.

Set Loose Unto the World

I stopped by Coral Tower early this morning to inquire about their investigation. No one there seemed to know me or what I was talking about - I suppose their troubles at Seal Rock have taken precedence. I see no reason why I should stick around Linsa Lominsa then. I have a business to run and monsters to slay. It's time to move on to my next project - making my maple wands start budding. This is going to require a bit more skill in alchemy and a growth formula beta rather than alpha.

I spent a few hours scrounging Skull Valley for beehive chips. My wife Nimla arrived to give me some rock salt and minium she had uncovered near Ul'dah. I promptly turned those into table salt and quicksilver respectively in order to practice alchemy. I attempted to make a growth formula, but it failed in the last stage so I don't wish to waste any more materials until I can either upgrade my gear or find a suitable laboratory to hone my technique.

Nimla Joins Me in Skull Valley

The leader of our linkshell and an old friend also passed through to sell me a new saw he'd found in his travels. I can finally throw away my weathered saw and start using this chocobotail saw. I feel much closer to a budding maple wand than when the day started - and I have quite a bit of miscellaneous items (table salt, mostly) to sell when I head back to the city.

The Steelmaster

I made some ash canes today to supplement Bonchacha's who selling maple wands like hot cakes. I was actually working on maple spear shafts when Baderon contacted me through his Adventure Guild linkshell. Apparently he heard of my exploits at Oschon's Torch. He also seemed to know I'd been dabbling in alchemy and said if I really want to turn lead to gold, I should head to Naldiq & Vymelli's - the Blacksmith and Armorer Guild.

Busy at All Hours

I dropped in on the guild, but Bodenolf seemed reluctant to hire me as an adventurer. He mentioned I'd have to speak with Steelmaster H'naanza and get her vote if I wanted any employ with their guild. Smithing itself didn't peak my interest at this time. I decided to stick to carpentry and alchemy. These skills are in demand in Linsa Lominsa since the guilds are found in other city-states. This does prove a bit more challenging for me, however - and a lot more travel.

As I was leaving Naldiq & Vymelli's I happened upon a conversation between Commodore Sthalmann and a miqo'te named H'naanza. Apparently things weren't going well with Seal Rock. They also had a ship full of pirates in lock up for question on something they may have had as cargo. Though the commodore was reluctant to discuss it, there seem some connection between the Sahagin, Seal Rock and that sea serpent I had seen the night I arrived. When he noticed me standing there, Sthalmann threatened H'naanza and I not to discuss such matters. It was then that Knights showed up to inform him of things gone horrible at sea. Apparently someone in the 5th Levy had betrayed the fleet.

Steelmaster H'naanza is Formidable

I spoke briefly to Steelmaster H'naanza who said she trusted Bodenolf's judgment. I felt like I was getting the run around at this guild, but clearly Baderon sent me here for a reason. I stepped back inside to talk to Bodenolf again and found H'naanza speaking with Rostnsthal. Have I seen him somewhere before? Apparently he had some problem with the ship the guild made for him and H'naanza had some problems with his line of credit.

Now that Baderon had sent me on this wild goose chase around town, he decided to call me back to the Wench. He gave me six thousand gil! and told me to drop in every now and then in case he had more work around town for me to do. He seemed surprised I still had my head on my shoulders; he doesn't know me very well yet. I'll be around for quite some time.

Lighthouse Patrol

Baderon heard I was stuck in town and things didn't go well at Coral Tower. Clearly Baderon has connections. He suggested I throw in at the Fisherman's Guild. Since I couldn't leave Linsa Lominsa, I decided to drop in. I'm starting to wonder why he's trying to get me into other career fields. Perhaps he wasn't impressed with the new counter tops I'd worked on for the Mizzenmast. Well, as long as maple wand sales are steady I'll be working with wood.

