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Beyond the Beyond: Update 78: Nose to the Grindstone (Discipline Island pt. 2)
The last time we saw the team Finn tried his hand at the Test of Discipline and managed to stumble his way through with a minimum of fuss. It's not every day that Beyond the Beyond goes easy on the random encounters so now I'm expecting some horrific disaster to strike the team the moment they step out of town.
With four class-changes in hand the team heads back towards town in search of Steiner.
This really isn't like Steiner. Something's gotta be wrong. 
So we're going to search the forest for him? If I have to, yes.
Tont's chilling out by the exit so he spots the group in their new threads.
Whoa! What happened? Did you conquer the Labyrinth?
It didn't take Finn long. It wasn't even that dangerous. Monsters couldn't reach the floating platforms.
Floating? Dang it! I always miss the cool magic.
You could challenge it yourself.
Hmm, I just might have to do that. Have you seen Steiner? He flew off and disappeared.
Nope! He hasn't come by here.
He must have flown into the woods by the shrine then.
Why? What happened?
That's what we're trying to find out.
Once the team's outside of town they suddenly see a large golden-colored dragon.
Finn! Look! As soon as you changed your class, I matured drastically!
Aww, we can't make jokes about his size now can we?
Dragons have to grow up eventually, kid.
Most dragons don't grow up in a matter of minutes.
Most dragons don't get adopted into human families and go adventuring with them either. Steiner was never the normal sort.
I don't even understand how this happened. All I did was pick up a sword. Why would that affect Steiner?
So does this mean Steiner's achieved enlightenment too?
He'll be able to bust your chops more thoroughly now, Finn! That's gonna be harder now that he can't fit in a house.
Hey now it's not all bad news, Finn. Now you can ride me as I fly. Get on!
Climb on the back of my best friend and fly around? Well I guess it's worth a shot.
And thus did Finn (and company) leap onto the dragon's back. I'm dead serious. Finn actually jumps onto Steiner in game.
And the amazing thing is that it actually works.
We're really flying! This is amazing! I guess I should have asked if any of you are afraid of heights first.
Careful. There's nothing to hold onto back here. Okay so we can fly around on Steiner. How is this going to help us find Shutat?
Braarr. Miss Annie's still gotta be the voice of reason, eh?
I notice you still have your snark, Steiner.
To answer you question, sis, I don't know.
Having a grown dragon would be helpful if we run across the battleship.
That's enough for now. Steiner let's land over there. Alright.
Steiner can only land on flat, open terrain so no forests, mountains, water or anything else that might obstruct him. There are no random encounters while airborne but the landing restrictions limit his usefulness a bit.
With Domino just 2,000 experience short of a class-up the team begins roaming the woods in search of trouble. It doesn't take long to run into a pair of Succubi and a Venom Giant who make for a very purple encounter. The classed up battle sprites can be described as being a bit older and more professional looking. That's to be expected.
One major difference is that since Steiner is no longer tiny he's not flying around the battlefield any more. This has a real effect on the game since it means no more dual attacks with Finn. Whether or not you consider that a nerf for Finn's Hero class over his Swordsman class depends, I guess, on how useful you found dual attacks.
Magic effects don't change with class but Fire 3 still manages to hurt the succubi by a good amount while not setting fire to the forest around them.
So what are we going to tell Kanaar? I figure we'll head back to Barbaros and see the king again. Then we'll decide.
Do you actually trust him?
No. I'd just like to know everyone's on the same page about Shutat.
Sir Samson swaps to a short handled axe that he wields one-handed for some reason. It's not like he takes up a shield in the other hand. It seems just to be for style. Gotta impress the monsters, right?
Despite the fact that succubi die in two or three attacks one manages to get an Ice 2 into the queue by blocking two attacks. Of note though is the fact that Annie still suffers only half damage from magic. That's a nice touch concerning Resist Jewels - the class change process doesn't clear that flag making the jewels truly permanent.
That battle was worth 689 experience. Not bad for what was an easy fight. Domino still doesn't jump for joy even though the team's grinding specifically for him.
Here's a critical hit from Annie for only 26 damage. That's the Stun Rod's special property of no critical bonus in action. One Hydra versus our team of 5 is still a losing proposition for the Hydra.
After a few fights I send the team east into the rocky foothills for a change of scenery and they run into another pair of Hydras. They're not really on a quest to clear Discipline Island of monsters but one would think that eventually monsters would get the message and just stop attacking them.
Oh and an Evil Summoner wasted their only move by attacking Edward for a small amount of damage. It's like they're not even trying.
