01: video

[tactical_lalafel]

[The camera cuts in on a close-up - a round face, piercing blue eyes with no clear pupils behind rimless glasses perched atop a snub nose, broad pointed ears sticking out chin-length black hair, fills the field of view, scrunched up in a look of the sort of concentration you'd expect from someone disarming a bomb.] What does that light- broadcasting? Oh, seven hells...

[The face scrambles back, revealing a person standing maybe three feet tall, dressed in a wizardly-looking sort of robe. They wave to the camera, smiling nervously.] Ah, hello! Sorry about that - devices like this aren't common where I come from, and the ones there are tend to be... hazardous, in one way or another. [If Allagan technology isn't malfunctioning from millenia without maintenance, it's functioning perfectly and trying to kill you.]

Anyhow! Malms Vovokosi, battle thaumaturge and adventurer, at your service. [He bows to the camera.] Now, since the Grand Company that brought us here has been so kind as to arrange employment already, I find I have a favor to ask. Does anyone play Illusion: The Gathering? I feel I should have some idea as to what the wares I'm to be selling are.

Comments

[tactical_lalafel]

Is that really what they call it? I hope the smaller divisions within find more inspiring names for themselves, at least.

[penthesileia]

Er, from what I can tell, I believe the focus is on discipline and regimented authority rather than any type of morale-boosting effect. Are national armies where you come from typically named thusly?

[tactical_lalafel]

The Grand Companies emphasize that as well, but discipline and following orders aren't what stir the heart's fires in times of trial, are they?

But yes, they are - the Immortal Flames are Ul'dah's main non-mercenary force, the core fleet of Limsa Lominsa sails under the Maelstrom's banner, and the Order of the Twin Adder defends the forests of Gridania.

[penthesileia]

I suppose not, but then again, I'm not a professional soldier. I couldn't tell you their aims. To be honest, those names sound... er, slightly grandiose. Do they have any meaning, or are they just meant to inspire the fervor you mention?

[tactical_lalafel]

Well, the Immortal Flames' name comes from the sigil of the house of Ul, the golden scales of order - they are the flame of might that balances the gem of prosperity, representing Ul'dah's mercantile interests. The Twin Adders' name came from the founding of Gridania, Hyur and Elezen joining together to establish the city together, and the Maelstrom's from the storm that drove the Galadion ashore, whose crew founded the settlement that grew into Limsa Lominsa.

I find the Maelstrom's origins to be the most meaningful, personally, but then I do technically hold the rank of Lieutenant in its Foreign Levy, so I'm biased.

[penthesileia]

[She's trying very hard to keep all these names and places straight. It is not working very well.] I see...

So you're a member of the Maelstrom? What are your duties?

[tactical_lalafel]

For various reasons, I'm on detached duty - my current responsibilites involve periodic participation in training exercises between the Grand Companies, and maintaining readiness to assist should the Garleans decide to make another push at invading.

[penthesileia]

Oh? Then these companies work together?

Why not just merge forces? Who are the Garleans?