Montblanc

Montblanc is a recurring character in the Ivalice series of games. He is a hard-working moogle, and in all his appearances leads a clan. He debuts in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance where he is a playable character and the game's deuteragonist. He finds Marche Radiuju after St. Ivalice transforms into the land of Ivalice, and later decides to help him revert the land to normal.

In Final Fantasy XII, Montblanc is the leader of Clan Centurio and gives Vaan various Hunts. He is the oldest of six, his siblings being Nono, Hurdy, Gurdy, Horne, and Sorbet.

Appearance
Montblanc has blond hair slicked to the back. Montblanc was the first moogle to have hair on his head instead of fur, with a different color. This was followed by Hurdy, Gurdy, Sorbet, and Zupp. His pom-pom and wings are orange while his fur is brown. In Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, he is the only moogle with a different pom-pom color (all others were red). This also happens at Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, which he does not have a blue or red pom-pom.

In all his game appearances he has dark brown tips on his ears (although in some artwork Montblanc does not have them) in contrast with most other moogles. In some art his eyes are gray, with a few exceptions, including his Final Fantasy XII artwork that has brown eyes, and his Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift artwork with lavender gray eyes.

Montblanc wears a wide standing turtle neck and a green jacket with a yellow lining. His sleeves have lace cuffs, probably cut-work. He wears auburn harem pants and a brown belt with a belt pack. This is first visible in Final Fantasy XII. Montblanc also wears brown fingerless gloves and shoes, which have toe caps and yellow tongues.

Montblanc's pendant in his Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift artwork is the Gigas Pendant, which is similar to Marche's pendant in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.

Personality
Montblanc is kind and wants to help those in trouble. In the Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Radio Edition, Montblanc is frequently loud and is easily angered, especially with his little brother Nono. He is reliable, shown when Montblanc is trusted to help Marche revert Ivalice to normal. He often speaks in metaphors and idioms. Seeing that he always leads a clan, it can be presume Montblanc is a natural born leader with people trusting his judgment.

In Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift however other sides to his personality can be seen. In the mission Champion's Cup if he participates on the battle, he will exchange words with Bansat. If Montblanc remains alive at the end of the battle he utters some rather mocking and arrogant comments towards Bansat stating that he only reached so far because the members of Clan Centurio and its management have been mostly his own work, despite the fact he trusted the command of everything to Bansat during his absence.

During the dialogue shared it can be seen that Montblanc neither told anybody in Clan Centurio of his traveling plans in Jylland, nor bothered to even write a letter showcasing a rather irresponsible side of himself.

Final Fantasy XII


Montblanc manages a clan in Rabanastre, which Vaan can join. Called Clan Centurio, it is devoted to hunting Marks of extreme difficulty. By joining Clan Centurio Vaan's party gains access to the clan shop and Elite Marks not found on regular hunt boards. In the clan's headquarters, Montblanc stands atop the stairs on the banister with the clan's founding members and trusted friends, Krjn and Ma'kenroh, behind him.

Montblanc gives bills of Elite Marks but if he is not the petitioner, the party must solicit the petitioner to accept the hunt. He gives out various rewards when the party defeats bosses and advances in the clan ranks. If the party reaches the highest rank and completes the Sky Pirate's Den, Montblanc will reward them with Centurio Hero's Badge.

Montblanc reveals his founding of the clan is due to his master, who taught him and his five siblings the ways of world and they all looked up to him. After Yiazmat took away the man and killed him, Montblanc started Clan Centurio to find the strongest warrior in Ivalice to fight Yiazmat and avenge his master.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Montblanc is Marche Radiuju's most prominent ally. Prior to Marche's arrival he leads the clan which eventually becomes Clan Nutsy. When Marche is teleported to the dream Ivalice by the Gran Grimoire, he incites the wrath of two pugnacious bangaa. Montblanc arrives in time to guide Marche through the systems of laws and engagements and helps him win the battle. After the introduction of the clan, he becomes joins Marche on his quest.

Montblanc introduces Marche the elements of Ivalice and encourages and advises him. Montblanc seems to have expected Marche's appearance, explaining to the bangaa that Marche had "just come in from the country." The moogle is surprised to learn of Marche's story and his ignorance of the races of Ivalice, but invites the foreigner into Clan Nutsy anyway, saying their meeting was "no accident." Whether Montblanc decided to help Marche because he knew of his arrival in Ivalice, or because he simply wanted to help a stranger in need, is left ambiguous.

After the mission at Giza Plains, it is revealed that picking up Muscmaloi was Montblanc's childhood chore. After the mission "Desert Peril" Montblanc tells Marche he believes in the "crystal theory" that posits the magical crystals were made by the palace. The theory is confirmed to be true when Marche enters a portal to a crystal room, guarded by Famfrit.

Before Mewt Randell reads the Grimoire to turn Ivalice back into St. Ivalice, Montblanc promises to convey Marche's farewells and his thanks to everyone. Marche says he would never have come as far as he did without Montblanc and hugs him.

