HCBailly plays Final Fantasy II - Part 35 of 44

In this entry, we get Ultima...which is actually useless outside of the main storyline. Uh, oh.

All maps by Paco, except for the overworld map by Rick Bruns.

World Map

Mysidia Tower

Map

The Imps can cast Charm 16 on your entire party, but at this point, some of your characters will be equipped with some piece of armor that protects against ailments like Charm and Confuse.

The Eggtimer casts Stop on your enemies during battle.

The chest with the Black Robe (BlkRobe) contains a Dragon. As hard as it is, if you can cast Toad or Mini on it successfully, it's over. The BlkRobe increases the wearer's Intelligence by 10 when equipped.

Enter the second door near the Black Robe.

When you reach the top floor, you'll see Minh. He'll focus all of his power on the door to open it, but he'll knock himself for a loop as a result. The next room contains five lights. The outer lights increase Soul, Strength, Intelligence and Agility for a random member of your party, while the center light is Ultima. Unlike future versions of Final Fantasy II, Ultima is useless here as it involves leveling up a zillion spells that you'll never use just to power Ultima up.

Castle Phin

Map

Once you get Ultima, head out and go to Altea. You'll find out it's been destroyed, as are other nearby towns. Head to Castle Phin (which is alright) and you'll see a tornado outside of the city. Head to the town and ask around, and you'll find out that the Empire created a Whirlwind that you won't be able to do anything about quite yet (and you definitely can't enter it, because it'll tear you apart).

Head to the throne room. You'll find out that Layla's alive. Talk to Hilda and you'll be able to Learn the Whirlwind term. Ask her about it, and you'll find out the Emperor is behind it...literally. He's literally inside the Whirlwind. Ask Hilda about the Hiryuu, and you'll learn that Phin has used the light of the Pendant to summon the Dragoons and the Hiryuu.

Ask Gordon about the Whirlwind, and you'll find out that the only way to enter it is to fly.