Paramina Rift

Fading Vale

Kiltias (on left): Beyond this rift you’ll find the holy mountain. Take each step one at a time, and you shall reach your destination.

Kiltias (on right): Mt. Bur-Omisace is to the northeast. Should you go south you’ll enter the rift… take care. Gods guide your path. Faram.

Refugee (talking with seeq): The Kiltias of Mt. Bur-Omisace took us in and treated us warmly. Thanks to their aid I’m well enough to return home now.

Refugee (blue seeq): When newcomers what can’t walk on their own arrive, I carry them up the mountain. I’m glad to help the Kiltias, any way I can.

Freezing Gorge

(As the party climbs the mountain, they see the refugees also make their way to Mt. Bur-Omisace.)

Balthier: Empires parade down city streets, while refugees walk barefoot through the snow.

Larsa: And so I sue for peace to stop short war and ease their suffering. My father will choose peace.

Balthier: Will he now? You sound sure of yourself. You can never know another, even your father.

[Balthier and others walk away; Vaan is left with Larsa.]

Vaan: Don’t take it the wrong way, okay?

[Larsa doesn’t respond.]

[Scene changes to Emperor’s audience room in Archadia.]

Vayne: This crisis would not end were I gone. The Senate hates the very fact that House Solidor exists. By necessity, we must find reason to silence them.

Gramis: Necessity? Ah yes, necessity. Does that word free you, I wonder? You show no hesitation to solve matters with blood.

Vayne: The sword of House Solidor cannot be left to rust in doubt. It was you, Excellency, who tempered that sword.

Gramis: Is this your idea of vengeance?

Vayne: It is my idea of necessity.

[Gramis grumbles frustratedly.]

Vayne: If we do not act now, it is not only our future you imperil.

Gramis: So you would dirty your hands, to keep his clean?

Vayne: My hands are stained with blood. I see little reason to stay them now.

Gramis: So they are. And so House Solidor lives on.

[Back to the party at Paramina Rift.]

The Henne Mines

North Entrance

Gate Switchboard: This switchboard operates the mine gates.

>Press the switch.

>Do nothing.

Ore Separation: It’s locked from the other side.

Advisory, Gate Operation: “For immediate distribution and posting: The colour of the switchboard phosphor corresponds with gates currently closed. Accordingly, use of the switchboard opens gates of the colour presently illuminated. Note your desired route and open such gates as it requires. It follows that one cannot open red and blue gates simultaneously. As gates throughout the mine are linked, do verify your route in advance. Workers’ Weekly Wisdom: NO accidents. NO injuries. NO worries. -Imperial Army, Officiary of Resources”

Pithead Junction A

Wounded Imperial: I managed to escape… I don’t know how, but I did. You must be careful. The mines… they’re not safe. How could we have known…

Wounded Imperial (x2): (He’s unconscious.)

Advisory, the 1st: “Noxious fumes and vapors are an ever-present threat within the mine. Should you feel you’ve been affected, report at once to the infirmary. Workers’ Weekly Wisdom: Our workers are our greatest resource. -Imperial Army, Officiary of Resources”

Staging Shaft

Larsa: Look at the magicite. These mines much resemble the ones at Lhusu. Of course. Draklor must be searching for new sources of ore. Should the Resistance move, the magicite in Bhujerba will be forever beyond their grasp.

[The party notices another collapsed soldier some distance away. They run toward him. Fran gasps.]

Fran: Is it her? What is this Mist? [looking up] Mjrn!

[Vaan and Larsa look wonderingly at Fran, then turn in the direction she is looking. A viera comes stumbling around the corner.]

Mjrn: The stench of humes. The stench of power.

Ashe: What’s wrong with her?

[Mjrn hears her and turns, pointing a finger at her, and when she next speaks, it’s with an unearthly voice.]

Mjrn: Stay away! Power-needy hume!

[Mjrn goes frantically running back the way she came, still stumbling.]

Ore Separation

[They catch a glimpse of Mjrn before she disappears again, behind the hulking form of a great wyrm.]

[After defeating Tiamat…]

[Mjrn comes stumbling out of the shadows. Fran starts running toward her. We see Mjrn is holding a piece of manufacted nethicite in her hand; she drops it, and once it comes to rest on the ground, it shatters. A fearful, shadowy visage appears around Mjrn; frightened, Fran stops, but it disappears almost as quickly. Mjrn finally passes out and falls to the ground.]

Vaan: That thing inside her. What was it?

