Final Fantasy 12 AU: Thieves of the Light

[ArlequineLunaire]

"Twas the Valendian Year 704 that the dormant Empire of Rozarria, military-ruled, ever-devout Rozarria, flared up and launched against their rival, the 'Godless' Archadian Empire, to use their expression. Expansionist Archadia had been long advancing, but it was their attack on the Nabradian Kingdom that sent Rozarria into panic.

It was the Kingdom of Dalmasca's misfortune to be caught in the crossfire, for Rozarria eyed it like a hawk, seeing the noble land ruled by my dear friend Raminas as but a potential buffer-state. Raminas' daughter, the Lady Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca, was happily married to Prince Rasler Heian Nabradios, but the bond they'd forged between the two Kingdoms was shattered when the young ever-promising Rasler was slain at the Battle of Nabudis, the fair capital being brought to smouldering ruin by an ill-handled explosion of Magicite.

With Nabradia fallen to Archadia, Dalmasca became doomed to follow into Rozarria's possession... but via the least likely hand. King Raminas was to sign a Peace Treaty with the Archadians, to which many voices rose up to proclaim this naught but surrender. Ultimately it was the Captain Basch von Ronsenburg, more likely out of hatred for Archadia than any love for Rozarria, who assassinated of King Raminas and delivered Dalmasca into Rozarria's hands. Thus the light of independent Dalmasca was snuffed out by imperialism's icy touch.

If one ray of hope shone through, it was that the Marchioness Argas, Princess Ashe's handmaid, bargained with Rozarria to allow her to keep her sovereignty. But the scars of imperial subjugation and the death of her love will likely never heal for my dear Ashelia, who has shut herself away from public eye ever since, her actions unknown to even I.

Pray, Dalmasca, for Raminas, a man devoted wholly to peace. Pray for Prince Rasler, who went down with his kingdom at so young age. Pray not, however, for the traitor Basch von Ronsenburg, who drew his blade upon the king of the very land who took him in, and destroyed what little chance there might have been for peace with Archadia..."​

-- Excerpt from the Memoirs of Marquis Halim Ondore IV
​

FINAL FANTASY XII
THIEVES OF THE LIGHT​​

[ ] Name

Species:
[ ] Hume. The most common people, whose hold most of the political power in Ivalice (almost entirely in Archadia). Diverse enough to apply for any Job class, and second to only the Moogles when it comes to technology, however they are possibly the shortest-lived Ivalician race.
[ ] Bangaa. A lizard-like people (though best not to use that word to their faces) who are the second-most populous Ivalician race. Physically powerful but with limited magickal ability, they are usually employed as merchants or bounty hunters. Weak to Water.
[ ] Seeq. A pig-like species oft derided as lower class criminals, being possibly the poorest species in Ivalice. Still they are strong and surprisingly swift, yet like the Bangaa have little access to magic. Weak to Fire.
[ ] Viera. Rabbit-eared amazons in harmony with their forests, with a select few only now just beginning to venture outside them. Forest life and communication with nature has made them swift huntresses who are also well-versed in magic. Turn berserk upon overexposure to Mist. Weak to Earth.
[ ] Moogle. The tiny winged race who make up for their small stature with flight and being the most technology advanced people in Ivalice. Weak to Wind.
[ ] Nu Mou. A squat dog-like people most found in the mountainous Paramina Rift, they make up for their lacking physique with their high magickal aptitude, both clerical and elemental. Weak to Darkness.
[ ] Garif. Tribes of grounded bird-like men who make their home on the southern savanna, rarely venturing outside. They may be the most traditional race in Ivalice, with extensive historical knowledge and practice in the 'old ways', schooled in war and strange magicks. Weak to Lightning.
[ ] Gria. Women with draconian features who hail from southwest Rozarria and the lands beyond. they combine sheer physical power with flight. Weak to Ice.

(QM's Note: As Jobs are dependent on species, they'll be decided on in the next story update.
Was hesitant to include Urutan or Baknamy options, as their hostility and isolation might make it hard to incorporate them into the story. Aegyl are excluded for plot reasons, unless you come up with a very good excuse, though Feol-Viera I might allow.
Applying as a canon character is allowed.)

