Beyond the Beyond: Update 2: Wherein Someone is Not Being a Good Father (Isla Village)

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 2: Wherein Someone is Not Being a Good Father (Isla Village)

Welcome back to our journey through Beyond the Beyond. When last we left our protagonist was about to walk down a set of stairs into another cutscene. Before we get into talking, however, we need to search the room we're in for goodies.

This is the second story of Finn's current home. Sure there are 4 beds for the 4 occupants but who gets to sleep off by their lonesome self over the fancypants carpet? I ask only the important questions! The two barrels by the staircase contain ale - a substance that has no in-game use but is contained in barrels throughout the land.

What we want right now is this barrel tucked in the corner. Herbs restore about 15 hitpoints when used and will be a staple healing item until we finally have enough max health to need anything stronger. Stat growth in Beyond the Beyond is pretty slow so that will be at least 20 game hours from now. With our herb safely stashed away Finn heads downstairs. (We'll kindly ignore the fact that the house's front door is visibly open in the above screenshot.)

He emerges into the family's kitchen and living room where exposition is waiting for him. Well, that and breakfast.

You finally woke up. Finn, I have important news. Please, sit down.

Everyone sits at the table for what will surely be a cordial family breakfast.

Hey Annie are you going to eat those biscuits?
I told you we saved you some food Finn. You can have whatever's on the table.
Awesome.
*glares*
I can eat and listen at the same time Sir Galahad. Please, continue.
*clears throat* As I started to say, Finn, would you like to see Marion Castle?
*gulp* Marion Castle? What? Ms. Sonya is your husband serious about this?
Have you ever known my husband to have a funny bone in his body?
I could have sworn I heard him laughing yesterday.
Finn I think Sir Galahad is waiting for you to answer him.
*chuckles*
Oh, uh, sorry Sir Galahad. I'd love to visit the castle and finally meet some of the other knights.
Huh? What do you mean, Finn? Didn't your dad ever take you to the castle before you came to live with us?
Nope. Never.
Why would he... *deep breath* _{Blood pressure Annie, blood pressure.} Er, don't mind me.
I have a small favor to ask. If you can do it for me, I'll take you to Marion Castle.

Sir Galahad leaves the table, turning his back on everyone in the room

There is a cavern called the Cave of Spirits to the far east of this village.

Beyond the Beyond marks important text during conversations by making it pink. It doesn't pop up much since it's limited to key items. In this instance it's telling us about a flask Galahad produces from thin air. Since pink doesn't show up well against white I'll instead be putting those words in something more readable.

Dad are you ok? You know there's no shelf there right? We had to throw it out last spring when the roof leaked.
Annie, dear, your father has had a rough night. Just let him continue.
*raises eyebrow*
That's your father's, ahem, special flask he's got there. You know? The one he refills from the barrel upstairs?
I was wondering why the grass right outside the door smelled of human vomit. Sir Galahad always becomes so moody after Kevins leaves! Should we do something about it?
There's a specialist...in Zalagoon who will be coming to see us in a couple weeks. Until then just stay calm. Especially you Annie.
Mother!

*turns back around* A natural spring in the deepest part of the cave contains magical Spirit Water. I want you to fill this flask with that water. What do you say? Will you do it?
I'm not afraid of that cave. I'll do it!

Finn, excited at the prospect of adventure, runs over to Sir Galahad. Key item Flask got!

What about me? *stands up* Can I go too?
What?
I want to help! Please, please, please, please!

Er, uh, Sonya help me out here.
*stands up* Annie...
But mom!
*sigh* Please listen.
I am.
Finn is going somewhere very dangerous, and besides, you are just a girl... I can't let you go. With your brother gone I need someone to keep an eye on your father. Do you understand?
No, I don't understand.

Annie, listen to your mother.
What? Y - you can't be serious! Dad!
Sonya is right. It is too dangerous for you.

