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Narshe Grasslands - Enemies
Figaro Desert - Enemies
Welcome to the World of Balance! The world map allows you to move from one location to another, in this case on foot. While you’re moving around without transportation you’ll occasionally be forced into random battles, the nature of which depend on your location and, often, the surrounding terrain. The enemies you'll encounter on this first trip are listed above.
Travel south until you hit a desert, then head southwest. The grasslands are full of enemies that will die in a single hit, and provide almost no risk to Terra and Locke. The desert, by contrast, is populated by Sand Rays and Alacrans. Alacrans aren’t too bad, but Sand Rays have an attack that can temporarily inflict Stop one of your characters if it lands. Stop prevents that character from taking any actions for a while. Consider using Fire on these creatures until you’re strong enough to take them down in a single normal attack.
Your destination is to the southwest when you enter the desert, and it's pretty obvious once you see it poking out of the sand.
Figaro Castle - Item Shop (west door)
Figaro Castle - Tool Shop (east door)
A structure that looks curiously high-tech for a medieval fortress, Figaro Castle is friendly territory - though it doesn't seem that way at first. After being challenged at the entrance you’ll be allowed into the castle, though most of the doors are blocked by guards. Head straight north through Figaro until you find the throne room of the king, who, coincidentally, is another party member. His default name is Edgar.
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With Edgar's blessing you can now have a look around the castle. There isn't a ton to see in Figaro, but we'll poke about all the same.
- Head south out of the throne room, then loop east / west and north. In the passage up to the top ramparts of the castle you’ll find a chest containing a Phoenix Down.
- There are two doors on either side of the corridor leading to the throne room. In the left is a man who sells variety of basic healing items. Consult the dropdown lists above for his full iniventory. Also here is a chest containing a Gold Needle.
- In the right door near the throne room is a man who will sell you Tools, Edgar’s special weapons of choice. You automatically have an Auto Crossbow, but if you want you can purchase a Noiseblaster and a Bioblaster. If you come back later with Edgar in the lead of the party you’ll get a discount on these items, but you won’t have them for the immediate future if you don’t buy them with Terra. Your call. Also in here are chests containing a Potion and an Antidote.
Head south to the castle’s main avenue. Go through the door on the left, sleep in the northern rooms ahead if need be, then go down the stairs. They lead to the outer walls. Check out the west wing of the castle and speak to the woman in green, standing in front of a bedroom, to trigger a cut scene. It features Edgar’s brother, default name Sabin, who isn’t around just yet.
Return to the throne room and speak to Edgar again to trigger a cut scene. Here you’ll meet Kefka, one of the game’s main antagonists, as well as a frequent thorn in your side. He’s such a lovely man. You’ll have temporary control of Edgar, though when you speak to Locke Terra takes over again. Follow Locke through Figaro Castle to the east wing.
Speak to Locke to jump to Edgar again. Bad things happen, forcing the party to form up and flee Figaro. Speak to the soldier in the north of the castle to get underway. Once your team is on its way you’ll have to fight a pair of Magitek Armors, which, despite the boss music, are normal enemies. Have Terra Cure and use Fire while Edgar peppers the Armors with his Auto Crossbow and Locke attacks normally. If you use magic during this battle you’ll see a fun cut scene highlighting Terra’s unusual abilities.
Once you're done with the enemies you'll be riding a Chocobo, a burly, friendly bird that can ferry you across vast distances at a high speed without running into random encounters. The Chocobo leaves as soon as you dismount, though, so don’t touch any buttons until you’ve arrived at your destination. You can find a Chocobo Stable in the forests to the southwest of the desert if you ever need to rent another Chocobo, though it’s in such an inconvenient location that you may never find it.
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Guide the Chocobo south and look along the mountain range until you find a cave. Hop off the bird and head inside. With Edgar in your party the guard in front of the cave will grant you access to the next little dungeon, the South Figaro Cave.