
TUNIC Narrative Guide - Part 5: Of Gardens and Temples
Summary: Join the Ruin Seeker (that's our protagonist fox!) on his journey through a strange and vaguely familiar land. His inner thoughts are laid bare as we explore the unknown. Each step brings new mysteries to solve, new challenges to face. - This story is intended as a companion piece to the video game TUNIC, but can also function as a guide if you are stuck or a teaser to get you interested.
This path leads to a verdant area with trees that make me hunger for marshmallows. Their roots twist and turn through marshy waters, or perhaps these are ancient canals. In the water along the way, I spy another chunk of gold. Perhaps it adjoins with the earlier piece. I ponder for a moment how it could have gotten here, but I realize I'm not even sure where it comes from. Is this area flooded? It's likely these bridges are newly constructed, given the age of the nearby stone.
Careful not to trip on the roots crawling all over, I press on and come to a raised shrine. This is somehow another Hero's Grave. Were there multiple heroes? Or is this simply a second place of worship? On either side of it are the biggest fox statues yet, towering foxes in robes, watching over the fallen champion. It may be my imagination, but the small statue that looks like me appears to be somewhat sad.
The nearby spyglass shows me a view of winding waterlogged passages. Chests, bridges, rope, a weird gator, and ahead - another statue. As I walk across a fallen column, a tingling radiates down to my tail tip. I feel an urge to check to the north for a secret path. That ledge I had been walking along felt very suspicious. Sure enough, there's a trail there, and at the end of it, I find another card. This time, it's a ring depicted alongside a shield.
Once back on the path, I spot what I believe is the fourth of these strange doors. This one appears inset a fancy looking building, lined with fox priests. I make note of its location, but otherwise give a shrug of my shoulders and press onward.
Resting at the goddess statue, I offer the defense idol, raising my defense to three. I then decide to check for secrets behind the weird well. Sure enough, I find something hidden. Another black void with the creepy skeletal shopkeep. It has more stuff for sale, but nothing that I can afford. Eventually, I can buy another potion, or even a golden coin. Better keep collecting the shiny bits.
Among the twisting paths, I find an offshoot that leads me to a new page.
Watch my bars, it says, and then it seems to be showing recovery items. Apparently, Ivy will help me to recover my stamina. If that becomes an issue, I can keep that in mind. Something about running to save stamina. Something regarding those weird cards I'm getting, which themselves are somehow related to the golden coins. It points me to page 20.
Some indicator for extra bombs from using a lot of them. A special technique that combines roll and sword? I will try that out later, I guess. The last bit is emphasizing some blue dots on the map. Eyes, maybe?
The back holds another page of the map, which delights me. The enemies of the area appear to be listed. The little goatmen from all over seem to be called Rudelings, and it says they have no souls. That sounds sad, but given how many I've had to slay, this may be a good thing. The gators are Chompignoms. Quite the mouthful. Some sort of fairies that apparently are part of the walls. There's even a boss. "Will kill you". Lovely. Lastly it seems there's a magic item, the Magic Dagger.
Looking at the map contents as a whole, I see some of the eyes page 26 showed on the map. They were behind the statue and well from earlier. Do they indicate the shop? The other one I found was in the Windmill in the Overworld. I look back through the other map pages where I find more eyes in those locations. That settles that, then. Blue eyes means a shop.
Discovery: Blue eyes on the map indicate the presence of a shop.
Mentally plotting a course through the map, I find myself somewhat turned around. Changing my thinking, I start at the belltower on the other page and trace the path the other direction. Atop the fancy building, there's a black skull. That's likely to be where this "Boss" can be found. From there the path weaves throughout, but it's a small area and I'm unlikely to get lost. I should do my best to explore fully, especially if there's a magic item to be found here.
New Goal: Defeat the boss blocking the path to the Western Belltower.
New Goal: Locate the Magic Dagger somewhere in West Garden. Probably.
