Beyond the Beyond: Update 63: The Green Magician (Volcano pt. 2)

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 63: The Green Magician (Volcano pt. 2)

The last time we saw the kids they were investigating a blocked tunnel entrance within the bowels of the mountains east of Bandore. Stretching below them were terraces of rock leading down to something not on screen. Hopefully that's where the plot is hanging out waiting for someone to arrive.

They turn around and find a pair of Evil Summoners and two Ogres taken by surprise by their presence. Unfortunately no part of the volcano provides any relief from the constant onslaught of random encounters.

Following a short battle the team finds stairs leading down.

I still think something's moving on the cliff below us.
I guess that's as good a reason as any to go down and see what it is.
Even if it's something that'll try to kill us?
But everything's trying to kill us.
Don't I know it!

At the bottom of the stairs they hear a voice calling for help.

Heeelp!

Who was that?
I don't see anybody.
Below us.
I guess we'd better find out what trouble they're in.
Because we don't have enough of our own to contend with?
Finn hasn't collapsed of heart failure yet so I guess the answer is yet.
Gee thanks guys.
You're welcome!

Around the terrace and down the next set of stairs the voice again calls out for help.

Heeelp!

It sounds kind of like... Kevins?
Can you see who it is, Steiner?
Sort of. *squints* Oooooh, they're suspended over the pit.

Finn and company hurry down more stairs and come across a rope threaded through a pair of pulleys. The perspective on it is a little awkward for it doesn't look like its resting on or suspended over the ground nor does it actually look like its running over a jagged edge of rock and plummeting into the open depths below. It looks like the pulley on the right/east side should break because its being torqued in a direction it isn't designed to handle.

I nitpick only the most important graphical features! (Because I've spent so much time staring at so many tilesets for this game, that's why.)

The camera pans to point at a figure tied to the rope. They're waving their arms.

Is it Dad?
It's kind of hard to tell at this distance. I guess its him?
Someone just left him tied up like that? Why?
We can find out when he's safe.

Warning! Animated GIF!

It's just too goofy looking to not have a GIF of the poor fellow waving his hands.

Finn! I knew you would come for me! Hurry! Untie the knot and pull me up!

Then the camera shifts back to the team so they can figure out what they're going to do.

Untie the knot? What knot?
I think he means the knot holding the rope in place.

Oh, that knot. DUH!

Choosing No here doesn't do anything interesting except force Finn and company a step to the left/west. What did you think we could choose No then walk over and pick up the rope to the east and just pull it up that way? Of course not!

Ow, ow, ow, rope splinters!
Lift it up a little. I'll work on the other side.
How many humans does it take to untie a rope?
Careful. It will go slack on this end.
Okay I think we've got it.
All right, you got the rope! Now slowly go down the stairs and pull me up!
Wait how does he know we've got this end?
I guess he can feel us jangling it around.
Ugh, there's a lot of resistance.
Can you handle it?
Finn, Annie I'll need you to pitch in as soon as I pull enough in for all of us to have a grip.
Right.

If you really want to get a headache try to picture this scene exactly as shown but in actual 3D. I'm no expert on pulleys but I don't think they work like that. Yes, if you were wondering the game really does seem to imply that the whole team, minus Steiner because teeny tiny dragon paws, is pulling the rope all together as if this were a game of Tug-O-War. Strength scores be damned though Edward and especially Tont can't help much with this especially since Tont can't even reach the rope given how short he is.

In addition to all that the vertical staircases look like they're meant to be the slats of a wooden bridge. It's another minor nitpick to be sure but it looks so out of place.

Aagh, this is a lot harder than I thought it would be.
You're doing fine. He's almost up.

At the halfway point Kevins shouts further encouragement.

Good! You're doing just fine. Just a little more!

It feels like this rope might snap at any moment.
We're almost there. Stay focused.

As the trio pulling the rope step back onto the staircase leading down into the caldera Kevins is pulled up and over the cliff edge. Amazingly the rope doesn't break from friction and Kevins isn't at all banged up from the ordeal.

He's on land.
Okay so can we let go of the rope now?

