Final Fantasy 12 IHOP - Miner Infractions
Nov. 28th, 2012 11:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
xyzzysqrl"IF foe is weak to or vulnerable to fire, THEN cover them in oil."
"IF foe is covered in oil, THEN set them on fire and burn them. BURN THEM ALLLLL MWAHAHAHAHA."
It's almost hard to believe people dislike the Gambit system, on closer inspection. (Then I accidentally script Balthier to stab the entire party to death if his HP drops to critical. Let's actually erase that one.)
Fortified and prepared, my party trots off to face the Giant Ball of Chicken.
It was something of an excruciating victory, costing around 35 potions and various status-effect curing items, requiring that "Decoy" be cast on Balthier so he could tank more effectively, and partway through Fran got turned to stone and dropped out of the active party to be replaced by Vaan. Still, the evil Cluckosphere and all its chicks eventually fell to the might of these four brave... uh, heroes.
This particular target was a Clan mark, and Clan Centurio shows their gratitude with a bump in rank and some new stuff unlocked at the Clan Store. Nothing of great use to me, but it's good to know they're watching and that they care and stuff. I stop off and replace all those potions and healing items. It's expensive to be an adventurer.
Their next target is off in Bhujerba, which is where the plot will take me next. Let's hop back on the plot train. Excuse me... plot AIRSHIP.
I love airships. They're like planes, except boats.
I wanna mention briefly, as I'm in the airship terminal. Final Fantasy 12 does kind of a great job of something the series... heck, games in general... doesn't really do a good job with. As I walk around the terminal, there's lovers hugging before they seperate for flights home, commuters talking about the passage back and forth between major cities, people talking about what their cabin was like on the trip or lamenting getting stuck in the public boxes next to the vendors on the ride over. There's a dude over there using his suitcase as a pillow while he takes a nap, a couple of flight crews visible out the window prepping an airship for takeoff, some kids just chilling on the couches next to the windows and watching the flights leave...
It feels like a -place-. For all the fantasy decoration, you could walk into this place and know what it is and what these people are doing. The building is not one counter where you go and get your ticket for the one airship that runs between two cities because your party is the only group doing anything important in the entire universe. This is one room in one city in the entire world, and it -feels- like it. The world is so much bigger than any of this, and that's important, but so are these kids and that sleeping guy even if they have no impact whatsoever on the plot or gameplay.
If I give the impression that this game is entirely about fighting giant tomatos and chickens while making snarky commentary about Vaan's magic-marker abs, I'm sorry. I am doing it a disservice because that's where my focus is. But there really is so much more to it, and that's something I respect and salute even when I'm being a smartass. Previously I've always burned out about now because of a lack of focus (on my part), but playing through like this and stopping to take notes, I'm finding a lot to love.
...Anyway, Balthier is like "Bhujerba is on the Sky Continent of Dorstonis, and we're going to the Lhusu Mines there because that's where he'll have the girl." These two, Balthier and Backgammon, they have history y'see. "You ready? REALLY ready? We're not coming back for some time." Balthier points out. Yeah, I think I've done everything here for now. We roll on.
Vaan is, naturally, pants-wetting happy to see a real airship. The Strahl is an enormous thing, with wings that fold back and forth, and huge engines, and ... it's just -neat-. Once Vaan is over his rush of "YAAAY AIRSHIP" though, he remembers they're going to get Luke. I mean, Penelo. Penelo Airstepper.
That is a name I just made up.
Anyway, Penelo is in captivity and protesting that she barely even KNOWS this Ball-theer asshole. Ba'Gammon is not amused. Meanwhile, the party lands and Basch watches some imperials pass by, visibly on edge. "Remember." Balthier says, "You're a dead man. Use no names while we're here."
This tense scene is somewhat -undermined- by me wandering over and talking to a moogle just afterward. "Oh noes! My flight! I missed it!" it says. I snerk noisily. Yes, worldbuilding! In this case, worldbuilding means "Moogles are lolcats, damnit". Why is there no page of lolmoogles for me to link to? I am sad about this. Saaad. Worldbuilding ALSO means that "Mooglecraft" is a thing now, because all the moogles are talking about how they made this and that for the city. Sadly it seems like "Mooglecraft", after googling for it, is taken by some PvP Minecraft server. Shame.
