Beyond the Beyond: Update 7: Wherein Marion Has a Few Secrets (Marion Town, pt. 2)

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 7: Wherein Marion Has a Few Secrets (Marion Town, pt. 2)

When last we left our team they were finishing their initial stage of information gathering. Now let's catch up to them as they return to Marion Town after gallivanting across the Marion countryside.

This update will be exclusively in Marion Town but here's the kingdom map anyway just to reiterate that there's nothing else for us to visit in the kingdom.

There doesn't seem to be anything we can do but just sit around and twiddle our thumbs.
Hey wait a minute!
What now, sis?
I thought I saw something moving over there.
*shrugs* I'm bored. Let's check it out.

Annie's sharp eyes do indeed find something of interest. A soldier not dressed like the Bandore goons patrolling the town is hiding amongst the trees.

Uh, hi there! Beautiful day today isn't it?
Wait a minute. You're not a Bandore soldier.
Oh! It's you Percy! I thought the knights had been completely wiped out.
Some of us are still around but I wouldn't exactly get my hopes up. What are you doing here?
My squad was ambushed by Bandore troops while out on night patrol. We fought them off but I alone was well enough to rush news back here. When I arrived I found out it was too late.
That doesn't explain why you stayed here. It's suicide!
You're here and walking about in broad daylight, Percy.
Yeah but I'm not walking around in armor bearing the Marion crest.
Actually when I saw the town had fallen to the enemy I retreated. But I couldn't just sit and wait for the survivors to come up with a plan. When I heard that Prince Edward was in danger, I came here to save him.
By yourself? That's still pretty stupid.
Yeah but I'd rather die trying to save the prince then leave him in danger. Only, I didn't realize the sheer number of Bandore troops! They're just holing up here in the capital!
Soooo? Why not go back and get some help?
There's no time for that! Even alone, I will attempt to rescue Prince Edward. Farewell, Percy and friends.
Wait! How do you...

He's run off.
Damned fool!

It's been awhile since we were in town. We should ask around and find out what news there is of their hunt for Samson.
There's a soldier patrolling the waterfront trying to look busy. Let's pester them.

Hey, kid! Have you seen that hero, Samson?
I can honestly say no, I haven't seen him. Ever.
Tell me if you see him.

There are a couple houses we skipped last time to go galavanting in the castle courtyard. We're here now so let's barge in on them!

Well hello there kids. I still can't believe that the streets of Marion are being patrolled by Bandore soldiers. Strange sight isn't it?
You're not upset a group of kids and their dragon just walked into your house?
Should I be?
We could work for Bandore, ya know.
Yeah right!
Sometimes you humans are way too trusting.
I've lived in this town long enough to know that if a bunch of soldiers want into your house a lock isn't going to stop them. Besides, Percy's with you.
Ha, ha, ha, er, no. You must be mistaken...
Give my regards to your father the next time you visit Isla. The knights haven't been the same since he retired.

Why are you suddenly all pale, Percy?
Well, you know. It's the principle of the thing.
Eh, whatever. While you were talking I found this strange pouch under the table here.
*sniff, sniff* It smells like monster bait.
*scratches head* Why would someone keep that under their kitchen table?
Oh it's an old tradition, Finn. The bait attracts certain types of monsters. People will keep a bag of the stuff around somewhere to attract bugs and the like. When the monster tries to eat the bait it gets a dose of poison or gets squished or caught in a trap. Ya know, pest control.
So why doesn't anyone in Isla use the stuff?
Well the herbs used are kind of rare and expensive so most people can't afford them.
That's fine by me. That stuff stinks!
Yeah so you can put it back where you found it, Finn.
Oh that's quite all right. I had forgotten I had put that down there. You can keep it young man.
Thanks!
*facepalm*

The bookshelf back there has a copy of "How to Retain Your Youth". We could also sift through the old man's underwear collection in his drawers but that would be going way beyond the call of duty even for this group. The monster bait, however, is the start of what I assume is a running gag in the game. Every town from here on (should) have monster bait hidden under a table somewhere. It functions as Annie described in that the bait supposedly increases your encounter rate for awhile.

