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Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII
Rare Item Guide

Compiled by: Greg Hartman

Contact: good_catholic_boy /at/ yahoo /dot/ com
         aolim: goodcatholicboy9

-if you are lame, don't bother contacting me
-if using email, please indicate in the subject that you are asking me
about this guide.  very rarely do i bother opening emails from people i
don't know that have blank subject lines.  If contacting me via my aol
screen name, don't be offended if i don't respond right away (i don't use
it very much anymore anyway). Email probably works best, but be patient.
-the only language i can speak with any degree of clarity is english.  
please, if you are contacting me, do so in english (although if you require
an answer that is only half-intelligible, german might work also). definitely
do not bother emailing me in any other language; i won't even respond.
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Version History

Version 1.0 (1/26/04)
Version 1.01 (2/6/04)
 -correction to awards of valor - you need not have your ruler actually
  positioned in the city next to the emperor to get the event/item.
Version 1.02
 -contact info change
Version 1.03
 -correction for hua tuo's medical book (thanks Chad Fred)
Version 1.04
 -added some faqs
 -made a minor clarification or two (mostly about the bronze pheasant)
Version 1.1
 -added a section of credits, and a section of strategies to get hard items.
Version 1.11 (7/19/04)
 -added a little to the faq section and a strategy for the book of 
  illusions.
Version 1.12 (7/19/04)
 -oops, posted an incomplete update
Version 1.13 (10/20/04)
 -minor clarification on the bronze pheasant
Version 1.14 (3/13/05)
 -fixed a spelling error and added a FAQ
Version 1.15 (12/5/06)
 -added a FAQ (unbeliveable I still update this)

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Contents:

I. Prefatory Remark
II. Item List
III. Frequent Questions
IV. Strategies
V. Credits
VI. Legal

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I. Preface

      This guide is simply the compilation of a message board thread at
gamefaqs.com with several small modifications made by me.  I'll simply
list all the items in the game and the easiest ways to get them in the
section below.

     The main reason this guide can be made is due to the work of Zcactus,
who started the thread and posted a very good item list.  Thanks should
also be given to the dozens of other users who contributed to the topic.

     Unlocking 100% items allows created characters to be much more 
powerful, so, unlike getting 100% of the events, there is a good reason to
do it.

     A note or two about the best ways to get these items without killing
yourself: 1. You can easily get a huge amount of items just by playing one
of the three kingdoms scenarios, controlling all three rulers and seizing
every item from all your followers.  2. You can also get a ton of items
(particularly the treasures, but also other stuff) by observing at the
fields or marketplace.  Also, if you have very low fame, you can get items
by observing at the barracks.  The fields, however, seem to yield the 
highest chance of getting an item.

     To make sure the item gets into your collection, however, make sure to
save the game after aquiring it.

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II. Item List (numbered as they are in the game)

A. Horses

1. Red Hare - Play as either Lu Bu, Dong Zhuo, or Guan Yu in the appropriate
scenario.

2. Hex Mark - You can buy it if you play a scenario before Liu Bei has it.
I've usually seen it around Wan.  Otherwise play as Liu Bei once he has
moved to Jingzhou.

3. Grey Lightning - Play as Cao Cao, or buy it in an early scenario.

4. Shadow Runner - Play as Cao Cao

5. Firestar - Buy it (generally in Liang Province, I think) or play as
Wang Shuang.

B. Weapons

6. Sword of the Seven Stars - Give your wife a scent pouch, koto, and
earrings and she will give you the sword.  To give her the items, just
have them in your possession and visit her under the townsmen command.

7. Sword of Heaven - Play as Cao Cao

8. Sword of Light - Play as Zhao Yun, or buy it for 3000 at Luo Yang.

9. Cresent Halbred - Play as Lu Bu.  You can also buy it (I think it's in
northen Yizhou), but the buyable version is only +2 war and doesn't
give the fight skill.

