The release of Final Fantasy XIV's Dawntrail expansion has introduced a new continent, Tural, teeming with unique ecosystems, diverse wildlife, and a revamped economy centered around the Shared FATE system. At the heart of this new content lies the Bicolor Gemstone, a currency that functions as the primary medium for exchanging rewards for exclusive mounts, furniture, orchestrion rolls, and crafting materials. For players aiming to unlock the full potential of the expansion's economy, understanding the mechanics of the Shared FATE system and the strategic location of Bicolor Gemstone vendors is paramount. This guide provides an exhaustive analysis of how to unlock these vendors, the specific requirements for reaching maximum rank, and the most efficient pathways to acquire the highly sought-after Ty'aitya mount.
The Shared FATE System and Currency Mechanics
The economic engine of the Dawntrail expansion relies on the Shared FATE system, a mechanic designed to encourage cooperative play and persistent engagement across the new zones of Tural. Unlike previous expansions, Dawntrail introduces a four-tier ranking system for Bicolor Gemstone vendors. This structure requires players to complete a specific volume of FATEs (Friendly Area Tasks) in each zone to increment their relationship rank with the respective merchant.
The currency, known as Bicolor Gemstones, is earned by completing FATEs. While standard FATEs grant a baseline reward, specific high-value targets such as World Bosses or random encounters with the Forlorn Maidens can yield significantly higher amounts. The system is designed so that as players progress through the zones of Urqopacha, Kozama'uka, Yak T'el, Shaaloani, and Heritage Found, they accumulate both currency and rank. However, the most critical aspect of this system is the gatekeeping of the elite vendors. The merchants located in the major cities of Solution Nine and Tuliyollal remain locked until a player achieves the maximum rank in all other zones. This creates a "finish line" mechanic where the ultimate rewards—such as the Ty'aitya Whistle—require the completion of the entire continent's progression.
Progression Requirements
To fully unlock the economy of Dawntrail, a player must navigate the Shared FATE Log, accessible via the Travel Menu. This log tracks progress in each of the six new zones. The ranking system is not linear in terms of effort; it demands an exponential increase in FATE completions to reach the highest tiers.
The specific thresholds for unlocking vendor inventory are as follows:
- Rank 1: Unlocked immediately upon completing the first 6 FATEs in a zone.
- Rank 2: Requires the completion of 20 FATEs.
- Rank 3: Requires the completion of 40 FATEs.
- Rank 4: Requires the completion of 66 FATEs.
Reaching Rank 4 is the key to unlocking the special merchants in the capital cities. It is a common misconception that one can simply farm FATEs in a single zone to access all items. In reality, the game requires a balanced approach across all zones. The total FATE requirement to reach Rank 4 in a single zone is 66. With six zones in Tural, a player must complete a minimum of 396 FATEs across the continent to unlock the final tier of vendors. This volume of gameplay is substantial, necessitating strategic planning to maximize efficiency.
Geographical Distribution and Vendor Locations
The Dawntrail expansion maps out six distinct regions in Tural, each hosting a dedicated Bicolor Gemstone Trader. These NPCs are marked on the in-game map with a specific gemstone icon, making them easy to locate. The placement of these vendors is strategic, ensuring that players must travel to the specific region to access their wares.
The following table details the primary Bicolor Gemstone Traders, their locations, and coordinates within their respective zones:
| NPC Name | Region | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|
| Tepli | Urqopacha | (X: 27.5, Y: 11.7) |
| Kunuhali | Kozama'uka | (X: 17.4, Y: 11.0) |
| Rral Wuruq | Yak T'el | (X: 13.8, Y: 12.7) |
| Mitepe | Shaaloani | (X: 28.6, Y: 30.8) |
| Toashana | Heritage Found | (X: 16.3, Y: 9.6) |
These five vendors are accessible as soon as the player reaches Rank 1 in their specific zone. However, the ultimate economic hubs are located in the major cities of the expansion. Once a player achieves Rank 4 in all six zones, two additional vendors unlock in Solution Nine and Tuliyollal. These city-based merchants offer premium items that are otherwise unavailable.
