Visiting the Underworld, Part I
Last updated on 7 December by fixing many many typos. Any one who reads this will become aware that this is a very personal walkthrough where I basically describe my entire life in Azuma.
This guide is in the form of a journal, published as a series of posts. The aim in this game was to complete the main narrative as quickly as possible, a timeline I always documented in my Harvest Moon guides.
This is my site for Guardians of Azuma. Some of the posts are my notes. The Walkthrough is divided into separate posts as well.
Always know there actually are no deadlines for any of it. You do not lose your chance by taking your time. In my first undocumented game, I blundered through most of it.
Still ended up in the same place ultimately!
At 5 in the evening I went to Yachiyo's to participate in the Second Meeting of the Gods.
At the meeting Yachiyo acted as hostess and revealed Kai's true identity.
Kai then demanded I restore his full power as a condition of lending his aid.
With the other gods, power is restored gradually as Village Levels increase. Kai forced me to use the Dance of Bonds on him again and again, until he was 100% fighting fit.
It was Ikaruga who attached a curse to Kai's tab to persuade him. Should he refuse, his male organ might wither. Harsh!
Ikaruga has been in the Villages formally only one day. He loves Tempura Udon. In fact, he is what is known as a 'Foodie' in some parts.
Kai's attitude towards me changed radically as soon as we could interact.
When the Meeting ended, I found him seated on the veranda of the Spring Shrine.
When I spoke to him, he shouted:
'Wahaha! You and I are pals now. Anything you need help with, just ask!'
Then:
'Just in case you forgot, the name's Kai, Valiant Herald of Rebellion and leader of the Oni! Thanks again for all your help!
I then gave him the Azuma Sake I had been carrying round for days awaiting this moment.
'Haha, I can tell you put a ton of thought into this! Thanks a bunch.'
Immeduately Level 2 and says: Who says humans and oni can't get along, huh? I mean, just look at us!'
We now must go to the Gate of the Underworld.
Meanwhile I lost Fubuki from my Party a couple of days ago, but had done nothing. I was supposed to go to the Winter Village. I found an event with Watarase when I walked into the marker. He had noticed Fubuki was missing, told me to wait, but I needed to investigate.
At this point there were quest markers on every map but I wanted to forge ahead with the Main Narrative.
I did go then to the Winter Shrine when I realised I would need Fubuki in my Party when we went to the Underworld. He appeared and told me he had been performing good deeds secretly. I told him I would help in future.
Kurama when I returned to Azuma after what he calls a IRL hour: There you are. Every one's excited to see you... but take your time.
Before I moved towards the Underworld gate, I first looked for Fubuki. He was sandwiched between Matsuri and Murasame, all seated at the Frozen Izakaya.
I gave him his favourite Grilled Salmon:
Wow, and you made it yourself?! How thoughtful of you.
It was 10.00 p.m. now, but I wanted to reach the Underworld.
I flew to one of the Kagura Shrines, then saw the gold pin on Oni Island.
As we travel, Kai is unusually helpful.
'Should be coming up soon!'
Then: 'This is it! Set us down here.'
After all that, as soon as we set foot on the Island:
Kai: Tine to relax and have a drink! ... Huh? No? Damn!'
We scramble towards and over rocks to find a Save Pount to the left. I activate and save. Moving forward, Kai works some magic to cause the gate to rise from the ground and appear to us.
He then gives me his Sacred Mask and tells me to equip and use it to punch through the Gate.
Kai now tells me to dispatch the monstrous twin Gatekeepers who are Level 55.
Afterwards, he minimises the battle:
'That's what passes for a gatekeeper these days! Tch. Making us look bad!
Kai walks with great dignity towards his old domain.
Okay! Let's keep it moving. Follow me!
The Underworld:
It is very beautiful, bathed in a perpetual sunset glow.
Woolby says it is not what he expected.
Kai tells us:
In ancient times, it was created as a safe haven. A place where humans who lived topside could escape.
Me: Escape...what?
Kai: Something a lot like what's going on now. Wind died, plants withered. The surface couldn't support human life anymore.
It is after 11 now. There is no point doing more today.
On the Request Board now:
Go Learn the Mask Dance!
Learn Sumo Slam
Yellowtail x 5
3000 Gold
24 Spring:
I need to organise a festival. I may as well do that now.
I also want to tame a Wooly from Forgotten Grove that gives Large Fur... have to go alone to do that.
Kai is in Hisui's Shop. Now he has reawakened his interest in life, he shows up everywhere
I give him the Veggie Croquettes he requested..Hisui goes to Level 2 just by speaking to her.
