Chapter Text
Hydaelyn - a vibrant planet blessed by the light of the Crystal. Amid azure seas, encompassing the westernmost of the Three Great Continents there lies a realm embraced by gods and forged by hero's. Her name; Eorzea. The annals of Eorzean history chart the rise of a succession of great civilizations, each one enjoying an age of peace - the Astral Eras. To date, all have proven ephemeral. In the year 1572 of the Sixth and most recent Astral Era, the northern empire of Garlemald amassed a great army at the heart of Eorzea, seeking dominion over all. Rising in desperate resistance, the forces of the Eorzean Alliance met their would-be conqueror's in the field. Yet even as the battle rages, the lesser moon, Dalamud, was plucked from the heavens through imperial machination. From it's core emerged the elder primal Bahamut, who unleashed his fury upon the realm. The devastation brought Eorzea to it's knees, and the era to it's end. Five years have come and gone. The light of life still shines upon Eorzea. Man labours tirelessly to raise himself from the Calamity's ruin. The realm is forever changed, a stranger to him once more. Yet heedless of what lies ahead, he shall press on, spurred by the promise of peace and prosperity. Amid this period of great change, an adventurer arrives in Eorzea, one whose tale is yet unwritten. May he ever walk in the light of the Crystal.
Raedur Zynoger opened his eyes, shutting them a tad to adjust to the light peaking though the trees around him. Wood creaked underneath Raedur where he sat, the Chocobo carriage he was riding clearly was old, unlike himself. Raedur had just turned 19 years old, his blonde hair was now long past his shoulders and his eyes were as bright as the green shrubbery they were passing. Raedur had his future ahead of him and excitement traveling through his body as he stretched his arms out to fully wake his body up. "Ya'll right, lad?"
Raedur looked across the carriage to another passenger, his skin was tanned and his beard short, blonde and his voice was crackly. "You were moanin' somethin' fierce for a while there. Feelin' the effects of the aether, I reckon." The grizzled passenger smiled and continued talking. "You'll get used to it, though, don't worry." Sat beside the elderly man where two young children, possibly in their teenage summers. Both of them had white hair, tied up in a ribbon at the back, both of them looked to be sleeping soundly as their eyes where both shut tightly.
"You there - halt!" The carriage came to a halt as the two chocobo's pulling suddenly came to a stop. They made a loud squeak noise and flapped their wings in shock. "What's all this about?!" Yelled the carriage driver, his voice a lot deeper than his body portrayed. Being a Hyur, Raedur was much taller than the driver because of his race. Lalafell were known for their short appearance, but this one did seem rather crankier than usual, most likely due to this size difference.
Another chocobo appeared near the carriage, with a armoured Hyur sitting atop now holding his drawn sword to the carriage. "Inspection! Men, search the carriage!" More Hyur's started to search the boxes and bags placed near the back of the carriage, possibly looking for things to steal. The grizzled passenger held his hands up and became a little nervous. "I'm just an honest peddler, friend. So, er... don't be too disappointed if you don't find nothin', eh?"
"Mind your tongue, old man, lest I cut it out!" One inspector spat before pulling a small bag off the carriage and holding it towards his boss. "Sir, look! Somnus!" The Hyur turned to the grizzled passenger and laughed. "Honest peddler, was it? Since when do honest peddlers deal in prohibited herbs? You're in a lot of trouble, old man. You'll rot in a dungeon till the end of your days... unless you can afford the fine" The man sighed and started to stand up, suddenly jumping back into his seat, an arrow came whooshing next to him and pierced the carriage right by his foot. "GOD'S ABOVE!" He cried.
"IT'S THE IXALI!" The people who were inspecting them now turned heels, facing against what seemed to be large bird-men beasts that stood on two legs, however their wings were small and only on their elbows and their faces did not resemble birds in any way. Instead their beaks were filled with large teeth and they had two large horns pointing out of their heads. "Seven hells... consider this a warning! Now go - all of you!" The man riding the chocobo drew his sword and started charging towards the Ixali creatures. The carriage driver threw the chocobo leashes up and commanded them to run, to which they did. Almost knocking Raedur out of his seat.
After a long silent rushing drive, the driver slowed the chocobo's down to their normal speed. "Sorry about that my dears! I assure their will be no more interrupted stops on this ride!" The Lalafell brushed his hand through his hair and the elderly man laughed in this throat. "Haha, that kind of excitement ain't good for the heart." He reached into his bag and pulled out a large green bottle, then taking a long swig out of the bottle, before burping and wiping his lips clean. "Maybe now we're out of the ruckus you can keep an old man company? Them young'uns don't much care for conversation, see."
He nodded towards the two children before taking another sip of his bottle. Raedur looked at the two of them, their eyes were now open, still very much disinterested in the conversation taking place. Before Raedur could open his mouth he heard a loud honk noise, then again, and again, and again. He turned around to find the source of the annoying noise.
Two small furry creatures where flying near the carriage, one blowing a small horn. The creatures had white fur and small wings, a small button noise and an antenna with a large red pom-pom atop it. One of them spun around and started to flap his arms. "Feeling better, kupo?" The creature looked towards Raedur, he rubbed his eyes, still wondering if he was dreaming. "Aha! You CAN see us! I had a feeling you could, kupo! We're Moogles, and we live in this world!"
One of the creatures, that called themselves Moogles, flapped their arms and flew towards the elderly man, who was still trying to get the two young ones to converse. The Moogle flew and shook his rear end right in front of the old mans face, the other Moogle squeaked in a laughter. "Normal folks can't see or hear us - which makes you special, kupo! And seeing as how you're special, maybe you can tell us something!" The Moogle put his paw on his nose and tilted it's head. "The wood's been restless as of late - lots of strange things happening. Have you chanced to witness anything suspicious, kupo?"