[No one answers. Fran cradles Mjrn in her arms, and Mjrn, though still drowsy, stirs.]

Mjrn: Is it you?

[Fran nods. Mjrn smiles, and with a sigh, falls back into unconsciousness.]

[In the next scene, we soon see Mjrn explaining to the others in a small room in the mine what happened.]

Mjrn: When the hume soldiers came to the Wood, the village took small heed of them. So long as the Wood Herself is safe, the viera give little care to goings on beyond. But in me an uneasiness stirred. I had to discover why they had come.

Balthier: So you came here hoping to find something out, and got yourself caught. You’re as foolhardy as your sister.

Mjrn: They took me then, and set close beside me a stone. They said its Mist would be drawn into me, that the viera well suited this end. I saw the light coming from the stone, and then -

Fran: We have seen this. On Leviathan, the Mist from the Dawn Shard drove me, too, into such a rage. She was taken not by the Dawn Shard.

Larsa: Manufacted nethicite.

[Fran nods.]

Larsa: Then that means - Penelo, the stone I gave you, do you still carry it with you?

Penelo: Sure, it’s right here.

[As she brings it out, Larsa snatches it from her hands.]

Larsa: This is more dangerous than I had imagined. I should never have given it to you. Forgive me. I did not know.

Penelo: I’d always thought of it as a sort of good luck charm. And even if it is dangerous, on Leviathan it kept us safe.

Ashe: There is a place for all things, even danger such as this.

Vaan: I hope you’re right about that.

Ozmone Plain - Sunlit Path & The Shred

Sunlit Path

[If you do not have a Potion in your inventory…]

Imperial: Oh, cruel Fates! I have to help my friend… If I only had a potion!

[If you do have a Potion in your inventory…]

Imperial: T-Traveler… have you a potion on you? My friend is badly wounded… I fear that, untreated… he’ll die. Please, just one potion…

>Give him a potion.

Thank you, thank you! I’m in your debt…

[You hand a potion to the Imperial.]

Thanks to you, my friend’s life is saved. We are in your debt, sir. We fled here from the Henne Mines. We were attacked, you see… It was all we could do to make it this far. We’ll rest here until my friend’s wounds have had a chance to heal. If you like, we could lend you the use of a chocobo until then. There’s a lot of terrain around here which can’t be accessed without a chocobo. You let me know when you need one.

>Leave.

Imperial (laying on ground): I’ve you to thank for my life, it seems. I… only hope my mates in the mine are all right.

Imperial (standing beside his friend): Need a chocobo?

>Borrow one.

Right. On your way, then. Oh, and you do know that some paths are only accessible by chocobo, right? A sure sign that such a path is nearby is the presence of chocobo footprints. Keep that in mind, and you won’t go wrong. The chocobo paths on the plains take you close to the entrance to the Henne Mines… which I’d stay away from, were I you.

>Do nothing.

[end conversation]

The Shred

[Researchers and soldiers lay on the ground outside the entrance to the Henne Mines.]

Larsa: Researchers from the Draklor Laboratory. What were they doing here?

Balthier: Research.

Eruyt Village After Jote

Fane of the Path

Wood-dweller (viera with pixie cut hair standing in front of elder’s den): To be viera is to abide by the Green Word. It is only natural that Jote’s will and the will of the village be as one. If the Green Word forbids contact with the world outside, then so it must be.

Salve-maker/Hala: We have heard the whisper of the Wood. It tells us to deny passage to the humes. So have we summoned the barriers in Golmore. Those to whom Jote gives her leave, who bear Lente’s Tear, may pass - no other.

Wood-dweller (long haired viera walking up and down path): Even should you find Mjrn, to us she is forever lost. Once a viera has forsaken the Wood, return is forbidden. Besides, I would not think a hume’s dull senses able to find her. You will be lucky if your flesh does not soon feed the feybeasts.

Wood-dweller (viera with pixie cut walking behind salve-makers’ den): Are you lost? Or do you trespass here willingly? Either way, the presence of humes disrupts the harmony of our village… you must realize this.

Wood-dweller (sitting and talking to another viera): The salve-makers of our village gather at this house. A salve-maker must have knowledge not only of herbs, but of the Wood as a whole. With our knowledge of medicine and our healing hymns do we support and sustain the village as our elder, Jote, bids us.

Alja: Golmore Jungle has blessed us with a new herb, and we must decide how best it might be used to enrich our medicines. It is a matter beyond your understanding. I would thank you to interrupt us no further.

