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

Shouldn't that be the other way around?

..I think I pointed out something like this earlier.

Of course it is! However, like most non-Japanese players, I played FF6 before FF5. So to me, going all self-boosting while lying about one's intentions is "pulling an Ultros", not "pulling a Gilgamesh".

It's probably my favorite place in the game. For one, it's fascinating to drop into the middle of this foreign conflict and realize just how out of place Galuf was (and how much he was missing) in the first world. Second, moogles.

Mostly, though, the world map music lends it a wonderful atmosphere of displacement and yearning.

Part XII - The Bal is in Our Court Now

Last time our band of intrepid heroes and Bartz were caught off their guard as they got blown off to the back of beyond, Gloceana. They made their way across the entire damn continent on foot, saved a Moogle, and were rescued thanks to the power of plot contrivance telepathy. Now they stand in the halls of Castle Bal, ready to make a stand.

"Did I ever tell you guys about our castle's basements? Living statues, far as the eye can see!" "Living statues, you say?" "Yep! They're worth a ton of ABP, too!" "To the basement!"



"I'm gonna master the Ninja Job now. Any objections?" Nobody raised any, so Bartz stuck on his !Steal command and made ready to kick some stone butt.

"Might as well make some progress on !White," Lenna noted, intending full well to swap out for Geomancer afterwards.

"Alright, Red Mage skills, don't fail me now!" Galuf said, secretly planning to switch to Blue Mage and Ranger later. !Blue is not leaving him for anything.

"Just for a bit," Faris said to herself as she donned her Knight outfit, making notes to swap to Thief briefly and then to Beastmaster so she could master it. Maybe a bit of Dragoon afterwards, too...

(Today's update is in Bubblegum Pink, just 'cause.)



After stopping off at the Inn and Item Shop for a rest and 99 Golden Needles, respectively, the party visited the local save point.



After that, it was basement time!



♪♪ Battle 1 ♪♪

The enemies in the basement are vulnerable to Golden Needles and Level 5 Death. They also give 4 ABP for groups of 2 and 8 ABP for groups of 5. This makes for phenomenally easy class leveling.



About half an hour of grinding and two inn visits later, and we're ready to go! Bartz has re-vocated as a Thief who's Two-Handing a Twin Lance we nabbed off those statues, Lenna is a !White-sporting Summoner, Galuf is the !Blue Ranger, and Faris is her usual !Summoning Dragoon self. We've got all kinds of crazy going on here!

Oh yes, and...



Congratulations to the party on their first mastered Jobs!



And now we can finally get on with chatting. What a reward.

Foyer
Soldier: Curse that Gilgamesh! Our troops have been decimated, thanks to him!
Soldier: Castle Bal has a long and rich history. It's so old, we don't even know all the secrets it holds.

Throne Room
Soldier: Your Majesty, don't forget to take the Teleport spell with you!
Soldier: There was an accident when King Galuf warped throguh the meteorite, and he lost his memory... Most likely, the weapons and armor he took with him were destroyed as well.
Soldier: If we don't defeat Exdeath, he'll destroy the world...
Soldier: The barrier is totally blocking Big Bridge. Without a wind drake, there's no way you can get near Exdeath's castle.

Bedroom Area
Old Man: Lady Krile is such a good kid! She's got the same big heart as the king.
Woman: Lady Krile can speak with this moogle, just like it was a person! What a mysterious talent.
Moogle: Kupopopo!

Courtyard
Soldier: King Galuf has returned, so I know things will turn out all right!
Soldier: Lady Krile is at the top of the tower, crying...
Soldier: Not long after she was born, Krile's parents went to save a wind drake in the Gloceana Desert. They were never heard from again...
Soldier: Exdeath's castle is protected by a super-strong barrier. We can't even get close to it.
Soldier: Exdeath has really been giving our men a beating... Now we don't have many soldiers left.
Soldier: If we open the gate, monsters will pour in! There's no way I'm opening this door!

Shop Area
Merchant (while behind counter): Hey, you aren't allowed in here!
Old Man: When equipment is "Optimized," that only takes into account items' attack and defense, not other effects. Thus, accessories like the Elven Mantle or the Gold Hairpin may be unequipped. Be careful when Optimizing equipment that items with special status buffs but lower stats aren't removed by mistake!

