Balfonheim Port

A city of men without countries. Pirates of the sea and of the sky.

Reddas

The Port at Balfonheim, commonly referred as Balfonheim, is a location in the land of Ivalice in Final Fantasy XII. It is a town full of sailors and pirates, led by the infamous Reddas. Despite being located in Archadian territory, Balfonheim stays out of the Empire's conflicts. Instead, it is a town willing to offer its services to whoever wants them, such as the Resistance.

It is possible to visit Balfonheim before the events in Draklor Laboratory. If the player takes a chocobo from Phon Coast and rides it all the way across the Tchita Uplands to the east, they can enter the Cerobi Steppe that has a way into Balfonheim. If the player comes to Balfonheim at such an early time, only the Sea Breeze Lane area is explorable.

Sage Knowledge[]

Prosperous port on the Naldoan Sea renowned for its rich fishing grounds. In addition to fishing, the port is known for its shipwrights and their numerous contributions to the advancement of seacraft. Though demand has dropped with the spread of airships, the wrights are still able to turn a profit on their craft. The power in Balfonheim rests with the sea captains and pirates of wealth. Though belonging in name to the Archadian Empire, well-placed regular bribes have ensured the city autonomous governance. The city itself is small, being a classic port town, with many stone-cobbled alleyways winding between buildings which hug the curve of the hills. Fresh seafood can be found in the market stalls daily, along with many other items brought by traders and pirates. Several waterways run through the city, some carrying drinking water, others used as canals for the transport of goods. The manse of Pirate King Reddas stands in the western quarter of Balfonheim.

Sage Knowledge 62, Port at Balfonheim

Story[]

Locations[]

Balfonheim is located at the southern tip of the continent of Valendia, in the Archadia region, near the Cerobi Steppe. Balfonheim was a place full of troublemakers and cut-throats until Reddas came and got rid of the riffraff, making it a haven to pirates of both sea and air.

• Sea Breeze Lane (to the Cerobi Steppe)
• Gallerina Marketplace
• Chivany Breakwater
• Quayside Court
• Canal Lane
• Saccio Lane
• Aerodrome

From the aerodrome one can fly to Archades, Bhujerba or Nalbina for 180 gil and dock their private airship for free.

Treasures[]

Balfonheim is one of the few areas in the game that has treasures within a town area (where only Vaan is controllable). In the original version, the treasure in the Sea Breeze Lane next to Dyce is always gil, and will never respawn. Without the Diamond Armlet the treasure is 5040 gil, but with the Diamond Armlet equipped, the amount is reduced to mere 3 gil. North of the Canal Lane area, the player can enter a residence on the right that has a treasure that will never respawn, and without the Diamond Armlet is either an Elixir or a Megalixir. With the Diamond Armlet equipped the treasure is 90% Megalixir, 10% Ensanguined Shield.

In the Zodiac versions, the treasures are different, and contain rare consumable items.

Quayside Court - The White Cap[]

This chest only appears in the Zodiac versions.

Chest	Spawns	Holds Gil%	Gil	Normal Treasure		Diamond Armlet Treasure
1	20%	0%	N/A	Item 1	Item 2	Common	Rare
				Bacchus's Wine	Domaine Calvados	Knot of Rust	Dark Matter

Canal Lane - Port Villa, West Side[]

This chest only appears in the Zodiac versions.

Chest	Spawns	Holds Gil%	Gil	Normal Treasure		Diamond Armlet Treasure
2	5%	70%	≤ 300 gil	Item 1	Item 2	Common	Rare
				Meteorite (B)	Meteorite (C)	Meteorite (A)	Meteorite (D)

Canal Lane - Port Villa, East Side[]

Zodiac

Chest	Spawns	Holds Gil%	Gil	Normal Treasure		Diamond Armlet Treasure
3	5%	95%	5 gil	Knot of Rust		Common	Rare
						Knot of Rust	Baltoro's Seed

Original

Chest	Spawns	Holds Gil%	Normal Treasure			Diamond Armlet Treasure
1[note 1]	100%	0%	Gil	Item 1	Item 2	Gil	Common	Rare
			N/A	Elixir	Megalixir	N/A	Megalixir	Ensanguined Shield

Sea Breeze Lane[]

