------------ Soul Calibur ------------ ------------------------------------------- A Word Before We Get Down To The Real Talk: ------------------------------------------- This F.A.Q. is only for the stages. So if anybody have anything to add, please do so. Otherwise... do not bother. ======================================================= ----- Name: Ivy (Isabella Valentine) ----- ----------------- Background Music: Unblessed Soul ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Valentine Mansion ------------------ Count Valentine constructed the avant-grade Valentine Mansion by using the wealth and political contacts parties that showed off the prosperity of the Valentine family were held in the great hall where expensive rose-colored marble was used in great abundance. However, Count Valentine was beguiled by Soul Edge's powers and began to squander his riches madly in its pursuit. It was not long before the Valentine clan fell into ruin. Ivy, the adopted daughter of the Count, remains here alone to pursue Soul Edge by researching alchemy and ancient sorcery. ======================================================= ----- Name: Cervantes de Leon ----- ----------------- Background Music: Leaving The World Behind ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: The Adrian and the Fortress ------------------ This battle fortress on the Atlantic coast of Spain served double duty as a treading port for treasure ships of the Spanish Armada. When the dread pirate Cervantes returned from beyond the grave, he began to attack and plunder treasure ships from the Americas as well as the Far East. Even ships from his motherland Spain were not spared from his ruthless ways. In facts, there are various historical records of clashes between Cervantes and the Spanish Armada. His ship, the Adrian, became a ghost ship that was surrounded by an otherworldy glow that resembled St. Elmo's fire. The eerie sight of his ship could be seen from dusk to dawn when Cervantes prowled the high seas for his next victim. Due to the sheer number and spread of the St. Elmo's fire, Cervantes' victims believed that they were surrounded by a large pirate fleet and either abandoned ship or fell into a state of sheer madness. ======================================================= ----- Name: Nightmare ----- ----------------- Background Music: In Father's Name ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Ostrheinsburg Castle ------------------ Ostrheinsburg Castle rises high with the deep forests of Mittelberg in Germany behind it. Constructed by a renowned, independent knight named Sir Stefan, this castle's defenses consisted of quadruple castle walls considered as being impregnable. However, after Sir Stefan was killed in a war, the remaining soldiers loyal to him were summarily executed and women and children were taken away as slaves. After thieves plundered it throughly, this castle became a place where none dared to visit. ======================================================= ----- Name: Voldo ----- ----------------- Background Music: Remembrance ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Money Pit ------------------ The Money Pit had a proud history of protecting its treasures from robbers and adventures alike. Ironically, it was conquered easily by the forces of Mother Nature when a devastating storm flooded most of its treasure vaults. Although this room was the highest among the treasure vaults, it was not spared from the flood. Now, the marble stature of the dead master Vercci towers solemnly into the air. Voldo slavaged what treasures he could from depths of their watery grave and placed them in a chamber containing his master's coffin. ======================================================= ----- Name: Astaroth ----- ----------------- Background Music: Born From Chaos ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Palgaea Shrine ------------------ The Palgaea Shrine is an underground lair that defies the God of evil Palgaea. Located at the foot of a volcano, its grand hall is always filled with fiery lava. There is a triangular-shaped altar at the center of the shrine, where the grand priest Kunpaetku presides over various ceremonies. This is also the place where Astaroth uttered his birth cry. The materials used to construct this shrine are not known, however, the various surrounding statues as well as the face of the serpent spewing lava suggest that they are extremely heat resistant. No one knows whether these materials are man-made or born of evil magic. ======================================================= ----- Name: Heishiro Mitsurugi ----- ----------------- Background Music: Duelists ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Takamatsu Castle ------------------ Mitsurugi proved himself as a soldier at Noshima island, the main headquarters of the Mori Clan's Murakami Navy. Respected by his superiors, Mitsurugi was entrusted with the task of defending Takamatsu Castle at the front lines of the Mori Army. Takamatsu Castle was considered difficult to conquer because it was surrounded by marshlands. However, a cunning enemy of the Mori named Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded the castle by flooding the area. Toyotomi constructed a levee around Takamatsu Castle and then released the river water from the rain-swollen Ashimori River, neutralizing the natural defense offered by the marshlands. Both sides continue to engage in battles that end in stalemate. As the fighting rages on, Mitsurugi boards a raft to join his comrades on a battlefield with arrow-filled skies. ======================================================= ----- Name: Yoshimitsu ----- ----------------- Background Music: Chasing Downstream ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Water Labyrinth ------------------ Japan is a land blessed with greenery, water, and giant labyrinth-like underground rivers, fed by water from thesurface. These