Midnight Monster Caper
It seemed like just another tranquil autumn evening in Trampoli as I harvested the last of my pumpkins, beautiful, plump, level 10 grade pumpkins that would become the most delicious of pies once I got them to my kitchen. This year my contribution to Trampoli’s Harvest Festival would be top notch with the beautiful pumpkin pie I had planned.
With nightfall came the harvest moon in its beautiful orange hue as I worked diligently in my kitchen. I was just getting ready to take the plump pumpkin pies out of the oven when the silence of the night was broken by the sound of shattering glass. At first I paid it little thought, broken windows were a common occurrence with my rascally monsters always playing their destructive games outside.
But as I walked into the living hall I discovered everything disarray. Books, monster materials, potions, and tools were strewn across the floor.
“What on – OOF!” I exclaimed as a lump of scrap iron made contact with my forehead.
I quickly looked over to see some kind of tanuki with a large bag over his shoulder foraging through my mining chest. THIEF!
“Take your paws out of my chest!” I yelled, stomping my way towards the critter.
Suddenly it glared back at me with glowing eyes and before I knew it there were four tanukis running around my house! In my surprised state I frantically chased after them throughout the house, lunging and leaping all over the place like an angry toad. I finally managed to corner one in the upstairs bedroom, but upon grabbing it by its tail the creature simply vanished. An illusion?
Not five seconds later my attention was drawn to the sound of my oven’s alarm and my memory snapped back like a rubber band.
“SWEET WOOLIES ON A POGO STICK, MY PIES!”
With every ounce of energy in my body I dashed and tumbled down the stairs, then made a desperate leap into the kitchen. Hastily, I opened the oven door… and found it empty.
Then from behind came a whistle. I glanced back to see that thieving tanuki balancing a stack of precious plump pumpkin pies with its tail, MY stack of pies!
“Treacherous tanuki dog!” I shouted as I bolted right the thieving monster.
Before I could land a strike on my foe, it cleverly grabbed one of the pies and threw it into the air. I immediately reacted by diving towards it with my arms extended outwards, sliding myself across the hard wooden floor.
“Got it!” I shouted proudly to myself.
Then with a big SPLAT my face was given a close and creamy encounter with the pumpkin pastry as the tanuki jumped off the back of my head and made its escape out the broken window. I clenched my fists tightly as my face rose out of the pie, which now bore an imprint of my infuriated expression.
“That's it... I've HAD it!”
After shaking the pastry bits off my face I kicked my front door open and stomped outside. It was pitch black. I looked up and saw nothing but dark clouds covering up the light of the stars and harvest moon. My instincts told me right away that something bad was going on around here…
Suddenly I heard an eerie laugh break out followed by what sounded like my Little Golem, Knox, blasting away in cannon-mode. Then two beastly roars rang out in the darkness, followed by flashing lights of shellfire and magic bursts. The ground began erupting all over the field as another monster’s chilling cry filled the blinding warzone. I could barely make out the shapes of the intruders and my own monsters as they engaged in battle across the farmland. It was a chaotic mess of monster warfare in a blinding field of darkness and smoke.
I’m sure most of my monsters were as blind as me at the moment, but that didn’t stop them from doing their best to protect the homeland. I could hear the rage and defiance in their howls as they fought on.
Unsure about how dangerous this situation was, I decided to run to the barn to check on the rest of my monsters, but as I neared the door they burst open with that rascally tanuki dog knocking me down as it fled the shed. Moments later my Chitter, Chip, came running after it as I tried standing back up. By the time I finally got back on my feet they were both long gone into the darkness of the violent night.
As I started to give pursuit after them the blinding darkness abruptly cleared with a powerful blue light that pierced through the night sky like a spear. Before I could even look up at the source of this magnificent light a huge fireball descended from the sky and struck me down. In the brief moments of consciousness I had left, I stupidly reminded myself about forgetting to put on armor… and then all was quiet.
When I came to the next morning I was, predictably, back in the infirmary with Lara giving me a scolding look. As usual she had another long lecture for me about how careless I am… Thankfully Stella came in to bail me out, but the news she had to share wasn’t very good. During the night a powerful storm had brewed in the skies and a pack of monsters raced through the town, causing havoc along the way. My farm looked like a disaster zone unfit for life.
My eyes widened as I remembered what happened last night, and with that I excused myself in my typical rude manner, which was running out the door as Lara yelled at me.
Normally I wouldn’t be in such a hurry… actually no, that’s a lie… I’m always in a hurry to get out of there… but this was urgent. I had no idea what shape the farm was in or how badly injured my monsters were. So I ignored the burning wounds that were still healing and raced back home to find out.
Stella was right – my farm was a disaster zone. It looked like the Sechs Empire had just used it for target practice with their army of tanks. After a few moments of just standing in awe and complaining about the work I’d have to do later, I ran straight for the monster shed. Empty.
Damn… This wasn’t a good sign… They must’ve gone after the beasts that attacked the town. Granted, I would have done that myself… if I hadn’t been hit by a giant ball of fire… There was no time to fret over it though; I had to go find them at once!
I ran to the house and tried opening the front door, but it wouldn’t give way.
“Must be jammed.” I thought aloud, “Come on, come on!”
My fists started pounding on the decorated wood surface of the door in my frustration. Ten minutes later and it simply stood there, unshaken by my onslaught. Finally I just gave up and kicked it… and with that, the rest of the house collapsed on itself… and then the door finally opened…
“This really… just isn’t my day.” I muttered.
A few hours of shifting through rubble got me nothing. My tools, my armor, my weapons, my elixirs – gone, all gone! I had nothing left. That devious thievius tanuki must’ve ransacked the place!
So clearly, I had nothing else to lose now… I went over to visit Kross (I’m still the only one who bothers) and asked him if he could build me a decent-sized shack while I was gone… “on vacation.” There were plenty of leftover materials he could use at ground zero. As usual he simply nodded with a weak smile and went right to work.
With that settled I left the cheery town of Trampoli and entered the dense forest country beyond. I was going to have to rough it in the wild as I searched for my “merry” band of monsters, who were probably getting themselves into loads of trouble right now. I was probably getting myself into loads of trouble… but that’s just how we rolled…
- Mars
M
Monday, December 6, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Harvest Moon Oracle
Jan, a serious fan of Harvest Moon, has created her own website where she writes interesting articles about various characters from the games who take her fancy.
