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Continuing where we left off...
After a long day of hiking all the way across the island the team finally comes within sight of the shrine they've heard about. This one doesn't appear to be in shambles. To the west is a coastline swarmed by boat-shredding shoals. Apparently they take their devotion to Discipline very seriously because they've set up shop as far away from navigable coasts as possible.
Inside the town map however it looks like another grass and tree filled village. I'm guessing they don't get a whole lot of international trade what with making themselves hard to reach.
Good evening, strangers. Have you come to see the shrine?
Sure thing. We might even see what all this testing of discipline we've heard about is.
I'd really rather not, Steiner. Monsters have already given us enough trouble today.
Monsters? Oh! Another warrior has come to the Island of Discipline to be trained. Are you sure you're ready?
I didn't say anything about training! I've had enough of that for awhile. So you don't miss your father's unique style of instruction?
Not really and before you ask no that doesn't mean I don't miss Dad.
Hmm, you do seem rather young to undergo the trial.
Haven't we already gotten lots of training by running all over the world's continents?
Yeah! We are masters at walking, climbing, getting lost, and running into every monster possible!
In the inn is a... Bandore soldier? Just sitting around doing nothing?
Uh, hi there.
Hi kids. What brings you to this gloomy place? We were sort of in the neighborhood.
Where are you from? My brother and I are from Marion. Tont there's from Simone Village. The other two, well, I think they prefer to be mysterious.
I'm... mysterious now?
I guess we do have something in common.
Ugh!
I can't say I've ever heard of Simone but Marion's always lovely this time of year.
So you've been there?
Of course. I have relatives who live in Marion. I haven't seen them in four years though. Ever since I started down this pilgrimage my life has been focused on getting stronger and becoming a better warrior.
So you're here for the trial?
That's right. In my kingdom, I'm a hero, but I can't complete the labyrinth. I can't return in failure. You're from Bandore aren't you?
That's right? Why do you ask?
Your armor. That's Bandore military gear. Have you been to Bandore?
You could say that!
*sighs* I miss home so much. Oh, that labyrinth is a horrible place! Even if you're strong, it's difficult. I just want this to be over with but unless I can figure out how to pass the trial I'm stuck here. Eh, they might be more forgiving back home than you realize. Finn...? What? I'm just stating the obvious here. I appreciate the concern, kids. I really do. But I won't be known as a coward for the rest of my life.
Leaving the inn the kids turn their attention towards a little house to the west.
So we're not going to tell him what happened to Bandore?
You can if you want, Tont, but I don't have the heart to do it. Yeah but what if he actually succeeds and gets home to find out everything's different? Isn't that a little cruel?
I don't know. I honestly don't know if I'd prefer to be kept in the dark if I were in his shoes. I mean, there's nothing he can do for Bandore right now. There's no ship to take him home.
And the Bandore navy was devastated by Shutat. He might be stuck here for some time. Trade ships usually come by every three months on their way to Luna but there are an awful lot of monsters roaming about now. I don't expect the ships will be stopped for long though. There's way too much money at stake.
Barging in like they always do they find a lone man inside.
Hi there mister. Just how many people are here for the trial?
A lot of warriors come here to increase their skill, but most give up and go home. They should read more. Like this book here: "How to Find the New Me!".
But what if the new me to find is thoroughly evil? You'd heal the monsters then?
If you had your way with those summon spells we'd have a small army following us everywhere.
It would make for more interesting nights on the boat!
What are you kids talking about?
Just Tont's love of magic. That's all.
So this trial. Does anyone pass it?
Of course. It's difficult, not impossible. No one's done it in years though.
Sounds fun. Or not. Good thing we don't really have time to worry about it.
Maybe Finn's thinking about his long term career prospects.
Living here trying to make my make my way through a maze over and over again is not much of a career.
In the barrel of the same house is a Healing Potion for the taking. Hopefully no one in town will need it. I'm guessing our team won't!
To the north is what appears to be another local and a soldier in a uniform the team hasn't seen yet.
Hiya! Hi kids.
You live here, human?
I came to the Island of Discipline to be a great warrior, but seeing all the other people, I'm getting scared!
Don't lose heart. It's not like anyone dies in the trial, right? That guy from Bandore said it was tough.
Marcus? He said there are strong monsters in the labyrinth that will attack.
Why do you think I'm so worried?
And where are you from?
I'm Kanaar from Barbaros... I'm not very strong, but I have to succeed! It's the only way I can marry Princess Lorele!
Barbaros eh? That explains why we didn't recognize your style of armor.
Where are you from?
Marion.
We're not here to get stronger or anything. We just happened to be in the neighborhood.
Marion? I've never been there. I don't think there's anyone here in town from there either.
That's not surprising. If we want to go somewhere we usually go over land. Not much of a desire to travel the seas in Marion.
It helps that they've got no boats!
Well, yes.