The path to advance isn't immediately obvious, but I'm certain that there's a way. Trusting in my fox agility, I step carefully along a narrow fallen pillar that trails into the marsh. Beneath the crystal clear water, I see a path to walk, shallow enough that I won't be in danger.
Making my way to the next ruined island, there's an overgrown statue in disarray in the middle, surrounded by a lot of pretty flowers. This fallen statue looks a lot like the "Boss" of this area. If I compare it to the drawing, the full statue was likely several times larger. To face something of that size, I'll need to be more than prepared. I just hope it's not at full strength after all these years.
Poking my nose into various corners leads me to an effigy and to a mana fruit, as well as a shortcut back to the statue. Pressing forward leads me to a swarm of Fairies and pair of Chompignoms. Both sets combined proves to be quite the tough fight. I survive, but it makes me wish I had a way to attack at range, like those floating pieces of magic do.
With a few more battles strategically won, and a few more bits of treasure obtained, I come across a second statue. Just past it, there's an obelisk that I can't see a way to reach. Exploring instead to the north, I take a side path to a small island. Inside the dwelling and on a table is my side objective, the Magic Dagger. Before picking it up, I look around the room. It almost seems to be a workshop, with several inactive and damaged Fairies piled up on one side.
The Magic Dagger glows with a light not unlike the Fairies'. With awe, I take it into my hand and give it a swing. A shiver runs down my spine as it drains away part of my soul, my inner self, to let loose a torrential thrust of ice. What a powerful and intimidating item, but that secondary effect in my sense of self is something I cannot abide by. I must use it sparingly, unless I come to some sort of harm beyond my physical form.
Fighting my way past some dangerous threats, I get the feel for the new tool. Its use is a bit more limited than I had hoped, but against a faster foe it can help me get a few more blows in. Among my fallen foes, aside from shinies, I notice that a few yield bits of blue. Calling them to me, I feel my spirit refreshing itself.
Discovery: Some enemies drop blue bits that restore my mana.
On an overgrown side path, I come across a chest containing a bundle of feathers. I curl my nose at them and cart the delicate prize back to the goddess statue to find out what she will bolster for me in return. Offering it up, It turns out the reward is an increase of my stamina. On my next trip through my foes, I climb a ladder and find another tooth, so I bring that back as well.
Along the last bit of the path before this boss is a rope, which leads down to the shortcut I found earlier. Crossing over, I head to the other statue and activate it, feeling a bit anxious towards this impending challenge. This feeling intensifies when, upon my return, the air around me grows still and silent. Across the pathway, another statue, looking almost as broken as the one surrounded by flowers.
I approach with bated breath. The guardian suddenly comes to life, jumping to its "feet" and startling me. I immediately been hacking away at it. It seems equally confused, however, and begins trying to shoot at me despite being right up against its face. Sadly, this confusion doesn't last, and after backing me into a corner, it gets the upper hand and I fall to its might. I was close, but I could not defeat the Garden Knight.
"Will kill you." ... And so it does, over and over.
Deciding to change strategies after several clear and terrible failures, I remember to make use of the Magic Dagger I recently obtained. Even then, something was missing from my strategy. Eventually, I began to count its attacks. One, two, three. One, two, three. Between the waves of slashes or shotblasts, I would approach it and attack as much as I could get away with. Then I would shield, back away, and recover my stamina. Patience.
Towards the end of the battle, the rule of three is suddenly broken. The machine becomes more aggressive, adding a new step to its combo. At this point, with my rhythm lost, I resort to throwing my supply of bombs at it from a distance. Still not enough!
With no potions remaining, and no more Boom Bombs, I sling the Magic Dagger, hoping for the best. I freeze it in place, an inch from death's door. Taking the moment afforded to me, I hack into its joints, and stab into its glowing eyes that remind me of the pattern on the golden door.
This time, I succeed, counting my blessings for the form of immortality the goddess is granting me. With the barrier standing between me and the Western Belltower removed, I made my way across the grand bridge and continue my quest.