I have added a link to her site, 'Harvest Moon Oracle', on the right side of the page.
I have added a link to her site, 'Harvest Moon Oracle', on the right side of the page.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Moonlit Eve with Tori in Rune Factory by David H.
Another entertaining and well-written excerpt from David H.'s Rune Factory game journal:
Tori: “It’s a beautiful night Mr. Raguna...So...romantic...You know, Mr.
Raguna...It’s nice to do things like this once in awhile...”
Raguna: “Yeah.”
Tori; “I’m happy you asked me out today, Mr. Raguna...Thank you...Um...Mr.
Raguna...Do you...um...you know...like me? Because I...well...I...I..have to
get back...”
Tori departed quickly leaving Raguna alone on the mountaintop. Tori’s LP total [which had only risen to 4 on Fall 16th] was now raised to 5.
Immediately after the date I took Raguna to the Inn to talk to Lady Ann on the
same night:
Lady Ann: “Say Raguna. Be honest with me. What do you think of Tori? Well now
you’re quite taken with her aren’t you? I know it’s not for me to say, but
she’s a real nice girl.”
The following day (Fall 18th) Raguna continued his daily routine with regard to
trying to win Tori’s heart and went to the library. There (as every weekday) he
chatted to Tori, gave her a strawberry and read a couple of books. Before he
left the library he also bought “Steam Cooking” and “Bake Me Tender” from
Russell - Tori’s LP total now was raised to 6 (which makes me think book-buying might raise Tori's LP).
I'm afraid I can't remember the exact pre-date/pre-6PM "You're too early"
dialogue, but it was something like: "Um...Mr. Raguna...You're too early, the
moon isn't out yet..."
Finally (and frivolously) I feel I should point out they are FRESH strawberries
grown in Fall/Autumn in Carmite Cave that Raguna has been lavishing on Tori (and
for that matter also on Melody...and Rosetta...and Lara too...now what was it
Lady Ann said about Lukas the 'poet'? Oh yes, a "plain old womaniser"...Raguna
had better watch his step too!)
Tori: “It’s a beautiful night Mr. Raguna...So...romantic...You know, Mr.
Raguna...It’s nice to do things like this once in awhile...”
Raguna: “Yeah.”
Tori; “I’m happy you asked me out today, Mr. Raguna...Thank you...Um...Mr.
Raguna...Do you...um...you know...like me? Because I...well...I...I..have to
get back...”
Tori departed quickly leaving Raguna alone on the mountaintop. Tori’s LP total [which had only risen to 4 on Fall 16th] was now raised to 5.
Immediately after the date I took Raguna to the Inn to talk to Lady Ann on the
same night:
Lady Ann: “Say Raguna. Be honest with me. What do you think of Tori? Well now
you’re quite taken with her aren’t you? I know it’s not for me to say, but
she’s a real nice girl.”
The following day (Fall 18th) Raguna continued his daily routine with regard to
trying to win Tori’s heart and went to the library. There (as every weekday) he
chatted to Tori, gave her a strawberry and read a couple of books. Before he
left the library he also bought “Steam Cooking” and “Bake Me Tender” from
Russell - Tori’s LP total now was raised to 6 (which makes me think book-buying might raise Tori's LP).
I'm afraid I can't remember the exact pre-date/pre-6PM "You're too early"
dialogue, but it was something like: "Um...Mr. Raguna...You're too early, the
moon isn't out yet..."
Finally (and frivolously) I feel I should point out they are FRESH strawberries
grown in Fall/Autumn in Carmite Cave that Raguna has been lavishing on Tori (and
for that matter also on Melody...and Rosetta...and Lara too...now what was it
Lady Ann said about Lukas the 'poet'? Oh yes, a "plain old womaniser"...Raguna
had better watch his step too!)
Fishing Day by David H.
A very talented writer who enjoys Rune Factory has emailed me some excerpts from his game journals. He gave me permission to post some of the excerpts on this site. Here then is his 'Fishing Day' experience:
Despite it being Raguna's first chance to celebrate 'Fishing Day' he
nevertheless dutifully set about completing his farm chores first. Heading into
'Monster Shed II' he was greeted by his flock of four Woollys who, on seeing him
come in, all formed an orderly, if incredibly fuzzy, row four abreast like a
line of toy soldiers. One animal though was facing in the opposite direction to
the other three (obviously he's the rebellious one to keep an eye on). With a
gentleness that a US Marine Drill Sergeant simply wouldn't comprehend Raguna
went along the neatly assembled row of 'troops' brushing each animal in turn,
each Woolly then gambolling away happily after being brushed. Getting out his
wool clippers he then began to shear each in turn. With three shorn and only
one to go...the last Woolly decided he was Steve McQueen in the movie 'The Great
Escape'...(I'm sure the final animal was that 'rebellious' woolly I mentioned a
moment ago) and decided he
didn't want to be sheared that day and promptly led Raguna on a merry dance
around the monster shed for half an hour (Raguna time) before Raguna finally
manged to corner it near the fodder trough and clip it's fur! Feeling hassled,
Raguna then headed off to the beach and jetty/quayside for a spot of tranquil
and peaceful fishing, no doubt with Dr Edwards' words from the Wool Show
Festival ringing in his ears; "Some people think Woollys are cute, I'm not one
of them."
Despite it being Raguna's first chance to celebrate 'Fishing Day' he
nevertheless dutifully set about completing his farm chores first. Heading into
'Monster Shed II' he was greeted by his flock of four Woollys who, on seeing him
come in, all formed an orderly, if incredibly fuzzy, row four abreast like a
line of toy soldiers. One animal though was facing in the opposite direction to
the other three (obviously he's the rebellious one to keep an eye on). With a
gentleness that a US Marine Drill Sergeant simply wouldn't comprehend Raguna
went along the neatly assembled row of 'troops' brushing each animal in turn,
each Woolly then gambolling away happily after being brushed. Getting out his
wool clippers he then began to shear each in turn. With three shorn and only
one to go...the last Woolly decided he was Steve McQueen in the movie 'The Great
Escape'...(I'm sure the final animal was that 'rebellious' woolly I mentioned a
moment ago) and decided he
didn't want to be sheared that day and promptly led Raguna on a merry dance
around the monster shed for half an hour (Raguna time) before Raguna finally
manged to corner it near the fodder trough and clip it's fur! Feeling hassled,
Raguna then headed off to the beach and jetty/quayside for a spot of tranquil
and peaceful fishing, no doubt with Dr Edwards' words from the Wool Show
Festival ringing in his ears; "Some people think Woollys are cute, I'm not one
of them."
