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Summon of the Month - June - Carbuncle
Last month I finally started this adventure and I feel like I’m getting somewhere with it. Since obtaining Leviathan and Alexander I feel stronger in myself, but I’ve been having strange dreams. In these dreams all I can see is a large wall, with a strange door. Everything is hazy but all I can really remember is that surrounding the doors are small holes… there are about ten of them. It’s all blurred and I can’t make it out but there’s an inscription. Then I see him - Dr Rydrum – his hands are on fire and his eyes are black and just as I’m about to speak to him I wake up. I think the powers from the summon crystals are affecting me, and it pushes me on harder to complete this quest. I haven’t been able to summon either, I just can’t use them. Nothing happens when I try to summon…
I’ve read through Dr Rydrum’s journal and found everything he knows about Carbuncle, I’ve combined his research with my own for this month’s entry. I managed to solve the riddle that was left for me in Alexander’s church. The summon I’m going after next is Carbuncle!
“The fourth level of a castle”
Final Fantasy V - A level four summon found in ExDeath’s castle.
“Retrieved from stones”
Final Fantasy VIII – Carbuncle is drawn from the Iguions which were stones brought to life by Edea.
“Drop from the radiant shade”
Final Fantasy VIII – The Triple Triad card will refine into Glow Curtain.
“Feeds the twin mage”
Final Fantasy XIII - A reference to the Fal’Cie of Palumporum. It is said to feed the city, and Palum and Porum are mages…
So what do we know about Carbuncle? In Final Fantasy VIII, Carbuncle is drawn from the Iguions at Edea’s parade, in VIII Carbuncle as a summon does not deal any physical damage, and will only cast reflect on the party.
As a summon of Eiko Carol in Final Fantasy IX, Carbuncle is attained automatically from the Iifa Tree, unlike in other games of the series, in IX Carbuncle can also cast protect, shell, vanish, and haste by switching the jewels in the equipment.
Carbuncle also makes an appearance in Final Fantasy XI as one of five terrestrial avatars. Terrestrial avatars are those with a purpose on Vana’diel and are the servants of Altana. Altana is the dawn Goddess and creator of Vana’diel. Carbuncle is said to be the ‘Bringer of Rainbows’ and will lead the player to other avatars.
Dr Rydrum has been looking into sources for research; he has found some allusion to Carbuncle in literature…
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Rydrum
“Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has a Sherlock Homes story called, “The Blue Carbuncle” of which the take home message or moral lesson is about karma and taking advantage of others. This parallels the Final Fantasy usage of the Carbuncle casting reflect.”
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Rydrum
“I can’t really think of a good allegory to the Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story, ‘The Great Carbuncle’ which is about “being careful what you wish for” and “making sure the journey isn’t the only goal.”
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Rydrum
“Carbuncle is a mythical beast, often portrayed with a singular jewel in its head. It can also be used to describe a reddish brown colour; this seems to be derived from the etymology of the word: meaning a fire-red jewel. In some mythologies this red stone is said to give protective strength. In Final Fantasy it is a support Esper, GF, and Eidolon in Final Fantasy Tactics/VI, VIII, IX, respectively. The common theme in the series is that the summon casts reflect upon the party, often the animation has some form of light coming from the red jewel in its head.”
In Finnish mythology, the fox is not an animal of cunning or trickery, but an animal which can best his foe with intelligence over brute strength, this same thought is shared by the Moche people of ancient Peru, who believed that the fox would never use a physical attack – only a mental attack.
As well as these meanings, in many cultures, a fox with many tails – or a Kitsune – is said to be a highly intelligent being. In some of the depictions, Carbuncle is seen with more than one tail Carbuncle would fall under the Zenko label, as a good fox with magical powers and great knowledge. Zenko, unlike the bad foxes (Yako) help people and are spiritual guides. The Zenko are often associated with the Goddess Inari, and are depicted wearing red because of the bright shade of vermillion colours that are placed around her shrines.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Rydrum
“A carbuncle in architecture is a work of “modern” or “post-modern” art that contrasts with its surroundings. You can parallel this with the Fal’Cie in FF13, that is a giant pseudo-living organism (or however you want to describe them) amidst the highly technical and mechanical food processing operation it runs under Palumpolum. It over sees the hydroponic farming, mobile crop paddies by regulating water & light.”
