His & Her Circumstance - Let's Play Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny!

Rune Factory is the Harvest Moon spinoff series that adds adventuring and a more structured story into the mix. Tides of Destiny is the fifth game in the series, the second on console. Every Rune Factory game is set in a different geographic area and only one (not this one) has continued with the same characters as a previous one. So if you've never played a Rune Factory game, don't worry about not knowing four games worth of backstory or spoiling any of the others if you do decide to give one a try.

This is the first game with two main characters, one male and one female, though we won't have the option of controlling the female until the very end of the story. This is also the first game where nobody has amnesia. The Rune Factory series loves the amnesia shtick. Anyway, let's meet our heroes by way of their respective opening anime sequences!


Video

The boy's opening has a bouncing white ball, apparently meaningless runes (I couldn't make sense of them anyway), dual blades, a golem, and GIRLS! Most of whom will be introduced next time. Dual blades are pretty cool looking but there are quite a few other weapon types we'll have the option of choosing from in the future. Personality-wise, the boy is the typical everyman found in most harem series. He's pleasant, usually responsible, a terrible cook, and eventually beloved by everyone he meets.


Video

The girl's opening is pretty fruity. She waves around a flower stick, which is the "plant stuff" tool, prances around, and cuddles a sheep. This is... not a bad representation of her personality. She thinks all animals and monsters are cute, whether it's a chicken or a demon. She likes to cook and can be sentimental. She's also the boy's childhood friend and thus is required to nag him near-constantly.


Our story opens with our nameless heroes heading into a big awesome looking temple. Really, just look at this place. I love the architecture!


But they're not here for sightseeing. These kids are serious about this little outing!


Inside also looks pretty cool, though I don't understand what's going on with the walls. I'm going to assume we're in an angry cloud pocket dimension that is reached by entering the cool temple. Note the line on the floor up ahead, because our heroes sure don't.


Yep, it's an ambush alright! A gate springs up as soon as the girl crosses over the line, separating the two.

Before we go any further, I should explain that [L1 Change Accessories] thing that's going to be at the bottom of every single line of dialog. Accessories effect a character's stats but also their appearance. Clothing won't change but things like their hats can. Most villagers will wear any accessories we give them. L1 will swap everything back to defaults during dialog. So if the best equipment you've got involves wearing a fish on your head, you don't have to look stupid in every single scene. We won't be using it in this LP. Everyone's gonna look just as stupid as you make them.


Oops I forgot, the ambush! Good thing we can't die in the opening or we'd be toast.


Orcs with maces laugh at us for falling for their obvious trap.

Boy: Leave this to me! You go ahead!
Girl: Sure.


Just like in his opening, the lad has chosen to show off dual swords today.


And HOW! Dual swords is the ultimate button mash weapon and looks pretty flashy to boot. We can jump and double jump while mashing the square button for even more attack animations. Savor these damage numbers because we won't be seeing them again any time soon.


Boy: That takes care of that.

I adore his sweet little smile right after dicing all those orcs into little orcbits. Such a sweet boy! The gate reopens once the monsters are gone and he heads upstairs to join his ladyfriend.


The two approach an altar. The thingy above the altar looks like some kind of magic laser drill. Or an upside down bell, I guess.

Boy: It's all you.
Girl: I got it...


Video

The girl shows off her magical singing powers. La la la! It's kind of like Lunar but not. It's all in unsubtitled Japanese so we'll just assume it means "lalala."


White sparkles gather around the altar and... fade to black. Guess it is a little early to reveal what her sparkly singing magic does. Oh well.

SQUIRRELS!

The adorable squirrels run off as the boy approaches along the path and the girl catches up with him.

Girl: Good morning!
Boy: What's the deal with you?


Boy: Adorable? Who said you're adorable? And why do you always make me lunch? I'm not a kid. I can take care of myself!
Girl: Aww... I don't know why I even bother when you're always such an ingrate.
Boy: Well, I am kinda hungry. Thanks, I guess.
Girl: See? Was that so hard?
Boy: Yeah, yeah. Just hand it over. I gotta get going!
Girl: Okay, okay, fine.


The boxed lunch prepared by your childhood friend is a very important item in any harem series! Be sure to save it throughout the entire game to get the good ending!! ... Just kidding. It's a mediocre healing item.

Girl: Where are you helping out today?


Weber is from Rune Factory Frontier. Every now and then there are references to the other games, mostly to make it feel like one connected world, even though we'll (spoilers!) never interact with most of those people or places.

Girl: Oh, are you gonna use your Earthmate powers to help his crops grow? That's pretty neat.
Boy: Heh heh. Yeah, it is. But sometimes I wish there was someone else who was an Earthmate around. It's a lot of work helping everyone's crops!

"Earthmate" is a term never explicitly defined but it's implied to mean a magically enhanced green thumb. It's pretty rare and not required to be a farmer but every main character in the series has the knack.


