Megaliths

〜Structures Containing Anima〜

Megaliths were constructed by the indigenous people of Sandail. However, their purpose and method of utilization is unknown. They come in many shapes and sizes and exist in far greater number than those shown in the game. Many house Quells of superior quality inside, making them key places for Diggers to explore. The Megaliths themselves have the power to alter Anima, so they can be thought of as gigantic Quells. Because of this, there are incidents where living things ventured too close to the Megaliths and had their Anima affected, causing them to transform into monsters.

It has been theorized that Megaliths gather Anima from nature for unknown reasons, then monsters congregate near the structures to absorb this Anima. This could explain why so many monsters have been seen inside and around the Megaliths. Another possibility is that living things already within the vicinity of the Megalith were transformed into monsters.

■ Southern Continent – The Heart of the Grand Desert

The Grand Desert stretching across the Southern Continent is a harsh environment where few living things can survive. Very few oases exist in the heart of the desert, so not many people visit the area. The generally accepted opinion is that the Southern Continent has no Quells and any rumors of Megaliths are dismissed as legends and fairy tales. But in truth, discovering Megaliths there is a significant enough event to earn one the title of “Tycoon”.

Desert Megalith

The Desert Megalith, where the Egg was sealed, is located roughly in the heart of the desert. It escaped detection for a long time due to the quicksand, violent sandstorms, and rough terrain perpetually surrounding it. However, eyewitness accounts of the Megalith turned into rumors that spread throughout the land, prompting many to search for this legendary structure and prove that Quells do exist on the Southern Continent. Then in 1224, the Megalith was discovered on an expedition led by Henry Knights.

The interior was unlike any other previously discovered Megalith, with strange decorations for what seemed like organic functions. This was thought to be equipment designed to gather Anima energy required for the Egg. The Egg itself was placed inside a lead box to prevent it coming into contact with other Anima. Then the Egg lay in wait for an intelligent life form to come along and break the seal, intending to borrow that life form’s body and begin its revival.

■ Weissland Region – In the Middle of Lake Shenkel

Lake Shenkel is located just south of Weissland. Vast ice fields and mountain ranges must be crossed to get there, not to mention having to deal with the local wildlife. The Lake itself is unremarkable and not worth facing the dangers to get there, even for Diggers. But the Ice Megalith in the middle of the Lake can be reached at regular intervals when ice blocks form a path across the water.

Ice Megalith

Tales have been told for ages about this legendary Megalith in Weissland, the birthplace of Spells. William Knights discovered it and earned the title of “Tycoon”. The Megalith can only be reached when ice blocks form a path across the vast Lake Shenkel.

Frigid air emits from the outer walls, but the temperature stabilizes as one continues inside. A large rotating plank sits inside the central room and causes a severe negative reaction with the Anima of whomever approaches. There is also a strange network of transportation devices, making the true scale inside the Megalith unfathomable.

Wil and company confirmed the existence of the Megalith upon their return, but because of the dangerous rotating plank inside and long cycles between the appearance of the ice path, none have ventured inside since. One proposed theory is that the Megalith caused the entirety of Weissland to freeze over.

■ Northern Continent – Deep in the Woodlands

The exact location of the Insect Megalith within the deep woodlands of the Northern Continent is unclear. It has been said to be reached by following the river north from North Gate until the forest meets the mountains. This Megalith could be the origin of the giant insect monsters inhabiting the Northern Continent.

Insect Megalith

This Megalith originally had a solid interior and exterior construction, but has been called the “Insect Megalith” because of the insects and plants now inhabiting the ruined structure. However, the original purpose of the building has been lost and it turned into breeding grounds for insects. It seems that tree roots nearby were affected by the Megalith for countless years and broke through the walls towards the central area. Insects probably found their way through the cracks and were transformed into monsters. Giant cocoons line the entrance passageway, pulsating as they wait for the day of their birth.

■ Western Lordless Land – Caves Beneath the Granite Quarry

This used to be an active quarry, but has since been abandoned and overrun by monsters. An underground cave system was discovered during excavation, but was closed off after several accidents involving rampaging Anima. Someone else opened the caves later on, but it ended up turning into a den of slimes.

Unclassified Megalith

A mysterious structure lies in the caves underneath the Granite Quarry where the Edelritters were created. This is also a type of Megalith.

Considering how Sargon became an Edelritter, one might think that the Megalith was created specifically for this purpose. In fact, that constellation panel activated mechanisms in a different room that somehow transformed Sargon’s Anima. But perhaps Fake Gustave, the one holding the Egg at the time, knew about the mechanisms and put them to use? In other words, this Megalith wasn’t constructed for the purpose of creating Edelritters, but its powers were used to transform people’s Anima so that they became Edelritters.

■ Northern Continent – Northwest Mountain Range

Start from the northernmost populated Settlement, then continue further into the continent. Soon you’ll reach the mountains blanketed in endless forests of conifers. This point where the Star Megalith is marked on the map has yet to be explored, but residents from the local settlement have confirmed seeing it around that area. Monsters unlike those seen on the other continents have also been spotted near the Megalith. These could be subspecies created by the Megalith, not native species.

The Last Megalith

The “Last Megalith” that Ginny and company discovered in their pursuit of the Egg is a Megalith possessing Star Anima. It was used as an incubator, with the Edelritters helping to collect Anima from the world to send to the Egg. The interior walls and floors are made from objects resembling pipes. Certain areas are specifically tailored to utilize Anima for each respective “Lord”, the incarnations of the Edelritters.

The final battle occurs in a subspace created by the Egg’s thoughts. Those thoughts utilized the Star Anima of the Megalith and created actual outer space. The Egg lost its Quell energy when it was defeated. The consciousness of the one sealed inside was also lost as well as the subspace that was created. The Egg, Ginny, and the rest of the party returned to the real world, but the Last Megalith disappeared without a trace.