The Chronicles of Latcarf

I do so much as an adventurer it's often hard to find the time to write about it in my journal here. No matter what I'm doing, I'm usually capturing some images of me doing it. I figured, since I often don't have time to write, but I always have images of my adventures, why don't I show those off?

So to that end I've started publishing:



Here you'll be able to see all the great things I've been doing lately, even if I don't have time to write about them. Please check it out and let me know what you think.

From my lack of journal entries lately, it might seem that I haven't been doing much. To the contrary, I've been very, very busy!

Of course, this time of year there's always alot going on. First off, the Moogles held the annual Starlight Celebration and I mostly certainly participated by donning my Dream outfit and handing out presents for the kiddies. I even participated in a Moogle event where we had to find specific adventurers and trade cards with them, among other treats, I got a pair of Dream Boots +1 to complete my Dream outfit. The boots are kind of nice actually, in that not only can they be used to cast Sneak, but they also enhance the sneak effect! I understand now why the Smilebringers are always able to get into the townsfolk's house with no disruption to the sleeping children.

After the fun and games were over, I spent some time in the Uleguerand Range honing my skills as a Beastmaster. I was even lucky enough to find another adventuring Beastmaster named Everquest with whom I teamed up to take on some of the nastiest hounds I've fought in my adventuring life.

After all of the effort, it seemed my innate Beastmaster abilities had gone as far as they would so I went back to Maat to ask for some more guidance. He sent me off on a quest that had me in the Orc's Monastic Cavern, the Quadav's Qulun Dome, and the Yagudo's Castle Oztroja. That was a bit of tough work but in the end, it helped me break some of my limitations.

After that, it was back to Beastmaster work. This time I ventured down into the Boyahda Tree in the Sanctuary of Zi'tah. It turns out that the rumors are true about this being the biggest tree in the sanctuary. As a matter of fact, there are hills, valleys, tunnels, rivers, waterfalls and many, many plants and animals down there. It really gave me quite an opportunity to hone my skills charming animals.

And, as if this all wasn't enough, I also had an opportunity to talk to the little fashion girl, Brygid in Bastok Markets who found me a nice piece of body armor called a Gaudy Harness. She didn't just hand it over though; she wanted to trade me for an Ophiuchus Subligar which was pretty tough to get. Eventually Sparkkplug and I were able to find one on a Fomor Beastmaster we defeated down in the Phomiuna Aqueducts. I can't say the Aqueducts were a bad experience though, it's not everyday you see the likes of a diremite!

Recently, there's been sightings all over Vana'diel of rodent-like (rat or mouse) creatures running around outdoors. Some have said the bear gifts and spells for those adventurers who talk to them and you know I'll need to find out if the rumors are true myself.

So, I have certainly been busy and that's my excuse for not writing in my journal lately. Unfortunately, it's also my excuse for not fishing or crafting very much lately either but that excuse will only hold out for so long. When my pocketbook runs dry, I'll need to start some more fishing for profit. I can't neglect my job for too long without feeling the impact!

After much deliberation, I decided to investigate the Cavernous Maws I, and others, had seen literally popping up all over the Quon and Midartia continents. I re-entered the one I'd found in Batallia Downs and returned to the past again. There I met Sparkklug and an old friend named Wasper. Sparkk told me how Garlaige Citadel was a San d'Orian stronghold in the Great Crystal War of the past and that we should see if we could find more information there.

So, we set out through Sauromugue Champaign and eventually made it to Garlaige Citadel. Sparkk was right, the citadel was not the decrepit, ruin of a dungeon that I'd always known it to be. Instead it was a well fortified, well outfitted, headquarters of San d'Orian resistance against the Beastman onslaught. We searched around for a bit and eventually found Randecque, who said we should join up with the Knights of the Iron Ram as soon as possible and gave us red recommendation letters to take to the Captain of the Iron Rams: Mainchelite, in San d'Oria.

I decided to enter another fish ranking competition. This time the contest was for the smallest catch, and the fish was a giant donko - which is a pretty easy hook in Rabao with a frog lure. After spending a few days at that pleasant little pond, I'd caught what I thought was the itty, bittiest little donko I would find. I went straight to Selbina that day to drop my entry off at the Fishing Guild. When I entered my fish, Chenon designated it worth 321 points (the lower the better in this particular contest). I was confident it was a pretty good entry but I wasn't certain how good.

I stayed in Valkurm Dunes overnight watching the stars against the black backdrop of night, and awoke the next morning eager to find out the results. Just as I arrived at the Guild, Chenon was posting the results board. As I scanned down the list I found my name. I'd done much better this time around than last time, I'd come in 9th place.

As a reward, Chenon gave me 1000 gil and, of course, another Pelican Ring. Also, for being within the top ten I suspect, Chenon awarded me the title "Copper Hook." Maybe not is flashy as gold or silver hook, but it's a title I can be proud of!

My adventuring friend Tsuim Nhomango asked me if I'd help her work on her battle skills a little. She said she was interested in fighting some Tabar Beaks in Sauromugue Champaign and since I was traveling through there frequently lately on the way to Garlaige Citadel, I figured I'd take a little time to help her out. After all, she's fun to be around and a Mithra after all, so how could I say no?

With a Crab Familiar by my side, we had an easy time taking out many Tabar Beaks and Tsuim was able to practice her skills in the "Attacker Style" in relative safety. She stayed with me for most of the day and we focused completely on fighting Tabar Beaks. After we'd had three outings like this, her abilities seemed markedly improved. We were even able to chain our weapon skills together a few times. She says she's about level 33 now so it certainly seems she's been learning something.

I'm thinking that someday Tsuim might be strong enough to accompany me on some harder battles. Wouldn't that be cool!?