And that is the story of how Domino reached level 20 and got two more points of max VP and some other stats. I'm not complaining about more health. He needs whatever he can get.
On a side note the team's initiative order has been upended by changes in gear. Since Finn has the Heavy Shield and Samson has a Tempest Axe their places in turn order have gotten swapped. It now goes Annie - Edward - Samson - Finn - most enemies we're interested in fighting - Domino. That change is more than a little jarring.
With Domino level 20 the team heads into town to rest at the inn.
This place isn't so bad. So is there any magic permeating the town or is it just the shrine out back?
Aside from some wards to keep monsters out the town's pretty empty.
Tont needs to class up too so I send Edward off to Barbaros.
I'm going to get enlightenment too? Yippee!
I'm starting to think that might not be such a great idea. Hopefully I'll get some good ideas about my lair! You need enlightenment to get ideas? Haven't you been talking about that for months?
Steiner's no longer here to bounce things off of. I figure any traps he can come up with an answer to aren't worth my time.
But you don't need traps. You just summon monsters and spirits to destroy your enemies.
But that requires work. With a trap I can just set it and forget it.
That doesn't help you if you forget where the traps are. Why do you think I need enlightenment if not to remember that stuff?
The walk through town is quick, quiet, and uneventful. The team doesn't even see Kanaar on their way to the shrine.
The shrine is exactly as they left it with priests of Discipline waiting for the brave (and the foolish) to challenge their Labyrinth.
The group once again fans out into formation.
Ah, I see you have returned, Sir Finn. What can I do for you?
Is that offer still good? Indeed it is. Who seeks enlightenment?
I do! I do!
To realize your true potential, look within yourself!
Tont becomes a Summoner.
Anyone else?
I guess that means it's my turn.
I see you have improved yourself since we last met and are ready to meet your destiny. To realize your true potential, look within yourself!
Domino becomes a Captain. That means everyone is now classed up which prompts the master of discipline to notice.
It looks as if you have all the guidance you require. Pleasant journey, brave warriors! When is our journey ever pleasant? 
And when do we ever get guidance? Even Arawn himself talked in riddles!
The path towards your destiny is now open. You have but to step forward.
Well that's nice and vague.
If I spelled everything out for you, you wouldn't learn anything. She's gotcha there, Finn.
Aargh!
Domino gets a more stylish portrait with more (greying) hair. He's still got the Ring of Revenge equipped but it hasn't made any visible difference for him in combat. I haven't shown off his spells much because he isn't much of a mage.
Is that a nice pirate uniform I see?
I don't wear uniforms, kid. This is all about style.
Style? On the high seas?
Of course! You won't command respect without it. Isn't that why you have those flourishes on that armor?
I didn't have any say in how this armor appears, thanks.
Of course you didn't. What's that supposed to mean? *raises hands innocently* Look within, as they say around here. *grumbles something incomprehensible*
Tont has a larger face but his new portrait is basically the same as his old portrait. He looks more aggressive thanks to slanty eyebrows but we all already knew that was true for the kid. Tont and Edward continue to share a tier in required experience per level. Needing 6056 experience in order to reach level 2 they level up the fastest out of everyone on the team. That's part of why I swapped in Edward in order to experience grind for Domino. I don't want anyone to fall too far behind and they bear the split the easiest. Samson requires the most experience per level which still befuddles me. There is nothing about either of his classes that justifies that need.
Tont manages to be faster than Domino but that is purely thanks to bonuses from his gear. That Wind Cloak he's wearing is steadily becoming eclipsed by body armor that offers more defense. He'll stick with the Wind Cloak until the defense lag gets to be too much because he desperately needs whatever speed bonus he can get.
The team heads to the entrance of town for what is definitely not the forgetfulness of the invisible force controlling them and definitely because they're concerned about their quest. Yes, their quest and not because I was in checklist mode about event flags.
Once on the overworld Finn fishes out his Light Orb and sets his thoughts on Barbaros Castle. Here's hoping Edward hasn't run into any trouble in the hour he's been there.
Are you all ready?
I won't kill anyone, I promise. Is that your enlightenment talking?
Pragmatism.
What about me? I can't land in that forest around Barbaros.
Sorry Steiner but you'll have to wait here.
Aww, enlightenment sucks!
There really is no place for Steiner to land near Barbaros. It is actually required to use the ship because the tree line goes all the way down to the river. Fortunately the Light Orb makes the trip as easy as a little advance planning.
Next time on Beyond the Beyond - we're back in Barbaros! Let's go see the king and prove we're strong.
