A Reflection on the Final Days
One Turn Later

Staff Writer - S’lyhhia Loha

Painting: The Hells in Our Heavens by Jingtou Mei

As many upon our beloved star prepare for the festivities of the upcoming Starlight Festival, many still are preparing to observe the first cycle to pass since the calamitous Final Days. The previous 6th Umbral Moon saw the skies above Thavnair and Garlemald burn and rain fire, allowing despair to infect indiscriminately, distorting and destroying our very homes, livelihoods, and loved ones. And while these two locations suffered the brunt of the disaster, instances of despair-addled citizens were reported in various city-states across the star. But, as ever, the people endured as a whole by exercising those values which are consistently upheld this time of year - namely kindness, togetherness, and good will with an aim towards peace.The Cries Heard Across the Star
A dedicated mechanic watches his company’s officers head off into battle as he remains behind, charged with “keeping the lights” on and the property sound. There is regret in his eyes as he sees his camarades off - the selfsame regret I sense as he regales me with his experience. In the end, they will indeed have a functioning establishment to return to. Within the cycle, others would come to call it home - myself included - because it is still standing.Having witnessed her entire world destroyed, a woman feels herself being lost to despair. It becomes harder to focus on aught that would bring her back, until a familiar voice cries out her name, pleading for her to remain. The lifelong friend she thought she lost managed to escape certain death, and immediately professed her love for her, regretting taking so long to gather the courage. Having survived together, they continue to heal through helping their neighbors, and one another, while planning their bonding ceremony.I have had the privilege and honor to discuss with various people from all walks of life about their experiences during the Final Days, and how they have managed to cope in the moons following. Tales abound of heroism in all its forms. Eorzean Alliance soldiers braved new lands to aid their fellow man. Thavnairian alchemists, after toil and trial, created a means to prevent those who protected us from being tempered. However, some of my favorite accounts have been of unsung heroes, and those who managed to find the means to create after the destruction.This Woman’s Journey
Having lived in Radz-at-Han the entirety of my life, there are no words to describe the terrorizing transformation from heavenly to hellish we witnessed. While walking about my beloved city with my mother, S’mitra Fhey (gods rest her soul), we saw the sky darken and the clouds birthing balls of flame. Ever the fighter, mum regarded it as an inconvenience until she witnessed the destructive nature of despair taking place. There was a clear shift in her countenance when we saw the first of our neighbors distorted by despondency. I am loath to say that I slowed our escape after suffering a serious injury. Rather than let us both perish, she sacrificed herself so that I may live. As we ran, she said, “If you would honor my last wish, you will not simply survive, you will thrive. I know you will do so and make me proud. Now, run.” These were the last words of the brilliant woman who twice gave me life.I recovered from my physical injuries, of course, but those wounds upon my heart and soul were so egregious that I lost the will to speak for nearly the entire cycle. Unable to cope without my mum, I decided to build a new life in Eorzea. In time, I was able to recover the use of my voice, and begin to build a family of my own, composed of individuals who have changed my life for the better. Soon, I will find myself back home in Thavnair to remember her sacrifice, and the lives of others lost to the Final Days. It will be a bittersweet moment, I imagine, but one I look forward to.Guided by Starlight
This holiday season, as the legend of the Saint of Nymeia and his helpers is reenacted and retold, countless children orphaned by the Final Days will be doing so without family or a home to call their own. I would urge those with the ability to help in any way they can - especially by ensuring the health, safety, and education of children across the star. Organizations and initiatives to consider include, but are not limited, to the following.The Khalzahl Foundation, Yedlihmad - Orphanage: A proposal that sought to revitalize the artisanal and mercantile industries of the port city, with a portion of the revenue funding an orphanage, ensuring that no child is without shelter and care.Rolandberry Field, Ishgard - Orphanage: Constructed during the Ishgardian Restoration, post-Dragonsong War, and managed by dedicated, retired Temple Knights.Menphina’s Arms, Dravania - Orphanage: An orphanage run by orphan-turned-entrepreneur, Zhloe Aliapoh.The Rissai-juku, Doma - School: Located in the Doman Enclave, the Rissai-juku is dedicated to the education of its students, with an emphasis on Doman history and tradition.Regardless of how little or vastly you were affected by the Final Days, mayhap take a moment to remember those who were lost, or left without naught. If the lights are on and the house still stands, if you have food to fill your belly, and arms to embrace you in the best and worst of times, you have a measure of wealth that many do not. May we continue to learn from one another, come to appreciate our shared customs, impart our traditions, and be each other’s strength should the need arise anew. I pray that you have not simply survived, but that you have thrived.