So who's this princess you were talking about? Princess Lorele? She's the daughter of the king of Barbaros. Trying to get into the royal family?
No! I, uh... You're trying to impress a girl. Story of the ages. It's more than that. In Barbaros strength is everything. We need it to survive!
But you said you're not very strong.
That's exactly my problem! This place... it's supposed to make people stronger, bring out their potential, but so far I don't feel any stronger. You could always challenge the monsters outside of town.
Yeah the island's crawling with 'em.
I don't think we should be encouraging anyone to offer themselves as lunch for monsters.
Why? We do it all the time!
Yes. And that's a problem I keep having to push back against. But we offer you so many chances to hone your healing magic.
I know.
To the northeast on the other side of the pond is someone in Zalagoon's colors.
You're here for the training as well, huh?
Maybe, depending on what the training entails.
Hey Finn I bet it can't be as bad as what Kevins thought training should be. Now you have me wondering if Dad ever paid this place a visit. Not that I know of. Is this your first time here?
Yes. If we get a chance to do that trial thing should we try?
I don't think you should try. Why? Because even I failed! We're not here for the trial. I just want to see the town. Then we'll resume our search for Shutat. Who's Shutat?
Just someone who convinced the emperor of Bandore to invade Marion and cause a bunch of trouble. He's on the run now though! There was a war?
Yup and you missed the whole thing, human.
It was pretty cool watching all those Zalagoon soldiers swarm across the border. WHAT?! And I've been here the whole time? AAAGGHH!
There's a grade-A shout right there. Good job, human!
Just to the northest is a woman just sort of standing around blocking a path. Also there's Kanaar again milling about. I'm sure these challengers will get around to attempting to beat the labyrinth eventually.
Is there a specific reason you're rummaging through the bushes now, Finn?
I thought I saw something! You need help oh brother of mine. Do not!
Praaa! The hunt for treasure has taken a truly sinister turn!
Hello, kids! Wow, what a stud... Oh!
Stud?
You're talking about Steiner aren't you?
Tee hee hee!
I thought you were all worried sick about me. Now you're encouraging Steiner?
I'm not encouraging anyone.
You kids are so weird!
The woman turns her back on the group for a moment before turning back.
If you can complete training, come back to my house... We'll celebrate.
She then turns right back around and rushes inside her house.
What was that all about?
She does that every time a new challenger comes by.
Should we be worried?
Why? She'd regret letting Steiner into her house within an hour.
I promise to be on my best behavior!
I question your definition of best.
I'm just looking out for you, Finn.
Inside a barrel in the woman's house is a Source of Courage. Hmm, a Source of Courage that can be gained by having the courage to follow a rather, shall we say direct and boisterous, woman into her home. I see that wise ass from way back in update 3 is at it again. Well played, again!
Now I wish they had kept it up. It's actually rather amusing.
Domino goes ahead and consumes the Source of Courage. It's not doing any good just sitting in our inventory. That bumps him up to level 18 and closes the level gap a little bit.
To the east are the town's shops including an equipment shop stocked with all sorts of new goodies for the team.
Do you guys make this stuff here on the island?
The priests up at the temple add a bit of magic to what we import.
Say, that reminds me. Have any ships come by recently?
Our last visitors from Luna came by about three weeks ago. Why?
Just wondering. Bandore lost a brand new battleship that's now roaming the seas.
What? How do you lose a battleship?
By lose Tont here means it was stolen from Bandore. Same thing as far as Bandore's concerned.
We're looking for it.
I hope Bandore's paying you well for that kind of risk.
Nope. We're gullible enough to do it out of the goodness of our hearts.
Equipment purchased:
Sailor Bandanna (traded in Domino's Bandanna)
Hard Leather (traded in Domino's Soft Leather)
Wizard's Hood (traded in Tont's War Hood)
Fairy Dress (traded in Annie's Tempest Dress)
Short Knife (traded in Domino's Darts)
Silver Plate (traded in Finn's Steel Plate)
Mystic Mail (traded in Samson's Great Mail)
I did NOT buy a Tempest Axe for Samson due to the cost. I could afford it, sure, but the team's still got a lot of traveling to do and I'd like to keep a decent stack of cash on hand in case they run across a shop with some goodies in it. I'll also point out that unique gear like the Robe of Darkness appear at the bottom of every shop's inventory after you sell it somewhere. Beyond the Beyond doesn't bother with a Special Deals option. It just streamlines the whole process.
Just don't ask how a robe I sold in Bandore is available on Discipline Island. The Merchant's Association guards its secrets!
In the barrel next door is a Chaos Shield.
Ooohh, it's all spiky and ominous!
I don't know about you guys but it feels kind of wrong just looking at this thing.
The new shield gets sold off immediately.
Yes, please, take it.
Okay.
Why do I have this strange urge to start speaking in tongues? That's just the sea air talking.
On the path towards the shrine is another person in Bandore garb.
Another Bandore soldier?
Did you come here with that Marcus guy?