Starting Location:
[ ] Royal Capital of Rabanastre, where you've come to Dalmasca's former capital in pursuit of the sky pirate Balthier.
[ ] Imperial Capital of Archades, where you're a reporter/detective hired to investigate the strange mumblings and instability of Draklor Laboratories' Dr Cid.
[ ] Rozarrian Capital of Ambervale, where it's becoming harder to ignore the strange dreams and visions of a cataclysmic time before the empires.
[ ] Nalbina Fortress, where you're a guard set to keep watch over the traitor Basch.
[ ] Neutral Skycity of Bhujerba, where you've been hired to test-pilot a new airship 'graciously donated' by Archadia, able to fly over treacherous Jagd territory.
[ ] Eruyt Village, where you're becoming increasingly concerned with Archadian intrusion into the forest, as they head into the nearby Henne Mines and the mist-ridden Feywood. (Viera only)
[ ] Jahara, Land of the Garif, where the Rozarrians have intruded to, for unspecified reasons, seal away the Zertinan Caverns. (Garif only)
[ ] Mt Bur-Omisace the Holy Land, where you're a refugee who's come to escape Imperial expansion.
[ ] Free Port of Balfonheim, which has become hounded by a serial killer able to drain the magic right out of a person.​

 

[ArlequineLunaire]

Lyteria Granville
Gender: Female
Species: Gria (+1 to Strength, Agility and Evasion)
Job: Leo, The Knight (+1 to HP, Strength and Defence)
- Sub-Job: TBD

HP: *****
MP: *****
Strength: *****
Defence: *****
Magick Power: *****
Magick Defence: *****
Agility: *****
Evasion: *****

License Board: Swords, Greatswords (2H), Heavy Armour, Shields, White Magic, Esper Hashmal
Current Licenses: Swords 1, Heavy Armour 1, Shields 1, First Aid, Accessories 1, First Aid, Souleater

Weapon: Broadsword
Off-Hand: Leather Shield
Helm: Leather Helm
Armour: Leather Armour
Accessory: Orrachea Armlet (+1 HP)

Magicks: Currently N/A
Technicks: Flight (Species Bonus), First Aid (Restore HP to Critically Wounded), Souleater (Consume HP to boost damage)

 

[ArlequineLunaire]

At first all you could see was the storm-clouds above, raining down on the vast plains of what seemed up from up here to be the great Aisenfield plains.
As your leathery wings kept beating to stay afloat this far up, an ear-splitting crash of lightning shot up from behind you. With a flap of your wings you swerved around, to see that whatever had cast that lightning magic had been so powerful as you split a whole castle tower in two with it, leaving the upper half of the lofty stone structure about to fall directly on top of you.

With a stifled shriek you sped like a comet to the side, barely avoiding the falling tower taking you down with it. Its collision with the ground created an enormous shockwave, which left you reeling and coughing from the thick clouds of chalk-like dust it sent up.
Once this cleared, you were able to glance down to see that you had gotten off the lightest. For a flank of an entire army, composed of iron-plated horses bearing soldiers and great, lumbering Slavens carrying armed palanquins (yet oddly no Chocobos), now lay crushed in the ruins.

Your eyes darted around to see the opposing army, which appeared as a great horde of masked shadows and monsters, only humanoid by technicality. Flying above them was a snarling goat-like demon, orbs of electrical power crackling in its hands, those hands most likely the ones that'd launched that tower-cleaving bolt. Right below it the masked horde circled around in cult fashion.

Yet the army whose flanked this demon had single-handedly turned out to have their own counter to this beast. At their front was a Hume you guessed was their general, a crowned man with a mighty beard who wielded aloft twin swords of red and blue, who from out of a magic circle called forth a great horned demon of his own.
This demon he'd conjured was one of fire, who then cast a searing pillar of flame directly at their centre of the opposing masked horde. The horde's goat-demon responded in turn by blasting forth another lightning bolt, causing both fire and lightning to collide with each other at the heart of this battlefield.

While you had been distracted by this clash of superhuman magicks, you hadn't noticed that you had been surrounded by a flock of fellow Gria, all armed. At least they wore the insignia of that dual-wielder's army, not the masked horde's.
"You, Gria sister!" barked the senior-looking Gria in front of you, her lance pointed at your head, "Be you of the Galtean banner, or are you of the Demon-Worshipers? If you are one of us, why are you out of uniform? State your Class, soldier!" she hissed on.

[ ] You responded happily. "Oh-ah, yes ma'am! Lyteria Granville, reporting for duty! But you can just call me Lyta".
[ ] You responded angrily. "What the- Hey? Who're you to just come u and order me around?! Alright fine, I'm Lyteria".
[ ] You responded calmly. "Hmm, yes. I would be Lyteria Granville, it'd seem I'm at your service".
[ ] You responded timidly. "Ah, er, I-I'm Lyteria. Lyteria Granville, m-my liege".
[ ] You responded snidely. "Wow, you sure like the sound of your own voice, huh? Well, if I'm stuck with you, name's Lyteria".
[ ] Write-in.

