Adventuring the Market Board: I went shopping for the first time in Ul'dah

The Chocobo Tribune moves onto the picturesque market of Ul'dah, the famous city-state of merchants. Which were the best attires spotted? For some inspiration drawn from one of the most distinctive crossroads in Eorzea, take a look at the distinctive fabrics and cloths of Sapphire Avenue Exchange with the guidance of Lumiella Cruz. 

SAPPHIRE AVENUE EXCHANGE - UL'DAH. I raced across streets overwhelmed by adventurers. As I passed, shoppers and traders were yielding at me, advertising all kind of products and services. There was so much to see. Ul'dah was full of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and stores. At least five bards were competing for my attention. This city is the most vibrant place in Eorzea.  Ul'dah is the city that made gold out of sand. I always ask my friends how a city could gain so much wealth in the middle of the desert.

Speaking of friends, I was meeting someone very special that morning. Lumiella Cruz, the shining star of glamour. She agreed to show me around. There was no better candidate (who also happened to be a local) to guide me through Ul'dah, in fact, she claims knowing every corner and shop of the city. 

 

As we were walking from store to store, I began to be aware of the fantastic glamour of everyone, particularly Lumiella.

Lumiella was wearing this fantastic combination of attires and accessories. You can tell she was a Glamour Pro by only looking at her. She used three different sets of clothes only that morning. You may think that this is a overstatement, but literally every single person in Sapphire Avenue had something to say about Lumiella's collections. It was like glamour adventurers would recognize each other by just gracing at their feathers. If there was something like a glamour duty finder, everyone would want to team with her.

However, being next to Lumiella was the worst spot for someone who knows nothing about glamour. It happened that I was mixed in this interchange of compliments, praises, and flattery. This was a problem because I'm "that adventurer," the one that dresses whatever reward he gets after completing a duty. I looked like a peasant who got lost. Have you noticed that guy wearing short pants, fur jacket, and flip-flops that provokes you epilepsy in your daily roulette? That was me. You get the idea.

 

"Lumiella, I'm gonna get roasted by these people. Someone may call me out for dressing like a homeless and daring to stand next to you." I begged her, "would you teach me about glamour?"

I keep wondering if this was Lumiella's preconceived plan because her eyes shined in fire after hearing my request - she may suffered epileptic attacks from my attire in the past as well. She immediately took my hand and guided me to the market board, she knew what to do. Being assisted by a glamour pro like her was a new concept to me for sure. She took me through so many stores, sometimes we would just enter to cut through and get easily to the next street. I felt like mapping a labyrinth.

We arrived at the Market Board. It was full of people. Lumiella flipped through the racks. She was fast and elegant like a lion that knows exactly where her prey is hiding. A few store associated greeted us and one of them asked me what I was looking for. I didn't really have an answer. "Just browsing" I sounded ridiculous when I said it. At that point they noticed my clothes and lose their interest on me. I don't blame them. I had to ask Lumiella her opinion about it. How important is fashion?

"Fashion in Ul'dah is the most important thing. Depending how they see you, they judge you." Lumiella remarked fiercely. "Defining it in one word, fashion is essential, due to the flow of people who run the city."

That troubled me. I was born and raised in Grindania. Hunters and gatherers don't care that much about fashion - excuse me if I'm wrong. But this is not Grindania, and I wanted to enjoy the city without restrictions. "Lumiella, how can I start dressing with some glamor?" I asked.

"Like everything, the base of every adventurer must be accepting your body, only then you can evolve your glamor. For example, as a highlander, my biggest concern is my arms and my legs. They are huge! I always try to hide them with leggings, heels, or low shoes; so that my legs look as long as possible." Lumiella said.

Sapphire Avenue has an endless list of spots and places. We keep rushing from store to store while she was teaching me about this new universe. Lumiella took me to the main street, which runs along with dozens of designer stores. I felt hypnotized with all those accessories, clothes, armors, and items hanging everywhere. I felt drunk in glamour.

"For low level adventurers, it's challenging to find a decent glamour but not impossible. At just ten thousand giles, you can have a decent outfit to walk the streets of Ul'Dah and even attract attention of fellow glamour adventurers. The only thing that needs to be added is that good taste is not innate, it can be acquired as one experiences and learns to love his body in every glamor." She said. 

The insights that Lumiella was giving me were amazing, but none of those flashed through my brain fast enough. When she got distracted, this merchant called Gwalter approached me with a big smile. "I have the perfect attire for you, sire, which is my very last." Gwalter showed me this magnificent long-cotton green sweeter together with a even more impressive scarf. I was astonished. Something in my brain activated. However, Lumiella was not impressed.

"How much?" She asked.

This is my last pure cotton sweater. The scarf and the brooch are also the finest designs you will find in Ul'dah. The merchant who was bringing those is no longer in business, so I believe that I will never get more sweaters like this one.  I was planning to keep this last piece for myself. I cannot accept less than $250,000 giles.

Evidently, Lumiella knew Gwalter was overcharging me. I later knew through her that there was nothing in particular about that attire. To be fair, she screamed that at Gwalter, but I was no longer listening. That sweeter was calling me. Moreover, what if Gwalter was right and I will lose my only chance to wear that sweeter in months.

"This is a robbery, Gwalter!" She protested.

"This is a deal, Gwalter" I said.

"What??" She screamed. Gwalter began clapping in joy. I bet he has never made so much money from a newcomer like me.

"But, Lumiella, look how well it fits me."

"I told you to find what you like in the market board and compare prices." She said after giving another hostile look to Gwalter. He stopped clapping. "I bet I can find the same piece for $100,000 in the next store. Did you even listen a word of what I said?"

To brief my first experience shopping in Ul'dah, don't be like me. Buying items on the Market Board is quite easy after you play a little with it. But as Lumiella told me in the very beginning, if you find something that you like, but it is hell too expensive, don't buy it. Every server has different prices because the offer and demand of equipment obeys to their diverse necessities. This means that highly demanded items may become incredible expensive in one server while very cheaper in another one. Traveling from server to server is also quite easy -I still don't know exactly, but I bet I can ask.