Chapter Two: The Heart of Melting Magic
Desert Empress
Estimated Time to Complete Event: 42 minutes
Blu Magic: Matra Magic, Night, Vanish, Lv. 4 Holy
Bosses: Valia Pira
Cards: Namingway
Items: Promist Ring, Anklet, Shield Armor, N-Kai Armlet, Black Hood
Key Items: Hourglass Key
Monsters: Drakan, Grimlock, Torama, Ogre
Moogles: Mojito, Mogsam
Notes: Make sure everyone in your party has the abilities Body Temp, Loudmouth, Locomotion, Clear Headed and Antibody equipped before going ANYWHERE in the Desert Empress. Trust me when I say you'll need it.
It is imperative that you follow everything during this part TO THE LETTER. If you miss so much as the lighting of one candelabra, you'll be stuck, screwed and unable to turn back. If you have doubts, save on two different files with Mojito before continuing.
Side Quests: None
Shops: Mojito's Mogshop
You have control of Cid! Hop your way to the center of the platform then go right. You'll have to play a mini-game which I for one absolutely hate because I wasn't all that good at it. Keep pressing the circle when the monster isn't looking, and once you're at the center, put the clay, stone, and iron weights on the scale. To know which ones are which, examine the weights first. (To do this, you should have at least two minutes left.)
I know it seems like this chapter is obscenely long, but it'll be over soon. Trust me when I tell you the worst is yet to come.
After the cutscenes, make sure your new party has spiffy new equipment, because you are definitely going to need it. Head to the right next, and you'll find Mojito who wants you to deliver a letter Mogsam. He'll also sell you items and of course save your game. You should stock up on Rising Suns, since Amarant can throw them and they cause a great amount of damage. Now leave and head to the left, then up the steps.
Light the candle by the left statue, then 'inspect the bloodstone' and you'll receive a Promist Ring. Now head up the steps.
Examine all three statues, then attempt to head left. A new stairway of light will open up behind you. Follow it all the way up and into the next area. Once here, light the candelabra and head back down the steps of light. Now pass the three statues again and exit stage left.
You'll now be on a winding staircase. Head up naturally, and light all of the braziers at the top of the steps. Now go into the pathway that has just opened up for you, and over to the right side of the room. Once here, light the brazier at the bottom left to make the statues disappear, then go back to the other side of the room. Head to the center of the room and examining the statue on the wall, then light the two braziers on either side. This will make the other statues to the right disappear so that you don't have to run back and forth now. Light the two braziers on the right that you didn't light before, and head down the center of the platform and light the last brazier for this room. This will make the bloodstone appear-run towards it and inspect it for an Anklet. Now head through the doorway on the right.
You should now be in a curving hallway with two statues. Light the candelabra in front of the second statue and inspect this bloodstone for Shield Armor. Now continue around the path and head up the steps.
Light the candelabra at the top of the steps and the stained glass behind you will light up. Now continue along the path and you'll be in the library. Light the candelabra to the left of the stairs and another staircase will appear. Go up it and light the next candelabra on the far left for a door to appear. Go inside and inspect the bloodstone for an N-Kai Armlet. Equip it on Vivi so that he can learn Water.
Head back down the steps and up the other set of steps. You should see a ! when you reach the top-check it, then light the candelabra for a new door. Go through it and left up the steps. Light the first candelabra you see, then continue to the top of the steps to light another one. Now go back to the library.
Note: If you are unable to move left from Mogsam into the next area, then you've done something wrong. Reset the game and restart from your last save point. I felt it necessary that you see this note before actually saving with Mogsam, just in case.
Light the candelabra towards the entrance where you walked in at for a new door. Go through this one as well and light this candelabra. You'll hear the sound of a moogle. Sanctuary! You will now be able to pass through the stained glass on the left of the room. Mogsam will be there waiting for you, so rest well, save and give the moogle his mail. Now move on to the left.
Light the two candelabras, check the gargoyle and inspect the bloodstone for a Black Hood. Now go next door, inspect the statue, light the two candles in front of the statue and inspect the bloodstone for a Venetia Shield. Now light the third candle. Put out the candle left of the angel, and go back to the other side of the room and put out the candle left of the demon. A staircase will appear. Go back and save, make sure Vivi either knows Water or has on the N-Kai Armlet. Also make sure Dagger either knows Leviathan or is equipped with the Aquamarine. She hasn't been too reliable as of late, but hopefully she won't let you down.
