Beyond the Beyond: Update 81: Bandore Back Together (Bandore pt. 2)

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 81: Bandore Back Together (Bandore pt. 2)

With a quick trip back to Marion behind them the team turns its attention towards Bandore. Sir Galahad returned to Marion so things in Bandore should be all calmed down. At least, that's the theory. We'll see if that's actually true. Once that's out of the way then the team can embark on a search for the remaining Ancient Tablets - assuming nothing nefarious pops up.

Five seconds in Bandore and things seem peaceful. Also Edward's in Bandore because of shuffling characters around for teleportation purposes. That's going to happen a lot! At least it keeps the out-of-party members on the move so they don't get too bored.

Greetings, travelers! This is the peaceful town of Bandore!
Uh, hi! What's going on?
It's a beautiful day for Bandore.
Did all the Marion soldiers leave?
A few remain but most have gone home.
I heard of that war. Does that mean Marion is still occupying Bandore?
Dad would still be here if that were true.
Dad?
Oh, that's right. No one's told you yet. Sir Galahad is my father.
Ahh, now things are making more sense. I was wondering why he was so informal with us.

Heading east Finn begins leading the team through a familiar circuit. This will hopefully be the last time they need to do this.

Good day, kids. Is there something I can help you with?
Nah, we're just wondering what's happened since the last time we were in town.
How long ago was that?
A few weeks. We've had a lot of sailing to do.
Sailing? That sounds dreamy.
Way too many monsters out there to be dreamy for me.
Monsters are everywhere these days.
Tell me about it!
Now that the emperor and Shutat are gone, Bandore has changed dramatically. We can speak our opinions now.
Hopefully trade will pick back up. The town's so empty. It's eerie.
That could just be the graveyard next door.

Speaking of the graveyard the old man is still out there wandering among the gravestones.

Bandore is so weak now. It's not the kingdom it used to be...
See? That's why the graveyard is so eerie. It's got an old man talking to himself about the old days.
Bandore lost a war. Of course it's not what it used to be. Neither is Marion.
Or Barbaros.
Yeah that too. I guess we can say Zalagoon isn't quite the same either although we sort of had a hand in those changes.

Over in the inn is a single guest in an otherwise empty business.

Hello there. Are you also travelers?
I remember you. You were here when Marion came rolling in. Why are you still in town?
The harbor has to be repaired before the fellowship I work for can send a ship in. Once it does I'll be able to leave.
Sounds boring.
It is. I'll be happy to head home.
Where is home?
Far to the east. I find all this war business in this part of the world to be so much trouble over nothing.
I guess that explains why you're waiting here to get picked up. No sense wandering off.
Bandore's only merit was its strength, but I guess that wasn't enough. At last, this kingdom is starting to behave like a real kingdom.
Something more like home?
Maybe. Something more than just bluster and big ships. That only goes so far.
You might want to find something to occupy your time. I doubt rescue's coming until next spring.
Wait, Domino is that you?
We've met before?
A few years back. I'm not surprised you don't remember me. Still though what happened? Moving up in the world?
I suppose you could say that. Took a trip to the Island of Discipline and got a new outfit.
Good to hear. Here's hoping business gets back to normal.

Upstairs is a small surprise in the room not still hosting a locked chest (that the team still doesn't have a key for).

Hello, I remember you from Marion. It's me, the poet, Mark. I came here to finish my poem.
We were wondering where you disappeared to. Trying to get Bandore's side of the invasion?
My poem won't be complete without it. It's the birth of a new Bandore. I take it you kids had some role to play you aren't mentioning.
We don't really have time to get into it. Maybe later.

Wandering around the center of town is this fellow who has a slightly different line than what he had the last time the team talked to him.

Hi there. What brings you folks to Bandore?
Just seeing the town.
It's quiet but everyone's still on edge. Many are still scared of the outsiders from Quamdar. Shutat, the Sorceress Ramue, Archer Dagoot, and the fat Magician Yeon.
We still haven't met Dagoot.
Yeon's gone though. He fell into a volcano.
What? You defeated Yeon? That's one less to worry about. I hear they are causing trouble in Barbaros now.
You say that as if they're still there. By the way how did you hear about Barbaros?
It's a rumor going around town. Is it true?
Aye it's true.
I hope someone stops them soon.
Workin' on it.

The shops have nothing of interest but there's another NPC wandering around.

