Showing posts with label jahara. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jahara. Show all posts

Monday, December 23, 2013

Chapter 6: Meeting with the Garif

The Dreadnought Leviathan
The Royal City of Rabanastre
Lowtown
The Dalmascan Estersand
The Dalmascan Westersand
Nalbina Town
The Skycity of Bhujerba
Giza Plains (Rains)
Jahara
>Without Proof
>The Great-chief

Jahara

War-chief Supinelu: So, you will leave.
[Vaan nods.]
War-chief Supinelu: Take this as a token of our parting.
[You obtain a Recurve Crossbow!
You obtain a quiver of Onion Bolts!]
War-chief Supinelu: If you would ride a chocobo, you may. I have spoken with the moogle. She will not charge you for your first use of the chocobos. Take care on the road ahead. Should it lead back to our land, you are welcome guests. Spirits of the land watch over you.
Banks of the Sogoht
Garif Warrior (on crystal’s side): The War-chief has spoken with the chocobo keeper. He has asked that you be allowed to ride for free. You travel to Mt. Bur-Omisace? Perhaps you will go by chocobo, then! Ah, the holy mountain… East of Ozmone Plain, through the jungles of Golmore, and across Paramina Rift it lies. I wish you a safe journey.
Garif Warrior (on Gurdy’s side): My grandfather told me once that in the jagd to the south of our village, there lies a great forest where the Mist swirls thick. There lives a great wyrm of the earth… How did that story go?
Lull of the Land
Garif Warrior (on bank near two sparring partners): The garif dislike needless use of force, yet when battle comes to us, we face it as warriors must.
Garif Youth/Asdalu: The Golmore Jungle to the east of Ozmone Plain is an ancient place that suffers no entry by Man. The wood has a mind of its own. It thinks. Often did the Great-chief tell me to avoid its boughs and winding paths when I was young.
Warrior Guromu: So the hume-child who came here was your companion. This is why he came to ask the same thing, I see now.
Old War-chief Kadalu: Kerwon, by its very nature, does not welcome Man. Your journey, I fear, will be fraught with difficulty. I pray for your good fortune.
War-chief Supinelu: Mt. Bur-Omisace lies far to the east. It will be a long journey to its paths. Walk softly, for in foolhardiness lies doom.
Garif Herder (standing in front of shack by nanna pen): I am told that you entered our village with permission of the War-chief? This is most unusual, for he does not take to outsiders. Quite stoic, that one! Hoh! It is his strength, and his weakness. I am afraid it is the weak side that shines most brightly of late.
Warrior Hsemu: The Great-chief is across this bridge. Walk softly.
Garif Herder (talking to another near bridge to Elderknoll): On your way here through the plains, you must have spied the cave entrance? This is the way to Zertinan Caverns, and a place to avoid. Many fell creatures dwell within the caverns. Even our most hale of warriors find it difficult to enter the deepest reaches.
Geomancer Yugelu: The stick you gave to our War-chief has the power to ward off evil things. Our War-chief fights against a great monster, possessed of immense power. May that wood grow in his heart and make him strong.
Garif Elder: To the garif, magicite is most holy. We have worshipped the Stones since the beginning of time, and their tale is told in our legends. Yet, there is much we still do not know. What is this nethicite? Its very name speaks of dark power, yet it is a mystery to us.
The Elderknoll
Garif Elder (sitting and talking to two others): The jungles of Golmore are ancient, little changed since the earliest times. I have heard that a wyrm lives there, a legendary creature from the time of the gods.
Garif Elder (standing and talking to two others): There are many foul creatures in the lands around our village. They trample the herbs of the plains, and taint the magicite veins with their presence. It is perhaps more than our warriors can ever hope to handle. Yet we must do something.
Garif Elder (talking to another): To the east of here lies Paramina Rift. On days when the snows are heavy, the creatures known as elementals can be seen there. Take care, for they are quite dangerous, and unfond of Man.
Garif Youth: Hrm? Do you find my mask odd? You may look upon it all you wish, yet I will not take it off, lend it, or sell it. All garif receive a mask the day they are born, not to be removed until the day they die. This has always been our custom.
High-chief Zayalu: I am sorry we could tell you nothing about the nethicite. Still, you are welcome to visit our village again. Our War-chief has warmed to you considerably.
Great-chief Uball-ka: You go to Mt. Bur-Omisace, yes? There is one in the village selling provisions. You might speak with him.

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!]

