Temple of Trials

Bonus dungeon Temple of Trials Japanese 試練の神殿 Romaji Shiren no shinten Game Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Old localization None

The Temple of Trials is the second bonus dungeon found in Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, hidden from the player until the godly Xenlon has been defeated. It is the celestial replacement for the Ice Cave that was found in the GBC version of Dragon Quest III, and contains all the monsters that remained exclusive to that iteration of the game for several decades. The temple more than lives up to its name, challenging the player with the most difficult ordeals in the game.

Appearances

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

The temple is a golden heavenly palace towering even higher than the lofty Cloudsgate Citadel, with its apex level with the moon. The only way to access the Temple of Trials is to make a wish with Xenlon after besting him in battle; this particular wish is represented by a blank space in the list of choices presented after the battle. Doing so will leave him utterly shocked as to how the player even knows of the temple's existence, but he nevertheless grants the request by opening a glowing portal high in the sky north of Aliahan. Reaching the ephemeral gate requires Ramia's assistance, and she will perch on a plinth in the temple's central chamber until the player opts to leave.

The player is forbidden entry to the road leading to the top of the temple until the five pedestals surrounding Ramia's plinth have been set alight by the five gray spirits inhabiting the palace. These spirits dwell in the five chambers accessible via teleportals, and each presents a different challenge to the player.

Northeast chamber

This trial expects all characters to equip axes or staves; otherwise, the party's damage output will be cut to 10% and the power of all monsters will be multiplied tenfold. The test at the end of the maze is a boulder puzzle similar to the one found in the basement of Edina castle, leading to a boss fight against a total of six Pandora's boxes (a group of two followed by a group of four). These super-charged mimics far outclass their common kin and are almost impossible to defeat normally, but fortunately, they're vulnerable to Blasto.

Northwest chamber

This trial expects all characters to equip boomerangs or claws; otherwise, the party will suffer the same penalties as in the northeast chamber. The puzzle is a floor of rotating tiles like those found in the Tower of Rubiss and Zoma's Citadel, with the boss battle against another six Pandora's boxes (in a group of two followed by a group of four, as in the northeast chamber) that can again be bested by Blasto.

Southwest chamber

This trial consists of a spirit requesting the following items before it will light its pedestal:

• Hardwood headwear x4
• Staff of sentencing x4
• Epic apron x4
• Slime earrings x4
• Magic water x25
• Elfin elixir x10 (x25 prior to the May 23, 2025 patch)
• Flame armour x4

The elfin elixir is sold in the Super Secret Faerie Village for an exorbitant 40,000 gold per phial, costing the player 400,000 gold in total (1,000,000 gold prior to the May 23, 2025 patch) if none are already on hand. The cash prizes for conquering the higher ranks of the Monster Arena will go a long way to covering this steep bill. Unfortunately, the spirit takes the listed items from the party, and they cannot be retrieved later for resale.

Southeast chamber

This trial consists of a spirit requesting to see the following rare or unique items before it will light its pedestal:

• Sword of Kings
• Auroral helm
• Gringham whip
• Mod rod

Due to the removal of the Treasures n' Trapdoors boards in the HD remake, the only way to get a spare mod rod is by winning rank 8 of the Monster Arena in Cantlin. The gringham whip can be obtained either by collecting 105 mini medals or by looting a chest in the temple's northeast chamber (this chest was added by the May 23, 2025 patch). Regardless, unlike the southwest chamber trial, the spirit does not actually take these four items from the party.

Southern chamber

The spirit of this trial will only light its pedestal once the player has recruited 100 monsters.

Northern chamber

Once all five pedestals have been activated, the door to the north opens, revealing a winding road leading to the Grand Dragon. Despite towering over all other life on the planet, the golden serpent maintains a more approachable disposition toward mortals than Xenlon and will award the party the lofty grand medal if he can be defeated in twenty turns or less.

Treasures

N.E. N.W.	N.E.	N.W.	N.W.	N.E.	N.E.	N.E.

Monsters

Recruitable monsters

• Baramonster, in the northwest chamber
• Great keeper, in the northeast chamber
• Slime, in a corner of the southern chamber
• Xenlon, on the path to the Grand Dragon

Trivia

• The temple being a heavenly palace made of gold and only being accessible via a high-altitude portal once a superboss is defeated, as well as housing the game's ultimate superboss, is not unlike the rift in the skies of Erdrea that houses the Timewyrm