FAQ: Arcus 2 – Silent Symphony (X68000)  .

                      Arcus II ~Silent Symphony~

X68000 version FAQ.

No nonsense, no ASCII: this FAQ tells you what you need to know as quickly and
concisely as possible.  Now, since I realize that many of you are coming here
for information about the game itself and not an actual FAQ, I'll ignore
everything I just said and provide a few questions and answers in the first
section.

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                          Table of Contents
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I.   Historical Info
II.  Characters
III. Game mechanics
IV.  Walkthrough
V.   Gibberish

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                      Section I.: Historical Info
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Arcus II: Silent Symphony is not directly related to Arcus Odyssey.  This is a
sequel to "Arcus" (the X68000 port was called "Arcus Pro 68k"), which was a
dungeoncrawling RPG similar to The Bard's Tale.  Arcus was Wolf Team's second game,
and was reasonably popular, so Wolf Team made a big deal of this sequel way back
in 1989.

However, unlike the first game, Arcus 2 is NOT a dungeoncrawler.  For this second
episode, Wolf Team decided to go with the more mainstream (in Japan) console-style
RPG.  Personally, I think the game ended up looking more like Wasteland than Final
Fantasy.  There are a few significant differences between Arcus II and a
"traditional" 1990 console RPG.  The enemies are visible on the map, there are no
levels or experience, and you don't buy any equipment.  Also, Silent Symphony had
tons of cinematic sequences, which wouldn't become common until a few years later.

Even though this FAQ is for the X68000 game, there are MANY versions of Arcus 2 --
it was released originally on the MSX,  then ported to the PC-88, PC-98, and X68000.
The Sega CD has a compilation disc called "Arcus 1-2-3", but the version of Arcus 2
on that disc is very different.

If you pick up Arcus 1-2-3, you'll discover that the Sega version is a traditional
dungeoncrawling RPG, with levels, equipment, and random encounters.  It's actually
more challenging (the Sega CD dungeons are pretty complex), and I think the CD
remake is leagues better.

The Arcus 2: Silent Symphony original soundtrack product code number is TOCT-5616.
It was published from 12-12-1990 to 12-13-1991 by Toshiba EMI and has 39 tracks
(three are arranged).  It's also very rare.  $100 should be considered a
reasonable price.

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                       Section II.: Characters
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With character and place names, it's hard to settle on a canonical romanization.
For example, the "main" country's name is written as Alcusas in some spots, and
Arcusas in other.  Sometimes, certain romanizations appear to be based on
misconceptions of English pronunciation.  In cases of multiple spellings, I've put
my personal choice first.

HP = hit points
WP = willpower
STR = strength
AC = armor class

(1) Elemental Knights
Although often referred to as the "four elemental knights", there are six knights.
The "four" is referring to the number of elements -- fire, water, wind, and earth.
They are the heroes who banded together to save the world in the first Arcus game.

The names of the Elemental Knights are Jedah Chaff, Erin Gashuna, Toron Tir, Diana
Firelia, Vied Shia, and Pikt Aneksios Piyont.

(2) Pikt Aneksios Piyont (Picto Anecios Piyont)
Half-Elf, 22 years old, male, 220 HP, 100 WP, 140 STR, 100 AC

Pikt is the hero of Arcus 2, and he'll always be the primary character in your
party. His quest starts when he hears about the "Runeblade", which is the secret
weapon his long-lost father (Aneksios) was searching for.

[JOINS YOUR PARTY:] At beginning of game.
[LEAVES THE PARTY:] Never.

(3) Chinopu Noren
Hobbit, 20 years old, male, 130 HP, 100 WP, 30 STR, 100 AC

He's a PUNK KID HOBBIT who tries to steal Pikt's sword at the beginning of the
game.  After this bungled attempt at thievery, the two become fast friends.

[JOINS YOUR PARTY:] In Naukuruuzu Village.  Optional.
[LEAVES THE PARTY:] 1) Try to enter Elf Village without Suu.
                    2) When Gran joins the party.

(4) Arisa
She's the princess of the Arcusas kingdom.  Watch the intro for a gorgeous blonde
asking the Elemental Knights for help . . . that's her!

[JOINS YOUR PARTY:] Never.
[LEAVES THE PARTY:] N/A

(5) Suu-Ni
Elf, ???, female, 160 HP, 100 WP, 80 STR, 120 AC

Elvish archeress, and eventually Pikt's primary love interest.  Suu-Ni is a cute
girl with red hair in this game, which magically turns blue when Arcus III gets
published.  In exchange, Pikt's blue hair turns green.  Suu Ni's a pretty good
character to keep in your party, mainly because her arrows can actually hit
targets.

[JOINS YOUR PARTY:] In the elf village.  Optional.
[LEAVES THE PARTY:] 1) If you flirt with the dancers in Prudencia for far too long.
                    2) When Gran joins the party.

