I am a machinist. Do you know the history of my trade?

Mustadio Bunansa

Mustadio Bunansa,^[1][2] also known as Mustadio Bunanza,^[3] is a playable character from Final Fantasy Tactics whom Ramza Beoulve and Agrias Oaks rescue from the Baert Trading Company.

Mustadio's default job is the machinist, allowing him to cripple enemies in various ways with special shots while wielding guns. He can be recruited during chapter 2, "The Manipulative & the Subservient".

History

Early life

Mustadio is the only son of Besrudio Bunansa, a brilliant machinist famous in the Clockwork City of Goug for creating/restoring mechanical weaponry from an extinct and more technologically advanced ancient civilization whose knowledge was lost due to the Cataclysm. Having specialized in the use of pistols, Mustadio assisted his father in working in the city's mines, which helped shape his jovial and free-spirited personality.^[1]

Trouble with Baert Trading Company

At some point during the Church of Glabados' search for the Zodiac Stones, Mustadio and Besrudio found the Taurus Stone in Goug's excavations and discovered it had the power to reactivate the ancient machines unearthed in the tunnels. This put them in the sights of Cardinal Delacroix of Lionel, who was searching for auracite. Delacroix hired Viscount Ludovich Baert, leader of the multifaceted Baert Trading Company, to obtain the auracite by force. When the viscount and his henchmen cornered them at home, Besrudio feared that Ludovich wanted the auracite to create a weapon of mass destruction, and asked Mustadio to escape with the Stone and leave him behind. The young machinist was forced to flee the city in search of help.^[4][5]

When the mercenaries soon after cornered Mustadio in the Castled City of Zaland during chapter 2, "The Manipulative & the Subservient", Ramza Beoulve and Agrias Oaks came to his rescue while they were on their way to Lionel Castle. After the fight, Mustadio told his rescuers about his profession, where he came from, and about the persecution by Baert's men, although he kept the reason behind the persecution hidden. Once Mustadio discovered that Ramza and Agrias were escorting Princess Ovelia, he decided to join them to request the cardinal's support, knowing his request would be granted if the princess interceded for him.^[6]

After fighting their way to Lionel, the three met with Delacroix unaware that he was behind Baert's persecution. After explaining their situation and receiving the false promise of support to stop their pursuers, Mustadio, along with Ramza and Agrias, listened to the cardinal and the princess explain about the Zodiac Braves and the connection of the auracites to their legend. Mustadio recounted how he obtained the Taurus Stone and why he had not given it to Ludovich. Wanting to save his father, Mustadio and Ramza headed back to Goug while Agrias stayed behind to protect Ovelia.^[4][7]

Arriving in Goug after a difficult passage through the Tchigolith Fenlands, Mustadio found it strange that there was no sign of battle in the city between Baert Trading Company or the Lionel's Gryphons and decided to investigate. Arranging to meet Ramza in the lowtown, he continued alone into the city where Baert's henchmen took him and held him captive along with his father.^[8][9]

Baert accosted Ramza at the agreed meeting place and had the Bunansas brought before him. The viscount threatened to kill Besrudio if Mustadio refused to divulge the location of the Taurus Stone. Mustadio claimed it was in the chimney near Ramza and Baert had Ramza retrieve it for him. After revealing that the cardinal was complicit, Baert left with the Stone and his minions attacked Ramza's company. A disarmed Mustadio struggled to hold his own, but Ramza and his forces rescued him. Upon regrouping, Besrudio bemoaned the loss of the Stone, but Mustadio revealed the one in Baert's hands was a fake and that he had the real Taurus Stone.^[9]

Back to Lionel & Lucavi plot

While Ramza and Mustadio made their way back toward Lionel via the Port City of Warjilis, Baert returned with the fake stone first, unaware the cardinal would kill him for his failure. Agrias escaped from Lionel and rejoined Ramza and Mustadio, but the trio ran into trouble with the mercenary Goffard Gaffgarion. Ramza defeated Gaffgarion in a one-on-one battle at the gates of Lionel, allowing the trio to confront the cardinal.^{[9][10][11][12][13]}

Cardinal Delacroix pulled out the Scorpio Stone and transformed into Cúchulainn, one of the Lucavi demons. Ramza and Mustadio prevailed, defeating the monster and recovering the Scorpio Stone. From here on, Mustadio remained with Ramza throughout his quest to defeat the Lucavi.^[14]

