#lindblum

(Scryfall Link)

Lindblum is the largest city in Final Fantasy IX. You visit it multiple times, and one time, it gets attacked by Alexandria's Black Mage army, which is represented by the adventure.

I'm replaying FF9 for the third time after many years, with a friend. During CD2, we get to Lindblum again. I really liked that passage, the NPCs you can talk to are full of personality. Lots of places get blown up in FF9, really, but Lindblum is probably the one you see the most of. The city has just suffered a devastating attack, bombarded from the sea, raided by black mage commandos and finally half destroyed by Atomos. Dagger and Zidane arrive as Brahne's army has just rolled into town and the dust is settling.

NPCs exhibit all types of reactions like horror, grief, fear, petty revenge, confusion, determination... Lindblum has surrendered, but the game shows complex power dynamics, with the Alexandrian soldiers bossing the Linblum soldiers around, who grumble when their backs are turned, engage in sabotage attempts, or even organise small pockets of resistance. The Alexandrian soldiers are settling in as an occupying force. Some walking in with their big boots, warning the civilians not to cause trouble, some are doubtful or even horrified by what was done to the city. One is excited to see a famous actor (who's mourning the destruction of the theatre) and chases him for an autograph, while another is taking time to admire a painting in an artist's studio, while the artist looks warily (it's the first NPC in the game to praise the artit's work).