ARC THE LAD: TWILIGHT OF THE SPIRITS ------------------------------------ FAQ/WALKTRHOUGH by GheddonLN Started: around September 2-3, 2003 Last updated on October 26, 2003 Version 1.00 ========================================================================= == -- TABLE OF CONTENTS -- == ========================================================================= Introduction/Version History Copyright Notice Credits General pointers Walkthrough Item Listing Equipment Skills Side Areas The Pyron & Big Owl Outro ========================================================================= == -- INTRODUCTION/VERSION HISTORY -- == ========================================================================= Well, this is my first Arc the Lad game. I had heard many great things about the other game in the series, but had no chance to buy the "Collection" package... I may do so sometime, but not now. Nevertheless, I decided to buy this game to get my RPG fix and a much needed alternative from my overplayed Winning Eleven 6(which is starting to become a drug, preventing me from playing other games such as Silent Hill 3 and Splinter Cell...). It's become increasingly hard for me to play games now, you know... but anyways, holiday is drawing near and I know you don't care about this @_@. But anyway, you'll find here an extensive walkthrough as well as multiple listings about the many things included in the game. I've tried to get the most information, and I think this could be considered fairly complete. Still, I'd appreciate if you sent me anything you feel it's left out, needed, or required, as well as tips, tricks, hints, strategies... in other words, whatever that'll make this FAQ better. Please enjoy the FAQ. -GheedonLN ----- Version 1.00(October 26/2003): well, the walkthrough is complete as well as every other section of the guide. The equipment portion of it, though, is missing perhaps three or four items... could be a bit more, I don't know. I'm trusting in contributors to get this information. ========================================================================= == -- COPYRIGHT NOTICE -- == ========================================================================= Well, you know the drill. This FAQ is mine, therefore, you must ask for permission before doing anything with it(unless you're taking factual game information, such as HP or weapons stats; then you're free to do so), like posting it on a website or translating it into somewhere else. That's about. Copyright (c) José Felipe Vargas Casadiego, alias, GheddonLN. ========================================================================= == -- CREDITS -- == ========================================================================= O Cattle Call: for programming this great game. O Brady Games guide: I don't wish to be unthankful, but that guide sucked... even then, helped me not to miss the Ancient Tables/Spirit Dictionaries and provided me with info on items and some equipment. O EternalBlue: I checked his guide for some information regarding various pieces of equipment I had missed. Thanks! O To me: for typing this FAQ. ========================================================================= == -- GENERAL POINTERS -- == ========================================================================= O Save often. This is a "golden rule" for RPGs, as you'll usually go about for long periods of time and could lose your progress by slipping up in battle or because of a blackout... trust me, I know about the latter. O Attack from behind. When doing so, you'll exact more damage. Try not to expose your rear to your enemies, too. O Be efficient: Look for chances to hit various enemies at a time with one skill or attack, try to attack from behind(see above) and pick items and spirit stones whenever it is possible(like, for example, when there is only one enemy left behind). This should be always kept in mind. O Level up, when possible: You don't need to spend maddeningly long hours of leveling up in this game, but you should try to do so when you feel you have time and there is a good spot to do so. Your main worry is to learn new skills, too. O Maintain a healthy supply of Spirit Stones. This is overly useful. You need to have a good reserve of the stones, as your skills often spend a lot of them and you have to, usually, battle through various battles in series without having the chance to buy supplies. O Battle for the money. Self-explanatory. O Have extreme fun :) ========================================================================= == -- WALKTHROUGH -- == ========================================================================= A few pointers: when in battle, you should always try to be as effective as possible: hit various enemies with a skill, a normal attack, attack from behind, heal when needed, pick items... I won't tell you these things on the walkthrough.... you should do them because, it's, well, common sense. Well, that's about it o_O. Pop in the CD, have a drink next to you and select "Start Game" when possible. It's time for battle. _________________________________________________________________________ ---- KHARG: THE FIRST BATTLE ---- ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ After the nice introductory cutscene, you'll be in control of Kharg. Talk with Lloyd for a bit and you'll take control soon enough. Move onward to where Lloyd is talking to Banjo and talk with this last one, Banjo, as Lloyd will simply ignore you. A short bit of dialogue will then take place, and after it, you will have the mission to go to Scrappe Plateau and investigate something about an old man. You will be given 200 Gold to prepare yourself and you'll also be told that you should go and tell your mom. With the money, you should purchase healing items, and not worry about the equipment. You might like to explore the town thoroughly. You will find people who will ask for favors: for instance, a kid wants you to talk to Duncan so he unlocks the castle gates and so he and his friends can play there, and somebody wants you to look for Banjo. Now, because you have to visit your mother, go toward the castle ruins door(the big door near the area where the duel with Lloyd was held) and enter the house to the right. A cutscene will ensue, and after it, you must go inside Kharg's mom's room(the only room here). Lady Nafia won't be in there, but, strangely, there will be a shiny thing on the bookcase. Approach it and examine it. A cutscene will follow, with the Spirit of the Wind appearing and talk some gibberish. Watch the scenes that follow, check out the spirit stone one more time, and then leave Lady Nafia's room. Outside, endure through the dialogue, and go back outside. Before leaving, I'd suggest doing a few things. Firstly, head to the items/weapons shop, and talk with Banjo there. He'll remember about going back to his shop(only if you've talked to the man in front of it before, you know, the one who asks you to look for banjo) to get a Knuckle Guard, which should be equipped on Kharg. You can talk to Duncan, who's at the Tavern, to get the lowdown on the Castle Ruins closing, but it's not necessary. Having done this, head to the southwestern portion of the town, a bit to the left of the tavern, where the exit is. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ Move your sword up and point the Scrappe Plateau. Go inside. +++++++++++++++++++ --SCRAPPE PLATEAU-- +++++++++++++++++++ As soon as you enter, you see an old man getting his ass kicked by some Squirrels. Being the nice bastard you are, you decide to help him. -- BATTLE Suskle Squirrels(20-23 HP) The Squirrels are nicely spread throughout the field, so, basically, you have some time to arrange yourself. It should be pointed that Kharg has a relatively short attack range, so, during his first turn, you probably won't be able to attack your foes, so just run up a bit, but don't get to your movement radius' limit; stay a bit away from it. Paulette can hit enemies from very afar, so, firstly, try not to put her too near Kharg, and make sure she's at a safe distance of the enemies. By now, the enemies will probably make their first attack. Kharg can take a lot of punishment, so whenever you see an enemy within your range, run up to him and blast the hell out of him throughout your turns. If another enemy joins, soup up the hits and blast them both. However, should a third enemy add himself to the slugfest, you should try to move away a bit, but not too far away, just enough so an enemy or two are within your attacking range. You can kill a Squirrel in three/two of Kharg's attack, so it shouldn't be too hard. Meanwhile, Paulette should do some hit and run. Hit from afar, and move a few steps back, and let the enemy come at you before attacking. If you move just enough, the enemy may end up wasting its turn moving and not be able to attack, giving you the perfect chance to counter. Now that I talk about counter, if you've equipped the Knuckle Guard on Kharg, he's bound to counter most of the attacks done to him, which will help greatly. If he finds himself clear sometime, move up to Paulette and aid her in her battle. This shouldn't be too hard. Also, if your Tension Meter fills up, you might want to unleash a joint skill(to do so, wait for one of the character's TM to fill up, then attack an enemy inside the other character's range to pull off such attack) -- A cutscene ensues where the old guy you just saved from being killed by assassin Squirrels(...) will present himself and the predictable chit- chat will ensue. Right now, there is not a lot to do here. The red shiny thing by the entrance(to the left) has a lever you can't use because of the lack of batteries. Further to the left there is a bridge with a white thing underneath it, but it can't be reached. So, without further exploration to be done, leave the Plateau and go back to Yewbell(you will notice you can go to a third destination, but for now it's not a priority) +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ I suggest you to go to the tavern and heal there(talk with the Nurse by the entrance) and save at the save beacon up the stairs. Talk with Duncan and ask him "Where is Lloyd?" You're told he's at your house, so better go there. Inside, blitz through the dialogue and then move up to where Lloyd and Nafia are and talk with them. Long story made short, you're needing some Spirit Stones to power up the town and the miners who went to look for them ain't back. So, it's time to do a check out on what's left, to evaluate the situation. Go out of your house and head down the path to the right and make your way to the refinery, on the southwestern part of the town, south of the tavern. Go inside and approach the workers to get a cutscene. Talk with them after it to get some extra information on the matters of Spirit Stones and their extraction. Having done that, make your way back to your hose. As you go, you'll forcefully stop. When you do, you'll see Lloyd arriving with a wounded soldier on his shoulders. Morth, the wounded soldier, is cured at Nafia's. After the cutscene, you'll be outside of your house. Do some shopping and talk with the townsfolk if you wish to do so, and then head towards the town's exit. When you approach it, you'll find the whole Defense Corps reunited. You'll be forsaken to go along with them, but that's not enough for you to give up! You must find an alternate way out of town, now that the path is blocked for you. Head back to your house and talk with your mom again. Then, go into her room and talk with Morth. Having talked to them both, go out and watch the cutscene. Somebody is knocking on the castle ruin's door. You need the Castle Ruins Gate Key to open the door for Zev(the eccentric old man you found at S. Plateau). Go back to the tavern and talk with Duncan again and AGAIN ask him about the Castle Ruins. This time around, Kharg will lengthen the conversation and, after many persuasive actions on Kharg's part, you're given the key. Go back to the door and open it up. Then, go through the door. In the next area, go across the linear, yet wide, path, until you reach a dried up fountain. If you go left, you'll reach a cemetery of sorts. The appropriate path to take is up the staircase next to the fountain, that goes round it. Above, simple go right and down the steps there, through the door you come across and then outside. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ Move east, to the Chaos Forest. ++++++++++++++++ --CHAOS FOREST-- ++++++++++++++++ As soon as you enter, you meet the King of the Chaos forest, some weird- ass kid with a mask. After much chit-chat, a bunch of monsters spurt out of nowhere and you're forced to fight 'em(along with Maru, who's the "King", of course!) -- BATTLE Suskle Squirrels x 5(16-20 HP) Slothian(72 HP) There are a bunch of Suskle Squirrels and a Slothian for you to beat. The squirrels are quite far away, and they're not that strong, so by now they're not our priority. I'd suggest leaving Maru a bit behind and let him handle them with his bow. Meanwhile, have Kharg run up to the Slothian and use Fang-Breaker blade on it, twice(that should be enough to kill it). Have Maru shoot down a few Squirrels nearby and move Kharg around, hitting Squirrels(they die in two hits). If Kharg ever gets surrounded, either back off or kick a Squirrel with Fang-Breaker blade, to get some breathing space. Maru has a WIDE attacking range, so have him snipe those annoying things. This should be easy. Oh, and the dry piece of wood here can be destroyed, and it holds a healing item; you might want to pick it up. -- +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ Move to The Edge of a Sea of Trees... after you heal yourself ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ --THE EDGE OF A SEA OF TREES-- ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Suskle Squirrels(20 HP) Kuskle(50 HP) Four Suskle Squirrels roam the place. They're pretty far away, so I'd suggest running up toward the northwestern corner with Kharg, so you're near the group over there, and with Maru, head toward the southeastern part of the field. Soon enough, they'll approach you. Have Maru snipe the rats with his arrows. Back up if necessary and have the squirrels get near each other so you can kill them both in one Venom Arrow. Meanwhile, kill a Squirrel with Fang-breaker blade, up there with Kharg, and then you'll be able to pick up items and such before tackling the final Squirrel, who should be easy. -- +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ Simply head toward Plumb Canyon. ++++++++++++++++ --PLUMB CANYON-- ++++++++++++++++ After arriving, you see that Paulette is in trouble. So you go and aid her. -- BATTLE Wyvern x 2(44 HP) Drakyr x ?(47-54) There are a whole bunch of Deimos here, so you better start slaughtering them! With Kharg and Maru, run up to the nearest Deimos(the green one) and finish it off with Venom Arrow + Fang Breaker Blade. The other guys are bound to use some spells, which are overly powerful(+30 PTS of DMG), so be sure Paulette is ready to heal. Once the first Deimos is down, run up to the second one(the green guys) and kill it with Venom Blade, plus some normal attacks by Paulette and Kharg. Meanwhile, there is a great chance two of the human-looking Deimos will be coming toward you from the right, while a third one comes from the left. Have Maru set himself up a bit far away from the group of two and aim at them with Venom Arrow. You're bound to hit them both with the attack, while you poison them. Meanwhile, have Kharg run up to the lone monster and blast him with Fang Breaker blade. Paulette should back off and serve as a healer. If the monster don't attack in such fashion, be sure you spread attack. Kharg should concentrate on just one monster, while Maru looks for good vantage points while shooting off Venom Arrow. Try not to use it too often, only when you're pretty sure you're going to hit two enemies with it. Paulette should move around a lot, but always have a low background, serving as a healer. The enemies will probably move closer to Maru, so simply back off a few steps and snipe again. Two Venow Arrows kills one of these humanoid- looking Demois, and if set up correctly, you can kill two with just two hits(as Venom Arrow can hit 'em both). Should this happen, concentrate on picking items for a bit, and then finish of the last Deimos with whomever you want. -- After the usual cutscene, talk with Maru and tell him you're going back to Yewbell. He joins you. Now, go and talk with every soldier around; then you may leave. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ You know where to go. However, you'll have to go across Garagne Hills to get there -_- +++++++++++++++++ --GARAGNE HILLS-- +++++++++++++++++ Just watch the cutscenes. Some interesting things take place. +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ Paulette will cry her ass out, longing for her dead father. Afterward, you'll be asked to save. Do so. _________________________________________________________________________ ---- DARC: AWAKENING ---- ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ Watch the long introductory cutscene. After it, you'll be in control of Darc. Save if you wish to do so, and then go up the stairs. There is nothing worth seeing up here, so just exit the house. Outside, run down the path until you're asked if you want to go outside. Agree. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ You will have to go to Orcoth. You will have, however, to run through Sabnak Fortress before being able to go there. ++++++++++++++++++ --SABKNAK FOREST-- ++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Laughrooms(20-25 HP) Laughrooms and other monster inhabit here. The Laughrooms are incredibly weak monsters that can be killed in two of Darc's attack, so you should not worry much about them. Most enemies here are quite weak, anyways, but if you find yourself on a tight situation, don't be too scared to use Darc's magic. -- +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ Now, move on to the church ruins. ++++++++++++++++ --CHURCH RUINS-- ++++++++++++++++ Run forward and up the steps there, toward the area where Windalf, your father, was buried. Examine the stones there(they serve as a tomb). To the left of the tomb there is a huge, dirt patch on the grass, which was probably a nest. To the right of the tomb you'll find an open, raised area, that overlooks the pearl-blue sea. Nothing else to do here, so just go out the ruins and move on to Orcoth. ++++++++++ --ORCOTH-- ++++++++++ Run across the linear path until you reach the area's plaza, where a pink girl(who I guess should be a goddamn hottie to Deimos) "greets" you. Chat with her. After the little talk, you are free to explore town. Near to you there is a Quorup(almost-hidden in a corner), who'll heal you for 10 G. To the right of the healer, there is a huge doorway; go through it and, in the next area, bear through the cutscene. After it, talk with Densimo if you please. There is a save beacon up there, at Densimo's throne room; use it if you wish to do so. Now that you've witnessed all of this, go back to the previous area and run to the southern portion of the town, where you'll find Gorma's place(his house looks like a trailer). Inside, Gorma will be talking to himself. After the short discussion he has with his inner self, you're free to talk with him. Do so. You'll be able to ask him a whole bunch of questions. Ask about everything and about everybody on the list of possible selections. After the interrogatory, go outside of Gorma's house and go up, past the light pillar there. You should spot a shop of sorts to your left(a dilapidated house), with a man with a red hat/head inside. Approach the shop and talk with the "man"(a deimos), who's actually a red-hatted Quorup, the variety that sells items. Purchase the Phoenix Blood you were asked to get, and then head toward the town's exit. On your way, you'll bump with two deimos, who'll boss you around, _trying_ to get the Phoenix Blood outta you. However, you aren't that stupid, so, in the end, you end up being challenged into a fight. You're taken to Densimo's place, where the fight will ensue. -- BATTLE Zoram(67 HP) Zugalo(52 HP) It's pathetic how easy this battle is. Run up to the blue guy behind you and attack him normally. Then, run away from him, just enough so you can cast Wind Slasher on the bastard. If you get far enough, he won't be able to get near you, as their movement-range is very tight. Cast the spell twice and he'll die. With the other one, cast Wind Slasher from afar(the spell's got a nice range), and when he gets near you, simply slash him down. Easy as hell. -- After the cutscene, go back to Geedo's house. +++++++++++++++++ --GEEDO'S HOUSE-- +++++++++++++++++ Talk with the fat, ugly, old hag to deliver the Phoenix Blood. Then, you'll be given your next mission: go and look for Firbles. So, in order to learn more about them, you should travel back to Orcoth. ++++++++++ --ORCOTH-- ++++++++++ Talk with Gorma to learn more about where Firbles could be. Then, go outside and you'll see a whole bunch of new areas have opened. Our destination is Haystir Marsh, but you can go to the Varam Barrens and the Tindalos Woods, too. +++++++++++++++++ --VARAM BARRENS-- +++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Vipers(20 HP) Rhokes(15 or so HP) Big serpents called Vipers inhabit the area. They're quite strong, delivering around 10-12 PTS of DMG per hit, and have great movement range. You should try and take them out individually with physical attacks, but if you ever find yourself weak, HP-wise, and cornered, don't be afraid to use Wind Slasher. They fall prey to Darc's claw, but they're strong enough to kill you, so don't get too cocky. There are also enemies called Rhokes here, who are far weaker. -- That'd be about it. ++++++++++++++++++ --TINDALOS WOODS-- ++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE ??? Mandrakes and Funguses(enemies you find here) are very weak, doing little damage and falling prey to Darc's physical strength -- two of his hits and they're both down. The best way to work them out is to run up to one of them, and attack him until he's dead. You're bound to be fenced by the other battle members, but immediately after you kill your target, back off and look for an enemy that's alone or a bit far from the fencing group, kill him, move around, always looking to damage enemies while forcing them to move. It should be easy. -- Move on to Haystir Marsh, now. +++++++++++++++++ --HAYSTIR MARSH-- +++++++++++++++++ Just as you enter, a Firble is seen running around! Now, you have to catch him. As usual, if you run up to it, the firble will just run away, so you have to creep up to him(Press O as you walk) and, when near enough, press X to catch the little bastard. It should be easy, just stay away from rocks, look around for the firble(it is usually camouflaged in the grass, drinking water/eating plants, by the little ponds here) and creep your way towards it, not stepping on rocks, only on grass. It should be easy. After you catch him, a cutscene will take place. Bear through it. After the first portion of it, you'll be taken to the Church Ruins. *tele-transports there* ++++++++++++++++ --CHURCH RUINS-- ++++++++++++++++ Darc finds a nice place for the Firble to rest, and Delma pops up out of nowhere and has one of those chats where you can say "There is love between them"... had they been, like, YEARS younger. Anyway, Delma will run away to the eastern side of the ruins, so head there, up to the raised overlook platform. Approach the Delma to get the rest of the cutscene. She says she'll keep the place secret, should you fulfill her dream of flying. Being the nice guy you are(and because you're in love with that damn firble), you'll grab her and give her a ride. Woo! Afterward, Delma and Darc will talk a bit more, just as a Drakyr arrives and accuses you of being the son of Windalf, the traitorous Drakyr... and well, you're! You're told why Windalf was considered a traitor(like if it wasn't obvious...) and then you'll have to fight. -- BATTLE Drakyr x 4(42 HP) Run up to the Drakyr nearest to you(the one you talked with) and with both Delma and Darc, attack him from behind with physical attacks. Behind because that way you'll be far away from the steps where the other two Drakyr are(the third Drakyr, by the area's exit, shouldn't be a worry now). That way, you'll be buying some time. A couple of turns and the first Drakyr will be down. Afterward, tackle the two other Drakyrs, the ones in the steps sharing them between Delma and Darc. Attack them with physical attacks; they should go down soon, after a couple of hits. If you feel they're blocking too much, or the battle is simply dragging on, don't be afraid to use some magic. The last Drakyr is by the area's exit, but by now he should be on you. Pick up any items left behind, and then finish the monster off with magic. -- Some more cutscenes. Then, it's time to go back to Geedo's! +++++++++++++++++ --GEEDO'S HOUSE-- +++++++++++++++++ Enter the house properly, where you'll find Geedo, very anxious at you coming back with a firble... and because you didn't bring it with you... well, you know what means o_O After the beat-up and Darc's prophetic dream, save and go up. Geedo won't be around. Darc suggests going out and seeing how the Firble's doing. When you go out of Geed's house, you bump into Delma. Talk with her. Now, like Darc said, we must go to the church ruins. Before going there, I suggest going to Orcoth, healing with Quorup, buying some healing herbs, and talking with the people around. There is a woman by the light pillar that'll tell you "she'll let you on to something one of these days". Bah. Go to the Church Ruins. ++++++++++++++++ --CHURCH RUINS-- ++++++++++++++++ Run up to Windalf's tomb. A cutscene, and after it, go and check on the firble. After some dialogue, a bunch of mercenaries appear and you will have to fight them. -- BATTLE Ludhi(50 HP) Rapier(64 HP) Shotgunners(40 HP) This battle is quite easy. The shotgunners here use very powerful attacks(20+ PTS of DMG, and can hit you both), so cast Wind Slasher and fire arrow on them to wipe them out quickly. A Wind Slasher/Fire Arrow is not enough to kill them, so, cast Wind Slasher on one, Fire Arrow on the other, and then, cast WS on the guy who was hit by Fire Arrow, and so forth. They should fall after a bit, but not without being able to damage you. Your attacking should be done from afar, given the spell's range. Afterward, approach Ludhi and pummel him once or twice, and then, finish him off with Wind Slasher. Rapier is far too easy to handle now that he's outnumbered, so take your sweet time to pick items and then finish him off with either magic or attacks. -- Sweet cutscene time! After them, exit the ruins and go to Orcoth(you might want to save at Geedo's) ++++++++++ --ORCOTH-- ++++++++++ Head toward Densimo's room. At the entrance of such area, you'll find two deimos you probably know. Talk with them and they'll let you go inside. Afterward, go up into Densimo's throne and talk with him. After much persuasion, he'll agree to join you if you agree to slaughter the humans at Zedora Abyss. Now, before heading out of Orcoth, go toward the light pillar at the plaza and talk with the pink-purple woman there, who'll tell you Densimo is one of the five orcothian wonders. Ask her about them and when asked if you want to continue, say yes. After she finishes, she'll ask you about how many words were in what she had spoken so far. Say "Between 600 and 800" and earn 10 Healing Herbs. Now, heal with Quorup, buy some Spirit Stones if needed, and then go out. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ You could go to the church ruins for a short cutscene, but it's not really necessary. Simply make your way to Zedora Abyss, which is south of Haystir Marsh(you might have to fight on your way there) ++++++++++++++++ --ZEDORA ABYSS-- ++++++++++++++++ You will hear some peculiar sounds on the area... like if somebody was mining the place. Trot across the path until you're stopped and Densimo and Delma come "out of you" and start blabbering around. Darc analyzes the situation and points out the fact humans work systematically, giving each other roles and areas to patrol, thus increasing effectiveness and ensuring maximum protection... Darc also says it's recommendable to create a similar strategy, but the barbaric deimos you're with say "no" and you're taken into the battlefield almost immediately. -- BATTLE Spear Hunters x 2 (44 HP) Cathena Soldiers(32-35 HP) This battle is quite easy. There are two spearmen and three cathenian shotgunners. The spearmen do a lot of damage with their special skills(40+), and the cathenian soldiers can attack from afar with their shotguns, each hit taking out 20+ PTS of your HP bar. The two spearmen are very near to your starting point, so better engage them first. Darc is a bit to far away, so have him walk a bit forward, and let him there. Meanwhile, have both Densimo and Delma cast Flaming Arrow on a spearman to kill him. Afterward, have Darc run up to the shotgunners and take out one with Wind Slasher(from afar). Move Delma and Densimo around and kill the other spearman by casting Flaming Arrow with both of the deimos. There'll be only two more enemies for you to beat. You can deal with them with Flaming Arrow(two hits will kill them), or Wind Slasher; I wouldn't suggest physical attacks, it's better to kill them soon. Be sure you look for a chance to pick up the items left behind/destroy the crates around(for items), and then finish the last enemy. -- After the battle, Densimo offers Darc the chance to join him AND get his cut of the land he'll conquer. Woah! Whatever. Go towards the exit, endure through the dialogue, then exit the area. Afterward, go toward Orcoth. ++++++++++ --ORCOTH-- ++++++++++ Watch the cutscene you're greeted with, heal at the Quorup, buy some items... you know, the usual drill. Then, go outside and head toward Varam Barrens. +++++++++++++++++ --VARAM BARRENS-- +++++++++++++++++ You arrive and see Geedo being hanged at a tree branch. Woah! Watch the rest of the cutscene, and prepare for a battle. -- BATTLE Wyvern x 4(48 HP) This is an easy battle. Have Darc and Delma run up to the area's flanks(Delma left, Darc right) and Densimo follow one of them(preferably Darc). The Wyverns will slither toward you, slowly, but surely. Delma's side is the emptiest, so have her handle her Wyvern calmly, with physical attacks. These guys fall down after three hits, but they can do considerable damage with their fangs(20+ PTS of DMG a hit). Meanwhile, Darc is bound to be attacked by two or three Wyvern around the place, so have him and Densimo move around the monsters, trying to hit them from behind and forcing them to move and waste time. Spread your attack between both men, hitting the monsters and moving around, so you're never cornered and "hitable" by two monsters at the same time. Magic shouldn't be a worry here. If Delma's done with her guy, have her run up to you and lend you a hand in the battle. Be sure you pick up the items left behind, and break the trees here if possible to get some more items. -- After the fight, you get your ass kicked, Darc his wings ripped away, Delma raped... oh, wait, no. Anyhow, after you wake up, leave the area. It's your (obvious) job to go to the church ruins and check out on the Drakyr, but first go to Orcoth and heal up. Save at Densimo's place, too, and then go to the church ruins. ++++++++++++++++ --CHURCH RUINS-- ++++++++++++++++ Run up to Windalf's tomb, where you will find Geedo as well as the Drakyr. Geedo admits she sold you up for the money, and then Densimo appears out of nowhere and reveals the fact he too betrayed you! DIRTY BASTARD! He also ate the firble! You'll be thrown away and you will realize that when father told you to protect the deimos, those animals, he was high on something... you will curse them, and then the battle will start(!!) -- BATTLE Densimo(200~ HP) Geedo(120 HP) Drakyr x 2(54-61 HP) Densimo, Geedo and two Drakyr... Christ! You will have the breastplate and the sword the humans left behind, so you'll also get some physical skills. Start off by going up the stairs, just one or two steps, enough so you're able to attack Densimo with Wind Slasher. After you hit him once with him, soup up any attacks you have to. Densimo will probably run toward you, so after you get your turn, back off a bit, and then attack him with a physical attack. Do this once or twice more, until you're almost at the base of the stairs. That way, the other three guys(Geedo and the Drakyr) won't even consider attacking you; they'll just stay there, and you'll have Densimo with you. So it'll be a fight between Densimo and you. Attack him physically, but use an occasional Wind Slasher or even a Claws of Rage, which is very powerful. You should not heal throughout your one-on-one fight with him; simply keep pummeling him. Don't be afraid to use your spells; that way, that yellow pig will fall down soon. He does considerable damage, but if you arrived at the fight at full-health, it's nothing to worry about. After he's down, pick the items he leaves behind and use Cure on yourself. By now, the Drakyr will start moving toward where you are. The Drakyr still use their wind spells and physical attacks, but they're not that strong. However, they're quite resistant to Wind Slasher and Claws of Rage, so don't use them. Now, I recommend you to stay by the stairs area, on the top step, so the Drakyr are not able to go down them. The Drakyr will have to, sooner or later, put themselves in front of you, and because the portion of the battlefield you're on is so thin, they'll have to arrange themselves so they'll be side by side. Then, accommodate yourself until you're shown you can hit them both with a sword slash. Indeed! Hack at them like this, and soup up the hits. Don't worry, they're not too damaging anymore. After some attacks, they'll both go down(at the same time if you've been hitting the two of 'em with each hit, like I told you). Pick whatever they've left behind, and heal. Geedo is far too easy. She'll now walk toward you. If you have some spirit stones left, cast Wind Slasher on her. However, be sure you move enough so she won't be able to get past the path between the walls here. That way, if you don't have anymore spirit stones her, she'll be stuck there. Should you have only physical attacks left, simply run up to the b*itch and start attacking her physically, absorbing the weak damage she does to you. It'll be a "I attack you, you attack me" game, but you have the upper hand, due your strength and overall coolness/toughness. Each hit of hers does like 8 PTS of DMG; nothing. So, just attack and attack and you'll win. -- Watch how Darc goes batty. Then, save. _________________________________________________________________________ ---- KHARG: SETTING OUT ---- ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ Watch the introductory cutscene. After it, talk with your mother, and go down the stairs nearby(you're at the castle ruins, by the way). At the bottom, you'll bump into Maru and Paulette. Afterward, you'll have to go to your mother's(and yours!) house. In there, head into your mother's bedroom and talk with her there. Watch the subsequent cutscenes, and then go out of your house. You can talk with the townsfolk, but that's not our worry now. Head toward Banjo's refinery and talk with Paulette there, who tells you Banjo's got an assignment for you to do. Head into the refinery and chat with Banjo. He'll tell you he wants you to check out on a friend of his at Plumb Canyon. Agree to do so and leave Yewbell. Make your way to Plumb Canyon(if you want to take Maru with you, talk with him by the tavern. He'll tell you Duncan has a job for you to do, but ignore it for now) ++++++++++++++++ --PLUMB CANYON-- ++++++++++++++++ Run down and approach the man by the ramp. Talk with him to get the lowdown on the situation. A bunch of Dancing Shells(snails) have invaded the area, and is your job to clean the place up. Run into the battlefield. -- BATTLE Dancing Shells x ?