I caught him blinking, but he looks like such an arrogant jerk in this moment I just had to share.


Girl: Good boy!

It also helps excuse her decision to pat his head seconds later. He swats her hand away.

Boy: Hey! Why do you always treat me like a kid?

They hear something and look up.


Dragons! The sky is full of them! They're gonna eat us all!!


Instead of being scared, they act like the dragons are a nuisance, like very large bugs.

Boy: Yes, I think you're right. I know they're the guardians of the island, but I don't think we need THIS many...
Girl: Closeau says they cast so many shadows he can't dry his laundry!
Boy: Well, better too many arch-dragons than none, I guess.
Girl: You're right... Huh?


Girl: Hey, did you see that?
Boy: What?

Video


Girl: What-what's happening?
Boy: Look out!


They cling together as the mysterious light envelopes them.

This is... our island? It didn't have so many buildings a minute ago. Hmm...


Boy: Ugghhh...

He wakes up, apparently alone.


Boy: Hey, are you okay?
Girl: Yeah, I'm fine! But where are you? I don't see you...
Boy: You can't see me? I'm near a big tree. There's a pond in front of it.


Boy: What's the deal? If you're hiding, come on out!
Girl: You're the one hiding, right? I'm not...

From the transparency effect, you might have some idea what's happened but it'll take a bit more for them to figure it out. The boy looks around and eventually glances down into the pond.


Boy: Wait, how did you see...?
Girl: Why were you...? Oh, I get it! You're hiding in the pond! There you go, playing tricks like usual.
Boy: Hey, I wouldn't play tricks at a time like this. Besides, how could I breathe and talk underwater?
Girl: Quit pulling my leg! I'm coming to get you!


Boy: Hey, that's chilly! And... why did my hand just move?
Girl: Whaaaaat...? Why does my hand look like yours?


Girl: Don't tell me... Am I...?


A girl walking up the hill notices the boy and approaches.

???: Hey, what's up? Who are you? You don't look familiar...


Boy: Hey, we're not weird!

Using the royal "we" is really going to convince her you're normal.

Odette: Oh... Sorry. I'm Odette. I run an inn near here. Hey, if you think you're going to be sticking around for a while, I have a room you can use!

Strange mystical happenings might be going on, but Odette is never one to give up an opportunity for business!

Boy: Actually, that would be a big help. My name is...


It's naming time! We have thirteen characters to use. I'm going to preemptively rule out naming them after articles of clothing and if their names are full of special characters I will probably be giving them nicknames before long. Otherwise the playing field is wide open!

It won't be explicitly spelled out until next time, but the girl's body got disintegrated or something and her soul attached to the boy. No one can see her (except us) but everyone can hear her just fine. In addition to participating in conversations with townsfolk, she'll comment on whatever the boy's doing, from fishing to battles. She has a lot in common with Navi from Ocarina of Time except with more variety than "Hey listen!" She can take control of the boy's body like when she reached into the lake but it doesn't happen very often.

Next time: Village tour!

You can take care of yourself, you say? So how is it that you didn't make your own lunch today?

Boy: Ein
Girl: Deux

I doubt this is a spoiler, but since I haven't gotten this far in the game, I'll mark it anyway. Please gawd that the girl is not in the boy's head on his wedding night.

Boy: Felix
Girl: Alice

There's a reason his Eating skill is at zero at the beginning!

Yeah she's gone by then. I love their conversation the first time they take a bath that way.

Name them Captain and Tennille.

Squall & Rinoa, because this sounds like it's going to be one of those games.

Boy: Seiji
Girl: Midori

If you're going to go with Seiji, wouldn't it be more appropriate to name the girl Shizuko? Or am I the only one who thinks of Whisper of the Heart every time I see that name?

He's referring to Midori Days, the manga about a guy who wakes up one morning to find his right hand's been replaced with a tiny girl.

Which actually sounds like a lot of fun. I'll second the Seiji and Midori vote.

Saving the boxed lunch for the entirety of a game sounds like a horrible way to impress someone. "I hate your cooking so much I'd rather let it spoil than eat it" is the message I'd take away from that.

Unless the boxed lunch is all jerky and the like, I guess.

Oh man, I forgot about the handgirl show. That certainly adds an extra layer of wrong to at least some upcoming scenes.

In my original game I never ate the boxed lunch. I didn't realize it was actually food at first, thinking it was a 'key item' sort of deal.

Two people joined into one person, but one being reduced to a disembodied voice? Then the choice is obvious:
Ronnie and Dr. Stein

Edit:

Or Alltogether Andrews!

Look, you're the one who picked the title, and you're the one who's going to follow through.

Boy: Soichiro
Girl: Yukino

For die-hard Heinlein fans, there's always Johann and Eunice.

Well, this is interesting... And as much as I'd like to second Aerdan's vote, I like the name Seiji too much not to go with the crowd.

