§§§§§§§§§§§§ §§ §§§§§§§§§§ §§§§ §§ §§§§ §§§ §§§ §§§ §§§ § §§ §§§§§§ §§§ §§ §§ §§ §§ §§§ §§§§§§§ §§§§§§ §§§§ §§§ §§§§§§ §§§§§ §§ §§§ §§ §§ §§§ §§ §§ §§§ §§ §§ §§§ §§§ §§ §§§ §§ §§§ §§ §§ §§§ §§ §§ §§ §§ §§§§§§§ §§ §§ §§§§§ §§ §§ §§ §§ §§§ §§§§§§ §§§§§§§§§ §§§§ §§§ §§§§§§§§§ §§ §§§ §§ §§ §§ §§ §§§ §§ §§ §§ §§ §§ §§§ §§ §§ §§ §§§§§ § §§ §§§§§ §§§§ §§ §§§§ §§§§ §§§§ §§ §§§§ §§§§ §§§§ §§§§ §§§§§§ § § §§ ----------------------------------- O r d e r o f t h e F l a m e ----------------------------------- Unofficial F.A.Q Version 1.23 DemiGodX (psionblade@hotmail.com, gouboy79@yahoo.com) 06/05/00 For more information about Drakan, go to the official website: http://www.drakan-game.com NOTE: This FAQ is best viewed in a DOS-based ASCII viewer like Edit. Some of the characters may not show up correctly if viewed in Notepad or any Windows-based application. ================= Table of Contents ================= About the FAQ Version Changes System Requirements Character Information Rynn Arokh Delon (NPC) Navaros (NPC) Atimar (NPC) Battle Strategies Basic Movements and Controls Special Moves and Tactics Monster Specific Info Walkthrough Item/Weapon/Armour Information Credits Copyright Information ============= About the FAQ ============= This FAQ is based on the PC action/adventure game Drakan, developed by Psygnosis. It contains a walkthrough of the game as well as battle strategies and item information. I've written this mostly from my own experience in having played the game (version 445) and if I've made any errors then please e-mail them to me. Also, if anyone can supply a decent ASCII drawing for the Drakan title, then I would really appreciate it. :) =============== Version Changes =============== v1.23 - Put in a new ASCII Drakan title! Thanks again, Dan! v1.22 - Added two more weapons (arrows) to the list. Thanks a lot, Dan! - Minor weapons (arrow) special effect fixes. - Fixed the broken paragraph after the Key to Priest's House. v1.21 - Added another missing item (possibly the last one), the Vykruta's Axe! - Some formatting mistakes. - Various other small fixes. v1.2 - Added some of the missing secrets. (Thanks, Alex) - Added some more missing items. - Fixed some item information. - Completed the Copyright Information (Didn't actually put it in last time). v1.1 - Various typos and mistakes fixed - Took out most (not all) of the non-Windows characters to make it easier to view in Windows. - Added some missing items. - Added System Requirements section v1.0 - FAQ creation =================== System Requirements =================== Drakan requires a minimum of: 100% IBM Compatible PC Pentium 166 Processor 32 MB RAM 300 MB of hard disk space DirectX 6.1 Direct3D compatible 4 MB video card Recommended: Pentium II 233+ 64 MB RAM 400 MB hard disk space DirectX 7.0 3dfx Voodoo2/Voodoo3 or nVidia TNT/TNT2-based 3D accelerator card EAX or A3D-based, DirectSound compatible sound card ===================== Character Information ===================== ****** Rynn ****** Rynn is the main character of the game. She is a young warrioress with great fighting spirit and athletic abilities. You will be in control of Rynn throughout most of the game. Her quest begins after her brother is abducted in a Wartok raid. She then finds her village in ruins and is told to find Arokh, a dragon of the Order of the Flame. A thing you should note is that Rynn is not a brawler. She depends on her speed and athletic agility to maneuver around her opponents. Most of the monsters in Drakan have much more strength and vitality than her so it wouldn't be wise to go running into battle against a horde of Wartoks with sword swinging. She is able to use all manner of weaponry, ranging from short swords to battle axes and some of the weapons you find will have special abilities imbued in them. However, nothing is more important in battle than a good strategy. After all, this is an action game, not an RPG. ******* Arokh ******* An ancient dragon who once served as steed to Heron in the Dark Wars. Since then, he has been sleeping in stone for centuries when he is awakened by Rynn. With his soul bounded to Rynn, he will accompany her in her quest as well as serving as her steed. Arokh's fire attacks are among the best. They do damage initially and continue to burn, doing extra damage. He's good for the more complicated tasks and you'll want to use him whenever you can because his strength and speed far exceed his rider's. However, he is much more bulkier than Rynn and cannot venture into the smaller caves and structures. One of the great attributes of Arokh is his ability to absorb the essence of those whom he slays. When a extremely powerful being dies their essence is released in crystal form which he can then absorb and utilize as a breath weapon. A very powerful and useful ally whom you'll constantly rely upon. NPCs ******* Delon ******* From the manuel "Delon is Rynn's younger brother. He's as spirited as she is, and he admires her a great deal. He delights in listening to the stories of Atimar, one of the village elders and a competent scribe. Delon is dear to Rynn, and in many ways she is the only real family he has. He' s brave, if a bit naive, and would do almost anything for his older sister." ********* Navaros ********* From the manuel "This diabolical man is a figure out of history, like Arokh. But unlike the great red dragon, he is known as a betrayer without parallel, a traitor to the world itself. Once he was a respected member of the Order of the Flame, but his true goals were self-serving. With his corrupt dragon steed, he very nearly wiped out the Order altogether. He was finally slain by the hand of the warrior Heron and his bonded mount, a younger Arokh. Navaros nearly brought the world to annihilation, and his essence is growing restless once more. For now, he lies dormant while his influence seeps into the world of evil creatures, manipulating them from the recesses of oblivion. But his plot will surely come to a head, and the consequences for all breathing beings in the realm will be catastrophic..." ******** Atimar ******** From the manuel "The revered priest and scribe of Rynn's village. He is somewhat of a grandfather to Rynn and Delon, though he isn't officially related. He takes care of the villagers, whom he considers his responsibilities in many ways. Atimar cares very much about both Rynn and Delon. He enjoys teaching Delon some of the secrets of the great wide world. Atimar is a true friend, and Rynn trusts him implicitly." ================= Battle Strategies ================= *** Basic Movements and Controls *** (default keys) Running/ - Use the Forward (E or Up Arrow) and Backward (D or Down Flying Arrow) keys to run forwards and backwards, respectively. When riding Arokh you'll fly forwards and backwards. Jumping/ - The Jump (T or Right Shift) button allows you to leap into Ascending the air and travel over small chasms and obstacles. The Jump button can be combined with the directional buttons to leap into different directions in a Lara-esque manner. On Arokh this button will make Arokh rise up into the air. Ducking/ - Hold down the Crouch (G or Right Control) button to go down Descending on one knee and strike low at the enemy. In this mode, the movement buttons will cause you to roll in that direction. If you hold down the Sneak button then you'll drag along the ground slowly. On Arokh you can use this button to descend and land. Strafing - Use the (S or Left) arrow button and the (F or Right) arrow button to "strafe" or "side step" in that direction. This is the primary method you'll employ to dodge enemy attacks. Strafing allows you to avoid enemy fire while still keeping an eye on the battlefield. Combine this with the directional controls and you can "circle strafe" (see "Special Moves and Tactics" for more information) around your enemy. Directional - Use the mouse to control your direction in the game. Moving Control the mouse left and right turns you in those directions while directions while moving the mouse up pivots the view down and moving the mouse down does the opposite. The Y-Axis can be reversed in the options menu. Sneak - Hold down the (Left Shift or Keypad 0) button and you will walk around quietly. While in this mode, enemies who are not looking at you directly will not notice you as you approach. You can then launch a surprise attack on them while they remain oblivious of your presence. You cannot sneak up on enemies with Arokh. Attack - Use the left mouse button to attack with your current weapon. You can attack even when you're airborne or crouching. Alternative - Use the (Middle Mouse or Keypad 1) button to do a special Attack alternative attack. Some weapons have special abilities that can be enabled by using this attack. All of Arokh's breath weapons have secondary functions. Free Look - Hold down the Right Mouse Button to look around at your environments freely. You can still move and attack during this mode but you won't be able to change directions. Use - Pressing the Enter key will allow you to use switches and pick up items. You cannot use anything on Arokh. *** Special Moves and Tactics *** -= Special Moves =- Rynn is equipped with various special moves that involves pressing certain combinations of keys. Many of the moves do some flashy sword-swinging and some of them do a lot of damage but they're not to be used in all situations and you should be careful when doing them. Forward Stab - Press the forward button, followed by the attack button and Rynn will swing her sword forward in a stabbing motion. This attack is longer-ranged than the normal attack but you cannot move while doing this attack. Right Swing - Hold the left strafe button and press the attack button and Rynn will swing her sword to the right as she side steps. Left Swing - Hold the right strafe button and press the attack button and Rynn will swing her sword to the left as she side steps. Step Right & - Tap the right strafe button, the forward movement button and Stab attack to step to the right side, turn and stab. Step Left & - Tab the left strafe button, the forward button and attack Slash to step to the left side and do a 360 degree sword swing. Turn Swing - Tap the forward button, back button and the attack button to spin around and do a quick slash. Flip Jump - Hold down the Sneak button and jump and you'll leap into the air and flip over. This jump is higher than normal and you move forward slightly. Full Circle - Tap the back button, forward button and the attack button to Slash do a slash, followed by a 360 degree spinning attack. This is a powerful attack that hits up to 3 times at close range. Spinning - Press Jump, Crouch then attack to do a devastating, spinning Overhead mid-air move. This move can do more than twice the damage of Attack normal attacks and you can gain extra height if you perform it in the rising arc of the jump. A great backstab move that hits two times and is particularly effective against large opponents. -= Battle Tactics =- Circle - One of the most effective ways to battle. By combining the Strafing directional controls while strafing you can strafe around your enemy. This is especially effective when fighting dragons and slow-moving enemies. While strafing, slowly move the mouse in the opposite direction (e.g. if you're strafing right then move the mouse left) and you will be able to run or fly in a circular motion around the enemy. Hit and Run - Perhaps the safest way to battle is to attack the enemy, then retreat out of its attacking range. Run at the enemy and attack as you come in range. Then quickly backtrack, strafe or jump away to avoid their counterattack. Stand on Box - Many monsters in Drakan only fight you when you are at ground level with them. If you stand on top of a box or other obstacle then they'll most likely cease their attack and wait for you to come down. You can then safely shoot arrows or attack them if they're close enough. This doesn't apply to flying creatures and if you stand too close to the edge then the monsters might be able to hit you. Friendly Fire - If many monsters are clustered together you can make one hit another by accident. Gather them together and circle strafe around them, occasionally getting in range of one. Sometimes enemies will engage in battle with one another if one happens to strike another. Disable - Many of the monsters in Drakan can have their arms amputated. When their attacking arm(s) is disabled then they will no longer do any damage with their attacks. Although you can't always disable monsters you can higher your chances by aiming at their arms (usually right) or doing special moves. Hasty Retreat - Although not actually any sort of battle tactic, the ability to effectively run away from battle can be critical in certain situations. Rynn does not have any sort of sprinting ability, but her jumps give her a great boost. When running away, constantly jump while running and you will be able to outrun almost any opponent. This does not apply when you're running backwards or strafing, only forwards. *** Monster Specific Info *** This section of the FAQ contains information on the various creatures that inhabit the land of Drakan. Knowledge of these creatures is vital to survival in the harsh new world and may be your very key to victory. -= Orcs =- Probably the simplest of the enemies you'll encounter. These beasts go down easy and don't pack much of a punch. They can carry light weapons like clubs or maces and usually travel in packs of 2 or more. Battle pattern: These guys like to aim low and will swing at your feet when you try to approach them. They'll also duck to dodge your attacks. They're not all that powerful in their attacks so they are used primarily for scouting and simple defense purposes. Battle strategies: The Hit and Run tactic works best here. They'll most likely dodge your first attack but will usually get caught by the rest. In fact, almost every attack will work well on them except for crouching attacks because they are prone to hit low. -= Wartoks =- These guys serve as the driving backbone of the army of the Dark Union. They are brutal and relentless, usually heavily armored and equipped with some kind of deadly weapon. Unlike the orcs, these guys are powerful fighters and even one will give you a run for your money (or dragon, if he happens to be close by :) ). Their only drawback is their lack of agility but they more than make it up with their brutal strength. Battle pattern: Wartoks aren't swift, but they have power and range. They like to take big swings and overpower their enemy with their bulk. Ones that carry shields will charge at you as well as block your attacks. Battle Strategies: Wartoks come in many different sizes and you should use different strategies for each of them. Many wartoks carry shields and will block most of your attacks with them. All wartoks equip shields on their left arm and a weapon in their right arm. The best way to fight a shielded wartok is to circle strafe around their right side (your left) which will give you a better chance at hitting them. Either hit them first, or wait until they attack or charge at you, then quickly strike. This strategy will work well for the vast majority of the battles. However, there are some wartoks who are equipped with hammers or other vastly destructive weapons and are bigger than the standard wartok, and for these guys you might consider using the `Stand on top of boxes' method, for their range and speed are far superior to yours. -= Giant Wartoks =- These creatures aren't a different race, but are vastly different from their smaller brethren and deserve their own section. Once in a while you'll encounter giant-sized wartoks. These guys stomp about, making the very ground shake. They don't carry any weapons or wear armor but simply crush the smaller creatures under its feet. Battle pattern: Giant wartoks like to throw things. They will throw anything in the area that's small enough, even other wartoks. They're usually supplied with a stack of explosive barrels or boulders. They'll even throw you if you get close enough to them. Battle strategies: The best thing to do against these guys is to avoid them. Run away from them as best you can or have Arokh deal with them. You can try fighting them in the later levels but in the beginning you simply won't stand a chance. -= Spiders =- Spiders dwell in caves or other dark corners of the world. They usually come in dark colors, allowing them to merge into their environments with only their glowing red eyes to differentiate them. They always travel in groups and can take down even the largest prey with their combined efforts. Battle pattern: Spiders cling to ceilings and walls and sneak upon their opponents. They will often try to surround you and attack from all sides. While their attacks don't do a lot of damage, their small size makes them hard to hit. Sometimes they'll even leap at you with an attack or hang down from ceilings and strike at you. Battle strategies: Because of their small size, most of your standing attacks will not hit them. Therefore, use nothing but crouching attacks, slashing at any one that gets too close to you. They go down easy and you can easily disable them by chopping off their front claws. If you see one on the ceiling, walk close to it to make it come down, or if you feel particularly bold, use a Spinning Overhead Attack to take it down. -= Giant Beetles =- These insects are similar to Spiders but are slightly larger and faster. They usually come in dull brownish colors and dwell in caves. Battle pattern: Similar to the Spiders, Giant Beetles travel in large packs and use melee attacks. They have more HP than their arachnid cousins but by the time