Enough of this natter. The party heads out of the Aerodrome, planning to hit the Mines. "Going to the mines, are you?" asks a young boy nearby. "Mind if I come with you?" This boy's name... according to what he says, anyway... is Lamont, and he's not interested in talking about why he wants to go to the mines. He's also not interested in any IMPERIAL interest in why he wants to go to the mines. Balthier seems chill with this. Vaan, catching the relaxed air, agrees. "You're in good hands, Lamont! Right, Basch?"
There is a short pause as everyone in the party attempts to kill Vaan with telekinesis.
Vaan's facial expression gradually changes from "Ha ha we are sure a bunch of friends here!" to "Oh. Hey. Wait a sec. Crap."
Everyone just MOVES ALONG. Briskly. Even 'Lamont'. I spend pretty much all my money on new weapons and armor, since EVERY LITTLE BIT helps. I can always blow a couple hours chaining monster battles if I need more funds. Speaking of monster battles, I try to check in with the petitoner for that Hunt around here, but the streets are cordoned off and I can't get at him. Alas.
Then it's off to the Cloud Ci-- I mean, Bhujerba mines, kupo! Hooray! It seems that the mines are closed for imperial inspection, which on one hand means I don't have to weave around miners, but on the other hand does mean I'll have to avoid Imperial patrols... or not, as Lamont pipes up to inform the party that the Imperials are not actually permitted to have soliders do that. Neutral zone, and all that rot.
Which is good. I'll just have nasty monsters to fret over.
Oooor it could be imperials after all. As we walk into the mine, the party hides and watches a cutscene of Marquis Ondore, leader of Bhujerba, chatting it up with an Imperial Judge. Looks like he's funneling Magicite directly into their pockets and warehouses. Balthier muses that they say he also helps the Resistance. Lamont explains that "They" say a great many things. Balthier wants to know what "They" say Lamont's name ACTUALLY IS, but Vaan has no time for this subtle bullshit when Penelo is still kidnapped. He races off, forcing the others to keep up. Lamont looks somewhere between "amused" and "cannot believe this crap" at these antics.
Oh, Lamont, sugarpumpkin. You ain't seen nothin' yet.
Anyway if the Imperials are down here they need to EAT SOMETHING. Because they are skeletons. ... There are skeletons in the mine. That... that's what I was saying. Is all. Also bats.
It is at this point that I discover that "Libra", which in previous games is the spell for "Show me enemy HP", and in this game is described as "Display more information about enemies", and is implied to pretty much only be good if you really need a look at enemy stats and maybe a hint about weaknesses, is ALSO a "Detect Traps" spell. I learn this AFTER propelling my party into several LAND MINES and looking at the internet for a way to see them coming. I'm just saying, THIS is not an intuitive game mechanic.
Also the only way of disarming traps I can find is "smack your forehead into it". GG Square, A++ would explode again.
In a box I find Numerology, which is a technique that does damage based on numbers. Of some kind. I am sure there's an intimate dissection of how and what it does somewhere on the internet, but I just picture that, like... Basch stands there and screams "ONE MILLION FIFTY SIX DIVIDED BY EIGHT!" at bad guys and they try to imagine it and their brains explode. I hate math.
Okay looking it up it looks like it's just... some... repeating multiplication stuff and I'm not gonna use it unless people tell me it's a good idea to set someone to just spam numbers at monsters forever? You guys can decide on that, there's the info. Moving on!
Speaking of numbers, though, I spend the next half hour or so standing on a bridge chain-fighting skeletons for loot drops and XP. I can't even explain this, really. If I had to try to explain it, my explanation would be like... "Oh my god, you guys! Numbers! Look at those numbers! They are going UP SO HIGH. Sometimes they make other numbers go up. SO HIGH. Mmmmm. SO MANY NUMBERS."
I hate math but I love numbers. That's why I play RPGs I guess.
