A linkshell is a recurring means of communication in the Final Fantasy series. Appearing exclusively in massively multiplayer online games, it primarily serves to explain the ability of players to chat over great distances. Any message sent through a linkshell is received by everyone equipped with a matching item. Non-player characters also employ linkshells within the context of their stories.
Linkshells produce linkpearls that enable basic communication. They can also produce sacks of linkpearls that allow trusted recipients to independently distribute access to others.
Appearances
Final Fantasy XI
Linkshells are central to the adventuring communities of Vana'diel. Players use the command "/linkshell" or press "CTRL + L" to transmit chat messages to their peers. Though only one linkshell can be active at a time, adventurers may carry as many shells, pearls, and sacks as there are spaces in their inventories.
The linkshell itself is a unique item, given a custom name by its creator, obtained from various vendors for 8,000 Gil. The purchaser chooses a color scheme for the pearl icon that appears beside the names of players using the shell. This is seen by everyone unless it is overwritten by a higher priority icon, like the bazaar indicator, or the viewer disables the names that normally appear above characters.
The shell holder controls the distribution of pearlsacks. Those with a shell or sack can write a welcoming message that is displayed to all members when they join the pearl's channel. If the owner of a linkshell disposes of it, all the associated pearls break and no longer function. If the holding character is instead deleted, however, the linkshell will remain active but no new pearl sacks can be obtained. This limitation discourages players from sticking around. Given that linkshells are relatively cheap, a new one will typically be purchased and redistributed immediately.
Adventuring Fellow
There is also an item called a Signal Pearl or Tactics Pearl, worn on the ear. This allows players to call their Adventuring Fellow to them, allowing the two to act as a sort of duo party. The player must complete the Mirror, Mirror quest in order to gain the ability to call an adventuring fellow.
Wings of the Goddess
Many non-player participants in the Crystal War are depicted using linkshells. They sometimes hold their hands to their ears in a manner that suggests that pearls are actually inserted into the ear canal.
The quest Gifts of the Griffon involves the player delivering linkpearls disguised as good luck charms to various members of the military, so that the Young Griffons can find out details about the war.
Final Fantasy XIV
Linkshells also make an appearance in the world of Hydaelyn. Adventurers are capable of giving linkpearls from a linkshell to other people, much like the system in place in Final Fantasy XI. Non-player characters are also capable of giving linkpearls to a player, appropriately named "NPC Linkpearls". These enable players to receive quest advice in the field.
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