you meet them you'll have stronger weapons as well. Battle strategies: Use the same strategy you used against the Spiders. Crouch and attack as they come into range. However, unlike Spiders, these guys can't be disabled. None of their body parts can be cleaved off in any way so it's only upon death that they are no longer a threat. -= Scavengers =- One of the most feared and gruesome creatures in Drakan are the Scavengers. These beasts are excellent predators with an instinct to kill. They come in a variety of sizes and often travel in packs. Battle pattern: The most dangerous thing about these creatures is their speed. When one of them sees you it'll creep over to you slowly and when it is just within range it'll hop over and give you a quick slash with its claw. Their attacks aren't too damaging but they have range and speed to compensate. Battle strategies: When you spot a Scavenger immediately duck and wait for it to come to you, even if it's not aware of your presence. Doing a sneak attack on these guys can prove to be deadly, on you. With these creatures, it all depends on who attacks first. When it comes into range, attack and if you hit it it'll stumble back. Then when it comes into range again attack again. Do not hammer the attack button or pursuit after it. Also, make sure you have a relatively quick weapon. Avoid using heavy weapons like axes and hammers. -= Succubi =- These winged creatures are of great beauty on the outside but they are not to be trusted. Succubi are demonic spirits, evil to the core and harbor no love for humans. They serve as servants and messengers for the great Shilla, the queen. Battle pattern: Succubis hardly ever confront their enemies straight out. Instead, they like to fly around, hurling magic projectiles from a safe distance and only rarely landing on solid ground. Although their attacks only sting and they are rather fragile, they are agile and swift, often hard to target, and even harder to hit. Battle strategies: Use arrows. Magic arrows do a nice job but make sure to dodge their attacks as well. If you must use a sword, then run around, dodging their shots until they land. Then quickly run over and deal them some cold justice. -= Dragons =- You will encounter several of these mythical creatures along your journey. There are several types of dragons in the world of Drakan. Crow Dragons, a hybrid of reptile and bird are among the most frequent and there are even rumors of a skeletal dragon who breaths thunder. Every dragon has a breath weapon, ranging from poison to ice to lightning. Luckily, you have Arokh on your side and most times you will have access to him when there's a dragon lurking around. Battle pattern: Dragons usually fly around in a pattern in the sky until you come into range or fire at them. They only start firing when they get close to you and will chase you relentlessly. Battle strategies: When you spot a dragon from far away, fire a long stream of fire at them. If you're lucky then they'll die before they even get to you. If they survive the initial attack or fly past the fire blasts, then just circle-strafe around them, firing just in front of them so that they collide with your shots as they fly around. When they die, they sometimes leave glowing Health Runes in the air. Arokh can then fly into them to partially restore his HP. -= Fire Knights =- Once in a while you'll encounter these hellish fiends. Fire Knights wield two flaming swords and have a special `Fire Wave' ability. They are strong and have a lot of HP. Make sure to equip your strongest weapon when fighting these foes. Battle pattern: Fire Knights will usually fade in when you've accomplished a certain important goal. They aren't very swift and will often walk towards you. At long range they will hurl fire lances at you and at close range they will switch to their swords. Often times they will use their `Fire Wave' attack to get rid of unwanted pests so watch out for it. Battle strategies: Use a long-range weapon that does piercing damage. Stay out of their range and strafe a lot. Use the Hit and Run tactic or keep circling around them. When they use their special `Fire Wave' ability, back up out of range of the flames. Don't back up too much though, or they'll start using the flame lances again. If you win, you will be rewarded by a new Flame Sword. -= Dark Knight =- Dark Knights are stronger versions of the Flame Knights. They wield two Dark Scimitars and have an additional ability to `fade out' when attacked. These guys are among the toughest enemies you'll face and you'll want to be extra careful around them. Battle pattern: These guys fight similar to the Flame Knights but don't have the `Fire Wave' ability. Instead, they have a property that makes them fade out when they're hit with a weapon. They' re only truly damageable when they attack or when they let their guard down, which only happens rarely. Their Dark Scimitars are powerful weapons and do a great deal of damage. When far away, they'll hurl lances of lightning at you. Battle strategies: Use the same strategy used against the Flame Knights but they can avoid many of your attacks so be prepared for a long battle. Don't do anything fancy around these guys though, it's not worth it. -= Dragonflies =- These insects are only found in the very rarest of places. They don't do a lot of damage and are easily killed but are small and quick, making them hard to take down. Battle pattern: Dragonflies will sneak up on you and quickly attack. They don't have any projectiles weapons and their melee attacks do extremely small amounts of damage. They're only good as distractions for bigger and more formidable targets. Battle strategies: If you have Arokh, just take them down with his breath attacks. His flame thrower attack is particularly effective. When you're on foot, use Magic Arrows to shoot them down. Usually only one will do. -= War Giants =- In certain rare areas, you'll meet these towering titans. War Giant are probably the biggest and bulkiest enemies you'll face. These guys stand well over 20 feet in height and weight several tons. They wield huge knives or axes and inflict heavy damage with them. They are also extremely quick for their size and don't react to most of your smaller attacks. Battle pattern: War Giants, unlike the giant wartoks, are true fighters. They come in usually two varieties, those who hurl throwing axes and those who melee at close range. They only have one type of attack but can sometimes step over you and crush you. It's best to keep your distance with these guys. Battle strategies: Arokh can be a great partner in dealing with these brutes. If you happen to be on foot when you encounter one of them then try to avoid them or run away. If you must fight them, use circle-strafing and quick slashes. The Spinning Overhead Attack is also a great move against them, due to their large size, but they might counterattack afterwards so be careful. When one dies, promptly remove yourself from the area because they can crush you under their weight when they fall. =========== Walkthrough =========== This walkthrough uses version 445 of Drakan at the `Normal' skill setting. Using any other version of the game and different skill settings may result in slightly different results. This walkthrough will make constant references to directions. Look on the map in these situations to find out where to go. Note: This walkthrough is a MAJOR SPOILER! If you want to find out the secrets and storyline yourself, then don't read this. This walkthrough is to help you through some of the tough areas of the game but it's much more rewarding to play through the game yourself first, before referring to outside sources. Extra Note: All dragons are simply referred to as [element] dragons, not by their distinguished types so don't harp to me about this (I know the crow dragons aren't really dragons but they look close enough to be called it). The Ambush ========== The game starts off with a cinematic of Rynn and her brother taking a walk when they're suddenly ambushed by a horde of wartoks and orcs. Rynn tries to fend them off while protecting her brother but is quickly overwhelmed. Left for dead, the wartoks take off to Rynn's village where they ravage the defenseless town and either kill or capture the villagers. By the time Rynn gets there the town's nothing but a burning wreckage. Atimar, still alive, calls out to Rynn and tells her to search for the dragon Arokh. He tells her where the key to his house is, where the sacred book is placed. Objective #1: Find the key to Atimar's house Objective #2: Get the sacred book in Atimar's house Objective #3: Place the book in the temple When the actual game starts you will be facing a house. There's an orc wandering around north nearby so pull out your sword by either bringing up the items menu by pressing `I' or use the `[' or `]' to cycle through the weapons and take it for a test run. Now you're going to need some weapons and supplies. Head all the way north to the cliff and turn to the right to see a house and an orc bashing it. Kill the orc and go inside the house where you'll find your first Health Elixir. Now, go back outside the house and slide off the cliff to the right. There are 3 Health Elixirs and a Mithril Short Sword (Damage: 10 AP, Durability: 100/100, Speed: Fast, Range: Short) by the skeleton along the shore. Next, jump into the water and swim along the west shore and on the other shore there you will find Duncan's Battle Axe (Damage: 25, Durability: 15/150, Speed: Slow, Range: Medium). Now, swim back to the skeleton and take the passage to the south of it. You'll encounter your first couple of spiders along this passage. Use a fast weapon to kill them and make your way through passage and you'll get to a switch and a gate. Flip the switch and the gate will open. There are several spiders in there so be careful with them. Now, destroy all the barrels (and collect the Health Elixirs that might be in them) and pick up the Key to Priest's House on the table. Objective #1 Completed! Next, flip the switch beside the closed gate to make it open. Kill the orc on the other side and jump onto the boxes and onto the upper ledge. You'll find a Mace (Damage: 10, Durability: 100/100, Speed: Medium, Range: Medium) and some Health Elixirs in the barrels. After you've grabbed the goodies, jump down and head up south to the doorway. Destroy the barrels to find another Health Elixir and go into the doorway and fight the orc carrying the jar. Make your way up the stairs and the door will at the top. You'll now be in the tavern. Run up the stairs and check the first room to your right and pick up the Health Elixir in there. Go out of the tavern and you'll see two orcs outside. Take on the bigger one first, then scrap the other one. Make sure to grab the Elixir one of them drops when it dies. Your next destination is Atimar's house, which is located south across a river. Make your way south and you'll encounter your first scavenger. Kill it and continue south, destroying all resistance along the way and you'll soon come to a bridge. Cross it and go eastwards at the other side. (Don't bother going into the house directly across the bridge, it has nothing in it). Beyond the big tree is Atimar's house. Make your way there but turn around when Rynn talks for a scavenger will be behind you. Continue towards Atimar's house and use the key to open the door. Go into the house and pick up the Potion of Life on the shelf and get Atimar's Book on the desk. Objective #2 Complete! Go back outside where two orcs will be waiting for you. Kill them, then make your way back to the bridge cross it to the other side. Take the right path at the fork, destroying the orcs along the way and it will take you to the temple. Enter the temple and put Atimar's book on the pedestal. A circular stairway should open up in the center of the room. Go down the stairs to clear the level. Objective #3 Complete! Arokh ===== Objective #1: Find Heron's Soul Crystal Objective #2: Awaken Arokh When you can move again you'll be standing on a platform at the bottom of the circular stairway. Turn to your east and jump across to the platform there. Then turn north and jump down onto the next platform. Continue along the path and you'll get to five swinging blades. Time yourself and run between them. Soon you'll come to a large, domed room with a central platform holding Heron's Soul Crystal. Run around to the other side of the room and push the stone block onto the yellow floor tile. One of the statues in the room will light up. Run over to it and step on the floor tile in front of it. Now the other statue will light up so run over to it and step on its floor tile. Now the floor around the central platform will rise, allowing you access to Heron's Soul Crystal. Objective #1 Complete! Grab the crystal and the floor will turn into a stairway. Go down the stairway, into the small passage and onto the gray platform. It will rise up and bring you to a small cave with a passage to the outside. Go outside and run across the bridge. Continue along the path on the other side and kill the 2 orcs along the way. Now you'll come to an area with 3 boxes and a dirt road. Follow the dirt road and you'll see a couple of orcs in a brawling match. They'll take notice of you as you approach. After you dispatch them, pick up the Rusty Axe (Damage: 12, Durability: 35/75, Speed: Slow, Range: Medium) on the log but DO NOT DESTROY THE BARRELS. THEY WILL BLOW UP. Now continue northwards and there should be a big, dead tree just on the cliff. Touch it and it will fall. Wait until the tree stops moving, then walk across it. Go north-west after you have crossed the tree and drop down to the lower level. Fight the orc down there and go into the big cave. Battle the 2 orcs and jump onto the boxes and onto the ground above to pick up some Arrows (Damage: 10). Jump back down and continue east, out of the cave. Kill the orc and run up the path to the east and there will be a broken bridge there. Jump over the gaps in the bridge and battle the horde of orcs on the other side. AVOID BLOWING UP THE BARRELS and continue eastwards. Soon you'll come to a small bridge and there will be a path just to the right of it which leads to the cemetery. Go to the cemetery first. In the cemetery you'll see some tomb stones, a mountain opening to the east and a hill to the west. Run up the hill to the west and grab the Health Elixir and the Worn Long Sword (Damage: 15, Durability: 30/150, Speed: Medium, Range: Medium). Go back down the hill and go into the mountain opening on the other side. You'll see 2 statues inside and a path forward. The right statue is holding a Potion of Life so make sure to pick it up. Now go into the passage and fight off the scavenger. Pick up the Fire Crystal on the center block and make your way back to the cemetery. A big scavenger will be waiting for you when you get back. Now, go back to the small bridge and cross it. Turn left and follow the path which will lead you to a small cave. It's dark in there but there are no monsters so just maneuver around until you come to the exit on the other side. Take care of the orcs when you come out. Now there will be 2 paths you can take. The path to your left is the obvious choice because the bridge to your right has a gap too big to jump over but if you can jump onto the rope on either side of the bridge and carefully walk on it, you can make it to the other side. The pay off is an early grab at some armor, the Worn Chain Mail (Armor Rating: 20, Durability: 25/100) and a Health Elixir. For the sake of this FAQ, we'll assume we have taken the left path. Follow along the left path and kill the orc at the bridge. Don't bother with the barrels. They have nothing in them. Now, run across the bridge, jumping over the gap and you'll see a big boulder and a orc behind it. When it begins to push the boulder, stop and wait. The boulder will come rolling down and crush the orc below. Wait until the boulder rolls off the side or if it doesn't, then carefully approach it and kill the orc behind it. There will be another orc with a boulder on the other side so watch out for it. Now, continue south and you'll come across another bridge with a gap. Jump over the gap and go to the other side. First, take a look at the cave to the right and kill the scavengers there. Grab the Worn Chain Mail, if you haven't done so already and the Health Elixir. Go back out of the cave and go straight forward and up the hill (south-east). At the top you'll see a cave like the mouth of a dragon. This is Arokh's lair. Kill the scavenger guarding it and enter the cave. Just after going into the cave there will be a series of swinging blades for you to maneuver through. Time yourself and jump over the first blade. Make sure to pick up the 2 Health Elixirs in the dark corner. The seconds series of blades involves jumping over the right one, then crouching beneath the left one. After the left blade swings towards you, run and jump over the oncoming right blade. Then crouch immediately after you land and roll forward to safety. The third series of blades all swing at the same time and involve 3 blades. Just crouch and wait for the blades to swing, then roll to the other side, staying on the left wall. After the blade traps there will be a gap you must jump. However, the ground will crumble and fall after you step on them so you must be quick. The best way to do this is to approach from the right side and do a big jump over to the other side, then jump again over the gap in front of you and onto solid ground. Now, go through the passage and you will come to a big cave with an opening at the top and a stone dragon. There will be a path to the