Cactuar Nation

The Cactuar Nation, also called Village of the Cactuars, is a location in Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 found in the middle of Bikanel Desert. It is home to a many Cactuars and their matured form, the giant cacti. The Cactuar Hollow is located here.
The Cactuar Nation is founded by the cacti that have watched over the sands of Bikanel Desert ever since "the dawn of time", as mentioned by their leader, Marnela. Marnela, the largest of the cacti, leads the giant cacti, including the Cactuar Mothers of the Ten Gatekeepers.
==Story==
===Final Fantasy X===
In the northeast of the desert, a sandstorm is raging over an area known as Cactuar Village. By locating the ten Cactuar Gatekeepers scattered throughout the desert, they will quell the storm and offer some nice prizes.
===Final Fantasy X-2===
Recently, the Cactuar Nation established diplomatic ties with the Al Bhed excavation camp in Bikanel. Benzo, a young Al Bhed who understands the language of the cactuar, acts as their interpreter. It is through him that Marnela presents their plight.
In ancient times, the cacti of the nation sealed an Angra Mainyu deep within the desert, but it reawakened recently, and Marnela fears it might target the Cactuar Nation to exact its revenge. The Ten Gatekeepers are able to summon a magical barrier called the Great Haboob that steers fiends away from the Nation. After the Gullwings find nine Gatekeepers, the Gatekeepers unseal the cave where the tenth and final Gatekeeper is. After the Gullwings find the final Gatekeeper, they summon the barrier that repels Angra Mainyu; Marnela also becomes dormant. However, it attacks the Excavation Camp instead. After the Gullwings defeat the monstrous fiend, they can return to the nation to see the infant Marnela.
==Quests==
===Final Fantasy X===
==== Village of the Cactuars ====
After gaining control of the Fahrenheit, the player can return to Bikanel Desert and find a rock with a picture of a cactuar. Each time the rock is examined the player will receive a clue to find one of the ten hidden cactuars in the desert. After finding one the player is challenged to a minigame where the goal is to sneak up on the cactuar within a time limit. While the cactuar has its back to the player the player can make their move, but when it is facing the player they must stay still.
The player can facilitate the process, advancing using the D-Pad, thus the Cactuar will not recognize the movement of Tidus and the player can advance without stopping until they get to it. In the International and HD Remaster versions, this doesn't work. The cactuar will turn around regardless.
There are two courses in particular:
* In the course of Cactuar No.7 (Robeya), there are three treasure chests. The back right one contains two Shadow Gems. The front left contains a Shining Gem, and the front right has a Blessed Gem. The player can open the chests to get the prizes; if the player loses a trial, they can still keep the prize, but they can only open each chest once. It is advisable to open the first two chests on the first trial, and then open the remaining chest on the second trial.
* In the course of Cactuar No.8 (Isrra), the player must go a little left to enter a shifting sand pit there and progress forward. Tidus will come out of the other shifting sand pit and from there can approach the Cactuar.
If the player successfully reaches the cactuar before time runs out, a fight will ensue against a regular Cactuar enemy (except with the Cactuar No.9 called Elio), it doesn't matter if the player wins the battle or flees. No matter what the outcome of the minigame is the player will receive a sphere, but if the player loses at the game three times, they will only receive a Sphere del Perdedor (Loser Sphere). After the fight the player must return to the rock and insert the sphere to receive a new clue where the next cactuar is hidden.
Cactuar locations:
Cactuar Name	Clue 	Location
 	Tomay's gone. Gone to fetch the water. 	Oasis, near the beginning.Note: Players can return to the airship and transport back to Bikanel to reach him faster.
 	Rovivea's gone walkabout. 	Sanubia-East: in an alcove to the West, north of the tent with the save sphere.
 	Little Chava likes big numbers. 	Sanubia-West: second sign to the left from the cactuar rock that says "20% off".
and 	Alek and Aloja play tag in the ruins of men. 	Sanubia-Central: near the ruins to the Northwest there are two cactuars running around the desert.
 	Vachella seeks the shining blue. 	Sanubia-East: use the save sphere under the tent.
 	O, Robeya's stuck inside. 	Sanubia-Central: inside a treasure chest in the far west (not for northwestern ruins).
 	A fiery inscription- the lord of the hole is gone. Isrra thinks.	Sanubia-West: in a sand pit. Exit and reenter the area.
 	Much-curious Elio has left on a journey. 	Go to the Oasis, then teleport to the airship and go to the deck.Note: If the player uses the airship from the save sphere and returns to Bikanel, they must advance forward, leave the area, and then return to Oasis.
 	Flaile is always behind. 	Sanubia-West, automatically appears at the cactuar stone.
