Beyond the Beyond: Update 76.5: More of that Psuedo-Diplomacy

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 76.5: More of that Psuedo-Diplomacy

Picking up right where we last left off in Barbaros...

There are three doors to the main structure. The team goes through the west door and finds themselves in what appears to be a combination inn, pub, and shops. You can't say they've wasted interior space with this set-up. It's convenient.

(west) Hi there kids.
(east) You have business here in Barbaros?
We came to see what this place is like. We've already seen all the other kingdoms.
Plus lots of places that aren't in any kingdom.
(west) Out there seeing the world. Ahh, that sounds wonderful. I'd love to see the world.
That reminds me. I heard in Bandore that you folks don't get along with them. Is that true?
Domino's all about the gossip suddenly.
After years of sailing through Bandore's waters I've heard all sorts of stories. I might as well get the other side while I can.
(west) It's been many years since our last war with Bandore.
How could you fight Bandore anyway? The two countries are separated by huge mountains.
(east) There are tunnels and passes people used to use. They've been closed off since the last war though.
(west) A few people still get across. I have no idea how. They won't say.
So basically Barbaros and Bandore don't talk to each other because of some war.
(west) Haven't had any visitors from Bandore since then either.
Was it a bad war?
(east) Not for Barbaros! Bandore sometimes fights with more than five people in a party. Ha! They don't know the first thing about military tactics.
(west) I heard Bandore was defeated by five warriors from Marion. What's really amazing is there was a woman and a kid in the group.
Sis...
Must... resist...
(west) Is something wrong?
Where did you hear that Bandore was defeated?
(east) Some folk up on the mountain sent word down. Said Bandore was all up in chaos.
(west) Serves them right. They bit off more than they could chew.

The item shop doesn't have anything really of note. I am mildly amused by the combination of Illusion Potion and Monster Bait. That way the player can really mess with the random encounter rate if they're willing to shell out the cash.

The quipment shop has a mix of things that would be downgrades for the team, mild upgrades, and stuff that no one can actually use right now.

Seeing as how the team was up to 23,000 gold (gotta love the high encounter rate sometimes) I went ahead and bought Samson a Tempest Axe. Tont and Annie each got a Stun Rod and Samson got a Mazin Gauntlet. Those Stun Rods don't actually stun enemies but they do have higher attack power than the staves they previously had equipped. Stunning would be nice! Unfortunately they don't get a damage boost from critical hits unlike other weapons. Neither Annie nor Tont make enough of those for me to be worried. They get more out of the raw +Attack over time.

To reach the eastern wing the team can either go back out into the courtyard or they can take the staircase next to those two lounging soldiers up to a small room on the second floor that connects the two wings. On the other side of the castle they find a chapel with attendant priest and a tiny kitchen.

Whoa! Cramped!
Is this really the only kitchen for the whole castle?
*sighs* Yes. Is there something I can do for you kids?
We're just sort of looking around.
Gotta take the place in while we can!
Yeah! Haven't seen enough fights yet.
Fights? Oh you must be referring to the training Princess Lorele was running a little while ago.
More like a butt-whuppin for everybody but the princess.
The soldiers never take her seriously enough.
They're not going to improve like that.
They're probably not going to improve at all, Steiner.
The King really wanted a male heir. [sic] However, the only child he had was Princess Lorele. He's had her trained so much... I think the king was afraid he'd be called soft if he didn't.
And what does the princess think of her training?
I've never heard an unkind word out of her about it. I guess if you want to stand with the men it goes with the territory.
I know how that feels.
So does this place have to worry about monsters or something?
Sometimes. Why do you ask?
We keep hearing about strength this and training that and I was kind of wondering what kind of monsters problems Barbaros has.
We had to fight our way here, Tont. Doesn't that tell you anything?
We've had to fight our way anywhere we've wanted to go!
So I was just sort of thinking, like, Domino here's village or town or whatever was destroyed by monsters. Is that something the people of Barbaros worry about?
Well... uh, hat's a tough question. It's something that I for one don't think about often. Monsters destroying the place I mean. They stay well away from our walls.
Maybe they just have more good sense than we do right now.
What?
Nothing.
Huh? As I was saying, monsters don't bother us. The men like to talk about how journeys out of the castle are so dangerous but I've been on my share and nothing happened on any of those trips.
Hmph, they were all waiting for us to show up.
There's Finn being all paranoid.
Can it really be called paranoia if the monsters really are out to kill you?
Sure it can.
So can Princess Lorele take the throne?
I think so. The king's still trying to find her a good husband.
Kanaar had better hurry up if he hopes to win.
Kanaar? That lovesick fool is still hoping to impress Lorele?
I take it the princess doesn't much care for him?
They know each other, been friends for years. He left Barbaros a year ago without a word though. Where did you see him?
He's been trying to work up the courage to take the test of Discipline!
What?! He's going to get himself killed!
Not at the rate he's going.
He thinks he can't come back unless he passes the trial.
If you run into him again tell him we miss him.
Will do!

