Chocobo (Final Fantasy XI)

In the online incarnation of Final Fantasy Chocobos are one of the faster forms of alternative transportation. In the past, the Elvaan primarily used Chocobos as mounts and general labor but Chocobos have now been raised all over the world and are a popular form of transportation. Great skill is required to ride them due to their wild nature.

These birds are very fond of Gysahl Greens. When given a Gysahl Green a chocobo will be able to dig for buried items. Although Chocobos do love the greens, when they are housed in the stables they eat San d'Orian Carrots for their high nutritional value and Cupid Worms to build strong bones and muscles.

Chocobo License
To rent a Chocobo from one of the stables the player must obtain a Chocobo License and pay a fee based on the player's level and the number of recently rented Chocobos. The license, issued to certified Chocobo Riders, have a valification lasting until the end of time and allows players level 20 and above to rent from any city of Chocogal with a base riding limit of 30 minutes. Players level 15-19 may only rent from stables in San d'Oria, Bastok or Windurst and only ride for 15 minutes. In addition the Chocobo will not receive equipment bonuses.

To obtain a license the player must talk to Brutus and begin the Chocobo Wounds quest where the player must nurse a sick Chocobo back to health. After which the player will receive the title Chocobo Trainer and receive a license.

History
A species native to the La Theine Plateau the wild Chocobos were once seen racing across the plains in great numbers. However, more and more Chocobos were captured and domesticated by the people of Vana'diel for reasons of utility. A truly wild Chocobo is now a rare sight to behold.

The Elvaan had originally 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 increased. Merchants now preferred Chocobos for long, overland journeys and the military adopted the creatures for use in highly mobile cavalry units. An example of their peak in military use was in the combat class known as Chocobo Knights; specialized knights riding armoured Chocobo, unique to the Kingdom of San d'Oria some twenty years before the game's original timeline. Today they are raised by the Vana'diel Chocobo Society who oversee their care and dispatch them to Chocobo stables throughout Vana'diel. People have even begun selective breeding programs involving the species. Recently Chocobo Racing, previously held at a local level, has been elevated to the world stage, garnering unprecedented attention.

Quests

 * Chocobo's Wounds - The player has to help nurse a chocobo back to health by attempting to feed it Gausebit Wildgrass.
 * Chocobo on the Loose! - After having let out a Chocobo from its stables the player has to search for and capture it again. However after its capture it begins acting rebelious, coercing the player into being tasked with finding out the problem and finding a to pacify it.

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 Courser chocobos. In the time of Final Fantasy XI there are no remaining purebred Destriers, but it is possible to see their proud bloodlines occasionally reemerge in the birth of rare, black chocobos.

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.

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 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 physical 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.

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.

Chocobo Stables
Much like horses Chocobos are kept, raised and looked-after in Chocobo Stables which are run by the Vana'diel Chocobo Society. Generally speaking there is one stable in each of the 3 starting cities, three chocobo stables in Jueno, a chocobo stable in Al Zahbi (which may or may not be in business, depending on whether or not the NPC in charge has been taken prisoner during Besieged) and others scattered around telepoints and some of the smaller cities in the world.

Personnel
NPCs that offer players the option to ride a Chocobo for an amount of gil are known as Chocobo Renters and are usually found in Chocobo Stables. Their price is based on the current number of Chocobos that the player has rented out and how many are still out riding, this seems to be a 10% increase per Chocobo that is out.

A Chocobo Ticket, a "free ride" ticket as part of a campaign by the Chocobo Stables to encourage more adventurers to utilize their services, can be handed in to a Chocobo Renter for a free chocobo ride, provided that the user has a minimum job level of 20 and a Chocobo License. Anther ticket, known as a Chocopass, can be used by novice adventurers for a free ride however the ride only lasts for two minutes or until they enter a new area.

Chocobo Raising
Chocobo Raising was added to Final Fantasy XI as part of the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion. Players could raise their own Chocobo from the egg to adulthood, breeding them to have different strengths and weaknesses. The appearance of the bird changes as well, from the feathers on their tails and heads to the overall colour of the Chocobos themselves.

Chocobo Racing
Square has also added Chocobo Racing, though it is not player controlled in order to avoid lag issues.