I've got a Job for you! - Let's Play Final Fantasy V!

...Of course.



♪♪ Battle 2 ♪♪

The Puroboros ring (Get it? It's like Ouroboros, but with a P!) is annoying if you're reliant on single attacks since they cast Arise when they die and revive all of their surviving members.



Fortunately, our party is clever and knows better.



To add a bit of uncertainty to the fight, these bomb bastards cast Cura on themselves every few attacks to make their HP even more unreliably metered.



Repeat x6.



Bomb rings got nothin' on me. They never hit me a single time because I'm just that awesome.



Mid: That was awesome!
*Cid and Mid do the dance of joy!*
Cid: All right... Let's get to the next meteorite!
Mid: Yeah!
*Cid and Mid hop on their Black Chocobo and fly off*

To the victors go the spoils, which is approximately jack. Oh well, off we go to Karnak.



Cid and Mid beat us here again, naturally.

Cid: Come on, Mid!
Mid: Yeah!
*Cid and Mid go inside the meteorite*
*Bartz taps his head and is bored as he waits*
*Cid and Mid come back out*
Cid: Gadzooks! It's a den of monsters! Er, you kids can go ahead.

Thanks, Cid. You're a real team player.



♪♪ Fate in Haze ♪♪

Sure enough, something's there! It shakes the meteorite a bit, before...!



♪♪ Battle 2 ♪♪

Oh snap, he's HUGE!



He hits... kinda moderate, I guess? Not that impressed, to be honest.



He also carries crap for stealing. Boo!



"Slow down, tubby! Wouldn't wanna get a heart attack!"

"Eat cave wind! Wait, how does that even work?"



"Ninja THROW!"



"Know what? Just stop altogether! That'd be better for your health!"



"Burn baby burn!"



Titan's last-ditch effort to kill me was an earthquake. It tickled a bit.

♪♪ Victory Fanfare ♪♪



"Woohoo! There's no kill like overkill!" "Let's just not piss Faris off, hmm?"



Cid and Mid waltzed in after the fight. Good good, let's finish this.



♪♪ Four Valiant Hearts ♪♪

Mid: Yeah!
*They hop on the bird as usual*

Only one to go! After a brief stop at the Wind Shrine for cheap healing, it's off to the former site of Gohn!



This is the only meteorite that didn't leave a skid trail, incidentally. Suggesting that it really did collide with the Ronka Ruins in midair instead of hitting the earth.



Those two are damn fast.

Mid: Be right back!
*Cid and Mid enter the meteorite*
*Bartz waits and rubs his head, bored as usual but for longer than usual*
Lenna: They've been inside for quite some time, don't you think?
Faris: We'd better check on them.

Oh all right...



Mid: Yeow! Help us!!!

♪♪ Fate in Haze ♪♪

Oh jeez, can't you guys not get caught in really obvious traps for a change?



Fine fine, we'll save your butts...

♪♪ Battle 2 ♪♪

This boss wastes no time in showing us who's boss by spitting water on us. I am thus far not impressed.



I am, however, very impressed by its snatchables.



"Shake it, baby!"



"Here, let me take care of that..."



"Guys... er, girls? I don't like this guy much." "Thank you, Captain Obvious!"



"That's for the ice burn you gave me!"



"Slow down, speed demon!"



"Well that was a waste of a turn..."

♪♪ Victory Fanfare ♪♪

And one Shuriken later, we win anyway.



Cid and Mid are still spinning round round baby right round, so Bartz has to stop them.

Bartz: Come on!
*Everyone leaves*



Mid: We are now!
Cid: That was close!
Cid: That's all four meteorites! Now, take a look at this map.



All the energy is focusing in on the bird-like peninsula there!



Now, get over there!
*Bartz nods*
Cid: Be careful!
*Bartz and co. start to leave, and Bartz glances back over his shoulder*
Bartz: Thanks for everything, guys.

Alright, we're set! Let's get to the world of Galuf!



So this is it. Guess there's only one thing left to do...



Damn rechargable meteorites, always failing so fast!

Bartz: There's not much power left from the meteorites.
Faris: No turning back now!
Bartz: A one-way trip, huh? You guys sure about this? We probably won't be able to come back home...
Lenna: That doesn't matter...this is more important.
Faris: Aye. We're in this 'til the bitter end.



♪♪ Ahead on Our Way ♪♪

Aw yeah.

