iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

It sucks when friends drift away. When you are always the one reaching out to try and connect, trying to make plans, just trying. Being an adult sucks.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Had a fun afternoon exploring St. Charles and hitting up some neat little indie bookstores for the Missouri Indie Bookshop Tour.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Recently moved over to the Lake Saint Louis area and have been browsing around to find some local book and game stores. Stumbled on a farmer's market that I guess happens every Saturday, and added a lot of nifty little purchases to my book browsing!

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Feels like blasphemy, but I found myself wanting to dip my toe back into WoW and see what has been going on there. I've bounced off it multiple times over the years, but now I want to take another crack at it. While keeping a record of it: grizzlebeard.com #wow #worldofwarcraft #mmo

grizzlebeard.com

Grizzlebeard Plays

Exploring old worlds with fresh eyes and limited time.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

Kind of fell off the planet for a couple months due to some changes/stress with work. Sadly, it just killed my desire or enjoyment of any games, and I lost my momentum on FFXI at the time. Put it on the back burner, and have been trying to just enjoy my backlog lately.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Woo! Managed to get Ark Angel GK and Ark Angel EV. Those were the main two I was excited for because sweet and Galka trust, but the rest will be cool to have the whole band together. #FFXI

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

Really wish I'd realized how fun PUP is in FFXI before the bonus xp/cp event ended. Womp womp. Oh well, class is still a blast, that 1200 JP goal is just going to be a little slower to hit.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

This most recent stint in FFXI has been a blast, and the hooks are in deep. I hop on to play during lunch, and don’t want to shut down at the end of the night. That’s largely been due to finding a fantastic LS here on Bluesky full of great people, all of who have been super helpful the whole way.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Well, FFXI is down for maintenance…time to work on my FFXI spreadsheet for tracking missions and gear.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Starting to think FFXI RoV would have made more sense had I finished CoP and WotG first instead of just doing enough to let me progress, but I wanted that sweet, sweet xp bonus. Definitely think I’ll go back and wrap those up now that I’m to Adoulin era in RoV.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Trying to get geared at 99 in FFXI has been wildly confusing for a newbie. The guide for new 99s has been invaluable, but I still feel like I get off on a tangent and waste a night or two on something way too often, or I’m being complete dead weight to my LS. Vanabout has been a complete vanabust.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

Hit 99 on my first job in FFXI ever tonight. What a ride. Wasn’t really sure what to DO then, but after checking some guides and finding recs for fresh 99 gear I’m looking forward to catching up on some story missions I left behind and unlocking access to things to start grinding for gear.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Hit 75 for the first time on FFXI last night. This was the peak when I played back in the day, and now it is just another limit to be broken. Time to buckle down and head to 99. Everyone in Azure Skies has been phenomenal and has made this return to Vana’diel a blast.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Got my first ever piece of AF gear this afternoon in FFXI. I know I’m like 20 years late and it isn’t really an accomplishment anymore, but I’m happy with my little Thief hat. Hope to have the full set by this weekend, then back to leveling!

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Would rather be playing FFXI. Been cranking through unlocking all the jobs to get back into the swing of things and have something level one to start over on and remember the buttons and whatnot. No idea what I was doing story-wise, but just popping around hearing the music is fun enough.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Of all the things I love and praise about FFXI, the soundtrack rates pretty highly. Coming back and getting to hear the music in Bastok and Gustaberg is such a rush of nostalgia.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Redownloaded FFXI last night and started a fresh new character on Bahamut. Being back in Bastok felt great. Still trying to shake the dust off, but I remember I need to get my hands on an Amaryllis to make life easier. Also trying to get used to Records of Eminence.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

I miss MMOs. Not that there aren’t any now, I just miss the way they made me feel in the mid-2000’s. There are definitely design decisions I don’t agree with and certain things I enjoy from older games over the newer batch, but overall, the change is with me, not the games. I miss the mystery.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Oh no, it’s Lu Bu! I love the introductions in these games where you are just told not to resist and run as though he is a force of nature.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

I’m sure these changes have happened over time, but for someone who hasn’t played since the PS2, Dynasty Warriors: Origins is just wild. Dong Zhuo isn’t just immediately an enemy? Gan Ning doesn’t have his sweet sword?!

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Picked up Dynasty Warriors: Origins because nostalgia, and I’m so confused coming from playing like 3 or 4 as the last one. Yellow Turban Rebellion painted in shades of grey instead of mystical supervillain? I’m a named main character? Liu Bei doesn’t have a little hat?