Friday, September 11, 2009
A Player's version of the Introduction to Iris
A player wrote this version of the 1st meeting with Iris in Rune Factory Frontier. The actual transcript of the Event from my own game journal follows:
One night, when those Moondrop Flowers that had spontaneously appeared were in full bloom, I was watering the wildflowers that grew by the little pond next to my Tower of Rest. I was humming to myself. I thought I heard footsteps and didn’t think anything of it, as the only person who visits is Gelwein and he knows to wait and shut up while I’m watering my flowers. I stopped watering them for a moment and looked out at the town below the Island. “Um,” said the person behind me, who wasn’t Gelwein. I turned around to see whoever was kind enough to visit me. The person behind me couldn’t look any different than Gelwein! He was a kind-looking young man with shaggy brown hair and big blue eyes. I felt him looking me over, too. I could tell he lingered on my eyes, which are pretty strange, as one is red and one is green.
“Good evening!” I greeted him. I probably looked stunning, with the moonlight shining through my white clothes, and my short cape billowing around me.
“Uh, hi, I’m Raguna. I live below the Island,” he said.
“I’m Iris. I live right there,” I chirped., pointing at the Tower.
“Yeah, I’ve seen you out here before, but I couldn’t catch you.” He seemed slightly embarrassed at that.
“Did you plant those flowers?” I asked, pointing to the Moondrops.
“Yeah, how did you know?” Raguna replied.
“Who else would’ve? You’re one of the only people who come up here.”
He wasn’t paying attention enough to wonder about the other people who come up. I walked back into my Tower.
A few minutes later Raguna came up, too. “By the way, Iris, do you know how to open that gate farther in?” he asked, looking very puzzled.
“No, but I think it’ll open up eventually!” I said cheerily.
“OK, I’ll check it every time I come up to visit you,” he said absently. I could tell he was thinking about how to open the gate.
“You mean I’m the main reason for you’re visits?!” I almost shouted happily. A friend!
Raguna smiled, then left.
Submitted by 'Iris', Harvest Moon player
The actual text of this Event (from my own Game Journal) is as follows:
Freyr left the screen of the Whale Island Fin and returned immediately. It was 7.50 p.m.
When he reached the Tower, he experienced an Event. The moon was full, rising behind the tower and he saw a lovely but fey girl gazing at it. White moondrops everywhere, absolutely breathtaking.
‘Good evening’, the girl said.
Then: I didn’t expect a guest today. I’m sure today will be good then. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Iris.
Freyr: My name is Freyr and I came from Trampoli Village, below the island.
Iris: Freyr, is it? Nice to meet you. Please come visit me whenever you want.
Afterwards:
Iris: Good evening, Freyr. It’s very warm today. How is your walk out at night? Are you enjoying it?
Freyr then spoke to her again.
Freyr: Speaking of which, what’s behind that locked gate, Iris? How do I open it?
Iris: I don’t know. I haven’t gone very far so I’m not sure.
Freyr: I thought so…
Iris; Oh, but there could be a chance that it could just open. That’s why you should just check up on it from time to time.
Freyr: I guess. I’ll go check it out whenever I come to visit you.
Iris: Oh, you. So you’re saying that I’m the main purpose of your visit?
When he continued to speak to her:
Iris: Thank you for coming. There’s nothing here, but please make yourself at home.
Freyr, are you still exploring the ruins? Pardon me for saying so, but you just don’t look very strong. Please be careful.
Iris lives in the Whale Island Tower of Rest. When Freyr explored the Tower later that evening, he found Iris upstairs painting.
(From Freyashawk's Game Journal, 1st Year in Rune Factory Frontier)
One night, when those Moondrop Flowers that had spontaneously appeared were in full bloom, I was watering the wildflowers that grew by the little pond next to my Tower of Rest. I was humming to myself. I thought I heard footsteps and didn’t think anything of it, as the only person who visits is Gelwein and he knows to wait and shut up while I’m watering my flowers. I stopped watering them for a moment and looked out at the town below the Island. “Um,” said the person behind me, who wasn’t Gelwein. I turned around to see whoever was kind enough to visit me. The person behind me couldn’t look any different than Gelwein! He was a kind-looking young man with shaggy brown hair and big blue eyes. I felt him looking me over, too. I could tell he lingered on my eyes, which are pretty strange, as one is red and one is green.
“Good evening!” I greeted him. I probably looked stunning, with the moonlight shining through my white clothes, and my short cape billowing around me.
“Uh, hi, I’m Raguna. I live below the Island,” he said.
“I’m Iris. I live right there,” I chirped., pointing at the Tower.
“Yeah, I’ve seen you out here before, but I couldn’t catch you.” He seemed slightly embarrassed at that.
“Did you plant those flowers?” I asked, pointing to the Moondrops.
“Yeah, how did you know?” Raguna replied.
“Who else would’ve? You’re one of the only people who come up here.”
He wasn’t paying attention enough to wonder about the other people who come up. I walked back into my Tower.
A few minutes later Raguna came up, too. “By the way, Iris, do you know how to open that gate farther in?” he asked, looking very puzzled.
“No, but I think it’ll open up eventually!” I said cheerily.
“OK, I’ll check it every time I come up to visit you,” he said absently. I could tell he was thinking about how to open the gate.
“You mean I’m the main reason for you’re visits?!” I almost shouted happily. A friend!
Raguna smiled, then left.
Submitted by 'Iris', Harvest Moon player
The actual text of this Event (from my own Game Journal) is as follows:
Freyr left the screen of the Whale Island Fin and returned immediately. It was 7.50 p.m.
When he reached the Tower, he experienced an Event. The moon was full, rising behind the tower and he saw a lovely but fey girl gazing at it. White moondrops everywhere, absolutely breathtaking.
