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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#ffxivwrite2026 is complete. Every day, one entry written and submitted ON TIME and shared publicly. Every part of that sentence is a surprise to me, considering it wasn't until hour 18 of day 1 that I even decided to start. Imagine how dangerous I would be if I could do this... consistently.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 30 - Vestige (Sometime after 7.0) Yona goes up to the lake in Urqopacha. Just because it's nice. omg it's only two hours to midnight it would have been very funny (tragic) to drop the ball on the last day. ellipsus.com/read/7MPe3vT...

The Yok Huy had fretted horribly before Yona left Worlar's Echo. They loaded up the alpaca with what seemed like a week's worth of dried meat and fruit, one warned her of the cold and attempted to pile woolen coats onto her shoulders, another offered to travel with her to fend off beasts or opportunistic Chirwargur. Zurmurwur shuffled over, large eyes barely open, and waved his worried fellows away while yawning. Maybe it seemed strange to them that she showed up early in the evening and asked permission to travel near Worqor Lar Dor. She didn't need to ask, Gurfurlur assured her, not after all that she had done. Stranger still was that she had decided to leave late in the night - or early in the morning, depending on your perspective - and seemed somewhat baffled that such a choice would invite concern.

"Worqor Lar Dor will still be there when the sun rises," Zurmurwur said wearily.

Yona nodded with a smile. "I know."

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 29 - Layer Ameliance will always make sure that her sweet children are protected from the cold. ellipsus.com/read/sE2p3Rz...

The only thing better than one baby? Two babies. And better than two babies is two babies dressed in matching outfits. Or so Ameliance Leveilleur thought.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 28 - On Thin Ice Sending my gay ass ocs on an ice skating date because I have had no idea what to do with this prompt. But I'll be damned if I make it this close to the end and not submit something for every single day. ellipsus.com/read/5p1FRjX...

Orianne passed Yona with ease, turning to glide backwards so she could face Yona as she went.

"Oh, what's the matter? Not coming easily to you?"

Yona stomped clumsily towards Orianne, blades digging into the ice. She soon lost her balance, falling forward onto her knees and sliding helplessly along the ice. By this point, Orianne was already on the other side of the rink, leaning against the wall. Yona reached out a hand.

"Can you help me, please?"

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 27 - Free Day (7.56) "I'll go ahead and make sure Alphinaud and Estinien stay out of trouble," Orianne said, stupidly, before landing in the wrong place and immediately getting into trouble herself. (Free day prompt: Wayward) ellipsus.com/read/7H5zzyy...

Two dinky little airships, each carrying two men. The oldest of the men pointed a crossbow at Orianne, the wind whipping through his greying hair. The other three were quite a bit younger, and she didn't miss the features they all shared, the same shape in the eyes and jaw, hair all the same colour.

"I suppose banditry is the family business, is it?"

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 26 - Susurrus Do/do not go to Il Mheg. ellipsus.com/read/77V0fML...

There are all manner of magical wonders to be found if you have the courage to tread upon that forgotten domain. Simply follow the road north from the Ostall Imperative, pass through the gate, and continue until you find the mountain pass. The fog will grow thick and heavy, so much so that you might wonder if you can even breathe, but that is when you will know that you have found it.

Il Mheg. The home of the fae.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 25 - Cynosure Venat and her protégé look to the stars. ellipsus.com/read/4GZQuXP...

"Hmm…"

Venat stopped in her tracks suddenly. Theia was following a short way behind, staring at the ground as she avoided roots and other hazards in the dark of the forest. It was a shortcut, according to Venat, and it would get them to their destination before nightfall. Yet, as the light of sunset faded and the stars started to peak through the leaves, it became apparent this shortcut was anything but.

Theia, too focused on the ground, bumped into the stationary Venat.

"Huf… What's wrong?"

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 24 - Drift (6.0 lv. 83 trial) The Ascian Altima enjoys a nice meal while something happens way out there. please do not fact check me on the position of the moon relative to the bismarck, i already know. ellipsus.com/read/fLfIrDU...

