Copyright (c) 2006 by the author piecemealcranky. All rights reserved.
________)
(, / , /)
/___, __ _ //
) / _(_/ (_(_(_(/_
(_/
________)
(, /
/___, _ __ _/_ _ _
) / (_(_/ (_(__(_(_/_)_(_/_
(_/ .-/
(_/
# # # #
# # # #
## # #
## # #
# # # #
# # # #
[ G a m e S c r i p t ]
| Title: Final Fantasy XII |
| Guide: Game Script |
| Created: Late October |
| Author: piecemealcranky |
| Feedback: piece_meal_cranky@yahoo.com |
| Last Updated: 24/11/2006 |
Update: 24/11/2006
Checked partially for errors, and fixed a few. There still are mistakes
around the guide, so if you spot any, you can forward your feedback to my
email addy (see above).
-----
| TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Note: CTRL + F and search the keywords in brackets next to the corresponding
area from the game script section to get there.
1. The Guide
2. Legal Notice
3. The Format
4. Game Script
I. The Prologue [title_prologue]
II. The Tutorial [title_tutorial]
III. The Royal City of Rabanastre [title_rabanastre]
IV. The Garamsythe Waterway [title_waterway]
V. Nalbina Dungeons [title_nalbina_dungeons]
VI. Barheim Passage [title_barheim_passage]
VII. The Skycity of Bhujerba [title_bhujerba]
VIII. Lhusu Mines [title_lhusu_mines]
IX. The Dreadnought Leviathan [title_leviathan]
X. Ogir-Yensa Sandsea [title_ogir_yensa]
XI. The Tomb of Raithwall [title_raithwall_tomb]
XII. Jahara - Land of The Garif [title_garif]
XIII. Golmore Jungle [title_golmore]
XIV. Eruyt Village [title_eruyt]
XV. Henne Mines [title_henne_mines]
XVI. Mt Bur-Omisace [title_bur_omisace]
XVII. Stilshrine of Miriam [title_stilshrine_miriam]
XVIII. Phon Coast [title_phon_coast]
XIX. Tchita Uplands [title_tchita]
XX. Old Archades [title_old_archades]
XXI. The Imperial City of Archades [title_city_archades]
XXII. Draklor Laboratory [title_draklor_lab]
XXIII. The Port at Balfonheim [title_balfonheim]
XXIV. The Ancient City of Giruvegan [title_giruvegan]
XXV. The Ridorana Cataract [title_ridorana_cataract]
XXVI. Sky Fortress Bahamut [title_fortress_bahamut]
XXV. The Epilogue [title_epilogue]
5. Credits
--------------
| THE GUIDE |
As the name states it well, this guide's purpose is to provide you in
the in-game script, be that the CG or the cut-scenes. It is yet to cover any
further sections in the game, or dialogues by NPCs. This means, only the
subtitles for the cut-scenes and the CGs are written for. This does not
include any dialogues with other characters, although sometimes when there
is a need to, I may include it as I see fit. I may include further sections
in the future.
Mistakes might be present from time to time, so therefore I accept
corrections by my readers. However, errors which are ridiculously provided
(e.g. a missing comma or similar errors) will be ignored. If you want to
point me on these, then do it with other errors you provide as well. Clearly
direct me on which passage/sentence spoken or which section the error(s) can
be found. Either way, emphasize on your correction carefully before you hit
the send button, and make sure your spellings and/or grammar are proper.
If you haven't already known, you may turn on the subtitle option in the
Configuration menu (or when you begin the game). The speaker's name cannot
be turned on.
The game script is taken from the game's subtitle. Take note that several
lines in the game are added on by the voice actors themselves, and they do
not appear in the subtitle. In this case, when the words are not written, I
will not add-on the lines spoken by the voice actor(s), only the subtitle,
as mentioned that the script follows the subtitle. For this, look out for
the * sign before the name of the speaker, denoting the change.
The scripts are written in order of course, area by area and as the story
advances. As mentioned earlier, corrections are accepted and contributors
may be credited. If the errors are vague, please include them only when you
have noticed other larger errors or the ones more conspicuous or either.
There isn't a need to correct a missing comma, unless the line or sentence
itself is written wrongly where you may correct the sentence as a whole.
Furthermore, I use nicknames to represent characters whose names aren't yet
spoken in the game. I assume you know who I refer to at most times (later at
least). It doesn't matter however, since most of the time characters are not
referred to during the prologue and thereafter only. General nicknames such
as "man" or "woman" or similar are commonly applied in the guide.
And remember; some spoken words are not written, but in this case, if the
whole sentence isn't written as a subtitle, I will include it, together with
the "*" sign.
I assume you have read this at least once and you are clear of the terms.
And finally, this guide contains SPOILERS! I don't have to remind you of
that.
---------------
| LEGAL NOTICE |
All further questions NOT available within the FAQ/Guide can be emailed to
the following address:
piece_meal_cranky@yahoo.com
Please include a proper title (with proper grammar) in the subject column
associated with the game Final Fantasy XII. The author may discard
emails without a proper subject in the "subject" column.
_-__------_--_-__--_--__-_--__-_____
No part of this FAQ may be reproduced in any form, shape, or transmitted, in
any ways, or in any forms by any means (electronically, mechanically,
through various recording devices, or otherwise) without prior permission
from the author. This means no copying, no publishing, or any other illegal
activities.
This FAQ is for personal use and for viewing purposes only. Readers may
print a copy of the FAQ for he or she's own personal use without publicly or
discreetly distributing a copy in order to earn money or make profit.
This FAQ is protected by the International Copyright Law and all its
contents are limited for the use of the websites which hold responsibility
and have authorized permission to host it. This FAQ is hosted by sites which
hold the responsibility of not permitting any sort of publishing, selling,
or copying the contents and materials present in the FAQ.
-----------------------
| THE FORMAT |
T h e F o r m a t
= = = = = = = = =
The basic scripts are written as usual, with the name of the speaker
followed by his/her line. They are written in capital letters to
differentiate them with the scene guides. The scene guides are encased in
the brackets "[]". They are there to guide the reader where the scripts
start or where it is headed to. Example of the basic script:
SPEAKER: HIS/HER SPOKEN LINE.
In cases where the line is interrupted by a scene guide, a "-" sign is
included later to continue the order of the spoken line. Example of this:
SPEAKER: HIS/HER SPOKEN LINE
[A scene guide appears]
- THE SAME SPEAKER CONTINUES HIS/HER LINE HERE.
Other times, the words used in Final Fantasy XII are unique and lean towards
the "Old English" usage of words. You may come across words such as
"Magicks" or "Technicks". This is not a spelling error, and therefore need
not be corrected.
Note: Remember the * sign before the speaker's name denotes that part of the
line spoken is either not written in the subtitle or completely left off. In
other words, that line spoken does not correspond to the subtitle.
Keep these in mind to make use of the guide to its fullest. =)
---------------------------
| GAME SCRIPT |
T h e P r o l o g u e [title_prologue]
- - - - - - - - - - -
- YEAR 704 OLD VALENDIAN
- KINGDOM OF DALMASCA - THE ROYAL CITY OF RABANASTRE
[The prologue starts with a high view of the blue sky, soon watching over
the Royal City of Rabanastre. Merchants are seen around town, with the area
bustling with people with many races. A tolling bell is seen from a close
view, and the camera switches to a wedding ceremony with a loud music
playing on a march. A woman and a man are pulled on a red stage by the
chocobos. The man waves to the cheering crowd and the woman smiles looking
towards the man. The scene then switches to a cathedral where the wedding is
to be formalized]
PRIEST: IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND IN THE PRESENCE OF THESE HOLY RELICS...
I HEREBY PRONOUNCE YOU MAN AND WIFE FROM THIS TIME FORTH. MAY THE BLESSINGS
OF THE GODS LIGHT YOUR PATH TO ALL ETERNITY. FARAM.
[The couple then kisses each other and the scene switches to an outside view.
Later, the camera slowly fades to a man, moving swiftly in his metal armor
on a corridor. A faint voice can be heard as he advances]
*MAN: IF ARCHADIA SHOULD LAUNCH AN ATTACK BY BOTH LAND AND AIR, OUR KINGDOM
WOULD STAND LITTLE-
[The man pushes the door open, interrupting the spoken line. The attention
turns to the man with the blonde hair]
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: NABUDIS HAS FALLEN!
KING: IMPOSSIBLE!
[A stream of shock spreads across the room]
GREY-HAIRED MAN: MY FATHER?
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: I KNOW NOT. I AM SORRY.
MAN: IF NABUDIS HAS INDEED FALLEN, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY
REACH THE BORDERS OF DALMASCA. THERE IS NOTHING TO HALT THEIR ADVANCE.
KING: SECURE NALBINA WITH ALL HASTE.
[The blonde-haired man quickly answers to the call]
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: I WILL GO.
GREY-HAIRED MAN: AND I WILL GO AT HIS SIDE.
[The grey-haired man leaves the room. Later, the scene switches to a large
area outside, with chocobos seen on the ground together with the army as the
camera switches onto the King and the grey-haired man]
KING: GALTEA STAND WATCH OVER YOUR LIFE.
[The King offers a sword by his two hands to the man. Confidently, the man
grabs hold of the sword]
GREY-HAIRED MAN: THAT I BE CONSIDERED WORTHY.
[The man takes a few short steps back, places his arm on his waist and later
silently looks at his wife. The camera shows a few short seconds of the lady.
Upon walking forward facing the crowd below, the man draws the sword and
raises it in the air, giving a loud cry to the army as they heed his call]
- THE DALMASCA - NABRADIA BORDER
- NALBINA FORTRESS
[Airships now ply the sky, with a war raging down below and up above. The
camera switches into a first-person view from the inside of an airship,
later exploding upon impact. The army of Archadia marches towards the
defenders down below, with fights to continue and deaths inevitable. Two
soldiers on a chocobo riding swiftly can be seen]
SOLDIER: DECURION!
SOLIDER 2: SIR!
[Shortly afterwards, they are stricken down. The blonde-haired man and the
grey-haired man can be seen on a bridge riding on chocobos. They are
striking down the enemy surrounding them]
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: THE FORTRESS IS LOST, WE MUST WITHDRAW!
GREY-HAIRED MAN: NO! THE PALING STILL STANDS.
[The scene quickly switches to a few mages murmuring magical words]
MAGES (TOGETHER): SHIELD BEYOND SIGHT, NE'ER FAILING LIGHT.
[The enemy soldiers appear and slay them down. The scene switches back
outside, where the barrier that secures the area disappears]
GREY-HAIRED MAN: THE PALING'S FALLEN.
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: THEN IT'S OVER.
GREY-HAIRED MAN: FOR MY FATHER. FOR MY FATHER!
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: LORD RASLER!
[The blonde-haired man shoots an arrow towards an enemy archer across the
bridge but the enemy has already released an arrow towards Lord Rasler
before he goes down. Lord Rasler is hit and the arrow is stuck to his chest,
penetrating his armor. The blonde-haired man goes up to him and carries him
on his chocobo, but put to halt by the surrounding enemies. An airship falls
and its pieces created a distraction for him to escape. He slices through
the enemy and the camera goes into slow-motion. The view then switches to a
farther view, showing the fall of a structure from a distance. Later, the
game switches to a scene in a cathedral. The woman earlier is seen mourning
over her husband's death]
PRIEST: BLESSINGS OF THE GREAT FATHER DESCEND AND GUIDE YOUR BODY'S RETURN
TO THE EARTH. GREAT FATHER... GUIDE YOUR SPIRIT'S RETURN TO THE MOTHER OF
ALL. THERE YOU SHALL FIND PEACE. FARAM.
[The camera switches in the day view of the battlefield, rainy. Many have
lost their lives and died; their bodies crowded with birds feeding upon
their rotting flesh. The screen turns black and "Final Fantasy XII" appears
on the screen]
Narrative:
THE DEATHS OF LORD RASLER HELOS NABRADIA WAS BUT ONE OF MANY TRAGEDIES TO
BEFALL THE KINGDOM OF DALMASCA.
THE AIR OF HOPE THAT HAD SURROUNDED HER ROYAL HIGHNESS (H.R.H.) PRINCESS
ASHE'S WEDDING WAS NOW QUITE LOST: DALMASCA HAD BEEN SET ADRIFT, AT THE
MERCY OF HISTORY'S RESTLESS TIDES.
AT THIS TIME, THE GREAT EMPIRES STRUGGLED FOR DOMINIONS OVER IVALICE:
ARCHADIA IN THE EAST, AND ROZARRIA, THE WEST. THE INVASION OF THE KINGDOM OF
NABRADIA WAS ARCHADIA'S FIRST STEP IN ITS WESTWARD MARCH.
WITH LORD RASLER'S BELOVED HOMELAND CONSUMED BY THE HELL-FIRES OF WAR, IT
SEEMED CLEAR THAT ARCHADIA WOULD SOON METE OUT A LIKE FATE TO DALMASCA. THE
FALL OF THE FORTRESS AT NALBINA TOLLED THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GREATER PART
OF DALMASCA'S FORCES.
A COUNTER-ATTACK WAS MOUNTED BY THE ORDER OF THE KNIGHTS OF DALMASCA, EVER
BRAVE AND FAITHFUL, BUT AGAINST THE MARTIAL MIGHT OF THE ARCHADIAN ARMIES,
THEY STOOD LITTLE CHANCE OF VICTORY.
INDEED, THEIR DEFEAT WAS TO BE ABSOLUTE.
SOON THEREAFTER, ARCHADIA CAME FORWARD OFFERING TERMS OF PEACE. OR, AS ONE
MIGHT RATHER PUT IT, TERMS OF DALMASCA'S SURRENDER.
LORD RAMINAS, KING OF DALMASCA - AND MY DEAR FRIEND - HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO
ACCEPT THESE TERMS. IT WAS, THUS, ONLY WITH RELUCTANCE THAT HE SET OUT FOR
NALBINA FORTRESS - NOW UNDER ARCHADIAN OCCUPATION - TO AFFIX HIS SEAL TO THE
EMPEROR'S TREATY OF PEACE.
THE KING HAD SCARCE DEPARTED HIS ROYAL CITY OF RABANASTRE WHEN THE REMNANTS
OF THE ORDER MADE THEIR RETURN. AND NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON, FOR A TERRIBLE
REVELATION AWAITED THEM.
THE TREATY WOULD BE SIGNED WITH STEEL AND WRIT IN ROYAL BLOOD.
~ MEMOIRS OF MQS HALIM ONDORE IV
CHAPTER 12: OF THE FALL OF KINGDOMS
-----------------------------------
===
-----------------------------------
T h e T u t o r i a l [title_tutorial]
- - - - - - - - - - -
[The image is dark. Nothing can be seen, only a faint voice of a man growing
louder can be heard. The tutorial starts with a vague image of the blonde-
haired man]
???: YOU THERE. CAN YOU HEAR ME?
MAN #2: IT'S AS I FEARED. THEY'RE SLOWING US DOWN.
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: DO NOT SAY THAT. NOT ALL OF US ARE HERE FOR LOVE OF
BATTLE. HE FIGHTS TO DEFEND HIS HOMELAND.
[Man #2 walks away from the view]
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: YOUR NAME?
INJURED SOLDIER: REKS, SIR. MY NAME'S REKS.
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: GOOD, REKS. YOU BORE A FEW CUTS, BUT YOU ARE STILL WHOLE.
WELL, CAN YOU STAND?
[The blonde-haired man offers his hand to Reks. Reks quickly grabs his hand]
- NALBINA FORTRESS - NORTH WARD
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: THINK YOU CAN FIGHT?
REKS: I'M FINE, SIR.
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: HOW OLD ARE YOU, REKS?
REKS: SEVENTEEN, SIR.
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: YOUNG. FAMILY?
REKS: MY BROTHER IS ALL I HAVE LEFT, SIR. HE'S TWO YEARS YOUNGER THAN I,
LIVING IN RABANASTRE.
BLONDE-HAIRED MAN: SO YOUNG. YOU'RE BARELY OLD ENOUGH TO BE A MAN. YOU
SHOULDN'T BE FORCED TO WIELD A SWORD.
REKS: NO, SIR. I WANT TO FIGHT. FOR MY HOMELAND, AND FOR MY PARENTS.
[Man #2 quickly interrupts their discussion]
*MAN #2: IT'S TIME, BASCH! SAVE THE DISCUSSION FOR LATER. WE MUST REACH THE
KING BEFORE THEY ACT! OR ALL OUR EFFORTS WILL BE IN VAIN.
BASCH: I'M AWARE OF THE SITUATION.
[Suddenly, a group of enemy soldiers appear in numbers]
ENEMY SOLDIER: WE'VE FOUND THEM!
ENEMY SOLDIER: OVER THERE!
[Basch readies his sword]
BASCH: VOSSLER, GO AHEAD! I WILL HANDLE THIS RABBLE.
[Vossler looks at Basch, and holds his fists together]
VOSSLER: GODSPEED.
[Basch attacks and kills the enemy soldiers alone, Reks watches
undisputedly]
BASCH: STEADY, REKS. KEEP YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU AND YOU'LL MAKE IT. WE MOVE!
[The training tutorial begins. Player simply learns how to navigate through
the area, talk to the NPCs, confronting objects and enemies. Basch and Reks
together with a number of men come to a stop. Reks looks at Basch]
REKS: CAPTAIN?
[A flying airship of the enemy stands in their way and forces them to fight.
Battle with Air Cutter Remora begins. After a moment, Basch uses his "Mist
Quickening" to damage the airship severely]
ENEMY AIRSHIP PILOT: ANTLION, THIS IS TONBERRY! MY ENGINES ARE HIT. SHE'LL
NOT HOLD MUCH LONGER!
ANTLION (RADIO): WE RECEIVE YOU, TONBERRY. YOU'VE LEAVE TO RETIRE. WELL
FOUGHT.
TONBERRY: MY THANKS, ANTLION! TONBERRY DISENGAGING!
[They later make their way towards the building]
BASCH: VOSSLER, WHERE ARE YOU?
REKS: WHAT IF CAPTAIN AZELAS HAS FALLEN?
BASCH: DON'T TALK SUCH NONSENSE! VOSSLER'S LAUGHED IN THE FACE OF DEATH FAR
TOO MANY TIMES FOR HIM TO STOP NOW. MEN LIKE HIM DON'T DIE IN PLACES LIKE
THIS.
[Basch starts walking forward]
- WE MUST MAKE HASTE TO REACH THE KING. WE WILL TAKE HIM TO SAFETY.
REKS: IS HIS MAJESTY UNHARMED?
BASCH: HE'LL AGREE TO AN UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER. THEY WOULD NOT DARE TOUCH
HIM UNTIL THE WAX ON HIS SEAL IS DRY.
REKS: BUT IF WE ARRIVE AFTER HE SIGNED THE TREATY-
BASCH: WAIT.
[Basch hears footsteps of soldiers drawing near]
- QUICKLY, REKS!
[Basch and the others make through the area up the stairs. Enemies appear]
SOLDIERS: INTRUDERS! DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!
REKS: SIR! WE HAVE LITTLE TIME! YOU MUST GO TO THE KING! I'LL HANDLE THESE!
[Basch looking doubtful of the situation]
BASCH: FIGHT WELL.
[Basch then leaves with the rest of the group. Later, Reks draw closer to
the King's room, where he found many are slain and killed, including none
other than the King himself]
REKS: YOUR MAJESTY...
[Out of nowhere, Basch appears from behind Reks, and as Reks turns around,
he strikes a sword right into his stomach. The camera shows both men looking
at each other, with Reks looking overly shocked and in great pain]
- CAPTAIN, WHY? OUR KING-
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
[Basch begins to speak, his voice different]
BASCH: THE KING INTENDED ALL ALONG TO SELL DALMASCA TO THE EMPIRE. HIS
MAJESTY WAS A TRAITOR.
REKS: CAPTAIN, I-
[Reks falls down to the ground]
MAN: SEIZE THE INSURGENT!
SOLDIER: M'LORD!
[Reks is losing consciousness, vaguely capturing pieces of discussions
between a mysterious man and Basch, now held tightly by the soldiers on his
knees]
MAN: WELL, SO MUCH FOR PEACEFUL NEGOTIATIONS.
BASCH: WE'LL NEVER SURRENDER TO YOU! WE ARE NOT CATTLE TO BE SOLD TO A
TRAITOR-KING!
MAN: BUT THE WAR IS OVER, MY DEAR CAPTAIN. YOU HAVE LOST. DALMASCA IS THE
PROPERTY OF THE EMPIRE, NOW. AND TO THINK, WE INTENDED TO LET YOU KEEP SOME
OF YOUR SOVEREIGNTY, OUT OF RESPECT. BUT NOW YOU'VE GONE AND RUINED THAT,
HAVEN'T YOU CAPTAIN?
BASCH: WE WILL NEVER BOW TO YOU!
MAN: AND THE PEOPLE OF DALMASCA WILL HATE YOU FOR IT. TAKE THE CAPTAIN AWAY.
*SOLDIER: OFF YOU GO!
[Reks begin to lose consciousness terribly, whispering one final word...]
REKS: VAAN...