I was going to give it a few days but if things still lean strongly in that direction tomorrow I'll probably go ahead and start work on the next post with those names.

Hmm... Actually, on further reflection, Chaud and Mayle would be more appropriate.

Because I want to have a bit of fun... (and someone will bap me in the head for this)...

Boy: Mark (as in Mark Gilder)
Girl: Midori

This.

The top names right now are:

Male
Seiji (3)
Soichiro (2)

Female
Midori (4)
Yukino (2)

Tonight... I play!

Probably too late now but here's a couple to laugh at.

Boy: "Player(1)", yay puns!
Girl: "Player2", because of her new role. Or "Birdy".

Welcome back to what may very well be the longest update in this entire Let's Play. A pair of names won the poll, er, handily, so our nameless heroes now have names.

Seiji: My name is Seiji.


Midori: And I'm Midori!


Seiji: Come on, Midori. Quit fooling around and come out here.
Midori: Um... the thing is... This is going to sound pretty strange, but I'm actually...


Seiji: What!? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.
Midori: But it's true! And I can control your body. Just watch!


Seiji's body does some squats and stretches against his will.

Seiji: Aauughh, my body! You're... you're in...
Midori: Now do you believe me?
Seiji: But... How can you be so calm about this?
Midori: It's a little inconvenient, true, but we'll just have to live with it for now. What else can we do?
Seiji: Wow, Midori. I never knew you were so unfazeable!
Midori: Oooh! Thank you!

Aw man, this is going to be the most awkward dating sim ever! Or at least in the series. I probably shouldn't challenge people to come up with counter-examples.


If I were in Odette's position, I would assume Seiji has some sort of crazy falsetto ventriloquism act and offer him a performance gig. Actually I'm not clear if Seiji's mouth moves with Midori speaks but it still has potential to entertain.

Midori: Great! Off we go!
Seiji: Hey! Who made you boss?
Midori: What? You don't want to go?
Seiji: No, I guess you're right. What else can we do?
Odette: Heh-heh! It's settled, then! There's someplace I'd like to drop by before I take you to the inn. Will you come along?
Seiji: Sure.
Odette: Okay! Follow me, then!

Yes, Seiji is whipped by a girl who doesn't even have her own body. Loser.


Odette leads us on a tour through most of the town. It's kind of a pain, because as soon as the tour finishes we'll have to run through all the same locations to actually meet all the townsfolk. I'll skip the unimportant parts of the tour.


Outside the blacksmith's shop, Seiji hears a roar and looks up.


Dragons again! Or, rather, dragon.

Seiji: Hey, that's...
Odette: Oh, I guess not being from around here, you wouldn't know about that. That's an arch-dragon, guardian of Fenith Island! I'm a dragon priestess...
Seiji: Hold it!
Odette: Huh? What's up?

You're a priestess? Does that mean you dress up in the red-and-white robes on holidays? Sweet!


Oh right. I guess that was important information too.

Odette: Huh? But I've never seen you on this island before.
Midori: And we've never met you here before either! I don't know how it's possible, but this isn't the Fenith Island we come from! The buildings look different. And the tree by your pond is so much bigger!
Seiji: But the biggest difference is the arch-dragons! On our Fenith Island, there are so many arch-dragons, they practically blot out the sky!
Midori: Yeah. It makes it hard to get a tan.


Seiji: I don't know... Is that even possible?
Odette: Well, in any case, you still need a place to stay. But you know, I heard there were a lot of arch-dragons on this island hundreds of years ago... Weird.
Midori: So maybe our parallel world gets the dragons from your world. Or maybe...
Odette: There's no time to worry about that. Let's get a move on! I need to finish your tour and get home or my sister is going to be upset.

Really? We're going with the "parallel worlds" theory? This conversation has so many hints to time travel, their avoiding mentioning the possibility cements it in my mind. Unfortunately asking what year it is won't help, as every game starts on "Year 1." Moving on...


Midori: Seems like everyone here is a character.

Considering you've only met one person on the island at this point, this comment comes off as incredibly rude. Odette doesn't notice.

Odette: Ha-ha! Yep, that's about right! Please wait here while I take care of an errand. Father Gerard! Here it is!


Odette: Here's the food you ordered.
Gerard: Greetings, Odette. Thank you ever so much. Alas, I overslept this morning. I ran out of time to make breakfast for the children. This is a great help. Huh?

We appear to be on the parallel world where everyone has facial scars.


Gerard: Who is that? He looks like a fine young gentleman!
Odette: Who, him? He'll be staying at my guest house starting today.
Gerard: How very nice. Please introduce me to him.
Girl: Father Gerard!! Guess what Kelsey did!
Boy: I didn't do anything...
Gerard: Oh my goodness. It seems I have to go now. Please drop by again. Ta-ta!
Seiji: He's a character all right...
Odette: Yeah, but he's a good guy. If you ever need a hand, you can count on him. Okay, that takes care of my errand. On with the tour!

