Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is the latest game to include relationship and bonding events. These are nowhere near as long or as detailed as something like Persona, but there’s still some neat content to enjoy. There are 18 characters whose affinity levels can be boosted, sometimes granting additional rewards in the form of rare items and accessories.
Adol’s journal will tell you there are 54 affinity levels to increase, which is 3 per character. Other than a couple of exceptions, these are earned by giving a specific gift and then talking to them when a happy face icon appears over their head. Sometimes there are some other requirements, which I will cover here.
It’s worth noting that presents should be given as soon as possible, because this boost to their affinity will immediately strengthen the character’s support skill in the Grimwald Nox.
These max affinity events are usually pretty enjoyable, and it’s definitely worth trying your best to unlock them all. You’ll also need to complete every one if you are aiming for the platinum trophy. Maxing all affinities will reward you with the Ambassador of the Dandelion trophy, but you’ll also need as part of the Debonair Socialite trophy, which requires Adol’s journal to be fully completed.
Here is a breakdown of every character, with details of the present they require and the relevant request that must be completed.
Dogi
Gift: Esterian Apple – obtained from Paulette’s Produce in Main Square from Chapter 7
Other requirements: N/A
Available From: Chapter 8
Dogi’s affinity level doesn’t require anything special. Simply present him with the gift, and the bonding event will be available during Chapter 8. However, this will only be available when you return to the Dandelion after completing the first set of story events.
Chante
Gift: Rainbow Earrings – obtained from Pendleton Company in Central District from chapter 7
Other requirements: N/A
Available From: Chapter 8
Chante will also gift Adol with a Gladiator Medallion, which isn’t exactly a gamechanger at this point, but it’s more than most other characters give in return!
Krysha
Gift: Floral Hat Pin – obtained from Maxim’s Black Market from chapter 4
Other requirements: N/A
Available From: Final Chapter
Krysha’s max affinity event will be available at the start of the final chapter. This is one of the most touching scenes.
Yufa
Gift: Straw Hat – obtained from Hale’s General Store in Main Square from chapter 3
Other requirements: N/A
Available From: Final Chapter
Yufa’s is another straightforward one to obtain, but like others it will not actually be available until the second phase of quests are available in the final chapter.
Credo
Gift: Stylish Glasses – obtained from Maxim’s Black Market from chapter 6
Other requirements: N/A
Available From: Final Chapter
Like Yufa, it’s a simple case of presenting the gift and then waiting for the second lot of requests to be available, upon which Credo’s max affinity event will be unlocked.
Jules
Gift: “The Five Dragons” – obtained from Edouard’s Bookstore in Central District from chapter 7
Other requirements: Complete the His Father’s Son quest
Available From: Final Chapter
The quest is required, so you can’t miss this. There’s a neat throwback to Ys Seven when presenting Jules with the gift, and this is another really nice max affinity event. You’ll also get an Apple Compote from Jules for your troubles.
Anemona
Gift: Miniature Teacup – obtained from Maxim’s Black Market from chapter 7
Other requirements: N/A
Available From: Final Chapter
Like most of the other main party members, Anemona doesn’t require anything other than the present and a bit of patience. Her max affinity event will be available after Belger’s required request is complete.
Xavier
Gift: N/A
Other requirements: Complete the Life by the Sword quest in the final chapter
Available From: Final Chapter
Xavier is an exception, in that he doesn’t actually have a max affinity event. However, his affinity levels do get maxed when you complete the quest and you’ll need to do this in order to gain the required affinity levels in the journal. The reward for the quest is the Holy Sword’s Hilt, which is an excellent accessory.
Tito
Gift: Razor Sharp Knife – obtained from Rijndael Antiques from chapter 4
Other requirements: Give Tito Mythical Blueprints, which are in the Fool’s Jail area in the final dungeon. I would suggest finishing the section and fast travelling out when you’ve got to the next save point
Available From: Final Chapter
The Mythical Blueprints come with the benefit of Tito now also being able to craft the best weapons in the game.