Go up the staircase and light the very last candle at the end of the steps.
Boss Fight: Valia Pira
There's nothing to steal from him, since you have no thief in the party. His weakness is water, which is why Vivi and Dagger are very important in this battle. It's imperative that you get all the bloodstones, because if they're still connected to the Palace in this battle, Valia Pira will be able to enhance its defense, evasion etc. Have Quina cast Aqua Breath if she's in your party. If not then you have Eiko, which is even better. She can heal when needed, while Vivi casts Water, Dagger summons Leviathan and Steiner use Water Sword. It's likely that Dagger will fail due to concentration (or the lack thereof). This being the case, have Eiko cast Haste on here so her turns will come around more often and you won't be forced to wait...a really long time. This battle will literally be over before you know it, as long as you're careful.When the battle's over, head back to the moogle, tent and save if you'd like, but when you return, you have to re-light the candelabra and step into the glowing circle in the middle of the steps. Before you leave though, un-equip Eiko.
You'll now have control of Zidane again. Go down the steps and back to the teleporter you first came from. Follow Kuja's instructions and come inside his room. Make sure to equip your new party members, because you can get into battles in Kuja's room. Check the books on the left for a Namingway Card, which is very rare. Now leave Kuja's room and go back to the teleporter that you used to get here on the left-hand side.
Huh, looks like you missed your ride. Kick the lever to your right to let down the ladder, then follow it out and you'll be back on the Blue Narciss.
Esto Gaza
Estimated Time to Complete Event: 11 minutes
Blu Magic: Lv5 Death, Lv4 Holy, Mighty Guard, Limit Glove, White Wind
Bosses: None
Cards: None
Items: Wing Edge
Key Items: None
Monsters: Vepal, Feather Circle, Feather Circle (friendly), Blazer Beetle, Whale Zombie, Gigan Octupus, Garuda
Moogles: Mogrika
Notes: There are chocobo tracks not to far from you. You can find a chocograph on this continent not too far from here.
Also, you should equip Locomotion on all current party members, because the monsters cast Stop on your characters during battle.
Side Quests: Choco, land spirit
Shops: Esto Gaza Shop
The first thing you should do is save. Those cheap users didn't even restore your health, so if you'd like to tent before moving on you can. If Choco is a sea chocobo, you can engage in just about any side quests you want to at this point before moving on. You can also find a land spirit on the chocobo tracks in front of you, but you shouldn't try finding it unless you have a Moonstone.
To your left when you leave the Blue Narciss is a building, and your next destination. Head inside when you're ready, and don't forget to stock up on items before entering.
After entering, head up the steps and into the building. Speak with the bishop, then head to the right. The shopkeeper will sell you new weapons for everyone, and items as well. Make sure you buy something for all party members. Even if some of the weapons raise them down a few points, they have abilities on them that can only be learned on that particular weapon. (Such as the Octagon Rod, which teaches Vivi Firaga, Thundaga, Blizzaga.)
Now head around the circle clockwise (from the point of entry) and check around the end for a Wing Edge. Leave the shop area talk to the bishop to rest for 100 gil if you'd like, then continue up the steps.
Talk to Mogrika, and she'll have a letter from Artemicion. O_o Confusing, isn't it. She'll then ask you to deliver a letter to Moolan. Head up the steps in front of you for a view of the Shimmering Island, then head back down the steps and to the right. From this screen, follow the only road available to you, and you'll be in Mount Gulug.
Mount Gulug
Estimated Time to Complete Event: 78 minutes
Blu Magic: Twister, Mustard Bomb, Bad Breath, Frost
Bosses: Meltigemini
Cards: None
Items: 9693 gil, Ether, Red Hat, Wind Edge, Demon's Mail, Elixir, Garnet
Key Items: None
Monsters: Red Dragon, Red Vapal, Grenade, Wraith
Moogles: Moolan, Mogtaka, Mogki
Notes: You'll want to equip the Body Temp and Antibody abilities on all characters asap.
Side Quests: None
Shops: Mogtaka's Mogshop
Head left first and when you first walk in, check the lower right corner for 9693 gil. Now head up the ladder and pick up the Ether by the rubble, then left out of this room. Now climb down the next ladder and check around the light for a Red Hat. Go back and now head all the way to the right.