Father Gerard is creepy enough on his own, but he's also raising two young orphans. Really got to wonder what they were thinking...

Midori: Um... Hold on...
Odette: Huh? What's up?
Midori: See that? It's beautiful.


SYMBOLISM! Potentially, anyway. Odette's got a one-in-ten chance (or less, depending on how you count it) of fulfilling this foreshadowing. But we're getting WAAAY ahead of ourselves.

Odette: Oh, the church garden? Yeah, that's where we have weddings. Isn't it nice? I hope to marry my Prince Charming in that spot someday.


I don't generally have a problem with the "one face/thirty hair styles" school of character design but this really rubs it in.

Seiji: Sheesh. Girls.
Odette: Ahem. Well, let's get on with the tour.

Odette: This is the de Sainte-Coquille Mansion. Lady Beatrix de Sainte-Coquille is the town's mayor. She used to be filthy rich, you know.
Seiji: Used to be...?
Odette: You'll see what I mean soon.

The de Sainte-Coquille family are the aristocracy of Rune Factory. They're not always the town leaders but they're always the richest people in town until the player character gets going. They always have a cute marriageable daughter with blue hair.


Oh, and they tend to have dark elf slaves maids.

Maerwen: Hello, Odette. Who's this?
Seiji: Hey, that's no way to greet someone! You should introduce yourself first.
Maerwen: That's not our custom in the dark elf homeland. But if that is how it's done among humans, I will tell you my name.


Straight off the assembly line at the fetish factory:
- Dark elf
- Glasses girl
- Maid
- Feisty

Seiji: What's her deal?
Odette: She's an exchange student from the dark elf homeland. A little blunt, but basically a nice girl.
Seiji: That's not the impression I get...
Odette: She'll warm up to you. Let's move on.

"Exchange student?" Is that what we're calling it in this politically correct world? Odette's right, it's time to move on.


Sierra: Oh, a new guest? Good for your business!
Odette: No, not like that. He'll be staying at my guest house for a while.
Sierra: Ah, okay... I'm Sierra. Nice to meet you!
Seiji: I'm Seiji. Nice to meet you too, Sierra.
Midori: Hi, Sierra.

Who wears short shorts? Sierra wears short shorts!


Midori: I'm Midori. Some weird spell or something trapped me inside Seiji's body.
Sierra: Ooh, that sounds fun! Hey, anyway, I'm gonna go play. You wanna come along? You could come too, Odette!
Odette: We'll pass this time. I have to show Seiji the house.
Sierra: Aww. 'Kay, then. Later!
Odette: Bye!

Sierra's the "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" girl. Also lazy as hell.

Finally, on to the house.


Seiji: What's this? It looks like a seed.
Odette: You're right. I wonder where it came from.
Seiji: Uh, I think we've got bigger mysteries to worry about today.
Midori: ... Hey! Let's try planting that seed. I'll bet something neat will grow!
Seiji: Oh, come on. It's just some seed that was lying around. What's the big deal?

It's a key item, duh!


Seiji: Okay, okay. I don't want you taking control of my body again. It's the worst. I'll plant your stupid seed.
Odette: Heh heh. Seiji, I guess you're in no position to refuse Midori. So, what's the deal with you guys? Are you two...
Seiji: We're just friends!
Odette: Hmph. Well that's not as funny.
Midori: C'mon, let's go plant this seed!

Odette is far too nice, giving up all those opportunities for dirty jokes because they're "just friends." I don't have that kind of restraint.


With hardly any foreplay, Seiji plants his seed.

Seiji: There, all done. You happy now, Midori?
Midori: Very! I hope it grows quickly.
Odette: All right. Shall we continue?


Odette: This will be your home. It might be a little small, but you don't mind, do you?
Seiji: You're letting us borrow it. How could we complain?
Midori: It's a cute little house. I love it!
Odette: We haven't been using it, but we keep it clean. You can move in right away.

Odette gives a mini-tour of the house interior before setting them loose. It's pretty typical for the series. A bed to sleep, a diary to save, a calendar of festivals and birthdays, a storage chest, and a bookshelf of recipe books. Recipes come in sets and by the gaps on the shelf we'll be able to figure out what's missing. Right now it's totally empty, of course.

Odette: I think that about does it. Oh, you don't have a kitchen. I hope that's not a big deal.
Seiji: Nah, I don't cook, so it's no biggie.
Midori: Hey! You don't cook because I always cook for you! You'd better eat properly, especially now that I'm in your body!

It's not like I'm going to make YOUR body fat with frozen pizza and french fries!

Odette: You heard her, Seiji. You can buy food at our inn, but if you want to make food yourself, you can use the inn's kitchen. But make sure you let me know before you go and use it.
Seiji: Why do you care? You don't look like much of a chef to me.