Zodiac

Chest	Spawns	Holds Gil%	Gil	Normal Treasure		Diamond Armlet Treasure
4[note 1]	100%	100%	5840 gil	N/A
5	50%	70%	≤ 50 gil	Teleport Stone		Common	Rare
						Knot of Rust	Holy Mote
6	50%	70%	≤ 50 gil	Gysahl Greens		Common	Rare
						Knot of Rust	Scathe Mote

Original

Chest	Spawns	Holds Gil%	Normal Treasure	Diamond Armlet Treasure
2[note 1]	100%	100%	5040 gil

Notable citizens[]

• Reddas, the leader of the port's pirates.
• Rikken, Reddas's comrade, holds a footrace minigame.
• Elza, Rikken's friend.
• Raz, Rikken's friend.
• Dyce, merchant previously met at Jagd Yensa.
• Fishing Enthusiast, helps the player with the Fishing minigame.
• Viera Wayfarer, viera with a hunt found in the Whitecap Tavern, who gives the party the Dragon Scales item.

Quests[]

Hunts[]

The Vyraal is a Rank V Mark whose hunt can be undertaken after the events in Draklor Laboratory are complete. The Vyraal can be found in The Northsward area of the Cerobi Steppe, and enemies will be cleared out when the player enters it. The hunt is petitioned by the Viera Wayfarer in the Whitecap pub in Balfonheim. The player will also receive the Viera Rucksack after the battle, which the Viera Wayfarer will take back when the hunt is reported. She lets the player keep the Dragon Scale, item part of the Wyrm Philosopher quest.

Pylraster is a Mark whose hunt becomes available after the events in the Pharos. The hunt is petitioned by Rikken, but he is not sure where to find it. The player can find the Pylraster at the entrance to the Pharos in the section They Who Thirst Not. The player can use the Gate Crystal at the First Ascent, and go outside to find the Mark.

Ixion is an Elite Mark found in the Penumbra-Interior area of Subterra at Pharos. The hunt becomes available after the events in the Pharos. It is petitioned by Whitecap Wench at Quayside Court - The Whitecap. Ixion can be found at Pharos's Subterra, on any of the three floors.

Pirate Olympics[]

When the party leaves Reddas Mansion after the first time they visit Balfonheim, Rikken and his gang will be outside and give Vaan information about the Feywood. If Vaan talks to him a couple of times, Rikken will invite him for a footrace minigame. The minigame consists of 100 levels that reward the party with treasures, including the rare loot Slime Oil. If the player did not steal Slime Oil from the mark Orthros, the only other way to obtain one in the original PS2 versions is to win the tier 90 footrace. In the Zodiac release, the Slime Oil can be acquired through other methods.

Racing requires pressing two buttons alternately. Rikken is normally in the lead, and travels at about the same speed as Vaan, making it difficult to pass him until near the final turn, where he slows down for a second. Elza is not a threat on her own, but by progressing in the minigame, she may take the last turn of the race very tightly. If this outcome happens when the player must go out of their way to make Raz trip, she can steal the victory. Raz is the fastest of the three, but because he trips a lot, he will almost always lose the earlier races. Beyond the 40th level Raz no longer trips on his own (apart for one fall at the beginning) and Vaan has to prompt it by intercepting Raz's trajectory or approaching him from the side. If the player fails to stop him, Raz will likely win the race.

Rewards

Great cockatrice escape quest[]

A cockatrice called Moomer is in the chocobo pen at Sea Breeze Lane of Balfonheim. The player must talk to the Chocobo Wrangler by the chocobo pen and show her the Feather of the Flock, then talk to the Miffed Moogle, and then Gurdy, to receive the Defender. The Feather of the Flock item, needed to talk to cockatrice, is found in an urn in the Giza Plains Tracks of the Beast area during the Rains.

Fishing rod[]

The fishing minigame is played in the South Bank Village of the Dalmasca Estersand. To begin the fishing sidequest, the player must have completed the Cactuar Family sidequest and the portion of the game's storyline at the Draklor Laboratory. After speaking with Ruksel at the South Bank village, the player must travel to the Port at Balfonheim and speak to the Fishing Enthusiast outside of the Aerodrome.

The player must talk to him twice and ask about the fishing rod, then run to the Aerodrome's entrance and back to the same spot without leaving the area. The Muramata fishing rod will be near the wall where she was sitting. The player can return to Ruksel at the Dalmasca Estersand to begin the minigame.

Shops[]

The items available for purchase change throughout the game. These items may not all be available at the same time.

