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Final Fantasy XII
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==Plot== <!--This section is meant to be as comprehensive as possible, while only containing the details needed to understand plot at its most basic level, to comply with the featured article criteria. Please discuss any additions on the talk page first.--> ===Setting=== {{main|Ivalice}} ''Final Fantasy XII'' is set within the land of [[Ivalice]] during an age when "magic was commonplace" and "airships plied the skies, crowding out the heavens". At this time, magicite, a magic-rich mineral, is commonly used in magic spells<ref>Sage Knowledge 12 of 78 (Hybrid Gator Bestiary entry) Magicite - Common name for stones containing magickal power, or as it is commonly manifest, Mist. {{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2}}</ref> and in powering airships—a popular form of transportation in Ivalice.<ref>Sage Knowledge 14 of 78 (Steeling Bestiary entry) Airships - Currently, they are one of the most popular forms of transportation in Ivalice. {{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2}}</ref> Ivalice is divided into three continents:<ref name="sleipnir">Sage Knowledge 29 of 78 (Sleipnir Bestiary entry)<br />Ivalice - The region consisting of the three continents of Valendia, Ordalia, and Kerwon, blessed throughout with verdant natural landscapes and climatic conditions supporting a great variety of life. {{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2}}</ref> Ordalia, Valendia, and Kerwon.{{sfn|Instruction manual|2006|pp=12}} Ordalia is located in the western part of Ivalice. The Rozarrian Empire makes its home in the vast inland plains of this continent as the eastern portion of it is largely desert and "jagd"—lawless regions so rich in Mist, the ethereal manifestation of magicite, that airships cannot function.<ref>Sage Knowledge 30 of 78 (Urstrix Bestiary entry) Ordalia - Continent on the western edge of Ivalice. The vast plains in the interior are home to the great Rozarrian Empire. To the east of Rozarria, the land is arid and largely desert. {{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2}}</ref> Valendia is the home of Imperial Archadia, where lush highlands dot the landscape.{{sfn|Scenario Ultimania|2006|loc=Japan|pp=44–45}} Central to the story is Dalmasca, a small kingdom between the two continents and empires. Located in the middle of the Galtean Peninsula of Ordalia, Dalmasca is surrounded by an expanse of desert. The temperate climate of Dalmasca differs from the cold environs of Kerwon to the south and the lush plains of Valendia and Ordalia.{{sfn|Scenario Ultimania |2006|loc=Japan|pp=48–49}} During this time, Ivalice is beset by the pending war between the forces of Rozarria and Archadia. Caught between the two powerful Empires, Dalmasca and a number of smaller nations have already been subjugated by Archadia two years before the game begins. ===Characters=== {{main|Characters of Final Fantasy XII}} The six main playable characters in ''Final Fantasy XII'' are [[Vaan (Final Fantasy)|Vaan]] ([[Bobby Edner]]/[[Kouhei Takeda]]), an energetic orphan of Rabanastre who dreams of becoming a [[sky pirate]]; [[Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca|Ashe]] ([[Kari Wahlgren]]/[[Mie Sonozaki]]), a determined princess of Dalmasca who lost her father and her husband in the Archadian invasion; [[Characters of Final Fantasy XII#Basch|Basch]] ([[Keith Ferguson (voice actor)|Keith Ferguson]]/[[Rikiya Koyama]]), a disgraced knight of Dalmasca charged with [[treason]] for slaying the king; [[Balthier]] ([[Gideon Emery]]/[[Hiroaki Hirata]]), a gentlemanly sky pirate who pilots his airship, the ''Strahl''; [[Fran (Final Fantasy)|Fran]] (Nicole Fantl/[[Rika Fukami]]), Balthier's partner and a Viera exile whose knowledge extends to legends and myths; and [[Characters of Final Fantasy XII#Penelo|Penelo]] ([[Catherine Taber]]/Marina Kozawa), Vaan's childhood friend who accompanies him on journeys to "keep an eye on him".{{sfn|BradyGames|2006|pp=6–9}} The Archadian Empire is ruled by House Solidor, headed by Emperor Gramis ([[Roger L. Jackson]]/[[Hidekatsu Shibata]]).{{sfn|BradyGames|2006|pp=10–15}} The emperor's sons are Vayne (Elijah Alexander/[[Nobuo Tobita]]) and Larsa (Johnny McKeown/[[Yuka Imai]]), the former a military genius and the game's main antagonist, and the latter a charismatic seeker of peace. Judge Magisters, upholders of Archadian law,{{sfn|BradyGames|2006|pp=10–15}} protect House Solidor and execute every command issued by the ruling family. The technological marvels of airships and synthetic nethicite—a form of magicite that absorbs Mist—are thanks to Doctor Cid ([[John Rafter Lee]]/[[Chikao Ōtsuka]]), a prominent researcher from Archadia.