User Profile

This is the journal of Chenzhen, residing on Phoenix server.

Praefatio

First time I entered the world of Vana'diel was on the day of the EU release. I have been and still am a huge fan of the Final Fantasy series. I've played all the games but was disappointed when i heard XI was going to be an online game and I decided i would not even try it.

Alas, visiting my cousin one summer and discovering him playing an import version of FFXI immediately turned my opinions in favor of Square-Enix' bank account. I became an addict instantly and will probably be playing the game until they kick me out and shut down the servers.

Genesis

I started out in Windurst and promptly ran out into Sarutabaruta to start levelling. Like a true newb, I did a lot of things which I can look back at with laughter now.

First off: I started MNK and went solo all the way to Lv18, dreading the trip with the boat from Mhaura to Selbina. Finally managed to get there and get Lv20 and subjobs unlocked. After that, I levelled WHM, (and yes, subbing MNK...). I used WHM as sub job for MNK all the way to Lv32, convincing everyone I partied with that my extra Cures was in benefit of the party, and behold! they agreed!

Before I started playing I knew I would level Samurai and use Monk as sub. Luckily, I've dropped the MNK sub thing, but I went through with the Samurai part. At 32 I unlocked SAM and went from Lv1 to Lv25 in one sitting, it was impossible to stop. I knew what would be my main job deserving all my resources and focus. All other jobs, would only get scraps and leftovers.

Socials

During my first steps in Sarutabaruta, I was met by my cousin, Blackhalo, at the time a Lv36 Ranger. He handed me my first linkpearl to a social shell called "DarkCrusador", led by a fierce drunken monk named Solice. In there I met alot of players who taught me much about the game, some have quit, some still play, and I still keep in touch with most of those, even though our paths have led us to different shells.

When i was in my mid 40's, Solice and a few other players left for World of Warcraft when that was released. The linkshell was broken, but was reformed by Karinka and redubbed "ChaosCrusadors" with a fiery red pearl. Further on we decided to merge with another crew and joined the shell "Xiphias", led by Juniper, to broaden our circle.

Yet again, a leader quits and the others are left to reform. This time it was my friend Marten making "EvilEmpire", a shell I was to stay in until my endgame days and entry into the world of HNM's.

Enter the Endgame

At Lv70 I was picked up by newly formed "ClanRiot". Recommended by Marten, who was already ahead of me level-wise, I had my debut at Simurgh. My first week was quite eventful, also including King Arthro, Roc, Serket, both Orc and Quadav kings. I was swiftly getting into the pace of endgame. ClanRiot was a hugely successful linkshell. We excelled in Tu'Lia and made truckloads of gil from various HNM. Alot of players made the base of their characters in that shell, but like with many other shells, some things were just not meant to be.

One veteran member leaves and it starts a chain reaction, eventually leading to the downfall of a year long success-story. When the shell finally broke I took a leave from the endgame scene, levelling some crafts and messing around with quests, etc. etc..

Dynamis

At the same time as I joined ClanRiot, I was recruited to a Dynamis shell called "HydraCorps" led by Zaitsev. Made 5/5 Samurai AF2 in that shell and started upgrading Relic Great Katana, Amanomurakumo. Very turbulent linkshell at times, but also very effective. I got thrown out of the cabin during one of said turbulences and joined another Dynamis shell, "LandOfDreams". LoD was a short time affair as I was forced out of NA timezone by school.

Crescendo

The summer of 2006 I started studying at a university, and with that I was out of the NA timezone gaming for good. I looked up the EU linkshell "Finale" which I had always admired and respected. I feared that I would not get admitted seeing that I only had 1 job at Lv75, so I gathered my best boasting skills and wrote a puff piece of an application. To my surprise, I got accepted for trials and eventually made full member.

Finale is a true HNMLS doing everything there is to do in this game, Tu'Lia, Al'Taieu, Dynamis, Limbus, Ground, Kings, KS99, all Wyrms, Aht Urghan HNM and so on. The only real mob left for us to defeat is Absolute Virtue. We managed to pop him once, but did not attempt a kill.

I am still in Finale and will stay there for the rest of my time in FFXI unless they find a reason to give me the boot.

Last Judgement

Space reserved for when SE shuts down servers.

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