Well, with the tcg items, there's also been an onslaught of seemingly important new characters. I'm gonna split them up according to what time in the past or present they existed in.

Past Era
LeFay
A dark sorceress from Crimsonwood Keep. She wasn't evil, but she was a bit weird. LeFay would often create useless items and equipments with no potential purpose, and was best known for wearing an exceptionally colorful headpiece. The LeFay Jester also seems to have belonged to her. Eventually, she left the Keep because she felt that their laws were getting in the way of her research.
LeFay was apparently in love with a warrior named Killian. Killian eventually became the Headless Horseman. The story of how this happened is posted in the Maple's Story thread. She was also a Disciple of Ridley. She still exists today in the form of Headless Horseman's horse.

Christopher Crimsonheart
An "immortal warrior" who is buried deep in the MesoGears area. His name did show up as a monster in the data at NLC's release. He could end up being a boss, a friendly monster (like the Henesys PQ bunny, the tamable hog, or Tylus of El Nath PQ), or even a potential ally who actually fights along side you. He was a member of an entire race of immortal warriors, all of whom seem to have paradoxically died out.
Christopher Crimsonheart was the founder of Crimsonwood Keep (hence the name) and the Warrior Grandmaster. In the present, the "Twisted Masters" who are currently in possession of the keep are planning an attack on New Leaf City in order to raid his tomb for a currently unknown reason.

Ridley
The potent sorcerer who wrote "Ridley's Book of Rituals," a guide to restoring ancient armor. The book itself is inhabited with magic powers which allow even non-magicians to use its power.
Ridley, being a powerful magician, was able to embed his consciousness in a statue built to his likeness at the entrance to Crimsonwood Keep. Normally, he remains dormant, however if a person with a Ridley's Stone approaches, he will awaken and make a deal with them. Ridley trained a number of famous figures in the past of Masteria, including LeFay, the chaos magician, and Rafael, the person who tricked the Headless Horseman into searching for his head, which doesn't really exist anymore, forever.
[COLOR="Red"]New info:
Ridley experimented on Crimson Guardians, and through this experimentation created the dangerous variation, the Master Guardians, who have huge amounts of stamina. He also experimented a lot with the Antellion, and through this created the Sigils. He seems to have done a lot for the Keep.
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Gurdle the Unarmored
A legendary warrior who valued attack over everything else. He would never wear anything unless it gave him some sort of attack boost. His prize creation is the Facestomper, shoes with inherent attack properties. He met an untimely fate by having his face chewed off by rabbits since he couldn't hit them or protect himself due to lack of armor.

Subani
A powerful sorcerer of Light. He created the white scrolls and was in a constant battle with Naricain, a terrible demon. Eventually, he sealed Naricain away and subsequently disappeared from this world as well. We don't know much about them, but apparently they were worshiped in the Nihal Desert in olden times, and were opposing forces. The Subani Ankh led John Barricade to Masteria as well.
[COLOR="Red"]New info:
Subani is the one who returned Masteria to the Maple world. Through a deal with the Mayor, he constructed NLC and anchored Masteria firmly here. Still a lot we don't know yet, but his blessing does allow anyone who dies in the first two stages of Crimsonwood Keep's Party Quest to be revived without being sent out.
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Naricain
A demon of the darkness. He seems to have been human at one point, but was eventually corrupted to the point of losing all humanity. Naricain created the Dark Scrolls and is constantly in battle with Subani. We don't know much about them, but apparently they were worshiped in the Nihal Desert in olden times, and were opposing forces.
[COLOR="Red"]New info:
A hologram of Naricain is seen in the Secret Chamber right before you exit the Crimsonwood Keep Party Quest. All the Twisted Masters carry a Mark of Naricain on them, proving that they are under his command.
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Killian
The man who became the Headless Horseman. Killian was known for his mastery of fire and for being an extremely dangerous opponent. He was in love with LeFay, and when she was captured by the Krakians one day, he was forced to become a test subject for the mysterious Alchemist. After a long time of this, the Alchemist created an army of beings who could use his fire powers, and he wanted Killian to lead it. Forced between choosing to fight against his friends, or the death of his lover, he used his fire powers to burn his own head off. This didn't stop the Alchemist, however, who simply put a carved out Pumpkin in its place. After transforming LeFay into a pink horse, he set the newly created Headless Horseman on the attack. During the battle, the magician Rafael cast a spell on the Horseman to cause him to eternally wander the Phantom Forest in search of a head that no longer exists.