Beruny's Armaments - Beruny[]

Beruny's Armaments - Emma[]

The Leapin' Bangaa[]

Quayside Magickery[]

Odo's Technicks[]

Dyce[]

A treasure containing 5040 gil (without Diamond Armlet) can be opened near him.

Weapons[]

Armor[]

Accessories[]

Magicks[]

Ammunition[]

Technicks[]

Items[]

Loot[]

Waterfront Gambits[]

Name Cost Ally: any 50 gil Ally: party leader 50 gil Ally: lowest HP 50 gil Ally: strongest weapon 50 gil Ally: lowest defense 50 gil Ally: lowest magick resist 50 gil Ally: HP < 100% 50 gil Ally: HP < 90% 50 gil Ally: HP < 80% 50 gil Ally: HP < 70% 50 gil Ally: HP < 60% 50 gil Ally: HP < 50% 50 gil Ally: HP < 40% 50 gil Ally: HP < 30% 50 gil Ally: HP < 20% 50 gil Ally: HP < 10% 50 gil Ally: MP < 100% 50 gil Ally: MP < 90% 50gil Ally: MP < 80% 50 gil Ally: MP < 70% 50 gil Ally: MP < 60% 50 gil Ally: MP < 50% 50 gil Ally: MP < 40% 50 gil Ally: MP < 30% 50 gil Ally: MP < 20% 50 gil Ally: MP < 10% 50 gil Ally: status = Regen 50 gil Ally: status = Float 50 gil Ally: status = Bubble 50 gil Ally: status = Stop 50 gil Ally: status = Sleep 50 gil Ally: status = Confuse 50 gil Ally: status = Reverse 50 gil Ally: status = Slow 50 gil Ally: status = Lure 50 gil Ally: status = Reflect 50 gil Ally: status = Berserk 50 gil Ally: status = HP Critical 50 gil Ally: item AMT ≧ 10 100 gil Ally: status = KO 50 gil Ally: status = Stone 50 gil Ally: status = Petrify 50 gil Ally: status = Doom 50 gil Ally: status = Blind 50 gil Ally: status = Poison 50 gil Ally: status = Silence 50 gil Ally: status = Sap 50 gil Ally: status = Oil 50 gil Ally: status = Disable 50 gil Ally: status = Immobilize 50 gil Ally: status = Disease 50 gil Ally: status = Protect 50 gil Ally: status = Shell 50 gil Ally: status = Haste 50 gil Ally: status = Bravery 50 gil Ally: status = Faith 50 gil Ally: status = Invisible 50 gil Foe: any 50 gil Foe: targeting leader 100 gil Foe: targeting self 100 gil Foe: targeting ally 100 gil Foe: undead 100 gil Foe: furthest 50 gil Foe: nearest 50 gil Foe: highest HP 50 gil Foe: lowest HP 50 gil Foe: highest max HP 50 gil Foe: lowest max HP 50 gil Foe: highest max MP 50 gil Foe: lowest max MP 50 gil Foe: highest level 50 gil Foe: lowest level 50 gil Foe: highest strength 50 gil Foe: lowest strength 50 gil Foe: highest magick power 50 gil Foe: lowest magick power 50 gil Foe: highest speed 50 gil Foe: lowest speed 50 gil Foe: highest defense 50 gil Foe: highest magick resist 50 gil Foe: HP ≧ 100,000 50 gil Foe: HP ≧ 50,000 50 gil Foe: HP ≧ 10,000 50 gil Foe: HP ≧ 5,000 50 gil Foe: HP ≧ 3,000 50 gil Foe: HP ≧ 2,000 50 gil Foe: HP ≧ 1,000 50 gil Foe: HP ≧ 500 50 gil Foe: HP < 100,000 50 gil Foe: HP < 50,000 50 gil Foe: HP < 10,000 50 gil Foe: HP < 5,000 50 gil Foe: HP < 3,000 50 gil Foe: HP < 2,000 50 gil Foe: HP < 1,000 50 gil Foe: HP < 500 50 gil Foe: HP = 100% 50 gil Foe: HP ≧ 70% 50 gil Foe: HP ≧ 50% 50 gil Foe: HP ≧ 30% 50 gil Foe: status = Petrify 50 gil Foe: status = Stop 50 gil Foe: status = Sleep 50 gil Foe: status = Confuse 50 gil Foe: status = Doom 50 gil Foe: status = Blind 50 gil Foe: status = Poison 50 gil

