Let's Blog Suikoden - Part 19

Let's go and find something to prevent this happening again, shall we?

We've reached the temple of Qlon where a monk named Fukien greets us as the "Starmaster". Apparently Akami is the destined leader of the 108 stars of Heaven and Earth, fair enough. That explains the various stars associated with individuals on the Stone Tablet of Promise. Everyone of these 108 special people were born under a star and all are destined to unite under Akami's rule as he was born beneath the star of Heavenly Guidance.

Fukien knows all and sees all apparently, well aware we've come looking for a way to take down Neclord. He recommends we search a cave behind the table where all manner of secrets and dangers lie in wait. In we go, fighting our way through banshees and golems and very quickly levelling up well beyond level 40, meaning we can return and recruit that fellow who previously deemed us too weak. Kage even has a double exp rune meaning he's boosting up far ahead of the rest of us. There are several secret holes in the wall throughout this dungeon and one leads to a cool-looking recruit named Crowley.

Well alright then

Eventually we reach a floating sword, it looks pretty, but also dangerous and we approach with caution. Suddenly, the sword begins to talk. Yep. It's name is the Star Dragon Sword and it casts a curse and those who awoke it, using a spell upon us not dissimilar to the power of the Soul Eater, and banishing us from the caves. Suddenly we wake up in a new village and talk to a young boy to find out where we are... it's Ted. It's Ted as a child. This game's plot just doesn't stop with the twists and turns.

Ted asks if we've come to steal their treasure, but we don't even know what he's on about. We soon learn this is the Village of the Hidden Rune, which I assume to be the Soul Eater, and the villagers are very careful to protect their precious bounty. Ted's grandpa is the village chief, and he's fretting about the possible arrival of a certain woman. Well, unfortunately for him, that certain woman turns up. It's Windy, and Neclord is by her side. They want the Soul Eater.

Oh dear...

The chief refuses and the village bursts into flames, supposedly the work of Yuber, who we're yet to see. Windy threatens the village with worse unless the rune is handed over. Ted's grandfather summons the rune to help them, creating a diversion that allows us to escape to a secret room in his house, where he begins Ted's unfortunate destiny as the bearer of the Soul Eater for the three centuries to follow. He charges us to look after Ted and escape the village while he acts as a diversion.

Outside we encounter Yuber; he is evidently immensely powerful, so much so that our group fear even attempting an attack. Luckily for us any potential battle is averted by the arrival of Neclord who demands that Yuber accompany him and Windy to chase down the chief, who has escaped into a nearby forest. With that, the villains flee the village and we have to return to the present. I'm presented with the option to take Ted back with us or leave him here, but instinctively select the latter. We don't want to go screwing around with time here, this isn't Chrono Trigger after all. I'm not sure if the game would have let me take him anyway, frankly I doubt it.

Yuber is evidently not to be trifled with

We find ourselves back at the cave with the sword, who has now calmed down a bit apparently and asks to join Viktor on his mission to destroy Neclord. Looks like we've got our equivalent of a silver stake coated in garlic; it's time to head back and get Viktor his vengeance. First however we recruit a librarian named Hugo and a blind man named Morgan back at the temple, along with a gardener named Zen who wanted some seeds that luckily I've been buying and collecting as the game has gone along.

After this, I just pop back to The Castle to sort a few things out, we teleport and recruit Eikei, the tough guy from Teien. I by chance happen to catch that cat that was wandering around Kaku and deliver it to the girl Lotte in Rikon who joins. Finally, I use my masses of money to level up everyone's weapons and upgrade our armour as I sense the possible fight with Neclord won't be as straightforward as a single slash from our new sword. 

I'd put a bath screenshot in every post if I could, here's one exhibiting the gender divide, as well as Kage humorously keeping his ninja mask on

We quickly return to the Warrior's Village where Zorak is preparing his troops for an attack on Neclord's castle. They received a wedding invitation, a sign that the evil vampire is preparing to make Tengaar his bride and promptly enjoy a sanguine feast. We charge off together to Neclord's place, which is literally something taken from a Castlevania game. Suddenly I realise Suikoden has so far gone through elves, dwarves, and now I'm raiding a mammoth castle to interrupt a vampire's wedding. What a video game.

Upon arrival at the castle gates, Neclord appears in traditionally sneering fashion, welcoming us to his wedding. At sunset, Tengaar will be his forever, but Neclord wants to give us a chance and so challenges Akami to reach the top of the castle before the wedding. He invites us into his castle, but not Zorak and the others. Why is this important? Well, he has a magical front door that only allows in those who have been invited, as one poor warrior discovers when he attempts to force entry.

Mankind ill needs a jerk like you Neclord!

Just before we enter, young Hix arrives, determined to keep his promise to save Tengaar. Despite Zorak's protests that Hix is too inexperienced, too weak, and has a sword that has not even been named yet, our plucky little warrior maintains his ambition to enter the castle as part of our party, and I decide to allow it. Zorak then reveals he'd been waiting for such a show of bravery from Hix for a long time and finally names him a true warrior with the right to name his blade. Hix apparently has a name all picked out but won't reveal it just yet.

Our group is complete and the challenge is set, it's now time to enter the monstrous castle of the vampire general and hopefully save Tengaar. Tune in next time for some wedding crashing!

Sure Hix, no worries, let's get going huh?