ITEMS TO GET: H&S Badge

   Your next mission is to go to Bledavik (the capital of Aveh) and rescue Margie from Shakhan, but there's no hurry -- you can take the Yggdrasil around wherever you want, and even go all the way back to Lahan (not that there's anything left to see ^_^). In fact, it's probably a good idea to take some to time to learn Deathblows using...

The Super Muchacho Deathblow-Learning Trick
   This trick can only be done in an area where you can fight both in and out of your Gears (fortunately, the world map is one of these ^_^). Use the "Gear" option on the menu to put your most advanced character (since they won't be doing any learning) in a Gear, and the other two on foot. Wander around until you get into a fight against some Gear-sized (polygonal) enemies. These enemies will always attack the character in a Gear, and leave the ones on foot alone. Have the Gear-riding character just use Triangle button attacks (they don't do much damage), while the ones on foot use the patterns for whatever Deathblows you want to learn. The Gear enemies have loads of HP, so it will take forever to kill them with this method -- which of course is the point, as you can make huge progress towards learning Deathblows. You'll want to periodically change which character is riding the Gear, so everybody can get a chance to learn Deathblows.

   At this point, you'll want to have all three characters learn their first three Deathblows. You can't learn any more, since those require more than 5 AP. You'll also earn a fair amount of cash, which will be useful when you arrive in Bledavik -- and, surprise surprise, that's exactly where you should go next. When you first arrive on the Bledavik map (yes, Bledavik has its own map screen), you'll see a scene of the Kefeinzel landing, then you're free to explore. Head forward and enter the main street.

   Bledavik is a huge place, with a lot of shops and other buildings. First off, talk to the woman near the entrance and tell her you don't have a hotel. She'll recommend one off to the west side of town. Go down the main street and head up the staircase (or just jump onto the stall roofs, then off the kid's head). The southern-most building is the Gear shop, but they just sell the same stuff available at Bart's HQ. North and west from the Gear shop is the inn. Here you'll find a member of the Nisan sect, who is pleased to hear that you are planning on rescuing Margie. Talk to the innkeeper and say that you have a recommendation. When prompted as to who recommended you, chooes the third option ("I don't know") and you'll get a 30 G discount if you want to stay and fill up your HP and EP.

   Also on the west side of the main street, you'll find a restaurant, where you buy food to restore your HP and EP -- but it's a lot more expensive than the inn, so skip it. Down the main street, you'll find a lot of stalls sending various food items. These don't really serve any purpose, so skip them. The northeast-most stall will buy your Fangs, Eyeballs, and Scales, but you can better prices for them soon, so don't sell them. Also, if you talk to the northwest stall owner, two kids will run by and steal some money from the stand while you are talking. If you follow them into the alley, you'll find a secret stairway leading up to the roof of a house. The kids are here; if you talk to them they'll explain that they're poor, and ask you to give them 1000 G. Giving it to them doesn't seem to do anything, so I wouldn't bother (but if anybody finds a purpose to this, please let me know).

   On the east side of the main street, you'll find all the shops. The Weapon Shop is in the southeast corner, with the Armor Shop just across the street. Be sure to buy the WhippaSnappa whip for Bart at the Weapon Shop, and check the Armor Shop to see if there's any better gear you can afford. Also, you'll want lots of Aquasol for the upcoming sequence, so be sure you're carrying at least 15 (and some Rosesol would be a good idea too).

   If you head north down the main street and through the gate, you'll be back on the Bledavik map. Head north a little ways to the next green pyramid and enter Shakhan Square. There's a couple of shops here selling various items (be sure to buy some Bartweiser and check out the nifty tilting-camera effect ^_^); the Spiced Cakes will increase your weight, while the Iced Cakes will lower it. Also, if you buy a Minigear, you can give it to the kid with the eagle mask on for a tip about the Gold Nuggest in the restaurant... but since you have this FAQ, why would you need to do that? Also, the guy outside the big tent (which you can't get right now) will give you a balloon if you talk to him. Yay.

   Now that you've seen the whole place, it's time to get down to business. Go back to the hotel and take the top door on the right. Talk to the sister there, then head through Shakhan Square towards the palace (Bart will leave when you try to exit Shakhan Square). At the palace grounds, Citan will suggest that Fei enter in the martial arts tournament. Go talk to one of the guys blocking the gates and sign up for the tournament. The name you enter under doesn't matter; just pick one (I chose "Wandering Squire"). After registering, go back to Shakhan Square to pick up Bart, then go to the main area of Bledavik. Head to the far east side of town, behind the weapon shop. Talk to the woman, then try to open up the grate. The old guy will yell at you and ask you what you want. Tell him you're trying to save Margie and he'll explain that the key is missing. It's been taken by the hide-and-seek kid, and now you have to go find him (an homage to BOF3, perhaps... either that or a rip-off ^_^).

   First, go back through the alley in the west side of town (where you went to chase the kids that stole the money) and up the stairs. The Hide and Seek kid is the green kid. Talk to him and he'll announce that you've found him, then say he has a better hiding place. Go inside a building and come out, and he'll be gone. You now have to find him four more times:

• Behind the arch leading to Shakhan Square. Step just past the arch, then turn the camera around so you can see him (he's to the east). He'll fork over the key, but keep playing to earn the Hide and Seek Badge (although if you didn't get the RPS Badge, the H&S Badge won't do you any good).
• In the alley the west of the Gear shop, behind some barrels.
• To the south of the restaurant, there's an arch leading west. The kid's hiding just behind the arch.
• Finally, he's on the platform in the far southeast corner (near the entrance), tucked away behind the weapon shop. When you find him here, he gives up Hide and Seek and gives you his H&S Badge.

   Now that you have the key and have signed up for the tournament, go back to the inn and talk to the sister of Nisan. You will get a last chance to explore the city. If you want, you can now head back to Shakhan Square and enter the tent (which Citan wouldn't let you in before). There's two games you can play, each costing 10 G. They don't give you very good prizes, though, so you can skip them unless you're desperate for entertainment ^_^. The third door leads to a magic mirror that does absolutely nothing; don't waste your money.