In the upcoming February version update of Final Fantasy XI, several adjustments and additions to the Skirmish battle system are slated to be added. A new series of Skirmish battlefields will be introduced for the new Outer Ra'Kaznar zone. To reward the increased difficulty of these new Skirmish battlefields, Skirmish weapons and armor obtained from previous battlefields will be available for upgrades to higher tiers.

What are your feelings on the upcoming Skirmish update? Let us know about it over on the ZAM forums!

From the official Final Fantasy XI forums:

[dev1181] Skirmish Additions and Adjustments

The following additions and adjustments have been made to skirmishes.

• New skirmishes have been added to Outer Ra'Kaznar.
  * Read on for details on participating and progressing in Skirmishes and available rewards.

• Oston in Eastern Adoulin (G-8) will now provide players with Yorcia Visages I in exchange for obsidian fragments.

• Lola in Eastern Adoulin (G-8) will now provide players with simulacra and wailing, ghastly, and verdigris stones in exchange for pulchridopt wings.

• Players in possession of the transmelange key item found in Outer Ra'Kaznar may trade the following equipment to Divainy-Gamainy in Western Adoulin (J-10) and pay bayld to further enhance the following items:

  Ninza +1 / Leisilonu +1 / Iztaasu +1 / Crobaci +1 / Faizeer +1/ Iclamar +1 / Iizamal +1 / Qatsunoci +1 / Kannakiri +1 / Shichishito +1 / Aedold +1 / Lehbrailg +1 / Uffrat +1 / Bocluamni +1 / Hgafircian +1 / Cizin Helm / Cizin Mail / Cizin Mufflers / Cizin Breeches / Cizin Greaves / Otronif Mask / Otronif Harness / Otronif Gloves / Otronif Brais / Otronif Boots / Iuitl Headgear / Iuitl Vest / Iuitl Wristbands / Iuitl Tights / Iuitl Gaiters / Gendewitha Caubeen / Gendewitha Briault / Gendewitha Gages / Gendewitha Spats / Gendewitha Galoshes / Hagondes Hat / Hagondes Coat / Hagondes Cuffs / Hagondes Pants / Hagondes Sabots / Beatific Shield
  Transmelange will be consumed upon enhancing an item.
  

• Ornery Dhole in Western Adoulin (I-10) will now provide players with wailing stones, wailing stones +1, and wailing stones +2 in exchange for obsidian fragments, and vice versa. He will also provide them for verdigris stones at the following rates.
  
  

  Number/type required		Number/type providided
  Five verdigris stones	→	One wailing stone
  Five verdigris stones +1	→	One wailing stone +1
  Five verdigris stones +2	→	One wailing stone +2

Divainy-Gamainy in Western Adoulin (J-10) will inscribe the following pieces of equipment with arcane glyptics for players who trade them together with wailing stones acquired in Outer Ra'Kaznar skirmishes and pay bayld.

Ninza +2 / Leisilonu +2 / Iztaasu +2 / Crobaci +2 / Faizeer +2/ Iclamar +2 / Iizamal +2 / Qatsunoci +2 / Kannakiri 21 / Shichishito +2 / Aedold +2 / Lehbrailg +2 / Uffrat +2 / Bocluamni +2 / Hgafircian +2 / Cizin Helm +1 / Cizin Mail +1 / Cizin Mufflers +1 / Cizin Breeches +1 / Cizin Greaves +1 / Otronif Mask +1 / Otronif Harness +1 / Otronif Gloves +1 / Otronif Brais +1 / Otronif Boots +1 / Iuitl Headgear +1 / Iuitl Vest +1 / Iuitl Wristbands +1 / Iuitl Tights +1 / Iuitl Gaiters +1 / Gendewitha Caubeen +1 / Gendewitha Briault +1 / Gendewitha Gages +1 / Gendewitha Spats +1 / Gendewitha Galoshes +1 / Hagondes Hat +1 / Hagondes Coat +1 / Hagondes Cuffs +1 / Hagondes Pants *1 / Hagondes Sabots +1 / Beatific Shield +1