Vana'diel Holiday Journal

Disclaimer:

I do not own, nor have I ever owned, any of the characters featured in this fanfic other than Mort, who I play as on the Unicorn server of Final Fantasy XI. All other characters mentioned are property of Square-Enix or their respective players. All locations mentioned are property of Square-Enix. All creatures mentioned are property of Square-Enix. Similarly, all items and equipment mentioned are property of Square-Enix.

Windhurst. Famed the world over for it's peaceful society and beautiful scenery, Windhurst is the sole city of the Mindarta Continent.

Founded by the child-like Tarutaru, the city is home to possibly the best mages in Vana'diel. Early in it's history, Windhurst attracted the wandering tribes of Mithra, skilled cat-like hunters, to it's gates. The two species, Tarutaru and Mithra, now live side by side in a spirit of mutual co-operation and peace.

Taking his first steps in the world of Vana'diel, a young Taru named Mort enters the area known as Windhurst Woods through the Leviathan Gate, which leads to East Saurutabaruta.

The first resident to spot Mort as he enters the city is a Mithra, Nanaa Mihgo. Always the friendly helping hand, Nanaa approaches Mort and offers her services.

Gratefully accepting her generous offer, Mort soon learns about Windurst and the surrounding lands.

The city is surrounded by a large grassy plain known as Sarutabaruta. To the North West is a mountainous maze known as Giddeus. This is the home of the Yagudo, a bird-like species of Beastman. In recent years, representatives of Windhurst have been trying to establish a peace treaty with the Yagudo. To the North lies Tahrongi Canyon, a large, dusty plain in the mountains, and home to the Wild Dhamel, which, when tamed, are prized cattle for Windhurstians.

After Nana Mihgo finishes explaining this, she suddenly demands a "tutor fee." 1,000 gil. When Mort refuses to pay (his current balance being a measly 0 gil), Nanaa Mihgo begins to threaten the young Taru and advances on him.

Before she can carry out her threats, however, the Star Onion Brigade (S.O.B) comes to the rescue! Outnumbered, Nanaa Mihgo retreats, exclaiming "I would have gotten away with it, if it wasn't for you meddling kids!"

Shrugging off the encounter, Mort turned around and entered East Sarutabaruta to begin his quest.

Upon entering Sarutabaruta, the first thing Mort spotted was a Bumblebee. A quick check later, he decided that the bee should make a decent challenge for his first battle, so he drew his staff.

Adrenaline pounded through his veins at the thought of battle, and he wasted no time in casting his only spell, Stone, with a cry of "Eat dirt, Bumblebee!"

Angered by the rocks slamming into it's underside, the bee moved in for the attack, and Mort soon found himself fighting desperately with his staff, throwing in the occasional Stone spell to help turn the tide.

After a couple of minutes, it was all over. Exhausted, Mort sat down on the wet grass and rested, recovering both his physical energy and his mana, in preperation for the next battle.

Examining a nearby Tiny Mandragora revealed another decent challenge, so Mort, fully rested, stood up and moved in for the kill. The battle was just as furious as the last one, and Mort had to rest again afterwards.

And so it continued, the little Tarutaru fighting and resting, and fighting and resting, until he felt his power increase suddenly. More mana was flowing through him than ever before, and he soon realised he had just attained the phenomenon known as Level 2.

Mort continued to battle, the fights easier now than they were before, his experience and skill improving with each kill.

Eventually, however, things went wrong. One of the enemies, another Tiny Mandragora, used an ability called Photosynthesis, and began to regenerate it's health. Having already used, all of the available Mana energy, there was little Mort could do but hit the creature with his staff. The attacks were ineffective, and it soon became clear that he would die of he didn't do something quickly.

Abandoning all semblance of pride, Mort disengaged the creature and called for help, before turning tail to run.

Just before he reached town, a Galkan Warrior called Slansh drew his Rusty Great Sword and attacked the Tiny Mandragora, killing it in three powerful strokes.

Thanking the stranger profusely, Mort sat down and rested his weary self. Once rested, Mort stood and continued his battling, killing anything he thought he could take, whilst avoiding more difficult enemies such as Yagudo and Crawlers, until he hit Level 3.

At this point he went back to Windhurst, and made his way to the bustling Auction House, busy even in the dead of night, and the essential trading platform for all adventurers, the Auction House even had supplies for new, low level travelers like Mort.

First, Mort put two Pots of Honey, obtained from the Bumblebees, on auction for 150 gil each, before searching the magic scrolls section for black magics. Soon, he managed to obtain a Scroll of Blind for a paltry 40 gil. After teaching himself the magic, Mort did his trademark Tarutaru Panic Dance to celebrate, a favourite among adventurers the world over.

Next time on Vana'diel Holiday Journal;

What happens when a Mithran Samurai decides to show off her skills?

Can Mort survive the perils of the Horutoto Ruins for Star Sybil and Country?

What happens when a Tarutaru gets mugged by two Yagudo?

Stay tuned!