That old man's not kidding, either. In fact, Optimize will shortly be the bane of our existence. So, besides that, there was one important thing we gleaned from talking with everyone...



There's a free spell in the throne room! Oh yeah, and that Krile's bummed for some reason. We should probably look in on her.



After we piss off the local merchants.



Oh no, are you gonna toss Gil at me? Actually, maybe they are. I surrender, don't kill me!



Ow!



He gave Bartz a Lamia's Harp. How... useless, really. Okay, NOW we can go see Krile.



Well she's talkative. What, is her pet dragon dying or something?

Lenna: Krile?
*Krile looks up*
Krile: The wind drake... He's dying... {Oh goddamn it!}
Lenna: What?
Faris: What happened?
*Krile looks down again*
Krile: He pushed himself too hard... He was wounded, and shouldn't have been flying, but... He took me to find you.
Galuf: He sacrificed himself to save us.
Faris: Is there any way for us to save him?
Krile: ...
Lenna: We'd need dragon grass...
*Lenna and Bartz look out over the balcony for no reason*
Krile: Dragon grass? Will that heal his wounds?
Lenna: Yes. However...does such a thing even exist in this world?
Faris: Back home, wind drakes always nest near dragon grass. I expect these drakes act the same. If we go to where drakes roost, we ought to find dragon grass nearby.
Galuf: Hmm, if that's the case, then...
Bartz: Well? Where do we need to go?
Galuf: Our best bet is Drakenvale... the old valley of wind drakes. However, no one who's entered has ever returned...
*Everyone looks out over the balcony, and then down*
*Bartz looks up*
Bartz: Guess that means we'll be the first who do!
*Everyone looks up and faces Bartz*
Krile: Bartz!
*Galuf faces left*
Galuf: Drakenvale is north of the castle. It's just past Quelb, the werewolf town.
*Everyone else faces Galuf*
Krile: But what about the monsters outside? There are so many of them!
Galuf: No worries-not if we're all on the offensive!
Bartz: Right!
Lenna: Together, we'll be all right.
Faris: And we'll bring back that dragon grass, never you fear!

Okay, I guess we have a mission. Let's go to Drakenvale!



Soldier: But sire! Exdeath's monsters are waiting right outside...
Galuf: Once we're clear, shut the doors and seal them tight!
Soldier: Sire! If we do that, you won't be able to reenter the castle! Are you certain that's what you want? >Yes / No

I don't think Galuf's thought his cunning plan all the way through here...

Soldier: If you so command...
Soldier: Take care, Your Majesty!
*Galuf nods and the soldiers return to the castle*
*Everyone fans out of Galuf*
Galuf: Yipes...didn't take long for Exdeath's creeps to get here... On your toes, kids, here they come!

Is it gonna be boss fights?



It is! And now it's time for Why Blue Mages Rock, Death Claw edition.



♪♪ Battle 2 ♪♪

That was the entire battle from start to finish. Oh yes, that just happened.

♪♪ Victory Fanfare ♪♪



♪♪ Unknown Lands ♪♪

Anyway, now we're on the world map again, so it's off to Quelb!



♪♪ Battle 1 ♪♪

Along the way Faris decides to show off her new !Catch skills with Galuf's help, and they nab a hapless toad. "Score!"



And then Lenna boatmurders the remainders with Titan. Pure summoners rock the socks for damage output.



♪♪ Harvest ♪♪

And we're in Quelb already! It really was a short walk.

Galuf: The gate to Drakenvale is north of town-easy to find. The question is, will it be open...



There's always a catch... Well, the whole town is full of nothing but locked doors, so we'll just have to find the one house that isn't, I guess. RPG logic for ya.



...And there's a locked door inside that house. Lovely. Now what?



Oh, we're stopped when we try to leave instead. I guess that makes sense?

Oh shit werewolves!



Galuf: Bartz, calm down! They're our allies!
Faris: If our allies are pointing blades at us, I certainly don't want to meet our enemies!

Faris gets all the good lines.



♪♪ Deception ♪♪

Hark, something furry this way comes!

