Beyond the Beyond: Update 46.5: More Plans Come Together

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 46.5: More Plans Come Together

Continuing into the town...

The town is lively again with a woman just beyond the walls and a soldier just off screen to the south.

Oh, you kids! Does that means things have calmed down in the castle?
Mostly.
We heard what happened. The advisor changed into a monster! People thought he was a monster, but not really...
Is it true that you guys fought the creature that Glade became?
For once Finn you can actually say yes and take credit for that.
I've still got the bruises to prove it.
How terrible!
Despite everything that happened I feel a little sorry for Glade.
But at least you gave him a quick death and the town will be peaceful again.
With our best troops guarding the bridge, it's unlikely any fighting will occur here.
Let's hope so because if Bandore gets across or around that bridge things could go downhill in a big hurry.

We've been without a store for awhile so the first stop is to offload everything we pilfered from the castle.

I sell the Iron Plate, a monster bait, a cure herb, and the Heavy Mail but forget about the Illusion Powder and don't sell that until later. The money we get doesn't put much of a dent in the team's gold total on account of how much they've already accumulated. It's a good thing all those coins are weightless or the team would be forced to dump most of their fortune just so they could walk around.

Then again everyone in this world might be outfitted with Bags of Holding or something because Annie's still got a giant tablet and a huge hammer in her pack and the weight of neither object ever bothers her. In other news it is possible to sell the Music Box but it only goes for 75 gold and as a unique item there's no way to get a second one. We will be keeping it.

More soldiers! Gonna talk to this one too, Finn?
Of course I am! Hey there, how's it going? There are a lot of soldiers in town today.
Yeah everybody is on high alert because of Bandore. I was worried about where my assignment might be, but luckily, I got the town.
This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen! Zalagoon's troops have finally stood up! We must stand up to Bandore in order to assure peace in Marion and Zalagoon.
That's the spirit! No one can conquer Zalagoon!
What in the world is all the shouting out here about? Oh, you guys.
Prarrr! It's a great day for them.
I'm just glad that things are more normal around here. The queen must be happy to see her nephew again.
Well we didn't get much time to talk to her but she seemed happy enough.

*grumbles something under his breath*
What's wrong old timer?
I can hear those young fools yammering on again. They won't be so boisterous if this war drags on.
Well someone's a little bitter.
After a war starts, we tend to realize the importance of peace, but then it's too late! That's why there are always wars going on!
Yeah but this war will be over quickly.
That's exactly what was said at the start of the last war with Bandore.

Moving on the team sees that the bar is open again.

The bar certainly has plenty of patrons at the moment.

I wonder if that old man is right. You know this could all go terribly wrong.
You mean it could end up like the last war with the Vicious Ones.
That's why we have to act quickly before Bandore can consolidate its control over Marion.
(1) What! You say there's a war? That's terrible! I better hide. [sic]
Well at least there's no shortage of cowardly drunks.
We would have already freed Marion if it weren't for Glade! Damn advisor! Trying to betray our sister kingdom, Marion! I thought I smelled a rat! Well, at least I feel better now! Bastard got what was coming to him!
And on the other end of the spectrum...
(1) Did the war end yet? No? Then, I better hide. [sic]
I think this one is just at the end of a binge though.
(bartender) They'll be okay after a few hangovers have cooled their tempers.
Uh, that one's not going to throw up on us is he?
(bartender) I doubt it.
(2) He'll pass out first like he always does.
Yeah but it isn't exactly fun carrying his ass home.
(2) We've got plenty of help today to do that.
I take it this happens often.
*sighs* Well I guess I should be at least a little thankful. This place has gotten a lot busier lately, and with all the tension around here, it's no wonder.
Pyrarr! Everyone's celebrating!
(2) Now that Glade is gone, Zalagoon can be restored to its former greatness.
Seems pretty great right now actually.
I don't expect ole Zeb over there's too happy about what's happened.
Why?
(bartender) With all the soldiers gone, it's sure to be slow around here.
I guess that's true isn't it?
Yeah but think of what'll happen when all the soldiers come back!
If they come back.

Despite having vanished earlier ale dude is back and hard at work "securing the ale" once again.

