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I was recently thinking back on the fantasy stories I've enjoyed throughout my life, and I started to analyze what made a good story, and what ruined what could have otherwize been a good story. There were a lot of literary features much more important than what I'm about to describe, but I was really taken by the idea of unexplained mysteries. All good fantasy stories had characters and phenomena which were never fully explained.

One example of such an unexplained character is Tom Bombadil from J.R.R Tolkien's various works. His place and actions within the plot are expected and consistant, yet his background and nature are completely outside the bounds of the rest of the world Tolkien described. This character has always baffled me and the Tolkien fans I've known, and it seems that this was the desired effect; in a personal letter, Tolkien had this to say about the character:
"And even in a mythical Age there must be some enigmas, as there always are. Tom Bombadil is one (intentionally)."

It seems that leaving some riddles unanswered allows the reader's mind to dwell on the subject for years afterward, returning often to chew over that last bit of info it can't quite pidgeon-hole. Leaving one aspect of the phantasy world unexplored allows the entire world to remain open, magical, and fantastically vast.

While thinking on this, the character of Ziegfried came to mind. Ziegfriend is a character just as unique (if not more so) as any of FF6's "main" characters. He has his own overworld images, combat images, techniques, dialogue, and a backstory which (judging from the little bit presented) is very colorful. His actions have very definite effects on the party and the plot, yet he remains completely unexplained. Who is Ziegfried, and what are his motives? What was in the chest that Siegfried ran off with?

This one character was enough to pull my mind back to a game I hadn't seriously thought about in years. He isn't the only unanswered question, though. Gogo is a complete mystery in the world of FF6, and only slightly less mysterious in the context FF5 (actually, he may be even more mysterious when we consider FF5). Umaro is another character with an unexplained backstory, though no backstory beyond what is explored in-game is intended to be assumed for either of the secret characters. Even several espers, such as Crusader, have incomplete legends surrounding their origin.

These examples are all pretty much standard plot devices, though, and can be understood in terms of normal writing conventions; Ultros, though "unexplained", is simply the comic relief, or the blundering (reoccuring) side-kick. Even the Chupon is just a glorified "filler" boss. Ziegfried, however, is too well developed to be explained in terms of moving the plot from A to B. I always assumed that there was originally more planned for him, and that these plans were abandoned durring production. Perhaps he is a plot artifact, or perhaps the writers really did intend him to be a tenacious riddle (though I don't generally give Squenix that kind of credit).

Whatever the case, he is invaluable to the FF6 experience. He's not alone, however; there were many other (though smaller) intrigueing phenomena in FF6. Ever heard of Moruru? The addition of one simple name adds tremendous depth to Mog's character, and to the moogles' and Narshean atmosphere. Unfortunatly, I can no longer recall all the great parts of this game. What else was there? What riddles have I missed? Wasn't there more to the Moggle story, or am I misremembering things?

Interesting thread. I would also consider the whole part about the treasure under the grand staircase a riddle, as I have never seen it satisfactorily explained. Anyone have any idea?

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I reject your reality and substitute my own...

It's the Atma Weapon, as the treasure is (kinda) under something that (kinda) is a staircase.

S/Ziegfried is certainly an interesting character, and I too have always wondered what was in the box :) I assumed, however, that it was a Tintinabar, since you get one for beating him in the colloseaum.
Then again, the one on the train might be the "fake" Ziegfried that he was talking about in the Colloseaum, or maybe the one you fight there is the fake one. Who knows.

Another thing I've wondered was, the Moogle in the center of the group of moogles in the cave speaks different than the other ones there. I've always wondered if this was the leader of the moogles, nothing significant, Moruru, or what :)
Probably nothing significant, but hey.

Quote (Kaijyuu @ 15th February 2007 16:04)

It's the Atma Weapon, as the treasure is (kinda) under something that (kinda) is a staircase.

No, that's a reference to the crap on the ground at the end of the long staircase just after that point. Otherwise there's no hint at all that it's there.

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The Unoriginal White Sheet

-Master ZED

Actually, Moruru / Molulu is supposed to have a crush on Mog, or something. Hence, Molulu's Charm.

Yeah, such mysteries without answer can really make a game interesting. Seems like I have to play FFVI one more time though, because I can't recall any others than the mentioned at the moment.

This post has been edited by Silver_Zombie on 15th February 2007 23:12

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You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one...

I never really thought about S/Ziegfried that much. He was just this random guy that was in random places to me. But you bring up a very good point; mysteries make games/books much more interesting.

I love The Lord of the Rings and I especially love the part with Tom Bombadil. I also like The Hobbit and once again there was the mysterious guy, Beorn. Final Fantasy VI is one of my favourite Final Fantasies and there's lots of mysterious people. I see a trend.