Odette: I make all of the food that we serve to customers at the inn!
Seiji: Are you kidding me? I can't picture that...

Keep digging that hole deeper.


Mmm now we're talkin'. And the inn's called "Three Sisters"?

Wait, that worked?! "Insult a girl until she wants you" actually worked?!

Seiji: You're pretty cocky...
Midori: Seiji! We can practice cooking together! If you work at it, I think you can be a great chef!
Odette: Oops, look at the time. I have to start preparing food. See you later.
Seiji: Okay. And thanks again for putting us up like this. It's an awfully nice thing to do for a stranger. Or... two strangers, I guess.
Odette: Heh. No problem. We here on Fenith Island help people out when they're in trouble.

Odette finally leaves us on our own.

Seiji: Now then... We have a place to sleep, but we're still in a real mess. What should we do now, Midori?
Midori: Hmmm... Let's just go explore the island for now? This place looks so different from the island we know.
Seiji: Yeah, it does. Let's go take a look around.

So of course we follow Odette back to her place of work and try to meet the other ladies of the establishment.


Ah there they are now. Two, anyway.

Odette: Are you settled in a bit now?
Midori: Yes, it's a wonderful house. Thank you for letting us stay in such a nice place, Odette.


Seiji: I'm Seiji. Nice to meet you.
Midori: I'm Midori. Pleased to make your acquaintance.
Lily: And so polite, too! I'm Lily, Odette's older sister. I sing here at the inn at night, so if you'd like, come and hear me some time! Actually, I have another younger sister... Odette, where has Violet gone off to?
Odette: Are you kidding, sis? Violet took a job as a nurse at the church, remember? How could you forget that?
Lily: I guess you're right, now that I think of it. It had completely slipped my mind!
Odette: Try to keep a grip on things, sis... But that reminds me, Violet is over at the church. You should go and introduce yourself to her.
Midori: Okay! Will do! Huh...?

Lily's a total flake but she makes up for it with an excellent rack. I think I got the math right on that, anyhow.


Odette: Oh, that's the bulletin board. People post all kinds of things on there. You'll find lots of news and handy info. If people need help with something, they'll also post requests on the board. Check it often!
Lily: The weather forecast is especially helpful. I have to tune my lute strings differently depending on the weather, so I use it all the time.

I believe Rune Factory 1 piloted the request system, but every game seems to have it now. Characters post fetch quests and you get an affection boost as well as whatever reward for completing them. Some are recurring but there are a ton of one-time requests.


Odette must have written that up quickly! It's nice she spells out our cohabitation situation so we don't have to explain it to everyone. Hah! Yeah right. We're going to be explaining that so many times we'll run out of unique word combinations.

Odette: Oh, wow, look at the time! Sis, will you take care of the shopping? I have to start getting ready!
Lily: Oh dear! Yes, of course. I'll go right away.

Ditz and klutz! Crap, where's my calculator? How does that effect the equation?

Seiji: Are you okay?
Lily: Oh, I'm fine. Don't worry about it. Things like that are always happening to me.


Lily posted a tutorial request but it's as boring as you'd expect a tutorial to be so I won't waste time and screenshots on it. I'll cover the good ones and skip the boring junk and repeats (which are mostly boring junk.)

Before we head out, let's check out the kitchen.


Odette: You can cook?
Seiji: Kind of. I just wanted to try.
Odette: Wow, good for you. Then I've got a present for you!
Seiji: What's this?
Midori: Recipes for cooking. Couldn't you tell, Seiji?
Odette: Oh man, this is not good! I'd better explain, or you're just going to make a huge mess...

The inn kitchen can be used to make 2-ingredient dishes. To make anything more complex, we'll have to expand the house and buy appliances. Unlike some HM/RF games, you can't throw ingredients together and hope to produce a recipe. You need to get the recipe books first.

Odette: As long as you don't make a mess, feel free to use this kitchen whenever you want. Once you've made something good, let me taste it, okay?

We don't have any ingredients yet so let's check out the weirdly empty general store, "Gemini."

Midori: Nobody's here.


Bismark: Do you see anything you...? Huh, sis, where are you? She's playing hooky minding the shop again! W-Welcome! What can I do for you?
Seiji: I didn't come here to buy anything. I just moved here, so I'm going around meeting everybody.
Bismark: Ah... Is that... so...?
Seiji: (What's with the sudden mood swing?)
Bismark: I'm... Bismark. And I... run the general store...
Seiji: I'm Seiji. I'm living next to the inn now.
Midori: And I'm Midori! Nice to meet you, Bismark!
Bismark: Yikes! Wh-Who's that!?!
Midori: I-I'm sorry for scaring you... We don't know how, but my soul is trapped in Seiji's body.
Bismark: Is... is that so...? I-I apologize... You t-took me by surprise... Nice to... nice to meet you.