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With both sets of research, it became conclusive that the Carbuncle gem would be found in a temple for Inari... I traveled far to reach it, and discovered that the site which was meant to have the temple had collapsed completely, leaving only a cave just west of it. It was my only hope of finding the summon stone. I've included a diary entry of the events...
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June 18th
I saw him standing by the Summoner’s plinth a shadowed figure. He was tall and had a hulking figure. I didn’t see his face until he turned around, he had a devilish smirk, and he looked at me as if he had been expecting me.
“Dr Rydrum… You have to stop this!”
“You think you will stop me? You’re a piece of this puzzle, and you want the endgame just as much as I do! This is fate, the end is already written and I have seen it. You can either join me, or die trying to stop me. But this can only end one way.” Dr Rydrum held out a blue crystal – Shiva. She floated out from inside of it in an ethereal way, like a ghost. She looked so delicate, but deadly. I could see from her expression she seemed pained. She looked at me and I could see sorrow in her eyes, they were empty with no spark inside. Rydrum commanded her great power, and she shot down some rubble against me. I tried to dodge it but to no avail. I was trapped behind rocks, against the wall.
Carbuncle’s plinth fell and shattered to the floor as it too was hit. The ruby rolled over to me – and Dr Rydrum was gone. Didn’t he want the crystal? He didn’t want me to die… but he wanted me to be hindered long enough so he could get away.
From the centre of the ruby poured out a green light that flickered and danced around the cave walls. All fell silent as the light became a small creature in front of my eyes. He stared at me for a while, edging towards me. I placed out a hand to him; stuck behind the rocks I had no choice but to ask Carbuncle for his help. I saw as the same ruby - now planted into his forehead began to shine. I had to close my eyes as the light was blinding – I felt the rocks be pushed away from me, and then the lights dimmed.
Carbuncle edged slowly towards me, his ears flicked back as he took his time, I daren’t move or else I may frighten him. I kept my hand held towards him, and eventually I felt his small, wet nose against my fingers – and then a tongue as he playfully licked the tips of my fingers before pushing his head up against the palm of my hand. I scratched in between his ears and he then climbed upon my lap, until his face was close to mine – he stared deep into my eyes for what felt like hours. It was then I thought he had sided with me, I went to touch the ruby between his eyes but he leapt back, and shot away so quickly I had no chance of following. Once I’d gotten back outside there was no sign of Carbuncle anywhere. Had he sided with Dr Rydrum?
I have to get to the next destination before Dr Rydrum, I haven’t a minute to spare. This journey just got a lot more dangerous, but I’m ready for anything that villain throws at me, he better be prepared next time. He may have tricks up his sleeves, but so do I, and this won’t end the way that he wants it to… The race is on.
Well I hope you enjoyed this edition of Summon of the Month. The adventure is really starting to heat up now! Like, really! Our hero is just on fire with all of this summon stuff! As always, I’ve managed to get us a little mini-interview about the chosen summon, this time the interview went to proud Newbie Party member Scotty_ffgamer!
What is it about Carbuncle that makes him such a great summon?
My favorite thing about Carbuncle is his design. He is cute and has a lot of personality, I feel. Reflect can also be very useful when fighting magic-type enemies.
Do you use Carbuncle much when you're playing Final Fantasy?
I honestly rarely ever use him. This is mainly because I try not to use summons very often, but Carbuncle's ability is only useful in rare situations.
How could Carbuncle be improved?
I think Carbuncle would be more useful if he provided more status buffs for the party. Combining Reflect with Regen would be a nice touch since reflect keeps you from being able to use cure on yourself. I personally would like if he would cast most every buff on the party (protect, reflect, regen, haste, etc.) for a short time. That would make me more likely to use him outside of just wanting to see his summon animation.
