Final Fantasy IX - Chocobo Guide
Author: Crono228
Contact: e-mail: blarosa@concentric.net
AOL IM Crono229 [yes, 229, not 228]
Version  0.7

Note: This file is best viewed in NJStar, a Japanese word processor, as it
contains some Japanese characters. NJStar is available at www.njstar.com. Since
I do not know Kanji, only the Kana in the names of things have been provided,
Kanji are denoted by <kanji>. If anyone would like to provide them for this
guide, I would be very grateful and you will get a HUGE credit =)

IMPORTANT NOTE: It seems that when viewed in a web browser, there are
formatting problems with this file. I don't know to fix them. This file looks
just fine in Notepad, or better yet, NJStar.

--Overview----------------------------------------
This guide provides the locations on the world map depicted by the
Chocographs (`ROt) There's also tips on playing the digging game and
info on evolving your Chocobo.
----------------------------------------------------

--Table of Contents---------------------------------
0. General Progression of Chocobo raising
1. Playing the Digging Game
2. Chocographs (`ROt)
3. Evolving your Chocobo
4. Un-answered Questions
5. Credits
-----------------------------------------------------

--Update History-----------------------------------
7/20/2000- Version 0.7 More graph locations and items added
 Added more info  to the General Progression of Chocobo raising section
Filled in the Kanji for Chocgraphs 1-5 & 10. A very special thanks to Jesse
(Tenoh@aol.com)
I'm still looking for someone who'd like to translate more fo the kanji and/or
the Chocograph hints. Also, please write me and let me know what else you'd
like to see in this guide.
Coming soon.... fbhyp[ (Dead peppers) and bubbles!

7/19/2000- Version 0.5 Lots of new info. 15 Graphs acquired, 13 locations
found. I added about 7, more will come in the next update.
Added Section 0: General Progression of Chocobo raising
Added info about Evolving your Chocobo
Added info about the Chocobo Lagoon

7/18/2000- Version 0.1 Guide created. 7 Graphs acquired, 2 locations found
-----------------------------------------------------

--(0.) General Progression of Chocobo Raising---
Thanks to Porko for this info

1) Start out by playing the digging game in the Chocobo forest until you get
the second Chocograph, or the moogle tells you there's no more graphs to be
found (I'll try and get the text of the message soon) When you acquire the
second graph, find the treasure and get the Reef upgrade.

2) Once you have the Reef upgrade, go to the Chocobo Lagoon. Play the digging
game there until you get Chocograph #12 or the moogle tells you there's no more
graphs to be found. Find the treasure at the area in the 12th graph to get the
Mountain upgrade.

3) Go back to the forest and play the game some more. With the Mountain
upgrade, you can climb onto the rocky ledges in the area. Play until you get
the 14th graph. Then get the treasure for this graph to get the Sea upgrade.

More to come...

--(1.) Playing the Digging Game----------------------
This guide assumes you already have a Chocobo and know where the Chocobo Forest
& Chocobo Lagoon are, and that you know how to play the digging game. If you
don't, any of the FAQs on gamefaqs.com should be able to help you. With that
said...

--Tips:-----------------------------------------------
Note: These are the techniques that I have found work for me. If you have some
info that you'd like to share or think that something I say here is wrong,
please let me know. You will get credit.

General tips:

-If you have an analog controller, use the left stick to move, it makes you run
w/o holding the X button

-PRACTICE! Leveling up your Chocobo makes digging a LOT easier. Play the game
as much as you can stand ^_^

-Try to move in straight lines, combing the floor systematically. Walk about
2 lengths of the chocobo's body, and peck. If you come up empty (NG) Keep
moving and repeat the pattern until you get NGb!?

-Once you've gotten very close to something (NGGb!!?) Keep pecking in that
area, taking small steps and changes in direction. If you don't hit the item
the first couple of tries, come at the general area of the (NGGb!!?) from
another angle and try again.

-After getting an item, it seems that the whole board is reset. Forget about
where you already looked, it's almost certain that there is an item somewhere
you already looked. (Can anyone confirm this?)