Infuriated, Annie backs away from her family. This isn't surprising considering she's being told she's too weak and worthless to run a fetch quest on account of being a girl. It's not like that's straight up sexism or anything, oh wait...

Oh, is that right? You think I'm just a weak girl, huh? Fine. I won't ask next time.

How to convince your teen daughter to hate your forever, distrust everything you say, and enthusiastically rebel against you all in 3 easy steps!

Annie then dashes past her mother, opens the door, steps out of the house, trips, and falls on her face. Everyone in the room just stands there watching as she picks herself up and runs off. These are the people we're supposed to be rooting for folks! (Yes I know the door was already open but Annie stops in front of it and the game plays the door opening sound effect while she stands there. The door to this house is just plain WEIRD. Trust me, it will get even more bizarre later.)

After Annie runs off screen Steiner flies to Finn's side.

Krrr. Krrrr.
Huh, you want to go too, right? Well you're not a kid, you're a dragon. Go on and help Finn.
Yippee!
What the hell am I going to do if I say no and you just fly out a window after Finn anyway? *sigh* I'm going back to my breakfast.

Galahad walks back to the table and Sonya returns to the stove to do...something. The household has certainly taken another turn towards the awkward and passive-aggressively hostile since we first saw them. Fortunately we're leaving soon with the hope that things will calm down.

I feel sorry for Annie, but let's hurry up and get the Spirit Water.
What's she going to do - run to the cave ahead of us and get into trouble with a kraken or something so that we have to bail her out?
That is... an oddly specific thing to suggest Finn. Surely Annie's not that foolish. Krakens don't live in caves anyway.
Steiner we both know she's that hardheaded when she's angry. That's part of why I like her.
I see you're ignoring what I said about krakens.
I know they don't live in caves. Come on Steiner I'm not THAT stupid. Who ever heard of a giant sea monster living underground?

Now we have control and the game is finally afoot for real. Let's pester Galahad and Sonya some more.

The Cave of Spirits is dangerous. So why don't you take whatever you need from the basement. It's all at your disposal.

You're very peculiar, Finn. Sometimes it looks as if you can actually understand what that dragon is saying. Anyhow, don't worry about Annie, and please be careful.

In game no one but Finn supposedly can understand what Steiner is saying. However, in the next update Annie and Steiner will have a conversation thereby scuttling that notion. Steiner doesn't have many lines in the script but when he does talk no one ever thinks it is unusual or remarkable, rarely does anyone address him directly, and it just seems to be taken for granted that everyone on the team understands what he's saying. To save myself a headache I'm just going to make him a regular cast member.

With that out of the way, what Galahad said is true. Remember, we've only got the clothes on our back right now. This being an rpg the cave will definitely be dangerous. If we still want to stubbornly press our luck by trying to leave right now Steiner stops us.

Finn! The Cave of Spirits is a dangerous place. As Sir Galahad suggested, you should take some weapons from the storage! [sic]

Before we go downstairs we can check the bookshelves. Being a Camelot game doing so pulls up a book title. Here we've got "The Responsibilities of Being a Good Soldier" and "Field Tactics." Book titles add little bits of extra flavor and backstory but I'll also be adding them because they sometimes provide oblique hints for the future.

Downstairs we find a shiny short sword hanging on the wall and the all-consuming darkness outside of playing boundaries that means I can crop my screenshots down a bit more. Searching the wall with the shiny sword will tell Finn to pick it up. The barrel to the south of it contains an antidote and the barrel next to the firewood contains an herb. Unfortunately Finn's curiosity about the vase is stymied by the fact that it is too heavy for him to open. The chest is for storage. Since we don't need to store anything we won't be touching it just yet. Instead we head back upstairs newly armed.

When we try to leave the house Steiner stops us again and has a slightly different message.

Finn! The Cave of Spirits is a dangerous place! You shouldn't go there unarmed!

This can be a little confusing for a new player. We aren't unarmed. We picked up that short sword! There's something else we need to grab before we can set out.