The final two vendors are: - Beryl: Located in Solution Nine at coordinates (X: 8.4, Y: 14.0), near the Nexus Arcade aetheryte. - Kajeel Ja: Located in Tuliyollal at coordinates (X: 12.8, Y: 13.0), situated at the Bayside Bevy.
Access to these city vendors is strictly contingent on the completion of the Shared FATE progression in the surrounding zones. This design ensures that players engage with the full scope of the Dawntrail world before accessing the most valuable currency exchange options.
Item Availability and Unlocking Inventory
The inventory of the Bicolor Gemstone vendors is tiered according to the player's rank. While basic materials are available at Rank 1, high-value items such as riding maps, furniture, orchestrion rolls, and framer kits require higher ranks. This tiered system prevents players from immediately accessing the most desirable content, forcing a gradual engagement with the game's world.
Zone-Specific Inventories
Each of the five regional vendors offers a unique selection of items. The following breakdown details the items available in Urqopacha, Kozama'uka, Yak T'el, Shaaloani, and Heritage Found, along with their unlock requirements.
Urqopacha (Tepli) In Urqopacha, the vendor Tepli offers a mix of crafting materials and cosmetic items. - Rank 1: Silver Lobo Hide, Alpaca Filet, Megamaguey Pineapple (3 gems each). - Rank 2: Urqopacha Riding Map (90 gems). - Rank 3: Pelupelu Partition (150 gems). - Rank 4: Windswept Echoes Orchestration Roll (450 gems), Alpaca Cria (700 gems).
Kozama'uka (Kunuhali) The vendor Kunuhali in Kozama'uka provides materials specific to the swampy environment. - Rank 1: Hammerhead Crocodile Skin, Swampmonk Thigh, Poison Frog Secretions, Lesser Apollyon Shell (3 gems each). - Rank 2: Kozama'uka Riding Map (90 gems). - Rank 3: Ihuykatumu Bed (150 gems). - Rank 4: Of Glittering Wings Orchestration Roll (450 gems), Stuffed Flag (150 gems).
Yak T'el (Rral Wuruq) Rral Wuruq in Yak T'el offers items reflecting the region's flora and fauna. - Rank 1: Br'aax Hide, Branchbearer Fruit, Ty'aitya Wingblade (3 gems each). - Rank 2: Yak T'el Riding Map (90 gems). - Rank 3: Yak T'el Scale Tree (150 gems). - Rank 4: Emerald Under Sapphire Orchestration Roll (450 gems), Ilyikty'i (700 gems).
Shaaloani (Mitepe) Mitepe in Shaaloani provides unique regional resources. - Rank 1: Rroneek Fleece, Rroneek Chuck, Nopalitender Tuna, Tumbleclaw Weeds (3 gems each). - Rank 2: Shaaloani Riding Map (90 gems). - Rank 3: Assortment of Strewn Bottles (150 gems). - Rank 4: Ceruleum Smoke At High Noon Orchestration Roll (450 gems), Turali Barding (450 gems).
Heritage Found (Toashana) Toashana in Heritage Found offers rare skins and crafting components. - Rank 1: Gomphotherium Skin, Axe Beak Wing (3 gems each). - Rank 4: Heritage Found Riding Map (90 gems), Might Orchestrion Roll (450 gems), Golden Dawn Framer's Kit (600 gems), Crimson Dawn Framer's Kit (600 gems).
The City Vendor Inventories
Upon reaching Rank 4 in all zones, the vendors Beryl and Kajeel Ja become accessible. These merchants carry items that serve as the capstone of the Dawntrail economy.
Beryl (Solution Nine) Located in the Nexus Arcade, Beryl sells items that are often unavailable elsewhere. - Turali Bicolor Gemstone Voucher (100 gems) - Vending Machine Nine (150 gems) - Neon Parasol (500 gems) - Starless Skyline Orchestrion Roll (450 gems) - Bright Solution Framer's Kit (600 gems) - Dark Solution Framer's Kit (600 gems)
Kajeel Ja (Tuliyollal) Located at the Bayside Bevy, Kajeel Ja offers a comprehensive selection, including crafting materials from all zones. - This vendor's inventory is a consolidation of materials available in the zones, allowing players to purchase any zone-specific crafting material without returning to the specific region.