-Once you get 4 items, Mene ( l ) will give you an extra 10 seconds on the
clock. There might be other ways to get more time. I am not sure if you get 10
more seconds after getting 4 more items.

-Once you get 8 items, the game will end and you get bonus points. Excately how
these points are determined is unknown at the moment.

Thanks to Ng New Yam for this info

-If you're in the game long enough (longer than 1:00 you get to start with) a
male voice comes in on the song and sings a very quick line in what I think may
be Spanish. No this doesn't help you at all, but it is kind of neat (^_-)

Tips for Chocobo Lagoon, before Sea Upgrade

-This area is very small, and the game only costs 30 gil, but you only get 30
seconds. It's a great place to build up your Chocobo's level.

-Start each game by quicking turning around, taking a step, and pecking. If
only get the (NG) (not even close) message, there's nothing in that entryway.
But if you get NGb!? (getting close)  or NGGb!!?(very close), you can
save valuable time by checking here right away.

Tips for Chocobo Forest, after the Mountain Upgrade

-You can now climb on the two ledges in the area. Just walk near them and an !
will appear over your Choco's head. Press the square button to climb up.

-In my experience, the item rarely comes up on the ledges, but ocansionally it
does.
Every once in a while, if you happen to be near one, just head on up, and give
a quick peck. if you get (NG) (not even close), head back down right away.

Tips for Chocobo Lagoon, after Sea Upgrade

-The board is now bigger and you get 1:00 instead of :30. Use the same
strategies as before.


--Items you can find:---------------------------------
Note: "Dig Number" refers to the number that appears when you hit it and that
you must reduce to 0 by pressing the button.

Name: `R{Ot
Translation: ChocoGraph
Desc: This is your main objetive in the whole Chocobo raising process.
Dig Number:  (Forest - ~50-60) (Lagoon - 80)
Point value: (Forest - 10) (Lagoon - 20)

Name: `R{Ot̂
Translation: ?
Desc: Tells you where the black shadow for the Chocobo Sky Garden may be.
Dig Number:  (Forest - Not yet  found) (Lagoon - ?)
Point value: (Forest - Not yet found) (Lagoon - ?)

Thanks to Etoh21 for this info

Name: <kanji><kanji> (This is the item that the "Special" enemies ask for, icon
is a black gem)
Translation:
Dig Number: ???
Point value: (Forest - 1) (Lagoon - ?)

Name: <kanji><kanji> `
Translation:
Dig Number: ???
Point value: (Forest - 1) (Lagoon - ?)

Name: ܂т<kanji>
Translation:
Dig Number: ???
Point value: (Forest - 1) (Lagoon - ?)

Name: 200 M
Translation: 200 Gil
Dig Number: (Forest - 25) (Lagoon - ?)
Point value: (Forest - 2) (Lagoon - ?)

More to come...

--Items you can buy from Mene (l)--------------
Note that these items cost Points (|Cg) NOT Gil [M]

Name: [uIu[h
Translation: Robe of Rods
Description: The best armor for magic users
Cost: 10,000

Thanks to Etoh21 for this info

Name: ܂<kanji><kanji>
Translation:
Description:
Cost:  85,000

Name: ECOGbW
Translation: Wing Edge
Description:
Cost: 3500

Name: BgKX̃J[h
Translation: Virutogansu (?) Card
Description:
Cost: 1800

Name: G[e
Translation: Ether
Description: Restores 50 MP
Cost: 450

Name: <kanji><kanji>
Translation:
Description: "Special" enemies ask for it, icon is a black gem
Cost: 250

Name: tBjbNX<kanji>
Translation: Phoenix Down (?)
Description: Revives one party member
Cost: 150

Name: MT[<kanji><kanji>
Translation:
Description: The item used to call Chocobos on the world map
Cost: 10

--(2.) Chocographs(`ROt)-------------

I have provided the Chocographs in the order they are listed in the Chocograph
menu. The hints given by the game are not translated. If anyone would like to
help me out by doing this, you will get a huge credit and my thanks =)

1.) ̂قƂ
Hint translation:
Location: Not far from the Chocobo Forest and the bridge that go over the river
on the Mist Continent. This one's easy to find.
Items acquired: I don't recall, I found it before writing this. It was just a
bunch of curing items, nothing spectacular.

