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ASCENSION PEAK
*NOTE* Setting the Life Chest
It is possible to set up a chest for what you want in Ascension Peak as well. For example, I could begin by setting up a save called "Life Chest" before I enter the portal to Ascension Peak.
The next step is to go through the portal, wait for a brief seismic shaking to elapse, and then quicksave.
Now go west and then north until you reach the area that has a 'Statue' in the middle of it. I may have to fight monsters along the way. The Savant Henchmen near the Knowledge Gate at 'KG' can be avoided as long as you keep west of the Statue with my Chameleon spell active.
Now go west and unlock the Life Gate at 'LG'.
If monsters show up before you reach the Rapax Army, you can lead them towards the Rapax Army. If you don't run into any monsters beforehand, but wandering monsters are among the Rapax Army, you can let the monsters approach you while the members of the Rapax Army are still 'yellow'. The reason for either is that if combat with nearby monsters start while the members of the Rapax Army are still 'yellow', then the Rapax won't join in the fight. They'll retreat away from the monsters attacking the party, and that makes it much easier to just run past them to the northwest. You can usually can outrun most any monster as well and leave them behind. Monsters like Bitter Wings and Plumed Serpents might be able to keep up. In that event, you lead them well past the Rapax Army and then kill them.
Sometimes there won't be any monsters to make the Rapax Army scatter. If that's the case, set up with Elemental Shield and Soul Shield, and then run past them to the northwest. Once in a while a monster named Al-(insert name of character she got it on with) will summon Rapax Templars near the party. Simply run through any gap between them, and continue to go past the army.
Now go through a tunnel that connects from 1a to 1b and kill a Black Slime called Quagmroth Teg. Renew the Chameleon spell after that battle.
Sneak east past the gigantic Scorcher named Furor whenever you can. But once in a while spawned monsters might force you to fight both them and Furor at the same time.
And from there continue until you reach the Life Temple. You can sneak past its guardians by sneaking east and north along the edges with Chameleon active. You can then check the chest for a Ring of Regeneration. Reload the "Life Chest" savegame when it doesn't have it.
Problem is, it's still pretty time consuming even when you take the most efficient paths possible. So I downloaded the 1.5 version of this editor, and placed it in my game directory. I applied a patch so that chests will randomize each time you open it, instead of setting when you first enter an area. I'm close to finishing the game anyway.
Life Gate
I start off at the entrance marked 'To Rapax Castle', wait for a tremor to lapse, and then continue west.
I I eventually run into three Maddening Gazers. Starting off with Elemental Shield and Soul Shield is pretty much obligatory for this kind of monster. One of them unleashes a Death Wish spell, which kills Vi Domina. But she returns to life unconscious through her Valkyrie power. I eventually manage to kill them off one by one.
I soon after encounter three Death Wings (more powerful versions of Bitter Wings) and two Shattering Gazers. I start off with Elemental Shield and Soul Shield, and in the second round rush after the closest Shattering Gazer. I manage to kill it and thereby make things easier for myself as the other Shattering Gazer is some distance away yet.
I then manage to grind my way through the Death Wings, using Restoration or Cure Poison spells as needed. Five Blistering Scorchers soon join in.
There was one Death Wing left when the second Shattering Gazer unleashed its deranged gaze. The deranged gaze that most Gazers have can cause insanity to most party members, and is much more difficult to resist than standard Psionic spells including Mind Flay. However, Errol and Rothgar managed to resist it. So Errol uses his Renaissance Lute on Chun-Li, which will free up another character who can use spells to cure insanity, while Rothgar casts Restoration on Terra.
It may be tempting to rush the remaining Shattering Gazer after I killed the remaining Death Wing. But it is still some distance away, and three party members with high attack capabilities are still insane. So Errol, Rothgar and Chun-Li use their Restoration spells on the insane party members, Zarax, Ryu and Vi Domina. I also walk up to the very close by Blistering Scorchers, so that my spellcasters have enough time to rid their comrades of insanity.
