Gagaku Island

Gagaku Island is an oriental island continent that serves as a postgame area for Tuba Warriors. The island can be discovered upon defeating Tuba Samurai during his rematch, in which he will drop a book titled "The Seven Techniques of Brasshido," although it can only be entered once King Tuba II is defeated. Since Tuba Samurai is rematched right before King Tuba II's battle anyways, this doesn't serve to be an issue for most players.

## Geography

Gagaku Island is separated into two main regions, simply known as Northwestern Gagaku and Southeastern Gagaku. Northwestern Gagaku is generally the more peaceful and inhabited of the two regions, while Southeastern Gagaku is much wilder and harder to traverse through. Northwestern Gagaku is mostly made up of oriental forests, grasslands, jungles, and wetlands, while Southeastern Gagaku is incredibly mountainous.

Most of Gagaku Island's food comes from the sea, since most of the cities found on the island are small fishing towns. Larger cities farther inland often rely on Northwestern Gagaku's rich soil to grow crops. Southeastern Gagaku is largely uninhabited, with the exception of several large temples or ruins owned or previously owned by the Brasshido Monks.

The two regions are connected by Tsuzumi Road, which is the only path that crosses through both regions. Several smaller islands can be found near Gagaku Island as well, including the Island of Disharmony, which has been corrupted by Cacophony.

Gagaku Island is also notorious for its strange and powerful animals or inhabitants, who have bested even the bravest of warriors. Because of this, access to the island is denied to anyone who doesn't have "The Seven Techniques of Brasshido," and entering the island itself is only possible if the gatekeeper is bested in combat.

## Culture

Gagaku Island's culture is heavily inspired by Japanese culture, which is shown in the island's name, structures, areas, and instruments. Gagaku Island's oriental culture has also influenced areas in Orchestria, specifically the Woodwind Kingdom, such as Pan-flute Forest or Shakuhachi Village. While Gagaku Island's design is oriental, it also appears to be based off of Gagaku, a type of classical japanese music, as is shown in the island's name. Because of this, many of the instruments found on the island are actually used in Gagaku music itself.

Gagaku Island's culture is often heavily linked with the Brass Kingdom, due to both the large number of brass inhabitants and the special technique known as Brasshido that is exclusively practiced on Gagaku Island. This culture praises respect and worthiness, as the brass monks of Gagaku Island will rarely give away their secrets or techniques, instead forcing those who wish to learn those secrets to earn them as well.

## Storyline

Gagaku Island's main storyline involved mastering a book known as "The Seven Techniques of Brasshido," either dropped or given by Tuba Samurai upon defeating them for the second time. Brasshido is a rare fighting style that combines Gagaku Island's unique swordsmanship with the powerful ranged technology of the Brass Kingdom. Brasshido was invented by the Brasshido Monks, a group of monastic tubas who were some of the first to settle down at Gagaku Island. The current leader of the Brasshido Monks is Tuba Shinobi, who can be found at Tuba Temple.

To master the book, Maestro must learn seven special fighting techniques all centered around Brasshido. Mastering the book will allow Maestro to gain access to several celestial bosses, including Tuba Angel, Tuba Devil, and Tuba God. To master a Brasshido technique, a boss that uses the technique must be first defeated in combat in order for the player to learn it. The seven techniques are acquired in a linear fashion and their locations/requirements are listed below:

### Forgotten Melody - Gagaku Gate

The first of the seven techniques can be acquired after defeating Tuba Monk at Gagaku Gate, a barrier that surrounds the majority of Gagaku Island's mainland. Tuba Monk serves as a tutorial of sorts to the rest of Gagaku Island, which forces players to prove their worth in order to fight the more dangerous enemies found on the continent.

The Forgotten Melody itself provides a boost to all stats, although it can only be cast on a single target. Each of the Brasshido techniques are fairly powerful, although the means to acquire them aren't exactly easy either.

### Gagaku Strike - Hichiriki Beach

The second of the seven techniques can be gained upon besting the crazed Tuba Hermit in combat. This Brasshido technique is found at Hichiriki Beach, which is located at Gagaku Island's northernmost reaches. By now, most players have crossed a reasonable portion of Gagaku Island and have become familiar with the island's exotic creatures.

Gagaku Strike acts as a basic attack that targets a single enemy. The strike's power comes from its pure damage output, which is one of the highest in the game. Brasshido Strike also has a 25% chance to stun.

### Tubaist's Counter - Kagurabue Keep

This technique can only be accessed upon defeating Tuba Ninja, who watches over Kagurabue Keep. The keep itself is a large fortress owned by the Brasshido Monks and is found in a large bamboo forest that resembles kagurabue flutes. The keep was created by the Brasshido Monks in order to test those who wanted to learn The Seven Techniques of Brasshido.

Tubaist's Counter acts as a counter that targets one party member, which protects them from a single enemy attack whilst dealing damage to the enemy in return. Of course, the player must predict that the enemy will attack that specific party member first.

### Symphony Shield - Leitmotif Lake

Symphony Shield is acquired upon besting Tuba Sentinel, who is Tuba Paladin's brother. Tuba Sentinel himself is located in a submerged temple deep under Leitmotif Lake, which was originally owned by the Brasshido Monks. This lake is found near Tsuzumi Road, meaning that it's on the strip of land that connects the two regions together.

Symphony Shield is a costly spell that provides a temporary shield to all party members, equal to a certain portion of the party member's HP. The HP of the shield varies depending on who it's used on. Symphony Shield increases its effect by 25% on Brass characters.

### Brasshido Blast - Octave Cave

This technique is found at Octave Cave, which is located under Gagaku Island's southeastern region. The technique can only be learned once Spooky Tuba is defeated. The entire cave is littered with undead enemies, including Cacophonic Echoes, Trombone Skeletons, and Skeletubas. This location is a notch harder than the previous areas, due to being located in Southeastern Gagaku.

Brasshido Blast acts as a ranged attack that deals quite a bit of damage, although not as much as Gagaku Strike. The technique also has a 25% chance to afflict the Rust status effect.

### Earsplitting Earworm - Mt. Kakko

This technique is located atop Mt. Kakko, after defeating Guitaraline, Tuba Shinobi's assistant. The mountain is prone to falling rocks, unstable roads, and a variety of Brasshido Monks who guard the mountain in order to test those who wish to learn Earsplitting Earworm. While not many animals are found here, the mountain itself acts as the challenge.

Earsplitting Earworm is a powerful spell that sounds horrible, yet somehow catchy. Earsplitting Earworm targets a single common enemy, which causes them to join the party's side for a short while. Afterwards, the enemy will be dealt a large chunk of damage.

### Monk's Song - Tuba Temple

This technique is the last of the Brasshido Techniques and can be acquired once Tuba Shinobi himself is defeated. Tuba Shinobi is located at Tuba Temple, the Brasshido Monks' main headquarters which is found atop Gagaku Island's tallest peaks. Once all techniques have been mastered, the player will gain access to several postgame bosses, including Tuba Angel, Tuba Devil, and Tuba God.

Monk's Song is a powerful move that targets all enemies, or targets enemies in a large radius in ARPG. The move deals a large amount of damage to anyone caught in the blast and has a 10% chance to afflict the Confusion status effect for each target it hits.