Dalmasca Estersand (The Stepping)

Action Checklist

1. Hunt the Rogue Tomato for Tomaj.

2. Return to Tomaj for your bounty.

3. Visit the Clan Hall.

Hunt the Rogue Tomato

The Estersand is vast and has numerous sub-regions, but for this hunt, you need only explore the first area you enter, called The Stepping. The map shown here indicates where the Rogue Tomato lurks, but explore The Stepping a bit first. Fight a few Wolves and Cactites to earn enough EXP to level up at least once (from Level 1 to Level 2), then heal back up to your max HP by using a Potion or going back to the Save Crystal at Eastgate.

The Rogue Tomato hangs out on the ledge at the center of the map, near a flowering tree with stunning white blossoms. Use Steal to pilfer an item if you want, then attack the red menace. When the Rogue Tomato’s HP drops to roughly half, he takes a running leap off the cliff. You can’t jump down after him, so go around the cliff and down the dunes to finish him off.

When you finally prevail, Vaan picks up a handful of rare Galbana Lilies and then decides to “call it a day.” But, before you head back to the city, scour the area for treasure in The Stepping. Also consider using the Steal technick on a few Wolves and Cactites to gain extra items, too, before attacking them for EXP and LP.

Don’t overdo this mop-up fighting, though. You don’t want to be caught without Potions in the desert. In particular, watch out for a trio of Wolves near the northern exit of the area. If you attack one, all three will counterattack as a unit. A pair of Cockatrices lurk in the west, too. Tough fight!

The red ‘X’ on the Location Map now marks the passage back to Rabanastre. Head back to Eastgate where, uh oh, they’re not letting anyone back into the city until after the ceremony. Vaan’s a resourceful fellow, though. Talk to Kytes, who waits near the gate, and you will trigger an event in which Migelo bribes the gate guards with wine, getting Vaan back in the city.

Next is a long event in which the new Consul appointed to rule Dalmasca, Lord Vayne, son of the Archadian Emperor, is paraded to the foot of the great cathedral. There, he gives a stirring speech that seems to win over the crowd.

Walking the streets of North End with Penelo later, Vaan decides he wants to crash Vayne’s banquet tonight. Penelo suggests he go and see Old Dalan in Lowtown about gaining entrance to the palace. When you regain control of Vaan, you are now free to enter Lowtown from Rabanastre.

Return to Tomaj for Your Bounty

Before you seek out Old Dalan, however, you should finish up your first hunt properly. Revisit the Sandsea and score that bounty from Tomaj (who is still standing at the bar) for taking out the Rogue Tomato. He also passes on some inside info about a mysterious building in the North End district where a bangaa stands watch. Having completed a hunt, you can check the notice board here for the next one: Thextera. Gatsly, the petitioner, is even right here in the bar, crumpled on the ground. You won't be ready to actually go after Thextera till you have more allies in the party, though.

Visit the Clan Hall

Go up to North End and proceed to the westernmost street. (If you check the area map, you can see the mystery building on the North End labeled with question marks, so it should be easy to find.) Approach the entry hall of the mystery building, marked by a green sign, and talk to the “Conspicuous bangaa”; he immediately agrees to let you in. Select “Okay, let me in” to enter the Clan Hall.

Inside, talk to Clan Centurio members to get a sense of the place, then locate the moogle standing on the banister at the top of the stairs. This is Montblanc, the clan’s founder. Talk to him to join the clan and learn how it works. You also learn about the clan shop in the Muthru Bazaar on the west end of town.

Talk to Montblanc a second time to receive a commemorative gift for joining Clan Centurio. Unfortunately, he has no clan hunts to offer at the moment, so it’s time to go and pay Old Dalan a visit.