To the right of the crates is a string of merchants. Visit the bottom-most one first for the weapon shop. Purchase three Rapiers, but don't equip one, the Duel Star for Genis, that he should use, and four extra Battle Staves for your inventory.
Above the armory is the customization shop. If you picked up a White Silver from the Raybits at the Sylvarant Base, create Lloyd's Masamune, and if you took my advice and got two White Silvers, create two, with Lloyd equipping one, and buying an additional Rapier. We will, however, be able to get more White Silvers before long. Make the Slicer Ring weapon for Colette. Create, with equipping, four Gem Rods for Raine, and then two Steel Swords for Kratos to use. Do NOT create the Mage Cloak for Genis; even if you have an available White Silver. This will use up one of the only two Cloak armors in the game and we will find the Mage Cloak in a treasure chest later.
Randomly, although not uncommon, purchasing the Grab Bag will gain you the extremely rare Sephira accessory. This accessory boosts Gald earned after battle by 50% and you will not be able to find it otherwise until way later into the game. In addition, we will be able to transform this into another accessory soon that will increase the Gald intake by 100%! For those on their first play, or new game+ players that want to maximize their Gald stash, the 30 Grade is worth it, however, like stated, save before purchasing the Grab Bag and reload if you don't get it and try again. Note: You cannot equip two Sephiras and double the effect; only one is applied after battle.
Of course, there are many other accessories that we can obtain through the Grab Bag I will talk about if you wish to sacrifice the Grade for them. They are the following:
- Poison, Stun, Paralysis, Stone, Drain Charms: These protect against the various status ailments and resistance to an element. All of these are purchasable and found in chests throughout the game.
- Stun Bracelet: Reduces stun duration, but will find one and can buy later.
- Thief's Cape: Increase Defense and Evasion, but can be purchased later.
- Rabbit's Foot: Increase Luck, which is nice, but you'll have the chance to purchase them soon, although it will be for a limited time and then you'll have to customize for them.
- Manji Seal: Increase Evasion, but found in a shop later.
- Heal Bracelet/Spirit Bangle: These restore HP/TP to the character when a monster is defeated. You'll actually find them before long, and then they are purchasable much later.
- Guardian Symbol: Increase a character's Defense by 10%. The only option here worth considering. You'll find one eventually, but can never be purchased and only customized for. If you are making your completionists file and don't need future Grade, I would try for one.
- Attack Symbol: Increases a character's Accuracy, by, I guess, the same 10% the Guardian Symbol does. Accuracy is a dubious stat, so it's an easy pass. You'll pick one up after a boss fight later, but if you want more than one, you'll need to customize for it.
Past the vendors and out into the city, Colette collides with a group of goofs and their Palma Potion is dropped and shattered. They demand a replacement, and despite Lloyd's objections, Colette is not going to let you continue unless you provide another one for them. Note: The inn is next door with a save point, if you want to go back and try your hand at the Grab Bag.
Continue east, across another bridge, to Palmacosta's central plaza. You'll briefly get a scene with Dorr, the Palmacosta leader that Chocolat had mentioned. To the northwest, you'll see a giant ship in the distance. Follow the pathway down towards the steamship for a scene with the assassin girl, Sheena. Obviously, if you are doing the story in reverse order and Sheena is already in your party, this event does not occur.
Outside the Palmacosta government building to the west, talk to the guard on the right-side and Kratos will offer Lloyd an opportunity to train him. Agree to boost Kratos' affection with Lloyd, or reject to lower it. This is the first of several Kratos training sessions and each needs to be seen, and accepted, in order to advance to the next.
We're not finished in Palmacosta yet, though. Return back across to the city's plaza and enter the academy that is to the lower-right of the area. Lloyd brings up the fact that Genis was suppose to attend here, but got caught up in the Chosen's journey. Then, two nitwits, having overheard the conversation, show up and, doubting Genis because of his age, challenge him to a literal "test", which you should absolutely accept. When they're gone, search the lamppost-looking thing on the first floor to reveal the Wonder Chef and learn the Omelet recipe that cures the party of poison.
We're still not done at the academy, however. Enter the cafeteria on the first floor; second door to the right. Talk to the owner and he'll ask Colette if she'll help be a waitress for a bit. This ushers in another potentially-frustrating mini-game, however, with our trusty phone we can do this fairly easy like Emotional Balloon. Ready your camera and take a picture as soon as the costumer's orders appear on-screen. The first round will be two, the second, three, and the third, four. This will allow you to reference what to order and whom to give it to. Be wary of the third, and last, round as you'll need to snap two pictures as the first order will disappear before the other three appear. Also, make sure not to talk to a person you have already given an order to, as this counts as having messed things up. Do everything with haste and correct and Colette will be rewarded with some Gald and the Turbo Waitress title. Turbo Waitress provides a 20% chance for either Def and/or Int to increase.