Suddenly there is a flash of light and "Kevins" is revealed to not be Kevins but a green fellow who looks sort of like a big goblin.

Warning! Animated GIF!

Also he literally jumps for joy at his nefarious scheme having succeeded. Twice. Well I guess he's gotta enjoy his limited success somehow.

He he he... You fell for my trap!
...!
Well this took a pleasant turn didn't it?
*nods* They left me, Magician Yeon, behind just in case you escaped!
Escaped from what? That ridiculous trap by the castle?
I'll have you know we Vicious Ones only make serious traps.
Coulda fooled me!
Caught you didn't it?
Wait, which trap are we talking about again?
*shakes head* I thought you were an experienced swordsman, but you're just a child.

Hey game now that's just uncalled for! I'll have you know that, child or not, Finn had 13,640 experience points the last time I checked. Patronizing after all the grinding its forced me through...

Meanwhile back on Finn's side of the rope the flash of light also banished the lower staircase. Was it an illusion or what? The game's not telling!

You should know better than to trust everything you see.
What the hell?!
Aagh!
You okay down there, sis?
Just a little startled. That's all. And dangling over an active volcano.
So what do you think? You look bitter.
What do I think? I think you're an asshole that's what!
Oh, how sad. You don't appreciate all the hard work I put into this. Do you have any idea how long I had to wait for you guys to show up? I was starting to think you never would.
We don't care! Shut up already!
Rude little thing!
Crap! Sir Samson how are you doing?
Fine for now.
What should we do?
Keep a close eye on Yeon. I'm going to try to climb up. Finn, Annie stay where you are. I don't need either of you shaking the rope.
Okay.

Steiner flies around the suspended teammates as Tont and Edward watch from above.

What a low trick... but now what do we do?

The rope with Finn and crew still hanging from it falls further into the caldera.

As shown. At least Steiner's safe.

I'll gradually loosen the rope and let you suffer... before you fall!
Getting everything he can out of this isn't he?
Edward I don't suppose you've got any magic for this kind of situation?
I'm trying to think of something.
I knew I shouldn't have stiffed those air spirits!
Right now any spirit that could help us would be useful.
Tell me... are you scared? He he he, should I let you suffer more...? Huh?! Who?!
I will not let you... kill Finn!

The camera pans back to Yeon who is suddenly being held by Kevins. Wait a minute. Kevins is actually go to do something on screen? Did the volcano freeze over in the last ten seconds?

*shakes head* You are... I thought you were...
You thought that masked knight got rid of me, huh?
I saw that the knight had you. How... how could this be?
After you left, he cut my ropes and ran away... holding his head... almost as if he regretted his actions...
He must have regained consciousness. Damn Ramue's weak magic.

The Vicious Ones prove just how stupid their plan really is. They left the masked man (who is definitely not Percy) to execute Kevins while they themselves fled. They didn't even leave any soldiers with the masked man. What? Did the soldiers all die to the volcano monsters? For that matter why not just use volcano monsters? There's no shortage of them. No, no, just trust in the mind control. It's not like Kevins has information valuable to the team wreaking havoc throughout Bandore or anything.

Hell why didn't Yeon just magic Kevins into the open caldera that's sitting right there and be done with it in the first place? Did anyone put any thought into this plan? Did anyone put any effort into it beyond the absolute bare minimum? The answer is apparently a gigantic NO.

Kevins pushes Yeon forward towards the caldera.

*shakes head* Let go of me!
Ha! Give it up!

Kevins pushes Yeon forward again.

*shakes head again* ...I see! Trying to lift them using my weight! But you will run out of strength soon... right??
I think not. People are known to have unusual strength in emergency situations.
Stop! Or else... don't you know how much I weight? The rope can't hold both of us!

What's going on over there?
I think it's your dad, Finn.
Really? Dammit we've gotta get up there and help him!

Warning! Animated GIF!

They go back and forth one more time before Kevins wins and pushes them both over the edge.

Seriously. Over the edge they go. Why Yeon didn't just let go of the rope at any point in all of this is anyone's guess. Maybe he's still tied up (like he's got it looped around his chest or something) and the developers didn't feel like making a tied up sprite set for him?