Bismark is not a people person. At all. He probably has a few phrases memorized to get him through most transactions at the store and otherwise he just... fails.


Bismark: Sierra! You blew off your shift minding the shop again.
Sierra: Oh man, I'm busted...
Bismark: What would happen if a customer came while you were gone?
Sierra: Customers...? Oh, you mean this guy? Don't worry, he's not a customer!
Bismark: Sierra!! That's totally irresponsible. And how would you know who's a customer and who isn't? You're never here!
Midori: I think you made your point...
Sierra: Nya-ha-ha! Thanks, Midori! Y'know, Bismark is my twin brother, but we're practically opposites. He gets tongue-tied all the time, especially when he talks to girls. But when it comes to the shop, he's like a different person!


Are... are they the subtext sibs of this game?

Bismark: It's because everything you do is infuriatingly irresponsible!
Sierra: But I want to have FUN!!
Bismark: But nobody pays you to have fun...
Seiji: Ha-ha-ha! Well, we better get going.
Bismark: Please stop by and buy something any time. Although I can't guarantee there will be anybody staffing the shop, unfortunately...

I've never had a problem with the general store being empty when I need it but I've read complaints from other people saying it's always empty. It may be random.

Down the direction Odette didn't lead us is the docks, including a house-boat.


Gramps: An' I'm tellin' you, yer lookin' at the map all wrong!
Dude: Not EVEN! I'm the one who goes out to sea, y'know? You gotta rely on me more...
Gramps: HO-HO-HO-HO!! ME, rely on YOU, lad? You must be daydreamin' and talkin' in your sleep.
Dude: Whatever... one of these days I'm gonna stuff those words back down your throat... ...? Yo, gramps. Looks like somebody's here.


Hey surfer dude! Nice goggles!

Gramps: Yar, what d'ye want? Lost, are you?
Seiji: No, I just moved in next to the inn, and I came to introduce myself. I'm Seiji. Nice to meet you.
Midori: I'm Midori. My soul is trapped in Seiji's body. Nice to meet you.


The bamboo snorkel is adorable but doesn't give Bacchus much street cred in my book.

Joe: You mean FORMER explorer. I'm Joe. I'm the ACTUAL treasure hunter of this outfit.
Bacchus: But barely a cabin boy! HO-HO-HO-HO! You said yer name's Seiji? If you plan to go to sea huntin' fer treasure, you can ask me anythin'. You look a more likely lad than my grandson here.


No, you're going to post requests that lead to Seiji finding treasure. Both of you are, in fact.

The docks are down a cliff from where the church is located but there's an elevator so we can make a nice circuit around the island.


You see that? Seiji just got better at WALKING! These games are a bit ridiculous in their skill lists. There are skills for every weapon type, every elemental type, jumping, bathing, sleeping, "friendly neighbor", and more! There's no way to see in-game what the skills do, but they all offer some degree of stat boost, usually very small.


The little girl crashes into Seiji and he helps her up.

Midori: Are you okay?
Girl: Thanks!
Boy: ........


Gerard: Oh my goodness gracious! Seiji and Midori! Have you come to pay a call on me? What a pleasure, WHAT a pleasure!
Seiji: Well... not really.
Quinn: Father, Gerard, who is that?
Gerard: Am I not forever telling you, young Quinn, to address me as "Papa" rather than "Father Gerard"? This is my delightful friend Seiji.
Kelsey: Delightful?
Seiji: What's that supposed to mean?
Gerard: Oh nothing, just my little banter with a charming gentleman, to be sure. These children are Quinn and Kelsey. I am bringing them up. Now greet our guests, children!


Midori: Likewise!
Seiji: ???
Quinn: Now your turn, Kelsey!


Meet Sierra and Bismark approximately ten years ago. Their names in the Japanese version were Knit and Kilt. I'm so glad they got changed! I always had enough trouble with Palom and Porom!

Gerard: Oh my goodness gracious! This boy... Please accept my sincere apologies. He is quite shy!
Quinn: Let's go and play outside!
Gerard: Now, Seiji... I have obtained some simply delectable tea. Would you join me for a cup?
Seiji: Uh, thanks, but no thanks...
Gerard: What a pity! Next time, then!
Seiji: Uh, sure...

Also located inside the church is the clinic.


Seiji: Nah, nothing like that. Since I'm living in the house next to the inn now, I wanted to go around and introduce myself to everybody.
Nurse: Oh, you must be the one that Odette... mentioned... (blush) ........


Seiji: ...? What's wrong?
Violet: N-Nothing! Nothing at all! Um, uhhhh... I'm Violet. Lily and Odette from the inn are my big sisters.

Fun fact: Violet was originally named Iris but there's another Iris in the Rune Factory series so they switched it to Violet. It suits her. I'm not sure how old Violet is supposed to be but with her outfit and behavior she could pass for eleven.