Welcome to Bandore. I remember you kids. Any news of Shutat?
None that we want to spread.
I heard Shutat and his followers have been seen sailing on a battleship. I hope someone defeats them.
As long as they're on the battleship someone has to defeat that first. I doubt that'll happen soon. Uh, not that there's anything wrong with your ship, Domino.
No offense taken, Finn. I'd be a fool to think it could stand up to that battleship. I saw firsthand what it did to Bandore's warships.
What are we going to do about that ship by the way? Shutat can just stay on it for as long as he likes.
Every ship needs maintenance and has to take on supplies. That means it has to dock somewhere.
Bandore's the only place they could though, right?
In this part of the world, yes. That battleship's too big and heavy for any pirate cove. Luna couldn't take it either.
It sounds like Shutat didn't think this whole "stealing a battleship" thing through.
That really surprises you?
No.
A big, deadly toy. How could Shutat resist?
Did... did Sir Samson just make a joke about Shutat? Is that what I heard?
Possibly. Might be a sign that the world's ending.

To the north is a household that has good reason to be happy despite everything that's happened to Bandore.

Hello kids. Good to see you again. The family that lives in this house is together again. Thank you for your help.
You're welcome!

Inside the house is the family which is not at that moment together physically but is together in spirit.

My father is working for the kingdom. He's so great!
That's good to hear.
What's he doing?
My husband is working on the restructuring of Bandore. We have a lot of work to do.
So he works for the government now. Whatever government Bandore could be said to have.
Hmm, nothing's been decided yet. That much I know.
I heard the emperor died. Is it not clear who will rule Bandore?
I think the citizens want to restructure their whole government.
No king or queen from now on. After what the emperor did to us we want to rule ourselves.
Really? How will you decide who leads in war or battle?
I don't know yet. That's part of the work to be done.
Good luck. Sounds like thoroughly unpleasant work.

Back towards the center of town is an adorable cat to meet the fur and meow quota. Oh yeah and another human citizen. I suppose they count as noteworthy.

Oh, hello there. I was wondering if you were coming back. Now that Bandore surrendered to the Marion troops, [sic] we can finally live in peace. I don't know how to thank you.
Treasure is customary but it's okay. We've already sort of... helped ourselves to anything interesting that anyone abandoned.
I suppose that's a diplomatic way of saying we swiped anything of use or value that we found in the castle.
*fidgets nervously* We're not thieves. We just tidy up around ourselves.
Did you by chance do the same while you were in Barbaros?
If I say yes are you going to kick me?
Not unless you stole something from my room or from my father.
Sooo you're okay with us taking the weapons in the chests in that room you were locked in?
If they help defeat Shutat, yes.
You kids are so strange.
I'll take that as a compliment.

Down by the well is another man. Nothing's crawling out of the well so that's a plus.

Is something wrong?
What? You talking to me?
You weren't watching where you were going as you mumbled to yourself.
I was just thinking about recent events. Beyond the southwest mountains lies the savage kingdom of Barbaros... I heard they fell victim to Shutat. I don't know if it's true though.
Barbaros was indeed attacked.
You are from Barbaros? So the rumors are true then. How awful.
My people have suffered mightily but we will persevere. I will make Shutat regret ever setting foot near Barbaros.

Back again? Is there any news about the tunnel?
I'm afraid not.
My father still has not returned from his trip to Zeal village. I'm really worried about him now.
My grandpa is not back yet. He said he was coming back with a gift for me... I just know he was eaten by monsters!
How many times has your grandfather made the trip before?
Once a year. It's always been dangerous. We accept that. With the tunnel blocked though there's no way out of that valley except to climb the mountains. I've been trying to remember if anyone has done it but... if they have it was a long, long time ago.
Zeal is on the path to Quamdar is it not?
Yes although that road is very dangerous.
If he yet lives in Zeal we'll find him.
We just don't know how we're going to do that yet.
Maybe Steiner can just fly us there.
Steiner?
He's my friend.
And he's a huge dragon.
Really? Then... there might be hope after all. I don't want to put such a burden on you though.
Don't worry about it. I'm kinda curious to see this village.
I'm more interested in learning why Shutat felt it was so important to prevent anyone from reaching Zeal.

Okay so technically these residents had nothing new to say. We might be able to do something about their predicament though in the near future so that's something for the team to keep in mind.

There's one last NPC by the northern wall. Then it's off to the castle.

Hi kids. You're from Marion aren't you?
Yeah. Why do you ask?
I'm thinking about going to Marion. I heard a lot about it from the Marion soldiers. It sounds interesting!
I guess it is interesting if you've never been there.
It was much larger than I expected. So much green, open grassland.
Bandore's got all those rivers and a volcano. Those are interesting.
All of which are crawling with deadly monsters.
Now that you mention it I wonder why monsters don't wander across that river that separates Marion and Bandore. Even now with the war and stuff they don't just walk across the bridge. What, are they scared of something?
They should be.
I guess Sir Samson's all out of jokes now.
So Marion has few monsters? Now I'll definitely have to visit it.

