Walkthrough Intro


WALKTHROUGH PT. 0


INTRODUCTIONS

There are specific introductions for each of the eight main characters.
The core events covered are the same across all scenarii but the viewpoint is that of the main character you have chosen.
These scenarii are perfect for getting familiar with the interface, the system and the controls.
You should probably have a quick look at the Gameplay section at the same time.
You may want to know more about the heroes before choosing: see the Characters section.
Note that if ANY character LP-dies during the Introduction (Shinon Forest, Road to Podorui, Leonid Castle, Podorui Cave, Loanne), it is Game Over.

Julian
Thomas
Mikhail
Harid / Khalid
Sara / Sarah
Ellen
Monica / Monika
Katarina

Introduction Synopsis
Quest Completion Order





JULIAN


SHINON (SHINON, SHINON FOREST)

A menacing sky above them, the 4 Shinon settlers Julian, Thomas, Ellen and her sister Sara come back from patrolling the neighbourhood. In the Pub, a stranger is at the bar. Julian tries to get a date from Ellen who just wants to stay friends.


Suddenly, Monica, the sister of Mikhail the new Marquis of Loanne, bursts inside: she needs to reach her campaigning brother urgently. The 4 settlers and the stranger, in fact the famous swordman 'Tornado' Harid, decide to help her.


We have to go through Shinon Forest to reach Mikhail's military camp. Enemies: Beast, Serpent. In the Desert Lance formation, Harid dispatches most of the enemies and takes most of the damage. Clear this mini-map to (hopefully) gain a few techs and some HP. Our destination is the North-Eastern corner (before which you might want to unequip for yourself – steal – Harid's Hard Leather, since Harid will walk his own way soon), where Garuda Wing (Caldawing) ambushes the party. Hit it with what you have.


At the military camp, Monica tells Mikhail that his vassal the Baron Godwin has taken advantage of his absence to rebel and take Loanne Castle. Mikhail thanks everyone and asks our settlers to escort Monica to the castle of the vampire Earl Leonid, near Podol. Harid decides to stay to show off his warring skills and help Mikhail.



A VAMPIRE'S GUEST (ROAD TO PODOL, PODOL/PODORUI, LEONID CASTLE, PODOL CAVE)

On the Road to Podol you should open the Select Menu and equip whatever suits you among the presents Mikhail gave you (Broad Sword x1, Small Shield x3, Leather Armor x3, Spirit Stone x1, Sand of Mars x3). You should also change your formation: it resets to Free Fight every time party members change.

Enemies: Beastman, Spider, Plant, Amphibian, Serpent.
Near the start of the 2nd screen, there is a shortcut full of Serpent enemies (so many that, in fact, it is not a shortcut at all, haha).
Near the end, a hovering Spirit enemy looms: Whirlwind / Kamaitachi attacks you when you get close (it is possible to run past it).
Its magic Wind Darts can decimate your party in a few turns if you are not lucky, so try and change the battle environment with Thomas' Squall spell (to prevent it from regenerating) and hit it with all you've got.


You can now have a look around in Podol / Podorui, where it is much colder than moments ago, and take the town's North exit to a short Snow Field (enemies: Beast, Winged) that leads to Leonid's Castle.


Leonid praises Monica's beauty and introduces himself. He assures that Mikhail is doing fine and that you should rest (follow his familiar spirits). Spending the night is a bit trying on the girls. On the next day, Leonid invites you to change boredom into adventure and have a treasure hunt inside Podol Cave. Let us do that. You must first get out of the Castle back to Podol: Podol Cave is accessible from the World Map.


Enemies: Plant, Serpent, Skeleton, Beastman, Amphibian, Inorganic.
Treasure: Life Cane (Staff of Vivacity), Shell Blazer (Shell Bracers), Buckler, Spirit Stone (Faerie Stone), Life Elemnt (Root of Life), 2000G.

In the depths of Podol Cave, don't forget to grab the Life Cane (Staff of Vivacity), a rare staff with the free built-in tech Power Heal.
You need to run (Y button) to reach it.


When you are done, go back to Leonid:
he tells you that Mikhail has won and that you should go back.



A PRINCESS' GUARD? (LOANNE, GODWIN'S CAVE)

In Loanne, Mikhail thanks & rewards everyone (you get 2000G).

Later, you are called in alone: Mikhail offers a job in the newly formed Princess Guard!
Now, several alternative paths lay before you:


1. If you refuse twice, you leave the Castle and can find your friends at the Pub.
You can recruit Sara, Ellen.
You must either recruit Thomas or Harid, or simply talk to the bartender, to open Mules (Myules) on the World Map.
- If neither Harid nor Thomas is with you, the ship in Mules can take you to Pidona (the capital) or to Zweig (in the North).
- If Harid is with you, the ship in Mules will take you to Zweig.
- If you had Thomas join, the ship in Mules will head to Pidona. Someone will be waiting for Thomas at the docks and lead you to the house of his uncle (his 2nd cousin, really), where he has come to stay.
Anyway, you are now free to do anything you like in this wide wild world!


2. If you accept, congratulations: you are now part of the Princess Guard.
But you can't leave Loanne Castle just yet!


Go upstairs and talk to Monica: you two lovebirds go out and play (apparently outside the Offering Cave - there may be better places for frolicking). As Monica is doing her best to get to know you, you go away (an urgent need, we all suppose, cancels all duties) and she is kidnapped in the while (ofc).


You immediately investigates a suspicious cave...
It is already labeled Godwin's Cave in the Select Menu: you know what is coming!


Enemies: Spirit, Inorganic, Ghost.


Julian is on his own. This can be difficult (Whirlwind/Kamaitachi's Wind Darts and Gel's Dissolve can kill you in 2 turns). Especially as Julian is a slow character and enemies play first most of the time. Save at the entrance and do what you can! Including trying to get a Back Attack on all enemy groups. Or avoid them altogether, which is very possible.

In the second room, you meet Poet! What's he doing here?
If you talk to him and listen to a song, he joins you.
When you approach him, the conversation will change depending on whether you are alone or with Monica.


Godwin is at the end of the cave. What he is doing there is beyond me.