The Spiritwood

Wood-dweller (viera with long hair walking up and down path near exit to Fane of the Path): You flaunt our laws, abandon our village… does returning here not shame you? Did you think a mere fifty years would find you forgiven?

Rena: I would join my fellow warriors, but apprentices are not permitted outside the village. It is a hardship for me. What has become of Mjrn…?

Kjrs: You come with traitors who abandon the Wood… The blades of the wood-warders are sharp. Stay, if you would learn this for yourself.

Rael: You have spoken with Jote. The wood-warders brook no trespass within the village. Leave now, and do not look back.

Nera: To show interest in the world outside is forbidden by our laws, but a mind once open to the unknown will not be denied. Is this not what has brought you to us?

Wood-dweller (viera staring down at flowers): The flower that blooms upon the water may take root upon the land, but is it then the same flower?

Wood-dweller (long-haired viera staring up at sky): Did our laws not exist, I would still not consort with a hume.

Wood-dweller (viera sitting in center area): Mjrn, you seek? You seek in vain.

Road of Verdant Praise

Balthier: Not bad, Vaan. Didn’t think we’d get any information out of that one. So then, what was she saying about men in a warren?

Larsa: The Henne Magicite Mines - maybe that’s what she meant. They lie in Bancour, south of the Ozmone Plain. The entire region is a colony of the Archadian Empire. There would be soldiers.

Balthier: Is that a problem? Let’s move.

[Balthier and Fran turn to leave, when Vaan stops them.]

Vaan: Fran!

Fran: Yes?

Vaan: I was wondering - what Jote said, you know? About how you said the same thing 50 years ago?

Fran: Your point?

[Vaan makes an exaggeratedly thoughtful face and taps his finger on his chin.]

Vaan: How old were you again?

[A deathly silence as Fran stares him down, then turns and walks sharply away. Balthier turns his hands up resignedly.]

Balthier: Nice, Vaan.

[Ashe sighs pointedly and the rest of the party makes remarks to Vaan as they pass him by.]

Larsa: Surprisingly rude.

Penelo: Try to grow up, please.

Fran: I would avoid unnecessary… confrontation. Do what you must, and let us be off. When you are ready, we should return to Ozmone Plain in the west. The Henne Mines are then only a short distance south.

Eruyt Village

Road of Verdant Praise

Fran: In the village ahead you will find her: Mjrn. Bring her to me. She will know why you call her.

Fran: We will need Mjrn’s help if we are to pass through the barriers of the Wood. She will know that I have come. Bring her to me. I will wait here for your return.

Lulucce: Kupo! Where have I seen you before…? No matter… I know why you’ve come! I’ve just the thing to help you get to the bottom of all those viera secrets… Would you like to buy a map, kupo?

[Select a map to purchase.

Eruyt Village    60

Cancel]

So long, kupo!

Tetran: Kupo? I thought you looked familiar. You are the one who helped us on the Leviathan! We’ve had quite a time reaching this village. Oh, I hope you don’t think we followed you here, kupo. That wouldn’t do at all. Well, would you like to see my wares? You won’t find many shops around here, kupo. Best stock up while you can! [shop menu] Any merchant worth his salt needs but one thing to do business: a customer, kupo!

Tetran (x2): Looking for something, kupo? [shop menu] A little chilly inside the village… I’ve decided to set up shop out here, instead, kupo. Want to hear something scary, kupo? I have it on good authority there are monsters which mimic crystals, and pounce when you touch them!

The Spiritwood

Wood-dweller (long-haired viera looking out over edge): You are unwelcome in the Wood. She will not suffer humes to walk Her verdant paths; Her barriers deny you. Leave now, whilst you may.

Wood-warder (standing at base of steps): You walk a hidden enclave of the viera known to outlanders as Eruyt Village. We wish no consort with others. Leave us.

Wood-dweller (viera with shoulder-length hair sitting in center): Our laws forfend contact with the world outside. Here silence and solitude will be your companions.

Wood-dweller (viera with long hair, staring up at sky with one hand against pillar): I have no words to speak to a hume.

Wood-dweller (viera with bob staring down at flowers): It is because the spring remains apart that the flowers bloom. ...You would not understand.

Viera Maiden/Nera: Mjrn? Why do you ask after her? I am not she. What is it you seek?

Wood-dweller (log-haired viera walking up and down path): The sunward path leads to the fane of our elder, Jote. Though I cannot think she would speak with a hume.