(27-29 HP) There are a lot of Dancing Shells here, and is your job to clear them out. The barrels here are explosive, and after a hit or two they'll blow up. The explosion will kill any Shell nearby, but it'll also damage you if you're too near. Have Maru shoot them from afar(be sure the other two characters aren't near), while the others tackle the snails on the right. The idea is to go snail-killing in clockwise direction. Maru will be ultra-good in this battle. The snails don't have a lot of space to move around, so they'll often be near each other, giving our jungle prince the chance to shoot down two snails in just one hit. Kharg and Paulette should also use physical attacks, especially from behind, if possible, as those hurt the most. Paulette should not hesitate to heal if the situation arises, and if you're ever poisoned, be sure to use an Antitoxic Nut, because the poison will wear you down. If you followed my advice and went through the right-hand path, a bunch of snails will come from behind soon enough. Have Maru deal with them, along with Paulette, while Kharg kills the ones at the bottom, using his skills if outnumbered. This shouldn't be too hard. -- After the battle, you're told it was oil what attracted the Dancing Shells. Approach the machine butch was checking out(the big, blue, cylindrical one) and examine the handle yourself. Tighten it. Your job here is done, for now at least. Go back to Yewbell. +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ Heal at the tavern's nurse, save, and talk with Duncan. You're introduced to a woman who was just robbed at Scrappe Plateau. Your job is to recover whatever she got stolen out of herself. So, please, leave Yewbell and move up to the Scrappe Plateau. +++++++++++++++++++ --SCRAPPE PLATEAU-- +++++++++++++++++++ The gang of the thieves is here, as expected. And guess what? Yes... -- BATTLE Pugnacious x 3(43-47 HP) Bandit(54 HP) Just at the start of the battle, you will have the chance to(with Maru) shoot down two enemies at the same time. Do so; be sure to do it from a considerable distance. Have Kharg run up to the Bandit leader and attack him with Fang Breaker blade. Paulette should stay behind, for now at least. Have Maru stay away from the main fray, sniping from a distance, and if given the chance, attacking two enemies with one arrow(this will be quite common throughout the battle). If an enemy runs up to Paulette, have her circle him and whip him from behind; it's the best way to attack with the woman, as her back-attacks do quite a bit of damage. Meanwhile, Kharg should finish up the bandit leader with another Fang-Breaker blade, plus a normal attack(perhaps two might be needed). If anybody is near, have them lend Kharg a hand. After the leader is down, run around the field and get behind the henchmen and hack them from there, to increase the damage done. Maru should continue his sniping. Not too hard. -- After the fight, you'll be handed over the bracelet that was stolen. Soup up the cutscene that follows, and run back to Yewbell. +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ Go into the tavern, heal, save, and talk with the woman by Duncan's. Enjoy the end of the cute scene(got it? cute-scene... mwahahahaha! O_O) Afterward, run up to the tavern's second floor and into the room there. Talk with the man inside and he'll tell you he's looking for a pot. Agree to help him. Now, I suggest you to stock up on spirit stones(you're probably a bit low on 'em) and then leaving. Go to "The Edge of a Sea of Trees" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ --THE EDGE OF A SEA OF TREES-- ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The only information you have about what you're looking for is that it is buried underneath a stone. Run down the grassy road until you can go further, and then turn right(your right) towards a dead end with a big rock, and a smaller rock, covered in moss. Examine the moss-covered rock and you'll be told it looks like something is buried underneath it. Check it out, and, tah-dah!, it's the pot we've been looking for. However, don't expect to leave without a fight. -- BATTLE Suskle Squirrels x ?)27 HP) Kuskles(36-40 HP) There'll be a huge bunch of Suskle Squirrels and Kuskles, so expect this battle to drag on for a bit. Engage the three Squirrels next to you. Hack away at them with your three characters; they should go down shortly afterward. It doesn't matter if you're all too near each other. Not for now, at least. The Squirrels were easy enough, but the Kuskles are far stronger, doing almost 26+ PTS of DMG a-hit. When the only them Kuskles are left, spread your attack. Have Kharg take the bottom portion of the group, Paulette the top part, and Maru stay back and shoot from afar these guys. There are two squirrels on the upper part of the field that start together and near each other, making them easy prey to Paulette's whip, which can hit them both in one hit. Have Paulette and Maru stay mobile, always being at a prudent distance from the enemy and looking for good vantage points to hit the enemies from. Kharg shouldn't have too much of a problem dealing with the Kuskles, as he can absorb great damage, but if he finds himself cornered and outnumbered, don't be afraid to kill the Kuskle with Fang-Breaker blade. This also applies to other characters, especially Maru. If you find that one of your allies is in a great predicament, have the jungle boy cast Venom Arrow to lend a nice hand. Paulette shouldn't be hesitant to use her healing spells, to ensure everybody makes it through the battle. -- Leave and go back to Yewbell. +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ As usual, save/heal at the tavern, and meet the guy who gave you the mission at the building's only enter-able room. After a long chat with him, you'll have the Stone Holder in your possession. After this, you might want to spend some serious dough on weapons part, or to explore the town and have a nice time talking with people. If you decide not to, talk with Zev at the tavern and let yourself be informed about the latest airship-crashes that have been taking place. Once the talking ends, you will have as a mission this: go to Dragon Bone Valley. You heard me. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ Dragon Bone Valley is up north, and to get there, you'll have to cross the Scrappe Plateau, Isluo Forest and the Punoir Ravine, all of them enemy-ridden. +++++++++++++++++++ --SCRAPPE PLATEAU-- +++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Wolves(???) Birds(???) Notes: I don't have any of information on them. Wolves and birds inhabit the area. The birds are very weak, strength- wise, doing almost no damage with their weak attacks(5 PTS of DMG). The wolves do more damage, around 15, so better be careful with them. Both of them, however, have decent defense. The come in big packs, so they'll probably have to mush up together in order to attack, giving Maru and Paulette the chance to attack various enemies at the same time, without problems. Physical attacks should be enough to kill the monsters here, but if you want to speed up things, use Venom Arrow, as it hits various enemies at once, especially on the wolves, which have more HP than the birds, but are weaker on the defense area. Overall, your pass through the Plateau shouldn't be too complicated. -- ++++++++++++++++ --ISLUO FOREST-- ++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Dandelions(40-45 HP) Slimes(30?? HP) Dandelions and Slimes roam the place. The Slimes are quite weak and have trouble moving around, and the Dandelions aren't much better. They have decent HP, enough to maintain themselves complete after two hits, perhaps, but with well-spread attacks, they're going to be killed before even moving. Their attacks do what's by now standard damage, so it's nothing to worry about. They, however, seem to be pretty evasive to attacks, especially Maru's and Paulette's. As usual, be sure to look for openings for Maru to use on multiple-hitting attacks, but don't rely on them too much, because they will miss quite a lot. Kharg is bound to be your main attacker, and he's strong, so it ain't a problem. Nothing too bad here. -- +++++++++++++++++ --PUNOIR RAVINE-- +++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Slothians(70-80 HP) Slothians own the area. They are strong, have a lot of HP, a high counterattack rate, and high evasion... they're not as easy as everything you've faced so far, but not too hard, anyways. They come in different packs, and in all of them you can usually find a place or two where you can hit various Slothians in just one hit. They like to evade/block this kind of attack, but it's still good. Kharg should use his attacking skills, as well as Maru and Paulette, if she's learned one. You gotta kill this guys soon, and no better way to do so than with skills. -- +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ I suggest learning some new skills with Paulette and Kharg, namely, Sling Knife and Power Shot, and perhaps Maru's Story Time. Afterward, heal up and move on to Dragon Bone Valley. ++++++++++++++++++++++ --DRAGON BONE VALLEY-- ++++++++++++++++++++++ From afar, a girl can be seen on laying on the floor, dead, or perhaps unconscious. Run up to her and "talk" with the woman to earn a cutscene. She reveals she was going to Cathena on this, the Big Owl, her ship, when she was shot down by a Dilzweldian ship. Just as you learn this, deimos arrive. Time to battle! -- BATTLE Drakyr x 6(47-61 HP) Your job here, unlike In other battles, is to protect Lilia from the deimos, not to slaughter them. She'll move around the field, though, and battle, but she only does so when the area is clear. In other words, she's not a nuisance. There are six deimos for you to deal with. Three of them are near you, on the left hand side, two more further down, a bit to the right, and the last one on the very bottom, on the right hand side. Firstly, aim your attacks at the group on the left hand side(the one nearest to you). Use Sling Knife, Fang Breaker Blade and Venom Arrow on them, spreading your attacks between the deimos. Don't overuse the skills, though. If you can finish a monster with a physical attack, do so, but be sure you start off with magic skills. After the first group is down, or almost down(just enough for one character to deal with it), run up to the second group, the one made out of two Drakyr. I suggest giving Maru this job. Have him use Venom Arrow on the deimos there and then attack them with his arrows, while Paulette joins him and uses some more physical attacks. After a drakyr goes down, spread the attacking of the last two monsters between Paulette and Maru. Paulette should use Sling Knife, Maru Venom Arrow, to finish the battle as soon as possible. Meanwhile, have Kharg pick up any items left behind, and add up some physical strength to your attacking. This shouldn't be hard. -- After the fight, head toward Yewbell. On your way, you'll stop at Isluo Forest, though. ++++++++++++++++ --ISLUO FOREST-- ++++++++++++++++ After you regain control, run across the bridge. At the other side, a cutscene will take place. This big, fat guy will come out of nowhere and blabber about the forest being injured and what-have-you. Afterward, some more dialogue will take place. As it flows, Dilzweldian soldiers appear and shoot Lilia's legs so she can't move. Cowards! We now have to fight them. -- BATTLE Attack Dogs(41-44 HP) Foot Soldiers(44-52 HP) Riflmen(43-51 HP) Commander(55 HP) Your job here is also a bit different. You don't need to simply kill them all, but to distract the soldiers while Ganz(the big buy), runs up to the bridge's posts and destroys them. There are a lot of enemies to kill: a small group of two guys on to the south of your starting point, another semi-big group up north, and a third group is on the bridge area. It's imperative that you divide your attacks for this battle. Have Maru run down and use Venom Arrow on the guys over there. Have Kharg and Paulette run up, and make Ganz joun Maru. The guys by the bridge won't be attacking right now, so don't worry too much about them right. Use Venom Arrow on the bottom group, while Ganz uses physical hits. Venom Arrow is bound to hit both of the enemies here, and damage them enough so a following attack will be enough to kill them. So, basically, after a Venom Arrow and two of Ganz's attack, the monsters over there will be done for. Once they're, turn right with the group(Maru and Ganz) and head toward the bridge group. However, don't attack the guys there. Stay put(don't get too near) Paulette and Kharg should use their skills on their group: have Kharg attack the dogs that move around together, while Paulette deals with the guard, plus his dog, effectively dividing the attack. Kharg's physical strength is enough to kill these dogs, but Paulette should rely on her Sling Knife to kill the guard first, and then use her physical strength(and Kharg's, if possible) to finish the dog off. After Paulette's job is done, have her join Kharg and pull off some multi- hitting attacks. After Paulette's and Khargh's job is done, have them run towards the bridge group. Have them both attack the soldiers and lure them away from the bridge, serving as a distraction, while Maru infiltrates through the space given to him and starts sniping the bridgepost. Ganz should make his way toward the post, too, along with Maru, and slice it down. Ganz's bestial axe should be enough to cut down the bridge. Afterward, you just need to kill the soldiers that were left. Don't be afraid to use skills on them, but physical strength should be more than enough, especially now that you have Ganz. If you moved strategically, this battle shouldn't be too hard. -- Watch the cutscenes. Then, run up, into Ganz's shack, and talk with him. More cutscenes follow. If you want to hear Ganz's story, say so to him. After the chatting, head out of the shack and run to the bottom of the screen(south of the shack) to exit the place. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ Yeah, your destination is Yewbell, but even if you decide to go there, you'll forcefully make a pitstop at the Scrappe Plateau. +++++++++++++++++++ --SCRAPPE PLATEAU-- +++++++++++++++++++ Watch the cutscenes. And then, prepare for a battle. -- BATTLE Attack dog x 2(41 HP) Riflmen(47 HP) Commander(59 HP) The frontlines are occupied by two attack dogs, while the back-lines are conformed by soldiers. There are two dogs protecting the front lines, so spread your attack. Paulette and Maru are the weakest of your group, so have them both tackle the leftmost dog, while Kharg runs up to the rightmost one. Start off by attacking the dogs with a skill(Sling Knife, Venom Arrow, FB Blade...) and then finishing it off with a standard physical attack(or attacks, in Paulette's/Maru's case) After both doggies are dead, move toward the back-lines first portion(the attacking line, if this were a football game ;)) Have Maru and Paulette use skills on separate soldiers, as well as Kharg while he attacks by the right hand side. Sling Knife, Power Shot and Venom Arrow are all attacks strong enough to kill a soldier in one hit. Power Shot(a skill of Kharg) is more than enough for a one-hit KO, but the other two may fail sometimes. Fortunately, in that case, you'll have another character to finish the job, because, as you know, Sling Knife/Venom Arrow are Paulette's and Maru's, and they're attacking together. After the attacking line is done for, run up to the last line of soldiers. Have Kharg tackle the boss(the one with a slightly different uniform) with Power Shot, while Maru and Paulette use their skills/physical attacks on the soldiers that are left(probably just one). It should be very easy to kill the boss after he's hurt with Power Shot, as that is an overly powerful skill. Not too hard of a fight, eh? -- Cutscene time! Bear through them until you take control back. Then, exit the Plateau and go to Yewbell. +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ Watch the scenes that greet you once you arrive here, and then, save/heal at the tavern. Afterward, it'll be your job to go and report to Lady Nafia. You probably have a lot of money right now, though, so it'd be a wise idea to spend some of it in new weapons part. Afterward, head toward your house. Inside, talk with your mom. Enjoy the cutscene. Once you take control, it'll be nighttime. Lilia is nowhere to be found, and you must look for her. Leave your room, your house, and run toward the castle ruins. In there, another cutscene will ensue. After it, run across the path and toward where Lilia is. Once you approach her, some dialogue will start between Kharg and our mysterious girl. Then, go back to your house and talk with mom there. Next morning, exit your room and talk with Lilia and Lady Nafia. Afterward, approach your house's exit and talk with Maru and Paulette there. They suggest going out and fixing the Big Owl, as it'd be the only way to fly to Cathena. But, who'll help you with this? The answer is at the tavern. Go inside it and talk with Zev by the bar. Ask him how to repair an airship, then ask him about Control Parts. He says he saw a rotting airship at Scrappe Plateau that, even though useless as a flying object, might have some control parts that can be used. So, get your gears ready and exit town and run through the field and into Scrappe Plateau. +++++++++++++++++++ --SCRAPPE PLATEAU-- +++++++++++++++++++ Approach the control panel nearby. This is what you need to manipulate in order to get near the airship that needs to be looted. However, the panel needs a battery to work with, and you don't have one. However, we know exactly where to find one. Go to Plumb Canyon. ++++++++++++++++ --PLUMB CANYON-- ++++++++++++++++ Run toward the structure oil was leaking from and examine the big, orange battery nearby. Take the battery with you and return back to Scrappe. +++++++++++++++++++ --SCRAPPE PLATEAU-- +++++++++++++++++++ Check out the slot next to the panel and insert the battery there. Then, examine the panel and throw the lever there. Afterward, run to the left and pick up the shiny, control parts that were (conveniently) put in there. Now that you have them, go back to Yewbell. +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ Head to your house and check out on how Lilia's doing. After the short cutscene, leave Yewbell and run northward, toward Dragon Bone Valley. You will, however, make an automatic pitstop at Isluo Forest. ++++++++++++++++ --ISLUO FOREST-- ++++++++++++++++ Run inside Ganz's shack to learn he ain't there. Then, approach the bridge(south from Ganz's house, along the right-hand side of the field) and it'll be fixed. Run across it and exit the area through the other side. Now, please, advance to Dragon Bone Valley. ++++++++++++++++++++++ --DRAGON BONE VALLEY-- ++++++++++++++++++++++ Watch the introductory cutscene. Then, run forward, across the path, toward the crashed ship. Talk with Ganz there. A short dialogue ensues and then you'll be inside the Big Owl. Save and talk with your partners, especially Ganz, to trigger a short dialogue. You'll be told your mom is coming, so you better head off the ship and greet her. To exit the ship, use the door on the eastern wall, up the steps; the one up north leads to a resting area, where you can fully-heal yourself. Anyway, exit, and watch the cutscenes. Back inside, talk with Ganz, who'll tell you he's finished with the fixing he had been doing. The auto-pilot control panel will come to life, so run up to it and examine it. Input your destination(Aldrow) and watch how the ship takes off. You'll take control back of Kharg while inside the ship. Talk with Lilia and she'll explain you how she got the light stone(something about her village and that clichéd stuff) It seems it'll be a peaceful ride... you're flying around, without problems, until a Dilzwldian(who else?) ship pops out of nowhere and guns the hell out of you. You'll wake up later, inside your ship, just to realize Lilia's gone. Rest at the ship's resting area, save, and then exit. ++++++++++++++++++ --ASHEEDA FOREST-- ++++++++++++++++++ Walk a few steps forward and the party will have a short dialogue. Just then, a group of Orcons pop out of nowhere, and you'll be forced to fight them. -- BATTLE Orcon x 4(77-82 HP) There are two groups of Orcon. One of them is alone(first group), while the other is made out of three deimos. Have Maru stay back, while Ganz and Kharg run to the biggest group, and Paulette runs toward the lone Deimos. They'll probably spread and disengage their lines, but it's nothing to worry about. They won't have too much of a chance to move around, so it's good to attack a group from three sides: from far away, with Venom Arrow, and from both flanks, with Paulette and Kharg who should use their hard-hitting skills and physical strength afterward. Ganz should run along the path, toward the deimos farther away, slicing them down with his bestial axe. Once you have dispatched two deimos, have Maru run up to the attacking lines and join Ganz in his attacked. The last Deimos should be attacked form both behind and from the front side, spreading your attack in two groups. An easy battle. -- Heal at the Big Owl and then go back outside. Head toward the southwestern portion of the area and run along the long path there until you reach a bifurcation. You can go down, or take a right. Take a right and follow the sinuous path until you reach another bifurcation, where you can veer north or continue right. Continue right and into the next screen. Here, continue right along the bottom side of the tree-branch platform, and then through the thin path that twists south and into another tree- branch platform. Run down this path until you hit another split-up, where you can go right or left. Take a left and run along the platform there and into another split-up, this one going north and south. Take the northern road. In the next screen, a bunch of insects will be waiting for you. Time to fight! -- BATTLE Armored Insects--"Beetle"-- x 3(79-87 HP) Put all of your characters into the battle, don't leave anyone sitting out. There are three, well-spread beetles, or Armored Insects, like the game likes to call them. One is to the far right, two are on the upper side of the battlefield, properly separated. Have Kharg head toward the beetle to the right, the loner, and cast Power Shot upon him. Move Maru and Ganz toward the upper group, but concentrate their attacks on the leftmost beetle, while Paulette approaches the beetle to the right and uses up Sling Knife on it, from afar. These guys have poor mobility, and even if you moved to your character's range limit at the start, they probably will be unable to catch you up. Kharg, who's against the lone beetle, will probably have a one-on-one battle with the monster, although it should be pointed that the beetle may go toward Paulette, if she's especially near(she should, given the fact the beetle she's attacking is a bit near you), and, along with the other beetle, fence her away. So, if you see Kharg's beetle running toward petite Paulette, have him get into the monsters backside and slash him with Fang Breaker Blade. Paulette should also attack that one, to finish it off, and prevent her from getting fenced. It is very resistant to physical hits, so better use Sling Knife to finish it off. The last beetle will come in for the kill, so make Paulette turn and face it. Attack it with Sling Knife, while Kharg runs up behind it and uses up Power Shot on it, from a considerable distance, if it hasn't been killed by Paulette yet. Meanwhile, Ganz and Maru should use a skill or two on their beetle, to finish it off with their physical attacks. Once they're done, leave them there, and have Kharg and Paulette kill their respective beetle. This battle can drag on for a bit(the beetles have a lot of defense), and be sure to heal if necessary, because these guys can do up to 50+ PTS of DMG if they want to. -- Now that the battle is over, run to the top-left side of the screen and trot through the path there to get back to the airship area. Heal there, and go back to where the beetles where. Head to the right-hand side of such area and look for a path in there. Follow it and go up when possible. At the top, head left and you'll be back at the airship area... trust me, this is how it works(at least how it worked to me). Exit through the southwestern side of the crash site, and continue south until you reach a screen where you're ambushed by soldiers. -- BATTLE Foot Soldiers(60 HP) Riflemen(54 HP) The soldiers are well-spread around the field, in three groups, all of them of two. A group is to the right of your starting battle point, while two more groups are south from where you start. The two groups on the bottom side are spread like this: a group on the far left side, along the road that goes back to the crash site, another a bit to the right, in the middle of the battle platform. Have Ganz and Paulette run toward the bottom-left group, while Kharg runs toward the top-right group. Maru should follow Kharg, but not too closely. Have him stay between Kharg's group and the group right down the middle, so he's able to snipe them both with his bow. Why? Because both groups will slither toward you, and because they're so mushed up together, you'll find chances to hit them with Venom Arrow and damage various targets. Because Maru is in such a privileged point, he can use Venom Arrow on whatever group he pleases, given the circumstances. Meanwhile, have Kharg serve as Maru's bodyguard. Have him constantly move around and whenever somebody is getting a bit too near, let go of a Power Shot/Fang Breaker Blade. However, Maru should be Kharg's bodyguard, too. If he's getting fenced up, have Maru cast Venom Arrow on the offenders. This attack is strong enough to leave them weak enough for you to kill them in a subsequent physical hit, so, basically, Kharg and Maru will be having a goddamn party up there, killing and killing without much trouble. Whomever runs toward you, deal with them in the same fashion, or better, if it is only one soldier, or two, take your sweet time and don't use up too many spirit stones. However, keep in mind that these guys have a nice defense, and do a lot of damage(30+ a hit), so don't get too cocky. Ganz's /Paulette's side is probably the weakest, as not many enemies will move toward there, and their group is quite weak. Have Paulette use her Sling Knife skill, but sparingly, while Ganz axes down his foes with physical hits, as they're strong enough. If somebody else moves toward that group, deal with them accordingly. Easy spaghetti. -- I suggest going back to the Big Owl to heal. Afterward, go outside and take the path to the right of the crash site. Continue right, right and more right, following the path until you hit a screen where a bunch of soldiers ambush you. -- BATTLE Foot Soldiers(60 HP) Riflemen(54 HP) Commander(68 HP) You'll start very near to your enemies: there'll be an attacking line, made out of four, in front of you, with a soldier on the back, serving as some kind of overlooker. Move a group of two toward the upper side of the attacking line(two soldiers), and another group toward the bottom line(two soldiers). I recommend sending Kharg and Ganz to the bottom side, and Paulette and Maru to the upper side. However, be sure Ganz is considerably near the top group, as those might be attacked by the "overlooker". So, have Kharg deal with the soldier at the very bottom(a general), with Whirlwind Crusher(if you've learned it) and then, Fang Breaker blade. Ganz should use his Rolling Axe on his soldier. Meanwhile, do your best to waste a soldier up there with Maru and Paulette, because it's probable the overlooker will start attacking them, so if there is a soldier less, it'll be a less bothersome annoyance. Once Kharg's done with the general, pick up the items left behind, and make Ganz run up. Have Kharg attack the guy Ganz was dealing with, and team up with Paulette/Maru/Ganz afterward to finish the last group. A simple fight. -- Watch the cutscenes, and enter Samson, the double-barreled, gun slinging, hairy-chested, clad in blue, leader of the Moon Stone Gangs of Thieves. Oh yeah! Oh, and DAMN THIS FOREST! +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ You have to go to Wilbur Shore right now. You can, however, go to Crossell Springs, too, but right now there is nothing there, so better go to Wilbur's. ++++++++++++++++ --WILBUR SHORE-- ++++++++++++++++ Run across the path, towards the raised bridge, and talk with the man by it. He'll ask for a password, but he's just joking, so you may as well say "I have a squirrel trapped in my ass"... oh, wait, that's not an option. Whatever you answer, the bridge will be lowered and you'll be able to cross through it. Inside the ship, the "Fiona", go down the stairs. Below, save up, and talk with Samson. After the cutscene, exit the Fiona and then go out of Wilbur Shore. Outside, head to Cathena. +++++++++++ --CATHENA-- +++++++++++ Run along the road, heading west, talking with people as you go, as they all have something interesting to say. You'll eventually reach a place with two stores, one for items, one for weapons parts. If you have enough money, stock up on what you think it's best for you. The Parts here are not much better than Yewbell's, but the Accessories are much more varied. Further to the left you'll find Hela, along the rail that overlooks the water, who'll heal you for 40 G. You can go south at the plaza(further to the left of Hela) and into the place's beach. Head toward the coast itself and talk with a girl with a white shirt and a red skirt to learn she's been waiting there for a friend of hers. Go back towards the plaza and head to the leftmost end of it, where you'll spot a bridge over to the south, that crosses the lake there, heading west, and a short flight of stairs up north. Further to the south of the bridge there is another flight of stairs that goes down and veers left as it goes. There is a guy by the lake's railing who'll ask you if you would feel if your girlfriend was stronger than you. His reactions are quite interesting, so spend a second or two talking to him. Should you cross the bridge, you'll reach the Battle Arena, where a battle will be taking place. You can sign up on the counter nearby, if you want to, but let's not do that now. The path further to the south of the bridge leads outside, so get your gears ready and trot upwards and up the steps over there. Talk with the soldier blocking the way and he'll let you pass. Inside, there is a save point nearby. Head to the left and go up the elevator you come across. It'll take you to the building's roof. There, you can talk with a bunch of interesting people: a woman who spends her day up here to make sure her hubby doesn't enter the arena if she's not paying attention, kids(by the telescope) who trick foreign girls/boy into going to the beach just to never show up and talk with them... well, a nice cast of personalities. However, nothing really good is in here, so better go back down. Afterward, go up the steps besides the elevator(not the one to the far left) and head through the big doorway there. Inside, watch the cutscene. Afterward, save. _________________________________________________________________________ ---- DARC: AMBITION ---- ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ Watch the introductory cutscenes. ++++++++++ --ORCOTH-- ++++++++++ Exit your room afterward and explore the town. Talk with the townsfolk and you'll learn they're all quite happy with you being the leader. Also, if you check out the town's store, you'll learn Darc had ordered some weapon parts to be put on stock. Go ahead and check out what they have, which isn't much, sadly. Then, head upwards from the store and approach the yellow Orcon there, protecting the entrance to the dungeon. The entrance itself is right next to the Orcon, in-between the walls, with a flight of stairs to be followed downward. Over there, Delma will be going insane. Head towards her "cell"(what a lame cell that is!) and talk with the pink hottie. Not having anymore else to do her at Orcoth, you may as well go out and visit some of the areas we've been through before. Head towards the town's exit and talk with the guy walking around it. He'll tell you he's found an egg at the Church Ruins. No way! Go out and head toward that place. ++++++++++++++++ --CHURCH RUINS-- ++++++++++++++++ Check out the new firble egg! After the brief scene, go out and head into Geedo's. +++++++++++++++++ --GEEDO'S HOUSE-- +++++++++++++++++ Go into the house itself and check out the chest Geedo where Geedo hid her Phoenix Blood, the only chest in the house, by the staircase that leads down into Darc's former bedroom. Because that ugly, fat woman is now dead, the spell that had been cast over the chest has been dispelled, so you can open it up and check out its contents... well? Do so! You'll acquire the Phoenix Blood, but you'll also find something else: ancient writings, on a wooden table, something like a poem. Shortly afterward, a spirit appears and a cutscene ensues. A spirit named Kirjath tells you he needs the words engraved on the table in order to gain salvation -- after all, he's been cursed to eternal suffering and never-ending pain. Apparently, the table you have is part of a bigger story that should ease his pain and alleviate his soul. So, after much pleading, you agree to look up for those tables and grant him rest. You take the first table with you. Now, why don't you go to the Haystir Marsh? You've been told at Orcoth he was there(if you've talked with people over there), so better pay him a visit. +++++++++++++++++ --HAYSTIR MARSH-- +++++++++++++++++ Run up to the northwestern portion of the area, past a destroyed truck, to find Gorma. Talk to him and he'll tell you he's found an effective way to raise Firble into Pyrons, thus getting the ability to fly. Nothing else worth hearing here, so go out and go back to Orcoth(you might want to learn some new skils, like, Sword of Awakening) ++++++++++ --ORCOTH-- ++++++++++ Here, run towards your throne room. As you approach its entrance, Zoram pops out and warns you an incredibly strong Deimos who just showed up and kicked ass, plus he also took names. He's from the Lupine kind, who's come from Ragnoth, and was hunting humans on a forest further to the west(Asheeda). Darc, who longs for people who are strong, so they can join his cause and lead the Deimos through the right path, does not hesitate when making the decision to meet such strong deimos. So, head into the throne room and run up to the blue guy. Talk with him. -- BATTLE Volk(100 or so HP) This guy seems easy, but if you distract yourself, he will kill you. He's got great strength, so after three or four attacks, you're done for, specially if he's cast a strengthening spell on himself. Because of this, don't be afraid to use your strongest skills on him, so he goes down soon: Sword of Awakening, Claws of Rage and Wind Slasher. If you finish him fast, it should be easy. -- Watch the subsequent cutscenes. After them, Volk will join your party. Go out of Darc's place and head toward where the dungeon's entrance is. There, you'll find two deimos talking. Have a short chitchat with them and then run down the stairs and into the dungeon. Approach her cell's fence and talk with her. Afterward, she'll join you. Leave the dungeon and head towards Orcoth's exit, where you'll find a green deimos. Talk with him and ask him about the strange light he saw. He informs you he saw something trailing smoke and falling into Asheeda a while ago. Humans, they must be! Head out of Orcoth and head toward Asheeda. You'll have to cross through a couple of places, though. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ --THE BEFRON MOUNTAIN PASS-- ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Scorpions(36-44 HP) This place is riddled with Scorpions. These guys have nice defense, so they'll fall after three or four physical attacks. They don't do a lot of damage, though, but they are very swift, movement-wise. You can just run up to them and attack them physically and soup up their weak hits, but the battle will just drag on, so, if you want it to finish fast, use some weak spells(that don't consume a lot of spirit stones) on them, combined with your physical strength. Keep in mind that both Kharg and Volk will have a very easy time hitting two of these guys at the same time, IF they're close enough, of course, so use that to your advantage. Overall, this place is quite easy to get through, and the enemies there give out some nice EXP. -- ++++++++++++++++++++ --MULMOUTH MEADOWS-- ++++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Stone Tortoises(36 HP) Mandrakes(38 HP) Stone Tortoises and Mandrakes inhabit this place. These guys are quite easy to defeat, especially the mandrakes: they have very little HP and do like 3 PTS of DMG per hit. So, basically, deal with them first, with physical attacks, mostly(Volk can kill them in two hits). Don't worry about being damaged by them; they won't even scratch you. The Stone Tortoises, however, are a different story. Even though they don't have a lot of HP(Volk can finish them in one hit), they do have a lot of physical strength. If you're attacked more than two times in a row by a stone tortoise(or twice and finished with a mandrake whip), you're bound to be left in critical status; they're that strong. So, try not to run up to them and attack them with Delma or any other character, especially if there are more than one of them. If you ever approach to one of them, be sure to do it with Volk, who can finish them fast and is able to take the damage, or with Darc, who should use a skill to kill the monster as soon as possible. They're not too fierce, but can pose quite a bit of trouble. -- ++++++++++++++++++ --ASHEEDA FOREST-- ++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Foot Soldiers(56 HP) Riflemen(51 HP) Commander(64 HP) There are four soldiers for you to deal with. Three of them in the frontlines(one of them is a general), and one in the backside. The three up front are spread like this: the general in the center, two soldiers on the flanks. Have Darc and Delma run up to the center side of the frontline(where the general is), so they're able to aim the general and the soldier on the left flank. Be sure, however, that Delma and Darc are not too close to each other, or else they'll both be hit in one sword-slash of the general, so better be careful. I suggest killing that guy first, and quick, with Sword of Awakening plus an attack of Delma's. Then, kill the other soldier with Flaming Arrow and physical attacks. By now, the soldier that was on the backside should be upon you, so run up to him and kill him calmly, with physical attacks, from behind and all of the usual jazz. Meanwhile, Volk should kill the lone soldier he was charged with, something that should be extremely easy. Next. -- After the battle, run north through the road on the left side of the screen. In the next area, run northward too, so you reach the area where the Big Owl crashed. There, there'll be some soldiers for you to deal with. -- BATTLE Foot Soldiers(56 HP) Riflemen(47 HP) Commander(64 HP) There are four soldiers, very close to each other, on a single, horizontal line. This battle here could be a little complicated, because you just went through a fight and are probably a bit weak(especially on the area of spirit stones). Try to fight conservatively. Heal when possible(with items, if needed), and attack only when you think you can soup up a couple of hits(after all, you're bound to be hit while attacking). Use physical attacks and get rid of the soldiers first -- they're a lot weaker than the general, especially against physical hits, so they're the best target, at first, anyways. If possible, use an skill or two on the general from afar, but only if you have a nice batch of spirit stones to work out with. The soldiers shouldn't be able to resist more than four hits, but you're going to be damaged a lot, believe me, especially because their so close together and they don't like to disband. So, try to keep yourself healthy and kill everybody quickly. In the end, get rid of the general. Try to do it quickly, with a skill of Volk, if possible. -- After the cutscene, go to the southwestern side of the screen and run down into the tree-branch platform we went across a while ago. This time around, however, head to the right of it and look for a thin path over there; cross it. Continue right and into the next screen. Here, run along the only available road until you find some more soldiers, along with Tatjana. -- BATTLE Tatjana(120 HP) Foot Soldiers(52-56 HP) Riflemen(47 HP) Commander(59 HP) Before the battle, be sure to equip your characters with a lot of healing items, like Healing Herbs and, AT LEAST, two Good Herbs(per character). Also, let me tell you something. I've noticed(perhaps it's something of the game) that if you press Square right before being hit, you're bound to dodge the attack. Try to use this strategy a lot in the following fight, which can be quite tough. There are soooooo many guys to be fought here, it's not even funny. All of them surround that girl, Tatjana, who uses a lot of hard-hitting attacks, such as her special skill, which does up to 70 PTS of DMG, and her physical attacks, that do around 30 PTS of DMG. The soldiers have their standard fare of attacks, that do 20-30 PTS of DMG. This strategy is based off on a party that didn't have many spirit stones(only Volk had a full batch of them) and that was severely wounded. I still managed to win, think about it. Spread your attack, and try to stay as far away from the enemies as possible. Send Darc up north, to the northwestern corner of the screen, but be sure he doesn't move along the "coast" of the enemy's lines. Have Delma and Volk run to the center, where Tatjana is, who should be your first target. If Volk has some nice skills to share, have him use them on Tatjana, while Delma attacks physically. Let the other guys attack you; no prob. After a bit, you're bound to need a healing; do so with your Herbs. Have Delma, then, attack any soldiers nearby(one of them should go down, at least), while Volk slashes the hell out of our little blonde. If you've been damaged enough, you should have your tension meter full by now, with either Delma or Volk. If so, make good use of the combined attack you're greeted with(when a character's tension meter is full, he'll glow; have this character attack an enemy that's within an ally's attacking range to unleash the special combo move): use it on Tatjana. It should be more than enough to kill her. If you're not greeted with it, have Delma keep attacking the soldiers nearby(not the general; be sure to stay as far away from him as you can) while Volk attacks the girl. Whenever given the chance, use the combo attack(it should be soon enough). If Tatjana is already very weak, don't waste your combo on her then, but rather on the general. Anyway, after the girl's out, pick the Gorgeous ring she's left behind. Darc should pierce through the enemies up there, with physical attacks only. Have him stay away, and let the enemies run up to him. Then, slash them twice(absorbing the respective hits), and back away, letting them come at you, again. Heal whenever it is needed. I should advise you that, if you're with a nice amount of health, you should just stay there and attack whatever soldier is near you until he dies, and then heal up. Up to two soldiers should attack Darc up there, so it's not like he can't deal with them. Afterward, just kill whatever's left behind with your physical attacks. However, don't get too cocky now; heal if needed, because you could screw out if you're not careful, especially if the general is still alive, because he can do a lot of damage and has a lot of defense, so he won't go down too fast. Try to attack him from behind, and with more than one character at a time, to kill him soon and finish(hopefully) this complicated fight. -- Watch the cutscenes. After them, you'll be at Crossell Springs and will have to look around them for Lilia. Run north along the spring's coastline until a cutscene kicks in and you find Lilia. Once you do, Delma will run up from behind and backstab you(bloody bitch). Enjoy the rest of the cutscenes. Afterward, go back to Asheeda Forest to meet Volk. Then, go back to Orcoth. ++++++++++ --ORCOTH-- ++++++++++ Watch the cutscenes and approach the plaza. After the following scenes, save, and go back to the plaza. In there, you'll see a cutscene involving Lilia. After it, heal at the Quorup(you might want to purchase some spirit stones, too. Don't purchase "just the right amount"; purchase a lot more, so whenever you need to refill your characters, you have the right materials to do so) and head into Gorma's place. Talk with the old sage and he'll tell you he's found the materials needed to raise a firble into a Pyron: Phoenix Blood(you have it), Rebound Fruit(nope) and Fire Fragment(neither). Ask him about them and you're told that, for example, the Rebound Fruit is bound to be dropped by Crimson Rhokes who inhabit the Tindalos Woods. The Fire Fragment is easy to get: Gorma is able to process a spirit stone into one, but he'll do so once you've gotten a Firble. Lastly, we have the Phoenix Blood, but we already own such item, therefore, whatever Gorma has to say about it does not interest us. With this information at hand, exit the sage's house. Right now, it'd be a nice idea to go into the dungeon and pay a visit to Lilia. Do so(Volk and Delma will wait behind, at the dungeon's entrance) and, in front of the cell, you'll find Zoram and Zugalo doing nothing. After they leave, talk with that pretty human lady you've captured to learn very little information regarding the Great Spirit Stones. After an ambitious Darc finishes talking with a surprised human girl, you're free to leave the area. Back at Orcoth's plaza, rejoin with your party members and leave the town. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ You might want to level up/get some money/get spirit stones at the Befron Mountain Pass. It's a nice place to do so, especially if you don't use(in battle) too many characters at a time. Be sure to, however, equip the Gorgeous Ring given to you by Tatjana, as it doubles the amount of money dropped by an enemy who's been killed by a character equipped with such accessory. Nice, eh? You'll level up here and gain class levels(be sure to learn some new skills), but most importantly, you'll gain money. Spend this money on weapons parts and accessories(and healing items, if you want to). I highly recommend buying three Stone Holders(lets you carry 15 more spirit stones). Three of them cost 720 G, but it's very well worth it. Also, some Leather Armbands and an accessory, or two, are good purchases. Overall, you should be ready to fork over 1500-1800 G, less if you're not interested on accessories/healing items. It's not impossible to get this much, trust me. You just need a little bit of patience(and be sure you use that Gorgeous Ring adequately). Be sure to save up some money after the purchase-a-thon, perhaps 350 G, so you have something to defend yourself with in the future. Go to the Church Ruins. ++++++++++++++++ --CHURCH RUINS-- ++++++++++++++++ As you enter, a strange sound is heard. Delma says it's a firble and Darc confesses her he had been hiding a firble egg here for a lot of time, but didn't tell her, because he did not want to be betrayed(Woah, Delma, soup that up). Anyway, run up to the nest and check out the nice, little monster. After the little dialogue, run back to Orcoth. ++++++++++ --ORCOTH-- ++++++++++ Head inside Gorma's house and talk with him over there. Inform him about your findings and then, if you want to and didn't do so earlier, ask him about the ingredients needed to raise the firble into a full-fledged Pyron. He'll say he'll take care of the Fire Fragment, so you better get the rest of the items(the rebound fruit only, actually, because you already have the phoenix blood). Leave Orcoth and head to Tindalos Woods. ++++++++++++++++++ --TINDALOS WOODS-- ++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Crimson Rhokes(43-46 HP) When you arrive here, Crimson Rhokes(and only them) will attack you. They're extremely easy. Two hits of any character will kill them on the spot. Breeze through the battle. The problem here is getting the Rebound Fruit. You'll have to battle quite a bit of times until an enemy drops it on the battlefield, or you get it after the fight. I had to try around four times before this happened, so be sure you have time to spare o_o. -- Go to the Church Ruins. ++++++++++++++++ --CHURCH RUINS-- ++++++++++++++++ Feed the Pyron with the Rebound Fruit and the Phoenix Blood(if you don't have it, go to Geedo's and get it off her chest). Afterward, go back to Orcoth. ++++++++++ --ORCOTH-- ++++++++++ Talk with the people around to learn Gorma has gone somewhere. One of the Orcon says that he's been spending a bit too much time inside of the dungeon... well, that's the first place you ought to go. Effectively, he'll be there, along with a plethora of Orcoth, listening to a lame song Lilia's been singing. He scolds the Orcons and makes them leave. Oh, and Gorma will inform you he's completed the Fire Fragment. Talk with Lilia and head out of the dungeon. Head toward the Quorup market and ask for the Fire Fragment... what!? 500 G!? Blast it. Buy the damn thing, then. Now, go to the Church Ruins. ++++++++++++++++ --CHURCH RUINS-- ++++++++++++++++ Feed the firble with the Fire Fragment. When you do, the Firble will flop over. The party says it's all Gorma's fault, because he's never been good in the stuff-making area. Angered, Darc decides to go back to Orcoth. Leave the area and do as Darc says: head into Orcoth. ++++++++++ --ORCOTH-- ++++++++++ Inside, watch the cutscene. Afterwards, head into the dungeon and talk with Zugalo's by the cell's gate. You'll be told some humans have gotten Lilia and slaughtered the whole town... well, most of it. Head into the town's arena and approach the group there. After the cutscene, SAVE and HEAL. Then, head out of the town and run towards Varam Barrens. +++++++++++++++++ --VARAM BARRENS-- +++++++++++++++++ Watch the cutscene. A humongous ship will be by the area, while some soldiers have set up a camp on the area nearby. Darc and co run up to the humans, but as they do, the big machine nearby, or the Argewalt, wakes up. Time to fight! -- BATTLE Argewalt(250 HP) The Argewalt will be surrounded by a lot of boxes, tree trunks and whatnot. It'll also summon some monsters to attack you. As Volk will suggest further into the battle, you should ignore those monsters. Keep in mind that the Argewalt will ONLY summon monsters throughout the fight, and will usually put them near it, for protection, of course. So, yeah, ignore the monsters and run toward the Argewalt with all of your characters. You might have to break some boxes and/or tree trunks. If you don't want to(who wants to, really?), move along the leftmost flank, toward the monster. Over there, there is a thin path between a tree trunk and a big tree, a path that can be crossed without having to break anything and that sends you right towards the Argewalt. Try to finish the monster soon, to prevent being completely surrounded by monsters, using skills such as Tornado, Fire Storm and Sword of Awakening. In other words, the hardest-hitting skills you have. The Argewalt has plenty of HP(around 300), but if you use the best in your repertoire, it should be easy to kill it. Oh, and after it goes down, the battle will end, no matter if you haven't killed the other enemies. -- Watch the subsequent cutscenes. Camellia, the Pianta Sage(the monster that was inside the Argewalt) will join you, too. Now, head back to Orcoth. ++++++++++ --ORCOTH-- ++++++++++ Talk with Gorma at his place. He'll tell you it's normal for the firble to fall asleep during its evolution. So, go back to The church ruins to see what's been of the firble while it's been asleep. ++++++++++++++++ --CHURCH RUINS-- ++++++++++++++++ Watch the cutscenes. Then, head towards the lookout here to find the Pyron. It'll take you to Adenade. +++++++++ --PYRON-- +++++++++ The Pyron will wait here, ready to let you rest, fly away or to save. Our businesses are to be taken care here at Adenade, so leave the area. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ You can go directly to the Coleopt Shrine(our main destination) but I highly suggest(as a matter of fact, I _obligate_ you) to go to Rueloon first. You'll have to cross the Ngai Plains, though. +++++++++++++++ --NGAI PLAINS-- +++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Dragon Flies(37-40 HP) Hunter Flies(39-42 HP) Dragon Flies and Hunter flies inhabit the area. They are extremely weak in every aspect, so simply slash the hell out of them; don't worry with magical attacks. Also, note that Camellia has enough range to hit various enemies in a straight line, just like Maru, making her quite useful(and she's not THAT weak). -- +++++++++++ --RUELOON-- +++++++++++ Talk with the townsfolk here at the shopping plaza to learn a bit about their lives and Rueloon in general. Also, visit the Quorups at the left- hand side of the screen. One of them sells fairly good weapons parts, such as the Heavy Blade(for Darc) and the Steel Spike, for Delma, as well as some other all-character parts. He also has a nice variety of accessories. It should be noted that this guy will pay 12 000 G for your Gorgeous Ring. You might want to sell it. Head towards the staircase here and take a left at the base of them, to go around the corner of the Quorup's shops. Pick up the ancient table that's on the top-left corner of the grassy floor and then run down the alley to find a Coleopt woman crying. He'll sell you Coleopt Froth for 160 G. This item heals all abnormal status, so it'd be a nice idea to purchase it. At the top level of the town(up the stairs), you'll find some Deimos with nice information to share with you, but not only that. You'll also find the arena(the northern exit), and an inn-tavern-memorial house(western exit). In the inn-tavern-whatever, you'll find a Quorup who'll heal you, as well as some pedestals with inscriptions on them, telling the stories of fierce warriors all over the globe. The tavern is up the stairs here. After you've talked and explored enough, exit town and head toward the Coleopt Shrine. You'll have to cross the Tsatuga Plateau. +++++++++++++++++++ --TSATUGA PLATEAU-- +++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Hunter Flies(40 HP) Some overly weak Hunter Flies and Scorpions roam the area. Just kill them. -- ++++++++++++++++++ --COLEOPT SHRINE-- ++++++++++++++++++ After the introductory cutscene, you're free to move around. Head across the bridge that conforms the Coleopt Village and talk with the townsfolk. Some of them warn you about the fearfulness of their army, others inform you about their male-eating habits, while others will stay bitter and damn their unhappy, workful lives. At any rate, just keep moving on until you reach the base of the shrine. A soldier will try to push you away. If you feel you're not ready, retreat, if not, force your way in. You know that that means... -- BATTLE Coleopt(48-51 HP) There are six Coleopt for you to fight. They are spread in two groups of three, both of them standing on the sides of the shrine's entrance door. They're very well separated, so spells such as Fire Storm and Tornado(which are supposed to hit various enemies at once) won't hit them all immediately. However, they're still very powerful. For instance, Fire Storm is enough to kill one soldier in one hit. Therefore, use it. Spells like Blizzard and Stone Rush won't kill a Coleopt in a single hit, but a combination of them will. Tornado is also strong enough to kill a monster in just one hit. Basically, begin your attacks with each of the spells I've told you about. Fire Storm and Tornado will kill two enemies, while the combination of Blizzard and Stone Rush will finish with a third Coleopt's live. Afterward, there'll be only three of them left, which can be handled easily. If they attack in a closed-up group(you know, all three of them very close together), you could finish all three of them with a single Fire Storm, or leave them weak enough to kill them with an extra physical hit. If they disband and attack from different sides, try not to use spells then, and spread your attack. In this case, use physical hits to save up those Spirit Stones. Be aware that they(the Coleopt) use a nasty skill that lowers all your parameters and can only be cured with Coleopt Froth. Now, if you don't have the spells mentioned above, it'll be tougher, of course. In that case, send Darc and Delma to a group, while Volk and Camellia attacks the other one. Stone Rush should still be available, so use it along Volk's physical attacks, which are very powerful. Meanwhile, have Kharg and Delma both attack a single enemy, to maximize damage and kill it in two turns(hopefully). Otherwise(if you're not that strong), use some of Delma's/Darc's simplest skills, to speed up the job. You can still finish them soon. Be sure to pick the items left behind. This shouldn't be too hard. Too much for a fearsome army. -- After the battle, go and talk with the townsfolk to learn they all fear you know. They also inform you that Selkis, their "leader", ought to be very angry. Bah, whatever. I recommend going back to the Pyron and healing, saving and then coming back(skip all battles so you're at full health). You could also spend some time leveling up and getting some money, but I won't say it's "highly recommendable". Do it if you want to. Then, enter the shrine. +++++++++++++++++ --SELKIS SHRINE-- +++++++++++++++++ Move across the bridge and it'll tremble. A tentacle will protrude from the wall and warn you. After this, continue your way across the bridge and go down the ramp at the other side. In the next screen, you'll find some soldiers who talk about the Miracle Stone. Time to fight! -- BATTLE Foot Soldiers(64-68 HP) Riflemen(62 HP) Commander(77 HP) There are a LOT of enemies to be fought here. Start by advancing towards the first of them(the one on the thin passageway that leads into the first big attacking line) and killing it with a spell, perhaps two, depending on what you use -- it's just a lone soldier, after all. Be sure you don't waste Darc's turn on him, though. After he's done for, I highly recommend you to use the Pyron(with Darc) on the next line of soldiers(four of them). The Pyron can target three of them, and WILL kill them in just one hit. The last line of soldiers(the ones with the officer) won't move for now, but the soldier that was left behind on the first attacking line(if you used the Pyron) ought to move toward you. If you've been moving along all of your characters, it'll be him against all of you. Simply use physical attacks to deal with him. After this, move toward the exit of the thin passageway and spread your four characters on a horizontal line that protects such passageway. By now, the soldiers that were on the backside should be moving towards you. If you put yourself like I told, separated enough so two characters won't be hit in just one shot, you'll have a very easy time killing these guys. They'll simply run toward you. Have Camellia snipe from afar, using the different pit-like structures here as protection, while the other characters use physical strength. Try not to kill the general last, because he's carrying a Broken Sword. The other soldiers also have some nice items. I suggest dealing with the general first(move forward if necessary), by surrounding him and using physical attacks and Stone Rush(with Camellia, because she's very weak against him), and then, deal with the last two soldiers with normal attacks(who should be dead by now). Very easy. -- After the battle, remove off Camellia everything that could of use to you(Spirit Stones, equipment) and run across the doorway the general went through just a bit ago(the northern exit of the room). In the next screen, a cutscene will ensue. After it, run toward the place the soldiers went, by taking the central path here(there are two staircases on the flanks of the area). The officer approaches the coffin here, eager to find the miracle stone, but instead, he triggers a switch that sinks some bridges and raises some others. Camellia informs that you're not in the Throne Room, but rather at the Sealed Chamber, where the most evil monster lies, created by the one who tricked the gods. Bebedora is its name. Camellia has apparently betrayed you! Anyway, Bebedora awakes and ends up being nothing short of a little, cute, eye-less girl! She can control people's minds at her will, it seems, and sends both soldiers to attack you. -- BATTLE Commander(81 HP) Rifleman(66 HP) It couldn't be easier! The soldier is very weak. The general is a lot stronger, but easy, too. They start very close together, meaning you'll be able to target them both at the same time with all of your characters. Do so and you'll kill the soldier. Afterward, continue hacking at the general to finish it. Very easy, indeed. -- Bebedora will wake up the bone soldiers nearby. -- BATTLE Skull Warriors(101 HP) These guys are a lot stronger than the soldiers and officers you've been fighting. They're very resistant against magic and quite resistant against physical hits. Volk won't do more than 20-22 PTS of DMG to one of these guys. They have a lot of HP and do a lot of damage with their attacks(40 PTS). I suggest killing one of them early. To do so, use Sword of Awakening, which is still very useful against them, combined with a physical hit of Delma(or perhaps two). I recommend doing this on the left soldier, while Volk runs up to the one to the right. Pick the Amethyst Coating left behind by the bone soldier(the one on the left, keep that in mind) and run toward the other boney, to aid Volk. While Delma and Darc attack the other boney, have Volk attack his guy face-to-face, souping up the hits and attacking constantly, until the rest of co. joins him. Nothing too hard, but Volk could end up very damaged. Nothing a Cure spell can't heal after the fight. -- Bebedora informs you need to press a switch nearby to leave. She also explores all of your souls and discovers many mysteries within Darc's. After you take control, run to the left, toward a mysterious red symbol that's been drawn on the floor. Examine the wall-switch there and agree to press it. After this, cute lil' Bebedora will join. Now, head towards the switch you just pressed and go down the stairs nearby. At the base of them there'll be a chest containing 960 G, 100 Spirit Stones and a Black Rose Thorn. Go back up and head to the right, toward Bebedora's coffin. Head toward the top-right portion of the area and go across the small pathway there and then, down the steps. Go up the steps nearby then, and you'll reach a big doorway with a save beacon besides it. You can go through the doorway or across the path in front of it(that goes southward, toward where Camellia left you), or, perhaps, go down the steps in front of the beacon. Do this(go down the steps) and open the chest at the base of them, which contains 160 Spirit Stones, an Aquamarine and four Water Balms. You then can go further past the chest and find an Ancient Table laying on the floor; do so and pick up the table. Afterwards, go to the left of it; you'll be back at the platform Camellia left you. Go down the steps on the leftmost side of it to find another chest, containing a King Size Soap, 480 G, Life Tree Berry and Water Shy. After doing all of this, go back to the save beacon and save/heal yourself. Prepare yourself for a battle, of course, by equipping any good accessories you might have, for example, the Amethyst Coating you got in the battle against the bone soldiers. Also, I suggest healing the Pyron. Once you feel you're ready, head through the doorway. In the next room, you'll find Camellia surrounded by some Selkis tentacles. Hmm... apparently her whole plan backfired. That's what you get for trying to betray us, old hag. Anyway, it's time to fight(be sure you refill Camellia and equip her before starting, though) -- BATTLE Selkis(300 HP) Coleopt(57 HP) Tentacles(180 HP) Coleopt Larva(100 HP) Selkis and a whole bunch of Coleopt soldiers... not only there are four of these guys, but she can make as many of them as she wants to. You can kill her tentacles to prevent her from giving birth to any more soldiers and/or Larave, but that would be too much time wasted. These guys(the soldiers) are not too strong, but they have that attack that downgrades you so much it's not even funny and can only be cured using Coleopt Froth. The Larvae are just annoyances, even though they have 100 HP. You'll first have to move toward where Selkis is. She's a bit far from where you are, so you have quite a bit of floor to walk. When you move toward here, try to keep your party together. Move them tranquilly, but when Darc turns comes, be sure to use the Pyron on Selkis to begin the carnage. You're informed Bebedora can control two enemies at a time, but only the soldiers -- not Selkis or the tentacles. The Larvae are far too useless. It should be noted that when you possess an enemy, it'll be attacked by any enemy that's not possessed. Possession could be useful here. As you move, you'll have to deal with some enemies. I'd recommend killing the Coleopt with spells, but don't "overkill", because you need those spirit stones for Selkis. Also, as you go, try to stay away from the tentacles, because they do a lot of damage per hit. Anyway, once you're near enough the Coleopt and Selkis, the real thing will begin. Darc is by far the best character in your group, so he has to go and attack Selkis directly. To do so, you'll have to deal with the Coleopt protecting the staircase that leads to the queen. Kill them fast and easily with Fire Storm/Stone Rush, combined with a physical attack, if necessary. These two guys are close enough together to be hit at the same time with a Fire Storm. If they aren't, well, no problem. Kill one of them with the spell, the other with the physical attack/Stone Rush combo. Pick what they leave behind and move toward the staircase's base, further, if possible. Ignore the soldiers next to Selkis(kill one of them if possible, just so you're not bothered by them when you attack the mother) and move your lines toward the big, fat insect woman. Have everybody surround her and start using their best skills, such as Sword of Awakening, Blizzard and Fire Storm. Have Camellia heal, because Selkis' attacks are quite powerful, doing around 65-70 PTS of DMG a-hit. Her Healing Rain spell is overly useful, as it can heal various characters at a time and for a lot of HP. The enemies the tentacles will sprout shouldn't be a problem now. Bebedora is bound to be left behind, because her range is very limited, so have her deal with those guys too. They will probably attack Bebedora and ignore the group who's killing their queen. So, yeah, our pretty little Bebedora makes for a good distraction. Selkis herself is not too hard to defeat once fenced, because you just need to keep attacking her and, if you heal properly, her attacks won't be too much of a problem. As I said a bit ago, killing the two Coleopt that were next to her would be a nice idea, because they could be quite bothersome as you attack her. Killing just one(as I did) is enough, but killing them both, better. Overall, this is a very easy fight. Once you fence her, she'll go down easily and fast, especially if you have the best skills your characters have to offer. Too much for the queen of the Coleopt(too much for the damn race, actually). -- Darc goes batty again. Save. _________________________________________________________________________ ---- KHARG: CONFLICT ---- ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ +++++++++++ --CATHENA-- +++++++++++ Kharg and co run towards the World Alliance and they'll talk with all of the wise guys(ah, Max Payne, you own). Bear through the cutscenes. Once you take control, head to the left and up the steps there. Afterward, go through the door on the leftmost corner of the area. In the next screen, talk with the woman clad in green to begin a cutscene of sorts. After it, exit Savina's room through the southern side of it. Go back to where the World Alliance is and head towards the north easternmost side of it, to find another doorway. Head through it and pick up the Spirit Dictionary II at the bottom of the table. Having done this, exit the whole World Alliance building. As you do, a soldier comes from behind and tells you the World Alliance are having a heated discussion regarding Dilzweld, something that could be of your interest. Savina says you should simply leave, that she'll handle the whole thing. Follow her advice and leave the building. Outside, you'll find good, ole' Ganz, who'll tell you he's repaired your ship. Afterward, head to the arena and talk with the guys there to ask for information about Ganz's friend, Rapier. After you're told he's dead, you may leave Cathena. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ Head to the Big Owl. +++++++++++ --BIG OWL-- +++++++++++ Examine the directions panel and head to Epistia. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ To get to Sulfas, you'll have to cross through the Torey Hills as welll as the Kassim Highway. +++++++++++++++ --TOREY HILLS-- +++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Pugnacious(60-64 HP) Bandits(67 HP) Monks(68 HP) Some mercenaries inhabit this place. They're a bit tough(very resistant) so don't be afraid to use your skills. This is a great place to level up and gain money(use only two characters at a time). Heal at the Big Owl, and, If necessary, go back to Cathena to re-stock on spirit stones. I leveled to level 16 here and got 2200 G, which I spent on spirit stones and equipment at Sulfas(and still had some money left). I didn't spend much time here, really, so you should try and level up/gain money, too. I also suggest learning some new skills here, mainly, Bone Crush and healing spells with Maru and Kharg. Once you're ready, continue. -- ++++++++++++++++++ --KASSIM HIGHWAY-- ++++++++++++++++++ As you enter, you discover it's a Dilzweldian checkpoint. Run across the path toward the end of the area, which is barricaded and has only one crossable path, guarded by a soldier. Talk with him. He'll ask you some questions which, if answered correctly, will make the guard let you pass. He'll ask: "Where have you come from?" and "Who are you?". Answer whatever you want, you'll be lead to the third question, anyways. Here, you'll be asked to tell them the name of a person on the Dilzweldian blacklist. Answer whatever you please. You'll be asked permission to cross. As you do, you'll be asked one last question. Answer this one bad, and you'll have to fight the soldiers here. You're asked the full name of Darkham. It's Darkham Ekud no Bard. Answer correctly, and you'll be able to cross without troubles. Mess up and... -- BATTLE Foot Soldiers(64 HP) Riflemen(62 HP) Commander(80 HP) There are a lot of Scrap Mtn.'s here, as well as six soldiers, spread behind the Scrap Mtn.'s. There is a lone soldier to the left, two soldiers a bit to the right, and three soldiers on the far right, past the Mtn's. I suggest sending Kharg toward the lone soldier and the rest of the group up to the main fray. Kharg will probably have to handle with two soldiers at most; deal with them with physical attacks, don't use your skills right now. You're probably able to hit various enemies at a time with Maru, Kharg and Paulette, because the enemies start very close together and when they move, they stay like that, mostly. They don't have a high defense, so physical attacks are more than enough. As usual, the general is far stronger, and is carrying the best item(a Super Bomb). It's not like it's a "tremendous" item, though, so kill him last, and before doing so, destroy all of the Mtn.'s to get the items within them(money, spirit stones, Super Bomb and Amethyst Coating) and pick up all of the items left behind by the soldiers. The general should be finished quickly, perhaps by using a skill, followed by the usual physical attacks. -- Enter Sulfas. ++++++++++ --SULFAS-- ++++++++++ Regardless of whether you fought the guards or not, some soldiers will run past you at the entrance of the town, heading toward the Kassim Highway, because somebody's caused some ruckus over there. Run across the path and you'll find a Hela standing by the upper side of the bridge. She charges 60 G per healing(bloody blazes of hell!) Approach the store nearby, which has a soldier standing besides it. He'll tell you that all economic actions of Sulfas are under Dilzweldian control, and, therefore, you'll have to wait for your rations to come before you're able to get any kind of items. Yeah, whatever. Inside the store itself, you'll find the storekeeper being harassed by a soldier who insists her husband is selling robbed goods on the black market. She won't sell anything for now. Go south of the store(this place feels so much like Xenosaga's Dock Colony... it's truly nostalgic) and talk with the townsfolk there. To the left is an old man who confounds you for a young lady clad in blue, and, after asked about Spencer, will answer with something totally unrelated. The soldier nearby comments that if you're caught having private conversations, you'll be accused of conspiracy against the government, and thus, be captured. Farther to the left, you'll find a little boy by a enter-able house. Enter such house and it turns out to be a pub. Talk with the owner(the man in red, behind the counter) and he, mysteriously, doesn't know who Spencer is, and is reluctant to talk about anything related to the Resistance... hm, that's weird. Leave. Right besides the pub, there is a fence that leads to a staircase. It won't open, though. Go north up the steps across the tavern, towards the last building of the town. You'll find a Save Beacon there, but the store owner won't sell anything. Head back to the tavern and check out on the boy hidden on the upper side of the building(not the one next to the locked-off staircase), on a nook by the ladder that hangs out of the adjacent building. Talk with him and ask him if he's playing hide and seek. That's all about exploration here. Time to get on with the story. Trot back to the first store you entered(the one with the storekeeper being harassed by a soldier). The storekeeper(Leonora) does not tell the soldier about her husband, but Kharg saves the day. Afterward, you're told he's in town, but hiding and won't talk with you unless you know the password("The Dolban delight in dealing") Now, head out of the store and trot south of it and down the short flight of steps. You should spot a man hiding on a corner on the bottom side of the area, behind a building. Head towards him and ask him "are you Jaqual?". Kharg will tell him the password. He'll then sell you items and spirit stones. It should be noted that he charges _4 G_ for the stones(it's the black market, after all), but the items are nicely priced. After you're done shopping, ask him about the resistance. He'll tell you the resistance is using the casino underneath the pub as a hideout. With this information at hand, run back to the pub. Talk with the owner and he'll tell you something about the casino: "The back and the front together always come to the same number". The other man that was inside the shop will leave when such information is told to you. After he leaves, examine the paper on the wall that he was checking out: the ten rules of a casino. Read all of them, starting by the first one, of course. Once you hit the seventh rule, you're asked if you want to press a switch that's sticking out. Do so and you'll find out the secret entrance to the casino(the tip given to you had to do about dice, it seems) Go down into the casino. A cutscene will ensue. Afterwards, run towards the backside of the casino and talk with Zev there, who'll explain you what he was doing at Mt. Quina, where he was captured. Kharg will then explain Darkham's motives to building a stronghold at the base of Mt. Quina(that's what he's doing). The only way to get to Mt. Quina is through the stronghold, and it'd be quite tough to storm out such a big place with such a small party, eh? Of course. It's logical thinking. Spencer says that it's necessary to liberate Sulfas from the army, because they'd send reinforcements toward the stronghold if we were to attack. Listen to what he has to say. Your objective will be to storm the hell out of Viorav Mine and Parenz Ruins. So, start off by heading out of Sulfas. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ You have to go to the Viorav Mines and the Parenz Ruins. I suggest going to the mines first. Any place you choose, you'll have to go through the Kassim Highway(you're obligated to do so) ++++++++++++++++++ --KASSIM HIGHWAY-- ++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Foot Soldiers(60-65 HP) Riflemen(62 HP) Commander(72 HP) MAN! Soooooo many soldiers to be fought. There are 12 soldiers, 11 of them being your regular soldiers, one of them an officer. They're to the right of your starting point, in a group that's very close together and that looks like a small box. I suggest staying far away from the soldiers, with all of your characters. Approach them, but not too much, especially with Kharg and Ganz; leave them on the backside of your group. Move Maru and Paulette forward, near enough the soldiers to use multiple-character spells such as Slinging Rain(which can target up to four characters and kill them in one turn) and Venom Arrow. Of course, these soldiers will move about, but when they do so, they'll stay close together, mostly, allowing you to use the multiple-character spell strategy for a couple of turns with success. Should any soldier get into your lines, dispatch him with Kharg and Ganz, who should serve as bodyguards for Maru and Paulette, killing anybody that gets too near and compromises their safety. Sometimes the hard-hitting spells won't be enough to kill your foes in just one hit; in that case, finish the weakened characters with physical attacks. After the groups have been disbanded and you cannot use the hard-hitting spells on more than one character, start spreading your attack. Send your strong characters toward the officer(if he's not dead yet), while the weakest(Paulette and Maru) take care of the other soldiers. I suggest using physical attacks for this, but a skill or two should be used if necessary, but try to save those Spirit Stones. Keep in mind that depending on how you move, you may force the soldiers to move in such way you'll be able to target various of the guys at a time. Make good use of such situations. This battle is very easy. -- After the battle, there'll be a short cutscene. Then, exit the area. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ Head to the Viorav Mine. +++++++++++++++ --VIORAV MINE-- +++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Gun Traps(47-50 HP) Foot Soldiers(68 HP) This is a small battlefield, riddled with drums and (obviously) enemies. It starts with a line of four "Gun Traps", which are located on the upper and bottom sides of the battlefield, leaving a gap through the middle. Such line is followed by two lone "Gunners", and lastly, there are two soldiers. During your first turns, you'll be able to use your hard-hitting spells on your foes. Start off by casting Venom Arrow on the group of Gun Traps, because they start close together and so are able to be hit by Maru's skill, which will kill them on the spot. Paulette will probably get her turn after Kharg/Ganz, so don't use her skill. Why? Because Kharg/Ganz(most likely to be Kharg) has a great movement range, and is able to run toward the other group of Gun Traps and kill one of them with a skill. But anyway, you can still attack any Gunner that (probably) moved forward and into the Gun Trap's lines. These guys are also very weak, so if you want to finish them fast, use a skill such as Sling Knife, which will kill one of them fast. After you've weakened the machines lines, you can finish the rest of them with physical attacks. They're not too much of a trouble, you see. After this, the soldiers will be your main problem. They're regular, weak soldiers; nothing too hard. Finish them with physical attacks, too. -- You now have secured the Viorav Mines, effectively cutting off the Dilzweld's army supply of fuel, plus preventing the place from sending reinforcements towards Sulfas, should you try to liberate it. After this, go back outside. You might want to heal at the Big owl. Once done, head to the Parenz Ruins. ++++++++++++++++ --PARENZ RUINS-- ++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Shotgun Traps(42 HP) Foot Soldiers(60-70 HP) Riflemen(58 HP) Commander(72 HP) There are nines enemies. They're all well located through the field, some of them very far behind, protected by the sole distance that separates them from you, while others are behind the Scrap Mtn's that, at first, will block you and prevent you from walking too far away from where you start. There is, still, a group nearby(a bit to the northeast of where you start), between the area's upper wall and a bunch of Scrap Mtn's, that is all mushed up and can be hit on its whole with a Venom Arrow or a Slinging Rain. Perhaps not all of the group will be destroyed; in that case, simply kill whomever was left behind. By doing this, you'll open your way into the rest of the battlefield. Send the strong lads through such path. There is a group south of where you start, and, if you want to get to it fast, without having to go around the whole area, you'll have to break a Scrap Mtn. However, with Paulette, you can target the enemy directly behind the Scrap Mtn, with Sling Knife, effectively eliminating it. After this, I suggest eliminating one of the Scrap Mtn's to the left(there are two of them), to open the way into the main attacking group, conformed mainly of soldiers. If you sent the lads through the upper path, and now that you've send the "weak"(but terribly useful) lads and girls through the flanks, you'll have the main attacking group covered on both areas. The enemy group will probably disband and attack both sides, too, but for that you've spread your attack. Treat "nicely" whomever attacks you. The "regular" soldiers and the Gunners are all very weak; treat them with physical attacks. As usual, the officer is a lot stronger, therefore, try to finish it soon(he can do plenty of damage). Use a skill on him, and finish it with two or three physical attacks. Rinse and repeat, moving around to kill whomever is a bit too far away(most likely a gunner and a soldier) but be sure to clean off the area of items before finishing the last enemy. -- After the battle, there'll be plenty to explore here at the Parenz Ruins. You can check out the broken television nearby to get an image of a previous Arc the Lad game -- well, actually, an image of Arc the Lad(the guy) o_O Go right of the TV and examine the lit area on the scrap to find a telephone. Continue along this path toward the dilapidated warehouse up there. Examine the bunch of scrap next to a hole on the house to find a radio. Go further up and examine the big, white thing by the pillar here(also on a lit area) to find a refrigerator. Go left and walk along the road, but be sure to check out the (also lit) microwave there. Head past the microwave, toward the yellow balcony of sorts there, until you bump into it and cannot see yourself. When this happens, push up and move around pressing X until you find a guy named Diekbeck. Tell him you don't believe him and you'll get a Shadow Talisman before he dies(he was a robot, by the way, and seems to bee a replica of some old Arc the Lad guy. I need to play those games). Leave the area and return back to Sulfas. ++++++++++ --SULFAS-- ++++++++++ Head toward the Main Plant area(run left from the entrance, past Hela, until you find two big double doors wide open) and enter it. In there, you'll find a reunion and, as usual, will have to fight any guys in there. -- BATTLE Gun Traps(47 HP) Foot Soldiers(68-76 HP) Riflemen(70 HP) Commander(86 HP) There are nine enemies for you to fight, spread like this: two soldiers and two Gun Traps on the first line. The soldiers in the middle, the Traps on the sides. Further into the battlefield, a line of two well- separated soldiers, followed by a line of two soldiers(on the sides) and an officer(on the center). Move toward the first line of enemies and engage them physically. You Should you not be able to get near enough them to unleash a physically on your first turn, due to the limitations of the movement range, so being with skills that have great range and are powerful. Maru should use physical attacks, though. The enemies on the very bottom are of the battlefield won't be moving anytime soon, so forget about them for now and concentrate on the first group. You should be able to finish two of these guys with skills. When they start moving toward you, finish them with physical attacks, as I suggested near the beginning. It shouldn't be too problematic to do so. After the first group has been severely wounded(i.e. only one Gun Trap or soldier is left behind) you can expect the next two soldiers to start slithering toward you(the last three soldiers are still bound to stay immobile). These guys are also very easy to deal with; just use physical attacks, but, if you're too far away with one character, don't be afraid to cast a spell/use a skill, especially those with great range such as Sling Knife and Power Shot. The last group is not too complicated, either. Have Ganz and Kharg kill the general(use Bone Crusher plus some physical attacks to do so, or perhaps Power Shot and Ganz's strength), but be sure that your other two characters aid them if they're nearby and are able to do so. After the general is dead, the rest of the battle should be very easy. Spread your attack on the soldiers that are left(two) and simply hack away. If you spread your attack well, they should be easy to kill, and very quickly. -- After the battle, go through the door on the leftmost wall. It's actually a doorway, halfway through the wall, next to a crate and surrounded by two blue walls. It should be easy to spot it. In the next area, run forward across the path, pass the war-tank there, until you reach a bifurcation. Take the left choice and trot through the road. At the end, by some barrels, you'll find another tome of the Spirit Dictionary. Now, you can go back to the doorway you came through and go to ITS right(the path that's not blocked off by some barrels). Run through and be watchful for an electrified panel on the wall. Check it out thrice for some little cutscenes. But anyway, Sulfas is free at last! The shops are back on(the Spirit Stones are still a bit expensive, at 3 G apiece) The equipment shop as tremendous merchandise to sell, such as the Sapphire Coating(which is a bit expensive, btw) and things like the Guard Support and Traitor's Soul. Among the accessories, we have the Steel Armband, the Jade Beads, the Scroll of Evasion... most of these things are quite expensive, so you'll have to fight a lot outside for the money, or buy some now and wait to get the rest later. If you're to buy something now, I suggest the Sapphire Coating, for Kharg/Maru, for now, at least. Also, if you have any Broken Swords on your inventory, you can sell them for 1,200 G; quite nice, eh? Anyway, you have to go back to the hideout(of the Resistance, you know) So, go into the pub and head inside the secret casino. Head toward where Spencer is and talk with him. After the short cutscene, go outside the country. At the world map, head toward the Mountain Stronghold. You'll to cross through one nice places, though(or two if you want to go to the Greylia Plains, but for now, it's a place you can ignore) +++++++++++++++ --ROUTH WOODS-- +++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Slothians(126 HP) Slothians, of all things! These guys are getting weaker and weaker already. However, that's defense-wise(and I'm talking about a party with the appropriate equipment). They do have a lot of HP and do a lot of damage with each hit(around 30) and come in big packs, meaning they won't go down soon and will have plenty of chances to beat the hell out of you. Kill them fast to prevent getting too damaged(use skills and don't rely too much on regular attacks) -- +++++++++++++++++++++++ --MOUNTAIN STRONGHOLD-- +++++++++++++++++++++++ As the party enters, they're shown a whole Dilzweldian army slaughtered(by, of course, our cocky resistance members). The resistance is having a firefight with some soldiers when they're suddenly blown away by the area's huge cannon. It's time to fight. -- BATTLE Gun Traps(42-55 HP) Foot Soldiers(60-76 HP) Riflemen(70 HP) Cannons(???) A battle with a twist, because the whole idea is to save the resistance members, rather to kill them all in the battlefield. There are TONS of soldiers here(plus the cannons, which WILL attack you), so expect this to be a bit complicated. Firstly, you're fenced by a line of six enemies, which covers the steps that lead into a raised area. By going up the middle flight of steps, you'll find the first resistance member, surrounded by two soldiers. A bit behind him is the second resistance member, and up the ramp behind this second guy, the third resistance member. As Ganz suggests, it's imperative to spread your "attack". I put attack within quotations because you should prevent all kind of unnecessary attack, and just move as fast as possible toward the resistance guys, given the fact you're always being menaced by those two giant cannons. I suggest sending Ganz and Paulette toward the steps on the flanks, while both Maru and Kharg go up the centermost staircase. These two guys(and everybody else) will have to deal with soldiers who WILL put themselves in the staircase and block your way. It's a great idea to kill them with a skill IMMEDIATELY, because you need to move fast here. Your first priority right now should be, of course, going up the steps. As told, ignore the line of enemies that are on the area below the steps and just go up them, beating the hell out of anyone who dares to block your path. Once both Kharg and Maru have gone up the their flight, have them spread themselves. Maru, who has less movement range, should save up the nearest resistance member(approach him and press X), while Kharg runs up to the other one. As you do, have them attack anyone who's getting a bit on your way if necessary. Ganz and Paulette should battle through their flanks, trying to get the attention of the soldiers, so Maru and Kharg have a clean way through. Keep in mind that the cannons will attack whomever they want, but Ganz and Paulette can make a great distraction job over there, either by killing the soldiers or by being a plain annoyance. Keep in mind that, if necessary to do so, don't go completely up the stairs and stay by the bottom of them, serving as a complete distraction, trying to take the enemies away from the are Maru and Kharg are going through. This could prove to be useful. Meanwhile, have Maru and Kharg deal with anybody who's getting a little too problematic on the center area. After the first two resistance guys are saved, have Kharg run up the ramp that leads into the last guy, and be sure to do it PRONTO. When you go up such ramp, one of the cannons won't be able to attack Kharg, although the other one will. But anyway, have Maru clean the way for Kharg(there are some Gun traps nearby) and Paulette plus Ganz make sure Maru is not bothered. I should also suggest you to heal constantly, because those cannons do 80 PTS of DMG a hit, so better heal to prevent any nasty surprises. Kharg should have an easy time after going up the ramp; just save your friend and end the fight, without worrying about what might happen to the others. Now, if you want them all to gain EXP, then be sure to heal them thoroughly when needed. -- Go back to Sulfas. ++++++++++ --SULFAS-- ++++++++++ Heal at Hela and restore be sure to replenish your spirit stones stock. Afterward, go back to the hideout. There, talk with Spencer and he'll suggest you to go to the Main Plant and check on the Beam Cannon there, to see if it is to be outfitted on your ship, to attack the stronghold, you know. So, head to the main plant and toward the area where the Spirit Dictionary is. Look for the war-tank-vehicle there and talk with Spencer. You'll be told that, should you need to use the Big Owl remotely, you'd need a Tele-OP, which is made out of an Antenna, a Magnetron and an Integrated Circuit, which are gotten at Parenz Ruins. You'll also need 200 Spirit Stones, which you can get out of your stock, although that would put a serious dent to your supplies, so I suggest going to the Viorav Mines and getting the Stones there, rather than using the one's on your supplies. Head out of Sulfas and head to the Mines. ++++++++++++++++ --VIORAV MINES-- ++++++++++++++++ Run toward the end of the area, where there'll be an elevator. Use it to go down. In the next screen, you will be greeted by some enemies. -- BATTLE Stun Smogs(52-55 HP) These little flying orbs(Stun Smogs) have a respectable defense, little HP, but not attacking power. Even then, there are a lot of them, so, should you get a bit too dreamy, they'll beat a nice amount of HP out of you(like the Slothians do), because even though they don't do a lot of damage(20 per enemy), when combined, it's a lot, ain't it? So, try to attack each enemy strongly, not necessarily with skills, but, for example, by using two characters to attack one enemy. It ain't too hard, anyways. -- It's obvious you need a tool to get the spirit stones out of the lot here, so, head to the left and up the steps you will find. Afterward, head toward the upper-left corner of the room where you'll find a catwalk of sorts. Climb into it and check out the little crate there, which turns out to be a detonator. Push it to generate an explosion which will release 242 Spirit Stones, 42 more than you needed, which will go to you, eh? Exit the area. Now, head to the Parenz Ruins. ++++++++++++++++ --PARENZ RUINS-- ++++++++++++++++ Run forward and look for the television nearby. From it, head to the left and examine the microwave there(as before, all of these unusual items are within an aura of light). Pick up what's inside it: the Magnetron. Afterward, go up and then, after seeing the fridge, head to the right. Look for the radio that's on the frontside of this dilapidated building, on top of a drum and within an aura of light. Get the Antenna off it. Afterward, head to the right and check out the computer that's by the wall, laying atop a desk of sorts, to get the Integrated Circuit. After this, try to leave the area. As you do, you're ambushed by some Ninjas. -- BATTLE Ninjas(54 HP) Supreme Ninjas(62 HP) These guys are a joke! You can start off by hitting them all with Venom Arrow, if Maru's turn is the first, because they're al very close together. If Maru has been properly leveled up(as suggested near the start of the whole Episita thing), he should be able to kill the two ninjas clad in blue. The other one ain't harder, anyways. Just kill it with a skill if he's (or even if he hasn't) been severely wounded by Venom Arrow, because these guys dodge physical attacks easily. Should the ninjas survive Maru's arrow shot, then simply fence them and hack the hell out of the bastards with skills, or you might want to try a physical attack and see if it connects(the chances increase if you're a bit far away and attack from behind) -- Trot back to Sulfas. ++++++++++ --SULFAS-- ++++++++++ Head toward where the Big Owl is and talk with Spencer there. After the Big Owl has been properly outfitted, you're warned that you only have three shots to deal with(two of which should be cast upon the cannons you're going to face soon enough) After all of this, head out of Sulfas, again, and head towards the stronghold. +++++++++++++++++++++++ --MOUNTAIN STRONGHOLD-- +++++++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Gun Traps(47-50 HP) Foot Soldiers(64-72 HP) Riflemen(54 HP) Cannons(doesn't matter) Lots of enemies to be killed! Directly in front of you, there are six enemies: three Gun Traps(easy) and three soldiers. Up the steps, five enemies: a gun trap on the ramp the left; four soldiers spread across the areas in front of the steps. Behind them, by the ramp leading into one of the cannons, four Gun Traps. Start off by attacking the Gun Traps with anybody that's not Kharg. Once his turn comes, use the Big Owl on one of the cannons to destroy it. I suggest heading toward the rightmost cannon. Next to it, there is a group of four gun traps. Should you aim the bottom-right gun trap, you'll also aim the cannon, a soldier, and another gun trap. Use the attack and you'll kill them all in one shot. Nice, eh? After this, be sure to stay on the area you start at and don't go up the steps. This way, the other cannon won't be able to attack you. Before Kharg's turn comes, have your other characters attack the foes on the area. If possible, use skills that hit various of them at a time. The enemies all start a bit near to each other and will stay like that(mostly) as they move, so you'll have the chance to make good use of skills such as a Slinging Rain and Venom Arrow/Bone Crusher. You can also finish off wounded enemies with Maru's normal attacks(as they hit various foes). Before Kharg's turn came, I had got rid of the six soldiers here(actually, five of them, plus a Gun Trap that wandered into the area), so you can tell I was doing things well. Blast off the last cannon. Now that you've killed the cannons, you can safely go up the steps. I suggest sending Ganz toward the ramp on the left, because a lot of enemies like to gather there, where he'll have his slugfest. Have your main party attack the enemies that are around the middle area, either down or up the steps -- move accordingly. Once given the chance, move up toward the Gun Traps that are(or were, depending on how they moved) up the steps. Meanwhile, Ganz should kill whatever gets on his way(if there is nobody, have him join the other group) Before you finish the battle, you might want to pick up a nice item. This item is on the easternmost side of the battlefield, up a flight of stairs into a dirt area that's besides where a cannon was and that serves of a hall to a bunker. Here, there is a box that, when destroyed, will release a Life Belt. Should you pick it, be sure to leave somebody behind that takes care of the Gun Traps, but be sure you kill them after picking up the belt. -- After the battle, go up the ramp to the left and ascend up some stairs into the stronghold's upper area. In there, simply head through the door. In the next screen, trot forward(it's a one way road, jeez) until you're ambushed by a pile of soldiers. -- BATTLE Foot Soldiers(68-72 HP) Riflemen(66 HP) Commander(86 HP) There are six soldiers on one side, four on the other side. Send Maru and Paulette to the upper group(the one with six soldiers), because the guys up there are a lot closer together and can be hit(easily) with Paulette's and Maru's multi-enemy skills. You could also use the Big Owl on the upper group and get rid of it immediately, thus liberating the Sapphire Coating the General is carrying(a very useful item to get...) With Maru's group, I suggest you to concentrate your attacks on the general so you can get the Coating. However, should you be given the chance to target a huge group of enemies with, say, Venom Arrow, in favor of sparing the General's live, be sure to do so. Just be sure you don't kill the guy last, and, when you do, don't forget to pick up the Sapphire Coating. Kill the rest of the soldiers with your skills and, if properly put, with an arrow/whip-age that flies through more than one enemy and damages them all. Ganz and Kharg will have it a lot easier. You can use weak skills there, such as Fang-Breaker Blade, and then combine them with physical attacks. It's still highly recommended to kill two of these guys quickly(with skills), to prevent the group(which is a bit big) from fencing you and punching off a lot of HP out of you. After there is only two or one enemies left, then feel free to use your physical strength. If possible, have both of your groups join forces. For instance, if Maru and Paulette got rid of their foes, have them run down to Kharg's and Ganz's area and aid them. -- Watch the short cutscene. Heal and use some spirit stones on yourself, to replenish your character's stock. Before moving on, be sure to get some skills, especially, Binding/Silent Arrow and Tornado. Then, head up the ramp to the left and use the elevator to head into the volcano. Bear through the cutscene. +++++++++++++ --MT. QUINA-- +++++++++++++ After the introductory chitchat, run forward until you reach a bifurcation where you can go left and right. Take the right hand road and open the chest at the end of the path(460 G, 220 Spirit Stones and a Red Charm). Afterward, take the left hand road and trot along the sinuous way. At its end you will find an elevator and on an offshoot to the right, a chest holding 180 Spirit Stones, a Life Tree Berry and two Super Bombs. Pick up such items and have the elevator take you up. As soon as you arrive on the upper floor, you're greeted by some enemies. -- BATTLE Elementals(62 HP) Lakeltas(65 HP) Red Dragons(60 HP) There are two Elementals on a nook a bit to the northeast of where you start. To the east, a square formed of two Red Dragons and three Lakelta. Start off by attacking the Elemental with Paulette and Maru, but with long range attack such as Sling knife and Venom Arrow, so you always have the possibility of moving toward the other group easily. Have Ganz and Kharg attack this group. The Red Dragons are the most dangerous enemies there, so better kill them soon. A Power Shot hit leaves them weakened enough to be killed in a subsequent physical hit, so start off with that. You can also blast off the red barrel next to a Lakelta, which ought to damage it. I suggest doing this with Maru, effectively scarifying his turn. Damage both Red Dragons with Kharg so they're all weak and then concentrate on the Lakelta, which are nearer to you. Use physical attacks on any weakened guys there may be(for instance, the one hit by the explosive barrel). If there are none, still use physical attacks, because these guys aren't that strong, really. You can even sum Maru and Paulette to the attack once they've killed their Elementals. When this happens, the Lakelta won't stand a chance. For the Dragons, simply look for an opening to hit them with a sword slash and they'll be killed on the spot(if they were previously hit with Power Shot). Pick up the items, of course. -- After the battle, trot through the linear road until you reach a semi open area past a wooden bridge. Afterward, head down the sand ramp and take the elevator down. In the next screen, trot through the only available road. After some time, you'll reach a bifurcation, where you can go up or take a path that goes left. Go up, toward another elevator, but be sure to cross the wooden bridge nearby, to reach a chest with 2 Fire Shy's, a Power Berry and some Gundpowder. Afterward, board the elevator. Immediately after you arrive, you'll have to fight. -- BATTLE Lakeltas(65-69 HP) Great Phoenixes(57 HP) There is a square of four Lakelta in front of you. Go up from this group and you'll find a straight line of four Great Phoenixes. As usual, the Lakelta will take quite a bit of punishment out of your physical attacks, but they can also do a lot of damage(30 PTS per hit) so they aren't too much of a pushovers when alive :) Even then, I still suggest using standard attacks against them. People like Paulette and Maru won't be as damaging as Ganz and Kharg, but they can still aid the party. The Lakelta don't stand a chance against the men(Maru is still a kide =)) The Phoenixes have a strong fire spell(around 50 PTS of DMG) and their normal attack, which does 28-32 PTS of DMG, usually. They're a lot better at souping up physical hits, but still weak. Hit them twice with Kharg and finish them with Maru. Or whatever. They ain't worth a skill. Use your normal attacks, but be sure you concentrate it to finish the monsters fast, or else, you could have to soup a bit of damage. -- After the fight, run forward from the elevator and turn right. Trot along the road to find yet another elevator. Board it up. In the next screen, run forward from where you start. You are greeted with a bifurcation. You can go further down the road, or veer to the left and check out what's there. Go left. After some walking, you'll reach another bifurcation. You can go towards a chest or check out the elevator nearby. The lift ain't working, so head toward the chest and open it to get 1,200 G, 2 Fire Balms and a Falcon Statuette. After this, go back to first bifurcation and continue down the road. Once you find a save icon, save and heal up(be sure to replenish your stock of Spirit Stones). As told, be sure you have Binding/Silent Arrow(perhaps Hunting Arrow, too) and Tornado, plus skills such as Healing Rain, Slining Rain, Bone Crusher and perhaps Heat Cannon/Speed Storm. And try to be around level 17-20. After making any necessary preparations, please continue. Go through the doorway at the end. Run toward where Tatjana is(when possible to do so) -- BATTLE Tsee(375 HP) Tsaw(340 HP) Fulkrum(380 HP) Tatjana will join you on this battle, but she'll be computer-controlled. She can die for all we care. These three guys(Tsee, Tsaw and Fulkrum) are very strong, doing around 30-50 PTS(Tsaw is especially damaging, doing up to 63 Pts of DMG with his special arrow attack) of DMG per hit, and have a lot of HP. It's highly recommended that you attack them mercilessly. Tsaw uses his bow from afar and does a lot of damage with it(skill-wise), but can only target one enemy at a time. The other two brothers attack from close quarters. They also have some very nice items: Tsee has a Heat Blade, Fulkrum a Fire Talisman and Tsaw a Silk Bowstring. The strategy here is simple. Pick a Lakelta, surround it with your party members, and use your best skills on him. That'd be, Binding Arrow, Whirlwind Crusher, Heat Cannon and Speed Storm... if you don't have them, use the skills the follow them, strength wise. Be sure to heal whenever below 100 HP, because these guys do a lot of damage. As told twice, Tsaw does a lot of damage with his special arrow skill, but you can fix that by silencing it with Silent Arrow. Then, he'll only be able to use the regular attack, which does (almost) half the damage the special arrow attack does. Anyway, as told, simply surround your preferred Lakelta and blast the hell out of it. Repeat. By when the last Lakelta's turn comes, you're bound to be weakened on the Spirit Stone area. In that case, simply use skills with those who can =) The other should use physical attacks(you can also make good use of the combination attacks here) Incredibly easy. -- Run up the rocky steps here and follow the path into the shrine. Approach Tatjana. After the short scene, go back the way you came. Once you hit the hanging bridge, another scene will take place. After it, go back to the shrine area and talk to Tatjana. After this, go toward the hanging bridge area and talk to Ganz there. It's Samson time! He'll come blitzing through the skies on the Fiona. After the party goes up, go back to where Tatjana is and have a short chat with her. Then, go back to the rope ladder and climb it up. Watch the subsequent cutscenes, save... you know the drill. _________________________________________________________________________ ---- DARC: LOVE AND HATE ---- ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ +++++++++++ --RUELOON-- +++++++++++ It's nighttime when you arrive. Camellie implores for indulgence on Darc's part, but the Deimos adolescent does not answer. Instead, Delma accuses the Pianta Priest of being nothing but a filthy traitor and should be punished. Volk comments that the donkey does not have the right to talk about long ears, considering that she(Delma) is also a traitorous whore. But anyway, Darc dismisses them all and you'll take control. Head into the tavern-inn-memorial house and talk with the Balar by the staircase. Tell him you want a place to rest on for the night. A cutscene will take place. Camellia can't sleep due to Delma's awful snoring, and Volk is feeling something wrong is going to happen soon. The Lupine decides to have a drink while Camellia checks out on Darc. Volk is then shown chatting with a Canidae. Afterward, Darc comes out of his room, the Water Stone stolen. After you take control, exit the place. Outside, head into the arena. There, Camellia is using the power of the water stone to heal her wounds. As she does so, some Drakyr and a weird deimos arrive. They steal the stone from her(useless, weak, traitorous hag. I HATE HER!) and the weird deimos presents himself as Droguza. After the usual chitchat, you'll have to fight. -- BATTLE Drakyr(97-105 HP) Droguza(430 HP) There are four Drakyr and Droguza. The hybrid deimos(Droguza) is quite powerful(he can do 30/70 PTS of DMG with physical attacks, and up to 70 with spells), so better be careful. I recommend focusing Volk's, Darc's and Bebedora's strength on Droguza, while Camellia and Delma deal with the Drakyr. The duo should use skills that hit various enemies at a time, such as Fire Storm and Stone Rush. The Drakyr will mostly move around mushed up, so you'll have an easy time hitting them with these spells. Have Volk and Darc surround Droguza and use the best from their repertoire. With any luck, Darc's Sword of Awakening is bound to hit not only Droguza, but any Drakyr who's nearby. Volk should use regular attacks, which do quite a bit of damage against the deimos hybrid(of course, that's if he's been properly leveled up and is nicely equipped). Bebedora should use Black Out, which causes a lot of damage to Droguza. The combination of these attacks will put a serious dent to Drog's HP. Keep on pounding the hell out of him, but be sure to heal people, especially Camellia, because the combination of the Drakyr's wind spells and Droguza's attack could be quite dangerous. -- After the subsequent scene, go into the inn-memorial house and chat with the Balar again. Agree to have a rest. The next day, you'll have to see a cutscene. After it, leave the town and head towards the Pyron. Destination: Ragnoth. Here, head towards Drakyrnia. You'll have to fight through the Edge of a Sea of Trees, though. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ --EDGE OF A SEA OF TREES-- ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Suskle Squirrels(51-66 HP) Wild Dogs(55 HP) Boring Suskle Squirrels inhabit the place. The occasional wolf may spurt out if you're lucky. They're surprisingly strong, having a lot of HP and great defense to boot, plus they can do a lot of damage(20 rto 40 PTS). Even then, physical attacks should be a exclusive against them. Not worth the waste of Spirit Stones, I says. Hell, you might want to escape. It's boring. -- +++++++++++++ --DRAKYRNIA-- +++++++++++++ Run forward, past a Drakyr up a pillar and into the house next to the healing Quorup(who'll charge an scandalous 80 G for healing you). You'll be inside the local store. To the right there is a save beacon, and right in front of it, an ancient table. Pick it up. Now, at this place, there are some nice new items, like the Sapphire Coating and a Rabbit Stuffed Animal(for Bebedora), which are bloody expensive. The spirit stones are also tremendously expensive, at 4 Gald apiece. Exist the store through the healing Quorup's entrance and head to the right until you find a pink Drakyr(a woman). Go south from there and head right across the bridge over a waterfall. Ascend up the multiple staircases there. At the top, there'll be an old Drakyr standing alone by a bridge that goes left. You can ask him about a variety of things, but he'll simply comment you look like "him". After the chat, try to cross the bridge and you're called out by the old man. He presents himself as Sagan, a former Windalf servant. After the chat, cross the bridge and go up the short flight of steps. You can talk to the Drakyr woman to the left to get her views on Drakyrnia, or you can go up the staircase to the right. Do the latter action and go through the doorway at the top. You'll hit the local Elder's room. Talk with him(Williwo). After a bit, you're given a new mission: you must complete the Dragon Ordeal, which is to be done inside the Dragon Bone Valley cave. Save/heal/replenish your Spirit Stones and then, exit the town. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ Head toward the Dragon Bone Valley. You'll have to fight through Punoir Ravine, though. +++++++++++++++++ --PUNOIR RAVINE-- +++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Rognas Gormons(87-98 HP) Suskle Squirrels(50-60 HP) A new breed of enemies, Rognas Gormon, inhabit the place. They're big, tree-like golems. There are also Suskle Squirrels, but the Gormons are the main enemies here. They have a lot of HP and great resistance toward physical attacks, so it wouldn't be too bad to use spells on them, because these deplete a bunch of HP out of them. As before, the Squirrels are a lot stronger, doing plenty of damage with their hits(around 30) -- ++++++++++++++++++++++ --DRAGON BONE VALLEY-- ++++++++++++++++++++++ The place has been occupied by the Dilzweldian army, so before you even think about heading into the local cave to complete the Dragon Ordeal, you'll have to fight through some of these guys. -- BATTLE Attack Dogs(65 HP) Foot Soldiers(92 HP) Riflemen(82 HP) Commander(95 HP) There are a lot of soldiers. There is a small group of dogs(plus a soldier) on the leftmost side of the first line, and a carbon copy of such group to the right. Further up, there are three soldiers, all of them standing behind some sort of debris. You can begin attacking the dog groups with spells such as Fire Storm and Stone Rush(and Blizzard, too) It's good to spread such spells between both groups. These dogs nearly always move together, so you shouldn't have too much of a problem hitting the (nearly) entire group, at first at least. After some of them are dead, you'll have a pretty hard time targeting them all with skills. In that case, still use some skills on the bastards, although not was SS-consuming, because they're still a bit resistant to physical attacks. Once the dog army is done for, move forward. The first of the last three soldiers you'll get to aim are an officer and a regular soldier. I suggest killing the regular soldier quickly with a spell such as Tornado(plus an extra attack, if needed). The general should be treated equally: use some strong spells on him, such as Black Out, Tornado and Blizzard, to kill the guy soon and prevent any preoccupant damage. Pick up the item he leaves behind(a Broken Sword) and, before going for the last enemy, blast all of the boxes and crates here. They contain nice money and items(like, for example, a Life Ring) After you've gotten the most out of the place, kill the last soldier. Given the fact is five against one, you can just fence him and have everybody use a physical attack and he'll go caput. -- Go down the snowy ramp behind you and run across the path toward the cave's entrance. Before it, and to the right, there'll be an Ancient Table for you to pick. After snagging it, heal Darc and approach the cave's entrance. The party will wait behind as Darc goes inside to fulfill his destiny. Go in, then. Blitz forward and up the shiny steps to a reach a shrine of sorts. Check out the pedestal and pick the Dragon Master Crown... and that's about it. That was pretty easy, eh? Anyway, head out of the cave... ... ... Did you really think it was going to be so easy? -- BATTLE Gold Dragon(150 HP) Silver Dragon(150 HP) Two huge dragons are to be fought by Darc alone... hm, can you say, JEESUS!? They don't do THAT much damage(I was expecting 100 per dragon), but, still, they do approximately 50 PTS of DMG, and there are two of them... You ought to start the battle off with the Pyron. It'll kill the dragon you aim at in one hit... Let me tell you about it. These guys have around 160 HP. I hit one of them with Sword of Awakening, delivering 70 PTS of DMG, and then cast Pyron on it... and it did 99 PTS of DMG. Get it? It's a nice idea to use the former Firble immediately. After the first dragon is done for, the battle is obviously a lot easier. The dragon will move around a lot and use its hard-hitting spells and attacks, which will do from 50 to 75 PTS of DMG to you. It's highly recommendable to heal before trying to attack, because you will need to soup up a hit after delivering an attack, that's for sure. Because you need the Spirit Stones, use items, preferably. As for the attacking, use Sword of Awakening. Nothing comes even close to it on attacking power. It's a tremendous skill here. If you used the Pyron and killed one of the dragons quickly, this shouldn't be too tough. Just maintain yourself healthy and pummel away with SoA. -- There'll be a cutscene. Afterward, leave. Outside, your party will congratulate you. Leave the area and go back to Drakyrnia. +++++++++++++ --DRAKYRNIA-- +++++++++++++ Save/Heal and sell that Broken Sword you got at Dragon Bone Valley, for a hefty 1,200 G. Purchase some new items(the Stuffed Rabbit for Bebedora is a great option) and then head toward Williwo's. On your way, you'll have to watch a short scene, about Darc wanting to go alone to Williwo's. Once you take control, resume your way toward the elder's place. Once you enter, talk with Williwo. He'll inform you Droguza is at Thunor Point. He'll also answer some of your questions. After the whole thing, exit the room. Outside, Darc will ponder about the information just provided to him. After his blabbling, go towards the town's entrance to rejoin your party members. Darc will fill them up on Droguza's whereabouts. Once you're ready, head out of town. To get to Thunor Point, you'll have to cross through the Vayu Dam Ruins. ++++++++++++++++++ --VAYU DAM RUINS-- ++++++++++++++++++ When you enter the area, you're greeted by a bunch of Drakyr who're apparently in good terms with the Dilzweldian soldiers... disgusting(think like a deimos here, old chap). Obviously, there is no other choice but to crush their skulls. -- BATTLE Riflemen(70 HP) Drakyr(119 HP) Commander(86 HP) It's just a small group of enemies here. They start off with a line of soldiers, followed by two Drakyr, and finished by an officer. At first, they won't be close enough together to be able to be (all) targeted with spells like Fire Storm, so use single-enemy spells at first, that consume less SS. Once they start slithering toward you, they'll get a lot closer, so make good use of those chances by casting Blizzard, Fire Storm, Stone Rush... you know the drill. Bebedora should use Black Out on the strong lads, such as the Drakyr and the officer(the soldiers are quite weak compared to the deimos, although strong on their own right) As usual, it'd be recommendable to kill the General first, as he's carrying a Super Bomb. Some of the soldiers and the Drakyr also hold some nice items for you to pick. -- Darc interrogates a wounded Drakyr, who dies after a bit. Some Dilzweldian soldiers then appear. -- BATTLE Gun Traps(55 HP) Foot Soldiers(80 HP) Riflemen(74-78 HP) There are a lot of enemies on this huge and complicated battlefield, and they all do a lot of damage: the soldiers do around 30 PTS of DMG with their hits, as well as the Gun Traps, and they can fence you up easily. There are a lot of ways to get to them, but they're very well spread, to, so you're bound to be attacked from various sides easily. This battle is really tiresome: I suggest starting off by killing the two nearby soldiers(to your right) and any soldiers that move toward there(probably a Gun Trap and a regular soldier). Use three of your characters to do so, and send the other two forward. The trio should use their best skills on these guys, because they can get a bit damaging. I suggest sending Camellia there, too, so she can heal with Healing Rain. Be sure to kill all of the monsters that you might have to deal with quickly, with the strongest skills of them all, such as Stone Rush and Black Out. I sent Volk, Bebedora and Camellia here and had them use such skills, with Volk attacking physically. Meanwhile, have the other two guys kill the two or three guys they could face as they move forward(or a gun trap, if you're lucky). They shouldn't have many problems and could beat through with just physical attacks. Eventually, they'll reach the place where the officer is. When they do, the other group ought to be here, or at least on their way. That way, you'll fence up the officer from two sides and with a huge group, so just attack him physically with them all to end the fight quickly. -- After the fight, heal yourself up. At this point, you're probably very weak on the Spirit Stones department. If that's the case, I suggest going back to Orcoth(the cheapest place to buy them) and spending some serious dough on them. Just escape any battles you could have to go through. Then, come back and enter Thunor Point. ++++++++++++++++ --THUNOR POINT-- ++++++++++++++++ A short scene takes place. -- BATTLE Gun Traps(55 HP) Foot Soldiers(84-88 HP) Droguza(660 HP) The enemy group is spread like this: a line of three Gun Traps, further to the back, three soldiers, and behind them, Droguza. There is also a Gun Trap and a soldier to the right, each one of them protecting a staircase. I suggest using Bebedora to destroy the guys on the staircases as you advance forward, but only if Droguza is not on the range. Otherwise, have her attack him. The first line of enemies(some Gun Traps) are quite easy to deal with: just use physical attacks and they go down soon enough. The soldiers that come afterward are, of course, a lot stronger and much more damaging. I suggest using strong magic on them, but save the best of the best for Droguza. Fire Arrow and Blizzard all work well. Try to kill the soldier on the staircase, too. I highly suggest having Camellia, Delma and perhaps Volk deal with the soldiers. Darc and Bebedora should attack Droguza with Black Out and Sword of Awakening, two skills that will do tremendous damage on the deimos hybrid. Even though you're bound to be doing a lot of damage, be careful around this guy, because his attacks do up to 70 PTS of DMG. After the soldiers are dead(not necessarily the one on the staircase), it's time to go town on Droguza. Add up Stone Rush, Fire Storm and Blizzard to your attacking repertoire. Some of these spells won't do much damage, but they're a lot better than the normal, physical attacks, which don't seem to do much on the horse-like monster. Once his companions are all dead, Droguza ain't that complicated. He can still deliver major damage, so please don't get too cocky and start wandering around. Use your absolute best on him and HEAL if it is necessary. Droguza is VERY strong, I am telling you. However, this strength will also make your Tension Meters fill up fast, which will make you able to cast Combination Attacks on the deimos hybrid, delivering maximum damage. Overall, not a too complicated fight. -- Darc questions Droguza about his motives. He escapes shortly afterward, but Darc manages to sneak into the Megist, and you'll take control. ++++++++++++++ --THE MEGIST-- ++++++++++++++ Go up the ramp and head through the small door. In the next screen(a warehouse of sorts), take the path that goes right(not the one that leads towards a staircase) and head through the doorway at the end. At the next area, blitz forward and you'll overhear a Dilzweldian conversation. After it, go through the door in front of you and get 200 Spirit Stones, a Bountiful Fruit and a Life Ring out of the treasure chest there. Go back outside and head left. Run through the next door you come across and a Sleepless Guard and Sparkly Eyebells out of the chest. Afterward, go back outside and continue left. Check out the door there; it's locked. Darc spots a vent and decides is a nice way to head into the locked cell. He'll bust in and find Lilia and Nafia. After the scene, save up and head through the door. In the next screen, trot down the hallway and take the adjacent road that goes back to the warehouse. In there, you'll find two soldiers wandering around. Time to fight. -- BATTLE Foot Soldiers(76 HP) One of these guys is carrying a Sapphire Coating, and the other a First Aid Kit, both of which can only be gotten by using Steal. Anyways, just use physical attacks to kill them. -- Watch the (somewhat funny, I don't know why) scene. After it, you'll be on the world map. Simply go back to Yewbell. Should you need to fight, I suggest escaping, unless you're well-healed and have a nice amount of SS. +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ A scene will take place. After it, run towards Lady Nafia's house. Inside, some more cutscenes will take place. These are probably the suckiest scenes I've had to bear through. Anyway, save up. _________________________________________________________________________ ---- KHARG: RAGE ---- ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ ++++++++++ --SULFAS-- ++++++++++ Spencer comments he'd like to beat the juice out of Tatjana, for she's a filthy villain. Kharg, however, has plans for her, so it cannot be helped. Run downstairs, into the casino. There, you'll see a scene. Run towards the end of the area to find Tatjana. Kharg talks with her. Go back upstairs and talk with Samson, who's about to leave. He'll ask you to look for his men, Boomer and Booster, so go outside. It should be noted that the equipment shop is now carrying Lenses for you ship, which you can combine on it to gain access to new types of attacks for the Big Owl. It's expensive stuff, though. As for the other equipment, there is nothing new around here. Head toward where Jacqual used to be and talk with the man with a bandana there, who's Buster. He'll run off to Samson. As for the other guy, he's at the Main Plant. Head towards the upper-right corner of the room and talk with the guy with a Bandana, who's Boomer. Kharg will inform him about the situation and he'll head towards the pub immediately. You too should follow him. At the pub, chat with Samson. Run towards the town's exit. As you try to leave, you're stopped by General Spencer. Tatjana implores for indulgence and is given some by Kharg. This maddens Spencer, who leaves immediately. Seriously though, is there any RPG where a character who was a bad guy asks for redemption and gets beheaded instead? That'd be too much good. But anyway, leave town after puking at softie Kharg and run towards the Mountain Stronghold. +++++++++++++++++++++++ --MOUNTAIN STRONGHOLD-- +++++++++++++++++++++++ Go up the ramps into the inside of the stronghold. If you approach the elevator that took you into Mt. Quina you'll learn it's been disabled. But anyway, by the area's entrance, there is a glowing panel, next to a pump. Check it out and operate it. Tatjana does the trick on it and enables a nearby cargo lift. Board it and head down. Below, head to the left and inspect the glowing thing attached to the red car you'll find. The party discovers something's going on at Ragnoth. After the scene, head to the left of where the wireless radio was and pick up the Spirit Dictionary off the floor(it's the yellow book there, no way to miss it) Further to the left there is a chest containing 680 G, a Fire Talisman and a Simple Booster. Pick them all up and exit the stronghold. At the outside area, you'll find no other than Zev. He'll say Yewbell's been overrun by Deimos. We must hurry! Exit the place and head towards the Big Owl, which is parked on the world map. Off to Ragnoth!(it could be a good idea to buy some equipment for Tatjana) Once you arrive, immediately head inside Yewbell. +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ Watch the introductory cutscene. Chat with the townsfolk and move towards your house. As you approach it, two women appear of it and run away after seeing you. Something's fishy around 'ere... Head into your house and approach Paulette. She'll provide you with some misleading information: the deimos killed Lady Nafia. Yeah, whatever. Kharg will be, obviously, quite saddened. Go out of your house and go to the castle ruins. There, head into the graveyard(run towards the dilapidated fountain and take a left). Approach Lady Nafia's tomb(the patch of dirt on the grass) and examine it. Maru comes after Kharg throws a tantrum and tells the son of Nafia something's up with the Yewbellians, as they seem to be upset and looking for Kharg. Run back to town. As you do, the whole place pops out of nowhere and blocks your way. Talk about racism here... the town is disgusted for the mere fact Nafia had sex(well, she did) with a deimos and got Kharg out of it(and Darc, of course). They blame Kharg for the whole Yewbell incident. Yeah, whatever. Drakyr wings spurt off Kharg's back and everybody runs away. Paulette does not want him near, so the son of Nafia runs away. Watch how Kharg has a bit of Darc within him. Save(yeah, this was a short chapter) _________________________________________________________________________ ---- DARC: REUNION ---- ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ +++++++++++++ --DRAKYRNIA-- +++++++++++++ You'll take control of the party, the leader being Delma. Run towards Williwo's place and enter it. Talk with the good, old Elder and answer his questions. After the scenes, you'll get the Dragonia Ring. Go out of the elder's house and the party will chat further. They decide to go to Yewbell. Exit town and head there. You'll make a mandatory pitstop at the Chaos forest, though. ++++++++++++++++ --CHAOS FOREST-- ++++++++++++++++ The party decides Bebedora is the best person to go and spy Yewbell. You'll take control of her. Run westward towards the exit of the Chaos forest. Pick up the Ancient Table that's around and leave. +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ You'll be at the Castle Ruins. Simply head into the main town. Talk with the townsfolk, whom you can questions with the funniest things ever. Bebedora is actually quite cute O_O Head into Nafia's house and then exit it once you've endured through the cutscene there. Continue joyriding around town, talking and having fun. You can find various of your human party members: Tatjana is at the refinery and Ganz is at the weapons shop. Paulette is at the tavern; talk to her there. She'll simply run away. Talk with the bartender and you'll learn she blitzed away so desperately because she learned there were deimos at Chaos Forest. Quick! Return there! On your way, talk with Maru by Nafia's grave. You'll have to endure through a long cutscene. Follow Maru and you'll be introduced to Ganz and Tatjana. After this, you'll appear at Chaos Forest. ++++++++++++++++ --CHAOS FOREST-- ++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Sword Lady(80 HP) Sword Hunter(85 HP) Spear Hunters(85-89 HP) Volk, Delma and Camellia will have to fight a group of five mercenaries. They all start pretty near each other, so you can do them away with spells like Fire Storm, Blizzard and Stone Rush, especially on the group that's a bit to the left, as there are four guys there and all of them very close together. You should be able to kill at least three guys in two turns with your spells. As for the rest, you could use a spell or two to speed things up(especially with Camellia, due to her weakness), but physical attacks will do just fine. These guys can do a lot of damage with their skills(up to 60), but their normal attacks are nothing to worry about. -- The party feels confident about being able to kick human booty. Paulette pops out of nowhere and goes directly for Volk, bowing to avenge her father's death. Volk immediately recognizes her as the daughter of his family's executor. Not only him is recognized, Ganz identifies Delma as an Orcon, the assassins of his friend Rapier, while Camellia immediately remembers Tatjana as the one who experimented on her. Everybody here is thirsty for revenge, including Maru, who had befriended with Bebedora, just to learn she's a deimos friend. Tatjana admits Bebedora is quite dangerous, so it'd be a good idea to retreat. Paulette and Ganz are too shaken up because they're finally near their revenge. The Dilzweldian lieutenant throws a flash bomb and escapes along with the human party. Save(yet another short chapter, sadly) _________________________________________________________________________ ---- KHARG: TRUTH ---- ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ +++++++++++++ --THE FIONA-- +++++++++++++ After the scenes, talk with Samson and exit the Fiona. ++++++++++++++++ --CRAGH ISLAND-- ++++++++++++++++ Your destination is the Slothian village. You'll have to cross through quite a bit of places, though. ++++++++++++++++ --DAHMIN WOODS-- ++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Witch Plants(61 HP) Alraunes(65-78 HP) There are Witch Plants and Alraunes. They're quite weak, defense and HP wise, falling after just a few hits, although they can do considerable damage with their attacks(30 or so PTS). Nothing too bad. -- +++++++++++++ --THE BEACH-- +++++++++++++ You'll have to stop here, whether you want it or not. The party finds some Slothians carving something on a stone. Samson and Kharg approach them, and find out they don't even know they're there. Kharg discovers that Slothians are actual Deimos, given the fact they can talk without problems. Kharg and Samson will interrogate them, but will get nothing too useful. Just leave the area through the path near to them. Continue on. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ --FOREST OF THE HIDDEN SHIP-- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Dandelions(79 HP) Rognas Gormons(98-194 HP) There are Dandelions and Rognas Gormons on this area. The Gormons are pretty strong, but don't have a big movement range, plus they tend to miss quite a bit. They can still do plenty of damage(around 60) with their skills. A bit less with their physical attacks. You could deal with them with weak skills(stuff like Sharp Shooter is overkill) and physical attacks. These guys give out some nice EXP, so you might want to level up a bit... but not now. Keep on to the Slothian Village. -- ++++++++++++++++++++ --SLOTHIAN VILLAGE-- ++++++++++++++++++++ A very interesting place, as there are both humans and deimos living peacefully. The merchant Quorup here has some nice new items, namely, the Diamond Coating, which is expensive as hell @_@ There is also Luminous Moss, which adds Light to your standard attack... this will be of great use on the final fight of the game, so take good note of it. There are also some nice new accessories, like the Steel Armband, the Bewitching Beads, the Gale Headband and a Black Charm, which'll also come in handy in the final fight. All of these is hideously expensive, but you could buy it later. There is a healing Quorup who'll charge 80 G per healing. With this guy nearby, you could go back to the Forest of the hidden Ship and start spending some time there, getting levels and some dough to spend on the stuff here(namely, the Gale Headband, the Bewitching Beads, the Steel Armband and the Diamond Coating) It'll be a lot of money, but you don't need to get them all now. I highly suggest getting a Coating for Samson and one for Kharg, and perhaps buying some more of them for when you rejoin with your other party members. I should note that Samson gains SP levels like crazy here, so after a bit, you're bound to have all of bit skills(and his 6 skill levels) The Dahmin Woods are also a nice place, but to get money rather than levels. The beach also houses money-full enemies. Enter the shack right next to the entrance to learn more about this place's civilization. They'll be confused when you ask them about the most basic of the things. Talk with the other townsfolk, too. There is a Slothian on the dock(southern part of town) who'll inform you a deimos and a girl passed a while ago and headed to elder hill. Next to the shack where the bewildered slothian and human are, there is a path that goes upwards, between such shack and a grassed field. Go up this road. ++++++++++++++ --ELDER HILL-- ++++++++++++++ Check out the tombstones here to get somewhat vague descriptions of characters that made part of previous Arc the Lad games. Talk with the sleeping elders(only some will answer to your call) and ask them about the New Hero and Holy Mother(they know squat about Darc and Lilia). After browsing through them(they'll fall asleep as they talk to you, so you'll have to go and look for another elder), you'll learn that the Cave of Truth is up north. Head towards the world map and blitz towards the cave we've been looking for. +++++++++++++++++ --CAVE OF TRUTH-- +++++++++++++++++ Darc and Lilia are having a pretty tough time with some monsters. The party runs up to aid them. -- BATTLE Evil Eyes(60-66 HP) Darc will be computer controlled. He's encircled within Evil Eyes, who have 66 HP apiece. They can do quite a bit of damage per hit(around 30- 50), so better deal with them fast. Samson is very good here, with him being able to hit various enemies with his normal attacks. Windblade Waltz(if you followed my advice and spent a lot of time in the areas around the Slothian village, you should have it) is quite useful here, being able to hit various enemies for a lot of damage. I suggest trying to aid Darc first, before he's alone and very heavily surrounded. Clean up his area with some skills, and let him handle himself from then on. This battle is quite easy, although Darc is bound to be quite damaged after it. -- After the subsequent scene, heal up. Now, there are two ways to proceed here. There as an exit to the left(the way back to the world map is behind you) and another to the right. There is a mysterious wall in the middle of both paths, with some things engraved on it. It is "locked". Anyway, take the path to the left. In the next screen, proceed to the right and check out the part of the wall that's painted in orange. Tell "it" you're the one seeking the truth. You'll have to prove this, though, by fighting some Spirit Things. -- BATTLE Spirit's Servants(75 HP) Spirit's Servant have 75 HP apiece, and ain't exactly pushovers. They are very effective when it comes to attacking, and have some nasty status changing spells, plus their attacks do around 65 PTS of DMG(. If you have Spirit Stones to boot, waste the hell out of them with the strongest skills amongst your repertoire, such as Tornado and Sharpshooter, and even Windblade Waltz. Don't goof around these guys, I tells ya. Kill them as soon as possible, and make good use of your chances to hit various enemies at a time. There is not a lot to be said, just stay fairly mobile and cast your strongest stuff. Oh, and heal whenever it is needed. Don't get cocky. -- Talk with the glowing orbs that come out of the wall to learn about the ancient times of old. After this, heal yourself up and go back to the previous screen. Take the path to the right this time around and, in the next screen, head along upper right wall of the room, to find a red- colored patch on the wall, by a pool of thunder-painted water. You'll have to fight more Spirit Servants. They're as dangerous as before, but start off a lot closer together. Deal with them as before, although this time, you'll get more chances to hit various of them at a time(not at the very start, though, unless you use something like Windblade Waltz). Don't hesitate to use uber strong skills on them if you're on a dead-or-alive situation. This battle is a lot easier than the other one. You ought to blitz through it easily. Talk with the glowing orbs to learn about the Lord of the Black Abyss, who was sealed on an Ark after he tried to conquer the world. Anyway, you can go back to the main area, where the locked door is, or head through the door on the northern side of this room. In the next screen, look for the orange-colored wall and tell it you're the one seeking the truth. Again, you'll have to beat the snot out of some Spirit Servants. The group is as big as before, don't get fooled, but are all very close together, so expect to be able to hit them soon with skills like Tornado. Not only with such skills, but physical attacks may also be able to hit them all, depending on your situation. Samson is bound to have a feast here, and the developers apparently thought that, because he appears away from the main fray. Use the tired-and-true strategy and beat their asses into submission(very easily, might I add) Heal and chat with the glowing orbs. After learning about the deimos' origins, go back to the main area(where the locked door is) and approach the door in the middle(not so locked anymore). After the dialogue, head into the now unlocked chamber. Inside, approach the "main pool" upstairs and talk to Lilia. This is where the Spirit of Hope will finally spit out the so-called "truth". Some gibberish about the spirits, humans, deimos, the divine ruler, and a tooth the size of Mars(guess out which part is a lame joke). Nothing really interesting here, I thought we were going to learn a lot more about this folk, the Lord of the Dark Abyss. You'll be taken back to the village. ++++++++++++++++++++ --SLOTHIAN VILLAGE-- ++++++++++++++++++++ Some nice, refreshing cutscenes will take place here. After you wake up, head towards the Dock area. Lilia will be singing there. Samson shows himself pleased at the presentation. After the short scene, approach Samson and chat with him. He admits he wouldn't go for such a young girl, but he's still very interested in her... Kharg ties up some loose ropes he's got around(information, memories) and uncovers the truth. Samson admits it out. Yes, he's... *SPOILERS!!!* He.... is.... Lilia's father. Sorry, I could not resist but to type it here *SPOILERS!!!