*Lenna looks down*
Lenna: I suppose this is goodbye to our world... Farewell, Chancellor...
*Lenna hops into the vortex and starts spinning*
*Faris looks off to the side*
Faris: ...Buck up, mateys. I know you can handle the looting and pillaging without me.
*Faris hops in too and also starts spinning like a top*
*Bartz steps forward*
Bartz: Be good while I'm gone, Boko! Don't get into too much trouble!



The screen blurs as they do the twist, and they blast off!



Thank you for flying with Ronka Airlines. Be sure to keep your arms and legs inside the warp field if you wish to keep them. If you forgot anything before the flight, you can't ever get it again, so we hope you kept a backup save just in case. Please enjoy your flight with us!



Through the Orbus Barrier depths of space they fly to another world, and as they come through the stratosphere, they head towards a tiny island...



Lenna: This is Galuf's world...?

It seems so.



Oh man, not ANOTHER deserted island! I just dealt with one of those in FF6!



♪♪ Battle 1 ♪♪

The only fight here are these weaklings.



They drop Tents. I think that's a not-so-subtle hint...

Fine, I'll bite.



Lenna... There's something I've been wondering about... It was way back when we were on North Mountain... Why'd you risk your life just to save that drake?
*Lenna ponders*
Lenna: Sister... Do you remember Mother?
Faris: Eh? ...Mmm, a little...
Lenna: Whenever I see Hiryu, I'm reminded of her...
Faris: How do you mean?



Suddenly the conversation is cut short by the campfire dying!



♪♪ Danger! ♪♪

Hey, you big meanie! Leave Lenna alone!



Yeah, what tipped you off?



He grabs Faris too and drags them off!



What's a Chocobo wrangler to do, I ask you?



Oh, he came back. I wasn't expecting that.



♪♪ Battle 1 ♪♪

The appropriately named Abductor is a total joke of a "boss". He doesn't even get boss music! He hits for 40 or 50 damage at a time and has only one dangerous move (Hurricane, which drops you to single-digit HP).



The only reason the fight wasn't over in 2 seconds flat is because I spent about 20 rounds trying to steal this.



Don't do it, Bartz, it's a trap!



I...I can't feel my legs...
*Bartz spins around and passes out*

You idiot.



Well, I can't say this turn of events is particularly unexpected.



Prison, duh.

*Bartz looks about a bit as Faris and Lenna get up*
Exdeath: Mwa-ha-ha... Welcome to my castle!

Oh snap.



♪♪ The Evil Lord Exdeath ♪♪

Not him again!

*A monster rushes up*
Monster: Lord Exdeath! Galuf and the others have made it to the Big Bridge.
*Exdeath faces his minion*
Exdeath: Fortuitous timing... Prepare the giant mirror!
Monster: Yes, my lord!
*The monster runs off and Exdeath approaches the cell*
Exdeath: Perhaps I should thank you... You are about to become quite useful to me!
*The monster returns with the mirror and puts it into place as Exdeath gets out of the way*

Uh, like how? You're in a basement prison!

Bartz: A bird...? No, wait-it's our reflections!



Apparently Galuf and Krile have spotted it too.

Galuf: Bartz! Lenna! Faris! What in blazes is going on?
*Galuf walks down the bridge a bit*



You magnificent bastard, I read your book!



The party just fucked everything up for Galuf. How fitting. And of course Galuf and co. retreat.



That's an awesome name and I bet the person who bears it is awesome too.



Holy crap! This guy looks hardcore.

Exdeath: Watch them. See that they don't try anything.
*Exdeath starts to leave and Bartz approaches the cell door*
Bartz: Exdeath! You...
*Exdeath, nonchallant as hell, blasts Bartz from behind his back*
*Bartz slams into the cell wall and is knocked on his ass*
Bartz: Argh!



Bartz and the others need my help!
*Galuf faces the troops*
Galuf: Release the wind drake!
Soldiers: Yes sir!



♪♪ The Four Warriors of Dawn ♪♪

Aww yeah, badass rescue time! Krile waves as Galuf flies off.



And the wind drake flies off with a cry as Galuf goes below. Looks like this infiltration mission is underway!



Time for Metal Gear Galuf: Tactical Espionage Action.

Galuf: So... this is the place?
*Galuf walks over to the nearby chest and opens it*
Received Bartz's items and the crystal shards!
*Galuf glances sideways*
Galuf: Bartz, Lenna, Faris...hold on! I'm coming!



