Arliman's Rise of the Zilart Photo Journal (ZM-13)***Massive 56K Warning***

[Arli]

Even though it has been several months since my last pictoral collection, rumors of my demise have been greatly exagerated. Special thanks to everyone on the Leviathan server who badger me continuously to continue creating these photo journals. Without your support, none of this would ever have been possible.

This photojournal could best be described as my greatest work, having been almost 6 months in the making. It is the largest collective pictoral storyline I have ever produced (300+ images), and I hope will make amends for the long months of waiting.

It is my distinct pleasure to present these images to all of you on this, the 1 year anniversary of FFXI for the PC. Before we begin, i'd like to explain that the Zilart missions take place after the conclusion of the regular game's storyline, which can be found in a previous photo journal. Please note that this thread also contains spoilers on the storyline for those of you who have yet to experience it. Please be advised that I bear no responsiblity for ruining the plot twists Square Enix has crafted into these epic tales - you have been warned.


The Zilart storyline deals with the history of Vana'diel and the power of the Crystals.
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SPOILERS AHEAD. TURN BACK NOW IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO SEE THESE IMAGES!!!!!
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On with the show.....

Our storyline begins where we last left off. The Shadow Lord has been defeated - peace returns to the land, or has it?

The adventures of the Red Mage known as Arliman was thought to have come to a close. With the vanquishing of the Shadow Lord, she had retired her saber and feathered hat and looked forward to a return to peaceful days, but this was not to be.

The world would continue under the threat of darkness, claming the lives of those we hold most dear. After the tragic loss of her companion, the Dark Knight Neximus - it was time for Arliman to choose a new path. She swore to carry the torch left for her by her long lost friend. Over a period of months, she had trained in the ways of warfare, becoming a fierce Dark Knight so that she could continue her mission in the steps of her fallen comrade.


"Though it had been months since our last meeting, I remember clearly Lion's invitation to visit her in Norg on Elshimo Island."

**** Zilart Mission 1: Total Recall ****

I arrive in the cavern settlement of Norg, known to be a den of pirates and brigands. I enter unarmed for fear of being seen as an enemy.




I am approached by one of the gate guards. Apparently the locals don't have much in the way of hospitality.




Lion comes to my aid before an argument can ensue. The brigand leaves us to talk amongst ourselves.




Lion speaks to me about our last meeting. What exactly *did* happen in Castle Zvhal?




Suddenly my head begins to spin and the world around me begins to blur away...

[Arli]

My lost memory begins to play back like a recording. I see myself standing alongside Zeid and the Galka Talekeeper Raogrimm, recently released from his sentence as the Shadow Lord... but something is different.




Raogrimm recounts his experience as the entity that covered the world in a blanket of fear.





He begins to explain the burden he held as Talekeeper, and the hatred of the Galka across history.




His treatise on the condition of all living things is insightful, but would be cut short.




Applause!? Almost mockingly two figures appear behind us, clapping along to the tragedy that had unfolded.




The.. archduke of Jeuno and his little brother!?!? What madness is this?




The boy, Eald'narche, mocks Raogrimm.




Zeid is particular shocked. What are the royalty of Jeuno doing in the castle of the Shadow Lord?




The Archduke approaches us in an effort to explain.




In his mocking tone, we are dismissed as a nuisance...

[Arli]

Zeid demands an explaination.




Smugly, Kam'lanaut begins to explain about the Crystal Line.




Eald'narche reveals that he and his brother are Zilart.




Raogrimm is struck with disbelief. The Zilart civilization perished millenia ago. How could they be members of that ancient race?




The boy recites the ancient legend, declaring that life on Vana'diel - at this point, is meaningless.




Eld'narche declares that the world belongs to the Zilart, and that noone would stand in their way.




Both of the dukes approach the sarcophagus of the Shadow Lord and discuss the situation.




They stand before the tomb and the magicite - what could they be planning?




The boy senses something...




He smiles to realize that something is approaching... The Minions of the Crystal!

[Arli]

Archduke Kam'lanaut dramatically sentences us and the rest of the planet to death!




He summons forth the Warriors of the Crystal.




Above them, five radiant jewels appear and begin radiating an eerie light.




We can do nothing but stare in disbeleif at the event unfolding before our eyes.




As the light from the crystals subside, I open my eyes to see a tall Elvaan female with pale skin and cold red eyes looking down upon me. She is garbed in demonic armor.




As I recoil, I see that she is not the only one. There five such warriors standing before us - protecting the archdukes. So these are the Crystal Warriors.




