Beyond the Beyond: Update 85: Tablet Hunters (Loose Ends pt. 3)

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 85: Tablet Hunters (Loose Ends pt. 3)

Lorele's a Master Monk now! Yay! We're done with grinding and can do things that actually advance the plot!

As a newly-minted level 1 Master Monk Lorele isn't exactly impressive. Her speed is terrible (what is it with the latter half of the cast all being super slow?) but she's one lucky monk and has a respectable Strength stat. I wish I could say I'm surprised by her maximum MP but I'm not. I've been well trained to expect Monks/Master Monks to do a rather poor job at healing. While I'm ambivalent about some post-promotion portraits I think Lorele here got the better end of the deal.

That said there are some stat boosters in storage and depending on how things shake out in the next segment of the plot I'll decide who gets what.

How do you feel?
Awkward, honestly. My center feels shifted just enough to throw me off balance.
I'm... not going to pretend like I understand what you just said. I'm just going to nod.
*smiles* Finn, never lose that honesty.

Those who are paying attention might notice that I swapped Domino for Edward at the end of that last update. That's because I wanted to check Edward's inventory. The Ice Ring provides the same stat boost as the Fire Ring: +2 Defense. Since Edward has nothing better to fill his accessory slot he goes ahead and equips it.

And yes that means Samson has the Fire Ring and Edward has the Ice Ring. No, I didn't plan that out in any sort of thematic way. I just slapped rings on people as I thought of seeing what stat bonuses they might offer. There's no downside to either ring and both could use the defense boost.

Just outside the shrine is this fellow we first saw back in update 71. He's from Bandore. I didn't bother talking to people in town after Finn completed the Labyrinth since the team already had their hands full. They've got a moment now though so let's see how the locals are doing.

Hi there! New in town? Huh? I remember you! You... wait, did you actually complete the Labyrinth?
It wasn't very hard. I just had to pay attention to where I was going.
Hey, you must be confident in your abilities to come all the way to Discipline, right?
Define "confidence."
It was more like we didn't have a whole lot of choice thanks to the king of Barbaros.
I don't mean to be rude but it does seem like he had an... ulterior motive to his request.
That sounds just like Papa.
So your dad really was trying to marry you off? We could have prevented a lot of trouble in Barbaros if he had just listened to us.
Shutat must have already been on his way to attack though. Do you really think we could have fought him off?
I don't know. Honestly? I never want to see Shutat ever again. If he just sort of vanished back to wherever he came from and never bothered us again I'd be fine with that.
You would give up any chance at revenge?
I'm just trying to make sure he never hurts anyone ever again. I don't care about vengeance.
Finn that's rather noble of you.
It also doesn't address our problems with Ramue. We have to find her.
I haven't forgotten.
Nor should you.
I know, I know. I'm not looking forward to that, either.
So you're worried she's going to use all that magic to kill all of us? Yeah, that's likely.
What, you expect to die? You have no pride in your own skill? Well, you completed the challenge when so many have failed. You should be.
Ramue is not someone to be handled lightly.
So are you kids traveling mercenaries or something? Do you want to come to Bandore? Strong people are always welcome.
Most of us are from Marion, actually.
So what?
So, we saw the war with Bandore and even got a front row seat for the death of the emperor.
What?! The emperor is dead? Then what am I doing here scouting for soldiers?
You're scouting for soldiers? Here? But I thought you came with that other Bandore soldier to guard him or something.
Marcus? Uh, well I have to fill the rest of my time with something.
Maybe we should tell Marcus that he'd better get home.
If the emperor is dead then who rules Bandore now?
The people decided to form an entirely new government.
What?! Has the world gone upside down?
Eh, talk to Marcus and get home as soon as you can.
Doesn't that guy want to be a hero or something?
He's missing his real chance to help by being here.

To the south is that fellow from Barbaros.