NARRATIVE:
PRETENSES LEFT BY THE WAYSIDE, THE ARCHADIAN FORCES RESUMED THEIR ADVANCE
TOWARD RABANASTRE. DALMASCA'S DOOM HAD BEEN DECIDED.
TO MAKE RESISTANCE WOULD SERVE NO END. WITH THIS FOREMOST IN MY THOUGHTS, I,
TO THE PEOPLE OF DALMASCA: "SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF DALMASCA, I BID YOU LAY
DOWN YOUR ARMS. RAISE SONGS OF PRAYER IN THEIR STEAD. PRAYER FOR HIS MAJESTY
KING RAMINAS, EVER MERCIFUL. A MAN DEVOTED WHOLLY TO PEACE.
"PRAYER, TOO, FOR THE NOBLE PRINCESS ASHE, WHO, WROUGHT WITH GRIEF AT HER
KINGDOM'S DEFEAT, HAS TAKEN HER OWN LIFE."
"KNOW ALSO THAT CAPT. BASCH FON RONSENBURG, FOR INCITEMENT OF SEDITION AND
THE ASSASSINATION OF HIS ROYAL MAJESTY (H.R.M.), KING RAMINAS, HAS BEEN
FOUND GUILTY OF HIGH TREASON AND PUT TO HIS DEATH.
"THEY WHO AT THIS LATE HOUR CHOOSE STILL THE SWORD ARE CUT OF THE SAME CLOTH
AS THE CAPT.: TRAITOR'S WHO WOULD LEAD DALMASCA TO HER RUIN."
DALMASCA'S SURRENDER WITHOUT TERMS WAS SOON TO FOLLOW.
~ MEMOIRS OF MQS HALIM ONDORE IV
CHAPTER 13: THE PROVINCE OF ALLIES
-----------------------------------
===
-----------------------------------
T h e R o y a l C i t y o f R a b a n a s t r e [title_rabanastre]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[The scene switches to what appears to be an underground sewer at first. A
boy holding a blade is seen standing in the center. He stays silent. The
camera moves to a smaller boy overlooking the boy with the blade]
SMALL BOY: VAAN! HURRY IT UP OR THEY'LL FIND US!
VAAN: I KNOW, I KNOW! JUST A LITTLE MORE. YOU KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ME UP
THERE, KYTES!
[Vaan begins counting the number of rats surrounding him. He readies his
blade]
- ONE... TWO... THREE MORE. RIGHT. TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE.
[Vaan kills all the rats]
KYTES: WOW, VAAN. YOU GOT 'EM ALL YOURSELF? GUESS I KNOW WHO TO CALL WHEN
SOMETHING BIG COMES ALONG!
VAAN: HEY, IT'S GOOD PRACTICE FOR THE DESERT. I'M READY FOR ANYTHING NOW.
THAT'S ENOUGH FOR TODAY. YOU SHOULD GET BACK TO MIGELO'S PLACE, KYTES.
AREN'T YOU RUNNING ERRANDS FOR HIM?
KYTES: OOPS! HEH, TOTALLY FORGOT. YOU SHOULD COME, VAAN. HE'S BUSY TODAY.
MIGHT HAVE SOME WORK FOR YOU TO DO, TOO.
VAAN: I GOT OTHER "WORK" TO DO. HEY, LOCK THIS PLACE UP FOR ME WILL YOU? IF
MIGELO FINDS OUT WE'VE BEEN DOWN HERE, HE'LL TAN OUR HIDES.
[Vaan and Kytes walk up the stairs to the upper level]
- THE ROYAL CITY OF RABANASTRE
- YEAR 706 OLD VALENDIAN
- TWO YEARS AFTER THE FALL OF DALMASCA
[The scene switches outside on the town, where business is heating up. Vaan
gets a bite from a fruit. He stares at a scene. Two imperial soldiers are
seen harassing a merchant]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: HUH? WHAT'D YOU SAY?
MERCHANT: SIR, YOU HAVEN'T PAID, AND-
[The soldier chokes the merchant as he says the following line]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: WHAT? HAVEN'T PAID?
MERCHANT: ON SECOND THOUGHT, PLEASE, SIR. TAKE IT. IT'S A GIFT.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER 2: LEAVE THE POOR SOD BE WE DON'T WANT TROUBLE TODAY.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: YOUR LUCK, PEDDLER.
[Vaan bumps into one of the Imperial Soldiers]
VAAN: OOPS, SORRY.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER 2: WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING, CHURL!
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: WHAT? MY POUCH! IT'S GONE!
IMPERIAL SOLDIER 2: THE BOY!
[The soldiers chase after Vaan. He couldn't be seen on the screen any longer.
A few citizens block the soldier's path, and they couldn't keep up]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: GET OUT OF THE WAY!
[Vaan reaches the other end, and slows down. He appears to be holding a
pouch. As he looks behind, a mysterious hand from his back grabs the pouch
away from him]
*VAAN: WHAT?
[A girl looks up to Vaan. She appears to be displeased by Vaan's actions]
- HEY, THAT'S MINE!
GIRL: WHAT DO YOU MEAN "YOURS"? YOU'VE BEEN STEALING AGAIN. WHAT HAPPENS IF
THEY CATCH YOU? WE NEED YOU TO BE THERE FOR US, VAAN. YOU'RE NO GOOD TO
ANYONE IF YOU'RE LOCKED AWAY IN A DUNGEON!
VAAN: OH, WHAT, AM I THE LEADER NOW? WE'RE ORPHANS. THE FIRST THING YOU
LEARN IS YOU GOTTA WATCH OUT FOR YOURSELF. C'MON PENELO. YOU KNOW IT AS WELL
AS I DO. HEY, YOU GIVE THAT BACK! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?
PENELO: I THOUGHT THAT THIS MONEY WAS THE PEOPLE OF DALMASCA'S PROPERTY. THE
IMPERIALS STOLE IT FROM US, SO IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT WE TAKE IT BACK. IT'S OUR
DUTY AS DALMASCANS. WELL, WASN'T THAT WHAT YOU SAID?
VAAN: YEAH, BUT I NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT TAKING IT BACK FROM ME!
[Vaan recovers his pouch from Penelo. She appears to be holding some coins
on her hand]
PENELO: THIS IS FOR THAT BREAD YOU TOOK THE OTHER DAY. JUST BECAUSE I HELP
MIGELO OUT EVERY NOW AND THEN... IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU GET TO EAT FOR
FREE, TOO, YOU KNOW.
VAAN: I KNOW THAT. YOU THINK I LIKE LIVING LIKE THIS?
[An airship flies delightfully on top of them. Vaan looks at it with a heart
burning with passion]
- ONE OF THESE DAYS, I'LL FLY AN AIRSHIP OF MY OWN. I'LL BE A SKY
PIRATE, FREE TO GO WHERE I WILL.
PENELO: WELL, BE CAREFUL. YOU'LL NEVER FLY ANYTHING IF YOU'RE ROTTING IN A
DUNGEON!
[Penelo starts to walk off in a distance. She halts and turns around]
- OH, MIGELO HAD SOME ERRANDS THAT NEED DOING. HE WANTED YOU TO DROP
BY HIS PLACE. IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO LEND A HAND!
[Vaan approaches Migelo outside his shop sometime later]
MIGELO: AH, VAAN, I WAS WAITING.
VAAN: PENELO SAID YOU NEEDED SOMETHING?
MIGELO: AH! HAD ME SOME PACKAGES SUPPOSED TO BE ARRIVING BY COURIER IN THE
MORNING. PERHAPS HE RAN INTO SOME TROUBLE OUT IN THE DESERT. NOW I'VE NO
FOODSTUFFS TO PREPARE FOR THE BANQUET TONIGHT!
VAAN: SO YOU WANT ME TO FIND THIS COURIER? HEY, NO PROBLEM!
MIGELO: NO PROBLEM? THE DESERT TEAMS WITH TROUBLE. I'D BE SENDING YOU TO AN
EARLY GRAVE, M'BOY. NO, I'VE ARRANGED FOR SOME REPLACEMENT GOODS FROM TOMAJ
OVER AT THE SANDSEA.
VAAN: SO YOU WANT ME TO GO TO THE TAVERN TO PICK 'EM UP.
*MIGELO: ACTUALLY, I ASKED KYTES TO DO THAT. WOULDN'T YOU KNOW HE'S GONE
MISSING ON ME, TOO. BAH! I CAN'T LEAVE MY SHOP, AND I'VE PENELO ON ANOTHER
CHORE AT THE MOMENT, YOU SEE. WHAT I WANT YOU TO DO IS TO RUN OVER TO THE
SANDSEA AND FETCH KYTES BACK. WHAT DO YOU SAY?
[Vaan shakes his head]
VAAN: SOUNDS WILD.
MIGELO: IT'S EASY WORK, AND YOU'LL THANK ME FOR IT SOMEDAY.
[Migelo leaves the scene. Later, Vaan enters the Sandsea to find Kytes
standing in front of a billboard]
VAAN: THERE YOU ARE, KYTES. STOP LOAFING AROUND!
KYTES: LOOK, VAAN, LOOK! THIS IS IT! THIS IS WHY MIGELO'S COURIER DIDN'T GET
HERE ON TIME!
[Vaan reads the headline content of a poster]
VAAN: "CREATURE SPOTTED IN THE ESTERSAND". WHAT IS THAT THING?
[A man interrupts their conversation from behind]
MAN: AH, VAAN. MIGELO SEND YOU, TOO, DID HE? HE'S A BUSY MAN THESE DAYS,
THAT MIGELO, IF I DARE SAY SO MYSELF. I DON'T ENVY HIM THE WORK, THOUGH. NOT
A BIT. QUITE THE AFFAIR THROWING A BANQUET TO WELCOME THE IMPERIALS, EH?
[Vaan seems irritated by the thought of the imperials]
VAAN: WELCOMING? WE SHOULD BE- AH, WHATEVER. SAY, TOMAJ, WHAT'S THIS?
TOMAJ: DON'T REMIND ME. GOT SOME NASTINESS OUT THERE IN THE ESTERSAND WHAT'S
STOPPING OUR COURIERS... AND THAT MEANS SHORTAGES ALL AROUND. THOUGHT I'D
PUT UP A BILL... OFFER A REWARD TO ANYONE WHO CAN KNOCK THAT NASTY BACK IN
ITS PLACE.
VAAN: NOW 'THAT'S' WORK. SOUNDS TEN TIMES BETTER THAN RUNNING ERRANDS FOR
MIGELO.
KYTES: THAT'S RIGHT! VAAN, YOU SHOULD GIVE IT A SHOT!
VAAN: AND YOU SHOULD BE GETTING BACK TO MIGELO. NOW, KYTES. HE WAS WAITING
FOR YOU.
KYTES: OH! RIGHT, RIGHT.
[Tomaj explains the details on the License Grid and the Hunts. Players can
always come back to him to check on how the system runs again in case they
forget. Tomaj hands Vaan a writ of transit, and Vaan makes his way to the
Eastgate. He is stopped by an Imperial Soldier]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: YOU THERE! LET'S SEE SOME PAPERS, BOY. NO PUBLIC PASSAGE
ON ACCOUNT OF THE LORD CONSUL'S PARADE.
VAAN: OH, GEE, THAT'S TOO BAD. YOU SEE, IT JUST HAPPENS THAT YOUR
PROVISIONER FOR THE FETE TONIGHT... HE SENT ME TO PICK UP A FEW CHOICE
MORSELS FOR THE, UH, CONSUL'S DINING PLEASURE. HE WANTS 'EM QUICK. I GOT THE
WRIT OF TRANSIT RIGHT HERE. SEE? SIGNED: MIGELO. I'D JUST HATE TO SEE THE
CONSUL UPSET BECAUSE HIS FOOD WASN'T READY ON TIME. AND I'D SURE HATE TO SEE
HIM TAKE IT OUT ON YOU.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: THE LORD CONSUL IS A GREAT MAN... AND NOT ONE TO TAKE
OFFENCE AT SUCH TRIFLING... MATTERS...
[Two other Imperial soldiers approach the two. The first Imperial Soldier
looks at both of them]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: MOVE ALONG, BOY. WOULDN'T DO TO KEEP THE CONSUL WAITING.
RIGHT! GATES ARE CLOSED AFTER THIS!
[The gate opens for Vaan to pass through. Vaan later starts hunting for the
Rogue Tomato in the Estersand, and engages it in battle. Vaan injures it,
and it runs down. Vaan chased after it and finally vanquished the Rogue
Tomato]
- ROGUE TOMATO VANQUISHED
[Vaan sees a pair of flowers growing wild in the desert]
VAAN: GALBANA LILIES?
[Vaan approached the flower]
- NEVER THOUGHT I'D SEE THEM GROWING OUT HERE.
[Vaan plucks a pair]
- This'll make a nice souvenir. Time to call it a day.
- A HANDFUL OF GALBANA LILIES OBTAINED
[Vaan returns to Rabanastre to find the gate has been closed. He finds Kytes
before the gate]
KYTES: AH, VAAN! I GUESS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO GOT LOCKED OUT OF THE CITY.
I TOLD PENELO ABOUT THE MARK YOU WERE GOING AFTER, AND I GUESS I GOT HER
WORRYING. SO THE TWO OF US HEADED OUT HERE TO FIND YOU. AS SOON AS I STEPPED
OUT, THE GUARDS CLOSED THE GATES AND THINGS GOT CRAZY. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE
TO FIND HER SINCE.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: STAND BACK, THERE! BACK! THIS GATE'S CLOSED UNTIL THE
CEREMONY'S OVER, DO YOU HEAR?
VAAN: NOW WHAT?
[A big chocobo moves pass Vaan. He is startled]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: OPEN THE GATE! ALL RIGHT, OUT OF THE WAY!
VAAN: WAIT A SECOND! HOW COME YOU LET THESE CHOCOBOS THROUGH THE GATE AND
NOT US?
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: WHAT OF IT? THIS HERE IS A PEDIGREED PARADER, BOY. COST
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF GIL, THIS ONE DID. A PRETTIER PRICE THAN A HUNDRED OF
YOU PROVINCIALS WOULD FETCH. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE! WE DON'T WANT THE CHOCOBOS
STINKING OF PEASANT.
[Vaan is enraged]
VAAN: WHAT DID YOU SAY?
[Before he could act, a second soldier pushes him away]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER 2: STEP ASIDE!
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: RIGHT THEN, MOVE 'EM IN!
[Vaan looked to the ground. The Galbana Lilies is squashed]
VAAN: THAT DOES IT.
[His is stopped by a familiar voice coming from the other side of the gate]
???: HO HO! A FINE, FINE CHOCOBO YOU HAVE THERE. YES! TCHITA DOWNS STOCK, IF
I'M NOT MISTAKEN.
[It's Migelo. He walks through the gate slowly as he speaks]
MIGELO: CHANGE THE SOIL, CHANGE THE CHOCOBO. AM I RIGHT?
[Penelo appears to be sneaking from behind Migelo to Vaan's side]
- YES, YES. DIFFERENT SOIL MEANS DIFFERENT BOUQUET, TOO. TAKE A
DALMASCAN BAROSE WINE, EH?
[Migelo offers a bottle of wine to the Imperials]
- IT MAY LACK THE FLAVOR AND DEPTH OF SOME OF YOUR ARCHADIAN WINES...
BUT IT HAS A CERTAIN STRENGTH OF CHARACTER. IT'S NOT BAD, REALLY, ONCE YOU
GET USED TO IT. CARE FOR SOME, SIRS? THERE'S MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ALL TO
COOL THEIR THROATS, OF COURSE.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: YOU, LET THESE CARTS THROUGH THEN WE CLOSE THIS GATE AS
ORDERED. MY MAIL'S CHOKED WITH THIS SAND.
[Migelo approaches Vaan and Penelo]
MIGELO: DON'T GIVE ME A SCARE LIKE THAT! YOU'RE LUCKY THAT ENDED WHERE IT
DID.
[Penelo holds Vaan's arm]
PENELO: RIGHT. NOW'S OUT CHANCE TO GO THROUGH.
MIGELO: AH, THE CEREMONY'LL BE STARTING SOON. I'D BEST BE HURRYING.
PENELO: OKAY, WELL -
[Vaan dashes off through the gate]
PENELO: VAAN, WAIT! WHAT IS IT? VAAN?
[They both run up the stairs. A CG plays. Vaan and Penelo are seen running
through the streets; Vaan trying to catch up with the new Consul, now being
carried away on a moving stage. He couldn't catch up and slowed down]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: WE WILL HAVE ORDER! I GIVE YOU YOUR NEW CONSUL... HIS
IMPERIAL HIGHNESS LORD VAYNE SOLIDOR... COMMANDANT OF THE ARCHADIAN EMPIRE'S
WESTERN AR- YOUR EXCELLENCY!
[Vayne walks alone, disliking the way he is introduced, addressing the
people of Rabanastre himself]
VAYNE: PEOPLE OF RABANASTRE. IS IT WITH HATRED YOU LOOK UPON YOUR CONSUL?
WITH HATRED, YOU LOOK UPON THE EMPIRE?
*RABANASTRANS: SPIT ON YOUR EMPIRE! GO ON BACK TO ARCHADIA! LOOK AT WHAT THE
EMPIRE'S DONE!
VAYNE: THERE WAS LITTLE POINT IN ASKING. BUT KNOW THIS: I HARBOR NO IDLE
HOPES OF FRUSTRATING THAT HATRED. NOR SHALL I ASK YOUR FEALTY. THAT IS THE
DUE OF YOUR FALLEN KING AND RIGHTLY SO. KING RAMINAS LOVED HIS PEOPLE.
STROVE TO BRING YOU PEACE. HIS WAS A RULE WORTHY OF YOUR DEVOTION... EVEN
NOW, HE REMAINS AMONG YOU, PROTECTING YOU. HIS ARDOR FOR THE PEACE AND WEAL
OF DALMASCA FALTERS NOT. I WOULD ASK ONLY THAT YOU DO YOUR KING HONOR.
TOGETHER, LET US EMBRACE THE PEACE, HIS MAJESTY WOULD SURELY DESIRE. TWO
YEARS NOW DIVIDE US FROM WAR'S BITTER END, YET STILL ITS SHADOW LOOMS OVER
ALL, STIFLING THE INFANT PEACE A PALL ONLY YOU MAY CAST OFF. ACHIEVE BUT
THIS ONE THING AND YOUR HATRED OF ME AND OF THE EMPIRE WILL GRIEVE ME NOT. I
WILL STAND FAST, I WILL ENDURE YOUR HATRED, SUFFER YOUR SLINGS AND ARROWS. I
WILL DEFEND DALMASCA! HERE I WILL PAY MY DEBT! I SWEAR IT NOW! THOUGH KING
RAMINAS AND LADY ASHE BE GONE, THEY STAND EVER AT THE SIDE OF THEIR PEOPLE.
IN HONORING PEACE... YOU DO HONOR TO THEIR MEMORY, AND TO DALMASCA. WHAT I
ASK, I ASK PLAIN. MY HOPES, NOW REST WITH YOU.
[Vayne holds his hand to his chest and bows down to the people. The crowd
cheers for his believable speech. Later, he comes down from a set of stairs]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: IS RABANASTRE TO YOUR LIKING, M'LORD?
VAYNE: IT IS MAGNIFICENT! TAKE THIS CATHEDRAL, FOR INSTANCE. ELEGANT, YET
WHIMSICAL IN ITS EXECUTION. A STUNNING EXAMPLE OF GALTEAN ARCHITECTURE. I
HOPE LORD GRAMIS MIGHT ONE DAY LOOK UPON IT HIMSELF.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: THE PATRON OF THIS EVENING'S BANQUET, MAY IT PLEASE YOUR
EXCELLENCY.
[Migelo appears shy and respectful towards Vayne, being careful as he
speaks]
MIGELO: I AM MIGELO, YOUR HIGHNESS. IT IS TRULY A PROFOUND HONOR TO MAKE THE
ACQUAINTANCE... OF OUR FUTURE EMPEROR, HIGHNESS. THE PEOPLE OF RABANASTRE
JOIN ME IN WELCOMING-
VAYNE: THAT'S ENOUGH OF "HIGHNESS". THOUGH INDEED I AM OUR EMPEROR'S SON, I
AM NO PRINCE. ARCHADIA'S EMPEROR IS FREELY CHOSEN BY HER PEOPLE. I AM BUT AN
ELECTED OFFICIAL AND NOTHING MORE.
*MIGELO: I MEANT NO DISRESPECT.
VAYNE: NOW THAT I THINK OF IT... I WOULD NOT HAVE YOU ADDRESS ME AS LORD
CONSUL, FOR THAT MATTER.
*MIGELO: OH?
VAYNE: HENCEFORTH, I AM A CITIZEN OF RABANASTRE. WHY DON'T YOU CALL ME
VAYNE?
MIGELO: EH, I COULD NOT. THAT WOULD NOT BE RIGHT.
VAYNE: YOU ARE OVERLY FOND OF FORMALITIES. I'VE JUST THE REMEDY FOR THAT.
TONIGHT YOU WILL JOIN ME, AND WE SHALL DRINK UNTIL YOU CALL ME BY NAME.
