Never imagined I'd ever come this far away from home.Vaan
The Imperial City of Archades is the capital city of the Archadian Empire, which rules over most of Ivalice in Final Fantasy XII. The modern city of Archades is built on the poor, and the ruins of older cities. There are only two ways into the city of Archades.
The most common way is via airship. This method is patrolled for trouble by the Archadian Judges. The second way is up through the Sochen Cave Palace, into Old Archades and across the bridge into Archades proper.
Sage Knowledge
The capital of the Archadian Empire. Still small when it first formed as a city-state, it grew tremendously during the long peace fostered by the Galtean Alliance. When the Empire was formed, the city center was re-located, forming the Archades we know today. Though poor in both natural resources and land, Archades came to prominence as a city of innovation and learning. All information and technology gathers here, and the famed mages and artificers born within her walls are legion. Knowledge, then, is the true strength of the Archadian Empire. The city of Archades forms an octagon with the Imperial Palace at its center. Around the Palace sit the Senate Chambers and other administrative quarters, beyond which lies a booming mercantile district. The buildings in the city center are quite tall, with the lower floors being used mainly as residences. The difference in heights between the various buildings makes this a city of small airships, that being the most efficient means of accessing all levels of the metropolis. More than half the population of Archades is hume, and while at one time all lived near the ground, of late, those of power or particular wealth have taken to living in the higher apartments and traveling exclusively by private airship.Sage Knowledge 55, Archades
Story
The party passes by the modern city of Archades to head to Draklor Laboratories to confront Dr. Cid. Vaan and Penelo comment on the city while Balthier leaves since he has business to attend to. Balthier meets with his old friend Jules, who steals the chops Balthier gave him to give to the rest of the party. The party needs to earn Pine Chops to proceed and, after they have the right number of chops, they are allowed to proceed to Tsenoble. Arriving in Tsenoble, Balthier rejoins the party, and they head to Draklor Laboratories to confront Dr. Cid.
Locations
Archades
The city is divided in two levels: one consisting of the districts of "Nilbasse", "Trant", "Molberry", and "Rienna" and the upper level of "Tsenoble". There are no poor within the city of Archades proper; all of the poor find themselves in Old Archades. Dr. Cid bases all of his research out of the Draklor Laboratory, found within the city in the Tsenoble area.
Archades residents tend to be rich and arrogant. Most people there are more interested in having a good reputation—usually of being well informed—than in money or riches. Well-informed people in Archades can earn chops by giving information to other residents about a particular subject. The chops are then used as proof of status, granting access to Tsenoble via taxi. Certain areas in Tsenoble can only be accessed by those who possess a sandalwood chop. The Archades Aerodrome has skyferry flights to Balfonheim Port, Nalbina and Rabanastre for 200 gil and the player can dock the Strahl there.
Old Archades
Old Archades is where all of the poor and destitute from Archades wind up. It is run down and barely patrolled by the Judges, who appear to be more interested in keeping the poor in their place. The only way into Archades is with money, so all of the citizens dream of finding a way to earn enough to see them safely into Archades.
Where chops are the most important trade item in Archades, gossip is the most important in Old Archades. If there's one way to get ahead it is by finding out as much information as possible to make the way up into Archades through gaining fortune.
Old Archades can be accessed via the ruins of the Sochen Palace.
Sochen Cave Palace
Sochen Cave Palace is an ancient palace overrun with several undead creatures. The only royalty currently residing within the temple are a family of Mandragoras led by the Onion Queen. These Mandragoras have caused problems for hunters in the Archadian wilderness.
Several ancient and powerful creatures are locked away in the depths of the Sochen, including one of the game's superbosses, the Hell Wyrm.
An old lift device connects Sochen to Old Archades, whilst the entrance to the destitute palace lies within the Tchita Uplands.
Draklor Laboratory
The Draklor Labs serve as a base to Doctor Cid, whose research concerning nethicite is integral to the Empire's developments. He uses these facilities to create more and more powerful airships for the Archadian fleets, such as the Sky Fortress Bahamut. He also uses these facilities to create manufacted nethicite.
The Laboratories are actually a series of rooms on multiple floors. Each floor has a garrison of Judges on it, as well as several smaller labs manned by Imperial scientists. The top floor houses Cid's personal open air lab.
