In order to further balance the boss battles, I’d love to know how each of the following bosses feel. Are they too easy? Too hard? Just right? Vote and let me know!
Of course, there are slight spoilers since these polls list the first several bosses of the game and their respective dungeons in brackets.
The following videos illustrate how some of the towns on Gaia have changed over the last century since the first game. Obviously a lot of towns aren’t shown, but they may appear here over time when I make videos of them as well!
I’ve decided to write a little about the four main continents in Blackmoon Prophecy II. Predictably, there will be four posts. Today I am covering the fourth and final continent of Blackmoon Prophecy II, the Berona Republic. A new name since the first game, the Republic had risen from the ashes of the fallen Branch, but it wasn’t exactly a smooth transition from one name to the other…
Let’s start with a fact sheet for the Berona Republic.
Nation(s): Berona Republic, Darnecles
Capital: Berona City (Berona Republic), Darnecles Castle (Darnecles)
Ruler: Soren Berona (Berona Republic), King Vale (Darnecles)
Important Figures: Eris Typhoon, Markim Alunira, Randall Heidegger
Military Forces: Exo-Skeletonium Forces
Population Centers: Berona City, Branch, Castora, Darnecles Castle, Garamonde, Northdale, Oaktown
After the merging of the worlds a century ago, Branch was left shattered and within governance. One ambitious resident of the western town of Northdale, Carwen Berona, decided to take advantage of that. Being a wealthy man and skilled inventor, he was able to sway (and bribe) individuals from the other nations to his cause which included tearing down what remained of Branch and forming a new nation in its place. While Carwen Berona did not have antagonistic intentions and wanted the transition to be as easy as possible, things did not prove to be quite as easy as he anticipated.
After making his research facility a publicly known location, Vahn Vainstrong and his fellow Light Warriors converged upon the facility only to be confused by the presence of inhabitants from all four kingdoms. When Carwen Berona explained what his ambitions were, Vahn swiftly rejected his plans. Carwen, not wanting to have anyone stand in his way of bringing a better quality of life to the shattered lands of what once was Branch, unleashed his mechanical titanium forged golems on Vahn and his friends. The golems did not prove to be enough to stop them, and Vahn swore to deal with Carwen after halting the plans of Emperor Belmont, Lord Zeul and Malacore.
After the Light Warriors did indeed spare the world from certain disaster, Vahn Vainstrong turned his attention towards Carwen Berona who was busily working on occupying as many towns as possible. Vahn wasted no time in deploying close friend Darius Nobleton and a squad of dragoons to put Carwen down. Unfortunately, Darius and the dragoons underestimated Carwen’s forces and were defeated. When approached by Vahn after the fall of Darius, Carwen was adamant that he was not going to abandon his goal of giving birth to a new nation and that, if left alone to carry out his plan, nobody would be harmed and no lives would be lost. An agreement was worked out between Carwen Berona and Vahn Vainstrong that would allow Carwen to carry out his plans under a watchful eye from Ivalice to the south.
The Berona Republic soon became a reality as a result of the agreement, with Berona City being constructed close to Carwen’s arctic homelands. The Republic existed relatively peacefully for several years until Carwen’s sudden and unexpected death. Though never proven, poisoning was suspected and his son, Soren, was the prime suspect.
After Soren Berona succeeded Carwen as the head of the Republic, tensions mounted between the new nation and Darnecles, a small Lupin state that existed in a southern desert near the Ivalician border. Darnecles had formerly been a large kingdom in the Esper World prior to the worlds merging during the Great Cataclysm, but it was now nothing more than a small territory. When Soren ordered his forces to capture Darnecles, King Vale of Darnecles Castle issued a call for help which was swiftly answered by Ivalice. A regiment of dragoons and mages quickly arrived and put the Beronians in their place, the aging Vahn Vainstrong warning the youthful Soren Berona to adhere to the agreement he made with Carwen Berona – or else.
