Archades

The Imperial City of Archades is the capital city of the Archadian Empire, which rules over most of Ivalice in Final Fantasy XII. The modern city of Archades is built on the poor, and the ruins of older cities. There are only two ways into the city of Archades.
The most common way is via airship. This method is patrolled for trouble by the Archadian Judges. The second way is up through the Sochen Cave Palace, into Old Archades and across the bridge into Archades proper.
==Sage Knowledge==
== Story ==
The party passes by the modern city of Archades to head to Draklor Laboratories to confront Dr. Cid. Vaan and Penelo comment on the city while Balthier leaves since he has business to attend to. Balthier meets with his old friend Jules, who steals the chops Balthier gave him to give to the rest of the party. The party needs to earn Pine Chops to proceed and, after they have the right number of chops, they are allowed to proceed to Tsenoble. Arriving in Tsenoble, Balthier rejoins the party, and they head to Draklor Laboratories to confront Dr. Cid. 
==Locations==
===Archades===
The city is divided in two levels: one consisting of the districts of "Nilbasse", "Trant", "Molberry", and "Rienna" and the upper level of "Tsenoble". There are no poor within the city of Archades proper; all of the poor find themselves in Old Archades. Dr. Cid bases all of his research out of the Draklor Laboratory, found within the city in the Tsenoble area.
Archades residents tend to be rich and arrogant. Most people there are more interested in having a good reputation—usually of being well informed—than in money or riches. Well-informed people in Archades can earn chops by giving information to other residents about a particular subject. The chops are then used as proof of status, granting access to Tsenoble via taxi. Certain areas in Tsenoble can only be accessed by those who possess a sandalwood chop. The Archades Aerodrome has skyferry flights to Balfonheim Port, Nalbina and Rabanastre for 200 gil and the player can dock the Strahl there.
===Old Archades===
Old Archades is where all of the poor and destitute from Archades wind up. It is run down and barely patrolled by the Judges, who appear to be more interested in keeping the poor in their place. The only way into Archades is with money, so all of the citizens dream of finding a way to earn enough to see them safely into Archades.
Where chops are the most important trade item in Archades, gossip is the most important in Old Archades. If there's one way to get ahead it is by finding out as much information as possible to make the way up into Archades through gaining fortune.
Old Archades can be accessed via the ruins of the Sochen Palace.
===Sochen Cave Palace===
Sochen Cave Palace is an ancient palace overrun with several undead creatures. The only royalty currently residing within the temple are a family of Mandragoras led by the Onion Queen. These Mandragoras have caused problems for hunters in the Archadian wilderness.
Several ancient and powerful creatures are locked away in the depths of the Sochen, including one of the game's superbosses, the Hell Wyrm.
An old lift device connects Sochen to Old Archades, whilst the entrance to the destitute palace lies within the Tchita Uplands.
===Draklor Laboratory===
The Draklor Labs serve as a base to Doctor Cid, whose research concerning nethicite is integral to the Empire's developments. He uses these facilities to create more and more powerful airships for the Archadian fleets, such as the Sky Fortress Bahamut. He also uses these facilities to create manufacted nethicite.
The Laboratories are actually a series of rooms on multiple floors. Each floor has a garrison of Judges on it, as well as several smaller labs manned by Imperial scientists. The top floor houses Cid's personal open air lab.
==Treasures==
In the original version, there is no treasure to be found in Archades.
In the Zodiac versions, a single chest has been added in Archades. It has a 5% spawn rate, and typically only holds junk Knots of Rust or small amounts of gil. However with the Diamond Armlet equipped, one can find the extremely rare item, Dark Energy.
===Grand Arcade===
Chest	Spawns	Holds Gil%	Gil 	Normal Treasure	Diamond Armlet Treasure	Diamond Armlet Treasure
1 	5% 	80% 	≤ 50 gil	Knot of Rust 	Common 	Rare
1 	5% 	80% 	≤ 50 gil	Knot of Rust 	Knot of Rust 	Dark Energy
==Quests==
===Information exchange===
To proceed in the storyline, the player needs to obtain a certain number of Pine Chops by interacting with citizens throughout Archades. Nine chops (three in The Zodiac Age) are required to ride a taxi to Tsenoble. If all 28 chops are collected, they can be traded in for a Sandalwood Chop on the second floor of any merchant shop by talking with the Chopmaster. The Sandalwood Chop grants entrance to Archades's Highgarden Terrace after the events in Draklor Laboratory.
