Growlanser II - Chapter 6: Black Reign

Returning to the Capital, Wein will report to King Eliotte about what has transpired with Wolfgang and his declaration of independence. Burnstein will be joining forces with Rolandia and Ranzack to counter Wolfgang's new army with Wein's group at the forefront. Carmaine steps in as a representative of Rolandia to join Wein's party and it is revealed that Riviera was, in fact, a Burnstein spy sent to keep an eye on Wein and judge whether he was the one who truly destroyed the dam. Not that anyone was surprised by this revelation. Anyway, King Eliotte provides some Elm to the party and asks them to deliver the "Letter to the Front" item to Max in Northern Grandshill. To note, Wein has become a "Commanding Knight" while Riviera's new title is "Shadow Knight", but again, these are purely just for show.

 

On the world map now, you can talk to Riviera about her "sister" Olivia, then look for the Pink-haired Girl under Gather Information. This is Louise, another "sister", but this time of Carmaine. He'll introduce her to Wein and shoo her off to her destination, but this will raise Carmaine and Wein's relationship slightly. Behind Charlone, Carmaine is easily the hardest character to develop Wein's relationship with. It's important that you seize every little chance you have at improving it, or it's very likely you will end up well below the full amount needed for his ending.

 

Speaking of Carmaine, with his joining, the enemies have received a substantial boost in levels and numbers. Unfortunately, Carmaine, himself, for being the original Growlanser hero, is an average character, at best. So many times playing this game I have found myself wondering what to do with him as he doesn't excel in any area, truly. Besides his ATW, which is second only to Hans, Carmaine is not particularly good at anything he does and comparative to other characters, he is sorely lacking in available abilities. So what to do with him? Make him your primary healer. Although he doesn't learn Healing, he does learn Raise, and with his low wait time and equipping a Magic Might gem, he works very well in this roll and does learn Blast and Soul Force that he can use offensively. However, this doesn't mean you should hide him away from battle; he is adequate at that, as well, but you're going to need to use a Strength-increasing gem to boost his HP and Defense, in that regard. I'll have gem suggestions for Carmaine, and the other characters, when we visit Starkberg. In regards to statistics, Carmaine benefits from all three, but I would prioritize Strength and Dexterity before Intelligence. If you're on a NG+, I would recommend equipping him with all three stat gems for the first couple of levels. For more on Carmine, and a path through his abilities, see my chapter on Character Setups at the very end of this guide.

Choose to visit one of the shops at the Capital and the party, minus Riviera, will split up to prepare for the coming journey. Wein will notice that Riviera isn't going out like the others. Have him choose "Try getting her attention" and then "Aren't you going with the others?" to learn more about how she shields herself from personal relationships due to her job as a Shadow Knight. There's no new items for sale at the Burnstein Capital, for the moment, so move over to Starkberg next. Note: if you're recruiting Sereb instead of Arieta, do not go to the Grasslands and see the event there.

 

In Starkberg, if you recruited the boy from Rottenbaum and the girl from Zauerberg to relocate there, the shops will have some new life breathed into them. Lv6 Paralysis Attack is a nice gem that grants this skill to the bearer, but I personally don't use it, however, you will want to take at look at Lv6 New Horizons. This gem will allow Charlone and Hans to attack an enemy from any part of the map, assuming there is no barrier in between the two. I don't recommend this for one of Charlone's gem slots as she already has a huge range with her bow, but it's priceless for Hans. However, after only one more event battle, you will be able to acquire an even better gem than New Horizons, so I wouldn't purchase this unless you have an ample supply of Elm or you haven't been doing the catgirl subquest. For an update, I'll go over the recommended gem setups for your characters as well as progress on skill learning.

Wein: Lv8 Hyper-Attack, Lv3 Vampire, Lv2 Deft Wind

Hans: Lv6 New Horizons, Lv5 Technique, Lv5 Skill Effect

Charlone: Lv3 Magic Might, Lv3 MP Conservation, Lv2 Deft Wind

Xenos: Lv5 Technique, Lv2 Blood Blade, Lv3 Dispel Magic

Riviera: Lv4 Magic Range, Lv3 Magic Might, Lv3 MP Conservation

Carmaine: Lv5 Magic Shield, Lv3 Magic Might, Lv3 Vampire

Abilities (Through Level 17; Wein w/Mental Fortitude gems on NG+)

