Chapter 2, Mission 2: Art(efact) of Natures Balance

**Map 9** (Chapter 2, Mission 2) is a 4x10 small map in TinyGroove. Its S-rank can be achieved if completed in <11 days. The mission introduces both Koji and Ryota to the campaign, although neither are recruit-able in this mission. Furthermore, simply completing the mission does nothing to advance the game, besides acquiring Artefact 'J', the Elemental Emblem, as advanced directives are introduced. The game path diverges at this point to introduce Chapter 3, Missions 1 and 2, Map 12 and Map 13, unlocked by routing Koji and Ryota, respectively.

### **Mission Background**

The player acquires Artefact 'J', by completing a convoluted series of tasks by capturing the 4 elemental shrines near the map's center adjacent to the main pathway. The 4 shrines each associate with one of the 4 base elements, earth, wind, water, and fire. Furthermore, the shrines must be captured in that order. After capturing all four shrines simultaneously, the player deciphers a riddle leading to the location where Artefact 'J' is buried. When Dark Mercia reaches the hidden location, the mission ends in victory for the player.

Each of the shrines bequeaths a battle advantage to the player (while under their control):

1. Possessing the Earth Temple stops the enemy commanders' grooves from accumulating.
2. Possessing the Wind Shrine causes the winds to blow, enhancing archers' ranges and stops Koji's aerial assaults with Sparrow bombs (if he hasn't already been defeated; must also own the earth shrine).
3. Possessing the Water Cathedral gives the player 1000 extra gold per turn, while also deducting 500 gold from each enemy per turn (must also control the wind and earth shrines).
4. Possessing the Fire Mosque ignites the fire within your aeronaut flyers, converting them into dragons at the start of each day (must also own the water, wind, and earth shrines).

#### Helpful Tips

With these advantages, if the enemy causes the player to lose a shrine, or they are captured out of order, the player loses 20% of the shrine's health for every shrine they don't possess before it (in order) at the end of their turn. If the shrine is lost, the benefits outlined above for that shrine are forfeited until it is recaptured. Thus, like the previous mission, Map 8, this map can be difficult without employing some serious strategy. Since there is no stronghold on this map, loss of Dark Mercia triggers a loss on the map. Thankfully, the game prompts the player with some helpful hints:

1. There are two treasure chests, both of which are near the player's starting position and provide extra money near the mission's outset.
2. Capturing the nearby tower and recruiting a flying unit (requires Artefact 'E') will provide the player with an aerial view of the battlefield and inform them of which shrines are which and what order they must be captured in. The map then places an arrow over the next shrine they need to capture, followed by numbered flags to indicate the following capture order. This information updates as the player captures and/or loses control of the sacred structures in their pursuit to recover the hidden elemental artefact.
3. The game will inform the player early-on of some strategies to help minimize the impact of Koji's pestilent sparrow bombs.
4. Having Valder in your party (recruited from Map 9) will have him gift the player with a Valder Amulet, enhancing the player's groove (for this mission) to spawn a soldier next to them each time they use their groove (just like Valder's groove).

All of this information was gleaned from the in-game spoilers unlocked in the Achievement Castle by completing at least 40% of the game and destroying the red gates comprising the 'Campaign Completion Counter'.

### **Achievements**

#### A12: Brotherly Annihilation

Conditions: Destroy all enemy units and structures for both Koji and Ryota before collecting the hidden Elemental Artefact 'J'.

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