I know that man!
Yeah he was here earlier too. Finn, are you sure about this?
Not really but here we go.
Hi there. I'm Kanaar... Oh, I remember you... *gasps*
And here I was worried about how fast Finn could make things awkward. I should have known better.
Princess Lorele!
What are you doing here, Kanaar?
I came here to train and strengthen myself.

_{Sis should we mention the other half of his reason?
If he doesn't I'm not going to say anything.
Sounds good to me.}

Why didn't you tell anyone you were leaving? Your family has been worried about you!
Uh, this is - this is just something I have to do. But, princess, why are you here?
Barbaros was attacked by the forces of a man named Shutat. To take vengeance for all those killed I search for him.
Barbaros has been attacked? But if you're out here seeking justice then that means... the king. Oh, oh no and I've been here the whole time!
You are blameless. Many brave souls tried and failed to stop the invasion. You could not have known what was coming.
You are too kind, princess. I - hrm, yes, I will return to Barbaros as soon as I can. For our people.
*smiles* Thank you, Kanaar. They need every brave soul they can get to help rebuild.

Strangely enough Kanaar doesn't have any reaction to Lorele in game. Then again everything concerning Barbaros feels a bit rushed and tacked on.

Just to the north is the house with the, er, forthright woman that the kids pilfered a Source of Courage from in their first visit. She said to visit her again if the trial was completed. Despite the rather dubious nature of that request the team's going to do just that. They face down deadly monsters every day it seems so it can't be any worse than that. Right?

Hello there cutie!
This isn't going to end well is it?
Wait, I remember you now.
Wow! You actually managed to pass the challenge. I prepared this special brew to celebrate. Drink up!
Steiner's not here. It doesn't really count as celebrating without him.
Go ahead! Drink!
I'm getting there.
It smells funny.
Is this really fit for human consumption?
Let's find out! *gulps down his drink*

That's not a screenshot that's gone rogue. That's the game actually fading to black after Finn takes a drink then fading back in. Nobody moves in the interim and there are no sound effects.

Oh, are you OK? Perhaps I shouldn't give you anymore of this.
Finn, Finn say something!
...BBUUUUURRRPP! Whoa, quite a kick to that.
Are you sure you're all right?
My throat hurts a little but other than that I'm fine.
Well, I'm very proud of you. You wouldn't think about settling down here, would you?
No, he wouldn't. We're leaving. Now.

The other Bandore soldier in the town's inn has nothing new to say. He hasn't managed to pass the test in the Labyrinth and is apparently unconcerned with what may be going on back in Bandore. It's like a whole other, entirely secluded, world on Discipline Island.

Warping to Mistrall I swap out Edward for Tont with the plan of giving Tont the Magic Staff. Unfortunately my plan to boost Tont's attack power for all those times that summoning something isn't a good use for his MP is derailed by the fact that he can't equip the Magic Staff.

Oww! It shocked me!
It's rejecting you?
My magic's just not compatible with this thing I think. Bummer.
How does that even work?
Damned if I know! What did Edward say about this staff?
I didn't actually show it to him.

Although given the weird markings on it I really should have.

Here's something I never remembered to showcase: if a character attempts to pass an item they're holding to themselves the game's response is to spit out a "%Character shows off the %Item" line. It's a silly little thing but the thought of Finn waving around a magical staff is worth a chuckle.

Over at the gear shop I again contemplate buying Samson a Rune Axe and again decline. That 135 attack power is awfully tempting but not tempting enough to override his boosted speed in killing things. Eh, maybe later. Also, I continue to be perplexed about why the Guardian Blade is in the game as-is. Because I'm totally going to spend 7,000 gold buying a sword that is a downgrade from the Mystic Blade that Finn got for free. No, no I'm not.

I do however buy a Mystic Hood for Tont to bring his defense up to 39. Tont's still wearing a Wind Cloak and so I decide against buying a Mystic Cloak. He could use the Defense boost but the Speed hit feels too costly.

