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Rue's Sidequests
One of the major differences between Rue and Mint's quests, at least as far as secret hunting goes, is that while Mint has to search for many of her Magic abilities (effects), all of Rue's abilities are out in the open, without exception. There is not one monster in the game that is hidden or difficult for Rue to find, although they may be hard to find at the right time, due to the very poor system used to decide which you keep. As a way to compensate for this, there are a few quests that have been added in so the Rue players can now too feel the frustration of hunting down those pesky spell effects, except they are now replaced with useless items. Onward.

The Other Rock in Carona Forrest:

Remember the circle spell effect? Now remember the other rock to the right that was useless in Mint's quest? Well that rock's days are numbered now. If you don't know where it is, go to the steep cliff in Carona Forrest and when you get to the first ledge that appears to drop off, jump right, the rock is at the end of the path. So to smash it, you'll need to transform into 'Bubba', the big guy on Raging Mountain with the hammer. You also need the monster 'Stinger', the little porcupine guy found on the very cliff in question. Once you've got them, smash the rock and use the Stinger to climb into the small hole behind it. Inside you will find yourself in a small cave with a new enemy which I think is called 'Little Bat', pretty self-explanatory. Once you kill all the Little Bats that come at you a treasure chest drops down from above, containing a lone Star Stone. Now if this seems like a completely lame reward, it is; there could be another yet to be discovered purpose to this. Or maybe not.

Ootang in Carona Forrest:

While passing through Carona Forrest, you may have noticed an Ootang (monkey) jumping on the stone ruins. You also may have walked over to him, causing him to jump away and you to follow. If the last two statements are true, you probably also noticed when you reached the large tree trunk that you are not a Ootang and you cannot jump up it. So here's what to do: make sure you can transform into the 'Mandola' enemy (the plant in Carona Forrest). Then approach the Ootang as he is jumping in place and become the Mandola. Hit triangle to use the bloom ability. The Ootang will be aroused by the flower's pleasant aroma and begin walking around you. Now use the plant's one weak attack to shoot seeds at the monkey and grab his coin. Now you can become the Ootang and climb up the tree.

Above you will find another small area above the trees where you fight some Stingers and Ootangs. There is one branch in this area that acts like a trampoline; it dosn't move but when you stand on it you will bounce up and down. As an Ootang, jump off this branch and it will spring you to the top where you can find a chest with a single oh-so-valuble Moon Stone. Besides the satisfaction of finding and navigating this area, this is the only reward you get...at least in the final version of the game. Someone has kindly pointed out to me that in a guide for this game done by PSM magazine (written from a beta copy of the game), they said that this route led to a shortcut to Klaus' house. Which, like the Moon Stone, is pretty damn useless. So there you have it. In the final version of the game, at the end of the area you drop down on the rocky cliffs, on a new ledge just to the left of the rock Mint needs to destroy to get her 'Circle' effect. For the curious, if you transofm into Bubba and smash the rock, there is nothing under it.

Mysterious Wall in the Ghost Temple:

This isn't really a side quest, but a few people had written in asking about it, so I thought I'd clear it up. When you first are allowed to enter the left-hand door in the Ghost Temple, walk straight down the first hallway and into the wall in front of you. The camera will zoom in on what looks like a door, but you can't enter it for now. This is the door that you escape through with Duke and Elle at the end of the Ghost Temple. For proof, go back through the Ghost Temple a second time, and go though the small door on the left-hand side of the room where you fought Duke.


Legendary Equipment:
This quasi-side quest involves collecting the three 'Legendary' items and bringing them to the bartender Jargen at the pub in Carona. Once this is accomplished a fourth option, 'Today's Special', will be added to the somewhat odd selection of drinks the bar serves. Before we get into what this does tho, you'll need the 3 Legendary items. It is worth noting that this is probably a jab at that _other_, very similar action RPG from Square, Brave Fencer Musashi. Brave Fencer also contained a number of items which were prefixed 'Legendary', and were very powerful, unlike the mockeries found here. For shame.

Legendary Sword:
The first item can be found in the Underground Ruins. In the room right after you run from the boulder, where you must jump on the flashing platforms, there is a ledge opposite from the entrance with a chest containing the sword.

