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Beyond the Beyond: Update 99: The Final Tablet (Tablet Shrines pt. 2)
With the shrine actually located the team finds out that the gate to the Abyss, which is inside the shrine, is locked and they don't have the key. Now I could have gone and fetched said key before ever setting foot in Quamdar but this way I get to grind some experience on the new guy. He needs it!
Anyway, grinding is the first priority as much as I dislike it (and I detest grinding). Alas it is necessary so here's the quickie version of what happens! The team sticks around Quamdar to avail themselves of an easy to reach inn and plenty of higher end enemies.
Demon's Pets continue to make pests of themselves with double attacks to rub a little more salt in the team's wounds. Then again, it being a desert, I suppose they could be rubbing sand in the team's wounds. That would hurt just as much.
I actually bother to use Edward's Thunder 2 spell here and there. It deals decent damage to golems in this neck of the woods.
Lorele manages to finish monsters off but the damage dealt with her punches isn't anything to write home about. I guess it's sort of adequate? It could be worse?
Don't worry though. The team is still hitting its "get nuked by enemy mages" quota! I know we'd all be concerned if the game suddenly let up on that!
And here's a Greater Demon in all its blue and purple glory. They're stronger than conventional brown demons but five on one means this one won't live for long.
When it casts Thunder 2 I suddenly start feeling like I'm staring into the future...
Oh and those earth tone conventional demons are able to call for help to spawn more of their kind into the battle.
Warning! Animated GIF ahead!
Demons falling from the sky. They have wings so this makes a whole lot more sense then say, BANDORE SOLDIERS FALLING FROM THE SKY! Not that I'm still shaking my head at that or anything.
Oh well. That summarizes half an hour of grinding which was how long the team was able to stay out in the desert before running out of MP - not that I was trying to conserve. It's more that when random encounters typically consist of one or two monsters and the majority of your damage output consists of melee attacks MP conservation happens on its own.
The thought occurs to me that, there being only one place the team could stay for the night (that isn't roughing it in the wilderness), Shutat could easily have minions keeping watch over Quamdar. The valley's already completely overrun with monsters so it's not like they'd stand out. Then he and Ramue or whoever could waltz in during the night for a surprise attack. He won't do that because it actually makes sense.
The next morning changes are afoot.
Ahh, Finn. Need my skills? Shall I join your party?
I think so. Do you mind staying here for a while, Percy?
That's fine.
It's not like he's really going all that far.
Hey there, Tont.
Far enough for me.
You don't want any more excitement?
If I get any more blisters on my feet I'll be limping.
Well why didn't you say you were hurt?
Because I don't want a certain sister of mine thinking I can't take care of myself.
I never said that!
He didn't say you'd say that. He said you'd think it.
Tont's got a point there, sis.
I'm a cleric. Paying attention to how you've all managed to get hurt each day is kind of my job.
Soooo Percy's totally right in saying you'd think that stuff.
I'd just think he's hurt, not that he can't take care of himself.
Just go already. You don't have time to waste.
It sounds like you're trying to get rid of us.
As Annie is fond of saying "Somebody has to do it!"
Besides, I've been waiting for a chance to pick his brain.
Not... literally, I hope.
I make no promises.
I think Ramue already beat you to the attempt.
She's sneaky like that!
The team then teleports to Isla not because I want to pick up Samson (although the option did cross my mind) but because they can't teleport directly where they need to go and the next fastest way is the Flying Palace.
Fortunately I've already got a flight plan in mind. That's great when you can't exactly stop and ask for directions.
Where are we going?
The last of Arawn's houses or shrines or whatever he wants to call them. The one we haven't looted yet to look for that key.
It should be a tablet, if I remember correctly.
Arawn can't just put a normal lock on anything, can he?
Well if I did then thieves like you would run off with everything.
Gah! Not again!
You mean run off with everything before you plan on it being looted.
You're not disputing his claim that you're a thief?
Samson's not here so there's no need.
But.. but...
And that doesn't mean you should dial him up and tell him!
I'm starting to think Tont's just very lonely.
Well I am just kind of standing around here in Barbaros... with the corpses and stuff.
Oh, forgive me. Given your usual topics of conversation I thought you'd be fine with that.
It's creepy!
I suppose I should leave you kids to work things out amongst yourselves. You're almost at your destination anyway. This is the last one, Finn. Are you sure you're ready?
Ready for what?
For the welcome wagon that's waiting for you.
I hope so.
Remember this tiny island way off in the ocean far from civilization? If you don't, don't worry. It's south by southwest of Barbaros. I could have come here as soon as I got the Flying Palace but I decided to hold off for two reasons. The first will become obvious with this update but the second will have to wait a little longer.
