Secret of Evolution

Saro after having used the Secret of Evolution to become Necrosaro. (NES version)

The Secret of Evolution is a key plot element in Dragon Quest IV. It is said to be integral to the development of all life everywhere, but extremely dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands.

History

It was originally discovered by Estark, Lord of the Underworld, a thousand years before the game begins. Estark used the Secret of Evolution to transform his body and become the ultimate life-form, and in so doing becomes the most powerful being on the planet. However, although despite his power, he was still able to be sealed away by the efforts of the Zenith Dragon within a tomb deep beneath Mamon.

After this, the secret was lost until it was rediscovered by the alchemist Mahabala, father of Mara and Nara. Unfortunately, his apprentice Balzack murdered him and stole his research, using the imperfect version to empower himself and Marquis de Léon. He passed the secret onto their master, Psaro, the Master of Monsters. Psaro had held off on using it himself for fear of losing his sanity; however, this changed when Aamon had his lover Rose murdered by humans, causing him to fly into a rage and utilize the Secret, taking on a form very similar to that of the transformed Estark.

Unbeknownst to either Psaro or the Chosen Hero, Aamon had expected them to kill each other in Nadiria while he perfected the Secret of Evolution and assumed dominion over all monsterkind. This plan was subverted when the Chosen were able to resurrect Rose using Yggdrasil flowers and restore Psaro from his madness. Once the Hero, Psaro, and party confronted Aamo in his ultimate and and destroyed him, eliminating the Secret of Evolution with him.

Usage and Effects

The exact steps one must take to perform the Secret are unknown, but it can be assumed that it makes use of magic or is even a form thereof. The technique acts to physically alter a person's physical characteristics, generally making them larger and stronger, and often adding other bonuses as well; for instance, Estark and Psaro both acquire an armoured carapace. This culminated with the final forms of both Psaro and Aamon, who became a bizarre, towering entity with not only a face on the abdomen but a second head with three eyes.

For some reason, the Secret of Evolution requires the Armlet of Transmutation in order to work as intended; if attempted without it, the results are imperfect and often unpredictable. Marquis de Léon, fittingly enoughe, became a monstrous lioner, while Balzack became a huge and bloated lizardman. Each of these forms has a weapon unique to it - Estark and Psaro use two swords, the Marquis uses bared claws, and Balzack used a club - but whether this is an effect of the transformation or simply a matter of personal preference and common sense is unknown.

In the remake, Rose's tears were able to reverse the effects of the Secret of Evolution on Psaro, perhaps due to her heritage, her own unique magical traits, or her love for him. There may be other circumstances necessary in order to make this reversal possible as well.

External links

• Psaro the Manslayer's transformations, DS version

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