Turns out Galuf was feeling kinda down too and ripped off his Red Mage costume in favor of his old duds after the party parted ways. He did keep his !Blue command as ever, though, and put on his !Control as well for now.



Most of the castle's locked, so really there's only one way to go.



There's still enemies down here, but it's nothing this old Galuf can't handle!



Uh oh, spotted by the mook!



♪♪ Battle 2 ♪♪

He looks pretty tough, this Gilgamesh. Better !Blue him up.

He's a talker, go figure. He doesn't hit that hard, though.



Naturally, Vampire solves all Galuf's damage woes as usual.



Gilgamesh is not amused.



He's also not a very good aim.



That's pretty much the fight right there.



Gilgamesh doesn't know when to quit, though.



So Galuf gives him another thousand needles for his troubles.



You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

W-well... Um. Well, then! That's enough of a beating for you today! Don't step out of line again!
*Gilgamesh Flees!*

Sore loser.



Galuf: Sit tight, and I'll have you out of there in a jiffy.
*Galuf opens the cell door and the party files out*
Faris: Thanks, old man.
Bartz: Sorry for messing up your plans... We just wanted-
Galuf: Whatever! I'll verbally berate you later, after we've blown this pop stand!
*The party spins and jumps with their fists in the air!*




Well, that was triumphant! This is as good a time as any to stop for this update. Feel free to suggest classes for next time as we see what Galuf's world has in store for us!

Current Stats:

Exactly the same as last time. That's Freelancers for ya.

Next time: The battle on the big bridge and a critter tripper fritter!

Four bosses in one update? Sheesh.

Yeah, I know. You could even argue it's five boss fights if you count Abductor. FF5 is REALLY fond of boss fights, especially at this point in the game. Which, of course, is why it was such a great choice for a class challenge boss fight showcase.

Looks like Cheerful Green to me, but matter of perspective and all...

Bartz - Ninja
Lenna - Monk
Faris - Dragoon (less time on the ground listening to the team 'n all...)
Galuf - Samurai (back on his home world, he reveals his noble warrior true self!)

When I play, I rarely make it to the second world. Collecting classes is the most attractive thing about the game and we've already got them all! Ignoring the last-minute Mime class, of course.

Oh hell yes. You need to just link to a Youtube Playlist with all the versions of BotBB.

I'd have to assemble that manually, methinks. There's a lot of versions of the song, especially if you count fan remixes. But it can be done...

I'm not all that fond of World 2. It seems bland to me. At least World 3 has all those uber weapons to make it worth slogging through.

Bartz - Ninja
Lenna - Monk
Galuf - Samurai
Faris - Dragoon

Part XI - Through Hell and High Water

Last time the party sought out (and found) a way to reach Galuf's world. Now that they're there, they've been kidnapped, rescued, and reunited with their extraterrestrial buddy at last. Their goal now is just to get the hell out of Exdeath's castle.



Everyone was celebrating the return of Galuf, and put back on costumes. "Ninja forever!" Bartz yelled as he performed parkour off the walls of the dungeon. Even Faris had to grudgingly admit that Bartz was getting better at being a Ninja. Which was bad for the contents of the party's pockets since Bartz put on his !Steal and resumed practicing on them.

"Okay, back to punching things until they stop moving," Lenna said confidently as she smacked her bare fists together and eyed Bartz as a possible pratice dummy. "Come on, please? I'll heal you right after I'm done pummeling you, I have my !White on and everything." Lenna's reassurances fell on deaf ears however as Bartz performed a wall-jump right into the ceiling to get away from her.

Galuf admired his Samurai katana as he donned his fancy helmet. "Forgot I had this outfit," he said cheerfully as he practiced his slashes. He briefly pondered speaking in broken Japanese for a while, but decided against it. He did not decide against having !Blue, however. Galuf may have bad taste in fashion, but he's not an idiot.

"Earmuffs be damned," Faris declared, "I'll hear even less complaining if I spend most fights up in the air." And with that, she put on a flaming-red Dragoon outfit and grabbed a Trident. Ever a fan of causing mass devestation, Faris also stuck on her !Summon command for extra cruelty.

(Today's update is in Red Wine... er, Red. It'll make sense soon enough.)



Bartz is serious about being a Ninja, so naturally he wants to work on his "don't be seen" skills.



The rest of the party plays along, mostly because they're sick of this place and just want to get out of here without any more battles.



♪♪ Unknown Lands ♪♪

Success! As you can see from the world map, Exdeath has a pretty nifty crystal palace he calls home.



