The pursuit of cosmetic prestige in Final Fantasy XIV often leads players down paths of intense dedication and strategic planning. Among the most formidable challenges in the game's economy and gameplay loops is the acquisition of Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers. These vouchers serve as the key to unlocking some of the game's most coveted fashion accessories and mounts, requiring a massive investment of time, effort, and potentially in-game currency. Understanding the mechanics behind Bicolor Gemstones, the structure of Shared FATEs, and the intricate conversion process is essential for any player intending to secure these rewards. The journey is not merely about collecting currency; it is a test of endurance, knowledge of zone mechanics, and strategic optimization of gameplay time.
At the core of this system lies the Bicolor Gemstone, a unique currency earned exclusively through the completion of Shared FATEs in specific expansion zones. Unlike standard currencies that can be farmed through daily quests or dropped by common mobs, Bicolor Gemstones are tightly bound to the Shared FATE system. This creates a dual-layered progression system where players must first accumulate the raw currency (Gemstones) and then convert them into the usable currency (Vouchers) to purchase high-tier rewards. The math behind this conversion is significant and dictates the scale of the grind required.
The Currency Conversion and Vendor Network
The fundamental mechanic driving this system is the 100:1 conversion ratio. To obtain a single Bicolor Gemstone Voucher, a player must surrender 100 Bicolor Gemstones. This ratio is not arbitrary; it is designed to ensure that acquiring the voucher requires substantial time investment. For players looking to purchase the specific rewards available, the numbers become staggering. The two primary items available for purchase are the Fallen Angel Wings fashion accessory and the Wivre Horn used to summon the unique Wivre mount. Each of these items requires 500 Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers. Since each voucher costs 100 gemstones, the total cost for one item is 50,000 Bicolor Gemstones. Acquiring both items necessitates a total of 100,000 Bicolor Gemstones.
The process of converting these accumulated gemstones into vouchers is facilitated by specific vendors located in key zones. These merchants are the gateway between the raw currency and the voucher system.
| Vendor Name | Location | Coordinates | Item Sold | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gadfrid | Old Sharlayan | X: 12.7, Y: 10.4 | Bicolor Gemstone Voucher | 100 Bicolor Gemstones |
| Sajareen | Radz-at-Han | X: 11.1, Y: 10.2 | Bicolor Gemstone Voucher | 100 Bicolor Gemstones |
Once a player has amassed the necessary gemstones, they must travel to one of these vendors to complete the transaction. It is generally advisable to stockpile the gemstones first, rather than making multiple trips to the vendor. This approach minimizes travel time and streamlines the process. The vendors are located in the Endwalker expansion zones of Old Sharlayan and Radz-at-Han.
However, the acquisition of the vouchers is only the first step. The ultimate goal is the purchase of the end-items. The Luxury Trader, Edelina, located in Mor Dhona, is the sole merchant for these specific rewards. She is found inside Rowena's House of Splendors, north of the Aetheryte at coordinates X: 22.1, Y: 4.9. To purchase the Fallen Angel Wings or the Wivre Horn, a player must trade 500 vouchers. This means the total gemstone requirement is 50,000 per item. The sheer volume required has led many players to consider alternative strategies, such as purchasing vouchers directly from the Market Board. While this can significantly speed up the process, the cost is prohibitive, often exceeding 100,000 Gil per voucher, making it an expensive solution for those unwilling to endure the grind.
The Mechanics of Shared FATEs and Zone Ranks
The primary method for earning Bicolor Gemstones is through Shared FATEs. These are group objectives available in the Shadowbringers and Endwalker expansion zones. However, the system is not a simple case of "complete FATE, get gemstones." The availability of Shared FATEs is strictly gated by a rank system unique to each zone.
To access the full range of Shared FATEs, players must increase their FATE rank in specific zones. This rank is determined by the number of FATEs completed in that zone. The progression is tiered:
- Rank 1 is awarded after completing a single FATE.
- Rank 2 requires the completion of six FATEs.
- Rank 3 requires the completion of 60 FATEs.
Reaching Rank 3 is a prerequisite for unlocking the most lucrative and advanced Shared FATEs. In the Endwalker expansion, there are six default Shared FATE areas: Thavnair, Labyrinthos, Garlemald, Mare Lamentorum, Elpis, and Ultima Thule. To unlock the final three regions—Old Sharlayan, Radz-at-Han, and Mor Dhona—a player must achieve Rank 3 in all six default regions. This means completing 60 FATEs in each of the six zones, totaling 360 FATEs. Only after reaching this threshold do the locations of Old Sharlayan, Radz-at-Han, and Mor Dhona become accessible for farming.
The structure of the FATEs themselves offers variable rewards. Standard Shared FATEs typically grant approximately 14 Bicolor Gemstones per completion. However, the release of the Dawntrail expansion introduced significant updates to the mechanics. New opportunities have emerged that can drastically alter the efficiency of farming. For instance, completing specific World Boss FATEs, such as the Ttokrrone encounter, can yield 100 Bicolor Gemstones in a single completion, bypassing the need to grind standard FATEs. Furthermore, defeating the Forlorn Maidens or The Forlorn—rare, random encounters that appear within FATEs—can increase both the experience points and the Bicolor Gemstone rewards. Players are advised to defeat these rare enemies before completing the FATE to maximize their yield.
Strategic Approaches and the Dawntrail Update
The Dawntrail expansion brought a new layer of complexity and opportunity to the Bicolor Gemstone system. In addition to the standard Endwalker zones, the new expansion introduced the Turali Bicolor Gemstone Voucher system. This new currency operates on the same 100:1 conversion ratio but serves a different set of rewards, most notably the Ty'aitya Whistle, which is used to summon the Ty'aitya mount.
