Draco: Frick me with a broadsword, I HATE summer. Had to uninstall an air conditioner due to some smoky circumstances, and the one I've got left is not pulling its weight. And here I thought September was late enough that things would be cooling off already.

I've been playing Final Fantasy XIV somewhat consistently the past couple months, though more often than not I'm just stopping by for some daily and weekly activities. As I've mentioned previously, I'm wont to get "annoyed by the most random shit" in any game I play, and so I've nitpicked a whole bunch of small, insignificant changes that wouldn't have any meaningful effect on anyone who plays the game like a sane person.

But one of those got me on a #WikiWalk and led me to the conclusion that there is at least one big thing that I take issue with. Raubahn Aldynn carries a pair of swords, has this big scene of striking down a jackass with them, and then has his arm cut off. And four expansions later, we still don't have a job with two proper swords; the closest thing is Rogue/Ninja, which very pointedly uses small blades that don't catch on things. (I know we don't have a two-pistol job either, but Merlwyb fights like a Machinist when she actually appears in combat, WITHOUT being physically incapable of using both pistols, so I can chalk that up to the New York Reload.)

PRE-SUBMIT EDIT EDIT: I wrote quests all the way to post-Shadowbringers and was in the middle of fine-tuning them to finally post when we got a full reveal for Viper. I know we technically have a two-sword job, now; you don't need to tell me. END PRE-SUBMIT EDIT

So, naturally, the fanfic author in me gets to thinking - if there were a two-sword job, what sort of job might it be? And I noticed that, during the Coliseum flashback in post-Stormblood, Raubahn does wear two swords, but he also carries a shield into the bloodsands in proper Gladiator style.

Well, hey, we've got precedent for a base class that branches into two jobs; whose to say we couldn't have had another, if the fates had turned the right way?

I am not cocky enough to write the Warrior of Light in my fanfic as an Au Ra Xaela with horizontal horns named Draconai Auracto. Nor will I be taking the Meteor Survivor from the cinematic trailers and pulling any bullshit stunts like calling him 'Derplander', insisting that it's Ardbert, or inserting a two-word descriptive noun like 'Meteor Survivor' into the forename-surname slots and expecting anyone to take the dialogue seriously. There is an unused CG model (with the same quality as is used for the cinematic trailers) of a female Hyur Midlander, fair but not pale with black hair. I am fond of this woman, and so she will be my protagonist for this, under the name 'Ayleth Goode'. Let's see if I remember how to get a link into a chapter on FFN without it getting noped out...

static*.*wikia*.*nocookie*.*net*/*finalfantasy*/*images*/*d*/*db*/*HyurF*.*png*/*revision*/*latest*?*cb*=*20100904013251

Final Fantasy and all related properties © Square Enix

Lv. 30: To Be a Champion

As Ayleth stepped into the Gladiator's Guild in Ul'dah, she was concerned to find Mylla looking very tense. She noticed the adventurer's arrival, turning to her abruptly. "Ayleth! Gods, your timing is incredible. We could really use an extra arm." At Ayleth's inquisitive look, the guildmaster explained; "There are reports of Ixal arriving in Eastern Thanalan. Seems they got into a skirmish with Gridanian forces and had the good sense to flee. Normally, beastman activity would fall under the purview of the Flames. But they're spread too thin dealing with the Amalj'aa to try and attend to Ixali immigrants, so they've enlisted the help of the guilds. Can we count on you?"

Ayleth nodded, pounding one fist into her other palm.

"Thank you," Mylla praised. "The birdmen were last seen in Drybone. We'll meet you there."

QUEST ACCEPTED

+x+x+x+

The gladiators did indeed find a flock of Ixal in Drybone... but they weren't alone.

There was someone already clashing with the beastmen when they arrived - a Midlander man in scale mail of a deep, dark black. He was carrying a sword in either hand, and as an Ixali conjurer fell to the ground, his attention was drawn to the approaching gladiators. "Who...?"

"We're from Ul'dah," Mylla proclaimed. "We're here to deal with the Ixal!"

The man in scale narrowed his eyes at the group, but an approaching squawk turned his attention back to the battle, and he crossed his blades to stop the descending axe. Ayleth quickly charged forward, swinging her blade to strike the Ixal down as the rest of the flock made to attack, having noticed the gladiators' invation. Mylla braced her shield to meet a birdman's sword, and with a scoff, the man readied his blades. "Very well, then."