Wa... aaaaaahh!
!!

The pair then fall a significant distance into the caldera pulling the rope with them.

Aaah! Finn! We've got to pull them up now!

Pictured: Finn being incredibly articulate. Damn silent protagonist trope is making him look bad! Either that or Finn's giving Steiner the silent treatment.

...
Finn get a grip on yourself!
I know. I know. I just... I don't know if we can do this. Yeon alone was tough enough.
You're not giving up now are you?
Right, gotta do something.
Sir Samson...
Stay back! There's a lot of tension in the line. If it breaks on us we might get something worse than rope burns.

The team pulls the pair up a little ways but not for long before gravity proves the mightiest force in the volcano.

Sis are you okay back there?
Yeah. Agh, my hands are bleeding. I don't know how much longer I can keep my grip.
This is... much worse than I thought it would be.
Honestly you're doing pretty good just keeping those other guys stable.

The team tries again but the weight is too much. Kevins and Yeon fall.

Hurry! The rope is about to snap!
Why the hell didn't you use a stronger rope in the first place?!
Because I didn't have to expect to carry an idiot knight still in full armor on my end.
!!
Finn... my son... I don't think... I can hold it any longer, but I am ready. I'm sure Norton is proud... ughhh.

Something even more dreadful than a looming death scene is upon the team. That's right... the dreaded Shatner Mode has crept upon Kevins.

Don't worry though. Finn's immune! He'd have to have dialogue in the first place for it to infect him. Also I have no idea what !!!... is supposed to convey. It seems rather contrary. Like !!! would be serious alarm and ... would be passive indifference. With those two smashed together the only conclusion I can draw is that Finn has to silently grimace in horror then a second later resolutely accept it.

!!!...
Finally, I can... see you... Norton's... my son... mature... at last...

Kevins releases his grip and falls into the caldera. At least the game uses a nifty sprite rotation effect for it.

Kevins fell? NO! I don't want to diiieee...

Then the rope breaks.

And down goes Yeon. He had all of five minutes of screen time.

Waaaaaahhh!

Meanwhile the team is all safe and sound. Hurray!

Finn... your father... your father... fell...

Unfortunately Kevins didn't take the dreaded Shatner Mode with him when he fell into the volcano. Like a virus on the wind it just spreads throughout the script.

Dad... We really couldn't...
Sir Kevins... what should... we... do...? Finn! Please say something!
I can't believe Sir Kevins... came to an end like this! To rescue us...
Sir Kevins... you were a true hero! Marion will remember your sacrifice!
I knew you for all of two minutes Mr. Kevins but you were okay in my book.
A very small book!
Hey you have seen the size of the pockets on this cloak, right? I don't exactly have a lot of room in here.

Suddenly someone hits the dimmer switch. Hopefully its not Ramue because that would just be awkward at this point.

Finn... Finn!

The team looks around in confusion.

! The voice of Arawn!
Have you been keeping an eye on us?
A bit. Now that the viewer's fixed I can get up to speed on the world's events.
Does that mean that you're randomly going to give advice that won't be interfering in any way?
Well I don't want to strain this system too much. You humans have no idea what it takes to get technical support for this thing.
Okay so did you see what just happened.
I did indeed. I'm sorry about Kevins... I know just saying "cheer up" won't help. Even though Kevins was not your real father, he is still the parent who raised you.
Well actually Ms. Sonya did most of the raising.
Kevins just contributed the monthly... er, urm, training.
Regardless of that a simple fact remains. You must try to put your feelings behind you, and go after Shutat. [sic]
Don't I get even five minutes to think about this?
Finn, listen... Death, to anyone, is a sad thing. I understand your feelings.
I bet you've seen a lot of it over the centuries!
Ahh, uh, yeah.
But... if you let Shutat go, his evil plans will continue and cause more suffering. Finn, is that okay with you? Are you going to just stand there and let that happen?
I... hadn't planned on doing that.
Finn, you've probably figured this out already, but you're the only one who can save this world!
We're screwed!
I don't know about saving the world but right now I have no problem giving Shutat hell for what he's done.
That'll do. You must end it! You must fight bravely against them... Everyone believes in you and is willing to lend you a hand!
So it's just us then? Is that everyone you mention the people standing next to me?
More or less. Does that bother you?
Not really.
Yeah we've kinda been on our own for months now.
I think you understand, that's all I want... Now, you better go after them. [sic] I think someone might be looking for you!

