The recently released DLC, Throes of the Watchmaker, for Sea of Stars, has launched entirely for free, introducing players to an array of new exciting features. This includes a fresh character, engaging minigames, intriguing puzzles, and, true to the spirit of classic JRPGs, an assortment of collectibles.
Similar to how players collected the Rainbow Conches in the base game, the new DLC offers collectible Time Runes. Gathering these runes guides you toward unlocking a secret ending.
To access the DLC, you’ll need to be in the endgame phase, which means you’re likely sporting the Falcon-Eyed Parrot. This helpful companion proves invaluable for completionists, facilitating the search for all the runes.
Buckle up, former Solstice Warriors turned adventurous circus performers! This guide will detail the locations of all Time Runes in Sea of Stars: Throes of the Watchmaker and help you unveil a delightful secret that connects with Sabotage Studio’s previous title.
This guide focuses on locating all the Time Runes but refrains from offering detailed solutions to all puzzles, as many of them are designed to be straightforward.
Time Rune I
Watch Town
To kick things off, this Time Rune can only be obtained after engaging in fishing and Wheel minigames. Your first step involves locating the Warlock Figurine to unlock the Wheel champions.
The Warlock Figurine is accessible once you’ve fished all four types of bags introduced in the DLC. It may seem there are three bag types available, but you need to fish all of them from every fishing spot.
Upon unlocking the train after completing the Rail Forest, you can access the following fishing locations:
- Bounty Basin at Horloge Island – Small Goodie Bag, Medium Goodie Bag
- Goodies Pond at Lost Island Station – Small Goodie Bag, Big Goodie Bag
- Were-Lake at Wolf Rock Station – Medium Goodie Bag, Big Goodie Bag
Once you’ve caught all the bags, return to Were-Lake and converse with the local NPC, who will provide you with a Magnet Hook. With this tool, you can now fish a chest containing the Warlock Figurine.
Head back to Horloge Town and challenge the three Wheel champions located in a tent southwest of the town center. Utilizing Mage and Thief figurines proved successful for me when defeating them.
Your reward for this effort includes some Clown Noses, which can be exchanged for tickets, and most importantly, the Time Rune I alongside a trophy.
Time Rune II
Goodies Pond
Once you gain train access, head to the Lost Island Station to find the Goodies Pond, which might look familiar if you’ve already obtained the Warlock Figurine.
Dive into the water and head towards the northern waterfall. After miniaturizing, interact with a maelstrom to explore a new area containing a box with a sliding puzzle.
I wish I could provide step-by-step guidance for this puzzle, but it took me a fair amount of trial and error to complete. Align the tiles correctly to open the gate and obtain Time Rune II.
Time Rune III
Rail Forest
While exploring the Rail Forest, the second dungeon in Throes of the Watchmaker, you’ll discover a grappling hook that propels you toward a wall with grates.Climb this wall to unearth a hidden entrance on your left.
Inside, you’ll find a box that presents another puzzle, this time revolving around rotating four circles to create an upward-pointing arrow. This puzzle is fairly simple, and it’s advisable to begin aligning from the inside due to the interconnected movements of adjacent circles. Completing this task grants you Time Rune III.
Time Rune IV
Ivory Towers Station
After obtaining the train, your next major destination is the Ivory Towers. Upon reaching the station, you’ll find a puzzle box in the overworld area.
This puzzle involves swapping tiles in order to transmit energy to a lamp. It’s a relatively simple task requiring you to select tiles for swift swapping.Utilizing a screenshot as a visual reference will significantly aid in solving the circuit puzzle for Time Rune IV.
If you manage to activate all tile circuits, you can light the second lamp, earning you a Sour Licorice that boosts a character’s Magic Attack by 1.
Time Rune V
Ivory Towers
At the Ivory Towers, you must activate four symbols to unlock the central gate and confront the self-absorbed Narcis King. Instead of entering the main building when activating the fourth symbol, continue south to discover a stairway leading to an entrance.
Inside, you’ll confront another box with a puzzle that requires arranging nine levers in specific positions. The levers are numbered 1 to 9 from left to right; refer to the table below for the correct placements:
|
Levers |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Right |
Right |
Left |
Left |
Left |
Right |
Left |
Right |
Right |
Solving the lever arrangement will yield Time Rune V as your reward.
Time Rune VI
Watch Town
Prior to obtaining this Time Rune, you must acquire the Mule Drone, which is obtained during the Ivory Towers dungeon. Next, proceed to the northeastern tent in Horloge Town and adjust the stairs to ascend.
Upon arrival, you’ll encounter a box-pushing puzzle. While you only need to complete one of the two steps to secure the Time Rune, tackling both is advisable.
To start, align one box with the dead-end box before jumping inside and following the path to find the Time Rune behind bars. A clue above it indicates how to position the boxes for puzzle success.
This challenge can be tricky, but numbered boxes 1 through 5 from left to right, here’s how to complete the puzzle:
- Push box number 5 all the way up.
- Push box number 1 all the way up.
- Push box number 1 to the right until it meets box 5.
- Push box number 1 down to slot it between boxes 3 and 4.
- Push box number 4 right and then up until it touches box 5.
- Push box number 4 left, then down, to connect it with box 2.
- Finally, push box number 5 down and left to complete the puzzle.
