Of Goddesses and Dragons (Breath of Fire 3 playthrough)

[CynthiaLover]

Heyo. Time for a change of pace. I restarted an old classic of mine: Breath of Fire 3 for a new playthrough. It's time to join Ryu and friends as they venture through the world to discover new things and learn the truth about the Great War.

Log #1: Explosive Start

We begin with some miners mining chrysm. They find what looks like a dragon whelp still inside a large chunk of it. However, they think nothing of it and blow it up with explosives so they can mine the magical ore. ...Only to discover that the dragon whelp is still ALIVE! The dragon whelp torches them out of self-defense, acquiring the Melted Blade from the burnt remains of one of the miners. After exploring the mine, torching various miners out of self-defense, the dragon whelp is confronted by a burly member of the Iron Ogre Clan. When the whelp tries to attack a mysterious voice tells it not to. However, this distracts the whelp long enough for another miner to knock it out with a crane, allowing the miners to capture it. However, as the whelp is being transported away, it comes to its senses and manages to knock the cage its in off the train and down to the woods below.

Enter Rei, a member of the Worren Clan, who is trying to hunt for food... only for the boar he was stalking to be scared away by a loud noise. He investigates and finds a young blue-haired boy, completely naked, and about to be attacked by some Currs. Furious at the loss of his dinner he slays the Currs. He tries to leave the boy but his conscious gets the better of him and he takes the young boy in. He returns to his log cabin with another orphan boy: Teepo. After putting the blue-haired boy to bed the duo leave to try to get some food from McNeil Village nearby. The blue-haired boy, named Ryu, has a strange dream before awakening and wandering his way into the village... where Rei and Teepo are getting chased out of a house they tried to rob. They decide to have Ryu help them, so Rei steals some clothes and a sword for the boy while Teepo, strangely, knows Ryu's name, to his own confusion. After managing to get some clothes for Ryu it's off to Yraall Road to mug some people. Ryu is not thrilled by this but is literally thrown into the mix and attempts to mug the worst possible person of all: Bunyan the woodsman. After Bunyan leaves Rei gets the "brilliant" idea to rob Bunyan's place for food, which Teepo, the ever-zealous punk he is, eagerly agrees. This won't end well.

So it's back to Cedar Woods to try to raid Bunyan's hut for some food. After Ryu manages to catch a falling plate in order to prevent it from breaking the three boys split up to look for food. Ryu is the first to find something: some Beef Jerky. The boys try to skedaddle... only for Bunyan to return. Rei tries to distract Bunyan but is caught after a scuffle. Teepo heads out to try to help... and is caught, too. Ryu ventures out and is easily subdued. Bunyan lectures the boys for having the gall to steal from someone during a bad year where food is scarce and tells them to work for their meals. He sends Rei up to Mt. Glaus to take care of something while Ryu and Teepo cut wood. Teepo, the ever-brash kid he is, lashes out at Bunyan when the lumberjack tries to warn him that his attitude and penchant for stealing will get him in trouble, saying he's not afraid of anything, before the two young boys go after Rei.

After a long hike through the forest and mountain Ryu and Teepo make it to a hut near the peak of Mt. Glaus. They find Rei there, who informs them that Bunyan sent him to kill the monster that's been attacking the area. Teepo protests that it's too strong but Rei says he's stronger... but something is amiss, as he's seemingly hiding something. Now he can't do what he wanted to with Ryu and Teepo present. The boys spend the night in the cabin before finding the monster the following morning: a Nue Chimera. The boys are able to fend it off, giving chase after it into the cave nearby. After following its trail of blood they managed to use the river flowing through the mountain to reach the hidden chamber where the Nue resides. After a fierce battle the boys are victorious and kill it. But not before the Nue tries to defend the back cave. The boys find out why: it had cubs, but they were long dead and the Nue didn't realize it. So she was simply stealing food for her babies that were already dead. The boys make it back out of the mountain via the same river and are confronted by Bunyan, who congratulates them for doing honest work. Rei protests that Bunyan knew the Nue had cubs and he still told the boys to kill it. But Bunyan counters with the argument that if they had known she had cubs would they have let her live? The boys are left speechless as Bunyan leaves.

Soon Spring comes and Cedar Woods and the surrounding area is now lush with wildlife and food. Teepo suggests the trio head into the village to brag about how they killed the Nue. Rei is reluctant though he does want to know what the villagers think of it. So off the boys go. They soon make it to the village and find out that Teepo already told the villagers that they'd be in so they can brag about killing the Nue, to Rei's annoyance. They are soon confronted by the villagers... only to learn they're grateful for the boys risking their lives to save them from the Nue. The boys are now welcomed into the village, no longer needing to steal if they need food. In other words: they're heroes. Rei and Teepo feel pretty good about it, especially Teepo. The boys are soon confronted by a shady man in a cloak called Loki who "recruits" them to help with something else, which they agree.