2.) R̂͂
Hint translation:
Location: North of NC (Crater) on the Mist Continent. It's just off the
coast.
Items acquired: Reef Upgrade (and trip to Chocobo Dream World ^_^)


3.) ݂̒n
Hint translation:
Location: South of  ANThA(Alexandia), at the bottom of the hill,
along the river.
Items acquired: <kanji><kanji> x 10; qXC<kanji><kanji> x 1; Wing Edge x
1;

4.) ₷炬̕l
Hint translation:
Location: Northwest beach on Mist Continent.
Items acquired: I forgot to write them down, sorry (-_-)

5.) ꂽl
Hint translation:
Location: Southern-central part of the Outer Continent, south of the place
called <kanji> <kanji>, it's around the shore.
Items acquired: I don't recall, I opened it before writing this. Nothing too
special as I remember though, a Phoenix Down and some other stuff.

6.) Ă<kanji><kanji>
Hint translation:
Location: Northern Continent, just east of the beach at the south.
Items acquired: <kanji><kanji><kanji>̃J[h (A card with a ship on it)

7.) <kanji>ꂽ<kanji><kanji>
Requires: Reef
Hint translation:
Location: Northern part of the Western Continent. To get there, get your Choco
at the south beach of the Northern continent, then walk on the shallow water,
which is also where the trasure is, in the water.
Items acquired: MT[ <kanji><kanji>  x 8; Ether x 5; Hi Potion x 7;
hSN x 1;

8.) <kanji><kanji><kanji>
Requires: Reef
Hint translation:
Location: Western continent, to the right of the long thin piece that sticks
out, there's a bulge. The treasure is in between those rocks depicted in the
Chocograph, in the water.
Items acquired: Potion x 37; ӂ x 6; V[hA[} x 1;
<kanji><kanji><kanji> x 1;

9.)  <kanji> <kanji>Ă₭ <kanji> <kanji>
Hint translation:
Location: Outer continent, from the beach on the south-central portion, go
west. When you see the view in the Chocograph, the treasure is in the area that
far away in the picture.
Items acquired:<kanji><kanji> x 6; Ether x 4; tFU[u[c (Feather boots)
x 1;
JC<kanji><kanji>  x 1;  (I have a Japanese related question about this
item, see the questions section)

10.) ӂ<kanji><kanji> (I could not find the kanji used in the game in
NJStar)
Requires: Reef
Hint translation:
Location: Western part of the Mist continent, just off the U-shaped beach,
shouldn't be too hard to find.
Items acquired: Potion x 8; Fenix something (not down) x 4; Anyone know what
this is?
Ether x 3; <kanji><kanji><kanji> ̃[u x 1;

11.) <kanji><kanji><kanji>
Requires: Reef
Hint translation:
Location: Mist continent, south shore, dead center. There's a small island of
the coast. As usual, it's in the water.
Items acquired: <kanji><kanji><kanji> x 4; [useful, huh? (-_^)] Elixer x 2;
CWOT x 8;
I[NX[^bt (Oak Staff) x 1;

12.) <kanji><kanji><kanji>
Requires:
Hint translation:
Location: Mist continent, south east shore. A small island of the coast.
Items acquired: Mountain Upgrade

13.) <kanji>ꂽ<kanji>
Requires: Mountain Upgrade
Hint translation:
Location: Mist continent, at the very top of the mountains, a little to the
south west of the center of the continent, you should see the forest within the
mountain crater, pretty easy to spot.
Items acquired: Ether x 7; Wing Edge x 10; <kanji><kanji><kanji>̂

14.) <kanji><kanji><kanji><kanji>
Requires: Mountain Upgrade
Hint translation:
Location: Mist continent, north-east beach (you can see it in the picture on
the graph) It's on the plateau above the beach.
Items acquired: Sea Upgrade

I suspect that you need the airship to get these next 2, because I see no
beaches on the western continent. Can anyone comfirm this?

15.) ^<kanji><kanji>
Requires: Mountain Upgrade
Hint translation:
Location: ???
Items acquired: ???