Several decades later, Ivalice’s throne changed hands twice with Vahn’s grandson Alduin inheriting it. Meanwhile, Soren Berona continued to rule from the Republic. Feeling that Alduin was not as sharp as the Vainstrongs who came before him, he once again attempted to capture Darnecles. By this time, the restructured kingdom of Lindblum had emerged as the strongest power in the world and swiftly deployed a literal army to protect Darnecles Castle. The Lindblum soldiers arrived just in time and drove the Beronian forces back. Several Lindblum soldiers were lost in the battle such as Ezra Highwind, sister to main character Zephyr Highwind.
A few more years passed and pressure mounted on the Republic to allow Darnecles to exist outside of Republic rule or face a joint invasion from Ivalice, Lenadia and Lindblum. Soren Berona and King Vale each came together to meet in the Ivalician city of Alexandria where a treaty was signed between the two allowing Darnecles to exist as a separate state within the Republic itself.
Today, the Berona Republic has calmed itself and Soren Berona has finally earned the trust of the world. The Republic has become the world leader in scientific research, with the Berona Power Company at the forefront of it. Many Beronians including Markim Alunira, Randall Heidegger and Trigger Ramsay are respected individuals working for the Berona Power Company who excel at their chosen trades.
The Berona Republic is also home to the Church of Graviton. Graviton is a supposed deity that has acquired an extensive religious following over a few decades. The Church of Graviton, which is headquartered in the town of Branch and currently led by Eris Typhoon, is devoted to believing in Graviton to a borderline fanatical degree.
According to the Church of Graviton, their deity resembles a man who stands as high as the tallest castles and wields an adamantium hammer capable of sinking lands. Despite the supposed deity being associated with violent tremors that have sunk lands and killed many, the Church of Graviton insists that their god is benevolent and loving.
Theories of Graviton emerged shortly after the Light Warriors emerged victorious over Lord Zeul and Malacore a century ago. When quakes led to parts of land sinking into the sea, researchers attributed it to the after effects of the Great Cataclysm. Religious individuals instead believed that it was the work of a gravity god that they took to calling him “Graviton”. They took it upon themselves to preach that Graviton was an ancient god who was wishing to reshape the world into its original shape, prior to when the worlds were even merged. The Church claims that lands which have sunk were “tainted” and were not of Gaia. They are also adamant that Espers, not originally inhabitants of Gaia, have demonstrated that they are also a taint which must be removed by their war against humankind.
The Church of Graviton believes that their deity resides in the Miasma Stream where he strikes “evil and gnarled roots” with his adamantium hammer and sinks the lands that are said to be tainted.
Notable locations in the Berona Republic include…
Berona Research Facility: Carwen Berona’s original seat of power before the Republic officially existed. Today, it is manned by several researchers and scientists who conduct studies on electricity, magic, miasma, and tomes extracted from the Genesis Obelisk that involve the ancient Guardians of Balance. Markim Alunira is the research facility’s chief executive officer, though research abroad usually keeps him from overseeing daily activities within the facility.
Mount Valla: The spiritual home of moogles. Originally thought to have come from a cave near the former Branch town of Meksicburg, earthquakes revealed Mogtopia, a moogle metropolis, in the northern Mount Valla. While the mountain is covered in snow and is rather frigid on the outside, the interior is well maintained and rather warm from the vast amount of upkeep and work put forth by the moogles to make their home hospitable.
Rift Shrine: Constructed long ago in the Esper World, the Rift Shrine was the original gateway between the worlds which allowed Espers access to Gaia. More recently, it was used by the Light Warriors to combat Lord Zeul and Malacore by serving as a base of operations. Today, it has largely been abandoned. Enuo, Steward of the Rift Shrine, still lives somewhere within but has succumbed to dementia as a result of old age.
I’ve decided to write a little about the four main continents in Blackmoon Prophecy II. Predictably, there will be four posts. Today I am covering the third continent of Blackmoon Prophecy II, Ivalice. The villainous empire of the first game made a 180 degree change since then, so let’s see how the liberated kingdom is today.
Let’s start with a fact sheet for Ivalice.
