The economy of Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail introduces a new layer of player engagement through the Bicolor Gemstone system, a currency designed to reward consistent participation in the game's shared objectives. While the gemstones themselves serve as a versatile currency for purchasing materials, maps, and orchestrion rolls, their true value is unlocked only when converted into Turali Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers. This conversion mechanism creates a distinct economic loop where players must strategically allocate time between earning raw gemstones, exchanging them for vouchers, and ultimately purchasing high-value rewards like the Ty'aitya Whistle or the Wivre Horn. The system is not merely a simple grind; it is a complex progression path tied directly to the Shared FATE ranking system, requiring players to navigate zone-specific vendors, rank unlocks, and the significant time investment needed to acquire the most coveted end-game mounts.
The Dual Currency System and Conversion Mechanics
To understand the expenditure of Bicolor Gemstones, one must first distinguish between the two tiers of the currency. The raw currency, Bicolor Gemstones, is earned directly from completing Shared FATEs within the Shadowbringers, Endwalker, and the new Dawntrail expansion zones. These gemstones are the foundational unit of exchange. However, the most prestigious rewards are not purchasable with the raw gemstones directly. Instead, players must convert 100 Bicolor Gemstones into one Turali Bicolor Gemstone Voucher.
This 100:1 conversion ratio is the linchpin of the economy. The primary purpose of the Turali Bicolor Gemstone Voucher is to purchase specific, high-end cosmetic and mount items. Currently, the marketplace for these vouchers offers two primary purchases, each with a steep price tag of 500 vouchers. The first is the Fallen Angel Wings, a fashion accessory that enhances the aesthetic of the Warrior of Light. The second is the Wivre Horn, a crucial component required to summon the unique Wivre mount. Acquiring either item necessitates the accumulation of 50,000 Bicolor Gemstones, given that 500 vouchers at 100 gemstones per voucher equals the required total. For players aiming to collect both the wings and the horn, the total requirement balloons to 100,000 Bicolor Gemstones.
The distinction between the two currencies is critical for strategic planning. Bicolor Gemstones can be spent immediately on lower-tier rewards or used to craft the vouchers. However, the voucher system acts as a gatekeeper for the "luxury" tier of rewards. This creates a psychological and mechanical barrier that encourages players to engage deeply with the FATE system, as the conversion rate is fixed and the cost for top-tier items is substantial. The economy is designed to ensure that these rewards are not easily obtained, preserving their exclusivity and value within the game's economy.
The Shared FATE Progression and Rank Unlocks
The primary method for earning Bicolor Gemstones is through the completion of Shared FATEs. This system is not a flat reward structure; it is intrinsically linked to the player's completion rank within specific zones. To maximize the yield of gemstones, players must understand the tiered nature of the reward system.
In the Shadowbringers and Endwalker expansions, as well as the new Tural continent, completing Shared FATEs grants Bicolor Gemstones. The base reward for a standard FATE completion is approximately 14 Bicolor Gemstones. However, this yield is not static. It scales based on the player's completion rank within the zone. The progression of ranks is cumulative: - Completing a single FATE unlocks Rank 1. - Completing 6 FATEs unlocks Rank 2. - Completing 60 FATEs unlocks Rank 3. - Completing 66 FATEs unlocks the maximum Rank 4.
Reaching Rank 4 is the gateway to unlocking new vendors in the Dawntrail cities, such as Kajeel Ja in Tuliyollal and Beryl in Solution Nine. These vendors become the primary outlets for purchasing Turali Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers directly, offering a more efficient path than older methods. The reward structure incentivizes players to grind through all available FATEs in a zone to reach the highest rank, which not only improves the gemstone yield per FATE but also opens access to the specific merchants required for the voucher exchange.
The grind required to reach Rank 4 is significant. With normal FATEs granting 14 gemstones, and the requirement for 50,000 gemstones for a single high-value item, the math is unforgiving. A player starting from scratch would need to complete approximately 3,571 FATEs to earn the necessary gemstones for one item, assuming no bonus multipliers. This high barrier to entry is the defining characteristic of the Bicolor Gemstone economy. However, the game provides mechanisms to accelerate this process, specifically through the introduction of World Boss FATEs and the Forlorn Maiden mechanic.