But first it's off to explore the revitalized Yraall Region. After spending most of their money on weapons, items, and armor, the boys make their way to a small clearing where a mage name Mygas wants to teach the boys magic in exchange for all their money (hence why the boys spent most of their money earlier). They agree and Ryu apprentices under Mygas, which will cause his AP (Ability Points) and Intelligence to go up more quickly when he Levels Up, while his Power and Defense won't go up as much in return. This'll come in handy later on, especially the spells Mygas teaches and for a certain property that Ryu will unlock later that requires plenty of AP. Afterward the boys explore some more and do some fishing for later. Now it's time to see what Loki wants.

Ryu: Lv8, Stats: HP: 45/AP: 29/Power: 28/Defense: 26/Intelligence: 27/Agility: 9, Master: Mygas
Teepo: Lv8, Stats: HP: 49/AP: 32/Power: 33/Defense: 28/Intelligence: 29/Agility: 11
Rei: Lv9, Stats: HP: 62/AP: 18/Power: 41/Defense: 33/Intelligence: 30/Agility: 17

 

[CynthiaLover]

Got some more done today. Time to continue Ryu's grand adventure.

Log #2: Ghost-Busted

After doing a TON of fishing so I could equip Ryu and Teepo with Silver Knives it was time to talk to Loki. He wants the "heroes" to raid McNeil's mansion and take back the tax money and give it back to the villagers, suggesting that McNeil is a bit too greedy. Ho-boy, this sounds like a good way to get back in the villager's bad books after we just earned their approval. But Teepo, ever eager to have his ego stroked, agrees, so we wait until nightfall to check out the mansion. The trio splits up and tries to find a way in. Ryu notices the newly fixed wall and calls the others to it. Rei leans back on it, trying to think of a plan, but the wall gives way and allows the boys easy entry into the mansion.

Now it's time for stealth mission mode. After paying off a guard 50 Zenny (I had built up a fair bit while grinding earlier) Ryu and co had to become sneaky sneak boys. After beating up a poor doggie in order to "help" let one of the guards off the hook so we could pass, the trio of boys entered the chicken coop. Teepo suggest stealing some eggs and going home, but when he does a giant chicken named Rocky attacks. After cooking Rocky extra-crispy style the chickens go wild, forcing the guards to catch them, giving the boys a chance to sneak in. Rei acts as a decoy in order to lure some guards away while Ryu and Teepo sneak into the mansion, promising to meet them on the roof. The two young boys get in while Rei makes a break for it.

Turns out all's not well in McNeil's mansion... as the ghosts of his ancestors are roaming the halls! Equipped with Silver Knives, Ryu and Teepo cut down the various McNeil ghosts that haunt the mansion one-by-one. After exploring as much as they could the duo makes it to the rooftop. But the ghosts of the McNeils are not done yet. After finding a grappling hook and reuniting with Rei it was time to get to the other side where McNeil was. After a rather epic fail by Rei that miraculously worked out, followed by Teepo chewing out Rei for not being around when the ghost were attacking, the trio of boys find McNeil's bedchambers... only to see him having "fun" with a "vixen". But his fun comes to a complete stop when the boys enter and soon the various McNeil ghosts fuse into Amalgam it's time to do some Ghostbusting! After a hard fight (though the Silver Knives sped the process up), Amalgam is slain and the boys raid McNeil's stash of Zenny. The "vixen" rubs salt on his wounds by calling the boys more manly than him. However, he vows to pay the boys back: to show them who holds the real power. That can't be good.

After the boys distribute the Zenny back to the village they feel the villagers will love them now. Not quite, as the villagers are quite angry at this latest stunt. I knew it wasn't going to work. After confronting Loki the boys meet up back at the hut from last night to talk to him... only for Bunyan to appear. He "talks" to the cow he's with, telling the boys that McNeil is associated with some rather rough crooks that don't like to be stolen from. Rei realizes what he means and says the boys should get back home quickly.

Too late. When they get home they find their cabin on fire, and are soon confronted by two brothers who are members of the Horseman Clan: Balio and Sunder. A fight breaks out as the boys try to defeat the horse brothers. Well, more like a one-sided slaughter, leaving the boys seemingly dead. Ryu soon awakens inside Bunyan's hut and he tells the blue-haired youth that Rei and Teepo are most likely dead after that fight yet Ryu somehow survived. After a quick cry Ryu steels his nerves and heads out to Wyndia in search of his "family", as Teepo had mentioned going to Wyndia someday. Bunyan wishes Ryu well as the boy departs. Alone.

After making his way through the Yraall Road, Ryu makes it to Mt. Myrneg. But it's time to grind for levels, especially now that Ryu is alone, since there are some dangerous battles up ahead. Ryu prepares himself for the grueling gauntlet of pain that he will soon face. He needs to acquire more skills from the local monsters and the last few ones from Mygas to further his ability to fight the battles ahead. So it's off to grind against the stronger monsters that lurk in the Central Wyndia region.