Now we're ready to exit Palmacosta to the left-side of the inn. Before that, I want to give an update on recommended equipment for our characters.
- Lloyd: Masamune, Chain Mail, Leather Helm, Leather Glove, Leather Boots, Sephira/Poison Charm
- Colette: Slicer Ring, Fine Guard, Ribbon, Bracelet, Leather Boots, Cape/Guardian Symbol
- Genis: Duel Star, White Cloak, Beret, Bracelet, Cape, Leather Boots
- Kratos: Steel Sword, Chain Mail, Leather Helm/Beret, Wooden Shield, Cape, Leather Boots
- Raine: Gem Rod, Feather Robe, Ribbon/Circlet, Bracelet, Cape, Leather Boots
Note: Palmacosta is actually a temporarily available area, eventually, so it's important that you obtain all the titles and items there when you can or they will become missable. I will warn you when this is about to happen, however.
Outside on the world map, move directly south of Palmacosta and you'll spot Nova's Caravan in the middle of a nearby forest. Here, you'll meet Nova and his family who are traveling the world studying animals. His daughter will mention seeing a giant, glowing bird that Raine will recognize as Aska, the Summon Spirit of Light. Make your way around and talk to the family, each providing a little information on how the group may go about meeting with Aska, and you'll be given the Linkite Nut by May. It doesn't seem like the party is in any position to locate a Linkite Tree right now, but it might be possible in the future. Note: Seeing this scene is a required part of the storyline, although will not be necessary until far-later in the game.
New Monsters on the Palmacosta continent: Giant Beetle, Grasshopper, Soldier, Starfish (Beaches near Thoda Dock)
Outside of Palmacosta are a handful of new enemies to encounter. The one to look out for, however, is the Soldier, who appears alongside Witches, Archers, and occasionally, Thieves. They hold the Lid Shield as one of their dropped items and through drop is the only place in the game you can obtain it. Although weaker than Kratos' Wooden Shield, it does provide resistance to fire, which can prove useful. Also, the Giant Beetles have Cabbage as their drop and steal to continue to cook Cabbage Rolls, since it is not available to purchase at the moment. To note, Giant Beetles can also drop the food item, Kirima, which is otherwise not available until near the end of the game. It's, however, not a requirement for any specific recipe and isn't rare.
Continue southeast, around the mountains, hugging the coastline, then turn north between the mountain ranges. You'll see Palmacosta's Guidepost Monument to activate. Keep making your way through the canyon, then at the fork, there are two areas to the east: the Palmacosta Human Rance and the Thoda Dock. Remember their location as we will be returning here later on. Make your way northwest from the fork, with a pathway becoming visible, and enter the House of Salvation.
Inside the group finds our antagonist, Sheena, praying. Select the option to "Leave her alone." to boost Sheena's affection with Lloyd, or "Speak to her." for no change. She'll, finally, give the party her name, but again threaten to kill Colette next time they meet. Note: If you took the alternate route and Sheena is already in your party this scene, of course, it not available to see here.
You'll quickly notice here that the guards aren't letting anyone through without being part of Palmacosta church's pilgrim tour or buying a Road Pass. Inside the building, the con artist is trying to sell the passes for 100 million Gald! Besides that, Colette spots the Book of Regeneration nearby that the imposter group has already sold him. As expected, he's not about to even let you look at it, nonetheless part with it, unless we offer him something in return: the Spirtua Statue from the nearby House of Salvation. Back outside, a group has gathered having fled Palmacosta because of a Desian attack. We need to get back there quickly. First, look for the skit "Lloyd Admonished" before leaving the area, then back on the world map, "Lloyd Praised" will be available.
You'll then have to battle two Whip Masters and an Evil Sorcerer. Go ahead and throw a Magic Lens on the Sorcerer if you have Raine in your party, but if not, they'll show up again soon. After the battle, the Desians fled, Cacao and Chocolat give their thanks; dropping more subtle hints as to the identity of the founder of "Marble's". When the scene was over, still within the shop, the skit "Mystery of the Imposters" popped-up, which I thought was odd timing. Then, back on the city streets, "Palmacosta's Future" is available, too. Move to the port area, where the shops are, and another skit, "Don't Tell Lloyd" will activate if you saw the scene earlier at the Palmacosta academy.
Before you can do anything, a guard from Palmacosta stops the group with a message from Governor-General Dorr: He wants the party to temporarily abandon the regeneration journey and help rescue Chocolat who has been taken to the area's Human Ranch. You'll be given a choice, but it only effects your party's affection and has no influence on your next destination. Selecting: "Yeah, okay." boosts everyone's affection while "Releasing the seals comes first." increases Raine's by a lot, Kratos remains neutral, and the other characters have a drop in their affection for Lloyd. Note: This also includes Sheena if she is in your party.