Ayleth couldn't help but notice that the dual-wielding swordsman was fighting like a man possessed. His swordsmanship bore some superficial resemblance to the gladitorial techniques she had been taught at the guild, but the use of a second sword rather than a shield meant that his body was moving far faster to implement the additional blade; his motions were more vicious, more relentless, than the defensive tactics she knew so well. It made quick work of the Ixal, and before long, he and the guild stood amidst a scattered field of fallen birdmen and weapons.

Once the last bird fell, Mylla took a moment to survey the battlefield before turning to the group. "The day is ours, gladiators!" Ayleth and her guildmates thrust their weapons into the air triumphant as the First Sword turned to the man in scale mail, who was facing away from the battlefield with his blades at his sides. "I suppose I should thank you, as well. If you hadn't fought them, I can only imagine who the Ixal might have turned their attention on instead."

"...Faster."

The man's utterance caught Mylla off-guard. "Pardon?"

"I need to be faster..." The man shook his head, turning to face the First Sword as he sheathed his blades at his sides. "Forgive me. Idle musings."

Mylla crossed her arms. "What is your name?"

"Zyaire," the man proclaimed; his skin was rather pale, his eyes were a very dark blue, and he had a head of red hair that seemed to spike out and downward from a point over his left temple. The sword in his right hand was of a dark blue steel, and was single-edged despite its straight blade, with several jewels set into the back edge; the weapon in his left hand seemed to have a golden sheen to its metal, and was double-edged with several patterns engraved into its surface. "The gladiators of the Ul'dahn guild, I presume?"

"What of it?" Mylla demanded.

"All this time, I thought a gladiator was a defender," Zyaire mused, "his victories earned with endurance rather than aggression. But you..." His attention turned to Ayleth. "You charge into battle to meet your foe, rather than let your foe come to you. You might have the potential to be something more than..."

Ayleth angled her head to one side, not understanding.

Mylla stepped forward. "Excuse me?"

Zyaire turned away. "Forgive me. You'll be wanting to bring word back to Ul'dah that the birds are dealt with. I won't keep you." He turned to Ayleth. "When you're done, come meet me in Camp Bluefog. There's something I want to discuss with you."

He made to march away, leaving the gladiators standing upon the sands of Drybone. Ayleth heard her guildmates starting to talk between themselves, and as she approached Mylla, the First Sword seemed to be muttering under her breath. "Something 'more' than what? Is he...?" She turned to Ayleth when the adventurer neared. "Camp Bluefog, he said? That would be in northern Thanalan, if you've a mind to entertain his request. Don't worry about the report - we won't need everyone." She turned back to the assembled gladiators. "Let's head back!"

The guild started back towards Ul'dah, leaving Ayleth to contemplate her options.

+x+x+x+

Ultimately, she did decide to pay Zyaire a visit. Northern Thanalan was a dangerous environment, but Camp Bluefog was directly on the other side of a tunnel leading from Black Brush, and the monster who would wander into such a bustling settlement was rare. Zyaire was standing near the edge of the camp, with a bag sitting at his feet, and seemed to be inspecting his blade; as Ayleth approached, he sheathed the weapon and turned to face her.

"Glad to see you," he praised. "I was hoping you'd be willing to hear me out." His gaze fell. "I have a confession to make. Those Ixal in Drybone - I wasn't fighting them to try and keep them away from people. I was in Eastern Thanalan trying to get stronger." He raised a hand before himself. "The problem is, I'm reaching the limits of how strong I can get on my own. I was starting to think I'd never be able to go further than this. But then you show up, and prove that you're willing to act instead of react."

He turned his attention back to Ayleth. "Would you be willing to serve as my partner, so that we can grow stronger together? Lest you worry, I don't offer this just for my own benefit. I would teach you the style of swordsmanship I use - the art of champions." He drew one sword again, angling it before him. "As a gladiator, you've surely been offered the chance to fight on the bloodsands, yes? And if your opponents expect a guild graduate to win through endurance, you'd get a good few malms out of going on the offensive."

Zyaire sheathed the blade again. "What say you, Ayleth? If you'll make a survivor out of me, I'll gladly make a champion out of you."

After a moment, Ayleth nodded to agree.

"You have my thanks." Zyaire reached into his pocket to draw something out. "Here, take this crystal. Many a champion has won his way to victory with a blade in each hand. Now you can learn from their legacy, just as I do." Then, after Ayleth accepted it, he reached into the bag at his feet, drawing out a sword. "And you'll want this, as well - a second sword."

Ayleth accepted the weapon in her left hand, holding it before her in curiosity.

"Let it be a constant reminder that you are not a defender," Zyaire advised. "Using two blades means you need to move faster and freer than you would with a shield. Heavy plate will only hinder you; you'll want to wear lighter armour that doesn't restrict you as much." He nodded. "Take some time to get used to the differences, hone yourself a bit while you carry on as an adventurer. Make sure you're comfortable on the offensive. Then come find me when you're ready for more."