Moogle Bride is a mission for Montblanc whose petitioner is Mogumi, a townsgirl who invites him to Materiwood to explain her feelings. When Clan Nutsy arrives it turns out to be a trick created by Reaker, a Mog Knight from Clan Rose.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Radio Edition
Montblanc meets Marche in Cyril together with Nono. At their first battle in Ivalice, Montblanc receives a Yellow Card from a Judge because he casts Fire on one of the bangaa, which breaks the law forbidding magic.

Montblanc seems have learned some Time Magic, since during Marche's battle against Remedi, he casts Reflect. After the event that happened to the St. Ivalice citizens when Ivalice had reverted to normal, Montblanc utters a soliloquy on how he would like to meet Marche again in a dream.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift


While Luso Clemens is waiting for Hurdy, he bumps into a pair of bangaa, specifically a White Monk and a Warrior. The bangaa accuse Luso of stealing a magick medallion from one of them and after a brief exchange, Montblanc arrives and points out the bangaa White Monk merely dropped his medallion and the situation is diffused. After Montblanc leaves, Hurdy arrives late and hears a summary of the encounter from Luso, saying the moogle reminds him of his brother who would never stand by and watch a bully.

At the Boulderfall, located in Baptiste Hill, Montblanc seeks rare items, but upon seeing Luso already has all of them, decides to give up on his treasure hunt. He later explains to Luso and Hurdy he used to have a replica of the Gigas Pendant (similar to Marche's pendant at Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, which could only been seen in his artwork) a long time ago. It was his favorite accessory until it was lost. Montblanc decides to go on a search to replace his replica with the real thing.

After Montblanc explains his reason to go to Jylland, Hurdy asks him if he wants return to his clan, but Montblanc refuses and decides to "linger for a while." Luso invites Montblanc to join his clan, which he accepts. When Hurdy asks if it is all right for Montblanc to leave Clan Centurio unattended, Montblanc claims Bansat will take care of things.

At the Champion's Cup the clan battles against Montblanc's former clan: Clan Centurio, now lead by Bansat the seeq Viking. Bansat is surprised Montblanc has joined another clan, but Montblanc tells Bansat it's his chance to show the results of his leadership. If Montblanc is alive at the end of the battle, he remarks that while Bansat may not be as good leader as him, that he nonetheless performs well. Montblanc further adds that the members of Clan Centurio were handpicked by himself and that he will remain with Clan Gully for a while. During this time it is revealed Montblanc did not tell anybody in Clan Centurio of his plans to travel to Jylland nor even wrote a letter to them.

Cois, Maiden of the Wood, petitions the clan for a mission, but when Clan Gully arrives at Ruins of Delgantua, it appears Cois is not real and it was actually a viera named Fras, the person Montblanc had defeated at a clan tourney. She had claimed her clan had drugged the other contestants with an elixir, but Montblanc's clan had arrived unannounced and claimed the victor's mantle. Because of this, she wanted to "crush" Clan Centurio for vengeance.

Voice
In the Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Radio Edition, Montblanc is voiced by Kumiko Yokote. Montblanc is the second fully voiced moogle, the first one being Moogle Kupo from Final Fantasy: Unlimited.

Final Fantasy XII
Montblanc is the head of Clan Centurio the player can join after felling the Rogue Tomato. Montblanc will notify the player of Elite Marks and reward the party for felling boss monsters.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
As a storyline character, Montblanc may not be dispatched on missions. Montblanc can be removed permanently from the game by letting him die in a Jagd, despite Montblanc's presence in the story. A short scene will occur with Marche saying goodbye to his friend. There are two different scenes: at the usual scene, Montblanc will say he is sorry to leave, but that he had a good life. At "Jagd Hunt," Marche will call Montblanc to go to Baguba Port, but Montblanc is silent. Both of the scenes have Marche calling his name twice, Montblanc disappearing and Marche unable to face him.

In the first mission "Lizard Men!?," Montblanc is a Black Mage, and afterward can change job into a Thief or an Animist. He equips a Rod and a Hempen Robe.

Stats
Below are his stats during the mission "Lizard Men!?" During the battle, if Montblanc has been hit or KO'd, he will regain full HP whenever he talks to Marche.

After the first mission has been completed, Montblanc's stats will slightly change.

(The stats that are changed are in bold text. Decreased stats are in red )

Below is Montblanc's stat growth. They vary depending on the jobs the player chooses for him, as every job has a different stat growth.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Montblanc returns as a playable character. His first official appearance is in the encounter "I'm Back, Kupo!" at the capital of Fluorgis.

To recruit Montblanc, the player must obtain the Gigas Pendant, Earrings of the Dead, and the Pin of Order, and must have completed the game. The quest "Wanted: Friends, Kupo!" will appear at a pub, which the location is at the Boulderfall, located in Baptiste Hill. Montblanc was seeking these rare items, but upon seeing Luso already has all of them he decides to give up on his treasure hunt.

