Final Fantasy XII (PS2)

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FINAL FANTASY XII (PS2)

Chynez

Final Fantasy XII centers around Dalmasca, a small kingdom in Ivalice. A neutral party in the past wars between its neighboring empires of Archadia and Rozarria, Dalmasca is ultimately conquered by Archadia and reduced to the status of an occupied state under Archadian rule.

Vaan, a street urchin living in the Dalmascan capital of Rabanastre, attempts to steal from the royal palace, in an attempt to "take back" Dalmascan treasures from the Archadians. However, resistance forces lead an assault on the royal castle, and Vaan is caught between Archadian troops and Dalmascan insurgents.

During the assault, Vaan meets Balthier, a sky pirate, and Fran, his viera partner. They infiltrated the castle seeking an heirloom that belonged to the Dalmascan royal family, the Goddess' Magicite - ironically, it is what Vaan chooses to steal. Upon refusing to give up the Magicite, Vaan flees, and the pirates pursue. After an accident with Fran's flying motorbike, the three wind up in the sewers far below. This leads to a chance encounter with Ashe, the deposed princess of Dalmasca and leader of the resistance movement, who had supposedly committed suicide two years previous, when Archadia took Dalmasca. She assumes the alias "Amalia". Soon, they are captured by the imperial consort leader from Archadia, Vayne. Vaan, Fran, and Balthier are sent to Nalbina as prisoners.

The trio manage to fight their way out of Nalbina only to meet up with Basch fon Ronsenburg, the traitor who supposedly killed the king and Reks, Vaan's elder brother. Though Basch maintains he is innocent, Vaan still holds a grudge against him. However, the player learns that it was not Basch who killed Reks, but his twin brother Noah fon Ronsenburg, a.k.a. Judge Magister Gabranth. Fran breaks him free of his cage and they narrowly escape from the prison. Upon their return to Rabanastre, they learn that Vaan's friend, Penelo, is missing. She was kidnapped by bounty hunters pursuing Balthier, intending to use her as bait to draw him to them into Bhujerba. Vaan bribes Balthier to attempt a rescue using his ship, the Strahl, in exchange for the Goddess' Magicite.

It is during this rescue mission they meet a boy named Lamont, who reveals some information about Nethicite, a stone similar to Magicite. Unlike regular Magicite, Nethicite absorbs magical energy.

The remainder of the story deals with the newly-formed party attempting to stop the imperial occupation of Dalmasca, and realizing that something far greater is indeed at stake.

Archadian Judge Magisters, leaders of the Judges who first appeared in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, are featured prominently in the story. They are the supreme enforcers of Archadian law, but only five become central to the overall plot: Judge Gabranth, Judge Ghis, Judge Drace, Judge Zargabaath, and Judge Bergan. At the end, the party is taken to the sky fortress Bahumut. An epic conclusion to the story ensues with a long series of boss battles eventually leading to Lord Vayne. The party fights three incarnations of Vayne and after the Bahumut explodes safely outside Dalmasca. The story shifts to one year after these events with Princess Ashe finally assuming her rightful throne.

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http://www.finalfantasyxii.com/

Chynez

Vaan  is a 17-year-old orphaned Hume street urchin who lost his parents in a plague when he was 12 years old and his only brother Reks two years before the start of the game, during the Archadian Invasion of Dalmasca. Reks's death is especially challenging for Vaan to cope with, being his only true remaining family. He makes a living as Migelo's assistant, running various errands for him, while at the same time pickpocketing from Archadian soldiers, claiming to take back what is Dalmasca's. He is a cheerful and energetic lad, and among his friends he is considered their leader. Vaan always dreams of someday becoming a sky pirate in command of his own airship. He often trains to meet this goal by killing dire rats in the sewers of Rabanastre on a daily basis, for which Dalan gave him the nickname "Vaan Ratsbane."

During the beginning of the game, he is still resentful of his brother's death at the supposed hands of Basch. However, this quickly changes as he and the party learn the truth, and he eventually decides to trust Basch.[1] From this point on he actually acts as defender of Basch to Ashe, who initially hated him as well. Vaan also has a hidden secret: he is frustrated with the mere fact he is incapable of helping Dalmasca. As he stated to Ashe in the Garif town of Jahara, Vaan would claim to be a "sky pirate - or some other stupid thing", simply so that he could ignore his own feelings of helplessness and confusion before the Empire. Mirroring Ashe's own frustration with her inability to defeat the Empire, Vaan's frustration turns itself into a desire to see the journey through; as he states to Ashe, he believes that if he just keeps following her, he can find his own answers. Vaan is unique in that, despite being the player character for most of the game, he is not the leader of the party - as he states to Basch and Penelo when the party reaches Archades, he's just going along with the party, following Ashe.

