Wednesday, 2 September 2015

You Learn Something New Every Day or Tips from Minor Characters...

Before Rune Factory, Harvest Moon was my favourite series, but I have to admit that once Rune Factory appeared, it instantly assumed that status.  I found the combination of Farming, Forging and Fighting irresistable.  And still love the series.

If you do not like dialogue and random events, Rune Factory 4 is not for you but if you do, it is even more packed with special surprises than any previous game in the series.

Apart from the many little mini-dialogues and events that occur between characters randomly, there are new tips from minor characters that I discover even now:

Angry Ev:  Rare Can looks like nothing but  trash.  But if you use it to strengthen a weapon, it'll make monsters drop rare items more often.

When I used the bath with Doug as companion, he was waiting in the foyer with Onigiri for me afterwards, complaining it took a long time!

Trader Scott:  Do you know what happens when you raise healing spells like Medipoison to their maximum level?  It heals various types of status ailments.  Not just poison.

Smart Brit:  When you get a high level seed, it's best to ship it first.  Once it's shipped, the shop might get in seeds of that level, too.

Friday, 24 July 2015

Early Forging and Crafting Upgrade Tips and Values

Playing through the game a second time as a boy, I find myself returning to my old, more careful ways of noticing things and oddities.  Rune Factory, like Harvest Moon requires a lot of time, energy and patience.  You cannot forge the weapons you would like to make at the beginning, nor can you craft armour and accessories that are very powerful, even if you find potent upgrade materials in the dungeons.  The first of any item found, by the way, really ought to be shipped as you then will have an opportunity to purchase it in the future, even if that option does not exist quite at the start.  Later, merchants can be enticed to the village who will offer any item you have shipped (apart from a couple of odd exceptions) randomly for sale.

So, what is a poor farmer/adventurer to do?  You may have a wonderful Lightning Mane, but the difficulty value is far too high to use it.  Here is a list of items that are found easily at the start that can be used either to upgrade weapons and accessories you actually intend to use or to use simply to raise your experience level at the Forge and Crafting Table.

Note that the items listed below are NOT War Trophies or items that one would expect to carry increased abilities or potency.  They are the items that do NOT give any values when you hold them or look at them on their own.  You have to insert them in the Materials box at the Forge or Crafting Table to see what would happen if you were to use them.

A very happy discovery here was that the lowly Spinach carries with it the power to increase the item's poetncy by   +2 Magic Attack.  I do not think there is any War Trophy that has a Difficulty Level of 9 that has the same potential at the start of the game.

Note furthermore that this list is not exhaustive.  It is simply a little project that I undertook using whatever was in my Backpack, Fridge and Storage in the middle of Spring in the first year.  It is not the potency of the Items that make them useful particularly but the fact that they can be used with very little forging or crafting experience.  Obviously, you will obtain many War Trophies with far greater potency but you will be unable to use them as your total RP will be insufficient.  These all require little RP to use.

Toyherb:  Vit +1, Ftg Res 5%
Moondrop: Int +1
Pink Cat: Int +2

Medicinal Herb: Ftg Res +1%
Antidote Grass: Psn Res +3%
Rock: Critical 1%
Branch: ATK +1
Can: Knock +1%
Lumber: ATK +1
Material Stone: Critical +1

N.B.  The stats of Lumber are no different from Branch, nor is Material Stone any different from Rock... no point in processing the raw material if using in forging or crafting.


Potato: Vit +2
Turnip: Str +1
Spinach: Mag Attack +2
Radish: Vit +3

Bamboo Sprout: ATK +1

Roundoff: Seal Res +7%
Paragone: Para Res +7%

Food items can be used to raise the level of the Weapon or Accessory but will not give any increased stats to it.  The value of the food item in terms of those stats will accrue only if you eat it. I am speaking here of Cooked Dishes and Ingredients purchased at the Market. Crops, on the other hand, DO affect stats as do Medicines.

Another tip that may be helpful in terms of acquiring Materials that you cannot access through dungeon hunts or 'dungeon farming' near the start is to take any unusual item that is given as a Reward for completing a Request and shipping it rather than using it.  You can use your Prince/Princess Points early on to bring a Gem Merchant to the village.  He will stand in the northwest corner of the main chamber of the Bathhouse and will sell random Gems, Crystals and Ores that you have shipped previously.  He will NOT offer any item that has not been shipped.

Thus, for instance, when you complete the Request that carries Silver as a Reward, make certain to SHIP that piece of Silver if you are at a point in the game where you have not reached a dungeon that contains any Silver.  Silver is needed in almost all the Weapons and Armour that can be made early in the game above the level of those made with Bronze.

Finally, there is a good use for Scrap Metal and all the Iron that you find everywhere at the start.  Use it to upgrade any cheap item made at the Forge or Crafting Table, NOT in order to equip the finished product but to ship it only.  You need to practice your forging and crafting (as well as cooking!) in order to raise your Level to the point where you actually can use GOOD materials and make powerful weapons and accessories.  One way to do this is by making hundreds of Broadswords and Small Shields and so on, upgrading each to Level 10 before shipping them.  As I wrote at the very start of this post, any Harvest Moon or Rune Factory game imitates life in the sense that nothing is easy, and everything good takes time, energy and patience!

N.B.  I have written about this elsewhere, but it probably is worth repeating for the player who is unfamiliar with the game.  Any Material used to upgrade a Weapon, Tool, Armour or Accessory will give its value ony ONCE to that item.  In other words, it is only the first piece of Iron that you use to upgrade an Item that will increase the potency of it.    You can use 8 more Iron Ore on a Level 1 item and the LEVEL will increase to the maximum of 10 but the stats will not change after the first piece is used.

Iron by the way is useful stuff where increasing your own Skill Levels are concerned, because you find it everywhere.  I ship very little in the initial stages of the game, choosing to store it for use in Forging and Crafting instead. 

Saturday, 7 February 2015

Locations of Rare Monsters in RF4 and Rare Items

Nowadays, there are plenty of Guides on the internet that list all the Monsters and all War Trophies perhaps, but I still feel it may be useful to give a few tips about the locations of some of the rare Monsters and some of the rare War Trophies and items:

There are four elementals of different colours, simply given the name of their colours.  They make wonderful allies but it can be difficult to find them.  They only appear rarely in their designated locations, so if you really are determined, you should save, then go on and off the screen until one appears.

Green:  When you first explore Idra Cave, you will have an opportunity to accept a little Green into your Party if you have a Monster Barn with a free slot.  After that, you can find them in the little screen with the pond in the Maya Road area.

Blue:  South of Cave in Sechs Territory
Red:  On Autumn Road on the screen east of the Revival Cave
Yellow:  Sercerezo Hill on the screen with five stumps west of Idra Cave.

The following are Monsters that occasionally drop a very rare item:

Pink Dragon: rune Prana 6: Love Sclae
Yellow Dragon: Rune Prana 6: Glitter Scale
Golem: Floating Empire, Golem Stone
Guardian Rune Prana 6: Golem Spirit Stone

Monday, 2 February 2015

Birthday Gifts and Salutations

At this point in the game, Freya had won but still was wandering about Rune Prana, not having yet found Ventuswill.  It was the third year and she had established dating rights with ALL the bachelors. Her birthday is, as always 4 Autumn.  In Rune Factory 4, this sadly is the day of the Eating Contest.  Nonetheless, the first dialogue from every villager concerned her birthday.  Reloading to see if the gifts remained constant, she discovered that they did stay the same, which is why they are included here.  It is possible that they change every year, however.

Vishnal:  Good morning.  It is time to be up, Princess.  Princess, Happy Birthday.  (Happy Birthday!  Yes.)  Here.  I have a birthday present for you.
Freya:  (Thanks!)  Thanks!
Vishnal:  Princess?
Freya:  Hmm?
Vishnal:  I, um...  I love you.
Freya.  (Yeah)  Thank you.

Gift  Yellow Ribbon

Leon:  What, do you miss the sound of my voice?  (Happy Birthday)  Today's your birthday, right?  Happy Birthday.  (Here.)  Here.
Freya:  (Thank you very much.)  Thank you.
Leon:  No, thank YOU.  It's because of you that I don't die of boredom.
Freya:  Huh...?
Leon:  I am glad that you exist here, in this era.

Gift:  Grilled Lamp Squid  (Ugh, but HE loves it!  If you give one you made yourself:  Ah!  Are you sure I can have this?  Ha ha!  Thank you!  This is my favourite dish.  Hmm, when should I have it?)