Pine Chops are earned by matching appropriate tidbits of information between pairs of people in the various sections of Archades, with each pair being located in the same area. Chops can also be purchased individually from a Chopmaster for 20,000 gil each, who will offer to do so when spoken to a second time. This cannot be done after obtaining a Sandalwood Chop, though it is possible to continue earning Pine Chops from citizens afterward, even allowing a second Sandalwood Chop to be obtained, though additional chops of either kind serve no purpose.
Once the Tarot Reader and the Happy Novelist are matched in the Rienna area, the Tarot Reader will tell how many matches are left in each section of the city.
====Molberry====
1st Person 	Tale 	2nd Person
Reminiscing Lady	The Mummer 	Family-minded Girl
Daughter-in-Law 	A Trinket from Giza 	Man from Giza
Avid Traveler 	The Traveler 	Traveling Gentleman
Ardent Woman 	The Eight & Twenty Chops	Ardent Man
Talented Woman 	A Knack for Magick 	Akademician
Look-Alike 	The Master of Disguises 	Look-Alike
Proud Mother 	The Tutor 	Tutor
Poor Husband 	The Anniversary 	Poor Wife
Would-be Judge 	To Be a Judge 	Judge's Wife
====Trant====
1st Person 	Tale 	2nd Person
Smitten Man 	The Client's Daughter	Smitten Woman
Boutiquere 	The Boutique 	Moneyed Gentleman
Farce-Goer 	A Ticket to the Farce	Girl on an Errand
Historian 	A History of Empire 	Perceptive Man
Music Appreciator	The Lutenist 	Lutenist
Builder 	The Artisan Architect	Artisan Architect
====Nilbasse====
1st Person 	Tale 	2nd Person
Determined Researcher	Time to Leave 	Ex-Researcher
Senior Researcher 	Words of Encouragement 	Failed Researcher
Worried Husband 	Wages Halved 	Materialistic Woman
Aspiring Starlet 	The Path to Stardom 	Faded Star
Athletic Woman 	A Grand Line of Gamesmen	Avid Reader
Gentleman Onlooker 	Working Up a Sweat 	Eager Crier
====Rienna====
1st Person 	Tale 	2nd Person
Tarot Reader 	The Misfortune Teller 	Happy Novelist
Lazy Profiteer 	A Gambit for the Market	Researcher's Wife
Greenseller 	Out of Ears 	Vegetable Seller
Good Brother 	What She Wants 	Waiting Woman
Philosopher of Cuisine	A Revolutionary Dish 	Dangerous Chef
Tour Leader 	The Aerial Gardens 	Bhujerban Lady
Lucky Man 	An Epistle to Love 	Romantic Lady
===Hunts===
The Darksteel is a Rank IV Mark whose hunt becomes available upon reaching Archades. The Darksteel can be found in the Temptation Eluded area of the Sochen Cave Palace and all of the other enemies will be cleared out when the player enters it. It is petitioned by the Homesick Man in Archades's armor shop.
The Overlord is a Rank VI Mark whose hunt can be undertaken after the events in the Draklor Laboratory. The Overlord can be found in the Doubt Abandoned area of the Sochen Cave Palace. The Insecure Seeq assists the party in battle, but he falls in one shot from Overlord's Pyromania. The seeq is the petitioner, found in the technick shop in Archades.
===Hunt Club Owner===
The owner of the Hunt Club can be found on the Highgarden Terrace (can only be accessed with a Sandalwood Chop, see above). He will reward the player with zodiac gems for killing trophy monsters.
Trophies	Reward
5 	Aries Gem & Libra Gem
10 	Taurus Gem & Scorpio Gem
15 	Gemini Gem & Sagittarius Gem
20 	Cancer Gem & Capricorn Gem
25 	Leo Gem & Aquarius Gem
30 	Virgo Gem & Pisces Gem
===July the streetear===
If the player helped July in Nalbina Fortress earlier in the game, she will reward them with a Salamand Halcyon at Charlotte's Magickery.
