Hawkeye's Introduction

Hawkeye's Introduction
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Hawkeye's Introduction is the prologue and introductory chapter of Hawkeye, one of the six playable characters in the 3D version of Trials of Mana.

It is exclusive to the character, meaning that players should include Hawkeye as a party member if they wish to experience this chapter, either as the main character or by playing during a Flashback Chapter.

Story

Hawkeye stealing from a rich merchant

A raid by the Thieves' Guild of Nevarl is in process in the middle of the night in Sirhtan, the desert capital. Hawkeye, a young but promising thief, leads the way and infiltrates a stately property housing an infamous greedy Merchant. Hawkeye stealthily opens his prized treasure chest while the swarthy man wakes up from the slight commotion. Seeing the merchant's shocked expression doesn't phase the young thief, however; he even takes the opportunity to lecture him about his questionable means of earning his money before swiftly leaving through the balcony. Nevarlan thieves were known to steal ill-gotten goods from the undeserving rich to survive deep within the desert.

Upon returning from the raid, Hawkeye announces the successful plunder to his master Lord Flamekhan. His advisor Isabella informs him that the Thieves' Guild is no more and that their ruler has declared himself King of Nevarl. The attractive woman adds that they will prepare an invasion on the Kingdom of Laurent to create the Nevarl Nation to counteract their own dwinding water resources and the shift in mana power. Later that night, Hawkeye is seen pondering in his room about this new reality. Jessica, a childhood friend and Flamekhan's daughter, enters the room and inquires about his troubled mood. Hawkeye confesses that he questions the recent motives of Flamekhan to suddenly disband the thieves guild, in addition to Isabella's sketchy behavior. While Jessica still believes her father's good intentions, the young thief further doubts the King's interests in swindling other nations' resources just like their enemies do, making Nevarl no different. This last comment angers the young woman, prompting Hawkeye to snidely remark that she's probably excited to be a princess. Jessica then slaps Hawkeye and leaves the premises.

Eagle discussing with Hawkeye about Isabella's motivations

A while later, the young thief meets with his best friend and Flamekhan's son Eagle to discuss the recent change in his father's behavior. Eagle suspects Isabella of manipulating Flamekhan since she found him stranded in the dunes last month. Both young men agree to spy on the royal chamber to see if anything suspicious is happening behind their backs. Upon reaching the King's private quarters, they eavesdrop on Isabella talking to a strange-looking man. They both decide to corner the evildoers, but the mysterious man vanishes before they get a chance to know more about him. Isabella scoffs at the two young men's foolish attempt to rescue the King and casts a spell on Eagle.

Manipulated by the witch, Eagle attacks Hawkeye against his will, forcing our hero to battle his friend. After being gravely injured by our hero, Eagle is then hit with a mortal blow by Isabella's magic. The sorceress then jumps on the opportunity to frame Hawkeye for murder, alerting the King and nearby bystanders. Hawkeye is thrown into jail and sentenced to death, with Isabella smirking at his predicament, commenting that he better not tell anyone about what he saw, or Jessica will perish too.

Jessica attempting to get an answer from Hawkeye about her brother's death in vain

A few moments later, the aforementioned girl visits Hawkeye for explanations about her brother's death. Since the young thief cannot tell her the truth, Jessica runs away in disbelief that Hawkeye would have done something so heinous to his best friend. As time goes by, Hawkeye notices an odd noise coming from the back of his prison cell. He tries to investigate the source by putting his ear against the wall, but an explosion knocks him out. It turns out his friend Niccolo dug a hole in his little shop all the way through the prison and used bombs to blast open a way for the young thief to escape.

After reaching his shop, the Merchant Cat tells Hawkeye that he thinks the cursed present Isabella gave Jessica is the legendary Choker of Death and that it cannot be taken off once you put it on. Furthermore, if its owner, Isabella, dies, Jessica will die with her. The only hope for Hawkeye is to seek the aid of the Priest of Light in Wendel. Niccolo finishes his speech by telling him to go seek his Eminence's guidance while he takes care of Jessica.

Hawkeye swearing to Eagle that he will save Jessica

Thanking his friend, the young thief dashes through the fortress and battles some of the guards who are after him, ultimately reaching the desert proper. Glancing at the Nevarl Fortress for the last time, Hawkeye swears to his late friend Eagle that he won't let anything happen to Jessica. He then returns to Sirhtan to take a ship to Jadd Stronghold, a neighboring town of Wendel.

Major Events

• Hawkeye successfully steals from a wealthy Merchant in Sirhtan at night during a raid.
• Upon returning to Nevarl Fortress, Hawkeye learns from Isabella that King Flamekhan has disbanded the Thieves' Guild and declared Nevarl an independent nation under his rule.
• Nervarl will invade the Kingdom of Laurent to create the Nevarl Nation.
• Hawkeye discusses with his childhood friend Eagle how to expose Isabella for her evil deeds and catches her speaking near the King with a strange-looking man.
• Hawkeye is forced to fight a possessed Eagle, but the final blow comes from Isabella. Hawkeye is imprisoned under false pretenses by the sorceress.
• Niccolo rescues Hawkeye by blowing up a hole in the prison cell's walls, and the young thief manages to escape the fortress.
• After learning that Jessica is under the influence of the Choker of Death, Hawkeye decides to ask the Priest of Light in Wendel for guidance.

Objectives

• Steal the treasure.
• Explore Nevarl.
• Go to Eagle's room.
• Follow Eagle.
• Escape the prison.
• Escape Nevarl!

Character Debuts

• Hawkeye
• Niccolo
• Merchant
• Flamekhan
• Isabella
• Jessica
• Eagle
• Bill and Ben

Bosses Fought

• Eagle (Tutorial)

Visited Locations

• Sirhtan
• Nevarl Fortress