Sensing that these particular warriors of legend have malicious intent, Zeid draws his blade.




With frightening speed he rushes them...




His leaping attack is repelled by Kam'lanauts powers!




Zeid is tossed back, his blade lands behind him, impedding itself in the hard, cold stone.

[Arli]

Kam'lanaut grows tired of our antics and commands the Crystal Warriors to attack!




Zeid tries to shake off the stunning force of his fall. The power of the Zilart is unimaginable.




The Crystal Warrior Tarutaru brandishes his scythe for the kill.




I am knocked unconcious.




The Hume Crystal Warrior steadily approaches us.




His cold, expressionless gaze could only mean one thing... someone was about to die.




Lion comes to the rescue. Hellooooo FANSERVICE!




She tells us to leave - the situation was approaching fatal levels.




A dazed Zeid calls out to his longtime companion.




Sensing our distraction, the Crystal Warrior attacks!

[Arli]

Zeid tries to get on his feet before the rampaging warrior strikes him down.




He tries to shield himself with his arm...




Raogrimm stands between Zeid and the rampaging warrior - taking both blades into his chest.




Zeid pulls back in shock. Raogrimm traded his life for his own.




The Crystal Warrior, confused, pulls his blades from the injured Talekeeper. Raogrimm drops to his knees.




Lion prepares a countermeasure to the attack.




Raogrimms attacker takes a mouthful, right in the pie-hole.




Not suprisingly, he seems completely unfazed by the attack.




A concerned Zeid tends to his fallen swordmaster.




Raogrimm brushes off Zeid, telling him that he still had strength to attack.

[Arli]

Defiantly, Raogrimm tells Zeid to leave. He would slow their advance.




Zeid pulls me to my feet and together with Lion, we flee the throneroom.




Bravely, the injured Raogrimm faces down the awful quintet of Crystal Warriors.




Calling forth the powers of the land, Raogrimm concentrates one last time...




And assumes the form of the Shadow Lord!




The throneroom begins to vibrate with the fierce energy of the newly resurrected Shadow Lord.




The Crystal Warriors press the attack. The Elvaan is the first to strike.




Almost in salute, the Crystal Warrior Tarutaru raises his scythe to the Shadow Lord.




The leaps towards him to strike!




The Mithra Crystal Warrior prepares her axe for the Shadow Lord.

[Arli]

She unleashes a flury of blows with her weapon skill. The lightshow is magnificent.




The Galka Crystal Warrior pulls back his Katana for a devastating blow.




The murderous Hume Crystal Warrior readies his twin swords for an attack.




He leaps into the air with blades drawn.




His aerial strike was swift, and as he lands - the Shadow Lord buckles.




Fatally injured, the Shadow Lord prepares his attack.




Unleashing a wave of dark energy from his body!




The energy knaws away at the Crystal Warriors, but the attack would be futile.




The Shadow Lord laments as his end draws near.




In his final moments, the ghostly image of his dead love, Cornelia appears before him.

[Arli]

In that moment, the entity known as the Shadow Lord, and the Galka known as Raogrimm, left the world of Vana'diel.




Regaining conciousness from my reverie, Lion helps me to my feet.




Lion contemplates my memory loss. Could it have been the shock to my system from the Crystal Warrior's attack?




She tells me that I should rest, and when I feel better to come visit her and an aquaintance...




...at the end of the hallway, further into the town.




Before leaving me to my own devices, she gives me a map of the town.




***End of Zilart Mission 1***

[Arli]

**** Zilart Mission 2: Welcome t'Norg ****

After taking a few moments to regain my composure, I set out to meet up with Lion and her companion. After clearing with the security, I am escorted into the room.




Lion greets me as I approach the stairs. She introduces me to...




Gilgamesh, lord of Norg and pirate extraordinaire... and her DAD!?




Gilgamesh ponders the news that the archdukes of Jeuno are members of the Zilart race.




Lion tries to find meaning in the old folksong - could the bane of Vana'diel be the people!?




Gilgamesh discounts her thoughts, telling us that he had no intention of going out without a fight!




Lion asks Gilgamesh for a solution. How can the plans of the archdukes be stopped?




The pirate lord recommends we investigate the Temple of Uggalepih.




The temple, he states, is located deep within the Yhotar Jungle.




Gilgamesh goes on to tell us about his experience within the ancient ruin.

[Arli]

Gilgamesh ventured there thinking he could unearth lost treasure.




He would come to find the image of an old woman and a cryptic message.




He tells us to seek the old woman in the temple, as she might have insight on the Zilart.