‘Good evening’, the girl said.
Then: I didn’t expect a guest today. I’m sure today will be good then. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Iris.
Freyr: My name is Freyr and I came from Trampoli Village, below the island.
Iris: Freyr, is it? Nice to meet you. Please come visit me whenever you want.
Afterwards:
Iris: Good evening, Freyr. It’s very warm today. How is your walk out at night? Are you enjoying it?
Freyr then spoke to her again.
Freyr: Speaking of which, what’s behind that locked gate, Iris? How do I open it?
Iris: I don’t know. I haven’t gone very far so I’m not sure.
Freyr: I thought so…
Iris; Oh, but there could be a chance that it could just open. That’s why you should just check up on it from time to time.
Freyr: I guess. I’ll go check it out whenever I come to visit you.
Iris: Oh, you. So you’re saying that I’m the main purpose of your visit?
When he continued to speak to her:
Iris: Thank you for coming. There’s nothing here, but please make yourself at home.
Freyr, are you still exploring the ruins? Pardon me for saying so, but you just don’t look very strong. Please be careful.
Iris lives in the Whale Island Tower of Rest. When Freyr explored the Tower later that evening, he found Iris upstairs painting.
(From Freyashawk's Game Journal, 1st Year in Rune Factory Frontier)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monster Pairings from Mars
Mars-Frog made a very amusing list of Monsters paired with Rune Factory characters. Here it is:
Monster Pairings:
Mist / Duck
Mist has two ducks in the game swimming in her pond all the time. What might seem a random choice at first is really one that makes sense. Ducks are silly creatures that enjoy talking a lot, singing funky songs while disco dancing, and make themselves at home wherever they want... very much like Mist herself (save the disco dancing). On a few occasions, Mist has managed to get them inside her house in order to play games, which worked out fine. However, when she tried taking them to the bathhouse, they caused quite a ruckus with the other ladies and Melody soon discovered her baths filled with dozens upon dozens of Ducks that came to join the party. This later resulted with Melody banning all monsters from entering the baths, but on the bright side Mist gained a whole flock of Ducks.
Stella / Ghost
There's been some strange happenings around town... like ghost sightings. So who ya gonna call? Stella! Why? Cuz it's her Ghost... that likes pulling pranks. Ghosts are timid by nature and can change their form at will to mimic everyday people, in this case a younger version of Stella. So the next time you see any strange little girls in town, you may in fact be subject to another prank by Stella’s Ghost. On another note, the long scythe the Ghost carries is helping for trimming the grass and trees around the graveyard.
Lara / Furpy
Lara loves her medicines... so what better companion than the Furpy? Though a bit vain in nature, the Furpy is a reliable partner that can hunt down herbs and grasses that are useful for making medicines. Its fur is a beautiful lavender that matches Lara’s dress, showing a strong bond in fashion.
Kanno / Tortas
Sometimes the old cane just doesn't do it and Kanno's back is ready to just cave in after a long walk on those mountain roads - enter the Tortas! A trusty, old companion that's been around since the age of the dinosaurs... when Kanno was born...
Candy / Fairy
After learning a devastating truth from her careless sister concerning the validity of the tooth fairy, Candy felt betrayed by the lies and gave up believing in all myths and legends. Kanno quickly set to fix this by getting a fairy (and by that I mean having ME get a fairy) to restore the little girl’s faith. After an awkward attempt at re-enacting the Tooth Fairy by trying to pull out a tooth and nearly getting swallowed, Candy’s faith was renewed (even though she knew it wasn’t the Tooth Fairy) and two bonded like Peanut Butter and Jelly. They now make an obnoxiously cute duo, which can make any dream come true with their talents in spirits and magic.
Cinnamon / Sealy
Cinnamon likes fish... nuff said (cuz talking’s “a pain”).
Note from Freyashawk here: You are close, Mars, but you should have chosen the 'Sky Fish'. In Cin's own words: That monster called the Sky Fish… I want to catch it someday. That’s my greatest goal.
Selphy / Gobble Box
A nice, charming, but incredibly lazy librarian that doesn't even bother with eating for days and lives in what can only be described as a “disaster zone”... Her issue? Books... which she's addicted to like drugs and almost never stops reading, no matter what... So what’s the solution? The Gobble Box! A handy, living box, which can magically store all kinds of things... like food... or books... All Selphy must do is throw in some money and it hops away over to Materia and returns within an hour with delicious sandwiches and rice balls. It's also handy for storing favorite books in and keeping them safe.
Turner / Tricky Muck
Two big, goofy, happy beings that can roll around on the ground (one literally does). Turner enjoys his food, and with the Tricky Muck on his side, he can easily obtain the rarest food ingredients to make his Inn a culinary success! The Tricky Muck also expresses a constant smile of goofy joy, helping to further lighten up the mood of the Sunshine Inn. It can also provide juices from its body, which make for an "interesting" drink... something Turner never passes on... Never mess with the Tricky Muck; however, as one cook who did disappeared...
Rita / Ignis & Glace
A proud cook in her own right, Rita has the professional help of an Ignis - the ultimate cooking machine. This little fiery beasty can provide heat that'll scramble eggs in seconds, turn corn into popcorn, and warm up an oven to any temperature one could need. An Ignis' place is in the kitchen. Its cousin, Glace, simply resides in large boxes where it refrigerates perishables with its freezing body temperature – a good way of avoiding a large electric bill with standard refrigerators.
Eunice / Wooly
Eunice appreciates the simple things in life - like flowers and knitting. She makes everyone swimsuits for the summer (even for dear old dad, who has some kind of swimsuit fetish) and sweaters for the winter. She can also repair clothing in a matter of seconds, thanks to her partner: the Wooly. There’s no finer or stronger material than the wool of Woolies. They’re docile monsters and very tolerant to humans, Eunice even uses her Wooly as a handy duster. It’s also handy for drying dishes and helping people get to sleep, and can even do math.
Note from Freyashawk: In Eunice's own words: You know about the monster ‘Wooly’? Their fur is like cotton candy and so fluffy. Oh! I don’t mean I want to eat the fur or anything!