The bell looms above me. Climbing the ladders, I anxiously strike the second bell, patience spent in my previous ordeal. A grand fanfare sings and the sky lights up. Now to visit the goddess behind the golden door, and claim my prize. I drop the drawbridge and head towards the Sealed Temple.
It's at this point I notice that I somehow gained another Boom Bomb. I was certain I had used them all during the fight against the Garden Knight, but after resting I seem to have a new one. It's almost phantasmal, or otherworldly in how it looks. There's definitely something different about it. I recall the hint on page 26, as well as the text on page 17. This must have been what it was talking about. I throw the bomb as a test and rest at the statue again. There, the bomb has returned. Another gift from beyond.
Discovery: Using lots of bombs will grant refillable bombs that recover when you rest. This is shown in the inventory with a +1 by the bomb type.
Upon approaching the Sealed Temple, I notice the two statues have glowing eyes now. Unlike the pleasant blue glow of the other goddess statues, these two are glowing purple. How peculiar, if not mildly unsettling. I touch my paw to the large door, tracing the hexagonal pattern lightly. Light bursts from the edges, and the door springs to life.
Stepping back, the door swings open and then slides into place. Once inside, I am met by three robed foxes. Well, a statue of three foxes, in any case. None of them appear to be the goddess, however. At the base is a plaque. It shows a trio of hexagons, something that's becoming a recurring motif at this point. However, I can't understand what it's trying to convey. Three something. Maybe this temple was built by these three?
The scenery is nice. To the sides is a pair of ponds, with little fish swimming around. Above the statue is another pair of giant goddess statues. Then, beyond that, there is a huge open chamber. In the middle are three sets of floating rings, and in the middle of those is a sort of prism.
In fact, not just a sort, the same sort! It looks just like the one in the vision that was trapping the goddess. Upon examining my surroundings, there are pedestals with holes in three of the corners, each seeming to want a different color of... something.
I had entered the temple expecting to meet with the goddess. Instead, I find that the spiritual prison where I first met her may instead be the whole of her reality. Perhaps I am meant to unlock this to free the goddess, and the goddess herself is the one with the treasure. That would make sense, if I consider her to be bestowing me with the power of immortality. I am her champion, and it is my quest to set her free.
Revised Goal: Break the seal that imprisons the goddess and/or obtain the great treasure.
In the back of the room, I notice an arch, cresting above a narrow path, and leading to a ladder. Following it around, I come across another page. I hope this will shine some new light on how I might free her.
I cannot make sense of this page. There's so little here. The only two things I can glean from it are this imposing obelisk, of a form I am familiar with, and something about holding A for 3 seconds. I'm simply not sure. What will this do? I suppose the only way to find out is to go to one of these obelisks and try. Two of the three I've seen have been out of reach, but the one under the Western Belltower is one I've even laid paws to.
New Goal: Experiment at the obelisk under the Western Belltower.
This page appears to depict the inner temple, with the rotating rings and pedestals. It shows me holding aloft three shining rocks of the same colors that the pedestals were asking for. Perhaps this is my next goal, to find these and return them?
New Goal: Find the three colored hexagons to open the seal in the temple.
Outside, I find a hidden ladder leading up to a telescope, but after looking through it I spot nothing of value. It does help me to find my bearings, though. Further west, I find a shining golden obelisk, not unlike the fragments spotted in the water by the West Garden. In front of it lays a staff with a red glow. Taking it into my paws, I play around with it. It appears to shoot fiery bolts at the cost of my spirit.
Heading the other direction, I find a large staircase. Still lost on where to begin this new phase of my journey, I ascend it. A short trek becomes a long journey into a snowy mountain. My fur bristles and the snow tickles the insides of my ears. This place feels unlike my earlier destinations. It feels instead like I'm making a sacred journey to the end of the earth. At the end of the long path, I find another page at the steps of a weird door.
Here's page 20. It was referenced several times, and seems to tell about the card items I've been picking up. The only one I have from the list here is the Cyan Peril Ring. Going by syntax and iconography, I would say it probably increases my defense when I'm in a state of peril. There seems to be more listed on page 51, but who knows when I will find that. My best bet is going to be to experiment, it seems.