War of the Lions

In The Ivalice Chronicles, Mustadio has more dialogue upon joining with Ramza's party. During the battle against Confessor Zalmour Lucianada, Mustadio met Alma Beoulve, Ramza's sister, who tried her best to defend Ramza. He offered to help her, which she refused, striving to do it alone. Ramza told him that Alma could be stubborn. When one of Zalmour's knights or monks attacked Alma, Mustadio scolded her for refusing his help. Alma apologized to both her brother and Mustadio for not listening to them.^[15]

At the Orbonne Monastery, during the battle against Wiegraf Folles, who now worked for the Church of Glabados, Mustadio recognized him as the former leader of the Corpse Brigade. Ramza explained about Wiegraf trying to avenge his sister's death. Mustadio mused that Wiegraf was a revolutionary who fought the oppressed and that it was strange for him to submit to the Church's authority and Ramza knew that he was being deceived. Because of their differences, Ramza had to fight Wiegraf and Mustadio offered to join him.^[16]

Outside the castle in Riovanes, Mustadio was curious about the Galthena siblings, Rapha and Marach, and asked Ramza about them. Ramza called Mustadio a jape when he boasted that he would not kill Marach even though he was their current adversary, as Marach could yet be converted to their side.^[17]

During the second battle with Confessor Zalmour at outside church in Zeltennia, Mustadio met Delita Heiral, who sided with Ramza one last time against the Church of Glabados' plot. Ramza did not blame him for harboring misgivings, realizing that he had his own objectives toward which he exploited his masters. He told Mustadio that Delita was no danger, though Mustadio feared he was not to be trusted, but concluded that should it come to it, it would be a simple matter to beat him black and blue. Mustadio's only concern for Ramza—in case Delita betrayed him—was the depth of the wound it would leave and he had no wish to see Ramza hurt. Ramza thanked Mustadio for his concern, but reassured that Delita would not betray them. Delita warned Ramza that Mustadio's words could come true and threatened that should Mustadio no longer remain useful, he would hand him over to the Church or one of the Lions.^[18]

In The War of the Lions version, on Agrias's birthday (which she had forgotten), Mustadio awkwardly gave her a gift, which she accepted, puzzled. Mustadio heaped praise on her and she intended to treasure the gift and their friendship.^{[19][note 1]}

Before the battle against Ultima, Mustadio met Folmarv Tengille, who transformed into Hashmal. During the battle against the Lucavi, Mustadio declared that he now understood he was destined to find the Taurus Stone in Goug only to eventually confront the monster, emphasizing that everything he and his friends were going through was proof they would not die in the necrohol. As Hashmal prepared to kill him due to his determination, Mustadio stated that he had already made peace and that whatever may befall him, he shall stand with his comrades, promising to give it his all in the fight.^[20]

Two new gadgets

After Ramza's party defeated Belias, Ramza and Mustadio returned to the Clockwork City of Goug and learned that Besrudio had discovered an unusual-looking spherical device with a strange symbol. After helping a warrior named Beowulf Cadmus rescue Reis Duelar from the Mining Town of Gollund, they were rewarded with an auracite, which they used to power up the device, which was actually Construct 8. The automaton told Ramza to give it an order and the young man, wanting to test out his new ally, ordered it to attack Mustadio. Construct 8 knocked out Mustadio and Ramza scrambled to resurrect him with a phoenix down.^[21][22][23]

After the fight with Zalmour Lucianada they returned to Goug where Besrudio had come up with another unusual device. Another auracite was required to activate it. At Nelveska Temple, Ramza and Mustadio defeated another automaton, Construct 7, and gained the Cancer Stone. Taking it to Besrudio, they activated the device, which summoned Cloud Strife. He ran off, but Ramza and Mustadio later caught up with him after defeating Adrammelech. Cloud had run into trouble at the Trade City of Sal Ghidos, where Ramza had previously bought a flower from an unusual woman.^[24][25][26]

Characteristics

Appearance

Mustadio is a fair-skinned young man with blond hair tied in a short ponytail and brown eyes. He wears a long-sleeved yellow shirt, a machinist's brown gloves, blue pants, and brown shoes. Mustadio wears a large leather belt attached to a pouch that hangs on the left side of his hip and a small brown ammunition pouch on his left leg.

Personality

Mustadio is witty and sarcastic, and has a carefree good nature. He takes pride in helping his father, Besrudio, as well the other machinists of the Clockwork City of Goug, unearth the mysterious artefacts underneath town.