Once inside the box, you will find the Time Rune VI resting unobstructed.
Time Rune VII
Lost Island Station
Utilizing the train, head to Lost Island Station where you’ll discover a puzzle box situated in the easternmost area. This is one of the simpler puzzles available.
Your task is to adjust the heights of the platforms so the electrical circuit lights up the bulb, revealing Time Rune VII. Reference the screenshot for the appropriate settings.
If detailed textual instructions are preferable, modify as follows: the northernmost platform should be maximally elevated, the one adjacent to it lowered one level, and the remaining two just a notch above ground level.
Time Rune VIII
Were Rock
Within Were Rock, gather some Bridge Keys to activate bridges. Once you locate and cross the first bridge, you will enter a cave filled with walls to climb.
Upon reaching the cave’s midpoint, descend to discover a lone entrance. Inside, activate the puzzle by miniaturizing yourself once more.
This puzzle is relatively straightforward: activate the purple pedestal at the center to initiate a mechanism. You’ll need to manipulate levers to align the platforms enabling the contraption to pass through.
This puzzle is timed, so it’s beneficial to pre-align the platforms. While the contraption slides, adjust its direction until it reaches the end—this will unlock the bars, granting you Time Rune VIII.
Time Rune IX
Watch Town
Though Time Rune IX appears early in the game, it is typically the last one you will collect. Located in Horloge Town, accessing this rune requires a few preparatory steps.
Visit the tent on the town’s eastern side to encounter an NPC seeking a Certificate of Balloonery. Let’s track down this elusive item.
Exit the tent and walk southeast to drop down a ledge, where you will find a rope bridge. Follow this path to discover a box that can be shifted using a gust of air.
Scale the box and enter the left passageway, where you’ll find a puzzle box. This challenge involves manipulating three boxes beneath gears:
- Climb to the top and position the northwesternmost box under the gear.
- Descend the nearest stairs, shift the subsequent box, and navigate to the third box on your left to readjust it.
- Return to ground level, move the central box, and watch as balloons rise across Horloge Town.
Now, head to the town square where the floor clock is located. Jump southwest toward the Wheel Champions’ tent, drop down, and bounce off the balloons to reach the ground entrance.
Retrieve the Certificate of Balloonery and present it to the NPC. This will grant you access to the box behind him, although be prepared: it houses five formidable enemies.
Taking them on at Renown 5 is feasible, but aiming for Renown 6 with your gear from the Big Top dungeon is wise. It’s a challenging confrontation, but triumph will reward you with Time Rune IX.
Time Rune X
Lost Island Station
To obtain this Rune, you’ll require the Mule Drone. At Lost Island Station, enter the first box in the overworld. The puzzle here necessitates the use of the grappling feature alongside the Mule Drone, rendering it rather simple.
Start by bypassing the initial lever and seize the nearest grappling point with your Drone. Proceed forward, navigate down the ladder, and place the grappling point on the next available spot before activating its lever to elevate it.
Then, climb the ladder and use the grappling tool to traverse to the other side. Align the grappling spots as described to complete the task, neutralizing any enemies you encounter. Activate the timer at the start, and you’ll successfully acquire Time Rune X.
Time Rune XI
Big Top
The penultimate Time Rune resides in the Big Top, the final dungeon of the DLC. Proceed through the dungeon until defeating Pif, Paf, and their mechanical companion, Pantouf.
From here, navigate through two more mandatory areas to collect tickets. In the right-side area, you’ll discover a staircase leading outside a circus tent to an entrance below.
Enter this area and encounter a puzzle involving the alignment of three lampposts situated on a green-tinted floor. You can move the components in columns or rows to achieve the desired formation.
I can’t provide meticulous directions because I figured it out through trial and error, but if I can solve it, so can you. Once the lampposts are aligned correctly, the barriers will open, granting you Time Rune XI.
Time Rune XII
Watch Town
Upon completing the game and vanquishing the main antagonist in Throes of the Watchmaker, you’ll automatically find yourself back at the pub in Horloge Town.
Stepping outside, you’ll discover Time Rune XII awaiting your retrieval right at the entrance.
Rewards for Finding All Time Runes
Collecting all Time Runes grants you a trophy or achievement, which I consider a satisfying reward. However, if you anticipated acquiring a new item or some gear as a prize, prepare to be disappointed.
Ultimately, the true reward for locating all Time Runes in Throes of the Watchmaker is an exciting easter egg detailing further connections between Sea of Stars and The Messenger, the debut title from Sabotage Studio.
After collecting all the Time Runes, visit the clock in the center of Horloge Town and interact with it. The runes will click into place, transforming into an elevator that transports you to another location.
No surprise here—Garl takes center stage once again. He witnesses a prophetic vision involving two familiar characters who, for those acquainted with The Messenger, are contemplating their wicked designs.
In his role, Garl, now known as the Ovate of Hope, opts to convey a message through time to secure a better future for the world. This choice leads him to create a prophecy.
This touching detail provides a beautiful nod that intertwines beautifully with The Messenger’s narrative. However, those unfamiliar with The Messenger may find the Time Rune collection more of a challenge than a worthwhile narrative experience.
Regardless, it’s a delightful way to conclude Sea of Stars, signifying that Throes of the Watchmaker likely represents the final content update for this remarkable indie RPG.
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