Beyond the Beyond: Update 105: Legacy of the Agreement (The Abyss pt. 5)

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 105: Legacy of the Agreement (The Abyss pt. 5)

The grinding's all done - as in I've reached the limit of what I'm willing to stand - so let's get this descent into the Abyss going again. The plot isn't going to... well actually it will sit around forever waiting for me to get there because we're on RPG Time but I've run out of ways to delay this. Anyway with that said this game is fast coming to a conclusion.

At level 24 Finn's looking rather robust. He's even managed to accumulate enough MP to allow him to toss out a heal or a Steiner spell now and then without me worrying about whether he's still got enough juice for a hasty Escape spell.

You STILL haven't found Shutat?
We looked everywhere. Not a trace.
Ryarr! Where could he be?

Technically there's one place we haven't been to yet, Finn.
I know. I know.
Well why not?
Umm, cowardice?
HA, HA, HA! There's the Finn I know and love!
You want me to be scared?
I've settled for paranoid.
We already knew that.

Annie's still the heal-slinging speed demon we've come to know. Compared to Finn her Defense looks kind of bad but that's because Finn's an outlier. I would say it helps the team absorb damage but honestly at this point it seems the AI is ruthless about attacking the frontliner with the lowest Defense. Annie takes a beating but she tanks it well. In other news she's also maxed out her Heal and Healing Rain spell lines but will never have any reason to use the max levels of either. They're just too expensive.

With the final team decided I passed the Tempest Ring from Tont to Samson. It's enough of a difference to add him to the list of team mates who can pre-empt Necromancers. He'll gain another level on the way down into the Abyss but the difference that will make to his stats is negligible. I really have nothing else to say about his stats. It's Samson. His job is to start attacking and not to stop until every enemy is dead.

Still as quiet as always.
*shrugs*
He just doesn't want to give me any more ammunition.
*rolls his eyes*
I think you might be on to something here, Domino.
He's getting wise to my tricks. It's kind of annoying.
Good.
HE SPEAKS! PRAISE ARAWN!

Edward isn't quite done maxing out his various spells but he doesn't need to. The choice between he and Tont came down to one question: Who has Attack level 2? Tont still hadn't learned the spell by the time I decided I'd had enough grinding and upon looking up an FAQ it appears he won't pick up the spell for quite some time. The spot of team mage thus goes to Edward. I could double up but I don't want to spend an inordinate amount of time restoring MP.

I suppose it's too late to wonder if we're walking into a trap.
Shutat isn't clever enough to do that.
He speaks again!
That's quite enough out of you, Steiner.
Awwww but we don't hear near enough of your beautiful singing voice.
*snorts*

Domino fleshes out the fighting roster. He might be a bit slow and has less attack power than Finn and Samson but his job is to sit in the back row chucking knives at enemies. The reason he has 48 out of 53 VP (and Annie has 88 out of 93 MP) is because these screenshots were taken after using the team's last two stat boosters. I did it in this order both to show off the amended stats and because I had to rearrange the entire team's inventory.

If we all die down in the Abyss at least we do it knowing we've given Steiner one last laugh.
I have no plans on dying.
And you'd better not either, Finn. 'Cause... 'cause... Well I don't know but I'll find some way to punish you in the afterlife.
Coming from anyone else that would be an empty threat but... thanks, Steiner. If anyone's gotta punish me in the great beyond I'd prefer it to be you.
AWWW! *starts purring affectionately*
Will wonders never cease? I didn't know dragons could do that.

The team's inventory got an overhaul, as I've already mentioned. One big reason was to spread the Angel's Ocarinas around. That way anyone can pop a group heal without me having to worry too much about turn order or fussing over wasting buff timers. It also helps in the event that a big group heal is needed but Annie's groggied or out of MP. Two or three Ocarinas also does the job.

As for Finn he gets a few single-target healing items and the Silence Orb.

Annie meanwhile holds the team's only Reviving Herb. If she dies someone can fish it out of her inventory to revive her. The Thunder Vase, Firedrake Vase, and Wind Vase are just options for damage dealing since her attack power isn't as high as Finn or Samson's.

