A Secret History of the Lion War

Any good platform RPG features a number of easter eggs, side quests, and the like. Squaresoft, in particular, seems to be adept at making these hidden events compelling and beneficial to development of the story. There are a number of secret characters in Final Fantasy Tactics who can be compelled to join your party, and each of them have particular talents that are not shared by any other playable character. You can get information on each of these characters by visiting the Characters section of this guide.

In addition to these characters, there are also a number of hidden battles which present opportunities either to gather the hidden characters into the fold, or to collect special items, or both.

Note that this is one of the most heavily spoiler-laden sections of the guide, so if you don't want to know... now's the time to leave.

These quests have to be done in order, because you frequently receive an item or piece of information along the way that will allow you to do the next quest in sequence.

To collect the famed monster hunter Beowulf, and his quarry, Reis the Holy Dragon, your quest begins during chapter four.

Step One: At any time during this chapter, head to Goug Machine City to witness the examination of a peculiar artifact.

Step Two: Travel to Goland Coal City. In the bar, ask the bartender about any rumours that might be floating around.

Step Three: Travel to Lesalia Imperial Capital. A story event occurs in which Beowulf joins your party as an NPC. Be sure to accept his offer! After your conversation with the Temple Knight, a new battle point appears at Goland Coal City.

Step Four: Fight four battles in sequence. There are a number of opportunities during these battles for an enterprising Thief or Mediator. At the end of the sequence, Beowulf and Reis will join your party as PCs.

Remember the strange artifact that Besrodio Bunanza (Mustadio's father) found in the ruins back in step one? Here's your chance to get a very powerful fighter on your side.

Step Five: Return to Goug Machine City. The Zodiac stone that you received from Beowulf at the end of the first quest is just the one to activate the artifact, which turns out to be Worker 8. Worker joins your party as a PC after this event.

Step Six: Head over to Zeltennia Castle, and ask about any rumours. You'll learn about the Cursed Temple, Nelveska. However, although it resembles a Battle Point, you won't be able to join battle there at this time. It's handy for safe proposition time-killing, however.

The powerful member of SOLDIER from Final Fantasy VII is available to your party once you complete the next two side quests. This quest is a little bit more convoluted than the others, but having Cloud on-side feels good.

This side quest can only be completed during your search for Alma in Chapter 4.

Step Seven: Visit Zargidas Trade City for the first time. You meet a lovely flower girl (Aeris, obviously). In order to advance, buy a flower from her for one gil.

Step Eight: Head to Goug Machine City. Besrodio's found another odd device in the ruins. Apparently, it needs another Zodiac Stone to work.

Step Nine: Now's the time to visit Nelveska Temple. The battle there is very draining. There are a number of great opportunities in this battle for someone with Move-Find Item. At the end of the battle, Reis undergoes a startling transformation. Now it's clear why Beowulf has been hunting the Holy Dragon.

Step Ten: Having retrieved the Zodiac Stone from Nelveska temple, head back to Goug. The machine activates, and Cloud Strife appears! Unfortunately, he runs off.

Cloud is hard to track down, but you finally catch up with him near Nelveska Temple, where you got the Aquarius stone. When he joins your party, though, he's only going to be level 1. You'll have to work hard to advance his levels.

This side quest can only be completed after the battle in Igros Castle in Chapter 4.

Step Eleven: Visit Zarghidas Trade City, where you first met that lovely flower girl, Aeris. Cloud is there, sticking up for Aeris when local bullies assault her. Join the battle, and at the end of it, Cloud joins you as a PC. Pity that Aeris doesn't also join...

This is it. The longest side quest in the game is the Deep Dungeon. It's long and challenging, but it contains some opportunities that you won't find anywhere else, including a chance to get the Byblos in your party. This quest can be completed any time after the battle in the Chapel of St. Murond Temple.

Step Twelve: Visit Warjilis Trade City. After hearing rumours of a Deep Dungeon, it appears as a Battle Point on an adjacent island.

Step Thirteen: Head into the depths of the Dungeon. It is ten levels deep. The last battle is very difficult, but at the end of it, a Byblos demon will join your party as a PC.

There is also a more in-depth document on the Deep Dungeon.