Beyond the Beyond: Update 66.5: More of The Pirate

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 66.5: More of The Pirate

Continuing from where we left off...

The wall separating the town from the keep is unguarded but just up the stairs is a Bandore soldier just sort of wandering around.

Hi kids!
You're not going to attack us are you?
Hell no! No more war, I've had enough. I am going to trade in my sword for a plow. I want my children to grow up without the threat of war.
Uh, well good luck with that!

Not only is there one Bandore soldier wandering around just outside the keep but there are two. Must be a slow day for them.

What are you kids doing here?
Seeing the sights, human.
GAH! A talking dragon!
*snickers*
He is right though. We are seeing all the sights in Bandore.
Some more than once!
So what's going on with the castle? A few hours ago this place was sealed up tight.
Bandore has surrendered to Marion.
And how are your fellow humans taking it?
After all the losses in Marion morale hasn't been that great. I think most of my comrades are just relieved that it's all over. I know I am!
Are there actual Marion soldiers around here somewhere?
Yeah they should be in the castle. Why? Are you looking for them?
*shrugs* Might as well.
I don't know what's going to happen now that the emperor is dead. With our resources, we can surely make this kingdom the envy of others.
As long as Bandore doesn't go invading anyone I'll be happy.
Me too, kid.

Just inside Bandore Castle the kids run into another Bandore soldier. It's like they live in the area of somethin' I tell ya!

Soldiers everywhere. This one's even happy to be here.
How can you tell?
Despite everything that's happened it's still a good day!
Oh, spoke too soon I guess.
Marion is a great kingdom! They are willing to forgive us despite our invasion.
Let's cut to the chase. Are their Marion soldiers still in the castle?
Yeah. There's one just down the hall over there.
Thanks.

True to what they've heard there is indeed a soldier in Marion's uniform.

Annie is there someone in particular you're looking for?
Maybe. It depends on who's running this show.
Sir Samson! Good to see you again, sir!
Likewise. Who's in command here?
Commander Galahad of course. He should be upstairs.
We've heard that Bandore simply surrendered without a fight. Is that true?
Yes. It was the strangest thing too. I'm sure Commander Galahad can give you all the details.
Any trouble since then?
Nope. All quiet. Commander Galahad was adamant that we are to treat the people of Bandore with respect. Not to mention Marion and Bandore are neighboring kingdoms. It's best to maintain a good relationship.
Hmm... He's probably waiting for us upstairs.
Well see him soon enough.

Why yes that NPC does launch straight into the middle of a conversation. I talked to them several times and it didn't change. I'm not sure if the game is skipping a line or if the localization dropped the ball here.

Just to the north is yet another Bandore soldier doing nothing of importance. Also said soldier is facing away from Finn in the screenshot because I had a running string of having to chase down NPCs and figured I should include as many instances of those shots as possible. Laugh at my folly!

Are you kids new here?
New enough. What's going on, human?
I'm worried about Shutat and his followers. Their strength is scary.
We've met a couple of them. I guess Ramue is rather scary when she's actually trying to be.
Her game's been slipping lately. Soon she'll be no match for the mighty Tont!
The mighty who?
The mighty Tont!
*confused expression*
Tont you should wait until you're actually famous before expecting people to recognize your name.
But... but I don't wanna actually have to work for that!

In the back the gate is open.

Our emperor was so scared of Marion troops, that he left his people. [sic] What a lousy emperor he was...
Prraarr, someone's thinking out loud again.
GAH! Where did you kids come from?
We're just sort of wandering around. Anything interesting happening?
The castle is in disarray. No one knows what happened but supposedly Marion sent a team in to capture the emperor and ended up killing some sentries. You kids didn't see anyone suspicious wandering around did you?
Nope!

Way in the back is another open gate leading straight to the harbor. So just how long was the emperor waiting while watching Shutat and Ramue make off with his battleship?

Sir Samson! Good to see you, sir! Commander Galahad is waiting for you upstairs.
So I've heard.
Now that Bandore is freed, Marion can finally be at peace. But where did Shutat and his followers run off to?
I heard they stole a big boat!
They might have also used it to blow up most of Bandore's famed navy.
Oh my! Is that true?
Yes.
What are we going to do?
For the moment - nothing. They'll turn up eventually.

The barracks are repopulated with Bandore soldiers. Where did all these soldiers come from anyway? The castle was pretty deserted when the kids moved on to the volcano.

(south) Rebuilding Bandore will take a lot of hard work, but it's a very inspiring task.
It sounds like we walked in on a conversation. Uh, sorry?
(south) No problem. What are you kids doing here?
We're just sort of seeing what there is to see.
(north) You chose a hell of a time for a visit. It might not be safe to stick around.
We're risk takers. Why might it not be safe?
(south) Shutat and those strange people he brought from Quamdar stole our battleship and fled.
(north) What if Shutat and his followers return? If that happens, please lend us a hand.
You'd like us to lend a hand? Isn't Shutat kind of dangerous?
(north) Yeah but if you're tough enough to make the journey here you must be able to take care of yourselves.
You can't argue with that, Annie.
Sure I can. Just not well.
(south) Question.
Yes?
(south) Do you always travel around with that huge axe wielding guy there?
Wow, you know I think you're the first person to ask about that.
You'd think he'd stand out more.
*smirks* I can blend in when I want to.
0.o
What?
Sir Samson maybe it's just me but I was always under the impression that no one said anything because you can be rather, um, intimidating with your mere presence.
Oh come on. Nobody's going to assume I'll attack just because they notice me.
...
Right?
(north) ...can I be excused to go to the bathroom?
Aargh!

