Fishing

**Fishing** (釣り) is an in-game activity present in each game of the series.

## Background

Across the continent of Zemuria, a wide range of salt water and freshwater fish and sea life can be found and caught using a fishing rod in lakes, rivers and the ocean. A great many individuals across the continent have devoted their time to honing the craft of obtaining these fish and developing the past time, including each of the games' protagonists.

Throughout the various bodies of water, a common theme is the presence of 'Guardians', legendary fish of great size or strength that can only be caught by the most proficient and elite anglers. Amongst these are the Ostia Guardian and the Trista Guardian, with one usually featuring in each game to serve as the final fish which can only be caught after all others are obtained.

Fish are known to be susceptible to the changes in the world such as disturbance to the Septium veins and other supernatural stimuli such as the Erebonian Curse. Such things can cause the types of fish in various areas to change.

### *Trails in the Sky FC*

Fishing is introduced from the First Chapter of *Trails in the Sky FC*, however only in a limited capacity while at Valleria Lakeshore. In Chapter 1, during South Block Burglary, Estelle has an opportunity to fish at the Kingfisher Inn, borrowing a rod from the owners.

When the opportunity for fishing is presented, Estelle must choose one of three locations, one of three types of Bait and one of three ways to reel in the Fish. Estelle will cast her line and an exclamation mark will appear when a fish is on the line.

The fish obtained can be used as ingredients in several recipes.

To the west
 Reel all at once
 Wait a bit
 Wait until it gets tired

To the south
 Reel all at once
 Wait a bit
 Wait until it gets tired

To the east
 Reel all at once
 Wait a bit
 Wait until it gets tired

### *Trails in the Sky SC*

From *Trails in the Sky SC* and onward, fishing has been re-introduced as a permanent activity that can be carried out any time the party finds fishing spots. During Estelle Bright's travels she is given a rod and invited to try fishing by Lloyd.

Fishing spots all around Liberl can be used by approaching them. Once initiated, a menu for fishing rods and bait selection will appear. Estelle will cast her line, an exclamation mark will appear when a fish is snagged. When a fish is snagged, the player must reel in the fish before it escapes. The period of opportunity before the fish escapes is determined by both the type of fish and the fishing rod used.

There are several fishing rods (in contrast to *Sky FC* where there is only one) and types of bait that can be used, with the combination chosen along with the fishing spot providing different fish that can be re-used as bait or sold for profit.

There is also the introduction of a size system for fish, with Rege being the standard comparative unit. Fish may reward accessories, items or sepith once caught, based on the size of the fish. Some drops are unique, such as the Granakor that contains the Tiger Heart and Crimson Eye. Another new addition is the Fishing Guide, a journal for the fisherman. The Fishing Guide records the location, species, weight of the fish, along with the largest fish from each species caught.

The Dynatrad, the game's unique fish, can only be caught in Chapter 8, but it doesn't require any conditions other than the right bait. Once caught, the Fisherman's Guild will sell all types of bait items.

### *Trails in the Sky the 3rd*

There is no fishing in Phantasma, but Sun Door 2 features fishing as its central minigame, where Estelle's skills as an angler start to attract various challengers of ever-increasing strength. The fishing mechanics are identical to *Sky SC*, with predetermined rods and bait, with the objective being scoring more points than the opponent by catching bigger fish.

In the memory, Estelle is challenged by Lloyd to a fishing duel in the Kingfisher Inn. After winning, she is given the Argem Lure, one of the three legendary tackles of Liberl. Later, she encounters Norche in the Grancel Sewers, who challenges her after seeing the Argem Lure in her possession. Estelle comes out victorious again, and Norche gives her the Golden Rod, the second of the legendary tackles. Eventually Harvard Fisher, the Fishing Baron and head of the Fisherman's Guild, challenges Estelle after gliding up to her in a boat on Ruan's coastline. After Estelle's yet again victorious, Herbert is temporarily put off fishing, granting her the Rainbow-Colored Line, the last legendary tackle; the title of 'Divine Angler' and leadership of the Guild, which Estelle appears to decline.

### *Trails from Zero*

Lloyd Bannings is given a rod by the Crossbell's Fisherman Guild's member Kopan during Monster Damage Investigation, after which Branch Manager Celdan inadvertently makes him a member of the Guild.

The fishing mechanics are identical to the previous games', but slightly simplified in the number and distribution of fish. There are less rods and bait to work with, and the distribution of fish across the spots is made to overlap less overall.