While I'm chaining and looting and whatnot, I come across an "Assassin's Dagger", which... okay, yes, that is a thing that assassins use. It has a decent strength, but the star is the effect: On hit, it may cause the attacked target to die.
...Yes, all right, it's a 5% chance. But... come on. STABBY DEATH. TARGET MAY DIE. Amalia, where ARE you? You're the only one who can use this MURDERSTABBER!
A little further on, Lamont stops and fishes around in his pocket, pulling out a blue glowing thing. This, he informs us, is "Manufactured Nethicite", and it is the opposite of magicite. It absorbs magic instead of pooting it out as Mist. The materials used to make it came from these mines, which is what he wanted confirmation of. The "Draklor Laboratories" are apparently trying to mass-produce it. Balthier suddenly... not quite FLIPS OUT, but gets very aggressive, wanting to know all about the nethicite and the labs and PARTICULARLY exactly who Lamot REALLY IS. Unfortunately this is where Ba'Gammon busts in. He released Penelo when he saw Balthier land, so she's not around anymore. While he's talking, he's assembling a giant chainsaw-hoop on a stick, which he proceeds to wave around threateningly.
New plan: Leg it. The party runs like hell from him and his extended family. Luckily I remember the way out and don't, for example, run into any dead ends or land mines. HA. We lose them eventually, and Balthier muses that enough excitement like this could lead to him retiring from Sky Pirating entirely.
Outside the mines, "Lamont" is greeting some Imperials, who are pissed at him going off on his own. Turns out his real name is Larsa Solidor, and he's Vayne's youngest brother. Vayne, of course, is the big imperial cheese who we saw all speechin' away at the start of the game.
Vaan is shocked by this.
The Judge outside the mines shows off Penelo, who was found walking out of the mines. ("I was KIDNAPPED." she explains. "SILENCE." he grouches.) Larsa muses that if walking through the mines is illegal, he's guilty too. Then he explains that he won't wander off "alone" anymore, takes Penelo by the hand, and leaves for Ondore's estate.
Vaan is shocked _and_ baffled by this. Penelo is surprised that this kid knows her name, but is relieved she's not going to be, like... hucked off the edge of the sky city or anything.
"Do not worry." Fran offers. "I believe he will treat her well."
"And nobody knows men like Fran does." Balthier agrees. Then they kinda... LOOK at each other. For a while. Vaan is oblivious. Basch looks faintly discomforted, but that's because he's thinking of Ondore. Ondore is kind of a double-dealing jerk, and he has Penelo. They have to find a way to get at him. Balthier suggests that maybe if they greatly undermine his authority somehow, it will make him look bad to the Imperials.
The biggest announcement Ondore's made in the last few years is the execution of known traitor Basch. If they make it clear that he's still alive, that will ruin his credibilty. Additionally, resistance activity will spike as the local resistance comes out of hiding to see if the rumors are true, and probably playing havoc with the imperials to boot. It's a smokescreen operation, and it's certain to get the attention of the people who KNOW Basch wasn't really executed, as well as plant doubt in the minds of those who were never quite sure.
So this all sounds like a really decent plan.
Vaan's contribution is therefore to run around town screaming "I'M BASCH FON RONSENBURG OF DALMASCA!" at everyone he sees.
Great idea. Poor execution. This is probably the best-known, most parodied, and... somewhat most PAINFUL part of Final Fantasy 12 as Vaan runs around town declaring himself BASCH FON RONSENBURG at the top of his lungs, and yelling at people "DON'T BELIEVE ONDORE'S LIES!! BASCH LIIIVES!"
That said, people have some great reactions. "So you're THE Fon Ronsenburg." one shopkeeper deadpans. "We all thought him dead, but he rises from the grave to buy my weapons. Terrifying." Another citizen offers, "You're entertaining, but stupid." A third: "You're so young! You must have been but a child when you were executed! How terrible is Dalmasca, that they send children to war?"
Eventually Vaan causes enough of a stir that some very large men come to ask him some Questions. And by ask him questions I mean "haul him to see their leader". Their leader takes one look at Vaan and knows goddamn well he's not Basch, but wonders why, exactly, some kid would be yelling that NOW. Balthier walks in to snark at their choice of headquarters ("The back of a tavern? Not earning high marks for originality, are we?") and he brings the ACTUAL Basch with him. Now we can get some shit done.
