Ship

A ship is a common mode of transportation in Dragon Quest games. The concept of giving the Hero's party a ship first appeared in Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line and has appeared in all the subsequent games in the main series.

The ship from Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line.

Usage

Traveling in the ship is much like traveling on land. Typically, the ship travels at the same rate of speed as travel by land. The party also will continue to encounter monsters while on the ship, although they will be aquatic rather than land monsters. The ship also follows the Hero whenever the Zoom (or Return) spell or Chimaera wing is used. The ship relocates to the nearest body of water to the return point. This keeps the player from having to remember where the ship was last used (or worse, having it stranded on a remote island).

Gaining Access

Access to a ship is typically the result of completing some sort of quest or objective. Normally, the point in the game when a ship is acquired is near the mid-point of the game, as having a ship allows access to areas already visited and new areas which are fundamental to the next portion of the game. In the case of both Dragon Quest II and Dragon Quest III, acquiring the ship is a segue to quests which requires the Hero to travel all over the world to retrieve specific items.

Appearances

Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of the Legendary Line

The ship is given to The Hero in the city of Rippleport after saving the ship owner's daughter from a group of Gremlins.

Enemies encountered while sailing

Dragon Quest III: The Seeds of Salvation

The ship is given to The Hero after bringing the king of Portoga some Black pepper. After obtaining the Boatman's Bone, The Hero & party encounter a Phantom Ship which contains the Locket of Love.

The Hero and party are given another ship when entering the Underworld on a port island.

Enemies encountered while sailing

Surface world:

Alefgard ocean:

Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen

At the end of Chapter 4, Maya and Meena are encouraged by Oojam to flee their country after being defeated by Marquis de Léon, and do so by taking the last ship from Havre Léon to Endor.

In Chapter 5, The Hero can later use the ship after helping Torneko Taloon relight the sacred fire in the Pharos Beacon. Prior to Torneko's return to Porthtrunnel, a Mini medal can be found on the ship and is possible to miss entirely if not obtained at that point.

Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride

In the game's Prologue, the young Hero, and his father Pankraz arrive at the port ofLittlehaven having been allowed a ride on Rodrigo Briscoletti's ship due to being acquainted with Captain Blithe.

Years later, the Hero borrows a ship from Rodrigo Briscoletti in order to retrieve the Circle of Water. After the Hero's wedding, the ship is effectively given to the Hero as a wedding present.

As of the game's remakes, Rodrigo owns and runs the Pontoon and Ventuno. An island with a ship being both a resort and casino for those who are rich. It is also a place where some individuals can be married.

Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation

Traveling to Murdaw's Keep by ship.

Early on, the King of Somnia and his soldiers attempt an assault of the Dread Fiend, Murdaw through ship. Their attempt fails with the ship in ruins on his island, with all but the King dead.

After persuassion by a Spirit, the elder of Ghent allows The Hero and party to use the Providence, but only with Nevan accompanying them. Though until Murdaw's defeat, the Providence will only travel to Murdaw's Keep.

Upon obtaining Lorelei's Harp to use for underwater travels, The Hero & party eventually come across a Sunken Ship which contains many treasures, including the Ultimate Key.

There is also a ferry that goes from Port Haven to the docks east of Somnia and back. The tickets cost 50 gold coins per person.

Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past

Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

The Hero and his party discovers a landlocked ship in the desert south of Trodain. They enlist the aid of Ishmari, a magical poet who can invoke memories (in this case, the ancient sea), but when his harp unexpectedly breaks, the party must first acquire a replacement harp from the Land of the Moles that was stolen from Ascantha's treasury.

There is also a ferry that goes between Port Prospect and Peregrin Quay for anyone who pays 80 gold coins, though anyone in company with a member of the Albert Family can travel for free.

Red also has her own ship called The Classy Lady. She sails it to Pirate's Cove when the Hero and his party are seeking a treasure there.

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies

The Hero is given a ship from Marionette after saving her from kidnappers.

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

The ship is called the Salty Stallion in this game, and belongs to the party member Sylvando. (It is never specifically acknowledged how he gained it.) The Hero and his party gain the ship in Gondolia after completing a certain plot event there. The ship is also steered by someone called Dave, who must be spoken to in order to board the ship from land, though his plot role is very small.

At first only the inland sea is accessible, but the party gains access to the open seas after they open the sea gates leading to the Valor-Sauvage Channel--this is accomplished with the aid of Servantes in Puerto Valor. Soon after this, the party also obtains Lorelei's harp from the mermaid Michelle, which allows them to access the underwater village of Nautica, as well as to travel quickly between connected pillars of light on the seas.

Warning: Spoilers!
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The Hero loses access to the ship at the beginning of Act 2 due to being separated from his companions. The Salty Stallion is accessible again once Sylvando and Rab have rejoined the party. The Hero regains Lorelei's harp after reuniting with Jade, who somehow acquired it in between acts. Note that the effects of the harp are still not accessible until Alizarin has been defeated. The Valor-Sauvage Channel remains accessible during all of Act 2 and the sea gates do not need to be reopened.

Additionally, Erik will reappear as a stowaway on the Salty Stallion once the player has met all of the plot prerequisites for defeating Alizarin.