Eastgate & Southgate

Eastgate

Hapless Merchant: Have you been to the village in the Estersand? It’s on the banks of the River Nebra, should you fancy a visit.

Rabanastran (woman by chocobo pen): On the far side of the Estersand you’ll find Nalbina Fortress. That’s where His Majesty was assassinated… Sometimes I wonder what things would be like now, if only he were still alive.

Rabanastran (woman in white talking to two kids): Before the war, this place bustled with travelers and merchants going about their business. But look at it now…

Southgate

Rabanastran (tan blindfolded bangaa): The continent of Kerwon lies to the south of Giza, much of it covered in wilderness, and even jagd. It’s not as though it’s never been explored, but who can say what strange things you might find there?

Adventurer: Just takes one look at the sky to tell if it’s the Rains or the Dry down in Giza. Never hurts to take a look afore settin’ out. The lay of the land, even the very beasts change from the Rains to the Dry, y’know.

Imperial (standing a short distance away from his partner with the chocobo): The Rains came sooner than expected. Trudging sodden through empty villages and bogs… a glorious posting this has turned out to be.

Imperial (standing beside chocobo): I’ve naught to say to you, churl. It’s bad enough that I’m soaked to the skin… No one bothered telling us it’d be the Rains, and don’t get me started about that village! This is why I hate these bloody provinces…

Rabanastran (man speaking to woman and seeq): Why do you suppose they raise cockatrices down in Giza? Can’t ride ‘em like a chocbo… Hmm, they’re plump, round… you don’t suppose…

Eastgate, Southgate, Westgate

Basch: I thank you.

Balthier: I’d avoid crowds, if I were you. In this town you’re still a traitor you know.

Basch: The Resistance will surely find me soon. Fates will we meet again. I would pay my respects to your brother.

[Basch leaves them. Balthier turns to Vaan.]

Balthier: You’re a fugitive now, too. Stay low for a while.

Vaan: What about the stone?

Balthier: Do as you like. That stone’s ill-favored.

Fran: We feel regret. We sought that stone and found ourselves only worry.

Balthier: You offering it?

Vaan: It’s mine!

Balthier: Then why do you ask? Our regards to your girl.

Fran: We stay in Rabanastre a while.

[Fran and Balthier leave, and Vaan begins musing to himself (and to Reks?)]

Vaan: What do you think? Can I trust Basch? [long pause…] I gotta get rid of this thing. [pause again] But maybe I should show it to Penelo first. So she knows I got something. She’d be at Migelo’s place this time of day.

[Balthier and Fran leave the party.]

Rabanastran (woman next to chocobo pen): Quite the spectacle at the palace last night. I thought the Rozarrians had decided to invade! Imagine, all that to catch some thieves.

Rabanastran (woman in white speaking to children): The Moogling is finally running again, and let me tell you: there’s no better way to move about the city! I use it all the time.

Hapless Merchant: A good chum got sent to Nalbina just after Dalmasca lost the war – false charges, I guarantee. No matter. Doubt I’ll see him again. I’ve never been in Nalbina myself, but they say that death is the only escape. My gut tells me that’s more than just idle talk, too.

Moogling Attendant (during this period in the game, there are Moogling Attendants to explain the Moogling to you near every Moogling post): The Moogling is once again open for business, kupo! We’ll happily teleport you to any of several select locations throughout Rabanastre. And I’ve saved the best part for last: it’s free, kupo!

Just look for one of our signposts and speak with the friendly moogling moogle who’s sure to be close at hand, kupo!

Hurdy: Welcome to the Moogling, kupo. This is your first time using the Moogling? Nothing to it! The Moogling lets you teleport to several select locations across Rabanastre. We had to close for the parade earlier, but we’re up and running again, kupo! The service is free of charge. Why not give it a try? There’s no time like the present, kupo!