I got up early this morning to head over to the Fisherman's Guild. I spoke to N'nmulika at the front desk and she seemed elated to have an adventurer show up at the guild. (Did Baderon know this would happen?) A lalafell named Wawalago (the guild leader?) explained to me a very important location to the guild had fallen into enemy hands. They were being blocked from access to a particular lighthouse and he wanted me to accompany Sisipu there and make sure it was all clear and the light still shone. It seems not only the Knights, but the "pullers" (as they call themselves) have trouble with sahagin and Serpent Reavers.

Meet Sisipu!

Sispu taught me some common guild hand signs to identify friend from foe and had me meet her at the Zephyr Gate. I feel like I'm finally on a real adventure! I made some preparations and headed for Zephyr Gate right away. Sisipu was eager to find out what had happened at the lighthouse.

Damn! Fleasquitos!

We made it to the lighthouse without any significant problems. We were attacked a few times by ankle biters, a giant fleasquito in my book, but I made short work of them. Arrival at the lighthouse was grim, though. The light watch was no where to be seen. I scoured the area and found a couple of dead members of the watch and amidst them ... Emerick! I had seen this fellow at my aptitude test at the Knights. He was talking to some evelen fellow about pirate codes. I signaled them with hand signs, and they assured me they were members of the fishing guild - but they did not return my hand signs. I had a bad feeling about it, but I couldn't fight them two against one so I let them get away.

Things are Grim at the Light

Soon after the rest of the watch returned from their hiding and told a tale of Reaver attacks and Knight rescue. It is sad to me that several innocent fishermen died here and what did Emerick have to do with it? Sisipu returned to the guild now that the situation was resolved and I decided I'd go to the guild to collect my pay and ask some questions about Emerick.

Also - in my excitement for a real test of my conjury skill, I had forgotten I was asked not to leave the city! I hope this doesn't get back to the Knights before I get back to town.

PS:  Well, Wawalago didn't know anything about Emerick as I imagined. He did give me three thousand gil, though. It was certainly worth my while to break the Knights rules.

The Coral Tower

I dropped in at the Coral Tower today. Baderon had dropped off a letter of recommendation and I was curious about the mysterious treasure at Seal Rock. I wasn't terribly interested in joining the Knights, but I still couldn't pass up the opportunity. I met with the attendant - Isaudorel - who instructed me to go downstairs for an aptitude test.

I was handed a flintlock pistol and instructed to do my best, but something about my firing stance drew attention to me before I could even fire. I'm not sure what I did wrong, but I wasn't taken very seriously. Fortunately attention was taken off of me by an elezen named Merodaulyn. The recruiters seemed quite taken with him. I am certain he earned a position on the Seal Rock unit.

I however did not. I was recommended to 5th Levy which was described to me (in not so many words) as the lowest of the low among the ranks of the Knights. I also came under suspicion as a pirate until my papers with the Adventurer's Guild cleared. There was still a matter of the pistol, though, which had been taken from me before the aptitude test even began. Isaudorel seemed to think I still had it on my person.

Overlooking Knights of Barracuda HQ

I was instructed not to leave town until the investigation was concluded. That will seriously hinder my ability to make gil and survive in this town on carpentry and good looks alone. I hope the investigation concludes quickly.

Turning Lead to Gil

Due to the nature of imbuing conjuring elements into a maple branch (thus forming and repairing a maple wand) I have had to travel frequently to the city-state of Ul'dah in order to procure growth formula from their alchemy guild. Sales have slowed, but I still have a supply to sell before I move on to willow wands which also require a touch of alchemy to perfectly attune to natural elements.

Silly Alembic

With that in mind, I decided to study the craft during today's trip to Ul'dah. Fortunately a member of Elysium, named Skald, unloaded a great deal of murky, muddy water on me while I was there and I managed to use a newly acquired alembic to purify it into potable water. It was a good test of my skill and a good introduction to the wonders of alchemy. While I do not intend to pursue alchemy as a true profession, I will use it to augment my growing skills as a carpenter for some time to come.