Growlanser II - Chapter 4: Dead or Alive

Looking for her clinic in Grandshill, the party will bump into Xenos, Karen's brother and hero of the original Growlanser. Karen has been missing for a number of days, and offers to join Wein and his group to search for her and to help prove your innocence to Rolandia.

Before he joins you, respond "That sounds great!" to positively effect Charlone and Xenos' friendship.

 

Before leaving Grandshill, select to speak with Xenos who will reveal that he is a former champion of the Grandshill arena, improving he and Wein's relationship. This will also change Xenos' title from "Swordsman" to "Champion Swordsman", but like all titles in the game, this is just for show and has no impact on statistics or abilities. Now, a few notes on Xenos. He's your typical "tank" character with high HP and Strength and will be at the forefront of most all of the game's battles. As such, he will benefit greatly from increasing his Strength/HP, along with Dexterity to help with his movement and evasion. Although he can cast magic if equipped with certain gems, Xenos has absolutely no use for INT or MP, and it should be left at its initial growth. As you can imagine, Xenos has low tolerance for most of the elements, so he will need to be protected from magic. Recommended gems for Xenos at this point are: Lv2 Blood Blade, Lv3 Dispel Magic, and Lv3 Critical Hit. For more detailed information on Xenos and a plan for developing his skills, see the chapter on Character Setups.

 

With Xenos having joined, random encounters have received a boost in levels and the number of enemies per battle has grown. I recommend to use this chance to reach level 10, purchase the best armor your character's can wear, and learn new skills; of which Thievery for Wein and Hans are encouraged. Here are the skills I currently have learned with each character, having obtained level 10. Keep in mind, my Wein is using Mental Fortitude gems from NG+ for increased master points.

 

Wein: Wind Cutter, Shield, Cure, Dash, System Shock, Thievery, Attack Wait Down, Hit Up

Hans: Hit Up, Poison Attack, Critical Hit, Dash, System Shock, Thievery

Charlone: Critical Hit, Fire Arrow, Cure, Refine, Rust, Attack Up, System Shock

Xenos: Hit Up, Critical Hit, Ground Defense, System Shock, Synapse Blow

 

A note on Thievery: results are generally random and pulled from a pool of armor, gems, rings, or Elm, and like drops, are predetermined as soon as the battle begins, because of this, you can't save during battle and influence what stolen item you receive. You can, however, start the battle from the beginning and have the drop and stolen items regenerated. This, under most circumstances, is not worth the effort though, and you should take whatever you get. However, boss enemies (Usually have their HP bar as ????) carry high-level items and you could attempt to farm useful items from them, if you'd like.

Return to the Magic Academy and speak to Xenos for another friendship-growing conversation about family, then, you can talk to the Braided Girl, Misha. Like earlier, this results in increased friendship in a character that joins later on in the game. Next, there is another conversation to be had with Xenos at the Time & Space Tower; this time about the decisive battle that Xenos fought here originally.

 

As you move over Fort Rargin, Xenos will notice a poster offering rewards for the group's capture or death. Then, you'll see a scene at the Rolandian castle with Wallace and Carmaine, the main character of the original Growlanser, contemplating that there is something sinister at the bottom of what is going on. Also, if you have done all the previous engagements with Xenos, his friendship should be maxed out now.

The party will, again, stop in Agriss Village where a flyer has been posted about Julia Douglas' new Unicorn Knights group forming. Charlone is upset that she was suppose to take that exam, and Wein will promise that she will make it back to Burnstein for the test. From Agriss, make sure to save, and enter the Border Mountain Interior for the next story battle.

 

The cave that Karene has been using is overrun with mercenaries when the group arrives. Even though Xenos clearly stated that there were no pictures of the Burnstein trio out yet, the mercenaries somehow recognize you from the posters and want to collect the bounty. Unfortunately, they have taken Karene as a hostage and blackmail Xenos into joining with them. Thankfully, things aren't what they seem. When the battle begins, have Charlone and Hans defend, while Wein runs up and uses Thievery on Xenos for a chance at a rare item. This opportunity is limited as Xenos will whisper a plan to use Hans as a diversion when Wein gets close enough to him. Once you've seen this, move Wein down to Hans' location to tell him of Xenos' plan and he will flee the battle shortly afterward.

