#wondroustailsofffxiv

[wondroustailsofffxiv]

There is a re-occurring quest of sorts in Final Fantasy XIV called ‘Wondrous Tails’, and it is given to you in Idyllshire by a young Miqo’te named Khloe Aliapoh. Specifically, she gives you an empty journal and asks you to write down the stories of your past and future adventures so that she can share them with everyone she meets!

By re-completing past content, you can earn stickers in order to make lines across a card in a style similar to bingo, with each finished line netting all sorts of prizes once the journal is turned in. In much the same way, ‘Wondrous Tails of FFXIV’ is a multi-month event that utilizes a prompt-filled bingo card format in order to encourage participants to tell the stories in an environment with minimal restrictions and maximum possibilities.

This event is open to both visual and written media, and anyone that participates with at least one valid entry is entered for a raffle that takes place after the end of the event. However, participants do not need to worry about raffle entries or its few restrictions if all they'd like to do is take part and have fun!

> The next iteration of Wondrous Tails of FFXIV will start on March 15th and end on June 15th! <

For more information about the event, start/end dates and whatnot, please check out the links found below!

About | FAQ | Rules | Bingo Card Template | AO3 | Carrd | Picker Wheel Links

[irisopranta]

The Iris and The Edelweiss

“An edelweiss? Quite an usual flower to have there.” Iris mentioned it to the young Haillenarte in front of her. Iris wasn’t quite sure what to make of him. Haurchefant had inform her that he was quite a gentle one for one that had great standing the Ishgardian High Houses. It was at his insistence that he wanted Iris to get to know Lord Francel.

Luckily, he was receiving a parcel at the camp. She just so happened to catch him as her was looking over the contents. The edelweiss was in already in his hand. He was quite confused as to why a stranger would strike up a conversation with him. He nodded to her, “Mayhaps, However it is a gift from my mother. She always loved edelweiss.” He looked at the woman before him. “I assumed you needed to speak to me?”

Iris nodded. “Lord Haurchfant thought it would be a good idea for me to meet you.” She held out her hand “I’m Iris, a pleasure to meet you.” The young lord took her hand to shake. As he did she couldn’t help herself to her glances to the edelweiss. “You know, if she is sending you something like that, she must be telling you to be strong for whats ahead.”

“You feeling alright there dear?” the graceful elezen before her showed a bit of concern on her face “Would you like to lay down instead of playing me in another match?”

“Oh, I’m quite fine Lady Estelle. I was just thinking back on something in my past.” She looked at the chess board before her. It seemed that Estelle took the liberty to set it back for a new match. No matter how much Iris play against her, she can never win against her lady. She can’t even think she ever saw anyone win a match against. Stephanivien might have gotten close but Iris isn’t all that surprise. After all, She probably taught her son a trick or two through out the years.

Iris has come to known Lady Estelle de Haillenarte these last few moons. Every since she got engaged to her son she seemed interested to learning more about her new daughter. Before then, she had only caught glimpse of the lady of the house every now and then. She always seemed to have a face of grief whenever she was about the manor.

“Well if you are quite fine then let’s proceed. I still have to teach you a thing about strategy if you are to become the next Countess Haillenarte.” A smirk crossed Estelle’s face. The countess seemed amused by this all. Rather if it’s because she was showing off to Iris her skills or she just was enjoying the time the two were having. Iris didn’t mind.

“Though I have to ask, why edelweiss? It’s an unusual flower to like?”

“Now wouldn’t you like to know.”

[pumpkinmagekupo]

Wondrous tails: Mermaid AU

Lore would tell you that mermaids only reside in the oceans but that is not always true. While it is true that most mermaids prefer the open waters of the oceans, there are some who dwell in underwater cave systems.

Mizuki was one such mermaid. She preferred to keep isolated.  On her lone adventures she had come across an island with a large mountain in the centre of it. After some deep investigation of the island and its currents, she found herself in a cave with a huge ceiling. There was a gap somewhere letting in some light and it allowed the crystals in the cave to illuminate the area. Swimming around the cool waters, Mizuki decided she liked it here and this would be her new home. 