Completing the circuit of the first floor the team finds a second Marion soldier standing around.

Have you kids been laughing about this behind me back this whole time?
No, not at all, Sir Samson.
Prrarr. At this point we'd just laugh right to your face.
Kids...
Oh it's not so bad. Steiner usually has Finn to mess with.
Not today though. He's ruining all my...
Oh! Sir Samson! I didn't expect to run into you here. Is something wrong?
Just the usual for me.
It's hard to believe that Marion and Bandore are now getting along. It appears yesterday's rival has become today's friend.
Had to happen eventually, right?
What?
Well, you know, with all that war and death and stuff it was bound to happen that everyone in Bandore who didn't like Marion would die, right?
Your naivety is refreshing, Tont, but it doesn't work like that.
Shucks! Well there goes that idea for after I get the evil lair set up.

Upstairs is the third Marion soldier the kids have seen in all of Bandore.

Good afternoon Sir Samson, Prince Edward. Commander Galahad is waiting for you in the throne room.
Somehow it does not shock me that Dad would be waiting for us.
We heard that Lord Kevins was executed. I was hoping it wasn't true but I guess since he isn't with you it must be.
Well that is technically correct from a certain point of view.
I can't believe Lord Kevins is gone. Bandore soldiers told us that the had been taken up to the volcano but I still had hoped...
There wasn't anything you could do.
Commander Galahad is very distraught over the loss.
What exactly was your mission anyway?
The king dispatched us to follow you Prince Edward and provide whatever assistance we could with the rescue of Lord Kevins.
This was all my father's idea?
It's almost as if the king isn't just going to let his only child go wandering around in enemy territory.
You knew of this plan?
No but I suspected your old man had something up his sleeve.
Many Marion troops would like to stay here to help rebuilt the kingdom. Well, I should say many of those the king dispatched. I don't know what Commander Galahad will do. With Bandore out of the picture there should be no threat to Marion.
Hmm, I suppose we've stalled enough. We should go see Sir Galahad.

In the throne room Sir Galahad and a Bandore soldier await the team.

Annie, Finn, good to see you two again.
Dad! You have no idea how surprised we were to find out you're here.
His Majesty ordered me to follow Prince Edward and intervene if it looked like he was getting in over his head. I couldn't bring many soldiers so all I've got is a small hand-picked bunch.
Sir Galahad how in the world did Bandore decide to surrender?
From what I understand the guards on the border returned to Bandore with word of how Sir Samson... motivated them to vacate. The emperor assumed that meant a full scale force had already crossed the border in a counter attack.
It's true. The emperor ordered an increase in security but morale was already failing. Many of my comrades deserted knowing there was no way we could hold off a real attack. I'm sure you kids have seen that we have no way of securing the outer walls.
We noticed!
Fortune smiled upon us. My force was camping to the west waiting to move in if you guys managed to get out of town with Lord Kevins. Suddenly a group of Bandore soldiers on patrol found us. Instead of fighting they all laid down their weapons and surrendered!
Then they were smart humans. Kryaar!
When I heard that our presence was already expected and the emperor was trying to flee I figured there was nothing to lose by moving in. I guess we should consider ourselves fortunate that Lord Shutat wanted the battleship rather than a fight.
That didn't help Lord Kevins.
Wait, hmm. Are you Finn? Thanks to you, Bandore will be reborn.
Yeah I'm Finn. Thanks, I guess.
I heard that Kevins was scheduled to be executed. Finn did you find your father?
*slowly nods*
We found Lord Kevins in the dungeons but he demanded we leave him there and escape.
Which is the stupidest thing I've ever done!
But Finn that's what he wanted. He was thinking of your safety!
Shutat and Ramue knew they could use him as bait and they were totally right. If we had dragged him out of that cell when we first found him their plan would have been impossible.
And the two of them would have known we had gotten into the castle and would have come looking for us. There's no guarantee Lord Kevins wouldn't have died trying to intervene.
So what did happen? Did they actually intend to execute him?
Sort of. They turned him over to this green magician guy named Yeon.
Who used magic to disguise himself as Kevins and lure us into a trap.
It was a stupid trap!
That we fell for hook, line, and sinker.
Well, yeah but it was still pretty stupid!
Alright so there was a trap. Then what happened?
Dad ambushed Yeon and in the process of using Yeon to pull us to safety he... fell.
Hey he and Yeon might still be alive I'll have you know.
They fell into a friggin' volcano, Tont! Nobody could survive that!
Well with enough of the right kind of magic one could theoretically survive anything.
I suppose that is true. Extremely unlikely though.
Regardless we must assume that Lord Kevins is dead.
Does that mean you're going to be in charge of the knights for good, Dad?
I hope not.
What now?
Bandore is without a ruler and we have no way of pursuing Shutat. I have a feeling he isn't done with Marion yet. We'll probably see him again sooner than we'd like.
Especially since he wants to kill Finn!
What's going to happen to Bandore? Somehow I doubt the king wants to absorb it into Marion.
With the emperor dead, we will have to form a new governing body. We have decided to create a government where everyone's voice can be heard.
We?
Those who have survived. I will admit that most of those with actual experience running the country were killed by the emperor but that just makes it all the more imperative that no one ever has that much power in Bandore ever again.
With the Emperor of Bandore dead and no heir, the Kingdom of Bandore will change. I don't know if this new form of government is going to work, but it is a noble attempt.
I suppose we will just have to wait and see what happens.
It's comforting to know that Lord Kevins' death brings new life to Bandore.
...
Even if it brings misery to Marion. I've kept you kids long enough. You should rest while you can. I doubt Shutat and his minions will return any time soon.