Hisui: If only I were a few decades younger... Hohoho. Just a little elder humour. I do consider you a goid friend though.
I had time before Kai's tab event at 5 so I went to Autumn Wilds to find Frogs. Headed to the right and saved at the Lighthouse. I found three trees that needed revival. I got a Chestnut seedling from one.
A tengu in this area near the high tower.
A big circle of red blight with the blightbloom inside this was next. I climb a house, glide to a windmill and jump inside the circle. I run to the blifhtblom and use my parasol to destroy it.
A Frog on a pedestal gives Chestnut Mochi Recipe, Chestnut Jelly Recipe
Sticky Chestnut Rice Recipe*
Mont Blanc Recipe **
* One of Murasame's favourite dishes.
** A sweet almost any child you have will like
Behind the Frog a tall tower and a wind vent. I ride it upwards and go to the platform for a jar containing Preserved Bonito and to sweep a Jizo Shrine.
I can see a Frog on a high rock from here. From this high tower platform, I glide over and find:
Shrimp al Ajillo Recipe,
Octopus ak Ajillo Recipe
Char al Ajillo Recipe
From this high vantage point, I see another Frog on a long grassy hill across the field. I glide to it and actually reach it.
It gives me:
Sweet Potato Jelly Recipe
Glazed Sweet Potato Recipe
It is now 3.00.
There is a Frog on the Map near the long entrance to the courtyard of the Maze. It is actually lower, almost at river level. Go down to a Mining Rock and you will see it after defeating two Samurai Toads.
It has Carpenter's Hammer Recipe.
It is 5. I went to Ichiyo's and walked towards the serving area to trigger an event with Kai
Yachiyo is nowhere to be seen and Kai wants to leave. When she appears, he is embarassed, but finally asks for more time to pay his tab. I invite him to dinner and he declines but Yachiyo lectures him about being too proud. She tells me Kai has better manners since meeting me and serves us both dinner 'on the house'.
I experience Fubuki's Event where Watarase gives us a huge bucket of fish
I finally go to the Underworld. I use the Mask to smash a veined rock revealing a Frog that gives Garlic Cutlet and Worker's Udon Recipes
Circle of Fire with Cannon and Black Oni.
The Drawbridge is shut so go left.
Break rocks using Mask Dance. Another circle of Fire with Oni and Archers.
Go down a narrow alley on the left to find a Frog.
It gives Stuffed Cabbage Rolls Recipe, Ratatouille Recipe.
Here is where I had an epiphany that sent me hone.
My first contest is tomorrow to make Quick Meals.
I could not understand why making hundreds of Steamed rice and Onigiri changed nothing in terms of quality. Then I thought I needed to rid myself of the Level 1 Rice. To place it in the Shipping Bin, however, did not rid me of anything. This is what prompted me to go home to sell all the Level 1 Rice, whether raw or Steamed that was in the Shipping Bin to Yachiyo. With only Level 3 Rice left, my rice dishes became Level 3. Whether it is enough to win the Contest is another matter.
With gold in my pockets, I nipped over to Takumi a few moments before 10 to make a few items for the dev zones. As I hoped, placing those made the Village eligible for Level 6. He was gracuous enough to answer when I knocked him up and happy to gain more divinity.
I learned the first Sumo Drum Dance for rewards and a new request to learn the Demon Within appeared. It transpired that I had mastered that as well and was given the rewards of 5 Mystery Potion, 5 Restorative Elixir and 5000 Gold.
Time for bed... almost midnight.
25 Spring:
Three new Villagers in the Winter Village.
The Quick Meal Contest was announced at 8 at the Summer Village by Hisui. I submitted Level 3 Tempura Onigiri and won.
I gave Kai Sake and he told me he had been cheering for me.
I forged a Platinum Sword and Ring of Repose, equipoed them and went to the Oni Island.
This time I looked for Frogs. One is to the left of the Save point outside and gives Ring of the Underworld Recipe.
Another going down, very close to the Torii Gate dragon mount gives Marinated Mushrooms Recipe.
I enter and go to the left, smashing the rocks with the Mask, activating a ring of fire again that comes with lanterns, cannon and oni. I open a chest that contains Light Boost maga II.
There is a large purple blight ahead. I use the sword on a blightbloom but there is more blight still. Another blightbloom is concealed behind a mining stone. Attacked here by oni.
There is still another blightbloom somewhere but I smash a rock with the Mask to find a Frog at the end of a little alley.
It gives Platinum Bracelet Recipe.
The other blightbloom is behind a rock that requires Kai's Mask.