Galuf: Kelger!
Kelger: It's been quite a while, has it not?
Galuf: Sure has! Ah, Kelger here's one of the four Dawn Warriors.
Bartz: He fought Exdeath with you, thirty years ago?
*Galuf nods to Bartz, then walks up to Kelger*
Kelger: Who are the younglings?
Galuf: Folks from the world where we sealed Exdeath.
Kelger: Friends of Exdeath!?
*Bartz walks up to Kelger*
Bartz: Huh!? Wait-
Kelgar: These cads are the ones who destroyted the crystals and brought Exdeath back... and you've led them here!?
*Galuf intervenes between Kelger and Bartz*
Galuf: You've got it all wrong, listen-
Kelger: Stand down, Galuf!
*Kelger smacks Galuf aside, who flies off and slams into a wall*
Kelger: Bartz, or whoever you are-prepare yourself! I would test your blade!
Bartz: !?
Galuf: Kelger...
Kelger: Crony of Exdeath or no-show me what kind of many you really are!

Oh joy, another boss fight?



And a solo fight too. It's been nice knowing you, Bartz.



Bartz lunges!



And Kelger dodges. Bartz is confused by this for some reason.



As long as it doesn't involve any sparkling vampires, I think he can take it.



Yikes! Kelger just warps all over the place and keeps hitting Bartz!



Suddenly Bartz closes his eyes and tries to figure out where Kelger really is... and he does!



He's hidden by a textbox!



Wolf-smack'd!



Nobody respects a good wolf-smack any more...

Little late for apologies, don't you think?

Galuf: Hell's bells, Kelger, always overdoing it! Why don't you act your age, for once!
Kelger: Still...to foil my lupine attacks so easily... You're more skilled than you seem.
Bartz: Nah. It's just a trick I learned from my dad.
Kelger: From your father? What was his name?
Bartz: Dorgann.

Why would Bartz' dad teach him an anti-werewolf attack? There are no werewolves in the other world!



Galuf and Kelger are shocked at this revelation! Hey, I am too. Bartz' dad was a weirdo.

♪♪ Reminiscence ♪♪

*Kelger and Galuf face Bartz*
Bartz: What? What're you making those faces for?
Galuf: No way...you can't be...
Kelger: Dorgann's son...
Bartz: Um, Dad's name was Dorgann, and I'm his son, so... What's going on?
*Galuf nods*
Galuf: Well! Small worlds we live in, huh? Bartz, your father, along with me, Kelger, and Xezat Surgate-we fought together against Exdeath.
Kelger: Dorgann was one of the four Dawn Warriors.

Dun dun DUN! Bartz is a half-alien hybrid!



Bartz is taking it surprisingly well.

Kelger: Correct.
Bartz: ...
Galuf: We followed Exdeath to your world, and then...

Oh boy, flashback time.



Pretty much.

Dorgann: How much punishment can he take? Even when we knock him down, he won't STAY down...
Kelger: We'll have to seal him here.
Xexat: Yeah...that's our only out.
*Dorgann takes a step down and faces upwards*
Dorgann: What-seal him here!? We can't just leave a demon from our world in another!
*Xexat steps down and faces Dorgann*
Xexat: What other choice do we have?
Kelgar: Look sharp, lads, he's recovering!
Galuf: Damnation!
*The screen flashes twice and Exdeath blinks a bit*
Kelger: Now there really is no choice. He must be sealed, and we may not get this chance again!



So they try to seal Exdeath away! And Dorgann won't help.

Galuf: Dorgann, we can't seal him with the crystals unless all our hearts are united. Are you with us?
Kelger: Dorgann!
*Everyone looks at Dorgann, who looks down*



Finally he gives into peer pressure and helps.



And they open a pit to consume Exdeath!



The old familiar site shows up again, and four energy balls converge on it.



And it fades out as Exdeath's sealed. Okay, history lesson over!



Or is it?



Kelger: But why?
*Dorgann starts to leave, looks down, then turns a bit to not quite face his companions*
Dorgann: Safe journey!
*Dorgann leaves, Galuf trailing after for a little bit*
Galuf: Dorgann...



Okay, now we're back in the present.

Bartz: ...Wow. That's...huh.
*Bartz walks up to Kelger's bedside*Kelger: How fares old Dorgann, anyway?
Bartz: Three years ago, he got real sick, and...well.
Kelger: I see... My sympathies. Son of Dorgann, anything you ask of me shall be done! You need only name your request.
Bartz: Actually... If we could get into Drakenvale...
Kelger: I will have one of the villagers unlock the gate.*Everyone regroups*

Looks like we can finally move on!