• Wein: Max HP Up, Movement Up, Hit Up, Attack Wait Down, Critical Hit, Poison Attack, Doppelganger, Wind Cutter, Shield, Cure, Refine, Raise, Dash, Perimeter Pulse, Penetration Attack, Thievery.
• Hans: Hit Up, Indirect Range Up, Critical Hit, Poison Attack, Venom Attack, Paralysis, Cycle Up, Dash, System Shock, Thievery.
• Charlone: Attack Wait Down, Critical Hit, Fire Arrow, Rust, Attack Up, Resistance, Healing, Cure, Refine, Raise, System Shock.
• Xenos: Max HP Up, Movement Up, Hit Up, Critical Hit, Dash, Ground Defense, Penetration Attack, System Shock, Synapse Blow, Knock Back, Thievery.
• Riviera: Quicken Aria, MP Range Up, Stone Shot, Ice Barrage, Fire Arrow, Wind Cutter, Blast, Thunder, Blizzard, Fireball, Cure, Refine.
• Carmaine: Movement Up, Hit Up, Attack Wait Down, Critical Hit, Doppelganger, Cycle Up, Cure, Refine, Dash, System Shock.

Continuing on, you'll have noticed you can visit the Claudius Mansion again. Here, depending on the state of your relationship value with Charlone, you'll either see a scene with her or Riviera. It's not a matter of who's value is higher, but purely based upon Charlone's. Riviera's can be maxed, but if Charlone's is anywhere in the green area, you'll always get her scene instead. Charlone's, where she talks with Wein about her brother who has gone off to get his surgery, unlocks two additional events for her later.

 

If you get Riviera's scene, you'll miss out on viewing said Charlone scenes later on. Whichever one you witness, that night, Wein will dream about the events between him and Arieta at the Grasslands when he was younger and how he obtained her Ocarina. This isn't required to recruit her, however.

Finished in Starkberg, for the moment, move west to the West Starkberg Ruins for a scene where Wein, Charlone, and Hans find that the mask that was sealed away here has been taken by someone.

 

South to Schwarzfals, talk to the Student again for him to hand over another manuscript to Wein, Story #13. Note: If you didn't do the Rural Raid battle last chapter, you will be thrown into it instead when you attempt to enter the village. It's slightly easier with Carmaine in tow.

 

From there, east to Clain Village where you can briefly talk to Carmaine for increased relationship values.

 

South to Rottenbaum Village, talk to the Angry Farmer for a flash of deja vu, then stay the night at the inn to see Storm #3 raiding the farmer's potato fields for her "friend".

Back north to Schwarzfals, after seeing the previous scene, there will be an option to visit the treasure storehouse. Here, Wein finds Storm #3 attempting to break into the same shed Arieta was earlier. Arieta should have just come at night since nobody is guarding it then. Wein will confront her and the next two choices are vital to the conclusion of this subplot. Choose "Does it belong to you?" and then "So, why don't you have a name"; anything else and the quest is over. Storm's friend is, apparently, a "Litch", which I have to think was some sort of inside joke with the translators seeing how Working Designs was so meticulous with their translations. Anyways, he warns Wein to butt out of his business.

 

The next event is back in Starkberg, and having selected the right choices at the treasure storehouse, there will be a new option to check the city at night. Wein finds Storm #3 creeping around the town at night and warns her about the Litch's true nature, but she's going to have to learn the hard way.

We're finally done in the southern areas, for now. As you move over North Starkberg, the party will camp for the night. Carmine is amused by something and Wein should respond with "What's the matter?" for an increase in he and Carmine's relationship. Carmaine was just thinking about how he use to be in the same position Wein is in originally, with Wallace in the role he finds himself in now. Also that night, a conversation with Wein and Charlone about why he wanted to become an Imperial Knight. Doesn't he keep everybody awake at night playing that Ocarina? I know I'd get tired of hearing it. Before moving forward, make sure to save as there is a battle waiting for you in the Ruins to the north.

 

The group walks in on Storm #3 confronting the Litch in the midst of a rainstorm. Of course, this event will not occur if you have not seen all of the previous catgirl scenes up to this point. As long as you cast some protection on Storm and keep her healed while your characters make their way up to the Litch, this is a very easy battle. Wein should cast a Lv3 Shield spell on Storm, along with Charlone casting Lv3 Resistance as well, and Carmaine chanting Cure that is crucial. The Litch will often critical attack the werecat before Wein gets Shield casts on her, that is where the Carmaine's Cure spell is vital. Once you restore Storm's HP, a small scene will unfold, that is necessary to see in order to ultimate receive your reward for this side-quest. If you don't heal her, Storm will flee at the end of the battle leaving you empty-handed.

