All information to get the rare items is already in the game, if the Stranger talks with every character. Although the NES version has simplified dialogues, most information is still found in the same towns and also at the same pubs.
Shepherd items (NES only)
If you are playing the NES port, and in particular if you are playing as the shepherd, this is the first side quest you will do.
In the NES version the party can include up to four companions, while the other ones can be left at the hostel in Castle Britannia. Because of this, some items were created to upgrade two characters (the shepherd and the fighter) considered weak, otherwise players would have seldom used them.
- The sheep flute for the Shepherd: it allows to cast "Sleep" on all opponents unlimited times with no MP consumption;
- the humble robe for the Shepherd: it is one of the best armor in the game, only inferior to the Mystic Armor;
The flute and the robe are found in Magincia ruins, but they're not available at the beginning of the game because they are protected by poison fields and a locked door, respectively.
Magic reagents
Mandrake root
LOOK? You see a tall wizard (in Trinsic).
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Greg 'n Rob (in Paws) say:
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LOOK? You see a solemn druid (in Yew).
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As well as Nightshade fungus, Mandrake root can only be found "on the darkest of nights".
Seven spells require Mandrake root:
- Jinx: useful against large numbers of enemies;
- Negate: useful against enemies that cast debuff spells (sleep) on the Companions;
- Resurrect: absolutely necessary, although hopefully used not often;
- Gate travel: use sparingly, because walking allows to fight and earn experience and gold;
- View: useful, but it's more convenient to buy magic gems instead;
- Tremor: not useful, ranged weapons are more reliable;
- Iceball: not useful, ranged weapons are more reliable.
Nightshade fungus
LOOK? You see a very small wizard (in Skara Brae).
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Arron (in Vesper) says:
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LOOK? You see a mystic wizard (in Trinsic).
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Three spells only require Nightshade fungus:
- Jinx: useful against large numbers of enemies;
- View: useful, but it's more convenient to buy magic gems instead;
- Kill: not useful, ranged weapons are more reliable.
Spell recipes
- Undead
This spell requires garlic and sulphurous ash.
NAME: Jingles, a young mage! (Paws) | |
JOB: | I seek the wisdom of magic. |
MAGI: | My master knows the gate travel spell! |
MAST: | My master is Mentorian. |
Dost thou know him? | |
NO: | He lives in a hidden village in Lock Lake reachable only by ship, ask of the gate spell! |
NAME: Mentorian, a tall wizard (Cove) | |
JOB: | I study the magical arts. |
ARTS: | There is truth in magic! |
Dost thou disagree? | |
NO: | Good. |
GATE: | Since thou dost bear the ankh I shall tell thee. A gate spell requires ash, pearl, and mandrake root! |
NAME: Shazom, a dying young wizard (Moonglow) | |
JOB: | I am apprentice to the great wizard Nigel! |
HEALTH: | I will soon die. |
DIE: | Pass on. |
NIGE: | I will soon need to use the spell he calls 'recall'. |
Hast thou met Nigel? | |
NO: | He lives at the Lycaeum. |
YES: | Seek him out for he will teach thee. |
NAME: Nigel, at thy service, a noble wizard (Lycaeum) | |
JOB: | I teach magical spells. |
SPEL: | I have a specialty! |
Dost thou know what it is? | |
YES: | What do I call the spell? |
RECA: | Yes, resurrection it takes ash, ginseng, garlic, silk, blood moss, and mandrake! |
Improved spell mixes
- quickness
- sleep
- magic missile
Master System spell quests
- quickness
- sleep
- iceball
NES spell quests
In the NES version, there are more spells to be found: sleep, reflect, negate, destroy, jinx, squish, tremor and defeat.
Mondain's skull
Skull location | |
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NAME: Sebastian, an injured person (Britain) | |
JOB: | I know a terrible secret! |
SECR: | Mondain's influence has not left the world! |
MOND: | An artifact remains! I heard at Buccaneer's Den! |
Wilt thou find and destroy it? | |
YES: | Then ask at the pub there of the skull! |
NAME: Jude, a ragged soul (Yew) | |
JOB: | To redeem myself! |
REDE: | I will not speak of my sin! |
SKUL: | I used it! |
If I help thee wilt thou swear to only use it at the mouth of the abyss to destroy it? | |
YES: | It can be found at lat-P'F" long-M'F" on the darkest night! |
Skull effects | |
NAME: Servile, a meek shepherd (Vesper) | |
JOB: | I can help thee! |
HELP: | I know of the skull of Mondain the Wizard! |
SKUL: | To use it for any reason is a sign of great evil, and no virtue! |
Hast thou heard of it? | |
Y/N: | It is an evil artifact! |
NAME: a reaper (Castle Britannia, beyond locked door) | |
JOB: | I kill adventurers! |
KILL: | There is a thing which can kill many! |
THIN: | Knowledge of it is found at Buccaneer's Den! |
Will you seek this thing? | |
YES: | It brings great power! |
NAME: Ragnar, a solemn ranger (Buccaneer's Den) | |
JOB: | I travel. |
TRAV: | The lands of Britannia. |
Art thou here looking for information? | |
YES: | On what? |
SKUL: | Be warned that if thou dost ever use the skull, except to destroy it, all thy virtues will be lost! |
Mystic arms
LOOK? An injured fighter (in Castle Britannia).
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LOOK? A tall mage wearing strange armour (in the Lycaeum).
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LOOK? A seasoned blacksmith (in Minoc).
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LOOK? A tall pirate with a green beard (in Buccaneers Den).
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LOOK? A wise lord (in Paws).
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LOOK? A wise lady (in Paws).
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Legendary axe (NES only)
- The dragon scale to create the legendary axe for the Fighter: it is the second best melee weapon in the game, only inferior to the Mystic Sword.
The scale is found in the Serpent Spine mountains, that can only be reached by air. If it's brought to Zircon of Minoc, he will use it to create the legendary axe.