Beyond the Beyond: Update 90: Into the Dragon's Heart (Dragon's Shrine)

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 90: Into the Dragon's Heart (Dragon's Shrine)

When last we saw our intrepid heroes (before our latest bonus update) they had raised Arawn's Flying Palace from its resting place in the ocean but at the cost of losing Steiner to one of Dagoot's magical arrows. Oh yeah and Dagoot finally decided to enter the plot. He's been kind of hanging around... somewhere. His laziness has been to the team's benefit.

As might be surmised from all the effort to free it (and the name) the Flying Palace actually flies. It is a giant flying machine shaped like a d8. I would say it allows the team to fly anywhere in the world but it doesn't. There's still one invisible barrier that's not going anywhere.

Wow look how high we are! This thing really does work.
Yeah... just great.
Should we say anything about Finn's moodiness?
Just let him stew.
All any of us can do is focus on the mission. Finn will take care of himself.
I guess...
That's exactly what I'm going to do, Sir Samson. I haven't gotten this far to lose now.
I wonder where this ship came from. Did Arawn build it?
He really likes flying or at least being way up high.
Probably from some world full of amazing stuff!

The Flying Palace flies higher than Steiner does which means slightly more overworld map is visible. It also moves at a nice speedy pace that manages to avoid being too fast. I've never had any trouble making precise stops with it. The same landing restrictions as Steiner are in play with the Flying Palace - it needs flat, open terrain to settle down on.

Just out of curiosity, where are we going?
I don't know. Does it really matter?
Uh, yes?
I see you kids made it through.
What do YOU want?
Oh, just checking up on your group. Hmm, that light is on. That's unusual.
Don't we have bigger problems then one little light?
Finn I think this is a beacon of some sort.
Indeed it is, Prince Edward. Why...? Ahh, I see what happened. You should follow that, Finn.
...why?
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by what you'll find.
Okay, sure. Why not? Follow some random beacon to who knows where.

Nestled deep in the mountains between Marion and Zalagoon, just south of Merlin's cave, is this little shrine that Steiner couldn't reach although from the right angle it is just barely visible while riding him. The Flying Palace has no problem reaching it.

This seems to be the place. Where are we?
Look at the symbols. This place belongs to Arawn.
Great. There aren't going to be a bunch of traps or anything, is there?
Oh heavens no. Centuries ago I had a summer home here. Such pleasant weather. Unfortunately it was destroyed by an earthquake. Shame, I still miss the place.
Lovely. Arawn's former summer home. Because we haven't invaded enough of his houses.
I would be angry if I actually lived in any of those places. Or if I hadn't designed them to be invaded. Now go on. You have business here. If you should need me you know what to do.

Nestled amid a thick canopy of trees the team finds a small shrine and a trio of priests. Given the fact that the platform seems to rise above the tree line around it I can't help but wonder about scale again. Maybe they're just short trees?

(SW) Welcome to the Dragon Shrine. This sacred ground is protected by Arawn.
Should I ask what it's protected from?
Certainly not from us.
(SW) Roaming monsters, mostly. And bandits.
And how often do bandits manage to find this place?
(N) Not often.
Wait, we had to fly in. How do you guys get in and out of this valley?
That's a very good question, Finn. I'd like to know too.
(N) We have our ways.
Ahh, the sacred art of the non-answer. I can't say I've missed it.
(SE) It's splendid to have guests for once. I've heard the legend of the Flying Palace, but I never thought I would see it.
Where do you guys keep all these legends?
(SE) We priests of Arawn have told them for generations.
(N) And I'm sure you kids have seen for yourselves the wisdom in doing so.
I wish the stories could have at least included some real directions. We kind of had to wander around lost for a while there.
And now that we have the Palace we'll fly around lost.
So true...
We've gotten this far, Finn. We'll figure out what to do with it.
(N) You should be proud. You moved the Ancient Palace! You must have collected all four of the Ancient Tablets. Are you, then, heading to Quamdar...?
Do we really have much choice? I mean that, by the way. If we don't Shutat and his goons will keep on attacking us.
So we take the fight to them?
Sounds great to me!

Having spoken to the priests at the surface the team heads downstairs. Arawn sure does love his pyramids doesn't he?

