The Ozmone Plain
|
068. Viper |
64. Ozmone Plain: Mesmenir
GENUS: Beast
CLASSIFICATION: Sleipnir
[1/2] Observations
Being a breed of sleipnir conditioned to be the perfect faithful war-horse.
Uncannily skilled in warfare, able to sense the moment and flow of battle, and carry out maneuvers of some difficulty, such as the timely withdrawal from a fray to regroup and strike anew.
The conditioning wrought on these creatures by the masters for whom they once fought was so steely that even after countless generations of breeding in the wild, it has faded not in the slightest. A tragedy indeed, for they consider all those not hailing from their long-deserted homeland to be enemies, and attack on sight.
[2/2] The History of Things
At precisely what point the polished destrier mane came to be used as a device for the casting of magicks is unclear. The noble steeds from whence such mane-coverings came were named by a sorcerer, however, and perhaps this association has given them their magical properties.
As tools for the casting of magicks go, these are among the best.
65. Ozmone Plain: Chocobo
GENUS: Avion
CLASSIFICATION: Chocobo
[1/2] Observations
What creature, fair or foul, has affected the lives of the common man more than the noble chocobo? Though the yellow chocobo is by far the most common, and the only domesticable sort, many other wild breeds of differing hues have been identified. In general, the other colorations of chocobo tend to be quite violent, giving rise to the saying: "Yellow, best for riding; aught else, best be hiding."
Even as tame chocobos are known for their temper, true domestication requires time and expertise. Their curiosity can often get them into trouble, but they are charming nevertheless, and popular throughout Ivalice. As famed naturalist Merlose once wrote: "a little personality goeth a long way."
[2/2] The Town Crier
Hear ye, hear ye!
Good news for those knights who are sensitive of nose!
Thanks to recent discovers, you can bid a fond farewell to troublesome chocobo odors!
The method is simple: ply your chocobo chick with only fresh gysahl greens, and that disconcertinlgy disgusting stench will diminish by up to three quarters! The news isn't all good, however, as it takes two to three years to raise a chocobo to riding age, meaning that the fragrant fruits of your labor won't ripen for some time.
66. Ozmone Plain: Wu
GENUS: Beast
CLASSIFICATION: Urstrix
[1/2] Observations
The feathers of this strain of urstrix carry a distinctly bluish hue, on account of their craving for the flesh of the blue-furred panther.
Though its wings have evolved such that it may no longer fly, its hind legs have developed to allow it to walk on land without difficulty. It has adapted remarkably well to life on the ground, being able to perform delicate actions with its vestigial wings, such as the carrying and holding of prey.
[2/2] Sage Knowledge (70 of 78)
Ozmone Plain
Wide region of plains in Bancour, bordering Dalmasca. Mostly tall grasses, though here and there can be seen volcanic rock formations.
In the past, a great battle was fought in the skies over Ozmone Plain. The decaying airshipwrecks punctuating the plains are monuments to the carnage once wrought there.
67. Ozmone Plain: Zu
GENUS: Avion
CLASSIFICATION: Diver
[1/2] Observations
An avion whose beak has regressed, turning into jagged teeth like those of a tyrant wyrm.
They have not a feather on their bodies, but instead are covered with a taut, thin membrane, reducing wind resistance so that they may fly extremely fast when necessary, and with little or no effort at other times.
Thus throughout the day do they circle the sky, waiting for prey to appear upon the ground below.
[2/2] Talk About Town
Fang of bat, phial of yellow liquid...
Crooked fang, phial of yellow liquid...
Hrm? What's that? Don't mind me. I'm merely repeating the goods I need to exchange to get my hands on some new ammunition, lest I forget. They're not easy things to come by, you know.
Mersam, Treasure-Hunter
68. Ozmone Plain: Viper
GENUS: Beast
CLASSIFICATION: Serpent
[1/2] Observations
Being a strain of serpent, its body covered in leaden scales, and its mouth replete with razor-sharp fangs.
Favoring small animals and their eggs, it secretes a deadly venom from its fangs which swiftly subdues its prey. It's midriff is divided in twain, each side containing a stomach with strong digestive juices, connected to a long intestinal tract running down the tail.