The tables of the Bismarck were obviously too far for her to see the battle about to unfold, but it was a glorious view of the moon all the same. Shining brightly in the clear sky, surrounded by stars, it was the perfect backdrop for Altima's dinner that evening. The food had been expertly prepared by the respected establishment and paired with a rather marvellous local wine. She had decided to treat herself, anticipating that her foe would sail to new heights. She was certain that Fandaniel was not long for this world, and with no one else to intervene, perhaps Zodiark was also destined for the aetherial sea.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 23 - Egress (2.0/4.3) Gaius in the Praetorium, dying ellipsus.com/read/yTEari3...

It would be a fitting end for a man blinded by hubris, for his willingness to trust a man driven by religious zeal. His fortress in Eorzea was in flames, scorching fire that would eventually envelop him and lay to rest his grand ambition. And though the fire was yet to reach him, Gaius was already searing, pain in every part of him after the Ultima Weapon was destroyed and he was violently ejected from the cockpit.

The misguided elevate the frail... And the frail lead the people astray.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 22 - Train (Pre-5.0) Thancred is teaching Minfilia how to defend herself. ellipsus.com/read/ojaMfYT...

She strikes at the dummy, meets resistance, and just pushes harder. It's not going to go any deeper, she should just pull the knife out and try again. She's going to hurt herself.

Her hand slips forward towards the blade. Fortunately, she lets go and steps back before she gets cut.

"These aren't weapons of strength, you aren't going to beat armour or bone."

Thancred sits on a nearby rock and watches as she tries to retrieve the knife. Wherever it's stuck, it won't budge. She yanks on the handle and her hand slips again. This time she falls back onto the ground, utterly dejected, like she might cry. Thancred sighs, pushing himself off the rock and walking to the dummy. He wiggles the knife up and down until it becomes loose and he manages to pull it out easily. Without a word, he drops the knife on the ground in front of the girl and resumes his watch from the rock.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 21 - Better Late Than Never (7.0) Being a postmoogle is exhausting. ellipsus.com/read/4StzaYc...

The life of a postmoogle was perilous indeed. Especially for a rookie like Mogreg.

One of Sharlayan's gleaners found Mogreg trapped in the jaws of an aspis in Shaaloani. Their intervention of a sharp tug on the serpent's tail sent him flying onto the nearby train tracks. The rails rumbled and the ballast vibrated. Mogreg lifted his fuzzy head and saw a train barrelling towards him. He had no time to get up, settling instead on squeezing himself against the track and hoping there was enough clearance to spare him.

It was a risky gamble, but it paid off. His paws gripped the sleeper beneath him as metal mechanisms rushed over him and he prayed to every god he knew. Good King Moggle Mog XIII first, because of course, and then the Twelve, and the kami as a nebulous concept (he didn't really know how to worship them, but he was desperate to try). With one last whoosh of air, the train's entire length had passed over Mogreg, leaving him panting frantically on the track.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 20 - Free Day (4.0, on the boat back from Kugane) cw: blood It's Yona's nameday. She gets gifts from the worst people in the world. (Free day prompt: Nameday) I planned my free days very specifically, you see. ellipsus.com/read/3r50CRG...

"Just a question. Your nameday is the 23rd, is it not?"

She had no choice but to cautiously chuckle as the creases in her eyebrows deepened. "Um… I don't…"

Hancock's eyes widened. He glanced down at a piece of paper on the counter and his head tilted. "You don't know when it is?"

"No, I know when it is." Yona looked around and then back at Hancock, eyes narrowed. Taking slow and tentative steps, she walked over to the counter. "What I want to know is…" She pointed a finger right at Hancock's face. "How do you know when it is?"

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 19 - Liminal (2.55/3.0) Y'shtola is stuck in a weird place. ellipsus.com/read/7mMxzCr...