[Camera switches to Vaan and Penelo overlooking Migelo and Vayne]
VAAN: HOW CAN HE STAND TO BOW TO HIM LIKE THAT?
PENELO: VAAN, YOU JUST DO NOT GET IT, DO YOU. HE'S NOT DOING IT BECAUSE HE
WANTS TO. YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF HE DIDN'T?
VAAN: I KNOW. IT'S JUST-
PENELO: SO, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENT?
VAAN: I DON'T KNOW.
[Vaan gets on his feet]
- WELL, I'D DO SOMETHING.
[The screen is blank, and Penelo's voice can be heard]
PENELO: VAAN? VAAN! YOU HAVEN'T HEARD A SINGLE WORD I'VE SAID, HAVE YOU.
[The picture returns normally, with the two of them walking at the streets
of Rabanastre]
- THIS PLACE HAS CHANGED SO MUCH. IT'S LIKE IT'S NOT EVEN RABANASTRE
ANYMORE, LIKE THE EMPIRE SWALLOWING IT WHOLE.
[The camera shows a view of the castle from afar]
VAAN: HEY, PENELO. THAT FETE TONIGHT. YOU THINK THEY'LL LET US IN?
PENELO: ARE YOU CRAZY? IT'S IN THE PALACE, AND WE DON'T HAVE AN INVITATION,
IF YOU HADN'T NOTICED.
VAAN: SO... HOW ARE WE GETTING IN?
PENELO: AS IF I'D KNOW. WHY NOT ASK MIGELO TO LET YOU IN? OR GO SEE OLD
DALAN IN LOWTOWN. WHY THE SUDDEN INTEREST, VAAN?
VAAN: I TOLD YOU! I'M GOING TO TAKE BACK WHAT'S OURS! GIVE BACK TO DALMASCA.
C'MON, WHAT DO YOU THINK? IF I FIND SOMETHING AND IT FETCHES A GOOD PRICE,
HOW 'BOUT I, UH... I BUY YOU ALL DINNER!
PENELO: OH, PLEASE! YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO THE FIRST THING YOU'D BUY IS AN
AIRSHIP! ALL HAIL VAAN, SKY PIRATE OF DALMASCA. IT'S GOT A NICE RING TO IT.
STAY OUTTA TROUBLE!
[Penelo leaves the area. Vaan is left standing alone]
VAAN: HMM. AN AIRSHIP. I DUNNO. MAYBE. BUT NOT THROUGH MIGELO. TIME TO PAY
OLD DALAN A VISIT.
[Vaan visit Old Dalan in Lowtown, and underground quarters for the poor]
- YOU ARE NOW FREE TO ENTER LOWTOWN AND LEAVE RABANASTRE
[Vaan steps inside and walks towards the camera. Old Dalan greets Vaan]
OLD DALAN: AH, IF IT ISN'T VAAN RATSBANE. COME FOR A TIP ON HOW TO SKEWER
SOMETHING BIGGER AND IN ARMOR? BY THE EAST GATE?
VAAN: WHAT, YOU ALREADY HEARD ABOUT THAT?
OLD DALAN: WISE I MAY NOT BE, BUT WELL-INFORMED I AM.
VAAN: THEY'LL GET WHAT'S COMING TO THEM SOMEDAY, BELIEVE ME. BUT THAT'S NOT
WHY I'M HERE.
OLD DALAN: DO TELL.
VAAN: I WANT TO KNOW HOW TO SNEAK INTO THE PALACE. THEY'VE GOT TO HAVE SOME
GREAT STUFF IN THERE! THOUGHT I'D PARTAKE.
[Old Dalan chuckles, almost laughing]
*OLD DALAN: NOT ONE TO MINCE WORDS, ARE YOU BOY. THE EMPIRE PROTECTS WHAT'S
HERS. THAT MEANS THE PALACE AND ALL THE TREASURES INSIDE.
[Vaan immediately cut into Dalan's line]
VAAN: THAT'S WHY I'M GONNA DO IT! TO TAKE BACK WHAT'S OURS!
*OLD DALAN: SO OUR CHAMPION OF THE SEWERS ASPIRES TO NOBLE ACTION. ADMIRABLE.
PERHAPS I CAN HELP YOU. AH, NOW THAT I THINK ON IT, THERE WAS A RUMOR, YES.
A SECRET PASSAGEWAY INTO THE PALACE VAULTS, A DOOR, AND A MAGICKED STONE TO
OPEN THE WAY.
VAAN: THAT'S IT! THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I CAME HERE TO TALK TO YOU FIRST, DALAN.
SO... WHERE'S THIS, UH, MAGICKED STONE?
OLD DALAN: EH? OH, I'VE HAD IT FOR YEARS. IF I CAN REMEMBER WHERE I'VE
TUCKED IT AWAY...
[Old Dalan later explains that the Crescent Stone that he bears has lost its
power, and to restore it, Vaan has to travel to the Giza Plains and receive
the Sun Stone. This is not spoken, rather a dialogue but I would include it
anyway]
VAAN: I'VE HEARD ALL I NEED. SO THIS, UH, CRESCENT STONE. CAN I HAVE IT?
THEN I CAN FIND THAT SECRET PASSAGE INTO THE PALACE, RIGHT?
OLD DALAN: NOT MUCH OF A LISTENER, ARE YOU... THE CRESCENT STONE HAS LOST
ITS MAGICKS, WITHOUT THE POWER OF A SUNSTONE, IT WILL BE OF LITTLE USE.
VAAN: RIGHT. SO, WHERE CAN I GET ONE OF THESE SUNSTONES?
OLD DALAN: YOU SEEK GIZA PLAINS. SPEAK WITH THE NOMADS THERE. YOU WILL FIND
YOUR SUNSTONE. LEAVE BY SOUTHGATE AND CONTINUE SOUTH. THEIR VILLAGE IS NOT
FAR. THERE ARE LIKE TO BE BEASTS ON THE PLAINS, SO BE CAREFUL, M'BOY.
VAAN: YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ME. I'LL BE BACK BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.
[Vaan leaves Lowtown and makes his way to the Nomad Village in Giza Plains.
He approaches a group of kids and noticed Penelo's presence]
VAAN: PENELO? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
PENELO: I COULD ASK YOU THE SAME! THOUGH THE ANSWER'S PRETTY CLEAR: NO GOOD.
VAAN: WHAT? I'M BEING GOOD.
PENELO: HMM. IS THAT RIGHT? SO THEN. YOU WOULDN'T MIND IF I, SAY, TAGGED
ALONG, WOULD YOU?
*VAAN: HUH?
PENELO: OH, DON'T WORRY. MIGELO'S BUSY WITH PREPARATIONS FOR THE FETE AT THE
PALACE. WHY, I'M FREE FOR THE WHOLE DAY. WELL? LET'S GET GOING!
*VAAN: HMM.
- PENELO JOINS THE PARTY!
[Before they head out, Penelo hands over 3 potions and 2 tufts of Phoenix
Down]
- YOU CAN NOW CHANGE LEADERS AND ISSUE PARTY COMMANDS!
- GAMBITS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE PARTY MENU!
[Both travel to find the small boy, Jinn. The boy explains that they needed
the power of light from the Dark Crystals all over Giza Plains to entrap the
light into the shadestone of which he gave them. This will result in the
production of the sunstone. Thereafter, they leave the Nomad Village and
both went to see Old Dalan. Penelo stopped before they reach the entrance]
PENELO: HEY, VAAN?
*VAAN: HMM?
*PENELO: IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE DID ANYTHING TOGETHER. TOO LONG. I
HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME. WELL, I SHOULD PROBABLY GET BACK TO THE STORE.
ACTUALLY, I WAS KIND OF SUPPOSED TO BE WATCHING THE PLACE FOR MIGELO. AND,
VAAN-
VAAN: I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE. OKAY?
PENELO: THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR. SEE YA LATER.
[Penelo starts to walk away]
VAAN: SORRY, PENELO.
- PENELO LEAVES THE PARTY
[Vaan enters Old Dalan's place and talks to him]
OLD DALAN: NOW YOU'LL BE WANTING TO KNOW HOW TO SNEAK INTO THE PALACE, EH?
FIRST, YOU GO TO STOREHOUSE FIVE. YOU KNOW THE ONE. TWO DOORS SHE HAS. NOW
THE RIGHT TAKES VAAN RATSBANE TO HIS TERRITORIAL HUNTING GROUNDS IN THE
SEWERBOTTOM... BUT THAT'S NOT THE WAY YOU'LL GO, YOU'LL TAKE THE LEFT DOOR,
DOWN INTO THE GARAMSYTHE WATERWAY. THE WATERWAY LEADS TO A STAIR, THE STAIR
TO THE PALACE CELLARS. THAT'S YOUR WAY IN. BUT DON'T GO COUNTING YOUR GIL
JUST YET, M'BOY. GETTING INTO THE PALACE WAS THE EASY PART. THE WAY INTO THE
TREASURY IS CAREFULLY HIDDEN. THAT'S WHERE THIS CRESCENT STONE COMES IN. THE
MAGICKS IT BEARS CAN OPEN THE HIDDEN DOOR TO THE TREASURY, YOU SEE. LISTEN,
VAAN, FOR THE WORDS I SHALL SPEAK ARE MOST IMPORTANT, AND NOT TO BE
FORGOTTEN. DO YOU UNDERSTAND? "THE SIGNET YEARNS FOR SUNSTONE'S STRENGTH, TO
LIGHT THE CLOUDED WAY". ONCE IN THE PALACE, YOU'LL FIND THE SIGNET TILE.
VERY IMPORTANT. GIVE TO IT THE SUN'S POWER, AND IT WILL LIGHT YOUR PATH.
VERY WELL. OH, A WARNING: BE AWARE THAT IF YOU'RE CAUGHT... YOU'LL SPEND THE
REST OF YOUR SHORT LIFE ROTTING IN THE NALBINA DUNGEONS. SO LOOK SHARP,
M'BOY. AND DON'T GO RUNNING OFF BEFORE YOU'RE READY. PLANS FRESHLY HATCHED
HAVE A HABIT OF TUMBLING FROM THE NEST... STRAIGHT INTO THE HUNTER'S STEWPOT.
[Old Dalan gives a cynical laugh, and hands over the stone]
- YOU OBTAIN THE CRESCENT STONE
[Shortly, the scene switches to an underground waterway].
-----------------------------------
===
-----------------------------------
T h e G a r a m s y t h e W a t e r w a y [title_waterway]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- BENEATH RABANASTRE - THE GARAMSYTHE WATERWAY
[A group of people can be seen on camera, with a familiar face on-screen]
SOLDIER: SQUADS 3 THROUGH 6 ARE IN PLACE. THEY STAND READY. SO FAR THE
IMPERIALS HAVEN'T NOTICED A THING.
VOSSLER: THEN GO NOW AND HURRY THE OTHERS. BY NIGHTFALL, WE MUST ENSURE ALL
OUR MEN ARE IN PLACE.
[The soldiers leave the area, leaving Vossler alone. As he angles his body
behind, the camera partly reveals a woman in a red skirt walking slowly
towards the camera, and then fades. The scene reverts back to Vaan. He made
his way through the waterway, and to a staircase leading up. He successfully
entered the palace. Soon, a CG plays, revealing a man and a Viera-female on
a motorcycle-like vehicle. The man jumps off and strikes a pose in front of
the camera. From here, Vaan makes his way through the palace and
successfully finds the secret passage into the hidden room. The camera roams
about the room as Vaan accidentally pushed a switch, activating a mechanism.
A statue opens its head and a shiny object is revealed. Vaan grabs hold of
the object, when his succession's shared with another]
MAN: QUITE A PERFORMANCE.
[Vaan looks behind. He sees a man shown earlier in the CG walking towards
him]
VAAN: WHO ARE YOU?
MAN: I PLAY THE LEADING MAN, WHO ELSE?
[As the next line is spoken, the Viera woman appears from behind Vaan]
- FRAN, THE MAGICITE.
FRAN: NOW THEN, I'LL TAKE THAT.
VAAN: NO YOU WON'T. I FOUND IT. IT'S MINE.
MAN: AND THEN WHEN I TAKE IT FROM YOU, IT'LL BE MINE.
[Fran, the Viera woman moves to the man's side. Soldiers can be heard
coming]
MAN: EXIT STAGE RIGHT.
FRAN: THE GODS DO NOT SMILE ON US.
MAN: I LIKE IT BETTER THAT WAY.
- YOU OBTAIN THE GODDESS'S MAGICITE!
[Vaan runs outside an exit, and sees a couple of guards on the move. He
retreats, and makes his way up to the top. He looks down and the camera
reveals a war raging between the soldiers]
VAAN: WHAT'S GOING ON?
[A large airship on top of him fires a cannon and explodes on the ground,
throwing Vaan backwards. He is then greeted by the man]
MAN: THE IFRIT, EH? IMPECCABLE TIMING. IF I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER, I'D SAY THEY
WERE WAITING ALL ALONG.
[The airship fires another cannon. An explosion is heard, and the camera
shows the woman in the red skirt earlier, battling the soldiers on the
ground. Vaan makes his escape from the man]
MAN: STOP RUNNING!
[Fran quickly emerges from behind Vaan with the vehicle, blocking his way]
MAN: END OF THE LINE! YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO ME.
[Immediately the enemy soldiers appear from behind them. The man tilts his
head behind]
*MAN: DAMN!
ENEMY SOLDIER: MORE THIS WAY!
MAN: FRAN! LET'S MOVE!
[He starts sprinting towards Vaan, and forcefully grabs him and jumps down
the ledge]
- OFF WITH YOU!
[He jumps straight to the vehicle which now hovers above ground. Vaan
screams as he falls separately from the man. He is then barely held by the
man by his hand, his body literally hanging on air]
VAAN: LET GO OF ME!
MAN: KEEP THIS UP AND I WILL!
[Fran seems to have difficulties driving the vehicle]
- WHAT'S GOING ON FRAN?
FRAN: I DON'T KNOW. IT'S NOT HEEDING ME!
MAN: I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!
VAAN: I-I'M SLIPPING!
MAN: NOT GOOD!
[They start to decrease in height towards the battleground, and later the
screen fades. They are later shown in the Garamsythe Waterway]
FRAN: WHAT HAPPENED? OUR HOVER DIDN'T JUST DROP- IT DISAPPEARED.
MAN: BAH. FORGET IT. EVEN IF WE COULD FLY... THE IFRIT'S PLAYING WITH FIRE,
AND I'D RATHER NOT GET BURNED. WE'LL GO THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY.
[The man comments on Vaan's peculiar look by Fran's presence]
- NOT MANY VIERA WHERE YOU COME FROM, THIEF?
VAAN: IT'S VAAN. SORRY.
MAN: WELL, FRAN IS SPECIAL... IN THAT SHE'D DEIGN TO PARTNER WITH A HUME.
FRAN: OH? LIKE A SKY PIRATE THAT CHOOSES TO STEAL THROUGH THE SEWERS?
VAAN: PIRATES? YOU'RE SKY PIRATES? SO YOU HAVE AN AIRSHIP?
[The man cut short Vaan's excitement]
MAN: IT'S BALTHIER.
[Balthier gets on his feet]
- LISTEN THIEF- VAAN. IF YOU EVER WANT TO SEE YOUR HOME AGAIN, YOU DO
EXACTLY AS I SAY. MYSELF, FRAN, AND YOU. WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER NOW.
UNDERSTOOD?
[Balthier catches a glimpse of the Magicite that Vaan holds]
VAAN: DON'T EVEN THINK YOU'RE GETTING THIS.
BALTHIER: THE THOUGHT NEVER CROSSED MY MIND.
- BALTHIER AND FRAN JOIN THE PARTY!
[The party walks a few meters, and Balthier begins to explain Gambits to the
player. Later they spot dead bodies lying about]
BALTHIER: INSURGENTS. MOST LIKE THEY THOUGHT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A LAX
WATCH WHILE THE FETE'S ON. ...TO FEED THE GOOD CONSUL A LENGTH OF STEEL FOR
HIS SUPPER. I SHOULD THINK VAYNE USED TO SUCH HOSPITALITY. CLEVER. HE USED
HIMSELF AS THE BAIT TO DRAW THEM NEAR, AND THEN SENT IN THE AIR BRIGADE. A
FINE, BLOODY BANQUET. HMPH. I DARESAY I'VE SOILED MY CUFFS. IF A DUNGEON'S
WAITING FOR US AT THE END OF THE NIGHT, IT HAD BEST HAVE A CHANGE OF
WARDROBE.
[The party continues through the underground waterway, and comes to a stop
in front of fight. The camera reveals a few imperial soldiers attacking a
woman, and she defends herself fairly well. It appears to be the same woman
in the red skirt]
*IMPERIAL SOLDIER: NOW WE HAVE HER!
[The lady slashed a soldier and he drops from the ledge]
WOMAN: WHO WOULD BE NEXT?
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: CLOSE RANKS! BRING HER DOWN!
[The enemy soldiers start to approach her in a group, forcing her to jump
down from the ledge onto the ground below. Vaan runs closer to the scene]
VAAN: JUMP DOWN! HURRY!
[The woman jumps down and is saved by Vaan. He puts her back on her feet]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: SHE'S NOT ALONE!
FRAN: OUR RANKS GROW BY THE HOUR.
BALTHIER: AND OUR TROUBLES WITH THEM.
[The imperial army engages them in battle; four against four. They quickly
emerge victorious]
VAAN: YOU ALL RIGHT?
WOMAN: THANK YOU.
VAAN: I'M VAAN. AND THIS IS BALTHIER AND- HEY!
[Balthier silently faces the opposite way]
- WHAT'S YOUR NAME?
WOMAN: AMALIA.
VAAN: AMALIA, HUH? NICE TO MEET YOU.
AMALIA: THERE WERE OTHERS WITH ME.
FRAN: I'M SORRY.
AMALIA: NO...
[The magicite in Vaan's hands start to glow quickly, radiating a bright
light]
VAAN: HUH?
BALTHIER: OH, NOW ISN'T THAT IMPRESSIVE.
VAAN: DON'T GET ANY IDEAS. I SAID IT'S MINE.
BALTHIER: I'M AFRAID THE JURY'S STILL OUT ON THAT ONE.
AMALIA: YOU STOLE THAT?
VAAN: YEAH!
FRAN: HAVE YOU FINISHED? WHEN THE GUARDS DON'T REPORT IN, THEY'LL COME
LOOKING FOR US.
BALTHIER: IF THEY AREN'T ALREADY.
VAAN: YOU SHOULD COME WITH US. RATHER THAN BEING BY YOURSELF.
AMALIA: VERY WELL.
[Amalia walks pass the others in front of them]
VAAN: WHAT'S WRONG WITH HER?
BALTHIER: YOU HAVE A LOT TO LEARN BEFORE WE EVEN GET STARTED ON YOUR
THIEVERY.
VAAN: WHAT'S THAT MEAN?
[Amalia stood still in the front, when the party soon approached her]
AMALIA: THE SITUATION REQUIRES I ACCEPT SUCH HELP I CAN FIND. THOUGH IT BE
FROM THIEVES. I SHALL ACCOMPANY YOU UNTIL WE FIND MY COMPANIONS. NO LONGER.
BALTHIER: LET'S THINK OF HER AS A "GUEST", THEN. UNLIKE FRAN OR MYSELF, OUR
"GUEST" PROBABLY WON'T BE TAKING ORDERS FROM ANYONE ANYTIME SOON. AND SHE'LL
LEAVE WHEN SHE PLEASES. SO, WE KEEP TO OUR AFFAIRS AND SHE TO HERS. I DOUBT
WE'LL FIND HER WANTING IN VALOR... BEING SUCH AN UPSTANDING MEMBER OF THE
INSURGENCE.
AMALIA: RESISTANCE.
- AMALIA JOINS THE PARTY AS A GUEST!
- WELL, WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
[With Amalia in their party, they continue their objective to escape from
the sewers. The party engages a group of Flan in battle, and later defeats
the Firemane. As the battle is over, a voice is heard]
???: STAND WHERE YOU ARE!
[The party tilt their heads up. An army of imperial soldiers have already
surrounded them from the upper floor; Vayne Solidor is gradually revealed
from behind the soldiers. Balthier quickly holds Amalia back]
BALTHIER: NOW IS NOT THE TIME.
[The imperials approach them closer, as Amalia's eyes burn with rage as she
stares into Vayne's face. Later, the scene switches to a section in Lowtown.
The party is arrested and their hands are cuffed]
RABANASTRANS: THEY'RE THE THIEVES WHO STOLE INTO THE PALACE. IS THAT THE
COMMOTION LAST NIGHT WAS ABOUT?
AMALIA: THEY THINK ME SOME COMMON THIEF.
BALTHIER: BETTER THAN COMMON A ASSASSIN.
[An imperial soldier started pushing Amalia away from the rest]
AMALIA: THESE PEOPLE HAVE DONE NOTHING. RELEASE THEM.
VAAN: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
AMALIA: DON'T INTERRUPT ME, I'M THINKING.
[Vayne Solidor crosses his arms, and started to walk away. In an instant, a
familiar voice can be heard]
???: WAIT!