Volkanon:  (Ah, Happy Birthday!)  Miss Freya!  Happy Birthday! (Here you go!)  I have prepared a special present for you on this wonderful occasion!
Freya:  (Thank you so much.)  Really?  Thanks!

Gift:  Greenifier

Forte:  (Congratulations!)  Today is your birthday, correct?  Happy Birthday.  I, erm, I attempted to craft a birthday present for you, but...  (NO!)  AHEM!  I, er, I hope you like it.
Freya:  (Thank you very much!)  Thank you.
Forte:  I think i'll try again once I've practiced making sweets a bit more.

Gift:  Disastrous Dish  (Obviously, she was trying to make a Cake, but failed superbly!)

Clorica:  (Congratulations!)  Happy Birthday, Freya!  Here, I have a present for you.

Gift:  Curry Rice

Arthur  Master, Happy Birthday!  (Here!)  Here.  A present for you.
Freya:  (Thank you SO much!)  Oh!  Thank you!
Arthur:  It's nothing.  I'm simply glad you enjoy it.  After all, I like seeing you smile.  (You're too cute!)
Freya:  Huh...?
Arthur:  Heh heh.

Kiel:  (oh!)  Oh hey, Honey!  Today is your birthday, isn't it?  (Happy Birthday!  Here you are!) Here, Honey!
Freya:  Apple Pie?
Kiel:  Yep!  I worked really hard to make it for you.
Freya:  Yikes!  I see dark circles under your eyes.
Kiel:  Will you take it?
Freya:  O=of course!  Thanks!
Kiel:  You're welcome!

Gift:  Apple Pie, as declared.

Blossom:  (Freya, Happy Birthday)  Freya, Happy Birthday. Here.  It may not be much, but I have a present for you.

Gift: Ruby

Doug: (It's fall already.  Happy Birthday!)  Hey, today's your birthday, right?  Happy Birthday!
  Here, this one's for this year.

Gift: Fried Rice

Illuminata:  (Woo hoo!  Happy Birthday!)  Today's your birthday, right?  Happy Birthday!
  Oh, and here!  A present for you.
Freya:  (Thank you so much!)  Thank you!
Illuminata:  No problem.  No problem at all!  (laughter)  You'll love it.  I just know you will!

Gift:  Fireflower Seeds

Xiao Pai:  Oh yes.  It seems today is your birthday.  (Happy Birthday!)  Happy Birthday.  Oh, and there is a present, too.
Freya:  A present?  For who?
Xiao Pai:  Hmm?  You, silly.
Freya: ... Thanks.
Xiao Pai: You're welcome.  Of course, it's not like it turned out this way because i didn't have time to kill.
Freya:  ...

Gift:  Chinese Manju

Pico:  Dolly, milaaady!  Oomph!...Oh, hi, Freya!
Freya:  You seem in good spirits today, Pico.
Pico:  (Happy Birthday!)  Freya's birthday is today, isn't it?
Dolce:  Oh yes.  It is.  Happy Birthday.
Pico;  You act like you almost forgot, but what's that you're holding, milady?
Dolce:  O-oh!  I, erm, just happened to have some extra handy.
Freya:  Thanks.  I love it.
Dolce:  Oh, well.  If you're happy with that little  thing, I could give you as many as you want.
Pico: Never mind that it took you days and days to pick that ou-- MMPH!!
Dolce:  Pay her no mind.

Gift:  Hand-knit Scarf

Margaret:  Happy Birthday, Freya!  Here, I made a birthday present for you.
Freya:  (Thanks!)  Really?  Thanks!
Margaret:  Um... I'm glad I chose not to go with a song written by me this time.  The last one got so popular, every one sang it.  It's so embarrassing for me to even listen to it now...

Gift:  4 leaf Clover

Amber:  (Hi!)  I heard it's your birthday today, Freya.  Happy Birthday!  Oh yeah!  Here, I have a present for you.  I worked really hard to make it.
Freya:  (Thanks!)  Oh, wow.  Thanks.  You're welcome.

Gift: Honey

Porcoline:  HAAAAAH...
Freya:  Procoline?
Porco:  HAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Freya:  (Porcoline?!)  Porcoline?
Porco:  (Ah, Congratulations!)  HAAAAAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Freya: ...
Porco:  I thought i'd try wishing you a Happy Birthday, with passion!
Freya:  Um, thanks.
Porco:  PUUUUUHHH
Freya:  (Thank you very much.)  Present, right?  Thank you.
Porco:  (NO!)  No fair!  You cut moi off!

Gift:  Grilled Snapper

Lin Fat: Today is your birthday, isn't it?  Happy Birthday!  Here, I have a present for you.  I hope you like it.  (Happy Birthday.)  I have a birthday present for you.  I hope you like it.
Freya:  Oh, thanks.
Lin Fa  You're very welcome.

(I think the duplication is unintentional.)

Gift: Silver

Dylas:  Today's your birthday, right?  Uh, here.  This is for you.
Freya  A present for me?  (Thank you!)  Thanks!
Dylas:  Whatever.  I just happened to think of it, is all.
Freya:  Why don't you just admit the truth already?
Dylas:  Sh-shaddup!

Gift: Cake

Jones:  (Happy Birthday!)  Freya, Happy Birthday.  It's today, right?
Freya:  (Thank you very much!)  Yes!  Thank you.
Jones:  Oh, good.  I have a present for you.  I hope you like it.  i'm not very good at picking out presents, you see.  I'm not sure I got something you would like.
Freya:  Thank you very much.)  No, this is wonderful.  Thanks.

Gift:  Formula C

Nancy:  (Happy Birthday)  Today is your birthday, yes?  Happy Birthday!  Here.  I made this for you.  I hope it's an appropriate birthday present for you.
Freya: (Thank you very much!)  Th-thank you.  You didn't ahve to do all this just for me.
Nancy:  Oh, don't worry.  I did it because I wanted to.

Gift: Emerald

Bado:  (Hi!  Happy Birthday.)    Hey, Freya.  It's your birthday, right?  Happy Birthday.  Coincidentally, I had this really neat item that, for some odd reason, wouldn't sell!  Your're smart!  I think you'll be able to find a use for it.  Here.
Freya:  So, um... it's a present, then, right?  Thank you.
Bado:  No problem!  You're welcome.
Freya:  Um...

Gift:  Monkey Plush

Pretty Becky:  I'm looking for a Gem called the White Stone.  Have you heard anything about it?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

There is an ongoing Town Event, so I run into that when I go into the village and find Clorica, Arthur and Forte hanging about the airship again.



Arthur:  So it seems some  type of riding beast is necessary.
Forte:  Yes.
Clorica:  How about a Giant Beetle?
Forte:  Erm... perhaps not.  Their backs seem too slick to make riding easy.
Arthur:  Well then, how about a Buffamoo?
Forte:  Hmm.  Those seem easy to ride.
Arthur:  Yes.  And they are awfully cute.
Forte:  But, like any cow, they lack speed.
Arthur:  I find their leisurely pace quite adorable.
Clorica:  Why don't we go ask Bado?  Maybe he has an idea.
Arthur:  Ah, that makes sense.
Forte: ERm, what makes you mention Bado's name?
Arthur:  It seems he has a new sales idea that requires him to collect monsters.
Forte:  What...?

After:
Clorica:  Oh yes! I had something I was going to ask Forte... But I just forgot it again.
Arthur:  It seems Bado has begun collecting monsters.  I heard it is for a new sales idea he has, but I'm not sure of any of the details.  Perhaps if you visit his shop, you might be able to find out more from him.

I walk into the Forge to experience the next Event.

Bado is standing in front of a large Minotaur.

Me: !
Bado:  Whoa, whoa...!  There ya go.  (All right!)  Good girl!  Oh, hi Freya.  Mind letting us past?

I trot away from the doorway.

Bado:  Whoa.  Whoa there!  Thatta girl.

He leaves.

I stand there.
Freya: (...)  ...?

Kiel enters now.

Me: (!)
Kiel:  Oh!  Hi, HOney.  Has my sister come by yet?
Freya:  I don't think so.  When I got here it was just me and Bado.
Kiel:  Ah.  I found a really neat book that I wanted to show to her, but oh well.
Freya:  A neat book?
Kiel  Yeah!  This one, it's about a legendary knight.  It's so cool! See?  Especially this part!  It's his best line!  'A knight is no knight unless he rides a horse.'
Freya: (!)  That line...
Kiel:  I so wanna show this to Forte.  I just know she'll love it!  I think I'll go looking for her.  (See you later!)

He leaves.

