Beyond the Beyond: Update 68.5: More of Those Friends

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 68.5: More of Those Friends

When last we saw the kids they were gallivanting across Isla Village. Where will they go next? Well there's only one place in Marion they can go.

There's just something so refreshingly typically rpg about this line. For the first time since the game began Marion is more or less a normal town and has a perfectly normal, stereotypical town greeter for once.

This is the town of Marion!
We're well aware of that fact.
What happens if we show up one day and find out the town was renamed while we were gone?
That's the day I move to Zalagoon.

Yup, just a normal day in Marion. There are no soldiers hiding in the bushes. There are no chases through the cemetary. It's actually kind of banal.

Hi kids. What are you in town for?
Just to say hi.
Well that's good. Kids should see plenty of the world before they settle down.
I wonder how many people decide to do that because they're sick of their feet hurting all the time.
Speaking from personal experience?
A little bit, yes.
I visited Zalagoon. It's good that we are allies. They are a noble people.
Except that one guy who was a jerk.
One guy? Who are you talking about?
He's gone now so don't worry about it.
What? Now I'm even more confused.
Then you're among good company.

Good day to you children. Are you in need of assistance?
Naw. Just visiting.
For no real reason.
There is always a good reason to visit a house of Arawn.
But we already have seen his house. We've seen a couple of them actually.
She means house of worship sort of house?
And what does that mean?
It means people come here to pray.
To Arawn? Why? Arawn doesn't do anything. He said so himself.
But Arawn does answer prayers. Just look at Marion! People prayed and Arawn sent Zalagoon to our aid.
I... what? But...
Prince Edward is safe and Marion is free. I must now turn my prayers to others.
But Arawn had nothing to do with that stuff!
Well he did in a round about sort of way.
It's all right, Tont. Just let it go.
*grumbles* It's the principle of the matter.

In the center of town are an old man and a fellow just off screen to the south. Now that I think about it there's plenty of space to expand that little building by the cemetery. It's not really big enough to be much of a house.

Hi kids. Oh, it's you, Finn. Did you go to Bandore?
Yeah.
What's it like?
Confused. Right now they are thoroughly confused.
I suppose that's one way of putting it.
They'll figure it out!
And what of Lord Kevins? Did he not return with you?
Unfortunately Lord Kevins gave his life for Marion.
Oh no!
How terrible. It's sad when you lose a great man like Lord Kevins. I remember when Sir Norton died, I felt the same way. [sic]
Did you actually know Sir Norton?
I shared a drink or two with him over the years.
But who will lead the knights now that Kevins is dead? Sir Galahad is getting on in years.
Probably someone who served well during the invasion. I'm sure the thought has been on the king's mind.
Finn! You seem very strong. To the south of here, there is an island called the Island of Discipline. Those who are skilled enough can gain additional knowledge.
You're not trying to pawn him off on someone else are you, human?
Yeah. Besides isn't it kind of self-defeating to award knowledge to people who already know a bunch of stuff?
Why Finn are you becoming a brainiac over there with that sudden burst of insight?
Insight? Seems pretty obvious to me.
Where you are you going with this, Henry?
Well I just thought that Finn's a skilled swordsman already what with fighting alongside Zalagoon and coming out of Bandore alive. If anyone in Marion has a shot at the shrine of Discipline right now it's him.
That would require Finn to have any discipline in the first place.
Hey I might not be a soldier but I'm not some wild barbarian either.

(The mention of the Island of Discipline is another repeat but I figured if I was going to include the one about Pity Island I should be fair and include this one as well.)

At the inn the old woman and her daughter are still as stranded as they were with Marion's invasion.

We're back!
We heard a rumor that Marion troops moved into Bandore. Is it true?
Technically yes.
You've been to Bandore? Then, did you travel through the dungeon to reach Zeal village?
No. All roads led to the volcano or back to Bandore.
How strange! There should be a path that leads to Zeal through the Volcano Dungeon.
What about that tunnel up on the summit? Could that be it?
Well it's blocked by a cave-in or something. No one's going to Zeal until it gets cleared.
Is that so? That village is small, but the people are generous. I don't know why anyone would want to seal it off.
What's beyond Zeal?
Uhh, I don't know.
There's a passage that leads to Quamdar. Few people use it though.
Quamdar... that's where Shutat came from. I bet we can thank him for the cave-in.
That would make sense if he didn't want anyone tracing his tracks. I shudder to think what that means for Zeal though.
Oh no! I hope everyone there is all right.
There's no way anyone can reach that valley now. They're on their own.
And what are you going to do? Are you still headed for Simone?
Once I have the strength, yes.

Upstairs in the inn the poet is still at work.