Encounter Rate 101 (skip if you're not interested, this isn't a biggee)

The game's encounter rate is supposed to vary depending on the topography when you're wandering the overworld. Open plains will have a lower rate then forests which in turn have a lower rate then the passable mountainous areas. Not only is the player supposed to encounter monsters more often but in rough terrain they're supposed to find tougher, larger groups of them. The problem with this is that Beyond the Beyond's default encounter rate is so high any difference is barely noticeable. Using the bait gives no message, just a sound effect, nor any wearing-off notice but after messing around with it for awhile I conclude that it *might* increase the encounter rate by a step. In the interest of not potentially permanently making the game harder I'll just sell them as we find them. It is not hard to grind XP in this game to begin with.

Next door is a slightly larger house. In their haste to find out who is inside the kids have to momentarily ignore the man currently walking around outside.

Hi there! I hope you don't mind we just walked in. We're, um, conducting a survey.
Sure you are. Eh, you don't look like you're with Bandore so what the heck. Come on in!
Anything interesting going on?
Marion has been quiet since the invasion. A lot of people are worried about the prince, but not me.
Why not?
I know a secret. During the last Bandore invasion, the King of Marion had an escape tunnel dug from the castle to this town. Surely the knights will use it to rescue the prince before he can be executed.
You humans are WAY too trusting with this sort of stuff.
An escape tunnel? Percy, did you know about this?
No. No one told me anything about it.
I wonder if your dad knows about it.
I would certainly think so. I heard about it from Lord Kevins himself and he said Sir Galahad oversaw repairs made to the tunnel some years ago.
How do you know we're Sir Galahad's children?
That's easy. I remember Sir Galahad bringing Percy to town many times when he was just a boy.
I'm kind of surprised more people haven't recognized you, Percy.
Yeah what's up with that? Not that I'm complaining, of course. It's just a little weird.
Hey wait! Just a minute ago you were annoyed that someone recognized you! What gives?
I can find it odd I'm not being recognized while still hoping no one recognizes me. What's so confusing about that?
I think I feel a headache coming on.
Sir Galahad was a valiant knight. Marion just hasn't been the same since he retired.
You're a knight? Cool! When I grow up, I want to be one of Marion's honored knights!
That's if there are Marion Knights when you grow up.
*frown*
Will I have to serve as a Bandore soldier now?
Not if I have anything to say about it.

Well at least the kid's got something interesting to read to keep his culture alive if this little wanna-be rebellion doesn't get off the ground. On the bookshelf behind him is a copy of "Marion's Old Tales". Although such tales might be useful to us, seeing as we're in an rpg, Finn and company don't have time to sit and read.

Instead they need to talk to this guy who has been patiently roaming right outside this whole time.

Psst. You're Percy, right?
...maybe. Who wants to know?
Marion's hero, Samson, fought bravely till the end. Now he's hiding somewhere in town. That's why Bandore soldiers are looking everywhere for him.
You didn't have to practically shout that. I can hear you just fine.

Just then a voice calls out from across town. Seriously.

Hey! Who's in there?! This is the Lieutenant's house!

The camera pans east to find a group of 7 Bandore soldiers standing outside that little house by the graveyard. The lead soldier foolishly walks up to the door.

Steiner can you see what's going on?
Of course I can. These wings aren't just for decoration.

Hey you! Answer me! Wait! You're...

The soldier is cut off by the sound of two blows.

What's going on? I can't see anything!
Holy shit I think someone just killed a Bandore soldier! *sniff, sniff* Yeah that's definitely the smell of human blood. A lot of it.

A man with a permanent scowl and eyebrows that could be used as deadly weapons steps into view.

Ha... You found me. How unfortunate... For you.
(1) You...?
(2) You are their hero, Samson!

Steiner what's going on? The horde just jumped back but I can't hear what they're saying!
A huge guy with an axe just walked out of the house.
A guy with an axe? Does he have silvery grey hair, Steiner?
Yeah. Wow that's a haircut you could impale somebody on. How do humans get hair like that?
A little bit of genetics, a little bit of hair gel...
Who cares about the hair?! Do you know who it is?
That's gotta be Samson.
Ugh, right now I wish the wind wasn't blowing in this direction. The Bandore soldiers are soiling their pants and keeping their distance from him. It would be funny if it didn't smell so bad.
We should help Sir Samson!
Don't be stupid, Percy! With all this commotion more soldiers will come.

The terrified soldiers step in tune with Samson as he walks left and right keeping a perfect formation and their distance from the guy who just effortlessly killed their comrade.

Hey guys! Do you wanna fight or dance? Well, we can't fight when you're all the way over there!

(3) W-we can take him! It's only one man!
(1) Y-y-yeah. For the glory of Bandore!

The soldiers rush forward all as one...