Vaan eventually "gave up" his dream of being a sky pirate, since it was just a way to release his frustration; ironically, despite this, he becomes a sky pirate anyway. Balthier, who'd noticed during the game that Vaan thought more and more like a sky pirate with each passing moment, showed him how to fly the Strahl, and showed him life as a sky pirate. Vaan took the Strahl at the end of the game, though Fran and Balthier took it back; Vaan and Penelo, now full-fledged sky pirates on their own, gain their own small airship, currently unnamed.

Vaan returns in the sequel, Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings, this time as the hero of the story.

Chynez

Ashelia or Ashe B'nargin Dalmasca is a 19-year-old Hume princess fighting to liberate her kingdom, Dalmasca, from the Archadian Empire. She was thought to have committed suicide, but took on the alias, Amalia, to serve as the leader of the Resistance before joining the group. Though intent on getting revenge on Archadia for the horrors its militant forces had committed on her people, Ashe's own lineage and malice were manipulated by the Occuria.

Chynez

Sir Basch fon Ronsenburg is a 36-year-old Hume who was born in the Republic of Landis, along with his twin brother Noah. After the Archadian Empire conquered their homeland, Basch fled to Dalmasca, joining its militant force. At Nalbina Fortress, Basch led the defense, and carried the dying Lord Rasler from the battlefield. After the Archadian occupation, he and Vossler led an assault on Nalbina Fortress to save the king, only to be captured by Imperial forces. As part of Vayne's plot to frame Basch, Noah, now Gabranth, posed as his brother and slew the Dalmascan king and later Vaan's older brother, Reks, who witnessed the crime. As a result, Basch is regarded by the Dalmascans as a traitor, and was stated to have been executed by Marquis Ondore. But in reality, Basch was imprisoned alive in the Nalbina Dungeons by Vayne as a means of ensuring Ondore remains loyal to the Empire - if Ondore betrayed the Empire, all Vayne would have to do would be to announce Basch's continued survival to destroy the Marquis' credibility.

He was eventually freed by Vaan, Balthier, and Fran who were trying to escape Nalbina dungeons. Though all three were initially suspicious of him; Vaan in particular, the party did catch a look at Gabranth's face, lending credibility to Basch's story that he had been framed. After the escape, he vowed to protect Ashe and help the resistance, in spite of his past failures. He remained loyal as well, even through such events as Vossler's betrayal.

It was Basch's devotion to honor despite everything else that most puzzled his twin, Gabranth, and was the source of the division between them. Eventually coming to respect Basch's viewpoint more than his own, Gabranth sought to redeem himself and remained true to his own devotion to Larsa Solidor, helping his brother and Ashe defeat Vayne on the Bahamut.

After the battle, as Noah was dying, he asked his brother to protect Larsa in his place to ensure peace. Because common belief of Captain Ronsenberg being dead, Basch easily took over his brother's stead as "Judge Magister Gabranth" to be the protector of the new Emperor Larsa Solidor.

[ Last edited by  Chynez at 19-2-2007 04:34 PM ]

Chynez

Fran is a member of the rabbit-like Viera race and Balthier's partner aboard his airship. She is described as proficient with a variety of weapons. She's also a good pilot and navigator, as expected of every sky pirate's partner.

Fran's hometown is Eruyt Village, a small enclave of the viera in Golmore Jungle. Fran left Eruyt Village and cast aside the Green Word fifty years prior to the events occurring in the game, believing that as her kind began with the forest, they can not be bound to its end. She had no intention to return to the Wood ever again until she and the others needed to get to Mt. Bur-Omisace, which lay past Golmore; unfortunately, the paths are sealed by Jote, Fran's sister. Though normally the viera would let none pass, Vaan's brashness convinces Jote to reveal that Fran and Jote's younger sister, Mjrn, had left the woods to explore the Henne Mines, and was taken by the humes. They depart for the Mines, finding Mjrn possessed by Venat. Upon their return back to Eruyt, Fran admits that she sometimes regrets the choice she made years ago, as she is unable to hear the forest, and fears the Wood hates her for leaving. Jote assures her otherwise, [3]. Fran is skeptical, thinking Jote was just trying to comfort her.[4] She leaves with the party, claiming to have become like a hume[5], and at ease with her conscience.