Another branching in the scenario here! It depends on who is in your party when you meet Godwin.
There is something like a Monica Intimacy Counter in the game, yes there is.
When the MIC > 8, there is a couple of extra lines in one conversation later ; )

- If you talk to Godwin alone or with Poet, Godwin kills himself not to give you the satisfaction of catching him and getting rewarded for it.
You can grab Monica on the way out. It is also possible to save Monica and get out of the cave without meeting Godwin. MIC +0.
- If you reach Godwin with Monica and Poet in your party, Godwin causes the cave to crumble, and you are stuck in the dark with a frightened Monica and a Poet in a joyous, teasing & insightful mood, haha. MIC +4.
- If you talk to Godwin with Monica, Godwin causes the cave to crumble and you are stuck for a while, alone in the dark, together... MIC +8.


In any case, Mikhail is glad all ends well. Good for you that you could make up for your blunder.
If Poet was in your party, he leaves now, content with the events he has witnessed.



A PRINCESS GUARD'S DUTY (LOANNE, SHIP TO ZWEIG)

You are now in your default room (the Princess Guard room, supposedly) in Loanne Castle.
The continuation of your story will depend on whom you talk to next.
Mutually exclusive scenario branches again! Gotta love this!

1. If you talk to Monica first, she tells you that she is to be wed to Duke Zweig's son: she wants you to let her escape! but Julian will rather go with her... (MIC +2) (And if you have MIC > 8, you can hear the whisper of Monica's heart!)

Note: If you have refused to be part of the Princess Guard, you can meet with Monica again when Byunei attacks Loanne, and then this previous scene plays out and you run away with her (MIC +2). If you kick her out of the party, go back to Loanne Castle and talk to her twice, MIC +2.


You are now in Mules and cannot go back to Loanne for now (see the Note above). The ship can take you to Zweig (let us hope you don't meet with Monica's groom-to-have-been...) or Pidona. Anyway, from either you can go anywhere you wish!


2. If you talk to Mikhail first, he tells you that Monica is to be married to a nobleman and that you have to fulfil your mission as her guard.
Off you are with Monica (and a whole crew) on a Ship to Zweig.


What a fine ship. When you have had a peek around, look for Monica.


She is in the captain's cabin: talk to her: she seems to have accepted her fate...



As you take your leave, at the bottom of the ship a sailor comments that some firm is using Mikhail's ship to transport some pretty dangerous stuff. And he is attacked by zombies, just like that.


The ship is now overrun by monsters!
Enemies: Spirit, Skeleton, Undead. Loot: 300G.

Go get Monica (you have to) and climb up to the bridge:
5 Heptopus are waiting for you and shouldn't be a problem at all.
Julian & Monica jump off the ship...


But it is a tragedy: Monica is lost.
You wake up in Zweig. What to do with the world now?
Un seul être vous manque et tout est dépeuplé.




THOMAS


SHINON (SHINON, SHINON FOREST)

A storm a-brewing, you and your friends Julian, Ellen and her sister Sara, come back from patrolling the area around the Shinon settlement. In the Pub, a stranger is having a drink at the bar. You try to give Julian some privacy so that he may talk to Ellen alone.


Suddenly, a girl bursts in asking for some means of locomotion! The stranger recognizes her as Monica, the sister of Mikhail, the recently ascended Marquis of Loanne, whom she needs to reach at once. The four friends and the stranger, who is in fact the famous mercenary swordman 'Tornado' Harid (Khalid), agree to help her. In the morning.


In order to reach Mikhail's camp, we need to cross Shinon Forest, house to a few Beast & Serpent enemies. You need to reach the North-Eastern corner of the Forest. Harid will do most of the work. Before reaching the edge of the map, you might want to 'borrow' Harid's Hard Leather (Rigid Leather) armor. You won't see him for some time after that and he won't miss it ; ) As you are about to get out, Garuda Wing (Caldawing) swoops on you. Use whatever is available to you. If you can, use Shadow Sew (Shadow Weave) to Paralyze it.


Congratulations, you managed to reach Mikhail, who hears from Monica that his vassal the Baron Godwin has started a rebellion and seized Loanne Castle while Mikhail was away. The Marquis thanks you and wishes that you escorted his sister to Podol and Leonid the Vampire Earl...



A VAMPIRE'S GUESTS (ROAD TO PODOL, PODOL/PODORUI, LEONID CASTLE, PODOL CAVE)

The Road to Podol is pretty straightforward. There are several forks but they all lead to the same place: North.

But first, you should change your Formation in the Select Menu (reset to default Free Fight after party size changes) and equip what you want among the items given by Milhail (Broad Sword x1, Small Shield x3, Leather Armor x3, Spirit Stone x1, Sand of Mars x3). Go when ready.

Enemies: Beastman, Spider, Plant, Amphibian, Serpent.
This is actually the only place where it would be a good idea to fight all enemies, so that you may raise your characters' HP a little.

At the end of the path, a hovering Spirit rushes towards you if you come to close (it is possible to run past it if you wish to). Whirlwind (Kamaitachi)'s Wind Darts can possibly one-shot your characters: change the battle environment with Thomas' Squall spell (if you have it) and hit it hard and fast with the best techs at your disposal.


In Podol (Podorui) you can rest at the Inn and have a look around. When you are satisfied, head North again to a short Snow Field inhabited with Winged and Beast enemies, leading to Leonid's Castle.


Leonid welcomes and invites you not to worry and rest (follow his Spirit familiars). The girls are not exactly at ease. In the morning, talk to Leonid again to learn that there is a treasure cave (how convenient) North of Podol, where you may kill some time (and other things) if you are bored. Let us do just that.


To reach the Cave, you have to go back to the village and take the Western exit to the World Map.

Podol Cave (Podorui Cave) is pretty crowded!

Enemies: Plant, Serpent, Skeleton, Beastman, Amphibian, Inorganic.
Treasure: Life Cane (Staff of Vivacity), Shell Blazer (Shell Bracers), Buckler, Spirit Stone (Faerie Stone), Life Elemnt (Root of Life), 2000G.


Be sure to get the Life Cane, a rare Staff that allows you to heal for free. Shell Blazer is also a decent Gauntlet (DEX +1: give it preferably to your Bow or Epee users). When you have looted the place, go (all the way) back to Leonid, who tells you that Mikhail has won and that you should head back to him at once.



THANKS, PARTINGS, PARTY (LOANNE, MULES/MYULES)


In Loanne you get thanks and rewards (2000G, woohoo).

A few days later, we find Thomas and his grandfather at the Inn: he wants you to go to Pidona to experience and learn, and to look for the last member of the Claudius clan, an old friend-family of the Bents.


You can board a ship in Mules (Myules) right now, or join your friends at the Pub in town.

You can recruit neither Harid (Khalid - he is heading North to Zweig) nor Julian (enrolled in the Princess Guard) but the girls are free to take!
- If you talk to Sara first, a row with Ellen ensues, who goes away on her own, fuming.
- If you talk to Ellen first, you can ask her to come with you, in which case Sara tags along.


In Mules (Myules), the South Exit leads to the ship docks. Off you go!



O MUSE, WHERE ARE YOU (PIDONA)

In Pidona, someone is there waiting for Thomas and leads him to the house of his 'uncle' (his second cousin, really), who welcomes him warmly.


And you are now free to roam the world as you will!
But your granpa left you a task in this Introduction: let us see this through.

Talk to your uncle: he tells you the story of Clemens Claudius, opposed to Ludwig, murdered by a member of the Divine Church (Divine Order). The sequence is both informative and amusing: a Wargame battle illustrates your uncle's story!


Now if you talk to the old man (the one who fetched you at the pier), he whispers to talk to the man in pink at the Pub.
Who tells you to buy a Pidona Jewel at the Shop!
Where you are told to ask to stay for free at the Inn!
Where you are questioned to check if you are not in cahoots with Ludwig!
That you are not: the last Claudius child is in the old part of town (Western exit by the Shop).



MUSE & GON: THOMAS' SPECIAL (PIDONA)

Muse's house is at the bottom left of the Old Pidona.
You introduce yourself to Sharl (Charl) and have to wait for a children's story to end to socialize with Muse and Sharl.


At some point, a child bursts in: Mitch was nowhere to be found so Gon went looking for her in the Devil King Palace (Archfiend Palace)! You offer to help (Sharl joins). But Mitch appears! and ofc no news of Gon. You must get him back.


This part is identical to every other main character's version of the Find Gon quest: take Old Pidona North Exit to the Devil King Palace and rescue the rascal. Sharl thanks you (Gon doesn't, tch!) and leaves.


Back at your uncle's house, you learn that there is a guest for you. It is Fullbright ready for you to start the Business Minigame (but you may not want to start it right away): you first have a whole world to discover!




MIKHAIL


BATTLES VS. THE GOBLIN KING & BARON GODWIN

The new Marquis of Loanne, Mikhail (you), is on a military expedition to clear the surroundings of Loanne from monsters.
Nothing to report in the Military Camp except a stormy night.


On the next day, Monica (Monika), Mikhail's sister, arrives unexpectedly at the camp: she informs him that his vassal the Baron Godwin has rebelled and taken Loanne. You thank her and ask the people who escorted her from Shinon to help her further and reach the Vampire Earl Leonid's Castle in Podol. Among them you recognize the famous mercenary swordman 'Tornado' Harid (Khalid), who accepts to join you. You tell him that by leaving most of the army in Loanne you tempted Godwin into rebelling, so as to wipe him out once and for all.


You have to plan the retaking of Loanne now. Godwin has on his side his son-in-law the General Radom, a good man and soldier.
But you learn that Godwin has sunk as low as summoning Goblins to wreck havoc.
They are a threat to the population so you must defeat them first.


This is the first Army Battle!
As Mikhail, you have plenty of those in your Ruling Minigame and they are pretty fun.

There are two sides, with different Formations, Tactics and Troops at their disposal.
You don't really have anything to prepare for this first battle (the Preparation screen is mainly informational here).
Talk to one of the soldiers, start the battle, choose a Formation.
This battle is easy but it is possible to lose (in which case it is Game Over already).

The basic strategy to face the Goblin King's army (and for any standard army battle) is to meet the opposing army in the middle, then select All Defend until their morale (the bar at the bottom) is orange-red, and use Fwd Attack (or a special limited Tactic, like All Charge here, which are usually used to counter the enemy's own special Tactics).
At some point in the battle, the General Radom, who has had a change of heart, sends his cavalry to help thin out the Goblins' ranks.

After defeating the Goblin army, you will learn one or two new Tactics at random depending on your actions during the battle (Offensive Tactics: spend more time attacking, and the 2nd is awarded for killing all enemies; Defensive Tactics: spend more time defending, and the 2nd Tactic is awarded for having all your troops unharmed at the end of the battle). There is one special Tactic that you may learn here (instead of the 2nd Tactic), Back Water (Full Force): move back to the right edge of the screen and defeat the opposing army in that position.


Radom has helped you defeat the Goblins (not that he was really needed...) and you forgive him for his treason (you understand difficult family situations). Now we must face Godwin's army.

Talk to a soldier and this time have a look at the Preparations.
You will notice that you can select Form and Cmd.
Now that you have obtained one or two Tactics, you can equip and unequip them just like items or techs. Try them out!

All in all, possibly the same strategy for this second Army Battle: All Defend until Godwin's morale is low, then Fwd Attack.
Godwin can use 2 Rows Exchg (Dual Front Swap): take this opportunity to Move Back (All Withdraw) to regain morale, or just switch back to All Defend (All Guard).
Be careful not to be pushed back too far: the troops pushed outside of the screen are lost, including your commander.
Repeat (if All Charge is used, counter with your own) until Godwin understands he cannot win and flees.

Note: Since Godwin flees and his army retreats, possibly defend a lot & try not to lose any troops to get 2 Def Tactics.
Note: It is possible to kill Godwin: push him out of the screen in Straight (Column) formation, during the phases when you meet his infantry (his cavalry rips you apart). But after you kill him, his army retreats, so you can only get 1 Off Tactic (you need to kill all enemies for 2nd one).



THE RETAKING OF LOANNE & A MARQUIS' JOB

Godwin has shut himself in Loanne Castle. Let us get him this time.
Enemies: Beastman, Beast, Ghost (upstairs).
Just go straight North. Katarina joins you halfway through.
But in the throne room, instead of Godwin (who was manipulated, has outlived his usefulness and is long gone) we meet an Evil Demon.
It won't tell you anything: defeat it with your best techs (heal with your Life Cane if you must).


That went well. Now just a few official stuff left.
You thank and reward everyone (including yourself with 2000G), see Harid off, recruit Julian for the Princess Guard, and banish Katarina for losing the Masquerade (one of the Holy King Relics) until she gets it back.


Alone at last. Mikhail has a few distinctive features comparing to the other main characters:

・You have a special Ruling Game which is operated from the throne, and you can start now if you wish!
・You have access to the Castle Storeroom, full of nice items (Silver Sword! Amen Tomb!). From the throne: exit the room, go West, South.
・But you may just want to go out? Now that can be perplexing at first: you can't! In fact, you have to summon Shadow (your excellent clone) in your room upstairs to be able to leave Loanne. When you come back from your travels & adventures, you must talk to Shadow again to be able to resume the Ruling Game. It is a bit tedious but oh well!

The first thing you want to do is ask for info to the barman at the Pub: now you can get to Mules (Myules) from the World Map, board a ship bound for Pidona (the capital) or Zweig (in the North) and roam the world!




HARID / KHALID


SHINON (SHINON, SHINON FOREST, CAMP)

The wandering mercenary Harid 'Tornado' El Nool (Khalid El Noor) is quietly having a drink at the Inn in Shinon, talking with the barman and reminiscing about Naj Desert and his Princess.


Julian, Thomas, Ellen and Sara come back from patrolling the area. Julian attemps to make a move on Ellen but gets his i dotted coolly. Suddenly, Monica enters and asks for help: she needs to reach her brother Mikhail, the Marquis of Loanne. Harid and the 4 Shinon Settlers decide to help.


We have to reach Mikhail's military camp by passing through Shinon Forest.
Enemies: Beast, Serpent. No loot.

Harid in Desert Lance formation's avant-garde position does most of the work and takes most of the damage.
By the end of the map, a few new techs may have sparked. You may master one or two if you use them.
When you reach the North-Western corner, Garuda Wing (Caldawing) attacks your party.
Use which ever techs are available to you.
Has this anything to do with the Death Eclipse and the Abyss? Mmh...


We reach Mikhail's military camp.
Monica wanted to tell his brother that the Baron Godwin staged a coup and taken Loanne (which was within Mikhail's expectations).
The 4 Shinon settlers lead Monica to Podol and Harid stays to help Mikhail.



BATTLES VS. THE GOBLIN KING & BARON GODWIN

Godwin is supported by his son-in-law the General Radom.
More pressingly, he has joined hands with Goblins: Harid volunteers to lead the frontline and take care of them.


This is the first Army Battle!
Mikhail has plenty of those in his special Ruling Mini-Game.
Harid has two Army Battles in his introduction (and additionally one optional and one compulsory are available later in the game for everyone).
They are pretty fun, although confusing at first glance.

There are two sides, with different Formations, Tactics and Troops at their disposal.
You don't really have anything to prepare for this first battle (the Preparation screen is mainly informational here).
Start the battle, choose a Formation.
This battle is easy but it is possible to lose (in which case it is Game Over).

The basic strategy is to meet the opposing army in the middle, then select All Defend (All Guard) until their morale (the bar at the bottom) is orange-red, and use Fwd Attack (or a special limited Tactic, like All Charge or Cmd Charge here, which are usually used to counter the enemy's own special Tactics).
At some point in the battle, General Radom now supporting Mikhail sends his cavalry to help thin out the Goblins' ranks.
After defeating the Goblin army, you will learn one or two new Tactics depending on your actions during the battle.
As Harid, it doesn't really matter what you get.
Nevertheless, if you are curious about it, you can have a peak at Mikhail's War Game section.


Radom does a mea culpa and is leniently welcomed back by Mikhail.
Now we have to face Godwin.

Same strategy for this second Army Battle: All Defend (All Guard) until Godwin's morale is low, then Fwd Attack.
Godwin can use 2 Rows Exchg (Dual Front Swap): take this opportunity to Move Back (All Withdraw) to regain morale, or just switch back to All Defend.
Be careful not to be pushed back too far: the troops pushed outside of the screen are lost, including your commander.
Repeat until Godwin understands he cannot win and flees.



THE RETAKING OF LOANNE

At last Godwin is cornered in Loanne Castle.
Enemies: Beastman, Beast, Ghost (upstairs). No loot either.

To find Godwin, head straight North into the Castle and past two doors.
Katharina joins on the way, before the 2nd door. You might want to change your formation to Close Delta in the Select Menu (your formation resets to Free Fight every time your party size varies).

Note: After the upcoming boss battle you part ways with Mikhail and Katarina. You won't meet with Mikhail until much later and you will never see Katarina again. You might want to nick some of their equipment, like Mikhail's Lord armor & Life Cane? Don't bother with the Masquerade, it disappears afterwards.)


But in the throne room, instead of Godwin, we find an Evil Demon (Evil Ogre)!
Godwin is long gone and has served his purpose anyway, it says, and now enough talk we fight.


It is quite strong. Particularly, his Face Hit possibly strikes all characters for 60-70 HP.
Use your strongest techs, heal if necessary with the Life Cane (Staff of Vivacity), and the Demon should go down.
Well done.

Mikhail (and Monica in a cute outfit) thanks everyone (you get 4000G, which is quite a sum), supposedly lets them stay in the Castle for a few days, and you decide to leave, maybe to see the Tomb of the Holy King (Matriarch Mausoleum) in Lance (where you can find Harid if he is not your main character).


Now that you are out of the Castle (you cannot get back in until much later), you can head to the Pub to meet your four favorite settlers:
- Julian has decided to guard Monica and leaves.
- Thomas plans to go to Pidona but you do not.
- And you can either be joined by Ellen (talk to her first: Sara runs away)
- or recruit both Sara and Ellen (talk to Sara first and accept).
- But you may also want to take your first steps on your own! If you talk to the Bartender, you learn that you can board a ship in the neighbouring town, Mules.
Anyway, a wide world opens before you now!





SARA / SARAH


SHINON (SHINON, SHINON FOREST)

Sara (Sarah), her sister Ellen and their friends Thomas & Julian come back from patrolling the area near the Shinon settlement. Sara is teased a bit and they all head inside. In the Pub/Inn, a stranger is at the counter. Julian wants to talk to Ellen so Thomas diverts Sara with him to the kitchen. Thomas talks about how harsh the training is in the Bent family. Suddenly, a girl rushes in: it is Monica, Loanne Marquis Mikhail's sister, who urgently needs to reach her brother. All four friends and the stranger, who turns out to be the famous mercenary swordman 'Tornado' Harid (Khalid), decide to help her.


After a rest, they depart to cross Shinon Forest to reach Milhail's encampment. A few Beast & Serpent enemies. With Harid at the front of your formation, it is quite easy. Before you exit the map, possibly steal Harid's Hard Leather (a better armor than yours), since you part ways soon. The exit is in the North-Eastern corner, where Garuda Wing (Caldawing) ambushes your party. Use whatever techs you have at your disposal (Paralyze it with Shadow Sew (Shadow Weave) & Blind it with Saming (Eye Gouge) to make your life easier); you may even spark a few more waza in this battle.


At the military camp, Monica tells Mihkail about Baron Godwin's rebellion. Mikhail thanks you and asks you to escort Monica to Podol Castle, the abode of the Vampire Earl Leonid, while Harid stays behind to help Mikhail retake Loanne.



A VAMPIRE'S GUESTS (ROAD TO PODOL, PODOL / PODORUI, LEONID CASTLE, PODOL CAVE)

First thing on the Road to Podol (Podorui), check Mikhail's gifts in the Select Menu (Broad Sword x1, Small Shield x3, Leather Armor x3, Spirit Stone x1, Sand of Mars x3), equip whatever suits you and change your Formation while you are there (which resets to Free Fight every time there is a party size change). Enemies: Beastman, Spider, Plant, Amphibian, Serpent.

Head North twice (several paths leading to the same place). Try to kill most enemies here, so as to increase your HP (not to get one-shot by some enemies' strongest techs). At the end of the path, a hovering Spirit enemy (which is possibly avoidable by running past it) attacks you! This Whirlwind (Kamaitachi)'s Wind Darts can be devastating, so change the battle environment with Thomas' Squall (to prevent its HP regen), and hit it hard.


Have a look around Podol (Podorui) if you wish, then head North to some Snowy Fields leading (North again) to your destination, Leonid's Castle (Castle Leonid).


Leonid is a gracious host. He tells you that Mikhail is all right, that you can rest (follow his familiars, woooooo), and that (talk to him again now or after your good night's rest) there is a cave North of Podol where you can find treasure if you are bored. To reach it, you must go back to Podol (the town) and exit to the World Map.


In Podol Cave (Podorui Cave) there are monsters and treasure! If anything, loot the Life Cane (Staff of Vivacity), a rare Staff with a built-in healing tech. If you run into Gel, try to kill it ASAP: its Dissolve can one-shot your characters at this point.

Enemies: Plant, Serpent, Skeleton, Beastman, Amphibian, Inorganic.
Treasure: Life Cane (Staff of Vivacity), Shell Blazer (Shell Bracers), Buckler, Spirit Stone (Faerie Stone), Life Elemnt (Root of Life), 2000G.


Back in Leonid's Castle, the Earl informs you that Mikhail has won vs. Godwin and urges you to go back now.


THANKS, PARTINGS, PARTY (LOANNE, MULES / MYULES, ?)

In Loanne, after many thanks (and a reward of 2000G), you are out of the Castle (which you cannot enter again until much later).


You can find everyone in the Pub.
Julian tells you he has joined the Princess Guard (exit Julian).
If you talk to Ellen, nothing happens for now.
3 mutually exclusive possibilities now:

- If you talk to Harid (Khalid) and agree to go with him to Zweig (in the North), you also part ways with Thomas (he is heading to Pidona) but may recruit Ellen if you ask her to come with you (or if you don't want her to, start your adolescence existential crisis and state that you are an adult now to annoy her). In Mules (Myules), you can get a ship bound for Zweig.
- If you talk to Thomas and decide to join him on his trip to Pidona, you cannot recruit Harid but Ellen joins you if you ask her. In Pidona, someone will be waiting for Thomas and guide you to his uncle's house.
- You can also not talk to anyone (or decline all their bothersome offers) but the Bartender: asking for Info opens Mules on the World Map, where you can board a ship to Pidona or Zweig.


In Mules, take the Southern exit to find the docks.
Be it Zweig or Pidona, alone or with friends, a wide world now opens before you!




ELLEN


SHINON (SHINON, SHINON FOREST)

4 Shinon settlers, Ellen, her sister Sara, and their friends Julian and Thomas, jokingly come back from patrolling. A storm is coming: everyone gets in the Pub. A stranger is at the counter. Julian tries to invite Ellen to a date; she does not mind, but as a friend only.


Suddenly, the new Loanne Marquis' sister, Monica (Monika), bursts in: she needs to reach her brother ASAP. The stranger, in fact the famous swordman 'Tornado' Harid (Khalid), and our 4 friends agree to help her.


To reach Mikhail's camp, we need to go through Shinon Forest.
Enemies: Beast, Serpent. No treasure but the items that the enemies might drop.

The path is straightforward. Harid will do most of the work at the front of the Desert Lance formation.
Our destination is the North-Eastern corner of the map.
Before the boss battle, you might want to steal Harid's equipped Hard Leather, at least (as you are about to part ways with him anyways ; ).

At the end we are attacked by Garuda Wing (Caldawing). Use whichever techs are available to you! Stun, Blind & Paralyse it if you can.
The Death Eclipse may have indeed opened the Abyss for such a monster to appear here...


At the military camp, Monica tells Mikhail that his vassal the Baron Godwin has rebelled and staged a coup. Mikhail thanks our party and asks the settlers to help Monica reach Podol to put her in the care of the vampire Leonid; Harid stays to help Mikhail. Ellen does o't seem too happy with such a dangerous mission...



A VAMPIRE'S GUESTS (ROAD TO PODOL, PODOL / PODORUI, LEONID CASTLE, PODOL CAVE)

On the Road to Podol, you should first equip what you need among the items given by Mikhail (Broad Sword x1, Small Shield x3, Leather Armor x3, Spirit Stone x1, Sand of Mars x3) and change your formation (which resets to Free Fight every time there is a staff change).

Enemies: Beastman, Spider, Plant, Amphibian, Serpent.

Twice, several paths & one exit. The very beginning of the game is the only time you should kill most of the monsters available, so that you get to enough HP to avoid being one-shot by many of the early-game enemies' special attacks. So help yourself ; )

At the end of the 2nd screen, a Spirit enemy moving in a diamond pattern is blocking the path. It rushes to you when you get close enough (with skill you can run past it). This Whirlwind's Wind magic can really hurt: use your best techs (and if Thomas has some MP left, cast Squall to change the battle environment to prevent Whirlwind from regenerating at the end of each turn).


You can now explore Podol (Podorui) and rest at the Inn. When you are done, exit North to the Snow Fields (a short hostile map with Winged & Beast enemies) and North again to reach Leonid's Castle.


