Land of Departure

The Land of Departure (旅立ちの地, Tabidachi no Chi) is a world where Keyblade apprentices take their Master Qualification Exam to qualify for their Mark of Mastery.

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 * —About Land of Departure.

Overview
The Land of Departure is one of few special worlds that is located between the Realm of Light and the Realm of Darkness.

The Land of Departure is shown in artwork to be set high in grassy mountains, surrounded by flowing water. The building itself decreases in width as it reaches the ground, tall spires protruding from the roof. Two lengths of golden chain connect the castle to twin peaks. Similarly to Twilight Town, there is one major building in this world's render; the main building also bears a resemblance to Twilight Town's clock tower. Like Radiant Garden, this world also has a circular area in the middle of it, with a large building overhead.

The tutorial, while still controlling Ventus, takes place in the Mountain Trail. Going up into the hill leads to the Summit. The area before the Mountain Trail is the Forecourt, where the world's Moogle Shop can be found if the player chooses to return to the Land of Departure for a limited time in the story. Beyond is Terra's, Ventus's, Aqua's and Master Eraqus's home.

The Land of Departure is also one of a select few worlds in the series that features areas that eventually cannot be accessed during later portions of the game. After Master Eraqus is killed and Master Xehanort plunges the world into darkness, the world cannot be fully revisited. Because of this, the four treasure chests needed to complete the journal must be obtained before this chapter in the story, or else they will be left unopened when that part of the world becomes unreachable. This was later changed in the North American version; the Mountain Path ,which contains most of the chests in the world, was made available. The Forecourt is no longer accessible because the road leading to it has collapsed, and it is seen one last time towards the beginning of the Final Episode.

Characters

 * Master Eraqus
 * Terra
 * Aqua
 * Ventus


 * Although he does not make an appearance, Eraqus and Xehanort's master is mentioned on several occasions. It is known that he was a Keyblade Master who taught the two when they were only apprentices.

Notes & Trivia

 * In Ventus's room, two of the books on his bookshelves are titled Birth by sleep and Ultimania.