With that Arawn's voice is gone and so are the effects of the dimmer switch.

So are you actually going to go out of your way to save the world, Finn?
I don't know about saving the world but I am going to get even with Shutat for all of this.
Even if we all die trying?
Don't worry, sis. I have the good sense to run away if things get bad. I won't give Shutat the satisfaction of killing any of us.
Ms. Annie will watch your back.
That's what I'm worried about.

The rope continues to sit there looking awkwardly out of place.

He's gone.
No one could survive that kind of fall. That's lava down there.
They could survive if they had the right kind of magic!
Right because Kevins took magic lessons in between torture sessions.
I kinda wish that was true. At least Yeon's out of the picture too.

Mere steps to the east as they head towards the cave entrance the team runs into a Wyvern with a pair of Bandore Soldiers. This isn't a scripted encounter or anything. It's just kind of a strange coincidence to run into Bandore soldiers right after a prisoner soldiers were supposed to be guarding got loose because well, nobody was actually guarding him!

Random encounters can roll up some weird things sometimes.

Inside is more not-lava.

I wonder where this goes?
What makes you ask that?
Vaguely human scent in here.

Just around the bend is a bright, shiny key just lying on the ground for anyone to make off with. Bandore loves its keys.

Key Item Gold Key got!

So this is where Dad was tied up?
Unless he jumped down from the cliffs above than yeah he must have been in here.
There's nowhere for that masked man to run off to from here.
Hmm, well I guess Dad was always full of surprises. You might be on to something, Annie.
Eh, maybe there's a secret passage or something around here.
Wherever that man went we can't worry about him now.
I'm perfectly okay with chasing Ramue if it breaks that curse.

Outside Finn finds that his Escape spell (and Guiding Branches) don't work. It might be possible to cast it in that little cave with the Gold Key but because the spell only ever takes the player to the beginning of the dungeon they're currently in (if they're in a dungeon to begin with), Finn only had enough MP for one cast (Nothing happens! attempts don't deduct MP), and the rest of the team was pretty beat up I decided not to try it.

Instead after half a dozen easy random encounters the team returns to the cavern that heads west towards civilization.

Once inside Finn can use the spell. It sure beats trudging through not-lava fighting off Pyrohydras.

That boots everyone in the team to the volcano's entrance.

That magic is really picky isn't it?
It is a peculiar incantation isn't it? You know that's been bugging me. Finn where did you learn that spell?
Well I just sort of combined some old song lyrics I heard as a kid with those magic lessons you gave around the evening campfire and viola!
...really?
Finn likes to live dangerously with his magic.
Well I sort of had an idea of what it would do before I tried it. I wasn't just making things up.
*raises an eyebrow*
Like you're one to talk.
None of your trick questions young man. We have a Vicious One to catch, remember?
Yes let's get moving.

Okay, okay. I'm moving!

Being back at the volcano entrance means... new Stone Golems. Hurray? Oh yeah and there's a Bandore Soldier there too but they are so obsolete I barely notice them in formations. (Oh how the mighty have fallen, eh?)

Also a Bishop drops a Healing Potion. Sure I could buy these but I'll take any freebies the game's stingy drop rates are willing to provide. It might actually even get used over the course of the game!

Once more at the locked door seen what seems like forever ago. Item > Use > Gold Key

This key is going to get stuck in the lock too, isn't it?
A shame too. I bet if we melted it down the gold would be worth a nice price.

With that the door is at last unlocked. Yes it did consume the key. Doors in Bandore especially love their keys. They must go through a stockpile of 'em.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - we're off to see Shutat and probably die a horrible death!

Update Sixty-two | Index | Update Sixty-four