Leonid welcomes you, says not to worry about Mikhail.
Follow his familiars and spend the night (Monica is afraid on her own and joins the band).


If you talk to Leonid again, he suggests that in case of boredom you have a look at the Cave near Podol (now available from the World Map).


Podol Cave (Podorui Cave) is infested with monsters!
Enemies: Plant, Serpent, Skeleton, Beastman, Amphibian, Inorganic.
Loot: Life Cane (Staff of Vivacity), Shell Blazer (Shell Bracers), Buckler, Spirit Stone (Faerie Stone), Life Elemnt (Root of Life), 2000G.

The cave goes 3 levels deep. At the bottom, the real treasure is a Life cane, a rare weapon with a built-in tech allows you to heal for free. You need to jump to reach it (Y button).


When you have opened all chests, go back to the entrance and to Leonid's Castle.


THANKS, PARTINGS, PARTY (LOANNE, MULES / MYULES, ?)

Leonid informs you that Mikhail has defeated Godwin and probably already retaken Loanne Castle.
Off you go to be rewarded (2000G).


A few days later, you are outside the Pub in Loanne: enter: everyone is here (minus M&M).
You must talk to someone (Thomas, Sara or the bartender) to open Mules (Myules):
- Julian tells you he entered Monica's guard and leaves (jerk).
- Now, if you talk to Sara first, or if you talk to Thomas first and refuse to let Sara go with him to Pidona, Sara & Thomas go away. Then if you talk to Harid last, he teases you and forcibly joins you (IMHO he probably likes her strong & independant side, quite the opposite of his Fatima). In Mules, you can board a ship to Zweig.
- If you talk to Thomas first and accept, both Thomas & Sara join you. If you talk to Harid he leaves (he wants to go to Lance). In Mules you can board a ship to Pidona.
- If you want to go on your own, talk to the bartender instead: in Mules the ship will take you to Pidona or Zweig.


If you have chosen to stick with Thomas and Sara, upon your arrival in Pidona someone is there waiting for Thomas, that leads you to the house of Thomas' uncle (in fact his second cousin). And now you and Sara are in the capital, free to do anything, a wide world before you...





MONICA / MONIKA


A REBELLION (LOANNE, SHINON, SHINON FOREST)

Monica is the sister of Mikhail, the new Marquis of Loanne. One stormy night, as Mikhail is out campaining against monsters, you overhear the Baron Godwin and the Intendant plot to overthrow him and take you as a hostage. You flee to your room to your faithful Katharina (Katarina) and decide to go warn your brother.


After a while your horse is spent: you have to continue on foot and reach the small settlement of Shinon, just as a group of four settlers come back from patrolling the area. Quickly, the four friends and a passing stranger – the famous swordman mercenary 'Tornado' Harid (Khalid) – agree to help you reach Milhail's camp.


After a rest, we set out and must first cross Shinon Forest.

Unlike all other main characters, Monica starts in Commander Mode, which is consistent with the story (and pretty cool).
It may be the occasion to familiarize yourself with it. And Formations in general if you are curious, because the special techs you can use in CM are closely linked to formations and the place, order & abilities of everyone in the party.


If you are not interested in reading further now (or ever), CM is just an alternative battle mode in which your main character stands at the back of the formation and does not fight, and in which you give general orders to the party. Ups are party HP regeneration at the end of every turn, the fact that you can change your formation during battle, effective special techs, and the play speed (it is an auto-battle mode). Ofc, you don't control exactly what the characters do (but then again, there are simple rules, see the CM page) and it is not the best way to spark specific techs. But then again you can't have your cake and eat it : D
Of course, you may also simply enter the Select Menu and change Monica's place in the formation to cancel CM if you don't like it. But then again she won't be of much help, having pretty much 0 Skill LVLs and all (but there is a start for everything ; )

Anyway! In the forest you will meet a few Serpent & Insect enemies, and at the end of the path you are ambushed by Garuda Wing (Caldawing). Do your best with what you have!


You have reached Mikhail's camp and inform him of the Baron Godwin's rebellion. He thanks everyone for their concern and escort and ask the four settlers to further help Monica to reach Podol (Podorui), home to the Vampire Earl Leonid. Harid stays to help Mikhail against Godwin.



A VAMPIRE'S GUESTS (ROAD TO PODOL, PODOL / PODORUI, LEONID CASTLE, PODOL CAVE)

On the Road to Podol you should probably equip some of the items that Mikhail gave you (Broad Sword x1, Small Shield x3, Leather Armor x3, Spirit Stone x1, Sand of Mars x3) and change your formation, which resets to its default Free Fight every time there is a party size change (and Harid left you). You are no longer in CM but if you liked it you can continue using by switching to 4P formations and placing Monica at the rear.

Enemies: Beastman, Spider, Plant, Amphibian, Serpent.

2 screens, several paths, all leading to a passage where a hovering Spirit enemy keeps watch and charges when you get too close (it is possible to run past it). Whirlwind (Kamaitachi)'s Wind Darts can really hurt: change the battle environment with Thomas' Squall magic and hit it with your best techs.


There is not much to do in Podol (Podorui) but you can have a look around and sleep at the Inn. When you are done, take the North Exit to short Snow Fields (enemies: Beast, Winged) that lead to Leonid's Castle (Leonid Castle).

Leonid praises your beauty and welcomes the party. He assures you that Mikhail is all right and invites you to rest (follow his Spirit familiars). The night is a bit trying on the girls... In the morning Leonid tells you that if you are bored you may go treasure-hunting in a hidden cave located North of Podol.


To reach Podol Cave you have to go back to town and exit to access the World Map. The cave is filled with enemies and treasures!

Enemies: Plant, Serpent, Skeleton, Beastman, Amphibian, Inorganic.
Loot: Life Cane (Staff of Vivacity), Shell Blazer (Shell Bracers), Buckler, Spirit Stone (Faerie Stone), Life Elemnt (Root of Life), 2000G.

Be sure to grab the Life Cane (press Y to run to reach the chest), a rare Staff that allows you to heal for free during battle.
Shell Blazer is also a good gauntlet (DEX +1).


When you have taken what you would, go back to Leonid:
he tells you that Mikhail has crushed Godwin's army and that you should go back home.