Ever since the rumors of war came out, ale has become a scarce item. So, I'm securing the ale to prevent theft.
Do you even work here?
Uh... yes?

Back at ground level the kids roll on towards the next house on their list. A soldier milling about the south wall spots them.

Who goes there? Oh, wait, it's you kids. Nevermind.
A little jumpy are we?
You never know when Bandore might attack. We must strengthen our defenses.
Can't argue with that.
Well, you can but it doesn't go anywhere.
Oh so it's a normal conversation with Steiner then.
Hee... Hee...

Upon entering the house the team sees a lone man.

And now that we've barged into every house in town I guess we're kind of experts on Zalagoon's defenses.
I don't exactly hear anyone we've visited complaining.
Oh my! You must be that band of travelers who are the king's guests!
I guess you could call us that.
I've been hearing a lot of awful stories about Advisor Glade. Are they true?
Since we haven't heard those rumors we can't really say one way or the other.
Advisor Glade changed quite a bit since Marion was invaded... Before that he always seemed like a decent fellow with the best of intentions.
Well he was certainly a jerk to us.
Now that I think about it, he probably sold his soul to Bandore around that time.
I want to know what 'selling one's soul' actually entails. Like, is there a contract and everything?
We should probably be more concerned about how Shutat or whoever it was contacted Glade in the first place for the soul-selling to take place.
It's all rather ominous isn't it?
It would explain why Ramue wasn't trying very hard to catch us.
Well it backfired on her so I have no complaints.

The team keeps walking towards the main gate.

Sir Samson I remember you said you thought Bandore had let us go. Did you actually suspect Advisor Glade was a double agent?
I had my doubts about his loyalty but it was nothing concrete. He just seemed a little too eager to put me through hell.
Shutat's a sneaky son of a gun isn't he?
He does seem to try to cover all his bases.
All the more reason for haste on our part. We can't give him any time to plan a counter attack.

Hi there kids! Watch out for these wells. They have low borders, and people have been known to fall in.
Haven't we already told you once to put up higher walls to prevent that?

Despite Steiner's words the man isn't listening and walks on by.

Are you kids leaving town?
No.
So you're like the town crier or whatever aren't you? Any new news lately?
No. I'm just here doing my job telling everyone who enters the same thing: This is the kingdom of Zalagoon, renowned for freedom and happiness... Then I remember what's happened and I want to add: Well... that's what we're hoping for.
Things'll get better soon. That's why we're on the case!
We're on a case now? What are we, detectives?
Might as well be!

Finn steps into the inn although the team is not in need of its services. We got a free heal after beating G. Finn is surprised, however, to see that there's a another traveler at the table.

Hey there? Where are you from?
Oh hello. I didn't know there were other travelers in town right now. I'm actually with a merchant's guild here on business.
I bet business is gonna be booming soon.
Well we'll see.
We've been up and down Greenheim already so what can you tell us about the rest of the world?
Hmm. I haven't spent much time on Aridia so I can't really say what that's like. There's the isle of Pity south of Marion but it's been deserted ever since that big earthquake. To the far south is the Island of Discipline. There, you can test your bravery. Then there's Mistrall, a sleepy little town far to the northwest on Gebergheim. It's difficult to get to however unless you've got a good captain at the helm of your ship. The elves there are some of the best in their craft though.
Elves?
Yeah it's a shame they don't live with humans any more but from what I've heard that's probably for the best.
Sounds like you've been all over the world.
This part of the world anyway. Go where the money is. That's our mantra!

With people free to roam the streets again the church has seen an uptick in interest.

(1) Have you children come to pray?
Nah. We were just sort of wandering around seeing what's been going on.
(2) Terrible tragedy with the advisor but it's over and done with.
(1) People say such horrible things about Advisor Glade. Did he really betray his country? I've known him for a long time, and he never seemed that evil... [sic]
We have it on good authority that he was kind of a jerk to some people.
The king doesn't seem all that upset that he's gone.
I wouldn't be surprised if the stories about Glade are a bit... embellished.
You humans do love your good stories.
(2) And now that Glade is gone the king rallies his armies. Once again, war is upon us! I'm praying for everyone.
(1) Don't worry. Everything will turn out all right.