Nation(s): Ivalician Empire, Isle of Zen
Capital: Alexandria
Ruler: Emperor Alduin Vainstrong
Important Figures: Bahamut, Grandmaster Moto, Janus Alunira
Military Forces: Ivalician Dragoons
Population Centers: Alexandria, Albrook, Auslen, Cornelia, Costa del Vita, Mystic Mysidia, Rivera, Vainstrong Port, Village of Zen, Visage
Ivalice has had an interesting story. In the first game, and prior to it, Ivalice was very much a villainous empire full of plotters and schemers. Names such as Braak Amiro, Deckar, Emperor Belmont, Dio, Eva, Lord Zeul and Malacore are all tied to the nation that once sought to bring down the rest of the world from the shadows to rule the world with an iron fist.
After the world was purged of the evil Ivalicians at the end of the first game, Vahn Vainstrong unified Branch and Ivalice and brought peace to the troubled lands. With his fellow Light Warrior Vera Farabrandt soon marrying him and becoming Empress, the two brought the restructured Ivalice into a new age where it would become a respected and trusted kingdom. With Vera soon bearing a child, the Vainstrong name synonymous with the Ivalice crown.
Dragoon survivors from Branch soon came to Ivalice, prompting Vahn to adopt dragoons as the new military of Ivalice. A training academy known was Port Vainstrong was soon constructed far to the west on a relatively uninhabited island where recruitment numbers quickly soared. To further solidify Ivalician dragoons as a respected force, the mighty dragon Bahamut emerged and revealed that he was no Esper at all, but rather an Aspect of Gaia. Being an Aspect, it was his duty to safeguard the world from harm, which explained his reasoning for previously binding himself to Vera Farabrandt. Bahamut openly supported the new Ivalice, feeling that corruption in the kingdom had finally been washed away, before settling at Port Vainstrong to watch over the dragoon trainees. The other Aspect, Odin, also dwelled somewhere in Ivalice, but he proved to be more reclusive than Bahamut by keeping to himself.
Shortly into his tenure as Emperor, Vahn Vainstrong could not grow to feel comfortable ruling from the Ivalician capital simply known as the Citadel, feeling that far too much corruption had occurred there over the years for it to be a legitimate seat of power. After consulting his ambassadors, friends, generals and Vera, it was decided that a new capital city would be built to the west. As construction crews headed west with Vahn, he came to the conclusion that basing a new city around the town of Marshtown would be the best plan of action. As the new capital was being constructed and Marshtown being incorporated into it, Vahn’s Lenadian ally, the scientist Cid Surikov, constructed a tram network from the Citadel to the new capital in order to quicken the process of moving inhabitants and their belongings to the west.
When all was said and done, Ivalice had a new capital city in the form of Alexandria, named after Vera Farabrandt’s mother. The Vainstrong family would then continue to rule from Alexandria with Vahn being succeeded by his son Balthasar, and Balthasar succeeded by his son Alduin.
It is worth noting that there are two towns that are part of the Ivalician Empire, but are unofficially considered independent. These towns are Mystic Mysidia, home of white magic, and the Village of Zen, home of the ninja clan. Mystic Mysidia is governed by elder Janus Alunira who is said to be the world’s greatest white mage, while the Village of Zen is currently oversee by skilled ninja Grandmaster Moto.
Notable locations in Lenadia include…
Citadel Ruins: The former capital of Ivalice, abandoned many decades ago. It has fallen into disrepair, its ruins being overrun by nature and becoming home to monsters. It is said that ghosts of the past haunt the long abandoned halls. Due to safety concerns, Emperor Alduin Vainstrong has dragoons posted at the ruins forbidding anyone from entering.
Lukahn’s Workshop: Lukahn was once a famed inventor of the Esper World. Now, all that is left is his abandoned workshop off the coast of western Ivalice. Residents of nearby Cornelia warn adventurers to stay away, as dangerous mechanical creatures dwell within.
