Last updated 2/8/98.
Last revised 5/8/99.

First, name the Boy. After a little intro, you start off on a log bridge near a waterfall. You're with your friends Timothy and Elliot. The mention a "shiny object" near the falls. Then, you fall off and the duo goes to Potos, your home, for help.

You find yourself at the bottom of the waterfall and completely helpless (NOT). As you search around, something calls your name. There's also some brush to cut through here, but you have nothing to cut through with (go figure). No need to fear, as it turns out, a sword is nearby in a stone (Excalibur? :) As you approach it, a ghost appears and commands you to take the sword. So you pull it out. Now, head back through the weeds you saw earlier.

New Enemy: Rabite

Now, you have to return to Potos. There are many Rabites along the way, but since when did a little thing like a few Rabites bother you? Kill all of them (which shouldn't be too hard.) When you return to Potos, you can buy new armor (if you have enough) and save and talk to people. One particular person of importance is Jema (the odd man in the café). When you talk to the Elder (who's with Timothy and Elliot), you disover the truth behind the sword you pulled: It's the Mana Sword and it held a seal on Potos Village until you pulled it. Elliot gets mad and pushes you a few times. Then an earthquake occurs and you and Elliot fall in a large hole.

Boss: Mantis Ant

This is one of the easiest battles in the whole game because you can't die. If you run out of energy, Jema will recover you and give you a hint. Basically, just hit it when your meter reaches 100% or, better yet, when you've powered up a Level 1 attack. When you defeat the Mantis Ant, you recieve a sword orb and Jema pulls you and Elliot out.

After Elliot runs off like a whiney baby, Jema introduces himself and tells you to go to the Water Palace. Then Tim shows up and tells you the Elder wants to see you.

The Elder and the people of the village decide that you are dangerous and tell you to leave... permanently. The Elder lets you take 50 GP from a chest and will tell you a little about your history (if you talk to him again.) Now, buy what you need, save if you must, and leave by talking to the guy in the southeast.

Now, go to the Water Palace. There is a clearcut path if you want to walk, or you can take Cannon Travel (Jema prepaid, but later, you'll need 50GP to travel the Cannon way.)

New Enemies: Lullabud Mushboom

Also are Rabites in the mix. The Lullabuds are no big deal, but watch out for the Mushbooms if you're still on a low level. (Assuming you chose to walk). If you walked, you can visit Neko's along the way. His goods are WAY overpriced, but some items can only be bought at Neko's. His inn is even more outrageous, and you're about to get healed for FREE, so don't even bother staying.

Whether you walked or took Cannon, you'll see a platoon of soldiers. Whether you talk to them or not will affect things later. The commander's name is Dyluck, and his importance to the game is so major, you'll want to know who he is (even if you DON'T talk to them). If you talk to Dyluck, the platoon will head off for the Witch's castle. You'll see more of them later.

When you enter the Water Palace and reach the stage room, you'll meet Luka (Jema will also be there.) They chat for a little bit about the sword and the Mana Fortress (which supposedly destroys the world), which the Empire is trying to reawaken. Jema heads off to Pandora to observe the strange things happening there. Meanwhile, Luka tells you to go to Gaia's Navel to empower your sword. She also gives you a Spear, which is an alternative to your trusty Mana Sword. And finally, she lets you absorb the power of the Water Seed.

As you walk away, goblins will capture you. They plan on having you over for dinner... literally. A girl wearing pink will save you and run off, thinking you're Dyluck. As she does so, you wonder, "Who is she? Where did she come from?" NOTE: The above will not happen if you did not speak to Dyluck's platoon.

Now, you have a few choices:
1. Go to Pandora Castle. On the top floor, you'll see that girl again. She'll now join you (unless you refused to talk to Dyluck.) To keep her in your party, go to the witch's forest and keep going until you get to the axe pillars (see below.)
2. Go to the forest and fight werewolves and the girl will join you. I STRONGLY recommend against this at your current level.
3. Ignore the above and just walk through Pandora to Gaia's Navel.

