POL News: Nation Missions A-Go-Go.

The new nation missions are announced in this tediously slow announcement cycle. So far we have MMM and the nation missions, and nothing else, and likely there will be not much else major announced besides a few job changes/additions and some not very creative way to get new augmented gear. I can't wait for these mini-expansions to be completed so they can go back to their decent updates. I have mentioned this before but I do not believe that FFXIV is having a major impact on the quality of the updates we are receiving because the game has been under construction for years now. We have already felt the impact of FFXIV. The real concern for me are these mini-expansions because the amount of time dedicated to working on the CS's and the missions likely consumes the time they should be working on new areas and actually end-game systems.

A couple of new missions is nice of course, but I have fallen behind on them again. I don't do this on purpose, but I think part of the problem is that I don't feel the motivation I once did to do these missions and enjoy them. The missions have become very easy, and they don't provide you with anything special. I remember the long, difficult fights to get to Sea with a fondness that has not been renewed since the release of Treasure of Aht Urhgan. I would like to do them for the storyline, but when there are no critical rewards involved in each mission the inertia of daily Salvage runs, events, Einherjar and real life concerns overwhelm any motivation to get them done.

The problem is that I have heard they are interesting and fulfilling cutscenes. That the stories being told now are far superior to the convoluted and sometimes befuddling CoP storylines. Have I just become the "smash enter through the cutscenes" person that I have always felt is missing the real enjoyment of the game? Have I become jaded? Well, obviously I have become jaded, but I do think I can still enjoy these cutscenes and missions. And I think leading up to the update I will give them another try.

For the full notes check after the cut.

Compelling Wings of the Goddess nation quests spanning the two central continents are set to continue in the fast-approaching November version update. As the Crystal War rages ever nearer to boiling point, the front of conflict shifts to the snowswept fields of Xarcabard. Brave souls who turn not their backs to the plight of the Allied Forces shall uncover the true pasts and deeds of the legendary heroes of whom songs are sung to this day...

San d'Oria: In a Flurry of White

As Allied operations in the Northlands commence in earnest, adventurers will accompany Squire Altennia and the Knights of the Carmine Swallow to lay an ambush in the snow-mantled passes of Beaucedine. The arrival of an unexpected guest in the form of young Excenmille serves to raise spirits, but the celebration is short-lived, for trouble is abrew. Faced this time with a horde of formidable foes and dangerously near to the heart of enemy territory, can another one of Excenmille's unconventional strategies hope to succeed? Victory rides upon the hulking frame of an unlikely ally!

Bastok: Scars That Never Heal


Disgraced when their captain is caught making an attempt on the President's life, the once-proud Mythril Musketeers are relegated to lowly positions in a penal regiment. As Nicolaus and Five Moons ponder the motives behind Captain Klara's unconscionable actions, they are greeted with another disturbing development—Zeid has gone missing. The search for their former comrade takes on twist after turn as adventurers come face to face with the shocking truth behind Klara and Zeid's troubled pasts...

Windurst: Howl from the Heavens

The Federation forces have won a bitter victory, driving the Shadow Lord's minions from Fort Karugo-Narugo at considerable cost to themselves. As the battle-weary mercenaries lick their wounds, the massive legions of the Beastman Confederate continue their inexorable advance toward the capital.
Robel-Akbel, Lehko Habhoka, Karaha-Baruha, and two unheralded guests from the Mithran motherland—each harbors their own secret motives as they hurtle towards the climactic confrontation, with forgotten histories set to be revealed...!