Uzuki / Samurai
Uzuki, a kind shrine maiden that talks softly but carries a big stick, along with a loudmouth cricket. Her ideal partner is a rather obvious one - the Samurai, a monster that is likely native to her home country. Samurais can make for great sparring partners and can be a strong asset to one's training. They’re also good for chopping up wood, sushi, and cabbages. Of course Tsubute offers his own kind of training with Uzuki - the strict old school rules of the ancient diehards... which may be more challenging than defeating the Samurai...
Note from Freyashawk: There is only one problem with this, although the Samurai does resemble Tsubute. Uzuki does not like Monsters, curiously enough.
An Event with Uzuki:
Uzuki: Ah-ahhhhhh!!
Freyr: W-what happened?!
Uzuki: Something black and quick scuffled by my feet… Ahhhhh!
Tsubute: Milday! Please get a hold of yourself!
Uzuki: I-I hate black things that are quick and small!
In another dialogue:
Uzuki: I just do not like monsters…
Freyr: Then what about Tsubute?
Uzuki: Tsubute is… different. I’m not afraid of him..
Tsubute: What was that?!
Rosetta / Spring, Summer, & Autumn
Some girls love plants... Rosetta likes money... the Spring, Summer, and Autumn can provide both. With their cute, flower-like appearance, these three serve as Materia's mascots, drawing crowds with their lovely aroma while also providing Rosetta a steady supply of seeds for many different flowers and crops, as well as some lovely perfumes. They’re a must-have for any proud business owner in this field, unless the owner has allergies…
Danny / Slime
Danny is Selphy's rival for laziest person in Trampoli. In fact, Danny's house and "store" became so dirty from neglect that it attracted a Slime... which literally ate him out of business (though there wasn’t much to eat to begin with). However, instead of having it sent to the 1st Forest, Danny trained it to break rocks and bring him gold and silver to help with his financial crisis while he worked for Rosetta for minimum wages. The Slime is usually dependable when it comes to breaking down stone, but will also digest the ores within it from time to time unless it's very well trained... which isn't really the case here, as this Slime is as lazy as its owner and usually brings back scrap…
Ganesha / Hammer Troll
Ganesha is a hard worker as the town’s smith, constantly taking important orders from kingdoms all around for her fine weapons and more importantly – fixing Turner’s kitchen knife (a man’s gotta work, ya know). Her ally, the Hammer Troll, has become a vital asset to her business and life. With its super muscular arms, it can destroy rocks for ores, help forge heavy weapons, and stop Marco from running off into dungeons…
Marco / Micro Dragon
Every young boy who aspires to be a brave warrior needs a pet dragon! As long as he's responsible enough and able to keep it from burning down the house... The Micro Dragon, while seemingly more harmless than it's much larger cousin, the Mini Dragon, actually boasts more power - making it more difficult to tame despite its size... Of course, what mom doesn't know won’t hurt her, right? As long as he looks cute and small... where's the harm?
Lute / Chitter
Among the cutest creatures on earth, the Chitter looks good in ANY painting – making it the perfect model for artists like Lute. With famous pieces such as: The Mona Chitter, Starry Chitter, Chitter by the Lake, and perhaps the most famous: The Chitter, Lute and his squirrely companion became two of the biggest hits in the art community.
Melody / Little Wizard
Melody dreams of becoming an all-powerful wizard with the most unique bathhouse the world has ever seen. There can only be one monster for this quirky wizard-in-training: the masterful Little Wizard. Powerful in the ways of magic, it has own its dream – to simply grow taller so people will stop calling it “Little.” Together they train in the arts of magic, making progress and accidents – like turning the bath water into cement (was stuck in there awhile), or making the building itself invisible (much was seen on that day…).
Nolan / Minotaur King
With its royal blue fur, fierce axe, and loyalty to its owner, there is no better bodyguard and companion for a king than the mighty Minotaur King. It served Nolan quite well back in his small kingdom, but nowadays he simply has it cut wood for hot baths. There’s not much action for this beast anymore, but it remains as loyal and diligent as ever. It also enjoys having a drink or two, which gives it a very friendly appearance.
Bianca / Mammoo
Possibly the pickiest person in existence, Bianca would have only one monster, a Mammoo dubbed “Francoise”. Unfortunately, the two had to part ways after an incident (Francoise doesn’t know its own strength). There’s an old myth though, that “A Mammoo never forgets,” and a few years later that myth would gain some credibility when Francoise returned to Trampoli all grown up and seeking its owner.
Tabatha / Any Monster...
One of the biggest monster lovers in all the lands, Tabatha hopes to one day have monsters more accepted by all people in the world. She’d take any under her care…
Minerva / Hunter Wolf
On a mission to locate her sister, Minerva selected the best partner for the job - the Hunter Wolf. Acting as both a mount and guide, it didn't take very long for Minerva to find her sister, as the Hunter is second to none in finding its targets. A keen nose, above average intelligence, and great speed make it the top choice for hunting down anything or anyone.
Kross / Heracles
Kross the mysterious carpenter... His partner, the first one in many years, is able to match his strength with its proud horn and muscles. While Kross gathers lumber, this giant beetle smashes and moves giant boulders (which seem to show up every now and then somehow). Together, they can build extensions in the blink of an eye… Nobody really notices either...
Brodik / Mini Golem
A proud subscriber to "Golem Assembler Weekly", Brodik's partner of choice is none other than the great Mini Golem. He wanted a Mega Golem but the kits were sold out…
Anette / Blackbird
Anette races around like there's no tomorrow, but there are some places that can't be reached on foot. So what is a mail person to do? Use airmail of course! The Blackbird can fly around at great speeds, delivering mail and packages through the skies, and the best part is it works for crackers. The blackbird can also be taught words, although this trait has been very annoying for Anette, especially after Danny taught it the word “Midget”.
Erik / Ant
What's a monster every farmer should have? That's right - the Ant! Because there's no harder worker than the ant... whether its gathering crops, weeding, mowing, fertilizing... there's a reason they made ant farms ya know. While Erik may be a bit on the skittish side with monsters, he can appreciate one that eats turnips (among other crops…).
Iris Blanche & Iris Noire / Unico & Cone
Two mythical horses of legend – the Unico that’s as pale as the moon, and the Cone that’s as dark as night – there are no monsters more fitting for the mysterious ladies of an ancient tribe.
