Fossil Roo

Fossil Roo is a tunnel that connects the Mist Continent with the Outer Continent. It is an ancient transport network in Final Fantasy IX. It becomes inaccessible in the endgame.
Fossil Roo is a network of roots from the huge Iifa Tree, which flow through underground tunnels. The passengers ride holding onto the back of a giant mole-cricket-like insect called the gargant. It is beckoned by feeding it flowers that resemble large dandelions. The gargant's routes may be altered by various switches along the path, which open up water valves across roots that deter the gargant.
There is another gargant tunnel, called Gargan Roo, which transports people around the Mist Continent.
== Story ==
The entrance to Fossil Roo is hidden in the Qu's Marsh near Lindblum. Zidane, Vivi, and Princess Garnet find Quina in the marsh, who leads them through the tall grass in search of frogs to dine on. Quina inadvertently discovers the excavation site that leads to Fossil Roo but misses the chance to catch any frogs.
The party descends into the tunnel where they are pursued by the mechanized Armodullahan. After being chased across a stone bridge with many pendulum-like axes, Armodullahan falls into a hole and the party has a short time to rest before they are interrupted by the bounty hunter Lani. Lani was hired by Queen Brahne to retrieve Garnet's royal pendant. However, Garnet refuses to hand it over and Lani attacks the party. After being defeated, Lani escapes back to the entrance of Fossil Roo, and the party continues down into the tunnels.
Fossil Roo becomes inaccessible once the party exits it; the entrance from the Qu's Marsh gets blocked off by rubble, and the Gargant that the party used to reach the exit to the Outer Continent is a one-way ride. After the party returns from Terra, the entrance from the Outer Continent is further blocked by an Iifa root.
== Locations ==
=== Entrance ===
The entrance to Fossil Roo is hidden in the Qu's Marsh near Lindblum. Zidane, Vivi, and Princess Garnet find Quina in the marsh, who leads them through the tall grass in search of frogs to dine on. Quina inadvertently discovers the excavation site that leads to Fossil Roo but misses the chance to catch any frogs.
Later, the moogle Mois can be found here.
===Entrance Staircase===
Zidane and the party travel down this short staircase into the tunnels of Fossil Roo. In the endgame, the pathway is blocked by rubble.
===Dungeon ===
A dimly lit dungeon-like area. Examining the steel gate shows the room to be too dark to see clearly into. As the party exits, a large crash is sound. One gate closes over the entranceway as the steel grate opens. The Armodullahan comes out of the room and begins to chase the party. After defeating it and Lani the party can return to this room and enter the previously grated area to find an Elixir .
===Bridge===
The party is chased by the Armodullahan across the long stone bridge. There are swinging axes across its length that deal no damage, only sending Zidane backwards. The first two areas have three swinging axes, and the final area has two. The final area also has a hole in the bridge which the Armodullahan falls into to perish permanently.
===Passage===
The party runs into this room after escaping the Armodullahan only to be greeted by another powerful foe, Lani, walking up the stairs. After Lani explains how she was recruited by Queen Brahne to reclaim Princess Garnet's pendant, the party refuses to back down and fights her, sending her into fleeing.
===Nest===
In the first area of the Nest, the party is greeted by a wild gargant crossing a track made from Iifa Tree roots. Zidane wonders if he can ride it. Zidane can pick flowers at the far left end of the room near the tunnel entrance and hold them up in front of the tunnel entrance to ride the gargant to the other side of the nest where he dismounts onto a platform. This second area has flowers in the near right corner that can be held up on the rock across the small bridge to the left to ride the gargant back into the tunnel entrance platform.
===Cavern===
A crossroads where multiple paths can be followed. The path to the north leads to North Nest. The path to the south leads to South Nest. The treasure hunter here explains the way to travel on the gargant. Mogki is found on the path to the south with a letter from Kuppo. The Mogshop is also accessed from Mogki. Stiltzkin is next to Mogki to offer the party another deal. The No.2 switch is also located above the south path.
===North Nest===
Platform where the gargant can be taken onto the north path. Flowers are found at the left side of the room. The first path has a platform where the gargant can be taken onto. The No.1 Switch is located to the right. The second path has a platform where the gargant can be taken onto the north path. Flowers are found at the right side of the room. The upper path leads to the small ledge in Cavern 2. The lower path leads to the stairs in Cavern 2.
