Beyond the Beyond: Update 60: For the Savior (Bandore Dungeons)

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 60: For the Savior (Bandore Dungeons)

The team, having made their way through an unsecured tunnel into Bandore Castle, has made their way out the front gate. They're still looking for the castle dungeons. At the rate they're going they'll end up in the throne room first.

Poking around the front side of the keep the kids find a treasure chest with an Angel's Ocarina in it. This is one item I do know the use of and it's one of the best consumable items in the game. I actually forgot this was here so finding it was a pleasant surprise (although the game is once again invoking a certain trope). Of course the game doesn't tell the player what anything does from the menu so the only way to find out is through trial and error. That means at minimum waiting until a savepoint is nearby which is not the case right now.

We don't need this Angel's Ocarina at the moment but probably will soon enough.

One detail I do love about the keeps is that each nation has its own emblem. Marion has two wings, Zalagoon's rocking an abstract design (although it only appears on flags in the castle and not on the architecture), and Bandore has what might be a griffin. It has wings and what looks like a feather-covered head and shoulders.

Everyone ready to go back inside?
Yeah I think so.
What's up there in those windows?
Cannons.
...what's a cannon?
Trouble. Not for us though.
Because we're so cute and lovable?
Because we're too small to hit at this angle.

Once inside the team continues its circuit around the castle and immediately runs into another Bandore soldier.

Halt, intruder! Come with me or...
Or what?

One mundane Bandore archer. Ho hum.

Or I'll have to use force!
I don't think you're going to live long enough to try.

True to Tont's word this mundane Bandore archer doesn't get to do anything except be cut down after foolishly picking a fight they couldn't win.

Ugh. I don't want to die!

This is actually kind of sad. They're throwing their lives away for no reason.
They could always run when they see us.
But then they'd raise the alarm.
We've left a trail of bodies in our wake. I'm honestly kind of surprised someone hasn't raised the alarm already.
Point taken.

Just to the north is yet another soldier standing sentry at a doorway.

Stop right there! I mean it! Don't move!
We don't really want to fight you. If you just let us walk past we won't even tell anyone we saw you.
I am a loyal servant of His Majesty the Emperor of Bandore. I will not stand idly by while intruders roam the castle.
No matter what you say we're not going to stop.
Well, have it your way then!

Annie is no mood for chicanery and her opening critical hit for 43 damage makes for a short battle.

Well fine if you want to die so damn badly I'll make it quick and painless for you!
You will not pre...
Wow, Annie. That was actually kind of bloodthirsty.
I just want them out of our way. Is that really too much to ask for?

Inside the room the sentry was guarding the team finds tables and beds and not much else.

Where is everybody?
For a castle this place is strangely deserted isn't it?
Maybe a bunch of soldiers decided to skip town.
Good.

While taking in the room a pair of Evil Summoners and a Hell Hound wander in.

There are humans right there, Finn. Maybe they work here.
Huh, so I guess this explains where that mage Ramue summoned came from.
I wonder if they're her apprentices or if they're just on the payroll.
Either way they're hostile.

Continuing on their circuit around the floor the kids pass a branch in the hallways and see a staircase down ahead.

Wait a minute. Does that hall we just passed lead back the way we came?
I think so.
We just took the longest way possible to get where we're going. That's all.
And ran into every human we could along the way.
Ugh. *grumbles something under his breath*

There's still no shortage of monsters!

Where are all these things coming from? We've already killed so many of them.
Well you know someone just really liked dogs.
It does seem endless doesn't it?
It's ludicrous is what it is!

Here and there Finn has to pitch in with his own heals thanks to the high encounter rate. It's so high in fact that the team will be attacked again on that tile right next to the staircase. That's literally five tiles from where they're standing in this screenshot. When I say the rate is high I'm not mincing words. It honestly is a slog to get anywhere in this castle. Thankfully the exterior map is encounter free.

Downstairs the kids find a darker, danker atmosphere with water on the floors and candles illuminating the halls. It also has one other important feature.

There are no random encounters. Apparently the monsters think they're too good for the dungeons.

Grarrh! The smell is terrible! How can humans stand this?
Keys on hooks on the wall over there.
It seems likely that this is the dungeon.
Hopefully Dad's around here somewhere.

Round the first corner the kids find two cells. One is empty but the second has a lone soldier in it.