Monster Pairings:
Mist / Duck
Mist has two ducks in the game swimming in her pond all the time. What might seem a random choice at first is really one that makes sense. Ducks are silly creatures that enjoy talking a lot, singing funky songs while disco dancing, and make themselves at home wherever they want... very much like Mist herself (save the disco dancing). On a few occasions, Mist has managed to get them inside her house in order to play games, which worked out fine. However, when she tried taking them to the bathhouse, they caused quite a ruckus with the other ladies and Melody soon discovered her baths filled with dozens upon dozens of Ducks that came to join the party. This later resulted with Melody banning all monsters from entering the baths, but on the bright side Mist gained a whole flock of Ducks.
Stella / Ghost
There's been some strange happenings around town... like ghost sightings. So who ya gonna call? Stella! Why? Cuz it's her Ghost... that likes pulling pranks. Ghosts are timid by nature and can change their form at will to mimic everyday people, in this case a younger version of Stella. So the next time you see any strange little girls in town, you may in fact be subject to another prank by Stella’s Ghost. On another note, the long scythe the Ghost carries is helping for trimming the grass and trees around the graveyard.
Lara / Furpy
Lara loves her medicines... so what better companion than the Furpy? Though a bit vain in nature, the Furpy is a reliable partner that can hunt down herbs and grasses that are useful for making medicines. Its fur is a beautiful lavender that matches Lara’s dress, showing a strong bond in fashion.
Kanno / Tortas
Sometimes the old cane just doesn't do it and Kanno's back is ready to just cave in after a long walk on those mountain roads - enter the Tortas! A trusty, old companion that's been around since the age of the dinosaurs... when Kanno was born...
Candy / Fairy
After learning a devastating truth from her careless sister concerning the validity of the tooth fairy, Candy felt betrayed by the lies and gave up believing in all myths and legends. Kanno quickly set to fix this by getting a fairy (and by that I mean having ME get a fairy) to restore the little girl’s faith. After an awkward attempt at re-enacting the Tooth Fairy by trying to pull out a tooth and nearly getting swallowed, Candy’s faith was renewed (even though she knew it wasn’t the Tooth Fairy) and two bonded like Peanut Butter and Jelly. They now make an obnoxiously cute duo, which can make any dream come true with their talents in spirits and magic.
Cinnamon / Sealy
Cinnamon likes fish... nuff said (cuz talking’s “a pain”).
Note from Freyashawk here: You are close, Mars, but you should have chosen the 'Sky Fish'. In Cin's own words: That monster called the Sky Fish… I want to catch it someday. That’s my greatest goal.
Selphy / Gobble Box
A nice, charming, but incredibly lazy librarian that doesn't even bother with eating for days and lives in what can only be described as a “disaster zone”... Her issue? Books... which she's addicted to like drugs and almost never stops reading, no matter what... So what’s the solution? The Gobble Box! A handy, living box, which can magically store all kinds of things... like food... or books... All Selphy must do is throw in some money and it hops away over to Materia and returns within an hour with delicious sandwiches and rice balls. It's also handy for storing favorite books in and keeping them safe.
Turner / Tricky Muck
Two big, goofy, happy beings that can roll around on the ground (one literally does). Turner enjoys his food, and with the Tricky Muck on his side, he can easily obtain the rarest food ingredients to make his Inn a culinary success! The Tricky Muck also expresses a constant smile of goofy joy, helping to further lighten up the mood of the Sunshine Inn. It can also provide juices from its body, which make for an "interesting" drink... something Turner never passes on... Never mess with the Tricky Muck; however, as one cook who did disappeared...
Rita / Ignis & Glace
A proud cook in her own right, Rita has the professional help of an Ignis - the ultimate cooking machine. This little fiery beasty can provide heat that'll scramble eggs in seconds, turn corn into popcorn, and warm up an oven to any temperature one could need. An Ignis' place is in the kitchen. Its cousin, Glace, simply resides in large boxes where it refrigerates perishables with its freezing body temperature – a good way of avoiding a large electric bill with standard refrigerators.
Eunice / Wooly
Eunice appreciates the simple things in life - like flowers and knitting. She makes everyone swimsuits for the summer (even for dear old dad, who has some kind of swimsuit fetish) and sweaters for the winter. She can also repair clothing in a matter of seconds, thanks to her partner: the Wooly. There’s no finer or stronger material than the wool of Woolies. They’re docile monsters and very tolerant to humans, Eunice even uses her Wooly as a handy duster. It’s also handy for drying dishes and helping people get to sleep, and can even do math.
Note from Freyashawk: In Eunice's own words: You know about the monster ‘Wooly’? Their fur is like cotton candy and so fluffy. Oh! I don’t mean I want to eat the fur or anything!
Uzuki / Samurai
Uzuki, a kind shrine maiden that talks softly but carries a big stick, along with a loudmouth cricket. Her ideal partner is a rather obvious one - the Samurai, a monster that is likely native to her home country. Samurais can make for great sparring partners and can be a strong asset to one's training. They’re also good for chopping up wood, sushi, and cabbages. Of course Tsubute offers his own kind of training with Uzuki - the strict old school rules of the ancient diehards... which may be more challenging than defeating the Samurai...
Note from Freyashawk: There is only one problem with this, although the Samurai does resemble Tsubute. Uzuki does not like Monsters, curiously enough.
An Event with Uzuki:
Uzuki: Ah-ahhhhhh!!
Freyr: W-what happened?!
Uzuki: Something black and quick scuffled by my feet… Ahhhhh!
Tsubute: Milday! Please get a hold of yourself!
Uzuki: I-I hate black things that are quick and small!
In another dialogue:
Uzuki: I just do not like monsters…
Freyr: Then what about Tsubute?
Uzuki: Tsubute is… different. I’m not afraid of him..
Tsubute: What was that?!