Not sure what these things he keeps outside the castle are about, but I'm sure they're not important.



♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge ♪♪

This is one of Final Fantasy V's most iconic tunes, if not the single most iconic one of the entire game. It's been put in several Final Fantasy games and spin-offs.

♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Final Fantasy XII) ♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Dissidia) ♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary Edition) ♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon) ♪♪

It's also found in two other Chocobo games (Chocobo Tales and the never-released-in-America Chocobo to Mahou no Ehon). Sadly, I can't find YouTube links to either.

It's also been officially remixed a few times too.

♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Final Fantasy V Piano Collections) ♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Black Mages) ♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Final Fantasy XII Piano Collections) ♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Guitar Solo Final Fantasy Official Best Collection) ♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Distant Worlds) ♪♪

And of course, it's a fan favorite to remix as well.

♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Red Wings Remix) ♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Uncredited Remix) ♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Matsu-Meta Remix by Akineko) ♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Uncredited Remix) ♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (WillRock Remix)♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (Xi Remix) ♪♪
♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge (HCBailly Mario Paint Composer Mix) ♪♪

Note that this is just a small sampling of the probably hundred-plus remixes of this song out there. If I linked every single remix, this post would be longer than the rest of the update! It's already almost a post unto itself. Hmm, I feel like I'm forgetting something here...

...Oh yeah, the plot! So the party's reached the eponymous Big Bridge and are on their way across.



Naturally crossing the bridge isn't going to be so easy.



He's not kidding, either. There's about a dozen encounters as we cross the bridge!



A dozen encounters of lightning-weak enemies. Tridents are lightning-elemental. I'm sure you can work out the results. Also, Lenna and Bartz both hit like trucks.



Not that the enemies seem to care. They all happily wade into their deaths.



Even the cats don't have enough sense to stay away. So sad...



Holy shit Gilgamesh ambush!

Gilgamesh: Ha ha! Guess who's been waiting behind this door the whole time? Yes, it's me! Took you long enough, too... I was just getting worried you might have gotten lost! Anyway! It's go time!

Fight it out!



He hits a bit harder now. But we can take it.



In a move that will no doubt become her signature, Faris leaps into the stratosphere, somehow not crashing into the ceiling on the way up.



"Eat the fist of divine fury!" "That is so cliche..."

"Level down, Gilgamesh!" "Not cool, old man!"



As you can see, leveling him down didn't drop his damage output much...



Faris lands with a thud on Gilgamesh's head. "Hey, watch where you poke me with that thing!"



"Crotch Shuriken, GO!" "Oww! It's CROSS Shuriken, you jerk!" "Did you see where I nailed you? The hell it is!"



"Galuf, you IDIOT! That's our money you just threw at him!" "It sure is. Check out the damage it just did, too!" "This has gone far enough!"



I know this routine...



Yep, I know it very well indeed...



He's pulling an Ultros on us.

Right on down to the taunt.



There's incredible irony about a Dragoon getting Jumped on.



"Uhh, can I get a redo on that?" "Nope." "Damn!"



"The Crotch Shuriken was so nice I did it twice!" "I don't think I like you any more."



What, did you just remember something?



Yes, yes you did! You just remembered you're a raging coward! Well done, Gilgamesh, well done.

I must take my leave... but we'll meet again! Count on it!
*Gilgamesh Flees!*

Oh I am counting on it. You have "recurring boss" written aaaaall over you...



Naturally, there's still more fights to go. Fun Fact: a friend of mine once had a hell of a time finding a Neo Garula here, to the point that it finally made him swear off seeking 100% bestiaries in RPGs.



Neo Garula was no match for Lenna's fists of fury, naturally.

Krile: Grandpa! The barrier-look out!!!
*Galuf and Krile start running down the bridge as loud static begins to sound*

What barrier?



Oh, THAT barrier. (Bloody HELL it's hard to screencap that damned thing; it flickers at just the right frequency that you'll almost never catch it. It looks like a red Ultima from FF6 being cast over the castle.)



The party gets blown off by the barrier's redness, I guess.



Poor Krile's forced to watch as her grandpap and his friends get blasted off the face of the earth.

*Krile looks about a bit, then walks back towards the exit*
Krile: Grandpa!!!
*Krile takes a step back towards the bridge and looks down*

Fortunately the party's not dead. They've survived far worse than that before now.



