Linkshell A linkshell is a recurring means of communication in the " Final Fantasy " series . Appearing exclusively in , 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 character s 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 . Linkpearls are little more than an under - explained gameplay feature , and the manners by which they receive and convey speech are unclear . An NPC can be met in Jeuno who speaks aloud over a linkpearl as though it were a cell phone , but adventurers ' words are not heard by those around them . Their range is seemingly infinite , spanning even across time and whole dimensions . Members in the main areas of Vana ' diel can hear clearly from members in the past areas and in other dimensions like Dynamis and Abyssea . 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 . 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 " . Rather than a simple hue , Hydaelyn linkshells are given a shield - shaped crest , the pattern and colors of which are chosen at creation . This pattern can be changed at any time . XIV players can see messages from all linkshells in their possession , but they are limited to 8 linkshells per character . The chat is distinguished by a number attributed to each linkshell in the player ' s list , and text colors can be adjusted for even faster distinction between them . The player can only have one linkshell active at a time to type into , but can switch freely between them with a quick text command . 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 . They do not take up spots in the player ' s linkshell list , and one player can have dozens for NPC Linkpearls in his possession . Glitches . A few rare glitches have occurred with linkshells in Version 1 . 0 , probably due to the flaws of the game ' s current client and its interactions with servers . Function . Linkpearls are little more than an under - explained gameplay feature , and the means by which they receive and convey speech are unclear . An NPC can be met in Jeuno who speaks aloud over a linkpearl as though it were a cell phone . Likewise , in " Final Fantasy XIV " , NPCs such as Raubahn Aldynn and Minfilia are clearly seen talking out loud on their linkpearls . Contrary to this , adventurers ' who speak over linkshells are not heard aloud by those in their vicinity . It is possible that linkpearls were meant to be prosthetic telepathy , but too little is known of their functionality to support this . Their range is seemingly infinite , spanning even across time and whole dimensions . Members in the main areas of Vana ' diel can hear clearly from members in the Wings of the Goddess areas and in other dimensions like Dynamis , Abyssea , Al ' Taieu , and Promyvion . Likewise , linkshells can function all across Eorzea ' s wilderness , although in some story cutscenes it is shown that its signals can be disrupted in some exceptional circumstances ( e . g . during Bahamut ' s rampage as the Calmity unfolded ) .