===Nabudis medallion===
After talking to a nu mou in Nabreus Deadlands the player is asked to find some medallions and bring them to the deadlands. In Archades the player can find Roh'Kenmu within the Magick Shop, looking for a medallion. In the Old Archades the player can find the Proper Gent sitting on a side wall in the eastern side of the Alley of Muted Sighs. He is Otto and will give the Moonsilver Medallion, which the player must pass on to Roh'Kenmu at the Magick Shop.
===Great cockatrice escape sidequest===
A cockatrice called Agytha is in the Grand Arcade area in the Central area of Archades, looking for a husband. The player must have a Sandalwood Chop to access the area, by earning all the available chops and trading them in a shop. The player must speak to a male Cockatrice in the Alley of Low Whispers area in Old Archades, then tell Agytha where to look to get a Tumulus.
==Shops==
The items available for purchase change throughout the game. These items may not all be available at the same time.
===Vint's Armaments - Weapon Seller===
;Original
Name 	Cost
Platinum Sword 	9,000 gil
Power Rod 	4,500 gil
Hammerhead 	9,500 gil
Recurve Crossbow	9,500 gil
Traitor's Bow 	10,000 gil
Halberd 	10,000 gil
Aldebaran 	10,000 gil
Gokuu Pole 	9,000 gil
Kagenui 	10,000 gil
Kiku-ichimonji 	10,500 gil
Claymore 	10,500 gil
Chaos Mace 	8,800 gil
Bastard Sword 	11,000 gil
Cross Scale 	11,000 gil
Francisca 	11,500 gil
Platinum Dagger 	11,500 gil
Tumulus 	12,000 gil
Judicer's Staff 	5,700 gil
;Zodiac
Name 	Cost
Rune Blade 	12,100 gil
Yakei 	9,300 gil
Zephyr Pole 	11,850 gil
Burning Bow 	11,850 gil
Orichalcum Dirk 	11,700 gil
Doom Mace 	9,700 gil
Penetrator Crossbow	12,600 gil
Diamond Sword 	10,600 gil
Halberd 	11,200 gil
Aldebaran 	7,700 gil
Francisca 	9,500 gil
Empyrean Rod 	6,000 gil
Judicer's Staff 	5,300 gil
===Vint's Armaments - Armor Seller===
;Original
Name 	Cost
Diamond Helm 	7,000 gil
Diamond Armor 	7,000 gil
Platinum Shield	5,300 gil
Officer's Hat 	7,000 gil
Barrel Coat 	7,000 gil
Gaia Hat 	7,000 gil
Maduin Gear 	7,000 gil
Steel Mask 	8,100 gil
Mirror Mail 	8,100 gil
Dragon Shield 	6,000 gil
Chakra Band 	8,100 gil
Power Vest 	8,100 gil
Hypnocrown 	8,100 gil
Jade Gown 	8,100 gil
Platinum Helm 	9,300 gil
Crystal Shield 	7,200 gil
;Zodiac
Name 	Cost
Officer's Hat 	7,000 gil
Barrel Coat 	7,000 gil
Gaia Hat 	7,000 gil
Maduin Gear 	7,000 gil
Platinum Helm 	9,300 gil
Platinum Armor	9,300 gil
Adamant Hat 	5,900 gil
Adamant Vest 	5,900 gil
Astrakhan Hat 	5,900 gil
Carmagnole 	5,900 gil
Steel Mask 	8,100 gil
Mirror Mail 	7,500 gil
Crystal Shield	6,360 gil
===Charlotte's Magickery===
;Original
Name 	Cost
Aeroga 	6,800 gil
Reflectga	6,800 gil
Silencega	6,800 gil
Blindga 	6,800 gil
Graviga 	6,800 gil
;Zodiac
Name 	Cost
Thundaga	7,000 gil
Confuse 	1,400 gil
Firaga 	6,800 gil
Aeroga 	6,800 gil
Vanishga	3,800 gil
Bio 	4,000 gil
Curaga 	2,400 gil
Blizzara	3,300 gil
Berserk 	900 gil
Darkra 	3,500 gil
Esuna 	2,700 gil
Thundara	2,900 gil