* He tells us further information about the subject. You can now talk with Lilia, but the real thing is at the Elder's Hill. Head there and watch the scene. It's a tremendous scene, really, I liked the overall insanity of it. Anyway, after it, some boring dialogue with peacemaker Lilia will come... argh, girl, why couldn't you let them rip their throats out!? Watch the cutscenes. You'll now have to go to the beach. Save and head towards such place. +++++++++++++ --THE BEACH-- +++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Gunners(48 HP) Foot Soldiers(84 HP) Rifleman(74 HP) Commander(99 HP) There are some soldiers and Gunners, which are pretty weak. I suggest killing the general first(use Sharp Shooter for this, or Windblade Waltz) to get the Steel Armband he's carrying. If you don't use Sharp Shooter on him, use it on one of the soldiers that's on the backside of the battlefield. The Gunners here are very weak, so treat them last. The soldiers aren't much of a threat, either, but are a bit dangerous if the fence you up. Still, physical attacks should do the trick. Halfway through the battle, both Samson and Kharg will fill up their tension meters, giving you the chance to use two combination attacks. Make good use of them. -- A small boy pops out of nowhere and informs the Dilzweld army is at town. What a cheap trick, and yet we fell for it O_O Anyway, go out of the beach, but be sure to read the carvings on the stone by the exit first. Go back to the village. ++++++++++++++++++++ --SLOTHIAN VILLAGE-- ++++++++++++++++++++ Well, you knew what to expect. They've all been slaughtered(Slothians, at least) Talk with the townsfolk. One of the commentaries they do(about the Slothians being happy for having new people to deal with) made me almost cry... it truly saddened me. I mean, those Slothians were all cute and nice... anyway, you'll get sweet revenge soon. Go up into the Elder Hill. ++++++++++++++ --ELDER HILL-- +++++++++++++ Then elders are dead! After hearing a villager say "save the elders! they're everything to us!" I could not help but to feel even sadder(yeah, yeah, I'm a sentimental bastard). The revenge will be even sweeter... -- BATTLE Gunners(54-56 HP) Foot Soldiers(88 HP) Commander(95 HP) Use your absolute best here, buddy. Have Samson kill/damage the general first and fast with Sharp Shooter, while Kharg runs amok, delivering doublehand slashes a-tutti-play. These soldiers cannot take a lot of physical punishment, I tells ya. Even the general is weak. Besides, you'll also get the chance to use some juicy combinations attacks here, and near the start of the battle. I've also noticed there is also a greater chance of critical hits here, as well as counterattacks. The general is carrying a Dilzweld visor, which is an item you should pursue. If you use Sharp Shooter adequately and Kharg has a nice strength value, you'll boost through this battle in no time(it's very easy). Samson should aid with his multi-hitting staight-line shots, which he'll be able to use more than once throughout this fight, I'm sure of that, buddy. -- Further discussion about who's the best: deimos or humans. After you take control, go back to the village and talk with Samson by the shore. Enjoy the scene and save when prompted to do so. _________________________________________________________________________ ---- DARC: EVOLUTION ---- ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ ++++++++++++++++++++ --SLOTHIAN VILLAGE-- ++++++++++++++++++++ Watch the scenes. After them, you'll take control. Head to your Pyron and board it. To Halshinne we go! Once you arrive, enter the nearest town, Barbadoth. +++++++++++++ --BARBADOTH-- +++++++++++++ Talk with the folks around to learn about the town's nature. There is a big line nearby that those who want water will have to make. You, however, can cut through and drink the water without having to do the line; this'll heal you up completely. You can do it as many times as you want. There is a mummy to the right of the water pump. Surprisingly, it is alive. Hm... go up the ramp to the left of the pump and head to the cranny to the left where a blue being(hidden amongst the crates) can be seen -- it's Kirjath. You still have a Ancient Table to find, so, for now, don't expect any prizes. Enter the dilapidated building nearby to find the local "store". There is a healing Quorup, as well as a merchant and some Mummys. Talk with the deimos in front of the entrance and he'll ask for a 1,000 G donation. Try to lower it down a bit(100 or 10) G and acquire the Romantic Earrings. Immediately blitz towards the store and sell the Earrings for a hefty 29,000 G! Of course, you could always keep the item(it cut offs Spirit Stone usage in 1/3), but, oh, the money! Should you sell it, be sure to outfit your party with the latest equipment. The guys over here have plenty to say about the local deimos as well as the desert, the Saryu and the Niente. Talk with them all(THEM ALL) and head outside. Look for the mummy to the right of the water pump and talk with him. He tells you his lieder(Fuhstart) ought to know how to cross the desert. Head into the store building and talk with a mummy that's resting inside a tent of sorts. After much talking and asking, you're told you need to find the Flutes of the Saryu Tribe, which are hidden on the nearby Pyramid Ruins. So, head out. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ The Melgor Mountains nearby is a nice place to level up and gain money(especially if you have the Gorgeous Ring). There are several strong enemies there, that can do plenty of damage(30 to 70), so use your best skills and don't get cocky. I'd spend some time here mainly for the skills. Anyways, head to the Pyramid Ruins. +++++++++++++++++ --PYRAMID RUINS-- +++++++++++++++++ Hm... quite a big place, whaddaya think? Head up the stairs and into the building itself. Move across the linear road until you reach a small platform with a door surrounded by torches. Check out the door to learn it is locked. Go up the stairs on the left and, on the upper floor, go up again by ascending up the steps that are, too, on the left. Exit through the door west of the stairs, and, in the next screen, ascend up the steps nearby and go through the door at the top. Approach the structure with the glowing pearl on it and push it up. This will complete a path on the nearby area and allow you to cross it. Go back to the previous screen, run down the stairs and through the door. Back at the main room, run forward past the staircase and pick the ancient table laying on the floor. Continue through the path and into the next screen. Here, simply cross the stone bridge to the hit the other wing of the Ruins. Move across the road until you reach a bifurcation. You can go right or up. Go up and trot through the road, towards a short flight of steps. Next to these steps(to the left) there'll be another structure with a pearl on it -- a switch. Push it to complete a path on the area nearby. Go down the short flight of steps to the right and head forward. You'll hit a bifurcation -- you can go down a staircase, or go up another one. Go up and, in the next screen, run forwards toward a chest at the end of the thin "alley". Pick up the 240 Spirit Stones inside, as well as the Life Tree Berry. There is also a switch on the wall here -- this one has a blue pearl. Push it and go back. Backtrack to the short flight of steps and go up them. Turn right and follow the path towards a staircase -- go up them. At the top, you'll be able to go through a big doorway, or trot further down the road. Go through the doorway first and, in the outside area, go down and then left. You'll find another doorway -- hit the switch next to it and then run through it. Open the chest you'll find to get 2,200 G and a Thorned Ivy. Head out again and run back to the previous screen. This time around, blitz further down the path. Follow it to the next screen. Here, cross the stone bridge and back into the western wing. Blitz through the road and into the next area. Here, go right and then up to find another switch. Hit it and trot down the staircase nearby. Check out the hole there and decide to jump down. You'll be back on the main area, where the once locked door's been unlocked. There are some more items to be taken here, though. Head up the stairs to the right of the once-locked door and head through the doorway to the right. In the next screen, move forward and, in the subsequent area, trot through the path to find three chests at the end of it. Item checklist: 100 Spirit Stones, 3 Earth Balms; Chattery Dentures, Magefoil; Great Sorcerer's Remains, 3 Earth Shys. With these items at hand, go back to the main area and, finally, run through the door that was once locked(be sure to heal before doing so, though) The music changes, the are is barely lit... something's going to happen here, you can bet your underpants on that. At the end of the room there is an altar with the flutes standing on top of it. Examine them to trigger a cutscene. Decide to pick the flutes and the ten coffins on the room will open up and let the mummies that were within them jump out. It's time to battle. -- BATTLE Mummies(70-76 HP) There are, as told, ten mummies on the area. They have a spell that downs most of your parameters, so careful playing is the key to winning. There are five mummies on the left, five mummies on the right. Both groups stretch down, so you'll have to run through quite a bit of battlefield before winning the battle. These guys are weaklings, though. I highly suggest sending Darc and Volk through a group, and the rest through the other. Volk and Darc will finish a mummy easily with physical attacks. The other group should have no major problems, as there are plenty of them to fight. Here, however, I suggest spreading the attack a bit. Have Camellia and Bebedora attack from one side with spells(their movement range is a bit too limited, or are far too weak) while Delma runs from another side and uses her sharp claws, which are powerful enough to beat a mummy down in two hits. The other group should, if possible, also spread the attack between Volk and Darc for maximum effectiveness. However, try not to move a character too much forward to do a lame attack and then, have the other one soup up hits from the two mummies you left behind! Try to spread attack so each character will have a mummy for himself(or, in the case of the Bebedora group, a mummy for the Camellia/'Dora duo) and is not bound to be "ambushed" by another mummy, because they're quite damaging(40 PTS of DMG in normal hits, a lot more in backside shots) If necessary, use skills with the "strong" lads such as Volk and Darc(if you cannot reach a mummy to attack it, or anything similar) -- Head out of the Ruins and go back to Barbadoth. +++++++++++++ --BARBADOTH-- +++++++++++++ The first place you should visit is Kirjath's corner. Hand over the Tables and you'll get the Goddess Statuette, an item that increases your Max HP by a 20%. Nothing else is left to be done here. Save inside the dilapidated building and then head towards the Kanara Desert. +++++++++++++++++ --KANARA DESERT-- +++++++++++++++++ This place is a bit complicated. Anyway, run forward into the next screen. Here, trot forward again, until you can go further. When this happens, turn right and blitz through the sand road. At the next area, continue right to find a swirling hole of sand. Dive into it and you'll appear on a different area. There is only one road here, to the right of the sandstorm. Follow it and, in the next screen, continue until you reach a somewhat open area. Go up and, in the next screen, head forward to find another sandstorm. Dive in. At the place you appear on, head a bit to the right to find yet another sandstorm; jump into and go left in the next screen. You'll hit another sandstorm; move past it and you'll hit another swirling hole of sand. From there, go up across the sand path to find a third sandstorm. Jump into that one. At the next area, head right and you'll be out. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ !!! So many places to be visited... the Maluise Tower, the Azer Springs, the Western Fortress, the Flying Fortress Megist, the Gazlua Wastelands... the destiny is the flying fortress Megist. You can take the Western Fortress path, or the Gazlua Wasteland way. I'll cover both. For each one of them, you'll have to hit the Maluise Tower. +++++++++++++++++ --MALUISE TOWER-- +++++++++++++++++ A mysterious place; silent, gloomy... hm. Watch the scenes. You'll take control. Heal yourself up and run towards the tower's entrance door -- but go right. Follow the linear path towards the back of the tower, where a very interesting thing is to be found. -- BATTLE Commandos(100 HP) Snipers(93 HP) Droguza(750 HP) Droguza is accompanied by a lot of soldiers. You start very near to him and his three soldiers(upper area of the field), while there are three more soldiers on the bottom area. I suggest sending Bebedora and Camellia to the bottom area and having them kill the soldiers there with Black Out and Stone Rush -- both of which will do a lot of damage. Volk, Darc and Delma should attack Droguza. I suggest casting Heated Soul on both Volk and Darc. Darc should use skills like Sword of Awakening while Volk uses his physical attacks. As for Delma, I suggest having her attack the soldiers behind Droguza, although she should also serve as a healer; you'll need it, as Droguza is fast and hits hard -- 70 PTS of DMG with physical attacks, around 90 with Black Out -- and constantly. Now, when the bottom group has been destroyed, send both Camellia and Bebedora up there. Have Camellia heal in that case. Delma should also heal, but attack if necessary. I suggest using her spells when it comes to that. However, should the upper group be on a complicated situation, I highly suggest sending Camellia up there(she has a nice movement range) and casting a healing spell, even if the bottom group is yet to be beaten. Both she and Delma should mostly heal on this fight; Droguza and his soldiers do a lot of damage. I suggest concentrating on the deimos hybrid mostly -- use up all of your arsenal on him. Surround him and have Volk and Darc beat the crap out of him with their best skills and attacks, while both Camellia and Delma heal. If you concentrate on him solely, you'll have to soup up a lot of soldiers/Droguza hits -- heal, heal, and heal. The bottom group is not match for Bebedora alone(with her Black Out), but if you're having a tough time on the upper group, don't hesitate on sending her up there, too, or a controlled soldier, too(this could prove useful, especially if Bebedora is far away from the group and there is a soldier nearby). Droguza needs to be beaten fast, because he's the most damaging of all of the enemies, and to do such a thing, you need a lot of power, power Black Out grants. The upper group is bound to be mushed up through the whole thing -- soldiers near to each other, near to Droguza, and vice versa. Make good use of these situations by accommodating your characters properly so they are able to hit Droguza and the commandos at the same time. Such thing can be done quite well with Sword of Awakening, Fire Storm and Blizzard... Blizzard and Sword of Awakening are the ones you'll probably use, given the fact Fire Storm is Delma's and she's probably healing. Droguza will begin absorbing your HP once he's near dead. When he starts doing that, pummel him relentlessly with everybody, including Camellia and Delma, to finish him soon. Once that happens, the commandos that are left are no match for you. Even then, kick their asses hard with your skills so they fall soon and are not able to kill you or something. They have some nice skills, that don't go past the 50 limit, but still something to watch out from. -- Enjoy the scenes. +++++++++++++ --WORLD MAP-- +++++++++++++ As told, I'll cover both available paths to the Megist. Head to the Gazlua Wastelands. +++++++++++++++++++++ --GAZLUA WASTELANDS-- +++++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Reapers(68 HP) Ghouls(63-66 HP) Skeletons(77-80 HP) Hellhounds(89 HP) There are Skeletons, Ghouls, Hellhounds and Reapers. They come in pretty big groups. Physical attacks won't cut it, as there are (usually) way too many monsters, and they have plenty of HP. They, however, seem to be pretty bad at doing damage with attacks, so you COULD use those normal attacks on them. Problem is, the battle will drag on for a bit too much. Still, if you're going to use skills, don't overuse them -- kill one or two monsters with such skills and then try to use physical attacks. There is plenty of Gald to be made here(and is also a very nice place to restore one's Spirit Stone stock). This is a great place to level up at. Try to get a lot of new skills(Dragon Fang Sword, Explosion and Dark Extreme being the most important) I got Darc to level 26 here(equip the Dragon's Wrath on him and he'll -- apparently -- get more EXP. It's weird) and maxed out his SP levels. Still, I admit I did not learn Dark Extreme or Explosion -- a bit too hard to do, I tells ya. -- ++++++++++++++++++++ --WESTERN FORTRESS-- ++++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Shotgun Traps(74-80 HP) Tin Golems(139-144 HP) The average Dilzwleld soldier is accompanied by Tin Golems, big mammothical metal beasts. These guys pack quite a punch and have a ton of HP. Not too good. I highly recommend going for them first and blasting the beejezus out of them with special attacks and spells. They're fairly immobile, so you should attack from afar to prevent damage. The soldiers are no match for you. -- ++++++++++++++ --THE MEGIST-- ++++++++++++++ As you enter, you're immediately challenged by a bunch of soldiers. -- BATTLE Cannon Traps(94 HP) PA-200s(102 HP) Snipers(101 HP) Commander(121 HP) The enemy group starts off with two Cannon Traps, continues with two PA- 200, is followed by three Snipers and finishes with an officer. The Snipers are quite threatful, given the fact they're able to attack from afar and deliver substantial damage. You start a bit too far away from them, so your first priority should be moving on(I don't suggest using the Pyron here) I suggest going for the Gun Traps first and beating the crap out of them with magic and special defense -- they have a lot of defense, and can also do plenty of damage. Have the weak girls(Bebedora and Camellia) stay on the back lines and use healing spells(Camellia -- if necessary) and attack with Inferno, Tornado and/or Black Out/Dark Extreme(if you have it). I recommend Dark Extreme/Inferno, because the enemy group is usually pretty close to each other. The Gun Traps should go down first(and quickly), followed by the PA- 200's. The PA-200's are also good against physical attacks, so casting spells on them is the way to go. The soldiers(snipers) should be attacked immediately afterward. These guys can get a bit too dangerous, so better beat them soon. Again, skills are the way to go here, although physical attacks could cut it if the situation is nice enough. If possible, spread attack here and have the spell casters concentrate on making good use of their hit-various-enemies chances and attack the machines(as they're a bit too resistant), while the physical attackers deal with lone enemies(mostly soldiers) that are bound to fall to their swords. -- Run forward and up the ramp. Head through the door at the top of it. At the next screen, you'll see a cutscene(involving Lady Nafia's ghost). You have to go up the ramp nearby, but head forward first and explore the rooms at the next screen to find a save point. Save up/heal, and go back to where you saw Nafia's ghost and there, head up the ramp and through the door at the top. At the next area, trot through the path until you find an enemy garrison. -- BATTLE Gun Traps885 HP) Snipers(97-105 HP) Commander(126 HP) The enemy group is shaped like this: two Gun Traps, closely followed by two snipers. The group continues with a sniper and an officer, and finishes with two soldiers. Luckily, they are all pretty close together. You can move toward the Gun Traps and damage them both notably with Sword of Awakening. For the other enemies, you can cast spells such as Explosion, Diamond Dust and others on them, to maximize damage and hit them all. Should you have less ranged spells, such as Fire Storm and Inferno, you'd need to wait for the soldiers to get a bit closer before being able to hit them. You can, however, hit some of them right off the bat. At any rate, when they move, you'll have plenty of chances to hit them all with your spells. They should fall quickly. The farthest group(made out of snipers) is bound to stay behind sniping the hell out of you, so you'll have to move forward a bit more. Try to kill them soon, because they're very powerful. -- After the fight, head to the western corner of the area to find a door you should go through. At the next screen, go up the first ramp you come across(heal yourself before doing so). At the top of it, there'll be some more Dilzweld. -- BATTLE Foot Soldiers8100-108 HP) Snipers(101 HP) Commandos(116 HP) Commander(135 HP) There are three enemies to the left(one of them an officer), two snipers(followed by a soldier) up front, and two extra snipers to the right. You can target the three enemies to the left with Tornado/Blizzard/Fire Storm(aim for the officer and the whole group will be targeted), so move at least two characters with finely ranged spells(and with good power) to the area and blast that group. The soldiers will fall after two hits, but the officer won't; he's far more resistant. Finish him with physical attacks when given the chance. For the other soldiers, you'll have to advance forward towards them with the rest of the folks. Take note of the thin path between both "sphere" maps that are on the floor: should the soldiers try to get through it(or at least get near, so they can proceed to cross it), they'll have to get very close together -- make good use of these chances by using your hard- hitting spells(be sure some guys with such enchantments are over there) After the left-wing group is done, send all of your characters to the middle are of the battlefield. The soldiers are, as usual, quite powerful, so better kill them soon with your strongest skills. Make good use of your chances. -- Heal up after the battle and then, head towards the northwestern corner of the room. A machine with a glowing light on top of it will be there; examine it and switch the elevator on. After doing so, go back down the ramp you used to hit this place and go back to the previous screen. There, run to the right. Once you hit the middle portion of the area, you'll see some weird deimos coming off the elevator. There'll be not only deimos, but humans and gun traps. -- BATTLE Altered Deimos(76 HP) Cannon Traps(91 HP) Commandos(108-112 HP) There are two deimos to the left, three gun traps to the right(these are in a horizontal line, well spread and all) and, on the back, two lame Dilzweldian soldiers. All of the enemy's groups are well-spread. This, however, does not mean you shouldn't use strong spells on individual enemies. The deimos are quite weak to spells, so a Tornado and a physical attack will kill one of them on the spot. I suggest sending Darc and Bebedora through the Deimos path, while Volk and Delma blast through the Gun Traps. Camellia should follow whomever you want, but be sure she's on the backlines. The Gun Traps are not that strong with their "shotgun" blasts: they do around 30 PTS of DMG, only. They, as usual, have strong defense. This doesn't mean your attacks will barely scratch them: actually, they do good damage. Still, you could be tempted to use skills on them, rather than physical attacks. If that's the case, use Delma's Flaming Arrow(rather than Fire Storm), and have Volk attack physically. You should be able to pierce through the Gun Traps with ease. Have Bebedora and Darc(on the upper group) shift between spells and physical attacks. For instance, have Darc cast Tornado on one Deimos, Bebedora cast Inferno on another, and then have them finish them with their physical attacks. This group is bound to have to deal with the soldiers. As usual, they're strong and have a lot of HP, so that means killing them quickly is a priority. There are only two of them, though, so if you concentrate your physical attacks appropriately(i.e. have your available characters encircle a foe and beat the beejezus out of him), it should be easy to deal with them. -- After the scene, run northward and board the elevator. At the next area, enjoy the scenes and then, explore the area. There is a save point on the southwestern point of the room; use it. Check out the various inscriptions on the deimos tanks(some of these things are actually pretty cruel O_O) and then, head to the western side of the room and look for a door between two deimos tanks. Head through it. Run to the northern side of this room and check out the glowing panel there. Press the switch on it. Once you do so, some Altered Deimos pop out of nowhere and decide to have a bite at you. -- BATTLE Altered Deimos(76 HP) There are four deimos. Two of them are on the path to the left, two more on the path to the right. This is easy. As they're weak, you should rely exclusively on physical attacks. Send Darc and Bebedora towards one group, and the rest of your characters towards the other group. If needed to do so(due to the lack of range) use a skill, but try it to be a skill that does not consume a lot of SS. The guys near the bottom will slither toward you, of course, and when they do, greet them with a nice slash to the face. -- Head out of this room and hit the deimos tank room again. Head towards the eastern corner of such area to find another door; head through it. In this new room, you'll find some soldiers doing experiments on a Canidae and an Orcon. You'll have to fight them. -- BATTLE Altered Deimos(76 HP) Foot Soldier(116 HP) There are two Altered Deimos as well as a soldier; nothing too hard here. You'll have to approach the enemies, though. Spread your attack between both available paths. If limited by your movement ranges, use a spell on an available foe. Otherwise, just keep moving until your enemies are at your range; kill the deimos with physical attacks, and use some spells on the soldier to kill him soon(he's the strongest lad here). -- Camellia complains and complains... annoying hag. Anyway, head to the back of the room and hit the lever there. Camellia will then transform in one super-sexy flower girl... check out the lit mini-desk on the bottom- right corner of the platform Camellia transformed on to get a Card Key. Heal yourself up and exit this room. At the deimos tank area, SAVE, and go north and through the door there. (you'll have to use your card key on the panel next to such door, though) A scene greets you. -- BATTLE Shotgun Traps(88 HP) Gun Traps(98 HP) Towers(30 HP) Your objective is to destroy all of the towers here. Of course, this'd be too easy if there weren't any enemies -- so there are some of them. I don't recommend concentrating on them, though. Simply spread your party around and blast the towers. Should there be an enemy pestering you, kill it(quickly, with a strong spell) before destroying the tower, because as you do such process, you may end up being hit from behind or, in some cases, you're entirely disabled from approaching a tower before killing an enemy near to it. These guys are very, very strong, so I recommend that when you spread your party, you make sure you're able to heal yourself up -- this'll be quite needed, trust me. You'll have to kill plenty of enemies as you proceed through, count that in, so better have a lot of SS to boot. I said that you shouldn't concentrate on your foes, but I should say that you'll probably have to kill them all as you destroy the towers, because these guys are an extreme annoyance. Still, don't CONCENTRATE on them; rather, kill them as the opportunities arise. I suggest going for the pillar in the middle, then, the two pillars on the bottom corners and finish with the upper pillars. It's recommendable to beat down the pillar in the middle with Darc alone, while Bebedora defends him from any enemy that are on the area. Then, send him, Bebedora and Camellia to the bottom-right pillar and have Darc and Bebedora clean the way. Destroy the pillar and go up to find their last pillar. As for Volk and Delma, have them head left immediately and work as a group to clean the path up. Destroy the bottom left pillar and then ascend towards the upper pillar. As usual, clean the path as you go(unless this is your last pillar. In that case, run up to it, soup the hits up and destroy it). Don't be afraid to heal. -- After this fight, you'll get the chance to prepare yourself for the showdown with Demon Droguza. Heal yourself up completely and fill out your Spirit Stones bags. Learn some skills, if possible, and be sure you have with yourself stuff like Raging Soul and Magic Shield. Also, be sure to equip yourself with plenty Revival Medicines(THIS IS IMPORTANT). -- BATTLE Droguza(1500 HP) Start off by casting Raging Soul on Bebedora, Darc and Volk, as well as Speed up. Magic Shield should also be cast. Droguza is quite far away from you, so you'll have to advance forward, of course. Try to stay away from the tower in the center. Droguza's laser attack will draw a circular line that hits the tower and goes along it -- so, as you move toward him, try to blitz past such tower. Be sure Delma and Camellia stay close together to the group, as this attack, for example, is able to deal 150 PTS of DMG(and I had Magic Shield!) Everytime you're hit by the laser attack, HEAL with Healing Rain. Make your best to get past the damn tower, or else you'll have plenty of trouble here. If you're within the laser's range, Droguza will use the laser attack only, although he may also use his other attacks, which all do 100-150 PTS of DMG. The key to winning here is to get past the tower, be sure you're at full health and well-spread and have both Delma and Camellia in the center of the group so they're able to heal up. As I said before the battle, it is horribly important that you have plenty of Revival Medicine with you. Some of your pals will get stuck on the laser attack's range, thanks to their mediocre movement range(coughBebedoracough), so, once you're past it, be sure to revive them IMMEDIATELY. Once you've done so, you may begin your attack. As I said, try to have both Camellia and Delma well-placed so they're able to attack and to heal. This will mean that all other party members will have to be quite close together. This could prove dangerous, as Droguza uses plenty of multiple-enemy attacks. He also has a claw attack, which deals around 90 PTS of DMG to various enemies. You'll have to heal constantly, mainly with Camellia. Have Darc use up Dragon Fang Sword(an important skill to have here, buddy) until his SS runs out. If he's at a very high level(i.e. you followed my advice, equipped the Dragon's Wrath and fought a lot at the world map and got him to level 26-27) his normal attack will do plenty of damage(around 100) to Droguza. Even if he's not a high level, rely on physical attacks once his SP has run out. Bebedora should cast Black Out a lot(or her stronger spells, if you have them), while Volk and Delma attack physically(although Delma shouldn't attack that much and, rather, heal, along with Camellia). This guy does so much damage, you'll get plenty of chances to use combination attacks. These are the key to winning! Whenever you get the chance to use one, do so! You'll exact around 200-300 HPs off Droguza's bar. It is imperative that you use them! At least three of your characters should get the chance to use a Combination attack, which means around 1,000+ PTS of DMG. See why I said that they're the key to winning? After using a lot of 'em, Droguza will start attacking more often and hit harder -- keep your healing up and smash him relentlessly. -- Save up. _________________________________________________________________________ ---- KHARG: RIVARLY ---- ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ +++++++++++ --YEWBELL-- +++++++++++ Talk with the townsfolk and you'll notice they don't hate you anymore. Go to the Castle Ruins and find Maru there. After the chitchat, head to Lady Nafia's tomb and talk with Paulette. After the scene, you'll have to go to Thunor Point. Do so. ++++++++++++++++ --THUNOR POINT-- ++++++++++++++++ Move toward where Tatjana and Ganz are; watch the scene. Then, head to the Big Owl. +++++++++++ --BIG OWL-- +++++++++++ Heal up and check out the panel map. Destination: Halshinne. Once you hit the continent, head towards Mt. Lamda(you'll have to cross through the Lusah forest, though) ++++++++++++++++ --LUSAH FOREST-- ++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Mages(87 HP) Monks(101 HP) There are mages and monks on the area. Mages are very weak and fall easily to physical attacks, so use those on them. The Monks have a lot of HP and a very high defense, but physical attacks are still more than enough to deal with them. -- +++++++++++++ --MT. LAMDA-- +++++++++++++ Cross the doors and head toward the northern point of the area to find the Lamda Priest standing there. Tell him you're here not to train and then, clarify that you're looking to get through Mt. Lamda. After the chitchat, head towards the area's exit. Tatjana and Kharg have a talk. You're free to leave then. At the world map, trot towards Peisus. You'll have to go through the Romastle Plains. +++++++++++++++++++ --ROMASTLE PLAINS-- +++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Swordsmen(106-1128 HP) Bandits(101 HP) There are Swordsmen and Bandits here. The Bandits are swift, but quite weak and are clumsy when moving around, so you'll probably be able to use your multiple-character spells and attacks on them. They can steal things from you, so better be careful. The Swordsmen have a lot of defense and are TREMENDOUSLY powerful, doing around 60-80(if powered up) PTS of DMG. Given their defense, use skills on them so they fall fast and are not able to damage you much. -- ++++++++++ --PEISUS-- ++++++++++ Go up the steps and have a talk with the Librarian, who says that if you need something, you'll have to find it yourself! Go up the stairs and check out the nice items on display. Then, head through the big doorway nearby and, in the next screen, watch the scene. You'll have to look for the Lamda Sutra. Check out the shelves and you'll be able to read various kinds of books about Diekbeck and other guys. Talk with the folks around, too. As you move forward between shelves, you'll find Span, the guy who's looking for the Spirit Dictionaries. You still have one to find, but hand over the ones you already have. Anyway, head towards the northern side of the room and check out the weird shelve there. Read the "poem" of sorts... hm, interesting. Examine the golden dragons next to the shelve and you'll learn they're completely eyeless. With this knowledge, go back to the main room of the library(where all of the exposition items are). There, go to both wings(leftmost and rightmost) and check out the golden dragons you'll find. Take the gemstones out of them and go back to where the weird shelve is. Shove the gemstones into the golden dragons by the shelve(blue gemstone on the right, red gemstone on the left). The weird shelve will open itself up and uncover a secret path. Head into this new room and there, run forward and check out the desk on the middle to find a scroll. It's the Lamda Sutra. Unfortunately, it is written in an un- understandable language, so you must first get it deciphered. Head out of the room and you'll see a scene. Run back to the main room of the library(you'll note that Maru ain't on the area) and head towards the rightmost wing of it. Find Maru and an old man "chatting" at the bottom of the wing. You'll be told that at Milmarna you might find someone who can help you to translate the Lamda Sutra. To get to Milmarna, you'll have to cross through the Forest of Sorrw and the Nien Forest. You can also go to the Malgor Mountains. ++++++++++++++++++++ --FOREST OF SORROW-- ++++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Ninjas(82-98 HP) Supreme Ninjas(96 HP) This area is ridden by ninjas, who will often divide your party in two groups. The ninjas are quite strong physically speaking, doing around 40- 60 PTS of DMG to you, plus they also have a nice defense rating. Strong lads such as Ganz and Kharg should use their physical attacks, while Tatjana, Maru and Paulette use their skills(not necessarily their strongest, but a good one that does consume a lot of SS) -- ++++++++++++++++++++ --MALGOR MOUNTAINS-- ++++++++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Deimos(???) Deimos inhabit this place. They have a lot of HP and high defense, but even then, you can deal with them with physical attacks if you have a lot of characters on the battlefield. It could drag on, though. -- +++++++++++++++ --NIEN FOREST-- +++++++++++++++ -- BATTLE Flies(???) There are a lot of flies here. These things are quite weak, and when moving around, they're bound to stay very close to each other. Blast the hell out of them with regular attacks and the occasional magic. -- ++++++++++++ --MILMARNA-- ++++++++++++ Explore the town and chat with the townsfolk. The store has a lot of nice items, and a save point too. On the southwestern portion of the town there is a mysterious shack with a chest within it, but such chest is being guarded by a ferocious dog. Your destination is one the eastern side of town. Head to the bottom portion of it and look for a path that veers east. You'll find a huge stone building; head into it. You'll reach an interesting "plaza". Head forward and down the steps to your right. Check out the barrels by the water on the bottom-right side, next to the wooden planks, to get the fifth and last Spirit Dictionary. To the right of the Dictionary there is a small appraisal office. Talk with the leftmost member(it could be hard to do so. Press X in front of the little box that's next to the appraiser) and have your scroll deciphered. She says they're forbidden from deciphering Sumlian, as it is a sacred language to them(!?). Go north from the officer and approach the woman guarding the top of the steps there. After the dialogue, head to the left and up the stairs with a big line stretching across it. You'll see another scene. Head back to where the woman blocked you off and go up the steps(she's not there anymore). Run to the left toward where Maru, Foh and Rosanna are; more dialogue will ensue, as usual. Run to the appraisal office and have a talk with Rossana and then have the appraisal(the leftmost one) get your sutra deciphered. You'll be told it'll need some time before it is done, so head toward the steps that were once blocked off by the woman and run through the doorway there. At the next screen, you'll see another scene. Talk with Foh and Rosanna for further information regarding Maru's childhood and why he ended up in Chaos Forest at Ragnoth o_O Anyways, go back to the appraisal office and get your sutra back. You now need to look for Maru. He's on the top left side of the area, on top of a crate by a fortune telling office. Talk with him and then exit the castle. Outside, move down and approach Foh by the ocean. After the nice scene, move along the path, heading back to "main" Milmarna. It should be noted that on the grassy platform that connects main Milmarna and the Milmarna "castle" there is an old man who'll tell you the story of the country, but, most importantly, there are two stones next to him that when examined will grant you a bone. Use this bone at the shack with the dog to get the chance to open the chest hidden within it. There is beef jerky and a letter. After reading the letter, talk with the boy by the shack and he'll agree to take care of Rover. It's now time to leave. Your destiny is Mt. Lamda, but you should first head to Peisus to deliver the last Spirit Dictionary. ++++++++++ --PEISUS-- ++++++++++ Deliver the last spirit dictionary to get a Hero's Bandana. Also, pick up the gems that are on the dragons at the entrance and open up the room where the Lamda Sutra was. Inside you'll find Diekpeck(definitely not Diekbeck). Tell him you don't believe his story and he'll ask you some questions. Here are the answers: Counterclockwise A cat Beautiful stones Palkia The entrants' lunches Dice The Shinobi Gang Lakelta Deimos A pipe Búster You'll get a Spirit Amulet. 