I wish I, too, could fight by your side...

After talking time, naturally.

In Kelger's House
Werewolf: Lord Kelger is very sick... Overexerting himself earlier didn't help.

Walkin' Around
Werewolf: A strange voice has been coming from the well... It's slightly disturbing...
Werewolf: I see... Tsuze tried to protect the fire crystal, but...
Werewolf: You want to go to Drakenvale!? Insanity! That's a veritable monster's den!
Werewolf: No one has ever returned from Drakenvale alive.
Werewolf: Exdeath set his monster hordes against us... Now there's hardly anyone left in the village who can fight.
Werewolf: To this day, no one knows why the wind drakes died out...
Werewolf: This ceremony is to pray for your safe return.
Werewolf: Oogachaka fugga-lugga! Oogachaka ooga-booga!



The hell?

Aaahh! There was some old dude in the well!



That sounds like a good deal to me!



I didn't need to know that.



♪♪ Fanfare 1 ♪♪

Oh well, new loot!



Oh really?



♪♪ Fanfare 1 ♪♪

Awesome. Bards just went from mostly useless to situationally awesome.



Sounds delicious.



"Um, why is it purple and green?" "Don't be impolite, Bartz!"



"It tastes like armpits..." "Bartz!"



"I hope it tastes better than the main course. OW! What was that for, Galuf?"



That would almost have been useful about 8 hours ago.



Drakenvale is only a few steps north of town.



♪♪ Walking Over Snowy Mountains ♪♪

And it already reminds me of North Mountain, in a bad way.



What the helling hell-hell was that hell... hell?

He did it again! Who is this raging asshat?



The party does a bit of catch-up on their !Blue magic.



Further up the mountain, they run into that Golem character again!



He's in trouble! Now we have to protect his ass. So Lenna casts Blink on him to make him evade a few hits and the party just takes care of business with the two dragon-esques.



It'd rock if I could roll along with you!

And so Golem joins our summon list!



...After we manually select him from the menu. Damn micromanagement.



Remember how I said we'd hate Optimize soon? This is why. Bone Mail provides the highest defense in the game, but also makes the wearer undead.



This dead-end room requires you to fall into a pit to continue! Tricksy!



And the switch we saw earlier is accessible by doing so, opening the way forward.



And further on, more tricksiness! The chests contained a Wind Slash and Hypnocrown, the latter of which makes !Control work more often. Nice.



A much-needed save point before the inevitable boss at the end? How considerate of them!



Huh, no boss.

Faris: Dragon grass!

Lenna: Help!

...Of course.



Guess we know what's coming now...



Uh, a plant attacking, perhaps?

Lenna: Grass isn't supposed to attack people!
Faris: That's no grass, that's a beast! A foul, leafy demon!
Galuf: This must be why all the drakes are extinct!

Okay, fight time.



♪♪ Battle 2 ♪♪

Now you could fight this thing with strategy if you were so inclined.



♪♪ Victory Fanfare ♪♪

I was not so inclined.



Yes, the grass we just killed! Wait...



The grass is back to normal, I guess.

*Everyone gathers around the dragon grass*
Lenna: Come on, let's take some and go!
*Lenna walks over the grass*
♪♪ Fanfare 1 ♪♪
Obtained Dragon Grass!



And we'll get out of here the easy way, naturally.



♪♪ Castle of Dawn ♪♪

After a brief stopover in Quelb for free healing, we're at Castle Bal again!

Soldier: Nice try, monster! You're gonna have to work harder to pull one over on the soldiers of Bal!
*The group faces one another*
Galuf: Aw, man... Guess it's time for Plan B.

Yeah, this is kinda what I meant about your cunning plan not being thought all the way through, Galuf. So what's Plan B?



Jumping in the moat. BRILLIANT!

Galuf: You coming?
*The others jump in one by one*



Turns out there's a switch in the moat. Odd design decision.



It leads into the castle! That's... really fucking stupid, Galuf. Why would you install such a thing?

Galuf: No worries! Better safe than sorry, or whatever... *grumble, grumble*

Yep, Galuf's ticked that he's an idiot. All is as it should be. To Krile! After more talking time, of course. Because we all love talking time.

Castle Courtyard
Soldier: Next time, I'll check to make certain it's the king, then open the gate!
Soldier: Lady Krile said she had a headache.
Soldier: Lady Krile didn't look too well. She went to her room in the tower to rest.

