Illusion Woods

Upon entering the Illusion Woods, talk to the Woodsman standing next to Althena's Statue. He's a friend of Ronfar's who knows the way through the Woods. After Ronfar cons him into making a bet, which of course, you win, the grumpy loser tells you how to part the bushes and clear the trails so you can advance in the Woods.
Note though, that some thickets are dead-ends, some have treasure chests, and some reveal paths. Head through the first clearing just to the Northeast of Althena's Statue and head into the Woods.
About that time, Leo and his men show up. After conducting a search and coming up empty handed (*resists urge to make a rather funny joke*), Leo decides to head back to the Destiny and wait for you at Takkar, a short distance North of the Woods exit.
Once the scene shifts back to the group entering the Woods, you'll notice that as you progress, the Woods get darker and darker making it a tad difficult to see. So keep that in mind.

From the starting point, stick to the Right to find a chest holding an Herb, and then head back to the last split and head Northwest.
You'll shortly come to a 4-way diagonal intersection. Head Northeast and search to find another chest with yet another Herb.
After nabbing the Herb, take the Southeast route to find the next path heading deeper into the woods.
In this section, you'll notice the screen gets a bit darker. Head up the path, and keep to your left at the split. You come to a thicket hiding a chest holding a Starlight.
Grab that, and walk Southeast a bit to find another thicket hiding a chest, this time holding an Herb.
Continue Southeast and follow the path up and around to until you come to a clearing. When you arrive at the clearing, head Northwest to find another thicket hiding a chest to nab a Snake Crest.
From here, backtrack to the clearing and head Northeast to find the next thicket which holds the path further into the Woods.
In this area, walk North and when the trail splits, go Right. The trail will almost immediately split again. One going East and one going North. Go North and explore the 2 nearest thickets to find an Herb and 146 S.
Once you've gotten those, head back and take the East path of the split. This path will turn North. Opt -not- to take any of the splits going East or West and you'll come to find another thicket in a small clearing.
Explore it to find some Chain Mail armor (YAY!!! ^^) and then continue East.
From here once you reach the next clearing, the exit is in the Northwest.
When you exit the Woods, you'll come out into a rather large clearing holding a Caravan of travelling performers... and one of them happens to be the dancer (and dead seksay ^^) Jean... who just happens to be practicing her dance steps for everyone.
After the animation and small text intro, talk with all the people in the Caravan, and then talk to Giban. He explains that the path is blocked by some vines and invites the group to spend the night with the Caravan. You accept and Jean walks off to down cool down and rest a bit. Take Ruby's advice and follow her. Head Northwest to the scenic view of the valley where Jean ran off too.
Once you catch up to Jean, ask her all 3 of the questions in any order you wish.
After this, a HUGE vine-tentacle erupts from the ground and snacthes Lucia!!! But before Hiro can even draw his sword, Jean instinctively leaps at the thingy smacking it around in true Martial Arts fashion!
When Lucia is safe, Jean makes everyone swear not to tell anyone about what they just saw and retreats to her room. There, Jean has a flashback, and then the next thing you know, it's morning.
When morning arrives, Ronfar approaches the 2 late risers (*snickers*) and tells them to make use of the Althena's Spring just off to the east path of the clearing. Take his advice, and go bathe!
After watching a VERY VERY VERY VERY funny animation sequence (hehe, *evil grin*), a rather bloody and embarrassed Hiro and a totally ignorant Lucia finish bathing. Before leaving the springs, walk back into the men's side and grab the treasure chest to get the Iron Clogs.
Just as you walk back into the Caravan camp, a BUNCH of vines like the one that attacked Lucia the night before appear and snatch a BUNCH of Caravaners! eep!
Before going, talk to Jean. She refuses to help you out, but she DOES give you the Rope Ladder to use. *sigh*
Walk up to the edge of the hole and drop the ladder (*is having a VERY hard time refraining from the jokes...*) and just before you start to descend, Jean finally comes running up and offers to help. YAY! Save your game, and enter the hole.

The path here is very simple since there is only one way to go...Left. Once you make it through the first cave, make sure your healed up and maybe make use of the Battle Order screen to move Hiro farthest Left and everyone else farthest Right and save your game before walking Northwest to face Plantella.

---------------------------------BOSS FIGHT: PLANTELLA---------------------------------

Plantella
Hit Points
1800
Attack
15
# of Attacks
1
Defense
75
Agility
30
Speed
52
Wisdom
20
Mag End
35
Range
0
Luck
1
Exp Points
420
Silver
0

     Plantella has 3 forms and has 3 attacks. Each attack can be used in subsequent forms, so keep that in mind. The first 2 forms have 300 HP each and the 3rd has 1200 (pictured at the left). The 1st form only has 1 attack, Tentacle Grab. She uses this on 1 ally doing small damage but possibly poisoning the victim. The 2nd form yields Attack #2, can be identified when is opening and closing. She uses Spike Spores hitting every character causing mild damage. You can expect the Tentacle Grab in this form when her mouth is closed. Her 3rd form yields Attack #3. Attack #3 is an anal probing Root Attack against 1 character for mortal damage if the victim isn't at full health. Expect this when She raises her Left fist and her eyes are flashing. In this form, if her eyes are NOT flashing, she's going to use Tentacle Grab and if her eyes are flashing with both arms spread apart, she'll use Spike Spores.

     Plantella can be a tough fight, but you should win if you're careful. Here's what to do: Hiro should use Poe Sword every round. Ronfar should cast Saint Litany and then heal everyone up there after (If you're getting desperate, can can test your luck using Anger Dice, but I don't suggest it). Jean should use Moth Dance and assist in the healing process with Ronfar, esp if Ronfar or Hiro runs out of MP. You may also find that you'd rather just attack instead of use Moth Dance. Lucia, don't really count on her for anything unless she gets hit by Plantella. In which case, she'll unleash a nifty spell that does some nice damage to Plantella.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Once you defeat Plantella, the Caravan members profusely thank your party and Jean. When you return to the camp, talk to everyone, but talk to Jean -last-. Upon talking with Jean, she tells Giban she's leaving to face her past. Giban sadly, but willingly lets Jean go and tells her that she and your group are always welcome to return.
Next, make DEAD SURE you talk with the woman standing next to the exit to receive Jean's Bromide 2.
Snag that, and then exit the Woods and head Northeast to Takkar.
Click Here to Continue...