Suikoden II/A new base camp

Getting the Rune
To reach Muse you will have to pass through the destroyed village of Toto. Here Pilika will run to the shrrine cave northeast of the village, which you couldn't enter before. Follow her and enter the cave, examining the rock. Inside you will meet Leknaat, who will tell you that one of the 27 true runes he recognized you. You will be asked if you need the rune's power. Answer as you like, you can't refuse in any case. After another sequence, the hero will get the Bright Shield rune and Jowy the Black Sword rune. Eventually, you will find yourself outdoors again, with your group. Resume the path towards Muse.

Once in the city, the guard will prevent you from entering, despite your protests. In fact, these days, no one is allowed to enter Muse without a pass. So you'll have to find another way to enter.

The Sindar Ruins
Go back a few steps on the world map and go to the White Deer Inn, which you have certainly already noticed before. Entering the inn, Hilda will be joined by her husband Alex, who will say that he has finally found a way to enter the Sindar ruins behind the inn. You can then go to sleep. The next morning, Alex will return, saying that he has been to Muse and that he has not found anyone willing to help him find the treasure of the Sindar. It is therefore clear that he has a pass to enter the city. You will then make a pact with him: if you accompany him to the ruins, helping him find the treasure, Alex will lend you his pass. Answer his question however you want, you will help him anyway. Before heading to the ruins, you can make purchases from two patrons of the inn: the kobold can sell you items and the lady sitting at the table some magical runes. Then reach the entrance to the ruins, behind the inn. Alex will open the door and you can enter.

Once inside, inspect the thing right of the next door, and Alex will use it to open the door. In the ruins you will have to face random battles with enemies, which will be somewhat more challenging than the ones you have faced so far. In the next screen go north and at the fork go left,to find two treasure boxes. Inside them you will find a Stone of Magic and Mega Medicine. Go back and take the other path. At the next fork go north (the path south is a dead-end) and reach the next screen. At the fork go right and then south, to find a chest containing an Angry Blow. Go back to the fork, follow the path and cross the bridge. Go north to find a Gauntelet, than go south, left and than north, to reach te next screen. You’ll come to a door with a hole next to it which you can't open yet, so head left. Push the statue back into place to open the next door. Inside, you will find Shoulder Pads and a Round Plate. Take it and place it in the hole you saw before to open the door. At the first fork go north, at the second go left. To the north you will find a Triangle Plate. Further left is a door with an octagonal hole, but it's broken, so you can enter and find a chest containing a Fire Lizard Crystal. Go back to the fork and proceed north. At the crossroad go right and go up the stairs. At the bottom you will find a triangle hole. Use here the Triangle Plate to stop the water. Now return to the crossroad and go north, to find a Chain Mail. Go back and use the destroyed bridge to enter the canal. Go left and than head all the way south, until you reach the previous screen (the other paths are all dead-ends). Immediately after the bridge go left, to find the Square Plate. Return to the main canal and go south again. Go left to find a Water Crystal. Now head all the way north and exit the canal. Go south and then right at the second fork, the one with the statue. Open the door with the Square plate to find an Old Book Vol. 2 and a Magic Drain Crystal. Finally, return to the crossroad just before the destroyed bridge and go left. You’ll find a save point. Open the north door with the square plate, enter and analyze the stone etching by the door. Than reach the next room and prepare for a boss fight.

Boss Fight – Double Head
This boss isn't too difficult, as long as you don't underestimate it. Use your best magical attacks, especially Jowy's Black Sword rune, and constantly keep the party healed with the hero's Bright Shield rune. When the party doesn't urgently need to be healed, you can also use the hero and Nanami's Family Attack. If you have other characters that can perform combo attacks against a single enemy, they'll come in handy. If you do this, the battle won't be very long. Once defeated, the boss will drop some money and a Spark rune. Assign it to some fast characters when you get the chance (Nanami is fine).

After defeating the boss, you can reach the treasure chest. You'll be asked for what is most dear to you, answer as you like. Finally Alex will open the chest, however, you will only find healing herbs inside. Exit the ruins and arriving at the gate Alex will throw away the healing herbs, disappointed. When you enter the inn however, you will find that Hilda is very ill. Go outside and retrieve the healing herbs that Alex had thrown. Return to the inn and, with the herbs you have found, you will prepare a medicine capable of healing Hilda. From now on, Hilda will let you rest for free in her inn whenever you want. Alex will also respect the agreement and give you his pass. Head to Muse.

Muse City
In front of the city gate you will see a funny scene. You can answer the questions however you want. At the end anyway you will be arrested and put in jail. Even while you're in the cell, Jowy and Nanami will ask you more questions, no matter how you answer them. Eventually you will go to sleep.