It is when that process is complete that I rush the remaining Shattering Gazer. It uses its deranged gaze again at some point, but this time only Ryu is turned insane. I have Vi Domina cast Sane Mind on him, partly because her high speed means she can use it on him before he possibly attacks another party member, and partly because she hasn't yet tapped into her Mental Mana. Sometimes it is about spreading out your use of resources to better conserve and replensh them.
I easily kill off the Blistering Scorchers after the Shattering Gazer dies.
I continue north until I reach the central hub of Ascension Peak, which has three very large statues. The Trynnie Statue points north to a gate leading to the Life Temple that will house the Astral Dominae. The Rapax Statue points west to a gate leading to the Chaos Temple that will house the Chaos Moliri. The Higardi Statue points east to a gate leading to the Knowledge Temple that will house the Destinae Dominus. I go to the Life Gate, the one marked 'LG' and have Errol pick its lock.
Rapax Army
I move west and north after unlocking the gate. Now comes a major confrontation against a large Rapax force, led by the Rapax Prince, and ... Al-(insert name of party member who underwent the ceremony with Al-Sedexus). I'm afraid the implication here is true. There are three Ironwood Elders as well. Now I put up the usual protections like Elemental Shield and Soul Shield. Errol uses his Rousing Drums.
I next make straight for the Rapax Prince. The reason being that he can use Instant Death at well, and he can sometimes kill even high-level party members with it. I make it a priority to kill him off first and foremost. Chun-Li took a beating on the first barrage, so she cast Heal Wounds on herself.
Al-Sedexus' offspring, like her mother, she has an innate power to summon more Rapax Templars around the party. And she does that after I've closed in on the prince. It is after that happens that Terra casts Toxic Cloud to catch as many enemies as can, and Chun-Li casts Death Cloud to inlude the maximum number of targets as well.
Things are a bit thick around Al-Errol, so I have to thin the crowd out a bit. Triple shots of spells like Tsunami and Blizzard help a lot. I admit I did commit an error when I had Errol use his Arresting Aria without realizing that one of the Ironwood Elders had Eye for Eye on it. But I soon worked past the brief paralysis of a few party members anyway.
I go straight for Al-Errol once there's a clear path, and make her the next priority target. Things can quickly get out of control if you let her free to summons groups of Templars. Killing her is the first priority. Killing her also removes the potential danger of her Asphyxiation spells.
I go through another phase of Tsunamis and Blizzards when I can catch enough Rapax bunched together with them. I then proceed to picking them one by one with physical attacks once the numbers have cleared enough.
It's when I'm down to a couple of Rapax that I rush the Ironwood Elders and kill them off with physical attacks. Note that I didn't bother a nearby Rapax Archer who had about 80+ hit points left. I simply went after the Elders, and then Chun-Li finished off the Archer with a Crush spell. It eventually becomes a mop up.
Quagmroth Teg
I continue northwest from where I had defeated the Rapax Army. Note that there are 2 spots on the map labelled '1a' and '1b'. '1a' is the entrance to a tunnel that runs underneath the Chaos portion of Ascension peak. '1b' is where the tunnel emerges on the other side.
Within that tunnel, I run into a black slime called Quagmroth Teg. It can issue a blinding cloud, as well as cause fear, stamina drain, or hit point drain with its physical attacks. It also has significant damage resistance. But Terra takes it down quickly with a critical strike, as its by now a lower-level monster.
Furor
Now I proceed north and east from '1b'. I now run into a colossal-sized Scorcher called Furor. This kind of monster won't hit all that often, but it can hurt when it does connect. The usual Rousing Drums and Angel's Tongue from Errol, and an Armormelt spell from Chun-Li, help me wear it down.
Oak Guardian and Cliff Sprites
I travel east and approach the Life Temple, I run into the Oak Guardian and 3 Cliff Sprites. They don't have any physical attacking power to speak of, and are completely reliant on spells. As such, this battle is easily won by Magic Screen + Elemental Shield and Soul Shield.