{{sfn|BradyGames|2006|pp=10–15}} The Resistance against Archadia includes Dalmascan knight Vossler ([[Nolan North]]/[[Masaki Terasoma]]), an ally of Basch; [[Marquis]] Halim Ondore IV ([[Tom Kane]]/[[Akio Nojima]]), the game's [[narrator]] and ruler of the skycity Bhujerba; Reddas ([[Phil LaMarr]]/[[Takayuki Sugo]]), a sky pirate based in the port at Balfonheim; and the Rozarrian Empire, of which Al-Cid Margrace (David Rasner/[[Norio Wakamoto]]) is a prince of the ruling family.{{sfn|BradyGames|2006|pp=10–15}} The mythos of ''Final Fantasy XII'' revolves around a character known as Dynast-King Raithwall, a man who once united Ivalice to create the Galtean Alliance in ages past. ===Story=== In Dalmasca's capital city of Rabanastre, Princess Ashelia (Ashe) of Dalmasca and Prince Rasler of Nabradia have just wed, as the Archadian Empire invades the two countries. Rasler is killed in the war, the city of Nabudis is destroyed in a single explosion, and the Dalmascan King Raminas is assassinated moments after signing a treaty of surrender. Marquis Ondore announces that the assassin was Dalmascan captain Basch, who has been sentenced to death, and that Princess Ashe has committed suicide.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=[[PlayStation 2]]|quote='''Ondore:''' Prayer, too, for the noble Princess Ashe, who, wrought with Grief at her Kingdom's Defeat, has taken her own Life. Know also that Capt. Basch fon Ronsenburg, for Incitement of Sedition and the Assassination of H.R.M. King Raminas, has been found Guilty of High Treason and put to his Death.}}</ref> Two years later, Vaan, a Rabanastre street urchin, ignores his friend Penelo's objections and infiltrates the palace during a dinner celebrating the appointment of Archadian prince Vayne Solidor as [[consul (representative)|consul]]. In the treasury he finds a piece of magicite, a powerful magical crystal. He is discovered by Balthier and Fran, a pair of sky pirates looking for the magicite. The three escape as Dalmascan Resistance forces assault the palace, and in the sewers they meet the Resistance leader, Amalia, before being captured by Archadian forces. In the dungeons they meet Basch, who was imprisoned but not killed, and who states his twin brother Gabranth was the one to kill the king. The four then escape together back to Rabanastre. There they discover Penelo has been kidnapped and taken to the floating city of Bhujerba. In Bhujerba, they meet Lamont, a curious boy who is Vayne's younger brother, Larsa, in disguise.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |publisher=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Larsa:''' Vayne Solidor, the Consul, is my brother.}}</ref> After they rescue Penelo, Basch confronts the Marquis over his lies, but the party is captured and detained aboard the Archadian [[airship]] ''Leviathan'', headed by Judge Ghis. On the ''Leviathan'', the party is reunited with Amalia, who is revealed to be Princess Ashe.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Ghis''': Come now, come now. Have you forgotten your manners? This is hardly the courtesy due... The late Princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca. / '''Vaan''': Princess?!}}</ref> Ghis takes the magicite, which is revealed to be a royal Dalmascan artifact, "deifacted nethicite". The party escapes, but as Ashe had planned to use the magicite as proof that she was the princess,<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Ondore:''' You may yet be a Princess, but without proof of your identity, you are powerless. You will remain with me. We do nothing till the time is right.}}</ref> the group journeys to collect another of the pieces of nethicite, the Dawn Shard.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Ashe:''' I'm going to retrieve the Dawn Shard. It's the proof that I need. I know where it's hidden. I'll return his airship later.}}</ref> They are again captured by Ghis; when he tries to use the Dawn Shard in the ''Leviathan'' rather than the "manufacted" (artificially made) magicite it normally uses, his entire airship fleet is destroyed in a mirror of the destruction of Nabudis, and the party flees again. They encounter Larsa, who seeks a peace treaty between Dalmasca and the empire. The group and Larsa go to Mt. Bur-Omisace to seek the Gran Kiltias Anastasis, Ivalice's religious leader, and beg his approval of Ashe as queen of Dalmasca.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Larsa:''' Lady Ashe, let us go to Bur-Omisace. With the blessing of 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.