Treasures
In the original version, there is no treasure to be found in Archades.
In the Zodiac versions, a single chest has been added in Archades. It has a 5% spawn rate, and typically only holds junk Knots of Rust or small amounts of gil. However with the Diamond Armlet equipped, one can find the extremely rare item, Dark Energy.
Grand Arcade
| Chest | Spawns | Holds Gil% | Gil | Normal Treasure | Diamond Armlet Treasure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5% | 80% | ≤ 50 gil | Knot of Rust | Common | Rare |
| Knot of Rust | Dark Energy | |||||
Quests
Information exchange
To proceed in the storyline, the player needs to obtain a certain number of Pine Chops by interacting with citizens throughout Archades. Nine chops (three in The Zodiac Age) are required to ride a taxi to Tsenoble. If all 28 chops are collected, they can be traded in for a Sandalwood Chop on the second floor of any merchant shop by talking with the Chopmaster. The Sandalwood Chop grants entrance to Archades's Highgarden Terrace after the events in Draklor Laboratory.
Pine Chops are earned by matching appropriate tidbits of information between pairs of people in the various sections of Archades, with each pair being located in the same area. Chops can also be purchased individually from a Chopmaster for 20,000 gil each, who will offer to do so when spoken to a second time. This cannot be done after obtaining a Sandalwood Chop, though it is possible to continue earning Pine Chops from citizens afterward, even allowing a second Sandalwood Chop to be obtained, though additional chops of either kind serve no purpose.
Once the Tarot Reader and the Happy Novelist are matched in the Rienna area, the Tarot Reader will tell how many matches are left in each section of the city.
Molberry
| 1st Person | Tale | 2nd Person |
|---|---|---|
| Reminiscing Lady | The Mummer | Family-minded Girl |
| Daughter-in-Law | A Trinket from Giza | Man from Giza |
| Avid Traveler | The Traveler | Traveling Gentleman |
| Ardent Woman | The Eight & Twenty Chops | Ardent Man |
| Talented Woman | A Knack for Magick | Akademician |
| Look-Alike | The Master of Disguises | Look-Alike |
| Proud Mother | The Tutor | Tutor |
| Poor Husband | The Anniversary | Poor Wife |
| Would-be Judge | To Be a Judge | Judge's Wife |
Trant
| 1st Person | Tale | 2nd Person |
|---|---|---|
| Smitten Man | The Client's Daughter | Smitten Woman |
| Boutiquere | The Boutique | Moneyed Gentleman |
| Farce-Goer | A Ticket to the Farce | Girl on an Errand |
| Historian | A History of Empire | Perceptive Man |
| Music Appreciator | The Lutenist | Lutenist |
| Builder | The Artisan Architect | Artisan Architect |
Nilbasse
| 1st Person | Tale | 2nd Person |
|---|---|---|
| Determined Researcher | Time to Leave | Ex-Researcher |
| Senior Researcher | Words of Encouragement | Failed Researcher |
| Worried Husband | Wages Halved | Materialistic Woman |
| Aspiring Starlet | The Path to Stardom | Faded Star |
| Athletic Woman | A Grand Line of Gamesmen | Avid Reader |
| Gentleman Onlooker | Working Up a Sweat | Eager Crier |
Rienna
| 1st Person | Tale | 2nd Person |
|---|---|---|
| Tarot Reader | The Misfortune Teller | Happy Novelist |
| Lazy Profiteer | A Gambit for the Market | Researcher's Wife |
| Greenseller | Out of Ears | Vegetable Seller |
| Good Brother | What She Wants | Waiting Woman |
| Philosopher of Cuisine | A Revolutionary Dish | Dangerous Chef |
| Tour Leader | The Aerial Gardens | Bhujerban Lady |
| Lucky Man | An Epistle to Love | Romantic Lady |
Hunts
The Darksteel is a Rank IV Mark whose hunt becomes available upon reaching Archades. The Darksteel can be found in the Temptation Eluded area of the Sochen Cave Palace and all of the other enemies will be cleared out when the player enters it. It is petitioned by the Homesick Man in Archades's armor shop.
