JADE EMPIRE (Xbox) THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
Game: Jade Empire
System: Xbox*
Version: 1.02
Date: September 16, 2008
Author: Peter Kirby
E-mail:
[email protected]
This entire document is copyright (C) 2008 Peter Kirby.
(*The information here applies to the Windows PC game and the Xbox Special
Edition game only to the extent that those versions of the game are identical
to the original Xbox game. If there are any differences, I don't know about
them, and the guide doesn't mention them.)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
! WARNING: This in-depth guide contains major SPOILERS, including detailed !
! plot development and all epilogues of the game. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. !
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When you've saved and doomed the Jade Empire enough times to
power the Great Wheel to turn for the next thousand years,
but are not satisfied getting just three ending vids...
_ _ _____ _
| | __ _ __| | ___ | ____|_ __ ___ _ __ (_)_ __ ___
_ | |/ _` |/ _` |/ _ \ | _| | '_ ` _ \| '_ \| | '__/ _ \
| |_| | (_| | (_| | __/ | |___| | | | | | |_) | | | | __/
\___/ \__,_|\__,_|\___| |_____|_| |_| |_| .__/|_|_| \___|
|_|
~*~*~ THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT GUIDE ~*~*~
Dawn Star shows concern. More concerns. Still more. Can she ever find peace?
Sagacious Zu dishes out mind-your-own-beeswax with extra cynic sauce. Why?
Sky hounds me with flirtatious advances... can I let him down easy?
What's a good way to experience more of the in-game content?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TABLE OF CONTENTS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1.0 Introduction
.1 What is this game? What kind of guide is this?
.2 Extended Note on the OP and CF Features of Jade Empire
2.0 The Player Character
3.0 Occasional Aids
.1 Zin Bu
.2 Abbot Song
.3 Death's Hand
4.0 Amusing Anecdotes
.1 The Black Whirlwind
.2 Henpicked Hou
5.0 Mysterious Discoveries
.1 Sagacious Zu's Secretive Past
.2 Wild Flower's Suppressed Conflict
.3 Kang the Mad's Lost Identity
6.0 Romantic Entanglements
.1 Dawn Star
.2 Silk Fox
.3 Sky
7.0 Epilogues
.1 Dawn Star
.2 Silk Fox
.3 Sky
.4 Henpicked Hou
.5 Wild Flower
.6 Death's Hand
.7 Kang the Mad
.8 The Black Whirlwind
.9 Sir Roderick
8.0 Final Notes
.1 Copyright Notice
.2 Version History
.3 Thanks and Acknowledgments
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~ 1.0 Introduction ~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
********************************************************
** 1.1 What is this game? What kind of guide is this? **
********************************************************
Jade Empire is an action RPG published by Bioware in 2005 for the Xbox. This
guide is based on the original Xbox game.
If you haven't finished at least one complete playthrough, this is your last
warning. This guide will spoil all the really interesting twists of plot and
character that you could have watched unfold with wondering eyes. There are
no sections of this guide that are spoiler-free, and an understanding of the
basic plot is assumed. It's not a walkthrough, so you will not get any real
hints on how to finish your first game.
If you have played Jade Empire just a few times, I expect that there will be
something in here giving you good enough reason to play again. The nature of
this guide is to enhance replayability by giving you the tools and
information helpful to experience differences in player character
interaction and the development of the follower characters.
****************************************************************
** 1.2 Extended Note on the OP and CF Features of Jade Empire **
****************************************************************
Although there are a multitude of philosophies of life presented in-game,
this guide tries not to favor any of them. In fact, this guide is built
around helping you explore many of them as you experience the game and its
various subplots.
Two abbreviations are used frequently throughout this guide:
OP: Open Palm, or "the Way of the Open Palm," a game mechanic.
CF: Closed Fist, or "the Way of the Closed Fist," a game mechanic.
When speaking of Open Palm or Closed Fist as a character orientation or as
an idea that exists within the RPG universe, I will usually spell them out.
When speaking of the point system in the game, I always use the acronyms.
Even though OP and CF are just game mechanics, there is a relationship
between moral philosophy, as interpreted by the designers of the game, and
the award of OP or CF points (meter shifts). It is quickly apparent what
that relationship is:
If an action is selfless and kind or just, tends to greater harmony and the
happiness of others, and possibly inconveniences the player character (even
though the inconvenience is rarely serious) or involves a route that spares
others pain or death, it will probably award OP points. Ask "What would
Jesus do?", and you won't be far off.
If an action is selfish and harsh or duplicitous, tends to greater discord
and the unhappiness of others, and possibly presents a shortcut to the
player character (even though the rewards of the OP option may be greater)
or involves a route that brings avoidable pain or death, it will probably
award CF points. Ask "What would Satan do?", and you won't be far off.
There are two things to consider about the OP and CF meter. Those two things
are orientation (direction) and magnitude. The most important lesson to
learn about these game mechanics is this: Orientation is very important.
Magnitude is quite negligible.
|-----------------------|
| Open Palm orientation |
|-----------------------|
You can equip "followers of the Open Palm" gems.
You cannot start the Zither of Discord quest.
You cannot turn Dawn Star to be Closed Fist with a conversation check.
Attempting to do so will fail.
You cannot turn Silk Fox to be Closed Fist with a conversation check.
Attempting to do so will fail.
You can hear the story of Aishi the Mournful Blade easily, which allows a
superior OP solution to the quest.
At Dirge, you get a powerful "follower of the Open Palm" gem from behind
some wards.
If you know Stone Immortal magic, it will have 30% more than base damage.
If you know Tempest magic, it will have 30% less than base damage.
|-------------------------|
| Closed Fist orientation |
|-------------------------|
You can equip "followers of the Closed Fist" gems.
You can start the Zither of Discord quest.
You can romance Dawn Star with her staying Open Palm, or turn her Closed Fist.
You can romance Silk Fox with her staying Open Palm, or turn her Closed Fist.
You can hear the story of Aishi the Mournful Blade only if you pass a
difficult conversation check (and get a larger bounty for killing her in one
CF solution).
At Dirge, you get the equivalent "follower of the Closed Fist" gem from
behind some wards. So, it's not a true difference.
If you know Stone Immortal magic, it will have 30% less than base damage.
If you know Tempest magic, it will have 30% more than base damage.
|-------------------------------------|
| Open Palm, its magnitude or mastery |
|-------------------------------------|
If you have 50% of the OP meter full, you can learn Stone Immortal magic in
chapter two or chapter three.
If you have 100% of the OP meter full, you can equip "The Open Palm" gem
after killing the Water Dragon in chapter seven.
|---------------------------------------|
| Closed Fist, its magnitude or mastery |
|---------------------------------------|
If you have 50% of the CF meter full, you can learn Tempest magic in chapter
two or chapter three.
If you have 50% of the CF meter full, you can win the approval of Bladed
Thesis without a test.
If you have 100% of the CF meter full, you can equip "The Closed Fist" gem
after tainting the Water Dragon in chapter seven.
If you have 100% of the CF meter full before chapter four, you can kick
small animals in certain areas; they leave behind orbs.
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| The Game Advantages and Disadvantages of Pursuing Magnitude of Alignment |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------|
You can probably tell that magnitude means very little in terms of game
mechanics. Optimizing the magnitude of your OP or CF meter does not really
make for any easier of a game. Even if you are dead set on getting the
aligned magic and the mastery gem, something like a split of 80% / 20% in
your decision making should allow you to hit that without breaking a sweat
if you are actively completing side quests.
Being flexible in whether you receive OP or CF points can have two advantages:
1. You can role play naturally. If a choice seems right for your character,
do it. If the game's designers at Bioware judge you, so what?
2. You can power game efficiently. The order of priority for the determined
power gamer is: techniques and gems, then experience, then silver, then (with
lowest priority) alignment points.
(Those who like to play the three repeatable flying minigames or to kill
spawns in the Necropolis or Lao's Furnace are free to disagree. Since their
potential for experience is not limited, they can place more importance on
achieving certain magnitudes of alignment.)
With these advantages set against the game mechanic's own allure, an
experienced player of Jade Empire understands the importance of not being a
slave to the OP/CF meter. And a new player has a richer experience for
knowing what most new players get wrong. Most new players assume they will
acquire greater power as the meter climbs or sinks. Not even close.
A few words about how the meter moves throughout the game. A player high on
the OP meter will go down more with a CF action. A player low on the CF
meter will go up more with an OP action. After the beginning of chapter
four, when you get OP or CF for siding with one of the demons in Wild Flower
if you have unlocked Ya Zhen as a follower, there are only one to three
additional decisions to make that can have a small effect on the OP/CF meter.
(These involve the fate of the spirits of the Imperial soldiers, the binding
or releasing of Death's Hand, and the binding of your OP followers or
reversal of your decision, if you bound Death's Hand.) Lastly, there is
an ultimate decision on the fate of the Water Dragon, which is important to
understand (see more on that decision below).
Since there are so few opportunities to shift your alignment in chapters
four through six, you should make sure that the last few quests you complete
in chapter three leave you with the alignment you want, from the time you
ride the elevator into the Emperor's throne room to the time you decide the
Water Dragon's fate.
Concerning magical styles: Although you need 50% magnitude of alignment to
acquire one of these magical styles, after that only direction matters. I
say this not because you are likely to switch alignment after acquiring the
magic (except by the effect of the final decision) but because you are
likely to assume that a bigger meter means better magic. It doesn't.
|------------------------------------|
| The Final Decision and its Effects |
|------------------------------------|
The last chapter gives you a unique opportunity to change direction and/or
magnitude. Roughly, from experiment, this is what happens:
If you are 50% OP aligned and kill the Water Dragon, you become 100% OP
aligned ("Open Palm mastery").
