So the last time I had access to a computer we were just past the 8th Fleet kidnapping us and destroying itself with nethecite. Wow… Okay. I’m about 30 hours past that I believe. (Which, by the way, after that the game picks up the pace and it is a lot easier to level without massive farming, and you traverse more areas in a shorter time.)
So far I have taken Ashe through hell and back. My first stop after shit went down is the Lhusu Mines for farming. (Like usual.) I ended up hunting a few marks, but the major thing, is that I collected all of the monographs before continuing on. For those that don’t know, monographs increase your drop rate on certain kinds of enemies. They cost anywhere from 19, 000 to 25, 000 gil a piece and require certain criteria to be met before you have access to them. I spent probably 3 hours farming the mines for that much gil. Now, story line time.
At this point we are going to try and find out how to wield the Dawn Shard, and to do that we have to meet up with some elders in Jahara.
Giza Plains (Revisited - Raining Season):
So the last time we were in the Giza Plains it was sunny, hot and a desert, well this time, it’s damp, cold and the monsters come out to play. This area was a bigger pain in the ass than I remember it. The enemies are stronger and don’t back down, and there are elementals that claim “friendly status” but I was killed a couple times walking by them, or say hurting their turtle friend. The area also has a different lay out than when the dry season takes hold, so it’s more difficult to navigate. As well, if you enter the village there is only one person there. All in all, could have been worse. (And trust me, I’ve dealt with worse areas in this game.)
Ozmone Plains:
Let me say, I thoroughly enjoyed this area. The enemies weren’t awful, they gave great LP and experience, and I was enjoying the scenery. It was nice to be in a bright, open plains area. I actually didn’t spent too much time here the first time I crossed the plains. I guess because I was sick of farming, and I just wanted to continue the story line. I did end up farming a little bit later in an area where the enemies were condensed.
Jahara:
So after this trek that ensued, you get told the elders in Jahara don’t know anything about the Dawn Shard and how to use it. Surprise, surprise. Oh, but guess who just randomly showed up at the same village in the middle of no where as you. That’s right, Larsa. I don’t care who this kid is, he’s getting fucking annoying. Although, for now it looks like our party and him have the same common goal, and he suggests leaving for Mt. Bur-Omisace.There is a dream sage there that knows about all. Our party decides to go, because we need answers about the Dawn Shard and Larsa decides he wants to come… You know, to see how things pan out. This entire time more shit is going down with the empire, and how the current king is ill and Rasler is making the matters worse. You also learn Balthier has a family, but more on that later.
Ozmone Plains: (Revisited)
There was a hunt in the area, so I decided to pay the place a visit. This is where there was some decent LP farming, because of the clusterfuck of enemies. As well, I had to clear out the area for the mark to show up, and I found it interesting that both rare monsters were there to take a bite out of me. (Interesting again, is the fact that the next time I went there, both of the rares were there. I found it interesting. ^_^). But now, we’re on our way to the Golmore Jungle.