right which leads down. Follow the path down and approach the structure in the middle. See the cool scene where Rynn and Arokh join in the Order of the Flame. End of level. Objective #2 Complete! Wartok Canyons ============== Objective #1: Find Grimstone Mines Ride Arokh through the cave and toast the orcs on the other side. Take a moment to get used to the way he moves and attacks. When in the air, use his primary fire attack and when on land use his secondary flame thrower attack to maximize effectiveness. First, fly eastwards along the north side of the river and you will come to a cave blocked by a boulder. Land there and use Rynn to push the boulder out of the way. Enter and kill the scavenger then pick up John the Monster's Axe (Damage: 25, Durability: 12/75, Speed: Slow, Range: Medium) on the skeleton. Go back out of the cave and mount Arokh again. Now, look on the map and you should see a slightly darkened house on the south side of the river (the center structure, the one that's not destroyed). Make that your next destination. Fly Arokh over to that side and toast all the orcs and wartoks on that side. You can pick up some Health Elixirs in the ruins on either side of the house and you'll find two more hidden among the trees at about mid-point between the bridge and the center house. Make sure to kill everything on that plane because otherwise Rynn will have to battle them later on and it's MUCH easier to do it with Arokh. You should watch out for the catapults, which are, at this point the only real threat you have. When you're ready, land in front of the house and enter it. After the cut scene you should have the Mace Key. Now, look on your map and you should see a cave just south of your position. Fly Arokh up to the cave and enter it using the key. Upon entering the cave you should come across your first batch of spiders. Wait until they drop to the ground, then take care of them. Go deeper into the cave and when you get to the big square log, touch it to make it fall. Cross over it and fight some more spiders. It's pretty much a linear path through the cave so just keep going, killing the spiders that get in your way. Make sure to pick up the Long Bow (Durability: 75/75), the Arrows and the Health Elixirs in the barrels. When you come to the room with the seesaw, jump on it and run over to the other side and your weight should push the barrel upwards, making the rocks above collapse onto the big spider below. Make sure to pick up the Chain Mail (Armor Rating: 20, Durability: 100/100) and continue eastwards. Jump onto the wooden crates and make your way out of the cave. Arokh should immediately sense your presence and come to you. If he doesn't, then just call him and he'll come. Now, go back into the center house and you will be given information on a sword and you will receive the Rune of Stone which will allow access to the cave where the sword is located. Mount Arokh and look at the map. There should be a rocky structure north by northeast of your location. Make your way there and you will encounter your first dragon. Use your primary fire attacks to shoot it down but be wary of the catapults along the way and land on the ledge. Dismount Arokh and use the Rune of Stone on the center stone to make it go down. Pull out a good (fast) weapon and venture forth. Some distance into the cave, when you get to the second stone-like area the wall will suddenly burst and a scavenger will crawl out. Be prepared for it and after it's dead go into the hole where it came out of. You can go the other way as well but it's best to avoid the spikes at the door. There will be 2 paths to take. Take the right one and you'll encounter 2 more scavengers so get rid of them, then pick up the Health Elixir by the skeleton around the Grimstone (green crystal). Now take the other path (left) and step on the switch on the floor. The wall will open up in front of you. Go through it and soon you'll find a scavenger. Kill it and you'll have 2 paths to take. Take the left one down which leads to a sword at the other side. When you cross the narrow pathway the blades will start swinging, breaking the walkway. Grab the Sword of Flame (Damage: 15 AP, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Medium, Range: Medium, Fire Attribute), a powerful weapon which does fire damage and also has an alternative `Fire Wave' attack. Now, turn around and jump across the blades when they both swing away from each other. Make your way back up and take the other path. The road soon ends, leading to an area below full of scavengers. You can fight them or just avoid them all. The only thing they guard is a one Health Elixir. Exit the area by jumping onto the large, square platforms at the bottom. Jump through the hole and into the passage above. There will be several scavengers in there and a hole on the ground that leads outside. Be careful while going down the hole because it's steep and you might take damage if you fall too high. Once you get outside, Arokh will automatically come to you. Mount him and follow the river east, annihilating any resistance. Destroy the catapults and acid dragons with your primary fire attacks and fry the wartoks from on high, picking up any Health Elixirs they might drop. Your destination is the cave at the east end of the map. Ignore the mine at the center of the map because you won't be able to get into it now. Land Arokh in front of the entrance to the east cave and enter on foot. Walk in a certain distance and you'll be confronted with a wartok. The best thing to do is to run back to Arokh. Turn around and run back to the entrance, making sure it's following you. Once outside, Mount Arokh and use his flame thrower attack to fry it. Dismount Arokh again and go back into the cave. You'll come to a storage area of some sort with several boxes and weapons on the bottom level. There's an orc and 2 wartoks in the area. Slide down into the area around the boxes. Jump onto one from them and jump across the others to get a Health Elixir. You can now see a furnace on the other side of the cave. Ignore, or fight the monsters and run to the furnace area where you will find a Long Sword (Damage: 15, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Medium, Range: Medium), Long Bow (Durability: 75/75), Arrows (Damage: 10), the East Cave Entrance Key on the anvil, and a Health Elixir around the big box. Now, run over to the switch by the wooden platform and use it to make the platform rise up. Quickly jump onto it and you'll be brought back up. Run along the path and get back outside. Now, fly over to the cave in the center of the map and use the East Cave Entrance Key to open the gate. Past the gate there is an orc and wartok. Lure the monsters towards you, then run outside the doorway and use Arokh's secondary fire to fry them to death. The wartok will drop a Long Sword (Damage: 15, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Medium, Range: Medium) when it dies. Open the gate from inside to allow Arokh in. Walk Arokh inside the cave and along the path. Soon you'll come to a large watery area. As soon as you arrive bars rise up, restricting access to Arokh. Jump off and go on foot. Walk between the bars and you'll attract the attention of 2 wartoks. Get them to follow you and then fry them both with Arokh from the other side. Now, take the right path (eastwards) and go into the passage. Another wartok will be waiting for you there. Either fight it off on foot or run back to Arokh. Continue into the passage after you've disposed of it. You'll meet an orc wielding a Scimitar (Damage: 10, Durability: 100/100, Speed: Fast, Range: Short) which you can pick up after you kill it. Continue forth but watch out at the doorway. The ground will give way and dump you into a pit full of wartoks. It's best to avoid this and take the safer route into the pit (see below). After jumping over the trap, keep going along the passage where you'll meet an orc and a wartok. Fight them off and then turn around and go back the way you came. You'll now notice a pit with a ladder off to the right of the path (safer route). Go down the ladder and you'll arrive at what appears to be a wartok torture chamber. Jump down from the boxes (or stand on top of the lowest one) and make ready to do battle. After you will all 3 wartoks grab the Health Elixir on the table and the Iron Battle Axe (Damage: 25, Durability: 50/50, Speed: Slow, Range: Medium) from the corpse. Now jump onto the boxes and backtrack your way up. Continue going up the passage and after a while you'll come to a small gate. Skip this for now but remember where it is. You should now come to the end of the passage and a big wartok will be waiting for you on the big bridge. It's not suggested you try to fight this big brute. Try to run and/or jump past it and flip the switch to the left of the door on the other side of the big bridge. This will release the wooden bars, freeing Arokh. Jump down into the waters below and swim back onto the land. As you make your way to Arokh check the wooden wagon. There's a Health Elixir in the barrel so make sure to grab it. After you mount Arokh, fly up to the big bridge and take care of the big wartok. Now, go back to the small gate (previous paragraph) and leave Arokh under or just past the gate. Dismount and go into the room beyond. Pick up the items in the room: Health Elixir, Magic Arrows (Damage: 15), Heavy Bow (Durability: 150/150) and a Fire Crystal. A wartok will appear in the other room when you pick up that last item. If you left Arokh at the gate he will make short work of it. Wait until the flashes of fire stop before you progress. When you come back out of the room you'll see the gate has closed and Arokh is embedded within it. Don't panic, he's perfectly okay. Just flip the switch by the gate and it will rise, freeing your dragon. Mount Arokh and go back across the big bridge and to the gate on the other side. Open it using the crane on the right side of the gate. Go in with Arokh and tread along the path, frying any opposition that gets in the way. At the end of the cavern you'll come to a big, wide, open area so spread your wings and take off. Destroy the acid dragons flying around and go to the ruined structure in the middle of the area (it is outlined in black on your map). You'll come by a dying soldier who'll give you some info. He'll give you info on how to get into Grimstone Mines. After the cut scene there will be a new location on your map by the waterfall. First, fry the 2 wartoks guarding the mine entrance, then make your way to the waterfall area to the north. There's a small ledge just to the right of the waterfall where you'll find the secret entrance the soldier talked about. Dismount and go in. Objective #1 Complete! Fight off the spiders as you make your way into the mine. You'll soon come across a big drilling machine and a narrow, wooden bridge. Cross the bridge carefully and go through the passage on the other side. You'll now be in a small maze of tunnels infested with spiders. Go through each passage and collect the goodies that are there. The total list of items are: Invisibility Potion, Power Crystal, 2 Health Elixirs, Great Sword (Damage: 20, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Slow, Range; Long). Watch out for the spiders, sometimes they creep up on you from behind. When you've explored the entire area make your way back to the narrow bridge and to the drilling machine. Use the Power Crystal on the machine and it will come to life, drilling a hole in the wall for you. Walk through the hole, and on the other side you'll see a big chasm in front of you and bunch of boxes to your right w/ a passage beyond them. Fight off the 3 wartoks, utilizing the boxes if they overwhelm you. Afterwards, go along the right passage and you'll eventually get to the main entrance to the mines. A wartok will be guarding the switch to the gate. Kill it and flip the switch to open the gate. Arokh will automatically come to you and when you mount him another dragon will appear. Kill it and a Rune of Poison will appear. Fly into it and Arokh will be armed with a Poison-elemental breath weapon! Now, go back into the mines using the main entrance this time and cross over the chasm with Arokh. Go into the passage on the other side and you'll come to the end of the level. Grimstone Mines =============== Objective #1: Find the Hider Enter the passageway, toasting the orc along the way and make a left at the fork. This will lead you an iron gate. Park Arokh in front of the gate and walk through. After the short cut scene the 2 wartoks will be after you. Use the easy method and lead them to Arokh or fight them off yourself. After killing off the wartoks examine your surroundings. There's an area below you with 2 wartoks. There's a ladder you could take but it's dangerous with the 2 brutes down there. The alternative is to jump down onto the boxes to the right of the ladder. Either way, go down to the lower area and fight off the monsters down there and flip the switch beside the ladder. This will open one of the cells. Go into the cell and pick up the 2 Health Elixirs, Potion of Life, Worn Mace (Damage: 10, Durability: 42/100, Speed: Medium, Range: Medium) and the Chain Mail (Armor Rating: 20, Durability: 100/100). By this time you should be running out of inventory space so drop whatever you don't need by dragging them out. Now, climb up the ladder and go back to Arokh. Mount him, turn around and head eastwards. The wooden gate will now be open. Go through it a use Arokh to fry the 3 wartoks just inside. Continue going, killing everything until wooden bars rise up and bar your way. Dismount Arokh now and venture forth through the gates on foot. You'll now be in a Grimstone mining area with several villagers chipping away at the foul stuff. You can ignore them, and it's best you should, because your presence will attract a wartok on guard. Fight it or lead it to the wooden bars and let Arokh deal with it. Now you'll need to deal with that big wartok guarding the switch above. This wartok will never leave its post and is really defensive. Use this knowledge and whatever resources at hand to kill it. When it's dead, flip the switch and it'll lower the bars. Get on Arokh nudge your way in through the gate. Go up the walkway north-west of you and you'll see a small entrance at the top. Kill all the wartoks in there with Arokh's fire attack and when all of them are dead, dismount and walk in on foot. Be wary of the cliff and make your way along. There'll be a shielded wartok about mid way who can push you off the cliff with its dashing attacks so be careful when fighting it. When it's dead, cross the bridge and keep going along the path. Soon you'll come to a big construction-like area. A wartok will see you and run to a couple of orcs to call them over to help. Run up to it as it's calling its buddies and strike it in the back. After killing it you'll have to deal with the 3 orcs above the walkway. If you can, try making them hit one another. They're not very intelligent and will end up battling each other if they hit one another. After they're dealt with, go eastwards and down the walkway. There will be a lone wartok in this corner. Sometimes he'll be in the far corner facing his back at you, and if this is the case, sneak up on him and surprise him. He'll drop a Potion of Life so make sure to pick it up afterwards. Now, go back the way you came until you get to the ladders leading to the upper levels. Climb up the ladders to the swinging, spiked balls. Jump past the first one (ignore the ladder on the other side for now), then turn north and jump across the second. Go along the passage and you'll see an orc run into a room. Catch up to it and kill it. Grab the Scimitar (Damage: 10, Durability: 46/100, Speed: Fast, Range: Short) if you want to, then go out of the room and continue east. As you turn the corner an orc will push a boulder down towards you in a pathetic attempt to crush you. Simply jump onto the barrels to your right and kill it (don't bother destroying the barrels, they have nothing in them) and flip the switch to raise the platform. Backtrack to the swinging spike ball and after you jumped it, go up the ladder on the other side. Kill what little resistance there is and jump across the platform you just rose and over to the other side. Kill the orc and continue moving along the path. You'll soon reach an outside area and as you approach, the wartok will suicide by chopping supports holding up boulders. Wait until all the debris and flesh have crumbled down, then continue. Sneak upon the wartok by the passage at the end of the ledge and go into the passage. You'll see several villagers in the passage. Leave them alone and battle the lone wartok in there. You will now be at the other end of the passage, which leads to a large clearing. A wartok will alert the others of your presence so prepare for a battle. You should get a head start by running at the wartok while it's calling its friends (jump to go faster) and hit it in the back with the Spinning Overhead Attack. Often one hit will kill it. You can fight the rest on foot, or if they overwhelm you, run away or use the cheap method and find something to stand on. After they're dead, go up the ramp to the north if you haven't already and go into the passage up there (ignore the barrels, they explode). You'll see a ladder leading up, but first grab the Arrows (Damage: 10) by the barrels. Climb up the ladder and you'll be presented with 2 paths, to your left and right. Take the right path first and kill the orc standing there. As you can see on the map, the road splits into 2 identical areas. Explore each area and grab the goodies in there. You'll have to fight a couple of wartoks and orcs along the way but the pay off is well worth it. Right area contains: 2 Health Elixirs in barrels, Great Slayer (Damage: 25, Durability: 75/75, Speed: Medium, Range: Long), Scale Mail (Armor Rating: 30, Durability: 100/100) and an Ice Crystal. The left area contains: Magic Arrows (Damage: 15), Long Bow (Durability: 75/75) and a Health Elixir in a barrel (careful of the one that explodes). After you've grabbed everything go back out and take the left path at the ladder. Just follow along the path, killing the single orc along the way and soon you'll come to a series of arched passages leading to a small room in the back. Grab the Crusher Room Key on the center pedestal and 2 Health Elixirs in the treasure chests. Just stand before them and they'll open. Now, equip your longest and most powerful sword (your newly acquired Great Slayer should do fine) and head out. The arched doorways will close one by one and a Flame Knight will materialize. Get ready for a long and enduring battle. This guy's pretty fast and has a `Fire Wave' attack that's especially deadly in the small room you're in. Don't use any special attacks on this guy because they're slow and leave you vulnerable afterwards. Use the Hit and Run tactic. Run up to him and attack as you come within range (time yourself with your weapon so that it hits as soon as you come into range), then immediately strafe to the side or run back. With the Great Slayer he shouldn't be too hard to beat. Afterwards you get a new Flaming Sword (Damage: 20 AP, Durability: 30/30, Speed: Medium, Range: Long). The arched doorways should now be open so go through them and make your way back across the ledge to the ladder and climb down. Go outside and you'll see a giant wartok stomping about. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIGHT THIS THING! Run towards the west passageway, jumping to hasten yourself. A orc and a wartok will cover for you as they get in the big one's way and gets crushed by it. Make your way all the way back to the ledge in the snowy area and take the right path at the fork (there will be a wooden sign there). Sneak up to the wartok standing at the top and use the Overhead Swinging Attack from behind it to kill it in one blow. Now you will come to a big, snowy area filled with numerous wartoks and even a dragon. Arokh cannot aid you here so the best thing you can do is RUN! Run along the dirt path, ignoring everything. Jump continuously to go faster and to avoid the dragon's attacks. Rush down along the dirt path and at its end there'll be a cave. Run into the cave, ignoring the 2 wartoks in there. Keep running forward and jumping to lose them and you will come to a switch and a gate. Quickly flip the switch and the gate will open. Go through and you will be back at the beginning of the mines. Arokh will also be there so run to him and mount him. The wartoks you left behind and any others who were on your tail should now be pouring into the room through the gate so use Arokh to destroy them all. Now that you have Arokh, make your way back through the gate to the big area you just ran through and show that dragon what you're made of. Kill all the wartoks in the area and look around for a platform with boxes, a door and a gate. Land here and use the Crusher Room Key to open the door. Go in the door and you'll attract the attention of 2 wartoks. Run out of the room and use Arokh's secondary attack to toast them. Just fire a constant stream right into the door and they'll be thoroughly barbequed. Now, go in the door and go through the passage inside. Destroy the barrels (one explodes) and pick up the 2 Health Elixirs contains in them. At the end of the passage you'll come to a big area with three giant blocks. There's an orc and a wartok sleeping here as well. Sneak upon the wartok first and kill it quickly. It drops a Potion of Life afterwards. Now, sneak upon the orc and do the same. When both are down flip the switch by the wartok to get the 3 octangular blocks to move. Run up the path beside the first block and jump onto the blocks (be careful when jumping off the third one) one by one and get to the other side. Run along the passage and the wall will burst open and scavenger will wander out. Kill it, then go into the wall it came out of and pick up the 2 Health Elixirs. Go back out and continue along the passage. Another scavenger will burst out of a wall accompanied by another along the passage so be prepared. There's a Mace of the Hand (Damage: 20 AP, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Medium, Range: Medium) in the wall so grab it if you want to. Continue going along the passage and you'll come to a steep pit. Be careful when sliding down. At the bottom is Hider. A brief conversation and you will be given the task of destroying the Grimstone generator. Objective #1 Complete! Objective #2: Destroy Mines As you guessed, the Grimstone generator is the big green crystal with the 4 platforms around it. In order to destroy it, you will need to flip the switch on each of the platforms, which will make them fall down. When all 4 have fallen, the center crystal will fall. The platforms are all positioned at different heights. There is a crane on each of the platforms that bring the platform up a level. What you want to do is to bring all the platforms up to relatively the same level before you destroy them. Start with the lowest platform (east platform) and bring it up a bit. Then jump onto the next lowest one and do the same. Make sure not to raise one too much because you cannot lower the platforms once you've raised them and you need to be able to jump across each one of the platforms, which is the purpose to bringing them up to the same level. When all 4 platforms are more or less at the same level, put your weapon away if you're still holding one and jump to one of the platforms, preferably the highest one and flip the switch. Move quickly and jump across to the next one before the platform falls. Flip the switch on that platform and jump across to the next one. Watch out for the energy bolts that the center crystal gives off. They can disrupt your jumping and damage you. Keep doing this until you've flipped the switch on the last one. Then quickly jump onto the ground and watch as the whole thing collapses. The green force field that was blocking the round gate will now disappear. Objective #2 Complete! Go through the round gate and make your way through the passage. Watch out for the boulders that come rolling down and jump across the various platforms and you'll eventually be led outside. Mount Arokh when he comes down and head south towards the big round cave passage. Fly through the round gate at the other side and out into the snowfields to end the level. Passage to the Eastern Archipelago ================================== Objective #1: Find the entrance to the Eastern Archipelago You'll start this level in an area infested with dragons. Use Arokh and make quick work of them. Some will drop life spheres afterwards which should help you afterwards. When you've killed them all of them (there should be a total of 3 in the near vicinity) go towards the tunnel to the west and fight another dragon at the end of it. There will be an opening above but watch out for the dragons. Kill them all, then fly up into the opening. Kill the giant wartok to the south, then go into the snowy tunnel. Use Arokh's flame thrower attack to blow open the passage at the end, then dismount and walk in. You'll see a large party of scavengers. Lead them towards you, then use Arokh to fry them from the other side of the passage. When they're all dead proceed through the tunnel and pick up the Invisibility Potion from the skeleton on the wall and the Ancient Long Sword (Damage: 15 AP, Durability: 25/150, Speed: Medium, Range: Medium) and Scale Mail (Armor Rating: 30, Durability: 100/100) from the skeleton on the floor. Slide down the ledge and mount Arokh. Go out of the tunnel and fly up west to the ledge with the small passageway. Dismount and go in. When you come out the other side you'll be in a large snowy area with a giant wartok sleeping beside a batch of large snowballs. Slide off the ledge to the right and sneak up the pathway along the right wall up to the big structure above. Enter it and you'll come to an icy area with 4 pillars and a pedestal in the middle with a sword that sends out waves of ice from it. Make room in your inventory for the weapon and jump onto the pedestal and grab the Sword of Ice (Damage: 15 AP, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Slow, Range: Long, Ice Attribute), timing yourself so that you do not get hit with the ice waves. Make your way back outside and go back down the left pathway. Now, there's a passage south of the giant wartok by the snowballs and although you can try running past it, you'll most likely have to fight it to prevent being capped from behind with the snowballs. Pull out your best weapon and sneak upon it from behind. It'll keep drifting off to sleep, making it easier to sneak upon. The Swinging Overhead Attack works very well against it for it stops its attacks and prevents you from getting stomped on. For an even more effective method, wait for it to pick up a snowball, then attack it. When it's dead go through the path south and you'll come to another clearing. There are 2 more giant wartok in this area, one above a ledge and one below on the ground, each with a pile of snowballs. Go after the one on the ground first west) and fight it off, avoiding the snowballs from its brethren up above (align yourself with the 2 wartoks and try to make them hit each other). When it's dead, run up the pathway and take care of the other one. When they're both dead, go back down into the cave by the first giant wartok. Pick up the Health Elixir, Potion of Life, Ice Arrows (Damage: 15) and the Long Bow. Now, run up the pathway to the right of the cave and make your way back to the passageway you came from and to Arokh. Fly back down the opening and fly east out of the tunnel and back to where you started from. Now, look for a round, green gate south of the passage. There's a small cave entrance to the left of it. Drop Rynn off there and go in. Within entering, you'll see two boxes and a wartok wielding a hammer, just beyond them. Lead it to the entrance and let Arokh deal with it. Don't forget to pick up the Arrows (Damage: 10) between the boxes. Continue going into the passage and you'll see some barrels. The closest one to you contains a Health Elixir. You will now see a bridge ahead of you and below it is a giant wartok. It'll throw barrels and boulders, even a small wartok at you so take caution. The safest thing to do is to hide behind the big tree and wait until it throws all its ammo at you, then proceed safely. 2 wartoks will be waiting for you at the other end of the bridge. Fight them off, using the boxes if you must and pick up the Arrows (Damage: 10) and Heavy Bow (Durability: 150/150) and continue going eastwards afterwards. You will not have to slide down into the lower area. There will be a ledge that's less steeper than its surrounding (covered in snow) which you can slide down. Watch out when you land. The big wartok will come stomping after you. Whatever you do, don't let it catch you. Run down the path to the west as fast as you can and if you're lucky, you'll pass by it. In the next area you'll come to the other side of the round, green gate. There will also be another giant wartok to your north. Play it safe and let it throw all its goodies at you. When it's out of things to throw, it will stand still. Then walk south to the green gate and just west of it is a little symbol. Step on it and the force field will go down. Arokh will automatically fly through. Mount him, fly up to the giant wartok and fry his ass. The next section if split into 3 sub-areas, divided by a catapult and a wall. The first section has a catapult to the north and an acid dragon. The second area also has a catapult and an ice dragon. Both dragons will drop health spheres after they die. The third area has a green gate and another acid dragon. There are wartoks in each area and the wartoks in the third area drop Health Elixirs so remember to pick them up after you fry them. Beside the green gate will be a cave tunnel with a switch and several wartoks. Get rid of them to avoid future hassles. Now, fly to the platform where the second catapult was and you will see a small doorway to the south. Enter through this doorway and you'll see another giant wartok. Like previous times, wait until it throws all its ammo before proceeding. You will have to dodge its shots because there's nothing to block them. After the giant wartok's wastes its ammo, walk along the ledge and you'll soon come to a cave with a ladder and a wartok wielding a hammer and shield. This guy's fast and strong but not all that alert. Try sneaking around to its back (yes, even though it can see you directly) and backstab it. Kill it off and destroy the barrels to find an Invisibility Potion. Go down the ladder now. If you killed the wartoks by the switch earlier, there will be no one here and you can flip the switch by the ledge in complete safety. If you find some wartoks down there, then go back out to the green gate and kill them. It makes it much easier than physical combat. The switch will lower the force field around the green gate. Now, go back up the ladder but as you go out of the cave, look below you to your right. You will see some platforms with which you can jump down below. This is optional and isn't recommended for beginners, but for completeness's sake I will add it in. If you wish, you can skip this part and go to the next paragraph. Carefully descend down the platforms, making sure to land on each platform (you'll die if you slide down the whole thing at once). There will be several wartoks down there. Ignore them and make your way east. Turn left at the 2 trees and you will come to several big boxes, some more wartoks and a giant wartok. There will also be a closed wooden gate and a switch beside it. Jump onto the boxes and when the monsters aren't paying attention, run towards the switch and flip it. It will open the gate. Run outside and call Arokh and use him to fry all the monsters inside (beats the hell out of fighting them on foot). When they're all dead, walk in and pick up any Health Elixirs they might have dropped. Now, from that position, there will be a left path leading up and the right path (where you came from) leading down. Go up the left path first. There will be some boulders up there which you can roll down to crush the wartoks below. When you've pushed down all 3 boulders, go back down and take the right path. The wartoks below will probably be aware of your presence now, if they haven't been crushed by the boulders you pushed down earlier. You can kill them or lead them to Arokh to kill. They will drop a Potion of Life each so remember to pick them up. Your reward after all this is a Battle Hammer (Damage: 30, Durability: 150/150, Speed; Slow, Range: Long) and a Banded Mail (Armor Rating: 40, Durability: 100/100). Afterwards, go back to the gate where Arokh is waiting. Make your way back to the green gate which will have lost its forcefield. Fly through it and you'll go to a cut scene. Arokh encounters one of his old pals but it seems he's turned over to the dark union. After the cut scene you will have to fight him. Circle-strafing works best here. Fly up into the sky and pelt him with fire attacks until he drops. His ice attacks are pretty damaging but not difficult to avoid. Watch out for the obstacles in the way though. After the battle you will be able to gain the ice breath weapon. Now, kill the rest of the resistance on the ground and make your way through the big gate to the west, ending this level. Objective #2 Complete! The Eastern Archipelago ======================= This is probably one of the largest maps in the game. Fly in a bit and it'll automatically skip to a cut scene with a trio of succubis. They tell you that the grimstone is being imported by t he wizard of the Ebon Fortress and he might have her brother as well. After the cut scene you will have a new location on your map. Objective #1: Find Rimril Fly to the new location on your map. It's a structure at the northern edge of the map. Fly to this location, destroying all enemies who get in the way. They'll mostly be dragons but you should meet some new faces as well. Once you get close to your destination, a cut scene will engage. Arokh will meet Heron's former apprentice, Rimril. He stands guard over the Rift Crystal and will only let Rynn take the test to retrieve it if she gets the Elemental Amulet and the Bellhammer. Objective #1 complete! Objective #2: Retrieve the Elemental Amulet from the goblin Base Objective #3: Find the Bellhammer of Alwarren Objective #4: Recover the Rift Crystal The first thing you should do is explore. Fly all over the map and destroy any and all enemies you encounter. If you don't destroy them here, Rynn will most likely have to face them on foot later on. Avoid the towers that shoot lightning at you. They only shoot air-borne things so avoid flying around them. After your exploration of the islands you should now retrieve the Elemental Amulet. On your map you should now see 2 new locations. The goblin Base is located in the north-west corner of the map. Make your way there and kill the goblins at the entrance if you haven't already done so. Fly down to the entrance and dismount. Enter through the entrance and you'll soon come to a ladder leading down. Once you go down the ladder head west. A goblin will be standing in the passage pelting