The Overlord is a Rank VI Mark whose hunt can be undertaken after the events in the Draklor Laboratory. The Overlord can be found in the Doubt Abandoned area of the Sochen Cave Palace. The Insecure Seeq assists the party in battle, but he falls in one shot from Overlord's Pyromania. The seeq is the petitioner, found in the technick shop in Archades.
Hunt Club Owner
The owner of the Hunt Club can be found on the Highgarden Terrace (can only be accessed with a Sandalwood Chop, see above). He will reward the player with zodiac gems for killing trophy monsters.
| Trophies | Reward |
|---|---|
| 5 | Aries Gem & Libra Gem |
| 10 | Taurus Gem & Scorpio Gem |
| 15 | Gemini Gem & Sagittarius Gem |
| 20 | Cancer Gem & Capricorn Gem |
| 25 | Leo Gem & Aquarius Gem |
| 30 | Virgo Gem & Pisces Gem |
July the streetear
If the player helped July in Nalbina Fortress earlier in the game, she will reward them with a Salamand Halcyon at Charlotte's Magickery.
Nabudis medallion
After talking to a nu mou in Nabreus Deadlands the player is asked to find some medallions and bring them to the deadlands. In Archades the player can find Roh'Kenmu within the Magick Shop, looking for a medallion. In Old Archades the player can find the Proper Gent sitting on a side wall in the eastern side of the Alley of Muted Sighs. He is Otto and will give the Moonsilver Medallion, which the player must pass on to Roh'Kenmu at the Magick Shop.
Great cockatrice escape sidequest
A cockatrice called Agytha is in the Grand Arcade area in the Central area of Archades, looking for a husband. The player must have a Sandalwood Chop to access the area, by earning all the available chops and trading them in a shop. The player must speak to a male Cockatrice in the Alley of Low Whispers area in Old Archades, then tell Agytha where to look to get a Tumulus.
Shops
The items available for purchase change throughout the game. These items may not all be available at the same time.
Vint's Armaments - Weapon Seller
- Original
| Name | Cost |
|---|---|
| Platinum Sword | 9,000 gil |
| Power Rod | 4,500 gil |
| Hammerhead | 9,500 gil |
| Recurve Crossbow | 9,500 gil |
| Traitor's Bow | 10,000 gil |
| Halberd | 10,000 gil |
| Aldebaran | 10,000 gil |
| Gokuu Pole | 9,000 gil |
| Kagenui | 10,000 gil |
| Kiku-ichimonji | 10,500 gil |
| Claymore | 10,500 gil |
| Chaos Mace | 8,800 gil |
| Bastard Sword | 11,000 gil |
| Cross Scale | 11,000 gil |
| Francisca | 11,500 gil |
| Platinum Dagger | 11,500 gil |
| Tumulus | 12,000 gil |
| Judicer's Staff | 5,700 gil |
- Zodiac
| Name | Cost |
|---|---|
| Runeblade | 12,100 gil |
| Yakei | 9,300 gil |
| Zephyr Pole | 11,850 gil |
| Burning Bow | 11,850 gil |
| Orichalcum Dirk | 11,700 gil |
| Doom Mace | 9,700 gil |
| Penetrator Crossbow | 12,600 gil |
| Diamond Sword | 10,600 gil |
| Halberd | 11,200 gil |
| Aldebaran | 7,700 gil |
| Francisca | 9,500 gil |
| Empyrean Rod | 6,000 gil |
| Judicer's Staff | 5,300 gil |
Vint's Armaments - Armor Seller
- Original
| Name | Cost |
|---|---|
| Diamond Helm | 7,000 gil |
| Diamond Armor | 7,000 gil |
| Platinum Shield | 5,300 gil |
| Officer's Hat | 7,000 gil |
| Barrel Coat | 7,000 gil |
| Gaia Hat | 7,000 gil |
| Maduin Gear | 7,000 gil |
| Steel Mask | 8,100 gil |
| Mirror Mail | 8,100 gil |
| Dragon Shield | 6,000 gil |
| Chakra Band | 8,100 gil |
| Power Vest | 8,100 gil |
