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TUNIC Narrative Guide - Act 1: The Awakening (1/2)
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 - experience with the game is highly recommended. While this work is primarily an introspection on the world of TUNIC, it can also be used as a game guide to help you with your own discoveries.
I highly recommend playing this game, and if the early portions of this tale can help pull you into the mysterious world, you'll absolutely love experiencing it first-hand. Be warned: Act 2 and beyond have substantial spoilers as the game grows in scope, and discovery is an important part of what makes TUNIC an amazing adventure.
TUNIC: A Narrative Guide
I've woken up on the shore of what looked to once be a well-developed area. Ruins of something great are poking out of the water around me. My head aches, and I find myself unable to remember anything. Initially, even walking is a chore.
Above me, a path stretches out. Curious as to what lay beyond, I climb the stairs before me and begin to look around. Immediately, I see a strange golden square, perhaps an altar of some sort. Upon basic inspection, it does not seem to do anything, and I am filled with disappointment.
Beyond it is a lengthy bridge. Stretching my legs and testing my body during the long walk across, I find that I can roll, and even run. My fluffy body is in good shape, and the grass feels nice under the paws.
Discovery: I can roll by pressing the A button while moving, and run by holding it afterwards.
To my left, I see a dwelling set into the cliff wall. The light is on, and in front of it is a mailbox. Inspecting the mailbox, my head feels scrambled, as though it's unable to process what's before me. I decide to enter the home and see if there's someone inside who can tell me what's going on.
Inside, I find nothing but a chest and some jars. I open the chest and within is a stick. Again, a burst of confusion, but I set it aside. Something within compels me to rummage my pockets.
Discovery: I can open my inventory by pressing LB. Here, I can assign items to X/Y/B. The stick feels most comfortable under X. To exit the inventory, I need to press LB again.
The jars in the room make for excellent target practice. Within, some shinies, which I gather. Perhaps there is a use for them, and they seem to be rather plentiful. I find the tall grasses, however, do not react to my swings. I exit the home, wondering where the occupant might have gone to, or what may have become of them.
Further to the left is a dead end, a short bridge fallen to disrepair, and to the right, some foliage and trees. Pushing my way through it, I come to a dense barrier of hedges. I try my stick to clear the way, and am met with a simple whoosh. This path is blocked, I will have to turn around.
Discovery: The stick can crush jars, but cannot remove bush barriers or grass.
Returning from where I came, I climb further up the grand stairs before me. A ball of liquid jumps around, and I am compelled to focus on it. Doing so lets me more easily dodge and attack.
Discovery: Press and hold LT to lock onto enemies. The camera shifts some as well. Damaged enemies have a visible health bar.
Behind the foe is a door. I try the handle and it does not budge, but there is a giant hole in the middle. My stick is not an applicable tool, to my dismay. I check the nearby sign, anticipating another burst of confusion, but this time I know clearly what is said. Beyond this door lies the Hero's Grave, and there is a drawing of a sword. Well, swords are sharp, perhaps such a tool would allow me to remove the hedges that bar my way.
New Goal: Open the door and seek the sword found at the Hero's Grave.
To the left on the same level is another barrier to progress, a wide river. In the middle, something of interest. There's the head of a statue that is similar to my own appearance. I'm not yet sure what to make of that, but the familiarity is appreciated.
Returning to the vertical ascent, another bush barrier blocks my way. I can see a chest beyond it, and a plank bridge. I definitely need to find that sword. There's a statue here, a large, almost feminine form. Perhaps this is their leader, or even their goddess. With nothing more to do, I continue to climb.
Another sign. This one seems to indicate there's a town to the west. That would be a good place to gather information, but once again the path is overgrown and denies me access.
New Goal: Head west after obtaining a sword and investigate the town.
What is this? There's something magical about this statue. It calls to me. Do I have a special connection with the goddess before me? I sit beside it, and rest by the warmth, healing my wounds.
Discovery: Resting at these statues will recover my health, and possibly more..?
To my left... Wait, this is the path from before. Perhaps I can make it to town after all. There's even a bridge. Crossing the water, I find a large key just laying out in the open. A bit strange, but perhaps it will open the door from before. I try to pick it up, and there's another burst of confusion. With a moment of hesitation, unsure of myself, I push forward, pocketing the key.
The path to the ladder is blocked, but there is a telescope nearby. Taking a look through it, I survey the area. There's another golden square. Surely these are something important, but I cannot guess as to what. Something is atop this one, perhaps it is an answer to this question.
New Goal: Reach the glowing object on the gold panel in town.
I also see some creatures in red capes. Perhaps these are the town residents, but they seem to be very aggressive. Below me is another locked door. Other interesting objects I can see are a well, a closed gate, a large windmill, and this strange line of glowing pink that appears to be artificial, complex beyond these basic dwellings and ruins.
With nothing more to do, I cross the bridge again, but before returning to the locked door, I decide to explore a little more to the north. Perhaps there is yet something else to discover.
...Woah! A giant door of shiny gold. On the sides, there are two more large statues. The scale is imposing, and these two wield large broadswords, possibly templar swords. Unfortunately, too large for my use. I put a hand to the giant door to better understand the etchings...
The door immediately reacts to my presence! The lines trace in light, and the symbol in the middle illuminates itself in a brilliant spectrum. Shielding my eyes, I find myself losing consciousness.
I awake in a strange area, and a glance at my body shows something greatly amiss. I can see through myself! Did the door kill me? ...More statues in robes. No swords. A long path stretches before me, and with little other choice, I begin the arduous walk. As I climb the stairs, it reminds me of the path I took to reach this door to begin with, and sure enough the end holds another large door, but blue instead of gold.
Interacting with it does nothing this time. Something more must be required. To the left and right are large monuments of some sort. Inspecting one causes it to light up, signifying great importance. May as well activate the other one, too.
Approaching the door, it reacts as the other did, but instead of sending me home, it opens. The path doesn't seem to go anywhere, but with little other choice, I step into the blankness where a path should be. My feet find purchase, and I continue to walk this new invisible path.
At the end, a figure resembling that of the statues! She seems hurt! Getting her attention, she comes to, and seems shocked to find herself inside this colorful prison. The fear in her eyes is jarring. There is a radiance, the same colors present in the door mechanism shine above her.
There must be something I can do. My vision fades again, and I awake outside of the golden door. "Sealed Forever." The monuments from before must be the key. I should check to the east and west for something similar, and open the door. Maybe then, I can free her.
New Goal: Open the golden door by activating two monuments, and free the goddess.
With nothing else left to do, I return to the locked door. The key opens it with ease. Within, I find a shining object, like the one I saw earlier from the telescope. Another burst of confusion, but I pick it up anyways.
It is... information. I can barely understand any of it, but surely there is something to be learned here.
It appears to be part of some sort of booklet? In the images, I see myself! Why am I a part of this? I also see the aggressive creatures from the town, and the golden door I just found. "In a far off land, a great treasure was sealed away forever. Some say it is the power to defy death." Is that why I am here? To find this treasure? Just what is behind that door..?
What else... "Ringing the East/West Bell", hmm, is that what those things were within the vision? Bells? Then that must be my quest. To ring the bells and obtain the treasure. Maybe the goddess has the treasure..? At this point I can only guess.
The rest appears to be a checklist. This part seems familiar: "Hero's Grave." It even has the sword drawing again. I guess I should keep heading this way, and into "East Forest."
Discovery: Collect manual pages in order to better understand the world around me. Much within cannot be understood, but some pieces can be deciphered and interpreted.
New Goal: Enter and explore East Forest.
Revised Goal: Ring the two bells to open the golden door and obtain the treasure and/or rescue the goddess.
It seems there are more of these pages to be found. Some portions seem to refer to other page numbers. This one is labeled with a 10. However... does it have a back?
Discovery: The manual can be navigated with the left stick, and other buttons can further change how it is viewed.
Equipment, potions, "focus", stamina... Ooh magic? "Everything hurts way more when I'm tired." Hmm, so being low on stamina is dangerous for me? Alright. It looks like a lot of these things are explained on other pages, which I obviously don't have. There's also some weird scribbles that feel out of place by the words "Prize / Treasure"...
There's also some sort of indication on what the golden square is supposed to be. Maybe I can understand more if I manage to find page 41. Well, not much more to be learned here. I pocket the page and continue my exploration.
Upon exiting, I find an empty chest. Was this the Hero's Grave? Was the sword here? That seems unlikely, if I am to trust this scrap of paper. The grave is in the forest, right?
Below me is a strange door, but it cannot be accessed. I climb down the ladder and explore. In fact, this seems to be a total dead end for me right now. Upwards it is.
I see a weathervane with a plaque attached. On it is a collection of four characters, repeated in different orders. I feel like I can almost make sense of it. Almost. There's a chance it's something important, so I take a note of it. I number them 1234 and write the combinations down to remember it for later. Better safe than sorry.
After slaying a few more blobs and opening the nearby chest, I press forward on the only path available to me. Another sign, this one legible. "East Forest" ..! The paper truly does hold important information. Onward!
Current Goals
✔Open the door.
★ Enter and explore East Forest.
★ Seek the sword found at the Hero's Grave.
★ Head west after obtaining a sword and investigate the town.
★ Reach the glowing object on the gold panel in town.
★ Ring the two bells to open the golden door and obtain the treasure and/or rescue the goddess.
This seems to be the East Belltower. The place is overgrown and ancient. Immediately I spot another page, beneath a tall statue. Quickly dispatching my foes, I grab it and explore its contents.
What's described before me seem to be the... controls..? My mind feels some sort of distant connection to this. I see lock on, I see the button I use for inventory, for movement... Apparently, there's also a shield and some potions to be found. There's buttons for the sword and I guess for other actions. And then there's the A button. It seems to do multiple things. See more on page 13? That should be the back of this very page.
Images of a sign, of rolling, of running. I suppose if I had not been so eager to experiment when I awoke, this would be more useful. There's also something else of value, with a reference to page 24, but I can't learn anything further for now. Alright, back to exploring.
Up the stairs, I see one of my goals. A bell, large and gold. But the rope to access it is unreachable. I will have to go around. Such an easy task, thwarted by my small stature. If only I was as big as the fox of my vision.
New Goal: Find a way to reach the golden bell.
Around the corner, I find a hole, but the ladder leading down seems to be broken. If I go down here, I won't be able to return for a while. It can't be helped. I press on. Another statue calls to me. Another strangely empty chest, too.
The East Forest, at last. The foliage is dense and verdant. Now to find the Hero's Grave. I follow the signs laid out before me, eager to claim a sharp weapon, to be able to better dispatch the foes that seek to harm me. Exploring the rest can wait! Along the way, a new type of foe, seemingly made of crystal. It shoots parts of itself at me, forcing me to weave and dodge.
Another statue, best to stay healthy. Ah, excellent, a new page, resting upon another golden square. These truly seem to be places of significance, though not all have held a prize atop them.