Life Temple
Now I step in through the front door of the Life Temple. Aletheides appears and asks two questions, the respective answers to which are 'life' and 'Phoonzang'. The second door opens to reveal a portal.
I scum-save the Life Chest (post-patch) for a second Ring of Regeneration (+2 AC, +30% Divine Resistance, +4 regeneration). Rothgar wears it for what's left of the game, as it fits in very well with his role as a self-generating off-tank.
I step through the portal and place the Astral Dominae in the receptacle. I turn around and then there's another portal ahead of me.
Chaos Gate
I could go through the teleporter. But I instead have Vi Domina cast Return to Portal. The idea is to rest outside Ascension Peak and thereby encourage the spawning of more monsters for me to fight.
I re-enter Ascenion Peak and make my way back to the "Statute". This time I unlock the Chaos Gate and go through.
I go west and kill a Bitter Wing and a pair of Maddening Gazers.
I keep going west and run into several Depthspawn led by a Greater Demon. They can breath fire and cast spells. And their physical attacks can cause blindness, insanity or possession. Nonetheless, I wear them down after setting up Elemental Shield + Soul Shield + Haste.
Rothgar and Ryu advance to their 27th levels of experience. Rothgar takes Identify Item, while Ryu takes X-Ray.
Souleater
I follow the path as it goes west and then bends northward. Next up is the Souleater, which can be a really nasty monster. It has an innate power called 'consumes your souls' which can force either insanity or possesion on multiple party members. Its physical attacks all have very significant chances of poisoning their targets, draining stamina, causing possession, knocking unconscious, or killing outright, and others besides. It was a lucky bounce that it didn't use 'consume your souls' on the first round. It did on the second round, but then I managed to kill it before insane or possessed party members could do much harm to each other. Errol then used his Renaissance Lute to cure his comrades after the battle.
If you don't get this lucky, Restoration, and repeated use of that spell, is likely to be your saving grace against this monster.
Quagmroth Ve
Now I head northwards. About midway along the ravine is a lake that has a slime named Quagmroth Ve. This slime has the usual worries when it comes to slimes, poisoning, disease, stamina drain, etc. It can also unleash a draining cloud. It is at this point a pretty easy kill.
Greater Demon and Djinni of the Clouds
I continue along the path that leads north and east. I kill a Bitter Wing and three Molten Scorchers along the way.
I keep following the path until I encounter a Greater Demon and 3 Djinni of the Clouds. I prepare with Haste plus Elemental Shield and Soul Shield as always before rushing them. Chun-Li also summoned an Elemental Air Lord. I rush forward and take out the Greater Demon first.
The chief danger of the Djinni they can cast Death Cloud. So I cast Purify Air whenever that happens. I eventually wear them down one by one.
Chaos Temple
Now I go on ahead through the front door of the Chaos Temple. Aletheides shows up again and has 2 more questions. The answers are 'change' and 'Dark Savant'. The second door opens, but first I check out the chest.
I step through the first portal, and then place the Chaos Moliri in the receptacle.
29th Level Fighter and Bard
I then step through the second portal, and find myself back at the statues in the center of Ascension Peak.
Now I want to do some grinding. The objective is at least 28th level for everyone in the party.
I go through the Life Path through to the Life Temple. I run into four Ironwood Guardians and two Shattering Gazers. I go to work on the Guardians while the Gazers buff themselves and take their time to approach me. Unfortunately, a Death Wish spell knocked Vi Domina unconscious and killed Rothgar. I have Chun-Li use Smelling Salts on Vi Domina. The other Gazer hits the party with its deranged gaze. But fortunately Errol is still sane, so he uses his Renaissance Lute on Vi Domina. She then uses Resurrection on Rothgar before the battle ends.
A high-level Valkyrie like Vi Domina can be a really valuable party member. She's now practically impossible to kill outright, and she can use Resurrection for anyone who got killed once she comes to.
