So I spent my $10. (Twice when you count Tram). Worth it? I think so. A bit too light on substance, but at least the final BC was {funguar}.
I happened to hit Jeuno a few minutes after the servers came up on maintenance day so I was rather quick to start in on the Seedspall hunting. It did not take long at all to get the Yagudo drop for myself, but two others I joined up with took off after a while so I ran out to get my other two. Farming got a tad ugly for a bit once the three Ground Kings were all killed and some end game LS members showed in force. My time in Dragon’s Aery paid off and I was able to claim enough mobs to get my three mission items for both Tram and myself before it was time to get some sleep.
Unfortunately, I had not handed in the items in Qufim before I logged out. With the ???s being removed from the game the next day, I was pretty much stuck with no way to progress – it was quite a downer since the wife and kids were out visiting my sister in-law for Spring Break.
Once Qufim was finally fixed, I was able to farm up the Key Items in short order with no problems…. well, I guess there was ~one~ minor issue. I got a bit mixed up when finishing Tram’s set and ended up farming Batallia Downs a second time when I was supposed to be in Sauromugue Champaign. A great way to throw away an hour >.>
When hitting the Key Item NMs, I ran into an old LS mate and we ran together to help pass the travel time. We kept together through the Fei’Yin trip, which was rather uneventful, and decided to hit the final BC together. It seemed that the team we gathered would knock out the fight in no time. It was not the case. Our four attempts involved two Zerg rushes that did not work at all. We rearranged the party for another tactic: PLD WHM SMN SMN BRD RDM(/Drk). Got the boss to 2% and wiped >.< We had enough energy for one more attempt, but by then we were definately not at the top of our game. A fourth re-climb of the tower followed by a loss was enough for one night.
The best part of the night was some good ol’ charm MPK!
After that marathon of climbing, I soloed my Omnis Stone and decided to not worry about rushing to complete the fight. I basically put up a /seacom and kept about other things. While doing some Maze Mongering, I received a /tell from an old friend from TeamYosha asking if I could BRD for his party that was almost to the top of Delkfutt. Gear swap -> Warp to Windy -> OP Qufim -> Use Key to top of tower and ready to roll!
I was a little worried about another Zerg attempt but willing to give it a try. Glad I did as it was a perfectly smooth run. The only thing I would have changed would have been to either give Buff songs in my MP gear, or pop a Yag Drink / Ether as they engaged. When I went to cast a second Curaga I was out of MP. The Boss was at 4% when I started popping a Vile Elixir and the fight was over before it had time to go off.
And Tram is always pleased by gratuitous cut-scenes involving his beloved Star Sibyl. Add in Semih Lafihna and it is almost too good. Having Shantotto show up as well could add to his lurid imagininings, but I am not sure if his self esteem could take her sharp-witted derision.