QUEST COMPLETE
Champion Unlocked

The next champion quest will be available from Zyaire upon reaching Level 35.

You obtain the Soul of the Champion.

You obtain a steel shortblade.

Draco: ...I feel like I can't properly describe the hairstyle I'm envisioning Zyaire with. I put his design together from a fresh character; his hairstyle is row seven, fourth option from the left. (Midlander options; Highlanders have a different selection, I know this from experience.)

To anyone who's been looking for me on Brynhildr after my previous mentions of FFXIV gameplay; I'm sorry, I've since moved to Maduin. Got a place at Empyreum with some friends of mine - Ward 3, Plot 1. Made a Free Company for people who have actually trained at the Hall of the Novice and understand that no, there isn't anything wrong with fighting one group of enemies at a time.

I am not going to claim to be great at character design, and I'm sure that if this were actually a questline, things would be much more descriptive than I've written them to be. But, I'm doing the best I can with the skills I have.

Naming the two-sword Gladiator promotion 'Champion' in reference to Raubahn's assigned job in Duty Support at Ala Mhigo. While I will admit that there is a lot of use of the word 'champion' in the existing dialogue throughout FFXIV - most notably, the player being referred to as a 'Champion of Eorzea' - so too is there plenty of use of the word 'warrior' that doesn't refer to the Warrior job - most notably the title of 'Warrior of Light'.

I observe that a Scholar's Arm is a separate weapon type, but many an Arcanist's Grimoire up to Level 50 can be used by both Summoners and Scholars. In the same vein, I imagine a Champion's Primary Arm would be a separate weapon type, but many Gladiator's Arms could be used by both Paladins and Champions. Yes, Primary Arm; a two-sword Champion would have a Champion's Secondary Arm in the Off Hand slot instead of having two weapons in the Main Hand slot. That being said, like the existing Gladiator, Conjurer, and Thaumaturge, the only one you need for combat is the Primary Arm; I don't know if I'd say the Secondary Arm is optional, given that you need a Gladiator's Arm + Shield in order for it to count for the item level, but you can perform most weaponskills with just the one.

Going back to the Scholar parallels, I observe that the basic core of a Scholar's moveset uses some of the same actions as the Arcanist moveset - Ruin, Physick, Resurrection, and (formerly) Bio - but with some revised effects and potencies (i.e. ACN!Ruin has a potency of 240 and directly upgrades to Ruin II, but SCH!Ruin has a potency of 150 and Ruin II is a separate action slot). In the same vein, I imagine that the core of a Champion's moveset would use some of the same actions as the Gladiator moveset - probably Fast Blade, Riot Blade, Rage of Halone, and Total Eclipse - but with different potencies, maybe revised animations if you have a second sword equipped. Beyond that, the most detailed thing I'm going to say about the action list is that I think we could get away with a defense-boost buff at a relatively low level; when a game is constantly updating and being rebalanced, I am not qualified to make detailed comments about what the gameplay of an imaginary class should be like.

I think a Champion would wear armor of Maiming, which gets a mention in Zyaire's end-of-quest dialogue. Scholar didn't get the armor differences specified, but I'd say that's mostly because pre-Lv50 gear doesn't sort properly; armor is sifted into "Fending", "dual-purpose Fending/Maiming", "Disciple of War", and "Disciple of Magic" (and armor in that last set can be worn by anyone if it doesn't come from a dungeon or the Hall of the Novice). Scholars don't need to worry about getting different armour than they had as Arcanists until after they're finished the job quests, but Champions might discover that their Gladiator armour doesn't fit anymore, depending on which suit they were wearing.

Finally... prior to the release of Stormblood, Arcanist promoted directly to Summoner as a DPS, but changing to Scholar required levels in Conjurer (a separate healer class) first. With Gladiator promoting directly to Paladin as a tank, I imagine Champion would have similarly required a few levels in a separate DPS class.

PRE-SUBMIT EDIT: With all of my gameplay ramble, I feel like the existence of the Champion job wouldn't necessarily have resulted in the non-existence of the Viper job. Viper looks more like "Zidane's thief swords" than a proper daisho. And hey: the only way you can tell if a given staff is a Thaumaturge's Arm or a Conjurer's Arm pretty much boils down to "how is it held in battle" - and G'raha uses the same staff as BOTH. Two jobs that both use 'two swords' wouldn't be unrealistic.

I will be posting new chapters of this work daily... assuming I don't frick up and forget my own update rate again. END PRE-SUBMIT EDIT