This page seems to be explaining the lock-on system. Dodge, shield... was there a shield I was supposed to have found by now? I could definitely use one... But not much else here.
Stamina-points, stamina-points... Attack without stamina... Oh hey, a moment of protection during the dodge roll. "Check for Dust"? So, I'm invulnerable while there's dust? Okay. This stability part seems a little more confusing, though. It's talking about HP, too. I'll do my best to stay healthy, count on it!
Another sign pointing me forward, another path twisting with danger. I dispatch some vicious, large slime balls. They nearly get the better of me. With the main path blocked, I have to work my way around. More of the crystal enemies attack me from across the tangled trail. How I long for a shield. Before me stands one of the large creatures I saw in the village, preventing my way through the gate. My objective must be on the other side.
I slowly and carefully whittle him down, avoiding the swings of his sword. Once I take him down, I consider taking his sword for myself, but it's too large for my hands. Hidden behind the bushes is a narrow path leading to a lever. I put my weight into the mechanism, throwing the lever and dropping the gate.
Discovery: Mechanical levers like this will operate nearby contraptions such as doors. Make them a priority, but activating them seems to take some time. Be careful.
Weaving my way through the shrubs, I come to my prize. A sword, in fantastic condition, and perfectly suited for me! I mentally thank the statue, noting that it bears an even closer resemblance to me than the previous ones I've seen. Picking up the sword, I take it into my grasp and give it some test swings. As expected, it clears the bushes away with ease.
Revised Goal: Explore the forest and find a path to the golden bell.
With fewer barriers in my way, I return to the goddess statue to heal and decide to take the time to explore this forest with greater curiosity. Climbing onto the roof of a nearby building, I attempt to fight off a pair of basic guards. Behind them stands a greater threat, taller, with a giant shield. While attempting to dispatch the smaller foes, I wander too close to the foe in the green mantle. He skewers me, and I fall to the ground... My last thoughts are... It was a good run.
I awaken, finding myself once again in a ghostly form. I seem to be in the same place as last time, where I first saw the goddess. Confused, and fighting a feeling of hopelessness, I take the long path before me, though it is admittedly shorter than last time. At the end, a familiar void, a deceptive dead end. Beyond it, the goddess waits again. She seems to be in prayer. Approaching her, she reaches out to me and imbues me with colored light. My vision again fades, and I awake at the nearby statue. I note that her likeness is also praying.
Looking around, and checking over myself, I seem to once again be healthy. Opening my booklet, I turn to the golden door on page 10 again. "Some say it is the power to defy death." This line jumps out at me. Does the goddess hold this power? Did she bring me back to life?
Discovery: I cannot die. When I die, I return to life at a nearby statue.
Shaking off the daze of having been literally killed and returned to life, I push aside my curiosity towards this great treasure. Before me is the path I must travel. The page says my next task has something to do with a Guard Captain. I hope that isn't the guy in green, I don't think I can win. However, I do think I could circle around him.
Returning to where I fell, in an attempt to bypass the threat, I notice a faded version of myself at his feet. Something urges me to touch the mysterious presence, where it then erupts with a burst of light, dazing my foe, causing him to drop his shield, and even showering the ground with a bit of shiny treasure! Feeling brazen with the loss of his shield, I attempt to fight off this foe a second time. A single blow from him brings me to the edge of death yet again.
...Perhaps not.
Discovery: My "corpse" can apparently be used as a weapon, though perhaps not a very strong one.
I escape around the corner and check what lies beyond. At least he does not follow me. A treasure lies in wait with some strange object, perhaps meant to ignited. Hard to say, but with so few, I think I will save them for now. Below me, I catch a glint of another chest. Is there a way to it? There's no ladder, so maybe there was something else I missed.
I return to the area's lower section, avoiding the powerful green guard along, and of course resting along the way. Locking onto my slimy foe, I notice the way the view shifts. This gives me a better view of the chest. Surely...
I check even closer. It seems there was a hidden path in the shadows, leading to the chest. I must be vigilant about my surroundings!
Discovery: Some paths are hard to see. Hold the lock-on button to get a different view.
I enter the nearby building continuing my exploration. Guardhouse Rwo, my memory tells me. Descending to the bottom, I consider what I just learned. A suspicious path leads behind the pillars. Perhaps something is to be found behind there. Sure enough, my suspicions were confirmed, and I found some blue liquid inside a jar. A mana potion perhaps? Or something else... A mystery for another time, as there's no need to be wasteful.
Outside, a large golden monument appears to be broken. I wonder what it was supposed to be for. It must have been an amazing sight when it was whole. There's also a mounted hook, clearly something I lack the tools for. But here, a few chests. Inside the first one is -- ahh! An ambush! The item I looted looks explosive, and there are six of them! Surely this would be a good time to use one or two. I attempt to access my pockets to make use of them but I'm left completely vulnerable. It doesn't look like it's a good idea to change around my items while there are enemies.
Discovery: Time doesn't stop when accessing the inventory.
Still, these spiders kept their distance long enough for me to prep these firecrackers. I light one and try throwing it at the enemies, expecting it to immediately explode. It rolls right past them and manages to only kill one with its explosion. Gathering them together and anticipating the results, this time I throw one into the thick of them, and clear away all but one. A useful item against a large number of foes, but will likely be less useful against quicker enemies.
Discovery: Firecrackers are thrown a distance and will explode after a delay.
Now to reach that other chest. I look around for a secret path and find it by where I entered the field. Looping around, I open the chest and am given a large coin with a very familiar face on it. Mysterious.
Following the path further, I find myself back in the East Forest. It looks as though I could have reached this area all along, had I known it was there. Fascinating.
Discovery: There are paths that exist which are extremely well-hidden. I should keep track of them after I find them.
Another chest, this one with a piece of red food inside. It's almost certainly a healing item, but I don't need to eat it right at this moment. However, I do take the time to make them easy to access. To my side, I see another telescope. I seek out a path to the tool, hoping it will help me spot more secrets.
Putting my hand to the wall, a staple of maze traversal, I wrap my way around and enter a less obvious path into the trees. Looking through the spyglass, I see a gated door, likely a place of importance. I make it my next destination.
New Goal: Open the gated doorway.
Turning to the last place to explore on the lower level, I enter into Guardhouse One, and find a ladder against the wall. Climbing it, I head outside and find an important looking treasure chest. Inside, a bottle, filled with red. I know immediately how to use it.
Discovery: Potions can be used with RB, restoring my health.
After using the potion, I begin my ascent towards the closed gate. On the way there, I take moderate damage, but not enough that I worry. Throwing the lever at the top, the gate drops and I head inside. I find another lever. This time, instead of opening a gate, a sort of ladder appears in the wall below me, granting a new form of passage.
Discovery: There are shortcuts I can unlock to make backtracking easier, keep an eye open!
Searching the room for treasure, I find some broken shards. Still, they feel important, so I pocket them.
I then take the time to head back to the statue before pushing deeper, benefiting from the new shortcut. After resting, I notice that my path is once again barred by the foes I just slew. Is this magic or are there just dozens of these creatures hiding deeper in the woods, waiting to re-emerge and continue their endless patrols?
Discovery: Using a statue will respawn enemies.
Running past them and returning to Guardhouse One, I climb the ladder and enter the door where I am met with a bulky looking horned fellow. He quite clearly matches the illustration in the booklet. Behind him, another barred gateway. To get through, and reach the bell tower, I will have to best this foe.
Two mis-timed dodges, two powerful hits to my tiny frame. I fall before him. Perhaps there's something I missed? Should I be elsewhere? No, there's no way to return, I can only press forward. Awakening at the statue, I run quickly back to fight the Captain once more.
Stunning him with my 'ghost', I throw a firecracker to his feet, instantly slaying the smaller foe and critically wounding the Captain. A few simple swings of my sword later, he easily falls. Strategy is going to be vital moving forward. Throwing the lever, I proceed through the hall and am granted another potion bottle. I then begin a long ascent.
Out I exit to the balcony, where the golden bell awaits. Examining it, it implies I should strike it to ring it. I lift my sword into the air and smack the side of it into the tuning-fork shaped monument. With resounding fanfare, the room alights in a dance of magic, and I find myself one large step closer to unlocking the golden door.
Making sure not to miss the treasure hiding behind the bell, I drop the rope and climb down. Just before the exit, I notice some shrubs against the wall. Light pours through the opening behind them. Curious, I poke my head out and find a treasure with a small packet of crystals or powder.
Next to me is a ladder. Climbing it, I find myself unable to progress any further. Before I turn around, my eyes are drawn to an obelisk. Its design strongly resembles the one found on the golden door. It is adorned with the tri-colored motif that was present during my first vision with the goddess. How curious... I cannot reach it, however, so after making a simple note of this strange contraption, I return to the Belltower and then to the open area I first awoke in.
Current Goals
✔Enter and explore East Forest.
✔Seek the sword found at the Hero's Grave.
✔Explore the forest and find a path to the golden bell.
✔Open the gated doorway.
✔Ring the East Belltower.
★ Head west after obtaining a sword and investigate the town.
★ Reach the glowing object on the gold panel in town.
★ Ring the two bells to open the golden door and obtain the treasure and/or rescue the goddess.
As my eyes adjust to the daylight, I take a moment to appreciate the sword in my paws. At last, these green barriers will no longer stand in my way. Slash! Slash! Out of the corner of my eye, I spot another page for the booklet. After clearing the field of enemies, I walk over and pick it up.
It appears to be a map! Looking at the various landmarks, it feels familiar, too. Noticing the words "To East Forest," I take a moment to close the booklet and look around. Small island, weird rock sculpture... I open the map back up. There's a little fox head right where I seem to be. I think it was in a different place a moment ago. Testing the theory, I close the booklet again and move to the south.
It moved! What wonder. The page shows my location on it! That's very convenient.
Discovery: Some pages have maps. My location is marked on them, helping me to more easily navigate.
This seems to be the central area. There's a few interesting looking things, but there's just so much going on that it's hard to determine what's most important right now. In the corner are the words "Ringing the West Bell" - Right, my mission. West Garden. Dark Tomb. Well, it's a start. I should also check page 10 again and see what it says. First, however, what's on page 29?
Another map. It also mentions a few enemies, the Slorm and the Autobolt. Both of these talk about having a shield. I definitely don't want to come here without it, then! I wonder where it can be found?
Let's see, page 10... Ringing the West Bell. The first item on the list is "Old House," and it shows a key symbol. The second item on the list is "Flooded Well". That sounds like what's shown on page 29. I really need to find the shield first. Maybe it's in this "Old House." Looking at the map on page 28, the Old House is in the very middle. Sounds like a good place to start.
New Goal: Enter the Old House.
