Final Fantasy Nerdery: royal palace

The Garden Stairs

Lower Halls

Vaan: What was it Old Dalan said? “The signet yearns for sunstone’s strength, to light the clouded way.” But there was more… Oh yeah! “Once in the palace, you’ll find the signet tile. Give to it the sun’s power, and it will light your path.” Looks like I’ve got a signet to find.

[If you’re caught by the guards at any point…]

Imperial: Hey, you there! What are you doing here? You should be waiting down in the cellars with the others!

[When you examine the Hawk Signet…]

Hawk Signet: A beautiful signet is painted upon the floor. It appears to be a representation of a hawk. Use the Crescent Stone?

Use it.

>Nothing happens.

Do nothing.

[When you examine the Lion Signet…]

Lion Signet: A beautiful signet is painted upon the floor. It appears to be a representation of a lion. Use the Crescent Stone?

Use it.

>The light of the sun flows into the signet. The hidden way is lit.

Do nothing.

[When you examine the Faint Light…]

A faint light shines from beyond the wall.

Approach the wall.

Do nothing.

[After going through the secret door…]

Vaan: Well, that takes care of the secret passage. Now where’s this treasure…

(Vaan hears a sound behind him and turns to see the wall has closed on him.)

Vaan: Hey, watch it! Guess it’s not leaving me much choice.

[When you examine the Switch…]

You see a small object that looks like a switch.

Press the switch.

>You hear a mechanical click from behind.

Do nothing.

[When you examine the Suspicious-looking Wall…]

This wall looks rather suspicious.

Examine the wall.

Do nothing.

Palace Treasury

(Inside the treasury, Vaan is rummaging through the items when he accidentally hits a switch, and hears a sound behind him. He turns to see the statue of a goddess-like figure, whose face has opened to reveal a hollow space where a glowing stone is hidden. Vaan takes the stone and looks it over, then suddenly hears a voice.)

Man: Quite a performance.

Vaan: Who are you?

Man: I play the leading man, who else? (to the viera who appears behind Vaan) Fran, the magicite.

Viera: Well then, I’ll be taking that.

Vaan: No, you won’t. I found it. It’s mine.

Balthier: And then when I take it from you, it will be mine.

(The three are staring each other down when they hear a commotion outside. The man and the viera look at each other.)

Man: Exit stage right.

Viera: The gods do not smile on us.

Man: I like it better that way.

[You obtain the Goddess’s Magicite!]

Previous: Cellar Stores and Cellars

Next: The Garden Stairs: Playing With Fire

Garamsythe Waterway & Royal Palace

North Spur Sluiceway

[Prompt at the bottom of the palace stairs...]

Vaan: The palace should be right up these stairs.

Climb the stairs.

>Vaan: Won’t be easy getting out. Am I ready for this?

>>It’s now or never.

>>Better turn back.

Turn back.

The Royal Palace of Rabanastre

Cellar Stores

[When you examine the Urn…]

[You obtain a map of the Royal Palace of Rabanastre!]

[Your location map for this area is complete!]

[When you examine the Passage to Garamsythe…]

Vaan: I’ve made it this far… I’m not going back empty-handed.

Cellars

Palace Servant (one of two women chatting outside the door): I’ve not seen you around. Were you hired especially for the fete tonight? Then you should be waiting over by the stairs. Down the corridor to the end.

Palace Servant (woman in white, yellow, and blue pacing up and down corridor): They were smart to keep most of the soldiers out of the palace for the fete. Who could eat with all those people in armor standing around?

Palace Servant (one of two men chatting to the side of corridor): In times past, when the royal house flourished, a court painter gifted two signets to the King: one of a hawk, the other of a lion. While neither became the official seal of our kingdom, the King liked them, and so placed them in the halls of the palace. You can see the actual articles here on the floor above.

Palace Servant (man in brown pants & white vest pacing across corridor): Did you see the parade for the new consul? I had to work! Missed the whole thing… Come to think of it, I missed the Lady Ashe’s wedding parade, too…

Palace Servant (red bangaa chatting with seeq to side of corridor): I hope that fete gets done with quick. There’s something I want to see on the upper floor.

[When you approach the other end of the cellar corridor where the Imperials stand before a group of servants…]

Imperial: Have you gathered up all of the occasionals? …Good. You’ll be on clean-up duty when the fete’s over. Wait here until we’re ready for you. No one goes to the upper floor until we give the order. Step out of line and you will be punished.

Palace Servant (orange seeq watching the foot of the stairs): Clean-up for the fete? Hrmm... Maybe there’ll be some leftover... treats?

Palace Servant (man in green, red, and blue chatting with seeq): We’ll let you know what to do shortly. Just a little longer, please.

Palace Servant (black bangaa in red vest): I’m having myself a little exploration ‘round the palace. Lots of interesting things in here… and guards to make sure I don’t take ‘em.

Palace Servant (woman in blue, yellow and pink chatting with man): I thought I’d be able to see Lord Vayne, but they have me on clean-up. Too bad, eh?

Palace Servant (man in blue shorts and turban chatting with bangaa): When I told my friend I’d be helping at the fete this morning, she got jealous and spent all afternoon trying to think of a way to sneak in. Hah! As though she even could!

[If you approach the guard at foot of stairs…]

Imperial: Wait here until I’ve further directions for you.

Palace Servant: …What’s he doing? Trying to go upstairs?

[Talk to the orange seeq Palace Servant after this scene…]

Palace Servant: Trying to go upstairs, ain’t you! I know… Yer hungry! I don’t blame you. An empty stomach’d make me want to crash the fete, too! No, no, no use tryin’ to hide it! Look here, I’ll help you out.

Okay, so press [square] to call the guard. I’ll handle him when he comes, and you make for the stairs! Ah, get too close and he’s liable to notice you. Let’s give ‘er a try!

[When you press the square button as prompted…]

Vaan: Over here! or Hellooooo! or Hey bucket head!

Palace Servant: Now’s yer chance! Get goin’!

[If you fail to sneak by the guard unnoticed...]

Palace Servant: You... weren’t the swiftest pup in the litter, were you? Okay, one more time! Sopress [square] to call the guard. I’ll handle him when he comes, and you make for the stairs! Ah, get too close and he’s liable to notice you. Let’s give ‘er another try!

Previous: North & South Sprawls

Next: Lower Halls & Palace Treasury: Exit Stage Right