When you return to your castle after defeating Neclord, exit via boat, and then reenter. If you have recruited all of the Stars of Destiny up to this point, you should see the scene pictured above with a flag hanging from your castle; this signifies that your castle has reached its final stage and we have new characters that are now available to us.
First, let's go back to the Cave of the Past behind Qlon Temple. About midway through the dungeon, look for the area pictured above. You can walk through the cave walls here (Much like you did to get to the Window Crystal here earlier).
Maneuver your way through the hidden path to find the mage, Crowley. With your castle at its max level, he will join your party. Crowley comes with an attached Cyclone Rune, that is removable, which contains arguably the best spell in the game: Shining Wind. More on this rune a little later.
The next stop is Neclord's Castle. March your way back to the top of the castle to find Pesmerga, whom is looking for Neclord and Windy's buddy, Yuber. Since Yuber is working with the Empire, he will gladly join your party.
Head over to the inn in Rikon for our next character. Unfortunately, this can be a bit of a hassle. Keep exiting Rikon and returning to the inn until you see Clive in the corner. This can take a while; so be patient. He will join your army once you are able to talk to him. Just a small note about Clive: In battle, he appears to have a Fire Rune Piece attached to his weapon; but this is not the case. So, don't worry about attaching another rune piece to him.
Our last stop is the ruined town of Kaleeka. Leon is inside the first house you see when you enter from the Kirov side. Talk to him and he will mention Mathiu. Talk with Mathiu at your castle and he will give you a letter to deliver to Leon. Return it to Leon and watch the scenes and Leon will join your army. This is an extremely time-sensitive recruit and you should do this as soon as possible to avoid missing Leon. That's all the characters for the moment, so return to the war room in your castle. Flik and Humphrey will be required members of your party to visit the Dragon Knights.
The entrance to the Dragon's Den is northwest of Milich's Scarleticia Castle. Inside, it doesn't look like we're getting through. Head over to Antei and at the entrance we will be introduced to a shady character, Vincent de Boule. Apparently, he is on his way to visit the Dragon Knights, and will dine-and-dash, leaving you with the bill of 200 bits. For a hidden scene, try entering Antei without having 200 bits on you. Afterwards, follow Vincent back to the entrance of the Dragon's Den. He will show you a hidden path behind the monument to the right; which brings us to a small dungeon.
The first chest you encounter contains the second Goldlet of the game. The other was a rare drop by the boss, Gigantes, back at the Dwarves' Vault. While this accessory is outclassed by the Crimson Cape, these are the only two in the game.
For such a small dungeon, the Dragon's Den has several rare drops to be had. Starting out with the Earth Shield that is dropped by the Magic Shield enemies. This is the best shield you can acquire in the game. Like the Master Robe earlier, you will eventually be able to purchase this, but this is your first chance to obtain the game's paramount shield.
The Window Setting 3 is one of two rare items carried by the Sunshine King enemy. Once obtained, you can give this to Window back at your castle like the rest of the sets you have acquired. You can obtain multiple of this item and keep one if your vault, if you'd like.
Sunshine King is also your source for Cyclone Runes in the game. This is the upgraded Wind elemental rune and replaces the lvl 1 spell Wind of Sleep with a new lvl 4 spell, Shining Wind. Shining Wind is a ridiculously overpowered spell. It completely heals the entire party AND deals the same damage as Storm does to the opposition. Powerful mages, like Luc and Crowley, will ultimately end up with several MP for this spell making boss battles a breeze (Yes, pun).
The last item is the Magic Rune Piece that can be dropped by Black Elementals. You can use this item to permanently increase a character's magic stat; thus increasing their magic power, magic defense, and availability of spells and MP. At the end of the cave, you will meet Futch (Whom took you on his dragon to Magician's Island at the very beginning of the game) and Milia. Watch the scenes, and then exit out of the cave to the Dragon Knight's Fortress nearby.
You will notice a red figure, very obscured, at the top-right corner of the entrance to the Fortress. Talk with Fuma and he will join your party.