"And I fall under the Sign of-"

[ ] Taurus - The Dragoon. Wields Spears and dons Heavy Armour, knows some Black Magicks. Watched over by Chaos, Walker of the Wheel and Mitran, the Chastiser.
[ ] Gemini - The Machinist. Wields Guns, Measures and Bombs. Watched over by Zalera, the Death Seraph and Emet-Selch, the Angel of Truth
[ ] Leo - The Knight. Wields Swords and Greatswords, casts some White Magicks. Watched over by Hashmal, Bringer of Order and Fandaniel, the Protector.
[ ] Virgo - The Monk. Focuses on barehanded combat, can also wield Poles. Watched over by Ultima, the High Seraph.
[ ] Scorpio - The Breaker. Wields risky Axes, Hammers and Bombs. Watched over by Cuchulainn, the Impure and Nabriales, the Majestic.
[ ] Sagittarius - The Archer. Wields Bows and knows many Technicks. Watched over by Shemhazai, the Whisperer and Igeyorhm, the Martyr.
[ ] Aquarius - The Samurai. Wields comboing Katana. Watched over by Famfrit, the Darkening Cloud and Emmerololth, the Holy Queen.
[ ] Pisces - The Assassin. Wields Daggers and shadowy Ninjato. Watched over by Mateus, the Corrupt and Lahabrea, the Abyssal Celebrant.
[ ] Ophiuchus - Write-in. Watched over by Zodiark, Keeper of the Precepts.

[ ] Aries - The White Mage. Primarily casts White Magicks and wields Rods and Hammers. Watched over by Belias, the Gigas and Lohgrif, the Transcendent.
[ ] Cancer - The Red Mage. Casts some Black, White and Time Magicks and alone has Arcane Magicks, wields Maces. Watched over by Zeromus, the Condemner and Pashtarot, the Knight-Star.
[ ] Libra - The Time Mage. Primarily casts Time Magicks and wields Crossbows. Watched over by Exodus, the Judge-Sal and Halmarut, the Arbiter.
[ ] Capricorn - The Black Mage. Primarily casts elemental Black Magicks and wields Staves and Daggers. Watched over by Adrammelech, the Wroth and Deudalaphon, the Benevolent.

(QM's Note: Struck-out Jobs are ones the Gria species cannot naturally learn. Though they cannot access regular magic-oriented classes, they can still get Magic indirectly through Jobs like Knight with White Magic or Dragoon with Black Magic, or through a write-in Job. You will have the opportunity to choose a second Job later on.)

 

[ArlequineLunaire]

"Indeed," This Gria officer simply snarled back, "I'd order you back to barracks, but the way this battle's unfolding, we need every sword-arm we can get right now". As if on cue, several Bombs then self-destructed within earshot.
"Still, Lyteria, as part of Lord Raithwall's army you should hold yourself to higher standards in the future. Right, advance!"

R-Raithwall? Dynast-King Raithwall Galtea? You immediately thought, a tingle running down your spine. Have I gone back in time or, no, no this has to be just a-

But you didn't get time to finish pondering, for up form the smoke-shrouded battlefield came an enemy Wyvern speeding right at you. On instinct you drew your sword and, the perks of being a fellow flier, were able to hack and slash back at the fiend without need of a ranged weapon.
It was only after that you were able to witness exactly what type of blade you were wielding. A polished gleaming greatsword with azure hilt, far more ornate than the functional but less noble blades you were used to.

Still, there'd be time for sword appreciation later. With you able to withstand the heat of this Wyvern's burning breath, you dove right at the wyrm in an attempt to slice through its throat. However, the Wyvern almost immediately launched itself away, and you only had the chance to see seconds too late that it wasn't you it had fled form.

Again did the two opposing demons leading each of the clashing armies lash out, casting a great burning flare and twisting electrical bolts at the other. You were the least fortunate of all, being caught right in the heart of the crossfire, paralysed like a flock of birds against an oncoming airship...

---

​

(Remix credit to Fenix Ark Angelus)

Huh? You jolted awake, feeling the familiar Ambervale sun upon your back again. Must've dozed off for a second.

Not like that would've been the first time you had a dream like that, even if like most people you could only recognise a recurring dream upon waking, but now that dream had even begun to haunt you during the day.