I turn towards the counter now.
Freya: (!)  Hm?  What's this?  A note from Bado?  'I'm presently working on a new product line.  Please come to the castle if you want to talk to me.'

When I go outside from my chamber to the plaza, even though it's a Festival Day and 11.00, the Event has superceded it.

Bado is there with Clorica, Vishnal and Forte.

Bado:  Okay, are you ready?
Forte:  Come!  I'm ready whenever you are.
Freya:  Uh, what are you guys doing?
Vishnal:  Oh, hello, Princess.
Clorica:  As you can see, they're looking for a monster that can be Forte's new mount.
Bado:  Let's start with this one.

Screen darkens then when a Silver Wolf is there:
Forte:  It... is rather fluffy.  And... cute.
Bado:  Ha ha!  That's really girly of you, Forte!
Forte:  S-silence, i-is't not!
Bado:  How about this one?
Now it is a Fish.

Bado:  Well?
Forte:  Erm..  Wait, yuck! It's slimy!  Keep it away from me!   Hmm.  Okay, this one next.
It's a Tortoise.
Bado:  Do you recongise this cute little turtle you saved all those years ago?
Forte:  I... I can't say that I do actually.
Bado:  Oh well, I guess that isn't surprising, considering I just made that up.
Forte:  Why, you...!  You tricked me!
Bado:  Right, on to the next one.
Now it is the Minotaur.
Forte:  No, just... no.
Bado:  Aw, why not?  I think it's perfect for you.
Forte:  What about that is perfect?
Bado:  Hmph.  Well, all right then.  I'll just go and look for other customers.  More  ppreciative ones at that.
Forte: Dont give up so quickly!  You're an adult, show some tenacity!
Bado: Yeah, yeah.  It's time for you to get off, now.
Forte:  But...
He marches off with the Minotaur in tow.

Forte:  *SIIIGH*

After:
Clorica:  Forte looks like she is really having fun.
Vishnal:  Still, I have to wonder if this will all work out.
Clorica:  If what will all work out?
Vishnal:  What, you don't remember?

I speak to Forte now and the next event is initiated.
Forte: ...  I'm no true knight, am I/
Volkanon steps up with a fanfare:
Volkanon:  Ha ha haaah!  I thought this might be the case!
Forte:  That voice...!
Every one: (!)
Volkanon:  Accordingly, I have taken the liberty of procuring the perfect mount for you, Lady Forte!
Forte: You have?  Thank you, Volkanon!  I'm much obliged!
Volkanon:  And here it is!

An Elefun emerges from the main entrance of the castle and trumpets.
Forte:  An ... elefun?
Volkanon:  Precisely!
Forte:  Not a horse...?
Volkanon:  Do not worry, lady!
Forte:  Why not?!
Volkanon:  An elefun is far stronger and far tougher than any horse!
Forte: ...
Clorica:  Oh dear.  It looks like Forte has gone into a state of shock.
Volkanon:  I see.  And here I thought it would be an elephantine job to get her to ride the beast... But it seems it was no big tusk at all!  Ha ha ha!
Every one: (...)
The Elefun trumpets again and displays cross hurt.
Freya:  Huh?
Volkanon:  Hm?  What is the matter, Patrascha?

The elefun races out of the castle, tramples Volkanon down and escapes.
Volkanon:  Patrascha...?!
He follows with tear.
Forte:  Darn it!  I have no choice, do I...
She follows...

After:
Clorica;  My, things have turned very exciting, haven't they?
Volkanon:  Clorica, don't just stand there.  we need to chase after them!

Now I follow and find every one on the drawbridge.
Forte:  Whew!  I managed to catch up!
Volkkanon:  Patrascha!  You know better than to do that!  You had me so worried I.. I could cty! WAAAAAAAH!!!
Clorica;  Ahh, what a touching reunion.
Vishnal  I-I guess...
Kiel;  Huh?

He comes from the south.
Kiel"  Oh, hey every one!  What are you doing here...
The Elefun trumpets and starts to charge Kiel.
Clorica;  Oh no!
Vishnal:  Look out!
Kiel:  Huh?

The screen goes black and words appear:
Forte:  You will not touch my brother!!
She knocks the Elefun on its back and it goes off to the right.
Volkanon:  Patrascha!!!
He races off to the right.
Forte:  Are you all right, Kiel?
Kiel:  Yeah, I'm fine.
Forte:  Good. I'm glad.  So... very glad...!
Kiel:  Forte...  He was right.  A knight is still a knight, even without a horse...
Forte:  What...?
Kiel:  I was reading a really neat book about this one famous knight.  Once I finished it, I wanted to lend it to you so you could read it too.  I thought you'd like it.  See, at the very end of the book, the knight finally realises something very important.

Screen black:  People don't become knights just because they have armour and ride on a horse.  Any one can be a true knight when they find the one thing they want to protect more than anything.

Kiel:  Isn't that cool?
Forte: ...  Yes.  Yes, it is.
Clorica:  Forte...  So that is why you were trying so hard to find a horse.  So you could be a knight for Kil.
Forte:  Wh-what?!  I-I never said anything like that.
Clorica:  Oh?  You weren't?
Forte:  Well... a little yes, a little no...  But anyway!  What are you doing here, Clorica?
Clorica:  Huh?  Me?  Oh...  I think there was something I needed to tell you.  Do you remember what it was?
Forte:  Erm, no.  I can't say that I do.

The screen darkens.  Now we see Vishnal walk into the throne room.
Vishnal:  Sheesh.  Clorica, you completely forgot about that letter, haven't you.  It says... 'We are conducting a review, and would like to confirm that Forte is performing well as a knight.'  'If you have questions as to her abilities, we will immediately send a more capable replacement.'  Can you believe that/  Personally, I don't see why they felt they needed to send this letter.  And should we tell them of what just happened, that should be plenty to alleviate their doubts.  There's a famous legend about a knight that saves a child from a rampaging elefun.  Well, Forte just did exactly what that legendary knight did.  Who could doubt her now?

Now back on the drawbridge:
Clorida:  Aww, the elefun went away.
Volkanon:  Patrasche!
Freya:  Uh, Forte...?
Forte:  Oh, Freya.  You ... saw the whole thing, didn't you?
Freya:  Yeah.
Forte:  I'm sorry you had to witness something so embarrassing.

My choices:  You can say that again.
You looked really cool!

YOu looked really cool!
Forte:  What...?
Freya:  I was just thinking how grat a sister you are, Forte.
Kiel:  You've got that right!
Forte:  Kiel...!
Freya:  Every day we see how awesome a knight you are.  But today we got so see just ho w adorable a sisgter you can be, too.  I think it's great.
Forte:  Wha...?!
Freya:  Hm?  Is something wrong?
Forte: N=no...  It's just, erm, no one has ever said that to me before, and I...
Freya:  You what?
Forte  N=never mind!
Freya:  Oh.
Forte: ...
Freya:  Forte?
Forte:  I-it's nothing!  W-well then, it's time we were going hom, Kiel.  come on.
Kiel:  Okay!  Oh yeah1  And here, you can borrow this book, too.
Forte:  Oh, erm, thank you.
Kield;  I know!  I think i'll make your favourite dish for dinner, too!
Forte:  That sounds excellent.
Kiel;  He ghe!  Just you wait.  It's gonna be the best one I've ever made!
Clorica:  Aww, isn't it nice how well they get along?
Volkanon (groaning):  Patrasche...

After:
Kiel:  A knight is a knight, whetehr she has a horse to ride or not.
If I had chosen:  You can say that again!
Forte:  Urk.../!
But then I still say:  I was just thinking how great a sister you are, Forte.

Coorica;  Oh right!  I just remembered I forgot that I had to tell something to Forte.  What was it again?  Hmm..  I thnk i'll go check with Vishnal.  Maybe he remembers.

Forte:  So any one can be a knight once they find the things they want to protect the most.  I never realised the book would end is such a fashion. ... Erm, wait!  I't not what you think.  I did not in any way skim through Kiel's books to make sure he was not reading anything unseemly.  And I certainly didn't let one half-read book bother me to the point I needed to buy a horse!

Kiel:  It's the best season for reading, Honey.  A night is a knight, whether she has a horse to ride or not.   In fact, even though she's naive, blunt, clumsy and a scaredy-cat, she's still an awesome knight!
Freya:  I'm sure he didn't mean that like it sounded.

After, when I spoke to Dylas in the square:
Dylas:  I heard Forte askedArthur and Bado to get her a horse.
My cchoices now:
Change into one for her?
No one ponied up though.

Change into one for her?
Daylas:  Hey!  No!

