Tales of Symphonia - Chapter 17: Stalwart Trust

Once given the okay, Botta leads the party to the entrance of Rodyle's Remote Island Human Ranch. Botta gives implicit instructions to NOT destroy this Ranch: RAINE; since we need the Mana Cannon to germinate the Great Seed. You begin in an underwater tunnel that connects to the Ranch at the bottom of the sea. At the first fork, the two doors on your sides are sealed, so fight through the Desians and enter the center door. If you haven't completed their Monster List entries, the typical Desian fodder are here to fight. This is your next-to-last chance to encounter them.

Note: This is a one-time dungeon and you cannot return! Make absolutely sure you open every treasure, then, later in the dungeon, complete the Monster List entries for the enemies that are only available to fight here.

 

You'll quickly encounter your first puzzle next. The goal is to transverse the tiles, lighting them up as you go; of course, if you step on one already lit, it turns off, so you have to be precise in your steps. From the first lit panel, move: down, down, right, right, up, up, up, up, left, left, down, down, and right to activate a bridge. If you spend some time in this room, the skit: "Remote Island Human Ranch" should occur, also.

The next light puzzle is significantly more complex. Standing on the first panel, proceed: right, right, down, down, right, right, right, right, up, up, left, left, up, up, left, left, down, down, right, right, down, down, down, down, left, left, up, up, left, left, and lastly, up. A new bridge, and the exit, will become available.

 

Use the Sorcerer's Ring altar inside the following elevator to change the effect to a strange "tone" that we will use shortly. Ascending to the second floor, Raine suggests we cause a diversion by letting the prisoners escape (They weren't planning to do this anyway?) and force the Desians to unlock the seal on the elevator to the upper floors.

 

 

Out in the prison, round the center spire and turn on the switches. There are, also, three chests along the outside; partially-hidden behind pillars. They contain the Vajra weapon for Sheena, Holy Staff for Raine, and a Stone Charm accessory. Both of the ladies' weapons are one-of-a-kind! The Holy Staff grants Raine gradual HP regeneration when equipped; it's also her best weapon once she maximizes her Intelligence! The prisoners will be released with Lloyd, and whomever he has the highest affection with, ambushing the guards from above! Whoever has the lowest affection for Lloyd was used as the bait!

 

You can now use the elevator to proceed to the third floor. This area is a real doozy. Using the "tone" of the Sorcerer's Ring will call a platform to ride on. It's automatic, but you can change directions with said Ring "tone"; the direction indicated by the light on the side of the platform. Your goal is to navigate to the top, changing directions with the Sorcerer's Ring, along the rails, to other platforms that will carry you higher; or if you pick the wrong one, you'll return to a lower level, or simply fall off the rail if it ends and wind up at the bottom again. This is actually not that hard; just a bit annoying. If you happen to run across the balls of electricity, it'll cause paralysis in random party members; so make sure to use Raine or cook Steak to recover from it after the ride. To get to the top easily, once you make it to the third level, use the left-handed platform to ascend, then on the fourth, use the right-sided one.

The next area is one giant maze, consisting of different-colored portals; some of which you can change with the Sorcerer's Ring's "tone". There are three switches we need to activate in the labyrinth to unlock the door at the very top. There are a large number of treasure chests, and new, limited available monsters scattered here, too.

New Monsters within the Remote Island Ranch: Evil Jelly, Sea Horror, Giant Slug

 

The above three listed monsters, while mostly unremarkable, are only encountered from the slime-like icons in this portal maze and nowhere else in the game. Don't complete the dungeon until you've had Raine use a Magic Lens, Colette steal, and get their dropped items, if applicable. These entries keep a lot of players from fully filling out their Monster List. You've been promptly warned!

 

Start by turning the very first portal red, using it, and collecting the treasure with an EX Gem Lv2, and returning to the start.

Switch the first portal green, this time, collect the Saffron treasure on the other side, then return. Use a Rune Bottle to turn the Saffron into the better Red Saffron for use.

 

Next, turn the portal blue, then the following one, red, and disengage the door lock.

Back to the previous portal, turn it blue, then use a red portal to advance to the EX Gem Lv1 treasure on the other end.

 

Turn the previous portal green, instead of red, then look for the Holy Cloak treasure, for either Genis or Regal, to the left of the stairs. It's also a unique piece of armor.

At the top of the flight of stairs, turn the portal green and enter. Open the chest with an EX Gem Lv3 and deactivate the door lock on the opposite side of the stairs.