The next section is telling me how to equip them, but thankfully I already figured that out. The last part however, that's telling me something new. These coins I've been finding can apparently be thrown into the wells. There's also what seems to be a checklist, and my rewards come after three, six, ten, and fifteen. The next time I see a well, I should try using my coins, and seeing what the reward is.
New Goal: Throw three Golden Coins into a well.
What's all this, then? Hints! Excellent! Can I make anything out? Temple, keys... and the rings I saw before. So my theory there is correct. I need to bring three keys to the temple. I guess the hexagons count as keys. Below that is something else about them. It shows something resembling the obelisk and points to page 24. That's the page I just got just before this. I definitely have to check out an obelisk now. They're going to be related to getting these three colored keys.
The next hint is something about a place called The Ruined Atoll, and it has an icon with what is quite possibly those golden squares I've been seeing. I still don't know how to use them, though. Next is something that's oddly shiny. Page 49... I don't have that one yet.
In the art here, I appear to be trying to make sense of the language. I agree, art-me, it hurts the head. There's something important about the dot found at the bottom, something about separation of the glyphs... Nope, too much. I can't even find where to begin. Moving on.
This hint says something about check-points and "Dead", followed by another picture of the obelisk. It looks like the icon is the goddess statue. Are those called check-points? I guess that makes sense, since I revive there. The last hint mentions an "old burying ground", which is some sort of graveyard I guess. I don't know anything else about it, though.
Looking around, the door in front of me seems completely impassable. Important, but quite imposing. Other than that, that seems to be everything here. I guess I'll climb back down, at least the journey is easier downhill. Reaching the bottom, and returning to the Overworld, I decide that now would be a good time to take a break and reflect on my journey. Taking a seat in the grass, I stare up at the sky and watch the clouds.
Up to now, I've awoken in a strange land, with no knowledge of who I am. Absent any goals, I set out to explore, and found rumors of a great treasure. I also met a goddess who pleaded for my help, and is capable of returning me to life.
My quest had me journey through a forest where I found a means to defend myself, through a well and a tomb where I fought against darkness, and through a flooded garden where I faced my strongest foe yet and put every bit of my experience into practice.
This allowed me to enter the temple, where I discovered the prison holding the goddess captive. My quest to ring the belltowers has become a quest to collect three hexagonal keys. If I have to fight anything like the Garden Knight again, this new quest will be the opposite of easy.
For now, I will continue to seek treasure in these ruins. There's still much to explore, with many mysteries to unravel. Stretching my legs and tail, with a wiggle to my toes, I stand up and set out once again, questing for these hexagons.
Current Goals
✔Locate the Magic Dagger somewhere in West Garden. Probably.
✔Defeat the boss blocking the path to the Western Belltower.
✔Ring the Western Belltower.
✔Open the Golden Door.
★ Find the three colored hexagons to open the seal in the temple.
★ Break the seal that imprisons the goddess and/or obtain the great treasure.
★ Throw three Golden Coins into a well.
★ Experiment at the obelisk under the Western Belltower.
★ Explore the beach (when convenient.)
Author's Notes: Writing this has been a lot like how I imagine a trip to the zoo is for an artist. You take what you are seeing, and interpret it into something else, whether directly or indirectly. The story here may not be original, but it depicts my thoughts and experiences, with their own unique color. There's value in that, and it's a great way to grow one's skills.
In addition to my own experience, I'm also consulting a stream that someone did. It's just a random one that I chose to reference during my polish pass, but something subtly entertaining for me is how the person streaming follows very similar choices, despite there being additional choices available to be made. They did, however, miss a fair number of the emphasized discoveries that I've added throughout this narrative guide. As I continue to watch their struggles, I wish them the best in recognizing the source of their pain.
Thumbnail created using the press kit's wallpaper and logo. The custom text contains a secret.