[The camera reveals the voice to be Penelo's]
PENELO: HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING! YOU HAVE TO LET HIM GO! YOU HAVE
TO!
[Penelo struggles by the guard as they keep her at bay]
VAAN: PENELO! SORRY. THAT DINNER'LL HAVE TO WAIT.
PENELO: I TOLD YOU!
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: THAT'S ENOUGH!
[An imperial soldier hits Vaan on the head, knocking him unconscious]
PENELO: LEAVE HIM ALONE!
[Penelo break pass the soldiers holding her and started running towards Vaan,
when she is stopped by Balthier. He offers her a piece of cloth]
BALTHIER: HOLD ONTO THIS FOR ME, WOULD YOU? JUST UNTIL I BRING VAAN BACK.
[He hands her his handkerchief]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: ON YOUR FEET! YOU, OVER HERE!
BALTHIER: ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT. EDGY, AREN'T WE?
[The scene switches to two bangaa, watching Balthier and company from a
corner]
BANGAA #1: IT'S BALTHIER, MY BROTHER.
BANGAA #2: WHAT DOES THAT PHILANDERER THINK HE'S DOING? I WAS TO KILL
BALTHIER, NOT THOSE ADDLE-PATED IMPERIALS!
[The screen fades to black. The scene switches to an inside of a hospital,
it seems. The background is filled with bright light. It appears to be some
sort of Vaan's dream while he's unconscious. As he speaks, Reks can be seen
sitting quietly, as if to make no notice of Vaan's presence; dead]
VAAN: I BROUGHT YOU SOME OF THOSE FLOWERS YOU LIKE: GALBANA LILIES.
REMEMBER? YOU ALWAYS SAID HOW THEY SMELLED NICE, AND HOW PRETTY THEY WERE.
REMEMBER? THE KING- DID YOU? WERE YOU REALLY A PART OF IT? EVEN IF- EVEN IF
YOU WERE- CAPTAIN BASCH MUST HAVE TRICKED YOU INTO IT!
[Vaan gets a hold of his brother, whom diffuses into air... and towards the
light. The scene later fades. A view of a round structure is then shown;
sand seeping through the holes on the ceiling towards the ground. Vaan
regains consciousness]
BALTHIER: YOU'RE AWAKE.
VAAN: WHERE ARE WE?
BALTHIER: PRISON, WHERE ELSE? MORE A DUNGEON, BUT IT'S REALLY ALL THE SAME.
[Vaan gets on his feet, looks outside and hears a loud cry from afar. He is
afraid, and starts to retreat. He almost trips on a dead body on the ground,
and is startled]
*BALTHIER: RELAX, IT'S JUST A CORPSE. JUMP AT EVERY LITTLE THING DOWN HERE
AND YOU'LL WEAR YOURSELF OUT.
[Balthier yawns as he speaks]
- IT'S NOT EVEN A PROPER DUNGEON. THEY JUST SEALED OFF THE BOTTOM
LEVEL OF THE FORTRESS. TAKE A LOOK AROUND. WE'RE NOT THE FIRST THEY'VE
THROWN DOWN HERE.
VAAN: WHERE'S FRAN?
BALTHIER: SHE'S OFF TRYING TO FIND US A WAY OUT.
[Vaan steps outside, and hears more screams coming towards him]
- REMEMBER WHAT CURIOSITY KILLED. JUST A FRIENDLY WORD OF ADVICE.
THIS IS ALL THE WATER WE'VE GOT.
[Balthier shows Vaan a pouch containing water]
- I'D SAVE YOUR STRENGTH IF I WERE YOU.
[Vaan seems to ignore Balthier's advice and continues forth]
-----------------------------------
===
-----------------------------------
N a l b i n a D u n g e o n s [title_nalbina_dungeons]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[Vaan exits the first area and reaches a second area. He walks along a wall,
and looks up above. He sees a hollow hole with light shining through, and he
continues forward. He sees many prisoners are chained. As he eyes around, a
bangaa dropped from above, giving him the scare. Following the bangaa are
two seeq with weapons, and later started to beat the bangaa]
VAAN: NO, DON'T!
[One of the seeq felt badly interrupted, and tilt its head back. Both of the
seeq approaches Vaan slowly]
- HE WAS DEFENSELESS...
[Vaan retreats and the seeq mutters something out of the ordinary. As he
Vaan moves backwards, another seeq jumps from up above and knocks Vaan
unconscious. As he regains consciousness, and as the camera recovers from
the blank screen, Vaan is being pulled by one of those seeq into a circular
pit. Vaan tries to balance himself on his two legs and attempted an escape.
The gates suddenly close themselves and came another two more. Vaan is
surrounded by three seeq, trying to beat him to a pulp. A familiar voice is
then heard]
BALTHIER: SOMETHING STINKS IN HERE ALL RIGHT. I'VE CHANGED MY MIND. THIS IS
NO DUNGEON, IT'S A STY.
[Balthier emerges from outside the pit, overlooking the seeq. He spits and
crack his knuckles]
- I SAID YOU'RE THE ONE THAT STINKS, HAMSHANKS. HEAR ME NOW?
[Balthier jumps into the pit]
- YOU ALL RIGHT, VAAN?
[Vaan nods, and the two of them are against the three seeq, using their bare
hands. They both defeated them, and the prisoners start to gather around the
pit. Seconds later, a scene showing the imperials marching towards the area
is shown. The prisoners quickly dissemble themselves away out of fear of the
imperials. The imperial leader walks in between the army towards the pit,
and starts looking around inside it; the pit now empty. The camera then
slowly reveals Vaan and Balthier taking cover behind a wall. The imperial
leader looks behind him, nods and a green-skinned bangaa walks inside the
area]
BALTHIER: GREAT. THEY JUST DON'T GIVE UP, DO THEY?
[The green bangaa forcefully pushes the imperial leader aside, and two of
his comrades arrive]
- NOW IS LOOKING LIKE A GOOD TIME FOR US TO LEAVE.
[Fran silently emerges from Vaan's left]
FRAN: THROUGH THE OUBLIETTE, THERE'S A WAY OUT. ONLY-
BALTHIER: ONLY YOU SENSE THE MIST.
[Balthier goes under the opening of the gate to the other side, Vaan
following behind]
- THEN WE'LL NEED WEAPONS.
[A voice from the back interrupts]
IMPERIAL LEADER: WHAT DID YOU CALL ME? SAY THAT AGAIN!
GREEN-SKINNED BANGAA: WHAT, YOU COULDN'T HEAR? I MERELY SAID THAT THE LOT OF
YOU ARE INCOMPETENT FOOLS. IF YOU'VE THE SKY PIRATE IN YOUR HANDS, WHERE IS
HE?
IMPERIAL LEADER: YOU'D HAVE DONE BETTER, BA'GAMNAN. BY YOUR OWN WORDS, IT
WAS THE IMPERIAL ARMY WHO CAUGHT THIS SKY PIRATE OF YOURS. WE'VE DONE YOUR
JOB FOR YOU! WE DON'T REQUIRE THE ASSISTANCE OF FILTHY HEADHUNTERS. THE
EMPIRE WILL RESTORE ORDER HERE.
BA'GAMNAN: EH? WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY NOW? MAYBE I'LL WHET MY BLADE ON YOU...
BEFORE I KILL BALTHIER.
[He threatens the imperial leader, and the rest of the army ready their
weapons, when suddenly a voice stopped them]
??? THAT'S ENOUGH, BA'GAMNAN.
FRAN: A JUDGE.
[A judge walks into the room covered in full armor, slowly and gracefully]
VAAN: A JUDGE?
BALTHIER: HMPH. THE SELF-PROCLAIMED GUARDIANS OF LAW AND ORDER IN ARCHADIA.
THEY'RE THE ELITE GUARDS OF HOUSE SOLIDOR, WHICH EFFECTIVELY MAKES THEM THE
COMMANDERS OF THE IMPERIAL ARMY.
[The judge continues advancing forward with two men by his side]
- IF YOU ASK ME, THEY'RE MORE EXECUTIONERS THAN JUDGES. NOT A
FRIENDLY LOT, AT ANY RATE. WHAT ARE THEY DOING HERE?
JUDGE: THE EMPEROR IS WILLING TO OVERLOOK RACE FOR HIS MORE TALENTED
SERVANTS. HOWEVER, THOSE THAT DO NOT SHOW RESPECT WILL RECEIVE NONE IN KIND.
BA'GAMNAN: YOUR HONOR...
JUDGE: YOU TRAVEL FREELY THROUGH OUR LANDS BECAUSE THE EMPEROR WILLS IT. AM
I CORRECT?
*BA'GAMNAN: BAH!
[He starts to walk away, as if admitting defeat]
JUDGE: WHERE IS THE CAPTAIN?
IMPERIAL LEADER: WE HAVE HIM IN SOLITARY, YOUR HONOR. WE'RE READY TO BEGIN
OUR INTERROGATION.
JUDGE: THIS DOES NOT CONCERN YOU, BOUNTY HUNTER.
BA'GAMNAN: HE'S IN HERE SOMEWHERE! FIND HIM!
BANGAA #1: BWAGI, THAT WAY!
BWAGI: I WAS GOING THIS WAY!
*BANGAA #1: AH, WHAT'S THAT?
BALTHIER: TIME FOR THE HARE TO FOLLOW THE FOX.
*VAAN: HUH?
FRAN: THE MAGICKS BINDING THE DOOR TO THE OUBLIETTE ARE QUITE STRONG. TOO
STRONG EVEN FOR MY TALENTS.
BALTHIER: THAT'S WHY WE'LL GET THEM TO OPEN IT FOR US.
VAAN: HOW IS GOING DEEPER INTO THIS PLACE-
BALTHIER: WHAT'S WRONG? YOU DON'T TRUST HER? VIERA'S NOSES ARE SHARP. IF SHE
SAYS THERE'S A WAY OUT, THERE'S A WAY OUT.
[They move out, and the camera shows the other bangaa moving out as well;
the place now empty. As the party tails the Judge, they found their stash]
FRAN: LOOK.
BALTHIER: AH! THE PRISON REPOSITORY OF WRESTED RELICS AND RAIMENTS.
VAAN: SO OUR THINGS ARE IN HERE?
BALTHIER: THAT'S WHAT I SAID.
- YOU RECOVER YOUR LOST ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT!
- YOU OBTAIN A MAP OF THE NALBINA DUNGEONS!
YOUR LOCATION MAP FOR THIS AREA IS COMPLETE!
[The party barely escapes through a closing gate in time. They then see the
judge walking through the area, and the whole army along with him]
BALTHIER: THERE ARE MORE TURNKEYS THAN CUTPURSES DOWN HERE. I'VE HAD MY FILL
OF CHAINS. LET'S TREAD LIGHTLY, SHALL WE?
[The party finally reached the door held tight by the magick. The judge
approaches the door and utters a magick word]
*JUDGE: AMARULSIVADUSHKU...
[The magick binding the door releases itself, and the judge goes through.
The party follows behind, and a new scene rolls in. The judge approaches a
rather familiar face, locked in a cage. The judge removes his helmet]
JUDGE: YOU HAVE GROWN VERY THIN, BASCH.
[Vaan is surprised at the mention of the name, silently the party watch]
- LESS THAN A SHADOW. LESS THAN A MAN. SENTENCED TO DEATH AND YET YOU
LIVE. WHY?
BASCH: TO SILENCE ONDORE. HOW MANY TIMES MUST I SAY IT?
JUDGE: IS THAT ALL?
BASCH: WHY NOT ASK VAYNE HIMSELF. IS HE NOT ONE OF YOUR MASTERS?
JUDGE: WE'VE CAUGHT A LEADER OF THE INSURGENCE. SHE IS BEING BROUGHT FROM
RABANASTRE. THE WOMAN AMALIA. WHO COULD THAT BE? SUCH A FAITHFUL HOUND TO
CLING TO A FALLEN KINGDOM.
BASCH: BETTER THAN THROWING IT AWAY.
[The judge puts his helmet back on]
JUDGE: THROWING IT AWAY? AS YOU THREW AWAY OUR HOMELAND?
[The judge and the imperials walk off. The party approaches the prisoner]
BASCH: WHO'S THERE?
[Balthier looked underneath Basch, hanging on air in the cage]
BALTHIER: THIS THE PLACE?
FRAN: THIS MIST IS FLOWING THROUGH THIS ROOM. IT MUST BE GOING SOMEWHERE.
*BALTHIER: HMM.
BASCH: YOU! YOU'RE NO IMPERIALS. PLEASE, YOU MUST GET ME OUT-
BALTHIER: IT'S AGAINST MY POLICY TO SPEAK WITH THE DEAD. ESPECIALLY WHEN
THEY HAPPEN TO BE KINGSLAYERS.
BASCH: I DID NOT KILL HIM.
BALTHIER: IS THAT SO? GLAD TO HEAR IT.
BASCH: PLEASE, GET ME OUT. FOR THE SAKE OF DALMASCA.
[In all of a sudden, Vaan jumps towards the cage with an angry look, holding
it tightly]
VAAN: DALMASCA!? WHAT DO YOU CARE ABOUT DALMASCA!? EVERYTHING THAT'S
HAPPENED IS BECAUSE OF YOU! EVERYONE THAT'S DIED, EVERY SINGLE ONE! EVEN MY
BROTHER- YOU KILLED MY BROTHER!
BALTHIER: QUIET! THE GUARDS WILL HEAR.
FRAN: I'M DROPPING IT.
[Fran kicks a switch and the chain released the cage downwards]
BALTHIER: PIRATES WITHOUT A SKY.
[Balthier jumps for the cage and the three of them, along with Basch still
trapped inside, goes downwards. The judge and the imperials' come, but they
could only look. Sometime later, they reach ground. As Basch is free and
begins to feel his bones again, Vaan immediately grabbed him, gives a loud
cry and tried to punch him. Balthier held him back]
BALTHIER: SPARE US YOUR QUIDDITIES!
VAAN: YEAH, BUT- BUT HE'S A-
BALTHIER: A TRAITOR, I KNOW. STAY HERE AND FIGHT, IF YOU WANT. IF YOU CAN
WALK, LET'S GO.
VAAN: YOU'RE TAKING HIM WITH US?
BALTHIER: WE COULD USE ANOTHER SWORD ARM.
[Basch gets on his feet]
BASCH: AND YOU HAVE IT.
- BASCH JOINS THE PARTY AS A GUEST!
-----------------------------------
===
-----------------------------------
B a r h e i m P a s s a g e [title_barheim_passage]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[The heroes go through with Basch in their party. They managed to restore
power to the area, but they face a problem as they go through a gate. They
realize the lights are getting dim]
VAAN: HEY! WHO TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS? ONE OF THOSE?
[The camera focuses on a type of monster; sucking the electricity from a
circuit]
BALTHIER: I'VE HEARD OF THESE: MIMICS. THEY DISGUISE THEMSELVES AS ALL
MANNER OF THINGS, THEN STRIKE WHEN YOU'RE LEAST WARY. SOME OF THEM HAVE A
FONDNESS FOR ENERGY, I'M TOLD. THEY GORGE THEMSELVES ON THE STUFF TILL
THERE'S NAUGHT LEFT.
VAAN: SO... WHAT HAPPENS THEN?
[A scene shows a ghostly-figure walking through the dark area]
BALTHIER: LIGHTS OUT. AND IT'S WORST IN THE DARK. MUCH WORSE. SO, LET THEM
GET TOO CLOSE TO ONE OF THOSE CONDUITS AND THEY'LL SUCK IT DRY. BUT DON'T
WORRY. IT'LL GIVE THE ENERGY BACK IF YOU ASK NICELY. STICKING IT WITH A
SWORD HELPS TOO. CLOCK'S TICKING!
[The party goes through the Barheim Passage and through a gate. Here, they
take a short break]
FRAN: THE MIST SEETHES.
BALTHIER: IT REEKS. SOMETHING'S CLOSE.
[Basch is putting some clothing on from a wounded enemy. He picks up a sword
and starts practicing a few moves. He is secretly watched by Balthier]
BALTHIER: NICE MOVES THERE, CAPTAIN.
VAAN: YOU MEAN "TRAITOR".
BALTHIER: SO THEY SAY. BUT I DIDN'T SEE HIM KILL ANYONE.
VAAN: MY BROTHER DID.
BASCH: REKS. HE SAID HE HAD A BROTHER TWO YEARS YOUNGER. I SEE. HE MEANT YOU.
YOUR BROTHER. WHAT BECAME-
VAAN: HE'S DEAD.
BASCH: I'M SORRY.
VAAN: IT WAS YOU WHO KILLED HIM!
BASCH: I GIVE YOU MY WORD: THAT WAS NOT THE WAY OF IT.
[A man is seen panting, running wildly; his vision is severely disturbed.
Flashbacks recurring to Basch]
REKS: REKS, SIR. MY NAME'S REKS.
[Basch is then seen held down by the imperials]
- HE'S TWO YEARS YOUNGER THAN I, LIVING IN RABANASTRE.
VOSSLER: IT'S TIME, BASCH! SAVE THE DISCUSSION FOR LATER.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: WE'VE FOUND THEM!
REKS: BUT IF WE ARRIVE AFTER HE'S SIGNED THE TREATY-
[Basch is seen surrounded by soldiers at the King's room]
- SIR! WE HAVE LITTLE TIME! YOU MUST GO TO THE KING!
VOSSLER: IT'S AS A FEARED. THEY'RE SLOWING US DOWN.
[Basch can be seen held down by the army]
REKS: CAPTAIN, WHY?
[A man dressed almost exactly as Basch from head to toe, appears before the
real Basch himself. The real Basch appears in a state of shock before the
imposter]
- OUR KING- WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
???: HIS MAJESTY WAS A TRAITOR.
[The real Bach screams from a corner as the fake Basch stabs Reks. The scene
reverts back to the Barheim Passage]
BALTHIER: A TWIN BROTHER? FANCY THAT. HMM. BUT STILL, THE PIECES FIT. I'LL
GIVE YOU THAT MUCH. AND HE DID LOOK LIKE YOU.
[Basch appears sitting against the wall; Vaan looking the other way around]
VAAN: I DON'T BELIEVE YOU.
BASCH: OF COURSE NOT. IT WAS MY FAULT THAT REKS WAS THERE. I AM SORRY.
VAAN: MY BROTHER, HE TRUSTED YOU. HE TRUSTED YOU AND HE LOST EVERYTHING. HOW
CAN I BELIEVE YOU?
[Basch gets up on his feet]
BASCH: NOT ME THEN. BELIEVE IN YOUR BROTHER. HE WAS A FINE SOLDIER. HE
FOUGHT TO THE LAST TO PROTECT HIS HOMELAND. NO. SURELY HE FOUGHT TO PROTECT
HIS BROTHER.
VAAN: YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!
BALTHIER: BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANT TO. WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE YOU HAPPY.
WHAT'S DONE IS DONE.
[The party continues south exiting the passage and engaging the Mimic Queen
in battle. They destroyed it along with the place. The area collapsed and
they head for the exit in time. They reach the desert]
BASCH: TO THINK DALMASCAN AIR COULD TASTE SO SWEET.
VAAN: WHERE ARE WE?
BALTHIER: THE ESTERSAND, BY THE LOOK OF IT. LET'S BACK TO RABANASTRE BEFORE
WE SHRIVEL UP. BY YOUR LEAVE, CAPTAIN.
BASCH: YES, THE HOUR OF MY RETURN IS ALREADY OVERLATE. THE PEOPLE MAY HATE
ME, BUT DOES NOT FREE ME OF MY CHARGE.
[Fran, Balthier, Vaan and Basch head back to the city of Rabanastre]
BASCH: I THANK YOU.
BALTHIER: I'D AVOID CROWDS, IF I WERE YOU. IN THIS TOWN YOU'RE STILL A
TRAITOR, YOU KNOW.
BASCH: THE RESISTANCE WILL SURELY FIND ME SOON. FATES WILL WE MEET AGAIN. I
WOULD PAY MY RESPECTS TO YOUR BROTHER.
[Basch walks away]
BALTHIER: YOU'RE A FUGITIVE NOW, TOO. STAY LOW FOR A WHILE.
VAAN: WHAT ABOUT THE STONE?
BALTHIER: DO AS YOU LIKE. THAT STONE'S ILL-FAVORED.
FRAN: WE FEEL REGRET. WE SOUGHT THAT STONE AND FOUND OURSELVES ONLY WORRY.
BALTHIER: YOU OFFERING IT?
VAAN: IT'S MINE!
BALTHIER: THEN WHY DO YOU ASK? OUR REGARDS TO YOUR GIRL.
FRAN: WE STAY IN RABANASTRE A WHILE.
[Balthier and Fran walk away. Vaan seems to be talking to his late brother,
while holding the magicite]
VAAN: WHAT DO YOU THINK? CAN I TRUST BASCH? I GOTTA GET RID OF THIS THING.
BUT MAYBE I SHOULD SHOW IT TO PENELO FIRST. SO SHE KNOWS I GOT SOMETHING.
SHE'D BE AT MIGELO'S PLACE THIS TIME OF DAY.
- BALTHIER AND FRAN LEAVE THE PARTY.