So one quick warp back to Discipline Town Edward rejoins the party and Tont returns to whatever it is he does when he's not in the party. (That raises a number of rather scary possibilities!) Edward can equip the Magic Staff. Wait a minute...

It raises his attack power to 131? From 100? What the hell is this staff made of? Does it also disintegrate things on contact and make a mean smoothie while it's at it?

That's more attack power than Sir Samson has right now.

WHAT THE HELL, GAME?

Finn where did you find this?
Uh, where did we find this?
That lonely shrine out in the middle of the ocean. South of Aridia.
Oh, that's right!Now I remember. It was in a fire in a big brazier.
A fire that burned your hand and taught you nothing about searching flames.
As if I'm going to let anything stand between me and treasure.
And that's the saddest lesson of all.

Goodbye Stun Rod. You weren't really worth all the money I paid for you but at least I get most of it back in resale value. It's not all good news in terms of equipment. Edward still has a War Hood and Wind Cloak combo equipped and both are inferior in Defense compared to what's for sale. I could have upgraded the hood without issue but didn't think of it at the time.

Then I fly Steiner to Isla Village because the team needs to get something out of storage and what's the use of being able to fly around on our dragon buddy if we never use that ability?

Ahh, being able to fly so high is really great! I love it!
Why do I hear the distinct hint of a but at the end of that sentence, Steiner?
What? What are you talking about? I didn't say anything like that.
Yeah, no. We know something's wrong. Out with it!
You guys are no fun any more!
Are you being literal or are you busting my ass again?
I do believe he's being literal, Finn.
No I'm not!
You get lonely while we continue on our quest without you. Is that it?
Well... a little.
I miss you too, buddy. It just isn't the same without you.
Really? Kryaar. Well then hurry up and kick Shutat's butt so we can go adventuring again like old times!
What, are you gonna shrink yourself down to a convenient travel size?
I wish! ...Seriously, Edward, work on magic that can do just that.
I, uh, will see what I can come up with.

From the storage chest Finn takes the Steel Key and the Gold Key. One of those keys opens a rather important door. I just couldn't remember which one. Eh, it's not like the team's hurting for inventory space. They're traveling rather light at the moment.

Upstairs is Sonia in precisely the same state as when Marion was liberated. I'm a little sad that Isla doesn't get any more updates. It was interesting watching the village and its people change over the course of the game.

I'm sorry. No news about Percy.
I know you'll find him, Annie. Don't give up.
Don't worry. I owe him a kick in the shins for making you worry so much!

To the northeast of Isla lies the mountains that separate Marion from Zalagoon. Unfortunately they too are rife with the same invisible walls that bisect Aridia. It's even more annoying on Greenheim because it is both completely unexpected and there are no visual clues as to where the invisible walls are. In fact there are no hints at all! Just looking at the screenshot above one would never be able to guess that Steiner can't move north.

Oh and just to complete the annoyance there are more invisible barriers in that same mountain range that serve absolutely no purpose but to aggravate the player. This really cheapens the fact that Steiner can fly the team around, especially after learning that the next part of the plot involves gaining access to a flying machine.

Like, what was the point of programming in any of this if Steiner's flying doesn't actually accomplish anything? Spoiler alert! It has exactly one plot-required function: taking the team to Pity Island. That's it. The devs could have removed some or all of the shoals around Pity Island but nope - gotta go through the whole Test of Discipline so Steiner can grow up and ferry the team around for five whole minutes then sit around on the overworld map doing nothing for the rest of the game.

Yes, I am ranting a bit. I'm also a bit bitter that Finn's been robbed of his dual-attack with Steiner. Damnit that attack was cool and unblockable but also awesome because tiny dragon roar and divebombing!

In other news the team teleports to Bandore where they make sure to stop and say hello to the most important NPC in town.

