Ivalice (Tactics Advance)

Ivalice is a world created when four ordinary children, Marche Radiuju, a new student and resident of St. Ivalice and its school; Mewt Randell, a shy timid boy with an emotional past and an incredible and powerful imagination; Ritz Malheur, a friendly and whimsical classmate of Marche and Mewt; and Doned Radiuju, Marche's younger, handicapped brother and a big fan of fantasy novels and video games, come across a dusty, old, and rather large book which Mewt purchases at his local used bookstore. Unaware that the book is the legendary Gran Grimoire, Mewt brings the book over to Marche's house along with Ritz, and the four school children begin to observe the odd book. Its pages are torn, fainted in ink and incredibly damaged. Yet what can be seen are pictures of various creatures, writing in a language none of them have ever seen before, and a single inscription, most likely later written by a previous owner, written in a language similar to Latin reading: "Alta oron, Sondus kameela". As the children go to sleep, the next morning they wake up in the world of Ivalice (though in the Radio Edition it is somewhat different, as a few moments after Mewt reads the Latin-like inscription out loud the magical book transforms the world right in front of their faces).

The children are separated in Ivalice and soon find each other with Marche's stubborn determination to change the world 'back to normal'. But throughout the story, it is slowly realized that the world of Ivalice is a reflection of each of the children's, as well as Mewt's father, Cid, whom is also present, dreams and imaginations, for the world is now shaped according to their wishes--Mewt is no longer being teased, his deceased mother is alive (or so it seems) and he is now the Prince of Ivalice, Ritz no longer has her white albinic hair, instead having the silky red hair which she always wanted, Doned now experiences the miracle of being able to walk and move his legs, and all the children's love of Final Fantasy now allows them to live in a world just like their favorite games.

Ivalice is governed by a group of judges who enforce a set of forever changing, seemingly arbitrary "laws" that dictate what may and may not be done in battle. Although they are the object of intense enmity, the citizens of Ivalice nonetheless obey the judges out of fear of persecution or imprisonment. There are rumors, however, of a growing underground resistance movement which is reportedly spearheading a rebellion. Above the judges, the country is ruled by Queen Remedi, and her son, Prince Mewt.

Though, at the end of the story, which deals very deeply with escapism and accepting reality and loving it for what it is, the four children and Mewt's father return to the 'real world'. Each of the children, however, are deeply worried about what will become of Ivalice, but it is later stated that as long as the peoples and creatures of Ivalice wish to remain in their beloved world, it will never cease to exist.

Other than monsters, five races make Ivalice their home -- Moogles, Humans, Bangaa, Viera, and Nu Mou.

Locations
The geography of Ivalice revolves around plains, mountains, deserts, forests, and swamps, and also introduces areas called jagds; lawless slums where no Judges dare to tread. Jagd is a German word which means 'the hunt'. Jagds are the only places in the game in which a character can die; everywhere else, they are protected from death by the judges and are simply knocked out.

The placement of location symbols on the world map after each story-related mission and certain other missions is controlled completely by the player, and there are potentially thousands of world map configurations varying by player. The "Treasure Hunting" system is deeply linked to location placement, and can sometimes result in items that cannot be found any other way. (Note: Four locations in the game always have default placement -- Giza Plains, Cyril, Bervenia Palace, and Ambervale.)


 * Bervenia Palace - Capital of Ivalice. The palace lies at its center.
 * Cyril - Busy town. The monster bank is on its outskirts.
 * Sprohm - Bangaa mountain town. Home to the prison.
 * Muscadet - Mainly Viera town hidden deep in the woods.
 * Cadoan - Nu Mou town. The seat of knowledge and alchemy.
 * Baguba Port - Moogle town with a large mercantile airship port.
 * Nubswood - Deep, dark forest. Popular hideout for thieves.
 * Giza Plains - Rolling grassy plains. Muscmaloi grows here.
 * Kudik Peaks - Towering peaks. Home to an endangered tiger.
 * Uladon Bog - Deep and dangerous bog dotted with islands.
 * Jeraw Sands - Hot sands blow in this largest desert in Ivalice.
 * Lutia Pass - Much-traveled pass, with the occasional roadshop.
 * Koringwood - Refreshing wood filled with ambient pure magic.
 * Ulei River - Largest river in Ivalice. Winds through swampland.
 * Aisenfield - Plains where the thirteen knights of legend fought.
 * Roda Volcano - Volcano asleep for 300 years. Recently active.
 * Eluut Sands - Dangerous desert; home of many fiends and treasures.
 * Nargai Cave - A cool wind blows from inside this cave. An ancient city is said to sleep in its depths.
 * Salikawood - The chirping of birds can always be heard here. An abandoned keep stands in the middle of the woods.
 * Delia Dunes - Desert area famous for its barking sands. Said to be formed from a celestial beast's bones.
 * Gotor Sands - Desert famous for its mirages and red chocobos.
 * Ozmonfield - Gently rolling plains with occasional insect plagues.
 * Deti Plains - Flatlands of yellow sand and red earth. Amber can often be found here among the rocks.
 * Siena Gorge - Deep valley. A source of amber, like Deti Plains.
 * Materiwood - Lush green forest famous for its materite ore.
 * Tubola Cave - These caves were once mined for their mythril.
 * Jagd Dorsa - Lawless jagd. A deserted town.
 * Jagd Helje - Lawless jagd where ghostly voices are heard.
 * Jagd Ahli - Lawless jagd destroyed by its own wild magic.
 * Ambervale - Beautiful valley where the rocks glow amber. The kings of Ivalice had a summer palace here.