Inside the Fortress, in the back corner, sits Kreutz. He is an old enemy of Humphrey and the Emperor Barbarosa. If Humphrey is in your party (And should be since he is required at the moment), he will join your party. Climb the stairs and speak with Joshua; leader of the Dragon Knights. You will learn that their dragons have been put to sleep and they are in need of a doctor. We can probably help with that.
Afterwards, search the bookcase in the back for the Old Book Vol. 4 that you can pawn off on Hugo back at your castle, which is our next destination, however, let's first look at the enemies outside the Fortress.
The Mirage enemies carry Speed Rings. Unlike Wing Boots, Speed Rings can be used by all characters, and give a nice +15 to your speed stat. I generally only use these for characters that have Water/Flowing Runes to ensure their turn comes quicker. This is the only place in the game you can find this accessory.
Also in the Dragon Knight's area, you can find the Knight Statue and Peeing Boy antiques. They are dropped by the Ivy enemy. You may have gotten a Peeing Boy from an enemy earlier in the game, but this is your best chance to get one. This antique also has a unique effect in the bath. If placed in the upper-right corner of the bath, it will "pee" on the head of the character under it. As for the Knight Statue, the Ivy enemy is the only place you can get this antique; it also looks nice in the bath. When you are ready to continue the story, return to your castle and put Liukan in your party and take him to see Joshua back at the Fortress.
Liukan knows of an antidote for the sleeping dragons, but first we need to venture to Seek Valley for some Moonlight Weed. Liukan will leave for now and Milia will join your party. To get to Seek Valley, we can use Milia's dragon, Thrash, that is outside in the courtyard of the Dragon Knight's Fortress.
As we arrive in Seek Valley, let's look at the rare items in the area. First, the Rock Buster enemy will drop the Taikioku Wear armor. It is the best armor in the game for light-armored characters (Pahn, Kasumi, Tai Ho, Kage, ect...). This armor also provides an excellent +10 speed. You will find one of these in a chest a little later, but Rock Busters are your only source of these to outfit your characters.
The Wyverns here will also drop the Power Gloves accessory. You probably found one of these back at the Dragon's Den, and while it seems like a really nice accessory, it will very soon be outclassed. I am listing it here as this is the only other place in the game you can get this accessory.
Lastly, we have the Silver Hat; carried by the giant Queen Ant enemy. This is the best headgear for the vast majority of characters in Suikoden; only surpassed by those characters that can equip helmets. It provides a modest +5 HP regen just like a Water Rune Piece as well. Like the Earth Shield, you will eventually be able to purchase this item, but this is the first place you can obtain one.
Halfway through the dungeon, you will encounter the boss of the area: The Crystal Core. Nothing too much of note here. It only becomes a real threat once you remove the crystals that are revolving around it, at which point it will start using an entire-party-targeting attack that does moderate damage. Save your best spells for that point and you should finish it off with little problem.
Shortly after the boss, you will come across a chest containing the Gold Necklace accessory. This accessory is the only one that can top the Crimson Cape in terms of defense. Unfortunately, it can only be equipped by Kuromimi and Gon. This, combined with the ability to use shields and helmets, make the kobolds absolute tanks; only rivaled by Kwanda.
In the depths of the Valley, you will be confronted by Windy, and then Ted. Watch the scenes and Ted will finally be freed from his long struggle and Tir will receive the devastating Judgment spell for his Soul Eater. Grab the Moonlight Grass and return to Milia's dragon to leave the area. Back at the Fortress, you will learn Futch has gone off to Gregminster alone for the Black Dragon Orchid...
After some scenes, you will be in control of Futch inside Gregminster's Imperial Garden. Head downward and search the plant on the right side and Futch will be confronted by the Emperor Barbarosa. Shockingly, the Emperor will let him go, but not before Windy strikes a fleeing Futch and Black. Futch manages to make it back to the Dragon Knight's Fortress, but Black was not so lucky. Fortunately, Liukan was able to make an antidote from the items we acquired; waking the dragons. With the dragons saved, Joshua and Futch will join your party. Milia will offer to give you a ride back to the castle, if you have no other business at the moment.