Meow.
Aww, who's a good kitty?
*starts purring*

Down in the bowels of the castle they reach this staircase. They've seen it before several times. In fact just to their south is the still-open passageway that leads to town.

What are we looking for?
If memory serves there's a locked door down here.
You think the tablet's down there?
Can't hurt to check, can it?
It can if there's a vicious demon behind that door.
Ugh, let's hope not, okay?

The Steel Key does nothing with this door. Not that I really expected it too. I just didn't want to have to make a run back to Isla if had misremembered which key it was.

I don't hear or sense anything unusual.
Neither do I.

It is the Gold Key that unlocks this door. For those who have forgotten that's the key that was lying on the ground in the bowels of the volcano. The team had to blunder their way through Yeon's trap before they could reach it.

It worked. Wait, it worked?
I don't understand it either.
Perhaps we should just be grateful for a bit of good fortune.
There's the tablet.

Key Item Ancient Tablet got!

So it is.
I don't get it. It's been here the entire time?
From the dust and cobwebs it has been hanging here undisturbed for years.
Soooo does this mean Shutat wasn't after the tablet when he attacked Barbaros?
That is not a comforting thought, Finn!
That might be plausible though. If these tablets are such a big deal why not destroy this one? It's not like Shutat didn't have plenty of time.
If the key was actually lost and no one could unlock the door that might explain at least part of it.
Just destroy the door...
Yes, that thought had crossed my mind.
Maybe... he doesn't know what they are.
How could he not? A minister in Barbaros told us what they're for. Several of Arawn's followers did the same. Bandore's been guarding one for centuries. Don't they have records and stuff?
I don't think they do, sis. We've been up and down and all over this kingdom several times over and never heard anything about it.
So what you're saying is that Shutat and his cronies took over the country and yet never bothered to look in the one locked room in the whole castle?
It must not have seemed important all the way down here.
Shutat's mind was on something else. Something... Yeah I'd better stop that thought right there.
Finn?
I'm okay. His mistake, our gain. That's how I'm going to look at this.

What else can I do, sis?
Let's not mention this to anyone in Bandore. We don't want to cause a scene while we make off with a priceless treasure.

Over in the dungeons the Gold Key proves to be not so helpful in reaching the locked up treasure.

I don't get it. Why put a chest in a jail cell?
That's exactly what I want to know!
Shutat's dastardly scheme to deny us the castle's riches?
I bet he's got the only key to this cell too, that jerk.

As the team heads down the main boulevard of Bandore Town Finn continues to vent about being denied treasure.

We have the tablet. That's what's important.
*sighs* I know.

So it's back to Isla to drop off those two keys. I also store 30,000 gold just in case. Rainy day fund and all that. Unfortunately I decided to store the three tablets rather then haul them around so I get to make another trip to this chest in the near future. Sometimes I'm a little too well trained in the art of dumping all non-essentials when not absolutely needed.

If something happens to us then I guess your mom and dad are set for the rest of their lives.
Don't say that, Finn! Nothing bad's going to happen to us on Pity Island.

Then it's a quick run to Marion Town to load up on herbs. Yes, I have a team of promoted murder-machines and they still use the most basic healing item in the game. Herbs aren't nearly as useful as they used to be but they still fill a patch-healing niche like nothing else. How long will they continue to fill that niche? Not much longer, probably, but they'll do just fine for the moment.

Preparations complete the team climbs aboard Steiner and starts flying south.

Where to now?
You know that big island to our south? Pity? We need to go there.
Aren't there a bunch of monsters on that island?
You needn't remind us.
I'm gonna miss all the fun stuff, aren't I?
That's the price of Enlightenment, Steiner.
I want a refund!

Hidden in the center of the island is a small shrine-like structure. Thankfully Steiner can land next to it and the team is thus spared a forced hike.

Stepping inside though reveals something that looks nothing like a shrine. The overworld map is lying again!

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - Pity Island!

Update Eighty-four | Index | Update Eighty-six