If you are CF aligned or less than 50% OP aligned and kill the Water Dragon,
you become 90% OP aligned.
If you are 50% CF aligned and taint the Water Dragon, you become 100% CF
aligned ("Closed Fist mastery").
If you are OP aligned or less than 50% CF aligned and taint the water
dragon, you become 90% CF aligned.
What are the effects of this? Strictly in terms of gameplay, in preparation
for the last three combat encounters?
You should equip the gems of the previous alignment that you want ahead
of time, if you should happen to switch. As long as you don't take them off,
they'll still work. Your Tempest or Stone Immortal magic style will be
diminished in damage if you switch alignment, and you won't be able to use
the gem you get at that moment ("The Open Palm" or "The Closed Fist") if you
do not become 100% aligned.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~ 2.0 The Player Character ~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The backstory for the player character, in great part, is supplied by the
game. The game is notable for not giving us the simple "warrior starting out
in gentle clime sets off for grand adventure" backstory. The player
character's historic identity is a combination of "favored student of Master
Li" (mostly revealed in chapter one) and "last surviving Spirit Monk from
Dirge" (most fully revealed in chapter five). The motives and personality of
the player character, however, are shaped by the player, within the set
limits of the linear plot and available dialogue options.
Your character's general life philosophy, at least in embryo, should
probably be decided when you start the character, as it will help you
understand why the player character does what he does and then select the
dialogue option that does it, even if it's not something you would do. You
can assume, naturally enough, either that Master Li was instructing you in a
variety of the Way of the Open Palm *or* a variety of the Way of the Closed
Fist. The game is ambiguous on this point. Although Dawn Star's dialogues
suggest strongly and frequently that Li was an Open Palm teacher through and
through, many Sagacious Zu comments and dialogue options suggest Li taught
you the Way of the Closed Fist. At the very end of the game, if and only if
you choose the option to brashly announce Li's destruction, Li will say that
he taught you in his earliest lessons to be quick with a threat. Since the
game allows you to go either way, you will possibly feel much better about
your general tendency towards Open Palm or Closed Fist if you assume Master
Li taught it to you religiously. As he invested twenty years concentrating
on forming you into being the exact kind of weapon he needed, it is
impossible that the question of philosophy did not come up with him. If you
think your character should grow, even transform, through the journey, you can
also role play a character who becomes rough around the edges in difficult
situations or one who mellows out with greater wisdom.
Two broad lines of direction can be suggested here for developing your own
character for the game of Jade Empire. Neither is necessary to start playing,
but they can enhance your experience, especially on a repeat playthrough.
First, supply the character with a voice to match their face and what's
under the surface. This "voice" is an understanding not just of their habits
of speech but also other quirks of behavior and personal inclinations. It's
easy to choose a role model from your cast of followers to emulate: playing
a game inspired by Sagacious Zu would be quite different from playing a game
inspired by the Black Whirlwind, which would again be different from playing
a game inspired by Dawn Star (as Open Palm) or Silk Fox (as Closed Fist).
Do feel free to "ad lib" your lines, choosing dialogue options in
the spirit of your character's meaning if not the very words. The game does
not have a voice actor for the player character (excepting short battle
shouts). Moreover, sometimes taking a "like-minded" follower with you as you
explore Tien's Landing or the Imperial City and do quests can help you set
the mood for your own character.
Second, supply the character with a basic moral compass. It doesn't have to
be fancy. A few scribbled notes on a napkin should do it. At the very least,
try to address how your character would handle four categories of situation:
violence inflicted on others with next to no gain to self ("pointless evil"),
violence inflicted on others with considerable gain to self ("motivated
evil"), helping out others with next to no anticipated gain to self
("selfless good"), and helping out others with considerable anticipated gain
to self ("motivated good"). Doing this exercise will make it possible for you
to look for the likely solution to individual choices for your type of hero
and, sometimes, think just a little outside of the box.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~ 3.0 Occasional Aids ~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There's not much to do with these characters. Two of them are Support or
Combat followers who join as a temporary consequence of plot (Abbot Song,
Death's Hand). One of them is a noncombatant who exists as a convenience of
gameplay (Zin Bu).
****************
** 3.1 Zin Bu **
****************
You meet him when you enter the Heaven of the Forest Shadow. This is the
only time that you can have a dialogue with him. Afterwards, you'll hear
various remarks when you select his shop.
Zin Bu buys gems for 50% less than any other merchant. Do not sell to him
before chapter four. And remember to make a stop at a merchant in the
Imperial City before the beginning of chapter four to unload all the gems
that you don't think you'll be needing in the future.
Zin Bu sells items for 25% more than any other merchant. If it is available
elsewhere, consider getting it there.
As you can deduce, his chief virtues are that he will buy things in the last
few chapters and that he will sell things that cannot be found anywhere else.
********************
** 3.2 Abbot Song **
********************
You meet him when you enter Dirge as a spirit. He is with you for quite a
bit of chapter five, but you part ways permanently before the end of it.
There are a few automatically triggered dialogues with him. They help you to
get more of the story and some clues for completing the game. These
conversations are identical from game to game.
His attack mode is unremarkable, but his support mode is phenomenal. He will
regenerate Health, Chi, and Focus simultaneously.
**********************
** 3.3 Death's Hand **
**********************
Death's Hand can be a follower in chapter seven. He's okay (but not the
best) as a follower in a combat role. His main function seems to be
provoking a reaction in your fellow followers and getting to see his two
epilogues, which vary depending on whether you kill or taint the Water
Dragon. He does make a few unprompted comments at the end of chapter six and
the during chapter seven, some of them in the group scenes, some of them
triggered when chosen as an active follower.
You meet him in chapter six at the end of the defense of Dirge. After
besting him in combat versus the Spirit Monk yourself, you must either pass
an Intuition check against Sun Li or defeat his armored Death's Hand husk
with the spirit of Sun Kim in order to be presented with a choice.
One choice (to release his spirit) nets you OP, a Way of the Open Palm gem,
and allows you to proceed to the Imperial Palace without much incident.
The other choice (to bind his spirit) nets you CF, a Way of the Closed Fist
gem, and requires you to bind Open Palm followers if you keep him. They will
be three or four in number, with Hou being the fourth wheel who is promoted
to the "prominent" three if a vacant spot is left by a Sky romance or Closed
Fist romance with Silk Fox or Dawn Star. (The "prominent" three are shown in a
cutscene where you bind your followers. They are also the three whom you can
say you want to sacrifice for blood. If Hou isn't prominent, he is understood
as being bound or sacrificed anyway, and he will fight along with the other
three if you taint the Water Dragon.) Binding the followers gives you
additional CF. (Letting Death's Hand go at this point, when your followers
confront you, gives you some OP and returns things to "normal.")
The following flowchart suggests what happens visually.
If you neither bind Death's Hand nor consider using blood to taint
the Water Dragon, you don't need this chart for anything. <-------|
As you would expect, you don't see any epilogue for Death's Hand. |
|
<--Release Sun Kim's spirit ----+-----> Options of victims for blood taint
/ Bind Death's Hand | follow the same pattern as for binding
| |-- Agree to objections of group |
V |-- Bind followers who object |
| | \ |
| V 3 of Sky, Silk Fox, Dawn Star, and Hou prominent in choice <--/
| | |
| | <=> If Sky romance... Silk Fox, Dawn Star, and Hou used
V | <=> If Silk Fox CF romance... Sky, Dawn Star, and Hou used
| | <=> If Dawn Star CF romance... Sky, Silk Fox, and Hou used
| V | (3-way with Silk Fox and Dawn Star treated as Silk Fox romance)
| | <=> Else (OP romance or no romance) Sky, Silk Fox, and Dawn Star
| | (and Hou is understood as being used in the background)
| |
|===+======> If Water Dragon killed
| | |-- nobody is sacrificed and nobody dies at this point
| | |-- if bound, an OP romance (Dawn Star or Silk Fox) forgives you
| | |-- to appearances, the binding of the living ends here
| | \-- all epilogues (except for Death's Hand) ignore any binding
| |
\===+======> Else If Water Dragon tainted
| |-- the Water Dragon enables OP followers to fight if bound
| |-- if not bound, they fight then too, with equal strength
| |-- Hou fights and dies even if not "prominent"
| |-- the "tainted" epilogues for followers are shown (with a
V | darker CF romantic epilogue than if the dragon were killed)
| \-- other changes to be expected (Doubt scene, end movie, etc.)
|
|--> If Water Dragon killed then Death's Hand "good" epilogue
\--> Else If Water Dragon tainted then Death's Hand "evil" epilogue
More information on how the romances affect these scenes can be found in the
sections concerning Dawn Star, Silk Fox, and Sky individually. More
information on the epilogue variations possible is in the epilogue section.
If you bind Death's Hand, kill the Water Dragon, and then kill Sun Li, there
is an different epilogue for that (as opposed to tainting the Water Dragon
after binding Death's Hand). The one where you kill the Water Dragon assumes
your reasoning for binding Death's Hand was to allow him to do penance. This
is, indeed, based on pursuing the middle option in the dialogue with Death's
Hand instead of quickly choosing to calm Death's Hand and release him, or to
bind him in order to acquire more power. Choosing this middle option isn't
practically different from the other more direct one, binding him in order to
use him as a tool, but it does lend color to your character and helps to
justify the "good" Death's Hand epilogue if you later decide to kill the
Water Dragon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~ 4.0 Amusing Anecdotes ~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
These characters have a primary function in the game of supplying comedy
relief. In combat, the Black Whirlwind swings axes (no Support tactic), and
Henpicked Hou throws bottles that temporarily enable a fighting style called
Drunken Master (no Combat tactic).
