Besieged

Stages of Besieged
/bmap displays the state of the enemy armies. Each of them has a strength level, "Enemy Forces".
 * When this number is below 100, the enemy is "Training".
 * During Training the force level rises slowly.
 * The speed of Training depends on the number of Archaic Mirrors they have when their invasion window opens.
 * Server maintenance will reset Besieged timers, causing the level to rise shortly after maintenance ends.
 * The beastmen army will invade approximately 16-36 hours after their last invasion, and as early as 30 minutes after the Astral Candescence has been recovered from beastmen.
 * The force level can be lowered by defeating monsters in the appropriate stronghold. However, once it is reduced to a certain point, the rate of the increase of that force will accelerate.
 * Defeating a Notorious Monster inside that base will automatically reduce their force by 1.
 * Their force level is increased by 1 when a player inside that stronghold is KO'ed.
 * When the number is 100 or above, the enemy is "Preparing".
 * Once the army starts Preparing, their force level cannot be lowered, and rises at a rate of 1 point per 1 to 3 minutes.
 * Preparing ends when the force level reaches 100 + 10 * the target level. (1-7, the beastmen forces work themselves from 1 to 7, and staying at level 7 until a beastmen army has captured the Astral Candescence. Note that there is both a level 1 for a force level of 100 and 110; there is no known difference between the enemies of the two.)
 * The target level is based on the number of consecutive successful defenses.
 * The Preparing stage typically lasts between 5 minutes to 150 minutes.
 * When the beastmen have completed preparations, the army leaves its stronghold and starts "Advancing". At this point, players in Aht Urhgan will receive a log message ordering them to intercept the approaching army. The amount of time before the beastmen reach Al Zahbi varies:
 * The Undead Swarm takes 15+ minutes to arrive and go through Bhaflau Thickets.
 * The Troll Mercenaries take 24+ minutes to arrive and go through Wajaom Woodlands.
 * The Mamool Ja Savages take 31+ minutes to arrive and go through Wajaom Woodlands.
 * Advancing armies do not auto-attack players in their path unless they have been attacked.
 * If the army should reach Al Zahbi, they start "Attacking", and players in Aht Urhgan will receive another message "Defend Al Zahbi".
 * If the army is successfully intercepted prior to reaching Al Zahbi, credit will be given for a successful defense.
 * If the enemy forces should gain control of the Astral Candescence, the enemy status changes to "Defending."
 * Also of note, the Orders (on /bmap) are changed to "Regain the orb.".
 * Once Al Zahbi regains the Astral Candescence, that enemy level returns to 0.

Besieged Strategies
[It is important to note, that Besieged was changed greatly, and some of this information might be outdated]

Though Besieged is a group effort, it is often too chaotic to organize any true strategy, so most people attempt to help out, while maxing out their EXP/IS bonus. Some basic strategies are:


 * Stay near one of Al Zahbi's Serpent Generals. If you are a damage dealer, /assist them and attack their target. If you are a healer help buff them, and keep them alive with cures when they get in trouble.
 * Attack the Beastman General or the Notorious Monster. Beastmen tend to retreat once all their notorious monsters are defeated.
 * On the other hand, some Notorious Monsters (Gurfurlur the Menacing, Medusa, Gulool Ja Ja) take a ridiculously long time to defeat and should be kited, as defeating them is not necessary to win. Defeating these Notorious Monsters will, however, grant an additional 200 EXP/IS at the end of the Besieged.
 * For melees, fight and stun as needed. Accuracy gear/food is highly recommended, as many players have trouble hitting Besieged mobs reliably, even at 75 with merits.
 * For mages Cure and buff NPCs (especially the Serpent Generals) and anyone else around. Stun and Flash can be helpful. Dia II and Dia III also helps, as it does damage to the mob and lowers its defense for the melee that are attacking it.  Status bolt effects rarely stick.
 * BLMs have reported being able to do more Damage meleeing with a Scythe than nuking. Nukes are generally not worth the MP cost.
 * Unless your PC can handle heavy amounts of lag, stay away from the initial waves, particularly in the Bastion, as these tend to have lag issues.
 * During an Undead Swarm besieged, having many players attack a Draugar makes them near-impossible to kill, as they can drain back all of their HP in a single Blood Saber.
 * Spirits Within attack with 300 tp does not do... current Hps * .46875 (15/32) = damage

Besieged Allies
Mercenaries are not alone in Besieged. Imperial soldiers and other reinforcements also lend their skills to drive out the beastman hordes. In addition, there are five Serpent Generals who have been personally charged by the Empress with the defense of Al Zahbi. They are each allowed a name that corresponds with the symbols of the Empire. The Imperial symbols consist of five serpents, each associated with an element--fire, water, earth, wind, and the heavens. Each general possesses a mirror used to open the Hall of Binding, so their protection in battle is crucial.
 * A good strategy for Besieged is to find one of the Generals and stick with them. If you are a damage dealer, /assist them and attack their target. If you are a healer, buff them with Protect/Shell/Haste and help keep them alive if they get in trouble. Be sure to check before Besieged starts that the General you want to help hasn't already been captured.

