Written Story Fan Teen FFXIV: Gunbreaker

[OrdoSkirata]

So if you hang around the Discord servers, you may or may not have noticed the incredible amount of time I have been pumping into Final Fantasy XIV lately. The game has me hooked, and I thought what better way to both appreciate the experience and kick my writing muscles back into gear than by story-ifying my character and her experience.

The gist: I started as a Marauder/Warrior (tank class) and as soon as I was able to in-game I picked up Gunbreaker. Who doesn't love gunblades? And now that I'm nearly done with the second of the three expansions that have been released so far, I'm slowing down to write out the main story as if I had started with that class. There is a LOT, and if this project is seen through to completion it will be a saga of epic proportions due to the sheer amount of content - I'm likely to hit 300+ hours of gameplay just running through the story with the odd leveling distraction. Also, a warning:

If you haven't played Final Fantasy XIV before, be warned: This is heavy spoiler territory. If you have any desire to play this game in the future, now's your chance to leave and not have every facet of the main plot spoiled for you while you read.

That said, the prelude is definitely Not Spoilers, just a fun setup that grabbed my brain and wouldn't let go of it. So give that a go instead.

Spoiler: Table of Contents

Prelude (this post!)

Spoiler: Part 1: The Seventh Umbral Era

Spoiler: Act 1

Chapter 1: Entering Eorzea
Chapter 2: Limsa Lominsa

This mess will look neater much later, once there are more parts/acts.

Remember when I said there was a LOT? yeah, that's why it's structured that way in the table of contents. You were warned.

Alright, enough rambling. I present to you...

FFXIV: Gunbreaker
​

Spoiler: Prelude

“Oh, honey...” Mom was right to be concerned about me. I looked as bad as I felt; feverish and coughing and generally having a miserable time, shivering under my three layers of blankets. The storm outside normally would have soothed me, but I was fighting my illness with more than I had in me, and the pounding of the wind and rain against the window only served to make my head hurt.


“Mmhh” I tried, but the words I wanted to use wouldn’t leave my lips. Nor would the breath I was trying to take enter without a fight with my lungs, and a new wave of hacking overtook me, forcing me to double over in pain.

“No, don’t try to speak. Let me get you some tea and medicine, I’ll be right back, ok? Focus on breathing.” She walked out of the room as fast as she dared without running, trying not to worry me over her worry for me, but I knew better.

The wind started to slow down, leaving the gentler pitter-patter sound of raindrops hitting glass to calm me down from my latest coughing fit. The rasping of my breath contrasts with it in a strangely relaxing manner, and soon I’m lying back on my pillows and stuffed animals, drawing shaky breath after shaky breath.

Mom is soon back with tea and that nasty purple liquid that she says will help but only makes me cough more after I take it. She makes me take it anyway, and then gives me the tea. The smell of chamomile and lemon forces its way up my nostrils and opens my lungs up to the idea of letting air in freely again.

“There, is that better?” She’s at the foot of my bed, right in my line of sight, holding a familiar book in her hands while I try to sip my hot drink.

“Uh-huh” I squeeze out, forcing the rising wave of coughing to stay put and not come out. It doesn’t work, and the cough that forces itself out is more of a bark, and it startles us both. It’s only her quick steadying of my cup that keeps me from dropping the boiling leaf juice all over my bed.

“Need anything else?” Her eyes are shining with concern for me, and she still hasn’t let go of the cup. There’s ice against my hands, but it’s only her’s, and I shiver again.

She releases her grip after she’s sure I won’t double over again, and moves like she’s about to leave. “Sto...ry...?” My one word is slow, released between shivers and hard-won breaths that leave me spinning motionlessly.

“I have a few, do you want one in particular?” She moves to the book, one full of things she’s written for me and my brother, and starts thumbing through it.

I don’t trust myself to speak again, so I shake my head. The softness of my bed and the heat of the tea send warmth through me as she settles in to spin her tale.

