Charlock Island
The endgame. Use the Rainbow Drop to reach Charlock Island, navigate seven basement floors, claim Erdrick's Sword, and kill the Dragonlord. Don't attempt this below level 20. Even at 20, you'll burn through MP fast.
The Rainbow Bridge
You need three items: Stones of Sunlight (Tantegel cellar), Staff of Rain (Kol Shrine trade), and Erdrick's Token (70 south, 40 east of Tantegel). Take all three to the temple south of Rimuldar. The old man combines them into the Rainbow Drop.
Go to the channel west of Rimuldar — the tiny water gap separating Charlock Island from the mainland. Use the Rainbow Drop. A bridge appears. Cross over. The bridge stays permanently.
Enemies
Island and Ground Floor: Knights, Demon Knights, Werewolves, Magiwyverns, Starwyverns. Same as southern Alefgard.
Basements 1-4: Axe Knights, Stonemen, Wizards, Green Dragons, Blue Dragons. Wizards cast Hurtmore. Blue Dragons breathe fire for 50+ damage.
Basements 5-7: Armored Knights, Stonemen, Wizards, Red Dragons. Red Dragons are the strongest regular enemy — 100+ HP, heavy fire breath. Use Stopspell on Wizards immediately.
Charlock Castle
Cross the poisonous swamp surrounding the castle. Inside, two visible staircases lead to dead ends. The real entrance is hidden.
Basement 1: Straight path. Go left, then along the bottom to the stairs.
Basement 2: Circular path leads down. The center room contains Erdrick's Sword, but you can't reach it from here — you need to go down to B4 first, then take the lower-right stairs back up.
Basement 3: Enter from top-right. Two stairs on the sides loop to each other (dead end). Take the down stairs on the left.
Basement 4: Four staircases. Lower-right goes up to Erdrick's Sword (get it, then return). Upper-right is a trap loop. Upper-left leads to the Dragonlord.
Basements 5-6: Two paths each. The outer paths continue down. Inner paths are dead ends.
Basement 7: Treasure room in the south has junk (Herb, Key, Cursed Belt). Go left, then along the top through broken castle walls and marsh to reach the Dragonlord's throne room.
The Dragonlord
When you reach the Dragonlord, he offers you a deal: rule the world alongside him. Say yes and the game ends — dark screen, no credits, you lose. Refuse him.
Phase 1: The Dragonlord appears as a wizard. He has about 100 HP and casts Stopspell and Hurtmore. Kill him in a few hits. Easy.
Phase 2: His true form — a massive dragon. 130 HP (NES) or 350 HP (Remix), hits for 40-60 damage, breathes fire for 60-70 damage. This is the real fight. You need Healmore every other turn to survive. At level 20 with Erdrick's Armor and Sword, you can win. Level 22-25 makes it comfortable.
Defeat the dragon and you claim the Ball of Light. Walk back to Tantegel (or use Outside and Return). King Lorik declares you the hero of Alefgard. Credits roll. You're done.