Meanwhile, in Ondore's apartments, Larsa and Penelo are chatting. Larsa is bothered that things seem to be going so BADLY in Dalmasca, and makes a note to talk to his brother, Vayne. Penelo points out that the empire and particularly Vayne is -terrifying- if you're not, y'know, his little brother. "We lost so much. Friends. Family. My parents." she sighs.
"So you... FEAR the empire?" Larsa wonders, like it's a complete mystery to him how any of this could possibly happen. Larsa then swears he'll protect her.
"How can I trust you?" Penelo wonders.
"Because I give you my word!" he declares proudly. Again, she looks really dubious. Larsa, I don't think you really get how this works.
Anyway, back in the tavern, Basch and company arrange to slip in for a meeting with Ondore. On the way out of the tavern, however, I notice that there's a new mark on the Bounty Board. And I have that Clan Mark to locate information about somewhere in town... Hmmm. Progress the plot? Do dumb side junk? Progress the plot? Do dumb side junk?
NEXT TIME: Dumb side junk.
"IF foe is covered in oil, THEN set them on fire and burn them. BURN THEM ALLLLL MWAHAHAHAHA."
It's almost hard to believe people dislike the Gambit system, on closer inspection. (Then I accidentally script Balthier to stab the entire party to death if his HP drops to critical. Let's actually erase that one.)
Fortified and prepared, my party trots off to face the Giant Ball of Chicken.
It was something of an excruciating victory, costing around 35 potions and various status-effect curing items, requiring that "Decoy" be cast on Balthier so he could tank more effectively, and partway through Fran got turned to stone and dropped out of the active party to be replaced by Vaan. Still, the evil Cluckosphere and all its chicks eventually fell to the might of these four brave... uh, heroes.
This particular target was a Clan mark, and Clan Centurio shows their gratitude with a bump in rank and some new stuff unlocked at the Clan Store. Nothing of great use to me, but it's good to know they're watching and that they care and stuff. I stop off and replace all those potions and healing items. It's expensive to be an adventurer.
Their next target is off in Bhujerba, which is where the plot will take me next. Let's hop back on the plot train. Excuse me... plot AIRSHIP.
I love airships. They're like planes, except boats.
I wanna mention briefly, as I'm in the airship terminal. Final Fantasy 12 does kind of a great job of something the series... heck, games in general... doesn't really do a good job with. As I walk around the terminal, there's lovers hugging before they seperate for flights home, commuters talking about the passage back and forth between major cities, people talking about what their cabin was like on the trip or lamenting getting stuck in the public boxes next to the vendors on the ride over. There's a dude over there using his suitcase as a pillow while he takes a nap, a couple of flight crews visible out the window prepping an airship for takeoff, some kids just chilling on the couches next to the windows and watching the flights leave...
It feels like a -place-. For all the fantasy decoration, you could walk into this place and know what it is and what these people are doing. The building is not one counter where you go and get your ticket for the one airship that runs between two cities because your party is the only group doing anything important in the entire universe. This is one room in one city in the entire world, and it -feels- like it. The world is so much bigger than any of this, and that's important, but so are these kids and that sleeping guy even if they have no impact whatsoever on the plot or gameplay.
If I give the impression that this game is entirely about fighting giant tomatos and chickens while making snarky commentary about Vaan's magic-marker abs, I'm sorry. I am doing it a disservice because that's where my focus is. But there really is so much more to it, and that's something I respect and salute even when I'm being a smartass. Previously I've always burned out about now because of a lack of focus (on my part), but playing through like this and stopping to take notes, I'm finding a lot to love.
...Anyway, Balthier is like "Bhujerba is on the Sky Continent of Dorstonis, and we're going to the Lhusu Mines there because that's where he'll have the girl." These two, Balthier and Backgammon, they have history y'see. "You ready? REALLY ready? We're not coming back for some time." Balthier points out. Yeah, I think I've done everything here for now. We roll on.