That is all for this area. Mount a wooden structure for a chest containing Dark Crystal and Tiger Scroll x 3.
A new ring of fire appears in a square with cable cars. All the enemies are above shooting arrows
More purple blight ahead
Use your fan to activate a yellow fan that creates a wind vent on a platform. Use your parasol to ascend and destroy the blightbloom with the Sword
Another Frog in a narrow alley behind the yellow fan I activated gives Oni Lantern of Fury and Oni Lantern of Sorrow.
Continue ahead and open a chest containing STR maga II
I smash a rock with the Mask and find plots containing Pink Melons. I clean a Jizo Shrine nearby.
We move forward to one of the worst areas. A circle of fire filled with Oni but what is really bad are the blights throwing flames. I have a difficult time seeing through the flames but finally use the parasol to get on top of a cable car and then use the parasol twice in different directions with the most powerful water attack I have to destroy the blightblooms of fire.
It is after 11 now. I run forward as fast as possible to find a Save point.
To the left of the Save point is a Wayside Shrine that gives
Platinum Bow
Arcane Light Talismans
Celestial Crown Recipe
26 Spring:
I work a little so that Autumn Village is raised to Level 7 by adding fields and rice paddies, so I find Kurama and he performs the level increase.
I give Kai Sake and his level is raised to 4. He gives me the Kai's Mask Recipe.
I walk into a marker at the God plaza in Autumn and experience an event with Ikaruga and Kotaro. Yachiyo has asked him to hunt down a monster. To continue, go to Yachiyo's after 5.
Simply speaking to Cuilang raises him to Level 2.
I give him a favourite, Iron.
Cuilang: For me? I wasn't aware you knew I liked these. You're always full of surprises.'
He goes to Level 3.
Kotaro and Kurama are in the little hut in the zen garden.
Simply speaking to Kotaro raises his level to 3.
There are too many pins on the map now.
I go to Hina's house and she invites me and Mauro to eat at Iroha's but when I go there, I somehow find myself asking Ulalaka and Iroha about strange noises at night.
All the gods collect and it is decided to patrol at night. Matsuri falls asleep and Kurama rudly awakens her.
This event instantly is followed by Mauro, Hina and I eating dango there.
Woolby: So good food reminds you of home?
Me: What reminds you of home, Woolby?
Mauro: Grass?
Hina: Or like... fodder?
Woolby: I don't eat grass! I ain't no Wooly!
No, he always hangs over my shoulder when I am cooking, petulently demanding my food!
End of Hina's First Bonding Event.
I still am attempting to find Kurama playing with the chikdren.
So far this morning:
Ikaruga Mystic Case File I
Hina's Nothing Beats Sweets
Getting to Know Hina I
When I simply warped to the Autumn God Shrine, I experienced the event with Kurana: Want to Play with the Kids.
It is one of my favourites as it involves Kai as well. Kai rocks up to the shrine, shouting that he is bored, wants to play a game. Kurama hides until he leaves. He then tells me about the game of shogi Kai lost. In a fit of rage, he ate the king!
After showing me the box of various game pieces Kai ruined, Kurama confesses that he, Kurama destroyed the village when he conjured a typhoon to end the drought.
In fact, going back to a point earlier in the morning, I discovered that one MUST experience Hina's event at the archaeology site near the 3rd Dev area before one can trigger the event with Kurama. After all, it is Cuilang who declares a typhoon occurred long ago when Hina speaks about her study of the soil and how it tells a history of the region.
The event with Kurama is both entertaining and sad. It shows his complicated relationship with Kai, who actually is both his best friend and worst enemy, and then Kurama confesses his part in the typhoon and why he became a recluse.
Most of the events now in the Bonding Quests board occur at night.
Ikaruga: go to Yachiyo's from 5 to 11
Ulalaka: go to Sakaki's house 8 to midnight
Matsuri: go to Summer God Shrine 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
There are two I can experience now:
Cuilang: go to Yachiyos 9 to 5
There is one more to experience now with Fubuki
Going to Yachiyo introduces Cuilang formally with the Profile Icon. He offers to fix her stove. Kotaro is a nuisance, but Cuilang suggests that one allow him his pranks. He demonstrates compassion and empathy and physical strength when he carries the broken parts away after effecting the repair for Yachiyo.
Getting to Know Cuilang Quest now appears.
I go to the Entrance of the Winter Village for Fubuki's event. The marker is in front of the little bench where they all come to sit from time to time, down the hill from the Entrance. Reminds me of a coach stop. Who knows? Perhaps there is Public Transport and I simply have missed it.