The next morning Viktor will bid you good morning, getting you out of jail. He will tell you to go to the tavern, where you will find Leona and then to City hall. Then go to the tavern. Leona will take care of Pilika and you can change party members if you want. You will then be free to wander around the city and shop. In particular, go through the east side of the city, near the rune shop, where there is a covered walkway. You will meet a woman named Elza, who will tell you that they are chasing her and she will ask you to hold two packages: accept them. Go north and you will find a character named Clive, who will ask if you have seen Elza, informing you that she is a criminal. Answer him as you like, in any case he will continue to look for her. Then head to the entrance to the city to meet again Elza, who will take back the two packages and give you a Sound Set. Clive will also arrive, who will set off in pursuit of the fugitive. It is very important not to skip these steps if you want to recruit Clive later. At the inn bar you will also meet another recruitable character, Anita. Talk to her repeatedly. If she asks you for drinks or antitoxins, always agree. Maybe you go out and back from the inn or the city, to get her to talk to you in another way. Eventually, you may have the option to ask her out on a date. Do so and Anita will join you.


 * Anita recruited

In case you don’t succeed to recruit her at this time, you will have other possibilities later in the game, in Banner's village so don't insist too much. When you're ready, head to the City hall. Viktor will be waiting for you in front of the entrance and will join the group.

Inside, you will meet Mayor Annabelle and the chamberlain Jess. It seems that Annabelle knows very well who you are and she will ask you about master Genkaku. She will also tell you that she wasn't able to atone the crime against him. Answer her however you like, she will tell you that you’ll talk about it later. Annabelle will then turn you over to Jess. You will be free to explore the City hall; in the room where Jess is, you will find an Old Book vol.4 on a shelf. Then talk to Jess, who will ask you to infiltrate the Highland base camp and find out how much supplies they have. To continue the story you will be forced to accept. Jess will give you two Highland uniforms, then you can exit City hall.

Outside of the City hall you'll find Tuta. Talk to her and answer as you like. You’ll head to Dr. Huan House. Huan will ask Tuta to help you.


 * Tuta recruited

Talk to D. Huan again and he will give you |Recipe #3. Now go back to the inn and talk to Leona to choose your party members for your next mission. Finally, exit the city.

Highland Army Camp
The Highland - Muse border is northeast of the city. Go there. Enter and talk to the guard, that will let you in. Talk to the guard again in the entrance of the forest then head to the Highland Camp. The forest may seem labyrinthine at first, but in reality there is only one path to follow. The only item to collect is a Circuret, which you can get by going right at the first fork. Random encounters with enemies shouldn't bother you. Then follow the path through the woods until you come to a point where you and Jowy have to proceed alone.

Once at the camp, Jowy will show you which is the provision tent. Reach it. Talk to the soldier and answer whatever you want, he will let you in anyway. After checking how many supplies there are, exit the tent and Rowd will spot you. Quickly grab the Fire Sealing Rune from the chest next to the tent, then enter the large white tent in the center to meet Jillia Blight. Jillia will push Rowd away and offer you tea. You can answer her questions as you want, this won't affect the plot. Apparently, Jillia doesn't have much sympathy for her brother and his war plans. You will eventually be able to exit the tent, but just as you are about to flee into the woods, Rowd will spot you again and you will have to fight a group of soldiers. Use the Buddy Attack and you'll take them out in no time. After that Jowy will tell you to warn Nanami and the others, while he will join you later. Answer as you like, you will be forced to leave. Once you reach the group, you will have to fight against other soldiers. After the fight, Nanami will ask you what's going on. Tell her that you have to get out of there first, otherwise you'll have to fight again. Jowy meanwhile, will drive away soldiers with his rune. Exit the forest and return to Muse.

The Fall of Muse
Once in the city, head to the City hall to report. However, a guard will stop you, warning you that there is an important meeting in progress. Then go back to the inn, where Viktor and Flik are waiting for you. They will join the group. Now return to the Town Hall. Viktor will dash the guard and you can enter. When asked how much provvision the Highland Army has, give the information. Annabelle will apologize for putting you in danger, but she will tell you that she can do nothing to help Jowy. Go back to the inn. Nanami will be worried about Jowy. Answer her as you like, she will head to the city gate, to wait for him. Follow her, to wait for Jowy with her. Eventually Jowy will come. In the meantime, Nanami will offer you many times to go back to the inn: you can choose to agree, going directly to Jowy's arrival, or wait with her until he comes. When Jowy arrives, you can greet him however you like. Eventually, you will go to the inn to sleep.

The next morning Nanami will wake you up and tell you to go to Jowston Hill, northwest of the city, which you have not been able to enter so far. Then go to the place. After some funny skits, you will be able to enter the meeting room and the meeting will begin. In addition to Annabelle and Jess, all the leaders of the City State will be present: Gorudo, Makai, Teresa, Gustav, Granmeyer and Hauser. Annabelle explains the situation to them, but she finds little support, except from Lord Granmeyer, the mayor of South Window. A guard will arrive, informing those present that the Highland army is approaching Muse. After the meeting, return to the inn. Annabelle will ask Viktor to try and slow down the Highland army. Jowy will say that he intends to fight them and ask you to fight with him. You won't be able to refuse, so agree immediately. Annabelle will tell you to go to her room after the battle, then go to sleep. The next morning, when you're ready, talk to Viktor to start the battle.