Starlight Sentinels and Other Festive Flora

Staff Writer: Syrenead Tormelodos

A long history is hung within the boughs of these joyously decorated conifers. Baubles, ribbons, lights and garlands of all sorts are hung with great care by children of Eorzea on the branches of these silent and stoic holiday sentinels. At the very tip-top of the tree is a brightly lit golden star. These trees have become a staple around Eorzea, both in houses and to decorate around the city states. Their origin however, began in Ishgard.These trees, known around the star as Starlight Sentinels, are actually conifer trees. They are seen most commonly as a simple pine tree. In belonging to the same family as other needle bearing trees, these sentinels boast having strong branches able to hold the weight of the ornaments. These trees were chosen based on the fact they still had color to them despite the frozen tundra that Coerthas has become due to the Calamity all those years ago.It is with the Calamity that the need for these trees grew. Many children were displaced, lost parents and other members of their family due to the fall of the moon as well the Dragonsong War. The children would be guarded through the night and kept warm and sheltered by the kindhearted knights who wore bright scarlet coats. When the fighting had ceased, the orphans, now grown, repaid the kindness of the knights by dressing in red and passing out gifts to the children. One such white bearded man would become known as the Saint of Nymia, living on as an immortal though unseen figure who delivers their written wishes of presents to Nymia directly after having placed them under a thoroughly decorated Starlight Sentinel. The knights soon became known as Saint’s Little Helpers; distributing gifts, joy and happiness to all the children. Or so that is how the legend goes. Now the holiday is handled by the adventurer’s guilds of the city-states and a much bigger affair.As the temperature of Coerthas plummeted, these trees kept their green coloring and survived the shift in the weather. That is the great thing about the evergreen family of trees, they live up to their name of being evergreen so long as they are planted. Once cut down, they slowly begin to die off and there is no amount of watering that can save them. Eventually it becomes firewood. As a result, over the years, the trees were cut down, but were not able to be regrown in the areas of Coerthas and thus the ones that remain will continue to stand proudly over the area as a reminder of happier times.The trees that are used now for the Starlight celebration are often potted with their root ball intact; this allows for them to be replanted after the grounds have thawed enough. It is common to find them south of Coerthas in the Black Shroud. This not only allows for them to be reused the following year, but allows for them to sprout their own saplings.Beyond being a major player in the celebration of Starlight, conifer trees actually have some amazing medicinal properties. These uses can be found in most conifers such as Spruce, Pine, and Fir. They are called conifers due to the conical shape that the trees take as they grow, larger branches at the bottom while narrowing up into a point. The needles of these trees can be used for anything from balms to tinctures to even adhesive bandages. If one is suffering from a cold, a handful of pine needles in some boiling water will make a tea that will assist in breaking up the congestion that comes from the body's natural defenses. While it doesn't cure the ailments, it can make the symptoms less severe.Another way to use the parts of the tree is by using the resin or the pitch. The easiest way to harvest this is by searching for the globules of golden resin on the outer part of the tree bark, you can also cut into the bark and allow it to drain from the inner parts of the bark. Melting it down and mixing it with other ingredients will make a salve that can be placed over a wound and allowed to dry to the skin in order to heal.Along with the use of the pine trees, festoons of pine, holly and other winter greens are made up to decorate the walls, doors, and fireplaces of many homes. Often decorated with sylphs and imps as well as glass ball ornaments and lights. Holly leaves and bark can be used to make teas, which can help to break fevers, alleviate cold and chest congesting illnesses. Tinctures can be made up and diluted with boiling water then consumed. When harvesting holly, be mindful, as the tips will have thorns. Plucking them from the branch at the Y meet is the best way to separate the two. The berries are not to be consumed, while not fatal, they can make one very ill and should be considered poisonous.Mistletoe is common enough all over the lands and easily found high up trees crooks, though around the holiday, it can also be found dangling from a bright ribbon between rooms. In catching someone standing under the mistletoe, a kiss may be given, though it is wise to ask permission first! Another tradition of mistletoe comes from the land of Thavnair, where they, when meeting someone under the mistletoe, will exchange one of their shoes with each other. This strange custom is most often seen in the city of Radz-at-han. In Hingashi and Doman cultures, mistletoe is sometimes chopped up and sprinkled over the fields to ensure a good crop in the next planting season. All forms of mistletoe are considered to be a parasitic plant, meaning it will find a host tree and grow with the tree, sometimes killing it in the process as it leaches nutrients for itself. However, the Starlight Sentinels and other conifer trees are spared this as it only targets deciduous trees. Mistletoe is commonly used as the main ingredient for various types of everyday healing potions and elixirs, with each variety being used to create more potent versions. While it is the common ingredient, it must be mixed correctly with other components as well as the required elemental shard or crystal to make the effective potions.With all of these delightful and wonderful plants of the holiday season, always be cautious in harvesting and make sure to properly identify all plants with a professional before consuming and for safety reasons, wear the appropriate protective clothing. Happy Starlight everyone and a joyous Heavensturn!