*Galuf looks sidelong at Faris*
Galuf: Yeah... This has gotta be Gloceana...the back of beyond! Crawling with monsters, too. Figures we'd be thrown someplace like this...
*Faris jumps off the plateau, and Lenna follows*
*Bartz walks down to Galuf's side*
Bartz: Galuf... Sorry about all this. I mean, we came to help you, but you ended up helping us...
Galuf: As usual! I mean it, yanno, you really didn't have to come... Meddlesome bums, the lot of you.
*Bartz jumps off the plateau too*
*Galuf looks down*
Galuf: Still... it's good to see you again.
*Galuf jumps down too*

Looks like we've got some new problems.



♪♪ Unknown Lands ♪♪

We start here, at the far west end of a continent.



We're at the glowing white cross on the top. Our destination is probably out in that desert far to the east. We have a LONG ways to go.



♪♪ Battle 1 ♪♪

And that means a lot of battles along the way, too. Fortunately, not much can threaten this team.



Faris acts as back attack insurance, even. "Don't know why I bother helping you lunks..."



And Lenna does clean-up duty with her kick. It beats the alternative!



Surprisingly, there's a town not too far from where the party landed on this continent!



♪♪ Tenderness in the Air ♪♪

Of course, being a new town, that means our old nemesis talking time has returned.

Walkin' Around
Old Man: This is the frontier town of Regole.
Woman: Well, I'll be! We haven't had a visitor in town for years!
Man: Is it true that Exdeath has returned?
Man: There's tons of monsters outside the town!
Old Woman: That castle to the south is the sealed castle of Kuza. The weapons used in the legendary war a thousand years ago are sealed away in there.
Old Woman: This town's got the best brew in the whole world! You should try a glass!
Man: Better not get too close to that castle down south...
Old Man: I heard Exdeath has returned... But he'd never bother with an out-of-the-way, podunk town like this.
Girl: That big fat liar says he saw a moogle! He's a liar liar pants on fire!
Boy: Uh-huh! I did too see a moogle! Really truly!

In the Pub
Old Man: Ever heard of the Kornago Gourd? It helps you catch monsters, slick as a whistle!
Man: There ain't no dancers in this tiny one-horse town...how 'bout you dance for us?
Man: Ahh, this stuff's great! It doesn't burn...it shines!
Man: Mmm, such a rich and full-bodied flavor!
Bartender: How 'bout some of Regole's famed brew?

Equipment Shop
Girl: Now, where'd my ribbon get off to?



This place has awesome new spells.



And awesome new equipment. Our poor wallet will not survive this town gracefully.



♪♪ Piano Lesson 6 ♪♪

Keepin' those mad piano skillz up to date on a hidden piano, yo!

"Baby, I was BORN to dance!"



♪♪ I'm a Dancer! ♪♪

"Heeeeey Macarena!"



"Actually, that was awful. Never dance again." "Aww..."



I like this town already. Free inns are the best inns!



Galuf's off to do something no doubt questionable in the dead of night. This looks like a case for Detective Ninja Bartz!



He's hot on the trail, folks. Now let's see, where would an old man go in the dead of night without telling anyone?



The pub! Of course!

Finally, a chance to try the famed Regole brew! Kinda burns a path down your throat!
*Bartz walks in and up to Galuf*
Galuf: Oh, Bartz! What's up?
Bartz: Couldn't sleep...
Galuf: Mmm. Come on, pull up a chair.
*Bartz sits across from Galuf*
Bartz: Galuf...I'm sorry. If we hadn't butted in, you'd have been able to get into Exdeath's castle...
*Galuf shakes his head*
Galuf: Nah, even if we had gotten in, the barrier would've destroyed us... I hadn't the slightest inkling it'd been finished. In fact, it's only thanks to you that we weren't all crushed!
Bartz: Galuf...
Galuf: Bartz... You knew that once you came here, you could never return. So why'd you do it?
Bartz: ...No particular reason.
*Galuf walks over to Bartz' side and looks down*
Galuf: Bartz...
Bartz: Hey, don't worry about it.
*They nod to each other*

And with that bit of Wiseau impersonation out of the way, let's get on with our trek across Gloceana.



♪♪ Battle 1 ♪♪

Some of the enemies on this continent are a bit scary...



Case in point: this bastard of a bastard uses ????, which does max HP - current HP in damage. Which adds up when you have close to 5,000 max HP.



Of course, nothing stops this party. Beating that brute even won them an extra Elixir!

♪♪ Victory Fanfare ♪♪



Not far from that fight, they run into a castle. Didn't an old lady in town mention this place?