So we head down to the storage trunk. The interface for it is a bit cumbersome. There's no exit option once you get into a submenu and hitting circle jumps all the way back to the top. Clunky menu design aside, there is more than ample space in this trunk and generic items autostack making it more useful then the Caravan in Shining Force 2. I've never run out of storage space but to be fair there's little reason to store weapons or armor in it. Right now we need to choose Remove Item > Armor.

This shows us that a Light Shield is in storage. This is the other item the game wants us to take with us.

The Short Sword and Light Shield are auto-equipped as soon as we get them. Beyond the Beyond always keeps equipped gear at the top of the inventory list which is somewhat helpful for keeping things organized. In addition to the shield the chest starts with 2 herbs and 4 antidotes. We won't need the antidotes right now but I took the the herbs. Now we can leave the house.

Instead of being stopped at the door Galahad stops Finn a couple steps outside. Come on already game, just cut me loose and let me play!

Hold on, Finn! *stands in the doorway* I almost forgot. In the Cave of Spirits, there is a fork in the road with two paths. Take the path to the right because the left one is very dangerous. Don't forget! At the fork, go to the right!
Okay, okay I get it. I won't forget.
Krrr. You mean I won't forget, Finn.
Aww, come on Steiner I'm not that forgetful. This is an A or B choice here.

Now we're free to roam the village. First up I want to show off this traveling merchant.

I am the traveling merchant, Michael. You will not find better prices in all of Isla. Do you wish to buy any products?

This gives us our first look at the shop menu. Healing Herbs heal 30~ish health per use but at 10x the cost of generic herbs. I don't use them much even when our health totals and damage intake reach that range. It's usually more efficient to use group heals for mid to late game healing with basic herbs for patch jobs. Antidotes cure poison so it's a good idea to keep a couple around wherever you go. Cure Herbs can heal poison, paralysis, and stone conditions but since poison is the only one of those three that persists outside of battle I rarely have a reason to buy Cure Herbs let alone use them. (I'll go over status effects in more detail later.)

Beyond the Beyond helpfully tells us if an item we've got the cursor on exists in our party's inventory, by member. Since Finn's the only character we have so far the list is short. Merchants are divided into single-use item vendors and weapon/armor shops but Isla is too small to have more then our friend Michael here. He's here just in case we run out of supplies while learning the ropes.

With nothing of interest for sale Finn starts to wander around the village taking his sweet time before setting off. Unlike the day before there are people milling about the village.

Hey Finn! What's going on?
Eh, not much. You?
I recently saw some soldiers from Bandore. I wonder what they were doing here.
Prrr. Finn, isn't Bandore a country to the south that Marion has been enemies with for years?
Yeah, I think it is. I remember my dad talking about them.
What did he say?
That was a long time ago. I don't remember.
I asked Grandpa about it but he got real quiet and wouldn't tell me anything.
Well if we see him we'll ask about it.

Finn, are you going out? You shouldn't go too far or Sir Galahad might get mad.
It's ok, he sent me out on... an errand.
An... errand?
Finn stop being so dramatic. We're just going to the Cave of Spirits to collect some water.
Oh. Is that all? Well have fun you two and be home in time for supper.

In the southern house we find an old man all alone. His house has nothing of interest for us.

Was that Finn who just passed by ready to fight? That reminds me of our war with Bandore. We nearly lost that one.
We went to war with Bandore? When?
It's been so long let me think. Ummm. Hmm.
Steiner?
Why are you asking me? How would I know?
Your granddaughter said she saw Bandore troops recently. She wanted us to ask you about them.
Ahh yes. She must be mistaken. We're not at war with Bandore and there's no other reason their troops would be in Marion.
Well, just for the sake of argument, what would happen if there were Bandore troops nearby?
Bad things, my boy.
Ryaa. That sounds ominous.
As I said she must be mistaken. Why don't you run along and play?