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Its Morbin’ Time!
A Study of Eorzea’s Morbols

Staff Writer: Qilin Kha

A FEERsE kREATuRE is A MoRBoL!!! MoRBoLs AR A sEEbkiN THAT spREAD THEyR RooTs ALL ovER THE LAND... NoT JusT THE sHROwD. THEy HAvE MANy DiFERENt tyqEs FoR wHER NuRsHuREd... LikE oTHER pLANTs. MANy Look DiFFERENT BWT THE siTE oF ANy MoRBEL is HARD Too FERGET.MoRBALs AR pEdATERs THAT siTHER oN THE GRouND WiTH LoNG sLiMy vyNEs. LikE KEdTRAp THAT MovEs. THEy sEARcH FoR pLANT ANb ANiMAL To sNATcH iN BiG THoRNy JAw To wAiT FoR THE MouTH sLiME To MELt THEyR FooD.. MucH TiME THis HApENs wHEN THE ANiMAL sTiL LivEs AND iT is vERy sLow AND pAiNFoL DEATH THis wAy if AwAkE. MoRBELLs usE A BAD sMEL sLiME To covER THEyR BoDys AND MAkE iT A GAs FoR HuNtiNG… iT TAkEs LiFE FRoM LAND iT TucHEs. THosE wHo LivE NEAR THE HuNT GRouNDs siNG woRDs FoR THis."'wHEN ALL THE LEAFs TuRN BLAck. you MusT TuRN BAck.'"'THER ARE TWO GAs THAT mARBLEs HuNT wiTH AND THEy MAkE vERy LouD GuRkLE souND wHEN THEy usE iT. THE FiGHTiNG oNE is kNoWN MucH. iT is a DARk sLiME THAT sTicks To cLoTHs AND skiNs vERy THickLy To RuiN ALL oF pRAy cENsEs…. A pRAy wiLL LosE EyEs AND BREATHiNGs AND iT WiLl MAkE A pRAy LiMp LikE DEATH!!! soMETiMs GAs is so BAD THAT pRAy wiLL bE vERRy sikk AND cHock oN voMiTs wHEN LiMp. A sNEAcki MoRBiL wiLL BRiNG pRAy To THEM wiTH DiFRENT THiNGs LikE A GAs THAT sMELLL LikE swEET HoNEy THAT DoEs MAkE pRAy vERy sLEEpY. HoNEy GAs HAs No coLoR AND soMETiMEs iT wiLL BRiNG oTHER MoREBoLs. THE oNEs THAT usE iT HAvE BRiGHT coLoR To BRiNG kuRius pRAy cLosER BuT doEs NoT GET RiD oF sTiNk.THE MARBoL oF THE AZiM STEPPE ARE LikE THis wiTH vERy coLoR FuLL FLowERs. THEy HAvE MANy GLowiNG BoLBs oN THEM To BRiNG pRAy Too THEM AT NiGHT AND LAy FLAT oN THE GRouND iN THE DAy…. THERE is ALwAys A kHAN MoRpoL iN THE AZiM STEPPE THAT is cALED THE NARANTSETSEG. (Flower of Azim; in Xaelic). HE is cALLED THis BEcAsE HE HuNTs iN THE DAY wHEN His kiN HiDE FRoM HiM. HE is ALwAys BiGEsT BEcAusE HE wiLL FiGHT AND EAT kiN.ALwAys pREpARE MucH wHEN FiGHTiNG MoRBiL. MANy MusT coME ToGETHER To HuNT. THEy ARE vERy BAD wiTH FiRE AND THEyR sLiME wiLL BuRN FAsT BuT THEYr GAs ALso BuRNs LikE THis….. A BURNiNG MoREBoL cAN MAkE A vERY!! BiG FiRE. THE wARRRioRs THAT HuNT THEM wiLL ALso HAvE MucH REwARD. EvERY piEce oF THis pLANT is usE FuLL. THE THoRNs ARE GooD WEpoNs AND THE iN siDEs ARE A GooD MEAL if BuRNED MucH. GLow BoLBs MAkE GooD LiGHTs FoR A MooN AFTER cLEANiNG AND THE sMEL-BiLE is A sTRoNG poisN FoR ENAMiEs. THE viNEs ARE ALso vERy usEFuL wHEN cuT.. iT MAkEs vERy sTRoNG BiNDiNG AND wHEN MADE spEciALE iT DoEs MAkE sTRoNG AFoHDEEsAk. THEyR FRuTs ARE ALso GooD MEDAciNE FoR sicks.THANkyou HuNTER ALFRIC BRADDCOK FoR woRDs oN MoRBoLs!!!**