Wood-warder (walking up and down path to wood-warders’ den): This path leads to the cove of the wood-warders. You will find naught there for a hume.

Warden Apprentice/Rena: Mjrn… her visage darkly clouded. A child of many gifts and much promise, yet she cannot bring her fierce spirit to heel. Ever do the storm clouds follow her… but why?

Warder-swordmaiden/Kjrs: The wood-warders gather about this cove. Mjrn is no wood-warder. You will not find her here. Do you come to visit misfortune upon us? You may expect no mercy if you do.

Warder-chief/Rael: What errand have you with Mjrn? What errand could you have? You should leave before aught ill comes to pass. For your sake, and our own.

Fane of the Path

Wood-dweller (viera with pixie cut sitting and talking to another viera): The fane of the village elder is just beyond this bridge. What errand could a hume possibly have with her?

Salve-apprentice/Alja: It is Mjrn you seek? She is usually just beyond this bridge, but I tell you now, you search in vain. I should not think she would even know who you are.

Wood-dweller (viera with pixie cut walking around behind salve-makers’ den): Leave me be.

[The party approaches the elder’s den. The viera eye them coldly. Penelo senses the tense atmosphere.]

Vaan: Hey, Mjrn lives here, doesn’t she? We’re here to see her.

???: You will leave at once.

[A viera descends from the steps of the elder’s den.]

Elder: It is not allowed for humes to walk on these grounds.

Vaan: We’ll go as soon as we’ve seen Mjrn.

Elder: If you can find her.

Vaan: We’re not leaving until you let us see her. [Jote turns away defiantly.] Fine then. We’ll look for her ourselves.

[The viera elder sighs a knowing “ah”. The party turns to see Fran has come.]

Fran: I’ve heard the voice of the Wood. She says Mjrn is not in the village. [turning to the elder] Jote. Where has she gone?

Jote: Why do you ask? The Wood tells us where she has gone. Or… can you not hear Her? [Fran looks away] You cannot. Your ears are dull from hearing their harsh speech, I think. Viera who have abandoned the Wood are viera no longer. Mjrn, too, has left Her embrace.

Balthier: And you forsake them in turn?

Jote: It is the will of the village. Viera must live always with the Wood. So is the Green Word, and so is our law.

Vaan: We’ll let you worry about keeping your laws. Just do us a favor and stay out of our way. We’ll find her ourselves.

[Wind, light, and leaves begin to swirl around Jote. She raises her arms, closing her eyes. After a moment she rests her arms again and speaks to the party.]

Jote: Our sister has left the Wood and gone west. She wanders warrens among men who hide themselves in clothes of cold iron. Thus to me has the Wood spoken.

[As Jote walks away briskly, Fran speaks.]

Fran: The viera may begin as part of the Wood, but it is not the only end we may choose.

Jote: [halting to consider her words] The same words I heard 50 years ago.

[Finally, Jote leaves them.]

Golmore Jungle - The Needlebrake

[The party stands at the magical blue crest over the path.]

Vaan: What is it?

Fran: The jungle denies us our passage.

Ashe: What have we done?

Fran: We? No. I.

[Fran turns and walk away.]

Vaan: What’s that mean? How’re we supposed to get through that?

[Balthier, some distance away, falls into step with her as she passes. You can hear Vaan indignantly shouting in the background.]

Balthier: Making an appearance?

Fran: I am.

Balthier: I thought you’d left for good.

Fran: Our choices are few. This is as much for you as it is me.

[They stop on the steps. Fran turns to Balthier.]

Fran: You are ill at ease. The nethicite troubles you?

[Balthier is silent.]

Fran: You’ve let your eyes betray your heart.

Balthier: Right.

[Balthier shrugs it off. Fran stands before what seems to be nothingness, tracing the air with her index finger, glowing green with magicks. Vaan, who has followed them, watches.]

Vaan: What are you doing?

[Fran blows a soft breath with a gesture of her hand, almost as if blowing a kiss.]

Fran: Soon you will learn.

[A grassy path suddenly opens before them. Vaan looks stunned.]

Fran: We go to seek aid of the viera who dwell ahead.

Penelo: [stepping in beside Vaan] I bet they’ll be glad to see you after so long.

Fran: [looking down] I am unwelcome. An unsought guest in their wood.

Swear by Your Sword or Some Such

[The scene changes to Ashe and Larsa’s conversation, shortly after meeting up in the garif camp.]

Ashe: To Bur-Omisace?