No one ponied up for her, though.
Dylas:  ... Was that supposed to be funny?

Saturday, 3 January 2015

A Few Useful Tips for Gameplay

Differences between Rune Factory 4 and prior Rune Factory Games
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There are many differences between RF4 and prior games in the series but here are some that deal with weapons.

Allies and their Weapons
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Basically, whenever you talk to some one, even when that individual is officiating behind a counter in a shop, you have the option to ask him/her to accompany you on an adventure.  Press the R button during any conversation to obtain the option, which begins with your Character saying, 'By the way...'  (There are options to ask the individual for a date as well.)  Each Character has his/her own weapon of choice.   When you press the Select Button, you will see many tabs at the top of the screen.  There is a Friendship/Love tab that has two different pages.  One is for people and the other for Pets/Monsters.  When you access the description for any Character, you can press the L Button to see that Character's Weapons, Armour and Accessories.

Note, however, that you will NOT be able to see the Weapons/Accessories Menu if you never asked the Character to accompany you on an advanture.  It is only when you have made that invitation that the information will be added to the Character's Description.

Every Character has a Weapon type of choice. Usually the default with which he/she is armed at the start is not the best of its kind.  Forge better weapons and equipment for the Character and give them as gifts (Choose Hold instead of Equip) to improve their usefulness as allies in battle.

Another reason to equip your Allies is to advance your level of Experience at the Forge and Crafting Table.  As with any Harvest Moon or Rune Factory game, a huge number of items miust be made, again and again, in order to make significant progress.  You can make multiple items but a warning here:  the default in every case will use the BEST ingredients or materials that you have.  In other words, even if you place the least valuable ingredients in each slot, if you make 2 of the item instead of 1, the second will take your BEST ingredients.  This can be rather frustrating if you were saving those for something specific.

Your Ability to Craft
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Although any Craft whether in the Kitchen or at the Forge depends upon Experience Level, eating Recipe Breads will add only certain types of Items to your Menus, especially where Weapons are concerned.

You need to make that type of Weapon repeatedly  in order to be able to learn new Recipes for it.   Even at Forge Level 79, you will not have ANY Gloves Recipes, for example, if you never made any Glove Recipes.

If you have the required Experience Level for forging a Weapon, even if you do not have the Recipe in your Recipe Book, you can choose: 'Do not use Recipe' and then make the Weapon if you know what ingredients must be used to be successful.  This is where a Recipes Guide can be very useful.

Once you have made any Recipe successfully, it will be added to your Recipe Book.    Note, however, that any item made without a Recipe, even if you know the ingredients that are required, will use far more RP than a comparable item made WITH the Recipe.  An example of this is the highest level of Farm Tools that can be crafted at the Forge.  With Forge Level 82 and a total RP of 1685, Freya had no trouble whatsoever forging the Blessed Hoe, the Legendary Sickle and the Miracle Axe, as she had found the Recipes for these on the mountain on which Leon Karnak was built.  Without the other Recipes in her book, however, the RP required to forge the highest level of Fishing Rod, Hammer and Waterpot was double that of her maximum RP and thus, even with the proper ingredients, she met with failure again and again.  The ingredients were transformed into Scrap Metal, which made the entire business a waste of time, energy and materials.  If, however, the Item you wish to craft is one that requires a low level of Experience and you have a high Level, there should be no problem in making the Item without having the Recipe in your Book.  As previously stated, once made successfully, the Recipe WILL be added to your Recipe Book.

Raising Experience Levels at the Forge
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In any Harvest Moon or Rune Factory game, the best players always look ahead.  It is impossible to make good weapons if you do not have experience at the Forge.  Your Shipping List includes every Weapon and Tool.  After making one or discarding one that you made previously in favour of a more powerful Weapon or Tool, ALWAYS MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU FORGE IT TO LEVEL 10 before you sling it into the Shipping Bin.  You needn't use good ingredients to make the upgrades.  This is where Scrap Metal is very useful.  Simply upgrade to Level 10 and then ship it.  This will advance your skills at the Forge faster to allow you to make better Weapons.  The same holds true of Armour and Accessories.

Choosing Ingredients for Upgrades
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The reason why the game by default will choose the most valuable ingredients to use is because you gain more skill that way but I feel it is better to use those ingredients when one actually wishes to keep the Item in question.  In other words, why waste a Chimera Claw on a sword that one only intends to ship?  A Level 10 sword will ship for the same value and be added to your shipping list irrespective of its attributes.  The only reason to use ingredients with superior attributes is if one intends to give the sword to an ally or keep it for ones own use.

Incidentally, using the same ingredient twice in an upgrade will not increase any attributes.  The ingredient will add its attribute to the Item only once but if it is a required ingredient to MAKE the weapon in the first place, it can be used once to upgrade it.   So, for example, if you use Iron  to make a Breadsword,  its attribute of DEF +1 can be added to the weapon should one use Iron to upgrade the weapon to Level 2.  Use it again to upgrade the Broadsword to Level 3, however, and you will find that the attributes of the Broadsword remain unchanged.

There are a host of inexpensive Items that can be used to make upgrades when all you intend to do is gain experience at the Forge or Crafting Table.  It is not only Scrap Metal that is useful here.  You can use Sticks or any colour of Herb to upgrade your Weapons and Armour if you have no intention of doing anything other than shipping the upgraded item.

Wind Barriers
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Rune Prana is difficult, especially if your levels are not that high when you enter the dungeon.  I found the Wind Barriers and the Hornets difficult until I made and equipped a Poison Ring against the stingers and wore the Heavy Boots to get through that final wind barrier that takes you to the two Chests.  The Chests contained three Greenifier + and the Recipe for Anette's Necklace (which was in my Recipe Book!)

Crystal Mammoth
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You need massive amounts of Defence for this one.  I used the various Cores to forge a Smash Blade with good Attack and Defence and it made a world of difference.

Round Stone
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Writer Roland:  I went fishing by the waterfall in Yokmir Forest.  I found Round Stone there.

Boss Monsters
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You can fight the Boss Monsters again and again.  Even the two Guardians at the top of the tower of Leon Karnak will be available for you to 'test your mettle' after you defeat them.  So will Sarcophagus.  So it is possible to ship the Left and Right Shards as well as the Crystal Skull and then obtain them again.

Best Accessory for Protection
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In my experience, the best Accessory is the Diamond Brooch.  I had the Talisman and hated it as it only reversed the effects of Poison and so on very slowly and gradually.  Furthermore, a skull appeared over my head while it was working, confusing me and causing me to think I was being poisoned instead.  The Diamond Brooch, on the other hand, offers 100% protection against all status ailments.  I equipped it in Rune Prana 4 and found that nothing affected me negatively.

Rare Items
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Tips to find a few of the rare items:

Rune Crystals
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Rune Crystal;  These are found when you hit a Rune Crystal with your Hammer.  They are random and rare.  To find a screen with many chances, you can go from the Autumn Field to the east two screens and then north one screen to find a screen with at least six Rune Crystals growing.  You are more likely to find them here than on a screen with only one.  If you fail, reload.

Love Crystals
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Love Crystals:  Gates load randomly in this game but there are two Love Gates specifically to the east and south of Obsidian Mansion.  Go east and then south to an area with lily pads.  There are two Love Gates here on two screens.  One is to the south of the other.  Again, go back and forth as long as you can stand it.  If too much time is wasted, reload.


WHERE ARE MY  MONSTERS?
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I have to confess that I was puzzled by this problem myself, having forgotten some of the ways of Rune Factory!  Ashamed, in fact.  I expandeda couple of my Barns to be able to tame and house some of the more powerful Monsters, but after using them in my party initially, and having sent them home afterwards, could not find them in any of my Barns.  Well, please remember that there can be more than one chamber in a Barn in Rune Factory.  If you expand a barn once, go left to find the second room.  Your poor, neglected new Monsters will be there, wiating for attention!  Incidentally, they may have War Trophies there for you as well that you failed to collect!  It is NOT a glitch.  It is simply another chamber!

Sunday, 30 November 2014

Random All-Important 'Memories' Event in Rune Factory 4

I did not realise that one could go on for years without triggering a critical event until I discovered, quite by accident that a specific day in your own game may be an 'Event' Day and that, by reloading, you can trigger a different event.  If, therefore, you wish to trigger a specific event and all requirements and conditions have been met for that event, you may need to reload a few times on a day when it is evident that an Event can trigger.