Butter or Ghee - A Hannish Staple

Staff Writer: Suresh Aarya

The End of Days was a rough time for us all, but especially so in Thavnair where it was the epicenter. The skies burned and death was rampant across the land. Many struggled to even make it through the night. I my self was working for the company when said events happened, and it burdened my heart greatly to not be able to partake in helping save my own people.There were a great many losses from the folks in Radz-at-Han to the wilds of Vanaspati and beyond, my clan themselves did suffer losses as well. However through the unity of family, and the perserverence of centuries of hardship they endured and made it through to the end. Now we get to see the rebuilding of Radz-at-Han, the flourishing of Thavnair and its trade with the rest of the world......but you dear reader may ask your self: "Uncle Suresh, how does butter fit into the end of days?" and it is simple!Butter in its natural form is not as common in Thavnair, but the clarified form we traditionally call ghee is used in a myriad of recipes, in medicine and religious rituals.In religious rituals it is used with fire to honour the gods, which Thavnair has many of...many know of the Sisters, Sandurava, Cinduruva and Minduryva,the three goddesses that mebody wisdom, prosperity and innovation but there are many more notably the Manusya and the Mrga. One were akin to Men, and the others were akin to Beasts… but in ancient times they traded their heads so that those akin to Men had the head of a Beast and those akin to Beasts
had the head of Men. The Sisters are most known for being Mrga. Another use for ghee in both medicine and religion is the preparation of a psychoactive edible. Ghee can even be used for marriage ceremonies!In medicine ghee is said to aide in digestion, allow you to more easily absorb nutrients and even to aide with dry skin. Traditionally ghee is made from churning the cream skinned off of dahi, a yogurt unique to Thavnair...however, milk from various creatures such as dzo or aldgoats can be used. So, let us end today's lovely article with a simple recipe for making your own ghee at home! You will need:Several sticks of butte.
A large pot.
A ladle.
As well as a strainer and a jar for storing your ghee.For ease of use this recipe will call for any sort of butter you normally find around the home or shop.You will then take it over a stove and heat it over a medium flame in a deep pot to prevent overflow.Keep the ladle in to prevent any additional risk of overflowing, and make sure to immediately lower the flame
when it begins to froth.As the melted butter heats and simmers, the froth will go down and the colour will change from yellow to gold.You will then note that there will be solids forming at the bottom, this is totally normal.After several minutes of this simmering, the solids should be fully seperated and ready to strain the liquid from the solids.The solids are not quite as useful so toss them aside or offer them to the sheep.Feel free to enjoy your ghee, it works well in most dishes and even as a topping for warm bread.The last note of this article is that, traditionally the process of making ghee leaves very little milk sugars. So if someone has issues with lactose, then you can enjoy it easily.Until then, Uncle Suresh wishes you a warm winter, and a lovely journey.

