Lightsday, the 21st of the 4th Month, of the Year 1009
Dear Papa,
Today I have arrived at San d'Oria by way of the Westgate. At the gate, a guard is stationed to assist all new adventurer recruits with finding our way around the city. It is so big! Not nearly as large as Jeuno, I am sure, but one can still be easily confused, especially in some of the alleys. I was given my own room here, to decorate as I see fit. They call them Mog Houses, and the moogle inside was very helpful in explaining what my duties were as an adventurer of San d'Oria. I stored away my gear in the Mog Safe in the room, and went exploring.
The gate guard gave me an adventurer's coupon, as well as a copy of what he referred to as a 'magic' map of the city (they were developed by a mage in Windurst after the Crystal War, and show party members' locations as well as allowing me make little glowing marks on it for important things,) and one of East and West Ronfaure as well, so I began with South San d'Oria. Walking through Lion's Square outside of the Residential Area, I noticed a small crowd near the fountain. An Elvaan by the name of Varchet was running a small dice game, so I stopped to watch for a while. The people were regulars it seemed; everyone knew each other by name, and would banter friendly with whomever won the pot or rolled a particularly bad roll. When I asked the rules of the game, they were all very nice and helpful in explaining. The object was to get a higher roll than Varchet; if you didn't, you lost your bet for the round, if you tied, you got your money back, and if you won, you got twice what you bet. After a bit, I said my goodbyes and continued down Calvary Way. From there, a small alley branches off, and seemed to be residential in nature. I will explore that another time.
From the stories you told us when we were little, I now compare what San d'Oria was like when you and Maman were here to what it has become today. Lion Spring's Tavern seems to have grown, though it occupies the same building by the fountain square. Helbort's Blades and Rosel's Armour shops are still in business; I faintly remember hearing Maman talk about shopping there. I may stop in and see if they remember her.
As I approached the Eastgate and Victory Square, I saw the first of what seems to be many little booths selling items from different regions. As only one of the three major nations may control a region at a time, and the regions change hands at any given time, not every shop in the regional market has something to sell. Later, if I wish to take up the cooking craft, I may end up having to travel to the different cities to obtain some of the ingredients. Entering Victory Square, to the south there is a new structure; it seems that San d'Oria opened its own Auction House, modeled after Jeuno's. I wonder what else San d'Oria has adopted from Jeuno since the war's end?
Passing through Victory Square and past the Westgate, I was too busy studying the architecture that I collided with a passerby. Apologising profusely, I assisted him with retrieving the papers that I had caused him to drop. He asked me my name and gave me his: Rochefogne. He told me that he was in San d'Oria to visit his sister's grave; she had succumbed to an illness 15 years before. His name seems familiar to me, though I cannot say just why...? Thanking me, he bid me goodbye and good luck on my adventuring before continuing on his way, and I did the same.
Past the Westgate is Pikeman's Way and Watchdog Alley (I saw that the name of the alley off of Calvary Way is Squire Alley.) Pikeman's Way holds Raimbroy's Grocery, Taumila's Sundries, and the Tanners' Guild. I stopped in the guildhall to talk to the guild leader; I am now able to craft leather goods and equipment using the Archduke's method of crystal synthesis. Right now, I will save my gil for things I will need, rather than spend it on making items that may or may not sell.
After visiting the guild, I continued down Pikeman's Way. I saw an open doorway along the wall, and like the curious cat you've called me, I investigated it. It turned out to be Watchdog Alley; the map is very confusing as to how one would leave the area, but I managed to find my way after a bit. Further down the way, I came to a manor; asking a passerby, I found that it belongs to Count Caffaule.
By this time, it was midafternoon, so I began to head back to the Residential Area, continuing to explore. I walked the inner battlements overlooking the wards of the gates and talked with the people I met there. I learned of the elemental interactions and of how, as a warrior, I would use them to my advantage in preventing certain spells and effects. I learned also of the interactions of beasts, which type has the stronger hand over the other; also, I learned the names of stars and their patterns in the night sky.
Finally, I arrived back at my new home, greeted by my moogle with a hot soup and warm bread ready for dinner. After this hearty fare, I laid out my bedroll in front of the banked fire to warm, and started this letter. I hope that it finds you in good health; worry not, Papa, for I will be able to care for myself while here. Tomorrow, I shall begin my journey as a warrior, armed with a simple sword, for I am unable to use Maman's greatsword as of yet, nor is my strength sufficient to don her armor for long periods of time and fighting as required by one of my chosen class. Therefore, I will keep it here until the time that I will need it; Moogle says he will keep it hale until then.
I feel sleep threatening, so I must end my letter; I will write as often as the caravan for Jeuno travels. I hope that soon I may make the journey back home on my own instead of relying on the caravan's guards for my safety.
Your Daughter,
Romidant
P.S. I dearly miss my bed; this floor is hard.