While waiting for Hans to take his position, defend with Wein and have Charlone cast a lv3 Rust on the spearman near Karene, then, on the archers. Wein should keep defending, or cast Cure if something goes wrong, but once the mercenaries begin to taught Xenos, immediately begin to chant the highest casting of Shield Wein has. Hans will appear soon afterward, but be trapped between the spearman and the cave, but Xenos will rejoin the group. Have Wein cast Shield on Hans immediately, while Hans uses the System Shock tech to kill the magician on the right-side of the screen. Charlone should use System Shock, as well, on the left-side archer and begin chanting Fire Arrow, while Wein and Xenos engage the approaching swordsmen. It's vital that you leave the spearman as the final enemy to kill; if he falls, the Commander will go after Hans, and that can lead to all kinds of trouble. Speaking of the Commander, Hans should use Thievery on him, before targeting the other nearby archer. Once the two swordsmen fall, Xenos and Wein can use Dash to go after the Commander while Charlone supports with Cure and Fire Arrow. If you're lucky, the Commander may drop a ring with a lv8 slot, allowing you to use the Lv8 Hyper-Attack gem Max gave you earlier on.

 

Having rescued Karene, a surviving mercenary will use a crossbow (The only one ever seen in the game!) to fire a poisoned bolt at Charlone; with Wein saving the day, but being nicked by it in the process. To treat Wein, the group decides to hurry back to the hospital in Grandshill.

Carmaine is waiting for you in Grandshill and will agree to testify of your innocence to Rolandia. For the time being, however, Xenos will travel with you as a representative. Wein has a plan to meet with Max face-to-face in the town of Comsprings back in Burnstein, but how can we get there? More importantly: Wein is suffering from some effects of the poison bolt he shielded Charlone from.

 

The stores are now open in Grandshill and there are new pieces of armor and a few new gems for sale. I would recommend replacing Han's Skill Lv gem with Lv3 Knock Out, until he learns more skills for additional status effects. Lv4 All Attrib Def is alright, but I think Xenos should stick with Dispel Magic, for now. Lv4 Arms Might is nice, too; I prefer Lv3 Critical Hit, but you should decide for yourself. Lv3 Technique will add an additional use of your techniques, which can be nice for farming items in random battles with Thievery, but I, personally, am not trading it for any of my recommended gems. There's nothing else going on in Rolandia, at the moment, so proceed to Agriss Village for the next battle.

Yungs have sprouted up throughout Agriss Village when the party arrives, and a single woman is here protecting the townspeople. In order to achieve a Mission Complete , you need to get through the battle without a single townspeople being killed. Start the mission with Charlone casting Attack Up on Wein, Xenos, and Hans, while all three attack the two nearby Yungs. When Attack Up is cast, have Charlone throw System Shock at the Yung that is just beyond the two your party is battling, then begin casting Fire Arrow. Once the first two Yungs are eliminated, have Xenos and Hans use Dash, with Xenos going to take out the Yung Charlone attacked, then waiting near the right-side of the nearby house for the other Yung to come around the side for him to engage. Send Hans up the front-side of the house on the right-side of the screen, then once another Yung sprouts in the northeast, he can go after it and the two lower-level Yungs that are coming around the back-side.

 

Wein should be casting whichever elemental spell he has learned, while Charlone holds onto her highest level chant of Fire Arrow. After eliminating a number of Yungs, Arieta will teleport into the lower-right house and begin casting magic. This is your largest threat to not obtaining a Mission Complete. If she chooses to target the townspeople and not your characters, it can prove disastrous; thankfully, more often than not, she targets your party. You can finish this mission by defeating all the Yungs, but you can get some additional EXP by targeting Arieta. Unfortunately, only magic will reach her, but that is why we had Wein and Charlone ready with magic. This isn't important, however, since you can neither steal from her nor does she drop a ring, so decide for yourself whether it is worth dragging the battle out for the extra experience.