Throne Room
Soldier: We've just learned that King Xezat of Surgate is sending his fleet to attack Exdeath's castle!
Soldier: The barrier is maintained by those four towers.

Bedroom Area
Woman: Lady Krile collapsed!
Old Man: Sage Ghido lives on a small island northeast of Drakenvale.



Looks like the royal brat's not doing so well.

Krile: Gr...Grand...pa...
Galuf: Hang on, dear!
Krile: He's...calling...
*Galuf rouses Krile*
Galuf: Shh, don't try to talk.
Krile: ...Calling...Ghido is calling...
Bartz: Ghido?
Krile: Hurry...go find Ghido, please...
*Bartz walks up to Galuf*
Bartz: But who's Ghido?
Galuf: A sage who has lived for over seven hundred years... Ghido's the one who prophesied that the crystals in your world would break.
Bartz: And he's calling her? Like, psychotically?
Galuf: ..."Psychically,", Bartz. Anyhow, the sage might know some way to defeat Exdeath!
Krile: ...
Galuf: Hang in there, Krile. We're gonna go see Ghido, so just hold on a little longer.
Krile: Mmm...but...have to...use the wind drake...
Galuf: Don't worry. We've got dragon grass in spades.
Krile: Really!? ...The drake's resting at the top of this tower...
Galuf: Will you come with me?
Lenna: Certainly!
Faris: Like you need to ask.
Bartz: Where do we find this Ghido, anyway?
Galuf: He lives on a small island. It's in the ocean northeast of Drakenvale.
*Everyone nods*

Jeez these people never stop talking. Anyway, looks like our goal for next time is set. But we have one last piece of business before we quit for the day.



Gotta heal our epic mount!

*The wind drake shakes its head*
Bartz: That grass killed off all the wind drakes...no wonder he doesn't want to eat it.
*Galuf walks behind the wind drake*
Galuf: It doesn't matter if he wants to...he has to! With wounds like these, if he doesn't hurry and eat that stuff, he'll die!
*Lenna turns around and thinks for a moment, then nods to herself*
♪♪ Lenna's Theme ♪♪
Lenna: It's all right. Look, you can eat it, see? I'll have some, too.
*Lenna takes a bite and Faris and Bartz converge on her*
Faris: Lenna! Are you insane?
Bartz: Lenna! Did you forget? Dragon grass is poisonous to humans!
*Lenna holds the grass out to the wind drake*
Lenna: Here, now you try...
*The wind drake reluctantly eats some*
*The screen flashes and the drake is cured!*
*The wind drake spreads its wings and cries out*
Lenna: That's a good boy...
*Lenna passes out*
*Everyone surrounds Lenna*
Faris: Lenna!!!
*Krile walks in*
Krile: Lenna! Hold on!
*Krile walks down to Lenna*
Krile: Drink this!
*Lenna drinks the antidote and gets up*
Faris: Lenna!
Bartz: Lenna! Are you all right?
Lenna: Yes... Thank you, Krile.
Krile: Don't do things like that! That's ridiculously dangerous!
Faris: Cripes, Lenna, if something had happened to you-
Lenna: I'm sorry...
Galuf: Krile! You sure you should be up and about?
Krile: I'm...I'm okay...
*Krile passes out*
Galuf: Krile!
*Krile gets up again*
Krile: Don't...don't worry 'bout me...
Bartz: Geez-oh-pete, every one of you guys is always going overboard!
Krile: Eheheh...
Galuf: You stay here and get some rest, young lady!
Krile: Okay...
Lenna: Krile... Thank you. I am in your debt.
Krile: You saved my wind drake. I think we're square. Thank you!
Galuf: You rest up now, got it?
Krile: I will! YOu guys be careful too!
Galuf: To Sage Ghido!
Lenna: Right!
Faris: Let's go!
Bartz: We're off!
*Everyone boards the wind drake*

Arrrgh! So much small talk! It's like I'm suddenly playing Star Ocean 2, only with not quite as much small talk! Let's just get OUT of here!



THANK YOU.



♪♪ The Dragon Spreads Its Wings ♪♪

And as is so often the case of this LP, we'll stop for today while admiring our latest transportation means. Place your grind and story Job votes now (once more, up to 333 ABP; Bal Castle's basement rocks)!