-

“Look, Ser Knight. We really don’t need you and yours here.” an old miner huffed “we’ve been doin’ this for years-”

“I am well aware of that but due to the latest attacks we would prefer to keep you all safe-” Aymeric explained, walking in step with the miner as they descended into a cold dark cave “and once we believe it safe enough. We will leave you to your own devices if that pleases you-” his words fell quiet, “what-” Aymeric stared in disbelief at the white glowing eyes that peeped over the surface of the cave’s lake.

“A mermaid,” the old man stated simply, walking over to a nearby cluster of crystals “That one often pops up.”

“I thought they lived in the ocean.” Aymeric replied quietly, daring not to take his eyes off her.

“Guess this one doesn’t.”

Aymeric jumped as rock flew past his head and landed near the mermaid. Before he could question it several more rocks hurtled past him, some striking the mermaid who delved quickly beneath the surface. “Why would you harm it?” he almost shouted.

“Mermaids eat humans, that’s why.” 

“Do you know that? did-”

“Don’t trust anything a mermaid says! They’ll lure you into the water and eat you alive!” a younger miner shouted, his voice echoing in the caves. 

“Ain’t nothin’ goin’ kill us in here.” The old miner intervened “if you insist on guarding, do it outside and let us work.”

Aymeric sighed and left the cave, his knights awaiting him. “Guard the cave entrance. I am going to check the area.”  They saluted as Aymeric mounted his chocobo and headed off around the mountain path. 

He was quite away from the mouth of the cave when he heard rushing water, curious he followed it and spotted a little waterfall leading into a small lake and sitting on the edge of the lake; the mermaid. She seemed to be pressing leaves against her forehead. 

Aymeric dismounted his chocobo and tried to get a better look but he tripped into a bush and startled her.

“Wait!” he called, scrambling out of the thicket.  “Are you hurt? I’m sorry they hurt you-”

“And why do you care?” Aymeric was shocked, her voice was so gentle but there was a sharpness to it.

“You did nothing wrong, it was wrong of them-” Aymeric hurried forward, she was still hiding from him “I won’t harm you.” he said, trying to peer around the flowers.

Something crossed his mind “how did you get out here?” he looked around, there was no other river to this point and she had just been in the cave lake..

“I know all the currents of this island.” she replied simply, “I can find my way anywhere.”

“That is amazing!” Aymeric gasped “I was convinced mermaids could only live in the oceans.”

“Most do..I prefer it here..it’s quieter.”

Aymeric wanted to see her but she still refused to show herself.

"Mi'lord?!" a knight shouted,

Aymeric sighed deeply "I should go.. would it be possible to see you again?"

"Mi'lord?!" a knight called again.

There was silence, perhaps she didn't want to see him "there's a cove near where the cave was. Meet me there at sundown." Aymeric saw a flash of orange just as his knight arrived.

"Mi'lord?"

Aymeric looked away from the lake with a heavy heart, he had to wait to see her.

-

The day dragged slowly after that. Aymeric couldn't wait to see what the mermaid looked like up close.

Once his duties were complete, he hopped on his chocobo and headed down to the coast. “I hope I’m not late.” he wandered the beach hopefully and there she was. Sat half submerged by the water, staring up at the star speckled sky.

“You came.” she said, her tone was softer now.

"I could think of nothing else." Aymeric admitted, “May I sit?” she nodded and he sat beside her in the water.  Aymeric couldn’t take his eyes of her. Her greyish skin, sparkled in the moonlight, his eyes fell to the tail under the surface, which flicked up splashing him with cold water, it was black like the scales that lined her cheeks, they look like obsidian, he had to resist reaching to touch them.

“You’re the first to not be so scared of me.”

“How could I? You’re so beautiful.”

She laughed and it made his heart race faster “You’re not scared I will eat you?”

Aymeric chuckled this time “I don’t believe such things.”

She finally turned to him, her eyes shone bright white with the moon “then come swim with me.”

“Might I know your name first?” Aymeric asked, she has already swam out to the deeper side of the coast.

“Mizuki.” she replied and dived under the waves.