Vaan is, naturally, pants-wetting happy to see a real airship. The Strahl is an enormous thing, with wings that fold back and forth, and huge engines, and ... it's just -neat-. Once Vaan is over his rush of "YAAAY AIRSHIP" though, he remembers they're going to get Luke. I mean, Penelo. Penelo Airstepper.
That is a name I just made up.
Anyway, Penelo is in captivity and protesting that she barely even KNOWS this Ball-theer asshole. Ba'Gammon is not amused. Meanwhile, the party lands and Basch watches some imperials pass by, visibly on edge. "Remember." Balthier says, "You're a dead man. Use no names while we're here."
This tense scene is somewhat -undermined- by me wandering over and talking to a moogle just afterward. "Oh noes! My flight! I missed it!" it says. I snerk noisily. Yes, worldbuilding! In this case, worldbuilding means "Moogles are lolcats, damnit". Why is there no page of lolmoogles for me to link to? I am sad about this. Saaad. Worldbuilding ALSO means that "Mooglecraft" is a thing now, because all the moogles are talking about how they made this and that for the city. Sadly it seems like "Mooglecraft", after googling for it, is taken by some PvP Minecraft server. Shame.
Enough of this natter. The party heads out of the Aerodrome, planning to hit the Mines. "Going to the mines, are you?" asks a young boy nearby. "Mind if I come with you?" This boy's name... according to what he says, anyway... is Lamont, and he's not interested in talking about why he wants to go to the mines. He's also not interested in any IMPERIAL interest in why he wants to go to the mines. Balthier seems chill with this. Vaan, catching the relaxed air, agrees. "You're in good hands, Lamont! Right, Basch?"
There is a short pause as everyone in the party attempts to kill Vaan with telekinesis.
Vaan's facial expression gradually changes from "Ha ha we are sure a bunch of friends here!" to "Oh. Hey. Wait a sec. Crap."
Everyone just MOVES ALONG. Briskly. Even 'Lamont'. I spend pretty much all my money on new weapons and armor, since EVERY LITTLE BIT helps. I can always blow a couple hours chaining monster battles if I need more funds. Speaking of monster battles, I try to check in with the petitoner for that Hunt around here, but the streets are cordoned off and I can't get at him. Alas.
Then it's off to the Cloud Ci-- I mean, Bhujerba mines, kupo! Hooray! It seems that the mines are closed for imperial inspection, which on one hand means I don't have to weave around miners, but on the other hand does mean I'll have to avoid Imperial patrols... or not, as Lamont pipes up to inform the party that the Imperials are not actually permitted to have soliders do that. Neutral zone, and all that rot.
Which is good. I'll just have nasty monsters to fret over.
Oooor it could be imperials after all. As we walk into the mine, the party hides and watches a cutscene of Marquis Ondore, leader of Bhujerba, chatting it up with an Imperial Judge. Looks like he's funneling Magicite directly into their pockets and warehouses. Balthier muses that they say he also helps the Resistance. Lamont explains that "They" say a great many things. Balthier wants to know what "They" say Lamont's name ACTUALLY IS, but Vaan has no time for this subtle bullshit when Penelo is still kidnapped. He races off, forcing the others to keep up. Lamont looks somewhere between "amused" and "cannot believe this crap" at these antics.
Oh, Lamont, sugarpumpkin. You ain't seen nothin' yet.
Anyway if the Imperials are down here they need to EAT SOMETHING. Because they are skeletons. ... There are skeletons in the mine. That... that's what I was saying. Is all. Also bats.
It is at this point that I discover that "Libra", which in previous games is the spell for "Show me enemy HP", and in this game is described as "Display more information about enemies", and is implied to pretty much only be good if you really need a look at enemy stats and maybe a hint about weaknesses, is ALSO a "Detect Traps" spell. I learn this AFTER propelling my party into several LAND MINES and looking at the internet for a way to see them coming. I'm just saying, THIS is not an intuitive game mechanic.
Also the only way of disarming traps I can find is "smack your forehead into it". GG Square, A++ would explode again.