Samson's holding mostly Healing Herbs. His main job is to keep attacking but since I boosted his Speed he can sneak in some emergency healing items if needed. Honestly the Healing Herbs are mostly intended for the walk down through the Abyss.

Edward gets a mix of consumables. His main job is going to be keep Attack level 2 active when the team's ready for maximum offense. On turns that he's not renewing it or attacking he can heal with those two Ocarinas or patch up Annie's MP with a Mage's Potion. He's also got the Dragon Card, Dragon Scroll, and Tornado Scroll for one-use blasts that will almost certainly deal more damage than his attacks could.

Domino's not carrying much of importance but he does have the team's only two Mage's Jewels. I purposefully put them on the slowest character. If I manage the team's mana correctly Domino will come in last in turn order right after Annie or Edward have spent the last of their MP. Do it right and neither will have to wait a turn to cast another spell.

As for the bench warmers here's Lorele at level 10. Her low starting Speed and slow Speed growth has hurt her badly. She also can't hold a candle magic wise compared to Annie. While her Defense is respectable her attack power isn't nearly high enough to justify a spot on the front lines.

I've already explained why Edward won a team spot over Tont. A shame since our squishy summoner hit 100 max MP and it is fun to toss around those powerful summon spells even if it eats through his MP in a hurry. Ultimately though this game is a long endurance test and I have to plan accordingly.

Decked out entirely in Mithril, Percy has decent stats at level 12 but there's really nothing remarkable about him. His novelty lies entirely in the fact that he's been gone for so much of the plot and as a consequence he missed all the stat boosters. Percy doesn't have the VP, Attack, or Defense to be a frontliner with this team. His max MP is piss poor and he's still an unlucky soul. He simply doesn't shine in any area and not just because he's a knight of dark colors.

Anyway let's go ahead and fast forward to that door in the Abyss. Nothing remarkable happened on the way down.

Well, uh, here we are again.
Let's do this.
We're close to the vortex now. Chaotic energy is surging out of this door.
Well that's always encouraging to hear.
Don't worry. We're cheering you on!
I don't know if I'd describe what I'm feeling as cheering but, uh, good luck.
They'll have no need of luck. They've trained hard for whatever lies ahead.
All the same I wouldn't mind having some luck on my side.
Ha, ha, ha!

On the other side of the door is a large open space. Purple clouds fly by below and ahead is a staircase leading to a raised platform. As soon as the team approaches the staircase the plot gets rolling.

You've finally come! The Chosen Ones! Lord Shutat has been waiting for you.

Who said that?
Sounded like Samson's favorite person.
Ugh...

The screen pans up to show Ramue and Shutat on the platform above.

I knew you would come, Finn.
And what would you have done if someone else was leading the group today? Huh? Ever think of that?!
Aaaaannndd Finn's gone straight to belligerent snarking.
I'm still mad about him robbing Marion's treasury. That stuff was supposed to be mine, damnit!
Never get in the way of Finn and treasure or there will be trouble!
That's right!
And where does terrorizing Bandore, invading Marion, trying to instigate a coup to overthrow Zalagoon, or sending demons after us count on that scale?
Uuhhh, some... where..?
Well at least I'll always know what your priorities are.
Do you brats mind? Lord Shutat has something very important to say to you.
We don't mind at all!
Ugh! I hate you all so much!
That's enough, Ramue. They're only delaying the inevitable.

Shutat turns to face the group.

I was just writing a new contract which states that my New Order will dominate the Common World.
Whosawhastit?
Try to listen for once you young idiot!
Something about a contract, Finn.
At this location chosen representatives of Arawn and the Vicious Ones can write a new agreement and destroy the previous agreement to establish a new order.
I can't let you do that.
Whoa, Miss Annie's takin' the lead!
No, seriously. I can't let them do that. We've about reached peak stupid and my blood pressure's getting to me.
Why should anyone care what's written on a tablet in the depths of the Abyss anyway?
Depending on its exact magical qualities it might control this vortex.
Speaking of that... Is this supposed to be the bridge between our world and the Underworld 'cause I don't see a door or path or anything actually connecting the two.
Let's ask Ramue!
I'm not answering any questions from you imbeciles!
Ha Ha Ha. You will sign this agreement or I will destroy you. Then I will have the power to enforce it as the remaining representative. Everything is up to me now.
I think the rest of the Common World might have some disagreements with you, Shutat.
I'm honestly curious to know how much of the Underworld is behind this plan. Four Vicious Ones and a few demons do not a world make.
They will come to understand.
How can you do this? Do you know how many people have been hurt by your actions? I heard there was once kindness in your heart. Surely you can't...