New to the game is the ability to trade in fish with Marte on East Street (who will give various sepith) and Coppe on the roof of the SSS building, who will take a fish once per chapter in exchange for quartz (or Cat Food in exchange for an ingredient). Giving the latter food in every chapter will additionally grant a Gemini Gem as reward.

Also new is the Fisherman Guild's Rank, which rewards catching a number of different fish.
Speaking with Branch Manager Celdan with enough types of fish caught will increase Lloyd's Fishing Rank and grant him an item or privilege:

Two unique fish, the Gold Salmon and the Noble Carp, only appear when reaching the rank of 1st Class Fisher, and catching them is necessary to advance to Master Fisher. Once this rank is achieved, the game's final fish, the Serpenthead, is available for capture. Only after fishing it the final rank of Divine Angler is achieved.

### *Trails to Azure*

After the Guild's Crossbell City property is unused for a while with a restraining order in place, the branch is taken over by the Imperial Fishing Club and the Special Support Section are asked to investigate. With Lloyd acting as a mediator, they decide that the branch can be given back if the Guild can defeat Lakelord III and the Elite Four. As part of the process, Celdan declares all anglers will start anew from the first ranks and work their way up.

Mechanics are identical as in *Zero* with the returning of trading fish to Marte (who now gives ingredients as well) and Coppe (who grants the  **Katze** master quartz if fed in every chapter).

Unlike in *Zero*, there is no fishing rank acquired by catching different types of fish. Instead, there are **fishing duels** against the Elite Four and Lord Lakelord III of the Imperial Fishing Club, who each demand different requirements to duel and have different rules. Fishing Duels are unlocked after entering the Fisherman's Guild's former building on East Street on Chapter 2.

After defeating each of the Elite Four, the fishing spot they were occupying becomes available, and the one-of-a-kind fish that reward the parts to the  **Aqua Ruler** can be fished.

Sharkman the Ocean's Edge
 Requirement
 Having fished the following types: Gluttonous Bass, Rockeater, Armorica Carp, Piranha, Arowana, Pirarucu.

Narses the Crazy Wave
 Requirement
 Having fished a Noble Carp.

Kaguya the Dragon Princess
 Requirement
 Having fished a fish at least 130 rege in size.

Triton the Silver Orca
 Requirement
 Having fished 29 different types of fish (every fish available until this point).

Lakelord III
 Requirement
 Defeat the Elite Four in their fishing duels.

After defeating Lakelord the duel won't be finished yet. Instead the **Elder King** will be available to be fished in the same spot, which rewards the  **Chevalier** master quartz (or a  **Ruby Gem** if it was already obtained) and ends the feud between the fishing clubs.

However, if Lloyd doesn't defeat Lakelord himself, by the second day of Chapter 4: "Crossbell's Fate" Harvard Fisher will have defeated him, making all fishing spots available but forfeiting the rewards obtained from the fishing duels.

### *Trails of Cold Steel I* and *II*

Rean Schwarzer is given a fishing rod by Kenneth Lakelord near one of Thors Military Academy's ponds and is introduced to the Imperial Fishing Club. Being the only member of Thors' own fishing club, Kenneth acts as Rean's contact with the Imperial Fishing Club, giving him a Fishing Rank and rewards in exchange for points obtained from fishing.

Fishing spots now have a limited number of fish each day, which can be replenished using  **Groundbait**. The number of fish only decreases by successful fishing attempts. The number of rods is also reduced to 3, each of them having a different affinity for various fish, which coupled with the fish's rarity determines the chance of catching a specific type.

Upon responding to a bite, Rean will begin to reel in the fish through pressing a certain button. The button can change during the reeling, and the fish will try to escape, shown by a bar transitioning from green to red, which shortens in length. Successfully reeling in the fish will result in a catch, obtaining the reward, angler points and some CP.

In *Trails of Cold Steel*, after catching 19 types of fish, speaking to Kenneth will trigger the appearance of the Giant Swordtail in Trista's river. Catching it will grant Rean the Red Angler title from Kenneth and the  **Vermillion** master quartz.

Rean continues to fish across the Empire, including throughout the October War. In his travels, he encounters other avid fishermen such as Annabelle who has run away from her family to avoid a marriage to Lakelord III. Rean is asked by Kenneth to help him in a fishing duel against Lakelord III and Narses to win Annabelle's freedom, which they win. Annabelle apparently sets her sights on the second Lakelord son however.

