SINGING MOUNTAIN
by me
(And yes, I know some of it doesn't fit what we know about CT. Feel free to adjust accordingly.)
The crash-landing of Lavos in 65M BC causes a cacophony of changes in the primordial earth: tropical rainforests are beseiged by frozen tundra, the continents are shattered and drift apart, and a few surviving semi-intelligent ape-men begin their evolution into something much more profound. Lavos must strike a very delicate balance: humankind must have access enough to a new power to survive and evolve, but not so much as to one day challenge him.
65,000,000 BC is where magic was born. Some of the more "evolved" ape-men, out of necessity, learn to use lightning magic to defend themselves from indigenous dinosaurs, and fire magic to keep themselves warm. The Sun Stone is birthed from Dreamstone, and the fate of the Earth begins to follow the course dictated by the relative powers of the Four Elements. And at the center of all of it is a creature created by the Entity itself to give humankind a chance to topple Lavos.
Late in the game, Crono and Co. return to 65M BC to check in on the ancient founders of the human race. While there, they learn an astounding fact: a strange frog-like creature has visited the village and taught Kino how to use lightning magic! This new knowledge has helped the tribesmen defend themselves from dinosaurs and the few remaining Reptites. Kino respects this teacher and believes him to act in the best interests of the tribe. Unfortunately, however, most of the rest of the tribe does not agree--and the tribe gangs up to capture the creature and take it to the most desolate and remote place on the planet: Singing Mountain.
Knowing that this creature could be the key to the survival of humankind, Crono and Co. head off to Singing Mountain to free it. Along the way they encounter a strange breed of Reptites: for these creatures seem to be mindless, and as difficult to destroy as the undead. (In other words, they are Reptites "possessed".) The beginnings of the Mystics are also seen here, as some Imps and gargoylelike creatures (presumably native to Singing Mountain) are quickly found to possess some Magic--though brute strength is still their specialty. Djinn and the progenitors of some of the other creatures later seen in the Ocean Palace/Black Omen also are found here.
If Crono's group manages to make it to the summit of Singing Mountain, it encounters a most unexpected creature: the Golden Nu. This creature, possibly the progenitor of the entire Nu species, acts much like other Nus in the game in terms of its attacks. It is, however, much quicker, able to call other Nus to its side, and a capable Magic user. Should Crono defeat this guardian, the Golden Nu will make clear the purpose of the test: the Shaman had seen that waiting until humans with the capacity for understanding the power of Magic, as well as the ambition and self-control for the proper use of it, was necessary. And, with Crono passing the test, the importance of the quest becomes clear: for the group has just freed Spekkio, the Master of War, and assured that in the far future they will be able to use magic to fight against Lavos.
ENEMIES: Please see descriptions above. Around 10 different common enemy times, most of whom appear to be much stronger physically/slightly weaker magically than Mystic-type enemies encountered earlier in the game. Examples would be a powered-down version of the Goon, a physically strong Gargoyle-type creature, and a Ruminator-type creature.
ITEMS: No new items. Some previously seen element-aligned equipment, such as the MermaidCap, might be availabe through Charming or chests.
SPECIAL EFFECTS: Each character gains +5 to Magic Attack and Magic Defense. Spekkio gives the Red Rock, which enables the BLACK GATE Triple Tech (Frog+Ayla+Magus; Frog Squash + Tail Spin + Black Hole).