10. Black Dragon - Play as Guan Yu.

11. Viper Blade - Play as Zhang Fei.

12. Serpent Spear - Play as Cheng Pu.

13. Swords of Fate - Play as Liu Bei.

14. Ancestral Sword - Play as Sun Jian, Sun Ce, or Sun Quan (whoever is
the ruler will have the sword).

15. War Trident - Play as Ji Ling

16. Twin Cresent - Play as Dian Wei (maybe as Hu Che Er also?)

17. Great Axe - Play as Xu Huang, or buy one.

18. Steel Flail - Play as Huang Gai, or buy one.

19. Thorned Mace - Play as Sha Moke.

20. Shooting Star - Play as Wang Shuang or buy one.

21. Throwing Blade - Play as Dian Wei, or buy one.

22. Flying Swords - Play as Meng Huo or buy one.

23. Hand Spear - Play as Taishi Ci or buy one.

24. Scimitar Spear - Buy one.

25. Bronze Mace - Buy one.

26. Chain Mace - Play as Gan Ning or buy one.

27. Sleeve Darts - Play as Zhuge Liang.

C. Maps

28. Map of Western Shu - Zhang Song carries it.  If you play in a scenario
where he is already dead, you can buy it in Yizhou.

29. Map of Nanman - Play as Meng Huo's officer Lu Kai.

D. Tomes

30. Books of Healing - Hard Way: Play in a scenario where Yu Ji is alive.
Build up a relation of trusted or loyal with him, and keep visiting him
until he gives you the books.  He is hard to find because he moves to a
random city every season.  Easy Way: Play in a scenario after Sun Ce has
already killed him, and buy the books in the city of Wu.  He won't give
you the books if you already have already gotten the medicine skill from
another means.

31. Hua Tuo's journal - Build up a trusted or loyal friendship with Hua 
Tuo and visit him until he gives you the book.  After he dies, you can buy
the book.  Simply play in a very late scenario and you can find the books
in Qiao. He won't give you the book if you already know medicine, or have
another item that teaches you the skill.

32. Book of medicine - Buy it at Luo Yang.

E. Scrolls

33. Book of Illusions - Be very infamous and have more than 7000 gold.
Zuo Ci will visit you and ask for some money to repair his house.  If you
agree to give him 3000 gold, he'll give you the book in return.

34. Way of Peace - Zhang Jiao has it in the Yellow Turban scenario; 
otherwise you can get it by observing at the fields.  Besides the 
hereditary seal, this is probably the best item in the game (+10 intel and
the sage skill).

35. Art of War - Play as Sun Jian/Ce/Quan or buy it in Yangzhou.

36. The 24 Manuals of War - Play as Zhuge Liang or Jiang Wei.

37. Scrolls of Taigong - Buy one.

38. Meng De's War Manual - Play as Cao Cao

39. Mozi - Buy one.

F. Scriptures

40. Confucius - Play as Kong Rong or buy one.

41. Loa Tzu - Buy one.

42. Zhuang Zi - Buy one.

43. Book of Poetry - Buy one.

44. Book of History - Buy one.

45. Book of Rites - Buy one.

46. Book of Changes - Buy one.

G. Histories

47. Chun Qui Annals - Buy one.

48. The Grand Histories - Buy one.

49. The History of the Han - Buy one.

50. Warring States - Buy one.

H. Treatises

51. The Commentaries - Play as He Yan

52. Treatise on Society - Play as Cao Pi.

53. Treatise on Chance - Play as Wei Zhao.

54. Treatise on Times - Play as Wang Ji.

55. Treatise on Policy - Play as Wang Chang (so ugly).

56. Treatise on Magic - Play as Cao Zhi.

57. Treatise on the Seasons - Play as Kan Ze.

58. Filial Piety - Play as Yan Jun.

59. Treatise on War - Play as Qiao Zhou.

I. Seal

60. Imperial Seal - Play as either Sun Ce, Yuan Shu, or Cao Cao.  You can
also get it through an event if you are a ruler, as long as no one else in
the game currently has the seal; simply conquer Luo Yang and you will
get it in a few months.