'Peck will explode(not really). ++++++++++++ --MT LAMDA-- ++++++++++++ Head towards where the priest is and enlighten the priest with the sutra(clear your mind from distractions). You'll see a cutscene, through which you'll be told you need to fight some of the local monks in order to get authorization to go into Mt. Lamda. -- BATTLE Lamda Monks(100-104 HP) There are five Lamda Monks here. I suggest using the Big Owl on them to weaken them just enough so they're prone to fall after a subsequent physical hit. Easy. -- After this, some funny gas will be released and you'll start to hallucinate(heh heh). Another fight will ensue. -- BATTLE Lamda Monks(97-104 HP) It's Maru against these monk guys. They're all well-spread, so you cannot begin casting Venom Arrow or something similar in hopes of hitting them all in one hit. Instead, you'll have to rely on physical hits for quite a bit. Look for openings which you can use to hit a straight line of monks with a lone arrow, and for chances to use venom/Hunting Arrow. Stay away from any monk that powers himself up with a spell, as they're very powerful, and try your best to kill that one first with your strongest stuff. Stay mobile and away from those powered up guys, shift between normal attacks and skills, and you should do good. -- The Lamda High Priest informs you the monsters at Mt. Lamda are emitting a gas(hehhehe) that causes hallucinations to those who smell it -- effectively losing their way and staying on the mount for the rest of their lame lives. Woah! Anyway, head to the western end of the area, through the cobbled road, to find the door that leads into Mt. Lamda. Run through. +++++++++++++++++++++++ --LAMDA MOUNTAIN PASS-- +++++++++++++++++++++++ Go left and when you see a cave on the upper wall(around the area where those strange patterns on the floor start appearing) head into it and open the chest inside to get 180 Spirit Stones and a Bountiful Fruit. Continue going left until you're (suddenly) surrounded by enemies. -- BATTLE Lackey Demons(82-84 HP) Ogres(111-116 HP) There'll be four enemies to the left and three to the right... not too bad. I suggest sending your most useful and most versatile characters to the leftmost group -- Kharg and Maru. You could add another fighter, but that'd mean Tatjana and Ganz would have to deal with the other group all alone -- most definitely not good. The Lackey Demons don't have a lot of HP, so try to go for them first. Sigma Gale is very good against them, killing them in one hit, as well as your other character's not-so-strong skills(but not necessarily the weakest). Ganz is good against all of these guys, even the ogres, especially if he attacks from behind. Even then, the Ogres are quite resistant, so, if possible, use skills on them, but try to save some SS. Kharg and Maru shouldn't have too many problems. Fight physically until given the chance to lay waste on some deimos with a Venom/Binding/Whatever arrow, or perhaps a Windblade Waltz, if you're feeling like using up so many SSs. Finish the survivors(if there aren't many) physically. If there are various(especially if they're ogres), use weak/medium skills. Heal if needed. -- Heal up and proceed left. You'll be able to go down a slope or keep going west on the upper path. Down the slope there is a chest with a Weathercock, a Balo Nut and a Wind Shy. But anyways, keep going left along the upper road. Along the way, you'll hit an offshoot on the bottom portion of the road that contains a chest with 4 Great Herbs and a Life Tree Berry. Further into the road, as it widens, you'll find another offshoot, but this time around on the upper side of the path, this one with a chest that holds Tanzanite and an Ice Blade. As you continue left from this nook, you'll find some more enemies that are willing to fight you. -- BATTLE Ogres(110-118 HP) Lackey Demons(80-85 HP) There are three enemies to the left, two to the right. There are more ogres than lackey demons this time around. Deal with the demon first with physical attacks(although you could also attack the ogre, especially if you're able to do so from behind) and do the same with the ogres if you've plenty of field to move around(i.e. you're very able to run up to them from behind and stab their backs) because although they have a lot of HP, it'll wither down fast if you attack them appropriately(keep in mind I'm talking about the strong lads here). As for the "weaker" girls/guys(Ganz -- yeah Ganz --, Paulette and Tatjana), use up some physical attacks, but useless people like Tatjana should cast their skills(Sigma Gale). Paulette can attack physically, too. -- Keep going leftward until you reach some natural gas-pumping holes from which spurts an hallucinogenic gas. Run into the gaseous path and you'll suddenly appear at a blue-colored Yewbell. Some zombies will appear out of nowhere. -- BATTLE Ghouls(82 HP) Zombies(73 HP) There are five of these zombies. They're very weak against physical attacks, so use them. They can do a lot of damage with their attacks, and have great attacking range, which makes up for their limited movement radius. Even then, physical hits from behind(there's plenty of field here, trust me) should be more than enough. -- Heal up if needed and then head towards the south-easternmost portion of town(the bottom area, where there is a bridge across a crevice and Banjo's refinery) and, past a bridge, you'll find a house with the ring of light in front of it. Head through it. You'll be at Plum Canyon. Go down the woody ramps in front of you and head to the left, through a bridge, to find another ring of light. Trot inside it, too, and you'll be at Asheeda Forest. Head to the right and go south when possible(ignore the ring to the right here). At the bottom, go left and step into the first ring of light you come across to be taken into the Parenz Ruins. Here, go south from your starting point("random" battles might ensue here) and, when possible, head left, going toward where the robot who pretended to be Diekbeck was in the "real world", where you'll find the infamous ring of light. Step into it and you'll hit the Scrappe Plateau, our last destination before we're back at the "real world". Head towards the northeastern corner of the area, where the last ring of light is... -- BATTLE Reapers(84 HP) Skeletons(98 HP-101 HP) There are six enemies here: two Reapers and four Skeletons... ARGH! I'm getting bored of this crap... You'll first have to move towards them(these guys are pretty powerful; their attacks do around 50+ PTS of DMG and their skills around 70+). Use your absolute best on these guys: show no mercy. Windblade Waltz, Power Wave, Skull Crush, Heat Cannon... EVERYTHING! You'll be out of this place in no time and you'll soon find a place to heal your wounds. You should such skills appropriately so they'll hit the maximum amount of enemies. I should note that Binding Arrows proves to be extremely useful here, should you decide not use your best skills, as it has a tremendous blast radius and is very successful when it comes to freezing enemies, which is a great aid in this fight and makes it a lot less complicated, as you can simply use physical attacks for a bit, without worrying about being plundered down by too many enemies. In that case, it wouldn't be too bad of an idea to kill all of your enemies with regular attacks Do whatever you want, really. -- Step into the goddamned ring of light to appear outside Mt. Lamda! Tatjana comments that Anti Aircraft Artillery(AAA) is weak against ground warfare, so you mustn't worry about having to go through an AAA base before hitting Dilzweld. Save up/heal your wounds after the scene and then exit the area. Move into the Eastern Fortress. ++++++++++++++++++++ --EASTERN FORTRESS-- ++++++++++++++++++++ Watch the scene. Once it is over, head to the western side of the area and talk with the two guys you'll find -- Boomer and Buster, both of them Samson's sidekicks. Boomer is the one who'll offer the most info. After the talk, head out of the fortress and march into the Dilzweld empire. +++++++++++++++++++ --DILZWELD EMPIRE-- +++++++++++++++++++ After the scene, head forward and up the first steps you find. Head to the northwestern corner of the city to find an alley barricaded by some soldiers. Approach them for a scene, through which they'll inform you Darkham's en route to Maluise Tower. You can now explore town(talk with the folks around to learn how the city works). It's suggested to go down into the slums and check out the place. There is one house where two men by a table will -- if you insult Darkham properly -- fill you in on what Samson's being doing since he got gunned down. Once you've done enough talking, exit town and head towards the Maluise Tower. +++++++++++++++++ --MALUISE TOWER-- +++++++++++++++++ You're greeted with a "heartbreaking" scene and then you'll be free to blitz into the Maluise Tower. Do so, of course. Go up the steps to hit a bifurcation. Head left and down the staircase to find a chest with 2 Super Duper Bombs and 200 Spirit Stones. Head right along the path to eventually reach an open platform with a crapload of enemies on it. -- BATTLE Intruders(95-99 HP) PA-200s(114 HP) Commandos(116 HP) There is a line of three PA-200s, three Intruders and lastly, three commandos. The PA's have a lot of defense, so it's better to attack them with skills. It should be noted that the Intruders have an amazingly powerful shot skill that deals around 95 PTS of DMG, so better be fully healed and ready to absorb such attacks. The Intruders also have plenty of HP and are very dangerous. The commandos ain't a lot better. This battle could prove to be a tough one. Don't be conservative here; use your absolute best and finish these guys fast(Ganz could attack normally, though) or you could end up with more than one character dead. -- After the fight, head to the upper left corner of the battlefield and go up the short flight of steps there. Pick up the chest you see on the horizon(Life Tree Berry, 2 Revival Medicines and a Wind Blade) and ascend through the nearby staircase. You'll hit yet another split-up; you can go up or veer to the right. Proceed upwards. At the next area, go up. -- BATTLE Intruders(95 HP) Cannon Traps(98-101 HP) PA-200s(119 HP) There are two cannon traps followed by another duo of traps, which are very closely followed by two intruders, who've got their backs covered by two PA-200's. I suggest moving your lines forward just enough so you're able to attack the Traps. Attack them with GOOD skills(Power Wave, Heat Cannon, Venom Arrow) and, if a Intruder ever pours in, be sure to blast the hell out of it quickly. Once you've dealt with the first line of Traps, move forward just enough to kill the second line, making sure to prioritize the Intruders. As told, use skills that will kill the monsters quickly. The PA's shouldn't be too much of a problem if they're pals are all dead. You can deal with them with physical attacks(from behind), especially if you attack with various characters at a time. -- Head to the end of the battlefield and look for a pathway that goes down(the one to the right leads to a dead end). Head through it and you'll eventually hit a bifurcation, where you can go left or proceed down the staircase. Down the steps there is a long road that finishes with a treasure chest containing 2 Light Shys and a Stun Unit. Pick both items and take the other way at the bifurcation(continue further to the left). It's a long road that eventually leads to the outside area of the tower. There, continue your way up and through the doorway you'll find. At the next area, run along the only available road to reach another battle area CRAMMED with enemies. -- BATTLE Gun Traps(???) PA-200s(119 HP) A line of three Gun Traps followed by a line of three PA's, which is bodyguarded by two more PA's. I'm seriously getting bored of this, as there is not a lot to say. The Traps are less dangerous than the PA's, but it's still advisable to kill them first, otherwise you'll have to deal with their hits and the PA's. Kill them quickly with skills(try to use those of the characters who still have plenty of SS) such as Heat Cannon and Bone Crusher and do the same with the PA's. The latter should be a lot easier to deal with, as they're bound to stay together, for you to effectively hit them with multi-character spell. -- After the fight, take the road on the right-hand side of the battleground. As you go along it, go down the steps you'll bump into and snag the Frey's Hair Ornament and High Green Lens off a treasure chest. Continue along the normal road to find a save point. It's quite obvious that you need to save your game and heal your party up(and learn some skills, such as Maru's Shuffle Shot). Exit through the path south from the save point. A scene ensues. After it, run up the huge staircase and blast into the altar room where Lilia and Darkham are having fun(not in that way). Another nice cutscene. -- BATTLE Royal Guards x 4(179-185 HP) Darkham(1200 HP) Four Royal Guards and Darkham are to be fought by you. The Royal Guards have a beam spell that does plenty of damage, around 85, to be exact(thye also have punch-based skill that does 90+ PTS). I suggest moving around swiftly, trying to keep a prudent distance from Darkham, and attacking the guards. This battle is the last of this chapter, so don't be afraid to use your absolute best. Kharg's Windblade Waltz is an excellent choice for when there are various enemies close. It doesn't do astronomical damage, but it's a rather good skill here, as well as Sigma Gale and Heat Cannon. They won't do hundreds upon thousands of damage; they'll do actually very little, but it's the best you'll get here(those guards have plenty of defense). Sigma Gale is actually the best skill here. As told, concentrate yourself on the guards. Combination attacks(especially if you can target various enemies with them) are excellent here, so please make appropriate use of them. Heal whenever it is needed to do so. Now, when the guards are there, it's obviously time to plummet down into Darkham. He's got an attack that doesn't do much damage(50+), but stuns you, and another combo that deals up 110+ PTS of DMG!. His normal attack does around 50+ PTS. He doesn't have as much defense as the guards, that's for bloody sure, but he's still good at souping up hits. It's advisable to revive any fallen party members(heal, too), cure any status aliments, all of this done while attacking. As for the attacking, Maru is a tremendous aid here. If he's got Shuffle Shot, USE IT IMMEDIATELY ON DARKHAM! This attack does around 120+ PTS of DMG to the Dilzweldian emperor. Maru ought to have some Stone Bags on him so he's able to use it on Darkham various times(it's also good to have Maru attack 'Ham exclusively through the whole fight, picking up any SS left behind by the guards to refill himself and keep attacking). As for the other guys, Sigma Gale and Windblade Waltz are another great choice for attacking good old lord Darkham. It should be noted that he gets increasingly weak as his HP withers away. Darkham, alone, isn't too hard. Keep up the attack(use physical hits once SS start to run dry), heal if needed and cure status aliments. -- Scene time! Save. _________________________________________________________________________ ---- KHARG & DARC: FINAL BATTLE ---- ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ After the scene, you'll be able to pick a side to fight with. Pick whomever you want. Let's start with the deimos: -- DEIMOS BATTLE Kharg(325 HP) Paulette(275 HP) Maru(275 HP) Ganz(375 HP) Tatjan(225 HP) It's obviously against the humans :) These guys are strong, doing around 50 PTS of DMG per attack, VERY fast(they attack a lot of times per turn) but use lame-ass skills(although they ought to use some good stuff sometimes). They're also VERY weak against all of your repertoire: Inferno does amazing damage here, as well as Dragon Fang Sword, which is probably the best skill you'll access on this battle, as it hits hard and can hit a lot of enemies at a time. It's imperative to deal with Kharg and Maru first with your absolute best. Dragon Fang Sword + Inferno is a good combination to get rid of these guys quickly and painlessly(you should concentrate specially on Kharg, he's dangerous), so have Bebedora and Darc roam around those two guys. Paulette, Ganz and Tatjana ain't much of a threat. Ganz is probably they most dangerous, as he's quite powerful. Concentrate your firepower on him(if possible, have Darc and Bebedora join up to the attack, with the attacks they used on Kharg and co). Skills such as Blizzard, Earthaquake and Fire Storm are nice, as well as Darc's and Bebedora's. Once he's down, Paulette and Tatjana are not match for you. Still, utilize skills on them. Once the group is completely reduced to one, you may rely solely on physical strength. -- As for the humans: -- HUMANS BATTLE Darc(325 HP) Delma(275 HP) Volk(350 HP) Camellia(225 HP) Bebedora(225 HP) There is not a lot to be told here, as the battle is quite similar, except you'll have to use different skills, of course. Concentrate on Darc(duh), Bebedora and Volk. Darc should be punished the most with Windblade Waltz, Maru's Arrow skills and your strongest magic/attacks(Sigma Gale, for example). Bebedora should be your second target, as she's also quite powerful and can inflict considerable damage. Volk is pure physical strength, but not really that dangerous if he's unable to attack from the back side. He's much stronger than Delma and Camellia. Once he's down, you may spread your attack. Attack Camellia physically and Delma with skills(the strongest to finish her quickly). these guys are also fast and furious. -- NICE! it's scene time :) After it, the winning party will be able to exit the Maluise Tower. Do so. Now, your destination is the Flying Castle. I highly suggest you to buy plenty of Black Charms and Luminous Mosses, as they'll be quite necessary for the final battle. It should be noted that you need to buy enough so the humans and deimos can use them, as, when you enter the Castle, both parties will meld. Also, keep in mind that when you go into the flying castle, you cannot go out. To go inside the flying castle, head into the Maluise Tower's entrance plaza and head to the rightmost side of it(where you once fought DroguzA). There you'll find the castle. Watch the scene and head inside. Once you do, you'll take control of the losing party. Again, spend some dough on the Luminous Mosses and Black Charms. Then, have them go into the castle, too. +++++++++++++++++++++ --THE FLYING CASTLE-- +++++++++++++++++++++ *** NOTE Eventually, when you get to use all ten characters, you'll have to go through a whole bunch of colored levels. There are a lot of enemies there, and you'll have to fight quite a lot. I'll give you a general tip for those fights: use a lot of STRONG skills. You'll get plenty SS as you progress, either on chests, fights, or by being able to buy them at some places. *** After the introductory cutscene, your party will be split. You'll take control of a party conformed by Delma, Volk, Kharg, Paulette and Ganz. Immediately afterwards, you'll have to fight. -- BATTLE Hell Kites(84-87 HP) Lackey Demons(25-26 HP) There are Hell Kites and Lackey Demons here. The Hell Kites are outstandingly powerful with their physical attacks, so kill them FAST!(use skills). The Lackey Demons should be finished physically; they aren't much of a threat. But you should really kill those Kites fast, otherwise you're done for. -- Exit through the area's only exit(through the northwest), and you'll be forced to take place in another fight. -- BATTLE Golems(153-161 HP) Rognas Gormons(164-169 HP) You'll have to fend off against a huge group of Golems and Rognas Gormons. The Golems are, inexplicably, very weak, defense-wise. A strong skill such as Power Wave will leave them with 4 or 5 HPs left -- although you cannot use such kind of skills that much, due to the SS limits you have. You can destroy the strange orbs nearby for some SSs, too. The Golems have a lot of HP, so you cannot simply hope to beat them with regular attacks. You'll have to use a combination of strong skills and physical attacks, but, be intelligent -- this is a long dungeon, and you'll need the SSs. If possible, attack from behind(physically) with various characters at a time. It should be noted that these guys are outstandingly weak against wind, so Power Shot and Wind Slasher are great alternatives here. The Gormons are also huge and do considerable damage(50-70), but are a lot less resistant to physical attacks, specially if hit from behind. But, they have plenty of HP, and there are four of them... still, I recommend spreading your characters and concentrating on getting chances to attack the Gormons from behind... you'll do a lot of damage, and, if you spread yourself appropriately(and if you have the right equipment), you'll finish them soon and efficiently -- saving some SS on the go. You could use skills if you want to. -- After the fight, head to the bottom of the area and take the path to the left. Climb up it, and, at the top, head towards the corner across the path you came across to find a panel with a pearl on it. Touch the stone and you'll see a cinema. Afterwards, head to the right and go up when possible to find a doorway. Head through it. At the next area, head across the road and you'll see, up north, a bridge made of floating platforms, with a platform still missing. On the bottom-left corner of this area, you'll hit a path that veers down. Follow it to find another panel with a pearl on it -- touch the pearl and the platform missing from the floating bridge will appear. Go back to such bridge and try to cross it -- you'll see some dialogue and some neat happenings. Cross the bridge then. -- BATTLE Dark Dwellers(82 HP) A huge group of Dark Dwellers is to be fought here. They don't have that much HP, plus they're very susceptible to physical attacks from behind -- in other words, start your slugfest with normal attacks. You'll get some of these guys to slither towards you at the very beginning of the battle, while the other ones(the ones behind the Strange orbs) wait up. If you accommodate yourself adequately, you can finish these guys very quickly and painlessly with pure physical strength. When you finish the first group of Dwellers, move towards the other half of the team(4 dwellers). As usual, it's a matter of spreading yourself appropriately here. Simply send some characters towards a group of dwellers, and the other ones towards the other group. That way, you can kill them with simple physical hits. Should the dwellers attack together, then do the same yourself. All in all, this is a fight you can beat without using a single skill. It should be noted that this guys tend to dodge frontal attacks, so it's even more important to hit them from their rears. -- After the fight, you'll be in a huge area. However, there is nothing to be seen here, so trot towards the northern end of it, where a gray platform with a yellow symbol inscribed on it will be. Board the platform and you'll be taken into the upper levels of the castle. Once you regain control, go up the "staircase"(more like blockcase :)) to reach an area that serves as a hall to the "big door". You'll be given the option to save. I suggest doing so in an alternate file. *** You'll then be as Darc. His party is made out of Darc, Maru, Bebedora, Tatjana and Camellia. You'll have to fight almost immediately. -- BATTLE Gunners(76 HP) SA-100s(131-140 HP) There are a bunch of robotic things here(Gunners and SA-100's). I highly suggest beating the Gunners first, as they're weak, and then going for the SA's. The SA'S are nothing short of lame enemies. They like to explode and do 60 PTS of DMG(the Gunners can do up to 70 with their hits). This battle is not really that guard, simply move adequately(try not to get too near the SA's) and hit the Gunners hard from the rear. The SA'S should be dealt with regular attacks, too. -- After the battle, you'll take control. Heal and take good note of this room, which I'll refer to as "hub". There are three available paths here -- one to the right, one to the left, and one to the south. In all of these areas, you'll have to fight some enemies and then activate the respective pearl. Once they've all been activated, you need to go back to the hub. -- LEFT ROOM BATTLE Gun Traps(84 HP) Shotgun Traps894 HP) There are four Shotgun Traps and four Gun Traps(there are two up north, two south; the Shotguns are pretty close together)... this is seriously quite easy. Have Maru and Tatjana, who both start near the Gun Traps, attack such enemies, while the others deal with the Shotguns. Tatjana and Maru shouldn't be afraid to use some skills, as they'll be alone. The group that attacks the Shotguns should do it physically, although a skill or two to speed things up is nothing bad. -- -- RIGHT ROOM BATTLE PA-200s(119-135 HP) SA-100s(144 HP) There are PA-200s and SA-200s here. There is a PA that's surrounded by strange orbs that's carrying a Unit 128K, that's of extreme use to Tatjana, so you should attack that PA hard to get the item quickly. The PAs are very strong when it comes to attacking, so I highly recommend concentrating on them and using hard-hitting skills when it comes to attacking those guys(don't use over-strong spells such as Air Blade, because they don't do much damage). The SAs aren't that hard, and they may kill themselves(self-destruct), although they'll damage you on the way. Don't be afraid to use ample skills on this battle. -- -- SOUTHERN ROOM BATTLE Evil Eyes(84 HP) Dark Dwellers(87 HP) There are Evil Eyes and Dark Dwellers, both of which look strikingly similar. There are TOO MANY of them, so, for instance, using the Pyron on this battle could be of extreme usefulness. The physical-attack-only formula you used with Kharg's co simply won't work here -- you'll have to rely heavily on skills, otherwise don't expect to win. Given the fact there are so many of those guys, you'll get plenty of chances to hit various of them with skills and attacks -- make good use of such chances. -- After clearing each room and activating the pearls, go back to the hub and use the elevator on the upper portion of it. At the next screen, you'll see a scene, and Bebedora will board one of the room's two elevators. Save on your alternate file and follow Bebedora. Go up. Treason time! -- BATTLE Altimas x 2(900 HP) Bebedora(225 HP) There are two huge Altimas and Bebedora. It should be noted that the Altimas can only move through the room's big, squared panels -- they cannot cross through the thin paths that unite such panels. They can attack from VERY afar with their breath attack, that has a huge range and does a lot of damage(90-120). I suggest defending for a bit until one Altima is considerably near you(on one of the panels that are either to the right or to the left of your starting point) -- once it is, move your party towards it, making sure the healers are on a favorable position, so they can heal all of your party up. As for what to use on the Altimas, Dragon Fang Sword and Shuffle Shot(skills used by Darc and Maru, respectively) are the ways to go. Like I said, when there is an Altima near, move your party towards it. You'll probably have to heal more than once as you go, but when you're nose to nose with the Altima, it won't be a problem anymore, as the monster will be limited to physical attacks only, which are pretty weak(30 or so). When this happens, attack the monster relentlessly with all of your characters(except Camellia) and their best skills. Combination attacks will probably become available as you fight. Once you beat one of the Altimas, the other one is bound to fly to the area you beat his pal on. In that case, if you still have plenty of SS, continue your attack. If Maru doesn't have enough to cast Shuffle Shot, have him look around for a Strange Orb to destroy for a boost of SS. Darc can attack physically the Altima and still do nice damage, so if he's lacking on SS, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Have Camellia heal, as usual, while you punish this second Altima relentlessly with Shuffle Shot, Sigma Gale and Dragon Fang Sword/Regular attacks. If you heal yourself adequately and keep the attacking up(even after depleting your SS stock), this Altima won't stand much of a chance. Combination attacks should become available. Pick the items left behind by the Altimas, heal, and try to restore your Spirit Stones stock with the strange orbs around. Bebedora is on upper end of the battlefield. Once you feel like you're ready, move toward the puppeteer. She has VERY LITTLE HP and does almost NO DAMAGE. She's pathetically weak... a combination attack will finish her good. Anyway, simply fence her and beat the beejezus out of her physically. She really doesn't stand a chance against you... ...or so you believe! After she's been killed once, she needs to be killed again. Once killed, she'll reappear on another point of the battlefield(normally near you). You have to kill her several times before the battle's over. Keep in mind that she's still overly weak against attacks and when using her stuffed bear, but she could also use Dark Extreme, which is dangerously hard-hitting. You'll have to kill her a lot of times, because she will die after one hit, and you'll probably won't do a lot more than 20 PTS of DMG, unless you use a very powerful skill or a combination attack. This battle could be quite annoying, too, as she likes to heal herself up by sucking the life out of you with Divide. -- After the ultra-nice cutscene, heal, re-stock your SSs and get on the elevator next to you. You'll be back to the area where Bebedora started to act strange. Save and take the elevator across the save point, on the right side of the area. In the next room, move forward and the whole team will finally regroup. You'll then be able to decide which character to use(don't worry, humans and deimos have already joined forces; choose whomever). Cross through the newly opened door. At the next area, go along the road to find a healing Quroup as well as a merchant Quorup. Healing is not an issue right now, as you're already at full health. You should, however, stock up on healing items and Spirit Stones. Save then and go up the elevator nearby(you can also ask the Quorups how they got there) In the next room, there are three available paths(this room shall be called "hub 2"). Take the upper one. You may have to fight enemies when you enter. From now on, the battles will be randomized, as well as the enemies. There is a huge selection of them, so better be ready for anything! But anyway, in the room I told you to go, take the path to the left and follow the road until you hit a room with some flying pods on it. Examine them to discover they're chests! Inside this room, you'll get: 3 Rescue Kits, Satan's Ribbon, 180 Spirit Stones, 2 Life Tree Berries, Angel Statuette, Ice Talisman, Steel Ripper, Satan's Beads and 1000 G. After getting these items, go back to hub 2 and take the path to the right. Again, simply blitz through numerous rooms until you find an elevator. Board it, and, in the room you'll arrive on, go north and follow the one-way road until you find another elevator, with a save beacon next to it. You'll reach an area lit with a brown light(the enemies around here are very dangerous). Move along the road and you'll hit a room where there is an elevator on the southern end. Take it. Run down into the next screen and, here, loot all of the flying orbs for a Blade of the Giants, 240 Spirit Stones, Duel