 

Return, turn the portal blue, this time, and find the chest with an EX Gem Lv2.

Using the same portal as the last two, turn it red to move higher. In the right-hand-corner is a chest with a Minazuki armor for Sheena and an EX Gem Lv4. The Minazuki is a unique piece of armor, too.

 

Using the portal at the top of the stairs, turn it blue to advance. Before climbing the stairs, crack open the chest to the left containing the one-of-a-kind Mythril Ax for Presea. At the very top of the stairs, is the final door lock to disengage.

You'll have passed a portal on the way to the top. Return and make it red to find another EX Gem Lv3.

Turn the portal blue, next, to be on a level with the final two treasures: a Revive Ring accessory and unique Mythril Greaves weapon for Regal. Use a red portal at the very top of the stairs to be outside the now-unsealed door and a save point. Rodyle is just beyond the door and elevator. I would recommend using Sheena to cook the Seafood Stew recipe in anticipation of the impending boss battle.

Typical villain, Rodyle, taunts the group, particularly Presea, and shows them his intentions to drown the prisoners that were set free. The dreaded SEA WATER! He's got his sights set on destroying the Tower of Salvation and Cruxis with his Mana Cannon and he's going to use his, finally-obtained, precious Cruxis Crystal on himself in order to stop you; becoming a grotesque, Exsphere monster, himself.

 

Unless you're here for the Gung Ho title, Rodyle isn't as tough as he looks. He mostly hits hard physically, with some earth magic thrown in for variety, so Guard/Flare Bottles, Colette's Holy Song, or Raine casting Field Barrier/Permaguard are highly recommended. You need to watch for him to enter Overlimit, however, and immediately go on the defensive. In Overlimit, he'll use a devastating area attack around him, that seems to come from nowhere, and if caught in it, will likely require emergency healing and/or Life Bottles. Don't be afraid to use your Miracle Gels either, since they are purchasable now. Rodyle has no weakness, but is strong against earth-based attacks, so use your most effective combos and switch to defense and long-range attacks until his Overlimit expires and he should be easily defeated. Make sure you cook a recipe after the battle: there's another one incoming soon.

 

After defeating Rodyle, if you've languished through the game avoiding battles, and Lloyd, plus the three other active party member's, levels average no more than 36, Lloyd will receive the title of Gung Ho (HP: 60%, Def: 50%, TP: 20%).

It seems as if Pronyma, it is suggested anyway, provided him with a faux Cruxis Crystal that turned him into an Exsphere monster. His final act of revenge is to activate the Ranch's self-destruct system and take everyone else to the bottom with him. Uh-oh. Raine can't stop it, either, but thankfully, Botta comes in and can handle it. He leads the party to an escape hatch, but it seals behind them...

 

The control room then begins to be flooded by that awful Rodyle sea water (It's saltier than normal) and it becomes apparent that Botta and the Renegades intend to sacrifice themselves to save Lloyd's group and the Mana Cannon. Lloyd and Regal both try to destroy the glass, but to no avail. You'll learn later that Regal actually didn't try as hard as he could here! That Paw Dandy! Anyway...Botta asks Lloyd to please inform Yuan of their success and that Martel is allowed to finally rest peacefully. The shutter is then closed as not to have to witness their final moments...

 

To make matters worse, the holding cages for Rodyle's dragons open, forcing the party to battle a trio of Baby Dragons. If Rodyle really worked you over, this battle can be a bit dangerous with no chance to heal, but otherwise, with no Winged Dragon to deal with this time, they shouldn't present too much of a problem to you. Even after the trio, more dragons emerge, and the group is quickly overwhelmed. In a desperate act, Genis plays Mitho's Panpipe. A glowing bird then passes overhead, raining down beams of light, destroying the dome and the Baby Dragons below.

Mithos' voice can be heard from outside. He came to rescue everyone with the Rheairds. Interestingly, it seems as if the Panpipe called Aska, the Summon Spirit of Light, to our location. Guess we've found our instrument to revive the Linkite Tree now. Everyone automatically returns to Palmacosta to report to Neil and from there, to the Sylvarant Base to see Yuan. In Palmacosta, there are several new skits to view, including: "My Exsphere", "You're Not Alone", "What is Best", and "Don't Betray Me". Still in Palmacosta, you've got a little more time to complete anything you need to do here before the city is destroyed, but when ready, exit over to the Sylvarant Base.

