Matt Addison's blog

Migelo is a Bangaa who runs a sundries store in Rabanastre. He asks Vaan to go fetch Kytes from the Sandsea Tavern, who appears to have become waylaid - as he was due to fetch some replacement supplies to fill in or a load that wasn't delivered through the desert. Reluctantly, Vaan agrees to take on the task.

A quick trip to the southern plaza shows that the gates are all closed bar the East Gate which requires a writ to pass through. Best do as told by Migelo.

A brief tour of the rest of the city will show that a lot of the stores are still preparing for business and that a fete and parade are soon to begin to hearld in the new Consul. Various residents also make mention to Vaan's thievery skills, his resemblance to Reks, and also muse over the death of Princess Ashe, and the oppression Archadia has placed upon Dalmasca.

Heading into the Sandsea, Vaan is greeted with a cacaphony of pitchers clanking against each other and loud conversation as people discuss their next Mark. Kytes is caught loafing around near the board where Marks are posted and it is found, through Tomaj the keeper of the tavern, that a particularly nasty monster has been preventing couriers from getting through the Estersand. Sounds like a job for the aspiring Vaan to take on!

After finding out details about the Rogue Tomato from Tomaj, he will gift Vaan with a Clan Primer to keep track of all the Marks that he will be pursuing. Neat! He will also give Vaan an Orrachea Armlet which he chides him for not being able to equip due to not having the Licence. Tomaj then explains the Licences and what they do. Basically to use anything a character must have learned the Licence for it first. This includes magic, armour, weapons and even summons! By giving points to a certain Licence, it will open up the opportunity to learn the ones stationed next to it. So it’s very important to learn as many Licences as possible!

Finally, Tomaj will also give Vaan a Writ of Transit. Now he’ll be able to leave the city and head out into the desert. Vaan heads out to the East Gate and has a little tiff with the guards before they let him through. A package can also be delivered from the Bangaa inside the gate to the one outside. It doesn’t achieve much though…

Leaving the city gates Vaan is faced with a vast expanse of desert that stretches out before him. The Dalmasca Estersand plays host to a variety of enemies of the cacti family as well as some wolves and other beasts best left alone. Taking on the Rogue Tomato, it narrowly escapes death by jumping off the bluff behind it.

Following it, Vaan enters into battle again, narrowly avoiding death from it’s flaming breath. Once it’s defeated it will expire near a handful of Galbana Lillies that Vaan will collect as a souvenier before heading back to town.