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Why, hello guys! Haven't been around here in a loooong time!
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After fighting a Ninja (when you
pull a switch), head right and down, then hold A and walk around on
the bluff. You'll find many hidden treasures here; apparently they are
the 'prize under the staircase' that he is talking about. When you reach
the area with 2 switches on the floor, DON'T step on either of them.
Instead, pass the first one, then go up the right bridge. Pull the
switch in the chest, and go downstairs, then down again. Go to your left
to the little raised piece of ground, and step on the switch. It will
open a cave with the VERY valuable Atma Weapon in it. Equip it on Terra
only if she has a rather high HP count at this point. Keep going to the
right, until you eventually reach the Sealed Gate. Hit Kefka once, and
enjoy the show! When it's over, exit the cave through the new passage
that is created. You should be able to easily reach the airship.

http://squareonline.ffshrine.org/Walkthroughs/ff6walk.txt

Found this at this site which references the Atma Weapon under the Staircase secret, cause i had it on hand.

I also wondered why i had thought about Tom Subconsciously after i read the bookj ever since. He was just one of those mystifying characters you cant forget...strange hobbit he was...he he

I also like that mysteries/plot-holes fill out a book or game (how ironic) and make it a lot more interesting to play or read!

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<DrkMagimaster282> MWAHAHA. I,
DrkMagimaster282, shall wreak havoc and destroy...
<Mother>TIIIIIIMMYYY...are you planning evil, unkind revenge again in the bathroom??
<DrkMagimaster282>UMMMMMMMM...NO.

CoN day is May 27th, 2005
Join elder-geek.com for unbiased reviews, no console wars here...

For a long time, when FF3/6 first came out, my brother and I were convinced, that Siegfried was a playable character and the purpose of the Ghost on the Phantom Train was to possess siegfried into joining you.

I always thought that Ziegfried took a Megalixier from the chest. Seeing as how he wagers the item in the collosseum later on.

What always bothered me was empty chests and inaccessible regions. Like the cart with the huge doorway when Sabin and Cyan are escaping the ghosts. Sabing pulls the release and off it goes.

Another thing that bother me was the fact they didn't loot the offring before they buried Gen.Leo, what a waste.

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Yeah, I barely post.

yes exactly. these mysteries gives me the chills. and like Max said, what is that huge doorway? anyone thought about that yet?

I don't think Ziegfried was that mysterious. he was some guy that was the best swordsman ever, that's all i know about him. but one thing is who are the fakers that are pretending to be him?

and when u battle the Goddess, what's the head monster lady thingy the Goddess is standing on?

This post has been edited by Anh on 16th February 2007 20:25

Quote (Max @ 16th February 2007 00:08)

I always thought that Ziegfried took a Megalixier from the chest. Seeing as how he wagers the item in the collosseum later on.

No, you wager a Megalixir to fight him. He shows up wagering his Tintinnabar/Tintinnabulum.

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Hey, put the cellphone down for a while
In the night there is something wild
Can you hear it breathing?
And hey, put the laptop down for a while
In the night there is something wild
I feel it, it's leaving me

Is Crusader/Jihad one being in three bodies, or three separate beings confined to one magicite shard?

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SuperHeroChat

"The buried treasures beneath the grand staircase" is very plain. It is NOT the Atma weapon. There are four treasures in the open area just below, in addition to the lone treasure chest. They are not marked with any kind of graphic, just spots on the ground. In all north american releases except VI advance, the game lies to you about what you find. It tells of 2000 GP instead of 293, a Remedy that's really a Soft... It even says you get a Water Skean even though the item's name is Water Edge.

The Atma weapon is no big secret. It is hard to miss, and the clue doesn't help you at all. It's not under a large staircase. Even though it's near it, you go on a roundabout to get there. Further, unless you say that technically everything in a cave is buried, the Atma Weapon is above ground plain as day in a chest. The four treasures beneath the grand staircase are indeed beneath the grand staircase and buried.

Further, this snippet of the walkthrough does not credit the Atma weapon as the buried treasures, but uses the encounter with the Ninja as a landmark on the way to must-have weapon.

How abotu this for a riddle: why is Duncan alive? He says he avoided the end of the world, but Vargas and Sabin were quite certain he was killed long before then. One of them was even there, being the killer and all.

Well, Duncan is probably alive because Vargas probably uppercutted him off Mt. Koltz. Assuming that Duncan was dead, Vargas fled the scene, but Sabin was spying from a distance. Well Duncan is the master of martial arts, so he didn't die. Seems reasonable, doesn't it?

The biggest secret of all.. What happened to Shadow / Baram 's 1,000,000 gil? We never see it in the game except for when Baram and Shadow steal it and run away, with Baram being wounded and dying. I mean, something must have happened to it...

Quote (Neal @ 16th February 2007 15:41)

Quote (Max @ 16th February 2007 00:08)

I always thought that Ziegfried took a Megalixier from the chest. Seeing as how he wagers the item in the collosseum later on.

No, you wager a Megalixir to fight him. He shows up wagering his Tintinnabar/Tintinnabulum.

Must of been that relic then. Besides that, I can't think of anything else.

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Yeah, I barely post.

He takes two chests, though, doesn't he? One on the phantom train, and one on the cave between South Figaro and Figaro Castle in the WoR

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I hear the jury's still out on...science.

That's it, you people have stood in my way long enough! I'm going to clown college!