Instead of climbing down the rope in front of you, head to the right corner of the platform. Jump up to the next platform, and continue into the next cave. Continue down the path until you find a Golden Hairpin in a chest. From here you can go no further, so turn back and climb down the rope. Once at the end, head to the right. You'll meet Moolan, who will save your game. Don't forget to give him his mail. Also get his mail to Mogtaka. Now check the bottom right corner for a Wing Edge. Now head out to the right and north into the next room. Keep going along the semi-broken bridge and up the set of steps on the right. Keep going until you're up the second set of steps and in the next area.
Keep going until you can't go any further for Gaia Gear. Now head back. On your way back, you will have to fight two Red Dragons. They give more then 11,000 experience, and should be no problem if your party is around level 45 or so.
After the battle, head back to Moolan and save and rest. Now leave this room and head left past the well, and keep going left until you're inside a house. In this new room, check the chest for Demon's Mail. Leave the house and head north, inside of a cave. Go up the stairs and save with Mogtaka, and don't forget to give him his mail. He also has a Mogshop, so stock up on anything you need. You can stick around here and gain levels if you'd like. When you're finished, head up the steps.
Head into the house on the right, and you will be attacked by another Red Dragon. Where are these suckers coming from? Hopefully you've tented with Mogtaka just before coming here. After the battle, check the chest in front of you for an Elixir.
Go back to the well, and save and rest with Mogtaka if you feel it's necessary. It would be wise, considering what's coming up. Once you're at the well, pull the lever on the left down three times. Slide down the rope and wander around the room for a moment. You'll be attacked by yes, yet another Red Dragon. I hope this isn't the beginning of a trend. There's two of them, so prepare for another 11,000 experience points. After the battle, you'll actually have somewhere to go. You can climb back up the rope and save if you so desire, then come back to the new found hole in the wall. If you do go back, it would be better to save with Moolan, because he's closer than Mogtaka. And surely you haven't used so many items in so little time.
After you've walked through the hole, you'll see some cutscenes, then a boss battle will ensue.
Boss Fight: Meltigemini
Items to Steal: Vaccine, Demon's Vest, Golden HairpinThis boss fight is pretty simple. Stealing is optional, but believe that it won't be easy. If Vivi was in your party, he will be replaced by Eiko. Have her heal, Zidane steal/attack, Freya jump, and Amarant throw the new Wing Edges you've acquired. Have Quina cast any useful Blu Magic, Dagger heal/attack when possible, and Steiner attack. This battle will be over in no time, even if your characters are just over level 40.
After some cutscenes, you'll be back in Lindblum. The first thing you should do is head upstairs and save with Mogki. He'll also ask that you deliver a letter to Kumool. Now head to the conference room per Lady Hilda's request. After lots of cutscenes and an FMV, you'll fly off in your brand new Airship-The Hilda Garde 3.
Side Quest Central
Estimated Time to Complete Event: 38 minutes
Blu Magic: Optional, but should be close to completed
Bosses: None
Cards: Elixir Card
Items: Multina Racket, Elixir x3, 3206 gil, Tent x2, Hi-Potion, Running Shoes, Bistro Fork, Battle Boots
Key Items: None
Monsters: Amdusias
Moogles: Mosco, Mogliana, Mogreg, Mogriffin, Mosh, Moss, Artemicion, Moguta, Mogmi
Notes: Have fun
Side Quests: Mognet Central, Catching Frogs, Chocobo Hot & Cold
Shops: Really whichever ones you want...
I would first like to say that this section is completely optional. If you'd like to continue with the actual plot of the game, you can scroll down and go to chapter three of disk three, which starts with Ipsen's Castle.
Let's start, shall we? Find Treno on your world map, and now find South gate which isn't to far from there. Fly there and enter, since you still have your Gate Pass. Check the chest to your immediate left for a Multina Racket. Now climb the ladder not to far from you for a very rare Elixir Card.
Now head down to the north entrance of South Gate in the valley below (the entrance is by the river). You will find two Elixirs there, along with Mosco who is hiding, and 3206 gil.
Once you're all finished here, you can go to North Gate for a Tent and a Hi-Potion. Not much, but more than you had before right?
Now that that's all settled, you can head back to Lindblum and play cards with a certain Card Freak in the Theater District, if you're in to that sort of thing. If you go to Lindblum, make sure you dock your airship at the Castle. That way, you can board through the bridge, and after speaking with Erin, check around the left side of the ladder to find a Tent. Now climb up the ladder to receive an Elixir.
