Introduction to 'Covenant of the Plume', Valkyrie Profile

As a player, I generally am more attracted to Harvest Moon games now than combat role-playing games as I crave the therapeutic almost Zen-like quality of most traditional aspects of any Harvest Moon game. On the other hand, as a lifelong follower of martial arts and collector and lover of edged weapons, the combat and forging aspects of Rune Factory appeal to me tremendously.

The Northern European myth cycles are another love of mine. I therefore found the series of games known as Valkyrie Profile compelling, as they embraced the old tales of Yggdrasil, Odin, Freya and the Valkyrie and dealt with concepts of honour, duty and the conflicts and ultimate destiny both of humans and gods. The incredible beauty of the graphics, like those of Rune Factory, swept me into other realms and universes of which I never tire. There is poetry both in the concept and in the execution of games such as Rune Factory and Valkyrie Profile.

Here is the introduction to the newest Valkyrie Profile game for the DS system: 'Covenant of the Plume'.

If any one is wondering if I have finished with Rune Factory 2, that question would be answered in the negative. In my current game, I still need to win the BIG KNIFE before I will be satisfied...

Rune Factory and My Birthday

As it is my birthday today and there is nothing planned in terms of social events, I decided to devote the day to the creation of my most useful reference guide for Rune Factory, an Item List Guide. I mention this for two reasons. The first is that any one who is involved in Rune Factory may find the guide useful as it will provide all information with respect to the acquisition of any item in the game as well as the value of the item. The second reason is because, rather to my surprise, I realised that spending the day with Rune Factory, even if I am involved in the rather tedious drudgery of copying out 'Recipes' for items, is not a bad way to celebrate!

I always wanted to learn how to forge real blades and weapons. Unfortunately, when I had the money for it, I didn't have the time and when I finally had the free time, I didn't have the money. Creating and maintaining a proper forge is expensive and lessons in blade-making cost money as well. The days when an artist was willing to take on an apprentice for nothing more than the love of the art are gone for the most part. It has become a 'niche business' like any other.

There are some renowned contemporary female knifemakers, but I never became one of them, despite my great admiration for the art. Now, however, in Rune Factory, I can combine my Harvest Moon skills with the fine art of forging weapons and equipment. It is incredibly satisfying to forge a new magical weapon or to create a beautiful and powerful accessory, even if these items cannot be transferred to THIS world.

Rune Factory is more complicated than most other Harvest Moon games where 'cooking' and 'creating' items is concerned. You not only need the proper space and equipment in order to embark upon any new venture, but you need both the right ingredients and a certain level of skill. This makes Rune Factory particularly challenging.

In some ways, it reminds me of another favourite game of mine, Valkyrie Profile. In Valkyrie Profile, acquiring the right 'war trophies' did not in itself guarantee acquisition of a new weapon or piece of equipment. There were other requirements as well.

This is just a brief note en passant. I now intend to return to the forge, where I finally have amassed enough experience and skill to create a blade of surpassing beauty and power.