Fran, like all Viera, is exceptionally susceptible to the flows and vagaries of the Mist that permeates Ivalice; when Judge Ghis heated the Dawn Shard in his airship's engine, she could feel the Mist burning, and it threw her into a berserk rage, allowing her to easily split her iron shackles and, with her bare hands, knock down the guards imprisoning them with little trouble. Likewise, she could tell that the Mist was cooled in the Giruvegan, and of all the characters, seems to be the wisest - fitting, as she is much older than the rest of the cast.

Chynez

Penelo is a 17-year old Hume orphan who works as a dancer in a Rabanastre bazaar. She learned martial arts from her now-deceased older brother, a soldier, and though small in stature, she is perfectly capable of handling herself in sticky situations.

She has known Vaan since childhood, and is like a sister to him. Her parents, having took Vaan in to care for him after his own parents died, encouraged Penelo to like Vaan; having placed the two together when young, Vaan and Penelo care about each other a lot. It is unclear if this relationship will go any further, but the ending of the game reveals that they are traveling together as sky pirates, with Vaan as pilot and Penelo as navigator.

While due to the nature of Final Fantasy XII's combat system, no character is inherently good or bad at anything, there are small stat differences; these differences dictate that Penelo is the best magic user, alongside Ashe; but with higher vitality, but also consequently lower strength, in the party. This is also indicated in the sequel; Penelo returns in Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings, wearing a new outfit and using a magical staff.

Chynez

Balthier (Balflear in the original Japanese language version) is a 22-year-old Hume sky pirate who pilots the Strahl, a small airship, around the skies of Ivalice. He and his companion, Fran, prefer to remain outside of the war between the kingdoms of Ivalice. However, their attempt to steal a magicite (actually the Dusk Shard Nethicite) went bad; Vaan stole it first, and events forced them to join up in the Resistance over time.

Born Ffamran Mid Bunansa, he is the son of Dr. Cid, though he grew weary of his father's madness and obsession with Nethicite. Although Cid had made him an Imperial Judge, Ffamran eventually decided to cut his ties with his father and his role as a judge, becoming a sky pirate under a new name. With this new career change, Balthier amounted a sizable bounty on his head, attracting the attention of bounty hunters such as Ba'Gamnan. Unfortunately for Balthier, it took him a while to realize he'd been following his father in pursuing Nethicite while he served in the resistance.

Balthier claims to be the "leading man" of the story many times throughout the game, and insists that this status makes him invincible. [2] This was furthered by his near-death experience when the Sky Fortress Bahamut was destroyed near Rabanastre. Though presumed dead, he and Fran apparently retrieved the Strahl back from Vaan & Penelo, leaving a note for the new Queen Ashe, indicating he is still alive. Both he and Fran are to return in the game's sequel, Revenant Wings. His middle name, Mid, is a reference to Mid Previa from Final Fantasy V.

Chynez

Vayne Carudas Solidor is the 27-year-old Consul-Governor of Archadian-occupied Dalmasca, Commandant of the Archadian Empire's Western Armada and a member of House Solidor, whose members had led the Empire for four generations. This in effect makes him a "Prince", though as he states, the democratic nature of the Empire makes him no more eligible for the throne than anyone. He often laughs off those who attempt to give him the respect his title would command and makes genuine efforts to reach out to the conquered Dalmascans who make up his jurisdiction.

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Larsa Ferrinas Solidor (age 12) the fourth son to Emperor Gramis, and brother to Vayne. He was the favorite son of Lord Gramis, who tried tirelessly to ensure that Larsa remained pure and free from the scain of politics and war. Though young, Lord Larsa was a very idealistic young boy who believes problems can be solved without war. Larsa possessed a great deal of respect for House Solidor and the men of his family, especially his older brother who he adored. The Senate feared Vayne's growing power and the perceived threat to their own power, so they sought to have Lord Larsa placed upon the throne, believing him to be young and easily manipulated from behind the scenes. However, little did the Senate know, Larsa was more than capable of taking up the sword of House Solidor. He traveled with Vaan and company, under the alias "Lamont", during their trip to the Lhusu Mines to rescue Penelo. However, his knowledge of Nethicite exposed him. Larsa helped Vaan and company escape from the Leviathan and later joined the party again at Jahara until they arrived at Mt. Bur-Omisace and he learned from Al-Cid Margrace of the Rozarrian Empire that his father had been murdered.

