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Beyond the Beyond: Update 88: When Bad Plans Come Together (Flying Palace pt. 2)
In our last episode the team raised the Flying Palace to the ocean's surface. Daring to venture inside they found a motif totally alien to them. Also, there were traps. And monsters. And cursed treasure. And non-cursed treasure. And dragons. And a total lack of ice cream sundaes. And bewilderment over what Arawn has planned. And Finn's ongoing bad day. Overall it's been kind of mixed.
5th Floor
Looks like a big chamber over there.
Full of traps I'm sure.
Why don't the traps ever stop the monsters?
Many of them can fly. ...Arawn really did plan this all out.
The fifth floor is dominated by a big open space but it belies a spike trap maze. It's not quite the same thing as an invisible wall maze but some of the principles are the same.
If I suggest we just jump over it will everyone tell me it is potentially too dangerous to try?
That seems likely.
I'm more concerned you could become trapped.
Okay. I was just checking. Besides, there's been treasure to find so I'm hoping that trend continues.
On the far eastern side is a narrow corridor that is blocked by spikes. The hallway in between is navigable but the team's only just begun poking around on this flour so I turned back.
In the northwest corner is a treasure chest just waiting to be raided. Inside is a Silk Scarf to raise Lorele's Defense from 44 to 46.
It feels very... silky. That's actual silk, Finn. Have you never seen silk before?
I grew up in a podunk little village out in the sticks. So that's a no?
A very definite no.
The monsters keep on coming. A rare few manage to get the drop on the team.
What's that growling sound?
Oh dear... Eeep!
Brace for impact!
It just isn't the same if I don't get hit with one of these big spells at least once per dungeon.
Mirroring the eastern side the western flank has a pair of narrow hallways but this time both are blocked by spike traps.
The center is a big spike maze but only one flips up at a time. There's no way to pass through it and continue south. It isn't hard to navigate as long as one remembers that spike panels are safe to walk on while the spikes are flipped down.
What is any of this testing? I don't feel smarter after figuring any of these puzzles out. I'm just annoyed! A test of our patience, perhaps?
I would say it deters simple thieves but the Palace has been underwater for centuries. That's pretty good at keeping out visitors.
It feels more like a test of endurance.
Or a way for Arawn to waste our time!
Maybe it's really just a way to give the sealed monsters more time to find us.
AARGH!
Even in the middle of a spike maze the team isn't safe from pouncing manticores.
To advance requires walking through the one non-trapped hallway. Just to the south is a staircase.
We're just going to go down?
If this is the wrong way I am curious to know where it leads.
Sounds good enough to me. I just want this over with.
6th Floor
The sixth floor is a series of twisty hallways. Dead ahead from the staircase the team finds a sarcophagus just standing, alone and lonely, in the middle of a small room.
To the north is an obvious puzzle.
Unless this is a trap it seems we actually went the right way.
It was bound to happen eventually.
In two moves the sarcophagus rests on the plate. Spot the change in the dungeon!
Did anyone else hear a rumble? I did.
It had better be a good rumble!
Or else what? Or else I am... going to get very cross with whatever trap we just primed!
I'm sure it's shaking in terror.
Well... it should!
*giggles*
Heading north through the main corridor the team spots what I assume is a sphinx statue resting on a dias between two braziers. As they approach the sphinx suddenly breaths a jet of fire!
It looks something like this animated GIF!
AAAAAAAHHHHHH!
Run away! RUN AWAY!
That was just, just... RUDE!
Okay so what do we do about this little problem? We can't even get close to it. If only we had something to shield us from the flames.
Or prevent the sphinx from seeing us.
Hmm, I might have an idea. Follow me.
Can't get us now can you, you cat-person thing?
That's a sphinx, Finn, and it's just a magically-embued statue.
Well I still feel better.
The solution to the sphinx is simple. Just block its fire with the freestanding sarcophagus. Despite all the twisty passages there's no test of whether or not the player is able to navigate them without pushing the sarcophagus somewhere unreachable. It's a straight shot north that any player would have to actively work hard to mess up.
Yeah, as far as puzzles go the Flying Palace is pretty easy. It's like someone had half an idea but no solid follow-up in implementation.
To the west are more passages and a staircase up. It leads to the southwest wing of the fifth floor. This is another instance of the game wanting the player to take the shorter route. There is nothing of use or interest in these winding passages. It's all just there to make the player walk farther and risk more random encounters while they search for treasure.
7th Floor
Downstairs is the easiest puzzle in the whole dungeon. There's a room with a locked door (don't see that very often in Beyond the Beyond!), three pressure plates, and three sarcophagi. Once all the plates are down the door opens. Arawn was really phoning in the security at the end wasn't he?
I suspect what happened was that this dungeon was a late addition to the game. The entire subplot of "get the tablets and raise the Palace" feels a bit tacked on. Again, this goes back to what I said about Steiner growing up. We can already fly around the world map. The only reason we need the Palace is because there are completely arbitrary invisible walls on some of the mountain ranges. I'm definitely not a fan of this part of the game.
