Shumi Village



Shumi Village is an optional location in Final Fantasy VIII. As the name suggests, the village's primary inhabitants are Shumi. The village is located 323 meters underground on the Winter Island in the cold northern reaches of the world map, but is characterized by a warm, comfortable climate. The village can be explored after the player gains access to the mobile Balamb Garden.

The village is headed by an Elder, who is taller and thinner than regular Shumi. At a certain point in their lives, Shumi evolve into a new form - a form most reflecting their personality. Due to their holding Moombas in high regard, most Shumi wish to become one when their time comes. Those who demonstrate certain traits toward the Shumi community may become an Elder.

The village has little contact with the outside world, but the Shumi Tribe are not hostile towards other races, although visitors are rare; the Artisan Shumi is friends with the Grease Monkey from Fishermans Horizon whom he made a Moomba doll as an act of friendship, and the Master Fisherman is, in fact, an Honorary Shumi and visits the village from time to time.

There are only four explorable buildings in Shumi Village: the Artisan's house, the Elder's house, a hotel, and a workshop. The hotel is home to a particularly small Shumi hiding behind the counter.

The area before the party take the lift down to the village itself has an Ultima draw point which can be accessed for a fee of 5,000 gil.

Balamb Garden's proprietor, Master NORG, is a Shumi who originates from the village, but is considered a black sheep among his tribe for his eccentric behavior and his willingness to show off his large hands.

Story
Around 18 years before the main events of Final Fantasy VIII Laguna Loire departed on his quest to save Ellone from Esthar. Esthar was a hostile nation at the time that had closed its borders, and making his way there proved difficult.

During his attempt to cross the Vienne Mountains to Esthar region, Laguna traveled north, but was injured and found by Moombas and brought to Shumi Village to recover. During his stay there Laguna befriended the Shumi and, feeling bad for the Moomba for their lack of speech, tried to teach them how to talk. Despite his efforts the Moombas only ever learned one word: Laguna.

At some point in time Shumi Village developed a connection with Fishermans Horizon, and especially with Master Fisherman who became an honorary Shumi for developing the hologram system used in the village lift.

Squall and his team happen upon Shumi Village and are let in. In the village workshop they find a statue of Laguna, whom the party is familiar with due to mysterious dreams they keep having. Squall and his friends help the villagers find materials for the statue, but later find out the Shumi didn't really need their help, and only wished to offer them a moment of respite.

When visiting Fishermans Horizon, Squall finds a Moomba doll in Grease Monkey's house that reacts to his presence. Grease Monkey gives him the doll, and Squall passes it along to the Artisan of Shumi Village who becomes motivated to work on the statue. The Elder is pleased with Squall's party's help, and later the party can visit the village and find the statue completed.

Location
The Shumi Village is situated within the mountainous region of Trabia continent's Winter Isle.

Layout
The village outer dome is the village's "above ground" area from which people must access the village elevator to arrive in the village proper deeper underground. The outer dome is a huge dome-like structure built to withstand the harsh cold of the Trabia continent. An Ultima draw point can be used here for 5,000 gil.
 * Village Outer Dome:
 * Draw points: Ultima

The village elevator provides the main means of accessing the village proper. Due to the considerable time it takes for the elevator to arrive at the destination seats are provided as well as a viewing window which reveals the view of the outside. There is also a holographic representation of a Shumi that will address the patrons during the trip.
 * Village Elevator:

323 meters underground the village proper is in stark contrast to the land of Trabia itself. Lit by glowing rocks from atop the cavern the village is bathed with green vegetation and wondrous minerals of all shapes and sizes. Both Shumi and Moombas reside here.
 * Shumi Village:
 * Draw points: Blizzaga (outside Elder's house)

The home and visiting quarters for the leader of the Shumi village, all visitors are directed to visit him here if a meeting is scheduled.
 * Elder's Hut:

The artisan is a Shumi renowned for his gift in crafts. Indeed the walls of his hut are is filled with models of many vehicles seen around the world.
 * Artisan's Hut:
 * Items: Timber Maniacs magazine

The main workshop of the Shumi Village is where an artist is currently working on a sculpture of Laguna Loire.
 * Village Workshop:
 * Draw points: Firaga

The first shelter from the elevator, the Shumi Hotel is a quaint, cozy place with a special Music Player capable of playing numerous soundtracks heard in other locations of the world. The hotel plays the melody of "Eyes on Me" upon first entering, perhaps a subtle indicator of Laguna having once stayed there.
 * Shumi Hotel:

People Associated With Shumi Village

 * Artisan, a Shumi with dreams of the outside world.
 * Sculptor, the local village sculptor.
 * Specialist, a Shumi who gives the player hints about the various stones.
 * Village Elder, the village elder.
 * Attendant, attendant to the village elder.
 * NORG, a black sheep of the tribe and Garden Master of Balamb Garden.
 * Laguna Loire, a stranger from abroad who treated the Shumi kindly.
 * Master Fisherman, Honorary Shumi who built the hologram in the elevator.
 * Grease Monkey, the Artisan's friend who owns a Moomba doll.

Finding the Stones
When the party first visits the village they can examine the statue at the workshop and talk to the Sculptor. After that the player should leave and talk to the Elder. There is a Moomba outside. After talking to the Elder, the party should return to the Sculptor and agree to help him finish the statue by bringing him five stones around the village.


 * The Blue Stone: The large blue rock behind the statue.
 * The Wind Stone: The pile of rocks next to the hotel.
 * The Life Stone: Up the tree roots to the right of the Elder's house.
 * The Shadow Stone: The shadow behind a pillar in the screen opposite the Ultima draw point.
 * The Water Stone: The Artisan's sink. The party can find a stone from the pond, but it is not the correct one.

After getting all five stones the Elder will give the party a Phoenix Pinion. Completing the stone collecting quest will earn 50 SeeD Exp toward the player's SeeD rank.

Convincing the Attendant
After getting the Phoenix Pinion the party can find out by talking to the villagers that the Elder's Attendant doesn't want to help with the statue, and isn't keen on becoming the next village Elder, which greatly saddens the current Elder. After talking to the Shumi the party can return to FH and talk to the Grease Monkey to get a Moomba doll to give to the Artisan. Afterwards the party should speak to the Elder to get the Status Guard.

Secret Laguna Flashback
The last event in Shumi Village yields no item rewards, but the player can witness an extra scene of the time Laguna spent in the village. The party must return to Shumi Village in disc 3 after Laguna's statue has been completed and enter the workshop and the scene will play automatically. If the player completed the Master Fisherman side quest earlier, he will also make an appearance. This flashback will only occur if the player completes the side quest before the end of Disk 2.

Triple Triad
The Shumi play with Trabia rules, where Random and Plus are the starting rules. There are no rare cards to be won in the village, although the Elder has level 7 boss cards, which are uncommon.

Music
"Find Your Way" plays in the Outer Dome, "Julia" (a rendition of "Eyes on Me)" plays inside the Shumi Hotel and "Breezy" plays inside the workshop housing the statue of Laguna. No soundtrack is played in the actual village, unless the player fully completes both sidequests involving the statue and all sequences involving the Master Fisherman. At that point, he will set the soundtrack to the tune the player chose for the Garden Festival at Fishermans Horizon. The theme for the workshop will be set to "Fragments of Memories".

Trivia

 * In the Shumi Village, Squall refers to the Elder showing the party the palms of his hands as "They're kind gesture".

Villaggio Shumi