Ryu: Lv14, HP: 71/AP: 58/Power: 44/Defense: 34/Intelligence: 61/Agility: 14, Master: Mygas

 

[CynthiaLover]

Time to continue Ryu's adventure!

Log #3: The Purloined Princess

After acquiring the last skill from Mgyas (Typhoon), giving Ryu an AOE attack, the azure-haired boy switches tracks and starts apprenticing under Bunyan for more power and durability. After getting the first skill from Bunyan due to level grinding Ryu makes his way toward Wyndia. ...Only to run into Sunder taking a wiz. Sunder and Balio recognize Ryu and attempt to kill him... only for him to transform into a dragon whelp! Sunder feels they should book it but Balio sees an opportunity to make money off of Ryu. So they take him to the King of Wyndia and his family. However, when they take the sheet off the cage it's revealed Ryu transformed back to normal. The horse brothers try to attack Ryu in hopes of him changing back, but this only angers the Wyndian Royal Family and the King has them all arrested.

In the dungeons Ryu is upset while Balio and Sunder are trying to find a way out. Enter Nina, the plucky, yet naïve princess. She wants to let Ryu go, seeing as he's the victim, not an associate with Balio and Sunder. But the horse brothers managed to convince Nina to let them go first... and promptly kidnap her. With strength he didn't know he had, Ryu was able to break down the cell door and chased after the duo. He catches up to Balio and Sunder and is able to stand his ground, reviving Nina after they had knocked her out and forcing the horse brothers to flee, as their plan went south. Nina joins up with Ryu in order to help get out of the underground catacombs, showing her prowess in black magic. After navigating the catacombs the duo emerges in the heart of Wyndia's capital. Continuing to assist Ryu, he and Nina play a game of hide-and-seek with some local kids in order to get any info on Rei or Teepo. After winning the head boy tells them that a kid like Ryu tried to rob a house, got beat up, and fled to the main road. Sounds a lot like Teepo, doesn't it? With Nina in tow the two young kids head out to the main road.

But before that the duo meet a rather useless man named Durandal, who is, surprisingly, a Master like Mgyas and Bunyan (despite his "teachings" not raising a single stat). He opts to teach Nina some of his "useless" tricks. And useless they are, as the first two (Unmotivate and Feign Swing) don't do anything other than waste turns. But the third skill: Backhand, will come in handy later on for two reasons. After getting what they wanted the duo head to a small hut on the main road... only to be captured by Balio and Sunder. They're really just after Nina but if Ryu is left alone or they try to kill him things could get messy. So both get tied up and carted off to Genmel. Balio and Sunder leave the kids under the "watchful" eye of Fahl before leaving. Ryu is able to chew through the ropes binding the two and they sneak out while Fahl is plastered from drinking too much. After doing a bit of shopping, picking up new equipment, the two kids flee Genmel.

After raiding a tent near the bridge for a Wisdom Fruit (which will come in handy later) the two kids make their way up Mt. Boumore and meet Mr. Mason and his assistant. He offers the kids shelter for the night but it's clear something's amiss, as he seemed a bit freaked out that Balio and Sunder are pursuing the duo. The following morning it's revealed Mr. Mason betrayed the kids to save his own hide, alerting Sunder to the kids' location. Nina is able to get the lift running and just barely jumps on it with Ryu's help, who was able to distract Sunder long enough for her to execute her plan. They make it to the other side of Mt. Boumore but find there is no way down. Sunder catches up to them (how'd he get over there so fast when the lift got fried by Nina?) and corners them. But Ryu and Nina take a leap of faith. Literally. They jump off the mountain and slide down the side. Ryu turns into a dragon to cushion Nina's fall, ultimately revealing himself as a dragon to her. But Nina isn't afraid of him. Especially after everything he's done for her. She promises to repay him one day before they book it to avoid getting caught again.

Ryu: Lv18, HP: 101/AP: 66/Power: 61/Defense: 67/Intelligence: 67/Agility: 16, Master: Bunyan
Nina: Lv12, HP: 53/AP: 66/Power: 48/Defense: 48/Intelligence: 50/Agility: 13, Master: Durandal

 

[CynthiaLover]

More has happened so it's time to continue on Ryu's epic journey!

Log #4: Momo and Monsters and Mutants, Oh My!

Anyway, picking up from last time, Ryu and Nina venture into a small area where the Reverse Gene is hidden, giving Ryu now three Brood Dragon Genes (Flame, Defender, Reverse). The duo continue their quest to escape Balio and Sunder, coming across a large tower that has a bunch of different monsters in it. Including some robots, too. After many, many, many, MANY attempts to get all the treasures in the fountain minigame/puzzle, Ryu and Nina secured the Ring of Ice, Wisdom Fruit, and MultiVitamin. Now it was time to venture deeper into the tower. Not long afterward they see a small robot exit a room, followed by an explosion! They enter the room to meet Momo, the genius ditz engineer from the Grassrunner Clan. After an unintentional shouting match because Momo's large, rabbit ears were ringing from the explosion she volunteers to take Ryu and Nina to Wyndia personally. Finally, a friendly face and an adult (well, teenager) who won't stab us in the back. After she goes shopping for a bit she returns to inform that two rough-looking characters were outside, forcing them to flee the tower by... going up? Okay.