After placing nine spheres of either type into the rock, the sandstorm protecting the Cactuar Village will cease. Inside the player can find plenty of Cactuar encounters and two chests; one of the chests will contain the sigil for Rikku's Celestial Weapon. The contents of the other chest depend on the player's performance in the minigame.
Cactuar spheres	Prize
0 to 2 spheres 	Potion
3 to 5 spheres 	Elixir
6 to 7 spheres 	Megalixir
8 to 9 spheres 	Friend Sphere
===Final Fantasy X-2===
====Cactuar Search====
The mission can be started on Chapter 3, but cannot be finished until Chapter 5. In the mission, the Gullwings must find the Ten Gatekeepers hidden all over Spira.
Cactuar Name	Cactuar Mother's Clue 	Location
 	I am Lobivia's mother. Lobivia was supposed to head north from the Oasis with his friends. But I haven't heard a thing from him since. Oh, I suppose Lobivia's always had a bit of wanderlust. He's probably off wasting time in some good-for-nothing place this very moment. Call it motherly instinct. 	Bikanel Oasis.
 	She says she's Toumeya's mother. Toumeya always dreamed of seeing waters vaster than our little Oasis. And now he's finally getting his wish. Sands whiter than the desert, a gentle breeze, glistening sunlight... and more water than can be imagined. I can't wait to hear the tales he'll have to tell. 	Besaid Beach; won't appear during the Gunner's Gauntlet minigame.
 	According to his mother, Lobeira loves getting into cramped spaces. He left with only one thing in mind: finding the most comfortable box in existence. He finally found a most splendid treasure chest in the home of a sphere hunter. How long it's been since I heard from him, I can hardly say... Oh, my careless little Lobeira. I've told you a thousand times to be careful of boxes with locks on them.	Chateau Leblanc, inside a treasure chest in a room in the hidden passage.
 	I am the mother of those inseparable brothers, Areq & Arroja. Areq & Arroja love being together. It seems they met some large yellow birds on a wide, open plain. Arroja is having such a good time he said he's put off seeing snow, whatever that is. 	The north of Calm Lands right before Mt. Gagazet.
 	I am the mother of Islaya the sage. I am often called the wise Mother. Islaya embarked to follow in the footsteps of our cactuar forebears who left the desert in ages past. Islaya, my sage son, have you found the Cactuar Stones they left so long ago? Try, not to get burned to a crisp, and take good care of yourself. 	Thunder Plains - North End, near a cactuar stone in the east.
 	I am Chiapa's mother. He says he's going to meet up with some friends. The meeting point? It's some secret place high, high, high up somewhere he can take in town and the woods. 	Kilika Woods, on the east side climb up the tree (press button).
 	I've gotten word from Erio. His message read: Two brothers, my friends, to a spring went we, I get to see snow... what rhymes with we? He may never listen to his parents, but I can't help but love my sweet little Erio. 	Mt. Gagazet Prominence, sitting near the cliff.
 	I am Bartschalla's mother. My daughter simply adores money. She left the desert in search of a 'man of means' - whatever that is. It turns out our 'man of means' isn't quite what you'd expect, hoho! Managed to save up quite a bundle. Turns out it's a former summoner! Don't get caught green-handed, Bartschalla! 	Dona's home in Kilika Port.
 	I hate to admit, but my Frailea can be a bit of a handful. He's really a very nice boy who just wants to be around friends. But he always seems to be falling in with the wrong crowd. I'm worried he may not even be traveling at all. 	Talk to Marnela to find about the last Gatekeeper.
Talking to Marnela about the last gatekeeper will begin a mission in the Cactuar Hollow.
The player won't have to defeat all gatekeepers to gain the Covenant of Growth Garment Grid, which grants double EXP and AP; all that is needed is to beat the last Gatekeeper. If the player does not win in the first try, they can still visit the Gatekeepers at the Cactuar Nation after beating Angra Mainyu.
==Items==
===Final Fantasy X===
* Mercury Sigil (complete Village of the Cactuars sidequest)
==Enemies==
===Final Fantasy X===
* Zu
* Sand Worm
* Cactuar
* Cactuar x2
* Zu, Cactuar x2
* Cactuar x3
==Musical themes==
In Final Fantasy X, "The Burning Sands" plays while in the Cactuar Village. The same theme plays in the rest of Bikanel desert.
In Final Fantasy X-2, "Bikanel Desert" plays when in the Cactuar Nation. "The Bevelle Underground" plays during Chapter 5 before Angra Mainyu is defeated.
==Gallery==
Cactuar shoots laser beam.jpg|Marnela defending the Cactuar Nation.
Cactuar stone.jpg|Cactuar Stone in Bikanel.
Cactuar shooting minigame.jpg|Cactuar shooting minigame.
Category:Locations in Final Fantasy X-2