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TUNIC: A Narrative Guide
Part 5 - Of Gardens and Temples
This path leads to a verdant area with trees that make me hunger for marshmallows. Their roots twist and turn through marshy waters, or perhaps these are ancient canals. In the water along the way, I spy another chunk of gold. Perhaps it adjoins with the earlier piece. I ponder for a moment how it could have gotten here, but I realize I'm not even sure where it comes from. Is this area flooded? It's likely these bridges are newly constructed, given the age of the nearby stone.
Careful not to trip on the roots crawling all over, I press on and come to a raised shrine. This is somehow another Hero's Grave. Were there multiple heroes? Or is this simply a second place of worship? On either side of it are the biggest fox statues yet, towering foxes in robes, watching over the fallen champion. It may be my imagination, but the small statue that looks like me appears to be somewhat sad.
The nearby spyglass shows me a view of winding waterlogged passages. Chests, bridges, rope, a weird gator, and ahead - another statue. As I walk across a fallen column, a tingling radiates down to my tail tip. I feel an urge to check to the north for a secret path. That ledge I had been walking along felt very suspicious. Sure enough, there's a trail there, and at the end of it, I find another card. This time, it's a ring depicted alongside a shield.
New Item: Card #3 - "Shield, Ring"
Once back on the path, I spot what I believe is the fourth of these strange doors. This one appears inset a fancy looking building, lined with fox priests. I make note of its location, but otherwise give a shrug of my shoulders and press onward.
Resting at the goddess statue, I offer the defense idol, raising my defense to three. I then decide to check for secrets behind the weird well. Sure enough, I find something hidden. Another black void with the creepy skeletal shopkeep. It has more stuff for sale, but nothing that I can afford. Eventually, I can buy another potion, or even a golden coin. Better keep collecting the shiny bits.
Among the twisting paths, I find an offshoot that leads me to a new page.
New Item: Page 26/27
Page Analysis: #26 - "Survival Tips"
Watch my bars, it says, and then it seems to be showing recovery items. Apparently, Ivy will help me to recover my stamina. If that becomes an issue, I can keep that in mind. Something about running to save stamina. Something regarding those weird cards I'm getting, which themselves are somehow related to the golden coins. It points me to page 20.
Some indicator for extra bombs from using a lot of them. A special technique that combines roll and sword? I will try that out later, I guess. The last bit is emphasizing some blue dots on the map. Eyes, maybe?
Page Analysis: #27 - "West Garden Map"
The back holds another page of the map, which delights me. The enemies of the area appear to be listed. The little goatmen from all over seem to be called Rudelings, and it says they have no souls. That sounds sad, but given how many I've had to slay, this may be a good thing. The gators are Chompignoms. Quite the mouthful. Some sort of fairies that apparently are part of the walls. There's even a boss. "Will kill you". Lovely. Lastly it seems there's a magic item, the Magic Dagger.
Looking at the map contents as a whole, I see some of the eyes page 26 showed on the map. They were behind the statue and well from earlier. Do they indicate the shop? The other one I found was in the Windmill in the Overworld. I look back through the other map pages where I find more eyes in those locations. That settles that, then. Blue eyes means a shop.
Discovery: Blue eyes on the map indicate the presence of a shop.
Mentally plotting a course through the map, I find myself somewhat turned around. Changing my thinking, I start at the belltower on the other page and trace the path the other direction. Atop the fancy building, there's a black skull. That's likely to be where this "Boss" can be found. From there the path weaves throughout, but it's a small area and I'm unlikely to get lost. I should do my best to explore fully, especially if there's a magic item to be found here.
New Goal: Defeat the boss blocking the path to the Western Belltower.
New Goal: Locate the Magic Dagger somewhere in West Garden. Probably.
The path to advance isn't immediately obvious, but I'm certain that there's a way. Trusting in my fox agility, I step carefully along a narrow fallen pillar that trails into the marsh. Beneath the crystal clear water, I see a path to walk, shallow enough that I won't be in danger.