Gambit Cost Foe: status = Silence 50 gil Foe: status = Sap 50 gil Foe: status = Oil 50 gil Foe: status = Reverse 50 gil Foe: status = Disable 50 gil Foe: status = Immobilize 50 gil Foe: status = Slow 50 gil Foe: status = Disease 50 gil Foe: status = Protect 50 gil Foe: status = Shell 50 gil Foe: status = Haste 50 gil Foe: status = Bravery 50 gil Foe: status = Faith 50 gil Foe: status = Reflect 50 gil Foe: status = Regen 50 gil Foe: status = Berserk 50 gil Foe: status = HP Critical 50 gil Foe: fire-weak 500 gil Foe: lightning-weak 500 gil Foe: ice-weak 500 gil Foe: earth-weak 500 gil Foe: water-weak 500 gil Foe: wind-weak 500 gil Foe: holy-weak 500 gil Foe: dark-weak 500 gil Foe: fire-vulnerable 250 gil Foe: lightning-vulnerable 250 gil Foe: ice-vulnerable 250 gil Foe: earth-vulnerable 250 gil Foe: water-vulnerable 250 gil Foe: wind-vulnerable 250 gil Foe: holy-vulnerable 250 gil Foe: dark-vulnerable 250 gil Foe: undead 100 gil Foe: flying 100 gil Foe: item AMT >= 10 100 gil Foe: character HP = 100% 100 gil Foe: character status = Blind 100 gil Foe: character status = Silence 100 gil Foe: character status = Bravery 100 gil Foe: character status = Faith 100 gil Foe: character status = HP Critical 100 gil Foe: character MP ≧ 90% 100 gil Foe: character MP ≧ 70% 100 gil Foe: character MP ≧ 50% 100 gil Foe: character MP ≧ 30% 100 gil Foe: character MP ≧ 10% 100 gil Foe: character MP < 90% 100 gil Foe: character MP < 70% 100 gil Foe: character MP < 50% 100 gil Foe: character MP < 30% 100 gil Foe: character MP < 10% 100 gil Foe: character HP ≧ 90% 100 gil Foe: character HP ≧ 70% 100 gil Foe: character HP ≧ 50% 100 gil Foe: character HP ≧ 30% 100 gil Foe: character HP ≧ 10% 100 gil Foe: character HP < 90% 100 gil Foe: character HP < 70% 100 gil Foe: character HP < 50% 100 gil Foe: character HP < 30% 100 gil Foe: character HP < 10% 100 gil Self 50 gil Self: HP < 100% 50 gil Self: HP < 90% 50 gil Self: HP < 80% 50 gil Self: HP < 70% 50 gil Self: HP < 60% 50 gil Self: HP < 50% 50 gil Self: HP < 40% 50 gil Self: HP < 30% 50 gil Self: HP < 20% 50 gil Self: HP < 10% 50 gil Self: MP < 100% 50 gil Self: MP < 90% 50 gil Self: MP < 80% 50 gil Self: MP < 70% 50 gil Self: MP < 60% 50 gil Self: MP < 50% 50 gil Self: MP < 40% 50 gil Self: MP < 30% 50 gil Self: MP < 20% 50 gil Self: MP < 10% 50 gil Self: status = HP Critical 50 gil Self: status = Petrify 50 gil Self: status = Doom 50 gil Self: status = Blind 50 gil Self: status = Poison 50 gil Self: status = Silence 50 gil Self: status = Sap 50 gil Self: status = Oil 50 gil Self: status = Reverse 50 gil Self: status = Immobilize 50 gil Self: status = Slow 50 gil Self: status = Disease 50 gil Self: status = Lure 50 gil Self: status = Protect 50 gil Self: status = Shell 50 gil Self: status = Haste 50 gil Self: status = Bravery 50 gil Self: status = Faith 50 gil Self: status = Reflect 50 gil Self: status = Invisible 50 gil Self: status = Regen 50 gil Self: status = Float 50 gil Self: status = Bubble 50 gil

Map[]

The map can be bought Sea Breeze Lane for 80 gil. The map below is for the original version; the Zodiac version has some differences in treasures (see above).

Musical themes[]

The theme of Balfonheim is called "The Port at Balfonheim" (港町バーフォンハイム, Minatomachi Bāfonhaimu?).

Other appearances[]

Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade[]

Gallery[]

Etymology[]

The name is a combination of three German words: Bald ("soon"), Von, pronounced "Fon" ("of"), and Heim ("home"). Therefore, the city's name means "Soon of Home", a fitting name for port city.