At least for now you were away from that battle from hundreds of years ago, back in your familiar surroundings of:
[ ] The Calvario Gallows on the edge of town, where Inquisitors, even rank-and-file ones like you, gathered to attend public executions.
[ ] The gates into town, which you went in and out of a lot in your work as a Pilgrims' Bodyguard.
[ ] The Ambervale Bazaar, where a Mercenary like you often went to look for work.
[ ] Your forge, where as a Blacksmith you'd been working in the heat on some half-finished sword.
[ ] Write-in.

(QM's Note: You'll be able to do Hunts regardless of background, so it'd be redundant as an option here.)

People oft read too much into dreams, but if one I'm having keeps coming back to me this often, perhaps it can't just be a coincidence, you thought, lightly scratching your chin. It could be just stress, which anyone would feel with a likely war with Archadia looming over. You could tie that back in with Raithwall, since both Empires were born from the Galtean Alliance. That's... probably just it.

You were about to relax and lean back, catching yourself in your wings, but then another thought struck you. Wait, don't people sometimes say that recurring dreams are inflicted by wraiths and other shades? Hmm, maybe it wouldn't hurt to check what Marks have been posted?

You then took off through the narrow, stone-paved alleyways that took up too much of the city of Ambervale you'd say, clearly those who boasted about the capital's beauty stuck to the central plazas and seaside boulevards, never going near anything else. For a Gria like you, you would've gotten to your destination of Sandro's Black Chocobo Cafe much quicker if only city laws allowed you to fly; those laws were supposed to be for security but personally you just put them down to Hume jealousy. Perhaps you could go halfway in-between by running along the coppery rooftops?

Seaside Ambervale was, typical of a Rozarrian city, unofficially split up by religion. Most of the government palaces, ornate cathedrals, state-of-the-art aerodromes and stunning white-sand beaches naturally belonged to the Pharist side of town, the more modest if somewhat sprawling Kiltia district took up the rest of the coastline and some way inland, while fringe Mullenkamp followers tended to gather in the more cobbled-together, ever-leaning shacks up on the hillsides.

"Come my wearied one, won't you stop a while- Oh, Lyteria," a Viera draped in a glittering robe suddenly called out to you as you ran down another alley, her standing in front of a beaded doorway over a small staircase "My apologies, almost didn't see you for a second".

"Ah, hello there Tris," you greeted your acquaintance , who had something of a name for herself around these parts of town. "Your clients treating you well?" you tried to continue this conversation, only for the Viera to look downcast for a second.

"Fine, just fine," she muttered, though then said a little more sharply, "Though most of that is classified information, I'll remind you". You gulped and nodded, maybe that was a little too blunt a question of yours.

Awkward little talk for a law-abiding citizen such as yourself over, you then turned a cover and walked down a wider, tree-lined street with all its houses painted white in face of the sun, to Sandro's Cafe at the next corner.
It was pretty crowded, as usual for this time of day, with as many Bangaas as Humes and a few Seeq as befitted a lower-middle class sort of establishment. It looked like you'd have to settle for a table on the streets with what little room there was inside, but not before what you'd really come for: a look that the Hunts noticeboard to see if anyone had posted anything there about dream-monsters.

However, Sandro the Seeq shop owner had stepped in front of it to tear a bunch of the submitted Marks down.
"Ah, Lyteria, the usual I presume?" his slightly gravelly voice perked up at you, "Oh, you're interested in the noticeboard? Eh, nothing much, whole bunch of people had been putting up Marks saying something may have been giving 'em strange dreams, but since no one an prove that any exact monster is causin' these dreams, Clan rules say they don't count for anything yet".

"Hmm, I'd been trying to find out about dream-inducing monsters myself, what with this one dream I've been having lately" you muttered, but shrugged, "Oh well".

"Wait, this dream of yours? Has you back in Raithwall's day, by any chance?" Sandro then spoke up.

"...Why yes," you said, wings starting to twitch.

"Hah, knew it. Already had a couple of customers just this day tell me they've had the same dream," Sandro just chortled back at you.

Recurring dreams are strange, but shared recurring dreams? You paused and thought, This definitely sounds more than just a coincidence, even if we haven't tracked down any exact monster or mage behind it.

[ ] Ask Sandro for info on these other customers.
[ ] Go to Clan Corazon headquarters, Hunters there will at least know something about monsters related to dreams.
[ ] Perhaps check out a library or other archive, for more information on shared dreams.
[ ] It'll have to wait, you'll be due back at work soon!
[ ] Write-in.

