The young boy's name is Lute: a rash but passionate fellow
who aims to be the world's top Monster Rider.
Lute and his fellow Riders Cheval, Mille, and Hyoro
work together to defeat a Nargacuga afflicted with the Black Blight.
Then, with Chief Omna's guidance,
the four head off on an adventure to purify the world's Kinship Ore.
Along the way, Lute and Navirou meet another Rider on the Arctic Ridge:
Avinia and her Barioth Monstie, from another village.
The experience leaves all three encouraged to learn
that there are others who feel the same way.
And now, the band of Riders head for their destination!
Expect big things from Navirou!
Whoa...
So this is Gildegaran...
It's so big!
Get a load of all these people!
And all so fashionable!
Nothing like Hakum Village...
Well, duh. This is Hunter central!
Eh? Navirou's picking up on an intense gaze.
Is that a Felyne?!
What weird whiskers.
Weird face, too.
He's weird all over!
Heh. Seems everyone's fascinated by ol' Navirou here.
C'mon, Navirou--we're leaving you behind!
H-Hey, wait up!
Now there's some easy marks.
"Monster Hunter Stories RIDE ON"
"Episode 18: Welcome to Gildegaran"
Excuse me: where could I meet up with the Royal Scriveners?
The Scriveners?
Hmm... Try the Hunter's Guild.
The Hunter's Guild?
Lilia's wasting no time looking for Simone, huh.
She must really want to see her.
What's so great about the Scriveners, anyway?
Say, uh, we really do look way different from everyone else here...
You think so?
Maybe a little.
Yep. Navirou was just thinking you look pretty lame.
Hey, country bumpkins!
Must be your first time here, am I right?
I'll show you around!
What do you want?
I'm Debli, the hottest Hunter in town!
Or, for short:
D!
B!
L!
Debli!
"Tubby"?
No, not Tubby! It's Debli!
Ha! Just walk away. Navirou's gut says so.
Listen here, you!
Don't worry about it. His gut hasn't been right once.
Now, you seem like a guy who knows what's what.
So where'd you all come from?
Oh, we're from Hakum--
Ow!
Lute! You know we have to keep the whole Riders thing a secret!
Oh. Right.
Come on, let's get going!
Hey, w-wait! Ow! That hurts!
Eh?
Hey... Hey! Hey, come on!
Dang it... Don't think I'll give up that easily!
So what do we do now?
To eat a donut or to eat a soufflé: that is the question.
I'd like to find the Scriveners.
And I'd like to find an inn to sort ourselves out.
Hmm... How's this?
I'll go with Lilia in search of the Scriveners;
Hyoro and Mille, you try to find us an inn.
Okay.
Yep.
What about you, Cheval?
I'll...
Tch! You're going to trip again!
I'll be okay!
--Be careful, now! --I'll look for an inn with Hyoro and Mille.
I'm not big on crowded places.
Now just a minute!
First we need to get either donuts or a soufflé!
So let's meet back up here at noon.
Yeah!
Wait for Navirou!
Wow! Look at all these different items!
Wh-Wh-What is that?!
A Felyne?
If it is, it's way too weird!
It's way beyond weird!
Don't let it get to you, Navi.
That's right. You're you, Navirou!
Heh. The center of attention, wherever Navirou goes...
It's not easy being a chosen one!
Nothing gets to Navi.
He can make it just about anywhere.
Hey!
Huh?
So it's you: the outsiders who've been causing a ruckus in town.
What?!
Well, there has been a little fuss about Navi, but...
Being such an unparalleled, awe-inspiring specimen and all.
Just what are you?
Navirou, one of the chosen Felyne.
Mmm. And where have you come from?
--Oh, we're from Hakum-- --What? Hey!
I told you: you can't tell anyone!
Oh. Right.
Heh. Tangle with us and you'll get burned.
Aha. So this oddball is a Felyne, and you can't say where you're from!
Well, uh...
When you put it like that... Yes, pretty much.
Mmm, yes, I see.
All right, I understand perfectly.
Take them away!
Yes, sir!
What?!
We're not shady or anything!
Navirou's face might be, but that's all!
We'll hear the details at the station.
What's all this?
Apologies, Captain Gentor, but could you leave these three to me?
Eh? He seems awfully familiar...
Right?
Sir!
Understood, Master, sir!
Master?
Indeed! This personage here
hails from the Hunter's Guild headquarters:
the Guild Master!
Wha-a-at?!
My old friend Omna has told me all about you.
Y-You mean you know Chief Omna?
Mmm. Welcome to Gildegaran, home to the Hunter's Guild.
So you see, Omna and I grew up together like brothers.
Wow, really?