“Once upon a time, there was a young adventurer. She had little to her name, but would one day bring about great change in a far off realm. But before she could, the realm had to find her, and she the realm. This is her story; are you ready?”

Spoiler: Author Note

First, a shout-out to @littlebattler for being my beta for this and the following chapter. I haven't written properly in ages so their input was much appreciated for keeping my self-doubt at bay.

Second, I was heavily inspired by both The Princess Bride and my own experiences with things like walking pneumonia as a kid while I was writing this. I hope I did it justice. This little scene will probably reappear in between acts or parts, I'm not sure yet. The real story starts soon :)

 

[Zephyr_Iphis]

I loved the piece of this you put up on discord, and I'm so glad I came to read the rest! This made me think of The Princess Bride before I got to your author's note, which can only be a positive since that book/film is a masterpiece. But as well as drawing warm feelings from the similarities, it also draws quite a contrast with how much more seriously ill this child is ;-;. It's much harder to lie to kids than people like to think it is. And suffering like this is hard for them to bear, since their experience of time is so much shorter and their frame of reference limited. Which is all to say that this was very evocative, and you absolutely did it justice. I really want to hear this story!

 

[OrdoSkirata]

Spoiler: Reply!

@Zephyr_Iphis AAAAAA yay I was a tad worried the obvious reference wouldn't come across, v glad you caught it ^^ I hope I do the rest of this story justice.... FFXIV's initial release is a challenge to write and it'll show that throughout this first act. But don't worry, there will be more of the little one sprinkled throughout :)

Part 1: Seventh Umbral Era

Act 1: Beginnings​

Spoiler: Chapter 1: Entering Eorzea

The swaying of the ship was enough to make Besany want to drift off again, despite the whirling thoughts rattling around in her brain. That last dream was far too vivid in her mind’s eye to have really been a dream... Who even was that robed man in black? And the crystal. It gave her a blade of light and she had-

“Aye, lass, yer awake!” The red-garbed merchant’s interjection shook her out of her thoughts and blasted away the remaining cobwebs. “Seems ye were having quite the dream! ‘Hear, feel, think,’ was it?”

Besany nodded. “It wasn’t much of a dream. Ended too quickly...”

The merchant nodded knowingly, taking another pull from his drink. “Aye, they all do. What brings ye out here to Eorzea?”

Besany had to ponder that for a moment. “I suppose I’m here for the adventure of it. I don’t have much left to my name.”

“Ye’ve got that fancy weapon strapped ta yer back, that’s a good start. Not often that you see a Miqo’te wi’ one o them.”

Besany reached over her shoulder to the hilt of her gunblade with a nod, though she couldn’t keep her tail from flicking with annoyance. The story behind that weapon was not one she would like to recall anytime soon.

The merchant could clearly see it in her eyes, and decided not to press further. “‘Least yer better comp’ny than these two here.” Besany followed his nonchalant motion to the two young Elezen next to him, both motionless save for the gentle rocking of the ship. Neither one met her gaze, instead staring out at the seaside through the window next to her.

“I... suppose.” Friendly or not, she had to be wary of strangers.

“Ah, where’re my manners? Name’s Brennan! Merchant by trade. I assume by yer adventurin’ gear that you’ll be lookin to make yer fortunes at our destination?”

“Besany, a pleasure. And yes, of a sort.” If she was going to be stuck here with this man, she decided making friends was going to be better than dodging all the probing questions.

“First time in Limsa, then?”

Besany nodded. Gridania was familiar to her, but after being called back on the adventure that ended her allegiance to Gunnhildr, she had decided that starting anew somewhere else was for the best. There was still quite a bit of hostility towards her from the local watch for that.

None of this, of course, was Brennan’s business.

“Ah, ye’ll love it. It might be full o’ former pirates, but don’ let that stop ye from doin yer best to make friends there.”

Whatever the man was going to say next was cut short by a loud “boom” from below them. Moments later, a sailor burst into the cabin. “Take cover, it’s pirates! Stay down an’ let the cap’n handle this.”

