I'm stuck in the lava cave! I'll try equipping some better blaze protection, but if that doesn't help I guess I'm Xenoboned.

...don't step in the lava?
I though that is the only way you take damage there...

Well, then can anybody confirm there are no other secret areas in the Makna Forest? lol

Yes, @G4L, there is.
Right after you cross the first bridge, if you head along the right, there will be a large tree branch with Quadwings on them. If you walk along the branch you can drop down to a cave entrance which leads to a Secret Area.

Oh! Well, I already mapped that area @TysonQ7. I didn't recall that being a secret area, though. I discovered it when I was doing those monster killing sidequests for that Nopon. I guess I've already found all of the secret areas then. Thanks for confirming that for me @TysonQ7. You know that was definitely bothering my OCD.

That's not the only way to take damage there. I fear to go into those caves. The nopon delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke in, the darkness of the lava cave? Shadow and flame.

And it's guarding a magical hot rock that I need in order to set up camp and progress the story (ah, the sweet smell of RPG filler).

it's always a good sign when I'm in the swamp for like 3 hours, do very little that is actually interesting, and it is still awesome. Ok, now this game is in officially "better than every game last year" territory if this keeps up.

(a) lol
(b) you should be able to warp out, grind, and then come back in if that battle is bothering you. i'm pretty sure it took me about four tries before i finally beat it; sometimes these boss battles are up to the luck of the 'being able to get the B-button jump on 'em and then bring the pain' draw, it seems. :3

Don't take this the wrong way people, but I'm just not finding this game to be that fun. It's a good game, maybe even great, but it's just not really fun for me. I play it only about once a week and even then it feels like a chore rather than a game. I'm hoping the game gets exciting in some way (I'm in the Satorl Marsh) because I don't want it to become a game that I quit playing out of boredom.

I would guess you are not a fan of RPGs then.

Not (entirely) because I believe my opinion of this game > anyone else's but because that's the complaints I've heard for every RPG ever made.

Well, I'm not a Final Fantasy fan, but there are plenty of RPGs that I like; Chrono Trigger, every Mario RPG ever made, Pokemon, and Golden Sun to name a few. But you are right, traditional JRPGs are usually not my favorite games. I was under the impression that this one was something more, though.

SUUUUUUPER SPOILERS!

I got to the part in Prison Island where Dunban tells me the cutoff is. Decided to finish up quests and raise affinity. Changed to a party of Fiora, Dunban and Melia. At this point I had worked my way up bit by bit to lv 85 ( Thank you EXP Up!) and preceded to annihilate EVERYTHING in Alcamoth, rescued Teelan, and ventured to the Telethia Lab (I already had the High Entia Emblem)
I got the mission to rebuild the Alcamoth Etther Generators, and am currently grinding Meteor Aretillery Units on the Fallen Arm for parts. (Now Lv. 90)

I completed everything in Colony 6, but then there is the one last Ether Generator protection quest...AGAINST A LV 99 DEMON DRAGON.
It's really cool.
Anyways, after I destroy-- I MEAN SAVE Alcamoth, I'm gonna kill Unnmovable Gonzales. He's gonna wish he moved once I'm done with him...

OK so I have discovered the collectopaedia!! I wish I would've seen that sooner LOL. The cool thing is I've done about 80% of it already!

Now for the questions. I'm maxed out and need to start selling thing but I don't know where to begin. I was thinking at the least valuable things and going up from there. I don't want to sell stuff I'm going to need later on so this kinda sucks!

Also I still don't really understand the gem crafting. All I get are week gems and I seem to be getting in fever mode quite a bit!

I'm at level 26 with all my characters up to this point and have moved on with the story. I'm currently heading through the tunnels of colony 6 and its seems to be taking forever. Had to leave to sell some items so I don't leave and newer ones behind. For like the last 10 mins I've had to leave quite a few behind! I'm still a bit overpowered for the area I'm in but I have been picking fights with monsters about 5 levels higher then me and its not easy. Haven't died doing that yet but have come close a few times!

Anyways got a lot of quality time with this over the last few days and I'm sitting on about 25 hours. Got about 10 in the last couple of days!

@Tech101, if you go into your items/materials, where you can sort your inventory. There's an option for, "Quest Items," there. Any items/materials you've collected that you'll need later on for sidequests will have an exclaimation mark in the upper left-hand corner. Also, below there is a chart you can print out, with a complete list of all the items/materials you'll need for rebuilding Colony 6. It also shows you where or how you can collect the items/materials needed for rebuilding Colony 6. I hope this answers your question @Tech101, because I've taken enough advice from this thread. I think it's time I start giving some back. I'm glad to know you've had enough time to play a good amount of Xenoblade Chronicles, because you deserve to my friend. The link below will direct you to the aforementioned chart for rebuilding Colony 6.

Colony 6 Reconstruction Chart
http://xenoblade.wikia.com/wiki/Colony_6_Reconstruction

I've completed 100% of the Collectopedia, so far. But I haven't found any of the collectibles on the, "Other," page yet. I'd really like to know where those collectibles are found, or at least if they are only obtainable until later on in the game.

Thanks a lot G4L! I wasn't sure if it was only those with the mark or not! So its safe to sell off all others or should I look at the list?

Oh and I just looked at my others list as well and have none. I only need 4 more to complete the other 5 pages!

No problem buddy! But yeah, I would print out that chart above, before you sell any items/materials. Some of them are obtainable as early on as Colony 9. I actually have to revisit Colony 9 and the Bionis' Leg, because I sold some items/materials that I now need for the Colony 6 rebuild.

OK one last question. How far away am I from the rebuild? I'm on my way to save Juju. I think thats his name.

You'll have one more area to visit, before you'll reach the Colony 6 rebuild. Which is the Satorl Marsh. You can return to Colony 6, before you venture to the Bionis' Back (Makna Forest). You'll have to move the villagers from the refugee camp back to Colony 6 first, though. JuJu will give you the option to complete any unfinished sidequests in the refugee camp, before you move them back to Colony 6. Because that set of sidequests will become unavailable afterwards. I'd try to complete those sidequests first, If I were you. It'll be a lot easier and faster to unlock a 5 star affinity rating in Colony 6, if you do. The affinity you gain in the refugee camp will transfer over to Colony 6, after the villagers are moved back.

Cool. I only have a few more quests that I know of left to do. I might need help with one or so. Hopefully not!

Well @Tech101, this is the place to visit, if you do need help completing any of those sidequests. The Xenoblade Wiki is another great source for any information you may need as well.