Inside is this lamp that's obviously blocking a passage. Well, okay it might not be that obvious in screenshots but in game it's fairly obvious. The last time the team was here I had Finn search from the south of this object which does nothing. In order to move this obstacle the team has to search from the left/west side. That prompts Finn to automatically push the lamp out of the way.
Viola! Stairway revealed! Forward momentum can be achieved!
Now it wants to move.
I guess it just needed the right persuasion.
Below is a tiny room with just a staircase up and a staircase down. Below that is an identical room. In total there are eight forming a vertical shaft straight down. It makes me miss Phantasy Star IV's elevators.
Down on the tenth floor (the first being the one with the lamps) is a large open chamber.
Have we reached the bottom?
There's a quiet sort of magic here linking this place to others.
I think we're supposed to take that as a yes.
Opposite the staircase is a dead end.
You're staring at a wall.
I know I'm staring at a wall. There's just something about this place that makes me think nothing is what it seems.
But, Finn this time what we see is the truth. There's nothing here.
Oh no. I know that look. That's the "my treasure sense" look, Finn.
Just to the north tucked away on the west side is a hidden passageway. All my years of playing Final Fantasy IV pay off!
My treasure sense is a highly tuned instrument, sis. It hasn't failed me yet!
Except all those times it did fail you that you conveniently forget.
Meh, meh, meh. Whatever. There's gotta be something interesting hidden behind this!
Why do I go along with this?
Because most of the stuff he finds is useless to him?
*sighs* I guess that works.
Again, I'd be worried about this kid if I wasn't the force making him do all this stuff...
In a tiny chamber accessible only through the secret passage is a chest containing the Seraphic Ring.
Speaking of which...
I think I'd better hand this over before it smites me.
The Seraphic Ring only offers +2 Defense compared to the Ring of Defense's +3 Defense. It's this game's equivalent of the White Ring which in Shining Force 2 can be equipped by the Hero and Vicar classes. Like the White Ring the Seraphic Ring can be used to heal a group but I hate risking rings because they can't be replaced - especially when cheap, expendable items are readily available to do the same thing. Finn apparently isn't holy enough to equip the Seraphic Ring. Knowing Finn that should surprise no one.
Annie immediately passes the Ring of Defense to Lorele which makes for one nicely armored Master Monk. Whoever thought that would happen in one of these games? I could have given this to Finn but frankly I prefer to keep him on offense since he's proving to be pretty good at it.
Having run out of diversions the team heads for the raised platform in the center of the room. Upon stepping upon this particular tile a little something that's been lying in wait springs into action.
Stop right there.
As the team waits to see who's telling them to wait the camera pans over to the staircase. Dagoot and two hench-goons (a mage and a ghost of some sort) emerge from the staircase and walk over. I do love it when the game gives unique sprites to monsters met in random encounters. I just wish it did a lot more of it.
Dagoot and the goons walk over for a staring contest.
At last, you've arrived.
How long have you been waiting for us?
Too long. You should've stayed at home, then you wouldn't have to die. You may have succeeded in getting the Flying Palace but your journey ends here.
Despite the fact that the team outnumbers Dagoot's band they still retreat when Dagoot advances.
Now I remember where I've seen you. You're the one who shot Steiner?!
Correct. I'm the Underworld's Sir Dagoot.
Bastard! How could you do that?
Any dragon who dares get in my way deserves to die.
You would be so cold?
Yes, Finn. I think he would.
Ahh, Prince Edward. I didn't recognize you in those clothes. You're here to throw your life away? You must know your magic isn't nearly enough to defeat me.
If it was just me and my magic I'd be worried but if you want a fight it will be against all of us.
That suits me just fine. I'm no coward!
Neither are we.
So it's finally come to it. We have to face one of you Vicious Ones.
You had plenty of chances to turn back but you've chosen otherwise. Under orders of Lord Shutat, I must shorten your pathetic, little lives. Are you ready to die?
If I say no would you reconsider attacking us?
Not a chance. Orders are orders.
Then why bother asking?
So you have a chance to say goodbye to each other. That and I like giving my enemies a little extra time to squirm.
With that battle begins!
Dagoot's the main threat but the Necromancer and Lich obviously can't be ignored since both have dangerous magic, including the particularly deadly Void spell. Thankfully these two aren't souped up for this battle. They just have regular Necromancer and Lich stats.
You brought a ghost and a wizard to fight us?
It does seem rather meager, doesn't it?