So, yeah, Marion and Bandore went to war within living memory and this is about the only mention of it. This puts a whole new perspective on Kevins's worries in the last update and the little girl mentioning seeing soldiers. No cookies for guessing what Act 1 of this game is going to revolve around.

In the village's northwestern corner is another old man all alone in his house. Milling about just outside are more locals.

Oh! Finn, I haven't seen Annie today. Is she helping Sonya with something?
Awkward...
Uh, yeah, uh, I should really get going. Sonya needs my help. See ya!

This is just about the only time Finn's adoptive mother's name is ever mentioned in-game and it is from an easily missed NPC. Never mind the fact that she's the only mother Finn knows and has been raising him for however long Sir Kevins first pawned his kid off on Galahad's household, which, by what I can glean from in-game is at least a decade or so. That her name is so rarely mentioned is a disappointment.

Well if it isn't young Finn and his dragon friend. What brings you here?
We're going to the Cave of Spirits!
You are going to the Cave of Spirits? That place is full of monsters. Well, be very, very careful.
No problem! If it were really as dangerous as people say it is someone would actually be trying to stop me from going!
As if you'd listen. You'd just run off in the middle of the night like any other kid.
Hey that reminds me. Do you know what Spirit Water actually does?
I have no idea, honestly. The last time someone managed to come back with a sample was several decades ago.
Whoa the cave must be pretty dangerous then, right?
Eh, more like little interest in going there. Who has time to go spelunking these days?

We'll be seeing a screenshot of this house later because there are goodies the old man is currently blocking access to.

Just to the south is the last house in Isla.

Hi, Finn! It's such a nice day today. I hope you and your scaly friend aren't up to more mischief.
Nah, Sir Galahad wants me to go get some Spirit Water for him.
Then what are you still doing in Isla?
I'm just sort of stretching my legs. Dad paid a visit yesterday.
Oh, yes. *clears throat* Many people in town have been victims of the monsters in the Cave of Spirits. If you can retrieve the Spirit Water, you will have the entire village's respect.
Like, how much respect?
Finn!
What? I'm just curious. If I'm risking my neck for some sacred water I'd like to know there will be a reward afterwards.
Wouldn't the water itself be a reward? Besides, you'll get to visit the castle.
Everyone in the village would appreciate your noble gesture, Finn. We might even throw a party for you.
Sweet! I'll be back with that water in no time. Unless...
Unless what Finn?
Unless something happens and my party has to be canceled.
Somehow I doubt even a zombie apocalypse could stop you from celebrating.

STEEIIIINEEER!
Hey Todd! What's up?
I want to play with you, but I have something to take care of... Let's play after I'm done, okay? Promise?
Sure thing!

Finn, Todd was asking to play with you.
Well, uh, we kinda have something to do today. Maybe tomorrow?
I'm surprised you want to play at all considering how much you were still hurting when you got up.
Hey, I've had breakfast. That makes things a whole lot better. Although, now that I think about it doesn't it seem weird that Sir Galahad would send me to the Cave of Spirits the day after one of my father's lessons?
Finn, I'm not sure Sir Galahad was really all that competent to judge your fitness when he spoke to you earlier.
Todd will be busy until this afternoon anyway. I know he'll be disappointed but, yes, maybe tomorrow.

That bookshelf has "Fairy Tales for Kids." Considering the setting I wonder what sort of fairy tales are suitable for these kids.

The last place to check is the northern gate. At the moment it is sealed shut preventing us from heading north. It even says so when you search it.

Hey there Mr. Nelson. Kind of early to secure the gate isn't it?
Well with sightings of Bandore troops one can never be too careful. I guess there are monsters out there too but they rarely come into the village anymore after the knights killed all those boars. Why? Did you have an errand to run?
Eh, no. I was just kind of curious.
Oh, Finn. I'm sorry, but I can't open the gate for a minor without the expressed permission of their parent or guardian.
I said I wasn't really interested in leaving the village but thanks anyway.
Krrr. We could always go to Marion to see what's going on and buy supplies.
Hey that sounds like a good idea! What do you say Mr. Nelson? Can you let us through so we can visit Marion?
A child should not wander far without telling their parents. If you still wish to see Marion, ask Sir Galahad to take you.
Way ahead of you there.