I will explain by example.  I had Amber as my companion when I went to bed at 5.57 a.m.  At 6.00 a.m., if she stayed with me, I found that an Event in the Plaza could be triggered if I found Clorica asleep there.  Likewise, by going to the Inn, I discovered that an Event called 'Eternal Rivals' might be triggered that involved the rivalry between Dylas and Doug.  If I went to the area outside the Flower Shop, another Event that involved Volkanon and a mistaken belief that I wished to resign from my duties as surrogate Princess could be triggered.  Finally, a different Event entitled 'Shiny Memories' could be triggered simply by exiting from my room into the Square and noticing a bird's nest above my door.

All of these Events could be triggered randomly, depending on the positions of various individuals when I awakened or my own movements.  The Event that I really wished to trigger, however, was one that is entitled, quite simply 'Memories'.  It is a critical Event that must be experienced only AFTER you have completed the basic plot to emerge victorious.  It will unlock the door at the top of Leon Karnak.

Why is it important and why are players so frustrated when they are unable to trigger it?  Well, for a start, all the best and most valuable items or War Trophies cannot be found until you have access to the top area of Leon Karnak.  Note here that if your XP Levels are insufficient to be able to USE these high-level Items, you will have to wait until you raise your XP in order to use them in Forging or Crafting or whatever.  Nonetheless, why not trigger it and get it out of the way???

I therefore kept reloading to see if it would trigger.  When, at 6.00 a.m., Amber told me she had to leave instead of remaining with me, I knew I had a chance at it.  It was only when I entered the Flower Shop after 7.00 a.m. and after seeing Dylas go inside that I was able to trigger the first sequence in the 'Memories' Event as follows:

The earliest that Memories would trigger was 7.10 a.m.  I had Amber overnight and as soon as I awakened, she rushed off to enter Carnations.  Although I followed her, nothing occurred until 7.00 a.m. when Dylas entered.  I went inside to experience the following:

Dylas:  There's a door, right?
Amber:  Yep.
Dylas:  Any way to open it?
Amber:  I dunno.
Dylas:  Ah.
Amber:  I just got told I wasn't qualified.
Dylas:  You weren't qualified?
Amber:  Yep.  Gotta have determination to open it.  It's proof you can change the world, y'know.  They said mine wasn't the right kind, so I couldn't open it.
Dylas:  ... I can't even picture it.
Amber:  Ummm...
Dylas and Amber both: (...)
Dylas: This is getting us nowhere.  Let's go talk to Arthur.
Amber;  Okay.  Let's ask him.

After:
Amber:  It sounds like there isn't any window or backdoor we can open, either.
Dylas:  Humph.  I can't believe there's nothing I can do.

I was able to trigger the next little Event in the sequence as early as 6.00 a.m. the next morning by simply entering the Clinic.

Dolce:  Even if we somehow manage to open the door...  There's still the question of bringing her back.
Pico:  Exactly.  How to give her a solid body again...
Dolce:  If she doesn't have a body... wouldn't she simply end up like you?
Pico:  I'm not certain.  If she could, it seems like she would have stayed in our world in the first place.
Dolce:  Perhas, unlike you, she had no regrets?
Pico ...
Dolce:  Not remaining in our world means she had nothing left to tie her here, correct?
Pico:  ... That is possible.
Dolce: ...
Pico (with a laugh):  But we still can't know for certain.  She's in a very different position from us normal mortals.  I expect you wish to talk so that we can discover for sure just how different, correct?
Dolce:  ... Yes.
Pico:  Well, in that regard we've already asked Leon about what he can remember.  We should focus on searching for any other possible ways.
Dolce: ...

After:
Dolre:  Are you here for some medicine?
Choose 'Talk'
Dolce:  This is more difficult than I thought.
Pico:  Regrets...

As early as 6.00 a.m. the next day, I was able to enter the Baths to experience the next Event in the sequence.

Barrett:  A Homing Ring? (!)
Leon:  Yes.  Can you make one?
Barrett:  ... It'd be difficult.
Leon:  I'll pay whatever price you ask.
Barrett:  I don't need any money.
Leon:  I'll acquire all the materials you might need, as well.
Barrett:  It's not that either.
Leon: (What?)  So what is it, then?
Barrett:  It's... well...  To be honest, it was an utter fluke I managed to make one the first time.
Leon:  A fluke?
Barrett:  Yes.  So it's not the materials or the money.  I just don't remember how to make it.
Leon: ...
Barrett:  Don't give me that look.  I was despearte to do anything at the time.  But anyway, I can't do anything for you.  I'm sorry.
Leon:  No, it's my fault for asking the impossible.  My apologies.
Barrett:  Why do you need one, anyway?  I'm sure Freya can always use a homing spell.  Earthmates tend to have that ability.
Leon:  You mean Gate Reject?
Barrett:  Yeah.
Leon: (Probably.)  I think the power of that spell would be too much to handle at once.
Barrett:  Hmm?
Leon:  The one we want to bring back has just a bit much in the way of Rune energy.
Barrett: ...?
Then:
Barrett: (!)  Wait, are you...?
Leon:  ...
Barrett:  Ah.  Now I get it.  I guess you can find people willing to do the insane just about anywhere.
Leon:  Oh?
Barrett:  Yeah.  I agree, it's probably wise not to attempt the Gate Reject spell.  Freya tried a spell like it before, I think, and it didn't work.  Thinking back on it now, I think that time the Rune energy had just... exploded.  We got off lucky that once, but there's no telling whether we'll be that lucky again.  Its too dangerous.
Leon:  I know.
Barrett:  As for other ways...
Leon: ...

After:
Leon:  I had thought the Homing Ring was as good an idea as any...

Barrett:  Actually...  The last time we tried the Gate Reject spell, it was you we were bringing back, right?  Must be karma at work, I guess.

You now can go immediately to the large chamber where Ventuswill once sat in isolated splendour.

Freya:  Venti...  Can you hear me?  (...)  Every one misses you, Venti. (...)  But...

Freya walks forward a bit to the very centre of the chamber.

Freya:  I promised.  I swore we'd all be okay, even without you.  I swore I'd protect this town.  So...  This is the path you chose.  (...)

She turns to the right.

Freya:  But still...

Your choices now:

I miss you.
I want to see you.
...

I chose:  I miss you.

The event ends.

The next day I was not able to trigger the next Event at the Baths until 6.26 a.m.

Dolce:  Thank you.  This is your payment.
Raven: (Take your time.)  Thank you.  (...)  Um...
Dolce:  Yes?
Raven:  It's too much.
Dolce:  Oh.  This item is of excellent quality, so I htought I'd give you a bit extra.  Besides...
Raven: ...?
Dolce:  You listened to me.  That helped take a weight off my shoulders.
Raven:  Oh.
Dolce;  I n exchange, get some more of these excellent quality items for next time too, okay?
Raven:  ... Thank you.
Dolce begins to exit and meets me on the carpet near the door.
Dolce:  Good morning, Freya.
Freya:  Good morning.
Dolce:  See you later.
She leaves.

After:
Freya:  Um...
Raven:  What?

My choices now:

You two sure get along.
What did you talk about?
It's nothing.

I chose:  What did you talk about?
Raven:  Family.
Freya:  Really?
Raven: ...  I have family not related by blood.  But they're not interested in anything but blacksmithing and I'm not very good at talking.  So we don't talk much.  Or ask a lot about each other.  But...  When they need help, I want to help them.  I may be butting in where I don't belong, but I still want to help.
Freya: ...
Raven:  What about you?
Freya:  Hmm?
Raven:  Do you have people you want to help?

My choices now:
Yes.
...

I chose: Yes....  But they might not want any help.
Raven: (Oh.)  ... Yeah.
Freya:  I don't know what they want.  (!)  What do you mean?
Raven:  Even with people you are with all the time, you can't know all there is to know about them.  What you do might hurt them. Or make them argue with  you.  But...  Despite everything that happens, if you still want to be wtth them...  Then that's family, i htink.
Freya: ...
Raven:  The more important some one is to you...... the more often you find yourselves hurting each other.  But...  You'll still want to trust them.  That's not wrong.  It could be just self-centred desire on your part.  But it's okay to trust them.
Freya: (...)  Even if you lose some one or something important to you because of it?
Raven:  If you want to change something, you should be ready to lose something in exchange.  After all, 'changing' means 'losing the present'.  And...  Some things won't ever change if you don't have the courage to step up. ... At least, that's what i was taught by some one I know..
 Freya:  Things that won't change unless you have the guts to step up...
Raven:  Yes.
Freya: ...
Raven:  The girl before was thinking on something like that.
Freya:  Huh?
Raven:  That's all I can tell you. ... Good luck.
Freya: ...