Larsa: I say we ought leave tomorrow. I was going to wait for my escort, but meeting you presents a great opportunity. This terrible war can be stopped, but I will need your help to do so.

Ashe: A war?

Larsa: You know the Marquis Ondore leads a group of insurgents - your pardon, he leads a large resistance force against the Empire. Lady Ashe, neither of our countries can afford this now. The Rozarrian Empire would stir. They would aid the Resistance and use this aid as a pretext to declare war on Archadia… and Archadia would have no choice but to answer. Lady Ashe, let us go to Bur-Omisace. With the blessing of his His Grace the Gran Kiltias Anastasis… you may rightly wear your crown, and declare the restoration of the Kingdom of Dalmasca. As queen, you can call for peace between the Empire and Dalmasca… and stop Marquis Ondore.

Ashe: For peace? How dare you say that! The Empire attacked us, stole all we hold dear… and you would have me save them from war?

Larsa: Dalmasca would be the battlefield! What if nethicite were used on Rabanastre? You know my brother would do this!

[As Larsa continues to speak, we see Ashe, later that night, walking away from the Great-chief’s fire with the useless Dawn Shard in her hand.]

Larsa: Forgive me. I presumed overmuch. I could think of no other way to avoid bloodshed. If you cannot trust me, then please, take me as your hostage.

[Ashe sees the ghost of Rasler again, this time standing on the bridge before her, looking out over the Sogoht.]

Ashe: Rasler.

[She starts to run for him. Suddenly, it’s not Rasler on the bridge, but Vaan. He turns to her as she approaches.]

Vaan: You saw him, didn’t you. Like at the King’s tomb.

Ashe: So you did see him, too. But why?

Vaan: It’s strange. Before, I didn’t even know what you looked like. And the Prince - I barely knew there was a prince. Who knows? Maybe the person I saw was my brother.

Ashe: Basch told me about him.

Vaan: He enlisted, right at the end. But for what? He knew we couldn’t win.

Ashe: To protect something.

Vaan: How can he protect anything when he’s dead? Was it different for Prince Rasler? Did that make sense?

[There’s a long pause. Ashe looks down.]

Vaan: Hating the Empire, getting revenge. It’s all I ever thought about. But I never did anything about it. I mean, I realized there was nothing I could do. It made me feel hollow, alone. And then I’d miss my brother. I’d say stuff like, “I’m gonna be a sky pirate”... or some other stupid thing. Just anything to keep my mind off it. I was just - I was running away. I needed to get away from his death. That’s why I followed you. Know what? I’m through with it. I’m through running. I’m ready to find my purpose. To find some real answers - some reasons. If I stick with you, I think I will.

Ashe: I wish I knew.

Vaan: I’ll find ‘em.

[The scene fades out, and then in on Ashe, Larsa, Penelo, and Vaan standing on the bridge near the exit to Ozmone Plain the next day.]

Ashe: I will accompany you to Mt. Bur-Omisace.

Larsa: I had hoped you’d say yes. I am glad.

Ashe: My heart is not set. I still have questions. I hope to find answers along the way.

Larsa: I had other reason to invite you. There is someone I’d like you to meet waiting on Bur-Omisace.

Ashe: Who is that?

Larsa: An enemy, and an ally also. You will just have to wait and see for yourself.

[Larsa turns and walks away.]

Vaan: That Larsa likes his secrets.

Ashe: He does not mean ill by it.

Vaan: He’s not bad. At least for an Imperial.

[In the background, Balthier, Fran, and Basch have a chat.]

Basch: Holy Mt. Bur-Omisace stands at the northern edge of the Jagd Ramooda. Once we’re in jagd, we need not fear pursuit by their airships.

Balthier: Don’t get your hopes up. You remember the Leviathan sailed straight over the Jagd Yensa, right up to Raithwall’s tomb. Skystone that works even in jagd. You know nethicite’s behind it. Little wonder they’re so keen on the stuff.

Basch: And what is it you’re after, Balthier? You’re a welcome hand, and a great aid, but why?

Balthier: Worried I’m out to steal the nethicite, eh? Can’t say I’m unaccustomed to people doubting my intentions. Nothing could be further from my mind. Shall I swear by your sword or some such?

Basch: Apologies. But I needed to know where you stand. Her Majesty depends on you. And you seem to have an interest in the Stone.

Balthier: I’m only here to see how the story unfolds. Any self-respecting leading man would do the same.

[Larsa joins the party as a guest!]