The main reason on my recent GE activity

Veteran promotion. It will come soon for us!

Alright, let me give the reason why I have leveled up these characters to 100. What comes after level 100? Veteran, right? Well, that's the exact purpose of it. Now, I'm saving up some cash right now so I can just by the Veteran Promotion Scrolls at a bundle instead of one by one. Now, each of these characters have their importance of reaching Veteran (in the future). Allow me to explain...

For Calyce, I was very interested at her Sagitta stance when I saw it in action. Many people said it was deadly than the Arbalester stance that she has by level 60. Once I give it a try, I'll let you guys know if it'll live up to its expectations (like how impressed I was with the Outrage Shot Stance).

For Karjalanien, I am after her ability to craft the ultimate gems since the NPC at Auch cannot craft Siren's Scale, Archangel's Heart or Seeds of Rafflesia. This will increase my independence on making these stuff (and maybe doing a favor like what others did for me when they had Veteran Karjalaniens). Plus, she can craft those necklaces with nifty resistance bonuses!

For Andre, it's his trademark costumes and some of the elite armors that he can craft. Like Karjalanien, I'll be able to make those elite level 84 armors (and Veteran Costumes) without looking for someone else to help me out (especially when I'm in a bind or in a rush).

Well, Karjalanien and Andre are not the only crafting RNPCs in this game. There are others who also possess the similar ability but in different specialties. Maybe I'll have Idge next to be veteran, for generic leather and metal armor crafting (of course, elites!). How about Adelina? Yeah, she'll be able to craft one-handed blades, like swords, sabers, rapiers and daggers. Maybe main gauche is covered too, no? Grace? Pistols and rifles. How about shotguns? Lorch'll take care of that! What was the name of that big guy? Oh, Claude! I bet he can craft big weapons, like spears, blunts and great swords! How about magic-based weapons like bracelets, staves and rods? M'Boma's the man for the job!

Whew! That's another one down to get off my chest. Maybe I'll make a little guide on crafting basics... Lemme go ahead and dive into some recipes as well! Catch ya later, pioneers!

The glittering gems (and valued) of Granado Espada

No, I don't mean by players/families that are role models. I'm talking about the three different kinds of gems and their importance in Granado Espada.

To start off, you'll get your first gem in a form of unpolished stones. These gems come in three colors and are based from real gemstone of their respective colors. Soon enough, you'll be getting better versions of these gem with a prefix of "Piece of ." At this point, I am not sure if their normal versions, which is a step of from their "Piece of" versions, are dropped by mobs. The high quality version is the next step from the normal gems and are sought out to those wish to craft items usually level 84 and above. The ultimate form of the gems are really rare to seek out, especially when it is needed to craft an item as well.

The thing is, that these gems are usually crafting materials for weapons and armor. All of the recipes involving an equipment (as far as I know) always need a gem, depending on what the recipe needs. So, don't throw away those gems! You may need them craft the item you need or you may sell it to those who need it the most! :P

If you want a simple way to read it, here's a flow on each of their hierarchy (lowest to ultimate):

Unpolished Red/Green/Blue Stone
Piece of Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire
Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire
High Quality Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire
Archangel's Heart/Siren's Scale/Seeds of Rafflesia

For those who craft and want the "easy way out" of getting the Normal, High Quality and Ultimate gems, you can grab crafting recipe from the Precious Metal Merchant in Auch, right beside the Anvil for Accessory Desctruction.

The NPC sells recipes for these gems (with the exception for the unpolished stones) as well as Gold Pieces (for those wanting to plunk gold at the Golden Well at Thueringen Lakeside) necklace crafting recipes and some other stuff as well. Each gem recipe share a similar material listing with the exception of what the gem stone should be. Here's the recipe list for the following:

Recipe - Piece of Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire
Level 40 - Karjalanien Exclusive
Rating: Low
[Material]
Unpolished Red/Green/Blue Stone x 3
Solvent x 5
Progressive Soul Filler x 3
Mana Stone x 1

Recipe - Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire
Level 60 - Karjalanien Exclusive
Rating: Normal
[Material]
Piece of Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire x 3
Solvent x 10
Progressive Soul Filler x 10
Mana Stone x 3

Recipe - High Quality Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire
Level 80 - Karjalanien Exclusive
Rating: High
[Material]
Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire x 3
Solvent x 20
Triumph Filler x 3
Mana Stone x 5

Recipe - Archangel's Heart/Siren's Scale/Seeds of Rafflesia
Level 100 - Karjalanien Exclusive
Rating: Ultimate
[Material]
High Quality Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire x 3
Solvent x 50
Triumph Filler x 15
Elemental Jewel x 1

Now, if we were to craft an ultimate gem from unpolished stones, here's the breakdown:

Unpolished Red/Green/Blue Stone x 63
to
Piece of Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire x 21
to
Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire x 9
to
High Quality Ruby/Emerald/Sapphire x3
to
Archangel's Heart/Siren's Scale/Seeds of Rafflesia x 1

And with each gem quality recipe price rising (not to mention required cash shop items), it's going to be very costly in producing one piece of an ultimate gem! So much for the "easy way out!"

Well, that's one thing gotten of my chest. Expect more thoughts and guide coming soon! :D