"Plains of lightning, plains of thunder, those who cross are torn asunder."
—Maechen
"This lightning never stops, best to keep going."
—Auron
The Thunder Plains (雷平原, Kaminari-heigen), also known as the Gandof Thunder Plains, is a long open barren landscape, which connects Guadosalam to Macalania Woods. It is constantly bombarded by lightning and thunder. Long ago, the plains were a traveler's nightmare, until an Al Bhed named Bilghen set up several towers to serve as lightning rods. He was in the process of setting up the final tower when he was struck by lightning and killed. In Final Fantasy X, the plains are still treacherous, but the towers draw most of the lightning away. Rikku is very reluctant to pass due to a severe case of astraphobia, eventually becoming so terrified that she collapses on the ground and seizes Tidus by the leg. Following the start of the Eternal Calm, the Al Bhed have repaired the lightning towers to make the area safe for travelers. However, their repairs do not seem to have completely stabilized them.
The only recorded time that the endless storm across the Thunder Plains ceased was when Yuna sang her song "1000 Words" on the deck of the Celsius during Final Fantasy X-2. Shortly after the song started, the rain stopped, and by the end, the clouds had parted and the sun shone down on the barren plains. By the time she awoke in the cabin of the Celsius airship, the storm had resumed.
The eponymous "Thunder Plains" plays while the party are crossing them. "Thunder Plains" was one of sixteen tracks chosen from the original soundtrack to be rearranged by Masashi Hamauzu on the Piano Collections album.
Original Soundtrack - Eternity ~Memory of Lightwaves~ - Real Emotion/1000 Words - Vocal Collection - Yuna - Vocal Collection - Rikku - Vocal Collection - Paine - International Last Mission Original Soundtrack - Piano Collection