Heading north from the kitchen the kids wander through a tight, windy hallway with a staircase down at the northern end.

Hmm?
What is it?
Something just rattled.
Huh? What do you mean?
This castle probably has its share of secrets.
A castle that doesn't is boring.
Aye, kid.

By pressing against the wall a secret passage is discovered. There are no switches or buttons in game. The game just keeps the little side hall and back room hidden under a layer of black until the player steps on the right tile (which is a passable bit of wall to the left of Finn there) which triggers an uncover routine.

Ooooh! What do you think is hidden behind that door?
Hopefully treasure.

Downstairs are a pair of rooms separated by a locked door. From the overhead perspective the player can tell that there's treasure on the other side of that door but there's no key so this is yet another tantalizing thing the team can't touch.

Aargh! Why must you be locked?
Yelling at the door won't open it, Finn.
I know that.
It's almost as if people don't want a bunch of curious kids snooping through their stuff.
What about curious pirates?
That too.
Although pirates are usually a bit more... forceful with their snooping.
Ha! As if you knights aren't well accustomed to using force.

Back upstairs and down the staircase that doesn't require navigating a secret passage the team finds Barbaros's dungeons. A pair of soldiers are standing guard even though both cells are empty.

(west) Hi kids. We don't see many willing visitors down here.
(east) Uhh, anyone want to fight? I'm so bored.
(west) All you can think of is fighting. There's more to life than that.
(east) A good fight gets the heart pumping!
(west) I'm glad I wasn't training Lorele today. She's gotten so good over the last couple of years that nobody can touch her anymore.
That's good, right?
(east) How's the king going to find a worthy husband for her? If he can't hold his own against her he won't be able to hold his head up high.
Isn't it more important that they can get along? They'll have to rule the kingdom together won't they?
(east) Her husband will be king. He has to be strong to set a good example.
But what kind of strength are we talking about?
(west) The king is the head of the army. He has to be able to lead us in battle.
That's the way things have been for a long time, isn't it?
(west) Yes.
And I take it that Lorele doesn't have much say in the matter. She just has to put up with whoever he chooses.
Maybe she'll just kick anyone she doesn't like in the face!
But she kicks people she's sparring with and probably does like in the face.
That just means she'll have no problem breaking the legs of suitors who annoy her.

Upstairs the kids find several rooms. Tucked between a barrel and an urn on the east end is another soldier.

Visitors..? You wanna arm wrestle?
That came out of the blue.
Is everyone bored? Aren't there things you folks can do for fun?
Arm wrestling is fun!
We'll pass.

To the west is a room with some beds and spear racks on the wall.

How unusual. We have guests... You didn't come here to fight, did you? Ah ha ha! Just kidding.
Everyone in this castle is obsessed with fighting.
Indeed.
Sir Samson?
What?
Wow you're huge! Are you a soldier?
He's from Marion!
Marion? You're a long way from home. So you're a mercenary then?
It's a bit more complicated than that.
It's great to meet a warrior from Marion. What brings you to Barbaros?
We're searching for a man named Shutat.
He's hard to miss. Huge horns, powerful magic, might be traveling with a pack of monsters.
Someone is coming here to fight us? How absurd!
Were you even listening? We're searching for him. That doesn't necessarily mean he's coming here.