With Momo now in the ranks we have to travel her tower, disabling traps and solving puzzles along the way. Momo brings the firepower. Literally, as her weapon is a chrysm-powered bazooka. ...That she can't hit the broad side of a barn with. So equipping her with the Bat Amulet, which prevents the Blind status ailment, is a must, given her weapon's already shoddy accuracy. However, turns out Momo knew her stuff as in her father's lab (which is a freaking porn library!) the party discovers an escape rocket. One launch and crash landing later Momo find the instruction manual for it. Whoops is right, Momo. But despite the rough landing everyone's intact, and there's a nearby Dragon Gene, providing Ryu with the Thorn Gene. Now it's time to skedaddle before those rough goons catch up to us.

One campout later (in order to heal) the trio make it to a coffee shop. Didn't know Nina like coffee at her age since she's the one to suggest going to it. At the coffee shop they learn that Balio and Sunder have set up a checkpoint of sorts on the road to Wyndia in order to catch Ryu and Nina, thus causing problems for everyone. God, I hate those guys. At the time Momo is reunited with Dr. Palet, a friend of Momo's father before he died and the current director of a Plant that uses chrysm to enhance crops. Apparently things are going pretty bad and he request Momo's help, which she agrees to do until the party can find a means around Balio and Sunder. But before we go it's time to apprentice to another Master: D'lonzo. Since the party had been stockpiling various different weapons over the course of the journey she deemed us worth to train, so Ryu and Momo are now apprenticed under her. This is especially good for Momo as D'lonzo boosts accuracy. And Momo's base accuracy is a measly 70%, the lowest out of all the player characters, so even just the slightest boost will be an improvement. Plus the extra points to Agility won't hurt, nor will the skill: Steal, that D'lonzo teaches, so we can nab those tasty treasures from monsters.

The party makes it to the Plant and talks to Dr. Palet. He informs the real reason why he asked for Momo's help: to dispose of a mutant plant that has sprung up at the dump where they dispose of bad crops and such. Since Momo's father was responsible for the machines that created the mutant Momo agrees to help. Off to the dump.

Time to play the conveyor belt game in order to get all the goodies. In the process the party found a Artemis's Cap, which is an item that boost accuracy. So you know who that goes to: Momo. The party finds the Mutant and it's actually alive! And it can talk!? However, in its panic it attacks the party. After a long fight the Mutant calms down and Momo wants to study it. But, alas, the Mutant knows it wasn't meant to be born so it asks the party to dispose of it in the magma. This is a tough thing to do for the party, especially since the Mutant knows that letting it live will be a mistake, just like how it was created. Ryu pulls the level and the Mutant goes into the magma, to Momo's despair. The Mutant gives some parting words before dying, teaching the group a rather important lesson before the magma destroys it.

Suddenly, out emerges a new mutant from the remains of the Mutant. A little onion creature. Ryu is unsure of this new creature but Momo insists they take him with them, saying that he's a baby and was entrusted to the party by the Mutant to act as a reminder not to accidentally create life like itself. Nina names the mutant onion Peco, giving us our fourth party member, to Ryu's confusion and apprehension. But now Peco is part of the group. And he'll prove useful in more ways than one over time.

After exiting the dump the party heads to a grove of trees where the mighty Yggdrasil tree resides. After Peco "talks" to Yggdrasil and gives it a Wisdom Fruit (glad I got as many as I could) we now have a new Master. Time to give Nina a real Master, so she becomes Yggdrasil's newest pupil. And a very useful Master for her at that, since he not only boosts AP and Intelligence, but also Defense, something that most magic-oriented Masters don't offer (usually they inflict a penalty to Defense), thus reducing Nina's glass cannon problem. With the slight cavate that Nina is now weaker to Fire attacks, but I know of an item that'll take care of that once we get further in. So with two new Masters, a new party member, and some new skills from monsters and Masters to customize our team with it's time to head back to the Plant to talk to Palet.

Ryu: Lv20, HP: 113/AP: 71/Power: 85/Defense: 76/Intelligence: 67/Agility: 17, Master: D'lonzo
Nina: Lv17, HP: 70/AP: 92/Power: 55/Defense: 70/Intelligence: 70/Agility: 22, Master: Yggdrasil
Momo: Lv15, HP: 69/AP: 50/Power: 105/Defense: 63/Intelligence: 67/Agility: 19, Master: D'lonzo
Peco: Lv1, HP: 40/AP: 8/Power: 28/Defense: 41/Intelligence: 4/Agility: 0

Note that I'm leaving Peco as Level One for now, as I'm going to do a pro-gamer move and exploit the Master System with him. But first I need to take care of a few more story elements before I can gain access to what I need. But he has been outfitted with some new Skills that I've collected that'll help, along with a weapon leftover from my stockpile and some leftover armor so he won't be easy prey when the time comes. So give the mutant onion some time, he'll blossom into something amazing eventually.

