Games - Tonberry

	Games - Tonberry

A Tonberry is a mysterious creature from the Final Fantasy
series. It made its first appearance in Final Fantasy V ("Dingleberry" in the North American localization); in Final Fantasy VI they were known as "Pugs" in the North American release. Tonberries are often found in caves or ruins, and frequently guard coveted treasure or valuable items.

Appearance

A Tonberry is quite small, usually no larger than two or three feet (sixty to ninety centimetres) tall. It has green skin and a round head with a small snout and round yellow eyes; it walks on two legs and resembles, to some small degree, a bipedal lizard, or, to a greater extent, a green sock puppet. However, it always wears a hooded cloak, usually plain brown or grey in color, and its dolphin-like tail can be seen peeking out from beneath the hem. A Tonberry always carries two things: a lantern in one hand to light its way through the caves, and a long, sharp butcher's knife in the other. Stronger versions of the Tonberry have a glowing star above their head (VII) or a crown, to symbolize the Tonberry King (VIII).

History

Lore from some of the Final Fantasy games suggests that Tonberries possess a great rage against all in their hearts, and it is this anger that binds the Tonberries as a civilization, although no human has ever seen such a civilization. However, some fans disagree, characterizing the Tonberries as a highly intelligent and civilized race which forcefully defends its territory.

Combat

Despite their small size and unassuming appearance, a Tonberry is a formidable opponent. They are tough and hard to kill. While a Tonberry's foes are attacking it, it will walk slowly towards them; after every successful attack that its opponent lands, it will counter with a very powerful special ability, such as that known as "Everyone's Grudge" or "Karma." This ability seems to call upon the departed spirits of every creature that the Tonberry's attacker has defeated in the past, and summon them forth for retribution. Once the Tonberry has come close enough to its enemy, it will then attack with its knife; this attack is almost always fatal.

Other Tonberries

On rare occasions, one may encounter one of the elders of Tonberry society; these are Tonberries that have lived longer or grown larger than the rest of their kind. They are known as either Master Tonberries (Masterberries in Final Fantasy Tactics Advance) or Tonberry Kings, and can be recognized by some form of head ornamentation. Most frequently, this takes the form of a crown or a star. As a rule, the treasures that these elders guard are even rarer and more precious, and their combat abilities are (naturally) more highly developed. Master Tonberries can be found in the Crater in Final Fantasy VII, and can be morphed into the powerful Ribbon accessory. The Tonberry King may appear after enough regular Tonberries are slain, and be defeated and claimed as a Guardian Force (a summoned creature) in Final Fantasy VIII.

In Final Fantasy X, the Don Tonberry can be fought in the Monster Arena after at least one of each monster from the Cavern of Stolen Fayth area has been caught. Don Tonberries have strange, almost leaf-like markings, on their heads.

More facts about Tonberries

In Final Fantasy X-2, Paine's Mascot costume is modeled after a Tonberry. Tonberries appear in huge numbers in Bevelle's Via Infinito, with small ones leading right up to those that are over 3 meters tall in scale.

In Final Fantasy XI, Tonberries are classified as Beastmen that live solely in the Yhoator Jungle on the eastern half of Elshimo. During the Great War, the majority of the Tonberries remained in their stronghold, the Temple of Uggalepih. However, a few elite members of the tribe were sent to the Shadow Lord to act as his secret agents. These Tonberries would often sneak into the castles of the allied forces and assassinate important generals or political figures. Feared around Vana'diel, these beastmen were often referred to as the "invisible killers." According to the Tonberries' religion, their creator, the Goddess Uggalepih, had beauty that was envied by the Goddess Altana. A furious Altana transformed Uggalepih into a hideous beast and exiled her to the Outlands. Revenge for Altana's actions is said to be one of the origins of their rancor.

This game also reveals why Tonberries are never found without their lanterns or knives in a Tonberry 'war-chant':

"O brothersss of rancor, take up thy lanternsss, The truth we shall illuminate. O sistersss of rancor, take up thy knives, To cleave our foesss with barren hate. Through this we ssseek our just reward; Our goddess's glory be ressstored."

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Tonberry ]

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