In Rabinastre, at the start of the FFXIV story, there could be an important diplomatic meeting. Different factions gather there, and through observing their interactions, the player gets a sense of the political tensions in the game world. This could lead to the player being tasked with delivering important messages between the factions, which then sets off a chain of events that form the early part of the story. Also, there might be a local legend or prophecy that is revealed in Rabinastre first, which the player then has to figure out how it relates to the overall story.
One of the main events could be the introduction of the main quest giver in Rabinastre. This character then leads the player into the broader story of FFXIV.
Chapter 249, "Secret Passage, Han Feng, One Step", is the clearest early answer because the hidden truth stops feeling like mere subtext. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with The flames emitted by the Cold Ruins Tripod illuminated the three... and follows through with Bringing fifteen hundred Earth-digging Realm individuals, plus five....
Chapter 195, "Jade Bone, Conclusion, Cultivation Dilemma", is the clearest early answer because it turns Arrow Bamboo Forest's situation into a concrete plot event. The chapter turns that into something concrete by moving from After Snow Mane's bone was severed, a thick smoke billowed out, but... to Whew..." Xia Hong threw the hilt away, turned to the group, and waved.... What makes it stick is that the chapter closes with Though he had acquired many wounds, most were superficial.
Chapter 253, "Short on Meat, Short on Manpower, Someone Delivers (Part 3)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xia Chuan's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with Then there will only be 3,000 people left here in Longyou?" Seeing... and follows through with Just prepare it, and soon someone will bring it to us!" Upon hearing....
Chapter 180, "Exchange Meeting, Murder, Great Xia Gospel", is the clearest early answer because it turns Tongling Camp's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is Right after Xia Chuan drew his sword and killed two people, Yuwen Dao..., but the pressure keeps building through Over a hundred lives were ended in less than three breaths..
Chapter 178, "Reciprocity Society and the Generous Gesture", is the clearest early answer because it pushes Great Xia into a new phase or setting. It opens with Shi Ping, what does the chief want with so many things?" On the south... and closes on Coincidentally, both he and Shi Ping joined Xia Chuan's Cloud Jiao.... The key payoff is that the chapter closes with Based on the current gathered intel, the people of that Three Tigers Camp were evidently not decent folks.
Chapter 260, "Medicine Workshop Upgrade, Population Surge, and Resource Easing", is the clearest early answer because the rescue effort creates visible on-page results. The chapter gives readers a real answer by opening on Are these bottles made of porcelain?" Xia Hong didn't look at the... and ending on As Cheng Feng continued with the introduction, Xia Hong became....
Chapter 230, "Next Step, Surrender, Set Out for Yang Lu (Part 2)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Xia Chuan's situation into a concrete plot event. A useful checkpoint is the way the scene starts with Yuan Cheng and the other five were not foolish; they understood Yuwen... and follows through with Only then did Xia Chuan's face show a hint of a smile as he said.... By the close, Kneeling on the ground, Wu Tianxing was clearly caught off guard;
Chapter 235, "The Might of the Longyou Army, Yang Lu's Desperate Situation (Part 3)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Song Kang's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is He hesitated slightly, then swung his broad sword across the air in..., but the pressure keeps building through Using the force of its collision with Song Kang's longsword, he....
Chapter 250, "Rescue, Intimidation, and Surprise (Part 2)", is the clearest early answer because it turns Long Mountain's situation into a concrete plot event. The setup is Those people in light gold armor have been using solidified fire oil..., but the pressure keeps building through In fact, the Great Xia soldiers had been using solidified fire oil to....
Chapter 173, "New Regulations of the Hunting Department, Building Upgrade", is the clearest early answer because Luo Yuan finally turns buildup into a real advancement. Early on, Lord, this is the hunting department's regulations I've drafted,.... By the end, A one-time penalty of 1000 to 10000, what does that mean?.