J. Treasures

61. Awards of Valor - Um, pretty much the hardest item to get in the game.
You get it through an event if you are a ruler.  To do it, your ruler must
have a rank of duke or higher, must not be infamous, and his force must 
border a very infamous force that controls the emperor.  Given these 
conditions, the nice ruler will eventually be asked to rescue the emperor
by taking the city where he is held.  If you accomplish this, your reward
will be this item.

62. Bronze Pheasant - observe at the fields and you will eventually get it.
As with finding any item at the fields, you need a fairly high fame rating.
You can be any rank and still receive the item, just be persistent.  Note
also that the farmers will not give you _any_ items (which includes the
Bronze Pheasant) if your infamy is too high. 

63. Feather Fan - Play as Zhuge Liang.

64. Kneeling Lady - Buy one.

65. Boshan Censor - Buy one.

66. Dragon Vase - Buy one.

67. Lacquered Kettle - Buy one.

68. Gold Vase - Buy one.

69. He's Jade - Buy one.

70. Bull Lantern - Buy one.

71. Faerie Stone - Buy one.

72. Dragon Ring - Buy one (usually in Shang Yong, I think).

73. Lu's Mirror - Buy one.

74. Celadon Vase - Buy one.

75. Winecup - Buy one (usually at Ping Yuan).

76. Abacus - Buy one.

77. Tea - Buy some.

K. Ornaments

78. Koto - Buy one.

79. Old Koto - Buy one at Luo Yang.

80. Gold Earrings - Buy them.

81. Scent Pouch - Buy one.

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III. Frequent Questions

Q: I can't buy the item where you said I could.  Now what?

A: The items change at certain cities from time to time.  Check back
several different times and it will eventually be there, I promise.

Q: The person you said had the item didn't have it. You should fix your
guide.

A: Try playing another scenario and he will probably have the item.  If 
you are quite sure that this guide is wrong, email me and correct me.

Q: Does it matter which Cresent Halbred I get?

A: Nope, either one is fine.

Q: Is it worth getting all the items?

A: Yes, your created characters will not be very good unless you do.  
Getting all the items makes their potentials much, much higher.

Q: What is an easy way to get all the items?

A: Read the preface to this faq.

Q: Do I have to be a certain rank to get the bronze pheasant?

A: Nope, any rank will do.

Q: Do I have to be in a certain city (or Ye) to get the bronze pheasant?

A: No.  In Romance IX you only find it in Ye, but you can get it from any
city in this installment.

Q: Why can't I get the Book of Illusions?

A: Almost 100% of the time, if you are having problems getting the book of 
illusions, it is because you do not have enough infamy.  Focus on actions 
that will raise your infamy once you have collected enough money.  If you 
are persistent, you will get the item.  Also, make sure that you are playing
a scenario where Zuo Ci is still alive (I'm not sure exactly when he dies, 
but try to get the item before 220 AD if you are having problems).

Q: How do I get more infamy?

A: If you are a common officer, the best way to become infamous is to 
pillage every turn.  Alternatively, you could observe at the markeplace 
repeatedly and refuse requests to give money to the old man.  Both of these
will give you a good amount of infamy.  If you are a ruler, invade somewhere
nearby and execute every follower there.

Q: How can I tell how much infamy I have?

A: Visit the ruffian under the townsman commands.  If the _only_ thing he 
says is "Hey, what are you looking at," you have no infamy.  As your infamy
increases, he will become increasingly afraid of you.

Q: Who the heck is Sha Moke?  I can't find him in any scenario!

A: Sha Moke only starts as playable in a few scenarios.  If you haven't 
unlocked the "History of Heroes" scenario (by completing a game on the force
that unites China), you can find him as a free officer in wu ling.  I'm not 
sure when he appears, but I wouldn't try to find him before 200 AD.  

Q: Why can't I find He's Jade anywhere?  It's not for sale in any shop!

