Something we may have neglected....Follow

Very good. Nice find!

Very nice sad true story. I'm glad I read it.

that was deep...I remember the first time i did everything and now it seems like ive done it all....on 2 servers...I do envy the jpn for having vana first...sometimes i wish they seperated our servers >.>

Now i feel bad because my rl friend offered me to join him to explore this whole week before school and i turned him down...oowwww the guilt....

I still take screens of cool things i see..like in Zi'Tah those crystal thingys are awesome :D

this wonderful story deserves a good /bump ^_^

Okay.

I know on some levels this is cheesy. This is just a silly game right? Something I do to pass the time. It's fun, just like FFVII.

...then again I bawled my eyes out when Aeris died too, so badly the first time (even though I knew it was coming) that I was wiped out by JENOVA.

Maybe I'm just a crybaby.

But holy cow, I bawl my eyes out every time I read this. Maybe, not simply because it's about the game. Perhaps because there's a very valuable lesson in this sad story that unfortunately we miss if we're playing XI 24/7.

The game (just like real life) is *NOT* simply about gaining levels or becoming successful. We must appreciate everything around us every day, including those around us who help us get to where we are.

I know I'm going to approach XI differently after reading this. And I'm certainly going to keep the same ideal when I leave Vana'Diel every day to head into the real world.

This is sweet stuff, even if it is a little bit sentimental for my tastes.

The heart of the story is that this game is all about exploration, which hardcore level grinding eliminates, and I can certainly get behind that.

I think balance is imporatant, though, and that games like this can become an unhealthy substitute for real life exploration if we aren't careful.

Just a suggestion:

Take a night or a day. Turn off your PS2/PC.

Explore the following:

Your own closet: retrieve old love letters and clothes. Remember good things. Write them down. Rememer bad things. Cry.

Your hometown. Try the local Chamber of Commerce. Discover local delicacies and history. Write it down for your future children. Hate to break it to you, you're likely to have them one day.

Turn your PC back on and explore your family tree. Be amazed by the people who came before, people whose genes you share, who did lots of things, and did them without computers. >^.^<

Make a plan for the future that involves no boundaries concerning money. If you had unlimited funds, what would you do? Write it all down. Plan a vacation on paper in minute and luxurious detail.

Tell your lover to lie down on the bed. Explore your lover's body. I can guarantee you that there are nooks and crannies neither of you have dreamed of yet. Find them. Thank me later.

Just a few suggestions.

But yeah, the rainbow in LaTheine rocks, too. >^.^<

Excellent post ^^ rate up.

Wow I just got back from taking a six month break from this game (quit cuz spent 3 weeks waiting for a genkai party/ school started up).... I was in the process of deleting the the game when I decided to peruse this board one last time. After reading this post I think I'll go look up some of my old Vanadielan friends and see what they're up to. A great story whether its true or not. It gets everyone all weepy who has honestly gone through this game. ; ;


I agree that Levelling hands down dominates the gameplay. Why? Because in order to unlock the story, in order to travel to various locales and explore, in order to do quests you must meet the prerequisite level. A BIG factor is the exp penalty for dying: this alone is the biggest explorer killjoy.

Levelling effectively and quickly is the NUMBER ONE REASON WE TURN ON EACH OTHER. We insult each others race choice or job choice cuz its bad for levelling... We get picky about having the most expensive gear for levelling... People get kicked out of parties for levelling and unfortunately Linkshells get destroyed and reformed for levelling.

I remember spending week after week on grind just thinking... One more level and I could explore and craft to my hearts content... one more piece of equipment and I can stop farming.... one more weapon and I can stop camping... One more level and I could go help out the less fortunate....

But you know what? There is always one more level..

I have to say, that story brought a tear to my eye , and it made me question what I should really be doing with myself while I experience the world of Vana 'Diel.

Brilliant!

I am not usually so sentimental, but no matter how much Typo may enjoy reaching that next level landmark, or fishing and crafting to make money for shiny new spelltoys, the most priceless moments and warmest memories are always those experiences I share with me friends.

It ish refreshing to know that there are more people out there who like to hold close to the people they meet and befriend, rather than just see them as nothing more than another partner in their next exp pt.

I have been playing this game since January and I have been a part of this site for just as long. This post was by far one of THE BEST I have ever read!!

Thank you for such a wonderful post!!


/em sheds a tear

BUMP!

Great story!