While the rest of the group is chanting magic, including Riviera with a high-level Ice Barrage, have Xenos Dash toward the Gargoyle on the left-side, while Hans Dashes to the center of the battle and targets the right-side Gargoyle; if you fail to do this, the Gargoyles will pincer attack Storm. When Wein has cast his Shield, have him Dash up the middle toward the Litch, using Thievery on it, along with Carmaine continuing to cast Cure and Cycle Up; Charlone can chip in with Fire Arrows on the Litch who is weak against fire. Riviera's Ice Barrage can easily destroy Piranhatazoas and heavily damage the Hellrounds, leaving them easy fodder for other characters. The Litch has low HP, so as long as you keep Storm protected the battle is won easily.

 

If you managed the scene where Storm was surprised to have been supported by Wein and his friends, she will finally recognize the kindness that some humans possess. Wein will agree to help her search for her parents and she will hand over the priceless Lv9 Transport Wings gem. This gem works the same way as New Horizons, but is not restricted by any obstacle! Needless to say, Hans, or Charlone, are now absolute beasts and the game has just become much easier from here on. Hans, combined with a Technique and Skill Effect gem, is arguable the best character in the game. He never has to move a step, and can steal from any enemy, anywhere on the map, and target dangerous mages that are normally out of the reach of meele range. This isn't the end of the catgirl quest, however, there is more time come. Note: If you already had 9 Transport Wings in your inventory, Storm will be a little shocked, and she'll give you a "special" one that's not for battle. It's not an actual item, just a bit of a joke for having 9 of this rare item.

Continue westward to Comsprings after the battle. You can talk to Riviera here, who teases him about potentially joining him in the hot springs. I haven't seen either choice make a difference in any character's relationship, but to be safe, I always choose "Please don't tempt me". While in town, with Carmaine now in your party, talk to Irene, who was the white-robed woman earlier, and this will increase he and Wein's relationship and add a bit of mystery about the previous Growlanser game.

 

Northeast to Valmie, you can talk to Carmaine here, as well. This will build upon the scene with Xenos and the little girl at the inn earlier on in the game. If Lyell joins your party, there will be another scene here later.

When you pass over the Magic Academy, there will be an automatic scene with Carmaine about his sister, Misha. Responding "She has a strong demeanor" boosts Carmaine's relationship greatly. In fact, at this point, he should be one bar away from maximum. You can then talk to Misha, herself, for even more gains.

 

As soon as you land on North Grandshill, you're immediately taken to deliver the "Letter to the Front" item to Max. The King has a new mission for Wein and his party: to deliver supplies to Fort Rargin that is under siege by Wolfgang's mercenaries. You have some time before you depart, however. Before Wein can leave, Max asks him chilling question. Your choice here doesn't seem to effect your relationships, but given what is coming, "There is always another way" is easily the best choice.

On the world map, you have the option to speak to both Xenos and Maximillian. Xenos is worried about Karene, while Max says something about creating a monster encyclopedia, which makes me wonder if this wasn't something that was cut from the game.

 

There are stores available at the front lines, with no new armor, but a few new gems. Wind Shield isn't a great gem to use all the time, but will be extremely handy in a battle later on, so purchase at least one. Lv6 Magic Range extends ranged magic by a ridiculous amount and should be bought to replace Riviera's current lower-level Magic Range. With this, Thunder can reach the entire length of the battlefield and will be incredibly useful during many future battles.

Before you select to join the campaign, there are actually two events concerning Charlone that are only occurring right at this moment. If you don't witness them now, you will not get another chance. Also, if you decided to wait to do the Rural Raid battle after getting Carmaine to join your party, and wish to obtain the Neural Device, Ariost's Lab is now available at the Magic Academy and this is your last chance to decide between Arieta and Sereb. After you get the Device, go to the Grasslands and view the scene for Arieta, or avoid it to recruit Sereb and keep the Neural Device item in your inventory.

If you got the scene with Charlone at her mansion earlier in the chapter, the option to speak to her will be available in Comsprings. If you got the Riviera one, the option will not be there. Charlone can't join Wein in scouting the town because she's shopping for something. Wein will come across her and need to select "I'll go and talk to her" to keep the scene going. Charlone will ask Wein which pin, a bird or dolphin, fits her best. Either one is fine, but you need to reply with "... would look good on you" then "It looks great" to send her relationship with Wein through the roof.

 

Lastly, if you make your way all the way back to the Burnstein Capital, Charlone will bump into Julia Douglas who is beginning a military exercise for the Unicorn Knights. Afterwards, the option to view the exercise will become available. Here, Wein will watch as Charlone and the others train, but apparently there is some jealousy running amuck in the group over Wein. When you're prepared, return to North Grandshill and select to join the campaign to continue with the story.