[Vaan enter Migelo's Sundries. He finds Kytes standing about]
KYTES: VAAN, IS IT REALLY YOU? I HEARD YOU GOT TOOK OFF TO NALBINA!
VAAN: THE IMPERIALS'LL NEED MORE THAN A DUNGEON TO STOP ME.
KYTES: YOU BROKE OUT OF A DUNGEON? WHOA!
VAAN: HEY, TRY AND KEEP IT DOWN, WOULDYA? PENELO ISN'T HERE, IS SHE? OUT ON
A DELIVERY, MAYBE?
KYTES: NOPE,, HAVEN'T SEEN HER ALL DAY. NOT LIKE HER TO UP AND SKIP OUT ON
WORK LIKE THAT. MIGELO'S NOT HERE, EITHER. HE WENT RUNNING OFF SOMEWHERE A
LITTLE WHILE AGO.
VAAN: SO MUCH FOR MY BIG WELCOME. GUESS EVERYBODY'S BUSY.
KYTES: I GOT MY HANDS FULL WATCHING THE SHOP... AND OLD DALAN HAD SOMETHING
FOR ME TO DO, BUT I CAN'T GET AWAY.
OLD DALAN, HUH? TELL YOU WHAT. I'LL GO SEE HIM FOR YOU.
KYTES: REALLY?
VAAN: WELL, NOTHING BETTER TO DO.
[Vaan goes to see Old Dalan]
OLD DALAN: WELL, WELL. LOOK WHO WE HAVE HERE! HEARD YOU WERE SENT OFF TO
NALBINA?
VAAN: AND I GOT OUT OF THERE AS FAST AS I COULD. BUT IT WAS ALL WORTH IT,
DALAN. HERE, LOOK AT THIS!
OLD DALAN: MY, MY, MY. QUITE A TREASURE YOU'VE GOT THERE.
VAAN: WELL, YOU KNOW, I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOUR HELP.
OLD DALAN: SO, THERE IS MORE TO THIS GUTTER-CHURL THAN FIRST MEETS THE EYE.
VAAN, I'VE AN ERRAND: A SIMPLE FAVOR TO BEG OF YOU. I WAS GOING TO ASK THAT
KYTES TO GO, BUT I SHOULD THINK THAT YOU OUGHT TO DO. NO- NO I THINK YOU'RE
JUST THE ONE.
[Old Dalan grabs something from behind him]
- THERE'S A FELLOW BY THE NAME OF AZELAS, AND I NEED YOU TO BRING
THIS SWORD TO HIM.
VAAN: THAT'S- THAT'S A SWORD OF THE OLD ORDER.
OLD DALAN: SPEAK MY NAME WHEN YOU ARRIVE. THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO GET IN TO
SEE HIM.
[Old Dalan hands over the sword to Vaan]
- I'VE MADE A NOTE ON YOUR MAP SHOWING YOU WHERE HE CAN BE FOUND.
MIND YOU, YOU ARE TO DELIVER THE SWORD TO HIM PERSONALLY.
*VAAN: I WILL. HEY, DALAN? COULD I GET YOU TO DO SOMETHING FOR ME? I NEED TO
FIND OUT WHERE PENELO IS. I WANTED TO SHOW HER WHAT I GOT FROM THE PALACE,
BUT I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND HER ANYWHERE. CAN YOU LET ME KNOW IF YOU
HEAR ANYTHING?
OLD DALAN: YOU CAN JUST LEAVE THAT TO ME.
VAAN: THANK, DALAN.
[Vaan walks away; the camera focuses on Old Dalan as he speaks to himself]
OLD DALAN: AND SO IT IS DONE. BUT WILL IT BE ENOUGH TO REMIND HIM OF WHAT
THE ORDER ONCE MEANT?
- YOU OBTAIN A SWORD OF THE ORDER!
[Vaan goes to the hideout on the North section of Lowtown. He speaks to the
name and utters Old Dalan's name. He is then allowed to enter. The scene
later switches to an argument of three men inside a room]
MAN: THEN WHAT OF ONDORE'S PROCLAMATION? DID THEY FOOL EVEN THE MARQUIS?
MAN #2: WHAT IF A JUDGE KILLED THE KING, NOT THE CAPTAIN? THAT WOULD EXPLAIN
EVERYTHING WOULDN'T IT?
MAN #3: THEN THE CAPTAIN WOULD BE BROTHER TO A JUDGE! HOW ARE WE TO TRUST
SUCH A MAN?
[Basch appears through a door, shaved and tidied up with new clothes. He
draws the attention of everyone in the room]
VOSSLER: NOW THERE IS THE BASCH I REMEMBER.
BASCH: THEN WILL YOU FIGHT AGAIN AT MY SIDE?
MAN #1: HIS WORD ALONE CONVINCES ME OF NOTHING!
MAN #2: I'D TAKE HIS WORD OVER THAT OF A MOUTHPIECE MARQUIS!
MAN #3: THEN YOU NAME REKS LIAR WITH HIM.
[Out comes Vaan on the camera]
VAAN: MY BROTHER WAS NO LIAR!
BASCH: JUST THE OPPOSITE. REKS WAS THE WITNESS THEY NEEDED. THEY HAD TO MAKE
IT APPEAR AS IF I'D KILLED THE KING- REKS BEARS NO BLAME. THE FATES HAVE
WILLED IT.
*VOSSLER: SO THIS IS REKS'S BROTHER.
[Vossler takes the sword from Vaan]
- YOUR WORDS MAY CONVINCE THIS CHILD, BUT THEY WEIGH TOO LIGHTLY ON
THE SCALES FOR MY TASTE. OUR PATHS WILL REMAIN SEPARATE.
BASCH: DO YOU NOT THINK AMALIA WORTH SAVING?
VOSSLER: I HOLD MEN'S LIVES IN MY HANDS. I MUST SEE FOES IN EVERY SHADOW.
THE NIGHT WE MOVED AGAINST VAYNE, HE KNEW. I WILL NOT CHANCE SUCH
DISADVANTAGE AGAIN. I MUST TREAT YOU AS I WOULD ONDORE- AS I WOULD TREAT ANY
ABETTOR OF THE EMPIRE.
BASCH: THEN WHAT WILL YOU DO? HOLD ME HERE IN CHAINS?
[The screen splits to two; both men stare at each other's eyes. Vossler
tosses the sword over to Basch. He catches it firmly]
- SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE. DO THEY.
VOSSLER: LISTEN TO ME, BASCH. YOUR CAGE MAY HAVE NO BARS, BUT IT IS A CAGE.
THE EYES OF THE RESISTANCE WATCH UNBLINKING.
BASCH: LET THEM WATCH. I KNOW SOMETHING OF CAGES.
[Basch heads for the exit. Vaan hesitantly follows him outside]
VAAN: THAT'S RIGHT... AMALIA'S IN THE RESISTANCE.
BASCH: THEN YOU KNOW HER.
VAAN: SORT OF. WE MET JUST BEFORE WE GOT SENT TO NALBINA. I'VE KNOWN NICER
PEOPLE.
BASCH: OUR PATHS KEEP CROSSING, YOURS AND MINE. IT'S MORE THAN COINCIDENCE.
VAAN: IT'S ANNOYING.
BASCH: I'M SORRY. ALLOW ME ONE LAST ANNOYANCE: A FAVOR TO ASK. I WANT YOU TO
TAKE ME TO BALTHIER. EVEN CAGED BIRDS NEED WINGS.
VAAN: THIS MAKES US EVEN.
BASCH: EVEN?
VAAN: FOR NALBINA. WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.
- BASCH JOINS THE PARTY!
[BOTH OF THE MEN APPROACH THE SANDSEA LOOKING FOR BALTHIER, WHEN BASCH SLOWS
DOWN AS HE STARES AT THE CHILDREN ON THE STREETS]
VAAN: A LOT OF KIDS LOST THEIR PARENTS IN THE WAR. MINE- MINE HAD ALREADY
DIED BEFORE THAT. THE PLAGUE TOOK THEM BOTH.
BASCH: I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T KNOW.
IT'S OKAY. IT'S BEEN FIVE YEARS NOW. AFTER THAT, I LIVED WITH MY FRIEND
PENELO AND HER FAMILY. THEN... THEN THE WAR CAME.
BASCH: I AM SORRY.
VAAN: YOU DON'T HAVE TO KEEP APOLOGIZING. REALLY, IT'S ALL RIGHT. I KNOW IT
WASN'T YOUR FAULT. I SEE THAT NOW. YOU DIDN'T KILL MY BROTHER. IT WAS THE
EMPIRE. MY BROTHER TRUSTED YOU. AND HE WAS RIGHT.
[Vaan and Basch gone up to the second floor of The Sandsea. There, they spot
Migelo talking to the pirates]
BALTHIER: AS I SAID, A MISUNDERSTANDING.
MIGELO: MISUNDERSTANDING!? WHAT I AM UNDERSTANDING IS THEY TOOK PENELO
BECAUSE OF YOU!
VAAN: WHAT? WHAT ABOUT PENELO?
MIGELO: OH, VAAN! THEY'VE TAKEN PENELO! AND THERE WAS A NOTE- A NOTE FOR
THIS BALTHIER! COME TO THE BHUJERBA MINES, IT SAID.
FRAN: IT'S BA'GAMNAN. HE WAS IN NALBINA.
MIGELO: IF ANYTHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO THAT SWEET CHILD- WHY, I'VE HER
PARENTS' MEMORY TO CONSIDER! YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO HER AID, AND THAT'S THAT!
IT'S WHAT YOU SKY PIRATES DO, ISN'T IT?
BALTHIER: I DON'T RESPOND WELL TO ORDERS. YOU DO KNOW THAT THE IMPERIAL
FLEET IS MASSING AT BHUJERBA?
VAAN: FINE, THEN I'LL GO! YOU AT LEAST HAVE AN AIRSHIP, DON'T YOU? JUST GET
ME THERE, AND I'LL FIND PENELO MYSELF.
BASCH: I'LL JOIN YOU.
*VAAN: HUH?
BASCH: I HAVE SOME BUSINESS THERE AS WELL.
BALTHIER: AN AUDIENCE WITH THE MARQUIS, BY CHANCE?
VAAN: BALTHIER, JUST TAKE US AND THIS IS YOURS.
[He shows him the magicite]
FRAN: THE GODS ARE TOYING WITH US.
[Balthier gets up from his chair, followed by Fran]
BALTHIER: MAKE YOURSELVES READY. WE LEAVE SOON.
VAAN: RIGHT!
- BALTHIER AND FRAN JOIN THE PARTY!
[Balthier briefs Vaan of the plan. This is a dialogue however, but I shall
include this nonetheless]
BALTHIER: BA'GAMNAN'S NOTE CAN ONLY BE REFERRING TO THE LHUSU MINES IN
BHUJERBA. WE'LL LEAVE AT ONCE. WHEN YOU'RE READY, MEET ME IN THE AERODROME.
I SHOULD IMAGINE IT'S STILL BY THE WEST GATE... WE WEREN'T IN NALBINA ALL
THAT LONG. DO BE QUICK. I'D LIKE TO SAVE YOUR GIRL AND BE RID OF THIS
HEADACHE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
[Vaan goes to see Balthier in the Aerodrome at the West Gate]
- BHUJERBA'S ON THE SKY CONTINENT OF DORSTONIS, AND THE MAGICITE
MINE WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS IN BHUJERBA. IF WE'RE GOING TO SAVE YOUR GIRL, WE
START THERE. YOU READY TO LEAVE
[Vaan answers "I'M READY"]
- YOU DO REALIZE THAT ONCE WE'VE LEFT, YOU MAY NOT SEE RABANASTRE
FOR A WHILE. ONCE WE LEAVE, THERE'LL BE NO LOOKING BACK.
[Vaan answers "I'M REALLY READY"]
- WE MAKE FOR THE LHUSU MINES IN BHUJERBA. SEEMS I TOOK ON MORE
BAGGAGE IN RABANASTRE THAN I'D PLAN... WELL, LET'S SAVE YOUR GIRL AND BE
DONE WITH IT. COME ON.
[Balthier, Fran, Basch and Vaan walk up to the airship]
*VAAN: WHOA!
BALTHIER: THIS IS THE STRAHL. SHE AIRSHIP ENOUGH FOR YOU?
[Vaan starts running closer to the Strahl, admiring it]
VAAN: THE STRAHL... YOU REALLY ARE A SKY PIRATE!
BALTHIER: WELL, THE HEADHUNTERS SEEM TO THINK SO. WHAT'S THE GOOD WORD? IS
SHE READY?
[A few moogles jump out of the airship's steps. They signal to Balthier]
VAAN: SO, IS SHE ARMED? HOW FAST IS SHE? COULD SHE TAKE THE IFRIT?
BALTHIER: I SUPPOSE I COULD TELL YOU, BUT... WOULDN'T YOU RATHER SEE IT FOR
YOURSELF?
*VAAN: YEAH!
[They're in the airship]
BALTHIER: FRAN, OUR COURSE.
FRAN: THE SHORTEST WAY'S OVER DORSTONIS.
BASCH: HOW FLIES BHUJERBA?
*BALTHIER: OH, SHE'S FREE AS CAN BE, FOR NOW. THE EMPIRE TOOK NOTICE WHEN
THEY ANNOUNCED THE PRINCESS'S UNFORTUNATE SUICIDE AND YOUR UNTIMELY
EXECUTION.
BASCH: IF IT BECOMES KNOWN THAT I AM ALIVE, THE MARQUIS WILL LOSE THEIR
FAVOR.
BALTHIER: I TRY TO STEER CLEAR OF SUCH THINGS. RIGHT. IT'S TIME TO FLY. AND
NO WAGGING TONGUES OR YOU'RE LIKE TO BITE THEM OFF.
[Vaan speaks to himself]
VAAN: I'M COMING, PENELO.
[The Strahl makes its way to Bhujerba. Meanwhile, a cut-scene shows Penelo
in a confined room. She appears to be alone and chained]
BA'GAMNAN: YOU'VE SEEN TO HER FEEDING, YES?
BANGAA: I HAVE, MY BROTHER. SHE EATS WELL.
[The three bangaa approach Penelo]
BA'GAMNAN: SEE THAT SHE DOES. WE NEED HER ALIVE. BALTHIER'S BAIT MUST BE
FRESH.
PENELO: I KEEP TRYING TO TELL YOU! I BARELY EVEN KNOW WHO BALTHIER IS!
BANGAA #2: MY BROTHER! A MESSAGE COME FROM RABANASTRE. THE STRAHL, SHE'S SET
SAIL! SHE MAKES STRAIGHT FOR THE SKYCITY OF BHUJERBA!
BA'GAMNAN: BARELY KNOW, WAS IT? YET AT A TRICE HE GOES BOUNDING OFF FOR YOU!
TELL ME, HOW COULD THAT BE?
PENELO: THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW! I JUST MET HIM THAT ONE TIME (AND
THAT'S IT)-
BA'GAMNAN: DOES THAT TONGUE NEVER STOP? WHAT IF WE PLUCKED IT FROM YOUR
HEAD? AS FOR YOU! WE NEED BALTHIER ALIVE! HIS CORPSE FETCHES BUT HALF THE
BOUNTY!
[Ba'gamnan starts to leave the room, followed the by rest]
BANGAA #2: A TENDER BEATING, MY SPECIALTY!
BANGAA: THERE'S NO FUN FOR IT IF WE CAN'T TEASE OUT A SCREAM OR TWO!
[The group gives out a loud, evil laugh from afar, as the camera focuses on
Penelo alone in the room, looking outside the window to the light]
PENELO: WHERE ARE YOU?
[Later, a CG plays showing the Strahl making her way to the Skycity of
Bhujerba. Right after they land at the aerodrome in Bhujerba, they seem a
few Imperial guards running about]
BALTHIER: EASY.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: NO GOOD. HE'S NOT HERE.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER #2: KEEP SEARCHING.
*IMPERIAL SOLDIER #3: THIS WAY!
BALTHIER: YOU'RE A DEAD MAN. DON'T FORGET IT. AND NO NAMES.
BASCH: OF COURSE.
[The party steps outside the aerodrome]
-----------------------------------
===
-----------------------------------
T h e S k y c i t y o f B h u j e r b a [title_bhujerba]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BALTHIER: THE LHUSU MINES ARE JUST UP AHEAD.
BOY: YOU'RE ON YOUR WAY TO THE MINES? THEN PLEASE, ALLOW ME TO ACCOMPANY YOU.
I'VE AN ERRAND TO ATTEND TO THERE.
BASCH: WHAT MATTER OF ERRAND?
BOY: WHAT ERRAND? I MIGHT ASK THE SAME OF YOU.
BALTHIER: RIGHT, COME ON THEN.
VAAN: WHAT?
BOY: EXCELLENT.
BALTHIER: DO ME FAVOR AND STAY WHERE I CAN KEEP MY EYE ON YOU. SHOULD BE
LESS TROUBLE THAT WAY.
BOY: FOR US BOTH.
VAAN: SO WHAT'S YOUR NAME?
BOY: OH, I'M LAMONT.
VAAN: DON'T WORRY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN THAT MINE, LAMONT. YOU'RE IN GOOD
HANDS. RIGHT, BASCH?
[Balthier is surprised by Vaan's words, but it appears that he's holding
back any sort of anger]
- LAMONT JOINS THE PARTY AS A GUEST!
[The party then head towards Lhusu Mines. They approach the entrance]
BALTHIER: THE LHUSU MINES: ONE OF THE RICHEST VEINS IN IVALICE.
BASCH: UNDER IMPERIAL GUARD, NO DOUBT.
*LAMONT: ACTUALLY, NO. WITH BUT FEW EXCEPTIONS, THE IMPERIAL ARMY IS NOT
PERMITTED WITHIN BHUJERBA. WELL, SHALL WE PROCEED?
[Basch and Balthier look at each other in surprise. Lamont continues alone
forward. They then entered a few meters in afterwards. As they see shadows
in a corridor, they hid themselves. A judge, and elder man with two
attendants can be seen in the corridor, walking steadily but slowly
altogether]
JUDGE: YOU WILL FORGIVE ME FOR ASKING, BUT YOU ARE DIVERTING THE PUREST OF
THE MAGICITE-
ELDER MAN: I CAN ASSURE YOU IT REACHES LORD VAYNE MOST DISCREETLY.
JUDGE: YOU WEAR YOUR SADDLE WELL.
ELDER MAN: BE THAT AS IT MAY, I HAVE NO INTENTION OF BEING BRIDLED, YOUR
HONOR.
JUDGE: THEN YOU PREFER THE WHIP? STUBBORNNESS WILL SEE NOT ONLY YOU BROKEN,
EXCELLENCY, BUT BHUJERBA AS WELL.
[Lamont comes out of hiding]
LAMONT: HALIM ONDORE IV, THE MARQUIS OF BHUJERBA. THE MARQUIS SERVED AS
MEDIATOR AT THE NEGOTIATIONS OF DALMASCA'S SURRENDER. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT
HE IS SOMEWHAT LESS NEUTRAL NOW.
BALTHIER: THEY SAY HE'S BEEN HELPING THE RESISTANCE.
LAMONT: THEY SAY MANY THINGS.
BALTHIER: YOU'RE SERIOUSLY WELL INFORMED. WHO DID YOU SAY YOU WERE AGAIN?
[Balthier's question is interrupted]
VAAN: WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? WE HAVE TO FIND PENELO.
LAMONT: AND PENELO IS YOUR-
VAAN: SHE'S A FRIEND. SHE WAS KIDNAPPED AND TAKEN HERE.
[Vaan starts running forth; the party follows]
-----------------------------------
===
-----------------------------------
L h u s u M i n e s [title_lhusu_mines]
- - - - - - - - - -
[The party continues inside the mines. A cut-scene plays when they reach a
mining site]
LAMONT: THIS IS WHAT I CAME HERE TO SEE.
[He holds something in his hands]
VAAN: WHAT'S THAT?
LAMONT: IT'S NETHICITE. MANUFACTED NETHICITE.
VAAN: NETHICITE?
LAMONT: UNLIKE REGULAR MAGICITE, NETHICITE ABSORBS MAGICKAL ENERGY. THIS IS
THE FRUIT OF RESEARCH INTO THE MANUFACTURE OF NETHICITE. ALL AT THE HANDS OF
THE DRAKLOR LABORATORY.
[Lamont gets up, and starts walking further ahead. Balthier smells something
fishy]
- SO THIS IS WHERE THEY'RE GETTING THE MAGICITE.
BALTHIER: ERRAND ALL ATTENDED TO, THEN?
[Balthier starts to walk towards Lamont]
LAMONT: THANK YOU. I'LL REPAY YOU SHORTLY.
BALTHIER: NO, YOU'LL REPAY US NOW. WE HAVE TOO MUCH ON OUR HANDS TO GO ON
HOLDING YOURS. SO WHERE DID YOU HEAR THIS FAIRYTALE ABOUT "NETHICITE"? AND
WHERE DID YOU GET THAT SAMPLE YOU CARRY? WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE DRAKLOR
LABORATORIES?
[Balthier walks closer to Lamont, touches the wall and keeps him in place]
- TELL ME: WHO ARE YOU?