I put away the map and continue along the path. I use the lever opening a new shortcut, and take a short rest at the statue. The forest was nice, but I'm glad to be back in open spaces. I cross the river and clear the shrubs that were blocking my way. Ahead, I reach the location of this "Old House," and sure enough, it's the building I saw before. It's locked up tight, just like the path to the Hero's Grave, but where is the key this time? I don't have the key from before anymore.
Looking around for a good hiding place, I take note of the windmill and decide to check inside. In the back of the small building, there's another door. I can sense soemthing amiss, as there can't possibly be another room. Walking through the entryway, I step into a void of darkness. Cautiously, I push forward, and suddenly a giant skeleton rises up from the blackness.
Its fox features stare deep into my soul. In the back of my mind, I can sense an urge to buy, buy, buy. Before me, two items appear. Two items I know quite well, actually. Firecrackers and another potion bottle. Upon inspection of the items, the creature seems to want the shiny treasure I've been accumulating. I have less at this point than expected, and it wants 300 just for the potion. Offering the shiny bits, they disappear into the void, and I feel safe to claim the new tincture.
Discovery: There are shops in the world which will sell items for treasure.
With my funds running low, I decline purchasing any of the firecrackers. This is fine, as I still have a several remaining. Still, it had no key for sale. With a sigh of disappointment, it's back to searching. I exit and check the nearby telescope. This one seems to overlook the area of the Dark Tomb, if I cross-reference my map. I don't see a way to reach there yet, so I descend the ladder and head further into town. Remembering about the page found atop the golden square, I dispatch the nearby enemies and pick it up to analyze it.
This page consists of illustrations showing what happens when you're low or out of stamina. It looks like you lose the dodge invincibility, damage taken is increased by half, you cannot block, "stability" is low which may relate to getting knocked down or stunned from larger hits, and something about ...special tech? Still, it's bad! Avoid low stamina whenever possible, it comes with too many drawbacks.
Oh my. There's a lot to take in here. I see a list of the items. The red food is a Health Fruit. The firecracker is an exploding Bomb? Pop Bomb? Boom Bomb? The torch looking things I picked up are Fire Bombs, and the thing that looked like a mana potion is an Ice Bomb. I also got an Effigy and a Golden Coin. Golden Coins seem to relate to something discussed on page 20.
There's also a section on Magic Items, and one on the Magic Potion. That means those "shards" I picked up are probably a piece of a Magic Potion. I wonder how many it takes to complete one. That's how these things go, right? I also got one of those other things. I can't quite understand what it's trying to say, but it seems to have something to do with potions, at least. Do these hand-written numbers matter?
Lastly, "They say that if you throw enough BOMBS you'll get a prize, so don't be afraid to use them!" - Whatever that ends up meaning. I guess I'll find out eventually. Still, quite a lot here that doesn't make sense. These dots, the whole Magic Items section, and more.
Returning to my search, I stumble onto a mechanical thing that just popped out of the ground. It begins to shoot at me, and I quickly hurry over to dispatch it. It hurts! I try to drink potions, but it keeps interrupting me, and it eventually kills me. Perhaps I should avoid those for now... I vaguely recall seeing something that looks like them in my guide. An autobolt. My shield-envy deepens.
Returning to where my search was cut short, I find another house. Inside, in the back, I find some chests. This seems to have once been a shop for the denizens of this village. Some of the chests are already empty, but I find some money, a few more Boom Bombs, and some flowers.
Around the corner, I see another page. However, I don't seem to have any way to get to it. Perhaps there is a mechanism somewhere that I could find. There's also another supicious door. It's likely the way to reach the page is hidden behind that door, so I doubt I can find a way to solve this yet.
While clearing the nearby enemies, I spot something gold at the feet of another green-caped fox foe. Is that a key? How am I going to get it without getting killed? For now, let's look around elsewhere. After opening the gate, a simple and convenient shortcut, I check to my left and find another potion fragment. As I head back to the key, I find another chest wedged into the corner by the well. Inside, two more Boom Bombs. I feel I have now amassed quite the collection of weaponry.
A thought crosses my mind. The green guys don't move from their spots, do they? I bet I could kill him just by throwing a bomb or two at him. In fact, why don't I try out a Fire Bomb on him? ... ... Perfect! Staying at a distance, he burned to his doom with a single bomb. I also noticed that the nearby grass ignited and burned away.
Discovery: Grass can catch fire and burn across a distance.
Reaching down, I claim the guarded key with excitement. Exploring the beach can wait, let's go check inside this house.
New Goal: Explore the beach (when convenient.)
Woo, a chest!
... Hey! A single bit of treasure? What gives? That's all?? No, surely there must be something else here, given how fortified it was... Ah. There's an opening in the back. Oh. Hmm, it's that weird purple line I saw outside. Where's it going? I follow the line down a long corridor to find...
Shield!!
Ah, at last, the shield! It's mine! A proper means of defense. Testing it in my paws, I find its weight comforting.
Discovery: I can shield by pressing and holding RT.
Tunnel-vision alleviated, I process the rest of my surroundings. There's more here, a lever to activate. Past the gate, there's yet another weird looking door. Still no clue how to use them, but this one's in an out-of-the-way spot so I'll make a small note so I don't forget it exists. However, I'm still not even sure it's more than just a fancy decoration.
Outside again. What's to my right, a treasure maybe? Wait the path keeps going. Did it seriously put me out into where I started? This was here the whole time?? Well, may as well rest while I'm here.
Discovery: Secret paths are everywhere. Everywhere!
I head left along the earlier path now, and I see a small bell. Striking it, it makes a pleasant sound, but nothing like the one in the belltower. Just ahead, I find a tooth. What are all these weird items? I guess I should look closer at my inventory.
They are there, on the right, but I can't select them or use them. I also see a weird question mark box. There's my shield. Above that, there's my money and I guess the "shards" I found before. Two thirds... If my theory is correct, it takes three to make a new potion bottle. Neat.
Moving on, I see the ground littered with skulls. Suddenly, several of them come to life and begin to attack me with glowing purple limbs! Spooky! It reminds me of the purple pathways I've been seeing everywhere. I walk past a waterfall and pause for a moment. It bothers me. Secret hidden paths seem to be all over this island. What if..?
Stepping forward into the water, I enter into a secret passageway. At the back, I find a strange mural, and an even stranger object in the middle. Inspecting it doesn't get me any closer to understanding it. In the end, this is another mystery to add to my growing collection of notes.
Next door is the Dark Tomb, according to the map. Entering it, I'm met with pure darkness. Progressing any further seems unwise, but why? Perhaps page 10 has the answers. Flooded Well is supposed to be next, and then Dark Tomb. What appears to be a lantern is depicted. Yes, clearly a lantern would help.
New Goal: Locate a Lantern, try searching the Flooded Well.
A treasure chest with some Hot Peppers in it. That's something I can try using later. By the chest, a sealed gate with a sign that reads Danger. The map calls this the Forbidden Pass. Not where I'm trying to go. Just south, I spot my next big goal, the West Belltower. There's no way to reach it from here, of course, but at least I know what my destination looks like.
Continuing on the path, I spot another page, in another unreachable location. No possible mechanisms this time, either. Just how am I supposed to get to that? Is there a tool that will let me grab things from a distance? I did see some hook platforms during my visit to the East Forest. This truly is an island of mystery.
Up ahead, another Autobolt, but this time I'm prepared. I approach and try to shield its attacks, but I fail. My focus was misplaced, and it cost me my immortal life. Clearly I need more practice with using the shield.
Running through the sneaky waterfall shortcut and back towards my path, I fight off the horned men with their shields, taking the time to grow accustomed to my own. I note the drain on my stamina it causes, finding myself running low. It seems constant shielding hinders my stamina recovery. Further testing shows even greater stamina inhibition from sword swings!
Discovery: Shielding slows my stamina recovery rate. Sword swings pause stamina recovery entirely. Do not overuse! Strategy is important!
Through a twist of fate, I may have discovered something new. The grunt placed itself between me and the Autobolt, and the shots got it killed. Apparently, enemies can hurt each other! With only the Autobolt remaining, I carefully approach it, blocking the shots, and hack it into pieces. To my surprise, when it died, it exploded! Oh well, that's what potions are for.
Discovery: Enemies can sometimes hurt each other.
On the other side of the bridge I just lowered is the entrance to the well. Beside it, another page. I wonder what this one has to share?
Wait, what is this? I recognize these items. These are the strange things I've been collecting. Does this page tell me what they are? Attack, HP, Potion - I have one of each of those. It seems to involve spending money somehow. Or, hmm, somewhere..? I think I need to pay a visit to a goddess statue. Right now.
Another drawbridge shortcut activated, followed by a quick run to the main statue that I've been visiting. Interacting with it... Nothing. It's not that simple, I suppose. The page didn't grant me a new ability. Looking closer, the page says "LB". That's the menu button. I admit I haven't checked my items when next to a statue before now. I guess I should try that.
...
Was this here the whole time? That's incredible! Such mysteries, hiding in plain sight! The flowers increased my health. The tooth increased my attack power. The powder increased my "potion" in some way. I need to make this a priority, going forward! There's also something relevant on page 41, something to keep in mind when I find that page.
Discovery: I can "offer" items to the goddess, along with treasure, to increase my abilities.
Ah, right, I still need to analyze the other half of that page I just found.
On this page, it... seems to talk about death. I receive the goddess's blessing in order to come back to life. The ghost I find where I fell may be called an "Echo-of-Self." There's also a recommendation of some sort. Garden Knight? 3 attack, 3 defense? Sounds like solid advice. "You can do it!" Thanks, helpful booklet!
Setting aside the ever-expanding booklet, I return to the location of the well. Looking down, I call out, and hear my voice echo back to me. I kick in a stone to measure the depth and after a fading clatter, I end my procrastination and begin my descent down the long ladder.
Current Goals
✔Head west after obtaining a sword and investigate the town.
✔Reach the glowing object on the gold panel in town.
✔Enter the Old House.
★ Locate a Lantern, try searching the Flooded Well.
★ Ring the two bells to open the golden door and obtain the treasure and/or rescue the goddess.
★ Explore the beach (when convenient.)
Once beneath the surface, I meet my first Slorm. It spins into me and oww, but I slash it and kill it. The darned thing then decides it's also going to explode in my face. Why does everything explode now?? I open the map for the well and read a bit more about the Slorms. "A type of slime who just wants to be close to you. Stun it by blocking."
Right.
Following the dimly lit pathways before me, I descend a slimy staircase and try not to slip. At the bottom, I find a chest in plain sight. Inside, another pouch of powder. Just beyond it, I spot some flowing water. Behind the waterfall, a health fruit. I'm wise to your tricks, waterfalls!
Progressing onwards, I quickly learn that water is not mobility friendly. No rolling or running. I should be careful when in water, then, and take care to utilize my new shield at every opportunity.
Discovery: I cannot roll or run in water.