Taken automatically, the party informs the grim details of Botta's sacrifice to Yuan, but he already assumed as much. He seems rather unaffected by the event, but Regal manages to calm the hot-headed Lloyd's reaction. Yuan has activated the dimensional transfer system, allowing the party to take the Rheairds between the worlds of Sylvarant and Tethe'alla from the point of the world's two Renegade Bases. As the group leaves, Yuan is perplexed by Mithos' Rheaird; none of which had been taken from the hangar. You'll then, again, automatically be taken to Altessa's House.

 

Leaving Mithos in Altessa's care once again, the party discusses their next move. The death of Presea's sister, Alicia, is brought up, shocking Regal. He admits that he knows who Alicia's murderer may be and requests that they take him to Altamira. Still at Altessa's House, look for the skit "To Altamira" to occur, then, on the world map, look for another skit, "Memories of Corrine", then fly to the Seaside Paradise.

In Altamira, you can stop by the hotel and talk to the guy at the desk on the left-side for a small scene with Regal. Upon arriving at the Lezareno Company, the group finds that Vharley attacked the guards and went inside. They find him confronting George at the Sky Terrace; demanding access to the inner areas of the Toize Valley Mine. Regal then steps forth, the Lezareno Company president, himself. He lets Vharley know that his Exsphere buyer, Rodyle, is now dead, but Vharley still has the Pope as an employer! Kuchinawa sneaks in and throws a smoke bomb to allow Vharley to escape, but not before declaring that the Pope will rule Tethe'alla upon the death of the King and threatens The Lezareno Company. Regal then confesses, what Zelos already knew, that he is Regal Bryant (His last name gets added to his status screen, too).

 

Alicia reappears from her grave, her Master Bryant finally returned. Regal and Alicia tell their story to the party: that they were in love, but George drove them apart, and she wound up being taken by Vharley and used in the Cruxis Crystal experiments, just like Presea. It failed, and Alicia became an Exsphere creature. Vharley unleashed her upon Regal, and he had no choice but to kill her; for her own sake, just like Lloyd and Genis had to with Marble. Regal turned himself in for the murder and promised to never use his hands again to kill; thus the reason for never removing the shackles. Alicia pleads with Regal to forgive himself and remove his bonds; that he's suffered enough. Regal relents, but vows not to remove his bonds until Cruxis is defeated. Alicia asks Presea to please forgive Regal and that her Exsphere be destroyed so she can finally have eternal rest. Lloyd then shatters her Exsphere with his sword.

Regal requests that he be allowed to continue the journey to defeat Cruxis. Lloyd can respond: "Of course." to raise affection with Colette, Sheena, Zelos, and Regal, or "If that's alright with Presea." to boost affection with Genis, Raine, and Presea. Presea thinks, in time, she can forgive Regal, and he then obtains the title of El Presidente (Str, Def: 50%, Int: 40%). You should see two new skits after these scenes, also, "Avenged" and "President's Job". With the truth about Regal out, we are now able to fully explore the extent of Altamira. Let's start by collecting the "hunnies" for Zelos.

Zelos' "Hunny" Count in Altamira (Day): 16

There is, however, an alternate, night version of Altamira to explore. Pay to stay at the inn, and the receptionist will now ask if you want to go out that night. You can't visit the shops, beach, amusement park, or the Lezareno Company, but 4F and 5F of the inn are open to you, as is the casino and theater district from the elemental railway. Ride the railway to the new district and you'll find a stray dog for Colette to name, Kenny, just outside the casino. Thankfully (For me anyway), not even Raine, Regal, or Kratos can gamble at the casino, so no terribly frustrating mini-games or crazy amount of coins to collect to get rare prizes like every other RPG it seems!

 

Continue across the bridge, past the casino, and talk to the man overlooking the water. He's, apparently, got a cursed kendama he wants to offload on Genis for 1,000 Gald (You actually don't lose any Gald here). Accept and you'll obtain Genis' Devil's Arm, Disaster. Abyssion also pays a visit to warn Presea about potentially hearing voices from the weapons, which signifies she's been chosen by them as their next puppet. The Disaster weapon has the unique ability to drop Genis' Luck by 50. Why is this of any interest? Well, it allows Genis to actually have a negative amount of Luck. If his Luck is in the negatives, and he has the Compound EX Skill Randomizer equipped, he casts his spells with lightning-quick effect! I don't, personally, use this, but it is nice.