Legendary Shield:
This is found on Raging Mountain, right after fighting with Belle and Duke. Jump across the three pillars above the Bubba, the first two will have Fire Blobs on them and the third has a chest, containing none other than the Legendary Shield.

Legendary Helmet:
Found in the Tower of Maya, at the end of the room containing the Wabbit enemies and moving platforms (get to the one in the upper left and it will take you to the other side). Once you're across you will find an HP restore and the Legendary Helmet by the door.

After you round all three up, head into the back alley of Carona and up the steps that lead to the pub. Speak with Jargon behind the counter, and he will make the shocking revelation that the items you are carrying are not Legendary weapons and armor, but kitchenware! Jargon explains that he could really make use of such items, and you are given the option to donate them to him (do it). You have now opened up the elusive 'Today's Special', select it and Jargon will cook you one of his four delectable dishes (bad to drink on an empty stomach, you know?). Jargon won't charge you anything for his meals, but it's a kill your own cow kind of steakhouse. You have to bring him the skins/internal organs/carcasses/souls (like Raziel?) of the monsters you kill, whatever those things are that you sell for cash. Each dish will raise one of your for basic stats. Here's what the multi-talented fellow can cook, and the ingredients you'll need:

- Pollywog Souffle
- 50 Pollywogs, max Strength +2
- (Found in Carona Forrest)

- Gudon's Liver Soup
- 30 Gudons, max Defense +2
- (Gudons are the red lizards in the Underground Ruins)

- Minced Fire Blob
- 50 Fire blobs, max HP +10
- (Fire Blobs are found all over Raging Mountain)

- Mushroom Soup
- 60 Fungies, max MP +10
- (Found in one of the games at Mel's place, play the game which involves 'big balls and lots of fun')

After about a dozen meals/upgrades, Jargon will sadly inform you that the utensils you gave him broke. He gives you a Platinum Coin to raise your spirits.

Note: on Mushroom Soup: For those who have trouble reading between the pixels, Square is obviously promoting the use of psychedelics to increase magical aptitude. So if you want to be able to cast spells just like Cloud, you'd better put some magic mushrooms on your Wheaties.


Rod the Blade Star:
Just between the Inn and the Klatus residence lies the grassy feilds of Carona, home to a fellow named Rod the Blade Star. Rod is a vagabond of sorts (see: bum), and also makes his own weapons and tests them in battle. For the privilege of having him beat you up, you must pay 100G. If you win, however, he pays you 10 to 1, so your actual take is 900G. While this may seem like a simple training exercise, if you see it through to the end it is one of the most challenging parts of the game.

When you first fight Rod, he will use a weapon called the 'Silver Breeze'. After winning five battles against him, he tells you that he's taking a break to work on a new weapon. Rod has a total of four weapons, and he will fight you five times with each one. Also, when he stops to make a new weapon he will usually give you a gold or platinum coin after the last battle. His four weapons are the Silver Breeze (two short swords), Golden Gale (two gold scythe-shaped blades), Black Tornado (a ginormous hammer like an Acme mallet that can lower your defense) and the Dark Hurricane (a huge double-bladed sword that can shoot out like a chain weapon, as well as assault you with deadly balls of salt water).

If you are playing for the first time through, beating Rod with his Dark Hurricane ain't no joke. My suggestion is to stay away from magic, unless you have lots of MP and some burly spells. If you're playing as Rue, don't even think about transforming. Don't try to rush him, because Rod will attack continuously. Watch his patterns and dodge his attacks, then hit him when he is vulnerable (ie: jump kick him after he thrusts forward). If he walks over to the water and kneels down he is charging his blade, quickly kick him in the back of the head. If you are playing through again as Mint with a clear save, you should have the spell Valiant, which is a very good (if not cheap) way to end the battle in a few seconds.

If you can beat Rod five times with his Dark Hurricane, give yourself a pat on the back. There is no real reward for this, other than the 2 Platinum Coins Rod gives you (one after 'Black Tornado' fights, one after 'Dark Hurricane' fights). Together these are worth 30,000G, go buy yourself six upgrades. The other little bonus you get is you can continue to fight Rod after this point, and now before every battle he will tell you his stats.


