HCBailly plays Final Fantasy IV (Super Famicom) - Part 1 of 70

Time for a prologue for something that has been a long time coming.

This version is the Japanese version with an English translation by J2e Translations for the 10th anniversary for the game. The original version is a lot harder and has a lot of differences between it and the Western version, which had easier enemies, a heavily censored and less well-translated script, removed certain spells and abilities, and required more level grinding to learn what spells there were.

The translation here corrects everything from the North American version, and has a more literal translation with better plot and character development compared to said version.

Baron Castle

Baron Castle map (by FlyingArmor)

Detailed Baron Castle Map (by KeyBlade999)

The story begins with five airships flying across the world. In one of them, a captain is in command. The fleet of ships is about to arrive at Baron. The captain, whose name is Cecil, looks back at the mission that he and his soldiers have just accomplished: taking a magical crystal from innocent people and even killing some of them in the process. He is not the only to have remorse for his actions, as one of the soldiers also shows guilt for what has happened. He says that the Red Wings earned their position through valor and bravery, and that looting innocent people is an act of cowardice. Cecil says that is enough, but the soldier asks why they are going as far as pillaging a town of magicians who do not even resist. Cecil says they are doing their duty to the King of Baron, who says that possessing the Crystal is absolutely necessary and that the town of Mysidia knew too much about the secrets of the crystal, making them a threat to Baron's sovereignty. He also says that the King's orders are absolute.

All of a sudden, monsters attack the ship, and the ship goes into battle stations. Cecil makes quick work of the monsters that he fights, Thankfully, everyone survives, and one of the soldiers mentions that the monsters are becoming more numerous and more aggressive.

The fleet finally lands in Baron. Cecil is welcomed by Beigan, the Captain of the Guards. Cecil tells Beigan that the Mysidians did not resist at all as the Red Wings took their crystal. Beigan escorts Cecil to the King of Baron's throne room. Before they enter, Beigan heads in first and tells the king that Cecil has developed a distrust towards the throne. King Baron thanks Beigan for giving him a heads-up on this, then asks him to bring in Cecil as the crystal is all matters. Beigan gives Cecil permission to enter the throne room, then the King asks for the crystal. Cecil hands the Water Crystal off to the king, then Beigan notices that the crystal is genuine. King Baron talks about how the Water Crystal glimmers like light shining on the depths of the sea. He gives Cecil permission to leave, but Cecil asks the king why he needs the crystals and why the Mysidians did not resist even though they were becoming a threat. He then says that the Red Wings do not understand why innocent bystanders had to die and that some have even wondered if his actions are altogether honorable. This enrages the king to the point that he strips him of command of the Red Wings, even though he took him in and raised him like a son. The king then orders him to eliminate the Phantom Beasts that haunt the upper valley after his attendants keep Cecil from getting too close. Kain (whose name is spelled as "Cain" in the translation) shows up and defends Cecil, but the king tells Kain to go to the upper valleys with him if he is so worried about Cecil. The King then hands Cecil a Bomb Ring, then the attendants push Cecil and Kain out of the throne room.

Outside the throne room, Cecil apologizes to Kain for getting him mixed up in everything, and Kain is hopeful that if Cecil defeats the Phantom Beasts, the King will surely forgive him and reinstate him as Commander of the Red Wings. He then tells Cecil to rest while he takes care of all the preparations.