The following minutes stretched on like years. Besany longed to go above decks and help, but she knew she would be no use unless they were boarded. Brennan, to his credit, looked unshaken. “Aye, this’d be why I chose this particular captain; he’s got a real knack for outrunnin when he’s outgunned, which is oft’n.”

Sure enough, the sounds of battle faded away. Besany chanced a peek out the window only to see the vessel fading into the horizon behind them, evidently giving up the chase. “Seems you were right, Brennan.”

The rest of the trip passed without incident. Brennan went on to explain to her the hierarchy of the city, both physical and social. “Ye’ve got yer Yellowjackets keepin’ the peace, the guilds bringin’ business in ‘n’ out, an’ Limsa’s Admiral Merlwyb herself runnin the show above it all - literally. Her office is at the top o the city, and the view’s spectacular, so I’m told. If’n ye make it big, you’ll likely get to see fer yerself.”

After some more conversation about the various guilds and who all runs them, Besany took her leave and went asking about a space for her to train with her weapon. The sailor she asked gave her a once-over, spied the gunblade, and shook his head. “No room for somethin with that thing’s reach, sorry lass. ‘Sides, Limsa’s just over the horizon. We oughta be there within the next two bells.”

And sure enough, they were. Once they had docked, Brennan saw her off with one last word of advice: “If ye wanna get to know people, go talk to Baderon. There’s none else with the connections he’s got, and ye’d do well to get on ‘is good side. Now off with ye, lass, and if ye run into me again, I expect all sorts o tales from ye!”

“I’m sure I’ll have plenty. Farewell, Brennan!” She watched him for a moment, wondering at this strange man who dumped information in her lap with nothing but a smile and a drink or two. Maybe this time would indeed be different.

Spoiler: Author's Notes

For starters, the most massive of shoutouts to @littlebattler for being my beta reader. Seriously, this would not have made it to the posting stage without them.

I chose Limsa Lominsa as the starting city for this story for a reason: in the gameplay, I started as a Marauder, the tank that calls Limsa home. Gunbreaker is a lategame class unlock, level 60, and that quest starts in Gridania, which is why the reference there.

No, I don't have a schedule for this. Life won't let me T_T so chapter 2 will get here when it gets here. *salutes*

 

[OrdoSkirata]

Spoiler: Chapter 2: Limsa Lominsa

The city towered over the docks in a way that should be impossible. The lower level sprawled around the cliffs that spiraled up to support the upper; roadways gave way to caves and back again without a care. It was haphazard, but for all the chaos there was a semblance of order to it all. There were several places with large crystal additions that indicated the use of magic to support the structures.

Besany took all this in with a cautious sigh, motionless but for her ears twitching this way and that to catch the sounds of the crowd around her. Dockworkers and merchants and many more besides crowded the plaza that stood between her and the lift that would take her to the upper levels of the city, each moving their wares from place to place in an impressive display of controlled chaos.

Her stillness amidst the hustle and bustle proved to be a mistake. Soon enough she was jostled this way and that by the mobs entering and departing the docks. To keep to her feet, she stumbled around, trying her hardest to dodge the many crates and departing seamen. Her path led her straight into one of the Yellowjackets that lined the area, keeping watch. “Ho, lass! Careful there. Best not stand still ‘round here, you’re like to get trampled.”

The Roegadyn guard propped her up by an arm, keeping her from going all the way underfoot. “Ah, thanks,” she said, dusting herself off and checking that her weapon was still secure. “I don’t suppose you could point me to Baderon, could you?”

“Ha! Lookin to get set up with the ‘venturer’s guild? He’ll be at the Drownin’ Wench behind the bar. Head on through past the Aetheryte Plaza up ahead and talk to the lift-master, he’ll get ye there.”

“Thanks. I’ll be going then.” The man towered over her modest height, and it put fear into her eyes. She did her best to hide it and scurry past him, staying close to the railing between her and the water below for guidance.