*****************************
** 4.1 The Black Whirlwind **
*****************************
The Black Whirlwind has a unique choice comment on each of the followers
that are possible to acquire before getting him, and he says it only when he
is gained as a follower. Each follower also has a retort. If you think they
are interesting, approach him with different followers in tow during
different playthroughs of the game (or just save first and reload when you
get him as your follower). There is also some other dialogue that is found
only when you first meet the Black Whirlwind and when you acquire him as part
of your followers.
Subsequently, the Black Whirlwind is one of the most talkative followers
that you can take with you as you adventure through the Jade Empire. When
most of the followers have an impromptu comment at a new scene, he almost
always has one too. There are even a few "easter egg" type encounters, such
as taking him to meet a certain strong-willed woman in the Imperial City.
After the Black Whirlwind joins your party, you can ask, "What did you do
before you were with Lord Yun?" After that, you can say "Tell me about your
past" upon the completion of a major plot quest. You can easily tell whether
he has more to say in the future or whether you've heard all his stories. If
you need a hint... he's not a history book.
***********************
** 4.2 Henpicked Hou **
***********************
If your first meeting with the Innkeeper at the Pilgrim's Rest Inn does not
result in violence, you can proceed to the back of the inn to talk with
Henpicked Hou. He sells a few things and drops hints that the nature of the
inn is suspect. If you ask him to explain and pass a conversation check, you
hear about the Mother from him, and this then becomes a dialogue option with
the Innkeeper.
Whether you confront the Innkeeper as being a cannibal based on initial
suspicion, confront the Innkeeper about the Mother due to Hou's remark,
confront the Innkeeper after meeting the Forest Shadow, or even cooperate with
the cannibals and accept their reward after killing the Forest Shadow, you
will acquire Henpicked Hou as a follower and learn about the Drunken Master
martial arts fighting style at that time.
After Henpicked Hou joins your party, ask, "Tell me about your life before
you were captured." The option to trigger the personal dialogue for
Henpicked Hou frequently changes its text, but it is easy to spot in every
case. If you already asked him for a story at this point in the plot, he will
say that he will talk "perhaps in a little while" (chapter two) or "not now"
(chapter three). Again, as with the Black Whirlwind, it is clear when you
have heard the last of the stories about his past from him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~ 5.0 Mysterious Discoveries ~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Three of your followers have secrets about themselves and their past that
are not revealed unless you pursue interaction with them multiple times.
They are not romantic interests, but one of them (Sagacious Zu) carries a
similarity to a romantic interest in that his complete subplot requires
numerous active dialogues between specific plot points, with opportunities
for a misstep in the dialogue response trees (where you upset the follower
and shut down any more conversation) or missed chances after important plot
points (where you neglect to talk to the follower after a plot point happens
and before another plot point happens). So, if you want Sagacious Zu to
spill his beans and complete his subplot, you have to treat him at least as
carefully as any romantic interest.
Two of the other followers, Wild Flower and Kang the Mad, have much more
forgiving story arcs. Basically, you can do them, start to finish, at your
leisure any time during chapter three (between arrival in the Imperial City
and arrival at the Imperial Palace). There are hints of both in chapter two,
but those hints are optional to completion of the subplot. Also, you cannot
upset either of them into shutting down communications, and they do not
require you to talk to them in between particular plot points in chapter
three, so their subplots are considerably easier to complete than are the
subplots of dealing with Sagacious Zu or wooing a romantic partner.
The decision that you make in pursuing each of the three subplots (i.e., just
the fact that the subplot was pursued to its completion; and in the case of
Wild Flower, whether you sided with the Guardian or the Other) can be
reflected in the epilogues shown at the end of the game. There are no "right"
or "wrong" conversation options with these three mysterious characters,
except for those with Sagacious Zu that cause him to withdraw from confiding
in you entirely, thus leaving the arc of the subplot incomplete. Incomplete
information from Sagacious Zu will have an effect on subsequent dialogue
in that game but will have no effect on the epilogues.
***************************************
** 5.1 Sagacious Zu's Secretive Past **
***************************************
This is Sagacious Zu's subplot concerning his secretive past in sixteen
easy steps. Half of them seem to be "mandatory," which means that they both
can be missed in your game and that missing them almost certainly leaves the
subplot in an incomplete state. The other half, well... if you're romancing
Dawn Star and want to see the father-related epilogues, treat all
conversations with Sagacious Zu with as much sensitivity as your character
treats Dawn Star when romancing her.
1. [Irrelevant] Chapter One: Nothing of importance in this regard here. You
will pick up Sagacious Zu and Dawn Star; you can't dismiss their personal
dialogues (or, really, advance them any more than they do by default) in
this chapter. It is a nice touch, however, to ask Dawn Star if there is
something special about her name, to get an allusion to Sagacious Zu from
the merchant, or to make dialogue options that show Zu's concealment of
information to be more obvious.
2. [Suggested] Chapter Two, Upon Arrival at Camp: "I have questions about
you and the Lotus Assassins." (Steps marked "suggested" seem by right of
logic to be optional, but I've not tested whether they truly are.)
3. [MANDATORY (1)] Chapter Two, After the encounter with Hui the Brave: "I
want to know what you and Hui were talking about." Although you don't need
to press the subject during the encounter with Hui, you do need to pursue
the topic later with these words.
4. [Suggested] Chapter Two, After that Dialogue and Before the Next: "You
seem agitated." This doesn't seem necessary, but go ahead and do it anyway.
5. [MANDATORY (2)] Chapter Two, After the encounter with Inquisitor Lim: "I
want to talk about what Inquisitor Lim said about you." Complete the dialogue.
6. [Suggested] Chapter Three, Upon Arrival in the Imperial City: "What are
your feelings on the Imperial City? How powerful are the Lotus Assassins
here?" Complete the dialogue.
7. [MANDATORY (3)] Chapter Three, Upon Further Contact with Silk Fox: talk to
Sagacious Zu again and explore his dialogue to completion.
8. [MANDATORY (4)] Chapter Three, Upon Contact with the Lotus Assassin
Recruiter: talk to Sagacious Zu again and explore his dialogue to completion.
9. [Confirmation of Success So Far] Chapter Three, *Before* Securing the
Seal of the Lotus Assassin recruiter: choose "Are you ready to talk?" If
Sagacious Zu said earlier something like "I am unaccustomed to words having
such weight," then this follow-up dialogue option will appear. The presence of
this dialogue option ensures that you have completed all requirements for
the subplot so far.
10. [Important Plot Event] Chapter Three, After Getting the Seal of the
Lotus Assassins: Zu will leave the camp and will never rejoin your group. If
the subplot is incomplete at this point, later dialogues will be different
from if the subplot was never attempted, and again different (naturally)
from the subplot being complete. If you didn't get the critical lines out of
Sagacious Zu before he left the camp, the subplot cannot be completed.
11. [MANDATORY (5)] Chapter Three, While Last Talking with Sagacious Zu:
Complete the dialogue. (Cut it off early to end the subplot and degenerate
into an incomplete version of it. But if you listen to Sagacious Zu say,
"Li's daughter lives," then the Water Dragon will know of your information
about Dawn Star, and Dawn Star will in turn know it through her mysticism.)
12. [Suggested] Chapter Three, Back At the Camp: If you've gotten Sagacious
Zu to talk to you about Li's daughter being alive, talk about it with the
camp now when you are prompted for that dialogue.
13. [MANDATORY (6)] Chapter Five, After the Last Fight There: An automatic
dialogue with the Water Dragon occurs, which you should complete without
cutting anything off. The Water Dragon will reveal the evidence that secures
the identity of Dawn Star.
14. [MANDATORY (7)] Chapter Six, When First Back at the Camp: Complete the
dialogue and encourage Dawn Star to express her feelings on the subject.
15. [Automatic] Chapter Six, When Speaking with Sun Li During the Encounter
with Death's Hand: Bring up the subject of his living daughter and pursue
the dialogue.
16. [MANDATORY (8)] Chapter Seven, After Deciding the Fate of the Water
Dragon: Make Dawn Star your follower. Proceed to the throne room. Allow Dawn
Star to say her peace. (You know that the subplot is complete if Dawn Star
speaks here.)
Congratulations! After defeating Sun Li:, you *will* get a different epilogue
*if* you were romancing Dawn Star. Two different epilogues are possible based
on completing the subplot, one if you tainted the Water Dragon with a Closed
Fist Dawn Star romance and the other if you killed the Water Dragon
(regardless of whether the romance was Open Palm or not). You *should* get a
different epilogue even if you weren't romancing Dawn Star, as Bioware
included one in the data files of the game. But by some bug or oversight, it
doesn't appear on the screen; instead, the default non-romantic epilogue for
Dawn Star is shown.
In some of the dialogues with Sagacious Zu, the last option on the list is
very often (but not always) an option that cuts off the rest of the
subplot, thus making it incomplete. The first option on the list is *always*
completely safe, even if it may not seem completely savvy. If you are
determined to unravel the subplot, proceed with caution (make savegames
prior to important conversations) or simply choose the first dialogue option
every time. Sagacious Zu does not have any complicated trees of dialogue to
explore; when an alternative to the first option is available, the effect is
mostly on the very first textbox from Zu that follows and nothing else.