I'm assuming you take option 3 for now. On the path that leads west out of Pandora...

New Enemy: Buzz Bee

Along with the Buzz Bees are your old pals the Rabites, Lullabuds and Mushbooms. The Mushbooms are still the strongest danger of the four, but as you go up levels, they'll become easier and easier. The Buzz Bees are only annoying in that they can poison you.

Along the way is Kippo Village. This is probably the only unimportant village in the game. You can see where the Cannon men live and you can buy some cool stuff, but there's nothing of any real interest here.

After going through a long downward spiral, you find yourself by two caves. One leads to Neko and a dead end. The other is Gaia's Navel.

New Enemies: Kid Goblin Blat Green Drop

The Green drops may be difficult at your level but don't give up. They are great for experience and weapon levels. The Goblins are medium enemies and the Blats are a joke. I mean, yeah, they cast the Balloon spell, but they don't do any REAL damage to you. There is also a single Mushboom in here.

Keep on the lookout for the Magic Rope. It is in an obscure place. You will enter the room with the Mushboom and you should look to the northwest. A Green Drop guards the room with the rope and two Goblins are inside the room.

You will have to pull a skull switch early on to drain the lava from the room below it. Later, you'll find a room with stairs you can't reach and more stairs that lead nowhere (no enemies). You're almost done here. Go up a floor and hit the switch. A big rock will fall into the ground. Now go back down and you will see that the rock conveniently fell in a place that lets you reach the Dwarf Village.

Now in the Dwarf Village, talk to some of the Dwarves. They will tell you of small earthquakes. Buy some armor at the shop and save in the inn. Keep some GP, though. Now, go to Watts in the northwest. Have him temper your sword for 100 GP and the Sword orb you got from the Mantis Ant. Then, go to the Northeast (you could go here first, if you so choose.) Here is the Dwarf Village Exhibition hut. The Dwarf Elder will charge you to watch the show. First, he shows you the one, the only, RABITEMAN (take one Rabite and one Man, and it's Rabiteman. What a weird sense of humor.) Then he shows you a Sprite child. Yeah, yeah, take a can of Sprite... but, seriously, it IS a Sprite Child. He guilts you (forces you is more like it) to pay the child some money to help it pay off its 1000000 or whatever GP debt. After the show, sneak around back and learn the truth. The two are so ashamed they refund your money (ALL of your money that they took.) After meeting Watts and the Sprite, Tropicallo will appear.

Boss: Tropicallo

He's not all that tough if your level is high enough. Just whack him every time he comes out of his protecive shell. And avoid the Bramblers; they can poison you. This battle is all the easier if the Girl is in your party.

After the battle, the Dwarf Elder convinces the Sprite kid to tag along with you. He brings the boomerang. Also, the elder gives you the Bow & Arrow set and tells you Watts was looking for you.

Watts finished his axe and wants to sell it to you. BUY IT. YOU CAN'T WIN WITHOUT IT. You can also temper your Spear. After buying the axe, Watts shows you a new passage that makes it easier to get to the Dwarf Village.

You need the Girl now. Get her in Pandora if you can, or in the Forest fighting Werewolves if you must, but get her in your party. Go to the Witch's Forest to the north of Gaia's Navel.

New Enemies: Chobin Hood Eye Spy Werewolf

The Werewolves won't appear until toward the end unless you don't have the Girl when you enter. They're INCREDIBLY tough if you're on a low level. Chobin Hoods are annoying but not serious and Eye Spies are trouble. They keep summoning Chobin Hoods and can turn you into Moogles (they HAD to put Moogles in the game!) There are also Mushbooms and Blats here.

When you get to the fork, go right first. You'll reach a switch you must step on. Now go back and take the left road after cutting down the Skull Pillars. Toward the end, you'll find a post that seems to have no use. Ignore it for now. When you get to the Witch's Castle, watch out for the Werewolves. They are out in full force here.

New Enemy: Polter Chair

They're not too bad if you avoid them. There are also the neverending Werewolves and Eye Spies, not to mention Chobin Hoods when the Eyes summon them.