Hello there. What brings you to town this time?
Mayhem in Bandore got boring.
Is it over already? Does that mean Bandore has surrendered?
We can't really say anything official yet. Sorry.
I see. Well news travels fast. After there is an announcement will you tell me of your travels?
We're gonna be busy on our new pirate ship!
Has Marion reached an agreement with the pirates?
It's more like we happen to have a common interest with the weirdest pirate in the world.
The world is such a strange place! I don't mind though. My work would be so boring otherwise.
Oh yeah that poem.
My great masterpiece is almost complete. This will make me a world renown poet! [sic]
I'll just be happy if it's halfway accurate.
Whatever happened to your brother anyway?
Ramue happened to him. Trust me when I say I fully intend to make her pay for it too!

Just outside the inn people continue to mill around.

Oh hello kids! I guess things are getting back to normal but I wonder what happened to Bandore's Lord Shutat?
He's getting good at his vanishing act!
What?
What Steiner means is that Shutat stole a ship and escaped.
Shutat escaped? I hope he won't consider coming back here again.
Somehow I don't think a big boat will help him retake the castle. Call it a hunch.
Besides he'd need to come up with another army. Unless you humans have been lying to me all this time those don't exactly fall out of the sky.

To the north are more citizens of Marion. For all the fighting the town's seen in the last few months it sure doesn't show any signs of damage.

Oh! You're back! Is it true that you guys went to Bandore?
It might have happened that way.
(street) You kids... went to Bandore? That sounds absurd.
No it sounds awesome!
(house) Now, now I'm sure these people are very busy. Let's not start a fight.
I don't know why everyone thinks going to Bandore is such a big deal. It's not like anyone tried to stop us once we were over the border.
Prarr! Tell that to all the monsters!
Don't remind me.
(street) So you did go to Bandore?
Cool! Did you beat up anyone while you were there?

Um, well let's just say some things happened while we were there and leave it at that.
(house) Lord Kevins still hasn't returned. Does that mean Bandore executed him?
We can't really say anything right now.
(house) Then there's going to be a formal announcement from the king.
What does that mean? Is he dead?
(house) It means whatever the news it must be bad.
But he can't be dead! No knight would die like that!
But you don't even know how he died, little human.
(house) Joshua what have I told you about being polite with guests?
(street) I'm sorry about Lord Kevins. No one thought he would...
(house) I guess we should just be grateful for his bravery. My son has a future to look forward to now that Bandore is gone.
Well if you want a bright side to the situation there are lots of vacancies now!
Hey that's true!
I ate a lot so I could join the Marion Knights, but I just got fat. I was trying to extend my height but...
So you're just going to have a growth spurt soon.
Besides being fat doesn't mean you can't be a knight. It's never slowed down Sir Piat. Hell before all this business started Dad used to complain all the time about knights who weren't fat but were lazy nuisances.
I always wondered why Sir Galahad could brush off Steiner so easily. Lots of practice?
I shudder to think that there are humans out there that can give Steiner a run for his money.
Oh please. As if any human could keep up with me when I really get going.
I notice you're not denying all the trouble you get into.
What's there to deny? I feel no regret for harmless jokes and pranks.
It's your definition of harmless that worries me.
Tee hee hee!

As the kids approach the bridge leading to the castle they spot one last civilian.

Well someone's got a spring in their step.
Is there a party this way or something?
Look at everyone's face! They are all so happy. I think peace is the best.
Careful there human or that grin will become permanent.
What? I look the happiest? You might be right, and I don't want this happiness to go. [sic]
Well I guess you gotta enjoy it while you can.
What about us? Are we happy?
*shrugs*
I'm not particularly unhappy right now.
It is a rather nice day.
Yes but things could turn sour quickly once we're in the castle.
We should probably just go ahead and get that over with.

Just inside the outer gate of Marion Castle things are calm and collected.

Sir Samson you're back! Should I notify the king?
We're going to see him ourselves. Just take it easy.
Hell of a day for doing that. What nice weather. It's days like this that I just wanna bask in the sun's rays.
Prraaa! I know, human! I just wanna stretch my wings and enjoy a nice warm breeze.

Inside the castle are soldiers and more soldiers. I guess they still haven't hired a new stable of servants.

Soldiers ought to be strong. We should also be nice.
Why are you talking to yourself, human?
AAHH! Oh, don't scare me like that!
You still haven't answered my question.
Oh it's just something from a book I've been reading.
A book about soldiers.
Yes. Is there something you kids need?
Nah. I just heard you mumbling to yourself and wanted to know what it was about.

Hi kids! Back again?
Yup. Just got back from Bandore.
Wow! Already? Hmm... Now that I think about it, Bandore has been through a lot.
What do you mean?
With all the monsters around, I don't think they can relax for a second. [sic]
So those monsters have always been around? How come they haven't taken over the town yet?
Yeah they were just crawling all over the castle.
Most monsters have an aversion to human settlements. They learn that humans are dangerous in numbers.
But sometimes they ignore that and stroll in anyway?
I think we can safely assume Shutat was the cause of that.
What are you guys talking about?
Nothing Marion needs to worry about. We took care of it.