rivers lead to various points throughout the country. The waater that eventually reaches the underground river, after traveling through the earth for many years, is extremely cold and clear. The cavernous walls where the rivers travel through are covered with luminescent moss that provides the only source of light. The soft, pale blue light that emanates from the moss creates a dreamlike atmosphere. ======================================================= ----- Name: Taki ----- ----------------- Background Music: The Cursed Soul ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Hoko Temple ------------------ The Hoko Temple was constructed in Kyoto under the auspices of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a ruler of Japan during the 16th century. Althought the temple was officially intended to be a place where Buddhist monks could pray to bring peace and stability to the nation, the temple had a secondary, ulterior role as a focal point of a "katana-gari" compaign to quell the peasant-led uprisings that occurred frequently during that era. (Japanese Historical Note: "Katana-gari" was part of a political policy to remove weapons like katanas away from all people with the exception of the samurai nobility and to establish a rigid feudal class system. Until that time, there were no strict social boundaries between soldiers (samurai), merchants (sho-nin) and farmers (no-min). This is why Mitsurugi, who once was a peasant, could rise to the ranks of the samurai-class. After this rigid feudal policy was instituted, farmers were prohibited from bearing katana, and therefore effectively eliminated the ability of the lower classes to improve their place in society.) Toyotomi felled thousands-year-old cedars to make the central support pillars of the temple and used iron from weapons confiscated through the katana-gari to create the giant Buddha statue. Unfortunately for Toyotomi, these materials used in the construction of the temple proved to have evil karmic consequences. the destruction of the old-growth cedars was equivalent to the killing of an ancient life force. In addition, the blood of the victims killed by the weapons cursed the iron. It was only natural thais place bore the seeds of disaster and became the source of misfortune for the Toyotomi clan. ======================================================= ----- Name: Chai Xianghua ----- ----------------- Background Music: Bloom and Harvest ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Emperor's Garden ------------------ This garden was constructed as a part of the Ming Emperor's summer retreat. Its design emphasizes harmony with the surrounding natural landscape and provides visitors with a beautiful view throughout the four seasons. With the exception of the Emperor and his family, only the royal guards including Xianghua have the permission to set foot inside the retreat. When Xianghua received her order to search for Soul Edge, that was the first time she set her eyes on this garden. When she entered the garden, the petals from the flowering trees danced gently in the warm breeze like a confetti thrown to wish her good fortune in her quest. ======================================================= ----- Name: Maxi ----- ----------------- Background Music: Across Stormy Seas ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Harber of Souls ------------------ Maxi's crew regularly visited this harbor in India to trade goods. In India, there are grand, broad steps known as a "ghat" that allow worshippers to walk into the river to bathe in holy river water. These steps also lead to narrow, maze-like streets packed lightly with houses, temples, and shops. Visitors who are unfamiliar with the city are said to lose their way without exception. The gray seas of this harbor became the watery burial grounds for the souls of Maxi's sworn brother Kyam and others who met their fate at the hands of Astaroth. Maxi swore to take revenge against Astaroth as he gazed out beyong his sunken ship into the open seas. ======================================================= ----- Name: Kilik ----- ----------------- Background Music: The New Legend ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Proving Grounds ------------------ This training area is near a Hindu temple located in a stone cavern of a mountain, deep in the heart of India. Pure water cascades downward from the rocky mountain's waterfalls. The beautiful, clear water that flows through this place evokes an otherworldy, if not holy atmosphere. The mysterious old man who appeared before Kilik lives here in a small shack like a hermit. Kilik has come here again to focus on his training regimen in the hopes of timing the demons that dwell within him. ======================================================= ----- Name: Sophitia Alexandra ----- ----------------- Background Music: Wings of Faith ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Shrine of Eurydice ------------------ Legend says that a circular shrine was constructed atop an ancient sacred mountain by the Gods to sanctify themselves. As if to prove the legend, the path to the shrine consisted of gigantic stairs that no mere mortal could ever hope to scale. Thus, the Shrine of Eurydice was built upon a small plain at the edge of a nearby mountain in the hopes that the Gods would come down from their shrine to visit them. Those who visit this shrine feel as if they are floating in air since divine light and sea of clouds envelop them. ======================================================= ----- Name: Seung Mina ----- ----------------- Background Music: Eye To Eye, Blade To Blade ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Maze of the Dead ------------------ Built before the birth of Christ according to legend, the underground city of Cappadocia in Turkey is still shrounded in mystery. Several centuries after Cappadocia was established, a reigning