Who are you?
Sightseers who are very lost.
What?
We're looking for someone.
You're not a Bandore soldier, huh? Well then, have Marion's troops finally come?
Not unless they're invisible.
Oh. For a moment I thought... Never mind. Forget I said anything.
You're dressed as a soldier. Are you one of the group who disagreed with the emperor?
Yes. Most of the others have been executed. My turn will come soon I'm sure.
The castle above seems mostly abandoned so you're probably safe for now.
Abandoned? What? How? Why?
Those are all very good questions. Unfortunately we don't have answers to any of them.
And we definitely didn't contribute our fair share!
Steiner!
Marion must be on its way to rescue Lord Kevins. They'll never get here in time though.
Why?
I heard guards talking. They're going to throw him into the volcano.
Is he still here?
I don't know. Maybe.

Just down the hall is a second set of cells with Bandore soldiers in them.

(cell 3) I thought I heard voices. So what brings you kids to our wonderful establishment?
(cell 4) What? Someone's there?
(cell 3) No, I'm talking to thin air. Of course someone's there you dingbat.
(cell 4) You don't have to get nasty about it.
You two are just the best of friends aren't you?
(cell 4) Just a ray of sunshine next door to me.
(cell 3) Can it will you? What do you kids want?
We're looking for someone.
(cell 4) You've chosen a strange place to find them. There's nobody here but the condemned.
Is everyone here going to be executed?
(cell 4) Undoubtedly! The Emperor of Bandore has gone mad!
Seemed pretty lucid the one time we saw him.
(cell 3) What he means is that [t]he Emperor of Bandore is being manipulated by Shutat.
We kinda already heard about that. How is Shutat manipulating the emperor?
(cell 3) He promises the emperor that they can win this war.
(cell 4) It's worse then that. The emperor is letting his imagination run wild. He's using the crisis in Aridia as an excuse to fulfill his dreams of world conquest.
Wait, the emperor had dreams of world conquest before Shutat showed up?
I thought that was normal for Bandore.
(cell 4) It was always in jest. No one ever thought the emperor meant anything by it. It's just one of those stupid things everyone makes jokes about.
It sounds less like manipulation and more like giving the emperor exactly what he wants.
Is there anyone else in this dungeon?
(cell 3) Some guy from Marion I think. Poor bastard's been through the wringer.
Thanks.

To the south is a third and final set of two cells. Through the bars the team can see a treasure chest.

Who put a chest in a cell?
I want to know what charge it was arrested for.
The crime of being shiny of course.
What a waste.

Right next door is a person chained to a wall. The door isn't searchable. None of the doors are. Using the Chain Key gets results though.

Finn calm down. I'm getting the door open as fast as I can.
Sir Samson what now?
We can't do anything until we know the condition he's in.
And if he's too weak to walk?
We'll deal with that when we get there.

Finn hurries into the cell.

Dad!
... Mmm... Finn...? Is that you? You came... at last.
Of course I did. Did you really think I'd abandon you?
You risked such danger... Bandore's troops are looking all over for you.

Finn approaches his father.

How is he Annie?
No open wounds it seems. He's in pretty bad shape though.
Don't worry. The torture was horrible but I can bear it.
Lord Kevins we're here to rescue you. Can you walk?
Prince... Edward? You came too? Why?
I couldn't sit idly by while a loyal knight of the kingdom suffers at the hands of our enemies.
I am honored by your courage.
We'll have you out of those chains in a minute.
No. Don't waste your time, Finn.
What? Why?
Once Bandore realizes I'm gone every soldier in the castle will be sent to find me plus... no, you're not ready for that.

Seeing there's nothing he can do at right that moment Finn steps back.

Dad you're not making any sense. What are you talking about?
Such a precarious time and I'm rambling on. Anyway... I must tell you something. Now's the best opportunity, so listen to me.
I'm listening.
I am not your father.

A "shocking news!" bit of music plays to underscore Kevins's revelation. It's even spoilertastic in its track title.

Wha...? Dad, that's not funny! I know you have a twisted sense of humor but now's not the time!
Finn... I don't think he's joking.
You are the son of the King of Marion's sister, Katherine, and my friend, the Knight Sir Norton... [sic] They passed away when you were very young.
Uh does that mean what I think it means?
Prrarr. It means this got awkward real fast. Finn's actually stunned into silence.
I'm... not stunned. I'm just surprised.
You humans have a strange sense of timing on these important talks.
Finn, you are not like other children.
We already knew that!
Steiner!
Now is really not the time, Steiner. You can crack all the jokes you want after we get through this.
Okay, okay, I'll hold my tongue but only because I'm your friend.
*sighs* You were saying, Dad?
See that mark on your forearm? That is the mark of Arawn.
No he can't see it. Finn always keeps his arms covered.
It's true. I don't like getting sunburns. Besides it's just a birthmark. Lots of people have them.
No it's not. You are the one the prophecies refer to as the Great Light. According to prophecy, you are to go to Quamdar and fight a great evil.
We're doomed.
Dad this is all, uh, fascinating and stuff but I'm just a normal kid.
Yeah isn't the Great Light supposed to have special powers and stuff?
Special powers of every monster in the world trying to kill us maybe.
*awkward nervous laugh* Ah, ha, ha, yeah. That's true, sis, or at least it feels like it.
I know this is a lot to take in right now, Finn, but you must believe me. Regardless of what you believe Shutat is convinced that you are the one he fears. I'm sure that even now he has minions searching for you. That's why I cannot go with you.
Lord Kevins I don't understand. Why is there no record that Katherine or Sir Norton ever existed?
What? There's nothing about them?
Yes. I did check. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner but I didn't want to distract you in the middle of such an important mission.
Erased...
Your parents sought to avoid your destiny, and fled Marion. [sic] The king feared the repercussion this might have on Marion. [sic] Though I didn't want to, I was ordered to search for your parents and bring you back.
So did you just steal me from them or what?
I thought you didn't believe in any of this stuff?
I'm going along with it for the sake of argument right now. I'm not agreeing that it's true.
Besides if there are no records how can Shutat be so sure?
He knows the prophecy. He went to Marion to find the Great Light. I guess... I should have realized the arrangements I made for your care could look suspicious when viewed under the right light.
Why didn't you tell me any of this sooner?
...I didn't really want to believe it could be true. If there had been another way I would have taken it but... Knights don't always like the missions they're sent on but they have an obligation to see them through. When I found your parents, your father challenged me. I had no intention of harming your father, but during our battle, he... he took a bad step and fell into the void of the Dragon Cave.
I remember that place.
Yeah, me too. There's no way out of there is there?
As far as I know there's no return from wherever that leads.
Hell of a place to pick a battle.
Wasn't there a building right by there? Was that where they were living?
Ok then. Hell of a place to pick to live in.
No one ever goes there unless they have to.
You weren't alone on that mission were you?
...
What makes you say that, sis?
If anything would warrant the direct attention of the head of the Marion Knights the king's own sister being involved would do it.
Yes. Sir Galahad was there. The king gave the order to Sir Galahad and from there, well, you know how it goes.
Okay... So... *takes a deep breath* Sir Norton fell into the chasm. What about Katherine?
Witnessing her husband's death, your mother fell into a catatonic state. She no longer had the will to live and died a few days later.

Finn steps back as he takes things in.

She just... died. Just like that?
It was a terrible shock to her. It would be to anyone. She fell silent, refused to move or eat or do anything. We gave her some time to grieve but we couldn't wait for long.
Did she say anything before, you know?
I wasn't there when she passed. Sir Galahad came out and told me she had succumbed. He had already buried her.
You didn't take Finn back to the king. Does that mean you all went home as failures?
It did. Finn's safety was of the upmost importance. We let the king, everyone, believe that he had died along with his parents out in the wilderness. News of the situation had been confined to the royal family but we knew, given the tragic circumstances, that if we took Finn back it would be impossible to keep it a secret.
And what was the plan after that?
Calling it a plan would be overstating what happened. In honor of your brave parents, I raised you as my own son telling no one of your identity.
You sent me to live with Sir Galahad's wife Sonya.
It wasn't as simple as that but those details aren't important right now. Just know, Finn, that I did the best I could given the situation. Sonya had young Percy so at least you'd have another kid around you as you grew up.
Where no one would know Lord Kevins suddenly had a new son.
The thought that someone might figure out who you really were was always in the back of my mind those first few years.
You were never going to take me to Marion were you?
I had hoped that one day when you were grown it would be possible.
No wonder Sir Galahad sent me on that ridiculous errand. I had to prove that I was grown enough, mature enough, to risk it.
I have my regrets but asking Sir Galahad to test you isn't one of them. Knowing that one day you would have to fulfill your destiny, I trained you vigorously. And now it seems the prophecy is upon us all.
We still don't know what this prophecy is.
Finn, for peace to return to the Common World, you must go to Quamdar. It's Marion's obligation to defend this world.
Go to a place no one can get to and beat up whatever we find there. Simple, right? No pressure or anything.
... That's the end of the story. If you wish to visit your parents' grave, seek the Dragon Cave.
We already found the spot.
Yeah it was super morbid and everything!
Very well then. Now... you must leave! My executioners will be here any minute. You must not get caught! You have much to do.

With that there's nothing more the team can do for Lord Kevins.

You're still here?! Leave at once! Go before they find you!
Dad... are you sure about this?
Yes.
We understand Lord Kevins. I will tell my father of your sacrifice for Marion.
Edward...
Should we not respect his wishes? He's right, Finn. If we take him from this place it will betray our presence to Bandore.
Alright... Come on, let's go.

The team walks away empty-handed and in failure. They see a staircase heading upstairs.

Are you going to be all right, Finn?
I will do as Dad asks even if I don't like it one bit.

As soon as the team heads up the staircase a pair of Bandore soldiers appear at the top of the screen and walk down to Kevins's cell.

Kevins! Get up! It's time for your execution. We'll see how the volcano likes you.

Meanwhile the kids have managed to stumble right into yet another soldier on sentry duty.

A Marion soldier? How did you get so far into Bandore Castle? I'll stop you here!

Once again a lone soldier against a team of 5 doesn't stand much of a chance. Especially not when Finn decides to go for the jugular with a dual attack.

Finn was that really necessary?
...
Ohhh, Veronica... I'm sorry...
They're dead now. I guess Finn's happy.
Nothing today has made me happy, Steiner.

With the sentry taken out of the picture the team heads north. There's still more of the floor to explore.

They passed a room on their circuit around the castle. Since leaving the castle involves go by it again they stop to investigate.

Where are we going, Finn?
Dad wants us to leave the castle so that's what I'm doing.
After a detour to the kitchen because you're hungry.
Trust me. Food is the last thing on my mind right now.
What are we doing then?
Just... checking things out. That's all.

After a few minutes of rummaging around the kitchen, fighting off even more random encounters, the team heads north.

Still no sign of that kid.
He's probably back in town assuming he wasn't caught by any guards.
Well we have sort of been killing the guards so he's had that going for him.
Yeah we aren't the best at stealth are we?
In our defense I'm bright yellow, Sir Samson's ginormous, Finn is winging it, and Steiner is Steiner.
Wait a minute... don't you have an invisibility cloak?
Yeah and?
And couldn't we have easily slipped across the castle once you found Kevins and told us where he was?
Well, uh, hey I think I hear something over there. We'd better go check it out.

From there it's down to the hole in the wall.

I wonder who's job it is to put the barrels and pots in their paths.
Looks kind of like our house when Mom's prepping for winter.
The paths just sort of form themselves out of necessity.
Decided to talk to us again?
Dad gave me a lot to think about.

On the way back Edward and Tont made short work of several formations using the MP they had been keeping on reserve.

Of course that doesn't mean the monsters were slacking off. Those criticals are nothing to scoff at.

Just for the hell of it I even used Undine a bit.

Water spirits, meet fire monsters. Fire monsters, meet water spirits. The result was utterly predictable. Tont and Finn were close to level ups so I stayed by the cave entrance fighting until both were taken care of.

Then it was off to the best building in Bandore - the inn. I'm pretty sure the kids can afford a 200 gold tab what with the 19,000 coins they have squirreled away somewhere. How are they carrying it? Well I just go with my default explanation: a wizard or group of wizards enchanted all currency to be near weightless. In a world already rich in magic and weird things that's almost run-of-the-mill practical. Also, yes I did fight enough to earn some 5,000 gold (5,641 to be exact) from encounters that grant anywhere from 100 to 250 gold each depending on how many enemies there are. The kids should have been swimming in dead bodies by the end there.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - the rescue mission isn't going very well is it?

Update Fifty-nine | Index | Update Sixty-one