Yeah. And?
He implied that he's tried and failed the test several times.
Challengers have to go in alone. I'm just here to watch Marcus's back and get him home safely. In other words you're here to fight your way home through all the monsters.
Then you understand how dangerous it is out there! Hey, you must be confident in your abilities to come all the way to Discipline, right? If Tont has his way then yes.
But you haven't completed the challenge yet! Actions speak louder than words!
I don't know. What can this shrine teach me about magic? I'm from Simone. Some of the greatest mages of the ages lived there.
We're just here for a visit anyway. Really? Aye. Some of us old dogs have already learned all the tricks life has to offer. Oh, I see! You came here for sightseeing. Well, I hope you enjoy your stay.
To the north is a rather impressive looking structure the likes of which the kids haven't seen before.
It's bigger than I thought it'd be.
Hmm, old place.
How old?
Seven or eight centuries. At least that's what the priests inside say. Are we going in to see if it's as scary as we've heard?
We're here so we might as well. We didn't come all this way for nothing.
So you must be here to test your skills. I came here for the same reason... but I'm not ready for the challenge yet!
Actually we're here to see the sights.
Yeah we'll come back for the challenge when we're tired of living!
Oh. Well it is rather grand isn't it? They've really gone all out making it look good.
It isn't just grand architecture. On both sides are invisible walls hiding behind the pillars to prevent Finn and company from moving any further. Beyond the Beyond is usually pretty good about avoid this sort of thing.
Inside the shrine it isn't as big as the exterior suggests but it does look pretty nice. At least its got its own tileset! We've also got someone standing in shadow wearing a set of armor no one in the group recognizes.
Praa? What's with that human there? Hey mister is there something wrong? You're all scared.
It is kind of drafty right here.
Feels fine to me.
Oooh! I hope there are some cool monsters as part of the trial! I'd love to meet them! Ready for the challenge? Well then... after you! I must attend to a call of nature! Some other time, Tont. Besides if we want to see monsters all we have to do is walk outside and start tripping over them.
*sniff, sniff* I think that call of nature is already taking its course, human.
Aww I really want to know what the challenge is now!
To the north are three priests with some rather odd animation in their down-facing walk-cycle.
(south) Welcome, visitors. This is the Shrine of Discipline. We help people realize their full potential.
(east) Countless people come here seeking training... And most leave disappointed!
You sound rather pleased by that fact.
(east) The test is difficult. Only those who are really ready for it shall pass. (west) The training labyrinth is like a mirror of yourself. The mirror reveals truth and lies... You will find that out on your own. Truth and lies... from a big mirror? What kind of mirror are we talking about? The metaphorical kind.
(south) Say, have you been here before?
No. This is my first time on your island.
(south) Huh. You must look a bit like another challenger. What about you, Domino? Have you ever tried this test before?
Seems like a waste of time to me. What about that human back there in the fancy getup?
(west) That is the keeper of the labyrinth. If you wish to take the challenge ask her. Good to know.
The team approaches said keeper of the labyrinth.
Some people possess great talent! To be successful, one must develop their talent fully. If you feel you're ready, I'll test you for a chance to develop your skills further. Are you ready for this challenge?
This is a Yes/No prompt but I'm picking No here. The only requirement for entry to the labyrinth is Finn being level 20 or higher which he is. I don't want to undergo the trial right now though.
We're just here to see the shrine. Honest. Please don't waste our time! Rude!
Well technically we are wasting her time.
All she's doing is standing around. We'll be leaving now.
There are two small side rooms the kids go snooping through. This one has nothing of interest in it.
On the other side though are some books and a Blizzard Scroll sitting on top of a vase which Finn pilfers. Useful? Not at all! I'm still going to keep it though.
More books for you, Finn!
Dare I ask what sort of dastardly tomes they might have around here?
Hmm, "Priestly Awareness". I wonder what that teaches priests to be aware of? Annie?
How would I know? It's not like I have any formal training as a priest. Annie's the master of winging it!
We're all winging it. Except maybe Edward... and Domino I guess.
*smirks*
"What it Takes to be a True Hero".
What does it take, Finn?
I have no idea. I'm not a hero.
Overrated anyway.
What makes you say that?
They're never around when you really need them.
What about you, Sir Samson?
I want no part of this conversation.
Having seen the shrine the kids depart. They'll be back one day but for the moment their search for Shutat takes them elsewhere.
Once outside they check their map again.
Where to now?
Is there anything to the west?
It's mostly wilderness but there's a village... there.
Sounds like a plan.
-- BONUS CONTENT --
Beyond the Beyond is good about keeping sets clean and free of clutter that belongs behind the curtains but the Shrine of Discipline has one small oversight. By going into the eastern side room and pressing against the eastern wall a sliver of something red becomes just barely visible. We'll see more of this shrine later but I just thought I should mention this little thing now.
Next time on Beyond the Beyond - to the west we shall go!
