Old player, returned againFollow

Hello everyone on Ragnorok!

I'm doing the free 2-week trial at the moment, but plan to pick up the game again from Gamestop ($15? Insanity).

Anyway, I started playing yesterday and am a Hume WAR from Sandy at level 11 already-- it's a lot easier to gain levels than I remember. My name is Seidra.

I'm looking for a few things.

1) Can anyone suggest a good linkshell I can join? Playing yesterday was kind of lonesome, and having friends to party with at some point would be great. I'll probably play either around 7 PM PST on the weekdays, or be on in the mornings on the weekends. I don't really have the ability to stay up late, and when I'm on on the weekends I can't play into the afternoons usually-- that's time to spend with my wife (I'm a guy playing a girl, I hope that's acceptable).

2) Would there be any goldsmiths/blacksmiths that would be willing to make me some equipment? I'd provide the crystals and materials (as well as some gil, even though I'm a little poor atm). I'm looking for a level 10 scale mail set for Seidra, but there wasn't really any to be found on the AH yesterday, so I figure this is the next best way to get what I want. I'd love to make some myself, but I can't imagine how long it'd take me to level up to the point that I can make it myself.

Thanks in advance-- I appreciate the help!

Tsk, Tom knows me too well ...

I'll give you four linkshells to consider that I have pearls in and like very much, but you should also read the stickied thread atop this forum for even more to consider. Get the best fit you can! Your linkshell is your family.

Axiom is a medium-sized shell of long standing with a mix of new, intermediate and older players. http://www.axiom-online.org/ has more information. I am a sackholder there. And by coincidence, Axiom happens to have several recently-returned, or simply brand new, players, so you would have some folks who have that in common with you.

Musketeers is a larger shell weighted towards the veteran side, but friendly, well-organized and still casual, although they do their share of endgame events along with lower-level things. http://ffxi-musketeers.com/

Triumvirate is Tom's shell. It spun off from Axiom about 2.5 years ago. Still has a nice mix of levels, and everyone is friendly. http://www.triumvirate-forum.com/ (See the taru bard on their front page? That's me!)

Moghat is a spinoff of sorts from Triumvirate, smaller but very tight-knit; everyone is super friendly. http://moghat.com/

You can shop around a bit, but generally it's best to have just one main social shell. (Heck, I wish all my friends were in just one shell ...)

I missed your question about crafting. I can make most basic things myself, but my playtime is limited (job/commute, marriage to non-FFXI player). I will try to help, though, and if I cannot make something myself, I usually know someone who can.

Befriend away! You may need to remind me, at the time, that you're the guy from Allakhazam this week. We old farts get forgetful. And I'll be happy to craft things on a time-available. Usually I just ask the person to provide the materials, with some exceptions. One proviso: I'm not much for making mass quantities of consumables, like ammo or shihei, at least not regularly.

Regarding an LS's taking you and your friends: I suspect all of the listed LSs would be fine with it, with two asterisks.

One: Musketeers's rules state that full-fledged membership there requires a sponsor (i.e., a current full-fledged member). So what they'd do, I am guessing, is make you all provisionals/ recruits for a time -- which, in fairness, is unofficially what ANY LS is gonna do with new members, it's just that Muskies make that status official.

Two: Moghat is a smaller shell -- a dozen or so good friends? -- and while it may happily accept one new person, taking three all at once may be a bit more than it can happily assimilate.

As to any of the LSs, though, it can't hurt to ask! Just be clear about what you want, including the "3 total people want to join" part.

My second-hand understanding is that, yes, the two methods you mentioned are still decent ways to make gil. I say "second hand" because, well, I make enough money from selling high-end ammo that I hardly ever farm or fish(-for-gil) and am telling you what I hear from friends who engage in those activities. (I'm not rich, I rush to point out, but I seldom want for money for really key things.) I am a big fan of fishing for moderate amounts of gil, but make no mistake, unless you stick to in-town moat fishing, it takes away from job-leveling time!, moreso than even other crafts.

I'll see you in-game.