arrows at you. Use your own arrows against it or run at it, dodging its shots and use your sword. When you've dispatched it, continue going and you'll see another ladder leading down. Go down the ladder and head east. Jump across the big gap over to the other side. The passage here has a black line going through the middle of it leading to a wooden gate. There's also an empty section in the middle of the passage. As you step into the passage the gate will open behind you and release a spinning blades trap that travels along the black line. Head for the empty middle section of the passage and duck and roll into it. Spikes will shoot out from the walls but will miss if you duck. Stay there and wait for the spinning blades to come back and when they pass you, quickly roll out and run to the other side. An easier alternative is to run into the passage and continuously jump as you run. The jumps will give you enough speed boosts to make it out the other end of the passage well before the blades get to you. At the other side will be a beetle (bigger spider) and a couple of goblins. Use your arrows (don't use magic arrows, use the normal ones) to kill them. When they're dead, head for the north passage. The passage splits into 3 and the center one will close as you approach. However, you can still shoot your arrows through the gate and hit the goblins on the other side. Now there will be a left and right path. Take the left one first and kill all the goblins in there. Now head up the stairs and kill the goblin up there with your sword. Now there will be paths to your front and right. Take the path to the right and head up the stairs there. Kill the 2 goblins in the next room (stay just below the stairs to make the goblins aim down and hit the ground). There are a whole bunch of weapons in there: Battle Hammer (Damage: 30, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Slow, Range: Long), Mithril Long Sword (Damage: 15 AP, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Medium, Range: Medium), Great Sword (Damage: 20, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Slow, Range: Long) and a Battle Axe (Damage: 25, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Slow, Range: Medium). Now, observe the north and south walls. In the center of the walls there will be blocks you can push in. Push both blocks in and the west wall will open up. Pull the switch there. Now, head down the stairs and at the bottom take the passage to your right. The wall there should be open if you pulled the switch in the room above. Go into the open wall and you will come to a large area filled with water and a pyramid-like mound in the center. Jump into the water (faster than walking down) and go to the center structure. Kill the goblin and enter. In the room there will be an Invisibility Potion and the Sting (Damage: 30 AP, Durability: 25/100, Speed: Fast, Range: Short). Go back out and walk back up. There will be 2 goblins above so use your arrows to take them down. Walk back through the open wall and go through the passage in front of you. Keep going forward back to the room with the big barrels. Head east, out of the room and go up the stairs there. You will come to a white statue and a path to either side of you. Take the left passage and go up the stairs. There will be a switch and a gate. Use the switch to open the gate. An orc will come out of the gate but will get crushed by the walls. Pick up the Health Elixir left by the orc and head back out. Now, take the right path from the statue and go up the stairs. You'll see a goblin running around. Don't enter the room just then. Wait for the ceiling to press down, then when it comes back up, run in and kill the goblin. The goblin seems to drop Arrows but they disappear afterwards. Grab the Magic Arrows (Damage: 15) and the Goblin Access Key from the rack. You can also grab the Speed Bow (Durability: 75/75) if you need it. Now, flip the switches beside the gate to open it. 2 orcs will run out but will promptly get squished by the ceiling trap. Go into the room they came out of and break the barrel to get a Fire Crystal. Now, go out of the room and back to the room with the white statue. Go through the west passage there, back to the initial starting area. Use the goblin Access Key to open the gate to the north. There will be several beetles as well as some goblins to deal with. Flip the switch in the room. There's also a Health Elixir in a barrel beside the gate. Now, head west through the passage in that room and you'll come to a room with broken pillars and a hanging cage. In the middle of the room is a pedestal holding the Elemental Amulet. Suppress your urge to grab it immediately and go to the only standing pillar in the room. You can push it from the south side and make it fall. This will make the cage above start swinging back and forth. Put your weapon away and approach the pedestal. Watch the cage and when it swings away from you, quickly grab the Amulet. Immediately roll away after you grab the amulet to avoid the poisonous gas that spurts out from below. The cage will also come crashing down. A goblin will come investigating so take care of it and grab the Banded Mail (Armor Rating: 40, Durability: 100/100) by the skeleton. Objective #2 Complete! Now, go through the north passage and fight some more goblins. Some of them drop Health Elixirs and there's another one in a barrel. The chest contains a Invisibility Potion so make sure to grab all these goodies. Continue going north and you'll come to a room with a small fountain. There's a big wooden block to your right that you can push. Push this in front of the passage to the west. Now, enter the passage, pushing the box along in front of you. The wall on the other side will shoot out darts as you come. The box will block the darts and allow you to get through. Just don't push the box all the way to the wall. Once you're past that part you'll come to a large area with several goblins. Be especially wary of the one shooting explosives at you. After you beat them head north and there will be 3 platforms swinging back and forth. Time your jumps to get past this obstacle and kill the goblins on the other side. Walk along the ledge and you'll get to a switch and a ladder with spikes at the bottom. Use the switch to get rid of the spikes, then climb the ladder. The exit is from the goblin Base is at the top of the ladder. Kill the remaining goblins there and step outside. Arokh will come to you so mount him and take off. Your next goal is the Bellhammer of Alwarren. Head for the southwest corner of the map. More dragons have appeared so take care of them and pick up some health runes after they die. Find the gate at the bottom of the target area and enter through it. Ruined City of Alwarren ======================= Objective #1: Find the Bellhammer of Alwarren As you enter, a cut scene will tell the story of the fall of Alwarren. Tuiri will ask you to retrieve her Soul Crystal which is located on the far eastern edge of the map. Follow the river and make your way there. Objective #2: Retrieve Tuiri's Soul Crystal There will be some catapults along the way which shoot faster than the ones encounter previously but nothing too serious. Make sure to pick up the 2 Health Elixirs by the first catapult in the barrels and follow the river which will take you to a small waterfall with an open area above. Look to the south-east direction here and you'll see a small cave. Land on the small strip of land in front of it and enter it to find a skeleton with 2 Health Elixirs beside it. Head back out and mount Arokh and fly up the waterfall which will lead you outside. Destroy the catapult and the dragonflies using your secondary fire. Watch out for the war giant out there that hurls giant blades at you. Blast it with your fire attacks from a distance. After it falls, go through the passage it was blocking. Follow along the road and it will lead you to a big area swarming with goblins. It may be safer to fight on foot here. Arokh is easily hit by the goblin's arrows. Get off and use your arrows to battle the goblins. When they're dead, get back on Arokh and venture forth into the room. Grab all the Health Elixirs and flip the switch at the west corner to open the big gates. As soon as you do, a giant wartok will come out. Mount Arokh and attack it. Blow up the barrels before it gets to them and pummel him with a constant stream of fire. Now, look to your east. You will see a small hole in the wall. Park Arokh just outside and walk through. Kill the two goblins in there (be careful of their flaming missile attacks) and you'll come to a pedestal with Tuiri's Soul Crystal on it. Grab it and 2 Flame Knights will appear. Objective #2 Complete! Don't try to fight them here. Lead them to the small hole and have Arokh deal with them. Use his secondary fire attack to blast a stream of fire through the hole. You can then pick up their Flame Swords (Damage: 20 AP, Durability: 30/30, Speed: Medium, Range: Long) The gate to the south should now be open. There will be a couple of goblins on the other side so take care of them, then continue following the path south. The path will come to a waterfall and river. Follow along the river and it'll come to a large body of water. Be wary of the goblins there and kill them quickly. Go further south and the road will split into a passage to the south and a gate to the west. Land there and dive into the water below. Swim westwards and you'll reach a small cave with a skeleton and the Vykruta's Axe Key. Swim back out and head north for the shore. Now head for the south passage and you'll come to a dungeon area. There's a Fire Crystal you can pick up at the left side of the entrance. Kill all the orcs and the wartok in there and pick up the 2 Health Elixirs. Use the Vykruta's Axe Key on the locked gate to open it and get the Vykruta's Axe (Damage: 40, Durability: 42/150, Speed; Slow, Range: Long, 25 Lightning). Go back out and follow the path west which leads to a big gate with a door beside it. Go into the door and you'll attract the attention of a giant wartok. Use Arokh's secondary fire attack on it from the other side of the gate. When it's dead, leave Arokh parked a decent distance from the gate and go into the door again. Sneak upon the orcs in the area beyond the door and flip the switch to open the gate. Mount Arokh again and go in. Follow along the path and you'll be led to a large area with 2 catapults and lots of orcs. Destroy them all and pick up the 2 Health Elixirs by the ruins. Fly down the path and you'll be brought back to the river. Go back to where Tuiri's skeleton is and land there. Go to the skeleton and the gate to Alwarren will be opened. Objective #3: Collect All Six Magic Barrier Runes Objective #4: Break Great Spell of Protection There are six Runes to collect which means that you should probably make some space in your inventory for them. Drop some weapons at the gate before you head out so you won't run out of inventory space. You can reclaim them after you place the Runes at the City Seal. Go through the gate and the first crystal will be there. Park Arokh in the room facing west, then pass between the columns of fire to get the crystal. A flame knight will appear when you do. If Arokh sees it he will open fire. After killing the knight slide down the west pathway. The floor will break at the bottom so move quickly. Kill the scavenger there and jump across the broken floor. There may be some Health Elixirs in the barrels so break them as you go along. Kill the beetles as you progress. The location of the second Rune should be visible on your map. Make your way there and you'll come across a Flame Knight. Kill it and proceed into the stone tunnel. You'll have to jump across the floor tiles. Make sure to get the 2 Health Elixirs and kill the scavenger waiting for you on the other side. To get the second Rune you have to knock over the stone block located north-east of it. Jump onto the lower block beside it and face towards the block to knock it down. Jump onto the block and grab the Rune. Now, backtrack out through the stone tunnel (or jump down the slope which is risky but saves a lot of time) and head north along the path. Pull out your bow and prepare to do battle with some goblins. Upon slaying them, go up the hill and you should now see the third Rune. Getting this one requires precise jumping and it took me quite a while to get it right. Jump onto the stone blocks around the flames, then jump over the flames to get the Rune. Jumping back is the hard part. You have to jump over the flames and onto the stone block. Stand at the outer edge of the pedestal and make a short running jump. It takes a while to get it right but it does work and frankly, it's the only way to do it. After you've grabbed the third Rune, go through the door north of you. Climb up the ladders in the room and walk east to the tunnel at the other end. You can walk over the shield without any bad effects. As you go through the tunnel goblins will appear. Pull out your bow or run up to them and use your sword and cleave them to pieces. Drop down through the hole and you will see the fourth Rune. First, kill the goblins north of the area, then attempt this trap. This is probably one of the hardest traps in the game, simply due to the timing involved. Basically, the Rune is surrounded by flame columns all around it, except for one. In a short moment this unlit one will light and the next one beside it will become unlit. So this goes, rotating for each column of fire. What you must do is step in when the column is unlit. It sounds pretty simple but it's very hard to do. The columns have different lengths of time for when their fire will be out for so finding one that goes out for a relatively long period is critical. After you retrieve this Rune head north through the tunnel. You'll encounter 2 goblins at the end of the tunnel and you'll see columns of fire across a bridge that indicate the next Rune. This is an easy one. Just slash at the water fountain and it will fill the floor with water. Just wait a while and the water will put out the fires, allowing you to grab the Rune with ease. Head north after grabbing the Rune by going up the path to the side and go into the stone tunnel. Jump across to the center platform and pick up a Great Sword (Damage: 20, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Slow, Range: Long) on the skeleton. Jump across to the west platform and pick up the Flaming Arrows (Damage: 10) and a new Banded Mail (Armor Rating: 40, Durability: 100/100) from the hanging skeleton. Now, turn around and head back the way you came. Go all the way back to the where the fourth Rune was and head west to the gate. The orc will open the gate, allowing you access. Go through the tunnel and you will soon come to the last Rune. To get this one, go south to the pillars and roll the fallen pillar down. This will known over the pedestal, throwing the Rune out of the flames. When you grab it, a Flame Knight will appear. After you kill it, go west into the tunnel. At the other side is the City Seal. Place a Rune in each of the six pedestals to lower the barrier. Objective #3 Complete! Objective #4 Complete! Step into the barrier and both Rynn and Arokh will come in. However, their presence will awaken Tultol the war giant. You will be riding Arokh when the cut scene ends. Use your breath attacks against Tultol, avoiding the axes he throws at you. After he dies, grab the Bell Hammer of Alwarren from the pedestal. Another elemental crystal will appear, giving Arokh the lightning breath ability. Objective #1 Complete! Now that you have the Bellhammer, you can exit this level by going the way you came in. The Eastern Archipelago ======================= Objective #3 Complete! You now have both the Elemental Amulet and the Bell Hammer of Alwarren. Go see Rimril now so that he may give you the test for retrieving the Rift Crystal. Land on Flame Fortress (center-north) and Rimril will allow you access. Dismount Arokh and enter. Objective #5: Pass tests of Flame Fortress Enter the fortress and head straight forward to the center gate. Turn left at the gate and you'll see the holding place for the Elemental Amulet. Place it in there and the gate will open. Enter through the open gate and look to your left. There's a white, unlit candle sticking out of the wall. Push it and the wall behind you will open. Walk into the newly opened wall and after you turn the corner you'll see a passageway. Go through the passage and you'll come to a room with a square structure in the middle and 3 statues at the north, west and south walls, each holding a different elemental crystal with a metal gate guarding them. There are also 7 "steppable" floor tiles in the room, 4 in the corners and One in front of each statue. To get the crystals the statues are holding, you must step on all the floor tiles. Only one of them are raised and "steppable" at a time. Just find one that is raised slightly above ground level and step on it, then find the next one and continue doing so until all 4 corner tiles have been stepped on. The 3 floor tiles in front of the statues will now rise so simply step on them to lower their respective gates. When you've grabbed all 3 crystals: Fire, Lightning and Ice crystals, backtrack out of the room and take the left path when you get out of the passage. The gate will swing open as you approach it. Now you're back at the beginning of the fortress. Go back through the center gate and forward into the passage. You'll come to a lava-filled area and the gate will close after you enter. Watch out for the floor as it breaks before you. You must now jump across the platforms and make your way up. Jump