Break 	1,000 gil
Stona 	800 gil
Fira 	2,700 gil
Bleed 	1,200 gil
Stop 	900 gil
Cura 	2,000 gil
Aero 	1,200 gil
Gravity 	2,300 gil
Raise 	1,800 gil
Aqua 	700 gil
Disable 	700 gil
Shell 	250 gil
Protect 	250 gil
Blizzard	240 gil
===Bulward's Technicks===
;Original
Name 	Cost
Infuse 	2,000 gil
Addle 	3,500 gil
Bonecrusher 	700 gil
Shades of Black	5,000 gil
Stamp 	4,500 gil
;Zodiac
Name 	Cost
Souleater	6,000 gil
Traveler 	4,800 gil
Poach 	5,000 gil
Horology 	2,000 gil
Charge 	1,500 gil
First Aid	600 gil
Libra 	400 gil
===Granch's Requisites===
;Original
Name 	Cost
Potion 	70 gil
Antidote 	50 gil
Eye Drops 	50 gil
Phoenix Down 	250 gil
Echo Herbs 	50 gil
Gold Needle 	100 gil
Alarm Clock 	50 gil
Handkerchief 	50 gil
Hi-Potion 	210 gil
Bacchus's Wine	120 gil
Smelling Salts	50 gil
Remedy 	400 gil
Chronos Tear 	50 gil
X-Potion 	630 gil
;Zodiac
Name 	Cost
X-Potion 	520 gil
Bacchus's Wine	120 gil
Remedy 	400 gil
Hi-Potion 	180 gil
Nu Khai Sand 	50 gil
Chronos Tear 	60 gil
Gold Needle 	80 gil
Prince's Kiss 	50 gil
Handkerchief 	50 gil
Phoenix Down 	200 gil
Echo Herbs 	50 gil
Antidote 	50 gil
Eye Drops 	50 gil
Potion 	60 gil
===Lebleu's Gambits===
{|class="half-width article-table FFXII" style="text-align:center"	
Name 	Cost
Ally: any 	50 gil
Ally: party leader 	50 gil
Ally: HP < 80% 	50 gil
Ally: HP < 70% 	50 gil
Ally: HP < 60% 	50 gil
Ally: HP < 50% 	50 gil
Ally: HP < 40% 	50 gil
Ally: HP < 30% 	50 gil
Ally: HP < 20% 	50 gil
Ally: MP < 80% 	50 gil
Ally: MP < 70% 	50 gil
Ally: MP < 60% 	50 gil
Ally: MP < 50% 	50 gil
Ally: MP < 40% 	50 gil
Ally: MP < 30% 	50 gil
Ally: MP < 20% 	50 gil
Ally: status = Sleep 	50 gil
Ally: status = Confuse 	50 gil
Ally: status = HP Critical 	50 gil
Foe: any 	50 gil
Foe: targeting leader 	100 gil
Foe: targeting self 	100 gil
Foe: targeting ally 	100 gil
Foe: HP = 100% 	50 gil
Foe: HP ≧ 70% 	50 gil
Foe: HP ≧ 50% 	50 gil
Foe: HP ≧ 30% 	50 gil
Foe: status = Sleep 	50 gil
Foe: status = Oil 	50 gil
Foe: status = Disable 	50 gil
Foe: status = Immobilize 	50 gil
Foe: status = Reflect 	50 gil
Foe: status = HP Critical 	50 gil
Foe: flying 	100 gil
Self 	50 gil
After obtaining Dawn Shard 	After obtaining Dawn Shard
Ally: HP < 100% 	50 gil
Ally: HP < 90% 	50 gil
Ally: HP < 10% 	50 gil
Ally: MP < 100% 	50 gil
Ally: MP < 90% 	50 gil
Ally: MP < 10% 	50 gil
Ally: status = Stop 	70 gil
Ally: status = Reverse 	50 gil
Ally: status = Slow 	50 gil
Ally: status = Lure 	50 gil
Ally: status = Berserk 	50 gil
Ally: item AMT ≧ 10 	100 gil
Foe: furthest 	50 gil
Foe: nearest 	50 gil
Foe: HP ≧ 1,000 	50 gil
Foe: HP ≧ 500 	50 gil
Foe: HP < 1,000 	50 gil
Foe: HP < 500 	50 gil
Foe: status = Blind 	50 gil
Foe: status = Silence 	50 gil
Foe: status = Reverse 	50 gil
Foe: undead 	100 gil
Foe: character HP = 100% 	100 gil
Foe: item AMT ≧ 10 	300 gil
After defeating Judge Bergan 	After defeating Judge Bergan
Ally: lowest HP 	50 gil
Ally: strongest weapon 	50 gil
Ally: lowest defense 	50 gil
Ally: lowest magick resist 	50 gil
Foe: highest HP 	50 gil