Fubuki: I'm sorry for taking so long. I was ambushed by children as soon as I left my Shrine.
Woolby remarks he must be popular with children with his fluffy tail and Fubuki retorts that Woolby is far more popular. The children cry out: 'A wooly! And it's flying!'
Woolby races away with the children in pursuit. I remark how very cold it is. Fubuki wants to explain in private. I need to join him at his shrine if I wish to know more.
Ikaruga is seated on the bench, however, so I give him Tempura udon.
Ikaruga: 'Many thanks. I'm rather fond of these.'
He then says: Congratulations. I knew you'd energe victorious.
The Sake I give to Kai daily costs over 1500 G. I really need the Recipe.
Before I interact with any one else, I see I have cleaned 28 Jizo Statues. Two more for another visitation and reward.
They all are linked to Rice so perhaps the Azuma Sake Recipe will be a reward.
I find a Jizo Statue very close to the Forest Depths Save point. Attacked instantly by wolves while sweeping, but we brush them off easily.
I warp to the Underground Wayside Shrine and blessedly it is to the right on the surface. I clean it and collect the Onigiri.
Woolby says something like:
I imagine you have earned plenty of karma cleaning so many statues.'
So he acknowledges there will be a reward for doing 30.
As I am engaged in this sort of quest apparently, I decide ro visit the Prof to get rid of all the unexplained mushrooms now taking root in my backpack. I find the Frog I missed in the shallow water.
It gives Mushroim Hot Pot Recipe..
A note of caution: if you have only one mushriom of any unappraised variety, do not try to appraise it. Wait until you have two because, if it is toxic, he will say so but tell you he needs to try more before he can identify it. Thus, wasted!
I went round on a Mushroom Hunt on his island and did find I had an Oni Toppler. No Bear Toppler yet. Both feature in recipes.
On my way to Oni Island, I saw on the map there was an unblessed Wayside Shrine on the Winter Kagura Island so made a quick stop there for
Stoic Earring Recipe, Awakening Earring Recipe.
I finally reach the Underworld at 4
Although I activated a Save Point at the Underworld Crossroads, I cannot use it until I actually enter from the gate.
I am pressed for time so go there.
Ironically, there is a group of unswept three Jizo Statues to the right of it.
Kai remarks: 'You know, you're really getting the hang of fighting like an oni. Could swear you were the real deal.'
That warms the cockles of my heart as I actually have a son with Kai in another life. How I miss my little family now but I promised the world I would document Azuma step by step.
As we battle assorted onis now, Kai cries: 'Piece of cake!'
Kurana unkindly remarks:
'Well you could have fooled me. To be honest I lost count of the times you nearly met your demise.'
Kai: 'HEY! No commentary outta you!'
I get the feeling that Kai really seeks my approval as much as I seek his.
Kurama: Kai! Don't rush in without a plan!"
Kai: How's this? I punch 'em, you slash 'em. Perfect plan, right?
Kurama: ...Why do I even bother?
Green blightbloom with blight on the road ahead. I use the Fan.
Use the Mask on a huge rock behind which is a chest containing Fire Crystsl x 5, Tiger Scroll x 3.
Assorted onis atracking including Vicious Black Onis. " There is a huge Ancient Artillery. We can deal with these but there still is green blight and I cannot even investigate until we put these enemies down.
The blightbloom is high on a roof. I run into another Jizo Shrine and sweep. I need not have hunted for them in the Winter Snow to reach 30!
Stupidly I became stuck again in the effort to clear the massive amounts of green blight in this area. I went across rooftops only to discover the bloom was in a green net. You cannot clear it here!
Find another rooftop with a lantern that restores the magical energy used in Sacred Treasures. From there, cross rooftops until you see a blightbloom and use your fan. This, however, does NOT clear ALL the green blight in the area. The blightbloom in the net remains and further progress is barred by a net across the road.
There is a Frog right on the roadside that gives Exotic Cart Recipe.
By going home at half past ten, it is too late to visit Takumi but I am able to go to Sakaki's House to see that the flowers are causing the monsters to retreat. Ulalaka is happy.
I then go to the Summer Beach where I meet Matsuri. Despite her terror of ghosts, I insist we patrol. She faints and I tell Woolby to watch her while I investigate alone.
The cries of 'Neck...' and 'Lost' came from Mauro who had lost his good luck necklace. Now he has found it. I caution him to look for items during the day in future to avoid terrifying the villagers.
I visit Croakie while I am here.