Once the door is opened and the team steps inside (and there are still random encounters up until the team reaches the trigger range!) a viewscreen comes up and the Flying Palace begins to shake. As the team looks around in bewilderment the machine beneath their feet activates.
What's going on?
If I knew that I wouldn't be just as confused as you.
We seem to have activated the Palace. Th-that's what we came for, right? I hope Sir Samson's right. Knowing Arawn I can never be certain of anything.
The screen pans down, fades out, then moves to the overworld. Our floating d4 has suddenly become a flying d8! We know it's super advanced because it has a bunch of large, pointless lights on the exterior. It's rise doesn't seem to bother Steiner as he hovers there.
Then the screen scrolls over to reveal an unknown ship.
Now! Fire!
Aye, captain!
Then someone who has yet to appear officially in the game tells someone else to fire and there's a big puff of smoke.
Back inside the Palace the team has been locked into the control room. They still have no idea just what's going on.
Finn, can you hear me?
Don't ask how Steiner's managing to talk to the team from outside the Palace (or why he never bothered doing that before, or why he didn't notice the big ship approaching the shoal ring). It does make the team turn south for some reason.
Steiner? Where is that voice coming from?
I'm not sure. Something is happening out here...
What do you mean "something"? What's going on?
I'll check it out.
Steiner? Steiner come back! Damnit! Is there anything we can do?
I'm looking around, Finn. There must be some way to control the Palace from here.
Pictured: Finn being an incredibly detailed and articulate character in game. Oh Silent Protagonist how you are a blank canvas I delight in painting upon!
... Don't worry, Finn. I'll take care of it!
Yes, Steiner replies with exactly that line above. That doesn't even make a bit of sense given the conversation. Steiner doesn't even know what the problem is yet, if there even is a problem, let alone if he can tackle it.
Back outside it seems the ship has somehow managed to attach a rope or cable to the Flying Palace. Should I even dare to ask how? The Flying Palace isn't exactly small, given the dungeon the team just traversed, so what sort of scale are we talking about here?
I see... the battleship of the Vicious Ones has grappled the Flying Palace!
Steiner flies over to where the line is attached to the Palace. Oh yeah and that's the battleship that fought its way out of Bandore. It's a good thing Steiner recognizes it otherwise I might think we were under attack from some particularly ambitious pirates.
Wait a minute! Why the hell didn't they just fire their cannons at the Flying Palace? They fired some sort of cable/rope so clearly they're capable of launching ordinance that far. I mean, that's why they stole the battleship in the first place. Instead they're going to try to prevent the Flying Palace from lifting off with a rope or cable? We are talking about a super advanced anti-gravity engine. Can't the team just hit the proverbial gas and snap that rope/cable? Or just drag the battleship into the shoals?
I know, I know... I should stop assuming the villains will ever raise the bar on their villainy. They're clearly still winging it as they go.
If I remove the hook, they can no longer prevent the palace from taking off!
Steiner flies over to the Palace and begins struggling with the hook.
I can't let you remove that.
Steiner looks around in confusion for a moment before the screen scrolls over to reveal a certain someone hovering over the ocean.
Who? Oh, there. You have wings!
That I do. Did you think dragons were alone in the sky?
You can't be human! You're right. I'm not. Who would want to be part of such a weak species?
What?! You must be Dagoot... of the Vicious Ones.
*flies closer* That's right, my scaled friend. Your friends aren't going anywhere.
And you're going to stop us? By yourself?
Dagoot brandishes a gold-colored bow.
That I am!
A bow and arrow. Ha! You think you can stop a dragon with that? Where's Shutat? At least he would be a worthy match.
Lord Shutat suffered an unexpected injury at Barbaros... *snorts* What a shame...
Keep talkin' scale face. Enjoy it while it lasts because I'm here to make sure your friends don't make it to Quamdar. Now back off!
You must be joking! Do you just expect me to roll over and give up?
If you're anything like that coward of a dragon that likes to fly over Marion then yes, I do. All bark, that one! What a shame. I've been wanting to test my skills and it flies just a bit too high. So what do you say? Wanna rumble?
You're not leaving me much choice.
Well I'll help you make a decision. See that lovely battleship of mine over there? I've left orders that if anything should happen to me that they blast a certain big dragon right out of the sky. Have you seen what it can do? Hrm, I really wanna know how dragon hide holds up against cannonballs. *growls something incomprehensible*
Well? I'm a patient man but I don't have all day. Come on, Steiner. Think! There's gotta be a better way to handle this.
Maybe... I don't know. Worth a shot.
And so Steiner turns and starts flying away. No explanation for it is given in game. He goes from blustering to retreat in a manner of seconds. Thanks, Steiner! You were such a pal there!
You fool!
Dagoot fires an arrow into Steiner's back. That's one hell of a bow to make that distance. (I will never stop pointing out weird scale issues.)
Arrggghh!
Wounded, Steiner falls into the water and lies there. A splash sprite is barely visible under his sprite which is a nice touch. With Steiner down Dagoot flies over to gloat.