| Hypnocrown | 8,100 gil |
| Jade Gown | 8,100 gil |
| Platinum Helm | 9,300 gil |
| Crystal Shield | 7,200 gil |
- Zodiac
| Name | Cost |
|---|---|
| Officer's Hat | 7,000 gil |
| Barrel Coat | 7,000 gil |
| Gaia Hat | 7,000 gil |
| Maduin Gear | 7,000 gil |
| Platinum Helm | 9,300 gil |
| Platinum Armor | 9,300 gil |
| Adamant Hat | 5,900 gil |
| Adamant Vest | 5,900 gil |
| Astrakhan Hat | 5,900 gil |
| Carmagnole | 5,900 gil |
| Steel Mask | 8,100 gil |
| Mirror Mail | 7,500 gil |
| Crystal Shield | 6,360 gil |
Charlotte's Magickery
- Original
| Name | Cost |
|---|---|
| Aeroga | 6,800 gil |
| Reflectga | 6,800 gil |
| Silencega | 6,800 gil |
| Blindga | 6,800 gil |
| Graviga | 6,800 gil |
- Zodiac
| Name | Cost |
|---|---|
| Thundaga | 7,000 gil |
| Confuse | 1,400 gil |
| Firaga | 6,800 gil |
| Aeroga | 6,800 gil |
| Vanishga | 3,800 gil |
| Bio | 4,000 gil |
| Curaga | 2,400 gil |
| Blizzara | 3,300 gil |
| Berserk | 900 gil |
| Darkra | 3,500 gil |
| Esuna | 2,700 gil |
| Thundara | 2,900 gil |
| Break | 1,000 gil |
| Stona | 800 gil |
| Fira | 2,700 gil |
| Bleed | 1,200 gil |
| Stop | 900 gil |
| Cura | 2,000 gil |
| Aero | 1,200 gil |
| Gravity | 2,300 gil |
| Raise | 1,800 gil |
| Aqua | 700 gil |
| Disable | 700 gil |
| Shell | 250 gil |
| Protect | 250 gil |
| Blizzard | 240 gil |
Bulward's Technicks
- Original
| Name | Cost |
|---|---|
| Infuse | 2,000 gil |
| Addle | 3,500 gil |
| Bonecrusher | 700 gil |
| Shades of Black | 5,000 gil |
| Stamp | 4,500 gil |
Granch's Requisites
- Original
| Name | Cost |
|---|---|
| Potion | 70 gil |
| Antidote | 50 gil |
| Eye Drops | 50 gil |
| Phoenix Down | 250 gil |
| Echo Herbs | 50 gil |
| Gold Needle | 100 gil |
| Alarm Clock | 50 gil |
| Handkerchief | 50 gil |
| Hi-Potion | 210 gil |
| Bacchus's Wine | 120 gil |
| Smelling Salts | 50 gil |
| Remedy | 400 gil |
| Chronos Tear | 50 gil |
| X-Potion | 630 gil |
- Zodiac
| Name | Cost |
|---|---|
| X-Potion | 520 gil |
| Bacchus's Wine | 120 gil |
| Remedy | 400 gil |
| Hi-Potion | 180 gil |
| Nu Khai Sand | 50 gil |
| Chronos Tear | 60 gil |
| Gold Needle | 80 gil |
| Prince's Kiss | 50 gil |
| Handkerchief | 50 gil |
| Phoenix Down | 200 gil |
| Echo Herbs | 50 gil |
| Antidote | 50 gil |
| Eye Drops | 50 gil |
| Potion | 60 gil |
Lebleu's Gambits
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Map
The map can be bought in the Technick shop in Molberry for 230 gil.
Musical themes
"The Archadian Empire" plays as the background music to the Imperial City of Archades. A piano arrangement of the theme is included on the Piano Collections: Final Fantasy XII album.
Other appearances
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call
The Imperial City of Archades appears as the FMS for several Final Fantasy XII themes:
- "The Royal City of Rabanastre"/"Town Ward Upper Stratum" (from Final Fantasy XII)
- "Theme of the Empire" (from Final Fantasy XII)
Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade
Behind the scenes
According to Isamu Kamikokuryo, the Imperial City of Archades is inspired by the Dream Zanarkand in Final Fantasy X.[1]
If the player arrives in Archades via the Gate Crystal, they can talk to the 'Prideful Boy' nearby, who complains about people using teleports.
Gallery
Citations
- ↑ Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster Collector's Edition Artbook page 16.