 

[CynthiaLover]

Since I woke up way too early (again) I might as well post the next leg of Ryu's journey.

Log #5: The Contest of Champions

After doing some fishing to get new items and increase Ryu's fishing "rank" the party returns to the Plant to inform Palet that they completed their task. But the road is still closed thanks to Balio and Sunder. Palet offers the party a solution but it'll need a bit of time to prepare. The following morning the party hides in a crop shipment headed for Wyndia, with Palet reassuring them that it'll work out. However, once they're gone Palet reveals he betrayed them and is sending them right into Balio's and Sunder's clutches in order to silence them about the Mutant, hinting darker motives behind it. Sure enough, Sunder intercepts the shipment and captures the party, taking them back to Genmel.

Balio and Sunder taunt the party, saying only the strong get their way, like in the Contest of Champions. This spurs an idea in Nina and she challenges the brothers to let the party fight in the contest and if they win they get their freedom. Sunder is against it at first but Balio realizes there's a large profit in it, since most people won't bet on them, and given the party's strength they could go all the way to the finals. So he allows it, but he keeps Peco as a hostage to ensure the party can't try anything and blocks the road out. So now it's time to partake in the Contest of Champions.

The first round is a fight in the Hall of Fire. Momo is up first and defeats her opponent: Claw, but she loses to Cawer. Ryu takes the stage next and is able to win the whole thing thanks to using the Flame and Reverse Genes to become a Frost Whelp and attack the Dodai, the platform that holds the participants over the lava with liberal Frost Claws, gaining more EXP than he would've otherwise.

The second fight is in the Null Magic Hall against Emitai's team. Emitai comes in to tell the party he needs the money to save his sick daughter and wants the party to throw the match, especially since he's useless in the Null Magic Hall because he's a magician. However, with Peco as a hostage and their freedom riding on winning they cannot, something that Emitai didn't know about. I don't trust the guy. The fight begins against the party and Emitai and his Golems. Despite magic being negated Ryu still has access to Accession and transforms with the Flame and Defender Genes to become a Flame Dragon, blasting the defenseless Emitai and his Golems with Dragon Breath while Nina provides healing support with items and Momo gives extra firepower. The party is victorious and while they're sad they won they soon learn that Emitai was lying: he's a conman who tricks his opponents into forfeiting with the sob story of his sick daughter so he can get easy money. I knew he couldn't be trusted.

The final round is Ryu VS Garr, who is the current undefeated champion. Prior to the fight Balio and Sunder inform Garr that Ryu is a dragon, something that gets Garr's interest. When Sunder cracks a bad joke all it takes is one glare from Garr and the horse brothers look like they're about to soil themselves. The fight soon begins. Despite Ryu's best efforts Garr is able to win. However, for his prize he claims Ryu and co, something that Balio tries to talk him out of. Only to be scared into submission by Garr, who threatens the horse brother's life. Garr reveals he held back on Ryu (I dunno... that "Lucky Strike" that did over 600 damage didn't seem like holding back) and helps free Peco from Balio and Sunder and allows the party to go free. But the horse brothers aren't done yet despite Garr's warning to leave the kids alone. Garr reveals his motives for helping: Ryu is a member of the Brood and he should head to Angel Tower to the east to learn more, where Garr will be waiting for him.

The party is now free. As they make their way over Maekyss Gorge... and are confronted by Balio and Sunder again. This time with a pack of thugs to assist them. One fight later the horse brothers threaten to sic more thugs at them... only for Garr to reveal he slaughtered them. Balio tries to tell Garr his betrayal won't go unpunished, but Garr counters that not only he doesn't care, but they betrayed him first by continuing to harass the party even after he told them to back off. Balio and Sunder are left with no choice but to fight one last time. They pull out their trump card and fuse to become Ultraman... I mean, Stallion, and the final fight between Ryu and Balio/Sunder begins. Karma has finally caught up to the brothers, and it'll be delivered by flaming claws, burning spear strikes, and bazooka ammo. After a tough fight the brothers have been finally slain, ending their reign of terror once and for all. The moment Ryu has been waiting for has finally come, where his most vile tormentors have been killed that ruined his life and made him start his journey.

Nina thanks Garr, which he brushes off and tells Ryu they need to go to Angel Tower. But first they need to return Nina to Wyndia. And they need a passport from the King anyway, so it works out. Nina informs Garr that Ryu is looking for Rei and Teepo but Garr feels they won't be alive because of the type of people Balio and Sunder are and Ryu is just naturally tougher because of his Brood heritage. Well... he's not wrong to think that, since Balio and Sunder are ruthless, remorseless killers working for a bigger, evil group. But Nina has faith that Rei and Teepo are still alive, as do Ryu. But now with the Contest of Champions behind them and their freedom ahead of them the party heads back to Wyndia to return Nina safely and get the passport needed to go to the eastern lands.