♪♪ Sealed Away ♪♪

Ah, so this must be Kuza Castle, then! Looks tame enough. Let's explore! For some reason, Faris stuck on !Control for the duration of the visit. "Can't be too careful..."



♪♪ The Book of Sealing ♪♪

This room sounds ominous and cryptic.



Even Galuf is perplexed.

Galuf: Jumping Jehoshaphat! These must be...the twelve sealed weapons! They really do exist-I thought they were only legend!
*The others gather around Galuf*
Bartz: So these were used in battle a thousand years ago?
Lenna: They've all turned to stone...
Bartz: Guess you can't expect much more from stuff that's a millennium old.

Wow, sounds useful!



Yoichi's Bow
Masamune
Rune Axe
Holy Lance
Sasuke's Katana
Assassin's Dagger
Excalibur
Gaia Bell
Apollo's Harp
Magus Rod
Sage's Staff
Fire Lash

It's a veritable repository of Final Fantasy series top-tier weapons! A pity they're all petrified. Oh well, easy come easy go. Back to the trek!

SWEET JIMMINY CHRISTMAS!



Haha that shield sucks.



"Look into my eyes. You are getting sleepy, veeeery sleeeepy..."



Repeat x4. Hooray for cheesed solutions! These guys are exp/Gil/ABP factories. Great grinding material, assuming you can handle 'em. Which most groups can't since Shield Dragons have 1 HP short of 20,000.



♪♪ Critter Tripper Fritter! ♪♪

The party runs into a strange white thing with pink wings in a forest not too far from there.



It falls down a hole!

Kupo!
*The party walks over to the hole and fans out*
Galuf: What's a moogle doing in a place like this?
Bartz: Moogle?
*The rest of the party faces Galuf, who nods*
Galuf: Strange little critters that live in the forest. They're pretty timid, so you don't see them that often.
*Lenna faces down*
Lenna: Let's help it!
*Everyone faces Lenna and nods*



♪♪ Fate in Haze ♪♪

Oh joy, a waterway. The gimmick here is, you're carried along with the current and have to fight battles as you go. It's very straightforward, however.



*The party takes a step forward and the moogle jumps*
Moogle: Kupo kupo!!!

What an unusual sight. Anyway, it's boss time!



♪♪ Battle 2 ♪♪

Like most bosses, this one opens by smacking Galuf. I guess he's just a popular target.



Galuf returns the favor by burning this dino in the face.



Tyrannosaur then tries his luck with Lenna. Who crit-bitchslaps his face in. Twice. In a row.

Like any good zombie fighter, the party knows to kill it with fire.



♪♪ Victory Fanfare ♪♪

And kill it they did! That was disappointingly simple. Tyrannosaur sometimes uses ????, but fortunately this time he refrained.



♪♪ Critter Tripper Fritter! ♪♪

After the fight, the party tries to console the Moogle, who runs away from them. Lenna decides to play peacemaker.

Moogle: Kupo...
*Lenna holds out her arms*
Lenna: It's all right now!
Moogle: Kupo kupo!
*The Moogle slowly approaches Lenna*
*The two of them nod to each other a bit*
*The Moogle jumps up and heads towards the northern exit, turning around to face the party*
Moogle: Kupopo!
*Lenna rejoins the others*
Bartz: What's going on?
Lenna: I think he's asking us to follow him.
*The Moogle jumps and leaves*



The Moogle shows us the way across the map, making it clear that we should stay well clear of the desert patches.



Our final destination is in this forest. Let's get going!



♪♪ Unknown Lands ♪♪

Being thrill-seekers, the party braves the desert anyway.



And gets their just reward for doing so, more random battles. Really freaking HARD random battles. Sandcrawlers have about 10,000 HP and use Maelstrom (which knocks the whole party down to single-digit HP) all the time.



The party steers well clear of the desert after their disasterous encounter and makes their way to the Moogle forest.



♪♪ Critter Tripper Fritter! ♪♪

I'd record the dialogue here, but it's all "Kupo!". So yeah. Also, the Moogles all run away at the first sight of the party.



This Moogle seems to have realized we're not here to eat him, though!



That would be why, methinks.

*The Moogle jumps*
Moogle: Kupo! Kupo!
Lenna: Are you thanking us?
*The Moogle nods, walks up to its house, jumps, and goes inside*



I'm hoping that means "take all of my worldly possessions".

Lenna: I think it's telling us we can have what's inside.
*The Moogle nods and jumps again*

Score! Lots of healing items, some Gil, and a Dancing Dagger join our inventory!