Current Stats
Bartz: Level 29
Jobs: Knight L3 (1/100), Thief L4 (54/75), Ninja L4 (MASTERED!), 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, Dual-Wield, Cover, Learning, Magic Shell, First Strike, Find Passages, Sprint

Lenna: Level 29
Jobs: Monk L6 (76/300), Thief L2 (0/30), Ninja L1 (8/30), Berserker L1 (5/400), Ranger L2 (15/135), White Mage L5 (53/70), Summoner L2 (9/45), Red Mage L1 (3/40), Geomancer L2 (MASTERED!)
Abilities: !Focus, !Chakra, !Flee, !Smoke, !Animals, !Aim, !Check, !Gaia, !White L5, !Summon L2, !Red L1, HP +10%, HP +20%, Barehanded, Counter, Berserk, Find Passages, Light Step, Find Pits

Galuf: Level 29
Jobs: Knight L3 (2/100), Monk L3 (2/60), Thief L1 (8/20), Samurai L2 (14/60), Berserker L1 (0/400), Ranger L2 (78/135), Blue Mage L3 (MASTERED!), Red Mage L3 (3/999), Beastmaster L2 (17/100), Bard L2 (0/100)
Abilities: !Guard, !Focus, !Chakra, !Mineuchi, !Zeninage, !Animals, !Aim, !Check, !Scan, !Calm, !Control, !Hide, !Red L3, !Blue, Equip Harps, Barehanded, Two-Handed, Cover, Learning, Berserk, Find Passages

Faris: Level 29
Jobs: Knight L2 (7/50), Thief L3 (2/50), Dragoon L1 (130/150), 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 (MASTERED!), Geomancer L2 (2/100)
Abilities: !Guard, !Flee, !Jump, !Animals, !Check, !Calm, !Control, !Catch, !Gaia, !Black L3, !Time L4, !Summon L3, Equip Whips, Cover, Learning, Find Passages, Find Pits, Sprint

Next time: Places to go, people to see!

That room....

THAT ROOM

I was stuck at that point for so damn long when I was an internets newblet and playing the translation of FF5 for the first time. None of the walkthroughs even mentioned what you had to do at that point (GameFAQs was still in its infancy).

I eventually found the answer when I stumbled upon a site called RPGClassics and that became my very first internet community.

Bartz: Thief and Aladdin Mystic Knight. Thief just feels right and high level Spellblade should be handy with Two-Handed.

Lenna: White Mage and Summoner. What level spells are we getting right now? Regardless, anti-Rydia just feels so good.

Galuf: Samurai.

Faris: Dragoon.

Right now White, Black, and Time spell levels are only up to 4. Summons are up to level 3, but that will be getting another level to work with soon enough. We'll be getting level 5 W/B/T magic in about 2 updates, if memory serves. Level 6 spells aren't going to show up for a good long time, so unless you want mastery bonuses from the mage classes for Freelancer purposes, there's not much point in raising any of them past !White/!Black/!Time L5 or !Summon L4 right now.

Okay, then disregard the white mage vote and try to level up Lenna's Summoner twice. Ranger is always a cute alternative when she's up to date in spells.

Hee hee. I know someone who did this. Pssh, it's just Poison.

I seem to remember having trouble with that plant boss when I played it. It kind of hurts to see how simple it could have been with the proper skill. Oh well.

Bartz - Mystic Knight and Thief
Lenna - Monk and Summoner
Galuf - Monk and Ranger
Faris - Dragoon

I'm pretty sure what Dorgann taught Bartz wasn't an anti-werewolf attack as much as it was your standard "sense the enemy's true position".

Considering how many monsters there are, it's probably a good idea to learn how to deal with fast ones.

Well of course. But that's not nearly as amusing as the idea of Dorgann sitting little Bartz down one day and saying, "Son, it's time for you to learn how to deal with werewolves."

On an unrelated note, did anyone else notice that Kelger's house has, like, three fireplaces? Two of 'em are in the same room, even! Dude must get really cold.

Lenna, have you not been paying attention to what's been going on!? Everything has been attacking you!

But what if it's the Poison from FF1 (AKA Bane)?

But... He's a wolfman werewolf! He should have fur. Unless he's gone bald in his old age.

Macc Maverick all up in this piece.