VAAN: BALTHIER-
*BA'GAMNAN: YOU KEPT US WAITING BALTHIER!
[Ba'gamnan emerges from behind them in a group. They ready their weapons]
- YOU SLIPPED AWAY IN NALBINA. WE MISSED YOU. FIRST THE JUDGE, AND
NOW THIS BOY. THE WHOLE AFFAIR HAS THE SMELL OF MONEY ABOUT IT. I MAY HAVE
TO WET MY BEAK A LITTLE.
BALTHIER: KEEP YOUR SNOUT IN THE TROUGH WHERE IT BELONGS. THIS THINKING ILL
BEFITS YOU, BA'GAMNAN.
BA'GAMNAN: BALTHIER! TOO LONG HAVE I GONE UNPAID! I'LL CARVE MY BOUNTY OUT
OF THAT BOY!
VAAN: WHERE'S PENELO? WE'RE TAKING HER BACK!
BA'GAMNAN: THE GIRL? WHY KEEP THE BAIT WHEN YOU'VE LANDED THE FISH? WE CUT
HER LOOSE ON THE WAY HERE AND OFF SHE RAN, CRYING LIKE A BABE!
[In an instant, Lamont throws the nethicite to Ba'Gamnan's face; he loses
balance. Lamont recovers the nethicite and Balthier pushes Ba'Gamnan aside,
followed by Fran who steps on him. The party runs for it]
VAAN: HEY!
BA'GAMNAN: AFTER THEM!
*VAAN: HEY, WAIT UP!
BALTHIER: WE'LL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE THEM ALL! FIGHT WHO WE MUST, LEAVE THE
REST.
[The party plays a little cat and mouse game. The bangaa group chase after
the heroes. Ba'Gamnan's team later loses track of the party]
FRAN: IT WOULD NOT SEEM THEY FOLLOW. WE'VE LOST THEM.
BALTHIER: MUCH MORE RUNNING ABOUT WITH BANGAA AT MY HEELS... AND I'M APT TO
GIVE UP SKY PIRATING ALTOGETHER.
[The party heads back towards Bhujerba. Later, they spot Lamont and a couple
more surprises in the way]
JUDGE: I SEE YOU'VE BEEN OUT WALKING WITHOUT THE COMPANY OF YOUR CORTEGE...
LORD LARSA.
[Vaan and Balthier look closely at the situation]
- WE CAUGHT HER WONDERING OUT OF THE MINES. YOU MUST TAKE CARE WITH
SUCH UNDESIRABLES ABOUT.
PENELO: I WAS KIDNAPPED-
JUDGE: SILENCE!
LAMONT: IF IT IS A CRIME TO WONDER ON ONE'S OWN... THEN I, TOO, AM GUILTY.
MARQUIS. I TRUST THAT YOUR ESTATE CAN ACCOMMODATE ANOTHER GUEST?
MARQUIS: WHY NOT?
LAMONT: JUDGE GHIS, I SHALL HEED YOUR COUNSEL. I WILL NOT TRAVEL
UNACCOMPANIED ANY LONGER.
[Lamont grabs Penelo's hand and guide her away]
JUDGE GHIS: THAT WAS UNEXPECTED.
LAMONT: THANK YOU, PENELO.
PENELO: O-OF COURSE.
VAAN: WHAT'S PENELO DOING? AND WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THAT LAMONT?
BALTHIER: THAT'S NO "LAMONT". LARSA FERRINAS SOLIDOR. FOURTH SON TO EMPEROR
GRAMIS... AND BROTHER TO VAYNE.
VAAN: WHAT? THAT KID!?
FRAN: DO NOT WORRY. I BELIEVE HE WILL TREAT HER WELL.
BALTHIER: NOBODY KNOWS MEN LIKE FRAN DOES.
BASCH: OUR PURPOSES LEAD THE SAME WAY: TO ONDORE. WE MUST FIND MEANS TO
APPROACH HIM.
BALTHIER: THE MARQUIS IS CHANNELING MONEY TO ORGANIZATIONS OPPOSING THE
EMPIRE. WE'LL START THERE.
[The party leaves Lhusu Mines, and they walk up the stair]
BASCH: MARQUIS ONDORE ANNOUNCED MY EXECUTION 2 YEARS AGO. IF NEWS OF MY
SURVIVAL WERE TO SPREAD, THE MARQUIS MAY FIND HIS POSITION COMPROMISED.
BALTHIER: THE MEN HE'S FUNDING BEAR LITTLE LOVE FOR THE EMPIRE. THEY WON'T
BE THRILLED TO DISCOVER THAT THE RUMORS OF YOUR DEATH WERE, IN FACT, GREATLY
EXAGGERATED. IF WE WERE TO RAISE A CLAMOR TO THAT EFFECT, WE MIGHT JUST GET
THEIR ATTENTION.
VAAN: NOTHIN' TO IT! I'LL JUST GO AROUND TOWN SPREADING THE WORD. HOW 'BOUT
THIS?
[The player pressed the square button on the controller]
- "I AM CAPTAIN BASCH FON RONSENBURG OF DALMASCA!"
[Everyone around stares at Vaan's words. The "testify" bar raises 5%]
- WELL? WHADDAYA THINK?
BALTHIER: THAT CERTAINLY QUALIFIES AS A CLAMOR. ALL RIGHT, VAAN, GET TO IT.
FOR THE GIRL'S SAKE, EH? OH, AND THE MORE PEOPLE AROUND TO WITNESS YOUR
LITTLE PERFORMANCE, THE BETTER. IF WE'RE GOING TO REACH THE MARQUIS, IT'S UP
TO YOU. WE'LL BE WAITING HERE, IF YOU NEED US.
[Vaan goes around testifying. Some of the lines spoken are "I'M CAPTAIN
BASCH!" or "DON'T LISTEN TO ONDORE'S LIES". They are repetitive. Once the
bar reaches 100%, a few men gather around Vaan]
???: YOU. BOY. YOU WILL COME WITH US.
[The scene switches to an unknown area. Vaan is brought inside by a bangaa]
BANGAA: THIS IS THE ONE, HAVHARO. SAYS HE'S CAPTAIN BASCH HE DOES.
HAVHARO: HE WOULD SOONER PASS FOR THE KING.
BANGAA: I KNEW HE WEREN'T NO CAPTAIN! THAT WAS A MEAN TRICK TO BE PLAYING.
HAVHARO: IF AT TRICKERY IT ENDED, IT WOULD END WELL ENOUGH. BUT WHY THIS BOY,
AND WHY CAPTAIN RONSENBURG? AN EXPLANATION IS DUE, AND I WILL HEAR IT. THE
EMPIRE'S HANDS GROW PASSING BOLD INDEED.
[Balthier's voice can be heard off-screen]
BALTHIER: A SHAME IF THEY LEARNT THE MARQUIS TRAFFICKED WITH THE LIKES OF
YOU. AGENTS MASQUERADING AS GUIDES. A HIDEOUT AT THE BACK OF A TAVERN. NOT
EXACTLY EARNING HIGH MARKS FOR ORIGINALITY, ARE WE?
BANGAA: NOW YOU'VE DONE IT!
HAVHARO: WAIT!
[Basch emerges on screen]
- SO BASCH FON RONSENBURG DOES YET LIVE.
[The scene switches]
- THE ESTATE OF MARQUIS ONDORE
- DRAWING ROOM
[Penelo can be seen sitting alone on a couch]
PENELO: SO VAAN REALLY IS ALL RIGHT. I DIDN'T THINK I'D EVER GET TO SEE HIM
AGAIN.
LARSA: YOU WILL JOIN HIM SOON. AND UNTIL THEN, I SHALL SEE THAT YOU'RE KEPT
FROM HARM.
PENELO: THANK YOU.
LARSA: I AM TROUBLED. THE RABANASTRE IMPERIAL GUARD APPEAR TO HAVE
OVERSTEPPED THEIR BOUNDS. I INTEND TO SPEAK ON THIS WITH THE CONSUL.
PENELO: WHAT?
LARSA: VAYNE SOLIDOR, THE CONSUL, IS MY BROTHER.
*PENELO: HUH!?
LARSA: THE FIST DUTY OF THE CONSUL IS TO MAINTAIN ORDER IN DALMASCA. MY
BROTHER- MY BROTHER IS NOT ONE GIVEN TO FAILURE. PERHAPS THINGS AREN'T GOING
AS WELL AS THEY MIGHT BE... BUT GIVE HIM A LITTLE TIME, AND HE WILL PUT
THINGS TO RIGHTS. BE NOT TROUBLED. MY BROTHER IS A REMARKABLE MAN.
PENELO: HE FRIGHTENS ME.
LARSA: WHY?
PENELO: I'M SORRY. HE IS YOUR BROTHER. IT'S JUST- YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW
MUCH WE LOST TO THE WAR. MY FRIENDS, MY PARENTS.
LARSA: SO, YOU FEAR THE EMPIRE?
[Larsa goes over to Penelo, and kneels down before her]
- LISTEN TO ME. THE MEN OF MY FAMILY, WE ARE TAUGHT TO PLACE THE NEEDS
OF OTHERS BEFORE THOSE OF OUR OWN. I WILL SEE THAT YOU ARE KEPT FROM HARM.
IT IS MY DUTY TO HOUSE SOLIDOR.
PENELO: BUT HOW- HOW CAN I TRUST YOU?
LARSA: BECAUSE I GIVE YOU MY WORD. MY BROTHER WOULD DO NO LESS.
[The scene switches back to the hideout where the party's at]
HAVHARO: I KNEW THERE MUST BE MORE TO IT, BUT TO FIND YOU AT THE END OF THIS
TALE... AH, TO SEE THE MARQUIS' FACE WHEN HE LEARNS OF IT.
BASCH: I SHOULD LIKE NOTHING MORE. I WOULD MEET HIM, AND SEE FOR MYSELF.
HAVHARO: HOW SAY YOU, MY LORD?
ONDORE'S ATTENDANT: THERE IS LITTLE TO BE SAID. I SHALL ARRANGE A MEETING
WITH THE MARQUIS. WE SHALL EXPECT YOU AT THE ESTATE.
[The party head to the estate, where they would meet the Marquis by sunset]
MARQUIS: SIR BASCH FON RONSENBURG. IT WAS NOT SO VERY LONG AGO THAT I
ANNOUNCED THAT YOU HAD BEEN EXECUTED.
BASCH: AND THAT IS THE ONLY REASON I DRAW BREATH.
MARQUIS: SO YOU ARE THE SWORD HE'S STRUNG ABOVE MY HEAD. VAYNE HAS LEFT NOT
A THING TO CHANCE. AND?
BASCH: A LEADER OF THE RESISTANCE HAS FALLEN INTO IMPERIAL HANDS. A WOMAN BY
THE NAME OF AMALIA. I WOULD RESCUE HER, BUT I NEED YOUR HELP.
MARQUIS: THIS RESISTANCE LEADER- THIS AMALIA. SHE MUST BE VERY IMPORTANT.
[Basch bows his head to the Marquis]
- YOU UNDERSTAND I'VE MY POSITION TO CONSIDER.
VAAN: WOULD YOU LET US SEE LARSA? HE'S GOT MY FRIEND WITH HIM.
MARQUIS: I'M AFRAID YOU'RE TOO LATE. LORD LARSA'S CORTEGE HAS ALREADY
REJOINED THE IMPERIAL DETACHMENT. I AM TOLD THEY WILL DEPART FOR RABANASTRE
UPON THE ARRIVAL OF THE FLEET THIS EVENTIDE.
[A CG shows a few small airships flying about, they appear to be
battleships]
VAAN: WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR!?
BALTHIER: FOR YOU TO CALM DOWN.
MARQUIS: CAPTAIN RONSENBURG. SURELY THE EXIGENCIES OF POSITION ARE NOT LOST
ON YOU. WHY INDEED, YOU SHOULD FIND THE ENEMY'S CHAINS... AN EASY BURDEN TO
BEAR.
BALTHIER: WAIT!
BASCH: SORRY. CAN'T BE HELPED.
[Basch draws his sword to the Marquis]
MARQUIS: SUMMON THE GUARD! THEY'RE TO BE TAKEN TO JUDGE GHIS.
[The guards take them all away. The scene later switches to Rabanastre]
- THE ROYAL PALACE OF RABANASTRE
- CONSUL'S CHAMBERS
VAYNE: THOSE DECREPIT, BASKING FOOLS IN ARCHADES TIE MY HANDS, AND LOOK WHAT
HAPPENS! I TELL YOU, THIS COUNTRY'S OBSTINACY KNOWS NO BOUNDS.
JUDGE: THE INSURGENTS IN RABANASTRE OPERATE ALONE AT PRESENT. HOWEVER,
SHOULD THEY GARNER EXTERNAL SUPPORT, THE SITUATION COULD WORSEN. WE HAVE
FOUND THE COUNTER-IMPERIAL ELEMENTS IN BHUJERBA TO BE CONSPICUOUSLY WELL-
FUNDED. NO DOUBT MARQUIS ONDORE IS BEHIND THIS. ONDORE MUST BE REINED IN.
[Vayne pulls out an envelope]
VAYNE: BY THE WAY, THE MARQUIS HAS WRITTEN US A LETTER. HE CLAIMS THAT HE'S
RECAPTURED OUR RUNAWAY. HE'S GIVEN HIM TO GHIS.
[Vayne walks to a table and places the envelope on it]
JUDGE: HE WILL DIE BY MY HAND.
VAYNE: YOUR FRATERNITY IS MOVING.
[Vayne takes his seat]
- AH, GHIS RETURNS WITH LARSA. TOMORROW MORNING THEY WILL LEAVE
BHUJERBA. SEE HIM HOME SAFELY, GABRANTH. NOW, I'M EXPECTING DOCTOR CID. YOU
MAY LEAVE.
[The judge pays his respects, turns and leaves]
???: WE MUST SEE THE REAL THING TO BE SURE. NABUDIS TAUGHT US MUCH! YES,
IT'S WELL HIDDEN. THEY'LL BE OFF CHASING SHADOWS, THE FOOLS. AH, YES! THE
REINS OF HISTORY BACK IN THE HANDS OF MEN.
[The judge who was walking away halts and suspiciously looks at the
mysterious man. It appears to be Doctor Cid Vayne was referring to]
DOCTOR CID: AH, VAYNE! YOU SEEM TO BE ENJOYING YOUR JOB AS CONSUL.
VAYNE: I WAS KEPT WAITING FULLY 2 YEARS. WHAT NEWS OF ARCHADES? OUR HONORED
MEMBERS OF THE SENATE?
DOCTOR CID: HARD AT WORK AS ALWAYS, TRYING TO FIND A DAGGER FOR YOUR BACK.
VAYNE: HMPH. THEY ARE WELCOME TO TRY.
[The scene switches to a CG, showing the party chained as prisoners and
being carried away into the Dreadnought Leviathan, an airship]
-----------------------------------
===
-----------------------------------
T h e D r e a d n o u g h t L e v i a t h a n [title_leviathan]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[They are carried into a room]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: THE PRISONERS, MY LORD.
[Amalia can be seen on screen. She is shocked at the presence of the group.
Within seconds, she walks straight towards Basch]
BASCH: MAJESTY-
[She slaps him on his left cheek]
AMALIA: AFTER WHAT YOU'VE DONE! HOW DARE YOU! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!
JUDGE GHIS: COME NOW, COME NOW. HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN YOUR MANNERS? THIS IS
HARDLY THE COURTESY DUE...THE LATE PRINCESS ASHELIA B'NARGIN DALMASCA.
VAAN: PRINCESS?
[Balthier and Fran give the same expression as Vaan; a puzzled look]
JUDGE GHIS: TO BE SURE, SHE BEARS NO PROOF OF HER FORMER STATION. NO
DIFFERENT THAN ANY MEAN MEMBER OF THE INSURGENCE.
ASHE: THE RESISTANCE.
JUDGE GHIS: THE CONSUL ASKS THE MINISTRY OF THE DISTHRONED ROYAL FAMILY IN
RESTORING PEACE TO DALMASCA. THOSE WHO FOSTER INSTABILITY AND UNREST, WHO
CLAIM ROYAL BLOOD WITHOUT PROOF... THEY SHALL MEET THEIR FATE AT THE GALLOWS.
THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.
ASHE: I WILL NOT PLAY PUPPET TO VAYNE.
BASCH: KING RAMINAS ENTRUSTED ME WITH A TASK. SHOULD THE TIME COME, HE BADE
ME GIVE YOU SOMETHING OF GREAT IMPORTANCE. IT IS YOUR BIRTHRIGHT: THE DUSK
SHARD. IT WILL WARRANT THE QUALITY OF HER BLOOD. ONLY I KNOW WHERE TO FIND
IT.
ASHE: WAIT. YOU TOOK MY FATHER'S LIFE! WHY SPARE MINE NOW? YOU WOULD HAVE ME
LIVE IN SHAME!
BASCH: IF THAT IS YOUR DUTY: YES.
VAAN: STOP BEING SO STUBBORN! KEEP ON LIKE THIS AND YOU'RE GONNA GET US ALL
KILLED.
ASHE: DON'T INTERRUPT!
*VAAN: WHAT?
[The magicite shines again]
BASCH: VAAN. THAT STONE.
VAAN: IT WAS IN THE PALACE TREASURE.
JUDGE GHIS: WELL, WELL.
[...says the judge, laughing as he does]
- SPLENDID! YOU'VE BROUGHT THE STONE WITH YOU! THIS SPARES US A
GOOD DEAL OF TROUBLE.
ASHE: DON'T GIVE IT TO HIM!
[Ashe is held by the Imperial guards. Vaan looks over to Balthier and Fran.
They give him the signal to hand it over]
VAAN: YOU HAVE TO PROMISE: NO EXECUTIONS.
[Judge Ghis takes the magicite from Vaan]
JUDGE GHIS: A JUDGE'S DUTY IS TO THE LAW. TAKE THEM AWAY. LADY ASHE IS TO BE
QUARTERED SEPARATELY.
[The party, chained and secured by the guards, leave the room. Judge Ghis
takes a look at the magicite]
- VAYNE SOLIDOR, WHAT FASCINATION DOES THIS HOLD FOR YOU?
[The scene switches to the party walking along a corridor. They are being
carried by the imperials but nevertheless they seem to ignore them and
interact]
BASCH: SO YOU WERE CARRYING IT ALL ALONG? THE FATES JEST.
BALTHIER: TELL THESE FATES OF YOURS TO LEAVE ME OUT.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: KEEP QUIET!
BASCH: THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THAT I COULD DO. YOU KNOW THAT.
BALTHIER: OH, I UNDERSTAND. HONOR, DUTY, AND ALL THAT. I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE
THAT WAS THE PRINCESS.
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: I SAID KEEP QUIET!
[The soldier strikes Balthier, whom, as fast as lightning, dodges it and,
together with Basch, strike the soldier with their legs. Another imperial is
then kicked by Fran. The camera focuses on another imperial guard, now
attacked by another man in the imperial armor. He opens his helmet. It is
none other than Vossler]
BASCH: THE MARQUIS HAS BEEN BUSY.
VOSSLER: NOT LIGHTLY DID I BEG HIS AID. LISTEN, IT HAS BEEN A FULL TWO YEARS.
I ALONE HAVE KEPT HER MAJESTY SAFELY HIDDEN.
[Vossler unchain the cuffs on Basch's hands]
- I DOUBTED FRIEND AND FOE ALIKE. I COULD TRUST NOBODY.
BASCH: YOU DID YOUR DUTY. AND MINE FOR ME.
VOSSLER: I'M GETTING HER OUT. I NEED YOUR HELP.
BASCH: OF COURSE.
- VOSSLER JOINS THE PARTY AS A GUEST!
- YOU OBTAINED A MAP OF THE LEVIATHAN.
YOUR LOCATION MAP FOR THIS AREA IS COMPLETE!
[The party goes through the only door outside. There, as they move alone
until Vossler stops the party leader, whoever it may be]
VOSSLER: WAIT. A WORD OF CAUTION BEFORE WE SET OUT. SEE THAT RED WEB OF
LIGHT SPANNING THE PASSAGEWAY? IT IS A MECHANISM TO DETECT INTRUDERS WITHIN
THE SHIP. BREAK ONE OF THOSE BEAMS AND THE ALARM WILL SOUND, SUMMONING THE
GUARD. THE ALARM SHOULD CEASE AFTER A TIME, BUT IT'S BETTER TO AVOID DRAWING
UNNECESSARY ATTENTION. COME, HER MAJESTY AWAITS.
[The party made their way into the Central Block. There, they face 4
imperials and two judges as a sub-boss battle]
- FEAR NOT THEIR NUMBERS! TAKE DOWN THEIR LEADER AND THE OTHERS WILL
FOLLOW.
[The heroes defeated them and obtained the key to the cells. There, they
release Ashe]
VOSSLER: YOU ARE UNHARMED.
ASHE: VOSSLER! I-
[Ashe almost falls to the floor, but caught fast by Vossler]
VOSSLER: MAJESTY!
ASHE: IT'S NOTHING. I'LL BE FINE.
[Ashe stares at Basch with a dry look]
- YOU.
