Let me first just breathe a sigh of relief and say finally. After a long tech support battle with Square Enix's team, I am finally able to log in and play this Massively Multiplayer Online Japanese Role Playing Game (MMOJRPG). After doing some research into the warlike jobs, I was a bit intimidated by the apparent complexity involved in performing under some of the more magically inclined jobs. In the end, I chose the gladiator because you can never go wrong with the sword and shield!
I had a lot of fun with the character creator, opting to base my player off of my real life pet cat. This cat-like race of humanoids are known as Miqo'te, of which I chose the nocturnal clan: the Keepers of the Moon.
So, apparently, the continent of Eorzea was devastated 5 years ago when the planet's lesser moon broke apart and its shards, along with the released primal Bahamut, rained down. Despite the devastation, the peoples of Eorzea have bounced back and are prospering again. But is all well?...
The game's artwork really lives up to the franchise.
I stumble into this new world beginning in the city-state of Ul'dah, which seems like an oasis amidst the vast desert.
This region actually reminds me of the Kingdom of Dalmasca from Final Fantasy XII! There are a lot of parallels with that game in general I think, which I obviously love.
One of the first things I did once I left the city walls was go on a rampage against the local fauna. It's not my fault the Thaumaturges' Guild (shoutout to 
It was nice to see some familiar faces.
After dabbling in the way of the gladiator for a while, I decided to pick up some hobbies. Botany seemed like a good one, but I could only learn that from a teacher in Gridania. That sounds far.
I tried to make it all the way there on foot but inevitably fell victim to some lowly magical creature. My first K'O; at least I don't have to go all the way back to get my stuff or anything. Lesson learned. Perhaps I'll take up weaving.
It turns out weaving isn't that hard. I got pretty good at it and even got the hang of creating some pretty high quality products. Well, as high quality as a cotton shirt can be, anyways. If only I knew some botany though, then I could gather the agricultural materials myself. Oh well. At least they're cheap.
After gaining some more skill, I upgraded to a spinning wheel. I also fashioned myself a new outfit, one that actually helps with the work I'm doing. This new outfit will also bear the damage from working. Better this one than the cute starting outfit, but at least now that I'm a weaver I can repair it and similar items. I made a lot of progress and even fulfilled several commisions. Oh, gosh golly I forgot to take off all my jewelry before all that work! Now they're all soiled. Unless I learn the art of goldsmithing I can say goodbye to all those bonuses when they break.
Once I fashioned my new jeweler outfit, I went straight to work. You learn a lot about a craft when you do its menial tasks for a while. I gained many a level cutting and grinding those gemstones like the Arkenstone you see there.
The little brick golem stands watch. Minions are useless.
I grew quite comfortable in the craft of goldsmithing. Now time to fix my copper earrings. Oh great, I have to buy the copper ore! Perhaps it would have been smarter to dabble in learning how to mine first.
Mining is much simpler and more laid back than the other professions. Yet it has become my favorite so far! All you need is a pick, a hammer, and the skill to prospect. This job really complements the goldsmith as well as the alchemists as I'm seeing lots of mineral reagents in the deposits I mine. I can't wait to discover more varied deposits of minerals and ores. Unfortantely, no one teaches the art of blacksmithing in Ul'dah so I'll have to travel abroad to learn that, though not any time soon.
Meanwhile I will practice mining. The guildmaster was pleased with my copper ingots, which is more than I can say for her minion. He looks cool but he literally called my work "utter trash".
I've seen his kind before. They're usually not very talkative. Lv50 don't mess with him!
Here are a few more people I ran into.
The one below cracked me up.
So do I love this game or what?
It's pretty great. I'm glad I finally got to experience it. The only thing lacking is some sort of bestiary where you can view enemies' stats, affinities, and drop rates. That would be cool but I guess I can find that information online too or maybe I haven't unlocked that feature yet. I'm still unlocking a lot as I go.
Well, I guess I better get back to it.
"I can hear its call."
P.S. I promise by next time I will have discovered photo mode.