He cares deeply about his father, trying to get help from the lord of Lionel Castle, Cardinal Delacroix, to protect Besrudio and himself from the Baert Trading Company, which at that point held his father hostage and was pursuing Mustadio. A brilliant craftsman, Mustadio created an exact replica of the Taurus auracite to fool the Baert Trading Company.

Mustadio develops a strong bond with Ramza, who helped him rescue his father. Mustadio joins Ramza's company out of gratitude and newfound friendship.

In The War of the Lions, it is implied that Mustadio has romantic feelings towards Agrias Oaks, as he remembers her birthday and buys her an expensive lip rouge as a gift.

Gameplay

Mustadio's default and exclusive job is the machinist, which specializes in guns to disable foes from afar and can easily defeat undead enemies. To best utilize him in battle, it is preferable to use Mustadio as an offensive support unit, since his superior attack range can be invaluable on many maps, although his capacity to cause damage leaves something to be desired. He is the first character with a "special job" that can officially join Ramza's party.

Stats and equipment

Mustadio first appears as a guest in chapter 2, "The Manipulative & Subservient", during the battle at the Castled City of Zaland. He starts at level 10 with 60 bravery, 62 faith, and is equipped with the Romandan pistol, headgear, mythril vest, and battle boots. He starts with the Aimed Shot ability while his other abilities are randomized. Regarding his attributes, due to the nature of Mustadio's techniques and his modest power capacity, it is recommended to focus on increasing his speed and accuracy to get the most out of the job class, since the success rate of his abilities depends on these attributes.

Rendezvous

When fought in the eleventh Rendezvous battle: All-Star Melee, Mustadio is two levels higher than the highest-level deployed unit. He starts with 60 bravery and 62 faith, has the machinist job, and is equipped with the blaster, thief's cap, black garb, and japa mala. Mustadio has access to the commands Aimed Shot and Arts of War as well as the abilities Soulbind, Defense Boost, and Move +3.

When fought in in the fourteenth Rendezvous battle: Brave Story, Mustadio is level 99 and starts with 68 bravery and 65 faith. He uses his default job and comes equipped with the blaze gun, thief's cap, luminous robe, and a random accessory. Mustadio has access to Aimed Shot, Arts of War, Soulbind, Defense Boost, and a random movement ability.

Agrias's birthday sidequest

The event is found exclusively in the Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions. If Ramza keeps Agrias Oaks, Alicia, Lavian, and Mustadio in the party, and the party reaches a city or a town (but not a castle town) on the 1st of Cancer in the final chapter, "In the Name of Love", Mustadio buys Agrias the Tynar Rouge lip rouge for her birthday and hints at a hidden affection for her. It costs 50,000 gil, but the party must have at least 500,000 gil to activate this quest.

Other appearances

Mustadio appears in the following Final Fantasy games:

• Final Fantasy XIV as short cameo, raid boss, and obtainable outfit.
• Pictlogica Final Fantasy as a playable character.
• Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade as a Legend.
• Final Fantasy Artniks as a card.
• Final Fantasy Record Keeper as a playable character.
• Final Fantasy Brave Exvius as a summonable vision.
• War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius as a summonable vision.
• Triple Triad as a card.

Non-Final Fantasy guest appearances

Mustadio also appears outside the series:

• Heavenstrike Rivals as a playable unit.
• Knights of the Crystals as a card.

Behind the scenes

With the release of Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions, Mustadio and his father share the last name of "Bunansa" with the Final Fantasy XII character Cidolfus Demen Bunansa and his son, Balthier. It is unknown if they are related to the characters.

According to Game Director Yasumi Matsuno, Mustadio was created to lighten the game's atmosphere, especially for some of the heavier themes featured in the story. Matsuno considers him to be somewhat of a comic relief who is casual with everyone he meets.^[27]

In his official artwork, Mustadio holds a unique yellow-gold gun. Although it resembles the blaze gun, in War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, it is identified as the personal weapon of his father that bears the same name as him.

Etymology

The name Mustadio does not have an easily traceable meaning or etymological root. However, given its sonority, it is possible that it was inspired by the combination of two words from different languages. Musta in Arabic means "chosen" while Dio in Italian means "god". Therefore, Mustadio can be roughly translated as "chosen of god".

The surname Bunansa (or Bunanza) does not have an etymological root. Notably in Latin, the name has a strong resemblance to Bonanza, which means "abundance of good things", "great luck" or "gold mine". Following this line of reasoning, it is plausible to say that the choice of this surname emphasizes the character's personality and job class.

Notes

Annotations

Citations