VAAN: COME ON, COME ON! LET'S GO! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? PENELO'S STILL
OUT THERE!
BALTHIER: WE SHOULD HURRY. THEY WON'T BE LONG.
VOSSLER: WE WILL TALK LATER.
[Ashe nods in agreement]
- ASHE JOINS THE PARTY!
[The party walks outside. The alarm goes on]
BASCH: MAJESTY. WE WILL CUT YOU A PATH.
ASHE: I WILL NOT PLACE MY TRUST IN THE SWORD OF A TRAITOR!
VOSSLER: YET TRUST HIS SWORD WE MUST, TRAITOR OR NO. I SEE NO OTHER WAY. WE
TRACK BACK, COMMANDEER A SHIP AND MAKE OUR ESCAPE!
[The party runs along, leaving Basch and Vossler behind]
VOSSLER: HER MAJESTY CANNOT ABIDE WEAKNESS, LEAST OF ALL IN HERSELF. WE MUST
MAKE HER CONFRONT THE REALITY OF OUR PLIGHT!
[The make their way back to the starting point, and halfway there, they bump
into Larsa and Penelo]
PENELO: VAAN!
[They hug each other]
VAAN: IT'S OKAY. WE'RE OKAY.
LARSA: GHIS KNOWS YOU'VE ESCAPED. YOU MUST HURRY. YOU ARE CAPTAIN AZELAS.
YOU MUST FOLLOW ME. WE MUST REACH THE AIRSHIPS BEFORE THEY DO.
VOSSLER: YOU WOULD LET US LEAVE KNOWING WHO WE ARE?
LARSA: LADY ASHE. BY ALL RIGHTS YOU OUGHT NOT EVEN TO EXIST. THAT YOU AND
CAPTAIN RONSENBURG WERE MADE TO APPEAR DEAD... IS LIKE A HIDDEN THREAD LAID
BARE. YOUR ACTIONS HEREAFTER WILL PULL AT THAT THREAD... AND WE WILL SEE
WHAT IT UNRAVELS. THIS IS OUR CHANCE. WE MUST SEE THIS THROUGH, AND GET TO
THE BOTTOM OF IT. I BELIEVE 'TIS FOR THE GOOD OF DALMASCA, AND THE GOOD OF
THE EMPIRE.
ASHE: VERY WELL, THEN.
VAAN: THANKS "LAMONT".
LARSA: I MUST APOLOGIZE. PENELO, FOR YOU. MAY IT BRING YOU GOOD FORTUNE.
[He hands her the nethicite]
PENELO: THANKS.
LARSA: LET US GO.
[Vossler looks at Basch; he nods and Vossler leaves]
- VOSSLER LEAVES THE PARTY.
- PENELO JOINS THE PARTY!
- YOU OBTAINED A PIECE OF MANUFACTED NETHICITE!
[The party goes through a door to the starting area. There, Judge Ghis
awaits them]
JUDGE GHIS: SUCH A GREAT SHAME. I MUST CONFESS: I THOUGHT YOU THE ONE WHO
WOULD HELP US RESTORE PEACE TO DALMASCA.
[The guards appear behind the party]
- NO MATTER. WE HOLD THE PROOF OF YOUR ROYAL LINEAGE. A MAID OF
PASSING RESEMBLANCE WILL SERVE OUR PURPOSES NOT.
[Judge Ghis creates a fireball on his hand, throwing it on air as he talks]
- AS FOR YOU, MY DEAR... THE EMPIRE REQUIRES YOU NO MORE!
[The fireball creates a spiral-like blaze, and strikes for the party. The
nethicite absorbs the attack]
PENELO: WHAT WAS THAT?
BALTHIER: THE NETHICITE.
[Ashe runs towards Ghis]
JUDGE GHIS: YOUR MAJESTY DOES NOT DISAPPOINT! EVER QUICK TO SPURN AN
HONORABLE SURRENDER, AS WAS YOUR FATHER.
[Ghis readies his weapon]
ASHE: YOU KNOW NOTHING OF MY FATHER!
[The battle commenced. The party fought halfway and Ghis was defeated. He
dropped his helmet, revealing his face to everyone. Vossler enters the room]
VOSSLER: WE'VE SECURED AN ATOMOS. COME!
BALTHIER: AN ATOMOS? ALL SKIFF, NO SHIP. HARDLY FIT FOR A LEADING MAN.
VAAN: SO I CAN FLY IT THEN?
FRAN: ARE YOU MAD?
[Vaan grunts and follows the whole party outside. A CG plays]
PENELO: CAN'T WE GO FASTER?
FRAN: NOT YET.
ASHE: THEY PASSED.
*FRAN: ANY FASTER AND THEY'D HAVE NOTICED.
[The scene later switches to the aerodrome in Bhujerba]
PENELO: BALTHIER, YOUR HANDKERCHIEF, I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT WANT IT BACK.
BALTHIER: I SHALL WEAR IT CLOSE TO MY HEART.
[From a distant, Vaan watches both of them]
ASHE: PERHAPS YOU FORGET THAT ALL OF ONDORE HAS WROUGHT.
BASCH: I DID NOT FORGET, YOUR MAJESTY. IT WAS BY HIS COUNSEL, DANGEROUS
THOUGH IT MAY HAVE BEEN, THAT WE WERE ABLE TO FREE YOU. YOU MUST MEET WITH
HIM YOUR HIGHNESS, AND GIVE EAR TO HIS WORDS. HE MAY ACT IN LEAGUE WITH THE
EMPIRE, BUT HIS HEART IS NOT.
VOSSLER: IT IS AS HE SAYS. I OUGHT NOT HAVE KEPT ONDORE AT SO GREAT A
DISTANCE FOR SO LONG A TIME. I HAVE PLAYED THE FOOL!
ASHE: YOU WERE ONLY BEING CAUTIOUS.
*VOSSLER: I WOULD ASK YOU FOR SOME TIME ON OUR OWN. WE STRUGGLE IN VAIN TO
RESTORE DALMASCA. I MUST SEARCH OUT SOME OTHER WAY. UNTIL I SHOULD FIND IT,
I WOULD HAVE BASCH REMAIN AT YOUR SIDE. DOUBT HIM YOU MAY, BUT I MEASURE HIS
ROYALTY TO DALMASCA NO LESS THAN MY OWN.
ASHE: I KNOW YOU WOULD NOT SPEAK SO LIGHTLY, VERY WELL..
VOSSLER: KEEP HER WELL. GO TO ONDORE, AND THERE AWAIT MY RETURN.
[Vossler leaves. Soon, the part heads out to the estate to see Marquis
Ondore]
*ASHE: WHEN VOSSLER LEARNT MY FATHER HAD BEEN KILLED... THE NIGHT OF THE
TREATY-SIGNING, HE RETURNED TO RABANASTRE TO AID MY ESCAPE. THERE WAS STILL
TIME BEFORE VAYNE'S SEARCH EXTENDED TOO FAR, WE THOUGHT THAT YOU COULD
PROTECT ME.
MARQUIS: HOWEVER, WHEN I HAD MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT YOU HAD TAKEN YOUR
OWN LIFE... I MUST HAVE SEEMED A MODEL CITIZEN OF THE EMPIRE. THE
ANNOUNCEMENT, YOU SEE, WAS VAYNE'S SUGGESTION. OF COURSE, AT THE TIME I WAS
RELUCTANT, BUT I COULD NOT PERCEIVE HIS REASONS. NOW IT IS CLEAR: HE MEANT
TO DRIVE A WEDGE BETWEEN US.
ASHE: HALIM, WE ARE PAST ALL THIS. BHUJERBA MUST STAND WITH US. WE CAN STOP
VAYNE
[The marquis stands on his feet]
MARQUIS: I ONCE KNEW A GIRL WHOSE ONLY WISH... WAS TO BE CARRIED IN HER
UNCLE'S ARMS. YOUR MAJESTY IS A WOMAN GROWN NOW.
ASHE: THEN BHUJERBA WILL AID ME?
MARQUIS: SUPPOSE FOR A MOMENT YOU WERE TO DEFEAT VAYNE... WHAT THEN? YOU
CANNOT SIMPLY REBUILD YOUR KINGDOM WITH THE ONLY PROOF OF YOUR BIRTHRIGHT
STOLEN. THE GRAN KILTIAS ON BUR-OMISACE CANNOT RECOGNIZE YOU AS THE RIGHTFUL
HEIR WITHOUT IT. YOU MAY YET BE A PRINCESS, BUT WITHOUT PROOF OF YOUR
IDENTITY, YOU ARE POWERLESS. YOU WILL REMAIN WITH ME. WE DO NOTHING TILL THE
TIME IS RIGHT.
ASHE: I CANNOT JUST WAIT!
MARQUIS: THEN WHAT DOES YOUR MAJESTY PROPOSE WE DO?
ASHE: UNCLE HALIM-
BALTHIER: INCIDENTALLY, WHAT IS THE GOING RATE FOR RESCUING PRINCESSES THESE
DAYS? FOOD WOULD BE A GOOD START- THE GOOD STUFF, MIND YOU.
MARQUIS: THIS CAN BE ARRANGED, THOUGH IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME.
BALTHIER: TIME ENOUGH FOR A BATH, I HOPE. DIRTY BUSINESS, YOU KNOW. AH, BEST
BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES TOO.
[The scene switches to the inside of the Strahl. Ashe can be seen sitting on
the pilot's seat]
VAAN: WHAT ARE YOU DOING? THIS IS BALTHIER'S SHIP.
ASHE: I'M GOING TO RETRIEVE THE DAWN SHARD. IT'S THE PROOF THAT I NEED. I
KNOW WHERE IT'S HIDDEN. I'LL RETURN HIS AIRSHIP LATER.
VAAN: ARE YOU CRAZY?
ASHE: THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE TO DO! FOR MYSELF AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE
FALLEN. I WILL NOT BE MADE TO HIDE! I'LL FIGHT ALONE, IF I MUST.
VAAN: YOU STILL HAVE BASCH, RIGHT? BESIDES, YOU CAN'T JUST GO AROUND
STEALING PEOPLE'S SHIPS. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?
ASHE: I'M TRYING TO CONCENTRATE!
[A voice comes from behind]
???: THAT'S QUITE ENOUGH YOUR MAJESTY!
[Balthier uses a device to alter his voice]
BALTHIER: WHAT DO YOU THINK? A BIT OVER THE TOP? IN MY LINE OF WORK, YOU
NEVER KNOW WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS MIGHT COME IN HANDY.
[Balthier mimics Ashe's voice]
- I'M TRYING TO CONCENTRATE! I'M LEAVING YOU WITH THE MARQUIS.
ASHE: YOU CAN'T.
BALTHIER: TRUST ME, YOU'RE BETTER OFF STAYING HERE.
ASHE: SUPPOSE YOU KIDNAPPED ME INSTEAD. YOU'RE A SKY PIRATE, AREN'T YOU?
THEN STEAL ME, IS THAT SO MUCH TO ASK?
BALTHIER: WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT I WOULD WANT?
ASHE: THE DYNAST-KING'S TREASURE. THE DAWN SHARD IS BUT ONE OF THE RICHEST
THAT LIE WAITING IN KING RAITHWALL'S TOMB.
[Balthier whistles]
BALTHIER: RAITHWALL, YOU SAY?
BASCH: KIDNAPPING ROYALTY IS A SERIOUS OFFENCE. IT WON'T DO MUCH TO LOWER
THE BOUNTY ON YOUR HEAD.
BALTHIER: HOW MUCH IS THE PRICE ON YOUR HEAD THESE DAYS, I WONDER?
BASCH: ALLOW ME TO ESCORT YOU IN VOSSLER'S PLACE.
FRAN: WILL YOU BE JOINING US?
VAAN: WHAT, ARE YOU KIDDING? I DON'T WANNA STICK AROUND THIS PLACE.
PENELO: THEN I'M COMING TOO!
VAAN: PENELO?
PENELO: DON'T LEAVE ME HERE.
VAAN: OF COURSE NOT.
FRAN: THEN IT'S SETTLED. WE SHOULD LEAVE BEFORE THE MARQUIS REALIZES SHE'S
MISSING. LIKE PROPER KIDNAPPERS.
[The scene switches to a CG, showing the big imperial city, sky-view]
- ARCHADIAN EMPIRE
- THE IMPERIAL CITY OF ARCHADES
[A judge walks out of the airship, along a corridor to meet the emperor]
EMPEROR: DOCTOR CID DOES THIS AT DRAKLOR?
JUDGE: I HAVE CONFIRMED HE RECEIVES FUNDS FROM LORD VAYNE. HIS AGENCY IN THE
FALL OF NABUDIS IS ALSO CERTAIN... YET WITH JUDGE ZECHT, WHO LED THE ASSAULT,
MISSING... THE TRUTH REMAINS DIFFICULT TO ASCERTAIN.
EMPEROR: THE LONG, COLD YEARS HAVE CLOUDED MY EYES. I CANNOT SEE MY OWN
SON'S HEART.
[He coughs continuously]
JUDGE: MY LORD.
EMPEROR: THIS ILLNESS... WILL CLAIM ME. SO THEN, WHO IS TO BE MY SUCCESSOR?
THE SENATE FEARS THE CAPABLE PEREGRINE VAYNE. THEY PREFER A YOUNG, PLEDGING
EMPEROR. GABRANTH. ONCE IN THE PAST, I LAID SIEGE TO YOUR HOMELAND.
GABRANTH: THE REPUBLIC OF LANDIS IS LONG SINCE GONE. MY ALLEGIANCE LIES
WHOLLY WITH THE EMPIRE.
EMPEROR: PERHAPS, BUT WHAT OF YOUR BROTHER? HE DID NOT ACCEPT US AS YOU DID.
HE FLED TO DALMASCA. DID YOU NEVER THINK TO FOLLOW HIM?
GABRANTH: I FOLLOW HIS EVERY MOVE. HE IS AN ENEMY OF THE EMPIRE. HE WILL BE
CUT DOWN.
EMPEROR: SO YOU WOULD KILL EVEN YOUR OWN BROTHER FOR THE EMPIRE. BE THAT AS
IT MAY, GABRANTH. YOUR RUTHLESSNESS IS NOT WITHOUT MERIT. BUT IT MUST NOT
BECOME THIS WAY WITH LARSA. YOU MUST ENSURE THAT IT DOES NOT.
GABRANTH: SO THEN, YOU ASK ME TO BE HIS SWORD, TO STRIKE WHERE HE MIGHT NOT?
EMPEROR: RATHER BE HIS SHIELD. GABRANTH, KEEP YOUR CLOSE WATCH ON VAYNE. HIS
IS THE KEENEST BLADE OF ALL.
GABRANTH: MY LORD.
EMPEROR: DO THIS FOR ME, GABRANTH. I COULD NOT- I COULD NOT BEAR... TO SEE
MY SONS WAR WITH EACH OTHER AGAIN.
[The emperor starts coughing... the screen fades]
- DALMASCA WESTERSAND
[The camera focuses on the Strahl, now on air, turning invisible to the
naked eye]
*PENELO: WHOA!
ASHE: THIS "COME IN HANDY" OFTEN?
BALTHIER: IT'S TOUGH BEING POPULAR. WOULDN'T WANT ADMIRERS DROPPING IN WHILE
WE'RE AWAY. WELL NOW, THAT'S AS FAR AS SHE GOES. WE'LL BE IN THE JAGD FROM
HERE ONWARDS.
ASHE: ACROSS THE SANDSEA, TO THE VALLEY OF THE DEAD. AND TO KING RAITHWALL'S
TOMB BELOW.
[In the background...]
VAAN: SO, WHEN YOU'RE IN THE JAGD, SKYSTONES DON'T WORK AT ALL. THAT'S WHY
WE GOTTA HOOF IT THE REST OF THE WAY, YA SEE?
PENELO: HAPPY YOU GET TO TEACH ME SOMETHING FOR A CHANGE?
*VAAN: WELL, IF YOU WANT TO BE A SKY PIRATE, YOU HAVE TO KNOW YOUR- HEY!
WHAT DO YOU MEAN, "FOR A CHANGE"?
*PENELO: COME ON!
BALTHIER: AT LEAST WE THOUGHT TO BRING ENTERTAINMENT.
*VAAN: OH YEAH, SAYS WHO?
*PENELO: I WOULDN'T BE SO CONFIDENT.
-----------------------------------
===
-----------------------------------
O g i r - Y e n s a S a n d s e a [title_ogir_yensa]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[A CG shows Vaan overlooking the sea of sand. He takes a little on his palm,
and let them run down his hand]
*PENELO: VAAN!
[Penelo meets Basch]
- SO, WHERE EXACTLY IS RAITHWALL'S TOMB?
[As Basch elaborates, a map is shown on screen]
BASCH: FAR TO THE WEST. WE MUST FIRST CROSS THE OGIR-YENSA, AND BEYOND THAT
THE NAM-YENSA BEFORE WE REACH THE TOMB. AN EXPENSE OF DESERT LARGER STILL
THAN ALL OF DALMASCA. WE MUST PACE OURSELVES. IF YOU GROW TIRED, WE STOP AND
TAKE REST.
PENELO: YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ME. I'M TOUGHER THAN I LOOK.
BASCH: YOU ARE AT THAT.
[The party make their way through the Ogir-Yensa. Once they pass through the
structures, a cut-scene plays]
BASCH: A CONSTRUCT TO DRAW OIL FROM THE GROUND. ABANDONED MANY YEARS NOW, IT
SEEMS.
VAAN: DID DALMASCANS BUILD THIS?
BASCH: NO. THE ROZARRIANS. THEIR EMPIRE LIES FAR TO THE WEST, EVER AT WAR
WITH ARCHADIA. HEEDLESS OF THE KINGDOMS CAUGHT IN THEIR MIDST. DALMASCA.
NABRADIA. LANDIS.
[Vossler makes his appearance from behind]
VOSSLER: 'TIS THE SMALL CRAFT'S FATE: TO WATCH THE LIST OF GALLEONS AND PRAY
FOR LIGHT WINDS.
BASCH: VOSSLER! WHY ARE YOU HERE?
VOSSLER: IMAGINE MY SURPRISE... WHEN UPON MY RETURN TO BHUJERBA, I FIND BOTH
YOU AND THE LADY ASHE HAVE VANISHED. I THOUGHT YOU ABOVE CONSORTING WITH SKY
PIRATES.
BASCH: BALTHIER IS A MAN WORTHY OF OUR TRUST. AND IT WAS THE LADY ASHE'S
DECISION I AM CONTENT TO LEND MY ARM. AS I COULD NOT WHEN RASLER DIED, WHEN
HER THRONE WAS TAKEN. NEVER AGAIN. I WILL DEFEND HER THIS TIME.
VOSSLER: YOU WALK THE KNIGHT'S PATH. THE LADY ASHE?
[Vossler meet up with the princess. The camera focuses on Balthier and Fran
in the distant]
FRAN: WE SHOULD LEAVE THIS PLACE.
BALTHIER: LET ME GUESS: SANDSTORM?
FRAN: SOMETHING FAR WORSE.
[The camera focuses back on Vossler and Ashe]
*VOSSLER: I SEE... SO THE DAWN SHARD DOES LIE IN KING RAITHWALL'S TOMB. THE
MARQUIS SYMPATHIZES WITH YOUR PLIGHT, YET THE EMPIRE WATCHES HIS EVERY MOVE.
HE CAN KEEP THE WHISPERS OF YOUR "ABDUCTION" SILENT FOR ONLY SO LONG.
ASHE: YES, BUT TELL ME, VOSSLER, WHAT HAVE YOU ACCOMPLISHED?
[Balthier comes running to them both]
BALTHIER: WE LEAVE AT ONCE! THIS IS URUTAN-YENSA TERRITORY... AND THEY ARE
UNFOND OF VISITORS.
[Fran looks out to the desert sandsea. A CG plays, showing the Urutans
making their way toward the party, riding some sort of a monster]
- LOOKS LIKE WE'VE ATTRACTED THE WRONG SORT OF ATTENTION. LET'S
QUIT THIS PLACE WHILE WE STILL CAN. MOVE!
ASHE: VOSSLER! HAVE YOU FOUND THE MEANS TO RESTORE DALMASCA?
VOSSLER: FIRST, WE MUST CLAIM THE DAWN SHARD. IT ALL BEGINS WITH THAT.
- VOSSLER JOINS THE PARTY AS A GUEST!