Celes, Lunaris, Cidolfas, represent.

How come you never said anything?!

I just like those guys, and the white text we shared on the Mysidia message board, so many years ago.

Ohhh, I thought you were saying you were Macc. Now I see.

Man, the Mysidia message board, that takes me back. Good to know that the white text lives on though.

If that were the case, y'know, MIND = BLOWN.

With so much nostalgia popping up in this thread, I feel someone should start a separate thread somewhere and see how many other people join in.

But not me.

Part XIII - On a Wing and a Prayer

Last time the party went out of their way to save a wind drake, resulting in a werewolf fistfight, a bunch of exposition about Bartz' dad, a new summon, and everyone failing to shut the hell up an awful lot. Now the party has the wind drake they saved as a means of transportation and two goals: see Ghido and find out what the fourth Warrior of Dawn is up to these days.



But first, basement bargain-hunting. Bartz will be working on his Thief and Mystic Knight skills, while Lenna does her best to get some progress on Summoner and Ranger, and Galuf will be rockin' the Samurai gig while Faris is her usual Dragoon self. Sounds like a plan!

(Today's update is in Olive Green, because we're going to WAR later! Oops, spoilers.)



And what a plan it is! The party doesn't have any new mastered Jobs to show for it this time, but they do have 7 Twin Lances now. That'll come in handy if they ever go back to Freelancer again or take up the Thief or Ninja Jobs.



For some reason, everyone insisted on re-vocating to oddball classes instead of what they had planned to go as. "I am a dancer!" Bartz yelled at the top of his lungs. "Nobody wants to see you dance," Lenna assured him, but he wasn't listening.

Lenna put back on her White Mage robes for no good reason. "What? I like robes. They're comfy and easy to wear!"

Galuf donned his Monk outfit. "Punchin', punchin', punchin' the night away," he sang off-key as everyone rolled their eyes.

"Now I am the Blue Ranger!" Faris shouted as she donned her superhero costume. Nobody had a proper answer for that.



The party found Ghido's cave pretty easily. It wasn't exactly hidden.

Galuf: Yup, Sage Ghido's place.
Lenna: Let's find him!
Faris: Wait-
*Faris turns around as the land starts to shake!*
Bartz: An earthquake!

"Damn it, Faris!" "It wasn't me this time!"



♪♪ Danger! ♪♪

Oh crap!

Bartz: The island's breaking apart...
Galuf: We gotta get back to the wind drake-hurry!
*Everyone walks single file across the bridge*



This all seems so very familiar somehow...



Of course Exdeath was behind it all.



The wind drake pops up out of the sea and cries out in anger! I guess we won't be seeing Ghido after all.



So instead we'll visit this castle in the middle of nowhere.



♪♪ Castle of Dawn ♪♪

I guess they don't like visitors much here.



Sometimes it pays to have royalty in your party.

Chief Guard: King Xezat is leading the fleet ot Exdeath's castle.
Galuf: Really!
Faris: Xezat-one of the Dawn Warriors, right?
*Galuf nods to Faris and Bartz looks down*
Bartz: Someone who fought along with Dad...
*The Chief Guard raises his arm*
Chief Guard: This way, please.



Galuf: Thank you!
*The Chief Guard nods and walks off*

Hooray free loot!



Learned Swift Song!

And now bards have gone from situationally awesome to always awesome.



Oh dear, talking talking talking time again.

B1
Soldier: If we can destroy that barrier around Exdeath's castle...
Soldier: King Xezat is away, leading th efleet to Exdeath's castle.
Soldier: Exdeath's castle is well fortified on the Big Bridge side, but the eastern side is relatively unprotected.
Soldier: You should be able to land your dragon on the king's ship.

Entrance
Soldier: We'll defend the castle until King Xezat returns!

Library
Scholar: We've found a book that is over one thousand years old. However, we've only been able to recover half of it, so we cannot read it. it's entitled the "Sealed Tome".
Scholar: I feel like there's something quite important within these pages...
Scholar: This is the library's oldest tome. However, half of its pages have been lost, so it cannot be read. {Where have we seen something like that before?}
Scholar: We can't find the remaining half of that book anywhere! We've looked over every book on the planet!
Scholar: This is a book chronicling the horrible atrocities visited upon the land by Exdeath, thirty years ago... Such a nightmare must never be allowed to happen again!



