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Leviathan towers over the poor little TaruTaru, ready t...
Thu 31 Mar 2005
Vana'Diel Tribune 5 and Driver Updates [Post A Comment] - Print News | Mail News A couple more notices were posted on the official site. First of all the latest tribune has been posted, that can all be read right here.
Also an update about graphics driver issues has been posted on the official PlayOnline site. You can check out all the details on this page.
For all you clammers out there, we have some great news--the ever-popular Purgonorgo mini-game is being made even better! Fill your bucket to the brim without busting its bottom, and you'll be rewarded with an even bigger receptacle to test your clamming skills! And with a larger bucket, who knows what treasures you'll be taking home after a day of digging?
Visit the topics section regularly for more details on clamming and other changes planned for the next version update!
Sounds interesting!
Regarding ENM's, the following was posted.
Ever since their implementation in the February version update, Empty Notorious Monster (ENM) quests have been taking Vana'diel by storm! But what you've seen has only been the tip of the iceberg! Our next update, planned for late April, will introduce even more action-packed, white-knuckle battles for parties of all shapes and sizes. There will also be various system changes that will allow you to take on the nefarious beasts with even more of your friends!
Keep an eye on this page for all the latest details!
Double Dose Of Story Goodness Print News | Mail News Yessiree, for once I've managed to keep my word. For today we've got a double dose of new stuff from the story section. First up is the next chapter in Reike's series, Ancient Hearts. This one's called The Sacrifice of A Hero. Here's a preview:
Crystal Warriors� I�ve heard of them. Heroes chosen by the crystals to �save� the world from darkness and bring light into the land. I can tell you first hand that isn�t always the case. However, what makes Crystal Warriors valuable is their knowledge of higher truths that remain cascaded in shadow from the hearts of most � �unworthy� souls. Such truths don�t really affect the path a man takes; rather it liberates him from the one he believes he is destined to follow. Crystal Warriors are the sole reason why I believe fate is nothing more then a sad excuse for being too lazy to do anything about something. I am the author of my own tales�
Next up, another brand new series for the story section! This one's entitled Hunter Of The Soul, created by Zhou. Here's Chapter 1:
The fiery sun was still shining as bright as a golden saucer, blinding everyone who looked up. The silver, large great sword smashed into the dank ground. Again, a swishing sound, close to my right. I rolled to the left, and once again the deadly, cold sword buried itself in the ground, away from me. I took in a breath and stood up. Blood was leaking from my legs, and my hands were crimson from trying to wipe off the blood. I looked vicious, ready to kill. I was vicious.
Grandia 3 In the Works Print News | Mail News Though not related to Final Fantasy, some Square-Enix related news has come up. For the Grandia fans out there, it seems the 3rd game in the series has been announced. For more details you can check out this article which mentions some brief details about the game. More details are expected to be revealed in the upcoming Famitsu magazine, so stay tuned for more.
Easter Goodies, Slightly Late Print News | Mail News A little late, but nonetheless, here's some goodies for Easter from the story section! First up, we have another new article from Thumblister and his column, From San d'Orian Moghouse #132. This one's entitled Leveling Spots And Whiners. Yaaay.... I may have added or subtracted an a or two there >_> Anyway, here's a snippet:
Yup, it happens. It always happens.