“An’ don’t be shy ‘round us Yellowjackets! We don’t bite, ‘nless yer up to somethin illegal,” he called as she left. She only shook her head, leaving the man to chuckle a little too loudly behind her.

For each person occupying the docks, there seemed to be three around the Aetheryte Plaza. The giant blue crystal hummed with energy as people vanished and appeared around it, teleporting to and from other places they’d been. The space was so thick with other adventurers that even approaching the dais that raised the crystal over the crowd was an insurmountable challenge. She tried her hardest to press through and attune to it to return later, but it was a losing battle.

Defeated, she pressed on towards the lifts, situated in the middle of a cavern dug through one of the smaller cliffs. After confirming her destination with the lift-master on duty, she stepped out into the Drowned Wench. The tavern was less populated than the lower levels but no less noisy, with all sorts of adventuring types huddled around tables with their drinks lost in conversation. Some were bemoaning recent failures, while still others celebrated joyously over their victories. Besany was only somewhat surprised to see several Miqo’te in the mix; her people were no longer the solitary nomads they once were.

Baderon was, indeed, behind the bar, cleaning a glass and giving two young-looking adventurers a long talk. Both were handed a set of papers, and soon enough he sent them on their way. Turning to her, he smiled warmly. “An’ what can I do for you, lass?”

“Sign me up with your Adventurer’s Guild.” She wanted nothing more than to spend some of her remaining gil on an inn and rest for the remaining daylight hours, but knew that if she was to begin earning her fortunes she needed to waste no time.

Baderon gave her an appraising look. “Aye, I suppose yer better than most of the riffraff that come tryin ta join. Yer weapon’s a damn sight rarer than most that come by, and yer armor looks solid enough.”

“What of it?” Her expression said “don’t answer that with a question.”

“Ah, nothin’. Jus’ rare is all. If ye wanna sign up with the ‘venturer’s guild, just sign yer name in... ah, here.” The book he pulled out from behind his bar was thick and well-worn, covered in scrawls from all sorts of hands as he shuffled through it, hunting for a blank space.

Once he found one, he flipped the book around to present it to her, along with a quill-pen. After she had signed, he pulled it back and gave it a look. “Besany, eh? No last name?”

“None for you, though if you really have to have it I’ll put it down.”

“Nah, yer registration is valid so long as I know who ya are. From the hesitance I noticed when ye were steppin off the lift, this is yer firs’ time here. Got a spare minute for some advice?”

Besany nodded. That inn room was looking more enticing by the minute, but she stayed for the value of advice from a respected figure.

“Well, first thing’s first: if you haven’t already, go attune to Limsa’s Aetheryte below. It’ll save ye plenty of time goin from out there to here when yer takin on jobs.” This, Besany knew well, though she had a mind to do that when the crowds were less oppressive.

“Second, get acquainted wi’ the markets on either side o’ that plaza. Nothin’ like a good merchant’s eye to get ye equipped with whatever ye need, though ye might find better gear if ye use the market boards, assumin’ ye don’t mind the wait.” Money, naturally, being the only problem. Now to hunt for a solution...

“Finally, you might want to give the Yellowjacket barracks a visit. They’ve plenty of odd jobs that need doin by Adventurers like yerself. Well paid, naturally.” And there was her solution.

“They wouldn’t happen to be on this level, would they?” Now aimed at her goal, there was nothing else she wanted.

“Aye, they would be. They share space with the Marauders up at the north of the city. Say, if yer headed that way, mind droppin this off with Guildmaster Wyrnzoen? Man’s got a healthy appetite, but sometimes ‘e forgets his gear when he really shouldn’t.”

Besany accepted the oddly shaped package from him, amusement cracking her features ever so slightly. “Oh alright. It’s as good a way as any to get to meet him.”

“Off ye go, then! And if ye ever find yerself needing a hand or some advice, I’ll be right here waitin’.”

