The Mythril Eye

The Premiere News Source of Ul'dah, Never-Blinking and All-Seeing

12 6th Umbral Moon, 13 7th Astral Era

OAKWOOD — In this age of religious skepticism, some are yet swayed towards radical beliefs by ill-intentioned false prophets. One such charlatan has been arrested by the Yellowjackets, and his followers scattered to the winds.The "Children of Althyk," a cult based in a forest compound in upper La Noscea, was disbanded yesterday with the arrest of its leader, Delger Gharl. Gharl attracted his followers by claiming to be blessed by Althyk the Keeper with the ability to see into the past and future. With this alleged clairvoyance, Gharl claimed to be able to speak with deceased loved ones in the past, and predict events in the future. His most audacious prophecy was the exact day the Final Days would end, and when he was right, he took responsibility for ending the disaster himself.Gharl's schemes were not so lofty in ideals. He was found to be extorting gil from his followers to ensure their faith and loyalty, stole their belongings, intercepted letters addressed to them, and even sold some away to pirates for slave trafficking. Efforts are ongoing in tracking down these lost belongings and kidnapped victims.The truth of the cult was uncovered by Zigovali Rosestar, a private detective of Rosestar Consulting Agency. He described the methods Gharl used to presume psychic ability amongst his followers, including "cold-reading" based on facial expressions and demographic profiling, and employing spies among his own followers to gather more specific information. Rosestar did not comment upon what means he used to expose Gharl's scheme, though victims inside the compound claim that one of their own brought the truth to light.

_{Right: Zigovali Rosestar speaking with Harbour Herald reporters in Coral Tower.}

Cohsa Mharre, held in the compound for eighteen moons, described the experience. "He made it easy to believe in him. He seemed to know everything about you without you saying, and promised that all would be well." Mharre joined the Children of Althyk to try and find a cure for her ailing grandmother, who passed away this past spring. News of her passing was sent via letter, but Gharl withheld this information from Mharre. "I had no idea she was gone. Delger kept saying she would get better, if I kept the faith. I gave him everything I had."Shea Lorimer, a Studium graduate pursuing Archonship, was held in the compound for nearly two years. "I foolishly thought I had found the answer to the nature of faith," said Lorimer. "The true faith was the bonds we had with each other, not the lies Delger peddled." Lorimer intends to found a non-profit organization dedicated to liberating victims of religious extremism such as herself and her fellow Children of Althyk.A total of 56 victims were rescued from the compound. Alongside Gharl, five pirates from an unknown crew were arrested, having collaborated with Gharl to provide security and traffic victims out of the compound. "This foul cooperation flies in the face of the Galadion Accord," said Commodore Reyner Hansred, leader of the Yellowjackets. "We shall pursue this rogue crew with all haste, and ensure they cannot bring further harm to the people of La Noscea."

I can hardly take the credit for this one, but my face just looks so good in the press, yes? –Z

• Page 2: Profile

Zigovali Rosestar: The Man in Red

(About)

You're an Ul'dahn native. Tell us more about your history here in the Jewel of the Desert.Well, to keep it short, I come off of Pearl Lane, as many did in the wake of the Calamity. I dabbled in adventuring, small business, and asceticism before settling on consultation. While I have ventured all across the star in the course of my wanderings and work, I will always return to my beloved Ul'dah.Was your early adventuring career where you began practicing magic?That is correct. I happened upon Sharlayan astromancy rather early on, and branched out from there.Well, one could assume you are some manner of red mage, by your attire, and by eyewitness accounts.I am not a "red mage" so much as I am a mage who happens to wear red. I am practiced in a number of disciplines: astromancy, thaumaturgy, arcanima, and a handful of more esoteric fields I will leave to the readers' imaginations.So you've been working as a private consultant in Ul'dah for some time. What brought about the start of your detective work?I have always been an inquisitive sort, I suppose. My work in creative solutions consultancy, it relies upon many of the same talents as investigative work. I simply expanded my services to include private investigation, yes?That would be your independent firm, Rosestar Consulting Agency. But you have other pursuits and enterprises. You run a shop just outside of town?Indeed! The First Step Mercantile, "Where Every Adventure Begins!" An adventuring outlet, run by my wife and I. I provide an assortment of alchemicals and arcane accoutrements, while she manages her boutique and takes apparel commissions. Would that I could state our operating times, but we move around so much with our other affairs, it is hard to say when we are formally open, yes?