For more information, see Besieged Allies.

Enemies in Besieged
There are three invading forces in Besieged. In contrast to their name, the Mamool Ja Savages are actually a highly disciplined military force. A specific military role is automatically assigned to every Mamool Ja citizen based on social classification, and their discipline is a direct result of the intensive training they receive in order to carry out their duties. The army is comprised of units that specialize in one particular field of battle. Supposedly, to prevent infighting amongst the different classes, the soldiers are given no opportunities to learn skills outside of their specialization. However, this also means that troops trained to undertake a certain task cannot be easily replaced should they fall--a fatal chink in the Mamool Ja's armor.

Emerging from the recesses of Mount Zhayolm and Halvung, the Troll Army is a decently organized fighting force. The Trolls' ancestors served as a mercenary unit in the Imperial Army, and were afterwards hired by the Moblins. The reasons for their move to Mount Zhayolm are debatable, but they were able to maintain autonomy over their mercenary lands (also known as Halvung Territory) by paying tribute to the Empire until the conflict for the Astral Candescence began. With the motivating force of recovering autonomy over their mercenary lands, the Troll Mercenaries are a highly determined fighting force. Their might and hostility towards Aht Urhgan make the Trolls the Imperial capital's greatest threat.

The undead swarm is very simply organized, consisting only of manipulators and the manipulated. The Lamiae and Merrows themselves created the undead, but have no misgivings about expending them in order to survive or accomplish a goal. The undead can only follow the simplest instructions, and thus present very little threat when alone. In battle, however, the undead are so numerous that losses are of no concern, and storm tactics tend to prevail over sophisticated strategies.

For more information, see Enemies in Besieged.

Temporary Items
In every Besieged, you receive a number of temporary items used to assist you in the fight (up to 35). However, if certain NPCs are taken prisoner, you will not obtain a specific item. You can receive up to 35 items total. Here are the items, the function of each item, and the relative NPCs:
 * {| border="0" width="100%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"

!width="25%"|NPC !width="25%"|Item !width="50%"|Description
 * - BGCOLOR="#D87093"


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Chochoroon (Appraiser)
 * Scroll of Instant Reraise
 * Gives "Reraise" effect


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Allard
 * Max-Potion +3
 * Restores 700 HP (leaves you Medicated for 15 minutes)


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Zafif
 * Pro-Ether +3
 * Restores 350 MP (leaves you Medicated for 15 minutes)


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Djinabaha (AH Manager)
 * Hi-Elixir
 * Restores 50% of your max HP and MP


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Galeserpent General Najelith
 * Revitalizer
 * Instantly restores all Job Abilities, including two-hours


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Chayaya
 * Remedy
 * Removes paralysis, silence, blindness, poison, and disease effects


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Kahah Hobichai
 * Daedalus Wing
 * Gives 100% TP


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Dabigo (Delivery Manager)
 * Lethe Water +1
 * Erases all buffs that can be removed with Dispel/Magic Finale from a single mob


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Suldiran
 * Demoralizer +1
 * Heavily reduces a single mob's TP


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Waterserpent General Mihli Aliapoh
 * Megalixir
 * Fully restores HP and MP


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Stoneserpent General Zazarg
 * Giant's Drink
 * Doubles Maximum HP, 15 minute duration


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Shihu-Danhu (Warp Taru)
 * Wizard's Drink
 * Doubles Maximum MP, 15 minute duration


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Skyserpent General Rughadjeen
 * Carnal Incense
 * Provides approximately 20 seconds of invulnerability to physical attacks


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Flameserpent General Gadalar
 * Spiritual Incense
 * Provides approximately 20 seconds of invulnerability to magic


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Dahaaba (Chocobo NPC)
 * Hermes Quencher
 * Gives "Flee" effect, 30 second duration (leaves you Medicated for 15 minutes)


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Dusty Wing
 * Gives 300% TP


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Dusty Ether
 * Recovers 150 MP.