You can also engage in the lovable side quest that is Chocobo Hot & Cold. And now that you have your airship, you can complete it. You can start from the beginning or you can continue where you left off. For a complete list of Chocographs, their locations and their treasures, click here.
When you get the chance, go to Mognet Central, Kupo! There you will find many moogles, and see what the problem is with the mail. You'll also get to meet Mogliana, Mogreg, Mogriffin, Mosh, Moss, and see Artemicion again.
If you're feeling bored, put the ship on auto-pilot for Gizmalike's Grotto. Now turn around and head for the plateau above it. There you'll see two forests. The eastern-most forest is a secret entrance back into the grotto, where you can give any kupo nuts that you have to Moguta, and talk to Mogmi who will still save your game ^_^ (Aren't their kids cute? ...And freaky o-O;; )
You can also head over to Treno. There are new people at the Card Stadium to battle, and you can hang out at the auction house. You can also turn in your stellazio coins, and if you've been through the whole Chocobo quest then by now you have the sword Ragnorok. Equip it on Steiner, then put him in your party. Head into the weapon shop and select him to fight the new monster, Amdusias. Have him cast Shock, and if you're above level 33 or so, it'll hit 9999. Your prize will be Running Shoes.
Before completing this event, make sure to do two other things. One is run around in Forests and catch up with Ragtime Mouse and answer his questions. The other is to take Quina around to the different Qu's Marshes around the world to catch frogs. This won't take long, and you can get good items at certain points like the Bistro Fork and Battle Boots. See the side quests section for more details.
Alexandria Revisited
Estimated Time to Complete Event: 9 minutes
Blu Magic: None
Bosses: None
Cards: Alexandria Card
Items: Sapphire x2, Amethyst, Ether, Remedy, 2680 gil, Topaz, 4832 gil, Opal, Peridot
Key Items: None
Monsters: None
Moogles: Kupo, Chestnut
Notes: You might want to buy some Lightning Rods while you're here, so you can forge more Coral Rings. This will be further explained later.
Side Quests: None
Shops: Shopkeeper's Weapon Shop, Synthesist's Synth Shop
When you first enter, search the first house on the left for a Sapphire. Now continue north to the next area. When the screen first loads, head to your immediate left for an Ether. Now continue forward.
Speak to the little girl who's running around, and she'll tell you she found a card. This card is Alexandria, and extremely rare. It's pretty much only valuable if you're into Tetra Master, but just as well. The Shopkeeper outside the inn no longer has his own space, so you can buy weapons from him right where he's standing. Check the bottom left of the screen for a hidden Amethyst. Now head to the bottom right of the screen by the green awning for a Remedy if you can still carry them.
The Synthesist wanders the alley to the left, so make sure to buy what you need (like Coral Rings...) Head into Ruby's Mini-Theatre and talk to her. You'll get to see your old friend Lowell (XD), who is just as Ruby says he is. Check the left side of the table he's standing next to for 2680 gil on the floor.
In the next area, you'll find a Tent next to the steeple, just before you cross the bridge to go inside. Go inside the steeple, and you'll see the girls playing jump-rope (but not with the moogles). Don't despair, however. XD If you have either Vivi or Eiko in the party, you can play and get good cards. >.> It must be a short people game O_o;
Kupo's still hangin out down the street, doing the same old thing he did last week. With not a thing to do but talk to you, he'll still save your game, but he doesn't have any mail to give you. His friend Chestnut will keep track of your jump-rope records.
When you're all finished in town, you can go to the castle. At the dock, you'll find a Topaz and 4832 gil. Once you've docked at the castle, check the bottom right corner for an Opal, and the upper right side of the rubble above the steps for a Peridot. Now check the rubble to the north of the screen for a Sapphire.
That's all for here, unless you'd like to speak with the Knights of Pluto. In case you couldn't tell, they're to your left and some of them are in other parts of the castle. Thou must move on to the next.
Daguerreo
Estimated Time to Complete Event: 24 minutes
Blu Magic: Auto-Life
Bosses: None
Cards: Meteor, Flare
Items: Elixir x2
Key Items: Capricorn Stellazio
Monsters: Grand Dragon, Gimme Cat
Moogles: Noggy
Notes: Don't give Gimme Cats diamonds-they'll just take it and run away. They are not friendly monsters, and really they're not even worth the trouble they cause you. They give you 1 exp and 3 ap, so feel free to slay them whenever you come up against them.