Something has changed. I see it now. Aether surging all around me. Through me. Crashes into me like a wave, depositing feelings that I know are not my own. But all waves recede. Let it bring what what it may, but what does it take when it ebbs away?

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 18 - Reason (The volcano incident) Azem is hauled before the rest of the Convocation for a please explain. More than 1100 words of workplace arguing, just the way I like it. ellipsus.com/read/3FRcJ2y...

Lahabrea cleared his throat. Elidibus noticed, but most of the rest of the Convocation were pointedly avoiding the sparring match occurring between Azem and Pashtarot. Emet-Selch had his face in his hands as he slumped in his chair, and Mitron and Loghrif exchanged whispers. When Azem spoke, Nabriales leaned forward with interest, only to recoil at Pashtarot's yelling. Fandaniel was slightly panicked by the situation, turning his head back and forth to each speaker with his mouth agape. Halmarut mimed to Emmerololth, which they understood as "if they come to blows, are you healing?" and they shook their head in response. Altima seemed to be the only one enjoying herself, smiling widely as the so-called debate deteriorated.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 17 - Fret (End of 6.0/end of 7.0) Yona buys a(nother) guitar. ellipsus.com/read/avdnToW...

For the sake of her own sanity, she just had to find something to do.

Regular shipments were quick to resume after the Final Days. With the end of the world behind them, the Sharlayans had taken on a brighter mood and their imports showed it. Crates bearing the mark of Gridania's Carpenter's Guild were being unpacked in the Agora, finely crafted instruments to be sold.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 16 - Steel H'naanza stops a thief. i'll be next when she sees i spelled naldiq wrong. ellipsus.com/read/3t7eQB3...

"Hey, stop!"

H'naanza's hammer fell still when she heard Brithael yell from within. Right as she turned, she saw her blacksmithing counterpart leap and wrap his arms around a Roegadyn man that was running out of Naldiq & Vymelli's. He tried to, anyway. Brithael was just a Midlander, after all, and the bulky Roegadyn was bigger than the blacksmith's arm span. The man wriggled free, scrambled to his feet and continued to run away, hastily sheathing a sword as he went.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 15 - Prodigy Venat has become the guardian of a girl with a prodigious sense of direction. ellipsus.com/read/5r55u9V...

Venat pulled her hand free and gestured at the road ahead. "Go on, then. I shall follow."

Damn it all, she wasn't lying. Theia ran ahead, stopping every now and then both for Venat to catch up and to look around at everything she had missed the first time through. The two retraced Venat's steps with frightening accuracy, the small child realising every mistake in seconds and correcting her path. Doing this with full knowledge of everywhere she had been was impressive enough for a child her age, but Venat really did believe that taking sight out of the equation would prove to be a challenge.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 14 - Against the Grain Against the grain? Yes, there is one grain Alphinaud is very against. Today is the first day in the challenge I seriously thought "What if I just don't? What if I just let it go?" but i didn't cause i'm TOUGH and COOL ellipsus.com/read/vaHrFOj...

Overall, Alphinaud enjoyed Turali cuisine. Obviously he learned much throughout the rite of succession, but his favourite part had been learning how to make xibruq pibil from the Xbr'aal in Yak T'el. Every dish he had tried in Tuliyollal and beyond was delightful. Bold flavours, fresh ingredients, just the right amount of spice… when he was brave enough to ask for less, otherwise maybe a bit too much for his tastes.

But there was one Turali staple that he could not abide. One that had, unfortunately, made its way to more familiar shores. That most cursed of grains.

Corn.

Alphinaud couldn't remember a time he didn't hate corn. Corn chowder, corn bread, corn grilled or steamed or boiled or… creamed. The worst of the corns. While his friends feasted on all manner of corn-based foods, he sat back, seething, lamenting both the existence of the humble plant and his inability to enjoy it.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 13 - Free day Set vaguely in later DT patches, no real spoilers. In which the Warrior of Light is ragebaited by her Ascian girlfriend. (Free day prompt: Irascible) ellipsus.com/read/2fAJyUc...