Kind of like you and Cheval!
Yeah!
Mmm. I've heard all about you.
You must be... Ah, yes: Lilia the All-Knowing.
You want to be a Scrivener.
Yes, sir!
And you're Lute.
I hear you hatched a Rathalos without a Kinship Stone.
Sure did!
And you're Navirou!
Yep!
And your talent is...
Well, I haven't really heard anything.
Ah, and Lilia's good at combining. Isn't that right?
Yes, sir!
Nooo, no, no, no.
What?
Nothing.
I've heard about the terribly bitter Energy Drinks you make.
Like life itself!
Huh?
Yes--that's right. Bitter is right!
Wow! You really do know everything!
Mmm. Omna speaks very highly of you all.
Why, he practically sees you as his own children!
Chief Omna...
Sniff!
But Energy Drinks, bitter like life itself? What's that mean?
Let it go. We're having a moment here.
Both sides need to understand one another better--a little at a time.
We sure do. We've never left the village before,
so we don't really get Hunters at all.
We thought everyone grew up to be Riders, forming Kinship with monsters...
...but that's not true, is it?
Yes, well...
In some ways, it is... and in some ways, it isn't.
Huh?
Hunters work on perfecting their skills daily,
and make a living by taking on hunting orders--Quests.
Quests?
And we here provide support for their hunting--
by sending Hunters to base camp and preparing essential hunting tools.
Huh!
I know! Why don't I have you do a Quest while you're in town?
It'll be a good experience for you.
Sounds fun!
Just be careful. You can't let anyone find out you're a Rider.
Not that again... Why is it a secret, anyway?
Eh?
Huh?
Oh?
No!
Y-You've got it all wrong!
I totally wasn't eavesdropping from behind this sculpture!
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Dear me. Whatever are we going to do with you?
Our apologies. We'll have a word with her later.
Er... Were all three of you eavesdropping?
Oh, dear, dear, dear. Oh-ho-ho.
By the way, ladies, meet Navirou, the chosen Felyne.
Or, for short:
N!
V!
R!
Navirou!
He sure nabbed that fast.
Of all things.
And you are?
I'm sorry we didn't tell you earlier:
We're three sisters who work at the Hunter's Guild headquarters.
If there's anything you don't understand, just ask!
We'll do our best to be of service!
In other words, they're here to support you.
Huh!
The city's a fantastic place, all right!
So what's it like, bending monsters to your will?!
Huh?
Bending them to my will?
Isn't that what Riders do?
No way. Monsters aren't exactly that obedient.
You need really strong Kinship with them for that.
Really?
Oh, dear.
Could you tell us a bit more about that?
Huh?
Dear me. It must be lunchtime.
Now that you mention it, I am hungry...
This is a good chance to experience the Hunter lifestyle.
Go eat lunch in town.
Yes, sir!
We're meeting up with friends who came with us from the village.
Then please, take this list of tasty restaurants.
How very thoughtful!
Or wait--could you be in... love?
Navirou's sorry. Just... sorry.
Meanwhile, I'll get in touch with the Scriveners.
Oh! Thank you very much!
Hey!
Did you find an inn?
About that...
We kinda got lost.
The big city's nothing like our village!
So you really do need Navirou's navigation after all!
That has nothing to do with it.
Nope.
--No, nothing. --Nothing at all.
Nada.
Well, why don't we have lunch, then?
We have this list of good places to go!
Wow! Look at all this scrumptious food!
I've never seen such beautiful cakes!
What's this veggie?
That's a new one on me!
Such a dazzling display of donuts...
Navirou's glad he's alive!
So who's eating what? Cheval, you want a soufflé?
Huh? Mmm...
Ah... Nothing sweet for me.
Oh... Then how about some meat?
We'll see who can eat the most!
Hey, yeah, meat sounds good!
All right--let's go!
Ride On!
Rathian!
Now, I'll take Lilia to the Scriveners.
The rest of you go on to the inn.
Thank you so much--for everything!
Lilia, say hi to Simone for us.
I will!
Is Lilia... never coming back?
I-It's not like I care!
Worry not, Mille!
You two are bound by a deep Kinship.
You may be apart, but your hearts will never let go!
Ooh, that was good! That was very, very good.
And irritating.
Well, uh, setting that aside for now...
--We're friends first and foremost, right? --Yeah!
Yeah!
Oh, I finally get to see the Red Swan!
Red...?
What's that?
Captain Simone! I want to be just like her someday!
Oh, Simone...!
Lilia!
Simone!
I'm so glad you made it, Lilia.
Huh?
I'm thrilled from the bottom of my heart to see you again.
So am I!
Whee! Whee! Whee!