As you escort the supply animals on the road to Fort Rargin, you're thrown in a simple, but unique battle. There are no enemies on the map; yet, but they will spring out once the animals pass by their position. However, the best thing to do is to uncover the enemies' position by moving nearby it with a character to get them to appear earlier. If any of the animals die, you won't receive a Mission Complete, so be wary of that.

 

Begin with Wein casting his highest level Shield spell and cover as many of the animals as he can, just for some insurance in case anything goes wrong. Charlone and Riviera should chant a spell to the highest level they can, and hold on it. Hans, Xenos, and Carmaine should use the Dash tech, then send Hans and Xenos from bush-to-bush on the right of the screen, and then Carmaine the same thing on the left-side. Once you get near one of the hiding places, the enemy will pop out and be easy pickings. When Wein finishes casting Shield, have him cover the upper-right bushes and boulders with his Dash tech. If a meele mercenary appears, the guys can handle him, but if there is an archer or magician, unleashed one of your girl's elemental spells they are holding for a quick kill. The only enemy you really need to watch out for is a Commander that is along the northern-right-most side of the road. Make sure you steal from him and keep him from getting near the birds and this is a piece of cake.

The animals will arrive safely at Fort Rargin and your mission here is done. Next, we need to regroup near the Time & Space Tower like Max suggested that we do. When you're back out on the world map, you can talk to Riviera who reminisce about when she first joined the group and Xenos' roll in it all.

 

There's a supply shop open now in Fort Rargin, as well. The Vitt's Robe is a nice new piece of armor for the ladies, but there are three extremely useful gems for now along with it. Lv6 Deft Wind should replace Charlone's Lv2 version of it. Purchase one of those for Carmaine, also, to make him even quicker to act, over his Vampire gem. Lv6 Destroy Balance is a gem, as long as it is being worn by a character during battle, reduces the ATW of ALL adversaries in the battle! I highly recommend this go to Xenos over his Lv2 Blood Blade. There's also the Lv6 Sun Flame gem, which is the best way to increase a character's evasion in the game. I give this to Wein, over his old Deft Wind gem, and also to Carmaine, replacing his Magic Shield. The little brother of the Hyper-Attack gems, Lv6, makes its first appearance here, too. Honestly, these gems are a little too overpowered for me, especially if given to Hans, so I tend to only give them to a single character at a time, but you decide for yourself. Note: This shop will soon become unavailable to return to, but all the items here will be for sale back in the Burnstein area and none are missable.

Move south to the East Lost Forest and poke around to be given the Tippi's Diary item. Once you're able to get back to the Magic Academy, you can read it there.

 

If you've seen the previous two events much earlier in the game with Lyell, now is the chance to recruit him at the South Lost Forest and is your only chance to do so. Ernest is still being stubborn, but if Wein chooses to "Fight for it", then he will show Lyell just how serious he is about protecting Burnstein and his resolve will inspire him to join forces with you. If you select to "Give up quietly", Brett Varner will join your party very shortly. Which is better? Well, Brett is my personal favorite character in the game, and while Brett has superior abilities, in my opinion, his lack of the Dash tech means you almost have to give him a Quickness gem or he'll spend most of his time moving into position. So, in the long run, Lyell probably wins out for not being handicapped like this. Note: If Lyell isn't recruited, you cannot obtain two of the Story items to be read in Burnstein, or view Carmaine's ending; even if his affection with Wein is maxed out. Also, Ernest Lyell scenes going forward will be added in a future update.

When you make your way toward South Granshill, Wein will have to fight a battle by himself that is very difficult to get a Mission Complete on. I highly recommend this setup: Lv8 Hyper-Attack, Lv5 Technique, Lv6 Deft Wind, just for this one mission. Make sure you save beforehand!

In this battle, Wein is using himself as bait so the rest of the party can escape. The goal is to only kill a few enemies, then escape himself; but to obtain a Mission Complete, Wein must defeat them all. Sounds like a difficult task, but if you're around Lv18, at least, with a good gem setup, it's not tough to do. As soon as the battle begins, have Wein cast a Lv3 Shield on himself, then wait for the fencers and archers to come to him. The mage will likely get off a spell, but that'll be the only one as he is, stupidly, marching toward Wein like the others are. If for some reason you have to cast Cure, use the Dash tech first to create some distance, then cast it. As long as an enemy doesn't leave the screen, you're still good.

 

With the Lv5 Technique gem equipped, and hopefully Wein has learned Penetration Attack or Perimeter Pulse, he should have several uses of these techs to attack the enemies that are gathering around him. If you don't have either one, just use System Shock or Knock Back. With Lv6 Deft Wind equipped, as well, Wein's turn will come up much quicker, allowing him to attack well before the other enemies. If one of the mercenaries manage to make it past Wein, use Dash to chase them down. That's all there is to Lonesome Road.