Outside on the battlements there are more people wandering around alongside tons of urns and barrels to search. Having exited on the west side that's where the team goes first. It's also where Finn spots a Thunder Scroll that someone tossed into a vase.

Barbaros men are so brave. Hee hee... And so strong!
Not from where I'm standing...
What? Did you say something?
Miss Annie's just being her usual annoyed self.
The sooner we get this trip over with the better!

To the south is a soldier keeping an eye open for trouble.

Why am I guarding the castle? No one would dare to attack Barbaros!
Another human thinking out loud? Is there something in the air today?
A talking dragon? Where did you come from?
I'm traveling the world with my friends.
Sounds a lot better than guarding a castle.
It is!

On the other side is another soldier keeping watch.

Are you bored too?
*sighs* Someone has to keep watch. In this kingdom, men have to be strong.
We've already heard about that.
I wish something interesting would happen!
You should be careful about saying stuff like that, human. It might come true.

Heading north there are more barrels and vases to dig through. In one barrel are a set of Demon's Gauntlets that will get sold off whenever I get around to it.

Hi there!
Men in this kingdom are the worst. They're not sensitive at all! On the other hand, Princess Lorele is the best! Strong, beautiful... I'm so enthralled. Could it be love?
Everybody keeps offering us their thoughts out of nowhere. Uh, thanks?
She's just so full of loooove that she had to share. Isn't that right, human?
Oh, uh, you heard all that? Please don't tell Prince Lorele what I just said! I'm just... not ready.
Don't worry. I don't think we'll be seeing her before we leave.
We also won't tell her father that his daughter's got a secret admirer.
*flushes red with embarrassment*
Seriously, if these jokers know what's good for 'em they won't mention it to anyone.
And we definitely know what's good for us!
Ah, ha, ha, kids! You know Samson it's okay to laugh at their antics from time to time.
Hrmph!

Getting to the throne room is direct but not from the battlements. The only entrance is the center door from the courtyard. It is otherwise sequestered from the rest of the castle. It cuts down on random drunk soldiers wandering in I guess. When the team walks in they find no guards with the king. Instead there are a pair of advisors in fancy clothes.

Heavily armed children and a pair of older warriors? Pray tell, where do you hail from?
I'm from Simone, Domino's from, uh... somewhere. The rest of the gang's from Marion.
We're a gang now?
I was just about to ask the same question.
I am the honorable King of Barbaros. You are courageous to travel so far. Since you came all the way from Marion, it must be important, correct?
That depends on how you define important.
Right now you could say we're going wherever the wind takes us.
But we are going wherever the wind takes us. Pryarr! Domino's boat has sails, remember?
What? You came all the way here for nothing! I like your attitude!
That's good... right?
He's not threatening to arrest us so we're doing way better than our first trip to Zalagoon.
I wish I had been there to see that.
Zalagoon? Are you some sort of diplomatic envoys traveling through the kingdoms?
And now we're back to definitions.
Aww but we've been great diplomats so far. Look at how many problems we've solved.
I wish I could share your optimism. As long as Shutat's out there all those problems could come right back.
That's why we're here. Shutat's not around and look, everything's just fine.
And who is this Shutat person?
Bad news if he walks in your door.
Ha! My people are not afraid of a challenge.
No one would be so foolish as to test the might of Barbaros on our own soil.
We're just trying to make sure he doesn't hurt anyone else. He's done enough already.
So this Shutat is an enemy of Marion?
He's the biggest enemy they've got right now!
Hmmm... I thought so. But I only trust the words of great warriors. If you were to survive the Island of Discipline, I would listen.
Umm... okay. We've already told you the important part of whatever our message is.
I guess we will be seeing Kanaar again.
Why? Haven't we already accomplished our mission? Are we really going to talk some sense into some lovesick fool?
Poor Kanaar... The King wants Princess Lorele to marry a great warrior. [sic]
If Kanaar wants my daughter's hand in marriage he'd better come back with strength and courage to make his ancestors proud.
So who else is in the running?
There are several young warriors who've shown promise.
So if Finn survives the Isle of Discipline does that put him in the race?
Technically we've already survived that island. That's where we met Kanaar. Besides I'm perfectly happy to go home to Marion.
So Kanaar's trying to pass the trial? Good for him. He might yet make something of himself.
How can you be sure that someone's passed? Couldn't they just say they did and nobody would know the difference?
I've seen what happens to those who pass. It changes them. There's no faking that.
Do you know of the Ancient Tablet behind the king's throne?
What makes you think of that tablet Enzo?
A streak of curiosity Your Majesty.
We can't really see behind the king. The throne is sort of in the way.
Sir Samson probably can.
Hmm, there's something hanging on the wall back there.
It was passed down from the first king, Sabbit. Supposedly, it was given to Sabbit by Arawn... It has something to do with a legendary, heavenly ship.
Where are you going with this?
I remember there used to be stories that the other kingdoms had tablets just like ours. I was wondering, since you kids are from Marion, if those stories are true.
We've been all over Marion and Zalagoon. Didn't find any tablets.
I see. A pity. Our tablet has been a national treasure. We used to store it in a safe spot, but the king wanted a wall decoration.
Don't most people just put up a picture or a tapestry?
Hey didn't Arawn GRPHH!
That's enough out of you.
Sir Samson?
We've wasted enough of the king's time. We should really be going.
We don't get to entertain many guests. It has been a pleasure. Come back any time!

