Flowing dress

Flowing dress
Japanese	みずのはごろも
Romaji	{{{romaji}}}
Old localizations	Flowing dress ; Water flying clothes ; Water robe
Found in	Dragon Quest II; Dragon Quest III; Dragon Quest IV; Dragon Quest V; Dragon Quest VI; Dragon Quest VII; Dragon Quest VIII; Dragon Quest IX; Dragon Quest X; Dragon Quest XI; Dragon Quest Builders; Dragon Quest Builders 2
Effect	Protects wearer from fire and ice attacks

The flowing dress is a powerful robe in the Dragon Quest series, debuting in Dragon Quest II as a special piece of equipment. It offers amazing protection to the wearer against fire and ice attacks and tends to be one of the most protective pieces of body armor for spellcasters. Despite its name, it can be equipped by both male and female characters in most cases.

Characteristics

The appearance of the flowing dress has not changed much over the years. In the majority of its appearances, the robe looks like a traditional Japanese kimono made out of sky blue cloth with the hemline of the robe blending into what appears to be flowing water or mist. It is worn with either a blue or purple sash tied around the waist, along with another cloth sash attached to a pair of golden wristbands or carried around the wearer's wrists. However, in some appearances such as Dragon Quest X, the flowing dress looks closer to a Western-styled robe with a hood and has wave-like decorations around the sleeves and hemline. As footwear is usually part of the "armor" equipment slot barring accessories, it is also typically depicted as being accompanied by a pair of light sandals, yellow or orange (in a way suggestive of leather), secured by straps on the ankle, arch and around the big toe. More recent depictions feature a pair of anklets on the left foot.

Although the flowing dress debuted as a unique and special piece of equipment in Dragon Quest II, later games in the series reduced its importance by making it purchasable in armor shops in later sections of the game or by allowing players themselves to craft it on their own. It is still a very protective in its own right, but its status as the most protective robe has been replaced by other pieces of equipment.

Appearances

Dragon Quest II

The flowing dress has a defense bonus of +35 in the original, and +65 in all other versions. It protects against fire attacks by 50% and damage caused by swamps and magma tiles. It can be worn by all three characters. The robe is obtained by giving the Subtle Shuttle and Celestial Skein to Don Calico in Slewse. The wizened weaver will not finish his work until the player saves their game and begins again.

In the original version, multiple copies of the dress can be obtained by gathering the skein and shuttle again. This will only work once, however. Additionally, because Don Calico wove it specifically for her, the dress cannot be received if the Princess of Moonbrooke's inventory is full.

Dragon Quest III

The flowing dress has a defense bonus of +50 (+40 in the original) and can be worn by Magi, as well as Sages in all remake versions of the game. It reduces spell and breath damage by 1/3rd in all versions, and can be purchased in Kol for 12,500 gold and sold for 9,375.

Dragon Quest IV

The flowing dress has a defense bonus of +43 and reduces frizz, sizz, bang, and fire and ice breath damage by 1/3rd. It can be worn by Borya, Maya & Meena. Orifiela has this among her equipment. It can be purchased for 15,000 gold and sold for 11,250. If appraised by Torneko, he mentions that it goes all the way back to the time of the faeries. He also states that it is spun on a holy loom with threads of rain and dew, referencing its method of acquisition in Dragon Quest II.

Dragon Quest V

The flowing dress has a defense bonus of +55, and protects against frizz, sizz, and fire breath by 25. It can be bought in Faerie Lea for 14,800 gold and sold for 11,100 gold. Bianca, Nera, Debora, and the Hero's daughter can equip it, along with many of the monster allies.

Dragon Quest VI

The flowing dress can be bought for 14,800 gold in Turnscote, Lower Weaver's Peak, Desparia, and in the well east of Port Haven. It has a defense bonus of +65 and style bonus of +42, and will reduce frizz, sizz, bang, and fire breath damage by 30. It can be equipped by Milly, Ashlynn, and Nevan.

Dragon Quest VII

The flowing dress can be purchased from Buccanham for 16,000 gold and sold for 8,000 gold. It has a defense bonus of +65 and an style bonus of +42. Maribel, Ruff, and Sir Mervyn can equip it. It features the same elemental protection as in VI. Flowing dresses can also be won as prizes from the Lucky Panel at the Casinos in Buccanham and the Haven.

Dragon Quest VIII

The flowing dress has a defense bonus of +59 and reduces frizz, sizz, bang, and both types of breath damage by 1/3rd. It can only be worn by Jessica, as well as Red in the 3DS remake. It can be purchased for 14,800 gold at Tryan Gully and sold for 7,400 gold. The robe can be upgraded into the angel's robe and the Oriental warrior wear through alchemy.

Dragon Quest IX

Flowing dress (DS)
Defence	+25
Magical Might	+18
Magical Mending	+18
Rarity	★★☆☆☆
Equipable by	Priest, Mage, Minstrel, Gladiator, Armamentalist, Ranger, Sage, Luminary
Buy Price	18,000
Sell Price	9,000
Flavor text	A consecrated costume that curbs fire- and ice-based damage.
Notes	Reduces damage taken from fire and ice attacks by 25%. Buy in Upover and Wormwood Creek. Recipe: Enchanted robes + Celestial skein x3 Rarely dropped or stolen from Cumulus hexes.

Descriptions

Game	Description
	A garment woven from celestial skein.^[1]
	Reduces damage from fire- and ice-based magic attacks.^[2]
	A graceful garment that deflects damage from magic- and fire-based attacks.^[2]

Etymology

In the original Japanese, the flowing dress is known as the "mizu no hagoromo". In Japanese mythology, hagoromo are special robes or kimono worn by celestials beings such as angels or "tennin", heavenly spirits from Buddhist heaven. These robes were made out of materials like magical feathers and had special properties—if a tennin were to remove or misplace their hagoromo, they would be unable to return to heaven.