If you want to know the effect of the Sagacious Zu subplot on the Dawn Star
romance and romantic epilogue, check under her section and for her epilogues
in this guide. Notably, if you want to read the non-romantic epilogue that
*should* result from an unromanced Dawn Star knowing who her father is, but
which does not appear on the Xbox game due to whatever bug or oversight,
check the epilogue in section 7.1.7. This text comes from the data files of
the game, even though the default non-romantic epilogue supplants it at the
end of the game.
*******************************************
** 5.2 Wild Flower's Suppressed Conflict **
*******************************************
There are conversations in chapter two with Wild Flower that hint at those
to come in chapter three. They begin "Tell me a bit about yourself" and "I
want to learn more about you." They are not needed to complete the subplot.
When you arrive at the Imperial City, you can talk to Wild Flower. The
options you choose will result in varying responses, but the important
thing is just to complete the dialogue.
Talk to Wild Flower again immediately (or at any later time in chapter
three) and complete the dialogue.
Talk to Wild Flower a third time and choose, "Are you all right with the
demons inside you?" Complete the dialogue, and you will know that you have
been successful when Ya Zhen shows up on your follower screen.
All three conversations can be completed immediately after arriving in the
Imperial City. Any dialogue options can be selected and will complete the
subplot for acquiring Ya Zhen as a follower.
As soon as you land at the Imperial Palace in chapter four, you will have
to choose between Chai Ka and Ya Zhen as followers by helping one fight the
other. You will be awarded OP or CF, as appropriate, and a technique.
Wild Flower as Chai Ka and Wild Flower as Ya Zhen have two different epilogues
for each, depending on whether the Water Dragon is tainted, for a total of
four possible epilogues.
**************************************
** 5.3 Kang the Mad's Lost Identity **
**************************************
Kang the Mad's subplot is tied into the six configurations that you find in
chapters two and three and the "wind map" he says he already had that told
him where he came from. You can start doing Kang the Mad's optional minigame
missions after landing in the Imperial City. Once you have used all six
configurations at Lao's Furnace, he will tell you more. This opens up the
"Spiritual Journey" minigame. Once it is completed, you will have finished
Kang the Mad's subplot concerning Lao's furnace, and you will also get the
ability to use a final seventh configuration in Lao's Furnace (which will
make the controls of Lao's Furnace inoperable after use).
While Mechanic Hin Goo's three minigame missions are not strictly necessary,
the "Dragon's Wrath" special weapon unlocked by the third minigame's success
makes the last fight of "Spiritual Journey" easily manageable instead of
difficult and trying.
Save before starting any minigame with Kang or Hin Goo. If you back out of
the minigame, you will fail the subplot and be unable to make progress. You
are allowed to make multiple attempts without reloading saves, but you cannot
abort attempts on the minigame.
Kang the Mad without completing the subplot and Kang the Mad after completing
the Lao's Furnace subplot have two different epilogues for each, depending on
whether the Water Dragon is tainted, for a total of four possible epilogues.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~ 6.0 Romantic Entanglements ~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Female and male player characters have different romantic options. Dawn Star
is available only to male characters, while the other two are available to
male or female player characters.
The three prospects also have different ways of shifting OP/CF alignment. If
you romance Sky, you can't explicitly change his alignment, but he will
abide by what you decide at the end of the game. Both Dawn Star and Silk
Fox, however, require a successful attempt to direct them to a CF alignment
in chapter three in order for them to accept the two possible major CF
decisions at the end of the game (binding Death's Hand and tainting the
Water Dragon). Changing their alignment also results in different epilogues
even if you do not taint the Water Dragon. You can succeed in "CF-turning"
both of them with a conversation check for each if you are romancing them
simultaneously, but only the romance you stick with will truly be CF. By
default that will be Silk Fox if you string both along all the way to Dirge
(giving you the "threesome" love scene). However, if you have turned both
CF and then select one either at the gates of the Lotus Assassin Fortress
or before confronting the Emperor Sun Hai, then the rest of the game will
play out as a CF romance with that character (Dawn Star CF or Silk Fox CF).
Even though Sky and Silk Fox are available to both the female and the male
player character types, the differences in the content of dialogue can be
quite substantial, as could be expected, when they respond to a different
gender hero. This is somewhat more apparent at the very beginning with Sky,
and it also comes up with Silk Fox when you are making the moves on her.
Generally speaking, to get the same-sex pairing you will have to break off
with any heterosexual pairings before a particular dialogue in the middle of
chapter three (after acquiring Silk Fox but before contacting the Lotus
Assassins if you are pursuing Silk Fox, or after contacting them but before
earning their seal if you are pursuing Sky) which is important to the person
you want. Otherwise, during that critical dialogue (starting "Your feelings
are important to me" for Silk Fox or about "Eternal Companions" for Sky),
they will assume you don't swing that way from the way you talk with the
opposite-sex follower, and the romance possibility will end.
*******************
** 6.1 Dawn Star **
*******************
If you are a female, you can interact with her during chapter two and the
very beginning of chapter three. You will know you've experienced your last
personal dialogue with Dawn Star when she remarks on the "chill" she feels in
the Imperial City (just after acquiring Silk Fox as a follower). The other
thing that (kinda sorta) tips you off is that the personal dialogue option
disappears. Both the male player character and the female player character
can terminate the friendship (or, at least, its closeness) at any time
through one of the dialogues in chapter two or three. How to do so is
usually quite obvious, and when it happens should be abundantly clear.
The male character who wants to pursue Silk Fox alone, or who wants to
pursue Sky at all, will have to break off personal dialogues with Dawn Star
while in the Imperial City (or earlier, in chapter two).
It is pretty easy to know what kind of reaction you are getting out of Dawn
Star. She hides none of her emotions; at least, not while she is still
talking to you and while you're still expressing interest. Here are the most
common ways that a conversation can end.
1. You are dismissive of her in a stark way. She will be hurt and apologize
for wasting your time, among other things. You will never get another
personal dialogue with her again (unless you reload an earlier save).
2. You persuaded her to become Closed Fist, much to her reluctance. Then you
backhanded her with disapproving messages, much to her confusion. She will
start a speech saying something like, "I need consistency, and I'm not
finding it with you." The speech will suggest that you can talk again when
this is all over. That is code for "never, not in this lifetime and not in
the next." Reload an earlier save unless you desired this result.
3. She complains of your wanton ignorance of things to which she is acutely
attuned. (This can happen in chapter two.) She is angry but doesn't apologize
for "wasting your time." This usually means you are still in a romance with
her. Try talking to her again and making sure she has her "bothering you" or
"concern" option still there. If so, this outcome (despite the severity of
it) is functionally equivalent to any other.
4. She gratefully acknowledges your support, encouragement, warmth, or other
attribute typically associated with Open Palm characters. This usually means
you are still in a romance with her. It does not mean you have precluded the
possibility of a Closed Fist romance with her. There is a single definite
conversation check through which you can turn her Closed Fist; after that, it
will never revert back (though it can end, either from being dismissive or
confusing her while she is adapting to her rapidly changing identity). So, if
you can still talk to her, this outcome (even with all the pleasant feelings
part of it) is functionally equivalent to any other.
5. She becomes introspective to some degree, and she remarks on you being
"cold" in some way. This usually means you are still in a romance with her.
It does not mean that you have secured a Closed Fist romance, nor does it
mean that you have damaged an Open Palm romance. It is once again
functionally equivalent to any other kind of progress in the romance.
The "mandatory" conversation below is the only time when your insistence
on a Closed Fist viewpoint or going along with Open Palm sensitivities will
have a permanent effect on the course of the relationship. Here are the
personal dialogues with Dawn Star:
1. [Irrelevant] You acquire Dawn Star as a follower in chapter one and have
a variety of conversation options. None of them register any later effects.
2. [Suggested] After the first mission at Tien's Landing: "I am interested
in how you are, Dawn Star. Is there anything bothering you?"
3. [Suggested] After the second mission at Tien's Landing: "I am interested
in how you are, Dawn Star. Is there anything bothering you?"
4. [Suggested] After the third mission at Tien's Landing: "I am interested
in how you are, Dawn Star. Is there anything bothering you?"
5. [Suggested] After landing in the Imperial City, a new personal dialogue
with Dawn Star appears. It's light hearted.
6. [MANDATORY] Talk to Dawn Star after Silk Fox becomes a follower and
before you have contacted the Inquisitor or Executioner. At this point you
will need to decide whether to continue with Dawn Star as an Open Palm
romantic interest, turn her into a Closed Fist romantic interest (requiring
a conversation skill check), or break off the relationship. The Closed Fist
path through the conversation with Dawn Star after getting Silk Fox is:
"Silk Fox has shown only good will," "you are jealous," "useful," "*could*
leave?", "cry?", any conversation check, and lastly "rivals." Check your
dialogue for the [SUCCESS] of the conversation check. The Open Palm path is
simply "reluctance" and "thank her." Keep in mind that you cannot turn Dawn
Star to be Closed Fist unless you are CF oriented yourself.
7. [Suggested] After doing the quest for the Executioner or the Inquisitor,
talk to Dawn Star. Since her alignment in the relationship is now fixed as
Open Palm or Closed Fist, you are recommended to choose dialogue options
consistent with the alignment already decided on for the most pleasing
results (and so as not to confuse her and end the relationship).
8. [Automatic] When approaching the Lotus Assassin Fortress, Dawn Star will
approach and express how much she cares for you.
9. [Suggested] After the Lotus Assassin Fortress, Dawn Star will want to
talk to you. As long as you don't confuse her by rebuffing her fledgling
Closed Fist personality (for those who turned her Closed Fist), the
relationship will continue.
10. [Automatic] When approaching the Emperor's throne room, Dawn Star will
appear behind you in the hallway. Once again, edgier options are rewarded if
you've converted her to Closed Fist alignment but not if she's Open Palm.