Wein and the party regroup together at the Time & Space Tower, but while pondering their next move, Arieta and Sereb will be seen mysteriously entering the Tower. Might as well follow them. Once inside, if you search the beginning dot, you can exit the tower and fight random battles, if need be. You can't, however, return to Fort Rargin to buy items. You can rest inside the Tower by selecting not to exit, then an option for resting in the guards' quarters will be offered to you. A huge battle is upcoming; so come prepared.

 

Mid-way through ascending the Tower, the group will be startled by it beginning to levitate into the air. Carmaine will collapse, sensing the power of Gevel has returned, and if Ernest Lyell didn't join your party, you will be introduced to Brett Varner, a guardsman of the Time & Space Tower. He was inside when Wolfgang's mercenaries invaded and was forced to hide away. He's now starved, but as thanks for the party saving him with some food, he'll join your party. You won't have a chance to set him up yet, however...

You find Arieta and Sereb activating a strange device within the Tower. Gevas, who spawned Gevel, is poised to leave Arieta's body and return to his. The transference will take place, leaving Arieta's body cold and dying...and a newly resurrected Gevas before the group. At this point, if you didn't meet the requirements to save Arieta, Sereb will join your party and you'll face-off against Gevas. However, if you obtained the Neural Device, and saw all of the necessary scenes, Wein will devise a plan that may work to save her.

 

Whatever the case, the battle will begin. Note: If Sereb joined your party, it is impossible to get a Mission Complete on this battle, but don't concern yourself with that fact. If you are saving Arieta, Wein needs to hotfoot it to the stairs near the upper-left of the map with his Dash tech. He'll get hit a few times by the Yungs, but as long as they don't block his path, you're good to go. Once Wein makes it to the stairs, he'll be removed from the battle and a set amount of turns will need to pass to proceed with the rescue.

Gevas, himself, is a bit strange and whether you are saving Arieta or not, I'm not entirely sure how his HP is determined. Either he has infinite HP until all the Yungs have spawned, or his HP is shared with the Yungs on the map and lowers with each one defeated. Either way, I've tried to kill Gevas without engaging any of the Yungs and found it impossible to do. This isn't a bad thing though, as you will want the extra EXP.

 

For the battle itself, Gevas will begin by unleashed a devestating breath attack on the entire group before they have a chance to meanuever. Move Hans, Charlone, Riviera, and Sereb, if he joined, to the corners of the center area; as seen in the screenshot above, to stay out of the reach of Gevas' breath. Wein should be Dashing for the stairs if saving Arieta, and if not, engaging the northern Yungs with Xenos Dashing for this group, also. Send Carmaine and Brett/Lyell south to battle the Yungs there. Charlone and Riviera should both be casting Cure to recover the damage from the breath attack, with Sereb as priority if he is rushing towards Gevas to save Arieta. If Sereb dies during this, it's a game over. Hans should Thievery Gevas for a high-level item. I actually got a Lv9 Magic Might gem, which is one of the best in the game, from him. Then, if Xenos is by himself to the north, have Hans support his attack there. Note: I recommend using the "Equip" option in the menu to equip Brett with a Muscular Growth gem, and Sereb/Arieta with a Mind Growth gem before the battle is concluded. You will undoubtably level before this battle has ended and you want to give these characters a headstart in statistical growth with them joining so many levels late.

Charlone, in between healing, should take shots at Yungs with her bow, Riviera and Sereb should hit their closests group with Fireball or Blizzard spells, while the other characters are battling it out in the north and south. If saving Arieta, after several turns have passed, with Sereb attaching the Neural Device to Gevas, you'll switch to a scene where Wein will play his Ocarina to encourage Arieta to not give up and her soul will be transfered back to her body from Gevas. She'll then join the battle, but it'll take Wein a couple of more turns to reenter the battle. Areita should use her "Quicken Aria" tech to send her highest elemental spell at Gevas. With everybody out of range of his breath attack, Gevas is, for the most part, harmless, unless his minor attack manages to stun a character. When all of the Yungs have been clearned out (There are 16 in all, I believe), send your lowest level character, or one you want to receive the most EXP, to attack Gevas while the rest of the characters support with magic. You don't want to send more than one character due to the threat of his breath attack, in my opinion.

Gevas has a chance to drop some incredible ring weapons, like the one I received above. You may even strongly consider one, or two, Empower gems to increase the potential gem slot numbers. At the conclusion of the battle, either the group will celebrate the rescue of Arieta, and unfortunate demise of Sereb, or will mourn for Arieta, who's soul failed to return from the fallen Gevas.