Fisherman's Horizon
History:
Fisherman's Horizion is a small town of pacifists and mechanical gurus located on the bridge from Galbadia to Esthar. It is lead by Mayor Domo. The citizens of FH built the Gardens.
Geography:
FH is an artifical island.
Shumi Tribe and Village
History:
The Shumi Tribe lives in a village far underground. They are extremely long-lived. At certain points in their live/evolution, the Shumi change into other forms depending upon the kind of life they lead. The two most common are Elder and Moomba. The Elder never leaves the Village and is looked to for wisdom and guidence. Moombas are small, cute little creatures who are loyal and moral entities.
The Garden Proprieter of Balamb Garden was NORG from the Shumi Tribe.
The Shumi are not human, though one is trying to evolve into a human...
Geography:
Located under the ground, the Shumi Village is a wonder to any visitor. It appears to be a utopia with beautiful homes, natural formations, and such.
Sorceresses in History
The sorceress power has been passed from woman to woman since the time of Hyne. Hyne is thought to have been the first sorceress. She lived in antiquity, so no physical evidence is in existence to prove (or disprove) this theory.
More recent sorceresses include Edea, Adel, and Rinoa. Edea became a sorceress as a child, and then recieved a dying sorceress's powers when she was an adult. Adel was the ruler of Esthar until her confinement by Laguna and Co. Rinoa recieved Edea's powers while in a coma in space. She then recieved Adel's powers after Adel was defeated by members of SeeD.
Adel
One time ruler of Esthar, Adel's tyrranical reign was brought to a screeching halt by the efforts of Laguna, Dr. Odine, and others. Adel was confined in a mechanism that sealed her powers. She was later launched into space and monitored by crew members aboard the Lunar Base.
Adel was freed by Rinoa who was at the time possessed by Ultimecia. Adel's tomb was caught in the tide of moon creatures during the Lunar Cry. She was rescued by the Galbadians controlling the Lunatic Pandora. Adel was awakened from her 17 year nap. She was defeated by SeeD.
The Sorceress War
The Sorceress War was basically Esthar v. Rest of the World. Esthar was looking for a sucessor to Adel. The other countries did not wish to have a young girl-child taken from them to become Adel's sucessor. Esthar soldiers eventually captured Ellone, a young girl from Winhill. Her capture set Laguna on his quest to find her, and to eventually over-throw Adel.
The Sorceress War ended 17-18 years before Final Fantasy VIII begins. It made orphans of many children. Squall, Quistis, Irvine, Ellone, Zell, Seifer, Martine, and Selphie are among the more well-known.
Matron Edea Kramer's Orphanage
The Sorceress War left many many children orphans. A kind woman, a sorceress herself, Edea Kramer, decided to take in the orphaned children and raise them. Her orphanage was located in the southern part of the Centra Isles Chain.
One of Edea's children, Ellone, was being sought out by Esthar troops. Edea built a ship for Ellone to escape on. The ship became a mini-orphanage.
Gardens
There are currently three Gardens: Galbadia, Balamb, and Trabia. Garden trains mercenaries. The mercenaries of Balamb Garden are SeeD.
Galbadia Garden is the largest Garden. It is located in the Galbadia Republic. The Galbadia Garden's master, and also its Headmaster, is Martine. He has set up a program to recruit graduates from Balamb Garden into the Galbadian Army.
Balamb Garden is located in the Balamb Republic. Cid Kramer is the Headmaster of Balamb Garden. Its proprieter is Master NORG of the Shumi Tribe. Balamb Garden was the first of the Gardens to be built in accordance with Cid's ideals and dreams.
Trabia Garden is located in the Trabia region. There is an exchange program between Trabia and Balamb Garden.
Garden and SeeD were actually the brain children of Cid's wife, Edea Kramer.
SeeD
SeeD is Balamb Garden's elite mercenary force. SeeD is dispatched at the request (and payment) of both military installations and civilians. To qualify for SeeD, a canidite must pass a written exam, and complete an official field mission. SeeD members are paid according to rank. Any hard-working, over-achieving youth is welcome to go to Garden and train for SeeD. There are strict rules governing graduation, conduct, and life, however.
SeeDs are especially trained to use GFs and magic to defeat the sorceress, should another Adel ever arise.