Foe: lowest HP 	50 gil
Foe: highest max HP 	50 gil
Foe: lowest max HP 	50 gil
Foe: highest MP 	50 gil
Foe: lowest MP 	50 gil
Foe: highest max MP 	50 gil
Foe: lowest max MP 	50 gil
Foe: highest level 	50 gil
Foe: lowest level 	50 gil
Foe: highest strength 	50 gil
Foe: lowest strength 	50 gil
Foe: highest magick power 	50 gil
Foe: lowest magick power 	50 gil
Foe: highest speed 	50 gil
Foe: lowest speed 	50 gil
Foe: highest defense 	50 gil
Foe: highest magick resist 	50 gil
Foe: HP ≧ 3,000 	50 gil
Foe: HP ≧ 2,000 	50 gil
Foe: HP < 3,000 	50 gil
Foe: HP < 2,000 	50 gil
Foe: status = Protect 	50 gil
Foe: status = Shell 	50 gil
Foe: status = Haste 	50 gil
Foe: status = Bravery 	50 gil
Foe: status = Faith 	50 gil
Foe: character status = Blind 	100 gil
Foe: character status = Silence 	100 gil
Foe: character status = HP Critical	100 gil
Foe: character MP ≧ 90% 	100 gil
Foe: character MP ≧ 70% 	100 gil
Foe: character MP ≧ 50% 	100 gil
Foe: character MP ≧ 30% 	100 gil
Foe: character MP ≧ 10% 	100 gil
Foe: character MP < 90% 	100 gil
Foe: character MP < 70% 	100 gil
Foe: character MP < 50% 	100 gil
Foe: character MP < 30% 	100 gil
Foe: character MP < 10% 	100 gil
Foe: character HP ≧ 90% 	100 gil
Foe: character HP ≧ 70% 	100 gil
Foe: character HP ≧ 50% 	100 gil
==Map==
The map can be bought in the Technick shop in Molberry for 230 gil.
==Musical themes==
"The Archadian Empire" plays as the background music to the Imperial City of Archades. A piano arrangement of the theme is included on the Piano Collections: Final Fantasy XII album.
==Other appearances==
===Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call===
The Imperial City of Archades appears as the FMS for several Final Fantasy XII themes:
*"The Royal City of Rabanastre"/"Town Ward Upper Stratum" (from Final Fantasy XII)
*"Theme of the Empire" (from Final Fantasy XII)
===Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade===
==Behind the scenes==
According to Isamu Kamikokuryo, the Imperial City of Archades is inspired by the Dream Zanarkand in Final Fantasy X.Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster Collector's Edition Artbook page 16.
If the player arrives in Archades via the Gate Crystal, they can talk to the 'Prideful Boy' nearby, who complains about people using teleports.
Archades artwork2.jpg|Concept art.
Archades artwork3.jpg|Concept art.
Archades-Artwork-FFXII.jpg|Concept art.
Archadian noble.jpg|Local nobility concept artwork.
==Gallery==
FFXIITZA Artwork.png|Promotional artwork for The Zodiac Age.
Archades-Skyline-FFXII-TZA.png
Archades-FFXII-TZA.png
Archades in FFXII The Zodiac Age.png
Archades-Aircab-FFXII-TZA.jpg
Tsenoble.jpg|Tsenoble area.
Archades.png
Archades2.png
Archades-air-cab-station.jpg|Air cab station.
Gabranth-arrives-to-imperial-palace-FFXII-TZA.png|Gabranth arrives to the imperial palace.
Emperors-Office-FFXII-TZA.png|The Emperor's office.
==Citations==
Category:Locations in Final Fantasy XII
Archades
de:Archadis