Ryu: Lv22, HP: 122/AP: 78/Power: 103/Defense: 85/Intelligence: 73/Agility: 20, Master: D'lonzo
Nina: Lv17, HP: 70/AP: 92/Power: 55/Defense: 70/Intelligence: 70/Agility: 22, Master: Yggdrasil
Momo: Lv16, HP: 73/AP: 53/Power: 108/Defense: 73/Intelligence: 69/Agility: 19, Master: D'lonzo
Peco: Lv1, HP: 40/AP: 8/Power: 28/Defense: 41/Intelligence: 4/Agility: 0
Garr: Lv13, HP: 99/AP: 7/Power: 84/Defense: 65/Intelligence: 21/Agility: 9

 

[CynthiaLover]

Since today was a slow day (largely thanks to a lack of sleep), I got more done in Ryu's grand adventure.

Log #6: All's Fair in Love and Lighthouses

So after the party makes their way to Wyndia to get a passport and return Nina, the young princess is left alone at home. However, she soon hears a scream and shortly finds Honey, Momo's pet robot, running around. She tries to catch the wayward robot but both end up falling off a balcony. But Honey saves them by allowing them to float but at the cost of her power. Nina knows that only Momo can fix her, so she spirits off to find the party. She soon finds them and Momo informs her than Honey just needs more chrysm. While the girls work on Honey, Garr takes a moment to talk to Ryu. He informs Ryu that shortly after finding out about the Brood he could very well die. Nina, not wanting Ryu to die, insists on coming along. This won't reflect well in the eyes of the Wyndian Royal Family, but Nina's in it for the long haul.

After exploring the map, taking on new Masters and gaining new powers, the party crosses the checkpoint. Garr covers for Nina (with a rather humorous story that the guards won't question out of fear), saying that Ryu tends to use his powers to protect her, and in order for Ryu to learn about the Brood he needs to use them. Nina vows to become stronger so Ryu won't get into trouble for using his powers. Soon the party reaches the Rhapala Region, where new Masters, new monsters, new fishing spots, and a new Dragon Gene await. They need a boat to reach where Garr wants to take Ryu.

However, all's not well in Rhapala. The boat is missing, the Lighthouse has stopped working and is now overrun with monsters, the road east has been blocked by a recent eruption. And worst of all: an arranged marriage between Shadis and Zig, to both Shadis' and her true love, Beyd's dismay. But Beyd knows he can't compete with Zig, who already got the Guildmaster's seal of approval. Nina decides to play matchmaker, since the party has nothing else to do, to the rest of the party's dismay. After a quick chat with Beyd he knows Nina is right but he can't accept it despite her offer to train him... until he learns that Zig is planning to fix the Lighthouse himself. He realizes he has to try to beat Zig so both he and Shadis can be happy, since it's clear she can't stand the Bluto-like man.

So it's time to train. Using some leftover equipment and several nights worth of training (with clever use of the Backhand Skill that we picked up way back in Wyndia), the party worked on getting Beyd stronger. And all the while Zig was too busy flirting with Shadis to actually go to the Lighthouse like he said he would. Soon the time finally came for Beyd and Zig to fight to see who goes to the Lighthouse. I think we overtrained Beyd has he beat the snot out of Zig and barely took any damage himself. And to think we thought we might have to help him in secret. Beyd thanks the party and effectively proposes to Shadis, to her delight. Looks like love is in the air and a bright future is on the horizon for Beyd and Shadis.

Unfortunately... the next day, we find that Beyd is pretty beat up. Guess we were a bit too rough on him in training since Zig barely dented him in the fight. But he allows the party to go to the Lighthouse in the Guild's stead, since we might be the only other able-bodied individuals left right now. So it's off to the Lighthouse. After roaming the halls, battling monsters along the way, the party activates the main valve and seems to get things going. But they soon find some strange lizard creature that's standing in the hall, motionless. They walk past it only for a gigantic orb full of eyeballs to clang down from above and bring the creature to life. Time to fight Gazer! After a short but tough battle the monster is slain. The party makes it to the top of the Lighthouse, picking up a Dragon Gene along the way, and activates it. ...Only for a faerie to come out of nowhere and try to shut it down, but instead jammed the lever in place. She throws a hissy fit, reveals that the faeries left Gazer to guard the Lighthouse, and tosses Ryu and Faerie Tiara and tells the party to come to their realm via the flower rings. Great. One thing after another. Beyd and Shadis thank the party for activating the Lighthouse, promising to take us wherever we want when the boat comes back. So now it's time to deal with the faeries and why they were so insistent on keeping the Lighthouse off.