Optimizing Yield: World Bosses and Multipliers
The raw grind of completing hundreds of FATEs can be mitigated by leveraging specific high-yield content introduced in Dawntrail. The most notable optimization strategy involves World Boss FATEs, such as the encounter with Ttokrrone. Completing a World Boss FATE yields a massive 100 Bicolor Gemstones in a single instance, compared to the standard 14. This represents a seven-fold increase in efficiency for that specific content type.
Furthermore, the system includes a multiplier mechanic involving "Forlorn Maidens" or "The Forlorn." These enemies appear randomly within certain FATEs. Defeating a Forlorn Maiden prior to completing the FATE triggers a bonus that increases both the experience points and the Bicolor Gemstone reward. This mechanic effectively doubles the yield. If a player defeats a Forlorn Maiden, the standard 14 gemstones can be doubled to 28, and upon reaching high completion ranks, the yield can potentially scale further. Community feedback suggests that the game's design intends for players to prioritize these multipliers to reduce the total time required for the grind.
Strategic players should prioritize zones and FATE types that allow for these multipliers. By focusing on World Bosses and ensuring Forlorn Maidens are defeated before FATE completion, a player can significantly reduce the number of FATEs needed to reach the 50,000 gemstone threshold. The community has noted that without these multipliers, the grind is excessively long, with some players calculating that the requirement for a single mount equates to thousands of FATE completions. The optimization of this process is essential for anyone serious about acquiring the Ty'aitya mount or the Fallen Angel Wings.
Merchant Locations and Zone-Specific Inventories
The expenditure of Bicolor Gemstones is heavily dependent on location and rank. Different zones in the Tural continent host specific merchants, and each vendor's inventory is locked behind the Shared FATE rank system. Understanding the geography of these merchants is vital for efficient spending.
Dawntrail Merchant Locations
The following table details the specific merchants found in the new Tural zones, their locations, and the items available at different ranks. This structured data highlights the progression of rewards as players increase their completion status.
Urqopacha Zone * Merchant: Tepli * Location: X:27.5, Y:11.7 * Nearest Aetheryte: Wachunpelo * Inventory by Rank: - Rank 1: Silver Lobo Hide (3 gemstones), Alpaca Fillet (3), Megamaguey Pineapple (3). - Rank 2: Urqopacha Riding Map (90 gemstones). - Rank 3: Pelupelu Partition (150 gemstones). - Rank 4: Windswept Echoes Orchestrion Roll (450 gemstones), Alpaca Cria (700 gemstones).
Kozama'uka Zone * Merchant: Kunuhali * Location: X:17.4, Y:11.0 * Nearest Aetheryte: Ok'hanu * Inventory by Rank: - Rank 1: Hammerhead Crocodile Skin (3), Swampmonk Thigh (3), Poison Frog Secretions (3), Lesser Apollyon Shell (3). - Rank 2: Kozama'uka Riding Map (90). - Rank 3: Inuykatumu Bed (150). - Rank 4: Of Glittering Wings Orchestrion Roll (450), Stuffed Flag (150).
Yak T'el Zone * Merchant: Rral Wuruq * Location: X:13.8, Y:12.7 * Nearest Aetheryte: Iq Br'aax * Inventory by Rank: - Rank 1: Br'aax Hide (3), Branchbearer Fruit (3), Ty'aitya Wingblade (3). - Rank 2: Yak T'el Riding Map (90). - Rank 3: Yak T'el Scale Tree (150). - Rank 4: Emerald under Sapphire Orchestrion Roll (450), Ilyikty'i (700).
Shaaloani Zone * Merchant: Mitepe * Location: X:28.6, Y:12.7 * Nearest Aetheryte: Hhusatahwi * Note: Specific inventory details for Shaaloani are less detailed in available data, but follow the same rank-based progression pattern.
The data clearly shows a tiered economy. Low-rank purchases (Rank 1) involve cheap materials like hides, fillets, and fruits, costing only 3 gemstones. As the player grinds to higher ranks, the inventory unlocks high-value items such as Riding Maps, Orchestrion Rolls, and unique furniture or mounts. The "Ty'aitya Wingblade" appearing in Yak T'el at Rank 1 is a significant clue; it suggests that specific mount-related items can be bought early, but the high-value vouchers required for the mount itself remain locked behind the accumulation of thousands of gemstones.
