Before heading down to Old Dalan, I bumped into the Moogle from the Cartographers' Guild, and invested a fair amount of Gil into purchasing maps for the Estersand, the Dalamascan Westersand and the Giza Plains. If I was looking to level, I'd use the Westersand; the monsters there are quite a bit tougher then I am at the moment. I also go to Yugri's Magicks and purchase Cure, since I've already got the license. The other shops don't have anything interesting yet, so I head down to Lowtown.
I think that everyone who has heard of XII has heard of the idiocy with the Zodiac Spear; there are four random chests which, if you open, do not let you gain the Zodiac Spear in the simplest fashion. The first of these is near Dalan's house, and contains a lousy reward. I stay clear. Dalan then points me to Giza Plains to obtain a Sunstone with which to enter the Palace, which I just bought a map for. I save, and head down there; in the nomad's town, I am given the instruction to find Jinn in order to obtain one. I then meet Penelo, who decides to join my team. She gives me some items, and enables Gambits.
Which I can't edit yet. But hey, whatever. The Giza fauna is pretty weak, with the sole exception of the Werewolf, which is frighteningly strong. Taking care to avoid them, I seek out the Save Crystal — Jinn is nearby. He's hurt his leg doing something, and thus, he needs me to make him a Sunstone. I have to take a Shadestone and walk up to each of the Dark Crystals in the Giza Plains; simple. On the way, Vaan levels up by fighting a Sleipnir. Cure is so much better for healing then Potions are... if only because it's practically infinite.
After completing the Sunstone, we're automatically taken back to Jinn, who explains that he was playing chicken with the Werewolves. We receive a Sunstone and some other items shortly after.
I return to Rabanastre, but don't head to Lowtown just yet; instead, I head to the Sandsea bar and look for a Mark called the Thextera. In order to hunt it down, I need to talk to someone called Gastly... who's about two feet away. Result! Apparently, Thextera's been hunting down goods heading through the Dalmascan Westersand. Time to show it who's top dog.
HUNT FOR THEXTERA — BEGIN
When I reach the Westersand, a storm hos blown in; visibility is greatly reduced. Thankfully, Gastly's given me a tip on wear to find Thextera which doesn't involve needing to see that far ahead of me. I soon find it, and discover it to be a massive wolf.
Mark: Thextera — HP = 380
Difficulty: Low
With Penelo on my side, this becomes a lot easier. Thextera is backed up by a Wolf, which I obviously kill first. I whale on it afterwards, having Penelo Cure when needed. At 50% HP, Thextera uses 'Cry for Help', which summons another Wolf. A few more blows, and...
Thextera — VANQUISHED
My job done, I return to Rabanastre. Gastly gives me 500 gil, a Headguard and a Teleport Stone as payment; Gastly heads to the Bazaar and says I should drop by sometime, as he'll have something for me. I'll do that later; Dalan's waiting. Before I can see him, Penelo leaves the party. Sucks.
After talking to him and leaving, we cut to a scene of some rebels in the Garamsythe Waterway, which is my destination — we see Vossler once again. After he issues orders, a mysterious girl in a ridiculous outfit walks behind him.
Heading to Warehouse 5 or whatever it's called, I bump into Kytes, who has stuff for me. I take and head into the Garamsythe Waterway, where I save. All done for now.
Team levels:
Vaan — Level 4