Jerks like this who have a second line should you talk to them again are the reason I have to talk to everybody at least twice. Grr.

Welcome! How can I, a servant of Arawn, help you today?

We find the local church with game saving, reviving, and curing at the ready should we need it and are able to pay the required fees. Curing is rarely needed since only poison and curse conditions persist, antidotes are easy to come by, and it's usually pretty obvious when the equipment you have is cursed before you ever try to equip it. We also learn our local $Good_Deity is named Arawn. Theology in Camelot games thus far has always worked as a binary so it is obvious there will be an $Evil_Deity somewhere in the plot or backstory.

Now we can leave town and get our first look at the game's overworld.

Okay, the overworld isn't very exciting (yet) so let's finish up menu options and close out this update. First up is message speed under setting. The default is medium which is about right for in town and dungeons but is painfully slow on the overworld. I could change it to fast but that would make it too easy to accidentally skip dialogue. I could probably spare myself some aggravation later if I remembered to turn it up while roaming the overworld and back down in town.

We can also turn battle windows on or off. Since I like knowing what's going on we'll leave it on. The game also lets the player customize the menu background, frame, and colors but I like the defaults just fine. The 3 different modes just set the transparency level for window backgrounds. A is 100% transparent which makes it impossible for me to read anything. B is 50% transparent and C is 100% opaque.

Finally we peek into the formation option and find out we will eventually have a 5-member party. It doesn't matter much to Finn himself since he's going to stay in the 1 spot forever but when we need to move other characters around this will be the command to do just that.

-- SUMMARY OF EVENTS --

Bandore, Marion's enemy, has troops snooping around the countryside but not many are worried about it.

Galahad wants Finn to go into a dangerous cave that has killed and maimed many over the years to get some magic water. In return Finn will get to visit his dad on the job. Marion sorely needs a Take Your Child to Work day.

Because her parents treated her poorly by saying she can't help Finn on account of being female Annie has run off to prove them wrong.

We got an overview of more game mechanics. If you care about that you should read the update and not just the summary.

--BONUS CONTENT--

Finn
Main Character, swordsman
Age 14
A boy training to become a knight. His mother died when he was young and Galahad, an old friend of his father Kevins, is raising him. Although Finn trains once a month with Kevins, the leader of the Marion Knights, he is far from catching up to his father's skills.

Steiner
Dragon
Age unknown
A baby dragon that Finn keeps. He has been with Finn since Finn rescued him from injury a few years ago. He can relate to the hearts of children and people who are pure. He is more of a friend than a pet to Finn.

Finn and Steiner's manual entries have stuff we mostly already know. What exactly qualifies as purity as far as Steiner is concerned? I don't really care to know since it isn't brought up in game and doesn't matter at all. We do get the reason why Steiner hangs out with Finn - Finn saved his butt awhile back and Steiner has presumably figured out that being buddies with a human is much easier then trying to live out in the wilderness. In return Steiner acts as Finn's Exposition Fairy.

If you've played Shining Force 2 you might remember Bowie had like 2 lines the whole game and most of the dialogue for the Force was tossed to characters who couldn't be dead (Peter and Lemon are immortal, Sir Astral and Oddler don't fight, and Force members who do have dialogue usually join after their scripted events). I can think of one instance off the top of my head where it is possible for a character in the Force to be dead when an event requires their presence but in that instance the developers just coded a short "You done messed up" message to branch to and it is highly unlikely a player would ever see it unless they were deliberately trying to (raises hand). The same aversion to potentially-dead-person-talking persists in Beyond the Beyond. Thus, Steiner sometimes acts as Finn's voice. Sometimes.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - the Cave of Spirits and an infodump about combat mechanics.

Update One | Index | Update Three