I find another statue, inviting me to take a rest. While there, I offer the potion upgrade. Or rather, I would, if I had more treasure. Above me I see another chest, but after looking around, there's no obvious way to reach it. Rounding the corner, I find another page for the booklet.
Another map. This one looks like a beach area. In the corner appears to be a compass, accompanied by some hand-drawn scribbles. Looking carefully, the symbols there match with the symbols in the corners of the map. Somehow or another, the symbols must indicate north, south, east, and west. That means this area is south of the Overworld.
Thinking back to the weathervane, I realize those symbols are also the same. It would make sense. Of course, what possible use is there for a collection of sixteen directions? Perhaps there's a maze somewhere.
I also learn the names of a few more of my foes, including the tall guys in green with the intimidating shields. More questions than answers. I can relate, at the moment. The last thing to note is a strange mound labeled Frog's Domain.
...Which seems to be this. There's so much to be explored! There's even another golden door here? Behind it, a green hexagon that stands out to me. What is this "Magic Orb" supposed to be? Overall, neither half of this page is of use right now.
Before putting the booklet away again, I turn to page 29 to look at the map. Catching sight of my current location, I trace the longest path possible. At the end, the large black skull. There doesn't seem to be any real way to get lost along the way, so I pocket the map and resume my exploration of the Flooded Well.
Two enemies, quickly dispatched. Another waterfall, another chest hiding behind it. My confidence grows as I find proficiency with my shield.
In the next room, past another pair of easily vanquished Slorms, I find an Autobolt guarding the area. Before it even has a chance to fully raise from the ground, I bring it close to the point of breaking. Backing away, I bring up my shield, and then finish it off. As it falls, I back away. At this point, it's almost instinct to do so. With no treasure to find, I drop the shortcut bridge and make a late note to prioritize these.
Discovery: Activate shortcuts whenever possible to save time.
I turn the corner and find the glowing purple again, as well as three Slorms. I slay the first one, and back away from its corpse, and the other two chasing after me push it right into me, causing me to get caught in the explosion! On the bright side, the explosion also hurt them, so I can't claim their actions were all that intelligent. Still, the way is now clear. I drink a potion and push forward.
Ahead of me, the purple pathway heads off through a corridor of darkness, and is opposed by a doorway of light. In the corner of my eye, another Slorm stirs and reaches out for a hug. I dispatch it and as I am contemplating my exit through the door, I check my map. I feel like I saw something earlier... There, in the back, what looks like it's supposed to be a passageway. Fumbling around the darkness, I trace my paw along the wall, and it gives way, leading me into a room with a red glow.
Placed carefully in the middle is a chest. Inside, I discover something new and strange. It is a flat square with a piece of art on it, pierced by a hole. Checking my inventory, I notice that the weird dotted square no longer has a question mark inside of it. With a bit of fumbling, I seem to have augmented myself with... something.
Discovery: I can equip these "cards," but the effects are unknown.
Returning and passing through the door, I see another chest buried in the dirt. As I step through the water to reach it, a giant tentacle appears from within and tries to smack me or pull me under. Then another one appears and I begin to panic. Rather than fight them, I opt to simply run to the chest. More shinies are always nice. Crossing back, I notice there's even more in hiding, pushing me to immediately try to climb out. I think I'd rather face this Autobolt.
Clearing the grunts, I claim the chest under the stairs. Then, further on, I open up another shortcut before returning to rest where I check my map again. I'm almost to the big skull, but along the way there's something interesting. I glance up at the unreachable chest, and look back to my map.
Making it to a new room, I climb the ladder, where I collect what seems to be another upgrade item. The booklet says it's for DEF, so it will increase my defense when offered.
I open my map once again, and stare at the wall in front of me. It does look a little unusual, but despite standing directly next to it, there's no immediate sign something is amiss. I try a Boom Bomb and only manage to hurt myself. I look around the room a bit further and after only finding a chest with a few Ice Bombs in it, I return to the suspicious wall. Running my hand along it, I notice a focused pattern, and press into the center of it.
Discovery: Some walls hold unprompted secrets. Pressing A next to the wall can sometimes press hidden switches.
A panel in the wall rescinds with a click, and the wall slides away to reveal a secret passageway. I knew there had to be something here! Inside, I find not one, but two treasures. The first holds another potion fragment, completing my next potion. The second holds another fox-emblazoned coin.
Discovery: Collecting three potion fragments will complete a new Magic Potion.
Returning again to the statue, I find myself with just enough treasure to offer and claim the defense upgrade and the second potion upgrade. Then, pressing forward, following the lightless pattern on the ground, I cross a room of darkness and end up back outside. The trail continues, leading me directly underneath the Western Belltower.
Inside, a startling and eerie sight presents itself. A tall obelisk stands before me, and the entire room is bathed in a purple light, bright enough I have to shield my eyes. At the base of the obelisk, I spot my goal - the lantern. I find its haphazard placement a little unusual, but with it, I should be able to conquer the darkness of the Tomb.
I hang it from my belt and take the time to look at the strange obelisk up close. It's identical to the one I saw in the forest, by the Eastern Belltower. For now, however, it doesn't seem I can do anything with it. The lantern didn't grant me any abilities, and I can't even equip it the way I can other items.
Checking in with page 10, my next goal is to make it back to the Dark Tomb, which will take me to the West Garden. After that, it seems I'm on my own, but the ultimate goal will be to reach the Western Belltower and strike it. That should hopefully open the golden door.
New Goal: Explore the Dark Tomb and reach the West Garden.
Revised Goal: Pass through the West Garden and reach the Western Belltower. Ring it and open the Golden Door.
As I cross back, my path is pleasantly illuminated. The lantern is functioning brilliantly, chasing away the shadows. Back in the room of darkness, I see there's another way that I can progress. Sneaky.
Inside seems to be another guard captain, or something like him. He must be the reason for the skull mark. Of course, they're facing away and making themselves easy targets. Tossing a Boom Bomb underneath their table, they are easily dispatched. Fools, always watch your entrances. I throw the lever. Past the portcullis I find a goddess statue and another page.
Another map page. It seems to be a map of the Dark Tomb, and of some other area. I recognize the obelisk alongside those spiders. On the Dark Tomb map there are many handwritten notes. X's and O's and little scribbles. I should definitely take the time to consult this map once I'm there.
There doesn't seem to be much to this page, aside from a very menacing foe. I see myself depicted there, cast in the construct's glow. What could it be foreshadowing? On the left, I see a pattern set in a ruined column.
With nothing left to find, I climb the ladder and ascend... directly into the entrance of the Dark Tomb. This is convenient, at the very least. The lantern is working wonderfully and I can see well enough to navigate without issues. Inside I face animated skeletons and spike traps amidst the dimly lit hall.
I see a chest atop a coffin, with no way to climb up. Circling the room, I fight off some floating skulls, and several more skeletons. A small stairway can be found in the back, but is leads nowhere. Having reached an apparent dead end, I open my map to see what can be gleaned.
Somewhere there is a secret passage to go further down. There are arrows pointing to pedestals on each side. With a little bit of searching, I locate the hidden switches inside some important looking skulls, and the center tomb slides back to reveal a ladder. Before going down, I grab the contents of the chest, which can now be reached via the staircase. Inside of it is another card. A ring is depicted alongside a sword.
Once below, I clear away the jars, rewarded only with tiny bits of treasure. A chest below catches my eye, with weird red beams pointing at it. Behind the statues generating them, I see a skeleton. For my amusement, I throw a Boom Bomb off the ledge. It exploded, destroying the statues, but failed to turn the skeleton back to dust. It wanders forward to try to seek me out. It crosses in front of one of the remaining red beams and suddenly the statue emitting it opens fire, obliterating the weakened skeleton.
I should probably avoid stepping in front of those statues... That looked like it hurt.
My path forward is dotted with treasure chests amidst the sea of spike traps and animated skeletons angry at me for still having a pulse and breath. Moving slowly and carefully, I search the extremities of the tomb. Fire Bombs, a potion fragment, several chests of shinies.
Smashing the beam traps, I enter the area I threw the bomb into. Two large fox statues in robes, priestly looking, watching over the crypt. A large sum of shinies hide in the chest. Around the back, a suspicious nook. Fondling my way down the tiny pathway, I lay claim to another coin. Still unsure of their purpose, I pocket it among the others and continue.
The path opens up to a room with a huge amount of statues, focusing their red beams in all sorts of directions. Very carefully, I work to destroy them, one after another. With no other enemies inside, I take my time and safely diffuse the danger, claiming a prize of an "effigy" in the chest. Whatever those are supposed to do. Cute, though.
After checking the map, I don't see any indicator of what I'm supposed to do next, so I slowly walk around the room and keep an eye open for anything interesting. There, a lever to the north. It drops into place and the room rumbles, dust falling from the ceiling. The room is flooded with light, and the sudden brightness, combined with the dust, causes my snout to crinkle and sneeze.
With an exit now blindingly obvious, I head through it and find myself directly below where I claimed the lantern. The path continues to the side, with a chest along the way. Inside is another charming idol that I can offer to boost my defense.
At last, I am again outside. Three times now, my path has taken me so close to my goal, but left me with no way to reach it. Checking the nearby spyglass, I find it pointed at the West Belltower as if to tease this fact. The nearby sign says something about West Garden, pointing me down the stairs, so I guess I'm still on the right track.
Before I head down, I peer over the edge and admire the broken piece of gold wedged into the corner. The lines on it remind me of the decoration I saw on those mysterious doors. Or whatever they were.
Mysteries are fun. So are ruins.
Current Goals
✔Locate a Lantern, try searching the Flooded Well.
✔Explore the Dark Tomb and reach the West Garden.
★ Pass through the West Garden and reach the Western Belltower. Ring it and open the Golden Door.
★ Obtain the great treasure and/or rescue the goddess.
★ Explore the beach (when convenient.)
Thumbnail created using the press kit's wallpaper and logo. The custom text contains a secret.
Search Tags: Zelda Link mystery mysteries explore exploring exploration gameguide walkthrough help steam psychology psychological island ruin ruins "the heir" vixen foxy foxes offering offerings secret secrets quest adventure
This story is intended as a companion piece to the video game TUNIC - experience with the game is highly recommended. While this work is primarily an introspection on the world of TUNIC, it can also be used as a game guide to help you with your own discoveries.
I highly recommend playing this game, and if the early portions of this tale can help pull you into the mysterious world, you'll absolutely love experiencing it first-hand. Be warned: Act 2 and beyond have substantial spoilers as the game grows in scope, and discovery is an important part of what makes TUNIC an amazing adventure.
TUNIC: A Narrative Guide
Act 1: The Awakening (1/2) | (2/2)
Act 2: The Questagons (1/3) | (2/3) | (3/3)
Act 3: The Heir (1/2) | (2/2)
Act 4: The Golden Path (Coming Soon)
Act 1: Part 1 - Beachside Awakening
I've woken up on the shore of what looked to once be a well-developed area. Ruins of something great are poking out of the water around me. My head aches, and I find myself unable to remember anything. Initially, even walking is a chore.
