There are some people who are further back (Khuutra, for one), and despite all the stuff i have been spoilered on, there are still a few secrets left. Like i know one character who turns traitor, but i don't know why, and would rather not like to for now. Though then again, they did a very poor job of explaining just why Mumkhar went for the Mechon so eagerly. Yes, i get that he was jealous, but what's the deal there?

And i finally see where the need for the anti-mechon weapons comes in, now that the group is separated at Fallen Arm. I've read that it's Dunban-Melia-Riki and Reyn-Sharla, the latter of which would be difficult to fight with if only Sharla could do any damage.

And right, Dickson did mention that Galahad fortress wasn't completely destroyed, so i suppose that UM could still be there later.

On a related note, the whole story with Mumkhar reminds me so much of Pigma from StarFox.

Regarding your question, that's addressed later, although you have to make the connection yourself. In essence, the Faces are explicitly programmed to carry out Egil's bidding. They are, basically, obedient machines. But a design flaw left the early generations, like Mumkhar,  more independent-minded, so his envy twisted his orders to a large degree.

Regarding the split up, don't worry about it. Really.

Regarding Gallahad...nope! You can't return there or to Sword Valley anymore. That UM, like the final one at Sword Valley, is supposed to be tackled while at-or-under its level. They're about as tough as Lizard-Boy in Satorl Marsh, though, i.e. they demand more strategy than most of the game does.

We are honouring spoilers. No character names, no plot twists, merely location names and party characters (bar the last) are allowed.

After 1,000 posts, these things are bound to be said. I'm still mad that SOMEONE keeps talking about a certain faced mechon...

It remains comfortable until you mention which one Mumkhar is specifically, though i suppose it gives away the whole process of mechonization

Can someone run the numbers on affinity levels by me again? Once you're at green, how many hearts does it take to go up subsequent levels?

I'm not sure f this is exact, but I believe it's:

Yellow-Green: 100

Green-Blue: 70 

Blue-Purple:130

Purple-Pink:150

Definitely higher than I had assumed, but it would make sense. I guess I should start giving items at a brisker pace...

Yeah, Green-Blue is the lowest because you don't gain anything for it.

You've gotta remember you have the entire GAME to do it. If you max it out too early, then it'd be no fun. You should have a Heart between a couple characters, a fluffy face between a few, mostly blue, a green or two and no yellow, bar to the new character.

Also, I'm currently doing the Xenoblade stuff on the Gamewise site, amongst other things... Hopefully that'll make things easier!

To be clear, when exactly is the point that i lose access to Sword Valley and Galahad Fortress? I found a UM way off to one side in Sword Valley that i'm not ready to tackle yet, but could be ready for with a bit of leveling (meaning i would have to be, since i lose access to it.)

One fricking flower in Sword Valley too that i can't seem to find for the Collectepedia. Is it possible to trade for such things?