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In Octopath Traveler 2, the Cleric character is Temenos, who works for the Church of the Sacred Flame. Though, to be accurate, his actual job title is inquisitor.
As an inquisitor, Temenos questions everything and everyone, including people connected to his own church. So while the Cleric of the first game goes on a pilgrimage to rekindle the Sacred Flame, in Octopath Traveler 2, Temenos must unravel a murder mystery by tracking down clues scattered across the globe.
A Divine Beginning
At the start of Temenos Chapter 1, eight gods band together to defeat the evil goddess of chaos. This intro provides players with an example of the game's combat system, but they shouldn't get used to the big numbers. The evil god and ability list are extremely overpowered, and since this section is scripted, players can choose any actions they like. Either way, the story will unfold until it's interrupted by a forgotten line.
Back to Reality
As it turns out, Temenos has been trying to retell the story of the Sacred Flame to a group of children. However, he has to end early since he forgot how it goes. After the children leave, Pontiff Jörg comes in and talks to Temenos. The pontiff suspects that heretics are making a move, and he wants to talk with Temenos about it privately in the cathedral.
At this point, players can roam around town and talk with the locals. There's a soldier standing in the way of a ladder, which means players can only approach the town general store from one direction. This is to make sure Temenos is in the right spot when a cutscene begins.
Several Insurgents are in town and shouting about "purges." The confrontation goes badly for them, but it lets Temenos meet Crick, a new Sanctum Knight. Crick doesn't know the way to the cathedral, which gives players a chance to try out Temenos's daytime action, Guide.
Guide allows Temenos to bring an NPC into combat. However, NPCs will only become his followers if his level is high enough to impress them. During this section, Temenos can talk to several people around town, but he can only use Guide on Crick. Do so and leave Flamechurch by the north exit to head to the cathedral.
How to Fight with Temenos
The path to the cathedral is dangerous, with random encounters along the way. This makes it a good time to explain how the character works.
- Temenos's Job is Cleric, which makes him a healer who can also deal light damage to foes. The only weapon type he can use is staves, which means he has a limited ability to hit enemy weaknesses.
- Temenos's starting skills are a healing spell that targets every ally and a light spell that hits one enemy. His purchasable skills include a light spell that hits every enemy, defensive buffs, a revive spell that targets every ally, and a staff skill that restores his SP based on the damage dealt.
- The unique Talent Temenos gets is Moonlight Judgment, which applies a free debuff to every enemy encountered at night. This includes any boss fights that take place at night. At least at first, this debuff reduces the enemy's physical and elemental defense for 3 rounds and applies the blind status effect for 1 round.
- Temenos can also Summon an NPC follower into battle. Doing so costs a turn and can't be Boosted, but the NPC will act three times before leaving. A Summoned NPC can't be targeted and has no HP or SP, but sometimes they'll take a hit meant for Temenos.
- Temenos can summon an NPC a number of times equal to their "Summonable" stat. Players can see this number when deciding whether to Guide an NPC. Once players hit this number, the NPC will go home, and Temenos will need to Guide someone new.
- Temenos can only have one follower at a time. If players Guide someone while Temenos has a follower, they'll have to choose which one to keep.
- Temenos can Guide NPCs for free, but some NPCs won't follow him until his level is high enough.
- Temenos is a decent choice for a player's starting character. A healer is always handy in a party, and while he can only use two damage types, his Latent Power helps make up for this.
- Temenos's Latent Power is Judgment. When it's active, every hit he performs will break an enemy shield no matter their vulnerabilities. This means a four-hit staff strike will always take down four shields.
Pilgrims' Way
During the first fight on Pilgrims' Way, players may notice that Crick has no summon limit, unlike most normal followers. However, this only lasts until Temenos reaches the cave entrance. At this point, Crick graduates to a temporary companion.
He attacks with a sword, and his skills are Cover (he can take damage instead of an ally), Godsblade's Shield (a physical defense buff), and Sacred Slash (hits all enemies and applies an elemental defense debuff).
On this journey, players will encounter Mountain Ape 1, which is weak to swords, staves, and light; Rockadillo, which is weak to staves; and Giant Falcon, which is weak to swords and light.
On the road to the cave entrance, players should spot a treasure chest with an Inspiriting Plum inside. There's another chest to the right of the cave with a Healing Grape. After entering the cave, players can go right and down to the water. A canoe will automatically appear under Temenos so he can cross the lake, and on the far side is a Stimulating Ring. On the left side of the cave is an exit that leads to a Tough Nut.
Once players have everything, the path forward leads straight to the cathedral.
Lighting the Way
Night has fallen when Temenos and Crick reach the cathedral, but the door is locked. Temenos wants to find another way inside, so players are introduced to his nighttime action, Coerce.
Coerce works like the Challenge and Provoke actions from the first Octopath game, and Temenos will start a one-on-one duel with an NPC. However, in this case, the goal is to Break the NPC once, and the reward is information. Players should note that during a Coerce combat, NPCs can't fall to zero HP. The only way to win is to break through all their shields.
Temenos can now Coerce several NPCs in the cathedral yard, but only three have green dialog balloons. One is to the right of the flame fountain, one is in the archive building to the left, and one is standing in front of two buildings on the left. This last person, Vados the Architect, has the information.
Players can also get a Shadow Soulstone from a chest in the house behind Vados. To continue, players should enter the small building that sits to the right of the cathedral.
Cathedral Cellars
A new set of Octopath Traveler 2 enemies await down here. The Crimson Ammonite is weak to swords and light, the Ambling Bones are weak to staves and light, the Giant Slug is vulnerable to staves, and the Scaled Viper is weak to swords.
First, players should go left from the entrance and climb some stairs to get a Light Soulstone. Next, enter the water and go to the island halfway across to get an Inspiriting Plum. The last chest is on a hidden path behind the large statue, but if players follow it, they'll get a Pilgrim Rod. Finally, there's a peddler by the ladder up with some equipment players may want to purchase.
The ladder leads directly into the cathedral, and in the room next to the exit, players will find an Olive of Life. Players should then go straight across to the right because in the bedroom at the far end is a Light Soulstone. At this point, use the save point and heal up because a boss fight is waiting at the end of the pews.
How to Beat the Felvarg
- The Felvarg has 5 shields and is weak to swords and light, but not staves.
- One of the Felvarg's actions is Tear to Pieces, which damages a party member and heals itself by about the same amount.
- When the text "The Felvarg sets its sights on Temenos!" appears, it's charging a powerful attack. Temenos should defend, or Crick should use Cover before it takes its next turn.
- Partway into the fight, Temenos's Latent Power will unlock. When the Felvarg charges up, it locks its vulnerabilities, but the Judgment effect bypasses this.
Crime Scene Analysis
After the Felvarg falls, Temenos will start to reconstruct the crime scene. Click on the blue sparkle to the left to get the Shattered Cathedral Window, the one on the right for the Lingering Scent of Incense, and the one in the middle for Toppled Candlesticks.
Several cutscenes later, players will find themselves outside the cathedral again. At this point, they can explore the area, Guide a mourner, or even leave the cathedral area, but to finish Chapter 1, players must enter the archive and approach the bookshelves on the back wall. Temenos will lose Crick as a companion, but he'll start his journey to discover the murderer.
Octopath Traveler 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, and Switch.
