In this optional side-tracking episode of FFIV, we explore some of the different, hidden regions of the underworld and enter through a treacherous cave to encounter yet another companion who should be dead but totally isn't.
So we start our side-tracking adventure by heading due south and west of the Dwarven Castle to arrive at a small town called Tomra. It's pretty quaint, all things considered, with friendly dwarves. Lali-ho!
WHAT.
We... um... 'hi-ho' to the locals and raid some of their items they've left lying around, because this is an RPG.
Don't worry though, it isn't stealing, they're asking for it.
No, really!
The dwarven idea of 'souvenir' is different, to say the least. Instead of postcards, I get bomb fragments. Maybe they're trying to tell me something?
Not all of our companions are impressed by Tomra's hospitality.
In spite of Edge, Tomra has some awesome items and equipment that I purchase and equip.
Moving on east to the southeast corner, we encounter a rather isolated building.
Inside, it is indeed a forge, though one that isn't currently active. Upstairs, we find the forgemaster:
He seems to be in a bit of a slump, apparently. We leave him to it, though I'm sure we'll be visiting him again.
From the southeast corner, we travel to the northwest landmass to find the Slyph Cave. This cave was mentioned by someone in Tomra.
True enough, we don't actually see any sylphs at the entrance to the cave, only annoying enemies. Also, the floor is dangerous: I have to use float to negate the damage.
It's also really... marshy.
But the cave is bright and full of treasures. There's plenty of areas in this cave that have like, three or four chests in them.
There's also a mysterious sigil that can be found in one of the later areas, that leads to a treasure room full of chests (with monsters in, but also sweet loot).
The main purpose of this area though can be found in a random wooden house located at the very end of the cave.
Hey, it's Yang! He isn't dead, just in a coma. What luck! The Sylphs have been keeping him alive, but aren't really sure what do with him. And neither do we, as it happens. Like the forgemaster, I think this'll be something we'll have to return to later.
We leave the cave and head to a tiny island surrounded by lava. Guess where this particular cave leads?
One wonders how Rydia actually made it through this cave, seeing how she doesn't know the Float spell, and it's surrounded by an entire ocean of lava.
Either way, we make it through the cave well enough and on the other side we enter the Feymarch.
It's pretty normal-looking, to be honest. All this power, and they're using wood? How did they make it past the lava? The Feymarch is giving us more questions.
Rydia's happy to be back though, as are the generic eidolon NPCs.
Instead, he's met someone else and is very happy. So happy in fact, he wants us to tell us who we have in our hearts.
Because I'm a sap, you can probably guess who I put down.
Moving on swiftly, we restock and purchase some new armour and weapons, and head into the Feymarch's Library.
At the bottom of the library, is a small dank room that supposedly doubles as the throne room. Doesn't look very regal.
We seek Asura's aid, but the code must be obeyed...
Asura's main trait is hard-hitting attacks coupled with a love of white magic. This is easily rectified though with a casting of reflect. Now Asura heals us!
All in all this is a very easy fight. Cecil draws all her attacks and defends while everyone else just wails on her. She's down pretty quick.
Next up though is the big King, who we finally get to fight. The King is none other than Leviathan, the thing that wrecked our ship a long time ago.
Leviathan is more dangerous. It has a deluge attack that nearly wipes out Edge, but Rosa's on hand to quickly curaja everyone back up to speed. After a dose of shell, it's just up to Rydia to spam Ramuh and target Leviathan's lightning weakness to defeat it. It only has time to cast fairly weak blizzaras.
And with that, we've gained the power of Asura and Leviathan! This'll surely be useful in the fights to come.
This entire Feymarch bit reminds me of Wutai slightly. Optional area, female party member-focused, and you have to defeat your father. Only with less materia-stealing. Everyone's happy!
Tune in next time as well tackle the unseal the Sealed Cave!
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Originally Posted by Formalhaut