Ryu: Lv25, HP: 145/AP: 95/Power: 112/Defense: 103/Intelligence: 84/Agility: 20, Master: Giotto
Nina: Lv22, HP: 80/AP: 126/Power: 64/Defense: 84/Intelligence: 95/Agility: 24, Master: Yggdrasil
Momo: Lv18, HP: 79/AP: 55/Power: 114/Defense: 75/Intelligence: 79/Agility: 22, Master: D'lonzo
Peco: Lv7, HP: 97/AP: 21/Power: 50/Defense: 68/Intelligence: 4/Agility: 0, Master: Fahl
Garr: Lv18, HP: 141/AP: 8/Power: 125/Defense: 101/Intelligence: 21/Agility: 9, Master: Bunyan

Notes: I switched Ryu to Giotto who, despite being largely considered the weakest Master in the game (sans Durandal) with the oddest Skills in the game, it will give him a much-needed HP and AP boost. I was able to apprentice under him thanks to all the fishing I've done, getting my Fishing Rank to "Rod Master++". Peco was put under Fahl temporarily to gain all of his Skills, as I plan to switch him to Maryleep once she becomes available (since I need to first take care of the faeries in order to gain access to her). Mostly because I'm using him to exploit the Master System to get Skills faster, especially when I use the Skill: Monopolize, to steal all the EXP for fast leveling. And, obviously, Garr is under Bunyan since it pretty much fits Garr's battling style (slow and tank-y) like a glove. Plus Bunyan takes a while to max out on (though not as bad as some later Masters). And on a last note... I HATE spelling "faeries" that way. It feels so unnatural to me. I vastly prefer "fairy", but since the game has a Medieval Europe flair to it, it's only natural that it would use that version of the spelling. ...Anyway, that's all for now.

 

[CynthiaLover]

Another slow day (for a Monday I'm thankful) so got some more playing done. Time to continue Ryu's adventures.

Log #7: Volcanic Panic

After taking care of things in Rhapala the party heads to the nearest flower ring and activates the Faerie Tiara, ending up in the realm of the faeries. They're informed that the faeries tried to keep the Lighthouse off because a monster in the sea threatens to eat them and they're powerless to fight back. So the party volunteers to kill the monster. They wait until nightfall before... a pink fin(?) appears. They attack it, revealing it to be a dolphin. He seems friendly. When Nina and Momo go to talk to the faeries the dolphin reveals his true colors to Ryu, squirting him with water and speaking in a surprising Aussie accent. The faeries confirm that the dolphin is the monster and after a few insults by them the Dolphin reveals his "combat form" and attacks the party. But the Dolphin is no match for Ryu's electrified dragon claws, Nina's Lightning, and Momo's bazooka. The party slays the Dolphin and returns to the faeries, where one of them gives Ryu a rather violent lip lock as thanks, something that doesn't sit well with Nina. But now it's safe to keep the Lighthouse light on.

The next morning the party regroups with Beyd and Shadis... only to learn the ship is still not back. So the current Guildmaster gives the party permission to use the secret Guild route through Mt. Zublo, the volcano that blocked the road with a recent eruption. So it's time to brave the intense heat of Mt. Zublo and its monsters. After collecting what they needed, doing a few Master swaps here and there, the party made their way to Mt. Zublo.

After spending WAY too much time grinding for levels and items in order to better whether the lava and heat, even collecting a new Dragon Gene, the party eventually reaches a narrow strip of land with two large pools of lava on either side. An old man appears and starts cackling about "voices of the dead" and "those who sleep in the tower" before summoning two lava worm-like creatures called Charyb and Scylla (nice mythological reference there). The battle begins. Thanks to the leveling the party was well above the power of the two monsters and their old man master, especially thanks to Nina having Blizzard at this point. Thus the battle ends fairly quickly. The party makes it out of Mt. Zublo and are now in the Urkan Region.

The party makes their way to Urkan Tapa, home of Garr and his fellow Urkans. After talking to the leader of the rather religious city he gives us permission to enter Angel Tower. That night Garr talks about Angel Tower and that he's a Guardian, which is the name for Urkan warriors. He briefly mentions again that Ryu might die shortly after they get to Angel Tower but doesn't push it any further. For now. We shall see what lies at Angel Tower soon enough.

Ryu: Lv30, HP: 185/AP: 122/Power: 130/Defense: 133/Intelligence: 96/Agility: 30, Master: Giotto
Nina: Lv29, HP: 118/AP: 180/Power: 70/Defense: 95/Intelligence: 124/Agility: 31, Master: Hondara
Momo: Lv12, HP: 103/AP: 75/Power: 127/Defense: 86/Intelligence: 95/Agility: 27, Master: D'lonzo
Peco: Lv23, HP: 214/AP: 83/Power: 103/Defense: 123/Intelligence: 31/Agility: 18, Master: Hondara
Garr: Lv23, HP: 183/AP: 8/Power: 162/Defense: 151/Intelligence: 21/Agility: 8, Master: Giotto