YOU LYING PIECE OF SHIT!
I never promised anything. You're the idiot for turning your back on an enemy. Dragons... as stupid as ever!
Urgh! That arrow has been handed down in my family for generations. When fired from my Great Bow, it's powerful enough to pierce even a dragon's thick hide.
You're just... having all sorts of fun with this aren't you?
Oh yeah. I'm enjoying every minute of this. Your kin in Marion was a real pain in my ass. It feels good to finally take one of you scaled interlopers out.
As if I'm going to let you stand in my way. You want a fight, bat-brain? Come and get it!
Steiner beats his wings hard and gains altitude quickly.
Steiner charges at Dagoot throwing him back and forcing him to drop his bow into the ocean.
My bow! Ha! Not much of an archer now are you?
I don't need it to finish you off.
You are nothing to me now. Just watch as I stop your plan.
Steiner then flies over to the Palace and resumes working the hook free.
Ha Ha Ha! If I were you, I would save my strength. You don't have enough left to remove the grapple. I won't let anything stand in Finn's way! No matter the cost.
True to his word Steiner pries the hook loose and drops the now-loose line into the ocean below. Without that impediment holding it back the Flying Palace begins to rise.
Very impressive... You would sacrifice yourself to help Finn. Finn, you have a good friend...
With his plan foiled Dagoot doesn't try to attack or come up with something on the spot. He doesn't even fly back to the battleship. Instead he just teleports away.
Finn, that should do it... But, my strength is exhausted. I... can't... keep my altitude...
Steiner steadily sinks until he falls into the water. Unlike his last fall into the drink he goes under. Why? Drama, that's why.
(1) The dragon's down. What now?
What were Sir Dagoot's orders for this situation?
(1) He said...
My orders are that we get the hell out of here. Right now!
(1) Eep!
(2) Sir are you all right?
We're not going to attack?
I'm fine. Shutat warned me not to try to take on that machine. Come on. Raise anchor! (3) Sir! Yes, sir! I've taken care of one pesky dragon. The day's not a total loss.
(2) I'm glad Mistress Ramue isn't here. She'd try to throw everything we have at that thing.
Then be glad you've got a captain with some sense in his head.
Inside the palace is a moment of stunned silence. Apparently they figured out how to work the Palace's camera system while events outside were unfolding. I can't be too critical though. They're locked in a control room of an advanced machine they know nothing about. It's not like Arawn gave them a manual to the thing or left one for them to find. Clearly though they did see what happened to Steiner since they're about to react to it.
After that brief moment of silence each party member has something to say.
Steiner! Brave warrior. I can't believe Steiner is... What a special animal.
A weapon that can destroy dragons... I guess that is the horrifying side of magic.
I can't believe it... Why Steiner? He's a dragon. He won't die easily, right Finn? Answer me!
I... I...
Finn! Annie, please consider what you are asking. ...... What? Oh, I see. ...
I'm sorry... Finn... I'm sorry for saying such things without considering your feelings. You lost your father... and now... your best friend Steiner.
I'm not angry at you, sis. I... I don't even know what I'm feeling. Maybe this is just total shock? It doesn't feel real at all.
Yeah. This isn't something anyone expected.
I can't even say I didn't know there were risks.
To think they might have been waiting for us to raise the Palace.
We should have considered that the Vicious Ones might move in to stop us. Not doing so was reckless. I'm sorry, Finn. So that was Dagoot. We could barely see him. Ramue, Shutat, Yeon... That makes four.
The battleship is leaving. We should be safe for now. Finn, let's go to Quamdar. We must stop Shutat!
I know, I know. Just... I need a moment to get my head around this.
How do we fly this machine anyway?
That's a very good question. It must have something to do with these flashing symbols here.
-- BONUS CONTENT --
Dagoot Another of Shutat's three generals. An expert in archery, he can easily use the strongest bows that even five sturdy soldiers together cannot handle. He is level-headed and confident, but also a bit conceited.
Whelp there's Dagoot's first official appearance in game and it only took most of the plot for him to finally appear. He's been referenced as one of the Vicious Ones ever since the invasion of Marion but apparently he was out of town or something when Zalagoon charged across the border. As his bio states he is an archer although having lost his family's Great Bow he'll have to rely on that giant crossbow in his character art. What can't be seen though are his tiny wings. As we've seen he can fly although he probably uses magic rather than any sort of mechanical lift to keep himself airborne. About the only other thing I can say about him is that he has a rather... unique fashion sense.
No NPC ever bothers to mention Dagoot's wings (or his shoulder spikes) which one would think would be a dead give away that he isn't human. Yet he and the other Vicious Ones just strolled into Bandore and no one was bothered by the guy with wings, or the other guy with horns, or that third guy who's big and all green. It make some sense in Shining Force where there are elves, centaurs, and other species running around but here in Beyond the Beyond it's all humans. The elves live in a remote village. Everything else has been hostile.
Next time on Beyond the Beyond - well that was... something. This flying deathtrap had better be worth it!