�We�re in the dunes! There�s like 4 other parties near our camp but it�s cool, there are a few mobs every now and then.� �Alright, now that we�re all in Kazham, let�s get a camp!� �Omg! This party sucks! I�m leaving!� �Hooray! Full party for Qufim! We just gotta wait 20 min for night to pass��
Next up for today is the (hopefully) long awaited Chapter 25 of the Hero of Bastok series! Chapter 25 is called The Quest, and I'm sure you'll all enjoy it. Here's a preview:
�It was another bright day in Vana�diel. Our heroine deftly jumped out of bed, exclaiming-� �Gwenn, what are you doing?� The dragoon looked over at Enyin, who was staring at her with a mix of amusement and confusion. �What? I�m just self-narrating.� Gwenn replied. �Self-narrating what? It�s not like you�ve got anything interesting to say.� Keeya asked as she walked by. �I have interesting things to talk about!� Gwenn yelled, annoyed. She gestured to the pen and pieces of paper scattered across the table she was sitting at. Many of the pages already had lines of writing upon them. �I�m preserving my adventures for future generations, so that they may know the glorious escapades of Gwenn Blackfeather, Dragoon Thiefgirl Extraordinaire!�
Lastly, the final goody for today is a brand new story! Wooooo! This one is called Ancient Hearts, and is created by Reike. The first chapter's entitled Around The World In 80 Days, and here's a little peek:
I don�t believe in fate. I think a man does what he can. The Gods don�t write us a scripted story; they place us in a world to see how we react to certain events. Gods are nothing more then over rated, unseen scientists. Altana, Promathia�all over rated. What I do believe is that sometimes, the Gods notice a particular soul. Sometimes the action one takes is so unprecedented, so outspoken, that the Gods can�t help but notice. It is these souls that are, in a sense� "chosen�. I don�t mean some wayward adventurer who rises up because some crazy sear says they are chosen�no. I mean the souls that the Gods move from world to world in order to see what they will do next. Will this rare soul take the path of good and save the world? Or will some event sway his thoughts and emotions, causing him to exact revenge against the world he was thrown into? Deep in all of us, we are all travelers.
Egg-stravaganza and Return to Home [Post A Comment] - Print News | Mail News I'm sure most of you are already aware by now but for those who don't, there's an Easter event going on in game. For all the details, you can check out this page.
Also for players who have been taking a break from FFXI for whatever their reasons may be, it seems Square-Enix is offering players a chance to come back and see how things are going for free. There are 2 different phases with certain conditions for each, so if you want to give FFXI another try you can check out all the details on this page.
Upcoming Version Update [Post A Comment] - Print News | Mail News It seems the official site has been updated with a very brief teaser of an upcoming update. Here's what they had to say.
The development team is currently working on the next version update, which will include all the usual goodies--new quests, new Notorious Monsters, and various system additions and improvements--as well as the next installment of the Promathia story. Watch this space for the latest announcements regarding update details.
The next version update is scheduled to take place in late April
There's also a couple of very small screenshots to tease you which look like some new areas that will be introduced. You can check out the images in the top section of this page.
Concert in Seattle [Post A Comment] - Print News | Mail News There's an article up on the Music IGN site mentioning a musical concert featuring some Final Fantasy music in the Seattle area.
For the full article you can check out this page, or for details on how to get tickets you can go right here.
New Column, Story Update Print News | Mail News We've got two new goodies today. The first is a brand new column created by Thumblister, called From San d'Orian Moghouse #132. The first article is called Jobism?. Here's a snippet:
Ah, jobism, one of the many things that just blows my mind in the world of Vana�Diel. Simply put, people are discriminated by what job they are. Now I�m not saying this is a completely bad idea, of course.
The other update for today is the next chapter in the series The Vana'diel Tragedy. This one's entitled Lu Shang And the King of Thieves. Here's a preview:
Nice day it was. Shinato opened his eyes slowly, staring at the ceiling of peeling white paint. On his shoddily built bed with broken springs and worn out sheets, Shinato awoke. He gave a loud yawn and pulled his body up, in a sitting position. The Hume�s black hair was wild and unshaped. His stomach rumbled. Of course the organ would not get what it wanted: Shinato was a little too poor for breakfast. �By the Goddess, why is it so damn hot in fall?� he mumbled to himself. Nice, hot day it was.
Today in the fanart section we have new work from Tirid, Mike E, Thoris, Mildred, Hanico, Jennifer, and Kimura. Then in the comic section we have 1 comic from Ramsey, and 3 from Diane. Nice work everyone!
Official Post-Event Wrap Up and Q&A; Transcript [Post A Comment] - Print News | Mail News The official site has posted their own write up of the event as well as a full transcript of all questions and answers asked by us and the live audience questions. You can check out their write up right here where they have a bunch of photos posted up as well. The transcript of the Q&A; panel can be found right here.
