Ready yourself for new battles, for in the upcoming Rhapsodies of Vana'diel content being introduced in the May version update, adventurers will gain access to the new Escha - Zi'tah area. This new area, a shadowy version of the Sanctuary of Zi'tah, is home to dangerous monsters and the new Geas Fete battle content, which will test your combat prowess like never before!

Excited for the new Escha - Zi'tah zone and content? Let us know over on the ZAM forums!

From the official Final Fantasy XI forums:

[dev1267] New Area: Escha - Zi’Tah

• Introducing Escha - Zi'Tah
  Progressing through the Rhapsodies of Vana'diel scenario will grant players access to a new area known as Escha - Zi'Tah.
  
  Escha - Zi'Tah is home to a wide range of beastly inhabitants, from weaker creatures that roam the periphery to fearsome foes and notorious monsters that inhabit its inner reaches.

   

• Escha Silt / Escha Beads
  Defeating enemies in Escha - Zi'Tah will reward the victorious with escha silt and escha beads, unique currencies obtainable from the region.
  
  • Escha Silt
    Escha silt is used to purchase special temporary items from NPCs and to traverse portals linking different sections of Escha - Zi'Tah. They can also be used to obtain vorseals, which are detailed below.
  • Vorseals – mystical sigils usable only in Escha - Zi'Tah.
    An NPC in Escha - Zi'Tah will offer a bevy of divine prowess in the form of charms known as vorseals in exchange for escha silt. The effects granted differ by vorseal, but they combine in myriad ways to offer multiple blessings at once.
    
    Obtain new types of vorseals by progressing through Rhapsodies of Vana'diel content and defeating the monsters that dwell in Escha - Zi'Tah.
    
    The effects from vorseals will fade away one hour after entering Escha - Zi'Tah, but this timer can be reset by leaving and re-entering the area.
  • Escha Beads
    Escha beads are spherical objects that can be wrested from the corpses of notorious monsters residing in Escha - Zi'Tah and can be used to engrave equipment found there with arcane glyptics.

• Geas Fete: New Battle Content
  Extraordinary notorious monsters can be summoned in Escha – Zi'Tah after fulfilling certain conditions.
  
  Calling forth these notorious monsters requires tribulenses, special key items obtainable in exchange for escha silt as well as a grisly trinket specific to each notorious monster. These key items are consumed upon the monster's appearance.
  
  Defeating these monsters will award the victors with precious spoils as well as escha silt and beads.