Rafael
An exceptionally talented magician and another disciple of Ridley. He was the one responsible for setting the Headless Horseman on his impossible task to find his head.
[COLOR="Red"]New info:
He was the Grandmaster Mage at the time of Crimsonwood Keep's fall. The statue in the Courtyard represents him, and states that he has been missing for some time, as he left the Keep during its final days to search out the "Temple of Elementals". [/color]

Delgrund
A former Magician Grandmaster, who preceded Rafael. Since it was stated that the Grandmaster Mage was responsible for the creation of the Mystic Astrolabe, we can assume it was him (Though Delgrund is a somewhat masculine name and the mystic astrolabe seems to imply a female). Not much else is known about him aside from his name at this time.
"The Alchemist"
A mysterious figure in Masteria's past. He created the Headless Horseman and was the one who set the Krakians on their warpath that completely destroyed the Taru and, eventually, the Keep as well. He shares a lot of traits with Ossyria's villain, the Black Magician. both are Alchemists, and each one wreaked havoc across his own continent (The Black magician poisoned Elin Forest, terrorized Ossyria in general for ages, and the search for the Black Magician was the reason that the Nautilus has been gone for so long.). It may come to light that they are the same person...
[COLOR="Red"]New info:
In Magatia, Dr. De Lang's Note suggests that the Black Magician had a disciple, who is likely this Alchemist. [/color]


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Ryo
The Thief Grandmaster at the time of Crimsonwood Keep's fall. We don't really know much about him, aside from what is stated on his Statue in the courtyard. He was a part time bosshunter, best known for fighting Crimson Balrogs. Seems to be a "Robin Hood"-esque figure who would steal things and give to those less fortunate.
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Lockewood
The Archer Grandmaster at the time of Crimsonwood Keep's fall. He apparently had extraordinary abilities, being described as a "Holy Archer" and capable of shooting down Typhons from huge distances. Lockewood's name first appeared on the Lockewood Hat, an event item from the Lunar New Years of 2007 and 2008. At the time, there was some speculation that he may have been from Crimsonwood Keep (As was the case with LeFay), which turned out to be the case. Other than what's stated on the Statue, little is known about him.
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[COLOR="Red"]Lireni
Lireni was a Shadowknight heroine who led many of the dangerous missions to attempt to retake the keep. She was the one who discovered that the Krakians were being manipulated by the Alchemist, but they never wrote down whether they knew who he was.
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Present Era

Jack Barricade
John Barricade's twin brother and a founding member of the Barricade Brothers exploration company. Jack was the first of the duo to visit Masteria, and after sending a letter to his brother depicting the Subani Ankh, John decided to come to New Leaf City as well. At the release of NLC, Jack was exploring something in Aqua Road, but we don't know much about what he investigated.
Jack is an NPC in Crimsonwood Keep's first area. He can be found at the Cavern of Pain. He was captured by these Twisted Masters who currently hold the keep, and is still interested in getting inside. He discovered the plans of an attack on NLC and is in the process of finding a way to penetrate the Keep's dark energy field.
[COLOR="Red"]New info:
Jack is also the CKPQ guide NPC.
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Dr. Krakia
Professor Foxwit's archrival who also seems to have come from the Future. He discovered Krakia, a town of people who cybernetically enhance their bodies, which was lost in the Krakian Jungle many years ago. He is responsible for pumping out the Turkey Commandos during Thanksgiving. Foxwit says that Dr. Krakia has begun to modify his own body, so he could potentially become a boss in the future.
[COLOR="Red"]New info:
Dr. Krakia has surfaced once again, helping the Twisted Masters to lead an attack on NLC. Since it looks like Krakia will be the next area released on Masteria, expect to hear more from him soon. Given that he is capable of time travel, he could possibly be "The Alchemist."
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Windreavers
The Crimsonwood Keep guild made up of ranged attackers, including rangers, hermits, and possibly gunslingers. They were led by Lockewood, and used weapons such as the Neva and Winkel. One of the 5 major guilds, a mix of Thief and Archer.