Zarax and Errol advance another level. I keep going, kill a few more Ironwood Guardians, and step through the portals in the Life Temple to return to the statues.
27th Level Valkyrie and Monk
Now I travel through the Chaos Gate and the paths leading to the Chaos Temple. I fight several hordes of demons like Greater Demons, Depthspawn, Cave Fiends and Hellspawn along the way. Elemental Shield and Soul Shield are obligatory buffs. Errol makes frequent use of his Cornu of Demonspawn. Other party members sometimes throw in Banish spells of their own, when I judge they have the mana to spare for it.
Vi Domina at some point advances to her 27th level as a Valkyrie. She takes the Divine Trap spell.
I continue on and fight Djinnis of the Blades and Imps of the Discord. RFS-81 reaches his 27th level as a Monk.
I eventually reach the Chaos Temple. This time, I have Rothgar cast Return to Portal to return the party to Arnika. The intention is to train up RFS-81's newly acquired Iron Skin skill after having maxed out his Vitality.
Monk Masters Iron Skin
I kill some Androids near the Savant Tower and the Spaceport.
I head for the south entrance. Chun-Li uses her Uncurse power on RFS-81, so that he can remove all of his equipment except for his Ring of Regeneration. He borrows the second Ring of Regeneration from Rothgar, and the Robe of Rejuvenation from Chun-Li.
I then exit south to the Arnika-Trynton Road.
I immediately run into several Rattkin Eliminators and Goons. I tried using them for training purposes. But the problem is they hit a little too often and for a little too much damage to make Iron Skin training work, since any regeneration I can come up won't keep up with the damage they cause. So I just kill them off with spells like Tsunamis and Blizzard.
I continue southeast along the road until I run into several Seekers. Chun-Li blows them away with a Fireball. I continue southeast until I run into several Twilight Bats, but I have little trouble cutting them down.
I keep going until I find what I want, several Juggernauts. One thing to keep in mind is that they may give up and retreat if I take too long to reach a nook or niche to dig my back into. So I approach them, close enough for them to see me and start following me, but not too close to start the fight too soon. I gradually lead them onwards at a distance until I reach a nook that I can use. Everyone besides RFS-81 and Rothgar will be repositioned into the back ranks.
I don't dig myself all the way into the nook. Just enough so that the Juggernauts can attack the front and one of my flanks. I position myself carefully once they close in so that two will attack RFS-81, and a third will attack Rothgar. It is important for Rothgar to keep a Juggernaut attacking him non-stop to keep all of them anchored on the party, so that the ones attacking RFS-81 don't give up in frustration and retreat when his Stealth skill prevents them from noticing him too many rounds in a row.
Once the positions are set, I use carefully placed spells like Acid Bomb, Firestorm and Death Cloud to get rid all of the Juggernauts (and the one Rank Weed) except for the three that are attacking RFS-81 and Rothgar.
I then set the combat on continuous, so that the Juggernauts will attack RFS-81 and Rothgar non-stop. Rothgar will regenerate any damage through his innate regeneration as a Lord and his other items. RFS-81 will regenerate his wounds through both Rings of Regeneration and the Robe of Rejuvenation. The point behind getting rid of the other Juggernauts is so that the continuous rounds go by that much faster.
I left the game running on Windowed Mode (ctrl + F12) from the afternoon and overnight until the next morning. I can't leave it on indefinitely, cause the game will crash if I leave it on too long.
I killed the remaining Juggernauts after 10,000 rounds and quick-saved. RFS-81 reached 96 points in Iron Skin.
I rested until I got more Juggernauts attacking me on waking, and repeated the process. I checked at 4,800 rounds and notice that RFS-81 has a perfect 100 points in Iron Skin. And it will stack with the Monk's own damage resistance. On that note, a Dwarven Monk who adds his own Dwarven damage reduction is an intriguing possibility, although it may take a long time to realize as Dwarven Monks will suffer starting penalties.