Raptorskin: These Boots Were Made For Walkin’

Staff Writer: Reignmont Davoix

The sounds of carving, crafting, and cutting fill the burroughs in Gridania, dancing against the sounds of the water-wheels, Wood Wailers, and adventures all clattering about in the name of progress. With Starlight approaching, and the cooler weather nudging travelers indoors, markets such as the The Ebony & Rosewood Stalls are seeing their wooden halls filled to the brim with potential customers. The hustle and bustle could not be more on display than at Fen-Yll Fineries where frenzied fashion-forward footwear fans are fawning over the hottest new style.
Meet….The Raptor Skin BootProduction & Styling
The raptors of the namesake leather can be found across La Noscea, though most at Fen-Yll prefer that of the Lindwurm, found in their native Central Shroud, so that they may assure their animal honoring practices are put into place when collecting the Lindwurm’s hides. “A true leatherwork would never entrust their hides to the hands of another,” as I was informed by a guild spokesperson. Sturdy, with enough flexibility to remain comfortable, the Raptorskin Boots provide functional, supportive footwear, with a decoration of gold plates for a bit of sparkle. Treated especially to absorb dye without compromising durability, the boots have become a favorite for those adventures wanting a touch of glamorous personalization without sacrificing the protection their profession requires. It comes as no surprise, then, that weather for themselves, or as a Starlight gift, that the wait for such custom boots from Fen-Yll currently sits at three weeks; and that’s just for a fitting! Even when telling a kind front-desk attendant that I was there as a liaison from Davoix Textiles and hoped to purchase a pair myself, I was re-informed there was simply no way to obtain a pair of boots earlier, and all requests would be fulfilled in the order they came in. “The most arduous and time-consuming task is procuring the various coats and pelts necessary for this trade, and we will not risk angering The Elementals by over-hunting. Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to serving you.”Suffice to say, for those lucky enough to obtain a pair for themselves or as a Starlight present this season, will surely be the talk of their company for months to come!

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Children of the Sagolii
Living Among the Viper Tribe