Shutat rushes down off the highest platform.

What are you saying?!
I think she was asking...
Forget it, Tont. He's not listening.
Do you know how much we have suffered in our exile? Famine and disease are rampant in the Underworld. I am trying to bring a better life to my people.

Shutat starts pacing back and forth.

I'm calling bullshit on that, you ass! We've seen what you did to Zeal - poisoning the ground and water so everyone is condemned to a slow death! You'd have everyone in the Common World suffer the same fate?
You dare question Lord Shutat's wisdom?
I'm pretty sure that's what she was doing.
That's why you understand nothing!
Blah, blah, blah. Running your mouth again.
Oh, good. Now the filthy barbarian has decided to chime in. Because we all needed more useless prattle.

Shutat paces back and forth a bit more before stopping to consider the agreement.

Ramue... I know we've hurt people. This is war after all.

This entire conversation is taking place with the team downstairs and thus neither side can actually see the other. Awkward! I guess that helps explain why Shutat spends a third of it facing the tablet instead of Finn and company. He and it should really just get a room already.

Do you think only the people of the Common World have suffered?
You already mentioned the famine and disease.
How do we know that you guys aren't the cause of all that suffering?
Finn's asking reasonable questions. Somebody check his head!
Seems pretty obvious to me. They've been doing everything they can to wreck our world.
I'm still waiting on an answer to my last question!
Arawn does not belong on this world. This world belongs to us, not that alien outcast.
Holy shifting the question, bucko!
Shutat does seem kind of, uh, I don't know. Winging it?
Desperation most likely. They didn't care about the terms of the agreement when they made that trip to Bandore.
Why should we care about a compromise that leaves us with nothing?
And there's the answer as to why we won't sign this one.

Shutat pauses briefly.

We cannot forgive the people who outcast us... You've betrayed your own race.
What the hell are you even talking about?
Yeah. As Miss Annie's fond of pointing out you have horns.
Big, obvious horns that are impossible to miss.
I made an oath to take revenge on all of you... and now the time has come.
On us specifically or on our world as a whole?

Ramue walks over to stand beside Shutat.

The people of the Underworld will rise back up to where they belong, and we will force Arawn and his followers to submit to our rule!

I don't think they're actually listening to us.
About what I expected.
Didn't the Vicious Ones already try to conquer our world and force us all to submit to them?
Yeah and it ended up with them losing!
And the agreement which has kept the peace between the worlds. As bad as things might be in the Underworld I can't imagine they'd actually get any better by fighting a war with us.
If the Underworld really is wracked by famine and disease then how could they?
Hmmm, you have a good point there.
So is that why Shutat had to talk Bandore into helping him?
Perhaps.
What are you buffoons muttering about over there? The world that you know is soon to end!
Sooo, whatta ya'll say we just walk out of here, lock that door behind us, and leave these two to babble on to each other?
As amusing as that would be they'd just cause more trouble later.
I'm kind of curious to see how long you can keep Shutat droning on. Maybe get him ranting about the weather or something.
Are you ignoring me again?
Come down here and ask that question to our faces, you coward!
Well we know one person will be disappointed if there's no fight.
I'm waiting to see what Shutat intends to do. He's the one calling for a new law or whatever the hell it is.

I tell ya Shutat loves to monologue to that tablet!

In the beginning, the world was whole... It was a mistake to divide it. I must right this wrong.

Does that answer your question, Finn?
Not really.

At this point an actual Yes/No choice pops up. If you think this is a genuine choice you probably haven't been paying attention to the Yes/No questions throughout the game.

You have great strength to have made it so far. Join us and we will rule the world together.