In a box I find Numerology, which is a technique that does damage based on numbers. Of some kind. I am sure there's an intimate dissection of how and what it does somewhere on the internet, but I just picture that, like... Basch stands there and screams "ONE MILLION FIFTY SIX DIVIDED BY EIGHT!" at bad guys and they try to imagine it and their brains explode. I hate math.
Okay looking it up it looks like it's just... some... repeating multiplication stuff and I'm not gonna use it unless people tell me it's a good idea to set someone to just spam numbers at monsters forever? You guys can decide on that, there's the info. Moving on!
Speaking of numbers, though, I spend the next half hour or so standing on a bridge chain-fighting skeletons for loot drops and XP. I can't even explain this, really. If I had to try to explain it, my explanation would be like... "Oh my god, you guys! Numbers! Look at those numbers! They are going UP SO HIGH. Sometimes they make other numbers go up. SO HIGH. Mmmmm. SO MANY NUMBERS."
I hate math but I love numbers. That's why I play RPGs I guess.
While I'm chaining and looting and whatnot, I come across an "Assassin's Dagger", which... okay, yes, that is a thing that assassins use. It has a decent strength, but the star is the effect: On hit, it may cause the attacked target to die.
...Yes, all right, it's a 5% chance. But... come on. STABBY DEATH. TARGET MAY DIE. Amalia, where ARE you? You're the only one who can use this MURDERSTABBER!
A little further on, Lamont stops and fishes around in his pocket, pulling out a blue glowing thing. This, he informs us, is "Manufactured Nethicite", and it is the opposite of magicite. It absorbs magic instead of pooting it out as Mist. The materials used to make it came from these mines, which is what he wanted confirmation of. The "Draklor Laboratories" are apparently trying to mass-produce it. Balthier suddenly... not quite FLIPS OUT, but gets very aggressive, wanting to know all about the nethicite and the labs and PARTICULARLY exactly who Lamot REALLY IS. Unfortunately this is where Ba'Gammon busts in. He released Penelo when he saw Balthier land, so she's not around anymore. While he's talking, he's assembling a giant chainsaw-hoop on a stick, which he proceeds to wave around threateningly.
New plan: Leg it. The party runs like hell from him and his extended family. Luckily I remember the way out and don't, for example, run into any dead ends or land mines. HA. We lose them eventually, and Balthier muses that enough excitement like this could lead to him retiring from Sky Pirating entirely.
Outside the mines, "Lamont" is greeting some Imperials, who are pissed at him going off on his own. Turns out his real name is Larsa Solidor, and he's Vayne's youngest brother. Vayne, of course, is the big imperial cheese who we saw all speechin' away at the start of the game.
Vaan is shocked by this.
The Judge outside the mines shows off Penelo, who was found walking out of the mines. ("I was KIDNAPPED." she explains. "SILENCE." he grouches.) Larsa muses that if walking through the mines is illegal, he's guilty too. Then he explains that he won't wander off "alone" anymore, takes Penelo by the hand, and leaves for Ondore's estate.
Vaan is shocked _and_ baffled by this. Penelo is surprised that this kid knows her name, but is relieved she's not going to be, like... hucked off the edge of the sky city or anything.
"Do not worry." Fran offers. "I believe he will treat her well."
"And nobody knows men like Fran does." Balthier agrees. Then they kinda... LOOK at each other. For a while. Vaan is oblivious. Basch looks faintly discomforted, but that's because he's thinking of Ondore. Ondore is kind of a double-dealing jerk, and he has Penelo. They have to find a way to get at him. Balthier suggests that maybe if they greatly undermine his authority somehow, it will make him look bad to the Imperials.
The biggest announcement Ondore's made in the last few years is the execution of known traitor Basch. If they make it clear that he's still alive, that will ruin his credibilty. Additionally, resistance activity will spike as the local resistance comes out of hiding to see if the rumors are true, and probably playing havoc with the imperials to boot. It's a smokescreen operation, and it's certain to get the attention of the people who KNOW Basch wasn't really executed, as well as plant doubt in the minds of those who were never quite sure.
So this all sounds like a really decent plan.