Making my way to the next ruined island, there's an overgrown statue in disarray in the middle, surrounded by a lot of pretty flowers. This fallen statue looks a lot like the "Boss" of this area. If I compare it to the drawing, the full statue was likely several times larger. To face something of that size, I'll need to be more than prepared. I just hope it's not at full strength after all these years.
Poking my nose into various corners leads me to an effigy and to a mana fruit, as well as a shortcut back to the statue. Pressing forward leads me to a swarm of Fairies and pair of Chompignoms. Both sets combined proves to be quite the tough fight. I survive, but it makes me wish I had a way to attack at range, like those floating pieces of magic do.
With a few more battles strategically won, and a few more bits of treasure obtained, I come across a second statue. Just past it, there's an obelisk that I can't see a way to reach. Exploring instead to the north, I take a side path to a small island. Inside the dwelling and on a table is my side objective, the Magic Dagger. Before picking it up, I look around the room. It almost seems to be a workshop, with several inactive and damaged Fairies piled up on one side.
The Magic Dagger glows with a light not unlike the Fairies'. With awe, I take it into my hand and give it a swing. A shiver runs down my spine as it drains away part of my soul, my inner self, to let loose a torrential thrust of ice. What a powerful and intimidating item, but that secondary effect in my sense of self is something I cannot abide by. I must use it sparingly, unless I come to some sort of harm beyond my physical form.
New Item: Magic Dagger
Fighting my way past some dangerous threats, I get the feel for the new tool. Its use is a bit more limited than I had hoped, but against a faster foe it can help me get a few more blows in. Among my fallen foes, aside from shinies, I notice that a few yield bits of blue. Calling them to me, I feel my spirit refreshing itself.
Discovery: Some enemies drop blue bits that restore my mana.
On an overgrown side path, I come across a chest containing a bundle of feathers. I curl my nose at them and cart the delicate prize back to the goddess statue to find out what she will bolster for me in return. Offering it up, It turns out the reward is an increase of my stamina. On my next trip through my foes, I climb a ladder and find another tooth, so I bring that back as well.
New Item: Stamina Upgrade #1
New Item: Attack Upgrade #2
Along the last bit of the path before this boss is a rope, which leads down to the shortcut I found earlier. Crossing over, I head to the other statue and activate it, feeling a bit anxious towards this impending challenge. This feeling intensifies when, upon my return, the air around me grows still and silent. Across the pathway, another statue, looking almost as broken as the one surrounded by flowers.
I approach with bated breath. The guardian suddenly comes to life, jumping to its "feet" and startling me. I immediately been hacking away at it. It seems equally confused, however, and begins trying to shoot at me despite being right up against its face. Sadly, this confusion doesn't last, and after backing me into a corner, it gets the upper hand and I fall to its might. I was close, but I could not defeat the Garden Knight.
"Will kill you." ... And so it does, over and over.
Deciding to change strategies after several clear and terrible failures, I remember to make use of the Magic Dagger I recently obtained. Even then, something was missing from my strategy. Eventually, I began to count its attacks. One, two, three. One, two, three. Between the waves of slashes or shotblasts, I would approach it and attack as much as I could get away with. Then I would shield, back away, and recover my stamina. Patience.
Towards the end of the battle, the rule of three is suddenly broken. The machine becomes more aggressive, adding a new step to its combo. At this point, with my rhythm lost, I resort to throwing my supply of bombs at it from a distance. Still not enough!
With no potions remaining, and no more Boom Bombs, I sling the Magic Dagger, hoping for the best. I freeze it in place, an inch from death's door. Taking the moment afforded to me, I hack into its joints, and stab into its glowing eyes that remind me of the pattern on the golden door.
This time, I succeed, counting my blessings for the form of immortality the goddess is granting me. With the barrier standing between me and the Western Belltower removed, I made my way across the grand bridge and continue my quest.
The bell looms above me. Climbing the ladders, I anxiously strike the second bell, patience spent in my previous ordeal. A grand fanfare sings and the sky lights up. Now to visit the goddess behind the golden door, and claim my prize. I drop the drawbridge and head towards the Sealed Temple.
