Republic of Bastok The Republic of Bastok is a city - state in " Final Fantasy XI " . Bastok is located in the southern portion of the continent of Quon , in the middle of the desert - like Gustaberg region . Life in Bastok . Culture . A nation founded by the technologically gifted Humes . The president , elected from among the Hume population every few years , takes an active role in leading the government . Bastok was originally built on the wealth gained from the mining of mythril , a precious metal . But with recent developments in metal refining and processing techniques , Bastok has become famous as a craftsman ' s town . The southern area of the city is home to many Galka , a race of hulking humanoids . The Galka settle in Bastok after their homeland was ravaged by the Antica n race . They have made valuable contributions to the expansion of the mines , but despite this , there is a deep - seated tension and class divide between the Galka and the Humes . Surrounding the city of Bastok is the inhospitable Gustaberg region , an unforgiving land of sparse vegetation . Beyond the refinement of iron , the craftsmen of Bastok have made numerous breakthroughs with new kinds of metal , such as mythril , darksteel , and cermet . The research of Cid , a genius engineer , has led to the development of engines that utilize crystal energy and allow rapid advances in technology . The rich , spiritual culture of the Galka is rapidly being assimilated by the materialistic Hume lifestyle . To say that Bastok ' s culture has become predominantly Hume would not be far off the mark . Living Standards . In recent years , the remarkable nation of Bastok has had the largest population explosion of any country ( most notably in the Hume population ) , but due to limited space for residential buildings , the average citizen ' s home is small and uncomfortable . Also , most of the profit made from ore export is consumed by the need to import large quantities of food . For most inhabitants of Bastok , daily life can be a struggle - - and food shortages are becoming a serious problem . Climate . With practically no rainfall during the course of the year and all of the ground water concentrated under the city of Bastok , the surrounding environs are a barren , desolate landscape . Besides potatoes , very little can be grown ; the Republic of Bastok must rely heavily on imported foodstuffs . However , a ready supply of copper , iron , silver , gold , and mythril ore provides a bountiful source of wealth for the industrial town . The Bastokan Military . Military Organization . The Republican Army is an organized militia where the president serves as high commander . The army is formed by citizens and adventurers who join as part of a voluntary conscription system . Even the legions that make up the core of the army are generally not career soldiers . The Republican Legions . A military organization led by the Strategic Command of the Department of Defense . The legions , of which there are four ( including a naval legion ) , are the main fighting forces of the Republican army . The smallest unit of the legions is called a contubernium , and consists of ten foot soldiers led by a Decurion . Ten contuberniums form one centuria ( led by a Centurion ) , and a cohors ( led by a Praefectus ) is formed by nine Centuria plus a unit of engineers . A single legion ( led by a Legatus ) is formed with seven cohors plus three thousand extra soldiers , including heavy infantry , cannoneers or cavaliers , and supply troops . In all , the Republican Legions have close to forty thousand soldiers , a military force that surpasses that of any other nation . This number is only a basic calculation , however . In times of peace , one infantry legion and one naval legion are on active duty , while all other soldiers of less than Decurion rank are held in reserve . Also , there are various ways to avoid military service , which cut the actual number of soldiers on active duty down to less than two - thirds of the usual legion strength . It is possible to have someone take your place for active duty , and there are many cases of Humes offering to pay the often poverty - stricken Galka to stand in for them . In effect , these Galka become career soldiers , and the overall strength of the legions is ultimately increased . The Mythril Musketeers . The most elite troops within the Republic , this group consists of only 5 members . With no real position within the military , this group deals with the most " sensitive " of situations . The Iron Musketeers . The Iron Musketeers are a permanent unit commanded by the Trade Defense Section of the Department of Industry . This unit was originally formed by the Department of Industry to secure trade routes in and out of Bastok , but is currently deployed on a regular basis to deal with the Quadav . A single company , led by a Musketeer Commander , consists of ten Senior Musketeers and thirty Junior Musketeers . There are presently around one hundred companies in existence , and their members are drawn from the best soldiers of the Republican Legions . Provided with the latest equipment and possessing extensive battle experience with the beastmen , the Iron Musketeers are an elite fighting force . The Gold Musketeers . The Gold Musketeers are a permanent investigation unit commanded by the Surveyor Section of the Department of Mining . Charged primarily with discovering promising seams of ore , the Gold Musketeers are called upon to scout foreign lands and enemy territories - - either secretively or by using force . As they often find themselves in remote areas where supplies become scarce and communication with Bastok impossible , each separate company and soldier within that company is rigorously trained to act independently . The structure of the Gold Musketeers is identical to that of the Iron Musketeers , with sixty companies currently in existence .