At the terminal was the Eldite woman who rarely left it, and the taller Elezen with whom Yona had, against her better judgment, stumbled into a relationship. Orianne had repeatedly sworn that she was no longer inclined to be an Ascian doing Ascian things - she had used the word "reformed" more than once - and, to her credit, she seemed to be acting the part. Still, their relationship had its… quirks. Orianne seemed to delight in teasing Yona, and Yona would act aloof and disinterested in turn. But the more Yona refused to engage, the more Orianne escalated.

Shale and Orianne's chatter quietened as Yona approached. Orianne turned her head and smiled at her. Yona reciprocated, but her smile faded as she noticed a mischievous narrowing of Orianne's eyes.

"What are you two up to?" Yona asked cautiously.

She stood close to Orianne, only to receive a slight shove to put more distance between them.

"Not now, darling, I'm trying to flirt with Shale."

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 12 - Fusion cw: animals eating each other (Pandæmonium) Something's rotten in the depths of Elpis. A prologue featuring Lahabrea and Azem. ellipsus.com/read/71zgKin...

Lahabrea was hunched over a table, using his hand to escort a gastropod into a jar. A new species he was working on in his free time, tinkering for the fun of it. He had produced several specimens, iterating his concept each time, and was observing them as he decided how best to proceed. The room was enchanted to maintain ideal conditions; temperature, humidity, light levels. He'd also warded the door to avoid being disturbed. Anyone who knocked or tried to open it would be… suitably discouraged. A small shock, not enough to do any real damage, just deter whoever sought to bother him.

Lahabrea heard the ward activate.

"Sweet faaahhh…"

He shook his head slowly. Normal people would be deterred, Azem would simply persist. Still, she might learn a thing or two about respecting her colleagues in her insistence.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 11 - Oblivion (3.0/7.56) Coveting the idea that Ysayle seems to have everything figured out, and feeling no better well after the fact. ellipsus.com/read/5lu0igR...

Ysayle stood over her. Far from the unending snow of Coerthas, Dravania was much milder. Even when the sun set and the air turned cool, Yona was dressed well enough to not be bothered as she sat next to the campfire. Still, when she noticed Ysayle looking down at her, she shivered. She scratched at her arm despite feeling no itch, the motion serving to cover the chill that just rippled through her.

Firm. Resolute. Ysayle was unbending, would yield to nothing. It was something Yona wanted for herself, the strength of her presence, to know exactly what needed to be done.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 10 - Upbraiding Alisaie absolutely got suspended at least once for hitting someone and I will not accept claims to the contrary. ellipsus.com/read/47hPqpM...

Text snippet:

Oh, she was in so much trouble. The voices yelling behind her told her as much. Still, Alisaie ran out of the Studium. She saw red on her knuckles and stopped for just a moment, dipping her hand in the pools at the entrance. Once the evidence was gone, she was off again, speeding down the path away from the Studium.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

i hope you’re proud of yourself (it was fun. but still.)

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 9 - Boustrophedon A letter from Moenbryda Wilfsunnwyn. ellipsus.com/read/qaD04of...

A letter from Moenbryda Wilfsunnwyn:

Well, well, well, Urianger Augurelt. I imagine you thought yourself quite clever indeed in your request. Rest assured that I have undertaken this task in utmost seriousness and will see it through with dedication.

One can only wonder what it was that was going through that mind of yours. If it was meant to be a trick, then I imagine my sincerity has undercut your intention. A comment on my intelligence? Well, look at me now. I am wiser and more learned for your effort.

And if, by chance, you yourself were earnest in driving me to engage with this bizarre manner of writing, then consider that I have happily met your challenge and will think of my own to issue in kind.

Go fuck yourself,

Moenbryda

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 8 - Strain (7.0) Gondola ride but make it awkward. G'raha and a WoL who's still a bit mad about ShB. ellipsus.com/read/5q4F73X...