11. [Success] When returning to the camp, one of the options is to say you
came back to life for Dawn Star. After the group dialogue, she will stand
outside the tent for you to talk to her. Talk to her for the love scene.
Once again, it goes more smoothly if you think in terms of her Open Palm or
Closed Fist alignment when choosing dialogue.
12. When defending Kang at the bridge, ask Dawn Star to take the lead. Look
at her character record to confirm that she turned Closed Fist (just a hair
below neutral) or remains Open Palm (about three quarters up the OP meter).
13. If you have romanced her and turned her Closed Fist, there are some
unique statements after binding Death's Hand (if you do), in the camp
getting ready to fly back to confront Sun Li (whether or not you've bound
Death's Hand), and while contemplating the tainting of the Water Dragon (but
not until you take a dialogue option asking about the possibility that you
could acquire the power of the Water Dragon for yourself).
14. If you have romanced her and she remains Open Palm, she will oppose the
decision to bind Death's Hand or to taint the Water Dragon. Doing the latter
results in her death.
There's no very sensitive way to cut off Dawn Star's interest in speaking
with you personally. I guess, sometimes, a man has to do what a man has to
do. Be sure to do so if you want to get Silk Fox alone (before going to the
Lotus Assassin Fortress) or Sky at all (before starting the "Eternal
Companions" conversation with him).
Dawn Star has different romantic epilogues depending on the factors of
whether you tainted or killed the Water Dragon, whether you pushed her to
be Closed Fist or encouraged her to remain Open Palm in the romance, and
whether you have completely pursued Sagacious Zu's subplot to reveal her as
Sun Li's daughter.
******************
** 6.2 Silk Fox **
******************
Silk Fox will give the player character a special gift when you arrive at the
Imperial City, and the relationship with her can bud from there.
1. [Irrelevant] The two meetings at Tien's Landing, the introduction as
Princess Sun Lian, and the initial rendezvous at the Scholar's Garden just
before getting her as a follower.
2. [MANDATORY] Before talking to the Inquisitioner or Executioner, complete
the dialogue asking about the gift from her and ending "sorry, I ruined the
mood." It doesn't make any technical difference for turning her later, but
someone angling for an Open Palm romance would end it with the "your flower"
line and someone going Closed Fist with "travesty."
3. [Mandatory for female player characters:] After you talk to the Inquisitor
(or just Scholar Dongdow asking about him) or the Executioner, make Sky your
follower and do the dialogue for him ending with the "Let's just be friends"
option. You can then continue your romance with Silk Fox without the "default
romance" of Sky getting in the way. There is no way to romance them in tandem.
4. [MANDATORY] After meeting with the Inquisitor (or the Executioner if you
prefer), you can ask Silk Fox, "Is there something troubling you? Your
feelings are important to me." The first option to take is "That annoys
you." Insulting her father at any point during the romance will end it.
After telling her that she's interesting, the remaining part of the dialogue
is about OP/CF alignment, but it's not the dialogue that turns her CF yet.
5. [MANDATORY] Once you have the seal of the Inquisitioner or the seal of
the Executioner, talk to Silk Fox and ask, "Is there anything you wanted to
discuss before I get moving? Anything personal?" and "Tell me about
yourself. I want to know more about you." Ask about and comment on the three
other things before asking about "first love": court life, Silk Fox, and
childhood. She'll throw the question of love back at you. Reply, "Well,
there is one person. A noble." At this point, you get to sway her to be an
OP Princess Lian or CF Silk Fox. For OP: "deserving of happiness as
Princess," "tradition can be maintained," and the conversation check. For
CF: "take what you want," "traditions should be left behind," and the
conversation check. Continue with a CF interest by saying "you want more,"
"do you have the courage," and a conversation check. Then "have my
attention," "stimulating," "goodbye for now." Check your dialogue for the
[SUCCESS] of the two conversation checks. Keep in mind that you cannot turn
the Princess to be Closed Fist unless you are CF oriented yourself. And, like
Dawn Star, her alignment in the relationship does not change after this point
(although the relationship can end, effectively making her Open Palm again).
6. [Automatic] You'll know that the relationship with Silk Fox is working if
she meets you outside the Lotus Assassin Fortress before you take off into
danger. Take time for her if you want the romance to continue.
7. [Automatic] Silk Fox will meet you again just outside the Emperor's throne
room. Take time for her if you want the romance to continue. Selections in
line with the Open Palm or Closed Fist direction of your relationship get more
pleasing responses from her. (Just for fun: pay attention to the difference
between the normal Silk Fox and the Closed Fist Silk Fox when she responds to
a servant after landing at the Imperial Palace.)
8. [Success] When you return to the group at Dirge, the option will be there
to say you returned to life for her, and she'll be outside the tent. Talk to
her with sweet talk appropriate to her alignment, and you will share a
tender moment.
9. When defending Kang at the bridge, ask the Princess to take the lead.
Look at her character record to confirm that she turned Closed Fist (about
three quarters along the CF meter) or remains Open Palm (just a hair above
neutral).
10. As with Dawn Star, she has different conversation options the next
morning if you are in a Closed Fist romance. Closed Fist Silk Fox supports the
binding of Death's Hand if you do it, and she is firmly behind you when you
talk about tainting the Water Dragon to seize its power.
11. However, again, if she is in an Open Palm romance with you, you will have
to kill the Water Dragon unless you want her to die.
If you have a male player character and have not broken things off with Dawn
Star, the three of you will have a talk on the path to the Lotus Assassin
Fortress. At this time you can make your intentions with just one lady
clear, or you can foster a menage-a-trios by choosing the conversation check.
You need to pass an Intuition and a Charm check here to satisfy both. You will
have another, similar scene in the hallway leading to the Emperor Sun Hai,
where you can again show favor for one exclusively or pass the conversation
check again to keep both. If at either occasion you show favor to one, the
romance with the other is broken off. If you have pursued the threesome
romance up to the point of the tent at Dirge, Silk Fox will want to talk to
you outside the tent. Favoring one or the other at this point will break it
off with both; confirming your decided path of indecision will result in the
"threesome" scene after Dawn Star comes out of the tent to join.
The game seems to treat the three-way with Silk Fox and Dawn Star, from the
perspective of game mechanics, as a variant of the Silk Fox romance. Dawn
Star will still see her "no romance" epilogue and will not agree to the
binding of Death's Hand or the tainting of the Water Dragon, even if you have
passed the "CF turn" conversation check earlier. Also, if you take control of
Dawn Star at the bridge, she will be heavily OP aligned, as is her default
alignment. The only way to get a CF Dawn Star at Dirge is to make sure you are
exclusive with her before fighting Emperor Sun Hai.
Silk Fox has different romantic epilogues depending on the factors of
whether you tainted or killed the Water Dragon, whether you pushed her to
indulge her Closed Fist side as Silk Fox or encouraged her to remain true to
her Open Palm identity as a traditional Princess in the romance, and whether
you are a female or male player character.
*************
** 6.3 Sky **
*************
Sky will come on strong to female characters, but male characters can get
the later love scenes with him, suitably adapted for a male-male romance.
1. [Irrelevant] You talk to Sky when you first meet him on the Pirate's
Island and again when you defeat Gao the Greater. Neither conversation has
an effect on later events.
2. [Suggested] Upon acquiring Sky, back at the Tien's Landing camp, you can
initiate a dialogue at the camp with, "Do you have a minute to talk?" If it
is appropriate to your character, feel free to close the conversation with
the "whining" option. It will not end the relationship; instead, it will
open up some different conversation options in the second Tien's Landing
dialogue, only one of which will actually end the relationship. Note that
the spoken dialogue for Sky is more flirty for female characters than male.
3. [Suggested] After acquiring the power source or the wind map, you can
talk to him again, and he'll ask if you want to hear the whole story of how
he tracked Gao down. Complete the conversation (without saying you don't
care about his past) to advance the romance.
4. [Suggested] After arriving in the Imperial City: For female characters,
the flirting becomes even more intense in this dialogue. Complete the "what's
on your mind right now?" dialogue to continue the relationship.
5. [Suggested] You can ask him a second time about what's on his mind before
you acquire Silk Fox as a follower. The dialogue will be different.
6. [Suggested] You can start another personal dialogue after Silk Fox joins
your followers but before contacting the Lotus Assassins. It goes well if it
ends with "that's all in the future though."
7. [MANDATORY] After you make contact with a recruiter, talk to Sky, and
ask, "what's on your mind?" This is a critical conversation for romancing
Sky. If you are a male player character, you can follow the conversation
tree romantically, but you end up killing any chance of relationship when
Sky says that Dawn Star or Silk Fox seems to favor you. You have to break up
with both Dawn Star and Silk Fox before having this "Eternal Companions"
conversation with Sky, if you want to pursue him as a male PC. Complete the
"Eternal Companions" conversation, and you will be in a romance with him.
8. [Automatic] He approaches you before you enter the Lotus Assassin Fortress.
Take time for him if you want the romance to continue.
9. [Automatic] He approaches you again before you confront Emperor Sun Hai.
If you say that you love him, he will say, "Thank you." It certainly doesn't
hurt to be as tight-lipped as he is by choosing the second or third option.
Only the last option will end the relationship.
10. [Success] When you return to your followers at the camp in Dirge, you
have the option of saying you came back for Sky. He will stand outside the
tent after everyone talks. Speak to him for the love scene.
11. Sky can't be turned explicitly Closed Fist or Open Palm as an independent
character. His spoken lines attempt to shape themselves to match your own
dialogue choices and actions. If you get the romance scene at the tent, he
will support binding (or releasing) Death's Hand and tainting (or killing) the
Water Dragon without incident.