Southgate

Horne (and all other Moogling attendants, after you’ve used the Moogling the first time or talked to one of the Moogling operators, will say this same thing, unless one of them is involved in an active quest): Welcome to the Moogling, kupo. [Moogling menu]

Adventurer: Sure, the Moogling is handy, but without some old-fashioned walkin’, I’ll never lose weight. Hard to say no to a free ride, though…

Westgate

Reluctant Adventurer: It’s desert far as the eye can see out west of Rabanastre. Never been farther than the Westersand, myself. A vicious tribe are rumored to live in the wastes beyond.

Rabanastran (woman speaking with group): I’m so glad all those people from Archadia have finally gone. The aerodrome has reopened, and things are settling back to normal. Only a handful of routes open, though. A sign of the times. Few are willing to risk travel with the world as it is.

Eastgate, Southgate, Westgate

Eastgate

Hapless Merchant: Thanks for your help, boy. What for? For delivering that package from my friend, that’s what for! Good work with the gates, too. Heh. Say, if you’re heading back out into the desert, there’s a camp not far from here. If you need a safe place to rest, you’d do well to stop by.

Rabanastran (woman in brown and white talking to kids): That sure was lucky, getting in just in time to see the parade. I’ll have to thank that nice old bangaa if I get the chance. Now if I can just find a way to go to the fete tonight… There must be some way to sneak inside.

Gurdy: Well, hello there! You are no stranger to the yellow birds just behind me, I’m sure. Yes, my friend, I speak of the chocobos, kupo! These noble birds make for excellent steeds. Fleet of foot and sturdy of limb, arduous journeys fly by atop a chocobo, kupo! Only 500 gil should you wish to hire one.

Sounds fair.
No, thanks.
>Perhaps another day, kupo. Should you ever need a chocobo, you know where to find one!

Gurdy (x2): Welcome to the chocobo stables. Only 500 Gil should you wish to hire one, kupo!

Sounds fair.
No, thanks.
>Perhaps another day, kupo. Should you ever need a chocobo, you know where to find one!

Rabanastran (woman in green, blue, and pink by chocobo pen): Good for you, standing up to the Imperials the way you did! It’s about time someone gave them what for! So, you have business outside the city today? There are dangers abroad. You might consider hiring a chocobo.

Erstwhile Adventurer: See those chocobos just over there? I wanted to hire one, but that floatin’ moogle runnin’ the stables wouldnae hear of it. Says, “Someone of your proportions may do better afoot, kupo.” Aye, I’ve got a foot for that kupo, an’ don’t you doubt it.

Erstwhile Adventurer (x2): I’m sure they’d let you ride on o’ their precious chocobos. Hmph. Well, if ye do hire one, here’s some friendly advice: A chocobo can sprint every now and again, but they’ll soon tire. And they’ll not let ye ride ‘em long, so be sure to make the most o’ yer time.

Southgate

Rabanastran (tan bangaa in blindfold): A pity all the city’s gates don’t have their own passage down to Lowtown, don’t you think?

Imperial: What, never seen a guard standing watch over a gate crystal before, boy? Very powerful, these. One touch can make you feel like new. And if you’re fortunate enough to have a teleport stone, you can even teleport to any other gate crystal you’ve ever been to.

Adventurer: I was headed to Giza Plains to take a look at those dark crystals they have… all fine and good, until a group of monsters decided to take a look at me! Lucky that nomad village down south is as close as it is. I ducked in there and just barely managed to give those monsters the slip.

Chocobo Aficianado: I sure could go for a chocobo ride about now... Have to be careful not to let myself get carried away, though. You can’t ride forever... I’ve found myself havin’ to make some long walks back. Gettin’ a chocobo up to a good sprint is fun, too, but I always tire the poor fellow out early, and then there’s no more sprintin’ for me! Fffpt! The more I talks about ‘em, the more I wants to ride ‘em! Runnin’ through the fields, ears flappin’ in the wind... ain’t nothin’ like it!

Chocobo Aficionado (x2): If you go for a chocobo ride, just remember not to get yourself carried away. Can’t ride forever… Be careful, or you’ll end up walking home. And don’t forget that a chocobo can’t just sprint all the live long day. Gotta pace the poor things. Do right by your chocobo, it’ll do right by you!

Rabanastran (man in blue speaking to group): Heading out into Giza Plains? Be sure you go prepared! 

