Board 8 > Articuno plays through Dragon Quest's Zenithian Saga (spoilers as I go) [DQ]

(+) Yeah! (+)

For those that don't know what I'm talking about, Dragon Quest's Zenithian saga are the games Dragon Quest IV, V, and VI. The stories are not technically connected but they have some elements in common.

So I just got Dragon Quest IV and V for the DS off Amazon a few days ago, and I thought that I could do a play through topic of this "trilogy" here. (Yes, I will buy VI later but I'm waiting for a price drop.) The only Dragon Quest game I've ever played before has been IX, and from what I have heard it's not the best introduction to the series. Hopefully these games are a better way to get into the series, since I didn't enjoy what I have played of IX so far.

Speaking of IX, I'll also post some updates on that as I go. In that, I have 4 Fyggs and received the boat.

Going to go in order, so I'll start with Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen. First update will come after I'm done with class, but first, I'm going to need a name and gender for the hero.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

http://ragnar.ytmnd.com

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http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4940/screenshot20110624at732.png
http://www.yourgamercards.net/trophy/a/CaptainRockman.png

Dat mustache.

If you want to be a munchkin about it, female characters (including the hero) get equipment options males don't.

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There's always hope for better things in life. But you can't let anything, friend, lover, God himself, be your hope. You have to be your own hope.

From: SupremeZero | #003
Dat mustache.

If you want to be a munchkin about it, female characters (including the hero) get equipment options males don't.

So male-only armor isn't introduced until later in the series? I know there was some in IX.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

I've never liked either of the heroes in DQIV. Their hair is so big.

--
Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu
That you're a cheater. This is a 12-sided die. Chan

Welcome to Toriyama art. I think 9 actually introduced male only gear. And randomly, I think the canon name for the female hero is Sofia, if you care. It's a pretty cool name, so I always used it.

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There's always hope for better things in life. But you can't let anything, friend, lover, God himself, be your hope. You have to be your own hope.

well it's either Yamcha or Bulma

pick your poison

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http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/4940/screenshot20110624at732.png
http://www.yourgamercards.net/trophy/a/CaptainRockman.png

Well since the only recommendation I got was to pick a female character and the fact that Bulma > Yamcha, I picked a female character and gave her the default name of Sofia.

Time to start the prologue.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

The prologue starts with Sofia getting beaten up in a sword fight with some guy. Apparently, Sofia is being trained to be a warrior, though that's dumb since warriors don't get magic in Dragon Quest. Train a different class, please.

Glad to see I can still smash barrels and pots. Got a seed of strength from one, nice.

We get to see Eliza who has the ability to morph into a frog and a rabbit. I'm going to make an extremely obvious prediction that she will be important or playable later in the game.

These wells don't seem to be as spacious as the ones in IX =|

Epic foreshadowing right there by Sofia's dad, lol.

And that's the prologue! Ragnar's chapter will start next update.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Hero class is Hero class. She gets magic just fine.

--
There's always hope for better things in life. But you can't let anything, friend, lover, God himself, be your hope. You have to be your own hope.

Tag.

--
JonthePenguin
http://www.backloggery.com/main.php?user=erunion

Ragnar time! His mustache is awesome already.

what the hell accent are these people talking in, I can only barely figure out what they are saying >_> when you put an accent in a game at least make it somewhat readable >_>
what is a "bairn"?

From what I could gather, some children have gone missing and Ragnar is going to get some information on this apparently in a nearby town.

I see the first armor and weapon shops of the adventure... and like typical DQ games everything in them is overpriced.

Head onto the world map, and I see we have a random battle system. I suppose it's normal for an old SNES rpg I guess.
Again the monsters drop barely any gold, so buying anything from the shops will take a load of grinding. This battle theme is pretty cool though, I enjoy listening to it.

+3 strength in both his first two levels up, yep definitely a warrior (I guess it's called a soldier in this game, though)

The shopkeepers are sleeping in the streets >_> See, if you lowered your prices you wouldn't be in this predicament!
I decide to help them and buy a leather shield and leather hat for Ragnar. Hopefully that will last him to the next town.

I enter the nearby cave, and the DS cave layout is interesting! Not too fond of having no map, but seeing part of the dungeon ahead is definitely useful.

That was the shortest dungeon ever I guess. Can't reach the tower across the water, so looks like my destination will be the nearby village.

On the way there, Ragnar levels up to Level 4, and gets another ridiculous strength gain. I'm liking this guy very much so far.

Party Members
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 4 (Chapter 1)

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Ragnar makes pink armor badass.

--
Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu
That you're a cheater. This is a 12-sided die. Chan

Ragnar enters the town of Straithbaile and decides to question every person in the village about missing children.

One of the villagers remarks about the bairn disappearing. I still have no clue what a bairn is.

The others really have no information, though a few tell me to come back at night.

The well here had 25 gold at the bottom. Why hide items in a well though >_>

Returning at night, the villagers don't seem too worried about the kids missing. A guy spying on the inn bath tells me to return to Burland after speaking with Angus in the jail. Got no other leads, so time to return.

After returning, I remember the woman who had been waiting for her husband to return. After talking to her she joins up as a non-combatant.

And then, after running back, Angus talks about a playground in the SE forest.

Ragnar heads there, falls down the well, falls down a hole and finds a treasure room with a seed of life, seed of agility and 15 gold. Nice haul. Though that's not what we came here for so let's try that again.

A voice keeps telling Ragnar to come "over here." Let me guess, this entity kidnapped the children.
There are also magic wielding foes in this dungeon. They deal 10 damage to Ragnar with their magic, when he only has about 40. Ouch. Ragnar does level to 5 though, and gains 4 strength. Still awesome as always.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 5 (Chapter 1)

Cave exploring will continue next post.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Ragnar meets a healslime that joins up with him. Can't complain with some nice healing to go with Ragnar's ridiculous strength potential. He's level ? though, which is weird.

Ragnar now averages +4 strength per level up. geez I want this guy on my team for the rest of the game if possible, please!

At the end of the cave it seems there is a chest. Ragnar opens it, and finds a pair of talaria shoes. Healie says that these shoes allow you to fly in the sky. So did all the children fly into the sky and couldn't find their way back? That's interesting, I guess.

Before I get Ragnar flying off, I get Ragnar some better equipment and heal the party. I feel we are going to head into that tower nearby, but that's just my guess.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 6 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Ragnar and Healie best duo in all of gaming

From: WazzupGenius00 | #016
Ragnar and Healie best duo in all of gaming

By the end of this chapter I might be able to agree with this!

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

what is a "bairn"?

I

seriously

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"Biting is excellent- it's like kissing only there's a winner."

Related comics.




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Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu
That you're a cheater. This is a 12-sided die. Chan

From: Grand Kirby | #019
Related comics.

heh, nice.

no update today but I'll get one out tomorrow.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Time for Ragnar to smash more enemies!

As my first suspicion was the tower, I head over there first to try out the talaria, and we end up at the tower.
First thing we see is a monster taking away what is probably one of the missing children.

Geez, these random battles. One of the main problems I had with Dragon Quest IX is not being able to target the enemy I want, and I see it was present in this game as well. It just seems to drag the battles out, as Ragnar's defense is too high and Healie defends 75% of the time, but it's still an annoyance. Good exp though, as Ragnar is leveling fast.

Great one of the chests had a scale shield. Why did I buy one in town >_<. Then the next had a cautery sword. Time to wreck everything. With Ragnar at level 8, he is now one-shotting every random enemy in the dungeon.

Healing offered down the stairs here. Healie's MP was low from healing himself often, so it's a welcome bonus. Looks like we are on the ground floor, as an exit leads outside. Not where we are headed, though; the kids need to be saved!

One of the random soldiers gives us a tidbit of info: looks like the Lord of the Underworld is awakening, and they are plotting to destroy a hero who will be strong enough to take him on. I wonder who that could be... nope, can't think of any heroes that I know. The soldier finishes by telling Ragnar to please protect the kids, as one of them may en the hero they are looking for.

In the basement, I see two kids, a pig monster on an altar, and the monster from the roof. Looks like we found them.
The monster from the roof doesn't want to fight us though. Time to charge the altar for the first boss fight!

Healie dies on the second turn trying to attack and we lose. >_<

Going back for another try after I upgrade some equips.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Psaro's Pawn, huh. Even with the cautery sword, he's pretty tough. Healie decides to not be a moron this time around, and even manages to score the last hit on the boss with a crit.

Ragnar returns the kids to the town, and then heads back to the castle at the beginning.

Ragnar reports his success to the king. Ragnar tells the king that he would like to travel to find this hero and keep him safe from harm. The king agrees, and gives him a going-away present of seven level ups, which puts him at level 15.

Rangar and Healie leave the castle as Chapter One ends.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)

Chapter two will (hopefully) begin tomorrow or Wednesday.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Uhh, you know in DQIX you actually can specifically target any enemy, even if they're in the same group

That reminds me, I never bothered to finish DQVI... or V, for that matter.

From: WazzupGenius00 | #023
Uhh, you know in DQIX you actually can specifically target any enemy, even if they're in the same group

I must be remembering something wrong. Weird, because I know I've seen this recently.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Well, it's not quite as obvious as you might expect. If you're looking only at the bottom screen, it will look like you can't choose, but you can use the left and right buttons to move the cursor on the top screen over whatever specific enemy you want to target.

bump, Ch.2 Wednesday because All-Star game

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Chapter 2 starts now: Alena and the Journey to the Tourney

A tomboyish princess in a Square-Enix game... now where have I seen this before...

Looking at Alena's stats, she also has a good deal of strength, but a higher agility than Ragnar, which will help as most monsters were attacking first (or after Healie) in chapter one.

I see another chamber of treasure chests that are locked up, we'll probably be here later to pick those up.

The king refuses to let Alena out of the castle, so we go up to the boarded up wall and kick it down, and leave that way.

As Alena leaves, two companions, Borya and Kiryl join up with her. Borya is a magician with no spells at the moment, and Kiryl is a priest who can heal. You would think they would take her back to the king, but I guess not.

Let's ignore grinding for a bit and enter the town nearby instead.
As usual, there are good pieces of equipment we can't afford, though I buy an oaken club for Alena since she started with no weapon.
Everyone speaks in broken English in this chapter, it's getting really annoying so far.

Time to grind! (next update coming soon)

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

DQ4 took the accent thing way too far.

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Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu
That you're a cheater. This is a 12-sided die. Chan

From: Grand Kirby | #029
DQ4 took the accent thing way too far.

From what I've seen, I agree completely.

Leveled everyone to five. Alena doesn't have the strength growth that Ragnar had (though I don't expect anyone to), but the priest there is matching her stat growths as a caster class, and that's terrible. Kiryl, the priest, is a very well balanced character for a priest, which is a surprise. Borya is made of paper and took four levels until he actually learned a spell. He's more of a liability now than someone who can actually do something.

Well, let's continue then.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 5 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 5 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 5 (Chapter 2)

This list may end up being pretty long by the time we finish these chapters.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

The town in the mountains seems to be the only destination as of now, so the party heads there.

Alena finds out that a girl named Anastasia is going to be sacrificed to appease a monster living in the forest north of town. He apparently only likes young girls, and Anastasia is the last one in town.
The well has the first mini medal in the game (that I have seen), neat.

Alena decides to go up to the priest and offer herself as a sacrifice.
Master Kung appears! He falls just as fast, as his guards take two hits to kill and Borya kept casting Sap on him for Alena and Kiryl to smash him open. Everyone then levels to 6, and each character probably gets their best level yet so far.

The town is happy and there is no reward, typical. The item shop does open, and as usual nothing is affordable.
One of the villagers says to enter the tournament of Endor, a kingdom to the east.

That will be our target for next update.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 6 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 6 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 6 (Chapter 2)

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Time to continue the tale of Alena and her mage buddies.

Some carnivines appear? This isn't Pokemon!

Since my friend decided to get me into LoL today, this is pretty short. Basically Alena and pals grinded to level seven and gained some decent stats again. Might choose to grind to get the better weapons, but it's still a maybe at the moment. A real update will hopefully come tomorrow.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 7 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 7 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 7 (Chapter 2)

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Lost a post by accident. Let's see what I can remember from it.

Got the entire party some hunter's bows by grinding them to level eight. Even Borya can one-shot enemies with these! Also, Kiryl learned a spell to cure poison while Borya got a shield that bounces magic back to the source.

The nearby town is excited, as the princess is visiting the inn inside their town. But wait, Alena is the princess and she just entered the town, so...
The party enters the inn and goes up to visit this fake princess, and witnesses her getting kidnapped. Um, good job publicizing your entrance into town. Look at how Alena does it, she doesn't tell anyone who she is and no one kidnaps her!
One person in town says that the kidnappers dropped a letter saying that they want the armlet of transmutation to be brought to the cemetery at night, which another villager says is hidden in the cave to the south. Guess where the next destination is!
The priest here in town is definitely hiding something. His garden has the sparkle where an item is found, but he blocks the way to his garden.

Time to head to the southern cave.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 8 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 8 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 8 (Chapter 2)

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Kiryl is really everything you would want from a priest. He wears heavy armor like a warrior and has some of the best stat growths I've seen from a healer class. He doesn't have much of a personality, but stat wise I think he's on par with Ragnar. Unlike Borya, who's a typical paper mage who dies in a few hits. /sigh

While grinding out the money to buy Kiryl's bronze armor, both Alena and Kyril grew to level 9. Time to enter the cave.

Of course there would be a chest with gold right inside the cave! Didn't have to grind the money at all =(

The cave is pretty straightforward, with the enemies being nothing special. With Kyril's new armor barely anything can do more than one damage to him except magic, so it's a cakewalk for my party as he just sits back and heals, attacking when necessary. At the end of the dungeon Alena finds the armlet, unsurprisingly.

I find out you cannot use the spell to heal poison in battle. That's somewhat annoying, but as you don't take poison damage while in battle it makes sense.

All 3 party members level up in the cave. Alena gets a Ragnar level up by gaining 5 strength out of nowhere, Kiryl gets a solid level up with average stats, and Borya learns the teleportaton spell Zoom. Levels 10/10/9 now.

Alena walks outside of town until night falls (and Borya levels up to level 10), and then enters the cemetery. On cue, the two kidnappers are there with the fake princess, while the guy who's house is right there does nothing. Seriously?

The man demands the armlet. It's a But Thou Must situation, since I keep saying no and he continues to ask. Seriously I don't care, she isn't the princess. But eventually I give in and they take the armlet and leave.

The fake princess introduces herself as Anya, a traveling entertainer. She pretended to be the princess so everyone would be nicer to her. As a reward she hands Alena a thief's key.

Next morning the town doesn't seem to upset about the fake princess. The weapon shop is open and with the huge money we have on hand from the cave both Kiryl and Alena grab new weapons. Once again I am surprised at Kiryl's equipment, he picks up the best weapon this guy sells, the Iron Lance. Of course Borya picks up nothing.

One of the villagers mentions a market in the south that is open. Still haven't found the kingdom of Endor, but that seems like a likely place for our next stop.

Haha, the market has another weapon upgrade for Kiryl, amazing. However I buy both mages a better shield and upgrade Borya's weapon instead. I've also noticed that selling items gives you more than 50% of the item's cost, which is a huge help in getting money for equipment in this game.

still, gonna grind for Kiryl's new weapon, back tomorrow!

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 10 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 10 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 10 (Chapter 2)

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Got the weapon fairly quickly, so I decided to continue. A guard approaches in the bazaar and tells Alena that her father is in a catastrophic situation, so Borya warps us back to the kingdom.

I am noticing that this chapter is a lot longer than Ragnar's chapter. Wondering if they wanted to make Ragnar's chapter longer but couldn't, so they just said "here have some level-ups, next chapter now."

First thing I do is try the thief's key on the door with the chests behind it. Doesn't work, darn it.

The tzar has lost his voice. One of the people in the castle says to talk to Old Staren, who is in the locked room in the back of the castle. Of course the guards are being stupid and won't let Alena out of the castle, so the party jumps out the wall again. Old Staren says to talk to Josef Starling, the poet, who had a similar condition. Josef says that he drank some elf medicine from the desert bazaar some time ago. Borya teleports back there and Alena inquires about the medicine to the item shop clerk, who says there's some at the tower in the west where the elves hang out. Most people in the town are talking about a teleporter to Endor to the east, but that will have to wait.

The first thing I notice is that there is an inn inside the tower, making this a good leveling spot. Alena's party doesn't really need any training at the moment, though. All three party members gain levels anyway. Borya learns Crackle, a new offensive spell.

One of the enemies here is called a flyguy. First a Pokemon and now a Mario enemy.
I will hate these Peeper things forever. I had a group where all four of them had turned to steel.

I quicksave at the inn, and this time the next update will be tomorrow.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 11 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 11 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 11 (Chapter 2)

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

I've also noticed that selling items gives you more than 50% of the item's cost, which is a huge help in getting money for equipment in this game.

Yup. A lot of people complain about having to grind for gold to buy equipment, but you just have to get over the standard RPG urge to buy everything in sight and hold on to all of your useless equipment. You're encouraged to sell more and buy responsibly in DQ games.

--
Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu
That you're a cheater. This is a 12-sided die. Chan

From: Grand Kirby | #036
Yup. A lot of people complain about having to grind for gold to buy equipment, but you just have to get over the standard RPG urge to buy everything in sight and hold on to all of your useless equipment. You're encouraged to sell more and buy responsibly in DQ games.

Trying this in DQIX did not work.

Princess Alena, Kiryl and Borya finally reach the top of the tower. Two elves are up there, who drop the nectar the party needs and then fly off the tower. What. Anyway, birdsong nectar GET. Alena and Kiryl also gain levels from climbing the tower.

Heading to the castle, Alena hands her father the birdsong nectar. The tsar mentions that he had a dream of a bulky monster riding up and destroying everything. Sounds familiar to what we heard in Ragnar's tale...

Because of this, the tsar says that Alena now may go adventuring as much as she wants. The party leaves and is on their way (finally!) to the kingdom of Endor.

A teleporter allows easy access across the water. There's an inn on the other side, which is odd. Going on the straight line path from the teleporter leads the party to to the kingdom of Endor. Borya levels up and gains some much needed agility, Alena continues to level up with her Ragnar growths + agility, and Kiryl continues his solid but average leveling.

A metal slime appears! Only got one damage on it before it ran away. It did stick around for two rounds, though, which is interesting. Another one appears, and it suddenly attacks by fleeing immediately.

A sign near the broken bridge states "This bridge is for everyone's use. Please take care not to destroy it."
I'm assuming that didn't work the way it was planned. Up north is another bridge, and it is broken as well.

The party then enters the kingdom of Endor.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 12 (Chapter 2)

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Oh my, there's a casino in town. I'll save that for later at the moment.

The armor shop carries new armor for only one person: Kiryl, who doesn't need it at the moment, but I buy it anyway to take his defense through the roof. There's also an iron apron for sale, which no one in the party can use. The weapon shop also has an Astraea's Abacus, which, again, no one can use. Hmmm...

In one of the houses, there are some treasure chests out of reach past a locked door. The thief's key is again useless as it does nothing here.

The party has 5000 gold, so I decide to check out the casino. I buy 100 tokens and then promptly lose all of them using the various games. Oh well.

Alena heads to the castle. The people in the castle talk about how the princess of Endor must marry the winner of the tournament. The princess asks Alena to win the tournament so it can be called off, as her father won't led her be married to another woman. The king welcomes Alena in, and then also asks Alena tow in the tournament as he now regards his decision as "rather foolish". Going upstairs leads the party to the usual locked doors with chests behind them. /sigh

Time to rock this tournament. Alena heads in to the colosseum to start the fights. Inside, the item shop has a nice weapon upgrade for Alena, an iron claw. After buying this, the party heads outside to save, and then returns to the tournament and goes up and into the ring.
Borya and Kiryl leave the party, and the king explains that Alena must defeat five opponents to make the finals.

Alena faces the following warriors en route to Psaro the Manslayer:
Atilla the Hunk (lol)
Quick Draw McGore (has a sprite holding a sword but uses a bow.)
Prima Donna (mage that runs out of MP after three spells.)
Samson Knight (uses a generic knight sprite, unlike the others who have unique ones.)
Abominable Snowman (casts illusions of himself. lasted only three turns as I only hit his illusion once)

Finally, the final with Psaro... or not? For some reason he does not respond to the summons, and is nowhere to be found! In place of him, Alena wins the tournament! The king instructs Alena to head back to her kingdom to inform her father of her victory. We exit the castle, and when entering town a guard says the party must return immediately. As he is talking he suddenly dies. Borya then warps the party back to the kingdom.

At the kingdom the castle is strangely empty. No one is around. (Of course the chests behind the locked door are still here.) Alena searches the entire palace, but no one is found. Alena then decides to set out on her journey again to find out what has happened, and the chapter ends. (A cliffhanger ending? Strange, but it makes me want to continue playing.)

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 12 (Chapter 2)

Chapter 3, Torneko's chapter, will be next.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
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Unprecedented midday update!

This chapter focuses on Torneko Taloon, a man with a dream of being the best arms merchant in the world. Right now he's just a regular worker in town.
Torneko starts the chapter by receiving a packed lunch from his wife, taking his leather hat out of the dresser and leaving. On the way to work he pushes an old man to the church and receives two gold for his help.
At work, Torneko mans the counter at the local weapon shop. It's like I'm playing Recettear, but I can't make Torneko tell the buyers to pay extra for the items he sells. At least most of the people here have the money to pay for the items they choose. It's a relief compared to those annoying little girls from Recettear.
The next day I have Torneko get himself a weapon and get to work fighting enemies outside of town. Torneko, unfortunately, is too broke to hire people to go get killed in the wilderness for him, so he has to go and do it himself. After getting to level two and exhausting the packed lunch, Torneko resumes his work at the weapon shop.

I have a feeling updates in this chapter won't be very interesting for a while. But we'll see if the story picks up later, then.


Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 12 (Chapter 2)
Torneko Lvl 2 (Chapter 3)

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2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

just a quick bump for the night

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

I'm suddenly getting an urge to replay this. But I must resist, as I've yet to finish both 3 and 7.

--
JonthePenguin
http://www.backloggery.com/main.php?user=erunion

Instead of selling weapons for the day, Torneko decides to explore a cave up north to find treasure.

First item found is a chain sickle, which boosts Torneko's attack enough to one-shot certain enemies within the cave.

The cave seems to be a puzzle dungeon, where buttons are pressed to let loose great amounts of water. Torneko presses one and falls in a hole to a lower part of the dungeon, which allows him to proceed further on.

After falling down yet another hole, Torneko finds a man who tells him about the steel strongbox located within the cave. Apparently this man is trying to find it, but the rolling boulder stopped him.

Torneko levels up, but being a merchant his level ups are pretty horrible compared to even Borya's.

After getting the rolling boulder to the right place, we make it to a chamber with the steel strongbox. Being a smart salesman, Torneko pushes a boulder into the room with him before taking the strongbox. As expected, a button was resting under the box, and the boulder allows Torneko to leave with the steel strongbox. The strongbox allows Torneko to keep all gold they currently have, even if Torneko dies in battle.

On his way out, a slime drops a steel broadsword. Torneko has no use for the weapon.

Also, on the way back to the village, we run into an item shop encounter. The steel broadsword sells for 1500G (!!!) and Torneko also sells his old copper sword. The money allows Torneko to buy the best equipment in town for himself.

With the gold Torneko now has, there's no point to return to the weapon shop anymore. Torneko will now be heading south to start his journey.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 12 (Chapter 2)
Torneko Lvl 3 (Chapter 3)

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2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Short update for today.

Torneko finds a village to the south, and decides to enter. One of the villagers states that there are foxes that like to trick people by turning into human form. And every person here has a fox reference in their speech... uh oh. Except Torneko can't leave, the path just loops. Unfortunately, Torneko is forced to stay a night in the town.

And upon waking up the next morning, the town is gone, as if it was never there. Torneko still has all his items and gold, so "it could have been worse."

The next town's name is Ballymoral. The armor shop is out of stock, the well is empty, but the weapon shop has an iron lance for Torneko. Torneko heads into the castle, and gets an interesting request from the prince: to meet him outside the weapon shop at night. Also, the guards still state that the bridge to Endor is still broken. Apparently the architect going to fix the bridge is late.

Someone from Lakanaba wants a chimaera wing to escape the dungeon. After buying one in town, Torneko hands it to the man.

I'll get the reward and talk to the prince next update.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 12 (Chapter 2)
Torneko Lvl 3 (Chapter 3)

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Back at Lakanaba, Torneko's reward is a loan of Finnegan's dog, Fido. Finnegan notes that the dog is adept at catching foxes, so our next destination is obvious: the village of foxes Torneko was tricked by earlier.

Torneko hits level 4. Seems like his only worthwhile stat is agility, which isn't exactly what I would like.

Upon entering the fox's village, Fido immediately heads into the mayor's house where Torneko had slept in his prior visit here. Due to Fido, the fox reverts to his actual form as the village disappears again. Torneko forgives the fox and receives a set of full plate armour (appraise says it's worth 1725g (!!!), since Torneko can't use it). He also meets the missing architect, Archie O'Tect (lol). The architect heads down to Ballymoral.

After returning Fido to his owner, it has become night, so Torneko heads down to Ballymoral to speak with the prince. Prince Regan asks Torneko to deliver a letter to the princess in Endor when the bridge is fixed. The next day, Torneko enters the castle and sells the full plate armour for 2668g. The king also states that the bridge is finally fixed, so Torneko can cross over to Endor and complete his task from the prince.

In Endor, it seems that Torneko has arrived after Alena has returned to the palace, as she has already won the tournament and is nowhere to be found. Apparently Torneko is the one who could use the items that Alena's party could not equip. He does kind of need them with his terrible stat growth >_>

One guard in town says that Torneko can hire him for 5 days/400g, which I don't see as being a good deal, unless we are heading for a dungeon. Time doesn't pass in those!

The empty shop in town is one of the destinations, but the old man says Torneko must receive permission from the king of Endor. To the palace, then!

From the people around the palace, Torneko learns that the princess has a secret lover (gee I wonder who that might be) and another person talks about the Zenithian Sword, which shares the name of this topic, even! Apparently the person who obtains it can climb up to the heavens. We'll be hearing more about this later, I'm sure.

After reading the letter to the princess, the king entrusts another letter for Torneko, this one directed towards the king of Ballymoral. He states that he has permission to open a shop if he successfully manages to prevent any war between the two kingdoms. After reading the scroll to the king back in Ballymoral, the king decides to stop the war and have the two lovers marry instead. Therefore, he will take control of Endor without doing anything. Success!

Back in Endor, Torneko's request is accepted, but the old man at the store wants 35,000g for the building.

Time to grind, then.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 12 (Chapter 2)
Torneko Lvl 4 (Chapter 3)

Current status: 1016/35000g

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

bump, no update today.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

There's a cave near Endor, to the east. The man inside was digging a tunnel and wants 60000 gold to continue the project. /sigh

Continuing to the north, Torneko heads into another cave. The theme of this dungeon is to use wooden rafts to sail through the dungeon. After falling down two waterfalls Torneko levels up to level 5. An elepus at the bottom drops some iron armor that Torneko can't use. Two metal slimes appear! and then run away. A button upstairs sends the water to the lower floor, and on this floor Torneko collects 760g, a holy lance, and a medicinal herb. Torneko then levels up to 6, learning Eye for Distance. On the bottom floor Torneko finds some iron armor, and a steel broadsword. The guy who was down her before emptied the other two chests, but another enemy dropped some iron armor as well. Also, Torneko levels up again, to level 7, and some enemies drop a suit of wayfarer's clothes. He's actually getting some decent strength boosts at the moment.

After those fights, Torneko is almost out of health so I exit the dungeon and warp to Ballymoral. Torneko sells his iron armors for 1212g each, and the wayfarer's clothes for 75g. On the way back to Endor, a mad mole drops some leather armor.

The holy lance is sold for 937g, the steel broadsword for 1500g, and the leather armor for 135g.

Getting closer to that goal.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 12 (Chapter 2)
Torneko Lvl 7 (Chapter 3)

Current status: 8345/35000g

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

I am lazy and will not update this today.

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

Of course the silver Goddess statue would be in the first room after the room I left the dungeon in >_>
Anyway, Torneko receives the statue and trades it in at Endor for 25,000g. Eventually with enemy drops Torneko is able to buy the shop (with 2000g to spare!)

The king wants 6 steel broadswords and 6 suits of iron armor. Grinding time again, I guess.

Also, Torneko gained a level and learned Nose for Treasure, which is kind of useless at the moment.

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 12 (Chapter 2)
Torneko Lvl 8 (Chapter 3)

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

...and after a load of grinding, Torneko hits level 11 and gets 7 steel broadswords and 3 suits of iron armor as enemy drops. After buying the other 3 armors, the king awards him with 60,000g for the tunnel to be built.

After it is finished, Torneko heads off to find the Zenithian Sword and to continue chasing his dream.

Chapter 3 END, Chapter 4 will be next!

Party Members
Bold members are currently active.
Sofia Lvl 1 (Prologue)
Ragnar Lvl 15 (Chapter 1)
Healie Lvl ? (Chapter 1)
Alena Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Kiryl Lvl 13 (Chapter 2)
Borya Lvl 12 (Chapter 2)
Torneko Lvl 11 (Chapter 3)

--
2010 Game of the Decade Contest - some guy named Black Turtle won the guru for this
http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif

What do you think of Psaro the Manslayer/Necrosaro so far?

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"Don't freeze up girl, you're looking quite a sight." - Adam Ant.
"Baby, can you dig your man? He's a righteous man." - Larry Underwood