A trick for FFT. If you want to get really nice equipment early on in the game you can actually steal it from random battle human characters. They start showing up just before the Fort Zeakaden battle. You can either use a mediator to invite them or just steal their gear. Eithe way you'll get Rune Blades, Black Costumes, Thief's Hats, and all of the Crystal set. Its all stuff you can buy, but not till the end of Chapter Four.
And its all handy to have before Chapter Two lol.