Up by the castle there are two soldiers outside by the main gate but only one has something new to say. The other's a repeat with nothing particularly relevant for current events.

Is the castle open to visitors?
It is. Are you folks sightseeing?
Sort of. Lorele there's more of a tourist than we are.
If only we could see Shutat's trail. That's what I want.
I hear Shutat and his people are around here, but if they return to Bandore, we will fight them off.
Around here? As in within Bandore's borders?
I've heard so many rumors I don't know what to think. No matter the truth Bandore won't bow down to Shutat ever again.

Inside Bandore Castle are Marion soldiers who are holdovers from the castle's previous state. It's not clear why Sir Galahad left some troops still in uniform behind. This particular NPC still makes no sense to boot. If Marion Castle could be said to be half-assed right now Bandore is more like quarter-assed.

This is the only one of the Marion soldiers on the first floor worth bothering about.

Sir Samson! Is something wrong?
We're searching for Shutat. Any news of him?
Nope. There are no more people wishing to take over the world here in Bandore. Now, Bandore can finally be a peaceful kingdom.
Why are you still in Bandore? Did Sir Galahad leave you as a garrison or something?
We're to keep watch on the peace process just in case.
In case of what?
In case it looks like another would-be emperor is about to seize power.
What are you going to do if that happens?
Trust me Finn. You don't want to know the answer to that.
Oooh, intrigue. Just another job for the Knights of Marion?
Hmph!
Sir Samson...?
Pay Domino no mind. He's just blowing off some steam.
And it's never been more fun.

Downstairs are a pair of (former ?) Bandore soldiers still in the dungeon. The other one is still upset that Finn and company helped bring the whole house of cards tumbling down. We won't bother their sulking.

Please get me out of here. Why do they keep someone of the same kingdom in prison?
Aren't most people who end up in prison going to come from the same country?
Uh, well... that's not the point!
We're the wrong people to complain to anyway. Even if we wanted to we couldn't let you out.

Back upstairs the team continues its circuit more because they've already started then any sense that they're doing something useful.

Hi there. Good to see some new faces in Bandore.
Bandore's so quiet today. It's eerie.
We have no fears now, and are striving for an ideal kingdom. [sic] You can expect a brand new Bandore.
I reiterate that it feels weird to me.
It's hard not to after spending so long thinking about what we were going to do to defend Marion.

In the castle barracks are a pair of soldiers... we're not going to bother with because they have nothing new or interesting to say. Woohoo!

Up in the throne room is a soldier who certainly isn't guarding the throne. Maybe they just like the carpets?

You must be from Marion. Thanks to you, this kingdom is being reborn. [sic]
The last time we were here there were meetings throughout the night. Is that still going on?
I heard there was a fight.
Things were rough for the first week. No more fights since then.
Did Sir Galahad ever get involved in those talks?
Every time I saw him he seemed kind of bored.
That sounds like Dad all right.

Out on the battlements are a pair of soldiers seemingly unconcerned that a horde of monsters could just stroll off the volcano and attack them.

Nice view of the volcano from here?
(east) What? No. Wait, you're heavily armed for a kid.
We have to be for all the times monsters try to eat us.
(east) There are no monsters around here. At last, Bandore is taking its first step towards the dream of being a peaceful kingdom.
(west) The people of Bandore want peace. We want to make our kingdom the envy of the world.
Wasn't Bandore already the envy of the naval world?
Depends on who you ask.

With Bandore quiet the team heads to the gate to leave.

Where to now?
Any ideas on where those other two tablets could be?
Uhhh...
I can think of a few places they could be hidden.

-- SUMMARY OF EVENTS --

The king of Barbaros dismissed the team's story about Shutat and company prowling around the world. He told them he'd listen if they proved their strength by clearing the Labyrinth on the Isle of Discipline. Finn passed the test with little trouble but Shutat attacked Barbaros in the interim. When the team returned with proof that had been demanded of them many in Barbaros were dead and the king lay mortally wounded in the throne room. He threw Spirit Water in Shutat's face burning the horned one and forcing the Vicious Ones to retreat - which is more than anyone on the team has done to Shutat so kudos to him. With his dying breath he kinda, sort mumbled out a request that he and Barbaros be avenged.

Lorele, only child of the king of Barbaros, was first seen during a sparring session in the castle courtyard where she easily trounced the soldiers with her. When trouble came a knocking her father ordered her locked in the hidden treasure room and gave the key to a soldier within the secret area. As soon as the door was unlocked Lorele rushed out to find her father dead beside his throne. Upon hearing from the surviving advisor that her father tasked Finn and company with avenging Barbaros Lorele decided to join up.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - someplace way off the beaten path.

Update Eighty | Index | Update Eighty-two