#cleyra

Have you noticed how Cleyran eiderdowns look similar to Scotland's flag? Well, I sure did not.

The word "Burmecia" comes from "burmese", a variety of rats. And I thought it was related to Burma/Myanmar because, you know, rain and amazing architecture. Maybe it is, but I haven't read anything about it on the internet, not even an interview with someone at Square talking about Burmecia.

In fact, Burmecia's architecture was largely inspired by Antonio Gaudi's organic mosaic constructions. Beautiful, isn't it?

Also, did you know Sir Fratley (in this case, me) was named after Michael Flatley, a professional dancer who appeared on Riverdance?

And, speaking of Riverdance...

Just before they begin to express doubts about the orders that are given to them, there is a very similar part, where Cecil and Beatrix are ordered to steal a pacifist people's cristal. Cecil steals Mysidia's Water Crystal in the Tower of Prayers and Beatrix steals Cleyra's " desert star" in the cathedral of Cleyra, a magical stone set in a harp used for ceremonies.

They are not really concious about the fact that taking the cristal from a city can condemn its existence. The player knows the crystals are important for the world to stay balanced, but Cecil and Beatrix don't really know about this. They know the power of the crystals are important for their kingdom, but they are troubled by the fact that they had to plunder a city (in Cleyra case, Beatrix regrets actually that her Queen destroyed the city, just as Cecil will be later horrified that his king wanted to exterminate the summoner village).

Actually, it is possible that stealing the crystal from mysidians wizards can compromise the future of their city, since crystals are the source of magic in ff4, and for sure, the city of Cleyra is dependant on the magic stone to create the tempest around the giant tree on which it is built, tempest that both protects the pacifist inhabitants (they are all priests and priestesses of the moon, stars and flowers, etc ...) and brings water supplies up thanks to windmills !

Is it a coincidence that the stealing of the magic stone has something to do is each case with water, a vital element for life ? Anyway, to steal these magical stones, Beatrix and Cecil turn their swords against innocents, and I would even say priests, which reinforces for the viewer the impression that they are committing sacrilege.

I didn't know this was happening! Sorry I'm late!

Day 1: Favourite Scene/Cut-Scene

That bit in Dali when Dagger is trying to learn to speak casually. I played that scene in Japanese and I am living for it.

Day 2: Favourite Location

This is really hard but maybe Cleyra? The whole idea of a hidden rat village on top of a beanstalk-like tree protected by a sandstorm is just so fairytale to me.

Day 3: Favourite Song/Theme

Rose of May. It's so emotional and evocative. Beatrix is one of my favourite characters.

A close second is Treno's theme, The City That Never Sleeps. I have a love of ragtime.

Oh, or Jesters Of The Moon? Or vamo allá flamenco?

I just love the entire soundtrack ok 😭👏👏❤️

Day 4: Favourite Eidolon/Command

I think aesthetically I've always loved Shiva. She's not really a big part of the story compared to others, but there's just something about her.