Trial of Courage

"Hooray! You're the most courageous hero I know, Mario!"

- Olivia

The Trial of Courage is one of three trials held on Diamond Island in Paper Mario: The Origami King. It is held in a green temple, where it puts Mario through three levels of increasing difficulty testing his bravery.

Like the Trial of Wisdom, this temple cannot be entered before clearing Ice Vellumental Mountain, as it requires an Ice Vellumental to access. Mario must use the Magic Circle in front of the temple to first transform Olivia into a Water Vellumental and fill a moat surrounding the temple with water. He must use the Magic Circle again to transform Olivia into the Ice Vellumental to freeze the water. If Olivia transforms into the Earth Vellumental, it will summon a large pile of dirt, and if she transforms into the Fire Vellumental, she needs to transform to the Water Vellumental twice.

Mario is then able to enter and speak with the Toad statue in the room. It welcomes him into the temple and puts him through three challenges that he must overcome to be rewarded with a sacred orb. A small circle of light appears in the center of the room, which warps Mario to the following room when he stands on it.

After clearing all three challenges, Mario is rewarded a song and dance routine and access to the final area, where he receives a Courage Orb, one of three orbs required to unlock the Sea Tower. He can then return to the first area and exit the temple, at which point it cannot be reentered.

If Mario is having difficulty clearing the trial (failing at least two times), he is given an option to pay the Toad statue in the starting area 3,000 coins for easier conditions. This raises the arrow to the top of the bar in each challenge, giving him more leniency.

First challenge
Olivia is quite ready for the challenge, and becomes disillusioned by the lack of materials in the room. It is explained that the rope connects to an unseen object. Mario must hold and release the rope, then grab onto it before the object slams into him. However, Mario must also be careful not to grab onto the rope before it falls past the arrow. If either of these conditions are not met, Mario is forced to restart from the beginning. For the first challenge, Mario should wait about ten seconds before pulling the rope to safely pass, preventing a basin from crushing him. With this, he is allowed to move on to the next challenge.

Second challenge
The object used in the second challenge is also a basin, though the rope holding it is noticeably shorter, requiring Mario to pull out much sooner. The arrow is also lower on the bar, requiring Mario to improve his timing. Mario must wait about five seconds before pulling on the rope to clear the challenge and advance to the next.

Third challenge
For the third and final challenge, a Thwomp is used rather than a basin. Additionally, the rope is longer, increasing the suspense in between. After approximately fifteen seconds, Mario must pull on the rope to narrowly avoid being crushed. Having cleared every challenge here, he is rewarded a small celebration and a pass to the final room, where he receives the Courage Orb.