Bingo Card

[tallbluelady]

Sweethearts

[trackerkitsune]

Prompt: Role Reversal AU

If my WoL was the final boss of Aglaia and Nald'thal were mortal twins :3c

[eleventhcircle-archive]

wondrous tails of ffxiv: glamour

[starrysnowdrop]

Wondrous Tails

Entry #4: Heartache

G’raha Tia waited there, in the shadow of the shining tower that once stood as a beacon of hope, now only saw the faint glow of light in battle with the gloom of the night sky.

He knew what he had to do. It was his destiny as the last bearer of the blood of Allagan royalty to see his mission fulfilled. And yet… his thoughts were with her.

He didn’t want to leave her, nor did he want to cause her any pain, but he knew he was going to have to do just that. And it was killing him at just the thought of what the morrow would bring. He could only stand there, tears rolling down his face, his body shaking from the pain of never seeing her ever again.

[pellaaearien]

Wondrous Tails FFXIV: Trauma

Post-5.5, emeto mention, hurt/comfort, 1k words

Back at the Rising Stones, in the whirlwind of the aftermath, partings and reunions, the Scions rousing at last, Eyn’ara was an emotional wreck. She was just trying to keep herself awake long enough to be sociable when the door opened again, and Aymeric walked in. She’d been in no state to call him, and had no idea who had (good money was on Tataru), but as their eyes met across the crowded room, Eyn’ara froze. 

That was the trouble with using her inner beast to dodge her memories; they tended to surface at the most inopportune times. The instant she saw her beloved, she remembered exactly how it had felt to cut him down; the sound her axe had made as it rent his flesh, the way the silk and leather and furs had parted before it, the shudder through her hands as the blade struck home. The coppery scent of his blood gushing out, staining her axe with the colour of his life. The way his eyes had dimmed as he gasped, swayed… fell.  

Eyn’ara clapped her hands over her mouth and ran for Dawn’s Respite, locking the door behind her. Giving into the bile roaring up her throat did nothing to suppress the parade of visceral images on loop in her mind. Aymeric. Alphinaud. Y'shtola. Thancred. Aymeric.

Soon enough she had naught left in her stomach — she couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten — but she couldn’t stop, dry heaves indistinguishable from her deep, wracking sobs. Somewhere far away there was a pounding on the door, but she could hardly hear it over the sounds of her body seeking to turn itself inside out.

“Get the key.” That was Aymeric’s voice, brooking no argument; Eyn’ara despaired, but she couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. All she could do was curl into a ball on the floor, hide away where she would be as harmless as possible. 

Then there were arms around her, and though she protested, curling into herself ever further — if I can’t use my hands I can’t hurt anyone — the arms were implacable, holding her so carefully.

“Forgive me.” Aymeric’s voice again, so near. Eyn’ara shuddered and squeezed her eyes more tightly shut, tears cascading afresh down her cheeks. “But I could not listen to you in such distress and do nothing.”

She was exhausted, from grief and from battle; without energy to sustain them, her cries tapered off into whimpers. Beneath them, she could hear Aymeric humming tunelessly, stroking her hair in the soothing way that grounded them both. He held her against his chest, his heart beating strong and steady beneath her ear. She pressed closer, the sound the only thing that held any meaning in the world. Alive. Alive. Alive.

She breathed to the beat, wanting to attune her entire existence to the sound, to the proof that what she so vividly remembered wasn’t real.

“I never would,” she murmured, her throat raw and aching, the words ripping out of her. "Never."

"I know it," Aymeric said, calm and certain. "And I will never forgive these Ascians for making you doubt it of yourself."

He was dressed down, not in his Commander's garb, and Eyn'ara reached a trembling hand to his shoulder, his chest, feeling whole, warm skin. 

It was one of the strongest parts of his armour, the massive pauldrons and the dragon gorget. They'd been like paper before her axe.

Aymeric caught her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Lady Y’shtola told me what happened," he said gravely. "You are unhurt?"

Eyn'ara barked a bitter laugh. "None of you— them, I mean, the shades— none of them could even touch me. Three at once, four. It didn't matter. I was unstoppable."

"Good," Aymeric said, gathering her close as she shuddered and clung to him. "Those of us who are real, and love you, are very glad to have you here."

Eyn'ara would have wept at that, but she had no tears left. Instead, she just let herself be held, let his hands and his warmth and the oak and bergamot scent of him empty her mind.

