The Giza Plains (Rains) - The Ozmone Plain


getting new equipment
giza in the rains
(1) Plenty of new equipment available
before heading for the Giza PlainsYour next goal is clearly set: you must head towards Jahra, the land of the Garif and for that, you'll have to cross first both the Giza Plains and Ozmone Plain, both pretty huge areas. But since the story doesn't pick up until Jahra, now could be the right time to level up, earn money and get more equipment. A visit to the different shops of Rabanastre would be a good idea since the choice of items increases significantly after you complete the Tomb of Raithwall; there are also a lot of sidequests and hunts unlocked, which you may also want to investigate (see below). At any rate, once you've purchased everything you wanted (or could), head towards the southgate and from there to Giza Plains. The environment is very different from the one you've grown used to until now. Even if the monsters look familiar, they are in fact a lot tougher than in the dry season. Still, regular enemies like the hyenas and gigentoads shouldn't prove to be too much of a challenge. Wooly gators are tougher, but they are friendly for the most part. Be very careful when it is raining - chances are elementals are around. They are friendly unless you use magick around them, so always keep a sharp eye as they can easily whip out your party. You'll note also that the nomad camp is empty in those weather conditions - it plays an important part in several sidequests. Ultimately, you'll find an exit south of the Stafall Field leading to Ozmone Plain


the Green Plain of Ozmone
(2) You discover Ozmone for the first timeOzmone is a pretty straightforward, transitional area. There's again no scene occuring here, so it's all about working your way SW to Jahara. If you do just that, you'll mostly encounter Mesmenirs, Zus and Vipers, none of which is particularly dangerous, just remember that Zus being avions, you'll only be able to hit them with long-range weapons; you're also likely to meet a few Black and Red Chocobos in the Haulo Green. However, should you choose to investigate east first, you'll fight against other species as well. Beware especially of the Zaghnals, especially since they tend to attack you in packs of three or more in the Dagan Flats - if your levels are below 30, which is very likely, then you may have some trouble. Either run or systematically heal your main fighter(s). Further SE there's an area with mostly Wus which shouldn't be a threat to you at this point; if you press south, you'll enter an area where may appear a couple of rare game species (see below for more details) or more Wus. There's also a hybrid gator which you should try to fight only when it's alone is you're well below level 30 which may pop up in one area or another throughout the Plain. Finally, on top of Giza north and Jahara SW, you have two more places you can access from Ozmone: one is the Zertinian Caverns, and the other is Golmore Jungle. You may want to keep in mind that entrance to the Caverns as it is the shortest way to the optional Esper Adrammelech (although not the easiest). Golmore Jungle is a place you're set to visit very soon, but you can already enter it - just know that you will be able to explore only a small portion of it, the rest being protected by magical fields for the time being. Still, it might prove to be a good idea to hunt some of the monsters already accessible in this region for EXP, but more importantly for gils, as the entrance to Golmore is a good spot for chaining

Extra hints: Expand your horizon

Exploration and challenges: like I said above, there are several new hunts made available at this stage, as well as various other side quests to begin....or complete! But let's begin with the hunts. Several become available once you've completed the Tomb of Raithwall events. The bar hunts are pretty easy, so don't hesitate to go for them at this point (note though that you'll need to reach Jahara first to be able to speak to the Petitioner for the "Defense of Ozmone Plain" hunt). There are also new Elite Hunts, of one which is of particular interest, even if you may not be able to go after the hunt itself before a while. It is located in a secret area in the Giza Plains that you can only reach under under rainy conditions. In order to go there, you first need to bring down 6 withering trees that are found all over the plains - you'll recognize them as they stand by the water and the field sign will appear above your team leader's head as you approach one. Once all six have been cut down you'll hear a sound warning you that the passage is now open. Go east of the southern half of the Giza South Bank to find it. Now, you can trigger the hunt by talking with the Petitioner at the Crystal Glade, but know that this hunt is a really tough one if you're under lv. 35, in which case you'll probably rely, at least partially, on luck to be able to defeat it. More interesting for you this early might be the four Silicon Tortoises that can also be found there. They are not easy to beat if you're under lv 30, but not only do they earn you a lot of EXP, but the Aged Turtle Shell can sell very well, and you may even succeed in stealing an Officer Hat or two, which are lv 8 Light Armor (not available in shops until Phon Coast, in chapter 7!). Moreover, since it's the only enemy in view in this area, you can easily create a battle chain