When the team walks around the room to look on the wall directly behind the king's throne they find that there is an Ancient Tablet hanging on the wall. For something that's supposed to be a decoration it's in a spot that's pretty hard for anyone to see.

After gawking at the tablet the team heads upstairs.

Sir Samson why did you stop me?
We don't need everyone knowing what Arawn gave us. In fact we don't need everyone knowing we met Arawn at all.
We have once again found your weakness, Finn. Books!
I don't hate books or anything. I'm just not a big reader.
"Strong Women". I wonder whose book this is.
Judging by the rest of the room I'm going to guess Princess Lorele.

There's another room upstairs. This is the highest point in the castle as far as the game is concerned.

More books.
You say that as if you're surprised.
After all the talk of fighting and arm wrestling I am actually.
"Raising a Kind Daughter". Praaar. Sounds like the king's been reading advice books.
Princess Lorele was pretty polite. I guess he's been getting good advice.

On the second floor is a door that leads outside to the upper battlements. From there the seal of Barbaros is finally visible. It looks like a bird in flight or maybe a plant with wide droopy leaves. Also there's a soldier.

You're those visitors I saw earlier. Welcome to Barbaros.
Are you on watch?
Yeah. You get a good view of the surrounding forest from up here.
Seen anything interesting today?
I wish. I hear Bandore built a battleship to attack Barbaros! Too bad they never showed up. I would have enjoyed the fight.
Where did you hear that? We were in Bandore not long ago and nobody mentioned attacking Barbaros.
That makes even less sense than using it against Marion. Did - did Shutat tell the emperor anything he could think of to convince him to build that battleship?
Probably!
Well that's just what I heard from my uncle who goes backpacking up in the mountains and talks to hunters who live in Bandore. I bet it's just a harmless rumor.
Let's hope so for Miss Annie's blood pressure.
We came. We saw. Let's leave. NOW.
I wholeheartedly agree.

-- SUMMARY OF EVENTS --

Lorele is the princess of Barbaros and heir to the throne. We saw her kick the stuffing out of several soldiers during a training exercise before wandering off into the woods alone.

The king of Barbaros is said by some of his subjects to be upset that he has no male heirs but seems to care for his daughter and want the best for her. That said he's also on the lookout for a man who meets his nation's definition of "strong" to marry her off to. When he saw the team he pretty much brushed them off unless they can beat the trials of the Isle of Discipline and return. I'm sure that has nothing to do with the aforementioned mission of marrying his daughter off. Nothing, nothing at all...

All that said this trip to Barbaros is actually completely optional. The king won't take the team seriously unless they complete the trial but it isn't necessary to speak to him in order to get into said trial.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - it seems the team has finally been given a task to see to. Will they actually do it?

Update Seventy-six | Index | Update Seventy-seven