 

[ArlequineLunaire]

"Is there anything you can tell me about these people having the same dream?" you a tad cautiously asked Sandro, soon as he got done passing the drinks for two other grumbling customers. Sandro's coffee-machines were charged with Thunder magic, with Sandro as a Seeq having nowhere near the magickal talent to be a serious academy mage, but just enough for a decent cup of coffee. Last time you talked, he said he was thinking of hiring some travelling Nu Mou.

"Hrmm," Sandro hesitated, but soon let up "Well, none of 'em acted like these dreams were top-secret info or anythin', so I shouldn't think they'd mind me tellin' you" his snout gave a mild smile "'Sides, it's not like I've ever known you to go around blabbin' or the like.
Right, the one that stood out the most was Deimos, 'cause it's not everyday y'have a Calvario Executioner for a customer. Heh, but don't let that put you off, apart from that he seems otherwise a pretty normal guy. Guessin' a Bangaa like him took the job out of desperation, folks like them not havin' much opportunity in pretty, pretty Ambervale" Sandro finished with a short "Heh, I should know".
A mercenary like you was hardly the type to judge or be scared off by an Executioner, but you let Sandro's comment slide.

"He did seem unnerved by the whole experience, even tried to post a Mark. Heh, an Executioner posting a Mark, that's sure somethin', but movin' on".
"Next up's Tris, a Viera Monk. The Job Class, not the cloistered kind I mean. She's ah-" Sandro went on, your scaly ears perking up at that name.

"Tris, really?" you interrupted on impulse, before saying "Er, ahem, I actually ran into her this morning".

"Oh you did now? Hmm, well okay then, not my place to judge what company a mercenary keeps" Sandro backed off a bit "Out of the three, looks like she's taking these dreams the most seriously. Not like she's disturbed at all, says she's interpretin' them as a positive sign". Yep, sounds like her.

"Last one's, well the last I can even bother to recall, 'nother Bangaa named Migelo. He's a merchant, sounds like he's doing well enough for himself, in fact from what I've told he doesn't seem to care 'bout these dreams one bit. But the strange thing is, he's not in this city, but all the way over in Rabanastre. Found out about him from an errand-worker of his named Penelo, young blonde pig-tailed Hume, says she can't help be a little concerned about him. You'll have to dash off to the Aerodrome if you want to chat with her, she'll likely be off home soon" Sandro finished, turning around to rinse a few dishes.

Your own drink finished, you said "Thank you, now I have some leads" to Sandro and prepared to leave. Not before however taking another look at the Mark noticeboard, as even if any 'dream-monster' bills had been taken down you could still check what little else was there right now (Multiple Marks can be selected, though the one with the most votes will have priority. Higher-ranked Marks will have to be the winning vote to be attempted):
[ ] Wythern - Rank I. A wandering dragon has snatching away our Chocobos at the Hacienda d'Oro. Signed, Farmhand Pedro
[ ] Metal Slime - Rank I. I melted down an old suit of Inquisitor armour without knowing it was haunted. Now the liquid steel has come alive. Signed, Rugra the Blacksmith
[ ] Crystalmime - Rank III. Pilgrimages to the Tomb of Raithwall have been coming to a halt at Roda Volcano, where a supposed sanctuary is in fact a monster in disguise. Signed, Father Estefan
[ ] Not interested.

Squeezing your way out of the cafe's crowded entrance, you thought you could just quickly pop over again to Tris before this Penelo left, since your Viera acquaintance worked close enough from here. Rounding the corner to her alleyway 'office', you soon saw that you'd have to wait to speak with her, as a small Viera seal hovering in front of her door indicated she was busy.

Sighing, you supposed you ought to catch this Penelo girl before her airship left. It was some distance along Ambervale's sea-side, magicite-paved boulevard to the city Aerodrome (magicite-paving not being the smartest idea, but the capital just had to show off), that and the sudden incline leading up to it made you silently curse your city's ban on Gria flying.

But before you could get there your progress was slowed further by a chance encounter. Well, it wasn't every day you spotted a Garif roaming around away from the Ozmone Plains, even if Kerwon was just across the sea.
"You there," the tall yet hunched, horned and masked birdman grunted to you "Which way is it to where your land's armies gather?".

Huh, well the Garif weren't exactly known for conversing much with the wider world. "The army? Ah, the Inquisition's headquarters are at the Hierro Cruz Basilica, up in the hills and past the Gallows, if you're seeking someone official anyway. You'd be better off registering as a merc, if I do say so myself, since I don't really think they open to enlisting Old Believers" you told him.

