Final Fantasy XII - 19 - Paramina Rift and Mt. Bur-Omisace

Overview: Apparently the explanation for how a jungle exists adjacent to an arctic glacier is that the Mist did it. How chipper. Unlike the Golmore Jungle there are a number of weather conditions you'll have to watch out for here. And as usual, weather means those bastardly elementals. Tread lightly on maps that are home to them, they usually prefer it when it's snowing heavily. Your newly acquired Thundara should see plenty of use because plenty of things are weak to Thunder. There are also a fair number of Fire-element monsters weak to Water, so keep a close eye on your Libra information and you can mow through the beasties here. For the moment, your goal will be Mt. Bur-Omisace, and you will further explore the rift later.

Paramina Rift/ Fading Vale

Enemies: N/A

Guide: Save up and talk to the NPCs for some information. They're a happy lot. When you're ready, head north east.

Paramina Rift/ Head of the Silverflow

Enemies: White Wolf, Wild Onion, Skull Knight, Slaven Warder, Lizard

Treasure: The area may contain a Betelgeuse and Osafune.

Guide: You goal is the north eastern exit, but you should head south and check out the lower portion of this map. There are a good number of chests in the corners, and an exit south that will be useful later. When you're done exploring, head north to the next area.

Paramina Rift/ Freezing Gorge

Enemies: White Wolf, Skull Knight

Treasure: The area may contain Golden Armor and a Serpent Rod.

Guide: You'll have a cutscene to watch before you gain control on this map. The plot thickens, eh? Once you have control head east and north to reach Mt. Bur-Omisace, the southern exit should not concern you yet.

Mt. Bur-Omisace/ Sand-strewn Path

Guide: Ah wonderful, shopping. And a Teleport Crystal, and a Cartographer...and chocobos! So, those weapons you've got? The ones you bought in Jahara? It's finally time to trade up. Most importantly, I recommend you purchase and equip a Storm Spear. It will lay waste to the enemies in the area. The Iron Pole, Kogarasumaru, Crossbow, Betelgeuse, and Flametongue are also good weapon choices. And it's a good time to trade up armor. It is quite an expense, but you'll be set on armor for quite some time. The Seeq has one new Spell, Stop, which is a nice addition, and he sells Thief's Cuffs, a useful Accessory if you're fond of stealing. You should purchase one at some point, as many bosses have items that are nearly impossible to get without them. Once you're done shopping, head north up the hill to the next area.

Mt. Bur-Omisace/ Temple Approach

Guide: Don't poor people just put a damper on everything? Kidding, kidding. Anyway, you can talk to a good number of the refugees, and they're pretty much depressing on all fronts, so keep heading north up the hill.

Mt. Bur-Omisace/ Temple Grounds

Guide: I'm absolutely in love with the architecture of this location. It's completely impossible, but stunning and inspired. Head east, then north up the steps to the temple proper.

Mt. Bur-Omisace/ Hall of the Light

Guide: It's all cutscene here. After all the shocking developments you will have a goal, the Stilshrine of Miriam. To get there, you'll need to traverse the rest of Paramina Rift. Head back south through Mt. Bur-Omisace, and back out into Paramina Rift. Head due south through the Freezing Gorge and into the next area.

Paramina Rift/ Frozen Brook

Enemies: White Wolf, Skull Knight, Ice Elemental (During Light Snow), Lizard

Treasure: The area may contain a Musk Stick, Golden Helm, Quasimodo Boots, and a Bangle.

Guide: There's an elemental here, so you know the drill, steer well clear of it. The eastern section down near the water level has a good number of chests, but the elemental favors the area. Should you wish to reach the Stilshrine with all haste, use the south western exit, which will take you to the Path of the Firstfall. For the moment though, I will describe all the various areas within the Rift, so take the north western exit.

Paramina Rift/ Icebound Flow

Enemies: Skull Knight, Slaven Wilder, Dark Skeleton, Baritine Croc, Yeti

Treasure: The area may contain a Glacial Staff and an Ice Shield.

Guide: The Dark Skeletons here like to pop out of the ground, so keep an eye out for them. The western exit goes into the Feywood, an area you should avoid. Take the south eastern exit to the next area.

Paramina Rift/ Karydine Glacier

Enemies: Dark Skeleton, Skull Knight, Bartine Croc, Wild Onion, White Wolf, Anchag (Rare Game), Anchbolder (Trophy Game)

Treasure: The area may contain a Glacial Staff and the Gambit Foe: ice-weak.

Guide: This is an important map because it gives you access to a part of Silverflow's End that cannot be reached otherwise. Aside from that there's little of note here unless you're hunting Damascus Steel, but the details for that can be found under the Rare Game or Bazaar post. When you're done here, head back to the Frozen Brook and take the south western exit.

Paramina Rift/ Path of the Firstfall

Enemies: N/A

Guide: A convenient resting spot, make use of the Save Crystal then head around the bend to the next area.

Paramina Rift/ Spine of the Icewyrm

Enemies: Twintania, Garuda-Egi

Guide: Flying monsters ahoy! Thankfully it's just one map. The Garuda are weak to Dark, so if you don't have long range weapons for everyone, you most likely have Dark to use on them. The path though, is a pain, with many traps. Float your way over and head south.

Paramina Rift/ Silverflow's End

Enemies: Dark Skeleton, Emperor Aevis, Yeti, Ice Elemental

Treasure: The cut-off section may contain Thief's Cuffs, Burgonet, and Shielded Armor.

Guide: The eastern side of this map has a at most a chest or two, with little worth mentioning, but the western side has a number of impressive items that can be acquired. Elementals like to show up here during cloudy weather, so keep an eye out for them. Head due south to reach the Stilshrine of Miriam.