...and spring back just as quickly the instant Samson moves towards them.

_{Oh to hell with this!} Enough of this nonsense! If you cowards won't fight me then you can just get out of my way!

Fed up Samson bulldozes the soldier to the right killing them instantly.

Ouch! That had to hurt. Wait, I think I spoke too soon. Those were death convulsions.
What?! What happened?
Samson just bodychecked a soldier into the ground and trampled them.
How cold...
Sir Samson can be a bit... harsh when it comes to using his strength.

Aaaand now he's run off into the graveyard and I can't see him anymore.

(4) Hey! Samson ran into the graveyard! Get him! Surround him!
(2) What do we do after we surround him, sir? He's already killed two of our number even when surrounded.
(4) Less backtalking, more searching! Do you want to go back to the castle to report we found and then lost Samson?
(2) No, sir!

Well that was both hilarious and highly unsettling. What about you guys?
See that?! Sir Samson was right here in town. I can't believe he's been hiding out all this time right under our noses!
Speaking of noses, ugh, I think I need to start carrying nose plugs wherever we go, Finn. Yuck!
Looks like he fled... I guess Marion's future is pretty bleak.
I can't believe Sir Samson would just run away. That's so unlike him.
Well, he did and now the soldiers are looking for him. We'd better start searching too.
I know. I know.

Back inside the houses next to us some of the residents have new things to say on account of all the ruckus.

We're starting our search by going right back in here?
Yup!
... *shrug* I can't argue with your enthusiasm.
I saw our hero, Samson! I heard a loud noise outside, so I peeked out, and he was right there. It's true!! I wanna be just like Samson when I grow up.
You want to be able to murder people with ease?
Mom says Dad will eventually come home but I don't believe her. I know those Bandore troops did something to him. I hope Samson beats them all up!
Ok this just took a turn for the creepy. Flying away now.

It's been noisy ever since Bandore's army came here. In fact, there was a loud ruckus just a minute ago, but it was probably nothing.
Probably nothing?
It wasn't nearly as loud as some of the bar fights we've had around here recently.
There's a bar?
That's news to me!

The five soldiers are combing over the cemetery with a constant shrugging (or maybe it's supposed to be nodding) animation that seems oddly out of place.

(1) Samson!
Uh, hi there. Is something wrong?
(1) *sigh* It's no use... There's no response!
Response?
(2) He's gotta be here! Did you see where he went?!
(1) No, I didn't see. This is so weird. It's like he vanished into thin air.
Who vanished?
(1) You really shouldn't be in here kid.
(3) He's nowhere to be found! Where could he have vanished to?
I don't know. Maybe he hopped the fence and jumped in the river? Did that thought cross your mind?
(3) Err, uh, no.
(1) What about it, kid? You see anything?
I heard a man ran in here. Is that who you're talking about?
(1) Yeah. Did you see anything else?
Nope. Why do you think I'm asking you questions?
(1) Lovely. If you can't help us then run along. We don't have time to babysit.
Hey that's rude! We don't need a babysitter!
(1) I really don't...
(4) Samson! Come out and fight like a man.
(3) Holy hell don't say something like that! You want to get carved up like the commander?
(4) If he were here, I would teach him a thing or two!!
Sure you would...
(4) What did you just say?
Nothing. I was just reminding my... cousin here of something we need to do before heading home.
Don't worry I haven't forgotten!
_{That and we're laughing at the whole "fight like a man" bit. That was pretty funny.}
(5) Since he's not here we don't need to fight.
Hey, Annie, I think one of these guys actually has some good sense.
It's a miracle! Hallelujah!
You're kind of a mean cleric sometimes, Annie.
Only to assholes who choose to deliberately ignore me, Steiner.
(4) I can't believe I'm surrounded by cowards!
(1) You take that back!
I think we'd better excuse ourselves.
Yeah as much fun as it would be to watch these clowns fight each other we have a mystery to solve.

With the soldiers busy in the graveyard the team hurries to the little house that Samson stormed out of.

By Arawn the grass and cobblestones are just soaked... Hurk! Ugh!
In hindsight we really should have waited until servants carted off the bodies.
Ugh! How can you be so calm right now, Percy?
I'm... not exactly new to the realities of combat, sis. Remember?
I'll remember as soon as my stomach stops rebelling.
I-I'm going to see if the shop has any nose plugs for sale. Be right back!
I don't know what's worse - that Samson's first shot hit the guy square in the face or that the second almost decapitated him.
T-there's a scale of badness?
Finn, what are you doing! Ahhh! Don't throw up IN the house!
Hurk! Hey, I think I found something.
What is it?
There's something under this table. Let me just push it aside.

