Let me start by saying...I've seen weather/elements change regularly while playing this game, but the game knows when you're looking for the changes and gives you nothing but blue skies. I started the summoner quest after getting help from a lvl45thf, who offered to help me get Carbuncle's Ruby after seeing me fight leeches in Burb. Pennisula. I appreciated the help and with her sneak attack and me casting regen on her, we were plowing thru leeches faster than they could spawn. I've been fighting leeches for about a month during downtime trying for this ruby....it took about 45mins with her in my party to get the drop. Lesson being...thfs can make all the difference in the world. hehe
For those who don't know, after receiving the ruby and speaking to the NPC, you must expose the ruby to the different weather/elements to release Carbuncle. This was time consuming, but I was fortunate to get 6 of the required 7 in about 6hours, mostly in Valkurm/LaTheine and then Pashow. I logged out for the night, planning my trip for Snow in Beaucedine Glacier. I researched the mobs in Raungemont Pass and felt that using sneak/invis I could make it alone...even if I ran into trouble on the way back. I ran into scorpions, gobs, and some very tough bats along the way...but found tunnels that were empty so that I could recast my spells when needed. I made it to the glacier zone...and immediately got my last color. WOOT! Raungemont can be tough passage if you do not have sneak/invis and even deo for the scorpions, but had no problems getting back. The NPC that lets you pass thru tells you that once the door closes, you'll need to find another path back. This concerned me as I did not buy a warp scroll before leaving (doh!). Using a map that I printed off, I found the correct path on the first try and made it to LaTheine quickly to finish the quest! I haven't gotten to try out summoner yet, but can't wait to try it out. I only need to unlock ninja and paladin to have them all! :)

If anyone is attempting to attain rank 4 (Mission in Sandy is called Appointment to Jeuno), I will be trying to complete it this weekend. All nations are requested to go to Delkfurt's Tower in Quifim and make their way to the top for a battle. Anyone who is interested, let me know. Have a good weekend and happy hunting.