The Brave Woman you fought with will identify you as the ones wanted for destroying the dam, but Xenos will explain to her how the accusation has been proven to be false. Wein will collapse from the effects of the poison, but with Karene's medicine, he assures Charlone he is okay. Afterward, Riviera will introduce herself to the party and request to join with information on how to get back into Burnstein. Have Wein select the first option "I think we can protect her well enough." and she will officially join your party.

 

Back out in the world, visit Agriss Village again and you can talk to Xenos about the potential origins of the Yungs, and also Riviera, who expresses her contempt for the ones that destroyed the dam. Some notes on our new member, Riviera: She's your first pure mage, and as such, INT, should be your priority, but Strength, to provide additional HP, and DEX, for faster aria chants, are useful, as well. She can learn a fair number of offense attacks; even Thievery, but I highly advise having her anywhere near the frontlines of a battle. Recommended gems for Riviera at the moment are: Lv3 Magic Might, Lv3 MP Conservation, and Lv3 Vampire. One last thing: even though Charlone has more restorative spells, I recommend that Riviera take over as your primary healer, for now. Even without the Healing spell, if she keeps a Magic Might gem equipped, her Cure spell will be more than adequate for battles. For additional information on Riviera and a path through her skillset, set the chapter on Character Setups.

Move back to the South Lost Forest, where the group met Ernest Lyell earlier in the game, for the second event in his recruitment. Wein will be given a choice of four answers. I've been able to recruit him, later on in the game, with the first three answers, but not the fourth one. Most people usually go with: "I will be called Growlanser", and you may select that just to be safe, but I usually pick: "You can call me that if you like"; both work, and none effect current or future party relationship values.

 

At Fort Rargin, Wein and Riviera will have a brief chat that increases their relationship, then, you can visit Grandshill where Wein will introduce her to Xenos as an arena champion, to her disbelief. Speaking of Grandshill, once you leave for Comsprings, you will be unable to visit the Grandshill or Agriss area again, but their armor and gems can be bought elsewhere, so nothing is missable.

Lastly, visit the Upstream Dam for another scene with Riviera. Select "Your concern for your people is admirable" for the highest relationship boost with her. After this, Riviera, along with Hans and Xenos, should have their relationship meter maxed out. She's a lot easier to please than Charlone, huh? When you're prepared, choose to leave for the Border Mountain Interior.

 

On the road to Comsprings, Wein will collapse again from the bolt's poison. You'll be given a very important decision to make at this point. You must select "Press onward to Comsprings" or else you will be unable to achieve Charlone's ending and miss out on additional scenes involving her. The unfortunate side-effect of this is Wein will be in a constant state of poison for the next two story battles, but it must be done. To counteract this, consider equipping Wein with Lv3 HP Recovery gem.

Back on the world map, you've lost access to the western lands, but Comsprings is now available. Move over to the Mountain Depths area and sample the guy's restorative tonic to pick up Story #7; this has a short window of availability, so make sure to do it now. When you're ready, head into Comsprings prepared.

 

Wein and company will confront Maximillian, but the treacherous "Messenger" will step in, along with some cleverly placed townspeople turned soldiers, and the battle is on. If you can take care of the magicians quickly, this battle isn't too bad. Have Wein and Xenos Dash toward the stairs to the north of the town, Hans should cast Cycle Up, if he has it, on Riviera and Charlone, then Dashing to join with the guys, while Riviera casts a Lv3 Blast to take out one of the magicians, and Charlone targets the archer overlooking the path the guys are taking with System Shock. The Messenger will likely Cure the archer before Charlone can get another shot, but the second arrow should take her out. With some luck, Riviera, hopefully, can get off another Lv3 Blast to kill the second magician before they cast their magic on the party. With the mages gone, Riviera can target the other archer with Fire Arrow. Keep an eye on Wein's HP if you didn't give him a HP Recovery gem, as it is gradually decreasing from the poison.

