Rag's Jewelry

Overview

Rag's Jewlery, more commonly referred to as "Rag's Shop", has made several appearances across the Megami Tensei series over the past two decades, despite only appearing in a single stateside release. Rag's Jewelry provides an alternative means to resource and demon acquirement, in addition to occasionally supplying weapons and armory, in exchange for precious gemstones (in lieu of the traditional currency, Macca). Behind the counter appears the eponymous Rag, a beady eyed humanoid of unknown origins whose unexplained fascination with gemstones presumably prompted the foundation of this curious business.

The lower level elements seem to be manifestations of those described in Aristotle's On Generation and Corruption, while the more advanced elementals are derived from the works of Paracelsus.

Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei

Rag can be found in several areas of the original Megami Tensei, initially appearing in the Vallhala region. The player may trade in an Amethyst for one of four curious rewards.

Rag's sprite in Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei was changed to closer resemble his three-eyed appearance in Megami Tensei II.

Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei II

Rag appears once more in the 1990 sequel Megami Tensei II, offering a number of consumables in exchange for precious gemstones.

Shin Megami Tensei

Rag's Jewelry is only accessible after completing the Kongokai, following the destruction of Tokyo by way of nuclear bombardment, located in a small building outside the Shinjuku area. It may be unlikely that the player will have converted his/her Yen to Macca at this point, though that should be of little consequence, considering Rags deals exclusively in precious gems and stones. Shin Megami Tensei also marked the first appearance of purchasable elementals in addition to the usual slew of consumables, a practice that would remain in place for the duration of the series.

The lower level elementals are indeed all palette swaps of the Flaemis sprite, despite having unique concept art developed for each of them.

Shin Megami Tensei II

Rag is back in the second installment of the Shin Megami Tensei series. He runs his business out of various landmarks scattered around Tokyo, offering very much the same service as in the first game. A pair of ornamental Maneki-neko are placed on both sides of the shop.

Shin Megami Tensei: If...

Rag has set up shop in the World of Sloth in the 1994 spin-off, Shin Megami Tensei: If..., offering a temporary reprieve to the denizens from their unending labor.

Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne

Rag makes his latest and perhaps final appearance in Shin Megami tensei: Nocturne, sporting an interior loosely based on his previous appearance in Shin Megami Tensei: If... This time he's situated to the right of the Cathedral of Shadows in Ginza.

Rag has expanded his inventory to include demons of the Mitama clan, aspects of the human soul in the Shinto religion. Mitama can be created by fusing together two lower-level elementals. During fusion with a Mitama a demon will keep it's original form and skill set while receiving a sizable boost to two individual status points in the process.

Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible III

Rag can be found in a number of villages across the strange, pseudo-19th century world of Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible III, sporting a minuscule appearance and carrying a large sack from which an assortment of colorful jewels seem to be spilling out.

Another Bible

Rag appears once more in the 1995 SRPG Another Bible, filling the role of an unassuming item vendor.

Majin Tensei

Rag's Shop is available after clearing the 7th scenario in Majin Tensei. Gems may be exchanged for a special set of equipment, while an assortment of demons are available for purchase with a combination of Macca and gemstones.

Majin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis

Rag's shop returns in Majin Tensei II, marked on the overworld by a large, red jewel. Gemstones may be exchanged for various pieces of equipment, as well as a cadre of elementals, as per usual.