Mystic Mysidia: The world’s leader in white magic practice and research. Much like how the Vainstrongs are seen as the royal family of Ivalice, the Alunira family is synonymous with watching over Mystic Mysidia with Janus Alunira, the grandson of former elder Elina Alunira, currently being the head of the town.
I’ve decided to write a little about the four main continents in Blackmoon Prophecy II. Predictably, there will be four posts. Today I am covering the second continent of Blackmoon Prophecy II, Lenadia. So, what’s the gigantic landmass of the first game up to these days? Well…
Let’s start with a fact sheet for Lenadia.
Nation(s): Lenadia Kingdom
Capital: Faluhd Castle (North), Lenadia Castle (South)
Ruler: Duke Fargo (Faluhd Castle), King Edward (Lenadia Castle)
Important Figures: Firon, Lysha Peperro
Military Forces: Lenadia Army
Population Centers: Barrington, Clestance, Diaspola, Faluhd Castle, Hillsdale, Kohlingen, Lenadia Castle, Mohadmal Junction, Organa, Palumpu Port, Vilaheim
In the first Blackmoon Prophecy, Lenadia was the most expansive and richest of all kingdoms. The Great Cataclysm (merging of the worlds) a century ago devastated Lenadia after it sunk a great deal of Lenadian lands and towns. Over the one hundred years between the two games, the continent would suffer from many earthquakes as well, further damaging the economy and overall quality of life that was once enjoyed by the prosperous people of Lenadia. By the time of Blackmoon Prophecy II, Lenadia has dropped from most powerful nation to the poorest of the four. Though it can still sustain itself, Lenadia has seen a sharp increase in criminal and outlaw activity over the last several decades. Highwaymen now road trade routes and the majority of Lenadia’s towns are poverty-striken. Only the towns of Barrington, Hillsdale and Mohadmal Junction have managed to stay in good shape while the rest of the kingdom’s towns suffer.
A few decades ago, the abandoned Faluhd Castle in Lenadia’s northern reaches was resettled after it was deemed that having a center of government in the kingdom’s northern half could help energize Lenadia’s ailing economy. This has indeed helped the towns of Kohlingen and Organa slightly and, as a whole, Northern Lenadia has become the kingdom’s most prosperous region while the south continues to suffer in the shadow of Lenadia Castle.
Today, Faluhd Castle is governed by Duke Fargo. The Duke is viewed by the people of Lenadia as the true ruler of the kingdom in every way other than in name. King Edward’s influence in the southern Lenadia Castle fails to extend beyond the towns of Barrington, Clestance and Vilaheim while the town of Palumpu Port enjoys attention from both Duke Fargo and King Edward. It is suspected by some that Duke Fargo would like to have the title of King himself, though nobody is certain how the title could be wrestled away from King Edward in the south.
Palumpu Port is believed to be the key in the eventual struggle for control of the kingdom, as the adventuring guild known as the Mistwalkers, based out of Palumpu Port, is the only truly wealthy organization in the entirety of Lenadia. The Mistwalkers were formed nearly a century ago by Ami Peperro, an eccentric and energetic woman who was one of the Light Warriors who defeated Malacore and Lord Zeul. Today, the organization is run by the granddaughter of Ami, Lysha Peperro. She is said to be the spitting image of her late grandmother in her prime years.
Notable locations in Ivalice include…
Aether Cave: A mysterious cave located south of the Mohadmal Desert where geologists believe miasma may be leaking into. Excursions into the Aether Cave have not gone well, with those who journey into the cave for answers never coming back.
Ancient Caves: Located off the northwest coast, these caves were once said to lead to a long buried ancient castle of a long forgotten civilization. Whether or not the caves still do so is up for debate.
Faluhd Castle: Once abandoned long ago after the Lord of Faluhd accidentally poisoned his people with miasma gas from a nearby mine, the castle has since been resettled. Ruled by Duke Fargo, many feel that it is Lenadia’s new seat of power despite Lenadia Castle to the far south being the official capital.
Final Fantasy Blackmoon Prophecy II 