The World of Final Fantasy VIII

Table of Contents
:: For those who've played the game
:: For those who haven't or need a big refresher
:: Locations and Maps
:: Races of the World


For those who have played the game, but want a brief refresher
The forum is set in the beginning of the game; before the Timber mission. Basically, assume that the game didn't happen. Thus, Trabia was never destroyed, Galbadia is still occupying Timber, Galbadia has been trying to infiltrate Dollet, and the missle base is still intact. Further more, the Lunar base has not been destroyed and Adel has not been released. Also, the Deep Sea Research Center has not been abandoned.

For those who haven't played the game, or haven't played it in a very long time

The world is a rich one, and I'll do my best to introduce you slowly. First of all, the most important aspect of the world to become familiar with are the military academies known as "Gardens". There are three: Balamb, the oldest; Galbadia, the most combat oriented; and Trabia, the one with the strongest community. These Gardens are used to train SeeDs, the world's most elite military force. They are trained in 'magic' and combat equally.

'Magic' used by ordinary people is actually 'para-magic'. In essence, it is a technique which involves controlling energy. 'Para-magic' was developed by Dr. Odine. He was the first scientist to research the nature of magic by studying the sorceress. The skill can be gained through proper training. However, with magic, it is difficult to achieve power levels that are comparable to conventional weapons.

Because of this, an independent energy force known as a Guardian Force (or GF) can be equipped to increase a human's potential for energy control. GFs reside in a location in their user's brain, slowly adapting to that specific user. Some GFs can be found in wild monsters, and some reside in locations instead. No GF is actually unique, because many of that kind can be found. For this reason, most people name their GFs.

Gardens train their students in the use of these GFs and para-magic, calling their students "SeeD Candidates". There are Junior and Senior candidates. Junior refers to those below 15, since a student can enroll as young as five. Senior candidates refer to those above 15, normally those who are trying for SeeDship, since it must be obtained before they turn 20, or they will be discharged from the Garden.

For more information on this, please review at the Study Panel.
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Locations and Maps

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Balamb Garden is situated in the middle of the world on the smallest continent and is named for the neighboring town, Balamb. The Fire Cavern is located to the east, and is used by the Garden as preliminary exam for their SeeD candidates. Balamb's SeeDs are known for their skill with para-magic, due to their use of GFs.

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Trabia Garden is located to the north of Balamb, on the continent of Trabia. The bitter weather renders this location desolate, and it's only inhabitants are the students/faculty of Trabia Garden, the Shumi, Moomba, and Chocobo.

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Galbadia Garden is located to the far west of Balamb, on the Galbadian continent. Every town on this continent is connected via roads or trains, except Winhill. Winhill is an obscure, out of the way, small-town that discourages visitors. Timber is the primary train networking point, as all of the trains go through Timber. Timber also has an underwater line that connects it to Balamb, as well as an abandoned line that crosses the ocean between the Galbadian and Estharian conteinents. Fisherman's Horizon, a pacifistic town known for it's mechanics, sits on the bridge, now accessible primarily only by boat.

Dollet is a remnant of an ancient civilization, and is a rather large town featuring many artists. Deling City is the capital of the country of Galbadia, which is the only country to have long range missles (with the possible exception of Esthar).

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The Esthar continent is attached to the Trabian continent although travel to and from is extremely limited due to a giant crater known as the Trabia Canyon. The origins of this crater are a mystery to all. Esthar itself is a highly secretive and advanced society, with space ships and lunar bases. They are completely isolated from the rest of the world due to their technology, and they have never revealed that they are the reason that worldwide communications were disrupted years ago.

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The Centra Continent is all that remains of a once flourishing civilization. This civilization discovered a large crystal in the ocean and they brought it to the surface, situating it near their capital. They didn't know that this crystal summoned monsters from the moon in something known as a "Lunar Cry." The last one hit this civilization's capital and almost completely wiped them from the planet. The only surviving city was Dollet. This continent features a giant crater in the middle of it from the Cry.

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Races of the World
Human :: The most prominent race in the world, humans are a widely varied group.

Shumi :: They seem simple and artistic in nature, but strangely technologically developed. They are also hinted to be merchants, who will go as far as fund entire projects. The Shumi believe that during their lives they will "evolve" into different creatures: Moomba, Elders, and possibly Humans. Shumi also do not actually die, but instead form themselves into an egg that will eventually hatch. Elders appear greatly similar to the Shumi themselves, but are much taller, and grow facial features that resemble beards. There is one known Elder who resides and leads the Shumi Village, and his attendant may become an Elder someday.

Moomba :: They are a possible final stage in the life cycle of a Shumi. They have red fur, stand on two legs, have oversized paws with sharp claws and are usually used as slaves and treated poorly. Most are unable to talk, but have an expressive body language. They also present no difficulty in communicating with other Moombas and Shumi, and can recognize, and maybe track, someone's DNA by licking their blood.

Chocobo :: They live in the 7 Chocobo forests around the World. Adults and children are called Chocobo and Chicobo respectively. Chicobo are spotted often, whereas Chocobo are rarely seen. Loved for their gentle nature, Chocobo respond quickly to Chicobo in danger. Chocobo are giant yellow birds that can be ridden as a mount.


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