In the dungeon are Dyluck's platoon (minus Dyluck) and Neko (what's HE doing there???)

When you get to Elinee, she flees. Follow her and you'll see her send Dyluck to her boss Thanatos and she'll sic the Spikey Tiger on you.

Boss: Spikey Tiger

I think he's the hardest boss in the game simply because you have no magic when you fight him. Just keep hitting him and avoiding him and curing yourself. Hope you have lots of Cups of Wishes.

When you beat him (if you beat him :) Elinee will give up. She'll also use up the last of her power. She gives you the Whip and 50GP and tells you to use Ice Magic on the orb in the underground palace. Then, she'll transport you outside. Once outside, Luka will contact you telling you to come quickly.

Luka informs you that her friend, Undine, has vanished. She tells you to look in the cave to the east of the palace. So go to the cave in the east...

New Enemy: Iffish

The Iffish aren't horribly difficult. Just try to ignore them. They are right oustide and right inside the three room cave. The first room has Iffish, and the second room...

Boss: Tonpole / Biting Lizard

The Tonpole is very easy because it doesn't DO anything... until you hit it enough times. Then, it becomes the Biting Lizard. The Biting Lizard can capture a character in his jaws and hold them there... and when they are released by you hitting him hard or just waiting long enough, that character takes mondo damage. To make matters worse, he can heal. Still, he's not as hard as the Spiky Tiger, and you will have magic in your next battle!

After beating the Biting Lizard, Go into the next room...

ELEMENTAL: Undine

Undine is the water spirit. As thanks for saving her, she gives you the ability to call her and have her cast magic, at the cost of a few magic points. She gives the Girl Cure Water, Remedy and Ice Saber. She gives the Sprite Ice, Acid Rain, and HP absorb. And she gives the Boy the Pole Dart weapon (you won't recieve any weapons more than the eight you have now.)

Now that you have Undine's spells, power them to L1. To do this, DON'T go into an inn like the manual suggests. Go to the Water Palace (or later, the Wind Palace), right up to Luka. Now, have the Girl keep casting the weakest spell of the elemental you wish to power up, in this case, Remedy. When her Undine magic level gets to L1, stop. You can't raise magic levels any higher than the number of Mana Seeds you have absorbed. To raise the Sprite's magic, you'll have to use his weakest spell (Ice or HP absorb) RIGHT OUTSIDE the palace. In either case, talk to Luka when you run out of MP.

It may be a good idea, also, to go to Neko's and buy Faerie Walnuts. They're expensive (1000 GP!!!) but well worth it.

Now then, now that you have Ice Magic, it's off to the Underground Palace. You know the big hole in the Dwarf Village that Tropicallo came out of? That's the Underground palace. Go inside and have the Sprite cast Ice on the Orb located therein. The lava will drain, giving you access to the palace.

New Enemies: Goblin Ma Goblin (summoned by Goblins) Chess Knight

The Goblins and Ma Goblins are about equal except that the generic Goblins summon Ma Goblins. (Shouldn't that be the other way around...?) The Chess Knights are fast and annying. There are a Green Drop and a Blat here too.

Remember that if you don't see a way froward, finding a switch to the left or right may help. There's a point where you'll need to use the Whip to continue, with the two posts opposite each other (hmmm... just like near the Water Palace... think it's a coincidence? :)

When you reach the end, a Gnome will try to stop you. As the Gnome and the Sprite get in an argument, the ground begins to shake. The cowardly Gnome runs off. Meanwhile, the Fire Gigas appears.

Boss: Fire Gigas

If you powered up your Undine spells to L1, beating him should be no problem. Just keep casting Ice on him and your Gigas problems are over (until the Frost Gigas...) And remember that you have Cure Water spell as well. Use a Faerie Walnut that YOU DID REMEMBER TO BUY, RIGHT? when you run out of magic.