I have found 96 Frogs and he gives me two groups of Recipe rewards:
Bird Statue
Boiled Pumpkin
Boiled Greens
Chilled Tofu
Miso Soup
Wooly Doll
Marinated Turnips
Marinated Sardines
Cutlet
Tuna Roll
I think the totals were 70 and 90. Now he wants 110.
A chest was left for us during the night. It contains a letter of graitude,
Level 4 Rice,
Azuma Sake Recipe
Spring Kuchikamizake Recipe
Peach Sapling
Peach Nectar Recipe.
4 new villagers arrived in the night, now requiring more homes. I have half a mind to place the Humble Homes again!
Just discovered something. When Woolby complained about the new villagers needing homes, I accessed the Village Menu again afterwards and he remarked that some jobs had no villagers assigned to then. So here is the situation. You need one Miner, one Logger, one Herder, and so on even if your Villagers are not really suited to those jobs. Your options:
Move one of those who are suited to the job from another village, evict some one and hope for the best or simply force a generic farmer to switch jobs.
It is Ulalaka's Birthday. I go to see her and experience the event where she decides to hold a big banquet for the villagers. I give her the Spring Drink to celebrate her birtbday.
I want to grow Gold Crops so I warp to Dawnbreak Island and use my parasol to go to the little island to the left with a hut with a Frog inside it. I befriend a Cassidoodle with Quality Fletch, bless a Frog to obtain Gold Juice and harvest 4 gold turnips with seeds.
I use my parasol to glide down to a long island below with a Frog who gives Meat Croquettes Recipe.
At the end of this island I use my fan to clear fog to display a chest containing HP Magatama I
I will return here to explore more another day. Time to return to the Underworld.
The following is the best account I could give of how I destroyed the various blights. I and my party suffered more than once from status ailments. We had to battle while I tried to see where the blightblooms were located.
The whole business was a terrible nightmare the first time round. I have saved a file at the Save Point to try to go through it all again and make certain my account is accurate.
I activate the three yellow fans, use the Parasol to float up to the green blightbloom where I use the Sacred fan.
Wind crystal in a chest wurh Tiger Scroll x 3
Now I return to the other green blight on the roof. No longer is there a net so I simply use the fan to be rid of it.
I find the new save Point and save.
I need tp go through this all again but have two accounts.
Here is the other:
I use my fan for the blight on the ground then shoot with a flame arrow the purple blight with the blue centre.
I activate a yellow fan, rise up and use the Parasol on red blight. From that height, I can glide with the Parasol to the last bloomblight to use the sacred fan.
Or you can move along the narrow platform on the right and use the fan from a distance. This is MUCH easier!!!
I move forward and use the parasol on more red blight on the ground.
I find an alley with a mining rock, then break a rock with the mask to use the sword on purple blight with blue centre.
I find a Frog in an alley that gives Modern Streetlamp Recipe.
(A different account:
From the new Save Point go forward. A circle of fire erupts and defeat enemies before working on the blight. First use the sword on the purple bloom on the ground.
I use the fan for blight on the ground, Turn round and use Sword dance for another purple blight with blightbloom at ground level.
Now go down to find the purple blight high up and shoot with flaming arrow. You now see a yellow fan formerly covered with blight. Activate it and rise up to a platform with red blight and use your parasol to destroy it.
Now there is the green blight still high above the ground. Stand on the narrow right edge of the platform and use the fan from the distance to destroy the blight.)
Ring of flame with giant oni.
Long alley to the right on the way to the drawbridge has a Frog that gives Samurai's Proof Recipe.
There is a Jizo Shrine to clean.
You need to use Mask Dance to move the drawbridge lever.
Go up the steps and activate the Save point to the left.
Now the Gate refuses to open. Kai will tell you the tale of the two faced god. To break the curse, you need a monkey, a bird and a dog. He tells me I can be the Monkey.
('Wonderful', I respond.)
He tells me to go get them. Kai will not go back with you. He will stand at the gate until you return. Curiously enough, Kurama the Bird and Fubuki the Dog actually were in my Party but I had to return to Azuma, rearrange my Party to put Kurama and Fubuki in the first two slots before it worked. Return and talk to Kai and he will break the gate after both Kurama and Fubuki complain about their roles..
28 Spring:
It was almost midnight when Kai broke down the gate so I turned and went home.
I suppose he will be happier if we defeat Lord Ura as soon as possible, so I will have a go.
I think I need to focus more on Bonding Events as well.
I went to the Sumner Village and found a pin in the little zen garden. An event with Marsuri and Mauro. She was angry with him but when he told us he did not rummage through cabinets like a common burgler... then who was it opening and shutting doors in the night?
Next:
