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Beyond the Beyond: Update 52: To See a Man About Some Horses (reclamation of Marion pt. 2)
The last time we saw the team they were in Marion Castle doing a whole lot of fighting Bandore troops, searching for treasure, and just generally trying to reclaim their homeland. Strap in because we've got a long ride today!
On the way back down to the second floor Samson finally joins the level 20 club, the straggler. Actually Samson just straight up requires more experience per level because... he's old or something? The game doesn't give a reason. He just does.
The second floor battlements are home to the Two Towers. The east tower is locked but there are no guards to block the way. It'd just like to point out that this tower obviously has defensive fortifications - murder holes and the like along with little windows even though this is the only entry point and no way to move up or down floors once inside. Either Marion Castle is riddled with secret passages the player is never allowed to see or there is a hell of a lot of castle sealed up and currently unused.
Prraa. I think I can hear voices on the other side.
There's no way this door is opening without a key.
Then there's nothing we can do about this right now. 
Sir Samson what were these towers used for? I don't remember anyone or anything ever being kept in them.
Guest rooms sometimes. Or just a quiet place to be alone for awhile.
Or in this case a prison.
Hrm, yes. The door to this tower was reinforced a long, long time ago. I don't know why. It was like this when I was in training. Actually, now that I think of it I'm not sure anyone alive today remembers why.
As soon as the team approaches the western tower they hear laughter.
He He He! Try this on for size!
No! I won't put that on... No! Stop...! ahhh! Ahh! Waa! Waaaaaah!
He He He! That mask is cursed! As long as the Vicious Ones maintain the curse, you can't take it off. It sounds like Ramue is practicing her favorite hobby again.
I take it she does this often?
Wait, is that other voice who I think it is?
We should probably get in there and stop her.
As soon as the team walks into the (unlocked!) tower they see Ramue standing over a prone armored figure lying on the ground.
You have become a tool of the Vicious Ones. You're mine now.
Ramue turns off the lights and levitates her victim into the air.
Are we... going to do anything?
I'm not sure my sword would be very helpful here.
It's a teleportation spell. She's sending that man somewhere else.
There's nothing you can do, is there?
I'm sorry. If I try to interfere there's no telling where he could be sent.
With the lights still dimmed Ramue notices she has company.
Finn, you've returned. Uh, you know me?
Well... not really, more's the pity, but I have had the pleasure of meeting your father, Lord Kevins.
I don't mean to be rude but could you possibly turn the lights back on?
Oh, no, no, no that would not do!
Ramue takes a step to her right to face the team head on.
I'm sorry that I don't have time to finish you off, but I'm kinda on a tight schedule.
You're just afraid we'll kill you. You still let the barbarian speak? Prince Edward for shame you must learn to keep him on a tighter leash.
Ramue you will pay for your evil! Oh this is rich! The Prince of Marion has all these delusions of grandeur. Oh, ho, ho you are a laugh. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must be leaving. But, not without a little gift for you, of course.
Before anyone can react Ramue summons monsters to stand between herself and the team.
Typical. You always need someone else to do your dirty work for you.
Oh you stupid little barbarian! I will enjoy killing you when the time comes. But alas duty calls me elsewhere. This should keep you occupied for a while! Ta Ta!
Ramue then jumps up in the air and teleports away because teleporting away while standing on the ground would be blasé and that is not how Ramue rolls.
It turns out Ramue called a pair of Ogres and an Evil Summoner to fight the party. Of note is the unique backdrop for this battle which manages to remember there are windows letting in lots of sunlight. Ramue took her spell of Dimmer Switch with her when she teleported out so the team can at least see what they're doing. Of course they also come with an extra special order of bloom so the artist didn't have to draw the landscape behind the castle.
Does she always do stuff like this?
Well we've only met her once before and she cursed Sir Samson so I guess the answer thus far is 'Yes.' Hmm, she is pretty powerful.
She's haughty and overconfident and worried about losing to us.
Worried? What makes you say that, Sir Samson?
The last time she toyed with us like a cat. This time she couldn't wait to get as far away from us as she could. Something's got her spooked and I doubt it's the fact that Zalagoon troops have come knocking.
Listen to me, rambling on when there's work to be done.
Hmm, you do raise a good point, Sir Samson. I don't think these monsters are going to be much trouble anyway.
This battle actually does get the boss battle theme even though this fight is substantially easier than either battle with the Bandore super archers. In fact, depending on how things go in the first round, this battle can be easier than some of the random encounters in the castle.
The first thing that happens is that Finn and Annie concentrate on the Evil Summoner since they don't particularly feel like having a dragon or whatever dropped on their heads.
Meanwhile Edward tries but unfortunately fails to confuse the two Ogres. I didn't really expect it to work but it was worth a shot.
Next comes the Evil Summoner who, acting ahead of Tont, throws out a bag of Sleeping Powder.
Finn watch out!
I know! Sis you okay?
Yeah but I think we're on our own for awhile.
With Tont, Edward, and Samson asleep the slow-moving Ogres get their licks in. They hit fairly hard but no more then what we've grown accustomed to.
That Sleeping Powder was probably the most effective thing the Evil Summoner could do but it was the only turn they would get.
I don't even understand why you're loyal to Ramue. Of course now you're dead so I guess it doesn't matter.
Tont actually benefits from the fact that his turn was interrupted and wakes up ahead of Edward and Samson.
Ugh, my head. What happened?
You were drugged, that's what! I see that the guy who did it is dead so I guess it's too late to complain.
Oh no you can still complain. I don't think those burly things are going to care though.
In fact the "burly things" as Steiner referred to them are rather busy beating the crap out of Samson. Beyond the Beyond does not allow characters to awaken from sleep by being attacked so this is a dirty move by the game. Annie actually has to heal Samson twice in this fight.
Yet for all their strength the last Ogre dies by being kicked in the face by a Succubus.
You really enjoy doing that don't you, Tont?
I do derive a certain amount of pleasure from it, yes.
Key Item Steel Key got!
Hey this one had a key!
That's odd. Kind of useless for us though. For all we know that unlocks an ogre's lunchbox or something.
Wait let me see that. *pauses* Yes, this is a skeleton key for the castle.
Castles have skeleton keys?
Why in the world would an ogre have something like this?
Elsewhere in Marion...
(1) Mistress Ramue we've lost some of the castle keys!
What do you mean you 'lost' them?
(2) Well Larry kind of pissed off some of the ogres and...
Get to the point, I've got an evacuation to coordinate! (2) Well, uh, we think a ring of keys were taken by the ogres as trophies. ...keys to what?
(3) Oh just a bunch of skeleton keys to the castles in Marion and Bandore. WHAT?!
(1) Um, mistress if it's all the same to you we'll be going now.
...of all the incompetent... idiotic... pig-faced imbeciles...
Outside the tower Annie heals the group as they wonder what to do next.
So that key will open any lock in the castle? Most of the locks.
Most of them?
We're talking about locks made over the course of a couple centuries, Finn. Of course no key is ever going to work on them all.
It will if it's got the right magic!
Finn's just disappointed because that means he might not be able to get into the mystery room downstairs.
Item > Use > Steel Key
What about the other tower? What other tower?
Finn, the other tower... over there. You can see it from here even.
Oh yeah. Yeah let's try it there.
Finn are you sure you're okay?
Sorry I was just a little distracted for a bit.
It actually worked!
I'm still confused about why a seemingly random ogre had the key to this.
Meanwhile...
AAAAAARRRGH! USELESS! YOU'RE ALL USELESS! Mistress Ramue please stop!
Inside the tower is a small room with two men who are by the far wall talking quietly with one another. The man with his back turned reacts as the group enters by turning to face them.
Oh, Prince Edward and Sir Samson! You're here to rescue us!
Before anyone can say anything the man in the back of the room sort of pushes the man in front of him aside so he can step forward.
Edward, my son! I'm glad you're safe. I heard they wanted to execute you!
*walks forward* I was very concerned about you, father. I'm relieved that you're safe.
Wait, what? If this guy is Edward's dad doesn't that make him... ...the king? Yeah. Um, are we supposed to be kneeling or anything?
Nobody seems to be having a problem with us just standing here so I guess we're good.
As the kids wonder what they should be doing the king looks Edward over. It's kind of an awkward animation but he pops from left to right a few times.
Hmm, you seem to have matured quite a bit since I last saw you...
The king walks over to Samson.
And Samson! I appreciate you watching the Prince.
*nods* This has been a hard time for us all, but we brought Zalagoon soldiers! Bandore's days are numbered.
Aww, this is actually kind of heartwarming. Well at least somebody gets to be happy today.
Annie... I know, I know. We can't be certain it was him.
I want to hold out hope. On the other hand I want to be realistic because how else are we supposed to deal with Ramue?
I doubt we'll have a chance to fight her today so I guess there's no point in worrying about it right now.
Father, we have a lot to talk about, but first, I must go capture Bandore's Emperor. [sic] Please stay here.
Oh! I see, I see. Well then, the advisor and I shall remain here. I'll send someone for you when it's safe.
The advisor walks over to Samson.
Sir Samson, please take care of the prince.
That is my job.
And he's been doing a pretty good job of it too! We'll vouch for him!
The team collects itself but the royal pair stay put.
I'll stay to protect the king. You should stop the Bandore Emperor.
The advisor and I will stay here. For the sake of Marion, good luck.
They don't have much to say and we've got plenty of enemies still in the castle so it's time to roll out.
Said rolling out acknowledges the fact that Annie's pretty low on MP. I could use a Mage Potion on her but with plenty of herbs in inventory and Finn's MP the team should be fine as long as there are no unscheduled stops or detours. Tont and Edward are going to have to step up though to kill things faster.
In fact just inside the castle was a chance to put that plan into action. One of two Bandore archers partially resisted Edward's Fire 2 but it still did a decent amount of damage.
Then Bandore Archer B decided to surprise me and cast Attack on their ally. It's rare that they will do this and I am grateful none of the archers we fought earlier decided on that course of action. Archer A had already attacked though so we dodged a bullet there.
Then Tont's queued up Firedrake spell went off. Bandore archers are a bit flammable. (Firedrake is so useful.)
Then Samson neutralized the threat by killing Bandore Archer A. What could have been a messy situation was resolved because I was already set on maximum offense. Hurray!
At this point I made an executive decision. There's nothing in the dungeons so I decided it would be a waste of time to go down there. We've got a lot of ground to cover so I'm advancing the story. We've seen the dungeons. They're empty and totally boring right now.
Let's go with the fun option!
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