north across to the center platform, then north again to the far platform. Turn east and head up the stairs. At the top of the stairs turn around to face west, then jump onto the platform above you. Now, turn east again and jump across to the platform across from you. Turn north and you'll see the next platform and after you jump to it, turn south-west and jump the next 2 platforms. Head up the stairs east of you, then jump onto the platform above you. Make one final jump to the door and you're scott free. As you enter, the gate will close behind you. Observe the white statue and grab the Potion of Life it holds. Now go forward into the passage and you'll soon arrive at your next test. This one involves multiple stone blocks that move up and down. The blocks each have a pattern to them and it's crucial to note their pattern. Let's map the blocks this way: |-Doorway-| _______| |_______ | | | _____ _____ _____ | | | | | | | | | | | A | | B | | C | | | |_____| |_____| |_____| | | _____ _____ _____ | | | | | | | | | | | D | | E | | F | | | |_____| |_____| |_____| | | _____ _____ _____ | | | | | | | | | | | G | | H | | I | | | |_____| |_____| |_____| | | _____ _____ _____ | | | | | | | | | | | J | | K | | L | | | |_____| |_____| |_____| | | | |_______ Rynn _______| | | |-Doorway-| Blocks C, I and K all move at the same rate and block F moves inversed to them (when C, I and K move up, F moves down, vise-versa). The easiest path is K, I, F and C. Run under K when it moves up. Block H and L will block your way and as soon as they move, run to F as it will rise up now. Stay close to block C and as soon as it goes up, run under it to the other side. Go through the passage now and the gate will close behind you. Your next test involves more moving blocks. Timing and precise jumping is key here. Jump to the first platform as the blocks are coming together (not after they part). You'll land as they start to part. Without hesitation, run forward and jump onto the next platform. Make one final jump to the passageway. You'll immediately arrive at your next challenge. This one is kind of like the first one in that it involves lava and jumping from platform to platform. There are switches to the west and east which you must pull. Carefully jump across the platforms to the west side and pull the switch there. The lava will lower. Jump back across and onto the lower platforms and get to the east side. Use the switch to lower the lava again, revealing a key. Jump your way there and grab the Mystic Key. Now you'll see stair-like blocks to the east. Jump up those blocks and use the Mystic Key in the keyhole to open the gate. Go forward into the passage and up the stairs. The next area is tricky, but not difficult. Run into the middle of the room and 2 blocks will come crashing down from the ceiling. After they've descended, jump back as 3 more blocks come down, forming a staircase. It might take some practice but shouldn't be that hard. Jump up the staircase and go into the passage. The wall to your left can be opened, but first go to the white statue and grab the Mithril Great Sword (Damage: 25 AP, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Medium, Range: Long). Now, look for a loose block around the north wall. Push it and the wall will open up. Walk in and you'll see lots of coffins. Most of them don't open up but observe the middle one in the lower section and it'll open. Grab the Banded Mail (Armor Rating: 40, Durability: 100/100) if you need it. Go eastwards into the passage. Jump across the platforms and on the pedestal on the other side there'll be a Lightning Axe (Damage: 30, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Slow, Range: Long, Special Lighting Attack). Go back out of the wall and head west into the next room. The ceiling will start coming down so run to the wedge at the west end of the room. When the ceiling comes down, jump onto it and walk to the middle of the center circle on it and stay there. The platform will start rising and there will be a small, circular hole at the top where it'll deposit you. Turn west and you'll see a circular stairway leading to a large bell at the top. Walk up the stairs and use the Bell Hammer on the bell (you have to equip it and attack). The portal will now open up. Jump into it to be transported to the inner sanctum of the Flame Fortress where the real tests will begin. Flame Fortress ============== Objective #1: Recover the Rift Crystal You'll start out in a pool of water. To the north is a large body of water. A white particle will shoot out and head into the north passage. You'll also see a Flame Knight running away. Dive into the water and get to the other side. Follow the white particles and you'll see the Flame Knight retreat into an open section of the wall. Follow him in and you'll see two of them in the next passage. Use your Mithril Great Sword or any of your other long-ranged, AP weapons to kill them. They will often strike each other as well and use their alternative attacks a lot which will most often damage the other. They should go down pretty easy. Walk outside the passage and you'll see another one. Take care of it easy but watch out for the one at a distance shooting its flame lances at you. It might be risky, but if you want to kill them quickly, then use your Overhead Swinging Attack on them. Jump straight up into the air and perform the move, hitting them with the second swing as you're coming down. You can guide yourself in the air so jump from a safe distance, then guide yourself at them. This move launches you higher into the air which allows you to dodge their attacks and if you hit them in the head it'll sometimes put them into shock, making them stumble and making it easier for you to back up or get in another shot on the ground. With the Mithril Great Sword, they'll go down in 3 hits. It also saves wear and tear on your sword. :) After you've disposed of the Flame Knight, make your way north and you'll come to a passage to your west. Go into the passage and go forward down the front passageway (ignore the right passage which leads up for now). Flip the switch along the way and you'll be lead to the first test: the Test of Flame. F = Fire Column ÛÛ = Floor Tile Exit |F| -- -- ___________| |___________ | | | | | ÛÛ ÛÛ | | _________ | ______ _| | | |_ ______ | |_____________| | | |____| | | ÛÛ __F__F__F__F_ | | _F__ ÛÛ | |______| |_ |_________| _| |______| | | | ÛÛ ÛÛ | | | | | |__________ __________| | | --- --- |F| Entry This room has a center block and to all sides are columns of flame. There are 4 tiles in the room which turn off the 4 columns of flame in the passage at the west part of the room. They only turn off for a certain amount of time so you must be stealthy. I found that jumping helps greatly here. Step on all 4 tiles one after another (jump on your way to each one). Now, run into the west passage which should have all its columns unlit. Make haste and step on the tile at the end of the passage. Run back out of the passage and go to the east end of the room. The column should be unlit now so go in and step on the tile inside. This will disable all the flames. Congratulations, you just passed your first test. Not so hard, eh? I'll get much harder later on. Now, take the north passage out of the room. You'll see another switch up there. Use it, then backtrack down the passage, through the room of flames you just cleared, through the south passage and go into the passage you passed earlier on (previous paragraph). The gate should be open now. Grab the Fire Crystal in the center pedestal and the Invisibility Potion and the Health Elixir in the two chests. Now, head back to the room of flames and through the north passage and you'll meet another Flame Knight. Dispose of it, avoiding the shots from the two Knights below you. Afterwards, make your way north through the passage. The passage will split into two, the left one leading to your next test and the right leading to a hammer on the other side of a big chasm. You can't get this right away so head for the left passage and prepare for your next big test, the Test of Wind. ÛÛ = Floor Tile ___ _____________| |_____________ | | | ÛÛ ÛÛ | | | E _| ÛÛ _________ ÛÛ |_ n _| | | |_ E t | | x r _ | | _ i y |_ |_________| _| t | ÛÛ ÛÛ | | | | ÛÛ ÛÛ | |_____________ _____________| |___| This is a very tough one and you might have to heal yourself repeatedly to complete it. This room has 8 tiles in it, 4 outer ones and 4 inner ones. As soon as you step in, whirlwinds will start, randomly moving about everywhere and damaging you if you're in their area. To pass this test, you must step on the 4 outer tiles which will make the 4 inner tiles rise up. Then you must step on the 4 inner tiles and as soon as you step on the last one, the whirlwinds will dissipate and you will have cleared this test. It's harder than it sounds, because the whirlwinds do massive damage and have no pattern to them. If you find yourself cornered, hug the walls or go into the wedges along the walls until it's safe to come out again. When you've cleared the test the 8 tiles will rise up again. Step on them again, in no particular order and when all 8 tiles are down a portion of the south wall will open up. Go into the passage beyond and you'll come to the hammer you saw earlier. Pick up the Mithril Hammer (Damage: 30 AP, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Slow, Range: Long) and check out the two treasure chests along the north and south walls to receive 2 Health Elixirs. Backtrack out of the passage and take the east path out of the test room. Below is another trap for you to pass which tests your speed and jumping ability. The area has a center platform surrounded by a gap on all sides with 4 ceiling blocks that move up and down in a pattern. S = Mithril Great Sword Entry _| |_ _____|_______|__________________ | | ____| ___________________ |____ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |_________|_________| | | | | | | | | | | | | | S | | | | | | | | | | |____| |_________|_________| |____| | | |__________________ _______ _____| |_ _| | | Exit Time your jumps so that you land on the middle platform when the ceiling block move up. Then immediately jump onto the side areas. If you want to get the Mithril Great Sword (Damage: 25 AP, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Medium, Range: Long) then run under it quickly and grab it, then quickly jump off somewhere safe. Make sure you have enough room in your inventory for it. If you don't, then drop a weapon or two. This is a great weapon to have until you get the Mourn Bringer later on. After you pass this little challenge, continue going south and you'll fight another Flame Knight. When you kill it, the east gate will open but before you go in, check out the area west where you'll find a Mithril Axe (Damage: 30 AP, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Slow, Range: Medium) embedded in the skeleton. Go through the east passage and you'll come to your next test: the Test of Earth. I don't even need to draw an ACSII drawing for this one. This is by far the easiest test in the game. There are 2 floor tiles at the east and west sides of the room. The floor will crumble and fall when you step on it so don't stay in one place for long. Step on the east tile first which will cause the entire floor to crumble except for certain areas. Jump across to the west side and step on the tile there to clear the test (what a joke!) and exit the area south. When you go down the stairs, you'll have 2 paths, one to your left and front. Take the left one first. When you step in, you'll hear laughter and the gate shut behind you. A = Axe of the Order ÛÛ = Floor Tile Entry | | ________________| |________________ | | | ÛÛ ___________ ___________ ÛÛ | | | | | | | | | ______| ÛÛ |______ | | | | | | | | | | | _____ _____ | | | | |____| | ___|_|___ | |____| | | |_| |_| | | ÛÛ _| A |_ ÛÛ | | ____ | |___ _ ___| | ____ | | | | |_____| |_____| | | | | | | | | | | | |______ ______| | | | | | ÛÛ | | | | |___________| |___________| | | ÛÛ ÛÛ | |__________________________________________| Whenever you try to approach the middle structure, the gate will close on all sides, except for the opposite side of where you're standing. If you try to go around, it will do the same for that side. To get the treasure in the middle (and to get out of here), step on the 4 outer floor tiles. Then step on the 4 inner floor tiles but don' t actually go into the inner area. Just step on the inner tile, then step out and go around the outside circle and do the same to the others. When you step on the last inner tile step into the inner area and all the gates will rise up. Grab the 4 Health Elixirs and the Axe of the Order (Damage: 30 AP, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Medium, Range: Medium). The entryway should now be open so go through and go to the west passage. Fight another Flame Knight and go through the north gate. This will lead you to the next (and potentially the toughest) test: the Test of Lightning. ÛÛ = Floor Tile ÜÜ Û Û = Lighting Column ßß Entry __| |__ _____________| |_____________ | | | | | | | | ________________| |_______________ _| ÜÜ |_ |_ ÛÛ Û Û ÛÛ _| |________________ ßß _______________| | | | | | | | | |_____________ _____________| |__ __| | | Exit This area has 2 Floor Tiles to the east and west passages and a center column that shoots out lightning. Your goal is to step on both floor tiles to disable the lightning and pass this test. Jump to hasten yourself through this ordeal. I don't think there's any way to avoid the lightning so just try to do this the fastest way possible. Heal yourself if you get struck by lightning but don't stay in any one place for long. Afterwards, head south to exit this room. The next area has a passage that leads to a floor tile and a some armor through the gate. Step on the floor tile and you'll hear laughter. Turn around and you'll find that the passage has been blocked off and 2 more have opened up to the side. Go into each of the 2 new passages and at the end of each one you'll find floor tiles. Step on them on both and another passage will open up leading to a room with Explosive Arrows (Damage: 25), Invulnerability Potion, and a Speed Bow (Durability: 75/75). Flip the switch there and go back down either side. You'll now see that another set of passages have opened up. Explore the new area and you'll be lead to a single opening that leads to the armor you saw through the gate. Grab the Plate Mail (Armor Rating: 60, Durability: 23/100) if you're the type who doesn't get hit a lot (low durability) and exit through the entryway which has opened up again. Now, take the west path down into the next room. There's a single Health Elixir in the center of the room with nothing else around. Looks kind of suspicious, doesn't it? Put your weapon back in your inventory or drop it if there's no room and grab the Elixir. Immediately step back to avoid the spikes trap that gets triggered. Next, head north and fight two more Flame Knights. One of them will drop Explosive Arrows (Damage: 25) when it dies. Now follow the path to the big bridge where you'll encounter another Flame Knight. Kill it and cross the bridge and another set of Flame Knights will appear. Kill them both and pick up the Health Elixir one of them might drop. Keep going through the tunnel and you'll come to a room surrounded by sand with a pedestal holding a Potion of Life and the Rift Crystal room beyond that. Pick up the Potion of Life (there's no trap) and go into the Rift Crystal room. Note: I don't know if the challenges of the Rift Crystal are set up in a certain way (it seems to be) or if it's random that the crystal will finally free itself but I found the following way to work. Just play around and you will eventually get it. If you get the lightning trap which isn't mentioned below, then simply back up into a corner and you should be safe. You'll have to pass several challenges before you can grab the Rift Crystal (figures, huh?). Step on the floor tile and whirlwinds will swirl around. Go into one of the corners and wait for the whirlwinds to die down. The two passages south and north will have opened up. Go into the north passage and flip the switch up above. Slide down and step on the floor tile again. This time fire will erupt from the crystal in expanding circles. Jump over the flames as they get to you (use your Overhead Swinging Attack to extend the jump if you need to). After 3 or 4 waves of fire, it will stop. Go back up the north passage and flip the switch again to change the element. Slide back down and step on the switch again. Earth will come crumbling from above. Get in a corner and stay there until the rocks stop. Afterwards, go into the south passage this time and flip the switch there. Come back down and step on the floor tile again and this time the shield around the Rift Crystal disappears, allowing you to take the crystal. Grab it and make your way east to the portal to exit the Flame Fortress. Objective #1 Complete! Eastern Archipelago =================== Objective #4 Complete! You've finally passed the tests of Flame Fortress and retrieved the Rift Crystal. But wait, there's something wrong! Arokh's been kidnapped and Rimril critically injured and dying. This is bad news! You will have to find a way to free Arokh and without his help, you will have to travel through the Hive Islands on foot. Objective #5: Find a way into Succubus Lair Note: If you killed some of the monsters previously with Arokh then they might not appear here. For the sake of this FAQ I will assume that you haven't killed anyone. Well, better get started. Take a look on the map. The entrance to the Succubus' Lair is