Chief Editor: Sima Qian 司馬遷

There is a certain element of lingering mystique which pervades popular impressions of Seeker society. The Diurnal Miqo’te tribes are hardly a rare sight in Eorzea’s great cities, especially Ul’dah and Ala Mhigo, and yet, the Miqo’te who make their living in our continent’s grand metropolises tend to make a concentrated to assimilate into urban living. As a result, their traditionalist, desert-dwelling counterparts, despite living not all that far from the cities, remain a mystery to most of Eorzea’s urban peoples. Ignorance begets the creation of myth, and as such, if you were to ask your average Gridanian shopkeeper or Ul’dahn shoemaker what they knew of the Seekers of the Sun, they would likely spin you orientalized tales of hedonistic Nunhs lounging amidst a harem of veiled women, or of simple-minded savages to whom no dispute cannot be solved by a rock or a sharp stick.In my brief career as an itinerant journalist, I have had the honour of crossing paths and developing connections with many a compelling individual. However, among the brightest of these gems has been L’ihr Iahe, warrior, dancer, and huntress of the L-tribe. After joining forces with me to curb the worst excesses of certain members of Ul'dah's criminal underworld, L’ihr began telling me of her people, who lived out in the Sagolii desert, worshiped the cunning and deadly spirit of Vipers, and remained true to a way of life their ancestors had held to for thousands of years. My interest piqued, I eventually convinced L’ihr to take me south- to the great sandy dunes, where I would meet her tribe, and its leader, L’vhai Nunh: her brother.The Journey from Ul’dah took some few days, and at the end of the stretch, all signs of civilization had given way to the endless dune ocean of the Sagolii. Seemingly reading the clouds, L’ihr guides our Chocobo wagon over the sands, and sure enough, before long, we have arrived. It was a small village, stone brick buildings built low to the ground and hewn from a rocky mesa which cradled the cluster of domiciles like a mother cradles a child in her bosom. The sentries at the gates, all women, regarded our approach with suspicion, but upon seeing L’ihrs face, their wariness melted away, and we were welcomed in with open arms- she as a sister, and I as her honoured guest.As fortune would have it, I happened to arrive in the village at an opportune time: the name day of L’Vhai Nunh, and due to my status as L’ihr’s honored guest, I was afforded a place among the ceremonies and festivities. The next night, L’ihr leads me to the central plaza. She is dressed gorgeously in her traditional regalia, adorned in golden bangles, feathers, bone beads, a deep crimson dress of silk, and an intricate kaleidoscopic fabric of skin-painting she called ‘henna’. I am usually one for a humbler dress, but to show my respect to the formality of the occasion, I too put on my finest spring silk kimono, hakama, and tabi.When we arrived, most of the tribe, consisting entirely of women save for three young men, who L’ihr identifies as Tias, had gathered in the village square, clustered around their idol: a giant statue of the viper spirit, built against the cliff, with stretched out arms on either side of the village like a mother cradling a child. Ornate bejeweled trays have been set out before this shrine, upon which many worshippers have already placed burning candles and pots of smoldering incense as a symbol of their devotion. I feel a wave of comfortable familiarity, for similar offerings are performed in my home of Doma. Infact, for all I know, this Viper spirit who the L-tribe holds in such high regard may be the same kind of divinity as our bestial Auspices!Before long, the crowd took their seats upon the many pillows and carpets which had been laid out on the sands, and a procession of dignitaries entered the square. They are led by a female elder, adorned in golden bangles which gleam under the moonlit sky. Following her are two pale women who L’ihr introduces to me as X’rahna, the mother of her and L’vhai, and X’rava, L’vhai’s favoured mate. Finally, the Nunh himself, L’vhai, brought up the end of the procession."Viper," the Elder cried piously, causing the assembled to hush. "We humbly give you thanks for your guidance this year as we have been gathered in the safety of your coils. We ask that you continue to protect us with fang and venom from our enemies."I watched as the old shamaness pulled the lid off a wicker basket she was carrying, revealing, to me shock and awe, a live and deadly venomous viper. As this happens, L’ihr informs me that in her tribe, vipers are all venerated as sacred beings, not kept as pets, but respected as equals. The tribe keeps them safe and red, and in return, they provide the venom which provides lethality to the tribe’s weapons. I cannot help but touch the serpent brand which runs across my own face. In Doma, the mark of the snake is traditionally the brand of a criminal, an outcast. How fascinating it is that two cultures can see the same animal in such different lights.As the second part of the ritual, the Elder raises a large, communal basin of wine, in which she coaxes her viper to extract drops of its venom into. Remarkably, the wine bowl is then passed around, with Nunh L’vhai taking the first sip, before being passed around. L’ihr assures me the concoction won’t kill me, for the venom is too diluted to be deadly. Thus, when the basin is inevitably passed to me, I take my sip- and, as my readers can surely tell by the fact I am not, infact, dead, it goes as she says it would.After this ritual, the party begins. Food is served, and the dancing girls come out. I take this opportunity to pepper L’ihr with questions, questions she is happy to answer. Many stereotypes associated with the Seekers of the Sun, I find out, are infact misconceptions. Firstly, it is often assumed that in tribes where only one male has the right to mate with many females, the logical result is intergenerational inbreeding. L’ihr scoffs at this, pointing out the obvious, that firstly, larger tribes often have multiple Nunhs, and secondly, Nunhs often change as they are deposed by the Tias, which in turn changes the blood of the breeding stock. Another misconception she points out is that, when a Tia deposes a Nunh, death is not always the result. There are ways that old males, past their prime, can go into peaceful retirement after being deposed by the young.As the night gives way to a new dawn, and I find myself heavy on flatbreads, spiced meats and spiced wines, I realize that there is so much more to these peoples than those who dwell in the cities can know, and I resolved to learn more about these most ancient and noble tribespeople, who in a rapidly modernizing world, stay true to the ways of their ancient forebears.