Bastok may be alright, but there's definitely no love to be had for the Palborough Mines. I've been there four times now and still not gotten my 'Sharp Stone' for the Rock Rackateer quest in Windy. I've gone through three stacks of pickaxes now and all I dig up is gravel.

Fearnor tried to help me last night because he was farming in the mines while waiting for people to do the Ninja flagquest. We got to the mining spot, but accidentally split up and I was murdered. Then he found a raise and I was back in action. That's when I met a new player that was on the same quest. Her name is Consonia. (Hopes she's a woman.)

Fearnor ran off on me to meet other people for NIN and Consonia stayed with me all night attempting to get the stupid rock. We actually made a full roundtrip back to Bastok for more pickaxes. As soon as we got back she dug up the stone. Then I went through two more stacks of axes only to unearth gravel.

On our way out she accidentally aggroed a Quadav through one of the closed gates. She yelled for me to prepare for a train, but I didn't run. That one Quadav, on his run around to find us, dragged 5 others with him. In all manner of speaking, I was fucked.

So, as I lay on the ground, no sharp stone in my pocket, and dozens of pickaxes behind me...I quit for the night.

Someday I may go back, but that day will be all too soon.