Items:
Coins:

Coins are used in Threads of Fate as a means of continuing your game after you die. There four types - Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum; each allowing you to continue with more MP. The Platinum coin also adds a permanent +1 to each your base attack and defense stats.

These coins can also be bought at the church. Enter the church and approach the alter, and say you would like to pray. After a few seconds you will be politely interrupted asking if you would like to give a donation. Since how much money you are willing to donate is obviously a direct reflection of your faith in god, you get better coins:

1,000 - 10 Bronze Coins
5,000 - 5 Silver Coins
10,000 - 2 Gold Coins
30,000 - 1 Platinum Coin

While this feature seems innocent enough, Square may be trying to say something more. The purpose of the coins, bought at the church, is to continue your game. Now it could be said that continuing is to videogames what reincarnation is to life. With that in mind, could Square be making a comment about Western religion? I wonder.


Stones:

The Stones in Threads of Fate would definitely fall into the 'useless' category of items. There are four types, and as any seasoned adventurer knows, the only dignified thing to do with priceless stones is pawn them for cash. Here's how much you get:

Night Stone - 500G
Moon Stone - 1000G
Dream Stone - 2000G
Star Stone - 3000G

The exception would be the Dream Stone, which has a purpose. See the section 'The Dream Sequence' below for details.


Rare Wine:

To Obtain the Rare Wine, look in the magic section above under the 'Super' spell effect - the wine is in the same place. Once you've got it, _do not_ sell it to that dirty trader guy Marcum. Go into the back alley of Carona and enter Hobbs' shop (to the right of the pub). If you came here before you may have noticed Hobbs will sell you upgrades for your Strength, Defense, HP & MP, at the insane price of 30,000G an upgrade. Talk to Hobbs, who will ask you to do an old man a favor and hook him up with your liquor. Give it to him, and as a token of his appreciation Hobbs will give you a discount on everything in his store. Each upgrade will now cost 5,000G; much more reasonable, don't you think?


Brooch:

The Brooch you can only get as Mint, because it is in Gamul Village. When you get the first lever, hit it so it points left. Also hit the next lever you come to. When you get back to the first lever, don't hit it, just jump on the platform. Next you will come to an area with two levers, only hit the one on the left, so they face each other. When you get back to the first lever again don't hit it. Hit the lever in the next area. Finally make your way back to the first lever and hit it so it points right, and jump on. This should take you to the Brooch.

Now that you've got it, you have two chioces. You can sell it to Marcum in Carona; he will offer 4,000G and then 6,000G if you turn him down the first time. Your other option is to go talk to that hottie waitress Annette in the pub, who will ask if she can have the Brooch. Give it to her, and she will give you a discount on all the drinks: Milk will now cost 10G, Rootbeer 30G, and Tropical Delight 50G. If you think about it tho, this is pretty useless - it doesn't save you much cash, and most people don't use the drinks anyways because it is so easy to restore MP in the field. If it were me I'd take the 6,000G and run, but it's your call.


Mysterious Statue:

The Mysterious Statue can only be obtained as Rue. After clearing the Ghost Temple, return to it and enter the left door. Make your way to the end, there is a door shortly before the room where you fought Duke that was previously blocked by a wall, which is now open. Enter to find 3 Dolls and 3 chests which contain, among other things, the Mysterious Statue. Now return to Carona. If you talk to Marcum, he will offer to buy the statue from you for 4,000G, turn him down and he'll offer you 6,000G (he won't go any higher). Your other option is to take it to Klaus, who will give you MP +10 in exchange for it.


Dream Sequence:
The Dream Sequence is a relatively quick little sidequest that will reward you with a permanent Strength +4. Go to the hotel in Carona (red banner in front) and stay the night (500G). Search the corner of the room to find the Dream Stone. Now go to sleep, and you will have a short dream of an Ootang in Carona Forrest jumping into a hollow tree stump. Leave the hotel and go to the forrest. You can now jump into that tree stump, landing in a cave below. About halfway through you will come across a small Mandola. Upon examining it you get the message that it is wilted. Now you need a water spell: if you're playing as Mint just use your Blue magic. However, if you're playing as Rue you will need to be able to transform into a Spectre (found in the Ghost Temple) who has a water spell. So give the plant some water and it will grow to full size. Now jump on top of the flower and onto the ledge to the left. There you will find a chest containing a book, aptly titled 'The Last Hero'.