Obviously I'm going with the NO option.

WHAT?! Why would you even ask that question? The reason I did all this was because you and your flunkies have been doing your damnedest to hurt as many people as possible.
REVENGE! Only, uh, slightly more noble I guess.
Hahaha! I'm honestly disappointed to find that the evil I've hated so much is so pathetic.
Pathetic? You've come all this way just to insult us?
No I came all this way to stab you to death. Samson might get to ya first but I still intend to try.
Don't say such things. You are all Arawn's Chosen People! I'm giving you a chance to rule the Common World.
Are you just completely deluded?
The answer is probably yes.
[from offscreen] Finn, listen carefully.

The team looks around in confusion.

Okay mysterious voice from the sky that sounds an awful lot like Dad.

[from offscreen] Don't be fooled. Shutat has been possessed by the Vicious Ones. They want sole control over the entire world. Don't forget that.

So here's a screenshot of Shutat screaming at the sky or whatever passes for a sky in this mixed up space. This wouldn't be so ridiculous looking if the trigger point for this scene was at the top of the stairs rather than the bottom. Of all the times the game decides to go for a faux 3D look...

Oh and don't ask how Kevins is intruding on this conversation. The game is never going to explain and I'm just throwing up my hands. It's plot magic pure and simple.

SILENCE!!! So you want to intervene, ehh Kevins? Then you can watch as I dispose of Finn once and for all! Then I'll take care of you and any other loose ends!

So much for that offer of an alliance.
I'd like to think that I'm not quite dumb enough to fall for that trick.
Not unless you were planning on doing the double-crossing first.
But Finn can't even do the single cross.
It's true... I'm a terrible dancer.
And that is the most shocking confession of the day!

Shutat turns back to the team.

Come on, Finn!

And with that the team squares off against Shutat and Ramue.

Finally run out of room to run?
I'm going to enjoy teaching you and those barbarian children a lesson in how inferior you truly are!
Samson's about to make a friend.
A friend? A FRIEND?! What is wrong with you people?
That sounds like what Samson's been silently saying for weeks now.
I'd be worried if he was perfectly fine with my presence.
Nefarious scheme in the making?
Can we perhaps focus on the enemy in front of us?
I don't know about you guys but I'm focusing on them just fine!
Tont that isn't helpful.
Eh, they haven't actually done anything yet.

What might have been an exciting dive into battle is delayed by Finn fishing around his pack. I have a use for that Silence Orb he's been carrying around!

To actually use it the game requires the player to choose a member of the team. This is all rather awkward but I suppose it does prevent the player from accidentally selecting the orb when they don't mean to. This item has rather unique properties chief among them the effect radius.

Annie's the first person on the field to get a turn. She opens with a pair of attacks on Ramue.

You can't hold me off forever.
A stroke of courage from the impetuous child? Don't let it go to your head!

Especially not when my magic is ready to smash you all into paste.
Hey I recognize that spell!
By this point I think everyone recognizes that spell.

I would say Ramue dialing up a Titan spell immediately after Annie's initial turn is a bit intimidating but come on, it's only Titan level 1 and the team's been hit with that dozens of times over the course of the game.

Samson's first attack isn't all that impressive but Attack level 2 also hasn't been cast yet.

Ruffian! You dare attack me?
As if you haven't earned this.
Sooo, Percy. You've been awfully quiet so far.
I just... don't know what to say. I thought I'd be happier to see this.
I'm not dead yet!
So she does hear us!
Don't think I won't hunt you down once I've dealt with your friends here.
Don't worry. I won't.

Finn's first turn is to use the Silence Orb. As might be expected from the name it causes the Silence condition but on everyone in that battle. It is consumed after a single use and there's only one in the entire game so, uh, don't waste it I guess.

Just in time too to stop Shutat's first action. He obviously was going to cast a spell but because he's been Silenced he can't. The advantage of the Silence Orb is that it always works.