--Now that's a good lieutenant. --Whee! Whee!
There's no inn here.
The map says it should be around here somewhere...
Maybe that way?
Eh?
Hey! Fancy running into you here!
This guy? From before!
Um, er... De... De...
Tub-something-or-other!
I'm not "Tub" anything! I'm Debli, dang it!
--Or, for short: D! --Give it a rest, would you?
What are you doing here, anyway?
You're in our way. Let us through.
You sure? The Forest of Confusion lies ahead--dark even in daylight!
The place is crawling with monsters!
And?
Is there a problem?
Eh? Uh, I mean...
Y-You need to be prepared to face a monster!
I figured I'd sell you some of my Debli-brand Hunter supplies!
No, thanks.
Not necessary.
That? Is trash.
It is not! It's all very handy stuff to have on a hunt!
Then we really don't need it. We're not on a hunt.
Well, I won't be held responsible when some black monster attacks you!
A black monster?!
Rumor has it a creepy black monster's been showing up in the forest lately.
What's that?
There it is!
There what is?
That alarm means a monster's been spotted!
It's coming from the Forest of Confusion, so that's where it must be!
That forest?
Let's go.
Huh?
Don't blame me!
Monsters mean some serious business these days!
Which way to our Monsties?
Right! To the right!
Straight ahead it is!
Roger!
Hey!
There they are!
Huh? Where'd my Velocidrome go?
Wha--
What? So Blighted monsters have shown up near the city, too?
Yes.
It's just as you'd reported, Lilia.
Hunters slayed them at once, so there was no damage, but...
The Black Blight... It's spreading, isn't it.
It seems that way.
At the moment, we believe that
the most effective way to stop the Blight is to purify the Kinship Ores.
You proved as much.
That wasn't me.
That was my old Rider friends, who worked up the courage
to stand up to the Nargacuga.
They're your friends!
Simone...
In any case, to keep more monsters from being Blighted,
we can't only slay Blighted beasts, but must purify the Kinship Ores as well.
Mmm. No objection here, Captain Simone.
You have the support of the Hunter's Guild.
Thank you, sir.
"The Blighted Kecha Wacha"
There it is...
It's Blighted, all right.
We've got to beat it.
Ride On!
Rathian!
Ride On!
Velocidrome!
Let's stop it!
First let's get it down on our level!
Yesss!
Whoa!
Chaaarge!
All right!
Wh-What are these guys?!
They're awesome!
Ack!
Oh, no!
That was amazing!
Are they those "Riders" I've heard about?
You okay?
What do you mean?
Huh? What do I mean? You just...
Wow, Cheval! You did great!
But it was almost like it wasn't you at all.
I just... If I didn't...
I thought... someone would get hurt.
He-e-ey!
Whoa, you guys--you're crazy powerful!
Where'd you come from?
You were good,
but you were something else!
Like a real top-of-the-line Hunter!
Y-You think so?
--Yeah! You got lots of promise! --Cheval's cheered up, eh?
--Thanks. --Cheval's cheered up, eh?
--The real deal! --Cheval's cheered up, eh?
Hmm...
Ugh, I'm beat!
We never did find that inn.
Oh!
Welcome back, gang!
Long time no see!
Lilia! Joined the Scriveners already?
Well, uh... I'm still an apprentice.
Lilia is one of us now.
Simone! I mean: Captain!
Good for you, Lilia!
The uniform looks good on you.
Thanks!
Oh, Cheval, I heard you were amazing-- stopping that Kecha Wacha!
Oh, uh-huh.
I... I want to be stronger.
Strong enough to stop any black-stained monster.
"Monstie Manual"
The Monstie Manual!
"Monstie Manual"
Navirou here will fill you in on some Monsties!
Get your Media Trigger smartphone app ready!
And you've got your egg with you, right?
Okay, time to form Kinship with your Monstie Egg!
And now, the moment of new life: awaken!
Our Monstie this time is Kecha Wacha!
"Monstie:"
"Kecha Wacha"
"Type: Technical"
That's one fancy face!
"Species: Fanged Beast"
It hops around in the treetops,
"Overall Length: 339.8 cm (excluding ears)"
"Overall Height: 142.6 cm"
using its tricky movements to toy with its prey!
"Leg Size: 31.4 cm (rear)"
The mucus it shoots from its nose is bad news, too!
It'd make a fine Monstie, though--that's for sure!
What Monstie will hatch for us next week?
"Next Episode Preview"
Lute here!
First we wind up crashing at ace Hunter Reverto's place,
and then I gotta do a Guild Quest all on my own?!
"Nerscylla Blitz!"
Next time: "Nerscylla Blitz!"
Ride On!