Larsa urged Lady Ashe to use her influence on the Resistance to prevent an aggravation between the warring countries. Unlike his brother Vayne, Larsa was confident that a peaceful solution between these groups involved possible. After his brother was defeated, Larsa took his place in the Arcadian throne and settled into peace agreements.

Larsa joins the party as a guest throughout the game. Though young, he is skilled at swordplay.

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Prince Rasler Heios Nabradia is a prince of the neighboring state of Nabradia who married Ashe right before the Archadian invasion. Rasler is wounded by an archer during the battle at Nalbina Fortress, Basch escapes the destruction of the fortress with him. Rasler goes into a coma from the wound and eventually dies from it, widowing Ashe. He seems to appear to Ashe in the game as a ghost figure, and sometimes to Vaan, but this apparition was actually an Occurian illusion designed to lead Ashe on the path they wanted. Even though his and Ashe's wedding was an arranged one, it is quite clear that they truly were in love.

Chynez

Reks is the older brother of Vaan who fought under Basch's command in the battle against the Archadian soldiers during the rescue mission of the king. At that time, Reks was playable in the game's opening tutorial. He was mortally wounded by Judge Gabranth who posed as Basch, which was actually a part of Lord Vayne's plan to murder the king without it looking like Archadia was responsible for the vile deed. Reks is later hospitalized and eventually died from his wounds, but not before Vaan gets a chance to see him and learn of the "events" his brother was witness to.

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Vossler York Azelas (ヴォースラ・ヨーク・アズラス, Vōsura Yōku Azurasu?) is a comrade-in-arms with Basch, equal in rank. He remained loyal to Dalmasca and its legacy, helping Ashe in the resistance movement. Vossler is rather short tempered and not very compassionate, as seen when he told Basch to leave Reks behind in a battle. Vossler aided Vaan and company in the rescue of Ashe and the finding of the Dawn Shard. But once the Dawn Shard was found, Vossler betrayed his allies to the Empire believing it to be for the good of Dalmasca. He is defeated by the hands of the main characters, apologizing to Basch and Ashe in his last moments. Basch accepted his apology, and he said that he knew that Vossler thought what he did was for Dalmasca's well being. He remained on the Light Cruiser Shiva as it was destroyed in the explosion caused by the Dawn Shard.

Chynez

A resident clan based in Rabanastre, Clan Centurio was founded by the young moogle Montblanc. The clan's charge is to fell dangerous beasts called Marks that pose a threat to the populace of Ivalice, although its true hidden purpose is to cultivate hunters strong enough to defeat the most powerful monster to ever set foot on Ivalice, Yiazmat, the Wyrm God. Yiazmat had killed Montblanc's master several years ago, and ever since he has searched for a way to exact his revenge.

Clans are special groups in the world of Ivalice, formed by small alliances of hunters, that are aimed at hunting the most dangerous monsters, or Marks, that are posted as threats to the lives of the individuals of Ivalice. This is not done just out of a sense of honor- there's also considerable money to be had. It can be thought of as specialized bounty hunting. This is the ordinary business of clans, but they also sometimes hunt special Marks called Elite Marks, more powerful beasts-with correspondingly larger bounties.

Initially, there were only two major Clans in Ivalice; Clan Centurio is slowly progressing in the ranks, gaining popularity across Ivalice, and is the only real competitor with either of the larger two Clans. Clan Centurio is the only clan the player interacts with, and is the clan Vaan joins at the start of the game. Some of the notable members names could be found in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, albeit with different spelling.

Chynez

saper dah abes men game ne?..

Chynez

aku terstuck kat stilshrine of miriam 2 lar..nak hadap kan kat maner brave statue kar tak silap..:hmm:

IrvingLorenzo

aku ske gila tgk espers dlm game nie....gempak2 13 espers yg diorg reka tu....visually amazing. far better than the usualy bahamut, ifrit dgn shiva...

316

smpai skang pon blom abis lgik aku men game neh...

dah naik level 75....

Originally posted by Chynez at 26-2-2007 06:26 PM
aku terstuck kat stilshrine of miriam 2 lar..nak hadap kan kat maner brave statue kar tak silap..:hmm:

hala ke huge statue kat tengah tu.. kalau tak silap
bleh check kat gamefaq.com