You will need to pay 4,000 gil to a Non-Playable Character in part of the story coming up. Make sure that you save enough gil if you decide to spend any at the shops in this area or return to the Sochen Cave Palace and battle some enemies for loot to sell if you’re running low.
Vaan will comment on the smell of the area and Balthier will explain that Old Archades is where the runoff from Archades proper reaches.
Both Old Archades and actual Archades, when you reach it, are unique in that all of the NPCs (Non-Playable Characters) and townsfolk are referred to as “Archadian Vulgar” or “Proper Gent” until you speak to them.
Their names change to something more unique, such as “Stairbottom Elder” or “Ex-Broker”, after you speak to them.
Speak to all of the townsfolk as you pass so that you can see their names; this will make an upcoming mini-quest much easier.
There is a “Stranded Merchant” right around the corner when you first enter the Alley of Low Whispers. The Stranded Merchant sells Accessories and regular items in the PlayStation 2 version of the game. He only sells items in the PlayStation 4 Zodiac Age version of the game:
Make sure to find the Ex-Broker, the Shady Seeq and the group of dancing Moogles before traveling west, across the bridge, into the next section of town.
Use the Save Crystal in the southwest section of the zone to save your game. Go south towards the entrance to Archades towards to Imperial Soldiers. The Imperial Soldier will ask you if you have the proper credentials and it does not matter which answer you choose.
A cutscene will begin afterwards involving a former acquaintance of Balthier named Jules.
Jules will offer to assist you if you pay him 1,500 gil. Choose to “Pay Up” and then he will ask Vaan if he has heard any rumors around town.
Depending on whom you spoke to, Vaan will tell Jules about the Lucky Man, the Shady Seeq or the Ex Broker. If Vaan talks to Jules about…
… the ‘Bag of Coins’, you should speak to Beasley.
… the Moogles, you should speak to the dancing group of Moogles near the Shady Seeq.
… the Ex-Broker/Fresh Ardent, you should speak to the Ex-Broker NPC.
Return to Jules and a brawl will start somewhere in town causing a distraction. The two Imperial Soldiers will rush down the alleyway allowing the party to sneak past and into Archades.
Click on the link below to move from the Old Archades to the Imperial Archades section of the guide.
(Click on the map to enlarge)
Bacchus’s Wine
Remedy
Hi-Potion