So your wife is an adventuring sort as well?My wife, Melili Meli, is a brilliant woman. A master weaver chartered with Sunsilk Tapestries, but also an adventurer of the highest caliber. I cannot boast of my accomplishments without stating her invaluable contributions. She is my partner in all things, and without her, I would not be a fraction of the man I am today.We'll have to sit her down for an interview sometime, then.I cannot say she would be as enthusiastic for publicity as I, my friend.Back to you, then. You say you "dabbled" in adventuring. Are you still working as an adventurer?On occasion, and in my own manner.Please elaborate for our readers.I do not see what I do as "adventuring," not in the way one would regard it as with the Adventurers' Guild. What work within that way I wield, it is in the pursuit of my creative solutions, yes?You are an independent investigator, by your own admission. What drives you?All of my life, I have danced with truth. I have kept it at arm's length, I have spun it about, I have left it for other partners now and again. But for too long, I refused to embrace it, to treasure it, to find it in the common crowd. Of late, I have encountered a newfound yearning for the truth. Especially here, in Ul'dah.Some would say you're taking on a fool's quest, seeking the truth in Ul'dah.On the contrary, that is precisely why I must do so. Because in a city so afflicted by iniquity and misers, a single soul seeking sincerity is a sworn savior. It is, how you say... One of the core alchemical principles. One is all, all is one. The truth is in all of us, and we are all beholden to the truth. My job now, it is to hold accountable those who try to shirk that reality.

• Page 1: Headline

• Page 3: Columns

Columns

(Rumors)

Word on the Street

_{Lidada Lida, Columnist}Lidada Lida here! I've been keeping my ear to the ground as always, making sure I don't miss anything the beautiful sun-kissed cobbles of Ul'dah have to say about what's happening around town!A familiar name has been making it way around town, and the gossip following it is juicier than ever! So this issue, I'm taking another look at Zigovali Rosestar, Ul'dah's hottest new detective! Loyal readers may have already gotten the goods on the man in red in an earlier issue, so I hope you're ready to hear more of the WORD ON THE STREET!The Rosestar Consulting Agency has been making headlines in our dear Mythril Eye, more than once. But Rosestar's not hunting down petty thieves and Sapphire Avenure short-changers, oh no. It seems his choice of prey are those involved in corruption, fraud, or organized crime. The man's got a hefty appetite when it comes to his choice of criminal to case! In a city like Ul'dah, I'm sure this string of closed cases is making some people who lurk in the alleys nervous. Or, Traders forbid, some of those who reside on the Hustings Strip.I've heard a lot of people call Rosestar the "man in red," for an obvious reason. That crimson hat and coat are hard to miss! It's the sort of attire you'd expect from a red mage, but despite wielding magicks, and a fancy sword at that, Rosestar denies being a red mage. If it looks like a chocobo and it kwehs like a chocobo, then it must be a chocobo—or it's hiding some really juicy magical secrets!It's more than the hat and coat that's been seen around town. Some folks have been handed a red business card by the man. Potential clients, maybe? But a lot of these cards are getting passed around in the Quicksand, where lots of adventurers come to find friends and work. Is Rosestar looking for more than clients?Wish I had more to say, but that's all I've got this issue! Keep an ear to the ground, readers, and look forward to the next edition of WORD ON THE STREET!

Opinion: The Folly of Faith

_{Arnauld Stout, Opinion Columnist}With each passing year, faith in the Twelve wanes. This tragedy of generations is regrettable, but far from unbelievable. Simply look to the latest cult crackdown gracing our front page for a strong condemnation of religious belief. What was meant to be a salve for the soul is being used as a net and a cage to entrap the vulnerable.How are people meant to revere Halone's strength, when it was wielded as a tool of oppression for a thousand years? How can we look to Rhalgr for courage, when a radical revolutionary sought to reignite a war in His name? Even Althyk, a benign god of preservation, has been used to prey upon the desperate. The mercy of the Twelve has no end, but the mercy of Spoken seemingly has no beginning.And oh, surprise surprise, look who swooped in to save the day! Zigovali Rosestar, professional braggart! Tight-lipped as ever about how he came to his stunning deductions, eager to take the credit for arriving too late to save people in need. If there is anyone undeserving of anyone's faith, dear readers, it is a charlatan such as he. I, at least, have faith none of you will fall for his trickery and madness. If we must believe in anyone or anything, we must believe solely in ourselves.

Business: A Cup of Starlight

_{Vibrant Sun, Business Columnist}Starlight has come once again, and local businesses are taking notes from last year's festivities. In Gridania, the Starlight Stalls witnessed record-breaking profits and foot traffic, and one key element has been attributed to such success: Kinderpunsch.Mulled punch distributed in limited-time novelty mugs warmed shoppers and retailers alike, extending shopping hours well into the night throughout the season. The costs of crafting these mugs and preparing warm drinks was vastly outweighed by the increased holiday spending, making the Kinderpunsch initiative an attractive investment. Helped along by the presence of the Saint of Nymeia, and a chocobo saddled with a keg to distribute the punch, the Starlight Stalls turned it into an attraction of its own.Ul'dah and Limsa Lominsa are now posed to copy Gridania's homework, and have already prepared lines of their own novelty punch mugs for the season. These new regional Kinderpunsch lines are set to launch next sennight, at the height of the Starlight shopping season.

• Page 2: Profile

• Page 4: Classifieds

Classifieds

(Hooks)

FREELANCE DETECTIVE: Independent investigation with dutiful discretion! Competitive rates, unquestionable results! Visit or send to Rosestar Consulting Agency: Goblet, Mateus District, W18, Sultana's Breath, W1 R#10.ADVENTURING ESSENTIALS: The First Step: "Where Every Adventure Begins!" Goods for all experience levels, from starting adventurers to veteran explorers. Adventurer's gear ready-made and bespoke by Sunsilk Tapestries weaver Melili Meli. Unique arcane and alchemical goods made by Zigovali Rosestar. Inquire at The First Step: Goblet, Mateus District, W8 P45. Shop hours vary.

CARD-READING AND ARCANE AID: The Twelve are ever-merciful, which is why They sent me, Zigovali the Rosestar, to help you! Discover what future is writ in starlight, or come with questions of the magical unknown! Seek me at The First Step or at Rosestar Consulting Agency, and I shall serve you!THE WITCH'S DEN: Books and booze at Eorzea's comfiest little tavern. Come for a drop of magic in each drink! Open Tuesday nights. Located in the Lavender Beds Mateus District, W1 P27.

• Page 3: Columns

• A Strange Note...

Congratulations on your keen eye! If you are reading this, then clearly you are not one who simply takes what they are told at face value. And that means you are just the sort of person who could make full use of my services.Of course, everything has a price, and not always in gil. I'm more than happy to discuss alternative forms of payment, yes?–Z

• Clan Volante
• Spell Cards

Spell Cards

Magic for the masses! Only available through me! –Z

Spell cards are Zigovali's unique magical invention: thin crystals, finely engraved and resembling colorful stained glass. Every spell card is made of crystal, 2×3", and imbued with just enough aether and instruction to manifest a single instance of the spell depicted on the card's face.To use the spell card, focus upon how you wish the spell to manifest, then break the card. Spell card spells are not very powerful, roughly equivalent in strength to a typical Fire or Cure spell. Don't worry about breaking a card by accident; they are fairly sturdy, enough to hold up to casual wear and tear.Spell cards are only sold by Zigovali in Booster Packs, containing 3 spell cards. Roll /random 3 times to determine the cards pulled, with each digit determining the card's quality (1st digit), edition (2nd), and rarity (3rd). Zeroes are 10, and single- or double-digit rolls have leading zeroes.Every spell card also has a trade value, determined by its quality, edition, and rarity. Trade spell cards with others, or with Zigovali to get access to his wider stock!_{Ex.: You roll 69 with /random to pull a card from a Black I Booster Pack. You draw a Signed (10 from the leading 0) Foil (6) Thunder (9) card. The card's trade value is 10 (+5 Signed, +2 Foil, +3 Rare).}

Quality, Edition, and Rarity

Series I Spell Cards

Series II Spell Cards

• Back

Favor-Trading

You owe someone a favor. You'd rather not. –Z

• Back

About the Author

I prefer to call him my "plausible deniability." –Z

Latest Update: 13 December 2025

• Tumblr

Staff

I'm a 30-whatever white guy that has been playing and RPing Zigo all the way since patch 3.1 in 2015. I love seeing what sort of misadventures I can get this bastard into, while at the same time leveling all jobs to cap, guiding sprouts, running my FC, and just trying to see as much of FFXIV as I can.Zigovali is often accompanied by an IC Anima minion. This is his familiar (and "secrefairy") Moneta, who is often quietly taking notes on a tiny clipboard. Feel free to interact with Moneta as well as with Zigovali!When it comes to lore compliance, I take a "lore-plausible" approach: if there's something official you can point to to back up something with your character, then I'm often happy to roll with it. Generally, I like trying to stay relatively close to lore, as it's easier to play along with others when we're all using more or less the same toys.Zigovali is happily married, so I am not seeking any IC romance. He is always willing and eager to make new friends, and even some rivals.I am not my character. Zigovali's words and actions are not my own, and should not be taken as any reflection of my OOC thoughts or opinions. Zigovali is a POC RPed by a white guy; I make no attempts to appropriate anything, and wholeheartedly reject and denounce orientalism in every form.