Seiji: Nice to meet you, Violet. I'm Seiji.
Midori: I'm Midori. I'm sharing Seiji's body right now. We're not really sure how. Anyway, nice to meet you.
Violet: N-Nice to meet you, Midori... And you, Seiji...
Midori: Grrrrr...
Seiji: What are you upset about?

Down girl!

Where to next? How about the blacksmith shop?


Seiji: Whoa!? What's this thing?
Man: That is the salesgolem of the Daedalus Blacksmith. It's a masterwork created by my darling sister Elena.

There was a rumor circulating that the salesgolem was going to be a secret marriage candidate (which exist in some HM/RF games) but he's not. Alas, I think he's quite cute.


It's Mr. Hat!

James: If you need to purchase any weapons made by Elena, or have any tools that need fixing, just speak to the golem. Oh, how rude of me! I haven't properly introduced myself. My name is James. I'm a merchant, making my living from commerce to and from the island.
Seiji: I'm Seiji. I'm living next to the inn. Nice to meet you.
Midori: I'm Midori. It's hard to explain, but my soul is trapped inside Seiji's body.
James: Trapped inside his body...? I've seen a lot of odd things in my travels, but this is a first. Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Midori.
Midori: Nice to meet you too!
James: Ah! I have a sales appointment. Please excuse me. Elena! It's high time you got up!


James: Ha-ha-ha! My shy and quiet little sister can be quite a handful! Good-bye.

What a sweet relationship. Any attempt to go upstairs and meet Elena is met with shouted threats like above. So we'll check out the mansion instead.


Electra: My, my. Welcome!
Midori: Hello!
Electra: You must be the new neighbors I've heard so much about. Maerwen mentioned you. I am Electra. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Midori: I'm Midori!
Seiji: And I'm Seiji.
Midori: So I guess you're a maid here at the mansion, Electra? It must take quite a staff to keep this place clean!
Electra: Oh my... Tee-hee...
Maerwen: Lady Electra! How many times have I told you that I'll do those chores?


Maerwen: It's fine! Just act like the noble lady that you are and sip tea in the garden or something!
Electra: Maerwen can be so difficult...
Maerwen: You're the one who's difficult! ...... What are you doing here again? What do you want? This is the De Sainte-Coquille Mansion. Unless you have business with the De Sainte-Coquilles, get lost.
Seiji: Whoa... What's with the attitude?
Electra: I do apologize! Maerwen can be a bit abrasive, but she really has a kind heart underneath it all.
Maerwen: Lady Electra! Must you say such things about me?
Midori: Um... Lady Electra?
Maerwen: That's right! I present to you: Lady Electra de Sainte-Coquille! The noble lady of this mansion!
Seiji: Whaaaaaaaat!?
Maerwen: I can understand why you are surprised. You don't see too many noblewomen who love doing housework like she does!
Electra: But we are in difficult times... Now let's see... Since you are paying us a call, you must meet my mother as well! She is the mayor of the island. I suspect you can find her in the back garden. Anyway, I should get back to cleaning. Good day to you!

Electra and Maerwen have an interesting relationship. That has inspired much fanfiction. Oh the fanfiction...


Seiji: I'm Seiji. I move in next door to the inn.
Midori: And I'm Midori! I'm stuck inside Seiji's body. It's a long story. Or really, I guess it's a short story, but that's because we don't know much of it.
Beatrix: Seiji and Midori? I am Beatrix de Sainte-Coquille. I am the mayor, you might say, of Fenith Island. Although my daughter Electra does most of the work. So I get to do whatever I like... And THIS is what I like to do.
Midori: And what are you doing, exactly?
Beatrix: I am searching for TREASURE! My intuition tells me that there is TREASURE in this mountain!
Seiji: Treasure, huh?
Beatrix: Yes! I spend most of the day here. If you are looking for me, come here. Although if you need anything, Electra is the one who will handle it for me.

Electra is pretty cute, but the de Sainte-Coquille family has a slight problem... Every youth in the family has a similar build to Electra, but everyone in middle age has her mother's build. So I'm forced to assume Electra will one day look like her mother.

Heading up the hill to the topmost point of the island...


Ronin: Halt! Beyond this point lies the Dragon Shrine! Only islanders may pass.
Seiji: Well, actually, I'm...
Midori: We live on this island!
Ronin: Eh!? I heard a girl's voice, but see no girl here. Show yourself!
Seiji: Hold on a second! Let me explain...

The exposition is mercifully skipped this time.

Ronin: So that is the matter. I took my sword in hand before hearing the situation. It shows I still have much to learn. Forgive me.


Mikoto: Please forgive my earlier rudeness. I hope that you will enjoy living on Fenith Island. And now... I still have my patrol to complete. I must go.
Midori: He's an odd one, but he seems nice.

