Dalmasca Estersand/ Passage Entrance
Enemies: N/A
Guide: Aside from a Save Crystal, little to do here. But there is a Seeq to talk to, and he mentions not only that there is an alternate entrance to Barheim Passage nearby, but that his boss has the key. Interesting.
Dalmasca Estersand/ Sand-swept Naze
Enemies: Wolf, Cockatrice, Alpha Wolf, Nekbhet (Rare Game)
Treasure: In the northern section of the area is a chest that might contain a Rod.
Guide: There are a multitude of chests here, as well as many wolves. With four people in your party though, the experience is probably less than helpful, but you can rack up some easy LP if you feel you're behind. Head south to go back to Rabanastre, but I recommend heading north for the moment.
Dalmasca Estersand/ Banks of the Nebra
Enemies: Wolf, Alpha Wolf, Cockatrice, Cactoid, Ichthon, Tiny Mimic, Greeden (Rare Game)
Guide: Another expansive map, with a wide range of monsters on it. Also, you can gaze longingly at the northern banks of the Nebra from here. In the north eastern corner you can enter a small village, and there's another map in the south eastern corner.
Dalmasca Estersand/ South Bank Village
Enemies: N/A
Guide: A quaint little village, with a Teleport Crystal! Make sure to stop by so you can teleport to this location in the future. There is also a woman talking about a sick traveler, and all the men are gone...hmmm. Well, this is all part of a sidequest, The Patient in the Desert. You can do part of it now, but you cannot complete it until later. However, if you want to catch up on all the parts you can do at this point, here a checklist:
1) Accept and complete the Flowering Cactoid Hunt
2) Talk to Dantro a second time after completing the Hunt
3) Go to the South Bank Village and give his wife the flower.
4) Talk to her again, then get 5 Seaclam Shells, two are in the village, three more can be found on the Banks of the Nebra. Return to Dantro's Wife and give her these.
5) Next she will require phials of Nebralim. Return to the Outpost and talk to Dantro, he will tell you to search the nearby boxes. There are two phials. Return to the South Bank village and give his wife these.
You cannot do more at this point, sadly, but when the rest of the quest becomes available, I will include the completion of the quest in that post. It's also worth mentioning that there's merchant here you can sell your Barheim Loot to. When you're done drinking in the beauty of the river, head back out of the village and to the south eastern corner of the Banks of the Nebra map.
Dalmasca Estersand/ Murmuring Defile
Enemies: N/A
Guide: Well, it seems that would be the second entrance...now if only you had a key. Well, maybe someday. Head south through the Banks of the Nebra and the Sand-swept Naze to return to Rabanastre.
Dalmasca Estersand/ Yardang Labyrinth
Enemies: Cactiod, Cactite, Wolf, Cockatrice, Alpha Wolf, Ripe Rampager (Rare Game)
Guide: If you did the Flowering Cactoid Hunt, or stopped by Nalbina for some upgraded weapons earlier, then you're familiar with this twisty little map. If not, take a look around, and head over to Nalbina to activate the Teleport Crystal so you can use it later. Rabanastre is further south still.
Dalmasca Estersand/ The Outpost
Enemies: N/A
Guide: Head on through, though you could pay the outrageous sum for a stay at the inn if you really want to spend the money. Beyond is The Stepping, which I'm sure you remember, and beyond that, Rabanastre.
Rabanastre/ Eastgate, East End, Westgate, Lowtown/ South Sprawl, North Sprawl
Enemies: N/A
Guide: Well snap, they leave you high and dry. But thankfully....Vaan likes to talk to himself in plot meaningful ways. It's like a Shakespeare play. Anyway, your goal is Migelo's Sunderies. But you know what? Walking is for lame people. Like Imperials. Use the Moogling to teleport to the Sandsea, then walk south to Migelo's.
Now, you might have a pile of gil burning a hole in your pockets, but I highly suggest you don't spend it on weapons or armor. Why? Trust me. FF XII has a nasty habit. Unlike previous FF's, new weapons and armor become available often. And if you looked at my post on weapons, you'll see that there are many, many weapons. The truth is that often, it's not worth it. You might buy weapons that just became available, only to enter the next area and find better weapons. And, unlike previous FF's, not all types of weapons become available at the same time. For instance, you might have Vaan using Poles, and enter and area where new Swords are for sale. Stronger swords, tempting swords. So in a moment of weakness, you purchase one, and spend the LP to let Vaan use it. Only to have better Poles come available a half hour later. So, to recap: Buy weapons sparingly, or just wait till I suggest you upgrade to avoid wasting money. And don't switch weapon styles because of a lack of more powerful equipment, be patient and it will soon appear. Of course, this all applies to armor too, but in truth, you need to upgrade your armor even less frequently than your weapons.
Now, this does not apply to Magick and Gambits. As soon as new Magick and Gambits appear, buy them, all of them. They are always worth the money. Got it?
But Mr. 24, what about Technicks?
Well, there's the rub. Some Technicks, like Libra, Charge, Poach, and others, are extremely useful. Others...like Shades of Black, Souleater, Gil Toss, they're not very useful at all. Now, later in the game, you might have the money to pick them all up, and feel free to do so. But until you have more gil than you know what to do with, stick to the useful Technicks. Under the Spells and Technicks Resource, I mark the essential Technicks with the phrase Essential in the notes section.
Anyway, back at Migelo's you might notice a problem. A distinct lack of Penelo. But that's okay, Old Dalan is much more interesting. Head to Lowtown and look him up. Again, DO NOT TOUCH THE CHEST. In case you forgot, the chest outside his house is forbidden. Old Dalan tasks you with taking a precious item to the North Sprawl. Head on over for an enjoyable cutscene.
Such a pity that he shaves most of that beard off. It suited him. Anyway, Basch is now in your party once more. Head to the Sandsea in search of your other two ex-cons.
Kidnapped? And she seemed such an effectual, resilient comrade. Really though, this is no surprise. When you're ready to head to Bhujerba, go to the Aerodome at the Westgate and find Balthier in the rear of the terminal. A note though, once you go to Bhujerba, you will not be able to travel freely for some time. If you want to finish any Hunts, do so before you depart. However, if you wish to train, continue on. In Bhujerba is a better training spot that anywhere else in the game at the moment.
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