Stormcasters
The Crimsonwood Keep guild made up of Spear-wielding warriors who could also use lightning-based magic to attack from afar. The best known guild by far, due to the Stormcaster gloves, and the new Stormshear spear. Lukan was a high-ranking Stormcaster, and the only known living member. One of the 5 major guilds, a mix of warrior and Magician.

Flamekeepers
The Crimsonwood Keep guild made up of Archers and Fire Mages. They are probably best known for the Flamekeeper Cordon gloves. They are perhaps the most enigmatic of the 5 guilds, as we know very little about them and they weren't seen before Crimsonwood Keep part 1's release. One of the 5 major guilds, mixed Archer and Magician.

Shadowknights
The Crimsonwood Keep guild that consists of dagger wielding Thieves and short sword Warriors, possibly including other forms of close-range combat such as fistfighting. Since it was mostly thieves, they were often disdained by the other guilds, especially Lukan, though they still had a strict moral code for which he granted them a begrudging respect. After the fall of the Keep, the Shadowknights retreated to their secret base on the Isle of Vigilance, just in time to see the continent of Masteria disappear. After it was gone, the rigid moral code broke down and the Shadowknights began to splinter off into many groups. One of the 5 major guilds, mixed Warrior and Thief.

Bosshunters
A legendary group of powerful soldiers, made up of members of the other guilds. They were often sent out to defeat Boss monsters that were terrorizing various towns around the world, including battles with the Tengu Black Crow, Balrogs, and other such beasts. They had strong armor specially designed for fighting bosses, and could repair it by using the remains of their fallen enemies. They are the 5th major guild in the Keep, and the only ones not impersonated by the Corrupted Army.

Antellion Guard
A special group set up to protect the Antellion, a precious relic located deep inside of the Keep, which can teleport people (and things) great distances. We really don't know much about them, but the Antellion Miter is an artifact that symbolizes their task. They were one of the lesser guilds that existed here in the Keep.

Taru Tribe
The Taru are a group of natives to Masteria who lived in the Krakian Jungle. The entire tribe was wiped out by the Krakians, whom they were formerly friends with. The only living Taru descendant is Corine, whose family managed to flee to Victoria. Taru warriors are given a weapon at birth, and what discipline they fall under is determined by what weapon they pick as a baby. Later, they are also bonded with an animal companion. It is rare to see a Taru without both their weapon and their animal companion, as they soon become inseparable. The Taru worship a Jungle spirit, who would sometimes bless special warriors with a Taru Feather that would grant their weapon a huge increase in power.

Krakians
The sentient plant-like race that lived in the Krakian Jungle, alongside the Taru. They usually kept to themselves, and only traded with the Taru. One day, they fell under the sway of the Alchemist, and suddenly became violent and dangerous. Their first victims were the Taru, and then they proceeded to march on Crimsonwood Keep. The war between the Keep and the Krakians lasted for years, but the Keep finally fell to them right before Masteria disappeared. Krakians who fell in battle during this war would try to bond their spirits to the nearby foliage, and so the Phantom Trees that inhabit Phantom Forest are the aggressive spirits of fallen Krakians. In the present era, the Krakians are being cybernetically modified by the evil Dr. Krakia, a time traveling villain.

Corrupt Army
The army, led by the Twisted Masters, which currently has control of the Keep. They used the texts of the 4 major guilds to train their soldiers in these disciplines, but without the strict moral codes, it has become extremely dangerous. Made up of the Windraiders, Nightshadows, Firebrands, and Stormbreakers, as well as the 4 Twisted Masters. They are from Versal, and currently are trying to reclaim the body of Christopher Crimsonheart from the Mesogears, though we still don't know why.

Raven Ninja Clan
The successors of the Shadowknights, one of the splintered groups leftover after the Shadowknights broke apart. They try to stick to the moral code of the Shadowknights, and maintained watch over the Isle of Vigilance for the eons since Masteria's disappearance. Now that it's back, the Raven Ninjas dispatched Taggrin, Joko, Fiona and Mo to explore and find out why it has returned.

Dragon Ninja Clan
We know very little about these people. They're related to the Dragon Door, but that's all that is factually solid. It is likely that they are also a splintered group from the Shadowknights, since Taggrin explicitly mentions that some of the splinter groups did not keep up their morals. The two new bosses, Scarlet Phoenix and Azure Ocelot, may be members of this group, though again that isn't known for sure. They are likely an evil faction.