Their slender forms seem to suggest that they seldom eat, but this is far from the truth, their unique digestive biology giving them a famously voracious appetite.
[2/2] Sage Knowledge (69 of 78)
Jahara
A garif village in Bancour. Here, a chieftain elder watches over the old ways, and so administers the tribe. Though many other villages dot the area, there is little direct communication between them.
The garif have worshipped magicite since ancient times, and tribal legends tend much wisdom concerning the Stones. When the time is right, the elders teach these lessons to the youth of the village, and, on rare occasions, to visitors from other lands.
Abhorring machinery and iron, much of the garif material culture is based on wood and stone and other unmanufacted things. Their houses made of grass and strips of leather allow a breeze to pass through, and are uniquely suited to the hot, arid climate.
On the hill overlooking the village is a meeting lodge, warmed always by a bonfire. Near the lodge are the elders' huts, and below the hill is a clearing ringed by a healer's hut, and the tents of craftsmen, as well as a place to take care of the livestock, called "nanna" in the garif tongue.
Dalmasca has for many years honored the ways of the garif, and so kept up peaceful trade and relations with this isolated people.
69. Ozmone Plain: Zaghnal
GENUS: Giant
CLASSIFICATION: Behemoth
[1/2] Observations
Being a monster with the stature of a man. When the range of the werewolf spread into the southern plains, they adapted to their new environment, standing on two legs to better see across the vast savannah.
Their thin blue fur breathes well and retains moisture, perfectly accommodating the dramatic temperature change between night and day. Though they do not travel in packs, individuals are clearly ranked, and the weak always follow the lead of the strong.
[2/2] Sage Knowledge (27 of 78)
The Espers
Beings of strange form and appearance made by the gods in ancient times. Favored with great strength and intellect, the Espers knew power far beyond that of men, but their power made them proud, and at length they sought to challenge the gods. Seeing this, the gods were angered and struck down their blessed children, and binding their souls and flesh with the Glyph of the Beast, they stole their freedom for all eternity. Now they are bound to live only when summoned by their Glyph, to serve whosoever called them forth.
70. Ozmone Plain: Hybrid Gator
GENUS: Beast
CLASSIFICATION: Gator
[1/2] Observations
Being a strain of gator originally accustomed to rivers in the tropics, later having adapted to a changing clime, and life upon the hard land.
Their black fur absorbs and then traps in the sun's warmth, allowing them to maintain their body heat even when the weather changes for the worse. The head is set inside the cleft in the upper jaw, over which they peer from deep eyeholes, on the lookout for prey and predators alike.
[2/2] Sage Knowledge (12 of 78)
Magicite
Common name for stones containing magickal power, or as it is commonly manifest, Mist. There exist varieties: Spellstone, being used for the peperation and working of magicks, Skystone, giving flight to airships, and Memstone, holding fast sounds heard and visions seen, that they might be experienced again.
Though their color, shape, and size may differ, these have no bearing on the quality of the stone. Some of the smallest stones are the most powerful, and some of the largest contain only a small amount of Mist, and are as good as useless.
It is a property of magicite that it lose its Mist over time, and once spent, a stone's Mist cannot be renewed. Magicite without Mist is mere rock.
The ability to manufact magicite of some power has only recently been attained, and this after many long years of research.
71. Ozmone Plain: Sylphi Entite
GENUS: Sylphi Entite
CLASSIFICATION: Elemental
[1/2] Observations
To aid the weak, the gods sent knowledge on the winds.
The winds loft the seed of flower and tree, tell of the approach of beasts, and carry the voice of an ally. But Man cut down the trees, slew the beasts, and screamed in the waste he had created. The gods sorrowed and raged, and sent a great vortex to flay the world of Man to dust. The vast energy so released gave rise to the sylphi entite.
[2/2] The Entite Pact
The Wind is fickle, going where it will, brushing like maiden's hair on the cheek, bewitching men, and holding them captive.
Take the wild wind, traveler, and give it virtue through fortitude of immobilizing Earth. For wind, once frozen, is a promise. And on the day that promise is broken, will it surrender unto you shining electrum.