The Voucher Exchange and High-Value Purchases
Once players have accumulated sufficient Bicolor Gemstones, the next step is the conversion to Turali Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers. This exchange is not available in every zone; it is centralized in specific high-level locations that are only accessible after achieving maximum rank.
Primary Exchange Locations: 1. Gadfrid: Located in Old Sharlayan (X:12.7, Y:10.4). 2. Sajareen: Located in Radz-at-Han (X:11.1, Y:10.2). 3. Kajeel Ja: Located in Tuliyollal, Bayside Bevy (X:12.8, Y:13.0). 4. Beryl: Located in Solution Nine, Nexus Arcade (X:8.4, Y:14.1).
These merchants sell Turali Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers at the standard rate of 100 gemstones per voucher. However, the ultimate spending destination for these vouchers is distinct. To purchase the Ty'aitya Whistle (the item required to summon the Ty'aitya mount) or the Wivre Horn, players must visit Edelina.
Edelina is found in Mor Dhona, specifically inside Rowena's House of Splendors, north of the Aetheryte (X:22.1, Y:4.9). Her shop features a "Gemstone Voucher Exchange" category. Here, players can spend their accumulated Turali Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers. The cost for the Ty'aitya Whistle is 500 vouchers. This translates to a total requirement of 50,000 Bicolor Gemstones. The same cost applies to the Wivre Horn.
The distinction between the zone merchants and Edelina is critical. The zone merchants (Tepli, Kunuhali, Rral Wuruq, etc.) sell raw materials, maps, and orchestrion rolls directly for Bicolor Gemstones. Edelina, however, sells the vouchers themselves and the final high-value items. This separation creates a two-tier market where the raw currency buys basic goods, while the voucher currency buys prestige items.
Strategic Considerations and Community Feedback
The sheer magnitude of the grind required to obtain these items has sparked significant discussion within the player community. The requirement of 50,000 Bicolor Gemstones for a single mount is widely regarded as excessive. Calculations suggest that without multipliers, a player would need to complete approximately 3,571 FATEs to reach this number. This volume of content has led to community feedback suggesting changes to the reward structure. Players have proposed increasing the gemstone yield after reaching maximum rank (e.g., doubling from 14 to 28 gemstones) or enhancing the multiplier effects from Forlorn Maidens.
The community sentiment reflects a tension between the desire for exclusive rewards and the frustration with the time investment required. Some players argue that the current system forces an "endless" farm that detracts from the enjoyment of the game. The suggestion to modify the gemstone rewards to be more generous upon reaching Rank 4 is a direct response to the perceived imbalance between the reward value and the effort required.
From a strategic perspective, players should consider the efficiency of their time. Joining a party via the Party Finder menu is highly recommended to speed up the process. Working in a group allows for faster FATE completion and more opportunities to trigger the Forlorn Maiden bonuses. Additionally, prioritizing World Boss FATEs like Ttokrrone is the most efficient method for bulk gemstone acquisition.
The economy is designed to be a test of patience and consistency. The "grind" is not just a mechanical task; it is a test of the player's dedication to the Shared FATE system. The existence of the Market Board offers an alternative: purchasing vouchers from other players. However, this route is often prohibitively expensive, with single vouchers costing upwards of 100,000 gil. This price disparity further incentivizes the grind, as the opportunity cost of time versus gil is high.
Conclusion
The expenditure of Bicolor Gemstones in Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is a complex economic system that rewards long-term engagement with the Shared FATE content. The path from raw gemstones to the coveted Ty'aitya mount or Fallen Angel Wings requires navigating a tiered rank system, optimizing yields through World Bosses and Forlorn Maidens, and strategically utilizing specific merchants across the Tural continent. While the grind is significant, the system provides multiple layers of optimization for the dedicated player. Understanding the conversion rates, merchant locations, and rank-based unlocks is essential for any player aiming to master this currency and unlock the game's most prestigious rewards. The economy serves as both a reward mechanism and a barrier, ensuring that the highest-tier items remain symbols of true dedication to the game's content.