Upstairs in the emperor's bedroom is a Marion soldier just sort of hanging out.

Hi kids! Taking a tour of the castle?
To be honest we've already seen it once.
That's what I figured. When we arrived at Bandore Castle, all of their troops surrendered. [sic] Finn and friends, it's all thanks to you!
Eh? We didn't really do anything.
By the time we got here a score of the castle's garrison was already dead. The survivors were terrified that the keep had already been breached. They honestly thought Bandore had been taken completely by surprise. They had really gotten themselves all worked up about it too!
Oh, that... erm, well we didn't intend to do that.
We just managed to get as lost as possible while trying to find the dungeons.
While also finding every single sentry without the good sense to run away when they're outnumbered five to one.

Out on the battlements is another Marion soldier. I wonder just how many Sir Galahad brought with him. (Also, yes I'm still having to chase down NPCs to talk to them. They were being thoroughly uncooperative as mentioned before.)

Are you on guard duty up here?
Sort of. I don't think we have anything to worry about. Not all Bandore soldiers are bad. I think we can get along fine now.
Until the pranks start up!
Marion and Bandore have both suffered terribly. There's opportunity though.
So are you going to be one of those soldiers who decides to live here?
I don't know. I don't fancy spending the rest of my life next to a volcano but there's a lot of beautiful land in Bandore's borders.
There's also lots of monsters!
After what I've seen monsters don't frighten me.
Hmm, you know what? You might do just fine out here.
Thanks!

On the east end of the battlements is a Bandore soldier and the still-open path to the monster-infested volcano. It's a bit amazing that monsters haven't taken over by now. I mean the castle was full of critters but they've all scampered off.

Hi, kids! It's a good day wouldn't you say? At last, Bandore is taking its first step towards the dream of being a peaceful kingdom.
I suppose that's something to be happy about.
Could've come a lot sooner.
What?
Don't mind him. Today has been hard on him.
Oh.

Down in the dungeons the dissidents have been replaced by new prisoners.

Come to laugh at my misfortune?
Maybe. Depends on the type of misfortune.
I am still a loyal soldier of His Majesty the emperor of Bandore!
Well the emperor's dead so your loyalty doesn't mean a whole lot.
We even got to see him die! It was pretty freaky actually.
Are you the one? You brought ruin to Bandore?
What are you talking about? All Tont said was that we saw the emperor get blown up by his own battleship because he was a fool to trust Shutat.
The emperor wouldn't even have been out there if he hadn't gotten spooked about nothing and tried to flee the country.
I heard a rumor that Marion sent in a team to rescue Lord Kevins. Wait a minute! You're the rescue team, aren't you?!
*looks to Finn* Define rescue.
That's why... Bandore's troops had to forfeit? Because of a runt like you?!
Who are you calling a runt? I'll have you know I could totally kick your butt if you weren't in that cell!
Well have fun stewing in there until someone decides to let you out!
I can't believe this! We surrendered because of a bunch of kids?

There's a second Bandore soldier in jail but this one is a bit more... shy. For some reason this NPC refused to actually take a step south where I could talk to them. That meant some persuasion was in order. (And by persuasion I mean I had to blatantly cheat but I suppose there's no point in having walk-through-walls codes if I never use them.) Anyway that's not story canon or at all relevant to what this NPC has to say. I just thought I should mention it in the interest of full disclosure.

Where is the emperor? Lord Shutat?
Shutat jacked the battleship and killed the emperor. There, now you're caught up, human.
What? But that still doesn't explain why Marion took control of the castle so easily!
What's so hard to understand? Bandore surrendered.
Why have Bandore troops surrendered? No, we didn't lose! Someone please, let me out!
Why? Are you going to fight Marion's forces all on your own?
Uh, er... no?
Eh, you'll probably be out in a day or two when it finally sinks in that the war's over.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - we have a ship! Hopefully it won't sink within ten minutes of game time. Camelot sure does love to destroy boats after all.

Update Sixty-six | Index | Update Sixty-seven