Spikes, Light Talisman and White Charm. Continue on until you hit a room with two more pods that hold a Superconductor Coil, Life Ring, Black Charm, 200 Spirit Stones and 2 Life Tree Berry. Keep going to find an elevator that'll take you down. In here(hub 3), there are three exits. Go through the upper one to find, on floating chest-orbs, 2 Red Charms, a Fire Talisman, 240 Spirit Stones, Type 4 Ruby Lens Proto, 4 Strongest Herbs, 3600 G, a Battle Jacket and a Power Berry. Take the left road to progress. By taking the left road, you'll eventually reach a room with a save point, a merchant Quorup and an elevator. Save, buy(I suggest getting a Blue Lens for your Airship, as well as the Neutrino Charge. Combine them with the Red Lens you got earlier, and a high-level Green Lens you got previously in the game to get an ultra-destructive Hyper Laser) and go up with the elevator. In the next area(lit in green) take the left path and go along the multiple rooms until you reach an area with an elevator on it. Board it, and, when you arrive at the next floor, go south into the next screen. Here, continue along the only available path(my yawn could be called a hurricane), until you hit a room with another elevator and two other paths -- up, and to the right. Board the elevator and, in the next screen, head forward to save a healing Quorup, a Merchant Quorup and a save point. Save, heal and stock up on healing items, revival medicines and Spirit Stones. Be sure you've got a Max-powered Hyper Laser with the Airship(equip what I told you to a while ago). Go through the two huge double doors. Scene time! After it, you'll be in the "Black Abyss". Your pals will be around, with flames in front of them. Approach each one of your friends and you'll get to see the things that they, eh, uh... resent(characters of the game). This is important. Anyway, head to the lone flame at the northern side of the room to proceed with the story. -- BATTLE Meshimgens(3 hits kill them) You'll have to fight the somewhat tricky Meshimgens. When you attack one, it'll transform into your characters' resentments. For instance, if you hit a Meshimgens, it could transform into Nafia. The key here is to have your characters attack their resentments. For instance, Kharg should attack Nafia, Maru should attack Foh, and so on. It should be noted that you won't see the illusions, but rather the monstrous Meshimgens. When you attack one, the illusion is uncovered -- but if you attack the illusion with the inappropriate resented character, you'll get turned into a Meshimgen. This sounds complicated, but the key here is to attack the monsters so you uncover the illusions behind them and then send the appropriate characters to kill them. When you're turned into a 'gen, you're turned back into a human after a couple of turns. This isn't hard once you've uncovered the illusion behind each gen. Here is a handy table if you don't know who should attack who: Paulette = Lloyd Delma = Densimo Volk = wife & son Ganz = Rapier Kharg = Nafia Darc = Windalf Maru = Foh Bebedora = Bebedora Camellia = old Camellia Tatjana = Darkham -- -- BATTLE Lilia Getmann(1200 HP) Meshimgen(200 HP) THIS BATTLE can be HARD! There are various Meshmigens, who can now be hit normally, as well as a monstrous structure amongst which is Lilia. You must start by clearing the way into Lilia by beating the Meshmigens. They use a belly-flop attack that does a lot of damage(150 or so), so when it comes to attacking them, use your absolute best. Use Binding Arrow, Windblade Fury, Dragon Fang Sword, Burning Rain... skills that have gigantic blast radiuses and that can hit a lot of foes with just one hit. You can kill all of these monsters in no time by using these skills... but you shouldn't. Lilia will generate more of them as you battle, so kill just enough of them to be able to approach Lilia(you may be lucky and get the chance to approach Lilia without having to kill a monster... make good use of such opportunity). I should say that, early into the battle, both Kharg and Darc will get their Tension Meters completely filled up. Make haste to Lilia so you're able to use both combinations attacks quickly and deliver outstanding damage. As for other attacking choices, there is Shuffle Shot, Windblade Fury, Dragon Fang Sword, Sigma Gale... the list goes on, but could be summarized into : the strongest stuff you have. Lilia has an ultra-powerful Dark Extreme spell that could be determining in the battle if you ain't properly healed, so better try to restore your health often. She also has a heaven beam attack, that does around as much as Dark Extreme. As her HP starts to wither, she'll use DE a lot more often, and the 'gens will also start to use their belly flop a lot more. This is when the fight gets tough. Heal an attack conservatively, or attack frontally and hard to finish the battle soon. It'll be hard, as Lilia's attacks, that hit hard and various enemies at a time, combined with her speed and Meshimgens attacks will equal a somewhat frustrating battle. -- You will get the chance to prepare yourself for the final battle. Be sure to fully heal yourself and restore your SSs stock. Learn all of your strongest skills: Great Hunter, Dark Extreme, Windblade Fury, Dragon Fang Sword, Burning Rain, Explosion and all of that. Equip the party members you're going to use with plenty of Strongest Herbs and Revival Medicine. Make sure they have Luminous Moss and Black Charms equipped(a Crystal Arrowhead for Maru). As for the party I recommend: Kharg, Darc, Delma, Maru, Paulette and Volk. -- FINAL BATTLE Lord of the Black Abyss(4500 HP) Brain Cells(130 HP) Another ULTRA TOUGH battle here. Well, not really that hard, but not very easy, either. It's of extreme importance to have the Black Charms and the Luminous Mosses on, as well as the Strongest Herbs and Revive Medicines. At the start of the battle, cast Magic Shield on all of your characters, as well as Heated Soul and Speed up, if possible. Magic Shield is a must, though(thanks to EternalBlue for noting this is in his FAQ; I'm not much of a fan of status-altering spells and all of that, and I was seriously having trouble) The Dark Lord has three moves: he spits out Brain Cells, absorbs the HP out of a character that's very near to it(this attack does around 120 PTS and heals him for around 60-120, depending on the number of characters affected) and uses a cannon attack that hits everybody, and HARD. This attack, without a Black Charm, does around 300 PTS of DMG. With a Black Charm, 220 PTS. With the Charm and Magic Shield, 70 PTS -- see the difference? The Lord is surprisingly limited when it comes to its attacking. It can only use the HP-absorbing attack when it has a character VERY near to it, and can only use the cannon attack when the darkness around him is dissipated. This brings on the next point: to be able to damage this guy effectively, you need to take out the darkness around him. To do so, constantly beat the brain cells he spits out(around 6). It should be noted that the cannon attack replenishes the darkness. The key here is to maintain yourself healthy(and cast the protective spells I mentioned) and start slaughtering the brain cells. Once you've killed five/four, so the darkness is not completely dissipated but you're able to damage the monster quite a bit, move forward and attack the lord. Keep pummeling away and kill the last cell with your characters near the monster so the darkness dissipates while your characters are near the lord. You'll get a few turns before the lord gets his dark barrier again. Once he does, back away and heal yourself while attacking the cells. When you attack the lord frontally, you'll probably have to get some of your HP absorbed. If that's the case, simply back away and heal up. Be sure that you're at full health before you even think about attacking the lord or before completely dissipating the darkness. Basically, the key here is to attack constantly with the darkness barely- up and try to get a few cheap shots when it is down(this could be hard). You won't get many chances, as, after a bit, you'll get your HP absorbed and when that happens, immediately back up and heal, otherwise you simply won't stand a chance. Combination attacks will be available a lot of times throughout the fight, that's for sure. If you get one, and the darkness has been dissipated quite a bit, risk your life and move your lines forward so you can make good use of the combos... you must still have a lot of HP, though. This battle is all about fighting conservatively. Whenever you feel like it's time to stop the attack, back up and heal up(use Strongest Herbs for this). Revive and re-cast Magic Shield on murdered characters and keep the attacking up. Never be very near the monster, unless attacking or absolutely necessary(combo attacks), because you'll be easy prey to his absorb attack and will heal the f'ing bastard. All in all, a long and frustrating challenge. -- Watch the lame-ass ending. Save your clearfile. ========================================================================= == -- ITEMS LISTING -- == ========================================================================= HEALING ITEMS ************* Rotting Herb...........................restores 10 HP Healing Herb...........................restores 50 HP Good Herb..............................restores 100 HP Great Herb.............................restores 200 HP Strongest Herb.........................restores all HP Ancient Herb...........................restores little HP to allies First Aid Kit..........................restores 80 HP to allies Rescue Kit.............................restores 160 HP to allies Revival Medicine.......................revives from critical condition STATUS-CURING ITEMS ******************* Antitoxic Nut..........................cures poison Mint...................................cures sleep Soap...................................cures stickiness Painful Needle.........................cures silence Green Memory Grass.....................cures confusion Nerve Stimulant........................cures paralysis Energy Snack...........................cures sloth Elixir.................................cures almost all abnormal statuses Coleopt Froth..........................cures all abnormal statuses Lamda's Wonder Cure....................raises morale STATUS ENHANCERS(PERMANENT) *************************** Life Tree Berry........................increases Max HP Power Berry............................raises Attack Reiki Leaf.............................raises defense Magefoil...............................raises MNT Balo Nut...............................raises SPF Bountiful Fruit........................increases level by one Anti-Poison Cologne....................raises resistance to poison Mint Cologne...........................raises resistance to sleep Smooth 'n Dry Cologne..................raises resistance to stickiness Blabber Mouth Cologne..................raises resistance to Silence Memory Cologne.........................raises resistance to confusion Nervy Cologne..........................raises resistance to paralysis Energy Cologne.........................raises resistance to sloth Anti-reaper cologne....................raises resistance to instant-death STATUS ENHANCERS(TEMPORARY) *************************** NOTE: All of the effects are temporal. Don't get fooled. Attack Bottle..........................Raises ATT Bitter Leaf............................Raises DEF Heart Seed.............................Raises MNT Agility Bottle.........................Raises SPD Attack Leaf............................increases counterattack rate Guard Leaf.............................increases guard rate Critical Leaf..........................increases critical-hit rate Accuracy Leaf..........................increases accuracy of normal atk. Evasion Leaf...........................increases evasion rate Iron Arm...............................Increases item-throwing radius Full Sails Tonic.......................increases movement radius Fire Balm..............................increases tolerance to fire Water Balm.............................increases tolerance to water Earth Balm.............................increases tolerance to earth Wind Balm..............................increases tolerance to wind Light Balm.............................increases tolerance to light Dark Balm..............................increases tolerance to darkness. ENEMY-AFFECTING ITEMS ********************* NOTE: All of these only affect enemies. Strength Drain.........................lowers Attack. Guard Drain............................lowers defense Mind Drain.............................lowers MNT Agility Drain..........................lowers SPD Fire Shy...............................lowers tolerance to fire Water Shy..............................lowers tolerance to water Earth Shy..............................lowers tolerance to earth Wind Shy...............................lowers tolerance to wind Light Shy..............................lowers tolerance to light Dark Shy...............................lowers tolerance to darkness ATTACK ITEMS ************ Poison Drug............................poisons Enemy Sleeping Pill..........................puts enemy to sleep Sticky Beans...........................makes enemy sticky Yellow Powder..........................makes enemy silent Purple Memory Grass....................confuses enemy Numbness Apple.........................paralyzes enemy Poison Firecracker.....................poisons various enemies Sleep Firecracker......................sleeps various enemies Sticky firecracker.....................makes various enemies sticky Confusion Firecracker..................confuses various enemies Paralysis Firecracker..................paralyzes various enemies Assasin Firecracker....................instant-death to various enemies Stone..................................throw to enemy for minor damage Hard Stone.............................throw for moderate damage Steel Ball.............................throw for high damage Spiked Steel Ball......................throw to deliver a lethal blow Assassin Ball..........................throw to cause instant death Bomb...................................explodes and does low DMG Super Bomb.............................damages various enemies Super Duper Bomb.......................high damage to various enemies Dilz Bomb..............................destructive damage MEDALS ****** Monster Medal..........................Sell for 10,000 G Deimos Medal...........................Sell for 50,000 G ========================================================================= == -- EQUIPMENT -- == ========================================================================= NOTE: This is what I have. I'm probably missing a lot of items... you can contribute them if you wish to do so ;) use this addy: yggdrasil yahoo com. Excellent. Oh, and I referred to EternalBlue's guides for various weapons, as I didn't have them. Many thanks to him. AND... I didn't include Choko's and Diekbeck's equipment. Why? Because of their secret character status... they get certain exclusivity, you know ;) ...AAAND... It should be noted that, when both deimos and humans meld in the flying castle, you'll get many new options there. For instance, each of the humans will be able to share equipment with their deimos nemesis. For instance, Kharg will be able to use Darc's, and viceversa, and so on. Quite nice, although this is not for everybody(Ganz and Delma are largely incompatible, equipment-wise, for instance) WEAPONS PARTS ************* Name; Stats; usable-by Hawk Eyes; MNT + 5, HIT + 9; Kharg Eyes of a Peregrine; MNT + 5, CRI + 20; Kharg Knuckle Guard; GRD + 10, CNT + 10; Kharg Traitor's Soul; ATT + 6, AVO - 8, CNT + 50; All Guard Support; GRD + 30; All Stone Coating; ATT + 2, SPD - 1; All Amethyst Coating; ATT + 4, SPD - 1; All Sapphire Coating; ATT + 8, SPD - 1; All Diamond Coating; ATT + 12, SPD - 1; All Gunpowder; Add fire element; All Aquamarine; Add water element; All Catfish Whiskers; Add earth element; All Luminous Moss; Add light element; all Skeleton Sticker; Add instant death; All Dynamo; Add Paralysis; All Cursed Doll; Add confusion; All Mute Stone; Add silence; All Putrefied Beans; Add stickiness; All Napping Bell; Add sleep; All Poison Apple Essence; Add poison; All Soot of Darkness; Add dark; All Spirit Windmill; Add wind; All Steel Ripper; ATT + 11; Paulette Stone Crusher; ATT + 3, HIT - 3; Paulette Snake Wire; Increases attacking radius; Paulette Star Wing Blade; ATT + 3, HIT + 1; Paulette Phoenix Tail Feather; ATT + 3, Add Fire Element; Maru Crystal Arrowhead; ATT + 10, Add Light element; Maru Silk Bowstring; Increases attacking radius; Maru Weathercock; MNT - 3, HIT + 72; Maru Heat Blade; ATT + 12, SPD - 3, MNT - 3, CRI + 12, Adds earth element;Ganz Ice Blade; ATT + 12, SPD - 3, MTN + 6, HIT - 4, Adds ice element; Ganz Wind Blade; ATT + 12, SPD + 3, AVO + 4, MNT - 6, CNT + 10, Adds wind;Ganz Earth Blade; ATK + 12, AVO - 4, GRD + 10, MNT + 3, HIT + 4, Adds earth;"" Superconductor Coil; HIT - 4, CRI + 10, Extends range; Tatjana Unit 64K; ATT + 8, HIT - 2, CRI + 5; Tatjana Unit 128K; ATT + 12, HIT - 3, CRI + 5; Tatjana(a homage to the bits war?) Stun Unit; Adds paralysis; Tatjana Heavy Blade; ATT + 9, SPD - 2, AVO - 2, CRI + 3; Darc Thorned Ivy; Increases attack radius; Darc Barbed Wire; increases attack radius; Darc Guard Fang; ATT + 4, GRD + 20; Darc Iron Skewer; ATT + 3; Delma Steel Spikes; ATT + 5; Delma Duel Spikes; ATT + 12; Delma Blood-red Talons; --; Delma Blue Wolf Blade; MNT + 6, GRD + 10; Volk Blade of the Giants; ATT + 12, SPD - 4, HIT + 4; Volk Swordsman's Blade; ATT + 4, SPD - 2, CNT + 10; Volk Raging War God's Blade; ATT + 9, SPD - 4; Volk Black Rose Thorn; ATT + 3, HIT - 1, Add poison; Camellia Death Ant Nectar; ATT + 2, HIT - 1, Add instant death; Camellia Sleep Bug Eyes; ATT + 3, HIT - 1, Add sleep; Camellia Mouth sealing needles; ATT + 2, HIT - 1, Add silence; Camellia Toy Heart; HIT + 3, CNT + 15, CRI + 15; Bebedora Sparkly Eyeballs; AVO + 4, HIT + 3; Bebedora Clattery Dentures; ATT + 7, SPD - 4, CRI + 10; Bebedora Shiny Nose; MNT + 12; Bebedora ACCESSORIES *********** Name; Stats; Usable-by Black Charm; Increases resistance to dark, SPD - 1; All Red Charm; Increases tolerance to fire, SPD - 1; All White Charm; Increases tolerance to light, SPD - 1; All Green Charm; Increases tolerance to wind, SPD - 1; All Yellow Charm; Increases tolerance to earth, SPD - 1; All Blue Charm; Increases tolerance to water, SPD - 1; All Rainbow Charm; Increases tolerance to all; All Fire Talisman; Renders fire attacks useless; All Ice Talisman; Renders water attacks useless; All Land Talisman; Renders earth attacks useless; All Storm Talisman; Renders wind attacks useless; All Light Talisman; Renders light attacks useless; All Shadow Talisman; Renders dark attacks useless; All Anti Poison Ring; Poison is useless against you; All Sleepless Guard; Sleep is useless against you; All King-size soap; Stickiness is useless against you; All Falcon Statuette; Silence is useless against you; All Tanzanite; Confusion is useless against you; All Lark Coat of Arms; Paralysis is useless against you; All Anti Slothian; Prevents change into slothian; All Clivis' Book; Renders all abnormal status ineffectual; All Angel Statuette; Protects against instant death; All males Substitute Johnny; Blocks all abnormal statuses, MNT - 10%; All girls Angel Earrings; Blocks Stickiness, Silence and Paralysis; All girls Leila's Mirror; Blocks Poison, Sleep and Confusion; All girls Frey's Hair Ornament; Halves all elemental damage; All girls Crystal Beads; SPD - 2, MNT + 5; All Jade Beads; SPD - 2, MNT + 8; All Bewitching Beads; SPD - 2, MNT + 12; All Satan's Beads; SPD - 2, MNT + 15; All Gorgeous Ring; Enemies drop twice as much money; All Life Ring; Max HP increases by 10%; All Goddess Statuette; Max HP increases b 20%; All Stone Bag; Lets you carry + 30 SS, SPD - 2; All Stone Holder; Lets you carry + 15 SS, SPD - 1; All Leather Armband; DEF + 3, SPD - 1, AVO - 2; All Bone Armband; DEF + 5, SPD - 1, AVO - 2; All Steel Armband; DEF + 8, SPD - 1, AVO - 2; All Titanium Armband; DEF + 12, AVO - 2, SPD - 1; All Rabbit Stuffed Animal; SPD + 6, MNT + 6, AVO + 6; Bebedora Bear Stuffed Animal; DEF + 10, GRD + 10; Bebedora Spirit Amulet; Stops FIRE, WATER, WIND, EARTH, LIGHT dmg, SPD - 1, AVO - 8; Kharg Hero Bandana; SPD + 10, AVO + 10, MNT + 6; Kharg Shoulder Spikes; DEF + 10, SPD - 1, CNT + 30; Paulette Fireproof Gloves; DEF + 7, SPD - 1, GRD + 12, renders fire attacks useless; Paulette Golem Mask; DEF + 10, SPD - 2, MNT - 7, AVO - 9, GRD + 8; Maru Sorcerer Mask; DEF + 2, SPD - 2, MNT + 8; Maru Battle Jacket; DEF + 10, SPD + 6, CNT + 10, MNT + 10, GRD + 10; Maru Life Belt; DEF + 2, SPD - 1, Increases HP; Ganz Dilzweld Visor; SPD - 1, AVO + 24, GRD + 25; Tatjana Steel Brassard; DEF + 3, SPD - 1, GRD + 10; Tatjana Dragon's Wrath; DEF + 5, SPD - 2, counters always to physical atks.; Darc Dragonia Ring; DEF + 8, SPD + 4, MNT + 8; Darc Blood Anklet; DEF + 8, SPD - 1, GRD + 15; Delma Blood Tears Earrings; SPD - 1, CNT + 16, AVO - 10, MNT + 10; Delma Great Sorcerer's Remains; DEF - 25, SPD -17, MNT + 46; Volk Armored Swallowtail; DEF + 8, SPD - 1, AVO - 3; Camellia Moonlight Bug; -------; Camellia Romantic Earrings; 1/3 less SS consumed on skills and spells; All Romantic Stones; No SS consumed on skills and spells; All ========================================================================= == -- SKILLS -- == ========================================================================= NOTES: I didn't include Samson, nor Densimo, because you basically don't get to use them... KHARG ***** Name; # of SS required to learn it; cost; range/description(both or one of them) Fang Breaker Blade; gotten at the beginning; 14 SS; on enemies Whirlwind Crusher; 200 SP; 18 SS; One enemy Power Shot; 160 SP; 16 SS; One enemy Power Wave; 1600 SP; 25 SS; Enemies in a small, forward arch. Windblade Waltz; 1200 SP; 20 SS; Enemies around you(small circle) Windblade Fury; 2200 SP; 30 SS; Enemies around you(huge circle) Raise Spirits; 500 SP; 12 SS; Raises Tension Gauge Mind Scan; 100 SP; 12 SS; Raises CRI One Last Chance; 100 SP; 12 SS; Raises ATT, Lowers DEF Cure; Learned automatically(S. Plateau fight; 8 SS; Heals 25% of HP Healing Rain; 540 SP; 12 SS; Heals 50% HP of various/all allies. Vital Energy; 1600 SP; 20 SS; Heals 75% HP of various/all allies. Wind Slasher; Learn automatically(S. Plateau battle); 10 SS; 1 enemy Tornado; 580 SP; 20 SS; Hits enemies in a circular radius(small) Refresh; 400 SP; 10 SS: Cures status aliments of various/all allies. Resurrection; 600 SP; 18 SS; Revives and fully heals a fallen character PAULETTE ******** First Aid; gotten at the beginning; 6 SS; Heals one ally Sling Knife; 60 SP; 10 SS; Enormous attacking radius, hits 1 enemy. Fire Sling; 600 SP; 20 SS; Enemies in a forward arch Stinging Rain; 480 SP; 16 SS; Group of enemies(average range) Burning Rain; 1800 SP; 25 SS; HUGE circle of enemies/great damage. Heat Cannon; 600 SP; 20 SS; One enemy Heat Cyclone; 2500 SP; 30 SS; Enemies in a straight line Antidote Treatment; 100 SP; 8 SS; Cures bad statuses Psyche-Up Charge; 600 SP; 14 SS; Raises tension gauge Mental Focus; 400 SP; 14 SS; Increases MNT Mind Scan; 380 SP; 12 SS; Increases CRI Interceptor Stance; 400 SP; 12 SS; Increases CNT Defensive Stance; 1600 SP; 12 SS; Increases GRD Steel Wall Guard; 600 SP; 14 SS; Increases DEF Hypnotize; 200 SP; 14 SS; Adds sleep Sign of Silence; 160 SP; 14 SS; Adds silence MARU **** First Aid; 280 SP; 6 SS; One ally Venom Arrow; Learned; 16 SS; Big blast radius/Poisons enemy Silent Arrow; 420 SP; 20 SS; Medium/small blast radius/silences enemy Binding Arrow; 680 SP; 24 SS; Medium/small blast radius/paralyzes enemy Hunting Arrow: 520 SP; 20 SS; Great range/great blast radius. Great Hunter; 2200 SP; 40 SS; Humongous blast radius/range. Shuffle Shot; 2000 SP; 36 SS; One enemy Maru Story's Time; 180 SP; 12 SS; Enemies around/puts them to sleep Maru's Big News; 550 SP; 20 SS; Confuses enemies around you. Antidote Treatment; 100 SP; 8 SS; One ally/cures statuses Mind Scan; 450 SP; 12 SS; Raises CRI Setting Aim; 580 SP; 10 SS; Increases HIT Defensive Stance; 720 SP; 12 SS; Increases GRD Psyche Up Charge; 450 SP; 12 SS; Fills up Tension Meter Steal; 220 SP; 3 SS; Steals from one enemy Steal Lv2; 550 SP; 8 SS; Higher success rate. GANZ **** First Aid; 600 SP; 6 SS; One ally Rolling Axe; the beginning; 12 SS; Around you Speed Storm; 480 SP; 24 SS; Enemies around Ganz Bone Crush; 100 SP; 20 SS; Enemies in a straight line Skull Crush; 600 SP; 25 SS; Enemies in a straight line Extreme Grenade; 1600 SP; 20 SS; Circular blast radius Titan Grenade; 2400 SP; 30 SS; Circular blast radius(and huge) Antidote Treatment; 500 SP; 8 SS; Cures statuses/one ally Power Charge; 240 SP; 14 SS; Increases ATT(self) Psyche Up Charge; 240 SP; 14 SS; Increases tension(self) Interceptor Stance; 40 SP; 12 SS; Raises CNT(self) Mind Scan; 800 SP; 12 SS; Raises CRI(self) Steel Wall Guard; 150 SP; 14 SS; Raises DEF(self) Defensive Stance; 700 SP; 12 SS; Raises GRD(self) Transfer; 600 SP; 10 SS; Transfers Ganz turn to another character Intimidation; 400 SP; 10 SS; Decreases SPD(one enemy) TATJANA ******* Medical Machine; starts with it; 24 SS; Various/all enemies Sigma Gale; starts with it; 16 SS; One enemy Sigma Storm; 800 SP; 32 SS; Group of enemies Sigma Revive; 320 SP; 20 SS; One ally Element Guard; 260 SP; 16 SS; 50% less elemental damage to all/various enemies Mirage Field; starts with it; 16 SS; Self/cannot attack her for 3 turns Hypnotize; 600 SP; 14 SS; Puts one enemy to sleep Sign of Silence; 380 SP; 14 SS; Silences one enemy DARC **** Claws of Rage; before 1st Church Ruins fight; 12 SS; One enemy Vampire Fang; 600 SP; 26 SS; Absorbs the hp out of an enemy and heals you Sword of Awakening; 270 SP; 24 SS; Enemies around him(small range) Dragon Fang Sword; 860 SP; 32 SS; Enemies around him(big range) Raise Spirits; 200 SP; 20 SS; Raises tension gauge(self) Steal; 120 SP; 3 SS; Steal item from one enemy Intimidation; 400 SP; 10 SS; Decreases SPD Cure; starts with it; 8 SS; Cures one enemy Wind Slasher; starts with it; 10 SS; Hits one enemy Tornado; 400 SP; 20 SS; A small group of enemies Air Blade; 2400 SP; 36 SS; HUGE range/around Darc Refresh; 200 SP; 10 SS; Cures statuses of one enemy Speed Up; 800 SP; 12 SS; Raises SPD/group of allies Raging Soul; 1000 SP; 16 SS; Raises ATT/group of allies Slow enemy; 600 SP; 12 SS; Decreases SPD/group of enemies Pure Silence; 1200 SP; 14 SS; Silences group of enemies DELMA ***** Cure; 150 SP; 8 SS; Cures one enemy Healing Rain; 600 SP; 12 SS; Heals 50% of all/various allies Flaming Arrow; starts with; 10 SS; One enemy Fire Storm; 200 SP; 16 SS; Small group of enemies Explosion; 1840 SP; 38 SS; Huge group of enemies Wind Slasher; 400 SP; 10 SS; One enemy Tornado; 1000 SP; 20 SS; Group of enemies Stone Rush; 600 SP; 14 SS; Very small group of enemies Earthquake; 1200 SP; 20 SS; Average group of enemies Divide; 1200 SP; 16 SS; Absorbs HP of 1 enemy/heals Delma Refresh; 50 SP; 10 SS; Cures status aliments of various enemies Resurrection; 1200 SP; 18 SS; Resurrects/fully heals a fallen ally Magic Shield; 300 SP; 14 SS; Halves damage done by all enemies all/various allies Speed Up; starts with; 12 SS; all/various allies get "hasted" Guard Field; 700 SP; 14 SS; Raises DEF of all/various allies Raging Soul; 550 SP; 15 SS; Raises ATT of all/various allies VOLK **** Cure; 800 SP; 8 SS; Heals 25% of one ally HP Water Crash; starts with; 12 SS; One enemy Blizzard; 320 SP; 18 SS; Damages a small group of enemies Diamond Dust; 2400 SP; 34 SS; A big group of enemies gets hit Wind Slasher; 700 SP; 10 SS; One enemy Stone Rush; 860 SP; 14 SS; One enemy(or two, if VERY close together) Refresh; 320 SP; 10 SS; Cures status aliments of all/various enemies Speed Up; 800 SP; 12 SS; Group of allies Guard Field; 100 SP; 14 SS; Raises DEF of a group of allies Heated Soul; starts with it; 16 SS; Raises ATT of group of allies Slow enemy; 400 SP; 12 SS; Decreases SPD(group of enemies) System Shock; 260 SP; 14 SS; Decreases DEF off a group of enemies Power Loss, 120 SP; 12 SS; Decreases ATT Pure Silence; 680 SP; 14 SS; Silences a group of enemies Sleepy Wind; 860 SP; 16 SS; Group of enemies Paralyzing Wind; 1200 SP; 20 SS; Group of enemies CAMELLIA ******** Cure; starts with; 8 SS; Cures 25% of total wounds/one enemy Healing Rain; starts with; 12 SS; 50% of all/various allies Vital Energy; 640 SP; 20 SS; 75% of all/various allies Stone Rush; starts with; 14 SS; One/two enemies Earthquake; 560 SP; 20 SS; Group of enemies Meteor Fall; 1200 SP; 36 SS; Big group of enemies Divide; 1000 SP; 10 SS; Absorbs HP of enemy/cures yourself Refresh; 200 SP; 10 SS; Cures status aliments of all/various allies Magic Shield; 400 SP; 14 SS; Halves all elemental DMG-one/various allies Guard Field; 680 SP; 14 SS; Raises DEF of all/various allies Slow enemy; 720 SP; 12 SS; Decreases SPD(group of enemies) System Shock; 860 SP; 14 SS; Decreases DEF off a group of enemies Power Loss; 860 SP; 12 SS; Decreases ATT Pure Silence; 100 SP; 14 SS; Silences a group of enemies Sleepy Wind; 100 SP; 16 SS; Group of enemies Paralyzing Wind; 720 SP; 20 SS; Group of enemies BEBEDORA ******** Mind Control; starts with; 10 SS; Controls one enemy Black Out; starts with; 18 SS; One enemy Dark Extreme; 1200 SP; 36 SS; Hits a big group of enemies Divide; 960 SP; 16 SS; Absorbs HP of enemy and heals you Inferno; 580 SP; 16 SS; Small circular blast radius Tornado; 640 SP; 20 SS; Small circular blast radius Resurrection; 160 SP; 18 SS; Revives and fully heals one ally Pure Silence; 600 SP; 14 SS; Silences a group of enemies Sleepy Wind; 820 SP; 16 SS; Group of enemies Paralyzing Wind; 1100 SP; 20 SS; Group of enemies ========================================================================= == -- SIDE AREAS -- == ========================================================================= SPIRIT DICTIONARY ***************** Once you meet Span at Yewbell, you'll be given the job to look for the Spirit Dictionaries the lost. Here are the locations(refer to the walkthrough for more detailed information): - At the Garagne Hills. - The Republic of Cathena's "World Alliance", right before departing to Epistia. - Sulfas' Main Plant. Explore around the "darkened" area to find it on the floor. - At Sulfas' Stronghold's underground area, by some barrels. - At Milmarna's "fortune telling building", on top some barrels by the appraisal office. ANCIENT TABLE ************* Once you meet Kirjath at Geedo's House, you'll be given the mission to look for these ancient tables so Kirjath is able to get the gods' pardon and rest in peace. - Geedo's house, inside the chest. - Inside Drakyrnia's shop floor(on the eastern wing of it) - At the Dragon Bone Valley, by the entrance of the Dragon Ordeal(to the right) - At Bebedora's room(Coleopt Shrine), south of the door that goes into Selkis' room. - Rueloon, on the alley that's behind the Quorup's shops. - At the Pyramids Ruins very first room, up the stairs by the sealed door, and then to the right. - At the Chaos Forest's exit, once you get to use Bebedora(you can get it later, though). DIEKBECK ******** This guy, who's apparently a powerhouse in previous AtL games(this is my first, mind you), is gotten by beating the 20 match challenge at Cathena Arena. CHOKO ***** Another character that's appeared in previous AtL games. To get here, beat the 30-match challenge at the Rueloon Arena. ========================================================================= == -- THE PYRON & BIG OWL -- == ========================================================================= THE PYRON ********* After many things, you'll get the Pyron with Darc and will be able to use it to fly around the world. Once you arrive at your destination, you can use the pyron to keep flying, save, or heal yourself. Other than being a useful way to transport yourself form place to place, the pyron is an attacking spell that Darc can use. The Pyron has various kinds of abilities, which are learned by "inspiriting" it. It also has its own "HP", which is depleted as you use him. The HP bar is easily filled back up by spending Spirit Stones on the Pyron(use the "Recover" button on the Pyron menu). To learn skills, as told, you need to inspire the monster. To do so, you need to utilize different kinds of food. These foods, which are differently colored, will increase the inspiration of the Pyron, with a set color. So, when you use a green colored food, you'll increment the inspiration, but will also color it green, get it? When you reach the max inspiration with a set color, you'll learn that color's skill. You can also use a special grass to increase the inspiration by a lot and without affecting the color. It should be noted that, if you feed the pyron with something it dislikes, it'll get sad. If you feed it again with such food while it is sad, you're bound to lose inspiration. Also, the sadder the pyron is, the smaller its attack's blast radius becomes. There are various grasses(the foods the pyron eats), and here is the list: RED: Red Berry(smells good; nice grass), Red Flameweed(smells nice; good grass), Witch Blood Flower(smells bad; not good), Hungry Red Tendril(smells sour; sucks ass) GREEN: Green Fruit(sweet smelling; nice), Green Nettle(smells sour; bad), Green Dahlia(Smells of sunshine; very good), Deep Green Creeper(Stinky, dark and creepy; not good) BLUE: Blue Fruit(Smells bad; not good), Blue Ice Waterweed(sour smelling), Blue Flower(Smells of sunshine; nice), Blue Snake Ivy(sky blue, sweet smelling flower). MYSTERY(increases the inspiration meter w/out affecting the color): Tumble Grass(very fragrant), Shiny Grass(fragrant, too), Soft Grass(Pyron's favorite), Droopy Grass(Pyron's most detested grass) As for the skills... (the pyron will select a skill randomly when called) Red - Blast Ball Blue - Aqua Ball Green - Cyclone Ball Red + Green(yellow) - Quake Ball Red + Blue(purple) - Venom Ball Green + Blue(Light Blue) - Sleep Ball THE BIG OWL *********** The Big Owl is quite simple to understand. You can check out the big owl menu and will find you have four slots to equip things on. There are three slots for lenses, and one for boosters. Lenses, like pyron food, come in different colors, and levels. The combination of the colors will earn you seven different kinds of attacks. As for the levels, they represent how pure the lenses area. The purer, the most power you'll get out of it. Of course, higher level lenses = purer. The boosters add up strength to the attack you'll get out of the lens combinations you do, but they'll also increase the number of spirit stones spent. The Big Owl, which can be used on battle through Kharg's skill menu, uses up energy when used. To replenish such energy, you need to utilize Spirit Stones. Nothing too strange. Here are the lenses: RED: Type 1(low power), Type 2(average), Type 3(high precision), Type 4(super high precison). GREEN: Low, Medium, High, Max. BLUE: Blue Beam(low), Blue Power(average), Max Blue(high), Blue Elec Giant Mod(super-high) BOOSTERS: Star Variable Amplifier(boosts normally), Neutrino Charge(boosts the beam's power to its limits), Noah-Type Double Amplifier(balances out the beam), Simple Booster(poor boost). As for the results... Red - Blast Laser Green - Tornado Laser Blue - Hydro Laser Red + Green - Rumble Laser Red + Blue - Paralyzer Green + Blue - Panic Laser Red + Green + Blue - Hyper Laser ========================================================================= == -- OUTRO -- == ========================================================================= Well, this is it ;) Thanks for reading my guide and I seriously hope you found it useful. See you later, bud. __________ END OF FAQ ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