In this episode, we finally go visit Troia Castle and meet with the Epopts to secure the Earth Crystal.

So we enter Troia Castle and my God that music. It is so good:



So serene and peaceful! And even the Castle looks nicer, with crystal blue water and the addition of statues on the main bridge:



As Tellah outlines in a thought-bubble, the Earth Crystal allows the land of Troia to flourish. One wonders what all the other crystals did. I mean, the Fire Crystal doesn't have an obvious use, or does it?

Anyway, we move on and talk to everyone we see, like a good RPG player. For the most part, we're given a very warm welcome.



Troia is run by the Epopts, apparently, who are all women! We learn more about them in a moment.

One thing that I've noticed is Troia is that Cecil must be some kind of jerk, based off of the reactions inside the castle:



So we learn Cecil is a misogynist. I mean, he keeps hiring women to dance for him in all the various towns (alternate character interpretation).

Talking about low-key misogyny, we get an author's saving throw about the costumes here:



Because you can't have a strong matriarchal society without putting the guardswomen in skimpy uniforms! They can't even wear those without commenting on fashion.

Swiftly moving on, a guard with more armour explains the political nature of Troia:



Also in this main hall area, we find out that someone from Damcyan has washed up on Troia's shores. Hmm, could it be Edward? I enter the infirmary and talk to one of the healers, who gives the victim a backhanded prognosis:



We approach the bed and, sure enough, it's Edward!



Oh no, just stay in bed Edward. We don't need your help. No really please, just rest up. I'm begging you. Don't join us in combat.

We fill Edward in on some details, like what happened to us after the ship wreck and why Cecil has decided to grow his hair long.



Edward in kind gives us an update on the Earth Crystal: surprise surprise, it isn't here:



Well, isn't that peachy.

We might as well visit the Epopts and have them tell us the exact same thing.



Yes, I imagine most creatures are vulnerable to metal swords.




Oh, well that's a clever monster.

So Cecil and the others head back into Troia Town and I basically make everyone re-equip. Some people were fine, like Yang, but Cecil basically had to undergo a full costume change and wield a very terrible 'Fireshard' which does measly damage. I imagine he won't be very helpful to me in the next dungeon.

To get to the Lodestone Cavern, we need to take a Purple Chocobo because the airship can't land in forests, for obvious reasons. We take the Chocobo onto an island north of Troia's mainland, and venture into the cavern!



Cid helpfully tells us this when we were *already* in the cavern.

Anyway, it's a fairly short dungeon. Cecil was pretty useless swinging what looked like a hot dog on a stick around, so Tellah and Yang were indispensible. Especially Yang, as his Flame Claws worked great against the enemies. But Tellah and his flame rod could rack up the damage as well.

I don't normally comment on dungeons much, because there's not really a lot to say, but look, it's a Mindflayer! I actually first saw one in FFXII so it is nice seeing some enemies in their original appearances.



Eventually we make it to the Dark Elf.

This was what I was expecting:


Instead, we get:



NOT okay.

Turns out we get easily trashed in a scripted fight, so our heroes are doomed...



Apparently, Edward has a sixth sense. He decides to get our of bed, despite whatever vague illness he's suffering from, and help us out with the power of music.



Apparently the Dark Elf really hates Edward's music, so maybe Edward's just an awful Harpist?

Either way, his music stuns the Dark Elf, meaning he can't weight down our equipment. We're given the opportunity to re-equip and fight the Dark Elf once again. Halfway through the fight he turns into a Dark Dragon, but honestly he's just easy.



Huzzah! We exit the cave and return to Troia Castle.

Back at the Castle, Edward explains how he did what he did:



Proving once and for all that he isn't so useless. We also get his augments, meaning we're at the end of the line with him I think.

We head back into the Epopts chambers, but suddenly we're accosted by the evil purple aura of villainy.



So, that's ominous.



For rescuing the Earth Crystal however, we're given access to Troia's vaults, so yeah!

That's it for this episode. In the next one, we head to this mysterious tower and see what the hell happens next!

Also, bonus Troia Castle video: