Guardians of Azuma, Married with Godhood, Autumn 2nd Year
This is where I was after I had fought and defeated Kamurosaki for a second time and given the heart shards to Mihoshi Habaki near the end of Summer. It would have been my second year if I had not married and had a child. As Misha was born, the game added five years so that he did not need to stay passively in a cradle for a year. In the old Harvest Moon and Rune Factory games, there would be a period after the birth of a child where he or she did nothing but sleep.
I discovered quickly that there still were goals to achieve and my days are full.
First of all, I always have breakfast with my husband and child. This takes an hour at least because I 'hang out' with both, usually giving a gift to each.
The recent update increased maximum bonding levels and rewards, and as I no lomger had to push forward relentlessly to save Azuma, I focused on gift giving to all for a few days to increase their levels to 12. Now I am beginning to receive those Level 12 rewards.
I completed about half of the Azuma Quests before I was promoted to god. I still need to catch a couple of types of fish for the Pescapedia, shoot out a couple of targets for Yoichi, bless four more Frogs and sweep a handful of Jizo Shrines...
Meanwhile, with all Villages at Level 10, they could still use some aesthetic improvements as well as reassessment of crops needed.
Aftee I completed all the Crop missions, I removed most of the fields from the four Villages, including many of the paddy fields. I was keen to place the beautiful Shrines and create picturesque landscapes, but you really need working farms, eapecially now that maximum bonding levels have increased.
Sakuna has had very little to do recently and I need to fix that because I am running out of Rice! One always can buy Rice and Crops but they will be Level 1. Moreover, the Villagers who are set to farming are very random in their actions. It is better if you take an active role in planting, watering and harvesting.
I now am trying to balance farming with social interactions and combat that collects materials I need.
I discovered that Exquisite Fabric was needed for some decorations I wished to mske for all the Villages. The Requests on the Board never offer a lesser item in trade for a superior one. Sadly I had traded most of my Exquisite Fabric for Mysterious Fabric. So now I am going into areas to defeat Monsters who drop Exquisite Fabric. I did tame a couple as well. In fact a Neko who kept rejecting me for days finally succumbed with a gift of Quality Cloth.
Murasame really knows how to show profound respect and quiet admiration and I find it very attractive... but I did marry Kai in this specific 'life'. One day perhaps I will have another life.
Some characters now speak of me making a choice to accept godhood. When I answered Mihoshi Habaki, it was with the first option. I believe it was something like: 'I humbly accept'. The second oprion to me seemed like dithering about something I ultimately needed to accept. After all, the seasonal gods had made me Village Chief. Matsuri had that brief wobble when she relinquished everything to me but she quickly took it back.
There were a number of discussions that made it clear godhood was something acquired.
I went back to that fateful day at the last Save Point to see if I could refuse the promotion. Indeed one can, but Mihoshi Habaki will be very disappointed if you do. Every trial, every victory was a rest of sorts. She asked you to accept because you had passed all the tests and a guardian is needed for ALL of Azuma. So I will not change my decision. After all, when I first fell through the roof like a meteorite, the actual gods all were hiding! I do not mind simply observing but as Kai would put it, need to be in a position to drag them back to their jobs again should any one falter.
Again, no Woolby at the crack of dawn but an interesting dialogue occurred when I disbanded my Party to try to catch a Blue Oni in the Goldblossom Mines.
As before, Woolby was with me and I suddenly said: 'I'm glad you're with me, Woolby!'
He asked what prompted the remark but in fact I was glad...
I have stacks of every other Cloth but no Exquisite Cloth and there are quite a few Recipes that require it. One takes materials for granted until they are gone...
Moreover, the Request Board now only asks me to trade Exquisite for Mysterious almost constantly. Thus the hunt for an Oni that might provide it.
The Airship Replica requires it.
Another nuisance now:
The Recipe for Rice Offerings:
100 Lumber
30 Rice
I made this Recipe before but wanted to place more of these offerings and find my stock of Rice is almost gone.
I may have been promoted by Mihoshi Habaki but I cannot promote any one to manager of my Inventory!
Sakuna will plant and harvest Rice but I got rid of most of my Rice Paddies to clear space for more barns once the Village Level requirement to have 30 Paddy Fields was met. I had hundreds of Rice in my storage but cleared it out to keep only Level 9.
And of course, when some one else makes the harvest, crops go directly into the Shipping Bin.
Another need now is Leek Seeds. I have Leeks I grew prior to this and even a couple of Giant Leeks at various levels but no seeds at all. When I was concentrating on finishing the narrative, I ignored farming only for a few days but that was enough... the villagers let a great many crops wither!
So I must buy Leek seeds now from Watarase I think. I do not really NEED them, but I like to have all seed types.
I briefly went to the Forest of Endings today and where I met Mihoshi Habaki, there were warp gates now at either side.
I entered the one on the left, totally unprepared for what followed.
First, I had not sorted my inventory and storage in days. This morning, I concentrated on making dishes people loved as gifts rather than giving acceptable every dishes.
I did this foolish act on a whim. They say 'Curiosity killed the Cat' and I began to feel like that proverbial cat.
When we entered, a ring of fire was activated and we were met by Tengus, a bear, hornets, Wisp and Spiders. All very high level... but what made this a nightmare was that defeating them simply brought another wave of them. A prompt said '2 out of 5 Waves' at one point but it becane relentless... and I finally went home dragging the bodies of my temporarily dead comrades with me.
2 Autumn:
Woolby has returned to awaken me in the morning!
Was it the dialogue we had in the dungeon or was it some sort of event timer?
More likely, it was going to that awful arena that allowed his return even if the result was not saved.
I will test it one day but not now.
Back to Goldblossom Mine to tame a Blue Oni now that I managed to wedge a new Barn into one of my Villages.
This experience today proves no two Monsters, even if they have the same name, are alike.
I gave him Exquisite Claw and he rejected it although he displayed the single heart before doing so. I then gave him Quality Cloth and that tamed him.
Another stood beside him as I came alone today again to prevent hasty dispatches of creatures I wish to tame.
I gave him Quality Cloth but he rejected it after displaying a single heart, so I tried Exquisite Claw and that tamed him.
Thus every Monster is unique!
Another thing I tested was whether the cooked dish some one makes with you will be loved as a gift. Absolutely not! Ikaruga neither loved nor even liked the Mystic Mochi we made together!
Today at the entrance to Winter Village, Sakaki commented: 'I can feel the chill of the snow through my sandals.'
I am going to look at the Point Values of gifts now. I usually give Pilika either Grilled Salmon or Honey. She is at Level 11 with 90 points to go to Level 12. I gave her Grilled Salmon and then spoke to her. Now 69 points to go. I should have looked before I spoke to her. Perhaps the Grilled Salmon is worth 30 and the conversation 1 point. I will look again tomorrow. I am trying to reach Level 12 with every one now to see if they all give a Reward. Both Kai and Kurana gave Life-sized Cutoits of themselves. Sadly, despite the thrill of receiving them, they prove to be one-sided Life-size cutouts so place them against a building, rock or hill...
Fubuki had 59 points to Level 12 before Grilled Salmon. Now only 30 so gift and possibly chat were worth 29 points. So he should reach Level 12 tomorrow
Cuilang has 91 points to Level 12 after chat. After Iron Heart, he has 71 to go. Not worth much, is it? I suspect a lump of Iron will do as well!
I have to say that the way Murasame greets me now is wonderful!
There were 91 points to Level 12, and I then give him a simple Level 8 Onigiri. He tells me how flattering it is to receive a gift made by my own hand and then that one gift deserves another. Curiously, a lump of Iron. Usually he gives me a cooked dish. The points needed now are 70. So all that was worth 21 points.
Iroha needs 9 points to reach Level 11 after chat. I give her Dango I made. She goes to Level 11 and there are 88 points needed to reach Level 12
After noon, it was raining in the Summer region. I went fishing after 10 p.m. standing on the little boat off the Remote Island and caught the following:
Marlin
Bonito
Cutlassfish
Seerfish
Blowfish
I had not caught Seerfish or Blowfish before.
3 Autumn:
Woolby tells me it is Zaza's birthday tomorrow. It is mine as well actually but he fails to mention that. Today is Suzu's birthday. Kai and Misha literally crawl out of their bed a few minutes later.
Kai needs 24 points to reach Level 13.
I opt to give him Spring Kuchikamizake Wine. He gives me Tofu in return. Usually he would give me raw Meat of every sort when we were 'dating'. It both touched and bewildered me a little that the guy who had absolutely no money, had a huge tab at Yachi's and slept under a bush, would give me expensive cuts of Meat.
Sadly, I did not look at the points until I had fulfilled a Quest as well. He only lacks 1 point to reach Level 13. I do not think Personal Requests give points but will confirm somehow.
Misha needs 37 points to reach Level 11. I give him Level 4 Split Mix. He gives me Honey Flan in return. He lacks only 8 points now to reach Level 11.
I left the Shrine but then turned back to saw Kai going towards the veranda. I went back to speak to him and simply doing that raised his Level to 13.
He gave me a Hellfire Dango as a reward.
Ikaruga was seated at the Autumn God Shrine. Went from 43 to 22 with Tempura Udon and gave me Full Moon Udon. (I hope I read this number correctly.)
His Request 1 for 2 Catalyst I completed instantly for a Mandarin Sapling. After doing so, 17 points to Level 12.
Kurama has 96 points to reach Level 13. It goes to 75 with a Sandwich.
Kanata had 73 points to Level 12. After Spring Kuchikamizake Wine and a chat, 52. After completing her request for Cheesecake, 47. So it does count!
Before a chat, Mauro has 65 to reach Level 11. Chat made it 64. With a gift of Level 7 Pressed Sushi 43 and he gave me a bar of Chocolate.
Subaru has 87 to reach 11. With small Sushi Platter, 65. He seemed to be ptacticing dabce moves in the little Bamboo Garden.
Hisui needs 23 points to reach Level 10. I give her Spirit Cluster and chat. 6 points remain.
Fubuki has 30. With Grilled Salmon and a chat, only 1 point remains.
65 points to reach Level 11
I celebrate her birthday with Dango, then fill a request for Hot Milk for a Reward of
5 Indigo Grass. 24 Points left.
When I see Takumi he tells me: 'Hey, if you see Suzu around, could you tell her I said, 'happy birthday'? I've got my hands full right now.'
Full with what? I could see him telling me that a year ago when we had four villages to rebuild but now? I am his only source of employment and I am waiting on some rare materials to build a few more decorations... until then, he could hold another drinking competition with Ula or celebrate birthdays with abandon!
I think he had 12 points left but that dialogue got me off balance. Gave him Material Stone and he went to Level 9. Now 90 points to Level 10.
Murasame has 70 points to Level 12. Now 48 after Onigiri.
Matsure needed 19 to reach 11. I gave her Hibiscus. Now at 11 needing 94 to reach 12.
I need the highest point item for one or two characters and see the difference.
4 Autumn: Today is my birthday. Woolby gave me a Rune Crystal and wished me happy birthday.
Kai and Misha both wished me a happy birthsay. Kai gave me an Amethyst and Misha gave me a Rune Crystal. Ulalaka wiahed me a happy birthday
.. and then NOTHING from any one. Not even a verbal acknowledgement!
So the day went seriously downhill aftwr that.
I thought with rather wistful and improbable hope that when I returned to one of our Shrine homes for dinner, there would be a huge surprise party rather like the congratulatory party when every one was introduced to our baby for the first time.
No such luck. I may be a god now but no one brings offerings on the auspicious occasion of my birth!
Is it because I am married? Ir because I now am a god? I was so looking forward to this. Last year was wonderful but I did not have a friendship with Clarice yet. Now I shall never know in this life...
My birthday basically was rather disappointing. I have no idea what allowed a few characters to allude to it and give me gifts, but they were few and far between. Ukalaka was the only god. Some of the merchants actually did convey their wishes with a gift: Watarase and Takumi both. Zaza, who shares this birthdate gave me a gift and I celebrated hers.
At least Kai and Misha made a fuss!
5 Autumn:
I am raising all Profile Characters to Level 12 one by one.
Each one gives his or her Lifesize Cutout upon reaching Level 12. I now have the following:
Kai
Kurama
Fubuki
Kanata
Murasame
Mauro
Subaru
Yachiyo
I stopped giving gifts in a determined fashion when the maximum level was 10.
Before the Bonding Levels were increased and more rewards were possible, the most important Level for any non-marriagable character was Level 6. At Level 6, provided you have the basic recipe needed, every Profile will cook with you to add two new dishes to the Cooking Menu. For the most part, they have high value in terms of recovery of Energy, both HP and RP, so it is worth the effort. They also are linked for the most part to the character's special interests or history and are visually quite stunning. One is told by more than one individual that Presentation is important.
I am reaching Level 12 with more Characters almost daily. I believe Level 13 gives you one of the actual dishes the character makes with you. At least that was the effect with Kai. (It is so, in fact, even with Misha, my son.)
In doing this, I looked more carefully at the point values of gifts and other interactions.
You do receive one point simply from chatting to some one for the first time on any given day. Completing Requests does have an effect as well.
It is worth noting perhaps that I gain at least one extra Friendship point with Kai when I go home before 8 and agree to join him for dinner!
7 Autumn: Kau reached Level 14. Nothing new.
Woolby declares it will be the Lantern Festival in 3 days. Option to invite Kai and only Kai.
Kai invites me first but I decline wondering if Misha will ask. Only option is Kai so I invite him.
Pilika and Matsuri both reach Level 12 and give me their cutouts. Misha reaches Level 12 but no cutout for him.
I went fishing on the Fishing Isle and caught:
Autumn Flounder
Throbby Snapper
Sunfish
Golden Octopus
Golden Salmon
Sole
8 Autumn: It is Kotaro's birthday. I gave him tri-colour Dago and he went to Level 12 and gave me his cutout.
I returned to the Forgotten Grove to look for lanterns and parasols. I saw there still were Yoichi Targets in the bamboo high above the ground. This is the problem where you save in more than one slot. False memories are made! So I shot out the three targets and he appeared.
He gave me 20 Eggplant Level 6
I finally come upon a couple of parasols but it is almost 8. I cannot miss dinner!
9 Autumn:
Hisui's Birthday.
38 points to Level 11. I celebrated her birthday with Turnip Heaven and it went to 3. Spoke to her after and it went to 2 points
I received cutouts from Hina and Iroha.
10 Autumn: Lantern Festival
Kai awakened me saying he wanted to discuss something. When I insisted he speak, he asked if we ahould have another child. We went to the Fateweaver Shrine and Misha came as well.
Kai included Woolby in our family when he spoke lovingly of our life together.
Go to the Map from time to time to see if you missed anything!
I missed a Wayside Shrine in the Frostfang Cavern in this life that gives:
Soaring Eagles Talismans Recipe
Arson Bludgeon Recipe
Warrior Hat Recipe
Purification Adornment Recipe.
The Purification Adornment accessory is interesting. The Warrior Hat is not expensibe and is a good choice for your comrades if you cannot afford the pins or Clarice's fabulous military cap.
The Lantern Festival is beautiful. Once I experienced it with Kai, I was able to wander about to speak to sll the others who had come to send messages to their beloved dead. Kai incidentally is very reverent and sincere where spiritual traditions are concerned. He never has mentioned any family or loved ones apart from me and our son. More and more, I feel Kai is the central character in this narrative whether or not you choose to marry him. Subaru is the other character whose narrative is bound to Azuma.
All of them have a story to tell, however, and it would be a pity to marry without experiencing each and every one of these.
Pilika's Events are very dramatic and emotional. Ibsuppose you simply never will know how close she came to leaving Azuma if you do not experience all of her Bonding Events.
I finally got the pesky Frog Statue in the hidden maze in Twilight but I still am missing one Frog. I went back to the Old Village and found a chest I had missed containing a Kirin scroll not on the Map. This is interesting though. I walked round the verandah of the Shrine and suddenly a new chest appeared behind it! Contained a Crimson Jewel.
Never found a Frog. I actually had explored these areas long ago.
So there still is one Island where I did not reach the Save Point although I was there. It is Toxic Isle and blight was everywhere. When I was there before, I think I used the fan to clear fog and found a fallen log bridge covered with purple blight. Too late that day to puzzle it out. I then forgot about it as I maeried, had a chold and explored the Forest of Endings. I went back today. From dismount point, run down to a lantern covered with purple blight at the end of this island. Go to the right to see another island below. Use the parasol and float down. Find the fallen log covered with purple blight and use the parasol to sort of dance across the bridge finding the blightbloom near the end and using the sword on it. The last Frog, the 204th was at the end of the log bridge . Gave a Seafood Gratin recipe. A yellow fan is to the left of the Frog. Activate it with the Fan to find two air vents now, float up and up again. Find green blight and use your fan.
More green blight at the end of this area and I used the fan again. I also found the new Save point here and saved.
I went to see Croakie and he gave me a Ribbit Rock Statue and the Ultimate Curry Recipe.
And then he disappeared forever...
13 Autumn:
Sakaki reached Level 12 and gave me his cutout. Only a few left now...
14 Autumn:
Today I searched for the few Jizo Statues I had missed. I found there still were three in the Autumn Fields. I only am missing one now.
15 Aurumn: Kai awakened me suggesting we return to the Shrine to pray for a child. Misha and Woolby came as well. Woolby told me I was expecting and I asked for a girl of gentle disposition.
Searching for the last Jiso shrine. In the Forest of Endings 1, I found a chest I had missed with Recovery potion I think and Uplifterall.
Chest I had missed on Level 2 with HP Maga IV
Wind Boost Maga 4
Chest in Lv 4 I missed with STR Maga IV
InT MAGA IV
16 Autumn:
Counting the days and trying to find thr last Jizo Shrine.
Went fishing on Eastern Trishell and finally caught another Flounder
17 Autumn:
Found four plots of Golden Turnips on Dual Shell Island.
19 Autumn:
Almost like waiting and waiting for a child to be born in any life.
Found a chest under the Winter Torii Gate I had missed:
Snow
Exotic Road?
Note: Never pass by a Jizo Shrine. It is really annoying not to be able to find the very last one. I see it on no Map.
19 Autumn: Woolby is back to greet ne after a few days' absence. Perhaps only to announce that tomorrow is Kai's birthday.