But, before we go to the temple, we should stop by Kazham to speak with their chieftaness for aid.




Suddenly, the door opens... we have an uninvited guest.




Lion recognizes the stranger. Its Aldo, leader of the Tenshodo.




Swathed in his exotic robes, the enigmatic figure approaches us.




He tells us of the disappearance of his sister Varena.




Lion symapathizes and pledges her aid in finding the lost girl.




Aldo appreciates her aid, but tells her that he needs to search for more information around Jeuno. Knowing that archduke Kam'lanaut is up to no good is reason enough for his concern.



**** End Zilart Mission 2 ****

[Arli]

***** Zilart Mission 3: Kazham's Chieftaness *****

I omitted the images for this mission as it is little more than getting the temple key from the chieftaness. Little to no bearing on the overall storyline. I might add these later for completion, but not right now. I know... bad kitty.

/em slaps her own wrists.


**** Zilart Mission 4: The Temple of Uggalepih ****

After receiving the Sacrificial Chamber Key from Kazham's Chieftaness - myself and my fellow companions would delve deep into the Temple of Uggalepih, home of a sect of murderous beastmen known as Tonberries. After hours of searching, we find ourselves outside the Sacrificial Chamber.




Upon entering the chamber, we are attacked by three master Tonberries and battle ensues.




With blade drawn, I close the attack on one of the freakish little monsters.




With the battle swung in our favor, a voice tells us to drop our weapons. The beasts comply.




The ethereal image of an old woman appears and begins to speak.




She apologizes about her companions, as they are simply shades of their former selves.




She introduces herself as one of the Kuluu, an ancient race that eventually devolved into the Tonberries.




She asks us to listen to her tale, the tale of a tragedy that took place over 10,000 years ago.




The story begins with the power of the crystals, a power that the ancient Zilart race used to build their advanced civilization.




She spoke of the Zilart's plan to open the Gate of the Gods, to return to paradise. The Kuluu and the Dawnmaidens (servants of the Goddess Altana) spoke out against their plan.

[Arli]

The Zilart would channel the power of the crystals from beneath each crag to their shrines via an elaborate network of circuits known as "The Crystal Line".




The power pulled from each crag would be channeled to Delkfutt's Tower to energize the floating city of Tu'Lia: Gate of the Gods. Both the Zilart (black robes) and the Kuluu (white tunics) lay witness to the activation of the Crystal Line.




Fearing for the fate of the planet after the fruition of the Zilart's insane plans, the Kuluu led a raid on the control tower known as Fey'in, destroying the facility. The resulting damage caused a meltdown of the Crystal Line - which obliterated the Zilart capitol, sinking it into the sea.




With her parting words, the Kulu Grav'iton bade us to journey to Zepwell Island and the remains of an ancient temple. But first, we had to gather eight elemental prayers from Cermet Headstones scattered around the land.



**** End Zilart Mission 4 ****

[Arli]

**** Zilart Mission 5: Headstone Pilgrimmage ****

This leg of the journey would take us to the far reaches of Vana'diel in search of elemental fragments lodged within Cermet Headstones. In the interest of time and space, i'm only presenting three images of this portion of the quest. Note, there is no storyline interlude for this segment, and is a simple easter egg hunt. The story continues with Zilart Mission 6.

Here we approach the Cermet Headstone in Sanctuary of Zi'Tah to obtain the Fragment of Light.




Upon touching the headstone, we were attacked by an undead flesh NM known as the Doomed Pilgrim. Certainly one of the more dramatic of the four headstone fights.




One of the headstones was located deep within Yhotar Jungle, but to reach it, we had to journey through the volcano known as Ifrit's Cauldron.




**** End Zilart Mission 5 ****

[Arli]

**** Zilart Mission 6: Through the Quicksand Caves ****

With all eight elemental fragments in hand, we would follow the words of Grav'iton and seek out the fallen temple hidden within the sands of Zepwell Island. Originally home of the Galka, remnants of their mighty civilization still loom high from the desert sands. Here is the great Altepa Gate mechanism.




Going beneath the sands, we would navigate through the catacombs of the lost Galka city, now a hive for the mighty Antican beastmen. Here we see the rich tapestry of heiroglyphics of the lost Galka civilization.




At last, we entered the Chamber of Oracles and a Cermet Transporter that would lead us into the temple itself.




No sooner had we entered the Temple were we faced down by three Antican lords. The fight was brutal but we emerged victorious, though Naea took an Eage Eye Shot to the face and took a well deserved dirt-nap before the last bug fell.




**** End Zilart Mission 6 ****