(6) Toron Tir (Tron Tir)
He's a grumpy old hobbit.  He used to be a thief, but now runs a shop in Prudencia.

[JOINS YOUR PARTY:] Never.
[LEAVES THE PARTY:] N/A

(7) Bazan Streig
Dwarf, ??? , male, 240 HP, 100 WP, 190 STR, 100 AC

He's a surly dwarf, which is very different from a grumpy hobbit.  Bazan has a big
axe and delivers some major damage, but only in the cinematic scenes.  In the real
game, he can't actually hit anything.  If you have him in your party, you will get
very mad at his ineptitude.

[JOINS YOUR PARTY:] 1) Initially, at the Otonaku Plains.
                    2) Afterwards, you can recruit him in Naukuuruzuu Village.
[LEAVES THE PARTY:] 1) Try to enter Elf Village without Suu.
                    2) When Gran joins the party.

(8) Sara Medina
Human, 21 years old, female, 180 HP, 100 WP, 100 STR, 100 AC

Sara's the sexy swordslady with the blue ponytail.  I dig her a lot, although she's
not a particularly amazing character.  In this game, "amazing" means "consistently
hits enemies", and she's somewhat inconsistent.  Far better than Bazan, though.

(9) Gran Du Crosse (Gran Due-Cloce)
Human, 24 years old, male, 190 HP, 100 WP, 110 STR, 110 AC

Gran is the prince of the Du Crosse kingdom, and lady Arisa's fiance. Unfortunately,
his older brother, King Tristam of Du Crosse, has gone mad and has placed a warrant
out for Gran's arrest.  The exiled prince fled to Arcusas.

[JOINS YOUR PARTY:] In Prudencia.  You need to meet Chinopu, Suu Nii, Sara, and
                    Bazan.  Retrieve the Runeblade, then return to Prudencia and
                    walk around near Toron's shop.  You'll run into Gran -- say
                    "yes" to help him.  He'll join your party, but kick everyone
                    else out.
[LEAVES THE PARTY:] After Tristam is defeated.

(10) Shimsadh
...is not in this game.  Go back and play Arcus 1-2-3 if you want to meet him!

[JOINS YOUR PARTY:] He's not in the game.
[LEAVES THE PARTY:] HE'S NOT IN THE GAME!

(11) Warren
Crazy S.O.B.  You'll recognize him by his blue skin and sexy loincloth.

[JOINS YOUR PARTY:] Uh... no.
[LEAVES THE PARTY:] N/A

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                     Section III.: Game Mechanics
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You cannot gain levels or purchase equipment.

There is a useful spell called "Niraafu".  It heals a party member.  Pikt knows
this spell.  It's the top one.  Other spells suck and should not be used.

If you get hurt, walk around and avoid battles.  Your characters will slowly
regain HP and Willpower.

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                       Section IV.: Walkthrough
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I. Naukuruuzu Village
1) Wander around and bump into the fast-moving kid.
2) Watch the cinema.  Basically, Chinopu steals your sword, but you run after
him and get it back.  Then you have a nice long talk.
3) Say "yes" if you want to add Chinopu to your party.  I suggest including him,
because he has high agility.
4) Exit out the Southeast gate.

II. Ardor Forest
1) You start on the far west side.  Your goal is the far eastern wall.
2) The exit is hidden.  It's a bit south of the monster who's standing still
next to the wall.

III. Elf Village

NOTE: Unless Suu Nii is already in your party, non-elves will leave whenever you
enter the village.  When characters leave the party, they must be reclaimed.
They won't re-join automatically.

1) Enter the first hut in the northwest corner.
2) Talk to Diana for a cinematic reunion of two Elemental Knights.
3) You'll meet Suu Nii.  Say "yes" to add her to your party.  I recommend her --
she does good damage and has high agility.
4) Exit to the northwest and return to Ardor Forest.

IV. Ardor Forest (2)
1) Head west and return to Naukuruuzuu.

V. Naukuruuzuu Village (2)
1) Walk a little bit up, then leave through the central east gate.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|             ****** Welcome to the World Map! ******			   |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From time to time, you'll be dropped out into this map.  You can then pick a new
location.  If you want to mess around, go to Prudencia, visit the southwestern
building, and flirt with the dancing girl on the far left.  Suu will get mad and
leave the party. You can go back to Elf Village and make up with her.  Remember
this trick if you ever want to ditch Suu to replace her with someone different.

Anyways, you really want to go to the Otonaku Plains.  The five world locations
are laid out as follows:

          Otonaku Plains                  Direkh Village
                            Prudencia
          Tree of Life                    Naukuruuzu Village

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|	      ****** End Welcome to World Map! ******			   |
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VI. Otonaku Plains

1) From the world map, select Otonaku Plains.
2) Head west into Western Otonaku.
3) Head west towards Piraat-Niiru.