Fortunately what lies below is not a dungeon but a shrine of some sort. There is a raised platform with a pair of priests in the center of the chamber.

Is that...?
How?
(L) Have you heard the legend of the dragons?
Uh, not really. Why are you suddenly asking me?
(L) Long ago, the dragons were assigned by Arawn to watch over the agreement between Arawn and the Vicious Ones.
Ooookay, and...?
Wait, didn't someone mention a dragon flying over Marion? And there was that dragon that appeared at Bandore.
(L) That's right, young man. That dragon remembers its duty. I heard items made by dragons possess sacred powers. I wonder if its true. Maybe in this age of strife they'd be willing to share that power.
Every time we see that thing it's either flying and doesn't pay any attention to us or it's sleeping and doesn't pay any attention to us.
Haven't we fought and killed dragons?
Smaller dragons. They could be babies compared to Steiner.
(R) Those are evil dragons unbound by Arawn's command. They are little more than wild beasts.
Okay so some of the dragons, or a couple of the dragons anyway, serve Arawn. That still doesn't explain what's happening here.
(R) So, the time has come for the Great Light to travel to Quamdar. I will tell you the rest of the legend...
Did you even hear what I just said? I don't need a history lesson. I need an explanation for the here and now.
(R) I've been waiting to say this for a long time. Five minutes is all I ask for.
*chuckles* I think we have time, Finn.
Alright, alright. Say your piece.
(R) Thank you. As I was saying... In order to enter the Abyss, you must find a fifth Final Tablet. It can only be found with the use of the other four Ancient Tablets and the Flying Palace. Once all the tablets are set, the Abyss, the path to the Underworld, will be opened.
That was quick.
And to the point. Where is the Final Tablet?
(R) That I don't know.
Some lonely place far from civilization I'd wager.
(L) I notice you're suddenly very quiet young man. Is something bothering you?
Yes, yes something is bothering me.
(L) What would that be?

Oh I don't know. Maybe the dragon SITTING RIGHT OVER THERE!

Walking past the priests towards the golden dragon behind them reveals that it is in fact Steiner. Once again, pay no attention to the weird scale issues that are in play here. Maybe Steiner's been micronized? Arawn could be related to the Robotech Masters somehow. He does have futuristic space tech at his fingertips.

Finn! You found me! I didn't know if I would ever see you again!
Steiner! But how did you get here?
When I was shot by that arrow, I thought I was done for. But, when I woke up, I was here. I've been resting, but I should be all right now.
That... doesn't actually answer my question. I...
Oh no! Don't cry, Finn!
(R) You two share a strong link. No wonder you've come here.
I'm glad you're okay, dear friend.
I'm glad too! Someone's gotta keep Finn from getting lazy.
Steiner... Anyhow, I'm glad you're OK.
For a minute there I was worried you might get all sappy on me, Sir Samson.
Steiner... I see you are all right now. I was so worried about you!
Steiner! How dare you make us worry so...
Hey! Don't get mad at me. You must understand that I only started moving again recently.
You've only been gone for a few hours!
Details, details...
Steiner, promise that you'll never leave us again.
Don't worry. We'll always be together.
Unless you get shot again or wander off.
Okay so maybe I didn't take Dagoot as seriously as I should have but I'm all right and you guys have the Flying Palace, right?
We do indeed. We used it to fly here.
Then, we should be leaving. I'll be waiting in Isla.

Steiner then sails over the group on his way off the platform. This place must have a high ceiling. Then again maybe my mirconized jab really is true.

He then turns, moves north and... vanishes. I'm not even kidding. The game doesn't bother to try to hide the fact that the sprite despawns halfway up the screen. It happens fast enough that a player might not notice.

Hidden in the northwestern torch is a Source of Life. For those who've forgotten this item increases max LP by 2 to 5 points. With that everything of interest in the shrine has been found.

On a side note, when the game says that the use of the Flying Palace is required to get the Final Tablet what it really means is that the event flag for activating the Flying Palace is needed. As seen in update 89 I could have gone to look at the Final Tablet before placing any of the Ancient Tablets. I chose not to because the Final Tablet isn't introduced until this point.

With that out of the way they head back upstairs.