I kill off the remaining Juggernauts. RFS-81 puts his usual equipment back on. He also gives the second Ring of Regeneration back to Rothgar, and the Robe of Rejuvenation back to Chun-Li.
Vi Domina casts Return to Portal to return the party to the portal to Ascension Peak. I buff up and then step through.
27th Level Ninja
I previously did a run through both the Life and Chaos parts of Ascension Peak, battling numerous monsters along the way but not quite enough to advance anyone another level. I didn't include that as a video.
But I end in a similar place to where I ended the previous video, rested up at the portal to Ascension Peak and having buffed up before stepping through the portal.
I make my way towards the statues when I run into a Riptide and a Major Water Elemental, both of which I kill easily. Terra takes Whipping Rocks on her 27th level-up.
27th Level Bishop
I go through the Life Gate and to where the Rapax Army had been. I encounter several Crag Sprites. Remember, Elemental Shield plus Soul Shield and then cut them down.
Chun-Li takes Resurrection on her 27th level-up. She had been catching on spells of mass destruction during her previous level-ups. But now's a good time to take Resurrection as an option when faced with enemies that have instant-death attacks.
Knowledge Gate
I keep going on until I reach the Life Temple. I go through the teleporter to return to the 'Statues'.
I immediately get attacked by four Death Wings, more powerful versions of Bitter Wings, and a Shattering Gazer. The 6 Savant Henchmen guarding the nearby Knowledge Gate also join.
I start by having Vi Domina cast Soul Shield, Errol use his Rousing Drums, and Chun-Li cast Elemental Shield while the party walks up to the closest Death Wing. The spells help protect against the Gazer's powers.
I work my way through the Death Wings one at a time, using Restoration spells for party members who are taking a lot of poison damage or Cure Poison for characters who are poisoned but not taking that much damage from it. I do have to use either Restoration or Sane Mind when a deranged gaze from the Shattering Gazer turns at least a couple of party members insance. I go all out for the Shattering Gazer once the Death Wings are gone.
That leaves the Savant Henchmen. As level 28 monsters, they are quite capable of causing stamina drain or paralysis with their polearm weapons. Note that in this instance, I make a point of lining up my three front warriors against them whenever possible. The reason being that it's against android enemies like these that my Ryu's *Light Sword* can really cut a swath.
Now I unlock the Knowledge Gate at 'KG'.
Storm Gazers
First I fight some Plumed Serpents that have spawned a little southwest of the statutes. I then go east through the Knowledge Gate and fight a couple of Storm Gazers. Neither group of enemies present any difficulty by now.
Amit and Pee Wee
Now I proceed northwards. I soon run into a Trynnie Shaman named Amit, who demands a hefty fee to let me pass forwards. I turn him down, and he calls forth his colossal pet golem, Pee Wee. Amit himself is very easy to kill.
As for Pee Wee himself, he may not hit very often, but in the odd moment he does, it can really hurt. And once in a while his fist attack can strike multiple characters. But I manage to wear him down without much trouble. Now I simply loot the nearby chest.
Enlightened Spirit and Adamant Unicorns
Now I fight an Enlightened Spirit and a couple of Adamant Unicorns. Adamant Unicorns can knock their targets unconscious with their horn-projectile attacks, and can cast spells like Concussion and Quicksand.
Naturally, I cast Elemental Shield and Soul Shield to start. This reduces the battle to pure physical combat in my favor.
Knowledge Temple
Further north is the Knowledge Temple. I enter within, where Aletheides asks me two questions. The answers are "Knowledge" and "Man".
The nearby chest has a second Brilliant Helm (+7 AC, +20 Intelligence) in it, along with a few items randomly drawn from the Knowledge Chest in it.
The second door opens, but first I check out a nearby chest. The portal ahead takes me to a small room with a receptacle. I place the Destinae Dominus in it. Terra now replaces her Helm of Serenity with the second Brilliant Helm.
I then take the next portal, and find myself back at the statues at the center of Ascension Peak.
I go south a bit to kill a Bitter Wing and three Molten Scorchers.