Montblanc joins the clan as a Black Mage, equipped with a Chill Rod and Magick Robe, and the spells Fire, Fira, Firaga, Thunder, Thundara, and Thundaga already mastered. Like in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Montblanc has high magick attack and resistance.

Montblanc can gain access to all jobs if following the criteria, except for the Chocobo Knight Job. This is the same case with Hurdy because of their unique sprites. Montblanc cannot be a Chocobo Knight because he cannot ride a chocobo, as it is explained in the sidestory.

The soliloquy performed by Montblanc when he is KO'd is "Kupo-po. Ah, old friend. Is that you...?" This could be taken to be a reference to Marche, implying that Montblanc has some memory of the events of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance despite the Final Fantasy Tactics Advance version of Ivalice not taking place in the "real" Ivalice. Alternatively, it could refer to his master who was killed by Yiazmat. In the Japanese version he says that he sees a visual blur and utters "Ma...", close to Marche's name.

Stats
Below are his stats once recruited from mission "Wanted: Friends, Kupo!" His stats vary, but below are the range of his stats.

If the average clan level is higher than 45, Montblanc's level will change according to it.

Musical themes
In Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Montblanc's main theme is "Teach Me, Mont Blanc." In Final Fantasy XII, "Clan Headquarters" plays along with Montblanc's appearances.

Mobius Final Fantasy
Montblanc makes an appearance in Mobius Final Fantasy as a sticker made available during the Final Fantasy XII collaboration event. He retains his appearance from Final Fantasy XII.

Final Fantasy Trading Card Game
Montblanc has fire-elemental cards.

Triple Triad (Portal App)
Montblanc from Final Fantasy XII has a Triple Triad card.

Games
Montblanc could be obtained in the Square Enix Members Virtual World community, bringing the name of Final Fantasy XII.

Etymology
This may refer to him leading Clan Nutsy in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, his appearance (orange pom-pom, blond hair, and tan fur) and the nuts hanging from his staff in his artwork for Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift.

Trivia

 * Montblanc's sprite is unlocked in Sky Pirate's Den by building a Chain of over 50. The title for this sprite is "The Unrelenting."
 * On the Final Fantasy XII pins merchandise, Montblanc is featured on a bonus card.
 * Montblanc is one of the few moogles ever seen using their wings; Montblanc uses his wings at mission "Wanted: Friends, Kupo!" in Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift.
 * In Montblanc's artwork in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, he carries a book, despite that there are no books that could be equipped. Also, in Montblanc's artwork in Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, he carries a staff, despite moogles being unable to equip staves, except for the Chocobo Knight job, a job that Montblanc cannot access.
 * There is a fragment entry in Final Fantasy XIII-2 called Teatime Mont Blanc that chronicles Mog's meeting with Odin.
 * In Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift, Montblanc can be seen on two occassions before he is officially met in the story. First talking to the Bartender when Luso introduces himself to the clan for the first time, and second when Luso and Cid are in the bar talking about Luso's Journal.
 * In Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Montblanc does not appear in cutscenes when the player continues the game after the main story has ended.
 * The scene in which Montblanc first appears in Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift is humorously similar to the one where he first appeared in the original Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
 * Montblanc appears as a golden statue at the southeast corner of Luso's journal (along with his siblings) after completing 50 missions in Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift. His pose at the statue is like his pose at his Final Fantasy Tactics Advance artwork, which is holding a book with his right hand.
 * The Scions Montblanc needs in the quest for the Gigas Pendant in Final Fantasy Tactics A2 appear in artworks of the three Final Fantasy Tactics Advance protagonists Marche, Ritz, and Mewt.
 * Montblanc never interacts with Vaan and Penelo in any cutscenes in Final Fantasy Tactics A2, even if they are prominent members of Clan Centurio in Final Fantasy XII. While joining Clan Centurio in Final Fantasy XII is optional, Final Fantasy Tactics A2 seems to take it as a given that Vaan and Penelo joined it.
 * Montblanc has some minor appearances as an NPC at pubs. He is never mentioned by anyone each time this easter egg occurs:
 * 1) Right after the first mission.
 * 2) After the second mission.
 * 3) After completing mission "Wanted: Ugohr."
 * 4) When Adelle and Illua first met.
 * 5) After completing mission "Seeking the Stone."
 * These appearances might explain why Montblanc said that he "was with Luso all the time" at the "I'm Back, Kupo!" encounter; however, it may simply have been to keep Luso out of trouble, much like how Montblanc claimed Marche was with him to avoid him getting beaten up by the bangaa he'd called lizards by accident.


 * In the Final Fantasy Tactics A2 side story, Chapter 4: Hurdy Heads for the Hills, Montblanc is mentioned as one who gives encouragement to his younger brother Hurdy to travel the world. He also asks Hurdy to bring back the rare and expensive vintage wine called Prudence, one of the wines found in Leá Monde in Vagrant Story. Hurdy thinks Montblanc is being ridiculous, since he does not drink wine.

Montblanc