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Spoilers for FFT, FFIX, FFX, Xenosaga and Chrono Cross.
Every RPG has that worn out scenario in the game when the heroes or villains will take something dearest to the other party for something else in return. These favors are usually returned with less-than-expected results, and possibly a whole other side-quest! The situation in blackmails is usually lose-lose, and the characters never seem to learn from their mistakes, and often repeatedly by the same offender. One aspect of blackmail that I will share with you is hostage taking.
Final Fantasy Tactics is a perfect example of this. One famous moment involves Teta, Delita's beloved sister. Teta was abducted by the Death Corps while a raid was made on Razma's home. Delita is angered at this, but even more at Algus who said a rescue of a commoner was pretty much a waste of time. When attempting to rescue the hostage, Teta is injured by Algus, who in turn wanted to kill Golagros. Showing no remorse for his deed, Algus is killed by his former comrades.
Final Fantasy IX also shares this tactic. Lani abducts Eiko for Dagger's pendant in Madain Sari. Zidane and company device a plan involving Zidane's quick wrist and skills. Lani sees this and makes Vivi bring the pendant to her instead. All seems in vain, but Amarant intervenes and causes Lani to give up her hostage. Eiko is captured yet again by Zorn and Thorn while trying to reunite with the party in Kuja's lair. Kuja then flees to the farthest north continent, with the party not too far behind. An extraction ceremony is performed, but fails due to Eiko's pet moogle sidekick. Zidane and the gang reach the small summoner just after Eiko unleashes her new Eidolon.
Final Fantasy X, not surprisingly, also follows this formula. Yuna, the female lead, is abducted not once, but twice by the same group. The Al Bhed capture Yuna at the blitzball tournament for a safe return in exchange for the Aurochs' loss. Tidus, Lulu, and Kimahri barely catch the departing boat, and rescue the summoner. Then again at the Moonflow, Yuna is taken hostage in a machina. Tidus and Wakka save her, but we are greeted with the arrival of the final party member because of this. Rikku joins her cousin after her plans were foiled. Yuna is taken captive for the third time at the Al Bhed's HOME by the Guado. The Al Bhed transferred her to their base, as a means of preventing her from sacrificing herself, but Yevonites decided to torch the place and snatch Yuna while there. The party witnesses her in full wedding regal in Bevelle, from which they decide to roll out the red carpet themselves.
Chrono Cross, another Square game (go figure), falls into this story turn too. Riddel is taken captive by the heroes in exchange for their safe escape from Viper Manor. Again, things do not go right as Lynx throws a dagger in Kid and Riddel's general direction. Kid pushes Riddel out of the way only to be struck with the instrument dipped in poison. A major side-quest is born from that! The trouble is not over for our sweet "lady of the manor". When the neighboring country of Porre invades the archipelago, Riddel is taken hostage in her own manor for not disclosing information about her father's whereabouts. The party intervenes when "Hell Orcha" is about to make a savory snack out of her.
Of course, Squaresoft is not to take all the blame for following this plot. Namco used this as well with their first episode of Xenosaga. MOMO, the young girl of the team, is kidnapped by the U-TIC organization because she holds something special inside her memory banks. Ziggy is assigned by the council to rescue MOMO and bring her to Second Miltia. MOMO is rescued, and the two escape the asteroid with guards on their tails. Bad luck occurs, as their escape ship is attacked, but luckily, Shion and crew happen to be traveling in the same wormhole.
From each example, the abducted is more than likely one of your weak physical attackers/magic users (except Teta, who doesn't fight at all), who happen to receive freedom through the actions of your group. To counter this problem, perhaps the hostage could at least try to escape themselves. I would like to see the captive actually escape, instead of sitting around waiting for his/her rescuers to save him/her. Sometimes you win something, and sometimes you lose someone very precious to your cause in these events. You have to take it with a grain of salt. This scenario needs to change, and should not be predicted to appear in any given RPG 95% of the time. Maybe the next time the party is blackmailed, a stronger male character can be the one locked up. Blackmails exist as other types that still have the effect of being powerless, and a desire to set things straight in the hero's eyes.
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