Silhouette
Gift: Coffee Beans – obtained from Jessica’s Brewery in the Entertainment District from chapter 5
Other requirements: Complete the Tree Stumped quest in chapter 7
Available From: Chapter 7
Silhouette is actually the earliest available max affinity event, and this is also one of my favourites.
Saradhi
Gift: Mandragora Root – obtained from a chest in Quarry Ruins. It’s towards the end, in a room in the northeast part of the map
Other requirements: N/A
Available From: Final Chapter
Saradhi and Adol have a nice chemistry, and enjoy a cool final bonding event where they share a drink at the bar.
Iris
Gift: Portrait of a Girl – obtained from Maxim’s Black Market
Other requirements: N/A
Available From: Chapter 8
Like Dogi, this will only be possible once the required story events are completed and you’ve gone back to the Dandelion.
Margot
Gift: Vintage Wine – obtained from Nirvana in Shantytown from chapter 7
Other requirements: N/A
Available From: Final Chapter
This event will be available once Belger’s required story quest is complete, leading Margot to whip out the cigars.
Aprilis
Gift: Feather Charm – obtained by getting the Broken Charm from Aristocratic Woman in the Noble District from chapter 6, and then giving this to Tito who will repair it. It will become the Feather Charm, which can now be gifted to Aprilis
Other requirements: I’m somewhat unclear of what else specifically triggers this one – you can definitely view the max event before reporting the ‘Wanted: Bualadh-Orgh’ quest. If the smiley face isn’t showing, you may need to actually beat the monster first
Available From: Final Chapter
Either way, Aprilis’ max affinity event will not be available in the Final Chapter until the second lot of quests are available on the request board. You’ll be informed when this happens. If in doubt, complete the Life by the Sword quest and beat the Bualadh-Orgh monster.
Parks
Gift: Trick Deck – obtained from Maxim’s Black Market from Chapter 5
Other requirements: Complete the Final Dispossession quest in the final chapter
Available From: Final Chapter
The Final Dispossession quest is required, so you can’t miss this. It’s a pretty important one with a neat twist. Once this is done, you’ll be able to enjoy Parks’ final bonding event.
Morbihan
Gift: N/A
Other requirements: Give Morbihan one of every food. These are:
- Raisins
- White Nuts
- Red Cheese
- Smoked Meat
- Black Figs
- Grim nuts
- Nors Bleu
- Dry-aged Meat
Available From: Final Chapter
You can give Morbihan the foods before the final chapter, but the max affinity event will not be available until you’re actually in the final chapter. This is another relationship that follows some different rules, and it’s one of the easier ones to miss – you have to talk to Morbihan first (ie, not select his shop) before the option to give him food becomes available. He’ll reward you with a Warlord Elixir.
Also, if you haven’t actually found Morbihan at all – he’s in the water near the stalls at the Main Square Marketplace. You need to use Third Eye to spot him, and then speak to him.
Maxim
Gift: Prime Smoked Meat – obtained from Durfee’s Butchery in the Main Square
Other requirements: N/A
Available From: Final Chapter
There is nothing much to say here. The gift and event are both available early in the final chapter, leading to another cool scene.
Lucien
Gift: Potent Ointment – obtained from Lillet’s Gift Shop in the Entertainment District in chapter 7
Other requirements: Complete the Errant Knights quest in the final chapter
Available From: Final Chapter
The quest is not required, so be sure to clear it. It’s technically not missable anyway since it’s in the final chapter, and it’s an incredibly easy one to beat.
Where is Lucien?
Since Lucien is not in the Dandelion, he can be easy to miss. In fact, I didn’t even realise he had affinity levels and the Potent Ointment was burning a hole in my pocket for some time until until I scoured Adol’s journal and saw he had them.
Lucien is in the Hieroglyph Commandery area, standing near the save point.
Conclusion
There you have it. That’s everything you need to know in order to achieve all affinities in Adol’s journal.
Some players may be disappointed there is no explicit romance for Adol, but there are still some enjoyable and heartwarming scenes.