Side Quests: Technically this is a side quest
Shops: Weaponsmith's Shop, Sales Clerk's Item Shop, Synthesis Expert's Shop
It's high time you went to Daguerreo Library, since it's just about the onliest thing left to do before going to Ipsen's Castle. (Yes, I know 'onliest' is not a word.)
Daguerreo is located on the biggest island beneath the Forgotten Continent. You can see it from your world map. Or if you've been through the chocobo side quest, just pilot to Chocobo's Lagoon and head northwest from there. If not, you can get there from the Qu's Marsh that's just northwest of there. And if you haven't found that, then auto-pilot to Oeilvert and head directly south from there. You can also take your chocobo there as opposed to flying your airship, since there is a forest on this island. Whatever floats your boat or finds your lost remote.
Whatever means of transportation you use, or what route you take, one thing is for sure. There are two enemies immediately outside Daguerreo, and to be honest, the Gimme Cat isn't worth your time. The Grand Dragon, however is worth honorable mention. For older gamers, we know that it's actually a remake of another dragon in a previous game. Be that as it may, the same things still apply, but he's not as tough as the other dragon. He is still however weak against ice. So it would be very nice to keep someone in your party that will help with that.
Now about those Coral Rings. If no one in your party is equipped with an accessory that's teaching them something, put a Coral Ring on them. This absorbs lightning attacks completely, making them all the more safe around the grand dragon. Told you they'd come in handy.
But what's this? There's an actual event to complete? Why yes, there is. So let us continue and pick up where we left off: Daguerreo, and not the fields surrounding it. Well don't just stand there, walk in.
Once you've entered, head to the right, then down towards the front of the screen for the Capricorn Stellazio coin. Now head up and into the next room to the right. Here, get on the lift and ride it up, then save with Noggy to the right. There is a synthesist behind the counter to your right, so make sure you buy what you need and some things you don't-you never know what you can learn. But don't buy the Thief Gloves, because you can get them for under 30,000 gil at Treno's Auction house. But if you want them not now but right now, and/or you've just got money to burn, go right ahead and pay the 50,000 gil that the Master Synthesist wants to make them.
You can talk to the four-armed man just around the corner, and he'll tell you your treasure rank. If it's high enough, you'll get the S Rank Award, but if not, you can come back later. When you're finished, you can play him or the scholar next to him for cards, but the scholar doesn't have much that you don't by now (probably). You can win some pretty nice airship cards from the Four-Armed man, so if you're a collector then go for it. It'd be a lot easier to just get them through Chocobo Hot & Cold, but he does have some additional cards that can't be found in the mini-game.
When you're done here, continue to the left. Right when you walk in, you'll see a stack of books below you to your right. Check them, then talk to the Engineer if you want to. Talk to the man and woman debating over several ideas-agree with the woman and you'll get the Meteor Card and agree with the man and you'll get the Flare Card. The young womans runs the Item Shop, so buy what you need.
Now go left and speak with the scholars. Talk to the Librarian behind the counter if you want to rest, then go through the door behind you and talk to the Weaponsmith. You can play cards with him if you'd like (and really just about everyone else in Daguerreo). Now go back up the steps and press the button to your right. When you're done, talk to the scholar, who is looking for "The Eidolon and I." Tell him it's in the stack of books that you just examined not too long ago, and he'll walk away. Go into the bookshelves where he was standing and you'll see a ?. Press it and go down the steps (or ladder). To the left is a man who will be instantly inspired to rename your characters for you if you have the Namingway Card. Keep going all the way left to find an Elixir on the steps, then go all the way to the right for another Elixir on the other set of steps.
Go back to the main room (past Noggy, when you first enter Daguerreo) and examine the Dragon God in the center of the room. You'll get one Aquamarine for every 5 ore you give it. This boosts Dagger's Leviathan summon, and is completely optional. When you're done, go to the left. Talk to the Oracle in green, who is a survivor of Cleyra. Now examine the bar, then play with the levers to the left. Select the left lever twice, then examine the hole. Now pick up the bar and put it into the hole. Now go back to the levers and select the right lever twice. Now go over to the right platform; it should be level to the ground. Ride it up and talk to the Weaponsmith. He will thank you and sell you weapons. You're all done here, unless you want to stick around and play cards with people. You can return later, which will be further discussed at Disk 4.