In this battle you will control two units. Your main objective is Highland general Solon Jhee's unit. Viktor and Flik will recognize Gilbert among the enemy units and after wounding him they will convince him to take your side.


 * Gilbert recruited

Then attack Solon Jhee's unit to intimidate him, but it is advisable not to insist too much and not to use your main unit. Solon Jhee is indeed much stronger than you and if he manages to defeat your main unit it will be game over. After a few turns, Matilda's knights will appear to help you. Thanks to their units, you should be able to cause massive damage to the Highland army. However, after a few turns, these units will retreat. By now, however, you should have slowed your opponents down enough. After a few more turns Solon Jhee will retreat and the battle will end.

After the battle you will find yourself at the inn, with Pilika and Nanami. Your sister will want to speak to you, answer her as you like. Eventually you will go to sleep. That night you will see Jowy talking to a shady individual named Kage: your friend is clearly up to something. The next morning, with Nanami and Jowy you can go to the City hall to talk to Annabelle about master Genkaku, but she will be busy and she will tell you to come back that evening. Jowy will come out of City hall. Nanami will be worried about your friend and you will go out as well. Just outside, you'll see Jowy talking to Kage again. You can try to interrogate him, but Jowy won't tell you anything and will run away. Go back to the inn.

That evening, Viktor will visit Annabelle and bring her a bottle of wine. The two talk for a bit, but sadly, for Annabelle that will be her last drink. You and Nanami can then reach her, to talk about master Genkaku. Before you arrive though, Jowy will enter Annabelle's room and stab her to death. When you arrive it will be too late, Annabelle will die in your arms. Jowy will flee and a moment later Jess will enter the room, accusing you of killing Annabelle. Jess will then go get a doctor, take the opportunity to quickly return to the inn. Here you will meet Leona, who will tell you that Viktor, Flik and the others will meet again at South Window. You will then flee the city with Nanami and Pilika. Nanami will ask you something, you can answer however you want, it won't affect the plot. Head south of Muse to reach the village of Coronet.

Coronet and Kuskus
In Coronet you will be free to go shopping, improving your equipment and upgrading your weapons. However, save at least 2000 potch. You will have to find a way to cross the lake and reach the village of Kuskus, on the opposite bank. However, the town is full of Highland soldiers. Talking to them and the inhabitants, you will learn that the Highland Army does not allow anyone to put the boat in the water. Then go to the inn. Here you will meet again the three acrobats Bolgan, Rina and Eilie. They too are headed for South Window, but don't know how to cross the lake. By talking to a person inside the inn, you will also get Recipe #5. Then head to an isolated house, which is located in the eastern part of the village, near the lake (you have probably already noticed it). Here you will meet Sheena, who will then leave. You will meet him again later in the game. Enter the house, to get to know Tai Ho and Yam Koo. After a short conversation, Tai Ho will be willing to take you to Kuskus in his boat if you can beat him at Chinchirochin, a dice game. The rules are very simple, if you don't know them he will explain them to you. If you lose, you will have the opportunity to challenge him again, but with each defeat you will lose 2000 potch. After beating him, Tai Ho will prepare the boat. Return to the inn to warn your three friends, then return to Tai Ho. You will then cross the lake to Kuskus.

Once in Kuskus, you can explore the village, talk to the villagers and buy items in the shops, but you won't be able to do anything else here for now. Exit the village and head to South Window, directly south of Kuskus.

South Window and North Window
As you enter the city, you will meet Viktor, to whom you will tell the latest news. Viktor will then meet you at the inn. But first, you are free to explore this new city. There are many useful items that you can buy in the shops. Here you will also find a rune shop and the first trading point, where you can start learning how trading works. You'll also meet some new characters, but you won't be able to recruit them yet. Then go to the inn. You'll meet Viktor and Flik again, who will tell you that the others haven't arrived yet. Viktor and Flik will then join your group and you will have to go to the City hall. Here Lord Granmeyer will ask you to investigate North Window, Viktor's hometown. In fact, lately many girls have been disappearing around and it seems that something strange is happening in that place. He will also introduce you to Freed Y, who will join you.


 * Freed Y recruited

Return to the inn and talk to Eilie, who will join you. Once you've bought everything you think you might need, exit the city and head to North Window, west of Kuskus.

Once in North Window you will have an overview of this desolate place, which has been uninhabited for years. Viktor will tell you his story and explain what happened to that place because of the vampire Neclord, who apparently resurfaced. In fact, Neclord will come towards you, accompanied by zombies and will try to kidnap Nanami and Eilie. At this point, you will have two options. If you choose the first one, you'll have to fight Neclord, who will attack you along with three zombies. However, during the battle, you will find that Neclord is immune to your attacks. You will then be forced to flee. If you choose the second option instead, you will escape immediately. Viktor will tell you that to defeat Neclord you need the Star Dragon Sword, which is found in the Cave of Wind. Neclord will sarcastically tell you to go and get the sword and that he will be waiting for you at the castle. Then exit the North Window and head to the Cave of Wind, which is directly to the south.