(SPOILER)
After Captain Basch's betrayal and the death of King Raminas of Dalmasca, it was reported that Lady Ashe out of grief killed herself. Leaving Dalmasca with no one to lead. The Marquis Ondore (uncle of Lady Ashe) ruler of the Sky City Bhujerba, steps in as head of negotiations between Dalmasca and the Archadian Empire. Due to the recent tragedy, Dalmasca is forced to sign an "uncoditional surrender" to the empire.

Two Years later....

A young street urchin named Kytes explores the Garasmythe Waterways below Rabanastre (Capital city of Dalmasca) in search of someone named Vaan. The person in question is busy killing rats in the sewers. Honing his fighting skill and "cleaning up the vermin infested waterways". Kytes informs Vaan that Migelo wants to see him, but Vaan blows it off cause he knows the old Bangaa only wants him to run some trivial errand for him. Kytes tries to beg Vaan to go see him since Migelo is the only person in Rababnastre that truly helps the countless war orphans created during the war. That and he'll get in trouble as well for being a slacker like Vaan.

Vaan travels to the streets above in the bustling city of Rabanastre. The city is filled with war orphans and imperials. Dalmasca has been controlled by one Imperial overseer after another. In fact the city is getting prepared for the arrival of the new ruler sent from Archadia itself. Lord Vayne Solidor, the emperor's eldest living son. For this reason, Imperial soldiers are a bit more active than usual. They work tirelessly to put the city on a security lockdown in fear of a terrorist attack during the coronation ceremony.

Vaan spots two imperial soldiers giving a street merchant trouble. Vaan decides to take action and "relieves" them of their heavy coin purses. Of course they come to notice they had been pickpocketed and give chase but Vaan knows the city far better and quickly loses them. As he stands at the bridge feeling smug about giving the imperials hell. He runs into Penelo, another war orphan like Vaan, her family took Vaan in after the death of his brother two years ago. Unfortunately, her parents died from illness brought on by the war and soon the two came under the care of Migelo the merchant.

Penelo quickly scolds Vaan, though Vaan feels he's justified. Penelo sarcastically states Vaan's creed "The Imperials have robbed the people, so it's only fair that we take it back." something Vaan feels is the duty of all Dalmascans. During the conversation a huge airship flies overhead and Vaan looks up to it longingly(sp?), "One day, I'll fly an airship of my own. I'll be a sky pirate, free to go where I will."

Penelo tells Vaan he needs to visit Migelo and try to work a bit more honestly. She takes the gil purse he stole "to give back to the people" and tells him to stay out of trouble and check in with Migelo. Vaan grudgenly agree's and heads to Migelo's shop. Migelo is frantic cause he's been comissioned to supply the banquet for the Imperials. Unfortunately, his supplies didn't come in so he decided to get a second set of supplies from Tomaj the barkeep. He sent Kytes to get the supplies but he has yet to return. Since Vaan and Kytes are good friends, Migelo figured he could get Vaan to track him down and see that he completes his errand.

Vaan agree's and heads to the Sandsea (the name of Tomaj's bar). There he finds Kytes glossing over the Clan Notice Bulletin. A new mark had been had been posted, the Rogue Tomato. Tomaj interrupts and explains to them about the nasty creatures that roam the lands causing trouble. Most monsters keep to themselves unless threatened but a few tend attack people on purpose and generally make a nusance of themselves. Clans were created to hunt down these specific marks but anyone can take up the hunts. In fact the Rogue Tomato was posted by Tomaj cause it was the creature responsible for Migelo's original shipment to never come. Tomaj convinces Vaan to take the mark (which Vaan gladly accepts) and sends him outside of the city into the Estersand. He gives Vaan the Clan Primer (which allow him to do hunts) and the Writ of Transit which allows Vaan to get through the security checkpoint at the East Gate.



I'll try to post some more tonight... At least get you to the Nalbina Dungeon part of the story...