[The party head west through the Ogir-Yensa, and beyond, the Nam-Yensa to
the Valley of the Dead. There, a CG plays showing the tomb of Raithwall. The
party continues forward to engage an Avion (Garuda) in battle. It is then
defeated, and an ancient device is activated. The party walks up the set of
stairs to the tomb's entrance]
*ASHE: LONG AGO, THE GODS GRANTED THEIR FAVOR TO KING RAITHWALL... WHO WOULD
OVERSEE THE SUBJUGATION OF A VAST TERRITORY SPANNING FROM ORDALIA TO
VALENDIA. HERE HE FORGED THE GALTEAN ALLIANCE. THOUGH HE IS CALLED THE
DYNAST-KING... UPON ESTABLISHING THE ALLIANCE, HE (DEMONSTRATED) SHOWED
COMPASSION FOR HIS PEOPLE, AND DISDAIN FOR (NEEDLESS) WAR. A PHILOSOPHY
PASSED ON TO HIS SUCCESSORS. ONE THAT WOULD BRING PEACE AND PROSPERITY FOR
HUNDREDS OF YEARS TO FOLLOW. IT WAS DURING THIS TIME OF PEACE THAT THE CITY-
STATES OF ARCHADIA AND ROZARRIA... EACH MEMBERS OF RAITHWALL'S ALLIANCE,
TOOK ROOT AND FLOURISHED. RAITHWALL LEFT THREE RELICS SIGNIFYING DECENT FROM
THE DYNAST-KING. OF THESE, THE MIDLIGHT SHARD WAS GIVEN TO WHAT WOULD BECOME
HOUSE NABRADIA... AND THE DUSK SHARD TO MY ANCESTORS, THE FOUNDERS OF
DALMASCA. THE LAST OF THESE RELICS WAS THE DAWN SHARD. IT REMAINED HIDDEN
HERE, KNOWN ONLY TO THOSE OF ROYAL BLOOD.
VOSSLER: AS THOUGH THE DYNAST-KING FORESAW THE VERY PLIGHT BEFORE US NOW.
*ASHE: ONLY HIS DESCENDANTS ARE SUFFERED WITHIN. IF WE ENTER WITHOUT PROOF
OF SUCH LINEAGE-
BALTHIER: THERE'S NO GUARANTEE WE'LL MAKE IT OUT ALIVE. VICIOUS BEASTS.
FIENDISH TRAPS. SOMETHING LIKE THAT?
[Ashe nods]
ASHE: BUT YOU MUST CONSIDER THE PRIZE. THE DAWN SHARD LIES WITHIN. AND
RAITHWALL'S TREASURE.
BALTHIER: AND THERE WAS I THINKING THIS WAS GOING TO BE HARD!
-----------------------------------
===
-----------------------------------
T h e T o m b o f R a i t h w a l l [title_raithwall_tomb]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[The party uses the ancient device and they are teleported inside]
VAAN: WHAT WAS THAT THING?
BALTHIER: A CONTRAPTION YOU'D FIND IN ALL BUT THE MOST RUDIMENTARY ANCIENT
RUIN. ONE TOUCH, AND OFF YOU'RE WHISKED TO YOU KNOW NOT WHERE. THE FINER
POINTS OF THEIR OPERATION ELUDE ME, BUT THEY'RE HANDY ALL THE SAME. WHAT
MORE NEED A SKY PIRATE KNOW?
[The party walk along a corridor, and a wall behind them quickly awakens and
engages them in battle]
VAAN: FIGHT OR RUN, WE BETTER DECIDE FAST!
[The party goes through the door, and yet another similar wall monster
awakens and starts approaching them]
FRAN: THE WALL COMES. WE MUST BE QUICK! TOGETHER WE CAN BRING IT DOWN!
[The wall monster is defeated, and the party goes through the door. A cut-
scene shows the interior area, where it appears to be some sort of an
ancient area with many levels and doorways, including stairways]
VOSSLER: INCREDIBLE...
[Vossler stares at both Balthier and Fran with abomination]
- IT WOUNDS ME TO LOOK ON AS THEY PILLAGE SO SOLEMN A PLACE.
ASHE: YET WITHOUT HELP, YOU AND I ARE AS NOTHING. IS THIS NOT SO? HE THINKS
EVER AND ALWAYS ON HIS OWN PROFIT,. ASSURE HIM OF IT, AND HE SHALL REMAIN
TRUE TO OUR CAUSE.
VOSSLER: I DO NOT SHARE YOUR MAJESTY'S TRUST.
ASHE: WE WILL CONTINUE THIS LATER. NOW WE SHOULD CONCERN OURSELVES WITH
FINDING THE DAWN SHARD.
[Ashe looks ahead]
- IT SLEEPS, IN WAITING. SOMEWHERE DEEP WITHIN.
VOSSLER: HOW CAN YOU BE CERTAIN?
ASHE: I CAN HEAR ITS CALL.
[The party goes through a blocked path, and opens an ancient door. A cut-
scene shows some sort of "fog" surrounding the area]
PENELO: FOG? UNDERGROUND?
FRAN: NOT FOG- MIST.
PENELO: YOU CAN SEE THE MIST? WITH YOUR EYES?
FRAN: WHERE IT IS THICK ENOUGH, YOU MAY. THE NETHER RUNS DEEP IN THIS PLACE.
PENELO; SO, IS THE MIST DANGEROUS?
FRAN: YES, BUT IT IS ALSO AN AID. A DENSE MIST ALLOWS THE WORKING OF
POWERFUL MAGICKS.
PENELO: I'LL KEEP THAT IN MIND.
[Penelo looks at Vaan, talking to Ashe and Vossler in a group]
- CAN'T COUNT ON VAAN TO KEEP TRACK OF THOSE THINGS. THAT'S FOR SURE.
[The party later find themselves in a heated battle against the Esper Belias,
whom they defeated eventually]
FRAN: IN VAINGLORY THEY AROSE, SHOUTING CHALLENGES AT THE GODS. BUT PREVAIL
THEY DID NOT. THEIR DOOM IT WAS TO WALK THE MIST UNTIL TIME'S END. A LEGEND
OF THE NU MOU.
ASHE: MY FAMILY TELLS A STORY OF THE DYNAST-KING AND AN ESPER. THE STORY
GOES THAT IN HIS YOUTH, THE DYNAST-KING DEFEATED A MIGHTY GIGAS... FOR WHICH
THE GODS TOOK HEED OF HIM. THEREAFTER, IT WAS BOUND TO HIM IN THRALLDOM.
BALTHIER: SO ALL THIS TIME IT'S BEEN HERE GUARDING THE DYNAST-KING'S
TREASURE.
[Ashe walks gracefully alone forward, leaving the rest behind]
ASHE: NOT SO. THE ESPER IS THE DYNAST-KING'S TREASURE.
BALTHIER: THAT'S YOUR TREASURE?
ASHE: IN THIS ESPER WE NOW COMMAND RESTS A POWER WHOSE WORTH IS BEYOND
MEASURE.
BALTHIER: CALL ME OLD-FASHIONED, BUT I WAS HOPING FOR A TREASURE WHOSE WORTH
WE "COULD" MEASURE.
[The party continues forward, through the door; descend a set of stairs and
up to an altar chamber. There a shiny object is seen; the dawn shard]
BASCH: WHAT'S WRONG?
VOSSLER: YOUR MAJESTY, WE MUST GO.
[Ashe blinks and nods. She begins to walk forward alone to the dawn shard.
As she approaches the dawn shard, it shines brightly]
ASHE: WHAT?
[Rasler, her late husband appears before her. He appears to be in a
projection-like state]
- RASLER...
[The rest of the party sees nothing but Ashe herself. Vaan starts to move
closer to Ashe from a distant. Rasler starts to move away; Ashe tries to
grab his arm, but to no avail. Rasler moves further down the stair]
- YOU WILL BE AVENGED.
[As Ashe looks over at Vaan and as Rasler walks away, the dawn shard in her
hand shines again]
- YOU OBTAIN THE DAWN SHARD!
[The party makes their way back to the entrance. A larger airship hovers
above them, and few smaller ones surround Vaan, shown in a CG. The scene
later switches to the inside of the airship. Judge Ghis greets them]
JUDGE GHIS: SUCH A TREMENDOUS HONOR TO AGAIN BE GRACED WITH YOUR PRESENCE,
MAJESTY. YOU LEFT US WITH SUCH GREAT DISPATCH UPON OUR LAST ENCOUNTER THAT I
MUST CONFESS... I HAD BEGUN TO WORRY THAT WE MAY HAVE GIVEN SOME CAUSE FOR
OFFENCE.
ASHE: SUCH A HEARTFELT DISPLAY OF REMORSE. NOW WHAT IS IT YOU WANT?
JUDGE GHIS: I WANT YOU TO GIVE ME THE NETHICITE.
PENELO: THE NETHICITE?
[She holds the nethicite behind her]
JUDGE GHIS: THAT IS A BASE IMITATION! WE SEEK RAITHWALL'S LEGACY... THE
ANCIENT RELICS OF THE DYNAST-KING: DEIFACTED NETHICITE. DID YOU NOT TELL
THEM CAPTAIN AZELAS?
[Vossler approaches Ashe from behind]
VOSSLER: MAJESTY, HE SPEAKS OF THE DAWN SHARD. THAT IS THE NETHICITE.
BASCH: ARE YOU MAD, VOSSLER?
VOSSLER: IF WE ARE TO SAVE DALMASCA, WE MUST ACCEPT THE TRUTH. I WILL FIGHT
THIS PROFITLESS BATTLE NO MORE!
[Basch grunts]
JUDGE GHIS: CAPTAIN AZELAS HAS STRUCK A WISE BARGAIN. IN RETURN OF THE DAWN
SHARD THE EMPIRE WILL... PERMIT LADY ASHE TO RECLAIM HER THRONE, AND THE
KINGDOM OF DALMASCA WILL BE RESTORED. THINK ON IT. AN ENTIRE KINGDOM FOR A
STONE, YOU MUST ADMIT, 'TIS MORE THAN A FAIR EXCHANGE.
BALTHIER: AND WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, YOUR MASTER WILL HAVE ANOTHER PET.
JUDGE GHIS: LADY ASHE, LET US TAKE HIM FOR THE PEOPLE OF DALMASCA. YOUR
MAJESTY WALLOWS IN INDECISION ON PERIL OF THEIR HEADS!
[Ghis raises his sword to Balthier's neck]
- AND HIS SHALL BE THE FIRST TO FALL.
BALTHIER: WELL AT LEAST YOUR SWORD IS TO THE POINT.
[Ashe hands over the dawn shard to Judge Ghis. A look of regret scars her
face]
JUDGE GHIS: TO THINK THE RELICS OF THE DYNAST-KING WERE DEIFACTED NETHICITE.
DOCTOR CID WILL BE BESIDE HIMSELF.
BALTHIER: WHAT DID YOU SAY?
JUDGE GHIS: CAPTAIN AZELAS, TAKE THEM TO SHIVA. THEY SHOULD HAVE LEAVE TO
RETURN TO RABANASTRE SOON.
[The guards together with Vossler follows the party outside]
- I WANT YOU TO ASSESS ITS POWER.
ASSISTANT: DID OUR ORDERS NOT SPECIFY THAT WE RETURN THE STONE FOR TESTING?
JUDGE GHIS: I WILL NOT CHANCE RETURNING WITH A STONE THAT IS YET UNPROVEN.
[Ghis holds the dawn shard and hands it over to his assistant. Later, a CG
shows an airship departing]
- THE 8TH FLEET OF THE ARCHADIAN EMPIRE ARMY
- LIGHT CRUISER CLASS AIRSHIP SHIVA
[The party is shown walking, bounded to chains, with Vossler accompanying
them in the ship]
VOSSLER: WHEN WE RETURN TO DALMASCA, WE CAN ANNOUNCE THAT YOU ARE ALIVE AND
WELL. I WILL THEN CONTINUE OUR NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EMPIRE. I BELIEVE LARSA
IS THE KEY. HE'LL LISTEN TO US. WE SHOULD TRUST HIM.
ASHE: WHO ARE YOU, VOSSLER, TO TALK OF TRUST?
[Ashe walks away, leaving Vossler to himself]
VOSSLER: A SON OF DALMASCA.
[Back with Judge Ghis, his scientists put the nethicite into a capsule in an
experimental ground]
ASSISTANT: OUR EQUIPMENT HERE IS LIMITED, SO WE'LL BE USING THE SHIP'S DRIVE
TO MAKE OUR ASSESSMENT. ONCE WE'VE CONNECTED THE STORE, THE REACTION SHOULD
BE EASILY MEASURED.
JUDGE GHIS: METHODS DO NOT INTEREST ME. ONLY RESULTS.
[Back with the party in Shiva, Fran seems to be in pain]
VAAN: FRAN?
FRAN: SUCH HEAT. THE MIST- IT'S BURNING!
[Back with Judge Ghis...]
ASSISTANT: SIXTY-EIGHT HUNDRED, SIXTY-NINE HUNDRED, SEVEN THOUSAND! THIS
MUST BE DEIFACTED NETHICITE! THE COUNT STILL CLIMBS!
JUDGE GHIS: AH, WE'VE FOUND IT AT LAST: TRUE DEIFACTED NETHICITE. THE POWER
OF THE DYNAST-KING IN MY HANDS. BLOOD ALONE DOES NOT AN EMPEROR MAKE, VAYNE.
[In a sudden, an alarm sounds]
ASSISTANT: WHAT IS IT? SOMETHING'S WRONG!
JUDGE GHIS: WHAT IS IT?
[Scene switches back with the party. Fran is panting on the floor]
IMPERIAL SOLDIER: YOU! STAND!
[As the guard touches Fran, he is thrown away by a powerful force]
VOSSLER: HOLD HER DOWN!
[Fran starts scratching the floor, and goes on berserk, assaulting all the
guards around her]
PENELO: WHAT'S WRONG WITH HER?
BALTHIER: I ALWAYS KNEW FRAN DIDN'T TAKE WELL TO BEING TIED UP. I JUST NEVER
KNEW HOW MUCH.
[Balthier untied himself. He looks over at Ashe]
- HOW ABOUT YOU?
ASHE: I LIKE FRAN'S IDEA. LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!
[Balthier helps untie Ashe. Vaan starts to run, but is halted by Vossler]
VOSSLER: NO FARTHER! SKY PIRATES! THE FUTURE OF DALMASCA WILL NOT BE STOLEN!
[Basch walks to the front, staring at Vossler, and Vossler to him]
- WHY DO THIS, BASCH? THIS STRUGGLE IS FUTILE. YOU MUST KNOW WHERE
IT LEADS!
BASCH: I DO KNOW. ALL TOO WELL.
[The battle begins between Vossler and the party. He is defeated and falls
to his knees. Basch stands before him as the scene switches to Judge Ghis]
ASSISTANT: ENGINE POWER FALLING RAPIDLY! IT'S... NEGATIVE? IMPOSSIBLE! WE
CANNOT MAINTAIN HOVER!
JUDGE GHIS: I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED!
ASSISTANT: THE NETHICITE'S DRAINING THE SHIP'S POWER!
JUDGE GHIS: DISENGAGE IT AT ONCE!
ASSISTANT: WE'RE TRYING. IT'S NO GOOD! IT'S INFLECTED!
[The tube containing the dawn shard is shown at her final moments. Meanwhile,
the scene switches back to the heroes]
BALTHIER: ASHE, LET'S GO.
[Ashe starts to move away, but stares at both Basch and Vossler behind the
others]
VOSSLER: ALL I HAVE DONE- I'VE EVER THOUGHT OF DALMASCA FIRST.
BASCH: I KNOW YOU DO. I WOULD NE'ER GAINSAY YOUR LOYALTY.
VOSSLER: LOOK ON WHAT MY HASTE HAS WROUGHT. DID I ACT TOO QUICK? OR WAS YOUR
RETURN TOO LATE? I CAN SERVE HER NO MORE. YOU MUST TAKE UP MY CHARGE.
[Basch turns away and joins his party. Vossler is left alone on his knees.
The scene then switches to Judge Ghis, whom upon the explosion of the
nethicite, did not budge and is seen dodging the fire. Meanwhile, the ship
crumbles as Vossler takes his final breaths... Later, the party escapes and
taken control of an airship. A CG plays, showing an explosion on air]
BALTHIER: THIS MIGHT GET A LITTLE DICEY!
FRAN: THE MIST. IT MANIFESTS NOW.
VAAN: IS THAT WHAT YOU CALL THIS?
PENELO: WHAT'S THAT?
[A ball of fire runs across the screen, growing ever smaller]
ASHE: I THINK IT'S THE DAWN SHARD.
BALTHIER: THEN WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?
Narrative (The Marquis):
THE DREADNOUGHT LEVIATHAN IS SUNK. THE 8TH FLEET OF THE ARCHADIAN IMPERIAL
ARMY, LOST.
AS WORD OF THE EVENT IN THE JAGD SOUNDED THROUGHOUT THE EMPIRE, QUIT I
BHUJERBA, CITING SUDDEN MALADY.
MY TRUE MOTIVE: TO BRING THE VARIOUS COUNTER-IMPERIAL FORCES SCATTERED
THROUGHOUT IVALICE TOGETHER IN UNIFIED RESISTANCE.
BY THIS TIME, LADY ASHE HAD MADE HER RETURN TO RABANASTRE. SHE HAD NOT,
HOWEVER, MADE KNOWN HER PRESENCE. RATHER, SHE WAS CONTENT WITH KEEPING BOTH
HER OWN WHEREABOUTS, AND THOSE OF THE DAWN SHARD, CONCEALED.
HAD SHE CHOSEN THEN TO GO BEFORE HER PEOPLE, MY ERROR IN ANNOUNCING HER
SUICIDE WOULD BE KNOWN, TO THE GREAT DETRIMENT OF MY EFFORTS TO ASSEMBLE A
RESISTANCE.
IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES AS THE LADY ASHE HAD FOUND HERSELF, EVEN WERE SHE TO
PROCLAIM DALMASCA RESTORED, IT WOULD SERVE ONLY TO INVITE THE EMPIRE'S WRATH.
THOUGH ARCHADIA HAD LOST HER 8TH FLEET, SHE REMAINED, AS EVER, A MILITARY
POWER WITH WHICH TO BE RECKONED.
~ MEMOIRS OF MQS HALIM ONDORE IV
CHAPTER 16: BIDING TIME
[A CG shortly plays showing Rabanastre with magnificent structures and
flying airships all about]
- THE IMPERIAL CITY OF ARCHADES
- THE SENATE
SENATE MEMBER: THE ROZARRIAN EMPIRE ASSEMBLES A VAST HOST UNDER GUISE OF
MARTIAL EXERCISES. IT IS OUR BELIEF THEY WAIT FOR THE PROPER PRETEXT... THE
SOONER TO MAKE THEIR STRIKE AGAINST ARCHADIA. THE LOST OF LEVIATHAN AND HER
FLEET AT SUCH A TIME COMES AS A MOST GRIEVOUS BLOW. WERE ROZARRIA TO INVADE,
THAT BATTLE WOULD BE HARD-FOUGHT. HAD LORD VAYNE NOT DEPLOYED THE FLEET SO
CONSPICUOUSLY... WE WOULD NOT NOW FIND OURSELVES IN SUCH PERILOUS
CIRCUMSTANCES.
SENATE MEMBER: LORD VAYNE SHALL BE MADE TO ANSWER FOR HIS ACTIONS. IT IS THE
WILL OF THE SENATE. EXCELLENCY, THOUGH HE BE YOUR SON, JUSTICE MUST BE
SERVED.
EMPEROR: A CONVENIENT THING, JUSTICE. AND SO I MUST NOW MAKE A CHOICE...
BETWEEN MY THRONE, AND MY SON.
SENATE MEMBER: A MOST LAMENTABLE SITUATION FOR US ALL.
SENATE MEMBER: OH? FOR LORD VAYNE, PERHAPS, YET SURELY LORD LARSA WILL MAKE
FOR A FINE EMPEROR.
EMPEROR: LARSA SO ADORES HIS BROTHER, AND HE IS YET YOUNG.
SENATE MEMBER: BUT HE WILL NOT REMAIN YOUNG FOREVER. ALREADY HE BUSIES
HIMSELF UNRAVELING LORD VAYNE'S TANGLED SKEIN. LORD LARSA HAS FOUND HIS ROLE
TO PLAY, AND PURSUES IT WITH SOME ENTHUSIASM.
EMPEROR: AH, YES... AND WHO WOULD SET HIM AT SUCH TASKS?
SENATE MEMBER: WHAT MATTER? LORD VAYNE HIMSELF ONCE SAW HIS ELDER BROTHERS
BROUGHT TO LIKE JUSTICE, DID HE NOT? AT YOUR EXCELLENCY'S BEHEST, AS I
RECALL.
[The emperor starts coughing]
SENATE MEMBER: YOU MAY PUT YOURSELF AT EASE, LORD GRAMIS. SO LONG AS THE
SENATE WATCHES OVER HER... ARCHADIA'S WELL-BEING WILL EVER BE ENSURED.
EMPEROR: BY YOUR WILL. I SHALL BID VAYNE'S RETURN TO ARCHADES.
[The scene later switches to Ashe, in her dreams. There, stood Rasler,
handing her over the dawn shard, and quickly disappears from sight. Right
after, Vaan appears on-camera, and the screen fades. Soon after, the camera
focuses on Ashe, sitting as Basch speaks]
BASCH: SO IT WAS THE DAWN SHARD THAT BROUGHT DOWN THE IMPERIAL FLEET.
- THE ROYAL CITY OF RABANASTRE
FOUR DAYS AFTER THE SINKING OF LEVIATHAN
BALTHIER: YOU KNOW YOUR STUFF.
BASCH: DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF SUCH FORCE- I'VE SEEN IT ONCE BEFORE. LADY ASHE,
YOU KNOW OF WHAT I SPEAK.
ASHE: NABUDIS.
*BASCH: THE C