Temple of Trials
| Bonus dungeon | |
|---|---|
| Temple of Trials | |
| Japanese | 試練の神殿 |
| 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[edit]
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake[edit]
The temple is a heavenly palace made of gold that sits in the highest reaches of the world, towering even higher than the lofty Cloudsgate Citadel, with the apex of the holy place standing parallel with the moon. The only way to access the Temple of Trials is make a wish on Xenlon after besting Him in battle——this wish is represented by a blank space under the list of choices presented after the battle is over. Doing so will leave Him utterly shocked as to how the player even knows of its existence, but He never the less grants the request by opening a glowing portal high in the sky to the north of Aliahan. Reaching the ephemeral gate requires Ramia's assistance, and she will perch on plinth in the temple's central chamber until the player opts to leave.
The crux of the bonus dungeon is that 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 grey ghosts inhabiting the palace. These spirits dwell in the the five chambers accessible via teleportals and each presents a different challenge to the player.
Northeast chamber[edit]
This trial forces the player to equip axes or staves before entering, 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 the way to the pandora's box boss fight. These super-charged mimmics far outclass their common kin and are almost impossible to defeat normally, but are thankfully vulnerable to Blasto and Poof.
Northwest chamber[edit]
The trial demands that all characters be equipped with boomerangs or claws lest the party suffer the same penalties as in the northeast chamber. The puzzle is floor of rotating tiles like those found in the Tower of Rubiss and Zoma's Citadel, with the boss battle being another group of pandora's boxes that can be bested via banishment.
Southwest chamber[edit]
This trial consists of a spirit requesting to see several items and equipment before it will light it's pedestal, being in order:
- Hardwood headwear x4
- Staff of sentencing x4
- Epic apron x4
- Slime earrings x4
- Magic water x25
- Elfin elixir x25
- 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 1,000,000 gold in total 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, and none of the necessary items are taken from the party during the trial.
Southeast chamber[edit]
This trial also consists of a spirit that wishes to see certain items before lighting it's pedestal, only the objects are almost exclusively high-end equipment:
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 is the most difficult piece as it can only be obtained by collecting 105 mini medals; as there are only 110 medals in the game and five of those are within Cloudsgate Citadel and the Temple of Trials itself, the player can only miss five medals.
Southern chamber[edit]
The spirit of this trial will only light it's pedestal once the player has recruited 100 monsters.
Northern chamber[edit]
Once all five pedestals are activate the door to the north opens, revealing a winding road that leads to none other than the Grand Dragon. Despite quite literally towering over all other life on the planet, the golden serpent maintains a more approachable disposition towards mortals than Xenlon and will bequeath the party with the lofted grand medal if he can be defeated in twenty turns or less.
Treasures[edit]
- Destructiball (northeast chamber)
- Duplic hat (northeast chamber)
- Godbird armour (northeast chamber)
- Godbird sceptre (northwest chamber)
- Goddess shield (northwest chamber)
- Mini medal (northeast chamber)
- Mini medal (northwest chamber)
Monsters[edit]
- Arcticore
- Blue dragon
- Dread dragon
- Golden gloom
- Hardy hand
- Iron knight
- Pandora's box
- Steely statue
- Ursa argentum
Recruitable monsters[edit]
- Baramonster, in the northwest chamber
- Great keeper, in the northeast chamber
- Slime, in a corner of the southern chamber
- Xenlon, lounging on the path to the Grand Dragon
