Level 1 - West Ronfaure
Let me first start off by saying that Galka are very underestimated in FFXI. True, they are not that great in jobs dealing with magic, but so what. When you want to hit things or get hit yourself, pick a Galka. They do it in style.
This is Domie. He was first created in Bastok as a mule to play around with before maintenance one day. After getting the feel of the Galka race, I decided to ditch my level 10 Mithra Warrior Araina and play Warrior in a new body. Domie was recreated in San d'Oria and his Warrior training began anew.
Got love the Galkan Level 1 RSE Armor...no, really you don't.
Level 7 - South San d'Oria
Well, this took all night to do, but it was worth it. After the recreation I didn't want to be behind everyone else, so I leveled from 1 to 10 in one night. The rest of my soon to be Linkshell members though that I was still playing the original Bastok created character. The next day they were shocked to see me at level 10, right where Araina had left off.
Check out the sleek new Leather Armor. Yeah, at that time it was awesome.
Level 10 - San d'Oria Mog House
Here I am in all my newbish wonder. I'm about to take my first trip into that Hell called Valkurm Dunes. A Warrior with no subjob going into the Dunes equipped with Sword and Shield. I knew nothing back then. I DID have a Provoke macro though. And I used it.
Scale Armor...ugh, I need to replace that soon.
Level 18 - San d'Oria Mog House
Well, after many Hellish levels in the Dunes, a trip or two into Gusgen Mines I've made it to subjob status. I'll have to say I met some pretty cool people and some total morons in the Dunes...but that's what you get when you are first starting out and don't know any better. Enjoyable at the time, but never again. It did get me wanting to be a Paladin though. I love to tank.
The Lizard Armor is definitely starting to look a lot better than the other stuff. It's got me drooling for more.
Level 21 - Windurst Woods
Bye bye San d'Oria, hello Windurst. After making it to Jeuno and living through some of Qufim Islands greatest joys, the Chocobo License was mine and I was traveling. Here I am doing a part of the Rank 3 mission. Got to see my first sights of Heaven's Tower and Giddeus.
Beetle Armor may be reveling, but it looks pimp.
Level 24 - Jeuno
If I had only known what I was in for. I was about to take my first trip to the Jungles, Yuhtunga and Yhoator. This is right before I met the games greatest villain, Goblin Smithy.
I am ready though, for I am in Chainmail. I never thought Chainmail would be blue, but what do I know?
Level 30 - Windurst Mog House
Finally, I'm level 30. Time to take a break from the leveling and get some other jobs. I ventured out and obtained every advanced job available before going back to leveling. I tried them all and found that Warrior was still my one love.
Centurion's Armor was fun to have. I got old quick, but at least I finally discovered Axes. Great Axes especially.
Level 36 - Garlaige Citadel
After over a month off from leveling, I made it to 36 in what seemed like no time. Got some more playtime in Yhoator, but mostly got to learn the fun of Bat Trains in Garlaige Citadel, more lovingly known as Garbage Citadel.
This is Silver Mail? Um...first off it's just redone Chainmail. Second, Chainmail was not silver either. Needless to say, this armor was a big disappointment.
Level 40 - Ru'Lude Gardens
Well it was time to go up in rank once more. After a long time of being Rank 3, the Nightly Elite decided to get a massive group together and storm through ten floors of Delkfutt's Tower. We made it through with no problems at all. Fun times.
Plate Armor. This is the stuff I have dreamed of. I've always been a sucker for plate armor and finally I have my very own.
Level 45 - Jeuno Mog House
This is where burnout set in. I was dealing with all kinds of stupid people and parties were harder to find. So I kept at it and got to 45 visiting fun places like Crawler's Nest and the Quicksand Caves.
Let me say that Brigandine armor is very useful, but for someone that like to look like a knight...it didn't cut it for me.
Level 49 - Batallia Downs
Thanks to the Nightly Elite and the creation of a static party, I got back in the game. We had a time getting it together, but it worked out and I'm glad of it. Most of these levels we spent in the Quicksand Caves.
Mythril Armor is just cooler looking Plate Armor. Nothing great about it, but when you are waiting over a week for your next armor you do things like this.
Level 50 - Jeuno Mog House
Level 50 is a fun milestone in FFXI. You open up all your AF quests. It's just fun, even though at this point you have to start doing level cap quests. Those are a pain, but they make for a good get-together.
The best part about this was the Iron Musketeer's Armor. I totally love this gold trimmed white plate armor. Wonderful stuff.
Level 55 - Jeuno Mog House
At level 55 things start getting really good. You're almost to the point where a lot of missions open up. You likely done a couple of AF quests to at this point. Best of all, it seemed as if more places to exp opened up. That could just be me though.
I'm decked out in Royal Knight's Chain Armor. I think it look pretty cool, but I still like plate armor better. It didn't help at all to have Otanku say, "Why you trade your cool armor for level 30 lookin armor?" I have four pieces of AF here, but just not high enough for it.
Next Stop: Full AF!