In *Trails of Cold Steel II*, a total of 24 different types of fish can be caught, including the Arch Tyrant. Locations are recorded in the student notebooks, and any missing fish can be obtained from Trista pond.

### *Trails of Cold Steel III* and *IV*

With the Fisherman's Guild and Imperial Fishing Club on Good terms, they start to cooperate on activities such as exhibition matches, with one being held near the River Ostia. Kenneth and Annabelle tour the continent together on a fishing journey. Rean, now an instructor at Thors Branch Campus, teaches his students in the new Class VII how to fish, and the group continue to find various fishing spots across the Empire during their field studies and exercises.

Building from the mechanics introduced in the previous pair of games, fishing now features some additional steps. It is now possible to customise the fishing rod with additional attachments which can be bought or obtained as rewards. Each attachment makes part of the fishing mechanics easier.

The first interface opens a timed window with a revolving bar made up of a blue, green and yellow section, decreasing in size. The smaller the section, the larger the fish is likely to be. The bar will continue to revolve until the bubble in the middle of the circle has run out. If successful, the fishing process moves onto the next stage, where an input must be mashed whilst keeping track of the tension. Too many inputs and the line will break, releasing the fish, too few and the fish pull pull away and escape. When successful a reward menu will present itself with the displayed fish and the size and rewards shown.

In *Trails of Cold Steel III*, a total of 25 different types of fish can be caught, including the Emperor Perch.

The outbreak of the Great Twilight and the presence of the Erebonian Curse causes a change in the fish of Erebonia. With Rean missing, Euclice of the Club asks his students to continue their fishing activities across the empire, which they do.

In *Trails of Cold Steel IV*, a total of 30 different types of fish can be caught, including the Grand Lakelord. Locations are recorded in the student notebooks, and any missing fish can be obtained from Eryn pond.

### *Trails into Reverie*

Fishing mechanics are carried over from the previous two games.

The various Divine Anglers (and Rean who is a God Angler) unite and fish together for the first time in the series. With the appearance of the Retributive Tower in Crossbell, the Guild wants to do everything they can to help, which is in this case, fishing for food supplies. Swin Abel is given a rod and invited to try fishing by the Guild, which he does as he sees it as a valuable way to gain information. The various protagonists can be seen fishing together in the True Reverie Corridor.

### *Trails through Daybreak* & *Kuro no Kiseki II: Crimson Sin*

Fishing isn't available in *Trails through Daybreak* but it makes a return in *Kuro no Kiseki II: Crimson Sin*. Fishing is not as popular in Calvard despite the existence of a group that Lakelord III supposedly went to challenge. Two indivdiuals, Shannon and Makino manage a blog called 'Fishing Love' which they run upon a SNS (Social Net Service). When they meet Van Arkride, they give him some fishing equipment and he agrees to spread the word about fishing. The largest fish that can be caught is the guardian of the Dirke Memorial Park, a catfish that has been alive for over 200 years.

## Organizations

Furthering the prestige, love and joy of fishing, various organizations exist which promote fishing. Founded in Erebonia, the Lakelord Corporation made its fortune selling high quality fishing equipment, including tackle and rods which is shipped internationally. Its founder, Lakelord I established the company and his love of fishing after having been shipwrecked on a deserted isle for months and forced to fish for sustenance. Despite being barons, the prestige of the Lakelord family is particular well-known for their fishing expertise and name recognition.

Lakelord III, grandson of the the founder of the corporation, founded the Imperial Fishing Club after gathering several fishing enthusiasts. Comprised of mostly elite anglers, including the Elite Four, the Club is base in Erebonia but has plans to expand its influence and reach to otehr countries. Lakelord himself with the elite four are touring the continent. Part of their operational fishing activities include checking the health and quality of various bodies of water, as a means of giving back.

Founded in Liberl by former Imperial Fishing Club member, Harvard Fisher, is the Fisherman's Guild. Their headquarters are in Grancel, Liberl but they operate in various countries. Bitter rivals for a long time, the Club and the Guild have come into conflict several times in their coexistent history, culminating in the Club's takeover of the Guild's branch in Crossbell, which was eventually settled after a fishing competition. In the present, the two organizations are on much friendlier terms and cooperate, holding exhibition matches, friendly rivalry and love of the sport.

A third, as of yet unidentified, fishing group exists in Calvard which Lakelord III and the Elite Four came across and fished against, in a match that was closer than they would have liked.

## Gallery

Trista FishingLegendary Angler EstelleEstelle FishingEstelle Fishing