that structure outlined in black way down on the southern edge of the map. There's no possible way to swim over there and you can't fly over the mountains anymore. You must walk to the edge of the string of islands just east of your location, cross over the small bank of water over to the other side of the continent and walk down south. It's a long way to go and will be filled with monsters. Head eastwards and you'll encounter 2 goblins. Kill them with arrows and pick up the Arrows (Damage: 10) one of them drops. Keep going east and you'll encounter 2 succubi. Pull out your Magic Arrows and use them to fight them. They'll dodge them but the Magic Arrows will "home in" on them. After you kill them you'll see several goblins in the area below you eastwards. You can pick them off with arrows to save the hassles of fighting them on level ground. When you've killed every goblin you can see (below and above) dive down into the waters below and swim up to the shore. Keep going east and run up the circular walkway. There'll be a goblin who'll roll down a boulder halfway up so step out of the way of the boulder and show the goblin how much you appreciate its efforts. Kill the rest of its buddies and make your way up to the bridge. There's a giant wartok on the other side and getting past this one without getting grabbed is a tough obstacle. There are some dragonflies in the area and use your Magic Arrows to take 'em down. Then run across the bridge and the giant wartok will go out to meet you. All I can tell you is to keep jumping and try to stay away from it as best you can. Its stomping will make you lose your ground so jumping is essential to survival. Just past the giant wartok are 3 goblins. One of them carries a Potion of Life but make finish them quickly, because the giant wartok'll be right on your tail. Keep going (there's really only one path you can go) and whatever you go, do not attack the dragons that fly around the area. If you don't bother them, they won't bother you. At the top of the circular walkway you'll meet a Flame Knight (geez, these guys are everywhere, aren't they?). It'll drop a Health Elixir afterwards. Go down the circular walkway on the other side of the small bridge and either ignore or kill the 3 goblins shooting arrows at you from below. Keep going along the path until you get to the beach area. There'll be several goblins down there. Kill them all and head along the shore east. You should come to a large clearing with a pillar of light shining down from a hole above. As you approach the ground below the light pillar explodes and a coffin will rise up from the hole. It'll open up and a ghost will emerge from within it. For a quick and easy battle, use the Mithril Great Sword and use the Spinning Overhead Attack as soon as it comes out to whack off most of its life. Then when it re-materializes strike it once more time to finish it off. To get the Energy Bow Key in the coffin you have to do some fancy jumping. Stand at the edge of the hole and either 1) use a standing Spinning Overhead Attack at the rising arc of the jump and guide yourself into it, or 2) use the Flip Jump move. It might take some amount of practice to get it right. After you get the key head west out of the cave and back to the shore. Go south-west and you should reach what looks like a goblin base. Kill the 2 goblins down there (use your sword, it's faster and you're close enough to them). Pick up the Explosive Arrows (Damage: 25) and examine the locked cage just north of the base. Use the Energy Bow Key to open it and pick up the Energy Bow (Damage:25, Durability: 50/50, Energy Arrow Quiver). Now, head back down to the base and dive into the water and swim to the other side. Sneak upon the goblin and go to the shore west of the ruined base on that side. Watch out for the goblins above the beach. Kill them quickly. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, try killing the giant wartoks. Use your Mithril Great Sword w/ Spinning Overhead Attack and after a couple of hits they'll go down. They'll try to stomp on you but if you stay in the air frequently they'll have a hard time. They can also grab you and hurl you towards a wall but if you attack fast enough you can stop their grabbing attacks. The only thing to watch out for is their stomping, which will cause you to lose ground. Recover quickly and jump away constantly. Go further south and you'll encounter a war giant of all things. You can, and should run away from it but, if you feel particularly adventurous and/or suicidal, then try fighting it. The war giant wields a huge axe that does massive damage if it hits you with it. It can also walk over you or stomp on you. You can try fighting them normally but there isn't much room to maneuver about. They won't react to your normal attacks, but they'll reel back from the Overhead Swinging Attack every time. Back away when they attack and hit 'em fast and hard. When it dies, move away quickly, because it can crush you under its tremendous weight when it falls. Now, move south and make your way to the Succubus Lair. There'll be two goblins near the entrance but otherwise the area should be clear of all enemies and obstacles, if you killed the war giant that is. Otherwise, it'll be chasing after you by now. Objective #5 Complete! Go into the Succucus Lair and into the passage to end the level. Succubus Lair ============= Objective #1: Rescue Arokh Walk into through the passage and open the treasure chest to find Magic Arrows (Damage: 15) and a Long Bow (Durability: 75/75). Continue going east and two succubis will fly up. Pull out your bow and use it to take them down or wait until they land and use your sword. Enter the next room and a succubi will offer a chance to help you, if you get her Magic Mirror from the Bathing Chambers. You really have no choice. Objective #2: Find Magic Mirror in Bathing Chamber Walk to the northern part of the area you're in and you'll find a small platform that travels up and down. Ride on it to get to the lower level. There's a Flame Knight there and after you dispatch it, go north into the arch gate. The next area has a circular walkway that leads down. Kill the succubi but ignore the Flame Knight and walk down the walkway. There'll be another Flame Knight below. Kill it, then grab the Potion of Life by the boxes. Avoid the shots from the Flame Knight above you and go over to the arch gate east of you. Be careful when entering. The spikes will close in on you. Stop just before the spikes so that they close in, then walk as they pull back. Go into the passage and kill the beetles that come along. When you get to the big open area Rynn will say "It's quiet, too quiet." The gate on the opposite side will now shut close and numerous beetles will drop into the room. Just crouch and swing at them as they come to you. This shouldn't be a problem at all. When all the beetles are slain, the gate will open. Go through it and check out the 2 treasure chests in the next room. One of them will contain a Potion of Life and the other, nothing. Go into the next area and a succubi will come out to meet you. Kill it and continue going south. Soon you'll come to the Bathing Chambers, an big area filled with water. To the south is a dungeon area. Make your way there first. When you get there you'll encounter several scavengers. Kill them all then pick up the Jail Key beside the treasure chest. There are 3 prison cells here. Two of them are open and one of them is closed. Search the second open cell. It has a Death Mace (Damage: 25 AP, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Fast, Range: Medium) and a new Plate Mail (Armor Rating: 60, Durability: 100/100). Make sure to pick them up, then head for the locked cell. Use the Jail Key on the lock and it'll open. The orc inside will immediately run out. It'll open up the treasure box and drink something out of it. Kill it after it has opened the box, then pick up the treasures: Health Elixir, Invisibility Potion, Magic Arrows (Damage: 15). Now, make your way out of the dungeons and explore the Bathing Chambers. Run on the land around the water and you'll attract the attention of Ghosts. Use your most powerful weapon and get rid of them. After a while you'll come across a cell with a big orc in it. It'll come out to greet you. Be careful with this one. It carries a powerful hammer with it and can take a beating. After killing it you can pick up its weapon: Grungle's (orc's name?) Hammer (Damage: 35 AP, Durability: 75/75, Speed: Slow, Range: Long). Go into the cell and open the big treasure box to find the Succubus Mirror. Objective #2 Complete! Grab the mirror, then go outside the cell and face north. You'll see a gate across the lake with large spikes barring it. Make your way there and it'll open and a Flame Knight will come out of it. It won't respond to you right away so take that time to deal some heavy damage and/or kill it. Then go through the open gate and you'll be brought back to where you were before. Turn to your right and take the small platform back up. Travel across the bridge and the succubus will appear and take the mirror. It'll leave you a small glimmering light that'll take you to the docks. It'll go into the east gate so follow behind it. Pull out your bow and arrow and hunt down the succubus that comes out. Go along the ledge and jump across the platform to the opposite ledge. Pick up the Arrows (Damage: 10) then jump back across the platform and continue going. There'll be a Flame Knight by the next gate. Approach it, dodging its shots and give it a taste of your blade. Go into the gate and follow into the passage. As you enter the next area you'll encounter another succubi so pull out your bow and deal with it. You'll see the glimmering at a gate in the distance but first let's do some exploring. Go along the ledge to your right. Kill the Flame Knight (pick up the Health Elixir it drops) and succubi that get in the way. You'll come to a gate and a platform on the other side. Ride the platform and on the ledge on the other side you'll find 2 Health Elixirs, Invisibility Potion and an Enemy Bow (Damage: 25, Durability: 50/50, Energy Arrow Quiver). A Flame Knight will materialize when you get near them. Fight it off or run past it and make your way back to when you first entered the region. Now, go along the ledge to your left and fight the Flame Knight by the gate. Go through the gate and follow along the ledge. You'll see a closed gate and a Flame Knight along the path to the right. Kill it, then continue going on the path and you'll reach the gate with the glimmering light. However, the path is closed when you enter the gate. You're gonna have to find another way in. Go along the ledge past the gate and you'll soon get to another gate. Watch out for the succubi and use your bow to take it down. Enter the gate which will close behind you. It seems they're trapped you but don't despair. Pick up the Magic Arrows (Damage: 15) and the Heavy Bow (Durability: 150/150) if you need it, then look at the floor. The floor to the north is of a darker color and seems to have fine lines in it. Use your sword and hack away at it. Make a small hole and drop in. Go southwards and kill the Flame Knight out there. You'll hear other Flame Knight shooting their flame lances at you but just ignore them and avoid their shots if they get too close. You can use your bow to take them down but it's better to save your arrows for the succubis. Now, there will be a platform moving horizontally north of you and another platform moving vertically on the ledge east of you. There's also a passage along the east with 2 Health Elixirs, a Potion of Life and The Cleaver (Damage: 40 AP, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Slow, Range: Medium) embedded in the skeleton. Pick them up, then ride the vertically moving platform up. Kill the Flame Knight up there and you will spot the glimmering light in front of the gate there. Go into the gate and through the passage. You'll come to a cave area. Break the barrels and pick up the Potion of Life. Continue through the cave and you'll see two gates, one to the south and another to the north. Take the north gate, as it's the one that's open. At the end you'll be in a large area. There's a shrine-like structure across a big bridge and a Dark Knight guarding it. This is a special unit and carries with him one of the most powerful weapons in the game. Grab your most powerful, long-ranged weapon and heal yourself up to full. Then make your way to the big bridge and engage in battle with the Dark Knight. When you kill him, he'll drop a Potion of Life and the Mourn Bringer (Damage: 30 AP, Durability: Indestructible, Speed: Medium, Range: Long). This weapon has special abilities that drain life from living creatures. It'll restore a small amount of life when you strike a monster with it. It also looks pretty damn cool and screams whenever you swing it. Equip this new powerful weapon and head for the shrine across the bridge. A green mirror will show Arokh, and the queen of the succubi, Shilla. She seems to be waiting for you to bring her the Rift Crystal for the "master" and using Arokh as a bait and as offering for him. Objective #3: Find Grimstone Shipping Dock After the cut scene ends, make your way across the big bridge and work your way south. The south gate will now be open so go through it and you'll be taken to an outside region with a war giant. Circle-strafe around it and test out your new sword. You shouldn't have any problems taking down this big goon. When it's dead the gate on the other side will open up. To into the gate and through the passage, fighting off the scavengers in there. At the other side you'll reach a gate which leads to the shipping docks. Objective #3 Complete! Follow the passage and turn left when you see the sands. You'll see another path leading up. Follow along this path, killing the useless orcs (they'll go down with one hit from the Mourn Bringer) and pick up the Arrows (Damage: 10) by the box. Go back down and run towards the ship. There's a giant wartok here as well and you can fight it or ignore it. Jump onto the ship from the docks and it'll sail away. Dark Union Lair =============== Objective #1: Free Arokh The ship will be brought to another docking area. Rynn will jump off the back of the ship and swim to the dock. The orcs will gather before Arokh, dancing before him. A deep voice will now command all the Dark Union members to join in a meeting. They'll then move away to the meeting, leaving Arokh unattended. Move over to Arokh and he'll explain that the only way to set him free is with the Rune Cage Key that Shilla carries. From Arokh, move westwards and up the hill. Kill the Dark Knight throwing bolt lances at you and pick up the Dark Scimitar (Damage: 20 AP, Durability: 30/30, Speed: Medium, Range: Long) if you want it. Continue north up the path and kill the 2 orcs guarding the entrance to the lair within. They'll drop a Great Sword (Damage: 20, Durability: 150/150, Speed; Slow, Range: Long) afterwards. Go into the entrance and as you proceed through the tunnel, a Dark Knight will materialize. Kill it and the green force field will go down. Go through it and you'll be on a big bridge. In the center of the bridge will sit a giant scavenger. This guy is HUGE and extremely fast, not to mention strong. If you can dismember its limbs it would be a great help. Circle-strafe around it for maximum results. Go into the gate at the other side of the bridge and make your way through the passage. When you get to the other side of it, a cut scene will take place. It seems that Navaros is planning to return from the Rift where Heron trapped him at the conclusion of the Dark Wars. Furthermore, it seems that the Rune Blade has been reassembled and Delon, Rynn's younger brother is to be the host! All they need now is the Rift Crystal which they made Rynn retrieve for them. Let's hope Rynn can make their foil their plan and make it backfire but she must free Arokh first, and in order to do that, she must defeat Shilla. When the cut scene ends, move Rynn to the treasure chests at the west part of the room, under the walkway. One contains Magic Arrows (Damage: 15) and 3 Health Elixirs and the other contains a Lightning Axe (Damage: 30, Durability: 150/150, Speed: Slow, Range: Long, 10 Lightning special ability) and a Potion of Life. Now, make your way up the west ramp and run up to the doorway at the top. Go through the passage and when you come out the other end you'll meet Shilla. After the cut scene you'll engage in a battle with her. She isn't a tough enemy but can be quite aggravating. She flies around and lunges down at you to crush you under her weight. Keep moving and avoiding her attacks. She often flies down and engages in physical combat with her wings. Use this opportunity to give her a couple of slashes before she takes off again. After she dies she'll drop the Rune Cage Key. Go back to Arokh and use it to free him. Objective #1 Complete! After you free him, mount him and go into the entrance with him. At the other end of the passage you'll discover the Lava Elemental Crystal. You'll automatically fly into it and you'll get the Lava breath attack, a more powerful version of his flame attack but with a different secondary attack. After the cutscene, switch to the Lava attack and try out this new breath attack on the oncoming dragon. This attack has a wide hitting area and does considerable damage. It'll take down a dragon in 3 shots. However, there's a long delay between the shots and they take up a lot of breath power. The secondary attack shoots our multiple lava shots. Objective #2: Find Runeblade Now, explore this entire lava region and kill everything. There will be several dragons, mostly ice and some lightning. Kill all the Flame & Dark Knights with your secondary fire attacks, it's the fastest way. Fly low and keep away from the green towers that shoot out lightning. When you've explored the entire area, go back to the place where you acquired the Lava breath weapon and fly across the bridge to the gateway on the opposite side. Enter through the gate and go down the passage back into the meeting area of the Dark Union. In that room there's a doorway to the south that you should check out. Go into the passage but watch out for the falling floors. Jump over them and continue into the passage. At the end there will be a great chasm and two identical platforms that rotate about. Jump onto the broad area of the first platform and wait until it gets close to the second platform. Jump across to the second platform and run to the thin portion of it (making sure not to fall off). When the platform stops in front of the south area, make a big leap across to it. When you land, yellow balls of lava will shoot up from below. Try to avoid them and jump across the platforms, going south-west. There will be a Flame Knight on the other side. Kill it and go through the gate. Go along the walkway and fight two more Flame Knights. Another Flame Knight will be throwing its flame lances at you from the platform to the east. Jump across to that platform and make short work of it. Many of these guys will drop Health Elixirs after so be sure to grab them. From that platform, jump across to the gate north of you. In the next room there'll be a center platform with 4 claws around a greenish stone (kinda reminds me of the Overmind in StarCraft). This is the Dragon Armor Rune. Make sure to grab this valuable object and go east towards the gate afterwards. Watch out when you go through the gates, spikes will shoot out for one. The next room has a small, round structure in the center that has green particles rising out of it. When you approach it 4 coffins will rise up from the ground. 