It's so quiet all of a sudden.
Quick! Let's insult Ramue while she can't yell back!
*makes a series of rude gestures*

Bereft of magic Ramue can only attack in frustrated silence. I would say her attacks hurt but I'm fairly certain her stats haven't changed since that optional battle near the game's beginning. She was a lethal powerhouse then. After so many level ups and upgrading to vastly superior equipment she struggles to do more than scratch uselessly at people. Especially when she chooses to attack characters in the back row like Domino here.

Shutat doesn't fare much better. It's a bit sad when I think that my mages likely have higher attack power. Get it together Vicious Ones!

The Silence effect continues into the following round but already the crits are flying. They might not be particularly impressive but Ramue's hit points are steadily dropping.

It feels weird not hearing any battle cries.
So does that stuff actually help?
It's about focusing your energy in productive directions.
Soooo you're saying I should be yelling when I cast spells?
Wouldn't that change the incantation?
In potentially fun ways!

Even without an Attack spell in effect Finn's critical hits are impressive. Why the big difference between his and Samson's critical? I'm not sure. There's some randomness of course but if these things are percent based then having a higher base Attack is always going to have more dramatic effects.

And Ramue continues to flail uselessly at the team.

The Silence effect from the Silence Orb only lasts for two turns.

Ugh, finally!
He speaks!
Can we perhaps never do that again? That was freaky!
Unless we find another orb you are likely safe.
Give Edward some time and he'll stock Marion Castle to the rafters!

With their magic again available Annie gets to work healing the damage the team's already taken. Given the turn order I could have had Edward cast Attack level 2 before the Silence Orb was used but I didn't want to risk the MP when I wasn't sure going full attack was in order.

You've been waiting to do that haven't you sis?
It has been bugging me.

And for some reason Ramue starts attacking for larger amounts of damage. I guess there really is something to those battle cries.

Your magic won't save you forever.
*grimaces* It doesn't have to last forever. It just has to outlast you.

Attack boost is a go!

There. That should help.
You could just go directly to melting their brains.
You want Edward to melt our brains?
Some days that might be an improvement.

The difference with critical hits is immediately palpable as this critical from Finn for 172 damage proves. There's really no reason to choose Ramue over Shutat except that we've already seen Ramue in battle.

Ha! Bullseye!

Domino joins in on the "rail Ramue for 100+ damage crits" game. (I might not particularly need to but I'm button mashing throughout character turns to work that APS in the team's favor.)

I - I won't die so easily!

I am a bit mystified as to why even at such a late point in the game enemies have Healing Rain rather than single target heals. Healing Rain 2 simply doesn't restore enough health to be anything more than a momentary speed bump. I guess perhaps the developers were worried that the player might get here low on offense but that isn't hard to remedy. Giving them Healing Rain rather than Heal 2 just means the enemies waste lots of MP without even getting the benefit of the expanded effect radius.

Hey I recognize that spell! Uh oh...

Shutat has an array of spirit summons just like Ramue but he tends to prefer higher end spells like Tolle. If you were worried about not seeing the spell in action worry no longer!

With magic resistance in place Tolle 1 only deals slightly more damage than Titan or Firedrake. Then Tolle flies back to Valhalla to resume that drinking game with Thor.

Okay that hurt. Ow!
I must concur.
From where I'm sitting it looked pretty awesome!
Remind me to think carefully before picking a fight with you, Tont.
BWAHAHAHA!

Should I be worried that Tont's cackling more than either of these jokers ever did?
Maybe now you understand why I'm paranoid.

Annie's got enough MP for 7 Healing Rain 2s and she's probably going to need all of them.

You're finished, Ramue!
I will never admit defeat.
It doesn't matter what you admit. You're still going to die!
Why you'd think Sir Samson has a grudge or something!
Perish the thought.

It seems that Ramue's the only one doing the perishing right now.

And just like that Ramue dies leaving Shutat to fight this battle alone.

You really think you can kill me?
We're going to find out, now aren't we?
Bold words from a child who not so long ago was terrified of the sight of me.
Yes well you haven't exactly left me any other option.
You were lucky that Sir Galahad appeared when he did at Marion Castle.
If you're trying to tell me my luck has run out well I'm not buying it. I don't need luck.
Hrmph! We shall see.

Shutat tries to defend himself and even manages to deflect Finn's first attack but the deck is still stacked in the team's favor.