Inside Piraat-Niiru:
4) Head north towards the darkened area.  Go west, curve north.
5) Step onto the pentagramal teleporter.
6) Step onto the second teleporter.
7) Go north, touch the phoenix statue, and obtain the Runeblade.

VII. New Allies

1) From the world map, go to Direkh and visit the northwest house to meet Sara.
2) Return to Otonaku Plains.  This time, head north.  You'll fight the Chaos Fury
and Bazan will appear to deliver the killing blow.
3) Go to Prudencia and talk to Gran (a bit north of Toron's shop).  You'll gain
Gran and lose whoever else was with you.
4) Leave the shop, head north to the castle area, and get captured.
5) After a short cinema, you'll be set free with Gran and can recruit someone
else (I suggest Suu -- she has both a high hit and escape rate).

VIII. Shipwrecked

1) At this point, you can finally board the ship at Direkh.
2) Once aboard, keep talking to the captain over and over to pass time.
3) The Chaos Fury will attack -- kill it!
4) Cross over to the pirate ship and head to the bow.  You'll end up shipwrecked
on a beach.


5) Head northeast into the cave.
6) Make your way further northeast, then northeast again.
7) Keep heading north, generally sticking to center.
8) You'll enter a cave full of weird creatures.  One of them is a Chaos Fury in
disguise.  Kill it!

IX. Tristam

1) Leave the cave and visit the guy at the southeast.
2) You'll go to the dock.
3) Now head east into the city, then northeast into the palace (and a controntation
with Chaos Fury).

4) In the castle, head to the stairs (northeast).
5) Curve around to the third floor and talk to Tristam.
6) You'll fight Galcia.
7) After the battle, talk to Tristam again.  Gran leaves.

X. Valis

1) Go to Sararestia Vale (closest to east).
2) Go southwest into the next screen.
3) Keep climbing higher until you can go north into Valis Cavern.
4) Wander around and you'll meet Bazan again.

5) Go back, then go to the first screen, then go east to next screen.
6) Make your way across two log bridges, then east into Valis.

7) In Valis, enter the northeast house.
8) Make your way northeast through a set of double doors.
9) Head south -- you'll see corpses on the floor.
10) Make your way... northeast.

11) Go left a bit, then south into a red-carpeted room.
12) There will be a cinema.  This is where you meet Paleface.

XI. Warren

1) You'll be at the world map.  Go to the Canyon (far east site).
2) Curve east, then northwest and fight Etin.
3) Enter the cavern (Warren's Lair).

4) In Warren's Lair, go north, then find a way to go southeast to the next screen.
5) Cross the bridge to the west, then work your way north into the next screen.
6) Stick to the left, and go north to the next screen.
7) Go left, right, right.
8) From here, go east, curve south, curve west, then spiral north until you meet a
two-headed Etin that talks to you.
9) Kill it, then talk to it again.  You'll be teleported to the next part, and will
hear Sara screaming for you.

You'll meet up with the others.  There's a cinema, and then you get your choice of
who to take with you!
1: Chinopu
2: Suu
3: Bazan
4: Gran
5: Sara

Being the womanizer that I am, I chose Suu and Sara.  Personally, I'd recommend
Chinopu and Suu since they can actually hit people.

XII. Endgame

1) Once inside, touch all three swords.  Go back to the first one (in front of the
door), and touch it twice.  That will let you inside.
2) Once inside, go through a northern door to investigate crowns.
3) Go back out, and head south to investigate pillars.
4) Touch all three pillars.
5) Now go west, and investigate the three grey crowns in the north door.
6) Then head south through the water.  (You might need to go back and investigate
the red crowns again before doing this.)

7) Curve east and go north through the red door.
8) Go north through the red double doors.
9) Go left slightly and north through the red door.
10) Go north through the guarded arch.

IT'S WARREN!
You'll trade a few futile blows.  Then there's an emotional cinema that ends with
Pikt receiving a magical jewel.  That jewel gives you the power of FIN.  Basically,
the idea behind this fight is to boost up Pikt's WP until he can cast FIN.  Then,
a final cinematic scene.

Bazan's closing words: "Saa, ikou."

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                      Places to Gain/Lose People
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Elf Village:
Gain Suu

Prudencia:
Gain Gran (story event)

Naukuruuzu:
Gain Chinopu, Bazan

Direkh:
Gain Sara

Elf Village:
Enter without Suu, and you can lose:
Chinopu, Sara, Bazan

Prudencia:
Flirt with the dancers, and you can lose:
Sara, Suu

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                        Section V.: Gibberish
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Arcus II: Silent Symphony is copyright by Wolf Team and Telenet.