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

27 1st Umbral Moon, 14 7th Astral Era

_{Y'zel Tia, Foreign Correspondent}

KUGANE — The single port open to foreign trade in Hingashi has temporarily lost its legendary hospitality, as instances of violent crime and conflict spread throughout the city today.Sekiseigumi officials have reported numerous cases of attempted and successful murder, and multiple armed skirmishes taking place between individuals of criminal association. At the time of writing, 17 people have been reported dead, with at least 60 more injured. The largest concentration of violent incidents occurred in the Rakuza Distict, a major center of Kugane's commercial activity.The causes of this latest violent spree remain uncertain, but officials suspect that tensions between rival yakuza groups came to a head. "Those who live in the shadow of lawful society speak only in anger," stated Sakaragi Hana, Sekiseigumi captain. "And when anger inevitably fails to bring compromise, violence follows."

_{Cont. on Page A4.}

They say he most likely fell from an airship, but the time of death doesn't line up with any flights that day... –Z

Famous Fighter Found Fallen

_{Leonard Quill, Correspondent}

UL'DAH — Gankari Bochin, also known as "Towering Mallard," 35, was found dead on Emerald Avenue outside of his apartment early this morning by Brass Blades. Those on the scene report that his death was caused by a fall from a significant height. Bochin's apartment was a penthouse suite, but investigators are not ruling out a potential fall from an airship.A roegadyn native of Hingashi, Bochin's early career made him a household name in the Kugane circuit, which regularly hosts fighters from across the star. After being offered a lucrative contract to fight in Ul'dah, Bochin relocated to Eorzea. Even so far from his homeland, he was iconic for his adherence to his home culture, wearing silk Hingan robes for everyday wear, and often referring to his home as "Little Koshu."In the Coliseum, "Towering Mallard" made for an intimidating heel. Standing over seven fulms tall, and wielding powerful martial arts (known as "aikijujutsu"), Bochin was notorious for his counter-throwing, capable of deciding a match with the opponent's first strike. Far from a wild brawler, Bochin was a keen and tactical fighter, reading his foes in battle and swiftly exploiting any opening.In his latest interview, Bochin spoke of planning his retirement, opening a Hingan-style dojo in Ul'dah to teach his martial arts, and ideas for a chain of food stands selling chicken skewers.Bochin is survived by his wife Tsuki Bochin, and their son Kuwata Bochin, both living in Shishu in the Far East. The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.

• 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, Gossip 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! It's time to hear the WORD ON THE STREET!This issue, I'm once again following the word around town about Zigovali Rosestar, the "man in red!" 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!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!But it's more than red magic and detective work Rosestar's been seen doing. Word is he surrounds himself with adventuring types, who seem to take marching orders from him. Is he the head of an adventuring company? Or is he in charge of some other kind of outfit?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!

Politics: A New New World

_{Katla Strong, Politics Columnist}Over the past two years, Tuliyollal has grown closer to the rest of the star, as voyages "across the salt" have become safer and more routine. The introduction of a new player on the world stage has had a tremendous effect on diplomacy, economics, and culture. What most may be unaware of, however, are the radical changes Tural has undergone in that same time.Dawnservant Gulool Ja Ja, ruler of Tuliyollal for eight decades, was succeeded by two of his children in a joint-leadership role. The appearance of a strange new city has led to a tense and lengthy integration into wider Turali society. And the technological innovations brought by said new society have raised new questions as to the future of magitek.While peace seems to have returned to the New World, much has changed, and changes tend to cause changes in kind. We can only wait and see what the future will bring.

Opinion: Open Hingashi! Stop Having it be Closed!

_{Arnauld Stout, Opinion Columnist}The latest chaos spreading through Kugane has threatened the lives, and more importantly the business, of many Eorzean merchants and diplomats. And what does the bakufu do? The ruling military government of Hingashi, endowed with the power and resources to put a swift end to the violence? Nothing!Shinobi assassinate rivals in the streets, while Sekisegumi, allegedly the enforcers of law and order in the city, turn a blind eye to such barbarism. Instead of trying to put a stop to this madness, they are turning their attention outward instead, to Sunsilk Tapestries! Are the perpetrators of this violence hiding amongst imported Ul'dahn silk and finery? Perhaps we should interrogate all the haberdashers in the city to see what they know! The absurdity knows no end.Dear readers, this is the price of keeping the largest port in the East at arm's length. Hingashi clearly hopes that if the problem is ignored for long enough, it will simply peter out and go away. In reality, the only solution is to rejoin the rest of the star, and open the whole of Hingashi to foreign trade. If the bakufu decided to stop living in the past, and become a part of the global collective, they would see the obvious benefit in stopping this kind of violence. Instead, they treat Kugane as some accessory, to be set aside when it becomes too burdensome or unslightly to wear, and Eorzean lives pay for this indifference. Open the country!

Culture: Little Ladies' Lovely Lights

_{Dural Tharal, Culture Columnist}Soon, the spring season shall show in showers and sunshine, which historically heralds the happy hoopla that is Little Ladies' Day! Dedicated disciples of divas and dancers descend upon Ul'dah to demonstrate dazzling displays of devotion, aided this year by the colorful complement of custom-crafted lightsticks!But which stunning and strutting starlit Songbird to shower with salutations? Resplendent red for Ulala? Bold blue for Masha Mhakaracca? Youthful yellow for Narumi? Or lovely lavender for Prince Picot? Fans are famously feverish for their firm favoritism! Veritably, this valiant reporter shall vehemently wave vivid and virtuous violet, for the palpable promise that Picot will perchance turn his profound and princely eye upon me! Pray, Picot, pick this precocious paper-pusher for your princess this year!

• 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, inquire for commissions.

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!

• 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 Alt. Art 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: 27 February 2026

Mythril Eye Staff NPCs

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 at 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.

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