Above me, a path stretches out. Curious as to what lay beyond, I climb the stairs before me and begin to look around. Immediately, I see a strange golden square, perhaps an altar of some sort. Upon basic inspection, it does not seem to do anything, and I am filled with disappointment.
Beyond it is a lengthy bridge. Stretching my legs and testing my body during the long walk across, I find that I can roll, and even run. My fluffy body is in good shape, and the grass feels nice under the paws.
Discovery: I can roll by pressing the A button while moving, and run by holding it afterwards.
To my left, I see a dwelling set into the cliff wall. The light is on, and in front of it is a mailbox. Inspecting the mailbox, my head feels scrambled, as though it's unable to process what's before me. I decide to enter the home and see if there's someone inside who can tell me what's going on.
Inside, I find nothing but a chest and some jars. I open the chest and within is a stick. Again, a burst of confusion, but I set it aside. Something within compels me to rummage my pockets.
New Item: StickDiscovery: I can open my inventory by pressing LB. Here, I can assign items to X/Y/B. The stick feels most comfortable under X. To exit the inventory, I need to press LB again.
The jars in the room make for excellent target practice. Within, some shinies, which I gather. Perhaps there is a use for them, and they seem to be rather plentiful. I find the tall grasses, however, do not react to my swings. I exit the home, wondering where the occupant might have gone to, or what may have become of them.
Further to the left is a dead end, a short bridge fallen to disrepair, and to the right, some foliage and trees. Pushing my way through it, I come to a dense barrier of hedges. I try my stick to clear the way, and am met with a simple whoosh. This path is blocked, I will have to turn around.
Discovery: The stick can crush jars, but cannot remove bush barriers or grass.
Returning from where I came, I climb further up the grand stairs before me. A ball of liquid jumps around, and I am compelled to focus on it. Doing so lets me more easily dodge and attack.
Discovery: Press and hold LT to lock onto enemies. The camera shifts some as well. Damaged enemies have a visible health bar.
Behind the foe is a door. I try the handle and it does not budge, but there is a giant hole in the middle. My stick is not an applicable tool, to my dismay. I check the nearby sign, anticipating another burst of confusion, but this time I know clearly what is said. Beyond this door lies the Hero's Grave, and there is a drawing of a sword. Well, swords are sharp, perhaps such a tool would allow me to remove the hedges that bar my way.
New Goal: Open the door and seek the sword found at the Hero's Grave.
To the left on the same level is another barrier to progress, a wide river. In the middle, something of interest. There's the head of a statue that is similar to my own appearance. I'm not yet sure what to make of that, but the familiarity is appreciated.
Returning to the vertical ascent, another bush barrier blocks my way. I can see a chest beyond it, and a plank bridge. I definitely need to find that sword. There's a statue here, a large, almost feminine form. Perhaps this is their leader, or even their goddess. With nothing more to do, I continue to climb.
Another sign. This one seems to indicate there's a town to the west. That would be a good place to gather information, but once again the path is overgrown and denies me access.
New Goal: Head west after obtaining a sword and investigate the town.
What is this? There's something magical about this statue. It calls to me. Do I have a special connection with the goddess before me? I sit beside it, and rest by the warmth, healing my wounds.
Discovery: Resting at these statues will recover my health, and possibly more..?
To my left... Wait, this is the path from before. Perhaps I can make it to town after all. There's even a bridge. Crossing the water, I find a large key just laying out in the open. A bit strange, but perhaps it will open the door from before. I try to pick it up, and there's another burst of confusion. With a moment of hesitation, unsure of myself, I push forward, pocketing the key.
New Item: KeyThe path to the ladder is blocked, but there is a telescope nearby. Taking a look through it, I survey the area. There's another golden square. Surely these are something important, but I cannot guess as to what. Something is atop this one, perhaps it is an answer to this question.
New Goal: Reach the glowing object on the gold panel in town.
I also see some creatures in red capes. Perhaps these are the town residents, but they seem to be very aggressive. Below me is another locked door. Other interesting objects I can see are a well, a closed gate, a large windmill, and this strange line of glowing pink that appears to be artificial, complex beyond these basic dwellings and ruins.
With nothing more to do, I cross the bridge again, but before returning to the locked door, I decide to explore a little more to the north. Perhaps there is yet something else to discover.
...Woah! A giant door of shiny gold. On the sides, there are two more large statues. The scale is imposing, and these two wield large broadswords, possibly templar swords. Unfortunately, too large for my use. I put a hand to the giant door to better understand the etchings...
The door immediately reacts to my presence! The lines trace in light, and the symbol in the middle illuminates itself in a brilliant spectrum. Shielding my eyes, I find myself losing consciousness.
I awake in a strange area, and a glance at my body shows something greatly amiss. I can see through myself! Did the door kill me? ...More statues in robes. No swords. A long path stretches before me, and with little other choice, I begin the arduous walk. As I climb the stairs, it reminds me of the path I took to reach this door to begin with, and sure enough the end holds another large door, but blue instead of gold.
Interacting with it does nothing this time. Something more must be required. To the left and right are large monuments of some sort. Inspecting one causes it to light up, signifying great importance. May as well activate the other one, too.
Approaching the door, it reacts as the other did, but instead of sending me home, it opens. The path doesn't seem to go anywhere, but with little other choice, I step into the blankness where a path should be. My feet find purchase, and I continue to walk this new invisible path.
At the end, a figure resembling that of the statues! She seems hurt! Getting her attention, she comes to, and seems shocked to find herself inside this colorful prison. The fear in her eyes is jarring. There is a radiance, the same colors present in the door mechanism shine above her.
There must be something I can do. My vision fades again, and I awake outside of the golden door. "Sealed Forever." The monuments from before must be the key. I should check to the east and west for something similar, and open the door. Maybe then, I can free her.
New Goal: Open the golden door by activating two monuments, and free the goddess.
With nothing else left to do, I return to the locked door. The key opens it with ease. Within, I find a shining object, like the one I saw earlier from the telescope. Another burst of confusion, but I pick it up anyways.
New Item: Page 10/11It is... information. I can barely understand any of it, but surely there is something to be learned here.
Page Analysis: #10 - "Beginning your Adventure"
It appears to be part of some sort of booklet? In the images, I see myself! Why am I a part of this? I also see the aggressive creatures from the town, and the golden door I just found. "In a far off land, a great treasure was sealed away forever. Some say it is the power to defy death." Is that why I am here? To find this treasure? Just what is behind that door..?
What else... "Ringing the East/West Bell", hmm, is that what those things were within the vision? Bells? Then that must be my quest. To ring the bells and obtain the treasure. Maybe the goddess has the treasure..? At this point I can only guess.
The rest appears to be a checklist. This part seems familiar: "Hero's Grave." It even has the sword drawing again. I guess I should keep heading this way, and into "East Forest."
Discovery: Collect manual pages in order to better understand the world around me. Much within cannot be understood, but some pieces can be deciphered and interpreted.
New Goal: Enter and explore East Forest.
Revised Goal: Ring the two bells to open the golden door and obtain the treasure and/or rescue the goddess.
It seems there are more of these pages to be found. Some portions seem to refer to other page numbers. This one is labeled with a 10. However... does it have a back?
Discovery: The manual can be navigated with the left stick, and other buttons can further change how it is viewed.
Page Analysis: #11 - "The Game Screen"
Equipment, potions, "focus", stamina... Ooh magic? "Everything hurts way more when I'm tired." Hmm, so being low on stamina is dangerous for me? Alright. It looks like a lot of these things are explained on other pages, which I obviously don't have. There's also some weird scribbles that feel out of place by the words "Prize / Treasure"...
There's also some sort of indication on what the golden square is supposed to be. Maybe I can understand more if I manage to find page 41. Well, not much more to be learned here. I pocket the page and continue my exploration.
Upon exiting, I find an empty chest. Was this the Hero's Grave? Was the sword here? That seems unlikely, if I am to trust this scrap of paper. The grave is in the forest, right?
Below me is a strange door, but it cannot be accessed. I climb down the ladder and explore. In fact, this seems to be a total dead end for me right now. Upwards it is.
I see a weathervane with a plaque attached. On it is a collection of four characters, repeated in different orders. I feel like I can almost make sense of it. Almost. There's a chance it's something important, so I take a note of it. I number them 1234 and write the combinations down to remember it for later. Better safe than sorry.
After slaying a few more blobs and opening the nearby chest, I press forward on the only path available to me. Another sign, this one legible. "East Forest" ..! The paper truly does hold important information. Onward!
Current Goals
✔
★ Enter and explore East Forest.
★ Seek the sword found at the Hero's Grave.
★ Head west after obtaining a sword and investigate the town.
★ Reach the glowing object on the gold panel in town.
★ Ring the two bells to open the golden door and obtain the treasure and/or rescue the goddess.
Act 1: Part 2 - Seeking a Sword
This seems to be the East Belltower. The place is overgrown and ancient. Immediately I spot another page, beneath a tall statue. Quickly dispatching my foes, I grab it and explore its contents.
New Item: Page 12/13Page Analysis: #12 - "???"
What's described before me seem to be the... controls..? My mind feels some sort of distant connection to this. I see lock on, I see the button I use for inventory, for movement... Apparently, there's also a shield and some potions to be found. There's buttons for the sword and I guess for other actions. And then there's the A button. It seems to do multiple things. See more on page 13? That should be the back of this very page.
Page Analysis: #13 - "A Button(?)"
Images of a sign, of rolling, of running. I suppose if I had not been so eager to experiment when I awoke, this would be more useful. There's also something else of value, with a reference to page 24, but I can't learn anything further for now. Alright, back to exploring.
Up the stairs, I see one of my goals. A bell, large and gold. But the rope to access it is unreachable. I will have to go around. Such an easy task, thwarted by my small stature. If only I was as big as the fox of my vision.
New Goal: Find a way to reach the golden bell.
Around the corner, I find a hole, but the ladder leading down seems to be broken. If I go down here, I won't be able to return for a while. It can't be helped. I press on. Another statue calls to me. Another strangely empty chest, too.
The East Forest, at last. The foliage is dense and verdant. Now to find the Hero's Grave. I follow the signs laid out before me, eager to claim a sharp weapon, to be able to better dispatch the foes that seek to harm me. Exploring the rest can wait! Along the way, a new type of foe, seemingly made of crystal. It shoots parts of itself at me, forcing me to weave and dodge.
Another statue, best to stay healthy. Ah, excellent, a new page, resting upon another golden square. These truly seem to be places of significance, though not all have held a prize atop them.
New Item: Page 14/15Page Analysis: #14 - "Left Trigger Button(?)"
This page seems to be explaining the lock-on system. Dodge, shield... was there a shield I was supposed to have found by now? I could definitely use one... But not much else here.