The Elderknoll

Garif Elder (sitting on ground talking to Sugumu and another garif): There is a rich magicite vein near this village, did you know? It is an important and very holy place to us. Yet, in recent years, humes have spoiled the land. They use machines to mine more and more of the Stones. They steal power from the earth at their own peril, for the earth will surely take it back.
Garif Elder/Low-chief Sugumu: Ah… a hume-child. It is unusual for your kind to visit us here on our knoll. Have you come to speak with the Great-chief? He is in the meeting place before the bridge. You will know it by the guards standing at the entrance.
Garif Elder (talking to another garif): Oh? A hume-child? This is most unusual. You seem quite burly for one so young. We are old here, and you may find our village lacks the excitement you crave, but sometimes it is better to move slowly.
Garif Youth: Ah, a hume-child. I am surprised to see you here. This hill is called the elderknoll. Here does the Great-chief hold counsel with the other elders. We garif welcome outsiders to our village, but few are they who are allowed here. You must be on important business indeed.
Garif Warrior: The Great-chief is ahead. Will you meet with him?
>Meet with the Great-chief.
[move on to next scene in green]
>Turn back.
    [end conversation]
(The party, with Ashe and her Dawn Shard at the fore, approach the fire where the garif’s Great-chief sits. Of all his tribesman, his mask and horns are most elaborate, and and his beard long and white. Shortly, we see him turning over the Dawn Shard in his hand.)

Great-chief: This nethicite - you have used it.
Ashe: It was not I who used it. Indeed I had hoped you could show me how. Thus I’ve come.
Great-chief: You do not know the workings of the Stone. Then we are no different.
Ashe: What?
Great-chief: In ages past, the gods made a gift of nethicite to my people. But the manner of its use eluded us. Displeased by our failure, the gods took back their Stones. They chose instead to give them to a hume-king. Called the Dynast-King, he used the nethicite’s power to bring peace to a troubled time. It is a curious thing. Though the blood of King Raithwall flow through your veins, you cannot wield nethicite.
Ashe: Cannot wield it? So then, am I to understand you can’t tell me how to use the Stone?
Great-chief: Though it shame me so to admit. Here before me stands a descendant of the Dynast-King himself… and I can accord her no help at all. Still, even if you knew how to use the nethicite, you would find it of small avail. The Mist collected in the Stone over ages past is lost, and with it the Stone’s power. It will be your posterity who wield the Stone in ages yet to come.
[Ashe sighs frustratedly.]
Great-chief: This Stone is devoid of power. Empty, yet full of thirst. A terrible longing to drink the world dry. (the point of view changes to someone approaching the Great-chief’s fire) The power of men, and of magick. Of good, and of evil. It is often those who desire nethicite whom the nethicite itself desires.
[Just then, a familiar face appears at the meeting place.]
Penelo: Larsa?