That sounds useful. Let's put it on and see what shenanigans we can get ourselves into!

Oh the hijinks!



This poor besotted Moogle just gave us another Elven Mantle. I kinda feel bad now...



Their Moogle buddy from before seems to be up to something...

Galuf: Hmm? What's it doing?



Moogle: Kupo!!!
*The Moogle jumps and Krile nods*

Moogles are telepaths. Who knew?



Krile: It's Grandpa-he's int he moogle village!
Soldier: ?
Krile: Moogles can all communicate through telepathy. Even when they're far apart, they can keep in contact with their minds...
Soldier: The moogle village... That's pretty far from here.
Krile: Yes... Plus, the wind drake is too tired to fly.
*Krile looks down as the wind drake looks up and gives a faint cry*
*Krile and the other two walk down to the wind drake, who gives another faint cry*
Krile: So that means...? I see. ...Thank you.
♪♪ The Dragon Spreads Its Wings ♪♪
Krile: He says he can go-but only once!
Soldier: If you're certain it's alright...
*Krile nods*
*The dragon spreads its wings, knocking the Moogle aside*

Looks like help is on its way!



Good question! They're running up and down for some reason.

Moogle: Kupopopo!
*The lead Moogle points at his nose*
Bartz: Huh? Nose?
*The Moogle nods and they all resume running in formation*



Ah. This could be a problem. How will Krile find the village?



*The Moogle jumps*
Moogle: Kupopo!
Krile: Hmm? At the nose?
*The Moogle jumps again*



Ahahaha, they made the forest into a giant Moogle face. Sure enough, the nose is where to land.



The Moogles are even dancing here. It's very cute.

*The wind drake lands and Krile hops off*
Galuf: Krile!
Krile: Grandpa!
*Krile walks down to Galuf*
Galuf: How did you find us?
Krile: The moogles told me you were here!
*Krile's Moogle gets off the wind drake and walks to face the party, hopping up and down at them*
Krile: Grandpa, we should hurry back to the castle!
*Krile, her Moogle, and the party board the wind drake*
*The wind drake spreads its wings and cries, then takes to the skies*
*The Moogles all wave goodbye as it leaves*

We're on our way!



♪♪ Castle of Dawn ♪♪

*Krile re-mounts the Wind Drake and flies off*
Soldier: King Galuf!



Reinforcements have arrived.

Soldier: King Galuf!



Guess they took it inside.

Soldier: There's been no activity since the barrier went up.
Galuf: I see... And our troops?
Soldier: They've been almost entirely wiped out by Exdeath's monster hordes...
Galuf: ...
Soldier: I'm sorry, sire.
*Bartz walks up to Galuf's side, and Galuf faces him*
Bartz: Eh? I thought you were just some crazy old man-you never said anything about being a king!
Galuf: ...Well, you know!
*Galuf nods, and Bartz looks kinda flustered*
Bartz: This sure is a surprise and a half!
*Galuf faces his troops once more*
Galuf: Good job, men. Go get some rest.
Soldier: Yes, sire!
*The soldiers nod and file out*
*Galuf walks in front of Bartz*
Galuf: Bartz, what is it? You've still got that funny look on your face.
Bartz: It's you-a king! I still can't get over it, that's all!
Galuf: What, you saying I'm not the epitome of kingliness?
*Bartz nods and Galuf takes offense*
Galuf: What!?
*Bartz jumps in shock and Galuf starts chasing him*
*Bartz holds Galuf back from beating him within an inch of his life*
Bartz: Just kidding! I'd just better mind my P's and Q's around you...King Galuf.
Galuf: ...
*Galuf shakes his head and Lenna and Faris walk up*
Galuf: Listen up-before you knew me as a king, you knew me as a friend. Just "Galuf" is fine.
Bartz: Understood, Just Galuf!
Galuf: ...Don't push it, kid. Here in Bal, bad jokes like that will get you PUNished...
Bartz: *groan*
Galuf: Haw haw haw!
*Galuf laughs and everyone regroups*

I think Galuf and Bartz were channeling me and Aerdan there for a moment... Anyway, is a great spot to stop for this time. Put in your Job votes for both grinding and final party, and we'll leave Castle Bal next time to get that Dragonweed! Also, just a special note: your grind vote this time counts for a lot, as I will allow gains of up to 333 AP (yes, you read that right) for each character.