Page Analysis: #15 - "Understanding Stamina Points"
Stamina-points, stamina-points... Attack without stamina... Oh hey, a moment of protection during the dodge roll. "Check for Dust"? So, I'm invulnerable while there's dust? Okay. This stability part seems a little more confusing, though. It's talking about HP, too. I'll do my best to stay healthy, count on it!
Another sign pointing me forward, another path twisting with danger. I dispatch some vicious, large slime balls. They nearly get the better of me. With the main path blocked, I have to work my way around. More of the crystal enemies attack me from across the tangled trail. How I long for a shield. Before me stands one of the large creatures I saw in the village, preventing my way through the gate. My objective must be on the other side.
I slowly and carefully whittle him down, avoiding the swings of his sword. Once I take him down, I consider taking his sword for myself, but it's too large for my hands. Hidden behind the bushes is a narrow path leading to a lever. I put my weight into the mechanism, throwing the lever and dropping the gate.
Discovery: Mechanical levers like this will operate nearby contraptions such as doors. Make them a priority, but activating them seems to take some time. Be careful.
Weaving my way through the shrubs, I come to my prize. A sword, in fantastic condition, and perfectly suited for me! I mentally thank the statue, noting that it bears an even closer resemblance to me than the previous ones I've seen. Picking up the sword, I take it into my grasp and give it some test swings. As expected, it clears the bushes away with ease.
New Item: SwordRevised Goal: Explore the forest and find a path to the golden bell.
With fewer barriers in my way, I return to the goddess statue to heal and decide to take the time to explore this forest with greater curiosity. Climbing onto the roof of a nearby building, I attempt to fight off a pair of basic guards. Behind them stands a greater threat, taller, with a giant shield. While attempting to dispatch the smaller foes, I wander too close to the foe in the green mantle. He skewers me, and I fall to the ground... My last thoughts are... It was a good run.
I awaken, finding myself once again in a ghostly form. I seem to be in the same place as last time, where I first saw the goddess. Confused, and fighting a feeling of hopelessness, I take the long path before me, though it is admittedly shorter than last time. At the end, a familiar void, a deceptive dead end. Beyond it, the goddess waits again. She seems to be in prayer. Approaching her, she reaches out to me and imbues me with colored light. My vision again fades, and I awake at the nearby statue. I note that her likeness is also praying.
Looking around, and checking over myself, I seem to once again be healthy. Opening my booklet, I turn to the golden door on page 10 again. "Some say it is the power to defy death." This line jumps out at me. Does the goddess hold this power? Did she bring me back to life?
Discovery: I cannot die. When I die, I return to life at a nearby statue.
Shaking off the daze of having been literally killed and returned to life, I push aside my curiosity towards this great treasure. Before me is the path I must travel. The page says my next task has something to do with a Guard Captain. I hope that isn't the guy in green, I don't think I can win. However, I do think I could circle around him.
Returning to where I fell, in an attempt to bypass the threat, I notice a faded version of myself at his feet. Something urges me to touch the mysterious presence, where it then erupts with a burst of light, dazing my foe, causing him to drop his shield, and even showering the ground with a bit of shiny treasure! Feeling brazen with the loss of his shield, I attempt to fight off this foe a second time. A single blow from him brings me to the edge of death yet again.
...Perhaps not.
Discovery: My "corpse" can apparently be used as a weapon, though perhaps not a very strong one.
I escape around the corner and check what lies beyond. At least he does not follow me. A treasure lies in wait with some strange object, perhaps meant to ignited. Hard to say, but with so few, I think I will save them for now. Below me, I catch a glint of another chest. Is there a way to it? There's no ladder, so maybe there was something else I missed.
I return to the area's lower section, avoiding the powerful green guard along, and of course resting along the way. Locking onto my slimy foe, I notice the way the view shifts. This gives me a better view of the chest. Surely...
I check even closer. It seems there was a hidden path in the shadows, leading to the chest. I must be vigilant about my surroundings!
Discovery: Some paths are hard to see. Hold the lock-on button to get a different view.
I enter the nearby building continuing my exploration. Guardhouse Rwo, my memory tells me. Descending to the bottom, I consider what I just learned. A suspicious path leads behind the pillars. Perhaps something is to be found behind there. Sure enough, my suspicions were confirmed, and I found some blue liquid inside a jar. A mana potion perhaps? Or something else... A mystery for another time, as there's no need to be wasteful.
Outside, a large golden monument appears to be broken. I wonder what it was supposed to be for. It must have been an amazing sight when it was whole. There's also a mounted hook, clearly something I lack the tools for. But here, a few chests. Inside the first one is -- ahh! An ambush! The item I looted looks explosive, and there are six of them! Surely this would be a good time to use one or two. I attempt to access my pockets to make use of them but I'm left completely vulnerable. It doesn't look like it's a good idea to change around my items while there are enemies.
Discovery: Time doesn't stop when accessing the inventory.
Still, these spiders kept their distance long enough for me to prep these firecrackers. I light one and try throwing it at the enemies, expecting it to immediately explode. It rolls right past them and manages to only kill one with its explosion. Gathering them together and anticipating the results, this time I throw one into the thick of them, and clear away all but one. A useful item against a large number of foes, but will likely be less useful against quicker enemies.
Discovery: Firecrackers are thrown a distance and will explode after a delay.
Now to reach that other chest. I look around for a secret path and find it by where I entered the field. Looping around, I open the chest and am given a large coin with a very familiar face on it. Mysterious.
New Item: "Coin" #1Following the path further, I find myself back in the East Forest. It looks as though I could have reached this area all along, had I known it was there. Fascinating.
Discovery: There are paths that exist which are extremely well-hidden. I should keep track of them after I find them.
Another chest, this one with a piece of red food inside. It's almost certainly a healing item, but I don't need to eat it right at this moment. However, I do take the time to make them easy to access. To my side, I see another telescope. I seek out a path to the tool, hoping it will help me spot more secrets.
Putting my hand to the wall, a staple of maze traversal, I wrap my way around and enter a less obvious path into the trees. Looking through the spyglass, I see a gated door, likely a place of importance. I make it my next destination.
New Goal: Open the gated doorway.
Turning to the last place to explore on the lower level, I enter into Guardhouse One, and find a ladder against the wall. Climbing it, I head outside and find an important looking treasure chest. Inside, a bottle, filled with red. I know immediately how to use it.
New Item: Potion #1Discovery: Potions can be used with RB, restoring my health.
After using the potion, I begin my ascent towards the closed gate. On the way there, I take moderate damage, but not enough that I worry. Throwing the lever at the top, the gate drops and I head inside. I find another lever. This time, instead of opening a gate, a sort of ladder appears in the wall below me, granting a new form of passage.
Discovery: There are shortcuts I can unlock to make backtracking easier, keep an eye open!
Searching the room for treasure, I find some broken shards. Still, they feel important, so I pocket them.
New Item: "Shards" #1I then take the time to head back to the statue before pushing deeper, benefiting from the new shortcut. After resting, I notice that my path is once again barred by the foes I just slew. Is this magic or are there just dozens of these creatures hiding deeper in the woods, waiting to re-emerge and continue their endless patrols?
Discovery: Using a statue will respawn enemies.
Running past them and returning to Guardhouse One, I climb the ladder and enter the door where I am met with a bulky looking horned fellow. He quite clearly matches the illustration in the booklet. Behind him, another barred gateway. To get through, and reach the bell tower, I will have to best this foe.
Two mis-timed dodges, two powerful hits to my tiny frame. I fall before him. Perhaps there's something I missed? Should I be elsewhere? No, there's no way to return, I can only press forward. Awakening at the statue, I run quickly back to fight the Captain once more.
Stunning him with my 'ghost', I throw a firecracker to his feet, instantly slaying the smaller foe and critically wounding the Captain. A few simple swings of my sword later, he easily falls. Strategy is going to be vital moving forward. Throwing the lever, I proceed through the hall and am granted another potion bottle. I then begin a long ascent.
New Item: Potion #2Out I exit to the balcony, where the golden bell awaits. Examining it, it implies I should strike it to ring it. I lift my sword into the air and smack the side of it into the tuning-fork shaped monument. With resounding fanfare, the room alights in a dance of magic, and I find myself one large step closer to unlocking the golden door.
Major Goal Complete: Ring the East BelltowerMaking sure not to miss the treasure hiding behind the bell, I drop the rope and climb down. Just before the exit, I notice some shrubs against the wall. Light pours through the opening behind them. Curious, I poke my head out and find a treasure with a small packet of crystals or powder.
New Item: "Powder" #1Next to me is a ladder. Climbing it, I find myself unable to progress any further. Before I turn around, my eyes are drawn to an obelisk. Its design strongly resembles the one found on the golden door. It is adorned with the tri-colored motif that was present during my first vision with the goddess. How curious... I cannot reach it, however, so after making a simple note of this strange contraption, I return to the Belltower and then to the open area I first awoke in.
Current Goals
✔
✔
✔
✔
✔
★ Head west after obtaining a sword and investigate the town.
★ Reach the glowing object on the gold panel in town.
★ Ring the two bells to open the golden door and obtain the treasure and/or rescue the goddess.
Act 1: Part 3 - The Ruined Village
As my eyes adjust to the daylight, I take a moment to appreciate the sword in my paws. At last, these green barriers will no longer stand in my way. Slash! Slash! Out of the corner of my eye, I spot another page for the booklet. After clearing the field of enemies, I walk over and pick it up.
New Item: Page 28/29Page Analysis: #28 - "The Overworld"
It appears to be a map! Looking at the various landmarks, it feels familiar, too. Noticing the words "To East Forest," I take a moment to close the booklet and look around. Small island, weird rock sculpture... I open the map back up. There's a little fox head right where I seem to be. I think it was in a different place a moment ago. Testing the theory, I close the booklet again and move to the south.
It moved! What wonder. The page shows my location on it! That's very convenient.
Discovery: Some pages have maps. My location is marked on them, helping me to more easily navigate.
This seems to be the central area. There's a few interesting looking things, but there's just so much going on that it's hard to determine what's most important right now. In the corner are the words "Ringing the West Bell" - Right, my mission. West Garden. Dark Tomb. Well, it's a start. I should also check page 10 again and see what it says. First, however, what's on page 29?
Page Analysis: #29 - "Under the Well"
Another map. It also mentions a few enemies, the Slorm and the Autobolt. Both of these talk about having a shield. I definitely don't want to come here without it, then! I wonder where it can be found?
Let's see, page 10... Ringing the West Bell. The first item on the list is "Old House," and it shows a key symbol. The second item on the list is "Flooded Well". That sounds like what's shown on page 29. I really need to find the shield first. Maybe it's in this "Old House." Looking at the map on page 28, the Old House is in the very middle. Sounds like a good place to start.
New Goal: Enter the Old House.