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Dusty Potion
 * Recovers 300 HP


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Mana Powder
 * Airborn powder that restores the MP of anyone within a certain radius


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Vicar's Drink
 * Instantly cures most status ailments


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Shepherd's Drink
 * Instantly restores some of a Pet's HP


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Gnostic's Drink
 * Temporarily grants the effect of Pax (Lowers generation of Enmity)


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Sprinter's Drink
 * Temporarily Boosts Movement speed


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Spy's Drink
 * Temporarily gives the user the effect of Haste


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Champion's Drink
 * Temporarily grants the effect of Potency (Critical hit rate is increased)


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Assassin's Drink
 * Temporarily increases magic accuracy


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Monarch's Drink
 * Temporarily grants the effect of Regain (Gradually raises TP)


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Dusty Elixir
 * Effects


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Fighter's Drink
 * Temporarily increases accuracy


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Fanatic's Drink
 * Temporarily nullifies all physical damage


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Braver's Drink
 * Temporarily increases all attributes


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Fool's Drink
 * Temporarily nullifies all magical damage


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Oracle's Drink
 * Temporarily increases magic attack power


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Cleric's Drink
 * Temporarily cures most status aiments of all nearby companions


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Barbarian's Drink
 * Temporarily increases attack power


 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Unknown
 * Soldier's Drink
 * Temporarily increases all damage dealt to a target
 * }

Experience
Every successful Besieged is awarded with experience points and Imperial Standing points.

Note: EXP/IS listed in the chart is the maximum reward without defeating any NM. (See below.)
 * {| border="0" width="60%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"

!width="25%"|Besieged Level !width="25%"|Max Experience Points !width="25%"|Max Imperial Standing Points
 * - BGCOLOR="#D87093"

Unlike before, the limits are not longer static, but varies depending on how many NMs are defeated. The formula has been confirmed to be +80 XP if you defeat the mega boss and +200 XP if you defeat the beastmen leader. NOTE: If the beastmen leader does not show up (defeated inside their respective Beastmen stronghold), you will be unable to get the +200 XP gained from defeating them.
 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Beastmen Level 1
 * 300 XP
 * 300 IS
 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Beastmen Level 2
 * 400 XP
 * 400 IS
 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Beastmen Level 3
 * 500 XP
 * 500 IS
 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Beastmen Level 4
 * 600 XP
 * 600 IS
 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Beastmen Level 5
 * 700 XP
 * 700 IS
 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Beastmen Level 6
 * 1000 XP
 * 1000 IS
 * - BGCOLOR="#e3e6ff"
 * Beastmen Level 7
 * 1200 XP
 * 1200 IS
 * }

If the Astral Candescence is taken:
 * Experience and imperial standing reward is cut in half.
 * Runic Portal passes will not be given out.
 * The city music stops playing in Al Zahbi only, as long as the AC is gone. The music stopping only applies when you exit the area and come back. If you stay in the area after the Besieged battle is over, the music is normal.
 * Sanction's Imperial Standing bonus effects become unavailable and no EXP bonus is applied.
 * Beastmen within the stronghold of the forces that took the AC become stronger, and yield bonus Imperial Standing when defeated with the Sanction buff applied.

No specific info yet on how the experience is calculated - most melee get maximum experience points. Engaging an enemy by itself will not earn you any experience, but it does not seem to matter whether you're actually hitting the enemy or not. Healers need to do a lot of healing/raising to get maximum XP, but they don't need to do any damage themselves.

Casting Shell 1 on an NPC seems to be worth 2 experience points. A Phantom Roll is worth 20 points.

Prisoners
During Besieged, prisoners will occasionally be taken captive, and it is up to the adventurers to go and liberate them. Prisoners can be taken even if the beastmen are not victorious in capturing the Astral Candescence. The list of NPCs that can be captured is above, along with the temporary items corresponding to each NPC. Until they are rescued, their services (and possibly that of other NPCs) are unavailable. Although a beastmen base can hold up to 24 prisoners, beastmen may not capture more than 8 NPCs per besieged. If a Serpent General is defeated in besieged, there is a 50-50 chance that general will be taken prisoner.

To liberate a captive, proceed to appropriate beastmen strongholds (Mamook, Halvung or Arrapago Reef) and locate the prison cells or hatches. Open the cell/hatch by picking the lock (by having Thief use Thief's Tools) or using the appropriate key (Mamook Blackscale Key, Halvung Brass Key or Lamian Bone Key respectively).
 * After a Besieged, captive Serpent Generals should be the top priority in being liberated as Beastmen forces are more likely to win the next besieged if they only have to defeat 2 or 3 Serpent Generals to break the seal.