Westgate

Reluctant Adventurer: A group of travelers headin’ back to Archades by way of the aerodrome kept glancin’ over at me… as though they’d never seen a bangaa! Bah! Sure, I’d heard the Empire wasn’t known for its tolerance of others, but hearin’s one thing, and feelin’ it first hand another!

Rabanastran (man in green and brown shorts): Times I wish I could just ride off on a chocobo and never come back. Too bad the poor things tire so easily, eh?

Imperial: Archadian citizens and their guests only inside the aerodrome today. Sorry, but I’ll have to ask you to leave.

Rabanastran (woman in green, blue, and pink speaking with group): They’ve closed the aerodrome today to all but Archadian citizens returning home. Does it bother me? Ha! After two years of this treatment, I’ve grown more than accustomed to it.

Adventurer: The Dalmasca Westersand can be harsh, boy. Get a good sandstorm stirred up, you can’t hardly see your hand in front of your face! What’s worse, elementals favor the storms, and you don’t wanna tangle with one of those. So be sure to mind the weather ‘fore headin’ out.

Previous: Southern Plaza

Next: The Estersand

A Pedigreed Parader

Eastgate

Rabanastran (woman speaking to group): This is an outrage! I thought we’d make it in with time to spare, but they closed the gates before they finished inspecting our things!

Rabanastran (woman in blue, pink, and green): I just don’t see why they won’t let me through. I’m a citizen same as anyone else, aren’t I?

Erstwhile Adventurer: So just as they’re finishin’ their inspection, what do I see but the gates closin’ before ma very eyes! A wee bit dodgy, wouldn’t ye say?

Hapless Merchant: Urgh. They wouldn’t let me through! Nothing to do now but wait until the ceremony’s over.

Kytes: Ah, Vaan! I guess I’m not the only one who got locked out of the city! I told Penelo about the mark you were going after, and I guess I got her worrying. So the two of us headed out here to find you. As soon as I stepped out, the guards closed the gates and things got crazy. I haven’t been able to find her since.

(After talking to Kytes, a cutscene begins. The Imperials at the gate struggle to shout over the disgruntled crowd.)

Imperial: Stand back there. Back!

Imperial 2: This gate’s closed till the ceremony’s over, do you hear?

Vaan: Now what?

(Suddenly, Vaan is forced aside as a pair of highly decorated chocobos is escorted through.)

Imperial: Open the gate! (gate begins opening) All right, out of the way!

Vaan: Wait a second! How come you let these chocobos through the gate and not us?

Imperial: What of it? This here is a pedigreed parader, boy. Costs tens of thousands of gil, this one did. A prettier price than a hundred of you provincials would fetch. Keep your distance! We don’t want the chocobos stinking of peasant.

Vaan: What did you say?

Imperial 2: Step aside! (shoves Vaan out of the way) Right then, move ‘em in!

(Vaan groans; when he looks back, he notices he dropped his Galbana lilies when he was shoved, and the chocobos are now trampling over them.)

Vaan: That does it.

(Just when he's about to lose his temper, a jovial voice drifts in from beyond the gate.)

Migelo: Ho, ho! A fine, fine chocobo you have there. Yes! Tchita Downs stock, if I’m not mistaken. Change the soil, change the chocobo, am I right?

(Migelo comes through the gate, chatting up the Imperial and holding a jar of wine. Unnoticed by the Imperial, Penelo ducks in behind him, taking Vaan by the arm.)

Migelo: Yes, yes. Different soil means different bouquet, too. Take a Dalmascan Barose wine, eh? It may lack the flavor and depth of some of your Archadian wines… but it has a certain strength of character. It’s not bad, really, once you get used to it. Care for some, sirs? There’s more than enough for all to cool their throats, of course.

(The Imperial takes the jar from Migelo haughtily.)

Imperial: (to another Imperial) You, let these carts through and then we close this gate as ordered. (aside) My mail’s choked with this sand.

(Migelo bows, and then turns to Vaan and Penelo.)

Migelo: Don’t give me a scare like that. You’re lucky that ended where it did.

Penelo: Right. Now’s our chance to go through.