I'm still baffled over why this little barracks room has two suits of armor on stands. Is it for the soldiers when they bed down so they don't have to wear their armor to sleep? That doesn't seem to bother anyone else in this world.

So we're going to take the longest route possible to reach the king?
*shrugs* It's the shortest route overall.
I must say that I'm not in any hurry. Take your time, Finn.
Wow for once we have outright approval.
(west) You're here to see the king? Did Sir Galahad send you?
Yup!
(east) Oh, Sir Samson's with you. That explains it.
(west) That means there's news from Bandore? A message arrived last night. I guess that explains all the excitement.
What happened?
(west) The advisor was sent down to open up the dungeons. Now that Shutat is out of power in Bandore, Bandore's troops have all been released.
All of them?
(west) Yup. The dungeons are empty right now.
As if Dad wants to deal with them when he gets back.
(west) What about the emperor?
Shutat stole his new boat and blew him up.
(west) I would say that's horrible but honestly he got what was coming to him. Good riddance.
(east) I often have nightmares about Shutat. When will that maniac be captured?
Not anytime soon if he stays out at sea.

Upstairs are yet more soldiers but at least these two are sentries and actually have a reason to be there.

(west) Prince Edward you have returned. The king is in the throne room.
As expected. I heard a message arrived last night. Do you know what it said?
(west) No. It was for the king's eyes only and aside from releasing all the prisoners he hasn't made any announcements.
(east) Is Sir Galahad on his way back with Lord Kevins?
I am afraid that Lord Kevins gave his life in the service of Marion.
(east) Sir Kevins is... No! I don't believe it.
(west) How awful... What of the emperor and Shutat?
The emperor's dead and Shutat sailed away on a new battleship. After killing the emperor.
Shutat is a pretty terrible ally to have.
(west) Was Bandore's invasion initially Shutat's plan? If not then what is Shutat's plan?
To cause as much trouble as possible? I don't know. If we ever catch up to Shutat we'll ask him.
After beating him senseless.
But if he's senseless he can't answer our questions.
Oh trust me. I have magic that can take care of that.

Inside the throne is, as promised, one king of Marion and his advisor.

I see you have returned. Against all odds. Prince Edward have you reconsidered this foolishness of yours?
My mind is made up.
A pity.
What's the problem? We got back in one piece.
The problem? The King places too much opinion in his son's view. [sic] Marion is doomed for sure.
But...
It's okay, Finn. Let him be angry.

Father I have returned with a report from Sir Galahad.
I received a message from Sir Galahad last night. I heard you defeated Bandore. I will notify Zalagoon.
We can do it. We've got a ship now and everything!
A ship?
We have reached a, uhm, arrangement with a certain captain for the use of his ship.
I heard that Shutat escaped. Does that mean you're going to search for him?
Yes. Marion will never be truly safe until he has been dealt with.
Very well. Be careful out there. We've already lost Lord Kevins.
You're... not going to try to stop us or anything. Even with your advisor over there all grouchy?
This is something I know Edward wants to see to the end so I will put aside my worries.
Father this is almost over. I won't allow Shutat to do any more damage.

Out on the battlements are even more soldiers keeping watch.

(west) Hi kids. Is there something you need?
Naw. Just taking in the sights. What are you doing?
(west) Keeping watch. We must always make sure that we are safe from invasion.
Don't worry. You are safe from Bandore, humans.
(east) It's over? Bandore has been defeated?
Defeated, surrendered because the nation was falling apart, same thing right?
(west) Good then things will settle down now.
(east) I heard a story from another soldier. In the west tower, a young man was being held for helping the Prince escape. [sic]
Aww yes that one. We've heard that as well.
(east) What happened to him? Bandore left Marion in a hurry. Did they really take prisoners with them?
Sort of. There's magic involved.
(east) And then what? Has Bandore released its prisoners?
They released the prisoners who were from Bandore. The others were out of luck.
Like I said, there's magic involved.
And treachery!
Yeah, that too.

(One more reminder for the road.)

Heading out the back gate the kids leave the town and castle behind them.

That is a good question though. What did happen to that masked man?
Ramue probably tugged on his leash.
Sooo... he's stuck with her on that battleship?
He has my sympathy.

As the group makes its way back to the ship they of course run across more random encounters. Annie has 100 attack power and only deals 36 damage to weak little starter enemies. If anything demonstrates that attack power has diminishing returns its this.

At least they remembered where they parked.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - we pop on over to Zalagoon because we might as well be thorough in spreading the news around. For once it's good news!

Update Sixty-eight | Index | Update Sixty-nine