Vaan's contribution is therefore to run around town screaming "I'M BASCH FON RONSENBURG OF DALMASCA!" at everyone he sees.
Great idea. Poor execution. This is probably the best-known, most parodied, and... somewhat most PAINFUL part of Final Fantasy 12 as Vaan runs around town declaring himself BASCH FON RONSENBURG at the top of his lungs, and yelling at people "DON'T BELIEVE ONDORE'S LIES!! BASCH LIIIVES!"
That said, people have some great reactions. "So you're THE Fon Ronsenburg." one shopkeeper deadpans. "We all thought him dead, but he rises from the grave to buy my weapons. Terrifying." Another citizen offers, "You're entertaining, but stupid." A third: "You're so young! You must have been but a child when you were executed! How terrible is Dalmasca, that they send children to war?"
Eventually Vaan causes enough of a stir that some very large men come to ask him some Questions. And by ask him questions I mean "haul him to see their leader". Their leader takes one look at Vaan and knows goddamn well he's not Basch, but wonders why, exactly, some kid would be yelling that NOW. Balthier walks in to snark at their choice of headquarters ("The back of a tavern? Not earning high marks for originality, are we?") and he brings the ACTUAL Basch with him. Now we can get some shit done.
Meanwhile, in Ondore's apartments, Larsa and Penelo are chatting. Larsa is bothered that things seem to be going so BADLY in Dalmasca, and makes a note to talk to his brother, Vayne. Penelo points out that the empire and particularly Vayne is -terrifying- if you're not, y'know, his little brother. "We lost so much. Friends. Family. My parents." she sighs.
"So you... FEAR the empire?" Larsa wonders, like it's a complete mystery to him how any of this could possibly happen. Larsa then swears he'll protect her.
"How can I trust you?" Penelo wonders.
"Because I give you my word!" he declares proudly. Again, she looks really dubious. Larsa, I don't think you really get how this works.
Anyway, back in the tavern, Basch and company arrange to slip in for a meeting with Ondore. On the way out of the tavern, however, I notice that there's a new mark on the Bounty Board. And I have that Clan Mark to locate information about somewhere in town... Hmmm. Progress the plot? Do dumb side junk? Progress the plot? Do dumb side junk?
NEXT TIME: Dumb side junk.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2012-11-29 11:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-11-29 12:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-11-29 04:29 pm (UTC)So is there a reason they have Vaan claim to be Basch instead of just using the real Basch to prove Basch is alive?
no subject
Date: 2012-11-29 04:53 pm (UTC)Bhujerba, as the primary producer of magicite, was allied with Dalmasca and the Empire during the war, providing to both sides. When the Empire won, it became clear that they had the military might to take Bhujerba if they wanted, so its continued survival hinged on playing nice and being useful, including using its historical status as a neutral third party to act as a convenient place for the trial that sentenced Basch; Ondore backed the resistance in secret because he HATES the Empire interfering with his nation. Keeping Basch ALIVE was never about anything more than making sure the Empire always had leverage on Ondore if he acted up. So if Basch is jailbroke and doing stuff, the Empire has no reason not to act now, because if they don't they'll lose their grounds for war and be forced to admit THEY were behind the cover-up.
But since the verdict was execution and Basch is still ALIVE, that means two things. One: Bhujerba is going to stop being a neutral party very soon, since the instant it becomes public knowledge, the Empire will say Ondore kept Basch alive and use it as casus belli to invade. Two: that Bhujerba, as the secret power behind the resistance, is going to need a symbol for the Dalmascans to get behind, that being Ashe.
If the real Basch were running around in the open, the Empire would know the jig is up right then and there and attack before Bhujerba could prepare; however, a RANDOM CRAZY PERSON running around yelling about Basch is a good excuse to both A) make the rumors of Basch's survival look LESS credible and B) clue in Ondore that somebody knows the big dirty secret. By turning Basch over to the Empire SECRETLY, he gets Basch and crew onto the ship bearing Ashe, and if Ashe is freed and can act publicly alongside Basch, suddenly Bhujerba is on a much better war footing to fight the Empire.