===Cavern 2===
Winding staircase with a small ledge containing a chest with an Ether above. Cavern 1 can be accessed from the west end of the staircase. The No.1 switch is also located far above the far part of the room. The No.4 Switch is located above the right side of the room.
===South Nest===
Platform where the Gargant can be taken onto the south path. Flowers can be found at the right side of the room. The first path has a platform where the gargant can be taken onto the south path. Flowers are found at the left side. Cavern 3 ledge can be accessed to the right. The second path has a platform where the gargant can be taken onto the south path. Another treasure hunter has a shop in this room. Flowers can be found at the right side of the room. Cavern 2 can be accessed to the north.
===Cavern 3===
Cavern with a pond and climbable vines at the far end. Switch No.3 Is located at the top of the vines. There is a small ledge on the left containing a chest with Fairy Earrings. Far nest can be accessed to the southeast. While climbing the vines, a small ledge is accessible all the way to the right which leads to the Mining Site.
===East Nest===
Platform where the gargant can be taken onto the east path. Flowers can be found at the right side of the room. The first path has a platform where the gargant can be taken onto the east path. Flowers are found at the left side of the room. Cavern 3 can be accessed to the Southeast. The second path has a platform where the gargant can be taken onto the east path. Flowers can be found at the middle of the room. Cavern 3 can be accessed to the east.
===Far Nest ===
Platform where the Gargant can be taken onto the exit path. Flowers can be found at the front of the room. The first path is a landing site from riding the gargant on the far path. A Survival Vest is on the ground at the far left of the room. Mining site is accessible to the northwest. The second path is a landing site from riding the gargant on the far path. Fossil Roo can be exited to Donna Plains on the Outer Continent the northeast.
===Mining Site===
Large room surrounding a pillar. The player can participate in the Mining minigame here after speaking to the treasure hunter here and giving him a potion. There is a chest on a ledge above the left side of the room containing a Lamia's Tiara. Cavern 3 is accessible to the west and Far Nest (Path 1) can be accessed to the east.
==Items==
*Elixir (after fighting Lani, return to the first room and look for the "secret corner" )
*Fairy Earrings
* Ether (Switch #1 path east)
* Lamia's Tiara 
*Survival Vest ( third switch route; left corner)
==Quests==
===Mognet===
In Fossil Roo, the party will meet Mogki, who has a letter:
Very Bored, Kupo!
From Kuppo to Mogki
I'm bored, kupo!
I'm so bored, I'm going to hide away!
Try finding me in this cavern!
Hint: I'm behind a wall...
If the party finds Kuppo in the mining minigame, he will send a letter to Kupo in Alexandria.
The Most Important Thing in Life
From Kuppo to Kupo
Fossil Roo is very comfortable!
I like it here. Kupo!
We play hide-and-seek every day!
The most important things in life
are to work hard and play hard! Kupo!
After returning from Terra the party can start a quest to restore Mognet Central by talking to Kupo at Alexandria. As part of this chain of letters Mois from the Fossil Roo entrance sends a letter to Noggy at Daguerreo. To locate the entrance, Quina needs to be in the party.
It's That Thing
From Mois to Noggy
I think Mognet can go back to standard
operation if we get the right item!
Kupo! If you ask me, I think the item
they're looking for is that thing!
You know what I mean, right?
It's that... thing!
=== Stiltzkin===
Stiltzkin the traveling moogle is found at the Roo during the party's trek to the Outer Continent. He will offer a pack of a Phoenix Pinion, Remedy, and Ether for 555 gil. The party's inventory can't be full on any of these items, or Stiltzkin won't offer his goods. If the player talks to Stiltzkin in every one of his travel locations and buys his item pack every time, at the end of his journey Stiltzkin gives the party a Ribbon in all versions besides the original Japanese PS version.
===Mining minigame===
Fossil Roo contains a mining spot where the player can choose to dig in certain areas for items. The mining opens up when the player speaks to the treasure hunter who requests a Potion in return for letting Zidane have a go at mining. The rewards include Hi-Potions, Ore, and the Madain's Ring accessory. Finding Madain's Ring yields an achievement/trophy in the latest versions. The player can excavate all possible points, and if they do not find the ring, go back a screen and return to excavating. 