The Ty'aitya Mount: The Ultimate Grind
The Ty'aitya, a giant sugar glider mount, stands as one of the most coveted rewards in Dawntrail. Acquiring this mount is not merely a matter of purchasing it directly; it requires a multi-stage process involving the conversion of currency and extensive grinding.
The Currency Conversion Chain
The acquisition of the Ty'aitya is a complex transaction that bridges the gap between Bicolor Gemstones and the final mount whistle. The process involves an intermediate currency called the Turali Bicolor Gemstone Voucher.
- Accumulate Bicolor Gemstones: Players must first amass a significant quantity of Bicolor Gemstones through FATE completion.
- Exchange for Vouchers: Once the vendor Beryl in Solution Nine is unlocked, players can exchange 100 Bicolor Gemstones for one Turali Bicolor Gemstone Voucher.
- Purchase the Whistle: The Ty'aitya Whistle is purchased from a merchant named Edelina in Mor Dhona, located north of the Aetheryte inside Rowena's House of Splendors (X: 22.1, Y: 4.9). This item costs 500 Turali Bicolor Gemstone Vouchers.
Calculating the Grind
The math behind obtaining the Ty'aitya mount is staggering. To acquire 500 vouchers, a player needs 50,000 Bicolor Gemstones. Given that a standard FATE awards approximately 14 Bicolor Gemstones, the player would need to complete thousands of FATEs.
However, the game provides shortcuts for efficient farming: - World Boss FATEs: Completing specific World Boss FATEs, such as Ttokrrone, yields 100 Bicolor Gemstones per completion, drastically reducing the time required. - Forlorn Encounters: Defeating the Forlorn Maidens or the Forlorn (random encounters within FATEs) boosts both experience and currency rewards. Prioritizing these encounters before finishing a FATE is a critical optimization strategy.
Strategic Optimization: Flying and Group Play
Efficiency is the key to navigating the Dawntrail economy. While it may be tempting to begin farming FATEs immediately upon entering a zone, this approach is highly inefficient. The optimal strategy involves unlocking flight in the zone first.
Unlocking flight allows players to traverse the zone rapidly, accessing multiple FATEs in a short period. Without flight, travel time between FATE locations significantly slows down the grinding process.
Furthermore, the volume of FATEs required (66 per zone) suggests that solo play is inefficient. Forming a party through the Party Finder menu allows players to clear FATEs much faster. A group of five players can complete a FATE in seconds, compared to the minutes required for a solo player. This cooperative approach is essential for those aiming to reach Rank 4 in all six zones and unlock the final vendors in Solution Nine and Tuliyollal.
The game design of Dawntrail intentionally gates the most valuable items behind a collaborative and persistent effort. By encouraging players to fly, group up, and explore the diverse biomes of Tural, the developers have created an economy that rewards thorough exploration and social interaction.
Conclusion
The Bicolor Gemstone system in Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail represents a sophisticated layer of gameplay that ties zone exploration, social cooperation, and currency management together. Unlocking the Bicolor Gemstone vendors requires a disciplined approach to the Shared FATE system. Players must complete 66 FATEs in each of the six zones to reach Rank 4, which in turn unlocks the premium vendors in Solution Nine and Tuliyollal.
The path to the Ty'aitya mount exemplifies the depth of this system. It is not a simple purchase but a multi-step conversion process involving thousands of gemstones and intermediate vouchers. By utilizing flying, grouping with friends, and prioritizing high-yield targets like World Bosses and Forlorn encounters, players can navigate this grind efficiently. The strategic placement of vendors, the tiered inventory unlocks, and the complex currency conversion mechanics ensure that Dawntrail offers a rewarding, albeit labor-intensive, economic experience for those willing to explore every corner of Tural.