Haochi's Trials is the Samurai tutorial quest, a series of seven moral and martial trials that test your adherence to the Code of Bushido. Each trial presents you with a choice or challenge that reflects a core Samurai virtue: decision-making, courage, benevolence, compassion, honesty, devotion, and loyalty. Daimyo Haochi observes your actions and responds differently based on the choices you make, though all paths lead to completion.
The quest takes place inside a structured courtyard with color-coded paths. Guards control access to each trial area and only allow you through when Haochi has deemed you ready for the next challenge.
Starting the Quest
Upon entering the Samurai Dojo courtyard in Malas, you notice a faded sign welcoming you and directing you to seek Daimyo Haochi. Accept the challenge and speak with Haochi to begin your training.
Note: Each trial area contains golden teleporter tiles that can be used as emergency exits, but using them may prevent you from returning to complete your trials.
The Seven Trials
Trial 1: Decision (Green Path)
Virtue Tested: Decision-Making
Objective: Kill 3 Cursed Souls or 3 Young Ronin.
Follow the green path through the guards. Beyond, you find two groups of creatures:
- Cursed Souls — Once-proud warriors ensorcelled by an evil mage who trapped and killed them. The curse has not lifted from their souls in death.
- Young Ronin — Former Samurai trainees who abandoned the code. They are mercenaries loyal only to coin.
You must choose which group to fight and kill 3 of them. After your first kill, you receive a Karma notification. Your quest log tracks kills separately for each type — only the higher count matters.
Haochi's Response:
- Cursed Souls: "It is good that you rid the land of the Cursed Souls so they can be at peace in death." Haochi praises you for freeing them from their curse.
- Young Ronin: "It is good that you rid the land of those dishonorable Samurai. Perhaps they will learn a greater lesson in death."
Return to Haochi to receive a reward and proceed.
Trial 2: Courage (Yellow Path)
Virtue Tested: Courage
Objective: Attack either the Dragon or the Imp.
Follow the yellow path. In the courtyard beyond, you find two beasts: a Dragon and an Imp. The imp wandered in unaware, while the dragon came hunting for human flesh. You may only choose one to attack.
Haochi's Response:
- Dragon: "You faced the dragon knowing it would be your certain death. That is the courage of a Samurai. Your spirit speaks as a Samurai already." This is the honorable choice — true courage means facing overwhelming odds.
- Imp: "Fear remains in your eyes but you have learned that not all is what it appears to be. You must have known the dragon would slay you instantly. You elected the weaker opponent though the imp did not come here to destroy. You have much to learn."
Haochi also teaches you that death is not permanent in these lands — seek out Ankh Shrines, mages, or healers to be resurrected.
Trial 3: Benevolence (Blue Path)
Virtue Tested: Benevolence
Objective: Kill 1 Injured Wolf using Honorable Execution.
Follow the blue path. A pack of wounded wolves circles your feet. They are injured and in pain. A quick death will end their suffering.
Use your Honorable Execution Bushido skill (double-click the icon in your Book of Bushido to activate it) to finish off one of the wounded wolves, then return to Haochi.
Haochi commends you: "A Samurai understands the need to help others even as he wields a blade against them. You have shown compassion."
Trial 4: Compassion (Red Path)
Virtue Tested: Respect and Compassion
Objective: Help a disheveled gypsy — either give her gold or kill one of her Diseased Cats.
Follow the red path. You encounter a starving gypsy surrounded by a colony of mangy, diseased cats. She has spent what little money she has feeding the cats instead of herself. You have two options:
- Give the gypsy gold — Click your gold stack, select 1 gold piece, and drag it onto the gypsy. This respects her autonomy and helps her feed both herself and her animals.
- Kill a Diseased Cat — This removes the burden of extra mouths to feed, but denies the gypsy her right to make her own choices.
Haochi's Response:
- Gave gold: "You showed respect by helping another out while allowing the gypsy what little dignity she has left. Now she will be able to feed herself and gain enough energy to walk to her camp. The cats are her family members — cursed by an evil mage. Once she has enough strength to walk back, she will be able to undo the spell."