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She's looking at something in the water. A building. Endless on the promenade. The timber of the gondola as she gives it a few taps and scratches at it. Up at the unnatural golden glow that covers Living Memory. Everywhere, everything, everyone.

She won't look at me.

"Do you remember what I said to you before all this?"

She inhales sharply. "Nope." Short and strained, barely more than a whisper.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 7 - Ignorance is bliss (7.0) How bad could the Slab of Pink Hexagons possibly be? ellipsus.com/read/vC4F6xX...

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"The synthetic fruit pellets? They're our best approximation of the taste and texture of grape. I've never tried the real fruit so I can't say how faithful they are, but there's no denying their popularity."

All the options made you anxious, but the slab of pink hexagons was the least intimidating. You expected a candy, until you heard that it was intended to imitate a grape. But surely, for all their technological marvels, the Alexandrians could manage this?

A grape. A simple fruit. Round or oval in shape. Most commonly green, red or purple in colour. The skin will burst easily when bitten, yielding the soft, juicy interior. Sweet, though some varieties are known and even prized for their tartness.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 6 - Free day (prompt: climb) child hades stuck up a tree because lol dork ellipsus.com/read/37Elc4T...

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In this competition he had never agreed to, Hades was the only participant remaining. He was quickly subjected to several minutes of begging. He would not be swayed. He saw no need to put himself at risk the way they had. And so came the insults, though he knew they weren't being serious. Was he perhaps lacking in courage? Insufficient physicality?

"You're just not very fun, are you, Hades?"

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 5 - Preservation Fantasy Food Crimes presents: Pickled Morbol, the Gridanian way ellipsus.com/read/5qOteSN...

Excerpt of what is surely a most delicious recipe:
Pickled Morbol, the Gridanian way

This is suited to bite-sized pieces of morbol vine. For a preparation that uses larger portions, see the Ul'dahn Morbol Steaks on page 112.

You must first prepare your morbol vine. Wash the vine, taking care not to bruise it. Morbol vines must be boiled thoroughly, as their toxins are prevalent throughout. There is some disagreement whether the vines should be cut prior to boiling or after.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 4 - Surge cw: near drowning incident. follow up to Against the Tide (Tales under the Golden Sun) Deep Blue talked mad shit about Tuliyollal's waves. One has its revenge. ellipsus.com/read/3C0uFCX...

Image of text:

The momentum of his paddling was quickly overtaken by the wave. He pushed himself to standing and off he went. He cut up and down the wave exactly the same as he'd done hundreds of times before. And then it all went wrong.

The wave was too big, or too strong, or something. The water surged past him, enveloping him and he was pulled in. It rumbled and swirled around him, pulling him towards the shore in a tumultuous rush.

And then he stopped. He simply wasn't moving anymore. His neck felt stiff, there was a pressure around his head, and the tumbling in the heart of the wave had left him disorientated. More importantly, he was still underwater.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 3 - Echelon Merlwyb sitting at the tippity-top of Limsa Lominsa with a bucket of popcorn cheering on the WoL. ellipsus.com/read/KNYHEwW...

ellipsus.com

#3 - Echelon | LowPolyGrapes | Ellipsus

Ellipsus makes it easy for anyone to write together.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 2 - Register 5.0/5.3/6.0 spoilers in the sense that it's built on certain elements of lore from that stretch of msq. "time before time" i think i heard someone say once. no, your faves do not appear, this is me drinking big cup of oc juice ellipsus.com/read/4waWKUB...

ellipsus.com

#2 - Register | LowPolyGrapes | Ellipsus

Ellipsus makes it easy for anyone to write together.

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The Cooler Meracydian Menace @thecoolermenace.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

A cool person? Writing fanfiction? It's more likely than you think. The only thing cooler than writing it? Postin' it. #ffxivwrite #ffxivwrite2026 thread

final fantasy xiv character writing in a book. left-handed, the way hydaelyn intended.

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