A: He's Jade is somewhat of a rare appearance.  I find it most frequently in
Chang An.  If you are having trouble, however, I'd recommend getting a huge
amount of money (9000+) and travelling to all the major markets (Chang An, 
Luo Yang, Jian Ye, Chang Sha, Cheng Du, Ye) and buying everything in the
store.  The major shops always refresh their goods, so if you keep buying
stuff, He's Jade has to show up eventually.

Q: Didn't you plagerize this guide?

A: Nope.  This guide is mine only in the sense that I compiled
the information.  If you want it, take it.  I ask only that you don't use
it to somehow make a profit.  See the legal section for more information.

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IV. Strategies

Note:  All of these strategies involve controlling multiple rulers, so if
for some reason you would rather get the items the "legitimate" way, don't
use them.

For the Nine Awards of Valor:

"Start a New Game during the January 220 (The Fall of Guan Yu) scenerio, or
time period, under the campaign 'The Death of Liu Bei'. When choosing which
officers you wish to play during the game, choose Cao Pi and Cao Zhi (note:
Cao Zhi is the prefect of Xu Chang - the city the Han Emperor is located 
in) *begin* ... skip the first council with both Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, skip
the next three months afterward, when the next council begins, Cao Pi's war
lord will give Cao Pi to an option as to what to do with the emperor. 
*Choose to restore the Han Emperor  (The first option)* end Cao Pi's turn, 
now with Cao Zhi *Perform a coup* which will end his council, skip the next
three months, than skip Cao Zhi's council. On Cao Pi's turn, an envoy from
the Emperor will request Cao Pi's aid, *Accept* than go to Diplomatic and 
perform annex on Cao Zhi, with Cao Zhi.. accept, and you will achieve your
objective, see the event, and get the 'Awards of Valor' from the Emperor, 
*save the game* and you're done."
  -From TopAce03<at>aol<dot>com

Another Method (how I personally got the Nine Awards the first time):

Start in the 190 scenario, the first where Cao Cao is a liege.  Play as
Cao Cao, Dong Zhuo, and 6 other rulers who are in the coalition (preferably
those who have several cities).  Have all the rulers except Cao Cao drop 
out of the coalition, and have Cao Cao annex them.  Meanwhile, have Dong
Zhuo pillage every turn, and invade his neighbors, executing all his 
officers.  Once Cao Cao has at least 10 cities, he will be given the rank
of duke.  After this happens, once Dong Zhuo has enough infamy, you will 
get an event where the emperor asks for help.  Agree, then have Cao Cao 
attack Luo Yang and Dong Zhuo retreat without defending.  You'll be given
the item afterwards.

For the Book of Illusions:

Here's how I got it, I started under The Battle of Guan Du and selected the
scenario where Yuan Shang had 4 citys, I selected Ma Teng, Cao Cao, 
Sun Quan, Liu Biao, and Liu Zhang. I had other forces give me cash and I 
took that money out of the city funds, I quickly killed off Yuan Shang and
excuted all of his officers, executing is a great way of getting infamy. 
After his officers were dead and I had 9999 cash (you only need 7000 
according to the FAQ) the hermit came to me and asked to fix his house, I 
agreed and he gave me the book.

  -From Kangaroo Song 789


Other Strategies?  Send them in and I will post them.

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V. Credits

Thanks to Zcactus and others who contributed to the original items thread

Thanks to TopAce03<at>aol<dot>com for sending in a strategy for the Awards
of Valor

Thanks to Koei for making the game and releasing it in the US

Thanks to Kangaroo Song 789 for a strategy for the book of illusions.


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VI. Legal

Romance of the Three Kingdoms VIII is copyrighted by Koei.

Anyone may freely print and/or distribute this guide, so long as it is not
done to make a profit.  If you are reading this, you also have permission
to post this on your website, provided you do so in its entirety, including
this legal section, and do not charge to view it.

This guide is by Greg Hartman, 2004.