story

"This is something that I have to do! For myself and all those who have fallen. I will not be made to hide!" - Ashe

Final Fantasy XII -- the twelfth game in the series of popular video gaming. It's a story about war, power and wit. And it's a story where nearly all the characters wear very complicated clothing that's impossible to understand. But it's mostly about the struggle of power between two large empires and some smaller kingdoms on the side.

Princess Ashelia happens to be the heiress to one of those 'smaller kingdoms', the small but proud kingdom of Dalmasca. The story begins with her wedding to Prince Rasler Heios Nabradia, who is the heir of the neighbouring kingdom of Nabradia. Their happy wedding's purpose was meant to unite the two kingdoms for a stronger alliance in times of warfare, but everything falls apart when the war swoops in violently and Rasler dies in battle, leaving Ashe widowed at the mere age of nineteen. After Ashe's father is also taken down, Ashe flees and the story goes that the princess committed suicide that night out of grief.

Two years later, the story shifts to Vaan and his childhood friend Penelo, both of whom are children orphaned after the events of the war. Vaan's your typical pickpocket of the day and doesn't hesitate to show us so, with a quick nip from a soldier's belt. We are not that impressed, so Vaan decides to go bigger -- he'll steal something from the palace's treasure room!

We soon learn that Vaan has impeccably bad timing. Not only did he choose to go during Lord Vayne's stay -- when security is tight -- he also gets caught by two sky pirates in the middle of stealing a shiny piece of treasure. We are introduced to the self-proclaimed leading man and his leading lady, Balthier and Fran; they roam the skies and pay allegience to no kingdom or empire. And then the whole castle is rocked as invaders attack, leaving Vaan caught smack dab in the middle of it. Never fear though, the sky pirates he met before are more than willing to save him. Only because he's got that treasure they want. Luckily the sky pirates stick around until Penelo gets kidnapped; it is now that their airship becomes extra handy.

Much to their surprise, they meet up with the 'dead' princess, Ashe, whom they already encountered once in the underground sewers, under a fake name. She joins Vaan and his party when they help free her from her cell aboard the enemy's airship. Ashe, with a burning vengeance, sets her own plans in motion and fights for the right to claim back her kingdom.