ELEMENTAL: Gnome

After beating the Gigas, continue into the stage room. The Gnome will be guilty about using the Sprite to "get some relief" and give the Sprite and his "wife" his powers. (The Girl doesn't take too kindly to being called the Sprite's "wife". :) The Girl gets Defender, Speed Up and Stone Saber, the Sprite gets Earth Slide, Speed DOWN, and Gem Missile. As you absorb the Earth seed (NOTE: second seed, L2 magic...) the Sprite regains his lost memory.

Since you have nothing else to do besides raise your newfound Gnome and Undine levels, go to Pandora. The Girl's friend Phanna is acting like all of the other zombified citizens. Talk to her and she vanishes. The Boy suggests looking in the South Ruins. So look in the South Ruins.

Right outside the Ruins, Phanna is standing there like an idiot. Talk to her and she goes inside the ruins. The girl whacks the guards and lets you inside.

New Enemies: Tomato Man Zombie Evil Sword

The Tomato Men are hard to hit with weapons and summon Zombies. The Zombies, both summoned and sitting around, are average enemies that can poison you. The Evil Swords have an annoying habit of casting Saber Spells, of which Moon Saber is inarguably the most annoying. There are also a few Chess Knights. Try not to bother with these creatures, though.

It's pretty straightforward. There are a few dead ends but you will know they're dead ends once you see them. At the end, you'll meet Thanatos, general of the Empire. Thanatos has Phanna and Dyluck held captive. When you approach him, he sends you down a pit with the Wall Face.

Boss: Wall Face

Just attack and cast Earth Slide on the Middle part. If that dies, you automatically win. You can kill the eyes but you have two good reasons not to. For one, they can revive each other. Secondly, killing both causes the Wall to move forward. If you get trapped between the Wall and the spikes on the other side, you instanly die. (oops) So just don't bother killing the eyes.

Once the Wall Face is done with, the people of Pandora regain consciousness. (Except Dyluck and Phanna) Jema, as it turns out, was captured. Talking to him transpots you outside. He also tells you to go to the Water Palace.

With the people of Pandora free from Thanatos's spell, you gain access to a shop you couldn't enter before. What's more, the King will let you take his treasure, consisting of 200 GP, a Sword Orb, and a Spear Orb.

Now take Jema's advica and go to the Water Palace. The Water Seed is missing, as Luka will tell you. (Or as you can see for yourself :) She says the people who took it are probably not from the Empire and that they went to Gaia's Navel "or deeper." So head there.

Jema and the Dwarf Elder will be standing in front of a NEW hole, having no idea how it got there. Jump down the hole by walking into it from the top. You'll find yourself in/on a strange machine. Walk down the stairs in front of you and you'll see a treasure chest with a sword's orb inside. Grab it and go through the door to the north. Now you'll meet Boss & the Boys, the Scorpion Army. They did indeed take the Water Seed and are using it to power their super-robot, Kilroy.

Boss: Kilroy

Use your strong Sprite magic to kill him and avoid those hammers! They can Moogle you. Charge your wepons a lot and CAREFULLY attack him.

Once Kilroy is in the scrapheap, Boss & the Boys let you take the Water Seed and escape. Now time to take it back to the Water Palace where it belongs. Everything going fairly well, right?

WRONG

New Enemy: Water Thug

Water Thugs (who use a few spells but aren't serious) and Iffish are swarming all around the Water Palace. When you get to the stage room, Luka is being held captive by Geshtar, who is just outranked by Thanatos in the Empire. Whether you hand him the Water Seed or not, he takes it and feeds you to his "pet".

Boss: Jabberwocky

Great, an Alice in Wonderland reference. This two-headed water beast can be easily beaten with a lot of Earth Slides. When one head vanishes, he's close to dying.

Meanwhile, Jema and Luka manage to get Geshtar and his troops to leave. They give you an orb and tell you to go to the Upperland. They say you can get there by going to the Cannon Man in Potos. (Luckily for you, he's not IN Potos but just southeast :) This is the last time you have to go to the Water Palace, though Jema will be appearing later, when you reach Tasnica.

Continued in Part 2...

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