Beanstalk

Backgrounds:



Houses:



Reminds me of Zipangu...

[COLOR="Black"]
The Antellion statue, or at least its shattered remains, will probably be located in one of the future towns, perhaps Crimsonwood Keep. Judging by the description, which states that it could teleport you anywhere instantly, it may very well provide us with an alternate method of transportation to reach NLC.

Mystic Astrolabe's description is probably the most important description. It reveals the location of Crimsonwood Keep: in the Phantom Forest. That means it is relatively close to the Mansion. It could be that a portal will be added near the NLC taxi allowing us to walk there, or that we will just take the Taxi straight there (or maybe even both!). It says that the Mystic Compass could teleport you, so it may have been used in conjunction with the Antellion statue. Perhaps you could use the Antellion to go all the way out to somewhere, and then the Mystic Compass to get back. Additionally, he says they were created by the Grandmaster Mage. It seems that there are 4 grandmasters of Crimsonwood Keep, each of a job.

Naricain Jewel's description is almost as valuable. Naricain is the demon who was responsible for the creation of the dark scrolls. Barricade says he is "not from this world.." Well, there's only one other world. The depiction of a "many-armed beast" calls forth a lot of different images (at least for me) one of which is Zakum. I doubt that Naricain is related to zakum, but it could just be that having more than 2 arms is an evil trait. It also says he was once human, and his dark magic transformed him into a demon. This is consistent with my own research on the matter: Grendel attempted to study dark magic, and that ended with the disastrous creation of Zombie Lupins. That's why there's no "Black Mage" class in MapleStory; all people who study dark magic in the Maple World do so at the cost of becoming a demon eventually.

I can't wait to see the Subani Ankh now...

Taru Totem is interesting in that it's the only thing besides Foxwit's Turkey analysis that mentions the lost Krakia city. The way he describes the population also makes me think of Chris Crimsonheart... He could have been one of them, then founded the keep along with the other masters.


The "Blinking Dingbat", while it has a funny name, also gives us some clues. Foxwit says it was part of a communications device, and it's still operating. That probably means it is sending information back to whomever launched it still. Who could this be? I don't think it's the grays; they mostly live in Omega Sector's invasion fleet since it seems their homeworld was destroyed. The Glimmer Man says that there's not much out there besides the grays... Which leaves us with a mystery then. I guess we can't count out the Mateons. This item seems to be the strongest evidence for a space-based area.

Well, the first sentence of Foxwit's statement is true in our world as well: Dark Matter is the stuff that exists and has mass, but can't really be seen just by looking. The rest, however, is maple lore. Not much here besides that bit.

Vorticular Gyro is making a Star Trek joke. The whole "atomic stabilization" thing is poking fun at Star Trek Transporters, and the "hyper food processor" is another one. This just sort of explains how the foxwit doors work. Not too significant in the long run, but it adds more to the world.

Zeta Residue seems to be the radioactive particles that destroyed the Grays' homeworld. It could be that it hurts the Grays very much, but doesn't affect humans; Foxwit's logical reasoning isn't very conclusive. The part about it being Alien Poo is just a funny joke, I think. xD I wouldn't take that part too seriously.

Black Versal Materia is overflowing with Chaos energy. Foxwit's description is almost like a black hole, but if that were the case we would get sucked into it.

Now, there are also explanations on the items that you forge as well. The Zeta Cape, as Foxwit explained it, uses the energy of Power Crystals to create some sort of force field around them. It's funny because the Zeta Grays actually do wear capes. Omega Sector seems to be very important to NLC; the research that enables Foxwit to make a Zeta Cape comes from here also.

The only other Item I could forge was the Dark Shards. Foxwit explains that he once had a colleague that smashed particles of Black Crystal into Particles of Power Crystals to create Dark Shards, which gave off a protective aura. His colleague eventually goes on to dangerous experiments using these Shards to protect him. I speculate that this colleague was none other than Dr. Krakia. To me, it seems that it would make quite a bit of sense for Dr. Krakia to have been some sort of apprentice to Foxwit, with whom he eventually had a falling out, probably over these dangerous experiments. Now they are enemies across time... Not much more to go on than that, though, and even this is stretching it.[/COLOR]