Now that you've got the book, head back to Carona and over to Rod's place. He will tell you that he's always wanted to read the book, and asks if you'll give it to him. Do so, and in exchange he will give you the Strength +4. What a guy.


Unsolved Mysteries:

Locked Door Under the Church:
Most players will notice the first time exploring Carona that there are a few door that appear to be locked. The first two are the large black doors on either side of the church. At first they look very much like doors, but they _could_ be passed off as just very strange architecture. The third door, however, is much more blatant. Under the church is a brown wooden door, with two boards across the front horizontally, barring the entrance. It is also set back into the wall a bit, making it very stand out. As you know if you've been inside, the entire church is contained on the upper story, and the first floor is by no means accessible from the second. Since this building/room is probably part of the church, and in very plain view, yet there is never so much as a mention of it, Square may be trying to say that the church has something to hide. This would tie into their previous message regarding the coins. Makes sense, don't you think?

Another possibility would be that this room is connected to the locked door in Klatus' house. Right before you walk down the stairs into his workshop there is a door directly in front of you. On the door is a piece of paper with a red circle pained on it(?). Your guess is as good as mine.


Blue & Black Dream Stones:

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology (aka my gameshark), it is now known that there are, in addition to the regular Dream Stone, also blue and black versions. The name in your inventory is still 'Dream Stone', but the crystal ball that is usually white is turned to blue or black. It is unknown how these are obtained without the use of a gameshark, or what their purpose is. In addition to the obvious possibility that these have some as of yet undiscovered use, there is also the possibility that they were part of a feature removed or never completed before the game's release, and have no real use. Just something to keep in mind. It should be noted that they cannot be sold at any shop.

After much debate and wasted time, the conclusion has been reached that the Blue and Black Dream Stones had a purpose in the Japanese version of the game, which was removed from the American version. Thus you can get them with a gameshark but can't do anything with them.


Worthless Tidbits: 

After talking
  After talking to people or talking to the Johnny Wolf (most obvious way to 
see this), if you walk away, your head will still be turned towards their 
direction, until you have walked far enough.

Outside the Carona Forest Atelier
  Try running around the perimeter of the place and looking at your shadow.  
The shadow depends on the lighting of the place.  Pretty cool huh! (But it 
would only be available at the first time you come there.)

Push the dog
  At certain times, you can push Johnny Wolf.  Take him anywhere.

Taking the dog for the walk
  Sometimes, if you talk to Johnny Wolf, he will follow you.

Pushing pumpkins
  At the Klaus House when the 'trap', the pumpkins fall onto Mint's head, 
when they are on the ground, you can push them.  Put them anywhere.

Get yourself cooked
  After the first battle with Wylaf (both characters), Wylaf will tell you to 
withdraw your weapon. The 'withdrawal' involves nothing, just stand there, 
right? But something will happen if you disobey - that is you attack him 
(you're still able right after he says 'withdraw'). First attack, he will say 
something, attack again and prepare to be roasted (heh heh). He will flame 
you, that is the flame will be aimed towards the screen and things will go 
black. Your character is dead/cooked. Either use a coin or back to town. (you 
have to fight Wylaf again either way).

Shake yo body!
  During the Bond with Prima (for Rue) or Together with Prima (for Mint) 
Chapter, Prima Doll is following you right, why don't you go to the 
Grasslands and talk to Johnny Wolf and he will follow Prima Doll, then talk 
to Rod, he will join the 'train' party.  Now, Rue/Mint is followed by Prima 
Doll, which is followed by Johnny Wolf, and Rod is behind Johnny Wolf.  You 
gotta see this, it looks silly, the four of them would be running around like 
crazy at the Grasslands. (though I haven't seen it yet) 

More shadows
  In the final battle (against Valen combined with Dewprism), you can see 
your shadow and his shadow.