Raedur shook his head, half responding to the Moogle and half still questioning if he was dreaming. The Moogle that was pranking the old man now was drinking from his bottle he set down, Raedur had to hold a laugh in. "But of course you haven't - you've only just arrived..." The other Moogle continued, his ears and his pom-pom folding down. It's attitude changed quite quickly and it shook it's arms. "Well, there's nothing for it, then - we'll just have to keep looking! Nice to meet you, kupo!"
The two Moogles started to fly away, one slower than the other, most likely due to the drink. Raedur rubbed his eyes again, still wondering if he was dreaming. The grizzled old man coughed and leaned back in his chair. "Gridania's still a fair way off, in case you were wonderin'. Bremondt's the name, an' peddlin's me trade!" He pumped his chest and smiled at Raedur. "As for your good self," Bremondt pointed at Raedur, "judgin' by your unusual garments, I'd say you were one of them new adventurers. Am I warm?"
Raedur nodded his head. "Aye, that I am. Was is that obvious?" He shrugged. "I knew it! Goin' wherever the wind blows, seekin' fortune an' glory - now that's what I call livin'!" Bremondt laughed. "As long as you can avoid dyin', I mean. Ain't no secret that adventurin's a risky business - these days especially. What was it that first attracted you to it?" Raedur pondered it over before pumping his fist to his own chest. "To win glory!" He proudly stated. "Glory, eh? Well, if you're willin' to take on them tasks as other folk ain't, an adventurer such as yourself can win fame what coin can't buy" Bremondt smiled, possibly thinking about his own coins which clattered in his pocket.
"When you arrive in town, you'll want to report to the Adventurer's Guild. You can find out everythin' you need to know abouut the adventurin' business in there." The carraige turned a long corner and the driver had to keep the Chocobo's on track with the leashes. "Just remember, though: there're more important things than fortune an' glory. Such as breathin'" Bremondt laughed which caused Raedur to laugh too. "Ain't no profit in bein' dead, an' that's a fact. By the by, is this your first trip to Gridania?" He asked.
Raedur nodded. "Mhm, not once visited in my 19 summers." Bremondt hummed. "It is? Well then, let this journeyed itinerant tell you the ins an' outs of your destination. The city of Gridania lies spal-bang in the middle of the Black Shroud - the biggest, lushest forest in all Eorzea!" He held his arms wide and motioned towards the surroundings, The Black Shourd was covered in the trees they were continuing to pass on this carriage journey. "The lands may seem lush as of now, but it ain't near as lush as it used to be, sayin' that. Not since the Calamity laid half of it to waste. The destruction prompted a herd of new nasties to move in, an' give the Ixal unneeded encouragement. Birdman raids've become a daily occurance"
Bremondt kicked the arrow stuck into the carraige. Raedur simply nodded, fading out of the conversation. He remembered the Calamity. He was young when it happened, younger than he was now. He still remembers living in the rough parts of Eorzea when he was 14, him and his parents made it through but it wasn't easy. He rather envied the richer people who still lived in a small bit of luxury, it wasn't the best but it was better than what he had. "Gridania now lad's n' lass's!" The Lalafell driver announced, snapping Raedur out of his thoughts.
"Ah, at long last!" Bremondt looked out of the carraige to see Gridania, a city-state sat atop a cliff, long waterfalls flowing down the cliffside and a large building behind a gate guarded by two armoured people. At the base of the cliffside a huge lake flowed under the bridge they were crossing. "Behold Gridania, the forest nation blessed by the elementals!" He cheered, Raedur looked at the lovely scene before him and smiled to himself. "This is it," He thought to himself. "the start of my adventure!"
The chocobo carriage came to a halt and Raedur stepped off, his boots rustling the grass under his feet. He inhaled a deep breath and smelt the forest, it smelt wonderful. "An' here's where we part ways, son" Bremondt put his hand on Raedur's shoulder. "I'm off to the markets to deliver me wares, then it's back to the highroad for me. Avoiding any trouble along the way this time I sure hope..." As he spoke, Raedur watched as the two children got off the Chocobo carraige as well, both silent and looking directly ahead, seems they were headed the same way we all were this whole time. "Here, I want you to have this - by the way thanks for keepin' me company" Bremondt pulled Raedur's hand out and placed a small ring in his hand. Raedur looked up at him and raised his eyebrow.
"Eh you need not worry son, this one isn't a stolen good hahaha!" Bremondt let out a hearty laugh causing Raedur to smile. "Hey - you never did tell me your name, did you? Well, here's an idea... become the sort of storied personage I can brag about havin' met, an' I'll consider us square!" He laughed some more. Raedur smiled and shook his hand, thanking him for the company. Bremondt waved him one last goodbye before walking to the carriage to assist the driver, who was having an awfully hard time carrying any sort of item larger than him; which was most items. Taking one last look, Raedur focused his eyes on Gridania and the gate ahead of him and smiled. "This is it, no turning back now!"
The Black Shroud - the ancient forest close to the heart of Eorzea. Beneath the boughs of it's towering trees live the woodland city-state of Gridania. Once a sanctuary from the world beyond the Hedge, even the mighty elementals, eternal guardians of the forest, could not forestall the coming of the Seventh Umbral Era. However, the goddess Nophica was never one to forsake Her children, and today She welcomes another brave soul. One who may yet play a telling role in the tale of this great realm. May the Matron take him Her bosom, that he may never want. And in his heart sow serenity, purity, and sanctity.