Mysterious, indeed.

You there, help me put some of these away.

Oh joy, a book-filing quest. I love playing librarian, he lied.



They're pretty easy to sort out.



Lenna: ...Er, Bartz? What were you trying to look up?
Bartz: Eh? Oh, nothing! Nothing at all!

Ahahaha oh Bartz you cad.



Helping her out gets you access to a new room, of course.



you to levitate, and it's hidden somewhere in the castle.

Hooray for fetch quests. Oh yes, and that book there reads:

The Book of Magick, Vol. III
'I'm a mage who knows how to Lance... This is the secret to my strength...'

A helpful tip, that! Okay, onwards.



Well, I was up there, and this huge eye started glaring at me! It's amazing I made it back alive!

Sounds like something to look into later, that.



Past a sneaky walk-under skybridge, we find the last missing Time spell from the early spell list! Victory!



♪♪ The Dragon Spreads Its Wings ♪♪

Something seems to be happening here! This must be Xezat's fleet! Let's land on his flagship and scare the crap out of him.



♪♪ Castle of Dawn ♪♪

*The drake starts to land, and guards close in to intercept it*
Xezat: Hold your fire. They're friends!

Aww, he recognized our epic mount. That's no fun.



Galuf: Xezat! How the devil have you been?
Xezat: Managing, barely. These friends of yours?
*Galuf steps to the side to let Xezat see*
Galuf: This is Dorgann's son, Bartz!
Xezat: Dorgann's...!
*Bartz steps forward*
Galuf: The ladies are nobility from the other world. {Dude, last time you mentioned the other world to a Dawn Warrior he tried to kill us. Are you sure that's a good idea, Galuf?}
Xezat: Well met. I'm the swordsman Xezat.
*The ladies step forward too*
Galuf: Oho? Not "King" Xezat?
Xezat: Ehh, I don't think it suits me all that well.
Galuf: Sure doesn't! Har har har! I'm the same way.
*Galuf and Xezat laugh it up*
Galuf: So, can you guys get us into Exdeath's castle?
Xezat: Ha, you're halfway in already!
Xezat: For now, go below deck and rest for a bit. The fireworks'll start soon enough.

I guess we have free reign of this ship, then.



So naturally, we'll Talk to Everyone(tm).

Soldier: Once the barrier's down, nothing'll stop us from attacking Exdeath's castle.
Soldier: There's four towers, but so long as we destroy one of them, the barrier will be disabled.
Soldier: We're digging a tunnel through the ocean floor.
Soldier: Ughhh, I'm seasick... Bleagh...
Soldier: Please use the room to the right.



Sure, why not?



♪♪ Clash on the Big Bridge ♪♪

Look out, we're under attack!!!

Oh snap that was fast!

Xezat: Exdeath... Somehow he's gotten the jump on us!



Sure enough, monsters start appearing on the ships!



Let's do this, then.



Galuf: Don't blow it this time!
Xezat: I think that's my line!
Xazat: Rahhh!!!

Suits me fine. Xezat and the demonling fight their way over to the next ship.



Out of the way, Gobbledeygook.



I dance on your grave!



Xezat takes down a Gobbledeygook too!



Then he gets confronted by that weird wing-demon-thing again!



It's days like this that get you high on life! But you, sirs, are harshing my buzz!

You want a piece of us, Gilgamesh? Bring it!



Hah, you hit like a girl.



"Slow down, you annoying git." "Hey, no fair!"



"I'll take those, thank you." "That's mine, you jerk!"



"Hey Golem, lend us a hand, will ya?" "Sure thing, boss!"

"Hey Gilgy, remember this?" "Oh you ass!"



"I know Dance Fu!" "Son of a BITCH that hurts!"



faithful sidekick!
Enkidu: The old man gave me some trouble.
Gilgamesh: Ho? Let's return the trouble... ...and make it double! Come on!

Sure thing, Team Rocket.



And Enkidu just basically reset the fight.

"And I'll take THAT, thank you!"

What did you just say, Gilgamesh?



What the crap just happened!?

"This is MY LP now!"

Like hell it is! Give that back, you jerk!



There. Electrocute him for me, would you, Lenna?

"You could use some shock therapy!"



"I've got a thousand needles for you, too!"



Enkidu hit Bartz with Aera. "You blow, Enkidu!"