- Killed a cat: "Respect comes from allowing another to make their own decisions. By denying the gypsy her animals, you negate the respect she is due. Perhaps you will have learned something to use next time a similar situation arises."
Trial 5: Honesty
Virtue Tested: Honesty
Objective: Retrieve Haochi's Katana from the treasure room and return it to Haochi.
The guards let you into Haochi's treasure cache without question. Inside is a vast fortune — gold, gemstones, and jewelry. Haochi's katana is among the valuables. You grab it and stash it in your pack.
The test: The treasure room is filled with temptation. The quest secretly tracks whether you take anything besides the katana (the StolenTreasure flag).
Haochi's Response:
- Took only the katana: "Thank you for returning this sword to me and leaving the remaining treasure alone."
- Also took treasure: "I thank you for returning this sword. However, you should be admonished for also taking treasure that was not asked for nor given back. Think about your actions, youngling."
If you lose the katana: If you return without it, Haochi sends you back: "What? You have returned without the sword? Go back and look for it again."
Trial 6: Devotion
Virtue Tested: Devotion
Objective: Light a candle at the altar and return to Haochi.
Enter the Altar Room and light one of the candles near the altar to pay homage to the Samurai who came before you. Return to Haochi when done.
Trial 7: Loyalty
Virtue Tested: Loyalty
Objective: Kill 3 Young Ninjas.
The final trial. In the holding cell are young Ninjas who attempted to assassinate Haochi. They were caught and placed in his custody. Execute all 3 to prove where your loyalty lies.
Return to Haochi when the executions are complete.
Completion
Haochi addresses you one final time:
"You have proven yourself, young one. You will continue to improve as your skills are honed with age. Now it is time for you to explore the lands. Beyond this path lies Zento City, your future home."
He suggests visiting Ansella Gryen when you arrive in Zento (she offers the Terrible Hatchlings quest). Haochi places reward items in your backpack and bids you farewell.
Moral Choice Summary
The quest tracks your decisions throughout all seven trials and adjusts Haochi's dialogue accordingly. While no choice prevents you from completing the quest, the "honorable" path through each trial is:
| Trial | Honorable Choice | Less Honorable Choice |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Decision | Kill Cursed Souls (free them from suffering) | Kill Young Ronin (punish the dishonorable) |
| 2. Courage | Attack the Dragon (face certain death bravely) | Attack the Imp (choose the weaker foe) |
| 3. Benevolence | Kill the Injured Wolf (end its suffering) | (no alternative — this is the only option) |
| 4. Compassion | Give the gypsy gold (respect her choices) | Kill a Diseased Cat (deny her autonomy) |
| 5. Honesty | Take only the katana | Also steal treasure |
| 6. Devotion | Light a candle | (no alternative — this is the only option) |
| 7. Loyalty | Kill the Young Ninjas | (no alternative — this is the only option) |
Tips
- This is a one-time tutorial quest — it cannot be repeated on the same character.
- Each trial area is accessed through a color-coded path (green, yellow, blue, red). Guards will only let you through when you are on the correct trial step.
- If you die during any trial, visit an Ankh Shrine to be resurrected. Retrieve your belongings from your corpse before returning to Haochi, or you may not be able to get back to it.
- The Radar Map (ALT+R) is introduced when you first leave the dojo grounds. Use it to navigate the trial areas.
- Trial 2 tip: Attacking the Dragon will almost certainly kill you (it is far too powerful for a new character). This is intentional — the trial tests whether you have the courage to face it anyway. You'll be resurrected afterward.
- Trial 4 tip: To give gold to the gypsy, click your gold stack, enter "1" as the amount, then drag and drop the single coin onto the gypsy NPC.
- Trial 5 tip: Resist the urge to loot the treasure room. Haochi knows if you took anything extra, and while it won't fail the quest, you'll receive a scolding instead of praise.
- After completing the quest, follow the path to a Moongate that leads to Zento City.