Story Overload Print News | Mail News *get buried under a mountain of e-mails* Wow, people have really been hitting the pad and paper as of late. It's going to take some time to sift through all of this, so for now stories may take a bit to get up here. But rest assured, they'll get up. For today we have the next piece of Alban's lastest chapter, A Game of Wits. Here's a snippet:
�I don�t get it...� Cecilio started to say. �There shouldn�t be any left unless he rebuilt them...� Gunther growled, having enough of just standing around. He jumped up and in the air and came roaring down with his hammer. The Warhammer bashed down onto a Doll�s head, in which the spherical object shattered. Gunther had a triumphant smile on his face.
And also, after a long leave of absence, Zura has come back with the next chapter in his series, Here, Waiting For You. This latest chapter is entitled Part Four-Dark Hearts. Here's a preview:
The front of the temple was unguarded, the lichen covered walls leading down a stairwell into a hallway. The heat was fading, the cool walls seeming to trap the dank moisture in the air. The red mage began whispering a spell, reaching out and touching the dark knight on the shoulder as he gripped the foreigner's hand. To Cloud�s surprise, Nightcrawler vanished into thin air but the grip remained.
At the following time, we performed a FINAL FANTASY XI version update.
[Date & Time]
Mar. 2, 2005 from 8:00 to 13:00 (PST)
[Affected Services]
FINAL FANTASY XI
[Important Update Details]
The following issues have been addressed:
-Synthesis and fishing effects being displayed even with the "Others' synthesis and fishing results" filter set to ON.
-The inability to enter the battlefield "Royal Jelly."
*The battlefield "Royal Jelly" was temporarily closed but can now be entered as usual.
-Players being unable to obtain experience points when the armory crate was opened in an ENM battlefield.
-The effect of "Doom" not wearing off if the number of players leaving the battlefield "Brothers" is different from the number that entered it.
-The inability to act until the battle timer expires when players in the battlefield "Test Your Mite" are in the middle layer at the end of the battle.
-The behavior of certain monsters in Al'Taieu.
-Inaccurate log window messages regarding certain monster abilities.
-The statistics of the Lu Shang's fishing rod.
-Sleep status being removed, and an inability to heal at night when wearing the Vampire Cloak.
-Dhalmel mantles +1 not being received for Tanners' Guild contracts.
-Shadow images created by the ninjutsu "Utsusemi" not being correctly erased by certain abilities.
-Search and auction house functions failing to download information.
-Monsters and other players not being displayed in the correct location.
-After being KO'd during Ballista and recovering on the spot, TP will now be limited to a maximum of 50%.
-The waiting period for recovering on the spot has been returned to the previous intervals.
20 seconds -> 30 seconds
30 seconds -> 45 seconds
40 seconds -> 60 seconds
50 seconds -> 75 seconds
60 seconds -> 90 seconds
-The Ballista Point Ranking system has been implemented.
See the official PlayOnline "About Ballista Changes and Additions" news item for more details.
Like the news title says, 20 new art pieces today! and 1 comic!
In the fanart section we have new artwork from some new faces and some returns from days past. They are Valentine, Bryce, Zephyr, DejahThoris, Codecat, Deima, Artemisio, Stacy, Cloud Stryfe, Celani, Nancy, Aenkelle, Blademoor, Mike E. , Kagomea, and Rhyiel. For our one comic we have a submission from Aenkelle. Nice work everyone!
The Doll Festival [Post A Comment] - Print News | Mail News It seems it's time for a new ingame event! Here's what was posted on the official site.
From:FINAL FANTASY XI
Feb. 28, 2005 19:06 [PST]
The Doll Festival (Feb. 28)
Master, have you ever heard of the Doll Festival, kupo?
The Doll Festival is a Far Eastern celebration where people pray for the health and happiness of girls. During this time, girls are given rice treats to eat, and have a special place to decorate with dolls, kupo.
A festival that provides such a fun opportunity for laughing and playing sounds like a great idea, don't you think, kupo?
You know, since a lot of the lady adventurers out there grew up in the aftermath of the Crystal War, I bet they didn't get a chance to enjoy this festival, kupo...
And that's why the Mog House Management Union has come up with a plan!
We're going to return those lady adventurers to their childhoods, and give them the experience they never had, kupo!