4 Ghosts will come out of the coffins. When you kill them all (one of them drops a Potion of Life), the force field above the center will disappear. Step into the greenish particles and they'll launch you up into the air. Get to the center of the particles and jump straight up. This will launch you up into the room above. Go north and you'll be brought back to the chasm with the 2 identical platforms but from the other side. There's a moving platform in front of you that carries you back and forth. Get on it and when it comes near one of the circling platforms, jump onto it. Stay on the leaner area of the platform and when it comes around to the north doorway. jump across to it. Make your way back out to the meeting room of the Dark Union. Sometimes Ghosts will be here if they disappeared in the room with the 4 coffins. Kill them if they're there and go back outside. Call Arokh and mount him. Now's the time to get the Dragon Armor. Head for the center-north area of the map. There will be a gate there shaped like the mouth of a wartok. To the right of it is a small gate. Land in front of it and breathe a steady stream of fire into the gate and it'll kill the Flame Knight just inside. Dismount and go into the gate. There will be another Flame Knight deeper inside so take care of this one on foot. Now head towards the north gate. At the end of the passage is a round platform with green particles rising out of it. Jump onto it and it'll lead you down. Check out the boxes to the right. One of them has a Potion of Life on top of it. Jump up to it with your Overhead Swinging Attack and grab it. Now, flip the switch there and it'll disable the force field around the main gate and Arokh will fly in. Mount him and fly east and down into the cave. There are 2 ice dragons down there so watch out for them. Fly to the green gate and land before it. Use the Dragon Armor Rune and the force field will disappear. Enter and approach the treasure chest at the far end of the room. It will open as well as the 2 coffins at either side of the room. Kill the Ghosts that come out of them and pick up the Dragon Armor (Armor Rating: 75, Durability: 100/100). Head out of the room and mount Arokh. The area will now have yellow lava balls shooting out from below so watch out. Fly back up and go through the big gate to the south and back outside. There'll be a dragon waiting for you there so remember to take care of it. Now head all the way to the western edge of the map. The lava will end, leading to a great void below. Lower yourself down into it but watch out for the tower with the green gem on top of it. It'll shoot lightning at you. Just beside that tower is a gateway. Stay below the tower to avoid getting hit and enter through that gate. Fight the ice dragon on the other side and kill the Dark Knight on the platform below. It'll drop an Invisibility Potion so remember to pick it up. Head south-east and you'll find a green gate and a platform north of it. Land on the platform and stand on the circular structure in the middle of it. It'll carry you up above. Once it stops, jump off it and head east through the pillars and fight the Dark Knight there. Now jump down onto the lower platform east and fight another Dark Knight (it was throwing lightning lances at you so show it how much you appreciated it). Once it's dead, continue east into the gate. Past the first box you can see a lower platform to the north. Jump down onto the boxes and battle the Dark Knight and Ghost down there. Once they're dead, head south along the ledge and you'll come to a Flame Knight. Finish it quickly, then head east across the big bridge. Observe the boxes on the other side and you'll find 2 Health Elixirs sitting on top of one. Use a standing Spinning Overhead Attack to gain the extra height needed to get on top of the box. Head back across the bridge and head west towards the gate. Kill the Dark Knight on the other side, then run across the bridge west and turn right to find a walkway down. Go down and you'll see a Flame Knight. Kill it, cross the bridge southwards and head south-west to flip the switch on the platform there. This will lower the green force field and Arokh will fly in. Mount him then fly south into the passage. Fly down the tunnel (there's a smaller tunnel in the middle of it with a Health Rune and an ice dragon) then head south-west into the next area. Ignore the gate for now and go up the lavafalls and kill the 2 dragons. Keep going west along the tunnel and you'll come to another rift area (it's not the same as the first area). Kill the dragons in the area and find the gateway in the center of the area. Land there and dismount. Go inside into the hall of pillars and 3 Dark Knights will appear around you. Circle around them and fight them, or lead them to the gate and use Arokh's secondary fire attack through the gate to kill them all at once. Find the west gate at the end of the hall of pillars and enter through it. Go through the passage and jump across to the south- west platform on the other side. The coffin will open up and a Ghost will come out of it. Kill it, then jump onto the platform west of you and go through the gate. You'll soon come to an area with 2 crescent-shaped platforms. One will be spinning around (platform 1) and the other will also rise up and down (platform 2). First of all, kill the Dark Knight in the room, then jump onto platform 1. When platform 2 comes down jump across to it and it'll bring you up. Jump onto the platform above and go into the south gate. Flip the switch at the end then make your way back. Go down using the small round platform (jump onto it and it'll go down). Go back into the room with the coffin and jump into it. The coffin will rise up and turn about, bringing you up to the ground above. Head south where you'll see white particles floating down. If you observe carefully, there will be a certain point where they stop floating down and settle onto the air and form some sort of path in the air. Move carefully and walk along the path (there aren't any cracks or wedges along the way) to the other side. Go south after you've crossed the invisible path and you'll be led to a room with 8 coffins and a treasure chest in the middle as you enter the coffins will open up and release Ghosts. Kill them all, then grab the Lava Rune in the center treasure chest. Go out of the room and cross back over the invisible path. Jump down, or take the coffin down, then head out the east gate, into the room of pillars and out the gate to where Arokh is. Fly north and go back into the lava tunnel. Go down the lavafalls and turn south towards the gate at the bottom. Fly through it and go into the tunnel. Use the Lava Rune in the pedestal on the other side to make the lava go down. Fly down and land before the gate leading into the structure in the middle. When you enter you'll see a circular platform with 4 walkways around it, a middle structure with a circular stairway around it, an unlit (well, it goes out when you step in) torch or flame holder, a giant statue of an archer in the south-east corner and switch in the north-west corner. If you look above there are 5 circular ceiling holes, 4 covered with glass and one open. On top of the center structure is the Runeblade covered in thick ice. The archer statue shoots out arrows that hit the ice when you press the button behind it, but it cannot break it. You need to melt it somehow. Your Fire Crystals and Flame Swords don't have enough power to do it but what if you combine the archer's arrows with a fire source? That just might break the ice. Unfortunately the big torch is out. You need to relight it. Go to the switch and use it to rotate the central platform. Rotate it until the torch is lined up with the open ceiling hole (it'll have light coming down from it). Now, run outside and mount Arokh. Switch to his fire breath weapon and breathe a stream of fire down the ceiling hole, directed at the torch below. When the torch has been lit, go back down and enter the structure again. The torch should now be blazing with fire. Now you need to direct it at the ice. Run over to the switch and rotate the platform until the torch is lined up with the archer statue's line of shot. Run over to the archer statue and flip the button behind it. The statue will shoot its arrow, which will collide with the flames from the torch and embed itself in the ice. The ice will slowly melt. Climb up the circular walkway and claim this most valuable prize, the Runeblade (Damage: 50 AP, Durability: Indestructible, Speed: Medium, Range: Long, Fire attribute). Objective #2 Complete! Objective #3: Enter the Rift Now, fly out of the area and go back to the Rift area (north-west part of the map). When you get there, Rynn will use the Runeblade to create a hole in the Rift and Arokh will fly in. Objective #3 Complete! The Rift ======== Objective #1: Rescue Delan When you enter the Rift, 4 ice dragons will be released. Kill them all (they'll all drop a Health Rune afterwards). There are 2 doors in this area that you can enter through. Find them (can't tell any directions; no map) and enter through the door. Equip your best sword and heal yourself up to full, then proceed forward into this area. As you cross the bridge you'll see Delan floating in a beam of light with several ghosts chanting around him. Suddenly the Ghosts will be blown away as Navaros will enter his body. Rynn will then run over to him and you'll engage in a battle. This guy has some pretty devastating moves but they can be dodged easily. He'll float around but only attack when he's on land so just use your sword and cleave him up, using potions as necessary. After a couple of hits he'll go down and fall into the Rift, consequently taking Delan's body along into it. 4 serpent heads will how appear from the Rift. Arokh will fly over to you to battle them. The first head fires a cluster of 3 fireballs, the second head fires 4 projectiles that weave in and out, the third head fires a cluster of 4 fireballs and the last head fires a single homing fireball. When you get close to any one of the heads they'll bite at you. The heads all fire at the same rate and their projectiles are slow and easy to dodge. If you want a quick victory, use Arokh's flame thrower attack (secondary fire attack). Just stand in front of one of the heads and pummel it with a constant stream of fire. You can try to avoid the shots but if you have a lot of Health Elixirs, then just heal yourself a lot and concentrate on attacking. When one of the heads go down, switch to the next one until all of them go down. Arokh will now suggest that they go in now, when the Rift is open. He'll fly down into it. What awaits the two heroes in the darkness of the Rift? Will Rynn finally be able to save her brother and end this evil that threatens the world of Drakan? Only the people at Psygnosis know for sure. To be continued... Congratulations, you have just cleared the game. I know it's a rather disappointing ending but it gives reason for a sequel, and nowadays, every game's gotta have a sequel. Stay tuned for some more Drakan fun in the near future! ============================= Item/Weapon/Armor Information ============================= Here's a list of all the Items, Weapons and Armor found in the game. If I'm missing something (which I most likely am) then please mail me so I can put them in. Weapon name Damage AP Durability Speed Range Special Atimar's Blade 5 No Indestructible Fast Short None Mithril Short Sword 10 Yes 100/100 Fast Short None Long Sword 15 No 150/150 Medium Medium None Sword of Flame 15 Yes 150/150 Medium Medium Fire Worn Long Sword 15 No 30/150 Medium Medium None Flaming Sword 20 Yes 30/30 Medium Long None Great Sword 20 No 150/150 Slow Long None Great Slayer 25 No 75/75 Medium Long None Mithril Great Sword 25 Yes 150/150 Medium Long None Mourn Bringer 30 Yes Indestructible Medium Long Life Drain Runeblade 50 Yes Indestructible Medium Long Fire Mace 10 No 100/100 Medium Medium None Worn Mace 10 No 42/100 Medium Medium None Mace of the Hand 20 Yes 150/150 Medium Medium None Death Mace 25 Yes 150/150 Fast Medium None Rusty Axe 12 No 35/75 Slow Medium None Duncan's Battle Axe 25 No 15/150 Slow Medium None Iron Battle Axe 25 No 50/50 Slow Medium None Axe of the Order 30 Yes 150/150 Medium Medium None Lightning Axe 30 No 150/150 Slow Long Lightning Mithril Axe 30 Yes 150/150 Slow Medium None Vykruta's Axe 40 No 42/150 Slow Long 25 Lightning The Cleaver 40 Yes 150/150 Slow Medium None Mithril Hammer 30 Yes 150/150 Slow Long None Grungle's Hammer 35 Yes 75/75 Slow Long None Scimitar 10 No 100/100 Fast Short None Dark Scimitar 20 Yes 30/30 Medium Long None Heavy Bow -- No 150/150 -- -- None Long Bow -- No 75/75 -- -- None Speed Bow -- No 75/75 -- -- Speed Plus Energy Bow 25 No 50/50 -- -- Energy Arrow Arrow 10 No 1/1 -- -- None Ice Arrows 15 No 1/1 -- -- Ice Flaming Arrows 15 No 1/1 -- -- Fire Poison Arrows 15 No 1/1 -- -- Poison Magic Arrows 15 No 1/1 -- -- Homing Explosive Arrows 25 No 1/1 -- -- Explosive Armor name Armor Rating Durability Worn Chain Mail 20 25/100 Chain Mail 20 100/100 Scale Mail 30 100/100 Banded Mail 40 100/100 Plate Mail 60 100/100 Dragon Armor 75 100/100 Item name Effect Health Elixir Restores a large amount of vitality. Hot key = H Potion of Life Restores HP fully. Invisibility Potion Renders Rynn partially invisible for a few minutes. Invulnerability Potion A very rare item that covers Rynn in a metallic substance, making her invulnerable for a short amount of time. Fire Crystal Creates a wave of fire that burns everything in its radius. Ice Crystal Creates a wave of ice that damages and freezes everything in its radius. Lightning Crystal Shoots out bolts of lightning. Special Item Name Use Key to Priest House Key to Atimar's house. Atimar's Book Book used to allow access to Heron's Soul Crystal under the temple. Mace Key Key used to get into the spider mines. Rune of Stone Relic used to open the entrance to the cave with the Sword of Flame. East Cave Entrance Key Key used to enter the east caves. Power Crystal Stone used to power up the drilling machine in the Grimstone Mines. Crusher Room Key Key used to get into a room with 3 octangular "crushers". Mystic Key Key used to open a gate in the Flame Fortress. Elemental Amulet A special amulet that enables access to the Flame Fortress. Vykruta's Axe Key Key used to access Vykruta's Axe. Bell Hammer Hammer found in the ruined city of Alwarren. Rift Crystal An immensely powerful crystal that sealed Navaros in the rift at the conclusion of the Dark Wars. A part of the Runeblade. Energy Bow Key Key used to unlock the cage containing the Energy Bow in the Eastern Archipelago. Jail Key Key to unlock the jail cell in the bathing chambers. Rune Cage Key Key used to unlock the Rune Cage. Dragon Armor Rune Rune used to access the Dragon Armor. ======= Credits ======= -= Psygnosis =- For making the game. -= Jason Hrabi (damonagus@hotmail.com) =- Watching him play made me realize just how much stuff I missed the first time! -= Alex Costrinos (tritoch99@hotmail.com) =- Information regarding the Energy Bow Key. -= Dan Saulesco (saulesco@ebox.tninet.se) =- Filled me in on the Flaming and Poison arrows I'd missed earlier. Submitted the new Drakan ASCII drawing! ===================== Copyright Information ===================== This FAQ is copyright (C) DemiGodX 2000 Drakan is copyright (C)1999 Psygnosis Ltd. You may use this FAQ for any non-commercial related purposes. You are allowed to post it on any website as long as it retains its original content and you e-mail me (with the website address) first. You may use this FAQ as a template only with the author's permission.