(Bells begin to peal from within the city.)

Migelo: Ah, the ceremony’ll be starting soon. I’d best be hurrying.

Penelo: Okay, well – (Vaan suddenly takes off running.) Vaan! Wait! (Penelo starts after him.) What is it? Vaan?

Previous: The Dalmascan Estersand

Next: The Consul's Parade

Eastgate

Eastgate

Imperial (in either line; both say same thing): Your eyes not working, boy? You want to pass, you queue up with everyone else. Any arguments, speak to the guard at the back of the queue.

Waiting Bangaa: Once the gates close, they’ll not be letting anyone through. No exceptions. I’m getting in while the gettin’s good. You trying to push in? Best be rethinkin’ that move, mate. You want inside, you get in line behind me, understand?

Queue Watch (again, both say same thing): Not many more people comin’ along now. Once we get this lot taken care of, that should just about do it, I’d say. What about you? Lookin’ to get inside?

Yeah, let me get in line.

(The Imperial will make room for you in the line, and people will begin filing in one by one from the line. Soon enough it’ll be your turn; talk to the Imperial at the head of the line.)

Imperial: The watch inside notified me. Foodstuffs for the banquet wasn’t it? Well, do you need to pass?

Yeah, open the gate.

I don’t see any foodstuffs on you. Still have work to do, eh? Well, be about your business. Go on now.

(The gate will open and you will automatically go back to the Southern Plaza on the other side of the gate.)

No, thanks.

Right. No foodstuffs on you yet. Leastwise none I can make out. Best hurry about your business. Gates’ll close and stay closed ‘fore long.

No, thanks.

Queue Watch (x2, after saying no): Leave the queue, lose your place. Got it?

Stand in line.

Leave the line.

Man in Queue: They’re inspecting everyone before letting people through. You’re gonna have to stand in line if you want in. Not that the line is moving…

Rabanastran (woman in pink, green, and tan standing to side of queue): The inspection line’s grown a good deal shorter, and hardly anyone’s leaving the city now. I imagine these people will be the last through. I suppose I should be heading in myself. Wouldn’t do to be shut out here, would it?

Erstwhile Adventurer: Cannae pass through the gates till they finish goin’ over ma belongin’s. Risked life an’ limb crossin’ the desert to be treated like this! Bah! On yer way out o’ the city, are ye? There’s a tomato beastie runnin’ amok on a bluff close by. Don’t get yerself into nae bother, d’ye hear?

Hapless Merchant: My companion and I arrived together, but they singled out my goods for inspection. I’ve been held up here all day! You came from the city, yes? Did a bangaa merchant happen to give you an item to deliver?

Yeah, here it is.

Well, what do you know! My thanks, boy. Helped me out of a tight spot, you have. Heading into the desert, are you? Best watch yourself out there. Get into any fights, just be sure to keep well healed, hear me? Mind your wounds or the next blow you take could be your last. Had myself caught by the tail a time or two out there, let me tell you.

No, sorry.

Right, of course not. Thanks anyway.

Hapless Merchant (x2): Thanks for your help, boy. This won’t get me into the city any sooner, but it should help pass the time. Mind what I told you about traveling the desert. Tend to your wounds or you’ll soon be feeding the wolves, heh.

Rabanastran (woman in pink, blue and green by chocobo pen): They’ve closed the chocobo stables for the day on account of the Consul’s arrival. Speaking of which, shouldn’t the ceremony be starting soon? I wonder if we can still get back in the city. Or have they closed the gates?
Rabanastran (woman in white speaking with group): I had no idea they’d be closing the gates. I was worried we may not make it into the city. But it looks like we’ve arrived just in time.

Southern Plaza

Imperial (at the eastgate): You again… Well, are you going through or not?

Yeah, let me through.

The gate won’t be open much longer. Hurry back, or you’ll have to wait for the parade to finish.

(The gate opens and you automatically find yourself in the Eastgate area on the other side.)

Not, I guess.

Then what you botherin’ me for!? Now, step aside!

Previous: Southern Plaza & He Wants 'Em Quick
Next: The Dalmascan Estersand