Notes: As you can see there's been a decent level jump since last time. Especially Peco. I also spend some time mixing and matching various Masters to boost certain stats and/or gain certain Skills. I also spent too much time in Mt. Zublo farming for items like Proteins and Magma Armors, and the monsters there are great for grinding (namely the Vulcans and Lava Men, who get stronger/give more EXP when struck with Fire attacks). I was able to farm two Magma Armors (which took longer than it should've): one for Ryu and one for Garr, as they provide full Fire immunity and convert it into HP recovery, while Nina got the Ring of Fire to do the same thing (plus it removed her weakness to Fire since she was under Yggdrasil until I got to Urkan Tapa). I've maxed out on most of the available Masters up to this point, with Giotto being the only one left since I interrupted Ryu's training with him to apprentice him under Meryleep for a massive Agility boost (and given the weight of the Magma Armor, it helped offset the Agility drop it causes). Peco, obviously, got the biggest level jump, as he's been my Master System cheat, having cleaned out Fahl, Meryleep, and Hondara of their Skills, which have been largely redistributed to other characters. We've now reached the major turning point in the game, as after Angel Tower the real adventure begins.

 

[CynthiaLover]

Time to continue on in Ryu's journey.

Log #8: Mine Your Own Business

The party reaches Angel Tower and Garr guides them down into the depths of it. Despite being a holy ground there are monsters lurking the ancient corridors. After exploring the entire depths of the tower the party comes to the bottom floor. However, the rest of the party needs to stay behind, as only Ryu is allowed to go any further with Garr. The party complies and Ryu and Garr venture further inward. There they find plaques that list the Guardians... and the number of Brood they killed, revealing the skeletons of the slain dragonkin. Garr plans to kill Ryu, resulting in a battle. But Ryu is victorious, which Garr confirms that he suspected the Brood would've won the war handily, yet they lost. Ryu suddenly becomes the Kaiser Dragon and vanishes.

Years later Garr is hunting a dragon running amok in a mine. He manages to corner it and knock it out, resulting in it transforming back into a now-adult Ryu. Ryu gives Garr his forgiveness and the two head out, but a powerful Brood presence is lurking in the mine, which called out to Ryu. After exploring the mines a bit, gaining items and fighting monsters, the duo are confronted by a vengeful Dragon Zombie. When Ryu refuses to kill Garr a fight breaks out. Which ends extremely quickly thanks to Ryu knowing Kyrie, which OHKOs Undead. The Dragon Zombie becomes the Shadow Gene and fuses with Ryu. Then a female entity appears and becomes the Fusion Gene for Ryu. After the duo leave the mines and collect Garr's reward for "slaying" the dragon they head out. Ryu has a terrible dream of when he was a dragon, killing people and causing all sorts of damage, but Garr comforts him, saying he's not in full control as a dragon.

The duo soon reach Syn City, home of the black market and where Balio and Sunder came from. After purchasing some equipment and items, learning a bit about a "monster" lurking on Ogre Road, the duo head down that path. They soon encounter the "monster": a Weretiger. After a brief fight the Weretiger flees. Something about that tiger seems familiar. After leaving Ogre Road the duo makes it to McNeil Village... where the Mayor is under investigation for food smuggling, dealing with criminals, and other fun stuff. About time karma caught up to him. After getting a free night in the inn the duo head into Cedar Woods to deal with the tiger that showed up. At the ruins of Ryu's old home he goes on ahead alone. Turns out the tiger was, in fact, Rei, who survived that fateful day. Rei is happy to know that his "brother" is alive, but he's still driven by revenge for what Balio, Sunder, and McNeil did to him and his "family", heading out to destroy Syn City and the don once and for all.

Ryu and Garr return to McNeil Village, finding Loki having been mauled by Rei (about time karma caught up to him, too) and head for McNeil Manor. There they find the Royal Guards "escorting" McNeil to prison, lead by none other than an adult Nina. Ryu and Garr inform Nina of what they know and, showing her growth, insists they head for Syn City to complete the investigation, since McNeil is associated with them. With Nina now back in the ranks it's time to head out.

After venturing through the mountains, through Ogre Road, and to Syn City, the party finds that Rei has already "visited" and pretty much torn the place asunder in search for Mikba, the don of Syn City. The party knows they need to stop Rei from his roaring rampage of revenge so they head for the northern checkpoint where Mikba was fleeing to.

Ryu: Lv32, HP: 203/AP: 139/Power: 156/Defense: 139/Intelligence: 105/Agility: 33, Master: Mygas
Nina: Lv30, HP: 122/AP: 189/Power: 76/Defense: 113/Intelligence: 134/Agility: 36, Master: Emitai
Garr: Lv26, HP: 208/AP: 16/Power: 179/Defense: 162/Intelligence: 28/Agility: 10, Master: Mygas

As you can see I switched up some Masters, along with gaining a new one in the form of Emitai (at the not-so-affordable price of 10,000 Zenny). Now most of the current cast are apprenticed to magical-type Masters. This is to boost AP and Intelligence (and in Garr's case, not hinder his Agility growth), while, obviously, Nina benefits from magician Masters, given she's an offensive magician herself. I also changed up Nina's equipment, having bought some stuff ahead of time when Syn City wasn't in ruins (though it'll recover). This is because a tough boss battle is on the horizon and everyone needs to be at their best.