Major Goal Complete: Ring the Western Belltower.
It's at this point I notice that I somehow gained another Boom Bomb. I was certain I had used them all during the fight against the Garden Knight, but after resting I seem to have a new one. It's almost phantasmal, or otherworldly in how it looks. There's definitely something different about it. I recall the hint on page 26, as well as the text on page 17. This must have been what it was talking about. I throw the bomb as a test and rest at the statue again. There, the bomb has returned. Another gift from beyond.
Discovery: Using lots of bombs will grant refillable bombs that recover when you rest. This is shown in the inventory with a +1 by the bomb type.
Upon approaching the Sealed Temple, I notice the two statues have glowing eyes now. Unlike the pleasant blue glow of the other goddess statues, these two are glowing purple. How peculiar, if not mildly unsettling. I touch my paw to the large door, tracing the hexagonal pattern lightly. Light bursts from the edges, and the door springs to life.
Stepping back, the door swings open and then slides into place. Once inside, I am met by three robed foxes. Well, a statue of three foxes, in any case. None of them appear to be the goddess, however. At the base is a plaque. It shows a trio of hexagons, something that's becoming a recurring motif at this point. However, I can't understand what it's trying to convey. Three something. Maybe this temple was built by these three?
The scenery is nice. To the sides is a pair of ponds, with little fish swimming around. Above the statue is another pair of giant goddess statues. Then, beyond that, there is a huge open chamber. In the middle are three sets of floating rings, and in the middle of those is a sort of prism.
In fact, not just a sort, the same sort! It looks just like the one in the vision that was trapping the goddess. Upon examining my surroundings, there are pedestals with holes in three of the corners, each seeming to want a different color of... something.
I had entered the temple expecting to meet with the goddess. Instead, I find that the spiritual prison where I first met her may instead be the whole of her reality. Perhaps I am meant to unlock this to free the goddess, and the goddess herself is the one with the treasure. That would make sense, if I consider her to be bestowing me with the power of immortality. I am her champion, and it is my quest to set her free.
Revised Goal: Break the seal that imprisons the goddess and/or obtain the great treasure.
In the back of the room, I notice an arch, cresting above a narrow path, and leading to a ladder. Following it around, I come across another page. I hope this will shine some new light on how I might free her.
New Item: Page 24/25
Page Analysis: #24 - "Unknown, Part B"
I cannot make sense of this page. There's so little here. The only two things I can glean from it are this imposing obelisk, of a form I am familiar with, and something about holding A for 3 seconds. I'm simply not sure. What will this do? I suppose the only way to find out is to go to one of these obelisks and try. Two of the three I've seen have been out of reach, but the one under the Western Belltower is one I've even laid paws to.
New Goal: Experiment at the obelisk under the Western Belltower.
Page Analysis: #25 - "Three ???"
This page appears to depict the inner temple, with the rotating rings and pedestals. It shows me holding aloft three shining rocks of the same colors that the pedestals were asking for. Perhaps this is my next goal, to find these and return them?
New Goal: Find the three colored hexagons to open the seal in the temple.
Outside, I find a hidden ladder leading up to a telescope, but after looking through it I spot nothing of value. It does help me to find my bearings, though. Further west, I find a shining golden obelisk, not unlike the fragments spotted in the water by the West Garden. In front of it lays a staff with a red glow. Taking it into my paws, I play around with it. It appears to shoot fiery bolts at the cost of my spirit.
New Item: Fire Rod
Heading the other direction, I find a large staircase. Still lost on where to begin this new phase of my journey, I ascend it. A short trek becomes a long journey into a snowy mountain. My fur bristles and the snow tickles the insides of my ears. This place feels unlike my earlier destinations. It feels instead like I'm making a sacred journey to the end of the earth. At the end of the long path, I find another page at the steps of a weird door.
New Item: Page 20/21
Page Analysis: #20 - "Cards(?)"
