Kindred - Kindred - Free Company & Linkshell - Balmung

The history of Eorzea is a dark one, stained with the blood of those who have fallen victim to innumerable episodes of strife. Several generations ago, one such episode erupted into a series of battles that not only claimed countless lives, but left thousands homeless and without food. Yet none were hit harder than the children of Ishgard, who, in addition to being left hungry and alone, were forced to endure the chilling alpine winds of Coerthas in order to simply survive.

But it is oft said, the darker the history, the brighter the acts of good do shine.

Each night, while on their routine patrols of the city, a handful of Ishgardian knights would seek out these children and offer them room and board within the walls of their company barracks. This, of course, was strictly forbidden by the knight's charter, and so the kind men and women, many of them once orphans themselves, would disguise the children in the jackets of their scarlet uniforms, allowing them to slip into the building unnoticed.

After many months, the fighting eventually subsided and peace once again returned to the realm. As Ishgard rebuilt, the number of orphans in the city-state eventually dwindled back to zero, and soon the wartime tradition was all but forgotten...

Until a group of former orphans gathered together in order to pay tribute to the knights who rescued them, and ensure that no one ever forgot their remarkable deeds. On the coldest week of each year, they would dress up in brilliant scarlet uniforms and pass out gifts to the children of the realm, in turn, passing along the happiness that they once received on a starlit night, many years past.

And that tradition lives on today in the Starlight Celebration.

Each city-state has put up decorations for the festival, including trees, arches, and bells.  By ringing the bells at the following locations, holiday helpers known as Smilebringers will present adventurers with one of several gifts:

Players can use the gifts they receive to create festive items such as lavish outfits, scrumptious holiday sweets, and more!