It had been a very long day.

“I wanna go home,” she said at last, her words slurring with exhaustion. “I don’t want to sleep here.”

Aymeric, bless him, didn’t ask which home she meant, or whether she had enough residual aether to teleport. He merely kissed her temple.

“You go on, then,” he murmured. “I’ll make your excuses and follow right behind. I promise.”

Eyn’ara was too tired to argue. She began casting Teleport where she sat, images of their room at Borel Manor and its feather bed filling her mind.

When she arrived, it was late enough that the servants had already taken to bed. She bent her entire will on putting one foot in front of the other, thankful that she didn’t have to keep up appearances for anyone any more. The weight of G’raha’s soul weighed heavy on her, but her friend had been sleeping for years; she doubted he would begrudge her this moment of rest.

Divesting herself of her armour piece by piece as she walked, she left a trail of her clothing to the bedroom. Aymeric could scold her for messiness if he wished, though somehow she thought he might let it slide this time. Reaching the bedroom door, she pressed it closed with her body and remained slumped against it for a long moment.

It was finally over.

She flopped face first into the soft, welcoming bedspread, not even bothering to tuck herself in, and this was how Aymeric found her. Time had drifted as she dozed but she didn’t think it had been long.

“Darling…” Aymeric’s voice permeated through the haze surrounding her, suffused with fondness and relief. “Am I to be banished to the sofa tonight?”

Eyn’ara grumbled as she rolled over, making grabby hands at her husband, who laughed softly. The bed dipped as he climbed in next to her, and with a bit of expert manoeuvring, covered her with the duvet. Eyn’ara immediately cuddled up next to him, pressing her ear to his chest to listen to his heart once more. Alive. They’re all alive. Everyone is safe.

Aymeric pulled her closer, pressing his lips to her hair. Lying boneless and secure in his arms, finally at rest, Eyn’ara heard his voice rumble on the edge of sleep.

“Welcome home.”

[otherworldseekers]

Moving in Together (Wondrous Tails)

Nero moves into Severia’s rooms at the Rising Stones. Only problem is, Severia’s never really used them before.

“This is where you live?”

“Well, I spend the night here sometimes.”

“This is the saddest bedroom I’ve ever seen. It all has to go.”

“What?”

“First we cover the walls and floor.”

“What’s wrong with them?”

“My dear grandmama used to day cold stone does not a home make.”

“I think you just made that up.”

“It’s still true.”

“Care to admit that you like it much more like this?”

“Fine. I admit it. Happy?”

“Not til we get some decent furniture in here.”

“I don’t see what was so wrong with-”

“Those sparse and pathetic sticks of utilitarian… I hesitate to even call it furniture…”

“All right, all right. Everything is in your hands, since you’re such an expert.”

“What do you think? Parallel or perpendicular?”

“Perpendicular, I think. Then we’ll put this counter up against it so… and there. You can sit here and we can handily converse while I cook.”

“You think of everything.”

“It’s simply to be expected of a genius such as myself.”

“How do you prefer your books arranged?”

“I’ve never had enough books to consider it before. You seem to have all the books in the world. And I can’t read hardly any of the titles. What’s this one?”

“Artis magnae sive de regulis algebraicis or the Art of Solving Algebraic Equations.”

“I… What?”

“An old school book I mostly keep for nostalgia.”

“How do you even have all of these? Where have you been keeping them?”

“Pocket dimension.”

“You have a pocket dimension?”

“I don’t see why I shouldn’t. You do. Literally.”

“I… what?”

“How is it that you manage to carry so much in those little pouches and knapsacks of yours? Pocket dimension.”

“Nero, I’m almost done. Stop distracting me.”

“Exactly. You’re almost done. That’s the best time to distract you.”

“We’re done!”

“And your final verdict?”

“I think… it feels like a home. I’ve never had a home like this before.”

“Does it please you?”

“It’s a little… overwhelming. But I don’t think there’s anyone else in the world I would rather make one with for the first time.”

[karoiseka]

Prompt: Scions/Defending Each other

((Another one that I fought with the words for, despite having all the emotions I wanted pent up inside.  Still not 100% happy with it, but I am with the screenshots at least.  Have some Karo angst, 6.0 spoilers!!!))