There is a rumor that you get different epilogues for Sky depending on
whether you bind Death's Hand (i.e., not just depending on whether you taint
the Water Dragon). This is false based on my own experimentation and based
on the contents of the data files containing the epilogues for the game.
There are also various suggestions in various guides to the effect that your
conversation options with Sky (whether in chapter three or in chapter six)
might be a factor that sways him to be Open Palm or Closed Fist. This is
false. The only factor is what you actually do. Sky will follow you as best he
can if he is romanced. (This can result in some uncomfortably phrased lines
where the script writer is trying to straddle the fence.)
It is also suggested sometimes that same-sex romantic pairings will require
more constant attention from the player character to succeed. I don't see
how this can be the case, since there are never additional opportunities to
woo anyone other than those allowed for by the stages of progress along the
main quest plot line. I recommend using every available personal dialogue
opportunity, regardless of whether the pairing is heterosexual or not.
Sky has different romantic epilogues depending on the factors of whether you
tainted or killed the Water Dragon and whether you are a female or male
player character.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~ 7.0 Epilogues ~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Up to eight of your followers get written epilogues at the end of the game
after defeating Sun Li. There is a ninth one for completing a sidequest in
the Scholar's Garden. There are no epilogues if you choose the ending where
you cooperate with Sun Li ("The Hero and the Glorious Strategist" ending).
The combinations possible are enumerated first, with the conditions for
achieving them, and then the entries are expanded with the entire text shown
at the end of the game. Obviously, major spoilers ahead!
1. Dawn Star
#1 No romance (Water Dragon killed)
#2 Open Palm romance (Water Dragon killed)
AND Sagacious Zu's subplot incomplete
#3 Open Palm romance or Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon killed
AND Sagacious Zu's subplot complete
#4 Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon killed
AND Sagacious Zu's subplot incomplete
#5 Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon tainted
AND Sagacious Zu's subplot incomplete
#6 Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon tainted
AND Sagacious Zu's subplot complete
#7 No romance (Water Dragon killed)
AND Sagacious Zu's subplot complete
AND "bug fixed in the game"
2. Silk Fox
#1 No romance (Water Dragon killed)
#2 Open Palm romance (Water Dragon killed)
AND Male romance
#3 Open Palm romance (Water Dragon killed)
AND Female romance
#4 Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon killed
AND Male romance or Female romance
#5 Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon tainted
AND Male romance
#6 Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon tainted
AND Female romance
3. Sky
#1 No romance (Water Dragon killed)
#2 Water Dragon killed
AND Male romance
#3 Water Dragon killed
AND Female romance
#4 Water Dragon tainted
AND Male romance
#5 Water Dragon tainted
AND Female romance
#6 "Obsolete Data File Entry"
4. Henpicked Hou
#1 Water Dragon killed
5. Wild Flower
#1 Side with Chai Ka (or do not acquire Ya Zhen)
AND Water Dragon killed
#2 Side with Chai Ka (or do not acquire Ya Zhen)
AND Water Dragon tainted
#3 Side with Ya Zhen
AND Water Dragon killed
#4 Side with Ya Zhen
AND Water Dragon tainted
6. Death's Hand
#1 Death's Hand bound
AND Water Dragon killed
#2 Death's Hand bound
AND Water Dragon tainted
7. Kang the Mad
#1 Lao's Furnace subplot incomplete
AND Water Dragon killed
#2 Lao's Furnace subplot incomplete
AND Water Dragon tainted
#3 Lao's Furnace subplot complete
AND Water Dragon killed
#4 Lao's Furnace subplot complete
AND Water Dragon tainted
8. The Black Whirlwind
#1 Always
9. Sir Roderick
#1 Scholar's Garden sidequest complete
*****************************************************************
** 7.1 Dawn Star Epilogues ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS **
*****************************************************************
7.1.1 No romance (Water Dragon killed)
The defeat of Sun Li signaled a new beginning for the Jade Empire, and a
personal awakening in Dawn Star. Despite the loss of the Master she thought
she knew, with the restoration of the natural order the Empire seemed alive
with possibility. She had seen the heart of the land in turmoil, so she
retraced her steps, replacing memories of destruction with sights of renewal.
Soon she found herself back in the ruin of Two Rivers. It was painful, but
she took comfort in knowing that the fish were abundant and the land remained
fertile; eventually new settlers would come. She replanted her garden, a
flower for each of her lost friends, and set out across the Empire once more.
7.1.2 Open Palm romance (Water Dragon killed)
AND Sagacious Zu's subplot incomplete
The defeat of Sun Li signaled a new beginning for the Jade Empire, and for
the lives of <FullName> and Dawn Star. They had faced much together, and Dawn
Star looked forward to the peace their efforts had brought. In the ensuing
years she worked to make the Empire a gentle place that cared for all people
equally. The land was not always free of strife, but <FullName> and Dawn Star
always tried to find a common ground for all concerned. They lived long and
well, and all of the Jade Empire remembers their names.
7.1.3 Open Palm romance or Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon killed
AND Sagacious Zu's subplot complete
The defeat of Sun Li signaled a new beginning for the Jade Empire, and for
the lives of <FullName> and Dawn Star. Despite their victory, Dawn Star was
conflicted: The father she never knew had been her mentor all along, but he
had also never truly existed, his caring nature just a lie to hide darker
intentions. It was difficult to put that aside, but the stability of her
relationship with <FullName> let her see that such dishonesty was the
exception, not the rule. In the years that followed they worked together to
make their homeland a better place. They lived long and well, and all of the
Jade Empire remembers their names.
7.1.4 Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon killed
AND Sagacious Zu's subplot incomplete
The defeat of Sun Li signaled a new beginning for the Jade Empire, and for
the lives of <FullName> and Dawn Star. Despite the victory, Dawn Star was
conflicted: she was changed by the journey and by <FullName>'s insistence
that she be more aggressive. She felt at odds with the new peace, so she and
her Spirit Monk companion eventually left the restructuring of the Empire to
others and sought more adventurous climes. They never settled down,
preferring to call all of the Jade Empire their home.
7.1.5 Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon tainted
AND Sagacious Zu's subplot incomplete
The defeat of Sun Li signaled the rise of <FullName>, and at his side stood
Dawn Star. She was devoted to his efforts; he had convinced her that the only
valid response to adversity is an adequately forceful reply. Only a firm hand
could prevent another tyrant coming to power, and no one was more suited than
the Spirit Monk she had helped ascend. Dawn Star became a tempering
influence, and made certain that the people of the Empire had their needs
met, if not all of their wants. Their Empire, as long as it lasted, was
strong and prosperous.
7.1.6 Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon tainted
AND Sagacious Zu's subplot complete
The defeat of Sun Li signaled the rise of <FullName>, and Dawn Star was ever
at his side. She was devoted to his efforts, but personal turmoil clouded
her mind. She had found her lost father, but Sun Li was not the man she had
wanted him to be. It was as if he had killed her true father, the idealized
Master Li that now only existed in her memories. She grew cold over time, and
without her tempering influence, the Jade Empire became a demanding place to
live, controlled through force of arms. But the tighter the reigns, the
harder the resistance, and the reigns were very tight indeed. Dawn Star would
stand by <FullName> to the end.
7.1.7 No romance (Water Dragon killed)
AND Sagacious Zu's subplot complete
AND "bug fixed in the game"
(This epilogue cannot be seen in the game, but it can be found in the data
files, and it is highly logical that there is a "Li, you are my father"
epilogue for Dawn Star without romance, just as there are two shown in-game
for Dawn Star in a romance, one with the Water Dragon killed and the other
with the Water Dragon tainted. Therefore, you may consider the presence of
the default no-romance epilogue after unlocking the entire "secret of
Sagacious Zu" subplot to be an error of the game's programming. The final
confrontation between Sun Li and his daughter reveals that Dawn Star would
have liked her father to be like the Master Li she thought she knew at Two
Rivers. This epilogue is, therefore, not only different but also a highly
appropriate conclusion for her character.)
The defeat of Sun Li signaled a new beginning for the Jade Empire, but it
brought little personal comfort to Dawn Star. She was conflicted: the father
she never knew had been her mentor all along, but had also never truly
existed, his caring nature just a lie to hide darker intentions. Her search
for peace of mind took her back to the simpler life of a borderland village
much like Two Rivers, where she built her own school in the manner of the
Master she had believed in. The schemes of Sun Li died in the palace, but the
teachings of her cherished Master would persevere. At least in this, the man
Dawn Star had hoped to know would live on with her.
****************************************************************
** 7.2 Silk Fox Epilogues ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS **
****************************************************************
7.2.1 No romance (Water Dragon killed)
Though the credibility of her family was understandably marred by the actions
of her father and uncle, Princess Sun Lian emerged from the incident with a
newfound credibility that easily secured her claim to the throne. This was
thanks in no small part to keeping <FullName> very close at hand, and making
sure the people knew that <he/she> had her full support throughout the ordeal.
Empress Sun Lian ruled over a new golden age of the Jade Empire that seemed
like it would never end.
7.2.2 Open Palm romance (Water Dragon killed)
AND Male romance
Though the credibility of her family was understandably marred by the actions
of her father and uncle, Princess Sun Lian emerged from the incident with a
newfound credibility that easily secured her claim to the throne. This was
thanks in no small part to keeping <FullName> very close at hand. He was
welcomed as her companion, and eventually as Emperor at her side. Together
they would rule over a new golden age that seemed like it would never end.