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

So Trump, like an abusive ex, takes away TikTok and then expects thanks for bringing it back. TikTok can’t kiss the ring fast enough and praises “President” Trump, not even sworn in yet and with no official power. Man is making promises before being in office, congressmen are buying up stocks 1/

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

So Tiktok goes dark with a message stating this is due to the new law, but Trump may save it. This seems to lead people to believe that mean old Congress and Biden banned Tiktok, and Trump, in his benevolence, will save it. Let's not forget that Trump STARTED this though. www.npr.org/2020/08/06/9...

npr.org

Trump Signs Executive Order That Will Effectively Ban Use Of TikTok In the U.S.

The president also issued an executive order aimed at cutting ties between the U.S. and the owner of the popular Chinese communications and social media app WeChat.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 18/01/2025

Started up FFXII last night because I couldn’t remember if I ever actually finished it or just trailed off. I was at a save point at a big door in Giruvegan or something 70 hours in, zero memory of what I was doing or anything that was going on. Debating just starting over or if I try to salvage.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Just finished Jade Legacy, and I regret ever doubting Fonda Lee along the way. There were times I felt like the story wandered, or certain characters or stories felt like filler, but book three, especially the ending, wrapped everything up beautifully. Basically set the standard for a 5*. #booksky

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Headed to go get a library card from the local library and see if I can replace Kindle Unlimited with Libby or Hoopla I keep hearing about or something. No reason to keep funneling money to billionaires who lobby against my interests when I can support the library. #booksky

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Reposted by Ludonarrative

Mychal Threets @mychal3ts.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Do me a kindness! Share this if you love and support your local library & librarians (and remember: that includes your school library & school librarian) 😊📚 Thank you libraries & library workers… for everything ✨💚

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Balatro is a blast, but I feel like too much of the discourse around it includes “addicting” to describe it. The game is fun, and I do want to play it repeatedly, but I’m not experiencing withdrawals when I don’t. I don’t say this to be pedantic, I say this in light of the ratings issue and /1

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Got up to 5 on Paladin in Pantheon and decided to try grouping for a bit last night. Really enjoyed it, very much gave me FFXI vibes. Combat is slow and methodical, tanking doesn’t require stance dancing and spamming 86 buttons, and you just chill in one spot at a camp and chat with the group.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

Just got reminded that I used to be able to play Peggle inside of World of Warcraft. So much time on flight paths spent playing Peggle. No idea if this is still a thing.

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Reposted by Ludonarrative

🎃Cookie 🎮 Ace Attorney @arcanalegacy.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

The gaming community would be so much better if everyone just played games for themselves to form their own opinions instead of putting TOO MUCH emphasis on reviews/critics/online discourse & allowing it to make the decision for you.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen has been a really good time so far. I can’t speak to the Kickstarter or long development as I didn’t back it or follow closely, though I was aware of it. I also didn’t play original EQ. BUT! As someone who played a lot of FFXI and misses it, I enjoy the old school vibes.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Outdated basically the second I got it, and home to some questionable advice, this guide is still one I enjoy flipping through now and then to take a stroll down memory lane. I remember pouring over this in class with friends planning our characters and what we wanted to unlock. I miss those days.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

If I see Fire Emblem on a post for mutuals, I immediately follow, but also know that I basically just played Three Houses five times and adored it. Also Engage once. I know nothing of the older games and am a fake fan.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 06/01/2025

Two weeks of PTO coming to a close, and while it was nice to recharge the batteries, I’m not ready to go back. Had a blast playing some Veilguard, picked up the Pantheon early access and have been enjoying the old school vibes. Shifting back to corporate mode is a rough transition.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 02/01/2025

I need to work on my TBR, but I also just want to read The Locked Tomb series again. The eternal dilemma.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

My intention for holiday PTO was to beat other games from my backlog, but what if I just played one more run of Balatro…

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 25/12/2024

Two new books for Christmas that I’m exited to add to my TBR pile after I finish the Green Bone Saga.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Veilguard has been an absolute delight. I only dipped my toe in previously, but really putting in some hours with some holiday PTO. Characters are fun to get to know and run around with, combat is a blast, and the world is fun to explore. Overall, would highly recommend.

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Ludonarrative @ludo-narrative.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

See if I do this right… I’m Ludo. 36, he/him. Interests include, but aren’t limited to: •Baldur’s Gate 3 •D&D/TTRPGs •Elden Ring •Dark Souls •Fire Emblem •Balatro •Modded Minecraft •Cats •Trying all MMOs but sticking with none #promosky

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