Here's page 20. It was referenced several times, and seems to tell about the card items I've been picking up. The only one I have from the list here is the Cyan Peril Ring. Going by syntax and iconography, I would say it probably increases my defense when I'm in a state of peril. There seems to be more listed on page 51, but who knows when I will find that. My best bet is going to be to experiment, it seems.
The next section is telling me how to equip them, but thankfully I already figured that out. The last part however, that's telling me something new. These coins I've been finding can apparently be thrown into the wells. There's also what seems to be a checklist, and my rewards come after three, six, ten, and fifteen. The next time I see a well, I should try using my coins, and seeing what the reward is.
New Goal: Throw three Golden Coins into a well.
Page Analysis: #21 - "Hints and Clues"
What's all this, then? Hints! Excellent! Can I make anything out? Temple, keys... and the rings I saw before. So my theory there is correct. I need to bring three keys to the temple. I guess the hexagons count as keys. Below that is something else about them. It shows something resembling the obelisk and points to page 24. That's the page I just got just before this. I definitely have to check out an obelisk now. They're going to be related to getting these three colored keys.
The next hint is something about a place called The Ruined Atoll, and it has an icon with what is quite possibly those golden squares I've been seeing. I still don't know how to use them, though. Next is something that's oddly shiny. Page 49... I don't have that one yet.
In the art here, I appear to be trying to make sense of the language. I agree, art-me, it hurts the head. There's something important about the dot found at the bottom, something about separation of the glyphs... Nope, too much. I can't even find where to begin. Moving on.
This hint says something about check-points and "Dead", followed by another picture of the obelisk. It looks like the icon is the goddess statue. Are those called check-points? I guess that makes sense, since I revive there. The last hint mentions an "old burying ground", which is some sort of graveyard I guess. I don't know anything else about it, though.
Looking around, the door in front of me seems completely impassable. Important, but quite imposing. Other than that, that seems to be everything here. I guess I'll climb back down, at least the journey is easier downhill. Reaching the bottom, and returning to the Overworld, I decide that now would be a good time to take a break and reflect on my journey. Taking a seat in the grass, I stare up at the sky and watch the clouds.
Up to now, I've awoken in a strange land, with no knowledge of who I am. Absent any goals, I set out to explore, and found rumors of a great treasure. I also met a goddess who pleaded for my help, and is capable of returning me to life.
My quest had me journey through a forest where I found a means to defend myself, through a well and a tomb where I fought against darkness, and through a flooded garden where I faced my strongest foe yet and put every bit of my experience into practice.
This allowed me to enter the temple, where I discovered the prison holding the goddess captive. My quest to ring the belltowers has become a quest to collect three hexagonal keys. If I have to fight anything like the Garden Knight again, this new quest will be the opposite of easy.
For now, I will continue to seek treasure in these ruins. There's still much to explore, with many mysteries to unravel. Stretching my legs and tail, with a wiggle to my toes, I stand up and set out once again, questing for these hexagons.
Current Goals
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★ Find the three colored hexagons to open the seal in the temple.
★ Break the seal that imprisons the goddess and/or obtain the great treasure.
★ Throw three Golden Coins into a well.
★ Experiment at the obelisk under the Western Belltower.
★ Explore the beach (when convenient.)
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Author's Notes: Writing this has been a lot like how I imagine a trip to the zoo is for an artist. You take what you are seeing, and interpret it into something else, whether directly or indirectly. The story here may not be original, but it depicts my thoughts and experiences, with their own unique color. There's value in that, and it's a great way to grow one's skills.
In addition to my own experience, I'm also consulting a stream that someone did. It's just a random one that I chose to reference during my polish pass, but something subtly entertaining for me is how the person streaming follows very similar choices, despite there being additional choices available to be made. They did, however, miss a fair number of the emphasized discoveries that I've added throughout this narrative guide. As I continue to watch their struggles, I wish them the best in recognizing the source of their pain.
Thumbnail created using the press kit's wallpaper and logo. The custom text contains a secret.
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