Apart from this elite hunt, the other huge challenge are the optional espers that become available once you've completed the Tomb of Raithwall events. But it is highly likely that you won't be anywhere strong enough to face them. The easiest of the lot is Adrammelech, which is located in the Zertinan Caverns, and I wouldn't recommend it before lv 40something. I know some guides say that you should be around lv. 35, but you'll need a lot of luck to defeat it so early. Other espers available are Cuchulainn and Zalera, but both are even more difficult to defeat! Zalera is actually an afterwards of the Patient in the Desert sidequest that you can finally complete as the boat that crosses the Nebra in the Dalmasca Eastersand is finally available. Beware when you venture beyond the village on the northern bank as the enemies there are much tougher than the ones on the southern bank, actually more deadly than the ones found on Ozmone Plain, for instance. However, if you feel like it, you can continue north to reach Mosphoran Highwaste, and even Salikawood that the game only reach in chapter 7.1. The Mosphoran Highwaste is even tougher than the northern shore of the Nebra, but Salikawood is in fact surprisingly easy compared to it, as long as you don't go too much NW - there's one nasty optional boss there that you shouldn't go after at this stage. Another interesting quest that becomes available at this stage is the one that leads to the Earth Tyrant in the Dalmasca Westersand. Note that there's a mistake in the official guide, and the Great Cockatrix Escape does not become available at this point but after the story takes you to Draklor Laboratory and Archadia

For more details about all these sidequests, please visit the Sidequests section (coming soon!)


Jahara, Land of the Garif


arrival at Jahara, Land of the Garif
the war-chief Supinelu will help you through the village
(3) The war chief Supinelu will help
you throughout the villageYou enter Jahara through the Banks of the Sogoht, where you'll conveniently find not only a gate crystal that you'll be able to use to come here without having to cross the whole of the Giza Plains and Ozmone Plain again, but also a member of the Cartographers Guild who sells maps of Ozmone and Jahara, as well as Chocobos that you can rent which you should do well to remember since you're about to find out that both the main story and several sidequests will take you to a place that can only be accessed by chocobo or through a gate crystal for most of the game. Try to continue to the next section to trigger a cutscene where you'll meet War-Chief Spinelu for the firs time. He will be your guide through Jahara. Once the way is open to you, walk to the Lull of the Land. Talk to the Garifs around here - most of them will hint at either events of the game, or future sidequests. There's a shop as well where you can find some useful equipment, so don't hesitate to stop by. Once you're done, head east, a little further north than the entrance: there are three Garifs there, with one standing while the other two are sitting on the floor. Talk to the one standing to receive the Jaya Stick which you can now bring to Supinelu who is waiting by the bridge that leads further west. Once he has it, you'll be allowed to cross the bridge to the westernmost section of Jahara. This is where the Great-chief sits; since there's nothing else for you to do at this point, just run up the slope straight ahead of you to trigger a succession of cutscenes, at the end of which Larsa is again a guest member of your team. You can depart whenever you wish, just note that you can borrow a chocobo for free the first time you get one from Gurdy; if however, you would choose to go on foot for now, the offer will still stand until you decide to rent one. Finally, go back to the Lull of the Land later on, and there talk to the Judge, which was obviously part of the entourage of Larsa - he'll give you a few useful items to help you keep Larsa safe during your trip to Bur-Ormisace, your next destination

Coming next: Golmore Jungle - The Henne Mines