Now that we have the Flying Palace what should we do with it first?
I think it would be prudent to take care of any loose ends before we go chasing the Vicious Ones.
We have loose ends?
There is that tablet that opens the way to the Abyss.
We don't even know where that entrance is. I'll worry about that when, or should I say if, we get that far.
I don't want to open that gate any more than you do, Finn, but we might have to.
If I can avoid it I will. The last thing we need is for anyone else to come up from the Underworld.
The first thing we should really do is make sure Tont isn't causing trouble in Isla. We haven't seen him in quite some time now.
You have a good point there, sis.
And I should check in on Barbaros. After seeing what happened to Steiner I've been worried that Shutat might send something to make sure my people are dead.
Isn't there some problem with, uh, Mistrall was it? And I doubt there's been word from Zeal since last we were in Bandore.
I'm pretty sure Zeal takes us closer to Shutat so let's see what's wrong with Mistrall first.
Procrastinating?
Like Edward said if it's a loose end we need to deal with it.

Marion Town is the closest bastion of civilization and the team has some cursed equipment to offload so that's where they head to. It is rather strange parking the super futuristic Flying Palace within sight of town, walking inside, and having everyone still talking about the war with Bandore. Sure that's major news. No doubt about that. I'd just think the Flying Palace would raise some eyebrows.

The team sells off the Torch, the Cloak of Darkness, the Devil Ribbon, and Lorele's old Scarf for a nice chunk of change. As shown in the screenshot above the Torch sells for 0 gold so there's no monetary gain. I just wanted to be rid of it because it is useless now.

From the storage chest in Isla I retrieve the Source of Power and the Source of Defense. The time's about right to put them to use.

Then I dump two Mage's Jewels and Finn's Spike Shield into storage. The shield is just in case I want to boost Finn's attack power later while the Mage Jewels, as full MP restores, need to be saved for when they're more useful.

I went back and forth on who to use the Source of Defense on and originally I settled on Domino. His Defense is pretty lackluster. Then I figured that Lorele, being a melee character, might actually be able to withstand some time in the front lines. Her max VP is still lagging behind and I don't think it will ever catch up but with enough Defense she might be able to hold her own. To that end I decided to give her the boost. That way I might later swap her and Samson.

Then as I was making my way back through Isla I reached the decision to give her the Source of Life too. It's another thing that Domino could use but I figure he's always going to have the advantage of being in the back row (with his knives why would he ever leave?) and since Lorele isn't going to have as much VP as the other front liners she'll probably need more Life Points to keep her going.

After all that time trudging around inside the Flying Palace a trip to the inn is necessary. To think that 50 gold was at one point a major expense. Now it's little more than pocket change.

Once everyone's recharged it's off to Barbaros to swap in the two bench-warmers.

Hey there, Domino.
*grumbles something under his breath*
Ah, Finn. Need my skills? Shall I join your party?
Sure do. Lorele says she needs to look in on Barbaros and I figure you're probably bored.
You're right. I am bored. Sir Samson's here now though.
I have nothing to say to you.
For now.

Lorele takes Domino's place in Barbaros. She's rather colorfully out of place in contrast to the brown floors and walls.

Are you sure you'll be fine here by yourself?
*runs hand along the wall* I was born in this castle. I know it like I know the back of my own hand. Besides, I have a Light Orb. I can always pester Arawn if I get lonely.
Pester away! I'm genuinely curious as to what you plan to do with that place.

Tont's in Isla Village so that's where the team teleports to next. This introduces a mild annoyance. As seen in the screenshot above the teleport point is south of the village - typical for every settlement - however the wait point which Tont currently occupies as at the other side of the village.

I'm never going to see what it's like inside the Flying Palace am I?
It's mostly puzzles and monsters anyway.
Well there are evil dragons in there.
Evil dragons? Really?
Yeah.
And I missed it? Bah! I'm getting robbed of all the fun!
I'm sure you'll figure something out, Steiner.

In other news Finn passes the Throwing Knife he's been carrying to the only member of the team qualified to handle such ordinance. It only provides a ten point Attack boost for Domino but given how far behind the pirate's fallen he needs it.