Before the guys can reach the stairs, three Fencers will join the battle; one of which is near the gals, but Charlone should be able to take him out by herself. When the guys have taken out the two Fencers near the stairs, don't have them climb the stairs; instead, wait for the Commander to come to you. While waiting, Wein can cast Shield on himself and Charlone Rust on the Commander. When he's at the foot of the stairs, have all three guys attack, with one of them using Thievery. The Messenger will be pouring out Cure spells, but with all three characters attacking, it shouldn't make much difference.

 

Lastly, when the Commander is dead, the Messenger will make his way toward you; again, with your party waiting for him. Charlone and Riviera can attack him with magic, but make sure you get a chance to use Thievery on him, too. I managed to get the above ring as a drop from the Messenger. Very nice.

We need to pursue the fleeing Messenger, but first, you can talk with Xenos, Charlone, and Riviera all in Comsprings, as well as the "Woman in White" that is important for a later-joining character's relationship. There's some new armor for sale in Comsprings, with a few new gems, as well. The Flame's gems are extremely situational, so I would advise saving your Elm. Trek east to the Ruins for the next battle.

 

Still chasing Max's nameless Messenger, the party is blocked by the teleportation of Arieta and a large group of Yungs who are here to raid the treasure chests. No choice but to fight our way through...This is a really easy battle as Arieta and the two Yungs nearest you are your only true threats. Instead, the difficulty lies in getting a Mission Complete and obtaining all the items from the chests. To do this, we need to WAIT until the Yungs open the chests; then kill them, doing otherwise will not result in obtaining the item and a subsequent lower mission ranking.

Begin with Hans casting Cycle Up on Wein, Xenos, Riviera, and Charlone. Wein and Xenos should charge ahead and System Shock the two nearest Yungs to try to clear a way to Arieta. Charlone should cast Attack Up, followed by holding her highest Cure spell, as Areita will cause serious damage when she gets off her casting of Fireball. Riviera can chant her highest level elemental spell, then when ready, disperse them throughout the Yungs on the perimeter of the battlefield to cut into their HP, but not defeat them. Once the first two Yungs fall, send Wein and Hans after Arieta; with one of them using Thievery on her. Xenos should Dash toward the two Yungs going after the chests to the north, but defend if he gets too close before they open the chests. Once Arieta has teleported away, Wein and Hans should go after the two nearby chest Yungs, with Riviera and Charlone targeting the eastern-most Yungs with magic after they open their chests. If Xenos finishes off the northern Yungs, have him use Dash again to reach the upper-right-most Yung, if it hasn't been killed by Riviera or Charlone. Wein can back the two girls up with magic, while Hans Dashes to the east, if need be. If you kill all the enemies after they have opened the chests, you will receive some nice items and a Mission Complete. The Lv6 Warrior's Skill gem you picked up from the battle is unique in the fact that with each enemy a character defeats, their Attack will increase +1, all the way to a maximum of 50, while the gem is equipped; and will also remain that way if you decide to unequip it, then use it again. I don't recommend this, however, because you will obtain a gem later that will allow you to increase it up to 100.

 

With the Yungs cleared out, the Messenger has escaped, but the party needs to hurry to Burnstein, not only for Wein, but for Charlone to become a Unicorn Knight, as well. Charlone will check in on Wein's condition, and he should reply "You need to keep the promise to your brother" as his answer to greatly increase her affection for him. Back out on the world map, you have just enough days left to make it to the Burnstein Capital. If you move to any area than the direction of the Capital, Wein will collapse from the poison and Charlone will fail to make it in time for the exam.

You can, however, stop in Starkberg and talk to Hans for a small scene. Then, continue east to the Capital.