16.) <kanji>ꂽ<kanji><kanji>
Requires: Mountain Upgrade
Hint translation:
Location: ???
Items acquired: ???

17.) ^<kanji><kanji> (Different Kanji from #15)
Requires: Sea Upgrade
Hint translation:
Location: Western Continent, the east shore. The area is parallel to the tip of
the long thin part on the other side of the continent (You want to be on the
EAST side of it though. I just mention that part because it's very visible and
to give you an idea of where it is north/south) The treasure is somewhere in
that water, it's a bit of pain, good luck (^_^)
Items acquired: Phoenix Down x 15; ̃[u (Sun(?) Robe) x 1;
_Ch (Diamond) x 1; }Tl̃J[h (Masamune Card) x 1;

18.) <kanji>
Requires: Sea Upgrade
Hint translation:
Location: This is probably THE hardest one to find (so far) On the western side
of the western continent,  find the long, thin island that has long stretches
of beach on both sides. Just west of that island, you'll find the treasure,
*somewhere* in the water.
Items acquired: <kanji><kanji> x 27; <kanji>̃[u x 1; <kanji><kanji> x 1;
ANT_[̃J[h(Alexander Card) x 1;

19.) <kanji> <kanji><kanji>
Requires: Sea Upgrade
Hint translation:
Location: Northern continent, at the top part, there's a "C" shaped land mass.
It's in the top part of the picture in the graph, past the "C" shape, in the
water.
Items acquired: yhbg x 11; Ip[(Opal) x 9; Tt@CA(Saphire) x 15;
gp[Y(Topaz) x 19;

20.) ???
Requires:
Hint translation:
Location:
Items acquired:

21.) ???
Requires:
Hint translation:
Location:
Items acquired:

22.) <kanji><kanji><kanji>2
Requires:
Hint translation:
Location:
Items acquired:

23.) ???
Requires:
Hint translation:
Location:
Items acquired:

24.) ???
Requires:
Hint translation:
Location:
Items acquired:

--(3.) Evolving your Chocobo---------------------

Certain treasures will transport your Chocobo to the "Chocobo Dream World".
Here it will acquire one of the upgrades, which allow it more freedom in moving
around the map. Please note that these upgrades are cumilative, meaning that
once you acquire a new one, you keep the abilities from previous ones as well.

The upgrades:

Reef Upgrade: Chocobo becomes Light Blue. Allows your Chocobo to walk in
shallow water. (This is the lighter colored water) You can only enter and exit
shallow water from a beach. Acquired from the second treasure
(<kanji>̂͂)

Mountain Upgrade: Chocobo becomes Red. Allows your Chocobo to walk over
mountains and other high terrain. Note that even with this ability, you can't
go from shallow water to land unless you use the beach.  Acquired from the 12th
treasure (<kanji><kanji><kanji>)

Sea Upgrade: Chocobo becomes Dark Blue. Allows your Chocobo to walk on Deep
Water. You still can not go in or out of the water except at beaches. Acquired
from the 14th treasure (<kanji><kanji><kanji>)

The last upgrade allows your Chocobo to fly. The only things I know about it
are that it turns a Gold color, and that you can only take off and land in
forests.

--(4.) Un-answered Questions--------------------

-What is the exact text of the message Mene gives you when there are no more
graphs to be found?

-Does anyone have specific details on how bonus points work?

-One of the items acquired from the treasure in graph 9 is called
JC<kanji><kanji>. I've never seen a Japanese word that starts with  and
I can't make out any English word this might be (N'Kai?) Can anyone shed some
light on this for me?


--(5.) Credits-------------------------------------

Thanks to everyone here for info they provided, mostly on the message boards.
If you're on here and you'd  like me to add you e-mail, let me know.

Porker -
Provided the basis for Section 0: General Progression of Chocobo Raising

Etoh21-
Pronunciation and info on [uIu[h ("Robe of Rods")
Info on `R{Ot̂

Fanatic Crisis-
Provided me with the location of the Chocobo Lagoon.

Ng Yew Nam-
Provided info on scoring in the digging game.

Jesse (Tenoh@aol.com)
Provided the Kanji for Chocographs 1-5 & 10.