Rest would have to wait, there was mail to be delivered. North took a few tries to get right, but soon enough Besany was on her way out of the Drowning Wench and on to the Marauder’s Guild. After leaving the package and her name with the front worker and announcing her intent, they showed her to a man elbow deep in paperwork.

“Hi, I’m here for-”

“Yes, yes, adventurer in need and all. I believe our Summerford Farms post needs the assistance the most. Here’s a map to it. Go on, I’m very busy.”

Besany accepted the offered map and started to try again, to at least get this man’s name, but he swiftly returned to his papers, and the aide behind him ushered her off towards the entrance with an apologetic look. “Sorry lass, Reyner’s been swamped with all these reports o’ kidnappin’s. Barely has time to ‘imself anymore. Ye’ll understand better when ye get to Summerford like he asked.”

Besany nodded along with her explanation, and decided that her instinct to sleep could wait. Kidnappings were more urgent than cat-napping. And so, after getting some directions from Baderon, she departed down the road to Summerford Farms towards her first adventure.

Spoiler: Author's Notes

Ah, man, I can't wait to get to the expansions! So much easier to write...

Mad props to @littlebattler for being my beta reader <3

Like I mentioned last time, GNB is a class that unlocks at level 60, so showing up as "level 1" with the class will turn some heads. There's also the reference to the Warrior storyline by mentioning Wyrnzoen, the main contact for the first 30-40 levels of that class. I also seriously cut down on quest text from Reyner, who is the actual NPC you get sent to for the first quest outside the city.

And for the next chapter, a lot more cuts!

 

[OrdoSkirata]

Spoiler: Chapter 3: Summerford

Besany did not expect an Aetheryte all the way out here, but after some thought it made sense. Summerford Farms were the largest source of agriculture for the city proper. The massive crystal hovered behind the main farmhouse, sitting on a hill overlooking the rest of the farmland. It was orbited by a number of smaller crystals, each the same hue as the largest. Before she could reach it to attune a Roegadyn in some farmer’s gear stopped her. “Aye, you look like you’re dressed for a fight. Good.”

This startled her. “Uh... hi? I was sent here by... well, he didn’t give me his name. Said there was a Yellowjacket post here that needed a hand?”

“Aye, that’d be us. Though them Yellowjackets ain’t been here in days. ‘S why we called for an adventurer or two to lend a hand.”

“Well, how can I help? I read about the kidnappings, but I hope you’ve got more info than this thing.” Besany had read the briefing on the way over, but preferred to hear it from the person that wrote it as well.

The man’s face darkened. “Aye, they’ve got me men spooked. Tha Yellowjackets went after the missin’ folks, but I wanna send you after the kidnappers themselves. Blue tattooed blokes, real mean-lookin, but I couldn’t tell from the distance I was at which band o’ brigands they fell in with.”

“Sure, I can do that. Got a place for me to start at?”

“Aye, that I do. If the reports are to be believed, they’re holed up in the Seasong Grotto not half a malm north of here. If ye find anythin’ of interest, be sure to let me know. But be on yer guard; if they are the ones doin the snatchin you’ll want to get away clean so’s the authorities can come back for em later.”

“Alright. I’ll take a look and get back to you.” Besany only stopped to get connected to the Aetheryte before she headed north to investigate.

A short walk back towards the city later, she arrived at the Seasong Grotto. The grotto was a ten minute jaunt off the main path, though “grotto” was a poor name for the place, which was more of a small cave or cavern. The entrance was flanked by forest, but inside was dark and damp, save for a few lanterns hung in the walls. The center of the space carried a large stone with an inscription. There were certainly no kidnappers in the immediate vicinity, nor evidence of them.
After a cautious look deeper into the grotto, Besany returned to the centerpiece of the entrance, satisfied that there was no one else here, and read the inscription.

I am the waves that bear. I am the winds that guide. I am the evening stars.