Jahara - Banks of the Sogoht & Lull of the Land

Banks of the Sogoht
Garif Warrior: Who are you? This is garif land. No place for hume-children to play at games.
???: They are wayfarers. They bring no harm. I saw them cross the Ozmone Plain. They are warriors of great distinction. The fiends of the plains troubled them not at all.
Garif Warrior: You ventured upon the plains alone, War-chief? Again?
Garif War-chief: …….. ...What business have you with the garif? Let them pass. The responsibility will be mine.
Garif Warrior: If this is your wish, War-chief.
Garif Warrior: Then, you may pass. These days see many humes wandering through our lands.
War-chief Supinelu: Ah, I have not made introductions. I am Supinelu, War-chief of this village. We garif have been friends to all since long ago, however, lately the hume world is in much turmoil. We must protect our village, and our people. As War-chief, and protector of our village, I ask you: Why have you come to this land?
[Vaan explains.]
War-chief Supinelu: Hmm… I see. So you too have come to ask about the nethicite. You must speak with the elders. Though our masks may make it difficult for you to tell us apart, walk through the village and look with your eyes, listen with your ears.
Lull of the Land
Garif Warrior (on riverbank by two sparring partners): What is this? Another hume visitor to our land? This is most unusual. Have you, too, come to speak with our elder chieftains?
Garif Warrior/Warrior Guromu: Ah, you are the hume the War-chief has spoken of. You have crossed the plains to learn of the Stones, yes? I believe the elders can tell you much.
Garif Warrior (chatting with another garif behind Guromu): You seem a great warrior, but it is best you avoid Zertinan Caverns. There are many fell creatures there, and of late, worse… A fiend with strange powers has been seen. Perhaps this is why the other creatures there have grown yet more violent?
Garif Elder/Old War-chief Kadalu: Ah, you are the humes our War-chief saw on the plains. Welcome to our village, protected by the clear flow of the Sogoht. I am Supinelu’s brother, Kadalu. I worry… for Supinelu often goes to the plains alone. Why, when the others surely wish to train with him? He is stubborn this way. Your pardon. I spoke of a personal matter. Please forget it. You have business with the elders, yes? On you go.
Garif Elder (talking to Kadalu): What is it, hume-child? Have you something to ask of this wizened man? Ah, you wish to know of the nethicite? It is a word I hear quite often of late, though I know not why. Nor do I know anything of this Stone. So too did I tell the hume-child who asked me before. I’m sorry. Ask another of the elders. Perhaps they will know.
Garif Herder (by the nanna pen): The green creatures you see in my enclosure are nannas, the best livestock in all Ivalice. No part of the nanna goes to waste. Meat, hide, and bones, all have their uses. They are strong against drought, and cold, and - oh yes - easily herded.
Garif Elder (by the nanna pen): You have the look of one who wishes to know something. If it is something that I know, good. Ah, the nethicite… You are not the only one who has asked me about this. It saddens me to admit that I know nothing of this Stone. Magicite contains within it a great power, thus have we worshipped the Stones from the beginning of time. Yet I had never heard of this nethicite… Perhaps the High-chief knows something of this? If you have not spoken with him yet, go. He will be with Geomancer Yugelu.
Garif Elder (x2): You may ask me three more times, or a hundred, and each time I will tell you, “I do not know.” ...Perhaps the High-chief knows something of this? If you have not spoken with him yet, go. He will be with Geomancer Yugelu.
Garif Herder (standing in front of shack): Greetings. You are a traveler, yes? Our village is not like a hume village, but you are welcome to find what comfort here as you may.
Garif Trader: Do you need anything? Please, take your time, for the world has much of it for the taking. [shop menu] Have you heard of the monographs? Merely bearing one of these on your person aids in the retrieval of objects from the foes you defeat. There are different monographs for different persuasions of adventurer. As a merchant, I would love one, if only I knew where it might be found.
Garif Warrior/Warrior Hsemu: Beyond here lies the hill where sits the Great-chief. Those from the outside are not welcome here.
War-chief Supinelu: Have you learned of the Stones? Perhaps if you asked the elders, they might have wisdom for you.
Garif Herder (talking to another garif near the bridge to Elderknoll): There is a wood to the southeast of here, where the Mist is uncommonly thick. Even its flowers are perilous to Man. If you would pass through that wood, be wary of places where the Mist runs thickest.
Garif Herder (talking to another garif near the bridge to Elderknoll): Many people come to our village of late… Perhaps the road to Giza is open? Once again we can bring medicinal herbs and the fine cheese of the nanna to the people of Giza. When the Rains have lifted, I will do this.
Geomancer Yugelu: Many hume-children come to our village of late. You, too, have come to learn of this nethicite? We Garif protect the old ways, the old knowledge. Perhaps one of us knows of this Stone. My knowledge, however, is little. I know that nethicite makes the power of magick as nothing, but this is all. But you already knew this, did you not?
High-chief Zayalu: Oh? What is this? More humes come to visit us? A little bigger this time, but no matter. You need not tell me anything. I know you have come to our village to learn of the Stones, the nethicite. We garif have knowledge of this, passed down from father to son, mother to daughter. Some of it remains, some has been lost in history’s sands… I… know nothing of the Stones. You must speak to the Great-chief. He alone holds the deep knowledge of these things. He alone remembers all the tellings. Cross the bridge to the north, and there you will find him. There are watchers at the bridge, so I think it best to speak with War-chief Supinelu.
[Zayalu looks to the garif next to him. They nod to each other. He turns back to Vaan.]
...May I ask of you a favor? Give this to War-chief Supinelu, from me.
[You obtain a java stick!]
There is no rush. When you next happen to meet him, you may give it to him then. May you find all the answers you seek.
High-chief Zayalu (x2): Our Great-chief, he will know of the nethicite. If he tells you he does not know, then you must abandon your search, for no one knows. Ah, also, I must ask you to give the java stick to our War-chief. Now, I hope you will find the knowledge you seek.
Geomancer Yugelu: Sitting here on the earth, one comes to see many things: the great flow of the world, even the flow of Man’s thought…
Garif Elder (x2): You may ask me three more times, or a hundred, and each time I will tell you, “I do not know.” ...Perhaps the Great-chief knows something of this? He is wise in the knowledge of our people. You would do well to speak with him.
War-chief Supinelu: That which you carry, is it a java stick?
>Give him the java stick.
The High-chief has given this… to me? I shall receive it. I thank you for bringing it to me. Now, did you learn what you wished? No, do not tell me. It is written clear upon your face. So, even the High-chief could not help. Then, you must meet with the Great-chief.
>I would meet this Great-chief.
Yes, it is true. The Great-chief may know something that would aid you. Yet, arranging an audience may be quite difficult...
>I’ll come back another time.
[end conversation]
>Do nothing.
[end conversation]
War-chief Supinelu (x2) (after saying you’ll meet the Great-chief another time): So you have learned nothing of the Stones? To think that even the High-chief did not know… Then, you must meet with the Great-chief.
>I would meet this Great-chief.
Yes, it is true. The Great-chief may know something that would aid you. Yet, arranging an audience may be quite difficult...
>I’ll come back another time.
[end conversation]
Ashe: I must learn more about the nethicite. I cannot turn back now. Please, tell your Great-chief that I am of the royal line of Dalmasca, a direct descendant of Dynast-King Raithwall. If the garif have passed down knowledge of the Stones, they must know of the nethicite that the Dynast-King once held.
War-chief Supinelu: Do you have proof of your heritage?
Ashe: I… I do not.
War-chief Supinelu: Hrm… I have looked into your eyes and seen that you speak the truth, hume-child. I give you my trust. The Great-chief is ahead, across this bridge.
War-chief Supinelu: The Great-chief is across this bridge, at the meeting place. Walk softly, friend. Ah? You wonder about the stick? If you wish to know more, ask the High-chief. Do not ask me about this matter.
Warrior Hsemu: If the War-chief has given you his trust, so shall I. Go, meet with the Great-chief.