The player can dig in any area (top or bottom portion) of the central column. At the top, there is a loose wall on the right, which can be knocked down to free a moogle called Kuppo. His Mogshop has the same items as Mogki's earlier in the Roo, but he has a letter to deliver. Freeing him also yields an achievement/trophy in the latest versions.
===Blu Mag===
Quina can eat Abomination or Seeker Bat to learn Night, and Griffin to learn White Wind. Feather Circle can be eaten for LV4 Holy, and is the earliest encountered enemy with this spell.
==Shops==
=== Mogki's and Kuppo's Mogshops ===
Item 	Price
Potion 	50 gil
Phoenix Down	150 gil
Echo Screen 	50 gil
Soft 	100 gil
Antidote 	50 gil
Eye Drops 	50 gil
Annoyntment 	150 gil
Tent 	800 gil
=== Treasure Hunter's Inventory ===
Item 	Price
Ice Brand 	3,780 gil
Partisan 	1,600 gil
Multina Racket	750 gil
Stardust Rod 	760 gil
Mythril Armlet	500 gil
Thunder Gloves	1,200 gil
Bandana 	500 gil
Mage's Hat 	600 gil
Mythril Helm 	1,000 gil
Chain Plate 	810 gil
Mythril Vest 	1,180 gil
Adaman Vest 	1,600 gil
Mythril Armor 	1,830 gil
Potion 	50 gil
Phoenix Down 	150 gil
Echo Screen 	50 gil
Soft 	100 gil
Antidote 	50 gil
Eye Drops 	50 gil
Remedy 	300 gil
Annoyntment 	150 gil
Tent 	800 gil
Phoenix Pinion, Remedy and Ether can be purchased from Stiltzkin for 555 gil.
==Enemies==
*Abomination
*Abomination x2
* Feather Circle x2
* Feather Circle x3
*Feather Circle x4
*Griffin
*Seeker Bat x2
*Armodullahan (Boss)
*Lani (Boss)
By maintaining a good distance and dodging all traps along the way, the player can avoid the battle against Armodullahan.
Screen 	Encounter Rate	
{| class="innerborder" style="width:100%;font-size:90%;text-align:center"
Enemies	Frequency 	AP
==Musical themes==
The theme that plays in the first part of Fossil Roo is called "Fossil Roo". The theme that plays in the next parts of Fossil Roo is "Gargan Roo".
== Other appearances==
===Pictlogica Final Fantasy===
===Final Fantasy Record Keeper===
==Behind the scenes==
A path in Fossil Roo has an unused background element of a detonator. 
==Gallery==
Fossil roo pendulum.png|Artwork for the pendulums from The Art of Final Fantasy IX.
Pick axe artwork.png|Artwork of the pick axe used in the mining minigame from The Art of Final Fantasy IX.
FossilRooGarganPath1.png|Gargant path.
FossilRooGarganPath2.png|Gargant path.
FossilRooGarganPath3.png|Gargant path.
FossilRooGarganPath4.png|Gargant path.
FossilRooGargantPath5.png|Gargant path.
FossilRooNest2.png|Nest.
FossilRooNest3.png|Nest.
FossilRooNest4.png|Nest.
FossilRooNest5.png|Nest.
FossilRooNest6.png|Nest.
FossilRooNest7.png|Nest.
FossilRooNest8.png|Nest.
FossilRooNest9.png|Nest.
FossilRooNest10.png|Nest.
FossilRooNest11.png|Nest.
FossilRooNest12.png|Nest.
FossilRooNest13.png|Nest.
FossilRoo2-ffix-battlebg.png|A battle background in Fossil Roo.
FossilRoo3-ffix-battlebg.png|A battle background in Fossil Roo.
FossilRoo4-ffix-battlebg.png|A battle background in Fossil Roo.
FossilRoo5-ffix-battlebg.png|A battle background in Fossil Roo.
FossilRoo6-ffix-battlebg.png|A battle background in Fossil Roo.
==Etymology==
The French word rue, pronounced more or less like "roo", means "street".
de:Fossilienmine
ru:Фоссил Ру
Category:Locations in Final Fantasy IX
Category:Transportation in Final Fantasy IX