7.2.3 Open Palm romance (Water Dragon killed)
AND Female romance
Though the credibility of her family was understandably marred by the actions
of her father and uncle, Princess Sun Lian emerged from the incident with a
newfound credibility that easily secured her claim to the throne. This was
thanks in no small part to keeping <FullName> very close at hand, and making
sure the people knew that she had her full support throughout the ordeal.
Empress Sun Lian and <FullName> ruled in concert, remaining close companions
and sharing the burden of leadership as they guided the Jade Empire through a
new golden age.
7.2.4 Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon killed
AND Male romance or Female romance
Princess Sun Lian was praised for helping save the Empire, and with
<FullName> close at hand she was soon appointed Empress. It became apparent,
however, that she still held the same disdain for the bonds imposed by her
position. <FullName> had pushed her to revel in the traits she showed as Silk
Fox, and now that freedom seemed further away than ever. She withdrew, much
as her father had done, and soon even an audience in the palace was a rare
event. In truth, she was spending much of her time in the streets of the
Imperial City, hiding her face once more. Her rule was prosperous enough, but
it was never more than a game to her and <FullName>.
7.2.5 Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon tainted
AND Male romance
In the wake of Sun Li's defeat, <FullName> assumed control of the Empire.
Princess Lian lent the new emperor legitimacy through her family line, and as
Emperor and Empress they turned a chaotic and fractured land into an economic
and military powerhouse. Anyone who challenged their rule awakened a fury
that not even the gods could contain, and even whispered secrets earned quick
reprisals. Empress Lian continued to prowl as the shadowy Silk Fox, but
unbeknownst to those who had encountered the supposed outlaw, this new
version was dedicated to maintaining the new order. Much as Death's Hand had
served her father, she controlled the flow of all information within the
Empire. This combination of power and cunning ensured that the reign of
<FullName> would be long remembered.
7.2.6 Closed Fist romance
AND Water Dragon tainted
AND Female romance
After the death of Sun Li, the Princess and <FullName> assumed control. They
quickly crushed any opposition to the partnership they formed, and turned a
chaotic and fractured land into an economic and military powerhouse. Anyone
that threatened the stability of their Empire awakened a fury not even the
gods could contain. It became dangerous to speak against them even in the
lowliest of taverns, and Sun Lian and <FullName> were often amused that,
despite the power they could command, their enemies were often more afraid of
the shadowy Silk Fox that could now somehow be in two places at once. Even at
their height of their power they made time for such games they both enjoyed.
***********************************************************
** 7.3 Sky Epilogues ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS **
***********************************************************
7.3.1 No romance (Water Dragon killed)
Drastic shifts in power always create political and economic turbulence. In
the years following the defeat of Emperor Sun Li, however, things were
remarkably calm, with food supplies reaching the poor and Imperial control of
areas abandoned to near-lawlessness quickly restored. Those who were there
credit the smooth transition to the aid of a group called the Guild. Working
under some mysterious Imperial sanction, the Guild's agents moved supplies
quickly to those who needed them most and helped the Imperial Army pinpoint
the camps of bandit leaders and others who threatened Imperial control. While
the Guild faded from sight as peace was restored, stories persisted. Most
stories recounted the exploits of this mysterious organization's dashing new
leader, Sky. His ready smile, endless energy and kindness quickly made him a
legend among the common people.
7.3.2 Water Dragon killed
AND Female romance
Shortly after the death of its leader, Gao the Greater, the Guild quickly
found itself with a new man at the top and its attention turning sharply away
from the slave trade. Sky would quickly deny any involvement in such a thing,
and despite their suspicions, most people accepted that only one woman would
ever know the full truth. If little else, Sky was always clear on one
subject: his undying love for <FullName>. The couple's exploits and their
devotion to each other were the stuff of legend. As they so often do, the
tales outgrew the people, and the couple quietly withdrew from the public
eye. Where they are now, few can say, but there is a small, unmarked grave in
the farmlands outside Tien's Landing that finds itself adorned with flowers
once a year without fail.
7.3.3 Water Dragon killed
AND Male romance
Never one to pass up an opportunity, Sky quickly established himself as a
replacement for Gao the Greater, seizing control of the leaderless Guild and
quickly turning the organization into something he deemed "respectable."
While hardly paragons of society, the members of the Guild were brutally
effective in stamping out much of the slave trade. Sky and <FullName>
remained constant companions, and neither of them could find it in their
heart to ever really settle down. Tales of their exploits are still told,
growing more fantastic with each repetition.
7.3.4 Water Dragon tainted
AND Female romance
What does it take for a mortal to hold the affections of a god? Sky's
dedication to his love never wavered, and he stood proudly at her side,
enforcing her will without question. Over the years, his name became more
dreaded than Death's Hand, for Sky worked in the shadows, and his informants
were everywhere. There were moments when Sky would lie alone in the middle of
the night--for no god needs sleep--and he would question the path his life
had taken. It was invariably on those nights that the Empress would find time
to come to him, and the next day would always find more steel in his eyes and
a dark resolve burning in his heart.
7.3.5 Water Dragon tainted
AND Male romance
What does it take for a mortal to hold the affections of a god? Sky's
dedication never wavered, and he stood proudly at the side of the Spirit Monk
who had risen to become a living god. Together they ruled an empire enslaved
by fear; never before had history seen such a combination of overt power and
subversive guile. When all men can be convinced to cast suspicious eyes upon
their brothers, perfect control is possible, even if such a balance can only
be maintained for short time.
7.3.6 "Obsolete Data File Entry"
Bioware employee Chris Priestly reveals in the Jade Empire "Storyline and
Strategy" forum (posted July 27, 2005 in a thread titled "romance"):
"Sky was originally (up until about 9 months before shipping) designed to be
a Closed Fist NPC all through the game. He was suave and sexy and all, but
was really quite rotten at the core due to the death of his daughter and his
lust for revenge.
"The scene in Chapter 6 Dirge where he is ringing the bell to bring in
Death's Hand was originally him betraying the party and allowing Death's
Hand to sneak up on the PC from behind. He would do this every time unless
the PC had turned him to Open Palm or done the romance. If the PC was Closed
Fist they would defeat Death's Hand and then had the option of imprisoning
Sky or Executing him. If the NPCs objected the PC could execute them too.
"But in the end, the Design team revisited Sky and made him into the
lovable rogue that he was when we shipped."
Extracting the epilogues from the data file reveals a vestigial epilogue
for Sky based on the earlier plot line: "For a time, Sky found peace, but
there was always a question in his heart about what could have been if only
<FullName> had seized the power of the Water Dragon. Plagued with
uncertainty, Sky turned back to the life he had known before, descending
into the underworld to wage a bloody campaign against the leaders of the
Guild. His victory was short lived, however, as Sky grew careless with his
life and noticed too late the acrid taste of his poisoned wine. Some say he
struggled to say something as he fell, maybe a name, but in the end, Sky
died alone."
********************************************************************
** 7.4 Henpicked Hou Epilogue ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS **
********************************************************************
(His epilogue cannot be altered. It appears if you kill the Water Dragon, and
it does not appear if you taint the Water Dragon.)
Henpecked Hou's wife finally tracked him down and brought him back home to
settle back in to the simple bun master's life. A few years later, he became
a father for the first time. Though having septuplets at his age was not
unheard of, having seven daughters at once was a bit peculiar. Shortly
thereafter, Hou became deathly ill after accidentally eating a bun he
intended to give to his wife. Hou's wife invited her entire family to live
with them while he was bedridden. Hou recovered more quickly than expected,
but word of his poisonous bun made sure that his career as a bun master was
over. Instead, Hou became a delivery man, delivering packages throughout the
Empire. He has yet to return from his first delivery.
*******************************************************************
** 7.5 Wild Flower Epilogues ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS **
*******************************************************************
7.5.1 Side with Chai Ka (or do not acquire Ya Zhen)
AND Water Dragon killed
The will of the heavens was fulfilled. The heart of the Water Dragon
restored, and her soul, reborn. Balance returned to the heavens, and the Jade
Empire endured. His duty discharged, Chai Ka the Heavenly Gate Guardian
returned to his heaven once more.
In honor of her service to the heavens, the girl, Wild Flower, whom Chai Ka
had raised to serve as his anchor, was granted the most precious gift of all:
Life. She was given a chance to live a new life according to her own whim.
7.5.2 Side with Chai Ka (or do not acquire Ya Zhen)
AND Water Dragon tainted
No tall destinies serve heaven. Heaven, too, can be caught in a larger, more
malignant fate. Chai Ka the Heavenly Gate Guardian fulfilled his destiny, but
he failed in the eyes of heaven. Cast out from the Celestial Bureaucracy, he
wandered as a tormented demon, bereft of purpose.
His anchor, the child Wild Flower, also wandered. Sustained by the celestial
powers that gave her rebirth, she knew life but not death. Forever a child in
body, she saw the wasteland her homeland had become and cursed the fate that
made it so.
7.5.3 Side with Ya Zhen
AND Water Dragon killed
In the shattered mind of Wild Flower dwelled the demon Ya Zhen. The power of
the one who freed him grew, giving the demon endless possibilities. For a
time, he lived by the pledge he made, serving a power greater than himself,
but mortals remain mortal, and in time, they die. And when his pledge no
longer binds him... then the demon's time will come again.
7.5.4 Side with Ya Zhen
AND Water Dragon tainted
The birth of a new god is a time of infinite possibility. Anything can be
accomplished by those with the will to see it. Ya Zhen was a prisoner in the
body of the child Wild Flower, but his master's ascension freed him. The ways
of fate and power are fickle, and he backed the winning side. With
<FullName>'s power growing, he could serve no better master. This mortal with
the heart of a true god would not last forever. Someday the demon's time will
come again.