THANKS & STROLL ASTRAY: GODWIN AGAIN (LOANNE, GODWIN'S CAVE)

In Loanne Castle, Mikhail thanks & rewards everyone (including you: 2000G, yay).
A few days later, Harid bids farewell, and we are taken aback as Katrina comes in in a new fashionable outfit and cut: she has lost the Masquerade, one of the Holy King (Matriarch) Relics and the symbol of Loanne: at her request, Mikhail gives her a chance to regain the sword but she is banned form Loanne until she does. Mikhail then calls for Julian and asks him to join the newly-formed Princess Guard: you beg and Julian accepts.


Back in your room, you may wonder if that secret passage behind the mirror still works? Well, it doesn't, unfortunately.
If you talk to Mikhail, you manage to persuade him to let you go out of the Castle with Julian for a while.
There are arguably better dating spots than the entrance of the Offering Cave (Sacrificial Cave) but to each his own. You try to socialize with Julian but clearly you like him for his good looks only. He goes away, leaving you unattended: you evidently fall prey to kidnapping...


... You wake up in a cave, Godwin's Cave: clearly he has not learnt his lesson.

In the next room, Poet (Minstrel)! What a surprise!
If you talk to him now, you'll find him in a jolly mood and you can recruit him (or not).
(Note: If you talk to him later with Julian in your party, the dialogue is broken: it displays the conversation between Julian and Poet if Monica is not in your party! oops.)

If you look around, there are Skeleton enemies guarding the exits, one way or the other: they're in fact the Evil Demon (Evil Ogre)! He Face Hits you as soon as the battle begins but Julian arrives in time and parries his attack (if Julian is not equipped to Parry he will 'Julian Block' the attack; it is a real tech that can even be mastered but you can never use it afterwards). There were two Skeleton enemies but you only have to defeat the Evil Demon once (good news). This can be a difficult fight. Having Poet aboard helps, of course (but the slight branching of the next sequence depends on whether Poet is in your party or not). Do what you can with what you have!


Enemies: Spirit, Inorganic, Ghost.

You have now 3 possibilities and your choice will affect your heart, yes it will.
There is something close to a Monica Intimacy Counter in the game, yes there is.
When the MIC > 8, there is a couple of extra lines in one conversation later ; )
- Exit West with or without Poet: you go back to Loanne. MIC +0
- Go deeper with Julian and Poet. You find Godwin who reveals that he killed your father, and makes the cave crumble. You are stuck in the dark with Julian and a high-spirited Poet who lightens the mood. Help comes and Mikhail is just glad to see you both alive. Poet is content and leaves. MIC +4
- Go deeper with Julian alone. Godwin won't surrender either and boom. You are in the dark and the mood gets intimate. The help comes a little too soon maybe. Mikhail rejoices at your return and forgives Julian. MIC +8



A PRINCESS' DUTY, A PRINCESS' HEART (LOANNE, SHIP)

Go talk to Mikhail: he tells you that the Duke of Zweig has come to check you up to wed his son.
You meet, he seemed to like you and proceeds. Now you get to choose!
This is the main branching of this scenario.

1. If you tell Mikhail that you will marry the Duke's son,
Mikhail orders the Minister to get everything ready for the journey (he pities your fate) and Julian to escort you to Zweig.


Aboard the Ship to Zweig, you can have a look around. Julian is clearly mad at you but hey. Go back to your cabin.
In the cargo hold, we learn that 'some firm' smuggles dangerous goods in Mikhail's ship...
But more pressingly, the ship is attacked by monsters!


Enemies: Spirit, Skeleton, Undead. Loot: 300G.

You must talk to Julian to be able to proceed to the upper levels.
5 Heptopus are on the deck! The one at the rear-center has double HP, but this fight shouldn't be too difficult.


You have to abandon ship to save yourselves... and wake up in a bed, in a house, in Farce... Julian is nowhere to be seen.
Your saviors appear very pecuniarily interested in you; you escape their grip by making them believe you come from a poor family living in Shinon.
You cannot access Loanne until much later. On the other hand, Podol and Podol Cave are definitively gone (the biggest drawback of this route, since this prevents you not only from accessing the treasures in Leonid's Castle but also from reaching the Trading Agent in Podol).
Apart from that, you are now free to go wherever it pleases you.


2. If you tell Julian that you refuse to get married off, he decides to elope with you! (MIC +2)
If your MIC is over 8, you can hear the whisper of your own heart!

Loanne is now inaccessible from the World Map until much later.
In Mules / Myules (Southern exit), you can find a ship to Pidona (the capital) or Zweig (the irony!).
Unfortunately, Monica does not get to see dolphins with Julian, but a wide world opens before you!





KATARINA


GODWIN'S COUP (LOANNE CASTLE)

Katarina (or Katharina or Katrina or you) is the aid, tutor & friend of Monica (Monika), the sister of Mikhail, the Marquis of Loanne.
One night in Loanne Castle, as Mikhail is away in a monster-clearing campaign, Monica overhears Baron Godwin & the Minister plot to overthrow Mikhail this very night. She rushes to warn you and get ready to depart to tell her brother. You see her off (cool secret passage) and must now see to it that you do what you can on your end. First you arrange a double in Monica's bed – and then what?


Now you can do or not do several things.

1) If you do nothing, this can be the shortest introduction of all (well, it probably is anyway): if you get out of the room, get back in after your talk with the Minister and opt to wait, you are captured, stripped of all your possessions and sent to jail, where all you can do is wait for someone to come for you.


2) If you go down to the castle prison, steal the key and hide it in the empty cell, you can get out after your arrest.

You can also unequip & hide your items in Monica's closet or in a kitchen pot (closer to the jail), in order to get them back after you break out.

Note 1: This will only hide the items present in your inventory, so be sure to unequip your things first.
Note 2: If you have had your items taken away, or have hidden your items but didn't get them back, they are not lost, but will be found, after the Introduction is over, partly in your own inventory, partly in the storeroom (Pidona, Lance).


After you are caught and escape, you meet Mikhail and Harid (Khalid) on their way to the throne room: they join you.
You can now get the items you hid earlier and equip them (you may also want to steal some of Mikhail & Harid's items while you're at it).

In the throne room you find, to your surprise (but not Mikhail's), not that treacherous Godwin, but an Evil Demon (Evil Ogre) that won't answer any of your questions: battle is inevitable. The Demon hits hard: attack it with Masquerade (Awakening, Moulin Rouge), Demi Rune (Demilune) & Snake Shot (or Sunshine if you have 'borrowed' Mikhail's Estoc) and heal with the Life Cane (Staff of Vivacity)when necessary.