Monarch and Shogun
I make my way back to where the Rapax Army had been. I fight two Shattering Gazers and three Crag Sprites. A Shattering Gazer kills Ryu and Terra outright with a Death Wish spell. This battle shows the benefits of having multiple characters who can cast Resurrection, as Rothgar and Chun-Li are quickly able to undo that. I thereafter wear everything down.
I follow the trail that actually leads to the Dark Savant, to a point. I fight monsters like Death Wings and Shattering Gazers and Maddening Gazers along the way.
Rothgar advances to his 28th level, and reaches the rank of Monarch. He takes the Holy Water spell.
Ryu advances to his 28th level, and reaches the rank of Shogun. He takes the Hex spell.
30th Level Fighter and Bard
I return to where the Rapax Army had been. I continue fighting monsters along the Life trail until I take the teleporter in the Life Temple.
I kill a Shattering Gazer when I'm returned to the Statues.
Zarax and Errol advance to their 30th levels.
Olympian
I decide to rest up then and there, and get attacked by a Prismic Gazer and a Shattering Gazer. I manage to kill them off while gradually putting my buffs back up at the same time. I thereafter fight another Prismic Gazer a little to the south.
I make my way through the Chaos Trail, fighting imps and djinni and demons along the way.
Vi Domina reaches her 28th level and obtains the rank of Olympian. She takes Holy Water.
I go through the Chaos Temple teleporter, and then fight a few Bitter Wings when I am returned to the statues.
Grandmaster
I now go through the Knowledge trail. I kill a few Acute Spirits after protecting myself with Elemental Shield and Soul Shield.
RFS-81 advances to his 28th level to become a Grandmaster as a Monk.
I continue on and fight five Crystal Unicorns. It actually becomes a tough battle when the rearing results in multiple characters getting possessed. But I pull through by using Restoration on possessed characters when I can, and using Resurrection when Ryu and Chun-Li got killed by their own party members.
I continue on to the Knowledge Temple and take the teleporters to return to the statutes.
Grandmother
I did a few more grinds, which I don't show in the videos.
The last run I go through the Life gate and back to where the Rapax Army had been. I fight a couple of Prismic Gazers.
Now I go along the northeast path that will lead to the Dark Savant, and fight two more Prismic Gazers and a Shattering Gazer. Although I did manage with Restoration and Sane Mind spells when I could, the Gazers' use of deranged gaze turned multiple characters insane and resulted in Rothgar dying at the end of the battle. But he's already achieved his ultimate rank, so I resurrect him and continue on after winning the battle.
Terra advances to her 28th level to become a Grandmother Ninja. She takes Noxious Fumes.
Pontiff
I continue up the trail, and fight more Bitter Wings and Gazers. One long and intense fight involves at least four Shattering Gazers and two Prismic Grazers. There are moments where I have to avoid chasing forward, stay in position, and try to get rid of insanity on multiple parties with the rare character who hasn't gone insane, or ressurect a character who has died with a character who is both sane and still alive. Things came down to a hair or two, but I eventually manage to pull through. Victory becomes more certain as I bring down each Gazer one by one, as that means one less that can use either Death Wish or a deranged gaze against the party.
Chun-Li advances to her 28th level and obtains the rank of Pontiff. She takes the Pandemonium spell.
The Dark Savant
Some of my buffs expire, so I put them back up. I also use a Mana Stone and Magic Nectars that I found earlier to replenish mana for my spellcasters.
Now I go on ahead and catch up to the Dark Savant at the gate to the Cosmic Circle. When he first notices me, he tries to trigger his bomb. Remember what I said about how you need to teleport into his Tower from the Rapax King's portal and then de-activate his bomb beforehand. If you didn't do this, you will die along with the rest of the planet and then get the Suboptimal Ending.
However, I did perform this necessary step first, so he vents his rage and then steps through the portal to the Cosmic Circle. Bela the black dragon pursues him. I soon follow after them.