“Karo!”

“Karoiseka!! Art thou here?”

“The Watchter said she was waiting inside, did he not?”  Karo could hear Thancred, Urianger and Y’shtola looking for her as they entered the Watcher’s Tower.  She had grabbed a ride on Argos, slipping in the door before everyone else, collapsing in ball.  Her bow lay several films from her, kicked away as she stared at it in horror and what she had done.

“Karo!!”  Thancred’s voice reached a slightly panicked tone as he rounded the corner and saw her in the lower level, unresponsive to all of them.  She heard rather than saw the soft thump as he jumped down, skidding to her side.  

“Urianger!  ‘Shtola!  Down here!”  A small whimper escaped from the Bard as the hurts from her fight with Zodiark–Fandaniel–Amon caught up with her.  She knew she must look a fright, small cuts peppering her skin scabbing over, her armor scorched and torn in places.  Thancred was gently trying to get her attention, worry etched in every facet of his face.

“Kitten, c’mon, talk to me.  What’s the matter?  What happened?”  Thancred’s hand brushed the side of her face as carefully as possible, searching for any major injury.  The two mages had hurried their way down to their side, finding the ramp down.  Claiming the other two sides of her, they poured healing magic into the Warrior of Light.

“Thine physical injuries are not great, despite thy look.  Pray, tell us all,”  Urianger’s words took on the same tone he had used with a scared Ryne in Ahm Arang, and Karo blinked slowly–her mind catching up to having those she cared about surrounding her in this alien place.

“I–I’ve doomed us all,” magic stilled as the trio strained to hear the words that emerged from her cracked voice.  It was too much.  Black ears were pinned so close to her head to be almost non-existent, and her blue-tipped tail curled tightly around her.  Karo’s words broke the silence only momentarily.

“I killed Zodiark.”  Karo’s head dropped into her folded arms hugging her knees as she could hear the shocked stillness around her.  Zodiark–the God of their enemy–the boogie man spoke of only in hushed whispers.  The eldest, and most powerful of primals, was slain by her hand.  True, he was only at half power having only the rejoining of seven of the thirteen shards, yet he was still the ancient’s God, and frighteningly powerful.  She had not traveled to the moon to kill him–only to stop Zenos and Fandaniel.  They had led her on a merry chase, as she frantically tried to mend the wards before they arrived to pick off the last one–only to have them shatter it in her face.  She had failed.  There was no other word, no way around it.  And now the whole star was going to pay for her incompetence.

“Karo.  Karoiseka.” Y’shtola’s voice bit through her misery and got her to look up into her milky eyes.

“We need to know what happened,” a gentle hand was laid on her arm, even as Thancred was pulling her completely into his lap, having had enough of just sitting by idly.  Even as she settled into his embrace, Karo reached, snagging Y’shtola’s hand that hadn’t quite gotten out of reach, and grabbed for Urianger’s with her other hand.  Tucking her head under Thancred’s chin, she finally started to relate the tale, starting from when she had first stepped through the teleporter until they found her.

She relied on her echo talent of being able to spill reports with ease, not letting emotion get in the way, her voice flat and emotionless–even when mentioning seeing the real Hythlodaeus–until she mentioned seeing Zenos again.  The gathered Scions could feel her tremble, her voice starting to waver as she talked about the Prince of Garlemald.  There hadn’t been time to fully recover from his–experiment–which was apparent from her reaction to having to see him again so soon after the experience.  The morbid choice Fandaniel made and the fight after almost seemed anticlimactic, if it wasn’t for the consequence.  Zodiark had been the only thing forestalling the Final Days to the star, and now they were going to be descending upon the innocent populace.

Karo finally cracked, stoic facade crumbling as she sobbed into Thancred’s shoulder.  Urianger and Y’shtola had come closer, creating a barrier between her and the world, pulsing gentle healing magics into the last of her physical wounds.

“I–I didn’t stop them.  I was supposed to stop them.”  The words were muffled and choppy as her anguish poured out in droves.

“Nothing went right.  All the ancient souls are released, Zodiark and his protections are gone and it’s my fault.”  All at once the fight went out of the Bard as she went completely limp.  

