Osiria: Battle Blood.

Hippocerfs surrounded Osiria and the other adventurers. Great claws stirred up the desert dust as they encroached, circling her like prey, jaws snapping hungrily. She felt her blood surge with the thrill of battle as her breath quickened to meet each hasty step. Others around her cast spells of protection, and soon Osiria too was engulfed in the blue aura of safety. Although she was not raised a mage as those who fought beside her, with a quick bow she revealed her appreciation.

Once the battlewarden indicated their enemy, Osiria let her arrows fly. One after another, she barraged the great monsters with her ranged attack; then chased obediently after the battlewarden to discern their next target. Hippocerfs always attacked in packs of ten to twenty and they spent the better part of an afternoon following their slobber filled tracks.

The ragged band returned to Camp Horizon, all Hippocerfs defeated, as the great sun sank below the dunes. Covered in sweat, dirt and blood, Osiria slumped against a market stall. She cringed when yet another wave of sand whipped through her hair.

Osiria realized her chapped lips longed for the rejuvenating groves of Gridania. She missed the smell of lingering sawdust leftover from workdays at the Carpenter’s Guild and the moist scent of incense wafting across the ponds from the elusive Conjurer’s Guild. Most of all she missed Miounne’s stories and her own sense of belonging in that strange forest town.

And so, she set about commencing her return.

Waiting...

Since SE announced that after the Japan earthquake servers would be suspended, I have been waiting for them to come back online. I worry about my Figaro mates located in Japan. I miss talking to everyone online.

Last night, they announced service will be suspended until at least March 22nd.

So, until then... I will be waiting. Best wishes Japan.

FFXIV 1.16 Patch

FFXIV on Twitter:
abby_cake: Playing FFXIV right now is reminiscent of Big Land in Super Mario. I dislike the gigantic squirrels.
sramdi: @abby_cake You just scored a major +1 for the Big Land reference. xD

And I stand by my statement. What the hell is up with these gigantic marmots? It's like I am playing in 800x600. Take it back SE, or at least let us ride them...

Osiria: An Adventurer's Calling

Osiria had woken up that morning to the unpleasant grit of sand in her teeth. She spat and stretched, then hoofed it to the nearest stream. Her bag contained lavender soap and a mix of coral and mint, intended to clean the desert from her mouth.

The stream was about 300 yalms to the North, and upon arrival she realized she was not the only one with the idea for a morning dip. Several lady Lalafells had already ventured down from Camp Horizon; they were in their underthings splashing playfully in the shallow water. One sat on a rock, dangling her toes just above the waterline and mending several pairs of socks.

Osiria set her armor to one side and slowly lowered herself into the cool stream. It felt delicious against her skin, as though she hadn’t been truly energized for days. Once her head was submerged, she blew happy bubbles toward the rising sun.

It was strange to be around adventurers again after so many days on her own. Almost as strange as it was to be clean.

Her clothes were stiff and sun dried, but she donned them all the same and started back to camp.

The Battlewarden’s cry rang out across the flat landscape, echoing off plateaus: “Join up and explore the surrounding land! Fight the monsters threatening Ul’dah’s safety!”

Before she could give credible consideration to the suggestion, Osiria realized her feet were carrying her toward battle…