One common theme with Genkai is the fact that.. Farmers are your friend. When farmers are killing the high level mobs for coffers or what not, the area is much cleaner for you to go and get your crest.
Davoi has always been my favorite because I had the Orb, and I just took everyone to the banishing gate and just ran in. The banishing gate can be tricky--there are Orcs there that will agro even lv75's. However, one good sleepaga, or a meat shield who can take a few hits, and the body with the orb can unlock the door, and let everyone in. If you're lucky, you can just run right in. Just make sure everyone knows when the door is open, because there is no other clue except that you can suddenly pass through it to others in your party.
The banishing gate is at the bottom of J-9, but can only be accessed through monastic caverns. This is an easy run using Invisible--recasting it is a breeze if you do it before it drops, and you'll never get agro. The only problem is that there are two True-sight Orcs that do spawn from time to time about G-8 & the little alter room at I-8. If you dont go near these spots, you will have no problems..just take the path from H-9. And if you get killed by an orc with a humongous head dress, log out and buy a lottery tickett...cause...you're... lucky.
Once past the banishing gate, you're in the home streatch. Just hug the left wall as you move along. At the center of J/K-7/8, there is a platform and two seperate NM that have true sight, but they're wondering will not cross your path if you hug the wall. The little corner of J-6 is where the crest lives. And if you dont have escape, you can take the exit at K-6 that will take you right out.
ON a side note, the NM that pop here drop some expensive stone spells, and if you have trouble soliciting aid, you can agree to try for these drops...just understand they are rare drops.
Now the Orb.. eventually, you might consider doing this one. The orb must first be traded to the Dancing Taru in the center of Davoi. You take the same path I listed through Monastic Caverns, but once you get back into Davoi, goto the platform at J-8. Then, you must visit the four ponds around the place, Screaming (K-8 ), Wailing (L-8 ), Howling (H-10) and Groaning (H-6). The fun thing is not only do some of the spots spawn various NM, but also have bats that can agro to sound if you're too low, a Malboro at the Groaning Pond, and... just so you dont feel too safe.. once you click on the pond (the Orb is a key item) you will be cursed. Isnt that special.
Beadeaux is always a pain because of the "Afflictors" that are dropped all over the place. If you walk through an Afflictor, you will be cursed...unless...you click on a "Muter" that will give you a "Silenced" condition for a period of time. (Once, it ran out while i was next to one, and it nearly KO'd me). I know some people just assume to be cursed, but I never liked that idea, especially when you get deep inside the zone when you could get one-shotted. I just assume to bring Echo Drops and lots of Silent Oil. I'm sure others have different ideas.
The path through Beadeaux is a long winding road. And the above ground area is seperated by a unpassable shelf, where you can only get upto with the use of various ramps. You need to get to K-6, but you need to go underground first and back up and onto the shelf.
FFXI-ATLAS has the path well marked, just remember to stop at each muter before you move. Go underground at H-7; Use the Muter underground at G-8, and go back up at underground H-7; Above ground use the muter at F-9, run to the ramp to the shelf at H-10; then follow around until you get to K-6.
Once you reach K-6, you reach the land of perpetual agro. Unless you want to fight all the way, you need to be very careful with the sneaks and use the muter (K-8 ) to get past the 3 more afflictors.
Once you get to Qulun Dome, you have the first roadblock.. Ruby Quadav. There are at least 2 at any one time that I can think of, but they also drop expensive water magic; that can help you get...more help. But they have the ability to cast Stonaga III, which does impressive amounts of damage. Sleep is your friend here, since there are usually others with him who will link with the Ruby who does have True Sight.
Once you get past the door, you will see a room full of Quadav. The adventure is trying to remember which one is which, and sneaking past to reach the crest. And thankfully, you CAN click on this crest while sneaked. Right next to the crest is a shelf, that leads out and a perfect zone if you catch agro... just dont do what I did... get the crest FIRST, then drop.
Castle Oztroja .. is just a pain. Unless you have farmers, then you will end up having to fight, because the switch to open the door at the top is normally surrounded by at least 3 mobs at any one time, unless someone has been clearing the rooms out. The other problem are the number of maps for the whole place... make sure you have the map before you go, cause I still get confused by the place. But I will refer to the atlas map for now.
First thing first, to gain access to the "4th Floor" where the crest is located, you will have to get the password for the trap door located on the same level. And the only way out of the level is either Escape, Warp or using the Judgement Key to open the Brass Door. And the password changes every day.
The password is taken from 3 different statues on 3 different levels. The first one is in Floor 1, at H-9. Then you need to goto Floor 2 and head to G-7 that will lead to "Floor 1&2", an open courtyard. At I-7 leads you to the basement 1 (of magicite & paladin af fame) where you need to goto the statue at H-9, where you will get Password #2. Then you go alllll the way back to Floor 2 and head to I-8 for Password #3. Now you are ready to head to the top. G-8 has a brass door with a switch to open the door, and the combination is found in I-10 (just make the G-8 switch look just like the I-10 one). Head on in.
This run is easy because you should only need invisible. However, on Floor 3, there is a pool with Yagudo Leeches that agro to sound. YOU CAN avoid them without agro, by hugging the walls.
Once you get to the fourth floor, just click on the torch in H-8 to open the brass door, but realize that the door closes fast; have someone by the door to open it for the others, or use flee.
The main problem with the crest on this floor is Yagudo High Priest.
Anyway...thats my guide written on the fly. Hope it helps.