After you liberate an NPC, speak to them when you arrive back in town. He will reward you with 100 Imperial Standing points (500 if the NPC is a Serpent General) and a ??? Item. NPCs seem to give ??? Boxes more often than other ??? Items.

Recovering the Astral Candescence
If the beastmen are successful during the besieged event they will capture the Astral Candescence. Adventurers will have to attack the beastmen to recover it and regain its benefits. To recover the Astral Candescence, head to the region that has possession of the Astral Candescence. Note that runic portals will be unavailable.

Two temporary key items will be required to enter the BCNM. Only 6 members are allowed to enter the BCNM fight at a time and all 6 members must possess both key items. The fight is uncapped with a 30 minute time limit.

The beastmen will not recover HP or respawn should the party wipe. Recovery will require multiple parties to enter the BCNM and gradually defeat the beastmen.
 * For more information on recovery see: Astral Candescence.

Opening/Closing Cutscenes
When Besieged starts, a cutscene will play that varies depending on which Serpent Generals are in Al Zahbi, which beastman army is attacking, and whether or not a beastmen leader is present:

Openings:

With Rughadjeen: Rughadjeen : Fellow combatants! Rughadjeen : The future of the Empire rests on your shoulders! Rughadjeen : May we be victorious and bring glory to the Empress this day!

With Zazarg: Zazarg : Gahahaha! Zazarg : So our enemies think they've already won, do they? Zazarg : I'll teach them a lesson!

With Mihli: Mihli Aliapoh : This is all you've got? Mihli Aliapoh : Defenders of the Empire Mihli Aliapoh : Shrrred our foes into meat jerky!

With Gadalar: Gadalar : Will the Empire thrive? Or fall into ruin? Gadalar : Well? Fight and see? Gadalar : War and perish, minions! Feed all of your desperation into the fray!

With Najelith: Najelith : Everyone, lend me your courage. Najelith : If only we put our trust in each other... Najelith : We can triumph over this threat!

With the Immortals (No Serpent Generals):

With Gulool Ja Ja: Gulool Ja Ja (Fighter Head) : Grrrrrr! Smoothskin weaklings! Surrender to us, you shall! Gulool Ja Ja (Mage Head) : Gahahahaha... It matters not, where you run. A safe place, there is not...

With Gurfurlur the Menacing: Gurfurlur : (Who dares fight me?) Megomak : Gurfurlor asks, "Is there no one strong enough to fight me?" Megomak : Gurfurlor is mighty! Megomak : If you can defeat him, maybe I'll use his salary to employ you instead! Gurfurlur : Raaaaaawr...!

With Medusa: Medusa : Well, well... Medusa : Look at all these adorable two-legs... Medusa : Come, dance with me mortals!

Closings:

With Rughadjeen: Rughadjeen : Excellent work, fellow combatants! Rughadjeen : Bask in the victory of the Imperial Army! Rughadjeen : Let us raise a triumphant cheer for Her Magnificence the Empress!

With Zazarg: Zazarg : Gahahaha! Zazarg : It's time to rejoice! Zazarg : The beastmen got a taste of our army ran off with their tails between their legs! Rich!

With Mihli: Mihli Aliapoh : Phew...We...we finally won... Mihli Aliapoh : My brrrave defenders... Mihli Aliapoh : You have earned your rrrest...

With Gadalar: Gadalar : Damn, they retreated... Gadalar : Well, what are you waiting for? After them! Gadalar : And don't stop until the beastmen have no safe place to turn to!

With Najelith: Najelith : Everyone, rejoice! Najelith : We have defeated the beastmen! Najelith : Let us celebrate our victory!

With the Immortals (No Serpent Generals): Syaid : Our enemies have retreated behind the Balrah Line. The Imperial Army is victorious! I am sure the Empress is most pleased.

Which Serpent General appears in the opening and closing events vary for each participating mercenary, but the general must be present in Al Zahbi. Originally, there was a "dominance" of which general appeared, and whichever general that is the "dominant" in the order compared to other present generals was shown. The order was: Rughadjeen > Zazarg> Mihli > Gadalar > Najelith > Syaid. Also, the cutscenes for each of the Serpent Generals was shorter and there were no extra scenes for Gulool Ja Ja, Gurfurlur, or Medusa.