With the weapon and armor shop the team's circuit around Zalagoon is complete. Out of no particular preference I walk up to the armor vendor first.

Welcome! I have the best prices on armor in town! What can I do for you?

Your stock has greatly improved since the last time we were here.
Advisor Glade had all the good stuff locked up in a warehouse. Now that he's gone and the king has ordered the army to mobilize against Bandore... well, you can see the results.
No kidding.

The armor shop got a major update in its inventory with plenty of things we want. Thankfully the team is flush with cash and has no problem getting outfitted. If you were wondering why nothing we found in the castle was an upgrade for the team well here's the second part of the answer: because the developers knew a bunch of better items were right around the corner. The stuff we picked up in the armory last update would suffice to get a poorly equipped party through the battle against G. This stuff is to get the party out the door for the next segment of the game.

All in all I bought a Wind Cloak for Tont, a War Hood for both mages, a Steel Shield for Finn, and a Tempest Dress for Annie. I did not bother with the Warrior Gauntlets for Samson because the ones he has have a +Attack boost.

Finn at long last trades in the Wood Shield he bought way back in Marion Town.

Wow. This has seen better days.
You're tellin' me. Are you sure you want this?
It's pretty beaten up but I can salvage it for scrap.
Ok, well, whatever man. It's yours now.

Unfortunately the Tempest Dress does not have a +Speed effect on it. Oh well I guess Annie will have to settle for still being the fastest character on the team by a healthy margin. I'll show off all our new swag and updated stats before the team leaves Zalagoon.

Next up is the weapon shop which also got an update. It has less of a selection but we're still going to spend a good chunk of money here. Also pictured: the power of trading in old equipment. Thanks to that all those armor purchases only cost the team 1.2k gold out of pocket. The only reason to hold onto old gear would be for stat boosts and even those are somewhat iffy. The boosts are small enough that a few level ups will make the difference provided the game doesn't get stingy.

Welcome! I specialize in weapons! What can I do for ya?
Hmm, I already have that type of sword.

You know I was having some doubts that Samson would break 100 attack power by level 20. He's sitting at 99 attack power so it's pretty certain that a +Strength result on his next level up would put him over 100. The War Axe brings his attack power up another 7 points to a very respectable 106. Also, it makes me laugh maniacally because I'm feeling a bit smug about how useful Samson has become lately.

Honestly we're a bit overlevelled for this part of the game. The fight against G wasn't as long or as difficult as I expected it to be. We got through it without a single groggied character!

Except for when we first got Samson and Edward I never stopped to grind. My habit of porting out when I move to the next dungeon in a sequential series of dungeons plus poking around everywhere looking for treasure leads to lots of random encounters. Except for a few on the bottom of Arawn's Palace I've stood my ground and fought every single one of those battles. Don't worry though we'll run into enemies who can put up a fight soon enough.

Anyway I bought a War Axe for Samson as previously mentioned and Lunar Rods for all three staff wielders. Annie's the only one who will really get a significant boost out of it (Tont and Edward will always be hampered by the row modifier) but she's been in need of a new weapon for some time. Besides we're not exactly hurting for money. We can do our part for the Zalagoon economy.

-- SUMMARY OF EVENTS --

After removing the curse on Samson the team returned to Zalagoon to find the town deserted and Sir Bison's messenger telling them that there was a battle for control of the kingdom going down in the castle. Making their way through the sewers once again they met Sir Bison and crashed Advisor Glade's "pressure the king into surrendering" party. The king, perhaps looking for any reason to not give up his throne, agreed to let Sir Samson try to lift the pillar again which was predictably a success this time around.

Glade had a bit of a freakout following that and ended up swallowing a pill given to him by Shutat (or one of Shutat's minions) which resulted in Glade being possessed by a demon thing and transforming into a horrid monstrosity the team then had to put down. Once the dust settled the king was happy to be free of one backstabbing advisor and eager to pay Bandore back for the attempts to muscle in on his throne.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - the situation at the front sounds pretty bad. I guess we should see how things are going.

Update Forty-six | Index | Update Forty-seven