}}</ref> There they also meet Al-Cid Margrace, who is in talks with Larsa to avert a war between Rozarria and Archadia.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Anastasis:''' In Archadia, Larsa. In Rozarria, Al-Cid. They dream not of war. Should empire join with empire, the way will open for a new Ivalice in our time.}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Larsa:''' Dalmasca would be the battlefield! What if nethicite were used on Rabanastre? You know my brother would do this!}}</ref> Their plans are curtailed when Anastasis is killed by Archadia, and soon afterwards the Archadian emperor Gramis dies and Vayne ascends the throne.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Al-Cid:''' The Emperor Gramis is no more. His life was taken.}}</ref> The party journeys to Archadia, where they discover Doctor Cid, the creator of manufacted magicite, who directs them to go to Giruvegan to find the source of nethicite.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Cid:''' Am I right? I am, aren't I. A worthy daughter of the Dynast-King! You would do well to go to Giruvegan. Who knows? You may receive a new Stone for your trouble.}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Gerun:''' Seek you the Sun-cryst, slumb'ring star. In tower on distant shore it dreams. The mother of all nethicite, the source of its unending power.}}</ref> In Giruvegan, Ashe encounters the makers of nethicite, the immortal Occuria, who "pull the strings of history"; they give her the Treaty Blade to cut new pieces from the Sun-cryst, the source of all nethicite and its power.<ref name="occuria1">{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Gerun:''' Now take this sword, this Treaty-Blade. Occurian seal, mark of your worth. Cut deep the Cryst and seize your Shards. Wield Dynast-King's power! Destroy Venat!}}</ref> She learns that Venat, one of the Occuria, has defected to put the "reins of History back in the hands of Man", manipulating Vayne in his quest to conquer Ivalice and leading Cid to create manufacted magicite to reduce the relative power of the Occuria.<ref name="judge1">{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |publisher=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Bergan:''' Hark! Ivalice hails her true Dynast-King, Vayne Solidor! He shall defy the will of the gods, and see the reins of History back in the hands of Man!}}</ref><ref name="occuria2">{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |publisher=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Venat:''' Indeed. What claim does Gerun have on history's reins...seated on throne immortal, rent from time?}}</ref> Ashe and the party journey to the Sun-cryst, where she decides not to take her revenge by following the Occuria's wishes, but instead destroy the Sun-cryst.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Ashe:''' In all Dalmasca's history, not once did we rely on the Dusk Shard. Our people resolved never to use it, though their need might be dire. That was the Dalmasca I wanted back... I will destroy the Sun-cryst! I will discard the Stone!}}</ref> The party defeats Gabranth, who reveals that he killed King Raminas, and destroys the crystal.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Gabranth:''' Yes, it was I who wore Basch's face - who cut down the Life of Dalmasca. Lady Ashe! Your father's murderer is here!}}</ref> Al-Cid tells them that the Dalmascan Resistance, led by Ondore, is about to fight Archadia in Rabanastre, but the Archadian forces now include the Sky Fortress ''Bahamut''. They infiltrate the ''Bahamut'', and find Larsa failing to dissuade his brother Vayne from his plans for war.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Vayne:''' Observe well, Larsa. Watch and mark you the suffering of one who must rule, yet lacks the power. / '''Larsa:''' No. No, brother. I will not. Though I lack your power, I will still persist.}}</ref> They defeat Vayne and Venat, and Ashe and Larsa announce the end of the conflict to the battlefield.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Ashe:''' This is Ashelia Dalmasca. I confirm what Judge Magister Gabranth and Larsa Solidor have said here. Please. Stand down your attack. The war is over. Ivalice looks to the horizon. A new day has dawned. We are free!}}</ref> Larsa becomes the Archadian emperor and Ashe the Queen of Dalmasca; Basch replaces his brother Gabranth as Larsa's protector; Vaan and Penelo fly an airship to meet Balthier and Fran for another adventure.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=October 31, 2006 |platform=PlayStation 2|quote='''Balthier's note:''' Something more valuable: the Cache of Glabados. I await in Bervenia.}}</ref>
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