"I do not come this far to serve" this Garif simply stated back. "I am here to speak for my people. Your warriors defile our ancestral lands as we speak, causing cave-ins that block off our hunting grounds".

Oh, ah, good thing you weren't with Rozarria's main army then. "I-I am sorry to hear that" you tried saying to him, but the Garif just let out a low snarl and walked on.

So, that little incident over, you resumed your sprint and arrived at the Aerodrome. At least the view from up here out over the sparkling bay made the distance worth it, though the Aerodrome itself, converted out of one of Ambervale's many old cathedrals, was admittedly not as impressive as the one in Archades (which granted you'd only seen in pictures).

Didn't take you long to spot someone who matched the description of this 'Penelo'. Other than her blonde hair in long braids, she also wore a white top, gloves and ribbons trailing from them, had puffy red pants and yellow sandals. She was currently carrying somewhat of a heavy load for her, packages of what smelled to you like assorted fruits and meats.
"Excuse me," you spoke to her "You wouldn't have happened to be at Sandro's cafe earlier?".

She paused, turned around and stared at you "I was, yeah, think that's what that place was called. Hey, I'm supposed to be heading back to Rabanastre now, but alright, I guess I can stop and talk if you want. I mean, er, no offence or anything, but... we don't exactly get to see many Gria back in Dalmasca" She couldn't help but glance at your wings a bit, though tried to pull her eyes away.

"Ah, so you would be Penelo then?" you smiled, closing your wings a bit in response "It's just that Sandro told me that you told him that your employer's been having dreams of Raithwall's army. I wanted to say that weirdly I've been having the same dreams, as have several other people here in Ambervale".

Penelo chuckled a little, but her expression grew slightly more serious "It's not just Migelo back home either, in fact accounts of these dreams are going up day by day. Some Hunters thought a monster called a Dreamscythe was causing them, but it's been slain yet people are still having them".
She sighed and bent downwards, muttering "Guess it's just a bunch of stress like they say, I mean all this talk of war between empires can take a real toll on your mind, huh?".

You could only nod. Thinking you two had talked enough by now that you owed her a proper introduction, you extended a scaled hand and said "By the way, I'm Lyteria Granville. At your service, my day job being a Mercenary and all".

Penelo smiled back and took your hand, though you felt her shiver a bit as she did. "Pleasure to meet you. Oh wow, you're Mercenary? Cool. I admit, in Dalmasca people tend to look up to Sky Pirates instead. More of, uh, a heroic image I suppose?" She gave a slight awkward grin.
You kept this to yourself, but personally you hadn't heard much about Sky Pirates these days. Like most people you thought the rise of the Air Forces had sealed any Pirate's fate, but then again Dalmasca wasn't as technologically advanced.

"Sorry, but I should be going now," Penelo then said "I only flew out here to Ambervale 'cause Migelo wanted supplies for Queen Ashe's return feast, without having to pay import prices. Er, not that I mind coming out to Ambervale, it's uh an amazing city," she suddenly spoke up, as you and her noticed you were in earshot of some patrolling soldiers "And... I wouldn't mind sticking around to see our Ashe being knighted one of the Twelve Paladins. Even if some of my friends say it's just political scraps being thrown our way. Ah what am I saying, Migelo will start wondering what's keeping me..."

Blast, you were in such a rush you forgot. Queen Ashe arrives in Ambervale later today, which more than explains how crowded it's been.

[ ] "It's okay, take your time, Ambervale welcomes visitors. Besides, it's not like there's any shortage of flights back to Rabanastre".
[ ] "I admit, sounds like you do have people waiting on you back in Rabanastre".
[ ] Write-in.

(QM's Note: This choice will only make Penelo your Guest, though you'll be able to fully recruit her later on. Keep in mind you can only have so many full-time party members, and some members can only be unlocked by recruiting certain other members first.)

If you choose to have Penelo join you:
[ ] Aries, the White Mage.
[ ] Taurus, the Dragoon.
[ ] Gemini, the Machinist.
[ ] Cancer, the Red Mage.
[ ] Leo, the Knight.
[ ] Virgo, the Monk.
[ ] Libra, the Time Mage.
[ ] Scorpio, the Breaker.
[ ] Sagittarius, the Archer.
[ ] Capricorn, the Black Mage.
[ ] Aquarius, the Samurai.
[ ] Pisces, the Assassin.
[ ] Cetus, the Dancer.
[ ] Ophiuchus, Write-in.