I put away the map and continue along the path. I use the lever opening a new shortcut, and take a short rest at the statue. The forest was nice, but I'm glad to be back in open spaces. I cross the river and clear the shrubs that were blocking my way. Ahead, I reach the location of this "Old House," and sure enough, it's the building I saw before. It's locked up tight, just like the path to the Hero's Grave, but where is the key this time? I don't have the key from before anymore.
Looking around for a good hiding place, I take note of the windmill and decide to check inside. In the back of the small building, there's another door. I can sense soemthing amiss, as there can't possibly be another room. Walking through the entryway, I step into a void of darkness. Cautiously, I push forward, and suddenly a giant skeleton rises up from the blackness.
Its fox features stare deep into my soul. In the back of my mind, I can sense an urge to buy, buy, buy. Before me, two items appear. Two items I know quite well, actually. Firecrackers and another potion bottle. Upon inspection of the items, the creature seems to want the shiny treasure I've been accumulating. I have less at this point than expected, and it wants 300 just for the potion. Offering the shiny bits, they disappear into the void, and I feel safe to claim the new tincture.
New Item: Potion #3Discovery: There are shops in the world which will sell items for treasure.
With my funds running low, I decline purchasing any of the firecrackers. This is fine, as I still have a several remaining. Still, it had no key for sale. With a sigh of disappointment, it's back to searching. I exit and check the nearby telescope. This one seems to overlook the area of the Dark Tomb, if I cross-reference my map. I don't see a way to reach there yet, so I descend the ladder and head further into town. Remembering about the page found atop the golden square, I dispatch the nearby enemies and pick it up to analyze it.
New Item: Page 16/17Page Analysis: #16 - "Understanding Stamina-Points continued"
This page consists of illustrations showing what happens when you're low or out of stamina. It looks like you lose the dodge invincibility, damage taken is increased by half, you cannot block, "stability" is low which may relate to getting knocked down or stunned from larger hits, and something about ...special tech? Still, it's bad! Avoid low stamina whenever possible, it comes with too many drawbacks.
Page Analysis: #17 - "Treasures & Tools"
Oh my. There's a lot to take in here. I see a list of the items. The red food is a Health Fruit. The firecracker is an exploding Bomb? Pop Bomb? Boom Bomb? The torch looking things I picked up are Fire Bombs, and the thing that looked like a mana potion is an Ice Bomb. I also got an Effigy and a Golden Coin. Golden Coins seem to relate to something discussed on page 20.
There's also a section on Magic Items, and one on the Magic Potion. That means those "shards" I picked up are probably a piece of a Magic Potion. I wonder how many it takes to complete one. That's how these things go, right? I also got one of those other things. I can't quite understand what it's trying to say, but it seems to have something to do with potions, at least. Do these hand-written numbers matter?
Lastly, "They say that if you throw enough BOMBS you'll get a prize, so don't be afraid to use them!" - Whatever that ends up meaning. I guess I'll find out eventually. Still, quite a lot here that doesn't make sense. These dots, the whole Magic Items section, and more.
Returning to my search, I stumble onto a mechanical thing that just popped out of the ground. It begins to shoot at me, and I quickly hurry over to dispatch it. It hurts! I try to drink potions, but it keeps interrupting me, and it eventually kills me. Perhaps I should avoid those for now... I vaguely recall seeing something that looks like them in my guide. An autobolt. My shield-envy deepens.
Returning to where my search was cut short, I find another house. Inside, in the back, I find some chests. This seems to have once been a shop for the denizens of this village. Some of the chests are already empty, but I find some money, a few more Boom Bombs, and some flowers.
New Item: "Flowers" #1Around the corner, I see another page. However, I don't seem to have any way to get to it. Perhaps there is a mechanism somewhere that I could find. There's also another supicious door. It's likely the way to reach the page is hidden behind that door, so I doubt I can find a way to solve this yet.
While clearing the nearby enemies, I spot something gold at the feet of another green-caped fox foe. Is that a key? How am I going to get it without getting killed? For now, let's look around elsewhere. After opening the gate, a simple and convenient shortcut, I check to my left and find another potion fragment. As I head back to the key, I find another chest wedged into the corner by the well. Inside, two more Boom Bombs. I feel I have now amassed quite the collection of weaponry.
New Item: Potion Fragment #2A thought crosses my mind. The green guys don't move from their spots, do they? I bet I could kill him just by throwing a bomb or two at him. In fact, why don't I try out a Fire Bomb on him? ... ... Perfect! Staying at a distance, he burned to his doom with a single bomb. I also noticed that the nearby grass ignited and burned away.
Discovery: Grass can catch fire and burn across a distance.
Reaching down, I claim the guarded key with excitement. Exploring the beach can wait, let's go check inside this house.
New Goal: Explore the beach (when convenient.)
New Item: Old House KeyWoo, a chest!
... Hey! A single bit of treasure? What gives? That's all?? No, surely there must be something else here, given how fortified it was... Ah. There's an opening in the back. Oh. Hmm, it's that weird purple line I saw outside. Where's it going? I follow the line down a long corridor to find...
Shield!!
New Item: ShieldAh, at last, the shield! It's mine! A proper means of defense. Testing it in my paws, I find its weight comforting.
Discovery: I can shield by pressing and holding RT.
Tunnel-vision alleviated, I process the rest of my surroundings. There's more here, a lever to activate. Past the gate, there's yet another weird looking door. Still no clue how to use them, but this one's in an out-of-the-way spot so I'll make a small note so I don't forget it exists. However, I'm still not even sure it's more than just a fancy decoration.
Outside again. What's to my right, a treasure maybe? Wait the path keeps going. Did it seriously put me out into where I started? This was here the whole time?? Well, may as well rest while I'm here.
Discovery: Secret paths are everywhere. Everywhere!
I head left along the earlier path now, and I see a small bell. Striking it, it makes a pleasant sound, but nothing like the one in the belltower. Just ahead, I find a tooth. What are all these weird items? I guess I should look closer at my inventory.
New Item: "Tooth" #1They are there, on the right, but I can't select them or use them. I also see a weird question mark box. There's my shield. Above that, there's my money and I guess the "shards" I found before. Two thirds... If my theory is correct, it takes three to make a new potion bottle. Neat.
Moving on, I see the ground littered with skulls. Suddenly, several of them come to life and begin to attack me with glowing purple limbs! Spooky! It reminds me of the purple pathways I've been seeing everywhere. I walk past a waterfall and pause for a moment. It bothers me. Secret hidden paths seem to be all over this island. What if..?
Stepping forward into the water, I enter into a secret passageway. At the back, I find a strange mural, and an even stranger object in the middle. Inspecting it doesn't get me any closer to understanding it. In the end, this is another mystery to add to my growing collection of notes.
Next door is the Dark Tomb, according to the map. Entering it, I'm met with pure darkness. Progressing any further seems unwise, but why? Perhaps page 10 has the answers. Flooded Well is supposed to be next, and then Dark Tomb. What appears to be a lantern is depicted. Yes, clearly a lantern would help.
New Goal: Locate a Lantern, try searching the Flooded Well.
A treasure chest with some Hot Peppers in it. That's something I can try using later. By the chest, a sealed gate with a sign that reads Danger. The map calls this the Forbidden Pass. Not where I'm trying to go. Just south, I spot my next big goal, the West Belltower. There's no way to reach it from here, of course, but at least I know what my destination looks like.
Continuing on the path, I spot another page, in another unreachable location. No possible mechanisms this time, either. Just how am I supposed to get to that? Is there a tool that will let me grab things from a distance? I did see some hook platforms during my visit to the East Forest. This truly is an island of mystery.
Up ahead, another Autobolt, but this time I'm prepared. I approach and try to shield its attacks, but I fail. My focus was misplaced, and it cost me my immortal life. Clearly I need more practice with using the shield.
Running through the sneaky waterfall shortcut and back towards my path, I fight off the horned men with their shields, taking the time to grow accustomed to my own. I note the drain on my stamina it causes, finding myself running low. It seems constant shielding hinders my stamina recovery. Further testing shows even greater stamina inhibition from sword swings!
Discovery: Shielding slows my stamina recovery rate. Sword swings pause stamina recovery entirely. Do not overuse! Strategy is important!
Through a twist of fate, I may have discovered something new. The grunt placed itself between me and the Autobolt, and the shots got it killed. Apparently, enemies can hurt each other! With only the Autobolt remaining, I carefully approach it, blocking the shots, and hack it into pieces. To my surprise, when it died, it exploded! Oh well, that's what potions are for.
Discovery: Enemies can sometimes hurt each other.
On the other side of the bridge I just lowered is the entrance to the well. Beside it, another page. I wonder what this one has to share?
New Item: Page 18/19Page Analysis: #18 - "If you seek to increase your power..."
Wait, what is this? I recognize these items. These are the strange things I've been collecting. Does this page tell me what they are? Attack, HP, Potion - I have one of each of those. It seems to involve spending money somehow. Or, hmm, somewhere..? I think I need to pay a visit to a goddess statue. Right now.
Another drawbridge shortcut activated, followed by a quick run to the main statue that I've been visiting. Interacting with it... Nothing. It's not that simple, I suppose. The page didn't grant me a new ability. Looking closer, the page says "LB". That's the menu button. I admit I haven't checked my items when next to a statue before now. I guess I should try that.
...
Was this here the whole time? That's incredible! Such mysteries, hiding in plain sight! The flowers increased my health. The tooth increased my attack power. The powder increased my "potion" in some way. I need to make this a priority, going forward! There's also something relevant on page 41, something to keep in mind when I find that page.
Discovery: I can "offer" items to the goddess, along with treasure, to increase my abilities.
Ah, right, I still need to analyze the other half of that page I just found.
Page Analysis: #19 - "Oh no!"
On this page, it... seems to talk about death. I receive the goddess's blessing in order to come back to life. The ghost I find where I fell may be called an "Echo-of-Self." There's also a recommendation of some sort. Garden Knight? 3 attack, 3 defense? Sounds like solid advice. "You can do it!" Thanks, helpful booklet!
Setting aside the ever-expanding booklet, I return to the location of the well. Looking down, I call out, and hear my voice echo back to me. I kick in a stone to measure the depth and after a fading clatter, I end my procrastination and begin my descent down the long ladder.
Current Goals
✔
✔
✔
★ Locate a Lantern, try searching the Flooded Well.
★ Ring the two bells to open the golden door and obtain the treasure and/or rescue the goddess.
★ Explore the beach (when convenient.)
Act 1: Part 4 - Into the Dark and the Darker
Once beneath the surface, I meet my first Slorm. It spins into me and oww, but I slash it and kill it. The darned thing then decides it's also going to explode in my face. Why does everything explode now?? I open the map for the well and read a bit more about the Slorms. "A type of slime who just wants to be close to you. Stun it by blocking."
Right.
