Xandria, Afroca

Ys V has only been released for the Super Nintendo, and it's remained Japanese since 1995. There was a PS2 remake that changed a few things, but guess what's also stayed away? It's a stark contrast to the previous titles as the Bump System and Zelda 2 gameplay ripoff has been replaced by a more traditional action RPG/hack and slash controls. But Adol can jump and even block, which I've already seen is a lot of fun. It adds a new depth to dungeons. Sadly, Adol is still a mute, and there are no additional playable characters. It's a step in the direction that the franchise would be taking. I've been hoping for a remake of Lost Kefin since I noticed Falcom had been redoing older titles. They've since made Dana, Nox, and Nordics will be releasing in a few months. It won't be worldwide for a long time after that, though. In lieu of knowledge, I have no choice but to continue Adol's adventures in a game that likely won't be canon in a few years. But if I remember right, the story was really good, so there's no need to redo it as much as IV. But let's get on with the show!!!

All the backstory we get about Ys V: Lost Kefin is that the desert kingdom of Kefin, located in eastern Afroca, fell 500 years ago. They rose to power with a form of magic called alchemy. No one knows how the kingdom went to ruin, but all that remains are the stone buildings that mark key locations to the east of the port town of Xandria. Xandria is an independent location and has no loyalty to Romn. It's run by a merchant named Dorman. But his country is slowly being wiped out by the desertion that seems to stem from the location where Kefin once stood. Word around the seas of this event has reached the ears of one Adol Christin. A year after saving his friend's land of Felghana, he's found himself in Xandria. And his adventures begin here:

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"I reached my destination of Xandria today. It's a massive port town on the southwest side of the country. I stepped off the boat and tried to look around the city. But the guards had other plans. They're not fond of foreigners, it seems, so they roughed me up a bit. Or, tried to, at least. Not wanting to start a scene, I followed them into an alleyway behind a warehouse. We were about to fight until a higher ranking guard named Rizze stopped them. It seems the leader around here has gotten word of my adventuring spirit and wants to see me. My fame preludes me! The guards left me alone, and Rizza asked me to visit Dorman's house in the north of town. She apologized and let me explore Xandria.

It's quite a large town, and the port takes up half of it. Barrels litter the areas, which contain the usual shops and locations. The item shop is run by a locally famous girl named Niena, who I'll talk about later. But she's not at work, and I have no money. They wouldn't take Romn gold anyway. So I went to Dorman's mansion, and he was glad to see me. He's looking for adventurers because the town is in trouble. The desert to the east is slowly encroaching towards the town. It's already eaten several villages but keeps expanding. He blames the ancient kingdom of Kefin, home of alchemy. A man on the boat told me about this, which was a reason I came here. Dorman knows a lot about alchemy, including its source. He led me into his bedroom and showed me a glowing crystal. This is the Lumen Crystal that controls the alchemy of light. He believes there are others like it. This was found in a cave behind Foresta Village to the north. Dorman gave me 1000 gold to get some basic gear and suggested I visit Forseta first. I spent it all on a mid tier sword and began my journey!

The Foraeta Plains is home to a spider that spits before throwing itself at you, a bird that likes apples, and a crab. Monsters drop jewels, which all local shops buy and will be how I get rich. And then I'll give it to a bunch of people before I leave, as I'm want to do! East of Xandria is a broken bridge that's guarded by armored zombies. What is going on in this country?

But the north takes us to Forseta Village. As I entered the gate, the townsfolk ran away. I read the plaque in the middle of town, and it told of a prophecy. It read about a woman trapped in a crystal and of woe that would befall when a red haired adventurer appeared. Uh oh... Someone from Xandria was behind me and told me everyone was afraid of me. This brought out a few people to confirm that. They asked me to finish my business quickly. I bought some armor and a shield as I explored around town. To the east is a bronze statue of the mayor that everyone hates. It was being polished by a kid named Willy, who had no problem with me. I found him a brush so that he could work and wished him luck. And I returned to the square, woe befell the town.

The cave behind the town started spewing out monsters. Three people investigating it were attacked, and one was injured. More worrying still is a young girl was lost inside. The town didn't want me to do anything, but the elder (not mayor) prioritized saving the girl. Willy led me into the cave by pressing a button to open a back door. Inside were undead monsters, rats, and a glowing sphere that attacked by changing the air around it. Those things were terrifying! We found the girl a few steps into Forseta Cave. Niena was fine but shaken up. Willy and a few other villagers came in to escort her out, but Willy and I wanted to see where these monsters came from. Behind Niena was a strange glyph on the floor. I stepped on it, and it took me a great crystal.

And a woman was trapped inside it. A necklace appeared before me, and it started talking to me! Inside was a man named Stoker. He had been watching over his love, Forseta, for 500 years. But he's lost his humanity over that time and thinks it's time to move. He'll be a companion who shows up from time to time now. But he warned me of someone deeper in the cave.

A few rooms later was the Light Demon, Valtemos! He has been protecting Forseta for five centuries and tried to do so here. His attacks involved spitting fireballs at me and trying to shoot me with a third eye laser. He could also shake the cave to drop rocks on me. But I ran around and found plenty of opportunities to shove my sword into the face of the lumbering beast. Stoker congratulated me for having the strength to take him down with only a sword. The quick way out was guarded by Valtemnos, which I took to town. The mayor's statue was moved nearby, so I could venture back in if I needed to. Things had settled down, so I returned to Xandria.

Niena was at home, and I wanted to see if she was okay. I heard an ocarina playing as I approached. She stopped to thank me for saving her, and we started talking. Five years ago, an adventurer named Stein found Neina in the desert with no memories. As a fellow amnesiac, I understand her troubles. All she had was the ocarina. She had been living with Stein and viewed him as a father until he disappeared two years ago. He was investigating Kefin. After buying some healing herbs, I went to see my patron.

Dorman gave me the crystal in hopes I learn more about alchemy firsthand. He also told me to go to the marshlands east of Forseta.

I went back to town to hear something happened at Niena's. A man named Karion broke in and attacked Niena. He didn't want to harm her, but he stole a medal that belonged to Stein. It had something to do with Kefin, and the attacker told me to mind my own business. That just makes me want to investigate more! Nirna was fine, so I continued with my job and hoped the locals would pick up the pieces.

The path to the marshlands took me to the broken bridge. There was a path to the north before it, and I had to walk through a thick forest. Woodland Plateau has a big canopy that makes seeing hard. It was inhabited by more undead and a group of tricksters. But before then was a woman who Stoker wanted me to meet. She knew about alchemy and taught me about it. If I combine three elemental shards, I can form my own magic powers. I've gathered enough through gifts to create a fireball attack.

I stumbled upon a girl being attacked by brigands. Xandria needs better guards! The girl owned the men 6000 gold, which I tried to pay off. They don't take gems as payment, so I didn't have enough. They then forced me to partake in an arena fight. The desert wolf can only charge, so I kept it at by and shot my new fireball at it. It turns out the girl was working for the brigands. They ambush people and steal their money or use tricks like this. Terra and her friends ran away. Passed them is the Woodcutter's Village. It's home to loggers who've made their home in a giant tree. I rested there because I have a feeling the swamp is gonna suck."

--Adol

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Who knew the ability to jump could be so much fun? And I wonder if I'll ever block with my shield? I remember the magic system being lame, but I want to give it a shot this time around. The basics of it seem interesting, so maybe it was just me.