THANKS, DECEPTION, RESOLVE (LOANNE CASTLE, MULES / MYULES)

The retaking of Loanne is a success.
Mikhail thanks and rewards everyone (you get 2000G).


As things are back to normal at last, Mikhail finds you at night, gets intimate (god you had been waiting for this) and deceives you into handing him the Masquerade, a Holy King (Matriarch) Relic of which you are the keeper: it was not the real Mikhail but a thief in disguise, who now runs away with his loot...


You make up your mind, cut your hair and ask Mikhail to give you the chance to get it back yourself: he agrees on the condition that you do not come back to Loanne until you have found it.

In Mules (Myules) you can take a ship to Pidona (the capital of the West) or Zweig (in the North) at the docks.
You can also learn from the bartender (ask for info) that a stranger with a fine sword boarded a ship bound for Pidona...
A wide world is now open before you!




SYNOPSIS






QUEST COMPLETION ORDER


The quest order presented in the following Walkthrough (Pt. 1 2 3) is merely indicative but reflects a roughly ascending difficulty curve.

Another way to decide on an order would be to compare the fixed enemies present in each quest. Rather than comparing each enemy' stats and resistances (a very tedious and complex business if possible at all), good indicators of the difficulty of an enemy may be its UpLV and SparkLV (that determine, among other factors, how many stats go up at the end of a battle, and which techs can be sparked while fighting that enemy). Evidently, to some marginal extent, some enemies may be more difficult to defeat than some monsters of relatively higher levels because of some powerful techs or their sheer number. The opposite is also true: Red Dragon is possibly easier to defeat than its stats suggest (easier than all Devil Lords for sure, hinting at the fact that SparkLV is a more accurate index than UpLV).
So here is an alternate quest completion order according to the fixed enemies' Up/SparkLVs.
These fixed enemies are usually bosses or boss-like entities which guard an important chest or block the way forward. If there are several fixed enemies on a same quest, only the strongest are taken into account (the one you have to defeat eventually to complete the quest). Some fixed enemies, like War Bats x5 in Leonid's Castle or Sundine x3 at the beginning of the Dry River, are important too because they serve as power gates to prevent you to start a quest or go to a place that you can access early on but cannot not hope to clear if you cannot even defeat them first. A few quests have no fixed enemies: they are noted between brackets.


QUESTENEMY UP-SPARK LVNOTES
0) Introductions (for reference only: not that you have a choice here!)Garuda Wing 5-5
Whirlwind 8-6
Evil Demon 7-7
Heptopus 5-4
Whirlwind: not a boss but difficult to avoid encounter.
(Find Gon)
(Farce vs. Stanley Mass Combat)
(Robin vs. Dophore)
1) Transport Goods
Thief 7-7
2) Thieves' Cave
Great Thief 11-10
& Thief 7-7
The battle is considerably more difficult than the numbers suggest, bc an infinite number of Thieves can come between you and Great Thief: you might run out of TP and lose before you can defeat him.
3) Fire & Water over a Well (start)Bronze Mag 10-5
Cryptmagi 12-15
4) The Ice LakeLake Boss 15-13
Mikhail only: Loss vs. Byunei's Army in Mass CombatByu Spirit 15-16
5) Strange PetsMuksha 16-12
Face Plant 13-8
Bunny 10-5
Mako 8-3
Must be completed before 'Algernon the Genius Rat'.
6) Algernon the Genius RatAlgernon 15-12
(Rat Cluster 15-6)
This should be ranked lower, but if you complete this quest, 'Strange Pets' quest ends automatically.
7) Eastern Quest (start)Sundine 16-18Note that if you start this quest you must complete it before you can do anything else (except 8).
8) Crystal RuinsCrystal Dragon 18-18Not a boss but difficult to get the 4 chests without an encounter.
9) Herman's Treasure Cave / Get the Dolphin Statue with Herman3 Cramp 19-16 on average'3 Cramp' = Kanherdrako, Croaker, Psn Leech
10) Destroy the Dragon MachineN. Zweiger 20-15
H. Cannon 20-20
N. Cannon 20-15
More difficult than the numbers suggest, bc you only have 3 characters & lose any character whose HP reaches 0.
11) Fire & Water over a Well (end)Death Master 18-13
Undine 20-18
Volcano 18-20
Death Master: same remark as Great Thief, with Undead enemies instead of Thieves.
12) The Eastern Quest (end)Zelnams 20-19Battle vs. the Devil King Armor: same remark as Great Thief, with Zelnams instead of Thieves.
(Wake up Zo's Brother)
13) Muse's NightmareDream Devil 20-(20,22)
14) Mt. Loob & Gwayne's DenGwayne 21-21
15) The Ancient Temple RuinsGalatia 25-20
16) Save the LobstersWater Dragon 25-23
(Mys Dragon 34-32)
17) Earth Abyss GateArakes (Phantom) 25-27
18) Fire Abyss GateAunas (Phantom) 27-26
19) Water Abyss GateForneus (Phantom) 26-28
20) Wind Abyss GateByunei (Phantom, Gwayne) 30-(18, 21, 24, 29)
Byunei (Phantom, Taftan) 30-(18, 21, 24, 31)
21) Zweig TournamentRed Dragon 32-25(the strongest possible opponent)
22) Chase MaximusRed Dragon 32-25
Maximus 23-16
Max's Guard 20-22
23) The Holy King's TrialsRed Dragon 32-25
Sunflower 26-23
Giant 25-23
R. Knight 25-20
But the most dangerous battle comes after the R. Knight battle, vs. apparently weak Dancer x3 & Clown x2 who attempt to Charm all.
24) The Holy GrailYami 30-20
25) The Ice GalaxyDragon Ruler (White) 30-(18, 22)
26) The Rotten Sea RuinsDragon Ruler (Green) 33-(23, 31)
Harid only: Kings' CapitalDragon Ruler (Black) 33-(25, 34)
27) Huang CityDragon Ruler (Red) 33-(25, 33)
Abyss Naga 35-33
28) The AbyssAunas (True form) 40-33
Byunei (True Form) 40-34
Arakes (True Form) 40-35
Forneus (True Form) 40-36

The Destroyer (UpLV irrelevant; SparkLV:)
Light 24,28,30,32 / Beast 33,34 / Dark 37,41