“...I am the morning sky. I am born of the sea. And there shall I die.” The voice from behind her was soft, but carried an air of knowledge with it. Besany whirled around to face a white-haired Miqo'te woman with a pair of strange-looking goggles over her eyes, raising a hand to her gunblade in the process. The lady had a small conjurer’s focus, a tree branch with crystals attached to the base, affixed to her waist, with pouches along the belt that appeared to be leaking herbs. To her credit, she stepped back and raised her hands on seeing Besany drop into a hostile stance. “No, I don’t think you’re the kidnappers I was after.”

“You don’t fit the description either, miss...” Besany kept her hand to her weapon, crouched and alert should this newcomer prove hostile.

“Y’shtola, at your service. I couldn’t help but notice your attention on the inscription, the Sailor’s Requiem. ‘Tis a litany against misfortune for those on the waves...” As she spoke, Y’shtola moved around Besany and towards the stone itself, as if drawn as a moth to a flame.
“...and a prayer that the souls of those who perish on land would find their way back to the sea. A wonderful image of how Limsa’s citizenry live their lives.”

“You say that as if you aren’t one of them.” Besany allowed her hand to fall to her side. Y’shtola was no threat, and may even turn out to be an ally.

“Oh, no, merely here to lend a hand. I thought myself on the trail of these kidnappers, but it seems we both missed our mark. But the aetheric disturbance-”

A roar interrupted Y’shtola’s thought. In the grotto’s entrance, a goobbue flailed around, clearly enraged. The hulking, moss-covered creature eventually stopped thrashing about with its spindly limbs and focused on the two women in the grotto. The monster laid bare an unnerving grin from its’ too-wide mouth and bellowed once more, stomping its feet and looking for all the world that it would like to swallow the both of them whole.

Anticipating the charging creature, Besany moved herself between it and Y’shtola. “I assume you have some experience with that twig?” she asked, readying her weapon in a defensive stance.

“Well, yes, but-” That was all that Besany needed to hear. As the goobbue began to move, so did she, lashing forward with her blade and drawing in the aether around her for a shield as they collided, steel on stone-flesh. Though the creature outweighed her and stood at nearly three times her height, the shimmering barrier between them held, and for a moment they stayed there, locked together.

“...not a twig! Tis a caster’s focus!” Y’shtola began her spell, launching rocks from the walls into the creature’s face as Besany dodged backwards, already preparing her next strike. Magic talent may not have been her gift, but she knew enough about aetheric manipulation to power a gunblade, already giving her an advantage over most fighters. The cartridge in her weapon charged audibly, ready to release an explosive strike at the touch of the trigger.

After Y’shtola’s second volley landed, the goobbue was disoriented, spitting its acid blindly. Besany watched, and when it subsided, leapt as high as she could, bringing the gunblade down in an arc into the beast’s eye. The blade sank in about half of its length, and when Besany pulled the trigger there was a muffled “boom” that brought the creature to its knees and dislodged her weapon. The motion sent the two flying apart, and when the dust settled only Besany remained standing.

For a moment, the grotto lay as still as the now-dead goobbue. Then the pent up breaths were released, and the relief in the air was as heavy as the morning fog. While Besany recovered, Y’shtola moved to examine the dead goobbue for a reason as to why it began rampaging.

After catching her breath, Besany looked around the grotto. For the wildness of the beast’s attacks, the cave itself was none the worse for wear. The carving of the Sailor’s Requiem, on the other hand, would need a good cleaning before it would be legible again.

A blue sparkle caught Besany’s eye behind the stone as she looked it over. It was a gemstone of some kind, and it hummed with aetheric power, visible even to her untrained sense for the stuff. Curiosity got the better of her, and she picked it up without a word to her new companion, staring into it.

The crystal seemed to stare back, and her world went white.

Spoiler: Author's Notes

It's been too long since I actually wrote this, but I love the ability to better characterize Y'shtola and the rest of the Scions. That, plus giving the mc an actual personality beyond "here to hit things" is going to make this a much more enjoyable experience.

Now that I'm past the block that kept me from putting out more, there should be more coming soon! :D

aaaand a belated thank you to littlebattler for doing the beta for this like 6 months ago. ❤️