In this next installment, we bring you more in-depth information from the world of chocobos!
What is a Chocobo?
The chocobo is a large, herbivorous bird with powerful legs and a sharp, sturdy beak. Its size and impressive speed make it the most popular type of mount in Vana'diel. Although too small to allow flight, the chocobo's wings assist in keeping balance and also function as a type of brake.
A species native to the La Theine Plateau, the wild chocobo were once seen racing across the plains in great numbers. However, as the people of Vana'diel began to realize the utility of this fleet-footed creature, more and more chocobos were captured and domesticated. A truly wild chocobo is now a rare sight to behold.
Adventurers mainly use the chocobo as a mount, but there are those who are skilled at using gysahl greens to have the animal dig holes, taking advantage of its natural instinct to bury food.
Domestic Chocobos
Elvaan have raised chocobos for use in farming, hunting, and general labor since before recorded history.
But once the practice of riding bareback was civilized with the invention of reins and saddles, the number of people using chocobo mounts suddenly soared. Merchants now preferred chocobos for long, overland journeys, and the military adopted the birds for use in highly mobile cavalry units. People began selective breeding programs as the chocobo craze spread to every corner of Vana'diel.
Recently, the chocobo races held at a local level have been elevated to the world stage, garnering unprecedented attention.
Chocobo Breeds
Destrier
These knightly mounts were bred in San d'Oria. They underwent training that allowed them to bear the weight of heavy armor and withstand the shock of cavalry charges. Destriers were characterized by their large, jet-black bodies and thick, powerful legs. With the decline of lance combat and improvements to ranged weaponry, destriers lost their place in battle to the faster coursers. These days, there are no remaining purebred destriers, but it is possible to see their proud bloodlines occasionally reemerge in the birth of rare, black chocobos.
Courser
The courser is a larger-than-average chocobo and is the most common breed found in the Kingdom of San d'Oria. They are characterized by their streamlined bodies, and long, graceful legs. They were originally bred for scouting duties, but their adoption into the military was accompanied by a general acceptance of the courser as an everyday mount. On extremely rare occasions, a red-colored courser will be born.
Palfrey
The mid-sized palfreys were bred to withstand the searing air and blazing heat of the desert. They are mainly raised in the Republic of Bastok and on Zepwell Island. With a relatively gentle demeanor, these chocobos are suited for those with who lack advanced riding skills. Palfreys are known to come in both blue and yellow.
Jennet
This breed of chocobo has been magically reduced in size to provide mounts for the diminutive Tarutaru. They have short legs when compared to other breeds, but like the Tarutaru themselves, jennets are capable of maintaining a rapid pace. Due to a request from the southern Mithra wishing to blend into the jungle, there are some jennets that can be found in a shade of green.
Rounsey
With its huge population of adventurers, Jeuno boasts more frequent use of chocobos than any other nation. The main type of chocobo to be found in the duchy is the mid-sized rounsey. The pride of the famous trainer Brutus and his family, the rounsey is the result of a lengthy breeding program involving wild chocobos. This program has produced a robust mount of somewhat unpredictable temperament that is suited for long, punishing treks.
Calling Your Chocobo
Along with the new chocobo raising system, in the upcoming version update we will be introducing the ability to call chocobos. This feature will allow players to call up and ride the chocobo they have lovingly raised.
No longer will adventurers have to rely on rental chocobos for traveling around Vana'diel! Players will be able to call their very own chocobos anywhere, at anytime.
Impress your friends with your personal chocobo mount!
Calling Your Chocobo
Calling your chocobo will involve an enchant item, similar to the signal pearl or empress band. With the appropriate item equipped, you will be able to call your trusty mount at any time, in any area where chocobo riding is permitted.
We are planning on setting the enchant recast to a time period that won't adversely affect in-game balance. Rather than making it possible to recall your chocobo immediately after dismounting, it will be necessary to wait for a certain amount of time.
Your Own Personal Chocobo
Colors
Aside from the familiar yellow, we will be introducing two new colors for chocobos. We invite you to try chocobo raising for yourself to discover what colors are available. Additional colors will make an appearance in subsequent version updates.
Appearance
The appearance of your chocobo will change depending on the attributes it acquires. These changes will affect a part of the chocobo, such as its beak or legs, rather than change its appearance entirely.
Attributes
Depending on the method used to raise your chocobo, its attributes will be slightly enhanced or decreased. For example, some chocobos may run a little faster, while others may be ridden for longer periods of time.
Digging
Just as with a rental chocobo, it will be possible to dig with your personal mount. Perhaps you may notice a difference when digging with a chocobo that you have personally raised with love and care?
Additional information will be released in late June as the version update approaches.
