u/Ecstatic-Shame-8944

I haven't played ffxi since 2012 and I never got very far in it back then. I'm wanting to experience the entire story even if it takes forever. Sounds like I need to avoid rhapsodies to make that happen? Just say no on the cut scene at the beginning? Although I wouldn't mind the trust group and from what I read you get that earlier if you do it. Can you start it and get the trust group while staying in the original game story progression? Also I got this experience ring will that mess up the natural progression of the story up much? Or just speed the grind up? Haven't decided how I feel about that. What are your thoughts? I decided to be a thief.