After:
Raven:  Good luck.  I'm with you.

The next day, I was able to trigger an Event in Ventuswill's Chamber only if I entered after 6.34 a.m.  Dolce and Leon had to have entered first.  If you enter earlier, some participants may be there, but you will not trigger the event.  They all would be standing in a circle in the centre of the room.

Dolce:  I'd like to confirm something.  Do you mind?
Leon:  What is it?
Dolce:  We are, right now, attempting to resurrect Ventuswill of our own, independent wills, correct?  We will go forward with it.  Even if it isn't what Ventuswill herself desires.
Pico:  Dolly...
Dolce:  Correct?
Amber:  Yep!
Dolce: Hmm?
Dylas: (...)  Of course we are.
Leon:  I was wondering why you looked so grim.  Is that all?
Dolce:  I-I'm very serious about this!  It's no joke!
Leon:  We're prepared to face the consquences.
Dolce: (!)
Leon:  We'll going through with it, even if it's not what she wants.  After all...  I have a mountian of things I wish to say to her.  (That's why.)  If she doesn't come back, how am I supposed to tell her/
Amber:  I think Venti's gonna be happy to come back.  But if she isn't...  Well...  I still think it's only right that she comes back.  This is her home.
Dylas:  Me?  I still can't accept it.  I don't have any logical reason behind it or anything.  I can't accept things the way they are now, so I'm gonna make it so that I can.  That's all..
(...)
Dolce:  Every one...  (...)
Pico:  So what will you do, milady?
Dolce: (!)  I... ... ... You know the answer to that.  (Stupid.)
Pico:  Of course.
Leon: (Alright.)  Excellent.  Let's get down to business...  How can we bring Ventuswill home?

Your choices now:
Wait a minute.
Man, you guys are selfish.
Can I join in?

All choices it appears will produce the same result.

They all turn and exhibit (!)

Leon:  Love...
Dolce:  Why are you here?
Freya moves closer.
Freya:  I have stuff I want to say to Venti too.  Even if it's just a selfish wish on my part...I still want her to come home.  HOme to this town. To us.
Dylas:  Dear Freya...
Freya:  Venti herself may not have wanted it...  But I want to believe.  I want to believe she wanted to stay with us.  And I'll keep believing that.
Every one now: (...)

Leon:  So it seems we're going to have to find out for certain... one way or another.
Freya: (!)
Dylas;  I don't think asking her straight out will get us an answer.  She's not like that.
Amber:  But she an be awfully easy to read.
Dolce:  True.  What she thinks shows on her face veru quickly.
Freya:  Guys...
Pico:  Well, Freya?  You will help us too, yes?

My choices now:
Yeah.
Of course!

I chose: Of course!

I take my place in the circle.

Leon:  Now then...  First, let's organise what all of us know.  Dylas.  How was the gate to the Forest of Beginnings?
Dylas: It's close to Leon Karnak, just like Amber said.  The question is how to open it.
Leon:  What do we need?
Amber:  the dtermination to open it...
Leon:  What?
Amber:  (Yeah.)  I heard it's something like the, um... what was it?  Proof of being able to change the world.  That's what I heard somebody say before I got turned into a Guardian.  He found the guts and said it wouldn't open until somebody had the determination.
Leon: (...)  Interesting.
Dylas:  We were just going to go talk to Arthur to see what he knows.  What about you and Barrett?
Leon:  Apparently, he doesn't even know how he made that hOming Ring in the first place.  So right now there's no way aside from us attempting to make one ourselves, somehow.
Dylas;  Ah.
Dolce;  I'll do what research I can into other ways, but I don't have any leads at the moment.  Though I have heard that there is a spell Earthmates might know for getting to the forest.
Freya:  Huh?
Dylas:  What's that mean?
Pico:  It seems there may be a way to resurrect her body by fusing Runes into her new vessel.
Dolce:  Though that's only a rumour we heard.  It's not certain.
Leon:  I see.
Pico:  But no matter what, we still have to go into the Forest of Beginnings.
Leon:  So it seems we've reached the end of our leads...

My choices now:
Not yet.
There's one thing left.
Let's try Gate Reject.
...

If you choose the other options, you will see a bit of dialogue, but ultimately you will suggest:

I chose:  Let's try Gate Reject.
Every one: (!?)
Freya:  Let's try the Gate Reject spell!
Amber:  No!  That would be bad!
Dolce:  She's right!  You already tried it once when you went to the tower, and it failed!
Freya:  I know.  But that doesn't  mean it won't work this time.
Pico:  Freya...?
Leon:  Do you realise what you're saying?
Freya:  Yes.
Dylas: (Hey!)  The heck you do!
Freya: (1)
Dyulas:  You got lucky you escaped fallout last time.
Freya:  Still...
Leon:  He's right.  We can't let anything happen to you.  If we did, we'd never be able to face Venti or the other townsfolk again.
Pico:  ... Exactly.  Please don't think of trying that ever again.
Freya: ...

My choice now is only:  Don't give up.

Every one: (!)
Freya:  I'm not giving up.  Even if everybody says I'm crazy.  Call me selfish if you will...  I'm still going to try it!  I mean...  I want Venti to come home, no matter what.  I want to see her again!  And I'm not going to give up on that without a fight.
Dolce:  Hmph.  Looks like there's no stopping you.
Freya:  Huh?
Leon:  I guess it's safer for you to try it with us than doing it somewhere in secret.
Amber:  I'm still worried... but if you really wanna do it, I can't stop you.
Pico:  Hmph!  What are we going to do with you?
Freya:  Guys...
Dylas: ... (...)  If there's even a hint that it's going sour, I'll stop you in a heartbeat.  Got it?
Freya:  Okay.
Dylas:  That...  And if you're so dead set on doing this, at least get good and ready first.
Freya:  I know.
Leon:  Excellent.  Well then, let us know once you have finished preparing.  We'll wait here for you.

After:

Pico:  Good ness, you're all such a handful to deal with!

Amber:  Are you ready?
My choices now:

Yes.
Not yet.

If you choose 'Not yet' you can finish your chores or whatever before initiating the next Event.

There is another little dialogue if you leave and come back:

Amber:   I hope Venti comes home soon.
Pico:  We all do.
Amber:  I wonder if this is what it was like for her?
Dolce:  What do you mean?
Amber:  After we all became Guardians...  I heard she kept wanting to save us.  That's exactly what we're doing now for her, so I wonder if this is how she felt.
Dylas:  ...
Leon:  I'm sure.
Dolce:  ... Yes.
Dylas;  Are you ready?
Not yet.
Dylas:  Get good and ready before you come back, got it?

I chose Yes.
Amber:  Okay, let's get started!

The screen darkens for an instant.

Leon:  All right, let us begin.
Amber: ...
Dolce:  What is it, Amber?
Amber:  Oh, um... I was just wondering how Venti must've felt.
Dolce;  Hmm?
Amber:  When she... y'know... erased our memories.  I mean, she must have had stuff she wanted to tell us.  But she couldn't.  She had to hold it in so she could erase our memories.
Dylas:  She did that for us.
Amber:  I know.
Dolce: ...
Leon:  We just have to apologise.  All of us... once she has come home.
Pico:  Yes, that sounds best!  All right, Freya, if you please!
Freya:  Right!  I'm sorry, Venti, but we're going to be a little selfish.  But...  You can complain all you want once we all get home.  So please...  Gate Reject!

The Bind Rune forms.

Dylas:  Dear Freya!?
Big explosion.

In the dark:
...  Can you hear me?
...  What, you're asleep?
... I guess this is for the best.

Venti now is back, but Amber is in front of her on the floor.
Venti:  Amber...  It IS you, amber!  You still live!  Thank the stars!  Oh, how long has it been, Amber?  I remember it all so fondly...  Come, smile for me like you used to.  Smile... smile!
(...)  Amber...?  I want to see you smile again!  But...  Should you remember me, it would only make you sad.  And that might lead you to think about wild plans to 'rescue' me again.  I won't have that.  So I'll seal away your memories.  Just your memories of me.  So please, smile for me, Amber.  Brightly.  INnocently.  Just like you used to.  That will be enough for me.

She casts a spell.

Venti:  Goodbye, Amber.  I will not forget you.  I will not forget flying with you across the cloudless skies.

IN the dark now:

... I will never forget.

Venti now with Dylas laying before her on the floor.