The requirements for the Turali system mirror the Endwalker grind in terms of scale. To obtain the Ty'aitya Whistle, a player needs 500 Turali Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers, equating to 50,000 Bicolor Gemstones. The grind for this new currency involves reaching the maximum Shared FATE rank in the new zones. Specifically, players must complete 66 FATEs in each of the new zones to reach Rank 4. With multiple zones in the new expansion, this totals 396 FATEs.
The vendors for these Turali Vouchers are located in the new Dawntrail cities: - In Tuliyollal, at the Bayside Bevy, the vendor Kajeel Ja offers Turali Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers. - In Solution Nine, at the Nexus Arcade, the vendor Beryl also sells these vouchers.
Each voucher costs 100 Bicolor Gemstones. The strategic implication is that players must decide whether to focus on the older Endwalker rewards (Wivre, Fallen Angel Wings) or the newer Dawntrail rewards (Ty'aitya mount). The grind for both is immense, and the overlap in resource requirements (Bicolor Gemstones) means players can choose their target based on their preferred cosmetics.
The sheer volume of work required has led to various strategic recommendations. Given the high cost of purchasing vouchers on the Market Board, the most viable path for most players is the "grind and party" approach. By joining a party via the Party Finder, players can speed up the process significantly. Since Shared FATEs are designed for group play, coordinating with other players reduces the time spent on each FATE, allowing for more completions in a shorter timeframe. The math suggests that to obtain just one of the Endwalker items, a player must complete roughly 3,600 FATEs. For both items, the total climbs to 7,200 FATEs.
This number—3,600 FATEs for a single reward—is not merely a statistic; it represents a significant commitment of time. It highlights the design philosophy of these rewards: they are intended for the dedicated, not the casual. The game's structure encourages players to treat this as a long-term goal rather than a quick acquisition. The ability to farm these gemstones is contingent on the zone rank system, which acts as a gatekeeper, ensuring that players have engaged deeply with the content of the expansion before they can access the high-yield FATEs.
Optimizing the Grind: Efficiency and Time Management
For players committed to this path, optimization is key. The standard yield of 14 gemstones per FATE is the baseline, but this can be improved through specific mechanics. The presence of World Bosses and rare encounters (Forlorn Maidens) provides a spike in rewards that can halve the effective time needed for the grind. The update in Dawntrail allowing for 100 gemstones from a World Boss FATE is a critical lever. If a player can consistently trigger these high-yield events, the effective rate of gemstone acquisition increases dramatically.
Furthermore, the distribution of gemstones across zones is not uniform. The requirement to reach Rank 3 in the initial six Endwalker zones before unlocking the final three zones creates a sequential dependency. Players must methodically work through Thavnair, Labyrinthos, Garlemald, Mare Lamentorum, Elpis, and Ultima Thule. Once Rank 3 is achieved in these zones, the final three zones (Old Sharlayan, Radz-at-Han, Mor Dhona) open up. This sequential unlocking prevents players from skipping ahead to the "final" zones, ensuring a comprehensive engagement with the expansion's content.
The financial aspect cannot be ignored. While the grind is the intended path, the option to purchase vouchers exists. However, the price on the Market Board is volatile and often exceeds 100,000 Gil per voucher. For a player needing 500 vouchers, the cost would be astronomical (50,000,000+ Gil). This high barrier reinforces the game's design: these items are meant to be earned through gameplay, not bought. The vendor prices for the vouchers are fixed at 100 gemstones, but the market price for the vouchers themselves is the real hurdle for those unwilling to grind.
The End-Game Rewards: Aesthetic Value vs. Time Investment
The ultimate justification for this massive grind is the aesthetic value of the rewards. The Fallen Angel Wings are a fashion accessory that allows players to customize their character's appearance with a unique winged look. The Wivre Horn grants the Wivre mount, a creature of significant lore importance in the game. Similarly, the Ty'aitya mount is a highly sought-after beast in the Dawntrail expansion.
The decision to pursue these items is a cost-benefit analysis. The player must weigh the thousands of hours of gameplay against the prestige and visual appeal of the items. For the dedicated player, the reward is not just the item, but the accomplishment of overcoming one of the most difficult grinds in the game. The system serves as a testament to a player's commitment to the game world.
The structure of the rewards also implies a "collectible" mindset. Since the costs are so high, players often choose to focus on one item at a time. Attempting to acquire both the Fallen Angel Wings and the Wivre Horn requires 100,000 gemstones, a number that is practically insurmountable for a single playthrough without significant external help or a massive investment of time. The Turali system in Dawntrail offers a similar path for the Ty'aitya mount, requiring the same 50,000 gemstones (500 vouchers) for a single mount.
Conclusion
The acquisition of Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers represents one of the most rigorous challenges in Final Fantasy XIV. It is a system built on the mechanics of Shared FATEs, zone rank progression, and a strict 100:1 conversion ratio. The path to the rewards is long, requiring thousands of FATE completions, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of zone-specific ranks. While the game offers the option to purchase vouchers on the Market Board, the cost is prohibitive, effectively making the grind the only viable path for the average player.
The release of the Dawntrail expansion has introduced a parallel system with Turali Vouchers, expanding the options for players but maintaining the same high bar for entry. The rewards, including the Fallen Angel Wings, Wivre Horn, and Ty'aitya mount, are symbols of dedication. They are not merely items; they are badges of honor for those who have conquered the grind. The process demands patience, strategic planning, and a willingness to engage deeply with the game's zone content. Whether through grinding FATEs, optimizing for World Bosses, or coordinating with a party, the path to these vouchers is a journey of persistence. For those who complete the task, the result is a unique collection of high-prestige items that stand as a testament to the player's commitment to the world of Eorzea.