Well I would have more if a certain someone hadn't been super stingy about the size of my crew.
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
I suddenly had a tingle go down my spine.
Again? What is it this time?
Hmm, if I had to wager a guess I'd say it's a certain ally of ours badmouthing me. AGAIN.
Ugh. Ramue, I simply don't have the patience for any of that right now. Can't you work something out with him?
Well, certainly. After a few days consulting my arcana books...
Good. Then I'm going back to sleep.
Given those facts I just mentioned the Necromancer and Lich are the first targets in this battle. Dagoot won't die in one turn but those two can be eliminated before they cause too many problems.
Annie gets first blood but doesn't deal enough damage to down an enemy. Then the Necromancer opts to attack with their opening turn rather than cast a nuke. Suicidal overconfidence? Maybe! They cause 1 point of damage to Finn which isn't even enough to scratch the paint on the boy's shield.
The next person in the queue is Dagoot. He opts to use his speediness in the first turn to cast Wind level 3. And there's another reason to eliminate the Necromancer and Lich first. Wind 3 + Titan + Thunder 2 is not a combination of spells any player team should be risking round after round.
How do you like my wind magic? Always handy when you're flying!
It's *hurk* lovely.
You held up better than I expected. Hmm, I might actually have some fun with you kids.
Finn moves next and he uses his first turn to invoke a bit of magic.
Fun? You think killing people is fun?
Sure do. Too bad about that dragon of yours.
Don't be so sure about that!
You shot me, YOU JERK!
What?! You should be dead!
I don't believe in dying. EAT DRAGON FIRE! GRAAAAR!
Aargh!
The already wounded (by Annie) Necromancer and Lich die from Steiner's fire breath but despite suffering 60 damage Dagoot's only mildly singed. He's got that massive boss HP going for him!
Just in case the Lich hadn't died to Steiner Edward follows up with a Fire 3 spell and Domino's got a Wind 3 spell in the queue. Attack level 2 isn't in place this early in the battle and spells have the added benefit of carrying no risk of counter attack so this all minimizes risks at the outset. Dagoot doesn't just lack magical resistances but he seems to take more damage from some spells than the player team. For example Domino's Wind 3 does 38 damage to Dagoot but if one doubles the damage Dagoot's Wind 3 dealt it only comes to 26 per target (the team all having magic resistance in place and thus only suffering 50% damage). Odd. Maybe the team's just getting lucky on magical crits? It could also be that Dagoot has 25% weakness to an array of elements - a feature that does exist in the Shining Force series.
Dagoot doesn't just hover in place with his tiny bat wings and cast wind spells. He also fires bolts from that huge crossbow of his. Just like Bandore Archers his attacks deal full damage to both rows but individually his shots don't deal enough damage to be much of a threat. I guess the team's been on the ball about pumping up their Defense. Then again he did supposedly lose his awesome dragon-killing bow in the ocean so maybe he's just forced to make do with a crummy back-up weapon. Either way I'm not particularly impressed.
He actually deals about the same amount of damage per hit as the Bandore Archers but the team has so much more VP and better healing options that he comes off as worse by comparison.
AAHH!
First you shoot my friend then you shoot my sister?
Your sister? *snorts* You're traveling with your sister?
Just keep laughing, you ass. It only makes it easier to beat your stupid face in.
And a foul mouthed sister at that! You know what? I almost have an ounce of respect for you.
Aaaand there's my mark.
You try to knife me while my attention's elsewhere? Talk about dirty fighting!
You've never shot anyone in the back?
I like to see the effects of my work but, ya know how it goes, don't you? Fight to win!
I do know how it goes. That's why I'm happy you're such a large target.
Dagoot's not the only character on the field who ignores row modifiers. With this 51 damage hit the team finishes the round strong.
Edward even manages to get into the act with a 36 damage critical hit a couple of rounds later. It is boosted with Attack level 2 but the thought counts.
Then his Attack boost immediately ends. He only got one boosted round which isn't what the spell should do. His team mates don't fare much better - each getting two turns instead of the three of diminishing effect they should get. ugged? That wouldn't surprise me one bit. Oh yeah and Annie's groggied but she has the most LP so if it had to happen I'd rather it was her instead of, say, Domino who has the least.
It's hard to be upset about the cleric getting beaten up when the cleric is also the tankiest character on your side.
The critical hits keep on rolling and none of them are Dagoot's. Domino's got quite the throwing arm doesn't he? This 87 point crit is respectable.
So much for your ability to control the wind.
Yeah. You'd think he could defend himself from that stuff.