Venti:  Hmph.  Well, aren't YOU sleeping like the proverbial baby?  And what an adorable baby face you have, too, for all that you are a grump when you are awake.  are you certain you couldn't do something about that?  Not that you are the sort who would listen.  Hmph.  Earthmates and Guardians, you are all such a selfish lot.  You insist on going about and doing me favours without telling me.  YOu have no idea, do you?  You cannot know what it feels like to be the one left behind.  You could enver understand how heavy that guilt can be.  (...)  I never knew myself!  I had no idea it could be this hard to be left behind without a single word...

She casts a spell.

Venti:  Goodbye, Dylas.  You who call my name.  I remember your brusque voice.  How could I forget it?

Screen darkens again.

In the dark:

... I would never forget it.

Now Venti has Dolce on the ground before her.

Pico  Is Dolly all right?
Venti:  Of course.  But there's one thing I must do.  Dolce.  There are many things I wish to tell you.  But I have been asked to watch over you only, nothing more.  Besides...  It seems I'm closing in on the last of my strength.  So... I'm afraid I...

She casts her spell.

Venti:  I must say goodbye, Dolce.  Be happy.  That is all your parents ever wanted of you.  Even should the rest of the world forget.  I will always remember.  So please.  ... Please, Dolce.  Be happy.

The screen darkens.  In the dark...

Forget me.

Now Leon is before her, but he is standing upright.

Leon  It seems the Earthmates stayed behind in order to save my life.
Venti (...)  I see.  Now, there are many things I wish to tell you, but they will have to wait.
Leon:  You're off to the rescue?
Venti:  Of course.
Leon:  You are, as always, an amusing god.
Venti:  Silence, you.  I am simply fed up, nothing more.
Leon:  Oh?
Venti:  Yes.  I'm sick of every one leaving me behind to go off on their selfish missions to save me.
Leon: ...  Then hear one thing before you fly off.
Venti:  What?
Leon:  The Earth mate who saved me told me to tell you this...  'Thank you for being my friend.'  'It was fun.'
Venti ...!
Leon:  That Earthmate was rather entertaining.  Calling Ventuswill herself, one of the Four Native Dragons, a personal 'friend'!  Ha ha!
Venti  That fool...!
 Leon  So is that 'fool' the one you chose for your current Priest?
Venti  Hmph!  I abolished that irksome position centuries ago.
Leon:  Ah ha ha.
Venti:  Even had i not, who would choose some one so selfish and headstrong as their Priest?
Leon:  Then what is this person to you if not your Priest?
Venti  I would say...  ... much like you, I suppose.
Leon:  What?
Venti:  Like all of you who became my Guardians.  You are all simply my friends.
Leon:  Venti...
Venti  My thanks, Leon.  It's only by the efforts of you and the other Guardians that i am alive today.  Not only that...

The sceen darkens again after she takes wing:

I am no longer alone!

Freya:  Hey, Venti...?  Don't leave us.
Venti:  ...
Freya:  Please, Venti.  Don't go away.
Venti ...

Screen darkens.
... No.

Venti:  It is time we parted.
Freya:  Venti! Wait!  Don't go!
Venti:  Goodbye, Freya.  (The rest is iup to you!)

Darkness, and:
Were it my decision, I would not go.  But I must.

Back in the chamber:
Freya:  VENTI!!!
Venti  I was truly happy, meeting you.
Freya:  Please...!
Venti:  I was able to be fond of mortals again.
Freya:  Venti!
Venti:  If... if we were to meet again... somewhere... sometime..  Then I...

In the darkness:
...No... I don't not wish to go...

Venti  I want to go back... to spend the day in idle conversation and simple fun...
Freya:  VENTI!!!
Venti  Thank you, Freya.  My last friend...

In the darkness:
I do not wish to be alone anymore.  I do not wish to be left all by myself.  I cannot stand it!

Now Venti is gone and Freya is laying on the floor with eveyr one looking at her.

Amber:  Freya...!
Leon:  (Hey!)  Love, are you all right?
Freya:  Ngh...

She stands now.

Pico:  Whew!  You're awake.
Dolce:... Don't make us worry like that anymore.
Freya:  ...
Dylas:  What's wrong?
Freya:  I had a ... dream.
Dylas:  A dream?
Freya:  About Venti.

All of them together: (?!)

Freya:  It was when she had to erase all of your memories...  And when she was disappearing herself...
Dolce: ...!
Amber:  So you got to see Venti's dreams?
Freya: ...Yeah.
Every one now: (...)
Dylas:  What did she say?
Freya:  Huh?
Dylas:  Did you see anything?  Did you learn anything about her at all?!
Leon:  Calm down, Dylas.
Dylas:  I know, I know!  But...!
Dolce: ...
Freya:  She said...
Pico:  Hmm?
Freya:  She said that she didn't want to go.
Every one now: (!)
Freya:  That she didn't want...  She didn't want to be alone anymore.
Amber:  Freya...
Dolce:  Why are you crying?
Freya:  Wha?  Wait... huh?  Still...  Venti asked me to take care of this town for her.  She said she wanted to see me smile as she left...  Those were her last words....
Amber:  Yeah.
Freya:  ... Thank goodness...  Venti didn't want to leave.  She... she did want to stay here, to keep living with every one...  It wasn't just me.  It... it wasn't just me...!
Amber:  Yeah!
(She rushes forward to hug Freya.)
Dolce:  ...Hmph.  How stupid can you be?  Of course it wasn't just you.  Even I... ... I...
Pico  Dolly...
Dylas:  I think we all felt the same.
Leon:  Yes.
Dylas:  We really can't quit, now.  So I say let's pour it on.  We're gonna bring her back to us if we have to rip open that dumb gate with our bare hands.
Leon:  I agree.
Arthur now arrives.

Arthur:  Ah!  There you are, Dylas.
Dylas and Leon both: (!)
Dylas:  Arthur?
Arthur:  Hmm?  What is all this?
Leon: It's nothing much.  It'll be fine if we just leave them a little space.
Dylas:  So what is it, Arthur?
Arthur: (?)  Dylas, do you have a cold?
Dylas:  Huh?
Arthur:  It sounded like you have a bit of a stuffy nose.//
Dylas: ...!  I-it's nothing!  Just a case of the sniffles!
Arthur:  Then it is a cold.  That is not 'nothing' I would think.
Leon:  Ha ha!
Arthur:  Hmm?  You as well, Leon? Your eyes look a touch red.
Leon:  You're seeing things.
Dylas:  Heh heh...
Arthur:  Oh yes.  Anyway, I had something I wanted to discuss with Dylas.
dylas:  What's up?
/Arthur:  I've found something that just may be able to open that gate!
Dylas:  Really?!
Arthur:  Yes.
Leon:  What is it?!
Arthur:  Ah.  Given that reaction, Leon, you are involved in this as I suspected.
Leon  That doesn't matter right now.  Tell us what it is!
Arthur:  I shall do you one better.  I've brouight it along with me.... Here it is.
He holds up a Rune Sphere.
Dylas:  That...!

Leon:  A Rune Sphere?
Arthur  All things in this world hold the power of Runes.  And the Forest of Beginnings is where those Runes all eventually return.  Not even a Native Dragon can defy that.
Dylas:  ...
Arthur:  Yet Lady Ventuswill held out against it, delaying her return for centuries.  She managed only with the power you gave to her.
Leoon: ...!
Arthur:  That power is then, in essence, the power to disrupt the natural order.  It is the power... to change the world.  And if anything were to hold power of a level that you four held as Guardians...
Kiel:  That'd be a Rune Sphere!
He races into the chamber.
Dylas:  Kiel?
Kiel:  Geez, ARthur!  Why'd you have to go run off without me?
Arthur:  My apologies.  I guess I was too excited to contain myself...
Leon:  Kiel, what are you doing here?
Kiel:  I'm helping Arthur, of course! ... Well, sorta, anyway.
Leon  What?
Kiel:  See, we don't want to give up on Lady Ventuswill, either.
Leon  Kiel...
Arthur:  anyway, this may be able to open that gate.  What do you want to do?

My choices now:
I'll go!
Don't leave me behind!

I chose:  I'll go!

Every one: (!)

Dylas:  Dear Freya...
Leon:  What, recovered already?

My choices now:
Of course!
Yes, Mr. Sniffle-Nose.
Says Sir Red-Eye.

I chose:  Of course.