Having a vested interest in not letting Annie's MP get low Edward uses a Mage's Potion on her. It only restores 20 MP which is depressingly little at this stage of the game (she easily burns through it in two to three turns) but that 20 MP keeps her healing a little longer.

It's necessary because Shutat prefers to cast spells and almost exclusively uses powerful summon magic. Okay so it would be more powerful and impressive if he was using Tolle 2 instead of the first rank but maybe he just hasn't ground enough levels to know that version.

Although I will admit that having Edward attack Shutat, be blocked, then watching Edward block the ensuing counterattack is an amusing sight. Two mages resorting to a fist fight! Or a staff fight as it might be.

Shutat does have the level 2 version of Firedrake. It actually deals more damage than Tolle 1 but not by much. With Ramue and Shutat tossing constant nukes out (and both get two turns per round) magic resistance isn't absolutely vital but does make the fight more manageable. If the resistance flag wasn't permanent this would be a prime battle to use the Resist Orb.

I'm glad I'm not there to be on the receiving end.
If you were you might know how the monsters feel.

In the interest of conserving MP I have Samson use the Angel's Ocarina he's carrying. By this point Attack 2 has worn off so no worries about wasting that timer.

With a group heal incoming from Samson Annie opts to use the Tornado Vase. I would say that I'm surprised to see a Tornado Vase invoke the Titan spell but the Dao summon in Shining Force 2 actually deals Wind elemental damage. I assume Titan is the same way. These games apparently don't have an earth elemental category. They have Wind, Fire, Water, and Lightning. Everything else is either non-elemental or gets shoved into one of those four categories.

Shutat suffers 61 damage from the Tornado Vase. Since that's more than she'd likely deal by attacking I'll accept that as a productive turn.

Edward meanwhile uses the Dragon Scroll to douse Shutat in a gout of flame dealing 56 damage. It's kind of like the Fire Breath spell dialed up a bit.

Edward's living up to his promise to set people on fire!
I don't recall ever promising that.
I think Tont's just taking your apprehension to use a certain other spell as something of a promise.
Close enough for me!

You're not the only one with fire magic, young prince. Awaken, spirits!
Is it wrong that I cringe every time I see that thing swooping down?
Most people have a negative reaction to being set alight.
If it makes you feel any better monsters usually cringe too when they see it coming. Except the fire dragons 'cause they're jerks.
Heaven forbid the fire breathing dragons be intimidated by fire.
I know!

While Shutat prefers Tolle and Firedrake he tosses out an Undhine summon now and then. The only spell of the quartet he doesn't seem to have is Titan.

YOU WILL DIE!
Lightning, fire, now water. I really get the impression this guy's just using spells at random.
It would match the rambling he was going through earlier.

I dare say that perhaps we should speed this up just in case there is more, uh, dastardly magic in his repertoire.
If he has it shouldn't he have used it already?
Yeah like weeks or months ago!

With the fight dragging on it's time to cast Attack 2 and crank that attack power through the roof!

It's really not that hard for me to keep up with him, Finn.
I know. I just don't want you to have to stand there casting the same spell over and over again.

This time it's Finn's turn to use an Angel's Ocarina.

Since it cracked on the way through the Abyss Finn's ocarina then shatters into useless junk. You were helpful while you lasted ocarina and I'm not going to miss you!

The critical hits this time around aren't nearly as impressive. I guess Shutat has higher defense than Ramue.

I never did get a straight answer on where you keep all those knives and swords of yours.
And you never will. Trade secret.
Aww but that's no fun!
Let me put it this way. Would you be willing to tell me your deepest magical secrets?
Hell no!
Well there ya go, kid.

Shutat attempts several counterattacks during the course of battle but well they're just sort of sad to watch.

You're finished, Shutat!

A double attack from Finn brings the finishing blow to our rarely seen villain. Victory!

In a nuke war between mages the side that wins is the side that has the competent cleric. I suppose being the side with the guys hitting the other guys with weapons also counts but there would have been a whole lot less of that if their VP kept running out.

 

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - ???

Update One hundred and four | Index | Update One hundred and six