Return to the hotel and access the 4F floor via the elevator. You'll see a giant, gold pumpkin near the spiral stairs. The Wonder Chef pops out and teaches you the Spaghetti recipe. It heals a large amount of HP for the party when cooked. To leave the area, examine the bed in the room on 5F. To note, each character has a different saying when either agreeing to sleep or stay up some more.

Zelos' "Hunny" Count in Altamira (Night): 13

Zelos can collect even more "hunnies" while out at night in Altamira, however, note that the lady outside the hotel, with her boyfriend/husband, is counted as a daytime "hunny" and is the only one that appears both day and night. Also, the inn receptionist doesn't react to Zelos, neither does the bunnygirl at the roulette table.

 

Note: With the Spaghetti recipe, and all the extra ingredients for it in your inventory, cook it with Genis after a battle to active the skit: "Master Chef, Genis".

Done in Altamira, drop back by Altessa's House. You'll notice a shining Exsphere upon the table that wasn't there previously. Examine it and Tabatha will ask Presea to accompany her to the Toize Valley Mine to learn more about Exspheres and their victims. Whomever has the lowest affection for Lloyd will stay behind in order for Tabatha to use their Rheaird. You'll then automatically leave for the Mine.

 

Make your way back through the Mine, to the area with the waterfall, just before the crates where you originally found the Inhibitor Ore. All of the Mine's Exsphere begin to shimmer. Tabatha explains how she and the Expheres are, essentially, the same; lifeless beings that only desire companionship. Tabatha hopes that Presea and Exspheres can understand each other someday and you will be returned to Atlessa's House automatically; Presea's affection having grown for Lloyd. Note: In case you were wondering, the inner area of the Mine that Vharley and Regal argued about, can never be accessed and the door is always sealed, no matter what.

To continue, fly to the Temple of Darkness, that is in the far-southern corner of the southwestern continent. There is a small patch of grass you can land on in order to enter, or you can land the Rheairds on the Temple, itself. It's pitch black inside, with Lloyd tripping over Zelos' foot in the darkness. Sheena brings up the Elemental Research Lab in Meltokio which may have an item that can repel the darkness.

 

In Meltokio, for an optional scene, first visit Zelos' manor and speak with Sebastian. He'll tell you about Kate, our half-elven friend from Sybak, has been imprisoned and is set for execution. Regal offers that we sneak into the prison to free Kate by falsely participating in the Mithos' Cup tournament that is currently ongoing, and using an entrance inside the arena that connects to the prison. Before we take action on that, we need to stop by the Elemental Research Laboratory.
 

As you approach the Laboratory, the party runs into Kratos who, for some reason, is in search of sacred wood. He tells Lloyd to stop forming pacts with the Summon Spirits before something happens that he can't undo. Kratos isn't willing to divulge the details of his plan, but tells Lloyd to be patient before departing. At the Lab, the workers are willing to give the party the Blue Candle that can be used to quell the darkness of the Temple, but not without rescuing Kate first.

Over at the arena, Lloyd will have to decide who will participate in the Mithos' Cup, for one battle, and then rescue Kate in the prison. If Lloyd enters, all characters, including a large one for Kratos, get a boost in affection for him. If he picks another character, they receive a large boost in affection. The battle you fight is fairly easy for any character other than Raine or Genis, so pick whomever you like. If you choose Zelos, he will wear a mask as a guise for the battle, which you will later receive as a costume title. You'll be pitted against a Sorceress and two Duelist. Target the mage first and quickly defeat her, then play defense against the two Duelist to emerge victorious. You can't use items in the arena, so be mindful of that when fighting. If you have any trouble, consider bringing Lloyd/Zelos and Demon Fang/Double Demon Fang them to death from long-range. Afterward, enter the door on the right-side of the ready room to free Kate, who has a different conversation depending on your chosen character.

 

Despite the fact it's been reduced to rubble, Kate requests that you take her to Ozette. There, she reveals that the Pope is actually her biological father! Zelos explains that the Pope has been the one responsible for all of the persecution towards half-elves in Tethe'alla. Despite this, Kate was happy to be of some help to her father in the Cruxis Crystal experiments; something Colette can relate to having been manipulated by Remiel as a "father-figure". Kate asks Presea to forgive her and the party returns to Meltokio. The researchers hand over the Blue Candle item (Legend of Zelda nostalgia!) and we can now enter the Temple of Darkness in search of Shadow. On the world map, look for some new skits: "The Life She Chose" and "Shameful Knowledge". For the last one, I had to enter an area, then exit back to the world map, for it to occur.