Rosetta / Spring, Summer, & Autumn
Some girls love plants... Rosetta likes money... the Spring, Summer, and Autumn can provide both. With their cute, flower-like appearance, these three serve as Materia's mascots, drawing crowds with their lovely aroma while also providing Rosetta a steady supply of seeds for many different flowers and crops, as well as some lovely perfumes. They’re a must-have for any proud business owner in this field, unless the owner has allergies…
Danny / Slime
Danny is Selphy's rival for laziest person in Trampoli. In fact, Danny's house and "store" became so dirty from neglect that it attracted a Slime... which literally ate him out of business (though there wasn’t much to eat to begin with). However, instead of having it sent to the 1st Forest, Danny trained it to break rocks and bring him gold and silver to help with his financial crisis while he worked for Rosetta for minimum wages. The Slime is usually dependable when it comes to breaking down stone, but will also digest the ores within it from time to time unless it's very well trained... which isn't really the case here, as this Slime is as lazy as its owner and usually brings back scrap…
Ganesha / Hammer Troll
Ganesha is a hard worker as the town’s smith, constantly taking important orders from kingdoms all around for her fine weapons and more importantly – fixing Turner’s kitchen knife (a man’s gotta work, ya know). Her ally, the Hammer Troll, has become a vital asset to her business and life. With its super muscular arms, it can destroy rocks for ores, help forge heavy weapons, and stop Marco from running off into dungeons…
Marco / Micro Dragon
Every young boy who aspires to be a brave warrior needs a pet dragon! As long as he's responsible enough and able to keep it from burning down the house... The Micro Dragon, while seemingly more harmless than it's much larger cousin, the Mini Dragon, actually boasts more power - making it more difficult to tame despite its size... Of course, what mom doesn't know won’t hurt her, right? As long as he looks cute and small... where's the harm?
Lute / Chitter
Among the cutest creatures on earth, the Chitter looks good in ANY painting – making it the perfect model for artists like Lute. With famous pieces such as: The Mona Chitter, Starry Chitter, Chitter by the Lake, and perhaps the most famous: The Chitter, Lute and his squirrely companion became two of the biggest hits in the art community.
Melody / Little Wizard
Melody dreams of becoming an all-powerful wizard with the most unique bathhouse the world has ever seen. There can only be one monster for this quirky wizard-in-training: the masterful Little Wizard. Powerful in the ways of magic, it has own its dream – to simply grow taller so people will stop calling it “Little.” Together they train in the arts of magic, making progress and accidents – like turning the bath water into cement (was stuck in there awhile), or making the building itself invisible (much was seen on that day…).
Nolan / Minotaur King
With its royal blue fur, fierce axe, and loyalty to its owner, there is no better bodyguard and companion for a king than the mighty Minotaur King. It served Nolan quite well back in his small kingdom, but nowadays he simply has it cut wood for hot baths. There’s not much action for this beast anymore, but it remains as loyal and diligent as ever. It also enjoys having a drink or two, which gives it a very friendly appearance.
Bianca / Mammoo
Possibly the pickiest person in existence, Bianca would have only one monster, a Mammoo dubbed “Francoise”. Unfortunately, the two had to part ways after an incident (Francoise doesn’t know its own strength). There’s an old myth though, that “A Mammoo never forgets,” and a few years later that myth would gain some credibility when Francoise returned to Trampoli all grown up and seeking its owner.
Tabatha / Any Monster...
One of the biggest monster lovers in all the lands, Tabatha hopes to one day have monsters more accepted by all people in the world. She’d take any under her care…
Minerva / Hunter Wolf
On a mission to locate her sister, Minerva selected the best partner for the job - the Hunter Wolf. Acting as both a mount and guide, it didn't take very long for Minerva to find her sister, as the Hunter is second to none in finding its targets. A keen nose, above average intelligence, and great speed make it the top choice for hunting down anything or anyone.
Kross / Heracles
Kross the mysterious carpenter... His partner, the first one in many years, is able to match his strength with its proud horn and muscles. While Kross gathers lumber, this giant beetle smashes and moves giant boulders (which seem to show up every now and then somehow). Together, they can build extensions in the blink of an eye… Nobody really notices either...
Brodik / Mini Golem
A proud subscriber to "Golem Assembler Weekly", Brodik's partner of choice is none other than the great Mini Golem. He wanted a Mega Golem but the kits were sold out…
Anette / Blackbird
Anette races around like there's no tomorrow, but there are some places that can't be reached on foot. So what is a mail person to do? Use airmail of course! The Blackbird can fly around at great speeds, delivering mail and packages through the skies, and the best part is it works for crackers. The blackbird can also be taught words, although this trait has been very annoying for Anette, especially after Danny taught it the word “Midget”.
Erik / Ant
What's a monster every farmer should have? That's right - the Ant! Because there's no harder worker than the ant... whether its gathering crops, weeding, mowing, fertilizing... there's a reason they made ant farms ya know. While Erik may be a bit on the skittish side with monsters, he can appreciate one that eats turnips (among other crops…).
Iris Blanche & Iris Noire / Unico & Cone
Two mythical horses of legend – the Unico that’s as pale as the moon, and the Cone that’s as dark as night – there are no monsters more fitting for the mysterious ladies of an ancient tribe.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Hearts and Flowers from Rune Factory Frontier
'Hearts and Flowers'
by ILuvHM
Dear Diary,
I feel I am bursting with excitement today. I cannot bear to keep this news to myself. It could be the beginning of the greatest adventure of my life.
Tonight, I won Iris' heart completely. She cannot resist my Tomato Juice, made from a special type of Tomato grown deep in the dungeons.
I prepare the Tomato Juice carefully in my blender and each time I make it, I can hear the cheering of a great crowd... so it has to be good! Iris drank 12 glasses of it in one sitting last night and now her Heart is filled with Love and Friendship for me. Yippee!
I don't think I ever ran down the steps from the Tower of Rest as quickly as I ran last night. I practically flew down the Beanstalk and ran home.
Tomorrow I am going to enter the Snow Ruins for the first time. I feel like a hero now. I am almost too excited to be afraid.
And now to bed...
Dear Diary,
I slid out of bed this morning and immediately ran to the Snow Ruins. Totally lost, I somehow stumbled upon the door that led to the Boss Chamber without passing out...
only to discover that the door would not open! I thought to myself: I have to find another way! Suddenly I realised: Oops! I forgot that I still need to speak to
Kanno!
I fought my way slowly back towards the entrance, only to pass out with Glaces all around me.
I awoke in the Clinic to the sound of Festival music. I ran outside and in my haste, bumped into Lute. I apologised and gave him chocolate in restitution.