Then it comes time to do something that I've been holding off on. Domino distributes the Resist Jewels the team bought from the hidden merchant in Barbaros to Finn, Samson, and Tont. We're in endgame territory with the Flying Palace and magic is going to get even more brutal. Let me stress though that this is not strictly necessary. It is entirely possible to beat the game without granting the entire team permanent magic resistance. One big reason I'm going through with it is to hold down the amount of grinding needed.

With the Resist Jewels handed out (they need to be used in a random encounter) the last thing I need to do is use the Source of Power on Domino. As I said before he needs all the Attack boosting he can get at the moment. I'm not giving him the Ring of Power because Finn's so much faster but that might change in the future depending on how Domino's level ups go. The Tempest Ring might be an option but it all comes down to what the final team is going to be and at this point in the game that's still up in the air. Because he isn't affected by row modifiers Domino will be needed for attacking pesky enemies that appear in the back row - especially dangerous casters.

Then it's off to Mistrall! Or rather the team flies to this cave that Steiner previously couldn't reach. It is visible while riding the dragon. Before the team wanders inside let's see how their stats are coming along.

Finn's almost level 8 and it won't be long until he reaches 150 Attack power. It certainly doesn't feel like he has that much when he's in battle. It's not like he hits starter slimes and rabbits for 100+ damage with each attack. Diminishing returns, yadda yadda. His stats are just fine for his level and he does have a decent array of spells despite not having enough MP to really consider using them during dungeon crawls. Escape isn't exactly a cheap spell to cast and he always has to have enough MP in reserve for an emergency get away.

So is this the cave that blacksmith was talking about?

With the Mithril? Who knows.

Annie might not have as much attack power as her brother but she's hard to kill (not that enemies don't try!) with quite a selection of potent healing magic. I could probably use Steal more but as a speedy front liner Annie needs to attack and help kill enemies before they deal damage.

Where else would it be?

Sir Samson continues to do his thing and I continue to moan about the fact that his VP and LP don't reflect the fact that he's a magicless tanky dude. Despite the fact that his LP is clearly lagging behind the siblings he's not doing too bad. He'll need more Speed but at the moment, with that Tempest Axe, he's still acting ahead of enemies. That's the reason his Attack power hasn't risen like Finn's. The Mystic Blade is a big Attack jump but I'm loathe to give up the +Speed on the Tempest Axe.

Domino's suffering primarily from the fact that his starting stats were so far behind everyone else's. All he really needs is enough VP to stay conscious and enough attack power to hurt things. In that regard he's doing fine. He acts dead last in turn order though. Barring finding a Source of Speed or two the only remedy for that is the Tempest Ring (which Tont will not be parting with any time soon) or level ups. Domino's five levels behind the rest of the party so he still has room to grow.

As a man of the sea I'm not exactly eager to go crawling around some cave but I suppose we're here and it's here.

What you're trying to say is that there's probably treasure down there, right?
The thought had crossed my mind.
A forbidden cave out in the middle of nowhere. Hmm, if there's any treasure down there I bet it's valuable!
Isn't the Mithril itself valuable?
I don't reckon that man's actually going to pay us for risking our necks. We'd do well to just keep whatever else we find.
I'm down with that!

Tont is only a level 1 Summoner with a measly five experience points in his promoted class. That puts him the farthest behind out of all the available characters. He's got MP and an assortment of spells but the rest is a bit lackluster. Tont's main job at this point is just to survive to soak up experience and toss out a summon spell (usually Firedrake) here and there.

With their nerves steeled and gear in order the team descends a staircase and enters the game's optional dungeon.

By Arawn it's freezing in here! Is this really where Mithril is kept?
I guess so.
That just means it's harder for treasure seekers to loot the place.
Good point!
 

--BONUS CONTENT --

Getting Steiner back might be a complete surprise provided one never looks at the back cover of the game case. That might be common today with emulation but back in the day when Beyond the Beyond first came out the only way to get the game without box art was to get it used. Anyway this, let's just say excerpt, from the back cover clearly shows Steiner and the Flying Palace at the same time. The Dragon Shrine isn't hard to find but this still constitutes a spoiler. It's not the only spoiler either.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - the last sidequest of the game. I wish I could say it's an easy sidequest but no. There's a reason this dungeon isn't available until this late point.

Update Eighty-nine | Index | Update Ninety-one