Current Stats
Bartz: Level 28
Jobs: Knight L3 (1/100), Thief L4 (0/75), Ninja L4 (143/450), Mystic Knight L3 (21/50), White Mage L2 (0/30), Black Mage L2 (2/30), Blue Mage L2 (9/70), Bard L1 (8/50)
Abilities: !Guard, !Flee, !Steal, !Smoke, !Image, !Throw, !Check, !Hide, !Spellblade L2, !White L2, !Black L2, Two-Handed, Cover, Learning, Magic Shell, First Strike, Find Passages, Sprint

Lenna: Level 28
Jobs: Monk L5 (42/150), Thief L2 (0/30), Ninja L1 (8/30), Berserker L1 (5/400), Ranger L2 (15/135), White Mage L4 (53/70), Red Mage L1 (3/40), Geomancer L2 (1/100)
Abilities: !Focus, !Chakra, !Flee, !Smoke, !Animals, !Aim, !Check, !Gaia, !White L4, !Red L1, HP +10%, Barehanded, Counter, Berserk, Find Passages, Find Pits

Galuf: Level 28
Jobs: Knight L3 (2/100), Monk L3 (2/60), Thief L1 (8/20), Samurai L2 (14/60), Berserker L1 (0/400), Blue Mage L3 (44/250), Red Mage L2 (87/100), Beastmaster L2 (17/100), Bard L2 (0/100)
Abilities: !Guard, !Focus, !Chakra, !Mineuchi, !Zeninage, !Check, !Calm, !Control, !Hide, !Red L2, !Blue, Equip Harps, Barehanded, Two-Handed, Cover, Learning, Berserk, Find Passages

Faris: Level 28
Jobs: Knight L1 (29/30), Thief L2 (16/30), Dragoon L1 (4/150), Ranger L1 (18/45), Black Mage L3 (3/50), Time Mage L4 (1/70), Summoner L3 (2/60), Blue Mage L2 (2/70), Beastmaster L3 (92/300), Geomancer L2 (2/100)
Abilities: !Flee, !Jump, !Animals, !Check, !Calm, !Control, !Gaia, !Black L3, !Time L4, !Summon L3, Equip Whips, Cover, Learning, Find Passages, Find Pits

Next time: Old friends, werewolves, and the mountain of dragons!

Actually Krile is the telepath, at least when it comes to critters. And I am suddenly reminded why I hate that Mary Sue brat.

Lenna: White Mage at least to the next job level, since she's so close.
Galuf: Ditto but for Red Mage.
Faris: Ditto for Knight and Thief.
Bartz: Can stick with Ninja, since he doesn't have anything particularly close.

My goals for first class mastery are:
Bartz: Ninja
Lenna: Monk
Galuf: Blue Mage
Faris: Beastmaster

But it's nice to mix things up too. Soon as Galuf dies, Bartz, Lenna, and Faris should all become Dancers.

Since Galuf already has Zeninage, I officially don't care exactly what his Job is as long as he can throw money at everything he sees and eventually passes that skill down to Krile so she can do it too.

How about we go with...

Bartz - Ninja (both)
Lenna - Geomancer (both)
Galuf - Monk (training), Berserker (final)
Faris - Dragoon (both)

Just to note, it wouldn't be much fun to run around with half (or all) the party in mastered Jobs. Certainly it'd be bad for ABP gains, which are bigger than you'd think for traversing dungeons and the like. I can't force it, but I'd suggest you not vote to put characters into Jobs they're going to master during the grind session.

Go ahead and start training Galuf as a white mage, because with god as my witness Krile is wearing that adorable cat hood. Also, is anyone in your party capable of Spellblade/Dual Wield/Rapid Fire yet (excluding Mime)? If not, get on that.

Bartz is probably being aimed towards that ultimate goal; he's likely going to have Dual Wield shortly, has some progress on !Spellblade, and will no doubt be voted into the Ranger class before long as well.

Naturally, because all the encounters on the Big Bridge are in fact fixed in locations...took me a while to remember where it was though. until now (having only seen untranslated SNES version), I thought this was Krile burning her face into the forest (using dragon) for fun. No, it doesn't make much sense.

Hey, just be glad the Moogles didn't go with their original plan.



I think Krile would've just left the party there if they had.

I don't want people to stay in classes post-mastery but I think everyone deserves a little star-crown.

I guess I'll make a back-up list in case there are some Jobs mastered, then.

Bartz - Thief
Lenna - Summoner
Galuf - Ranger
Faris - Red Mage