Home again

Let's save a dude first.

The Lama Temple is another Buddhist inspired place. The reason to come here is to speak to the head priest, Master Hama. She's a woman with purple hair and the ability to see the future. She knows our names and why we came here. She's also got a connection to Ivan (not Vlad). As a fellow Jupiter adept, Hama considers teaching Ivan the Psyenergy Reveal. However, she recalls a time when she failed to do so before. Nothing bad happened, and no one died, but Hama doesn't like to waste time. Suddenly, the runaway, Feishi, enters the room. She's the one Hama tried to teach Reveal too, but the results, as we learn now, only just showed up. Feishi is here to save Hzu. Some things are said, implicating Saturno and Menardi for the landslide blocking the Slik Road, and the two go off to find him. Before leaving, Hama teaches Ivan Reveal.

This will allow us to see invisible things in the area, such as hidden items. Its primary purpose is to reveal oases in the upcoming desert to help us get through. Without Reveal, we'd take damage in the "evil" sands as we pass through. It also shows us hidden mobs, antlions, and even a djinn! There's also a treasure under a rock east of the tower. Alternatively, we can help save Hzu. Head to the Silk Road and Reveal a hidden door. Follow the path and Lift the boulder off the ugly guy. I don't remember if we're rewarded monetarily for this, but the road back to Xian is available. We can return to Hama, and the party tried to encourage Ivan to discuss how Hama knows him more. He doesn't want to, though...

The Lamakin Desert isn't a big deal once you have Reveal. Use the spell near the middle of rock circles to find what you're looking for. Don't stand directly in the middle, as it might be a trap. The antlions aren't too tough, but they give great rewards. This might be one of the best grind spots since they respawn every time you use Reveal. You will need Reveal for the djinn AND to find the exit. It'll be hidden behind a sand fall, guarded by a manticore. I don't remember how I beat him, but I think Ice and Whirlwind worked well.

We'll exit to the world map in an area that resembles Vault. Rivers make this area a maze, but make sure to find the djinn in another random peninsula. West of this is the merchant town of Kalay. This is where Ivan grew up, and is the place Master Hammet wanted to return to but couldn't. As expected, Hammet isn't back. We can further this by speaking to his wife, Layanna. She's sent the ransom money, but he still isn't back. In fact, Ivan's homecoming encouraged everyone to think Hammet was home too. The soldiers of the town want to rush Lunpa, but Layanna is afraid that might end up with the thieves killing Hammet. We ask if we can do anything, and we'll be told no. Layanna also knows of our mission, and we learn a lot about Ivan.

Long ago, Hammet was a failing merchant until he saved people from Vale out in the world. One of them told him a prophecy of Issac's mission and how this random kid would be involved in it. For reasons I didn't understand, Hammet took Ivan and the staff and raised him. He was also told about silk and built his town on that. Layanna wants us to save to world and not her husband.

But I think we can ignore her! The bridge to Vault is repaired, so we can go there to see how everyone has changed. The thieves are gone, but we can find a djinn. Ring the bell on the north guard tower and use Reveal near the dog to find a cave. Vault Cave is a fairly long dungeon that'll test our mastery of our Psys. Freeze, Wind, Lift, and Push are all needed. The dumbest puzzle so far is down here, though. We'll have to push a pillar with a flame on it through a dripping cave. We'll need to time it just right, but the timing is so precise that it's almost unfair. I also think it's optional, though, and you can Retreat to ignore it. Enjoy your djinn.

But since we're nearby, let's go back to Vale. Garet's family is shocked but glad to see him. It's a short lived reunion, but it's touching nonetheless. Dora, however, has fallen ill. She tries to say it's just a cold, but she's coughing a lot. She scolds us for breaking our promise to never return until we've saved the world, but oh well. There's another djinn here!

There's a cave behind Kraden's house that we'll need to use Lift to reach. The puzzles are fun and got me thinking for a bit, but they weren't obnoxious. I have to say, these puzzles are the best aspect of GS. In the back is another djinn and the Halt Psyenergy. Use Halt to catch the djinn, and carry on. We'll try to save Kirk Hammet...

... tomorrow!

It's an Ivan arc, I guess. He's my least favorite character so far, so maybe this'll change. It's not that I hate him; he's just...there.