Don't look at me, kid. I didn't write the laws of magic.
Dagoot can return fire but he just doesn't have nearly as much of a bite. Given the Wind 3 spam Annie preps a Healing Rain level 2 spell. She can only cast it 6 times but for once the team didn't have to blunder through an enemy-packed dungeon first. She actually gets the honor of having her entire MP bar for a boss without having to feed her Mage's Potions.
Having a meeting over there?
Just plotting how we're going to kill you.
You could always run away while we talk.
Cowards deserve only death. Lord Shutat's counting on me.
Yes, I imagine he is.
He's gonna be disappointed.
And to think I was fine with delaying your execution, Prince Edward. Ramue was so hoping you'd hang.
But she had that curse ready for Sir Samson.
Oh that? She prepped that in Bandore but I doubt she cared who she cursed as long as it knocked someone down a peg.
Unlike her I don't play elaborate games with my enemy.
Could have fooled me!
Dagoot does attempt to Shoot the Medic but he isn't particularly successful in doing so. Annie's just too tough. High velocity crossbow bolts are no match for her staff as shown when she deflects this shot.
Dagoot unfortunately doesn't block either of Annie's critical attacks. It was a poor decision on his part.
Stop trying to shoot me!
Do you not understand how fights are won, lass?
I understand just fine. Why do you think I'm hitting you?
Or why I'm doing everything I can to kill you.
Rather bloodthirsty, aren't ya? Ha! I bet you think you're a better person than me, too, don't ya?
I've only ever killed people who were trying to kill me. No waging war. No shooting anyone in the back.
Still hung up about that dragon, eh?
"That dragon" happens to be my best friend and yes I'm angry about what you did to him!
A dragon for a friend. Now I've heard everything! You're a stupid little boy, aren't ya?
Maybe I am but I don't need to be smart to know what's important to me.
Hah! You missed!
I didn't miss. You just moved that ridiculous crossbow in my way.
Don't be a sore loser. You didn't hit your target. That's a miss.
Maybe next time I'll aim a little lower.
I'm used to blocks being common for enemies but after such a long stream of successful attacks, with so many criticals, this GUARD! actually took me by surprise. Dagoot is failing pretty hard at defending himself.
Shooting the Medic continues as before.
OW!
You have this annoying tendency to take a shot and keep going.
Ow, ow, ow. That bolt hurts.
Pulling it out just lets you bleed, Annie.
Don't worry. I've got it covered.
And the blood stains?
I'll worry about those later.
The thing about attacking the cleric and failing to even KO them means the cleric can heal themselves. I will note though that even such a powerful single target heal only recovers about 3/4 of her health bar.
A wide array of healing spells, eh girl? No wonder I feel like I'm getting nowhere.
You sound like you're accepting defeat.
I've always been a realist.
Funny you should say that.
And with an attack from Domino the battle ends. Goodbye Dagoot. You didn't get nearly enough screen time.
And the party gains a rather pathetic amount of experience and gold for a boss fight. It was a relatively easy boss fight but I guess it could have been more of a challenge if I'd attempted it as soon as I raised the Flying Palace.
After the battle Dagoot lies on the floor.
Ugh... Impossible. I, the Underworld's Dagoot, defeated by mere humans. Lord Shutat, I've... Ugh...
And just like that the bat-winged archer dies.
Am I the only one who thought that this would be more difficult?
He's gone. Let's just be grateful for that fact.
Right. Okay. He obviously wanted to stop us from getting that key.
Just up the stairs is an area that's already been seen in bonus material. Now that Dagoot's dead it yields an important plot item. Key Item Final Tablet got!
Ugh, why do these things have to be so heavy?
There's powerful magic in that tablet.
You'd think Arawn could bother using some of that to make it lighter.
Then the team gets to walk all the way back up those stairs to the first floor.
I'm just saying Arawn didn't do much to secure that tablet if Shutat knew exactly where to find it.
Why didn't Dagoot just take the tablet before we got here and run off with it? Wouldn't that be the smart thing to do?
Perhaps Arawn has warded them against such theft?
But even if he can't touch it surely he can cast spells to shatter the damn thing.
Trick some poor schmuck into throwing it into the sea...
It would have been funny to get here and find Dagoot trying to shoot it.
Maybe it is the simplest answer. Shutat did nothing about the other tablets because he didn't know about them.
If he'd just bothered to look in that one locked room in Bandore this might have all been different.
The fastest way back to Quamdar is via Light Orb. No way the team is walking back through the Sand Cave if they don't have to!
Next time on Beyond the Beyond - time to unlock a certain door.