********************************************************************
** 7.6 Death's Hand Epilogues ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS **
********************************************************************
7.6.1 Death's Hand bound
AND Water Dragon killed
After the power of the Water Dragon was restored, Death's Hand was sustained
by <FullName>'s force of will. Some considered this cruel, and to Death's
Hand it was just continued enslavement, but in the weeks that followed, the
influence that had corrupted him began to fade, and a semblance of self
returned. For the first time in decades, Death's Hand felt something other
than rage; sadness for how he, as Sun Kin, had helped attack Dirge so long
ago. Acceptance of this changed him, and he wandered the Empire seeking
redemption. No longer bound to Sun Li's armor, he wore it anyway, a symbol
not of the monster he was forced to be, but of the monster he had not
recognized within himself.
7.6.1 Death's Hand bound
AND Water Dragon tainted
Bound to <FullName>'s will, Death's Hand served the new Empire wherever the
face of terror was needed to quell dissension. Infused by the ever growing
power of his master, his physical form was eventually corrupted beyond what
his armor could contain, and he became something... other. Much to
<FullName>'s approval, as the new form proved far more efficient at
instilling fear. Besides, those allowed to comment agreed that the symbolism
of trapping him within his brother's armor had always seemed somewhat quaint.
********************************************************************
** 7.7 Kang the Mad Epilogues ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS **
********************************************************************
7.7.1 Lao's Furnace subplot incomplete
AND Water Dragon killed
After Sun Li's defeat, Kang the Mad enjoyed actual public appreciation for
his devices. It was brief, however, and as the Empire returned to peace, his
machines once more became the greatest identifiable threat to the common
good. His flyers grew faster and more durable, the driving force often an
angry mob hurling ever larger stones. When last seen, Kang was boarding an
alarmingly bare-bones device he had dubbed the Celestial Rocket Chair. While
it allowed him to evade his latest pursuers, the launch also left a crater
that suggested the escape was more permanent than he might have planned.
Despite this, on each anniversary of their victory, <FullName> would find a
fantastic new machine on her doorstep, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.
7.7.2 Lao's Furnace subplot incomplete
AND Water Dragon tainted
After Sun Li's defeat, Kang the Mad was in great demand. There was a new
Empire to fortify, and <FullName> had Kang work around the clock. In time,
however, Kang grew to resent how his devices were used. He felt that, similar
to the flyers he had made for Gao the Greater, duplicates inherently
diminished the effectiveness of them all. Kang became reclusive, and
eventually an explosion at his main factory appeared to take his life (and
that of anyone that might have known his trade secrets). Occasionally there
were reports of strange devices appearing on the borderlands of the Empire,
but by the time any of <FullName>'s forces could arrive, any trace had
disappeared.
7.7.3 Lao's Furnace subplot complete
AND Water Dragon killed
Revealing Kang the Mad as Lord Lao could have had a great effect on the
Empire, but after the victory over Sun Li, Kang remained much as he was. He
continued to build wonders for <FullName>, and he was still criticized for
the chaos his machines created, but angry mobs have no sting when you are a
minor deity. At first, Lao Kang found this liberating, and his inventions
reached new heights of destructive potential. But after a time, he realized
that his pursuers had been the driving force behind him. Nothing stirs the
mind like having your life depend on your next creation. Few understood his
motives when he began actively arming his most vocal detractors, but he
insisted, standing amidst the craters, that it was for the good of all.
7.7.4 Lao's Furnace subplot complete
AND Water Dragon tainted
After Sun Li's defeat, <FullName> fortified the Empire against any possible
assault. Kang the Mad, revealed as the minor deity Lord Lao, continued his
service to the new Emperor, creating ever more fearful devices, each
intended for a more powerful target than the last. But Lao Kang knew that
some day, probably sometime after helping subjugate the rest of the heavens,
he would no longer be of use. He was certain that he would eventually be
called to build a machine to pull his own heart out to steal his power, and
that just gave him the willies. His last invention opened a portal to another
plane of existence, and he, along with a good portion of the Golden Delta,
disappeared within. Nothing says "I quit" like a crater the size of a lake.
**************************************************************************
** 7.8 The Black Whirlwind Epilogue ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS **
**************************************************************************
The Black Whirlwind accepted a job hunting demons for the Celestial
Bureaucracy, but the ensuing red tape frustrated him so much that he gave up
and made for the Mysterious East. Shortly thereafter, the Empire received a
great influx of Outlanders, many of whom were missing limbs and other body
parts. He returned to the Jade Empire several years later, but this time he
came from the west. He couldn't explain how he did it, but he was the only
person unsurprised to arrive back where he started. Expressing a newfound
hatred for a people who couldn't make a decent bowl of wine, the Black
Whirlwind vowed to never again leave the Jade Empire. A week later, he got
bored and headed off to the north.
*******************************************************************
** 7.9 Sir Roderick Epilogue ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS ** SPOILERS **
*******************************************************************
(Shown if you are victorious in debate and duel in the Scholar's Garden with
the distinctly occidental man from the Mysterious East.)
Sir Roderick Ponce Von Fontlebottom the Magnificent Bastard left the Jade
Empire a broken man. His skills had failed him at the moment of greatest
import, and he found it difficult to stomach his defeat, despite his grand
capacity. Surely he had not lost as badly as he thought. Surely there was
some explanation. Surely he had something to teach this barbaric land. After
much soul searching, he traded his last pair of pantaloons for passage to the
Prosperous East, where he began his journey home. It is said that he
discovered the Fountain of Couth (Yes Couth. Don't ask...) and is now
virtually unflappable. That or he was accidentally killed by the Black
Whirlwind. It is hard to say; people seemed to lose interest. As for Percival,
he tired of being called 'Shirley' and returned to his village.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~ 8.0 Final Notes ~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At least once, be sure to watch and listen to the entire credits sequence
after finishing the game. You will be able to hear Henpecked Hou and his
wife, outtakes from the voice actors of Dawn Star and Sagacious Zu, and a
special message from Master Li shown to a group photo of characters.
The title screen of the game changes to a winter-time Dirge as long as the
last autosave of the game is kept on your Xbox hard drive.
**************************
** 8.1 Copyright Notice **
**************************
This entire document is copyright (C) 2008 Peter Kirby. All trademarks are
property of their respective owners. No section of this guide can be used
without my permission. This includes, but is not limited to: posting on your
website, making links to my guide, including parts of my guide in your own,
or making reference to any material contained within.
The four sites mentioned below (and the respective companies who run these
sites) have these permissions. Please e-mail me at
[email protected] to
inquire about permission to use this document.
GameFAQs
IGN
Neoseeker
SuperCheats
DO NOT COPY WITHOUT PERMISSION. (Thanks to Michael Sarich for this copyright
text rubric, used by permission and with some modifications.)
*************************
** 8.2 Version History **
*************************
Version 1.02: Sept. 16, 2008
Formatting corrections, proofreading, and rewording in several sections to
make the intent of the guide more clear. Information on Henpecked Hou at the
Pilgrim's Rest Inn added. Section number 8.1 for the copyright notice added.
Submitted to SuperCheats for the first time on Tuesday, September 16, 2008.
Also updated to GameFAQs, Neoseeker, and IGN on Sept. 16, 2008.
Version 1.01: Sept. 13, 2008
Copyright information added. Date placed at top of document. Other minor
errors corrected. Submitted to Neoseeker and to IGN on September 13, 2008.
Version 1.0: Sept. 13, 2008
Consists of eight sections, with entries for each follower. The sections are
Introduction, The Player Character, Occasional Aids, Amusing Anecdotes,
Mysterious Discoveries, Romantic Entanglements, Epilogues, and Final Notes.
The epilogues section is complete with the conditions for getting all of them
and provides all their text. The other sections are thorough but could be
improved. Submitted to GameFAQs on Saturday, September 13, 2008.
************************************
** 8.3 Thanks and Acknowledgments **
************************************
Thanks go to Bioware and its employees for an incredible game.
The excellent guide "Aeon's Advanced Jade Empire FAQ"
[
http://aeons.planetquake.gamespy.com/aeons-php/jade_empire_faq.php] was an
enormous help when exploring the game for myself.
I have also referred to the "FAQ/Walkthrough by MysticWeirdo"
[
http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/xbox/file/918890/36494] while playing
through the game.
The epilogue texts are copied and corrected from a post in the Bioware Jade
Empire forum by a game owner named "jpom." Using software also used to extract
text information from other Bioware games, he writes (March 14, 2007): "Also
I was going through the DLK file, curious of the endings and I have copied a
bunch into a word document to read them easier. I don't think there would be
an issue posting them on here (Although if there is I would appreciate
someone letting me know), so if people are still interested in them I will
post them, I'm sure the majority of people who really want to see them have
already gone through the dlk file though so I don't see much point unless
someone actually wants them."
[
http://jade.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=552621&forum=101&sp=0]
Although the conditions for achieving the epilogues stated by "jpom" in the
posts are slightly confused, the list is complete and is the source for the
epilogues of Dawn Star and Sky that cannot be seen by beating the game (but
which were written at one point during development). Those which can be seen
after beating the Xbox game have been confirmed to be accurate and the same
as listed here.
Several other details have been read here and there on different forums,
especially the Bioware Jade Empire "Storyline and Strategy Discussion"
forum (where I have posted under the username "BotanicalPuppet"), but the
sources are anonymous at this point because I don't know what came from where
after it became lodged in my memory. In any case, thanks to everyone else who
has allowed me to appreciate Jade Empire more.