Hm?
You don't think you're up for it? And what about the guy adventurers?
Don't you worry, kupo. Try talking to the moogles in charge of the festival and see what happens!
This time you're in for some real moogle magic, kupo!
[Participating in the Event]
-Form a party of 10 and talk to the moogles around town.
You will receive a present in celebration of the Doll Festival!
-The moogles will only consider players in the same area when counting the number of party members.
-Items can only be received from the moogles once every Vana'diel day.
-Characters that have just been created can only receive items from the moogles after one Vana'diel day has passed.
[Event Areas]
Southern San d'Oria
Northern San d'Oria
Bastok Mines
Bastok Markets
Windurst Waters
Windurst Woods
*This event is scheduled to take place between February 28 at 19:00 and March 13 at 19:00.
Double Dose Of Story Goodness Print News | Mail News Some nice goodies in the story department for today. Starting off is Chapter 10 of Brin's series, Eternal Mysteries. This one's entitled Past Remembrances, Future Embraced. Here's a preview:
�Be careful�..the Dark One has eyes and ears everywhere.�
It was the last thing Zelion said as he cast Invisible and took haste from the holy presence of the cathedral in Upper Jeuno. Brin stood in thought for a bit before finally kneeling at the altar and saying his prayers to Altana.
And finishing up today is the next part in Alacer's series, The Last Tavnasian. His latest chapter is entitled Palborough Mine Part II. Here's a snippet:
The party trekked onwards following Rubin and Keroru�s lead. Through the winding tunnels they met no Quadavs.
�I wonder where they all went.� Greybeard voiced.
�Probably went to rest in the nests. I suppose only a few guards were left on duty.� Alacer said.
New Poll Print News | Mail News Everything is about the event this week, so I figure a new poll asking whether or not you've been to any Square-Enix events in the past seemed appropriate. You can find the poll to the right below the ad as usual.
Event Feedback Wanted Print News | Mail News So the first iGames Tour event is over, the write up and photos are up, and it's a new day. Now we want to hear your take on the event, whether you actually attended the event or past events, read the article, or just have some ideas in general it doesn't matter. We've started to see more and more events in North America this last year, and I as well as well as many others would love to see them continue with bigger and better events. So, if you have any ideas about some new kinds of events, or maybe some twisted contest that involves the slaying of many helpless Taru like the Marathon, or just some comments in general please feel free to post them here.
The folks over at Square-Enix will be reading your comments, so who knows, if you have a good idea we may see it at a future event!
Wow, so busy lately, thank you very much that emailed me to make sure everything is all right with me. Everything is fine. Just a bit busy lately. I came back to my email to find almost 50 submission! with so many I am splitting the postings over two days or so. Half are being posted today, in the order they were received.
21 New images today!
In the fanart section we two new co-op pieces, that were sent in a while back. I had to be sure to get approval from the artists before posting them. Please be sure that you try to get the artists approval before sending in co-op work. Post under their work or send me a note to contact them for you. I'm happy to do so. Anyways, on with the update. The first of the two pieces is Avani's Mithra sketch, colored by C-D. Next is an HNB piece colored by Galat. We also have new work from Avani, Binjovi, Khelekdae, Deima, Yin, Ikari, Artemisio (aka Aretha), Merodi, Knightrunner, and Karla. Then in the comic section we have 4 submissions. From Aenkelle, Shibby, Knightrunner, and diane. Great work everyone!
Vana'diel Tribune II No.04 Edition has been released! Print News | Mail News Vana'diel Tribune II No.04 Edition has been released!
The contents of the No.04 edition are as follows:
-The Mythril Musketeers
-There, Yet Not There
-The Night Before Valentione's Day
-Vana'diel Profiles Marelinne R d'Oraguille -The Sentinel Queen
-The Mog House Next Door #2 The Flawless Layout
-To Each Their Own
The Vana'diel Tribune II can be accessed from the following:
- From Extras in PlayOnline Viewer
- FINAL FANTASY XI Compendium
- From inside your Mog House in FINAL FANTASY XI
Or you can check the new Vana'diel Tribute out right here.