monarch converted a similar underground temple nearby into an extravagant palace. This temple stands above a deep chasm claimed from ancient times to be the gateway to Hades. The interior of the temple contains the section that was converted into a palace. In addition, a cavern exists beyond the palace, followed by more unexpected nether regions. No one knows for sure what exists down there. The palace itself is in ruins now, thanks to those who turned it into a rock quarry of sorts. However, the lower underground areas remain intact. Since treasure seeking thieves who venture into the lower levels of the ruins never come back alive, no one but the most foolhardy enter this place now. ======================================================= ----- Name: Hwang Sung Kyung ----- ----------------- Background Music: Beyond the Horizon ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Silk Road Ruins ------------------ The prosperous oasis cities on the outskirts of the Takla Makan Desert in Central Asia were important relay stations for trade caravans travelling across the great Silk Road. This ancient ruin is inside a stone cavern in a deep, tranquil ravine that is a day's travel away by horse-drawn wagon from an oasis city. Legend says that a rich merchant who desired a life of simple tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of commerce built this place. Proof of the merchant's wealth can be seen in the ruin's walls and floors, where precious lapis lazuli and malachite are used lavishly. ======================================================= ----- Name: Rock ----- ----------------- Background Music: Gathering: Destiny Beckons ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: The Colosseum ------------------ The Colosseum is what remains of an ancient coliseum built around canals. It appears to have served as a stadium for competition and a theater as well. The seating capacity of this place is approximately 20, 000, which ranks in size with the Megalopolis in Greece. The players entered the Colosseum on boats adorned with gold and silver. Winners were praised atop the altar of sacred fire in the center of the Colosseum. ======================================================= ----- Name: Lizardman ----- ----------------- Background Music: Born From Chaos ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Kunpaetku Shrine ------------------ When Kunpaetku was promoted to the rank of grand priest, he schemed to create a troop of grotesque creatures within the dark order who were loyal only to him. He had also secretly built a shrine that mirrored the design of the Palgaea Shrine. However, in contrast to the hellish heat of the Palgaea Shrine, poisonous fumes filled this place instead. Strange, ominous light also filled the recesses of the shrine, generated by the mysterious pools of glowing liquid that produced the poisonous gasses. Though highly poisonous to humans, perhapes this environment was itended for the grotesque abominations of nature that dwell in this shrine. ======================================================= ----- Name: Siegfried Schtauffen ----- ----------------- Background Music: Worth Dying For ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: City of Water ------------------ Venice, the City of Water, is a maze-like city on water composed of countless islands in a lagoon interconnected by a patchwork network of bridges. In its halcyon years during the Renaissance era, Venice monopolized all trade and brought northeastern Italy under its political control. This city is full of magnificent architecture, art and wealth. People are drawn to this city as if it were some kind of beautiful mirage. Some come here with dreams of riches, while others come to meet their destiny... ======================================================= ----- Name: Edge Master ----- ----------------- Background Music: The New Legend ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Proving Grounds (Twilight) ------------------ The harsh daylight gives way to the setting sun that colors the entire area in the soft, gentle rose-colored hues of twilight. As if forgotten by time, the ruins nearby lie in shadows, weathered and worn away by the unforgiving rain and river. Now, the remaining light of the setting sun reflects off the river's surface. Although this is a place forgotten and abandoned by man, its natural beauty holds an undeniable charm for those who gaze upon it. This place was a natural choice for the man who devoted his remaining days to achieving perfection in all forms of martial arts. ======================================================= ----- Name: Inferno ----- ----------------- Background Music: Immortal Flame ----------------- ------------------ Name of the Stage: Chaos ------------------ Chaos is a desolate land created by Inferno and filled with hellfire... According to legend, this land is made in the image of the land where the demonic blade Soul Edge shows its true self. This place is the physical manifestation of the pain and suffering caused by Soul Edge as it consumes the souls of its victims. However, those who gaze upon these lands may only recognize this as the mesmerizing, beautiful colored lights that shift and dance in the air. This is the final destination for those who pursue Soul Edge. ======================================================= ---------------- Last Words: ---------------- There you have it. If anything is wrong, just send me an E-Mail. Hope there will be some respect for the hard work. --------------- Special Thanks: --------------- 1)Namco 2)To Gamefaqs 3)To all my friends for the encouragement. ======================================================= Soul Calibur is Copyright Namco Crops. This document Copyright 2003 Basel Al-Shehab. If you need to contact me to add or ask me about anything, E-Mail me at Mr_Basel@yahoo.com or Mr_Geese@hotmail.com Credits for GameFAQs and Namco Crop.