Rendering of 'Tome of Frendedex' by Bearmine

Countdown to Dawntrail: Day 5

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Day 5 – The entirety of the Frendedex. Initially I was going to put these all separate, but I would have had to start at 30 days instead of 20 to do so. The sheer amount of folks, friends, and memories I made across the entirety of the group we ended up calling the Frendedex is just astronomically heartwarming. Just about everyone we all met was through Mastodon itself as well, and all the things that we did and I know still continue to happen, is just so wonderful.

Small gathering of us sitting in a hot spring near Bronze Lake.
Camp Bronzelake Evening – one of the earliest and technically pre-Dex event.

Generally early on, they were small social gatherings just to shoot the breeze and see how everyone was doing, but not long they began to include running content and helping folks out do certain objectives. Treasure Maps being one that has been done quite a few times before and after my absence.

Aikirees, Sirena, Vysk, and I fishing off a boat.
A group of us gathered in the EOCA HQ Lounge.
A group of us at the top of Syrcus Tower.
Cai, Sirena, Ruth, and I at the end of Shisui of the Violet Tide in attire based on our classes.
Group of us together for Ruth's birthday event.

As we kept having these events, social or content-based, the number of folks kept getting bigger and bigger as word started to spread about the Frendedex’s existence across the Fediverse and beyond. The ones I mostly assembled were on the social-side to just gather and relax/chat about anything really. Sometimes it’s just nice to sit with a bunch of friends after a long week and just talk about things, and the subject matter widely ranged far beyond the scope of Final Fantasy XIV! It was really neat to hear what someone was doing outside the world we all have come to partake in together.

A group of us in New Gridania over on the European Data Center.
A few of us sitting around a small waterfall bar at Cai's new house.
Very small group of us sitting in EOCA Lounge.
Small group of us sitting outside EOCA HQ at the fire pit.

After a while, we even expanded to include the European Data Centers, and we spent the day over there having a very wonderful time with all of our friends that primarily played over there. There are countless memories and moments from all of these times we gathered that are so very cherished. What we accomplished throughout 2023 was nothing less that phenomenal.

Gathering of us within The Archives.
Azelma, Piper, and I sitting down inside The Archives for a Halloween event.
Group of us sitting in front of a dance floor for a Masquerade Event.
T'zraha and I sitting together for a Masquerade Event.
Large gathering of us to watch the fireworks at Costa del Sol.
Small group of us sitting at a tiki hut above Costa del Sol.

The Frendedex has to be one of the biggest highlights of Endwalker and just Final Fantasy XIV in general in terms of all the things we did and friends we made a long the way. All the other events that spun-off from the initial ones was just as heartwarming to see and hear about as well.

Promotional Poster for 'Totally a Gezebo Day'
Promotional poster for 'A T'lapka Tail: T'zraha Travels West'
Promotional Poster for 'Tales from the Archives' Event.
Promotional Poster for 'The Case of the Fish Percolator.'

So many friends, memories, and moments made during it all. I really do miss everyone, and I’m hoping once all the Dawntrail dust settles, we’ll be able to see everyone once again shortly thereafter.

Even if it’s just around a small firepit to catch up and watch the stars.

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