Mikoto is the inexplicable easterner among the west-styled character designs, an archetype I find slightly tiresome but I assume it appeases the segment of the Japanese audience who want at least one person who looks like them. It's not all bad. You always know the easterner will enjoy gifts of fish!


More singing!


The dragon statues are so cute!


Seiji: I didn't want to interrupt you...
Odette: Well, that's an awkward time to choose to be courteous!
Midori: That song you were singing was amazing! But why are you singing here?
Odette: I don't have a good voice, so I try not to let anyone hear me sing. But I guess you caught me. I feel like singing here helps me understand what Talynn is thinking.
Seiji: Talynn...?
Odette: That's the name of the arch-dragon.
Midori: Huh... The Fenith Island we come from has so many arch-dragons, nobody bothers to name them... But speaking to a dragon through song, that's wonderful! Hey, Odette, would you mind letting me listen to you sing sometime?
Odette: Really...? You don't mind my singing? I'm so embarrassed, though... But I guess it would be okay... Just once in a while.
Midori: Hee-hee! Thanks, Odette!

Odette is a "tsundere." Seiji gets the brunt of the tsun/irritable aspect and Midori and other girls get the dere/sweet side. So Seiji/Midori must be exhausting to interact with.

It's only noon but we've met everyone in town so we might as well hit the hay.


Midori: H-Hold on a minute!
Seiji: Huh? What's wrong?
Midori: Y-You're going to sleep?
Seiji: Yeah. A lot happened today, so I'm beat.
Midori: Y-You don't think it's weird? Us sleeping... together?
Seiji: What? We're not sleeping together. I'm just sleeping, and you're... tagging along. Okay, it's a little weird, but I guess we'd better get used to it.
Midori: Eek...

She's lucky video game characters don't have to use the bathroom.


Video time! That little guy sure grew quickly.


Oh. Um. That grew VERY quickly. Seiji wakes to the rumblings of that being... born?

Seiji: W-What was that? It felt pretty big...
Midori: Wha...


Seiji: W-What is that?
Midori: Eek! It's so cute!
Odette: Midori, you have... interesting taste.


Odette: Oh it's you, Elena. Well, we woke up and found this around the back.
Elena: Hmmm... Oh, that's nice... A golem that big isn't exactly easy to... Wait, what!? I've never even seen a golem that big before!
Seiji: What is it doing here!? And who are you supposed to be, anyway?
Odette: Heh heh. This is Elena. She's our blacksmith, and the resident expert on golems.
Seiji: A golem expert? Sure, whatever. Weirdo.
Midori: That's rude, Seiji!
Elena: H-Hey! Is this golem yours? How did it get so big?
Seiji: No, it's not mine. It was just here when we got up this morning.
Elena: No, it's definitely yours. Look at the golem's head.


Midori: Oh, I did.
Elena: Huh! Who's that?
Odette: Well, it's a long story. I'll tell you later. But yes, it was Midori who planted the seed. I guess it was a golem sprout.
Elena: Oh. In that case, it's hers. A golem sprout is a sprout that absorbs rocks as it grows. It eventually turns into a plant golem. After a plant golem is fully grown, it instinctively serves whoever planted it as its master. That's why that golem is yours.
Midori: Oh, I get it now.
Elena: So what did you do to get it this big? Plant golems don't usually get to this size... More importantly, where did you get a golem sprout to begin with? They're very rare. You see, my specialty is mechanical golems, and that in of itself is actually quite...
Odette: Haha... She's gone into her own world again. When Elena concentrates on something, she gets tunnel vision. It's best to just leave her be.
Seiji: A-Are you sure?
Midori: Hey, Seiji. Why don't we give it a name?
Seiji: You want to name it?
Midori: Of course! Let me think of a good one...

So, what should Midori name Seiji's giant plant golem? Same as before, we have a thirteen character maximum.

A short ways into the next update, Seiji will have to select a starting weapon so I'll take suggestions on that as well. The options are dual swords, longsword, spear, hammer, katana, and fire staff. All of them are about what you'd expect. Dual swords is the fastest and hammer is probably the slowest. Staff is the only ranged weapon but it will eat through Seiji's energy very quickly until he gets the Staff and Fire Element skills up. Other elemental staffs can be crafted later.

Weapon choice isn't a long-term commitment and every one of these can be bought at the smithy. I'll go through the first island with whatever's chosen now at least.

Well... Father Gerard sure is in remarkably bad taste!

Golem: Fluffykins

Weapon: Hammer

Man, that's some potent seed Seiji planted. I wonder what would happen if he sowed some wild oats.

Also, seconding the hammer.

Also also, Mikoto is a dude?

...although, it would take some effort to outdo Father Gerard. o.0 holy crap.

Presumably she's lived among humans for long enough to know how they do things. So she's being deliberately rude?

...or that this video game won't go anywhere near the cruder things that teenaged boys do.

Golem: Chibi
Weapon: Spear