“Why did She choose me?”  The last sentence was barely able to be heard, breathed out as the weeping ended and she was left spent.  None of the Scions answered at first, closing in to hold her in that lopsided embrace, a puddle on the floor of the oversized observatory.  

“Thou art stronger than thou know,” Urianger’s voice was gentle as always.  “And if thou needest help, know we are but a moment away.  Our strength is yours, always.”

“He’s right you know,”  Y’shtola’s voice was soft, yet with her normal biting undercurrent, “We’d like to think that we’re not useless to you, if you don’t mind.”  The words were tempered with an affectionate smile. “Please, let us help.”  Thancred’s arms had tightened around her, and guilt welled up within once more as she realized that she was hurting her beloved companions by trying to shoulder it all alone–again.  

Perhaps.  Just Perhaps, she had been chosen because she had the Scions to watch her back, to be her strength.  They all brought a different specialty to the group, some of it overlapping, but each and all a boon to the group.  She was just–to her chagrin–the spearhead and “Champion”.  None of it would be possible without each and every Scion–and everyone else she had met for that matter.  Maybe they could figure out what even the Ancients couldn’t, and forestall and overcome the Final Days.

The silence stretched on for a few minutes more as Karo’s breathing settled back down to a steady rhythm.  Tugging the held hands, she pulled Urianger and Y’shtola into the hug that she was already being held in, wrapping her arms around all three the best she could.

“Thank you,” Karo’s voice was still a bit raw from the tears and the fighting before, but steady once more.  “I needed that reminder.”  She took another deep breath, fighting to keep her emotions stable.  

“I can’t do any of this without you–any of you.  I’m just so afraid,” she could feel Thancred pressing a kiss into her hair, trying to keep her calm.  “Though, with you lot at my back, I shouldn’t be.  We can do this, right?”

“Of course we can.  That’s what we do, isn’t it?” Thancred’s voice was confident as ever, as the other two murmured their affirmation as well.  “We’ll see this through, and maybe get a bit of a vacation afterwards, how about that?”  The comment finally cracked Karo’s somber mood, sending her into a fit of giggles, sparking laughter from the whole little group.  Vacation?  What was that?  Nonetheless, the weight upon her heart had lifted enough to take the next step forward.

“Alright, let’s see what the Watcher has to say about all this,”  Karo sighed, not really wanting to leave the comfort of the group embrace, but knowing time was now against them once more.  

“We have a star to save.”

[wondroustailsofffxiv]

Picker Wheel Prompt Links

Due to the awesomeness of @nijohirjesyho and @dholwrites, there are now pre-filled picker wheels to help add a little randomness to picking your prompts for the bingo sheets!

Please keep in mind these are not required, prompts can still be chosen freely to use by themselves or towards a completed bingo card. These are just to add a little extra fun and randomness for those who are interested!

And remember: you can grab your prompts and ready your bingo card now, but the event doesn't start until March 15th at midnight CST!

SFW Shipping

SFW Solo

SFW FFXIV-Specific

SFW AUs

NSFW General

NSFW Kinks

ALL PROMPTS

ALL NSFW PROMPTS

[hydaelynsgallery]

For all that local Limsa novelist Daniel Van Heler loves his Carbuncle, sometimes he wonders if it will eventually either drive him mad or get him tossed off the Misery and onto a random island of monsters. The twelve have mercy upon his soul.

And yes, his Carbuncle has an unhealthy obsession with root vegetables.

This is for the prompt ‘carbuncle’ for the Wondrous Tails of FFXIV event! Also a sorta-sequel to this post of shenanigans.

Bonus screenshots beneath the cut:

[pumpkinmagekupo]

Wondrous Tails Bingo Card

Done the thing..right I hope.

Mermaid AU

Bandaging wounds

Insomnia

Holding Hands

Sleeping in 

Job mentors

Magical Girl

Dragon AU

Sharing Clothes

Wedding

[tallbluelady]

...And to celebrate the liberation of Ala Mhigo, a ball was held at the Royal Menagerie.

[yedlihmad]

| “bad habit” - for Wondrous Tails of FFXIV event​

[eleventhcircle-archive]

wondrous tails of ffxiv: fantasia

miss iri is looking decidedly less feline lately...