Seeing Lara and Melody, I ran to them to ask about today's Festival. They were giddy with excitement and both acted a bit strangely. Could it be that they
actually were blushing?
They each gave me flowers. In fact, all the girls gave me flowers today. How nice! In the spirit of the Festival, I went over to Erik to say 'hi' instead of
avoiding him. I should have known though. All he did was brag about all the girls who gave HIM flowers today. (If he has so many girlfriends, why doesn't he have a
wife by now?)
I've looked through Erik's meagre book collection, hoping to steal one or two good recipes, but he doesn't even have 'Happiness 101' so there is no way that he won any girl's heart, let alone ALL of them as he would have every one believe. He was lying as usual, but why?
Erik still was talking about his imaginary girlfriends when I left him to speak to Kanno. The old man and I discussed places where Runes might gather. Kanno,
ordinarily a patient man, appears to have a sense of urgency about him now. I didn't want to upset the old man because of his 'chronic illness' so I told him not to worry, that I would take care of everything.
The day was drawing to a close, but I knew I had to speak to Stella before going to bed. Having spoken to Kanno, I was very excited by the thought of exploring the Snow Ruins again. Would the door open for me now?I finally found Stella with Kross. Those two have a weird relationship. Kross certainly lives in the past
most of the time and I sometimes have a feeling that Stella may do the same.
Stella began to counsel me about marriage. What?! Just because Iris loves me does not mean that I'm in love with her or even if I am, it doesn't mean that I'm ready to settle down now. (How did Stella know about Iris anyway?)
Then there is Euni. I have such strong feelings for her. I don't think I could be happy if I didn't see where THAT might lead. Truth is, I haven't ever gone on one date yet. I really wanted to get my house and farm in order first. I don't even have a proper bedroom yet, let alone a double bed. What was Stella thinking?
Well, you know how Stella is. In the end, she had her way and I left with the 'Happiness 101' Recipe Book tucked under my arm and my head stuffed with advice about all the girls of Trampoli.
Good night, dear diary... until tomorrow.
Note from Freyashawk: This is a nice piece of fan fiction by ILuvHM that gives information about a number of aspects of Courtship in Rune Factory Frontier, including the Recipe Book for the 'Wedding Bouquet' and its heart level requirement. It is written in the form of a 'diary' for Spring of the 2nd Year and introduces the Foliage Festival. Incidentally, you will look for Erik's Book Collection in vain!
He has as many books as girlfriends, sad to say.
by ILuvHM
Dear Diary,
I feel I am bursting with excitement today. I cannot bear to keep this news to myself. It could be the beginning of the greatest adventure of my life.
Tonight, I won Iris' heart completely. She cannot resist my Tomato Juice, made from a special type of Tomato grown deep in the dungeons.
I prepare the Tomato Juice carefully in my blender and each time I make it, I can hear the cheering of a great crowd... so it has to be good! Iris drank 12 glasses of it in one sitting last night and now her Heart is filled with Love and Friendship for me. Yippee!
I don't think I ever ran down the steps from the Tower of Rest as quickly as I ran last night. I practically flew down the Beanstalk and ran home.
Tomorrow I am going to enter the Snow Ruins for the first time. I feel like a hero now. I am almost too excited to be afraid.
And now to bed...
Dear Diary,
I slid out of bed this morning and immediately ran to the Snow Ruins. Totally lost, I somehow stumbled upon the door that led to the Boss Chamber without passing out...
only to discover that the door would not open! I thought to myself: I have to find another way! Suddenly I realised: Oops! I forgot that I still need to speak to
Kanno!
I fought my way slowly back towards the entrance, only to pass out with Glaces all around me.
I awoke in the Clinic to the sound of Festival music. I ran outside and in my haste, bumped into Lute. I apologised and gave him chocolate in restitution.
Seeing Lara and Melody, I ran to them to ask about today's Festival. They were giddy with excitement and both acted a bit strangely. Could it be that they
actually were blushing?
They each gave me flowers. In fact, all the girls gave me flowers today. How nice! In the spirit of the Festival, I went over to Erik to say 'hi' instead of
avoiding him. I should have known though. All he did was brag about all the girls who gave HIM flowers today. (If he has so many girlfriends, why doesn't he have a
wife by now?)
I've looked through Erik's meagre book collection, hoping to steal one or two good recipes, but he doesn't even have 'Happiness 101' so there is no way that he won any girl's heart, let alone ALL of them as he would have every one believe. He was lying as usual, but why?
Erik still was talking about his imaginary girlfriends when I left him to speak to Kanno. The old man and I discussed places where Runes might gather. Kanno,
ordinarily a patient man, appears to have a sense of urgency about him now. I didn't want to upset the old man because of his 'chronic illness' so I told him not to worry, that I would take care of everything.
The day was drawing to a close, but I knew I had to speak to Stella before going to bed. Having spoken to Kanno, I was very excited by the thought of exploring the Snow Ruins again. Would the door open for me now?I finally found Stella with Kross. Those two have a weird relationship. Kross certainly lives in the past
most of the time and I sometimes have a feeling that Stella may do the same.
Stella began to counsel me about marriage. What?! Just because Iris loves me does not mean that I'm in love with her or even if I am, it doesn't mean that I'm ready to settle down now. (How did Stella know about Iris anyway?)
Then there is Euni. I have such strong feelings for her. I don't think I could be happy if I didn't see where THAT might lead. Truth is, I haven't ever gone on one date yet. I really wanted to get my house and farm in order first. I don't even have a proper bedroom yet, let alone a double bed. What was Stella thinking?
Well, you know how Stella is. In the end, she had her way and I left with the 'Happiness 101' Recipe Book tucked under my arm and my head stuffed with advice about all the girls of Trampoli.
Good night, dear diary... until tomorrow.
Note from Freyashawk: This is a nice piece of fan fiction by ILuvHM that gives information about a number of aspects of Courtship in Rune Factory Frontier, including the Recipe Book for the 'Wedding Bouquet' and its heart level requirement. It is written in the form of a 'diary' for Spring of the 2nd Year and introduces the Foliage Festival. Incidentally, you will look for Erik's Book Collection in vain!
He has as many books as girlfriends, sad to say.
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