Following the dimly lit pathways before me, I descend a slimy staircase and try not to slip. At the bottom, I find a chest in plain sight. Inside, another pouch of powder. Just beyond it, I spot some flowing water. Behind the waterfall, a health fruit. I'm wise to your tricks, waterfalls!
New Item: Potion Upgrade #2Progressing onwards, I quickly learn that water is not mobility friendly. No rolling or running. I should be careful when in water, then, and take care to utilize my new shield at every opportunity.
Discovery: I cannot roll or run in water.
I find another statue, inviting me to take a rest. While there, I offer the potion upgrade. Or rather, I would, if I had more treasure. Above me I see another chest, but after looking around, there's no obvious way to reach it. Rounding the corner, I find another page for the booklet.
New Item: Page 34/35Page Analysis: #34 - "Beach(?) Map"
Another map. This one looks like a beach area. In the corner appears to be a compass, accompanied by some hand-drawn scribbles. Looking carefully, the symbols there match with the symbols in the corners of the map. Somehow or another, the symbols must indicate north, south, east, and west. That means this area is south of the Overworld.
Thinking back to the weathervane, I realize those symbols are also the same. It would make sense. Of course, what possible use is there for a collection of sixteen directions? Perhaps there's a maze somewhere.
I also learn the names of a few more of my foes, including the tall guys in green with the intimidating shields. More questions than answers. I can relate, at the moment. The last thing to note is a strange mound labeled Frog's Domain.
Page Analysis: #35 - "The Frog's Domain"
...Which seems to be this. There's so much to be explored! There's even another golden door here? Behind it, a green hexagon that stands out to me. What is this "Magic Orb" supposed to be? Overall, neither half of this page is of use right now.
Before putting the booklet away again, I turn to page 29 to look at the map. Catching sight of my current location, I trace the longest path possible. At the end, the large black skull. There doesn't seem to be any real way to get lost along the way, so I pocket the map and resume my exploration of the Flooded Well.
Two enemies, quickly dispatched. Another waterfall, another chest hiding behind it. My confidence grows as I find proficiency with my shield.
In the next room, past another pair of easily vanquished Slorms, I find an Autobolt guarding the area. Before it even has a chance to fully raise from the ground, I bring it close to the point of breaking. Backing away, I bring up my shield, and then finish it off. As it falls, I back away. At this point, it's almost instinct to do so. With no treasure to find, I drop the shortcut bridge and make a late note to prioritize these.
Discovery: Activate shortcuts whenever possible to save time.
I turn the corner and find the glowing purple again, as well as three Slorms. I slay the first one, and back away from its corpse, and the other two chasing after me push it right into me, causing me to get caught in the explosion! On the bright side, the explosion also hurt them, so I can't claim their actions were all that intelligent. Still, the way is now clear. I drink a potion and push forward.
Ahead of me, the purple pathway heads off through a corridor of darkness, and is opposed by a doorway of light. In the corner of my eye, another Slorm stirs and reaches out for a hug. I dispatch it and as I am contemplating my exit through the door, I check my map. I feel like I saw something earlier... There, in the back, what looks like it's supposed to be a passageway. Fumbling around the darkness, I trace my paw along the wall, and it gives way, leading me into a room with a red glow.
Placed carefully in the middle is a chest. Inside, I discover something new and strange. It is a flat square with a piece of art on it, pierced by a hole. Checking my inventory, I notice that the weird dotted square no longer has a question mark inside of it. With a bit of fumbling, I seem to have augmented myself with... something.
New Item: Card #1 - "Halo Fox"Discovery: I can equip these "cards," but the effects are unknown.
Returning and passing through the door, I see another chest buried in the dirt. As I step through the water to reach it, a giant tentacle appears from within and tries to smack me or pull me under. Then another one appears and I begin to panic. Rather than fight them, I opt to simply run to the chest. More shinies are always nice. Crossing back, I notice there's even more in hiding, pushing me to immediately try to climb out. I think I'd rather face this Autobolt.
Clearing the grunts, I claim the chest under the stairs. Then, further on, I open up another shortcut before returning to rest where I check my map again. I'm almost to the big skull, but along the way there's something interesting. I glance up at the unreachable chest, and look back to my map.
Making it to a new room, I climb the ladder, where I collect what seems to be another upgrade item. The booklet says it's for DEF, so it will increase my defense when offered.
New Item: Defense Upgrade #1I open my map once again, and stare at the wall in front of me. It does look a little unusual, but despite standing directly next to it, there's no immediate sign something is amiss. I try a Boom Bomb and only manage to hurt myself. I look around the room a bit further and after only finding a chest with a few Ice Bombs in it, I return to the suspicious wall. Running my hand along it, I notice a focused pattern, and press into the center of it.
Discovery: Some walls hold unprompted secrets. Pressing A next to the wall can sometimes press hidden switches.
A panel in the wall rescinds with a click, and the wall slides away to reveal a secret passageway. I knew there had to be something here! Inside, I find not one, but two treasures. The first holds another potion fragment, completing my next potion. The second holds another fox-emblazoned coin.
New Item: Potion Fragment #3Discovery: Collecting three potion fragments will complete a new Magic Potion.
New Item: Golden Coin #2Returning again to the statue, I find myself with just enough treasure to offer and claim the defense upgrade and the second potion upgrade. Then, pressing forward, following the lightless pattern on the ground, I cross a room of darkness and end up back outside. The trail continues, leading me directly underneath the Western Belltower.
Inside, a startling and eerie sight presents itself. A tall obelisk stands before me, and the entire room is bathed in a purple light, bright enough I have to shield my eyes. At the base of the obelisk, I spot my goal - the lantern. I find its haphazard placement a little unusual, but with it, I should be able to conquer the darkness of the Tomb.
New Item: LanternI hang it from my belt and take the time to look at the strange obelisk up close. It's identical to the one I saw in the forest, by the Eastern Belltower. For now, however, it doesn't seem I can do anything with it. The lantern didn't grant me any abilities, and I can't even equip it the way I can other items.
Checking in with page 10, my next goal is to make it back to the Dark Tomb, which will take me to the West Garden. After that, it seems I'm on my own, but the ultimate goal will be to reach the Western Belltower and strike it. That should hopefully open the golden door.
New Goal: Explore the Dark Tomb and reach the West Garden.
Revised Goal: Pass through the West Garden and reach the Western Belltower. Ring it and open the Golden Door.
As I cross back, my path is pleasantly illuminated. The lantern is functioning brilliantly, chasing away the shadows. Back in the room of darkness, I see there's another way that I can progress. Sneaky.
Inside seems to be another guard captain, or something like him. He must be the reason for the skull mark. Of course, they're facing away and making themselves easy targets. Tossing a Boom Bomb underneath their table, they are easily dispatched. Fools, always watch your entrances. I throw the lever. Past the portcullis I find a goddess statue and another page.
New Item: Page 30/31Page Analysis: #30 - "& Beneath the Earth"
Another map page. It seems to be a map of the Dark Tomb, and of some other area. I recognize the obelisk alongside those spiders. On the Dark Tomb map there are many handwritten notes. X's and O's and little scribbles. I should definitely take the time to consult this map once I'm there.
Page Analysis: #31 - "Fortress of the Eastern Vault"
There doesn't seem to be much to this page, aside from a very menacing foe. I see myself depicted there, cast in the construct's glow. What could it be foreshadowing? On the left, I see a pattern set in a ruined column.
With nothing left to find, I climb the ladder and ascend... directly into the entrance of the Dark Tomb. This is convenient, at the very least. The lantern is working wonderfully and I can see well enough to navigate without issues. Inside I face animated skeletons and spike traps amidst the dimly lit hall.
I see a chest atop a coffin, with no way to climb up. Circling the room, I fight off some floating skulls, and several more skeletons. A small stairway can be found in the back, but is leads nowhere. Having reached an apparent dead end, I open my map to see what can be gleaned.
Somewhere there is a secret passage to go further down. There are arrows pointing to pedestals on each side. With a little bit of searching, I locate the hidden switches inside some important looking skulls, and the center tomb slides back to reveal a ladder. Before going down, I grab the contents of the chest, which can now be reached via the staircase. Inside of it is another card. A ring is depicted alongside a sword.
New Item: Card #2 - "Sword, Ring"Once below, I clear away the jars, rewarded only with tiny bits of treasure. A chest below catches my eye, with weird red beams pointing at it. Behind the statues generating them, I see a skeleton. For my amusement, I throw a Boom Bomb off the ledge. It exploded, destroying the statues, but failed to turn the skeleton back to dust. It wanders forward to try to seek me out. It crosses in front of one of the remaining red beams and suddenly the statue emitting it opens fire, obliterating the weakened skeleton.
I should probably avoid stepping in front of those statues... That looked like it hurt.
My path forward is dotted with treasure chests amidst the sea of spike traps and animated skeletons angry at me for still having a pulse and breath. Moving slowly and carefully, I search the extremities of the tomb. Fire Bombs, a potion fragment, several chests of shinies.
New Item: Potion Fragment #4Smashing the beam traps, I enter the area I threw the bomb into. Two large fox statues in robes, priestly looking, watching over the crypt. A large sum of shinies hide in the chest. Around the back, a suspicious nook. Fondling my way down the tiny pathway, I lay claim to another coin. Still unsure of their purpose, I pocket it among the others and continue.
New Item: Golden Coin #3The path opens up to a room with a huge amount of statues, focusing their red beams in all sorts of directions. Very carefully, I work to destroy them, one after another. With no other enemies inside, I take my time and safely diffuse the danger, claiming a prize of an "effigy" in the chest. Whatever those are supposed to do. Cute, though.
After checking the map, I don't see any indicator of what I'm supposed to do next, so I slowly walk around the room and keep an eye open for anything interesting. There, a lever to the north. It drops into place and the room rumbles, dust falling from the ceiling. The room is flooded with light, and the sudden brightness, combined with the dust, causes my snout to crinkle and sneeze.
With an exit now blindingly obvious, I head through it and find myself directly below where I claimed the lantern. The path continues to the side, with a chest along the way. Inside is another charming idol that I can offer to boost my defense.
New Item: Defense Upgrade #2At last, I am again outside. Three times now, my path has taken me so close to my goal, but left me with no way to reach it. Checking the nearby spyglass, I find it pointed at the West Belltower as if to tease this fact. The nearby sign says something about West Garden, pointing me down the stairs, so I guess I'm still on the right track.
Before I head down, I peer over the edge and admire the broken piece of gold wedged into the corner. The lines on it remind me of the decoration I saw on those mysterious doors. Or whatever they were.
Mysteries are fun. So are ruins.
Current Goals
✔
✔
★ Pass through the West Garden and reach the Western Belltower. Ring it and open the Golden Door.
★ Obtain the great treasure and/or rescue the goddess.
★ Explore the beach (when convenient.)
Continued on the next page...
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Category Story / Tutorials
Species Red Fox
Size 2714 x 1357px
File Size 3.68 MB
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