Chapter 1
The Meager

The Hokuten Knights must deal with a regional conflict in the form of the Death Corps, formerly the Death Knights, a volunteer army of commoners active during the Fifty Year War. The Death Corps are essentially a semi-organized backlash against the Gallionne aristocracy. The Death Corps' ranks are mainly comprised of Fifty Year War veterans disillusioned by the ruling power's lack of sympathy for the commoners' plight.

Sister of Prince Larg, Queen Ruvelia is the acting ruler in place of a terminally ill Omdolia.

The Death Corps has its own internal issues. Some of its members, such as Gustav Margueriff, are weary of the idealistic beliefs Wiegraf Folles, leader of the Death Corps, touts. Wiegraf asserts that reform of the current class system is underway. Others are more skeptical.

Marquis Mesdoram Elmdor of Limberry might have traveled to Igros to participate in negotiations with Larg. However, since Elmdor hails from Limberry, Goltana's "territory," he represents a threat to Larg's bid to become guardian of Orinas, who will be the successor to the throne following Omdolia's imminent death. This despite the fact that Larg's position is all but secured as long as Ruvelia remains in power.

Dycedarg and Larg convince Gustav, a Hokuten Knight during the Fifty Year War, to conduct the kidnapping of Elmdor. Their intention is to have Elmdor killed. The kidnapping also gives the Hokuten additional license to focus their energies toward eliminating the Death Corps.

Both want to know who their allies are. But, it's hard to read strangers' minds. So, why not kill 'em all and bring in your own people?
- Wiegraf, referring to Larg and Goltana

A desperate Gustav apparently loses control of the situation. Ramza unknowingly goes against Dycedarg's wishes by saving Elmdor, but Larg recognizes that saving the Marquis will give him more leverage in the Ivalice parliament.

Gustav was never much of a soldier. Besides, [Ramza] did save the Marquis' life. They must accept our demands.
- Larg, to Dycedarg