Final Fantasy IX/Alexandria

After some more movies, you begin in a new area – Alexandria – as a new character, whose name is unknown at this time. As you explore the town there are a lot of items to be found, so be sure to look everywhere. You will also be introduced to a number of mini-games and bonuses in this area. Some of these games are only available here, while others will continue throughout the game in many different areas.

Finding the items in Alexandria
In Vivi's starting area, there are two Potions. In a house to the east are a potion, a Fang card, and 9 (Gil, the Final Fantasy unit of currency). To the south, there are three cards (Zombie, Lizard Man, and Sahagin), and a potion. To the north, there's 33, a Goblin card, and a potion.

At this point, you can head east into the bar, and find another potion, a Flan card, and 27. Leave the bar and head north, then enter the item shop to the east and search around for 38. At this point, you can stock up on a few simple items if you would like. Leave the item shop and head north to find the square with the ticket booth.

In this area, you can find a Phoenix Pinion, near the entrance to the Inn. The currently-closed Weapon and Synth shops are to the east, and in these you can find Remedy and Ether.

Making your way to the show
When you are satisfied with your exploration and scavenging, make your way to the ticket booth. The booth is in the center of Alexandria's main square (about as far north of your starting position as you can go). The Synthesist and Weapon Smiths are nearby as well, but you won't be able to get anything from them at this time. The Inn is just across the square from the shops.

After turning in your ticket at the booth in the city center (receiving three more cards in the process), head to the west into an alley. Here you'll run into Rat Kid again. He'll ask you to do something for him; agree to continue if you feel you're done exploring. Once you agree, follow the Rat Kid to the church.

At this point, there is a little more scavenging that can be done. In Ilia's house you can find Eye Drops and 3 (but you'll have to wait for her to leave if you want to steal her money). In the church you'll find a Potion, Tent, and three cards (Ironite, Goblin, and Fang). You can get a Bomb card from Tom if you find his cat (the cat will be all the way back by the statue near the city's entrance).

When you are done, climb up to the belltower. You'll meet the moogles, who will give you the option to save your game, and can give you the Mognet sidequest. This one, Kupo, will give you a letter for another moogle named Monty.

As you follow Rat Kid across the rooftops, search the nearby chimneys to find some Gil. Eventually Rat Kid will stop and exchange names – your character is named Vivi by default, and the Rat Kid's name is Puck. Follow Puck and keep checking the chimneys along the way. Eventually, he will lead you to the play.

The castle
At this point you'll be in control of Zidane's party again. This time, though, you're performing a battle on stage, and you have an SFX option in your battle menu to set off special effects. The special effects don't do any damage, but they look good, and that's important when you're putting on a show. Your targets won't take much damage to go down, anyway (which is good, because the showy attacks you're using here won't do much damage anyway).

The next portion will be a choreographed duel between Blank and Zidane. You want to push the buttons as quickly and accurately as possible during this section to earn the favour of the crowd.

After the play (and any encores you may wish to perform), head up the stairs and talk to the girl. When she runs away, the Queen will come with two bodyguards. Before taking off with Steiner to round up the guards to search for the princess, talk to the Queen. She'll give you a reward for your stage performance. You may also want to search the area for any other items that might be hidden.

Head into the guardhouse and check the list on the wall. Steiner will have to send all of these guards out looking for the princess. Search the castle for the knights, and when you think you've found most of them (or just get sick of searching), head to the tower. You'll find two or three knights here, the last of which may give you a reward if you found them all. Climb to the top of the stairs to continue.

Prima Vista
Everyone returns to the Prima Vista at this point, and you begin controlling Zidane again. Talk to Ruby and chase Garnet through the ship. Turn the wheel attached to the engine to the left and to the right to release chests with a Phoenix Pinion and Phoenix Down, respectively. Before you continue, make sure you've got the items you'd like equipped (especially if you stole some decent items in previous fights). After crossing through the engine room, it's time for a fight.