/Arthur: Heh heh...  Well, then, I think it wise that Master takes the Rune Sphere.
Freya:  Are you sure?
Arthur: Yes.  In fact, I insist you do.
Freya:  Huh?
Leon:  What do you mean?
Kiel:  Um, this is all just a theory, mind you...  But I think that whole 'proof' of world-changing ability is tied up with being an Earthmate.  I mean, Earthmates invented the spell to make people into Guardians, right?  And the Rune Sphere itself can make people able to us Earthmate magic.  So I think an Earthmate's power is gonna be needed if we want to open that gate.
Arthur:  Ah, what he said.  Will you do this for us?

My choices now:
Definitely!
You bet!
Nah.  Busy schedule.

I chose:  Definitely!

Arthur:  Well then, if you please.

He walks forward to hand off the Rune Sphere.

Arthur:  The Rune Sphere is now in your hands.  Please, help Lady Ventuswill!

After:
Arthur: The town has become a much cheerier place.  I suppose that means Selphia truly nmeeded Lady Ventuswill after all.
Amber:  The gate's at Leon Karnak.  I bet Venti's waiting for us all to come get her right now
Leon:  I have several choice words, myself.  So let us know when you're all ready, Love.  Don't attempt to slip away alone. Okay?
Dolce:  You are not to attempt this by yourself, understand?
Pico:  Dolly was just as upset as all of you, you know.
Dolce: ...

Amber:  The EArthmate who once made me a Guardian told me... that the Forest of Beginnings is beyond that door.  You can find the door at Leon Karnak.  I know that Ven's waiitng there for every one.

Leon:  The Forest of Beginnings, huh?  This takes me back.  I still remember when you came to save me like it was yesterday.  I actually have a whole mountain of things to say to her.  That's my motivation here.  You understand, Love?  So don't you dare leave me behind.

Dylas:  Are you about to go to the Leon Karnak?

My choices:  Yes or Not Yet.
Dylas;  Um... you know...  Be sure you ask me before you leave too, okay?

Dolce:  You are not to attempt this by yourself, understand?
Pico:  Doll was just as upset as all of you, you know!

Every one will leave but Pico will stay behind!
Pico:  Give it all you've got!  I haven't complained nearly enough!

(If you save the game now, the Event no longer will be displayed.)

When you artrive at Leon Karnak:

Freya: (...)  It's not opening...  I should head to the top.

Suit your action to the words.  At the top:

Sano: Thou, who bear wisdom...
Uno:  Thou, who bear courage...  /what business have thee with beings like us?


My choices now:
I came to open the door.
I came to see you two.
What AM I doing here?

I chose:  I came to open the door.

Sano:  If thou speaketh true...
Uno:  Present that form to us here.
Freya: (...)
Sano:  We shall determine thy qualifications.
Uno:  We shall examine thy proof.
Sano:  However!
Uno  PReparedness is unseeable.
Sano:  Therefore...
Uno:  Show us, with thy strength...
Show us... how ready thous truly art!

I defeat both of them with Durendal.

Uno:  Thou art qualified.  We have seen thy readiness.
Sano:  Thou hast shown us proof.  We have confirmed thy readiness.
Uno:  To thee, who hast shown us what we requested...
Sano:  To theee, who hast shown us what we needed to see...
Uno:  Go now.
Sano:  Take that readiness in hand.
Uno:  Remake this world.
Sano:  And bring happiness,,,
Uno:  To our future...

They leave behind a Left Rock Shard and a Right Rock Shard.

Tooik the right entrance and defeated a Monster, then said to myself:

Freya:  Let's try heading to the entrance at the bottom of the tower.

I htink you fight the Sarcophagus no matter which entrance you take at the top and you will receive a Crystal Skull as a war trophy.  

If you go back to Selphia, every one to whom you speak will give you Magical Potion and tell you they will come with you to save Lady Ventuswill, although they then will wander off.

Get past a green lizard at the top and you will be in a strange white landscape.

You must never forget.  We created this stone... in the hopes of honouring their feelings... so that those feelings would never be in vain.... and to put an end to everything... once and for all.

Freya:  Wasn't that the same as...?

The Rune of the Divine Wind Dragon is still wandering in the depths of this forest...  It's trying to support the land of Selphia with its own existence.  Now that you know this... what do you plan to do about it?

...
Freya:
I should go.
I should hurry onward.
I should go home first.

Went on anyway, through a number of different paths, until I came to a huge shell monster, whom I defeated and received an Ammonite.

Then to another colourful landscape.

Did you know that the Native Dragons are living beings, just like any other?  Those that live must eventually return to the Forest of Beginnings.  And after years, decades or even centuries... their roles get passed on to the next generation's dragons.  The dragons live far longer than humans, aging slowly and wandering perpetually. ... as if they're quietly watching over the world from within it.

Ventuswill, the Divine Wid Dragon of eternity... was one such being.  However...  As she was born in a land where the runes were beginning to die out... she was quite weak.  There were people who felt sorry for her, though, and decided to sacrifice themselves to save her.  And so she was saved by a spell that used the will of humans to collect large numbers of runes.  Their will lost, the humans were frozen in a deep slumber, never aging a day.  People later named that spell 'Etherlink'. ... and called the brave souls who froze themselves 'Guardiana'.

This term was created by the first Guardian, and just seems to have stuck over time.  And those who granted the Guardians' wishes...  were the Earthmates.  Us.

Past the Crystal Mammoth, you will find another landscape.

 'Etherlink' is a spell that infuses people with runes.    The people upon whom its cast will fuse with the runes... empowering the one to whom they're linked with whatever remains of their willpower.  We Earthmates have continued searching for a way to naturally restore the runes in this land... because a single person's will cannot support the life of a Divine Dragon.  Willpower and bonds change over time... And they can't be kept in one place, making them both strong and fragile in equal measure.  We scoured the land for other solutions.  That was the desire of the Guardians, who bought us time to acocmplish that very goal.  And it was our vow, as well.  The Earthmate that cast the spell aged, and eventually returned to the Forest of Beginnings.  HIs hopes and his research were kept, however, and a new magic was to be born.  It was a magic that summoned any one person you desired from the Forest of Beginnings.  But right before it was completed...  another person had become a Guardian.  LIke the first, she too had been the Divine Dragon's closest friend.
Freya: ...


Fire Dungeon, Rune Prana, there are a couple of hidden openings.  To the right of a red boulder, you will find some more chambers that take you to the final switch.

Now in a colourful landscape again:

A magic that summons any person you desire from the Forest of Beginnings...  The purpose of this spell, known as Omni Gate' was to bring the ones lost to the Forest of Beginnings back into this world.  But it was merely a bit of sorcery.  Not a miracle.  It was quickly learned you could only use it when it when the laws of nature were kept in line.  Those who lived out their lives in full could never be brought back again.  There was another problem, too.  When the runes grew too large, no human could control them.  So this magic definitely couldn't help save the Divine Dragon.  Realising this fact, we started searching for other alternatives.  'Etherlink'...  By casting this spell on things other than humans, we might be able to create rune crystals... which will eventually take the place of the Guardians.  But when we finallly reached that solution, another person came to us.  He asked to cast Etherlink.  But it wasn't to create rune crystals.  He instead wanted to freeze himself within time... to protect his best friend, the Divine Dragon.

Fought those twin Lion monsters and then went home to find I had not slept and it was the day of the Firefly Festival... didn't miss it though.

Wednesday, 10 September 2014

Impossible for me to win the Spring Crop Festival in 2nd Year

Winning all four of the Crop Festivals was not difficult at all in the 1st Year, but in the 2nd year, winning the Spring Crop Festival proved to be virtually impossible. 

I have done some research on the internet, even looked at some one's post wherein he/she claimed to have worked out a mathematical formula defining the point values needed to win.  Well, I hate to say it, but none of the information appears to be accurate.

I went through the event again and again using different Crops and obviously, different Appeals.  The best I did was to attain 3rd place ONCE.

On every other occasion, I did not even reach 3rd place.  I entered a Level 10 Turnip, Level 6 Giant Pink Turnip, Level 6 Giant Cucumber, Level 3 Golden Pumpkin...  nothing better than 300 points and sometimes as low as 120 points in the case of the Level 10 Turnip. With a Big White Crystal, I only neeted 380 points.  265 points for Golden Potato.  362 points for Giant Four Leaf Clover... and third place again.  Blue Crystal didn't even win 3rd.

In one file, I intend to take my pathetic 3rd place result, complete with a Failed Dish prize, and move forward.  In another file, I may try a few more times.

For the Crops that take long to mature, Volkanon will say:  This isn't quick to blossom by any means.  That will surely have a positive effect on your score.'

Not by much though, evidently!  Some of the Crops I entered took over 50 days to mature.

If it is above Level 1:  Mmm.   Its  quality is above average.