After a few minutes of slipping and sliding on the stone floor Finn and company move the table aside and open a trapdoor.

I'm baaaack! Oh boy you guys sure have made a mess in here.
You seem more chipper, Steiner.
Not smelling the scene outside makes a world of difference.
We found a trapdoor leading into a basement hidden here.
Do you think that's where Samson has been hiding all this time?
It has to be better then what's outside. Let's check it out.

This isn't much of a cellar is it?
No it's not. Now that I think about it basements are rare aren't they?
Well what do you expect? Building one isn't exactly cheap, Finn.
Is everybody in Marion poor?
Well, uh, I guess that depends on how you define poor. Marion isn't exactly a rich country to begin with.
I'm just so confused. Sir Galahad has a cellar that he keeps a bunch of stuff in. Then we come here and nobody has one.
Unless they just hide the entrances from people who just walk in uninvited.
Point taken. But then we find a basement and it's tiny and cramped.
I think Samson was down here for awhile. There are chicken bones tossed in a corner here with some meat still on them.
So why did anyone build a useless little room like this and how did Sir Samson know about it?
I wish I had some answers for you, Finn, but I'm just as lost as you are.
Eww. I'm starting to regret searching. *sighs* Hey, wait a minute.
Is that a switch hidden between the stones?
It looks like it. Annie, push it.
Okay.

The party hears grinding as the basement shakes.

What did it do?
Nothing seems different down here.
Well this is boring. Let's head back upstairs.
Back through the... scene up there?
We don't have a choice, Annie. We can't stay down here or whoever comes to clean up the place will realize something's up.

Outside we find the soldiers have already given up their search amongst the graves and have resorted to aimlessly roaming Marion's streets. Although 5 soldiers were searching the graveyard earlier only 4 are now prowling about continuing the search. Eh, let's just say #5 ran back to the castle to report their dismal failure.

(2) No matter how hard we search, we can't find Samson...
Yes, what a shame.
(2) He better not show his face around here again.
(1) Prince Edward will be saved! Didn't you see the hero, Sir Samson? He probably left to rescue Prince Edward.
(2) How dare you make such accusations madam!
(1) Oh go stick a pinecone in your ear! I saw how you cowered in front of Samson. You bullies don't scare me!
Wow, uh, this got awkward quickly.
Just back away slowly. No sudden movements.

(2) Excuse me kids. Was that really the hero Samson running from the Bandore soldiers? He must have been in a hurry to go somewhere.
That might have been Samson.
It was probably him.
Who else could it be?
It was him. I'm certain.
(2) Arawn be praised! Marion hasn't completely caved to those Bandore scum.

(4) Damn Samson! Coward... He better not come back here ever again!
*hums the Marion national anthem as the group walks by*

What are you kids doing wandering about at a time like this?
Tourism?
Don't you know it's not safe here? The unbeatable Marion Knights were destroyed by Bandore.
That statement doesn't make much sense when you think about it.
*FROWNS*
I think there's some horrible secret behind Bandore's amazing power.
Do you know anything about this supposed secret?
If I did it wouldn't be a secret now would it?

(3) Samson just vanished! Could he be a ghost? No, that's ridiculous.
Ghosts? That's as silly as a talking dragon!
H-have you ever seen a ghost, Steiner?
No and I don't plan to if I can help it.

(1) Hey! Scram! Don't bother us! We're looking for Samson!
We didn't care about bothering you in the first place. Jerk.
It's not like you soldiers are actually searching anyway. You're all just milling about looking busy.
Whoa! What are you doing?!
(1) We too are searching for Samson! Kids these days...
So what do you plan to do if one of you finds him?
(1) Well... uh... Move along citizen!

Lo and behold when we return to the graveyard we find that a new pathway has opened for us thanks to that switch we flipped. This is presumably the path Samson used to escape. How does the grave know when to close? I have no idea. How did no one notice it open? I have no idea, but no one wandering around notices it so I guess the Knights were keeping the mechanism well oiled and maintained to operate so smoothly. I bet Kevins is somehow responsible, that joker.

Before we descend, however, I notice I have just enough gold to upgrade Finn to Leather Plate so I run to the store and do just that. I could sell the monster bait and upgrade Percy too but, meh, he's good for the time being.

Just downstairs and around the corner we run into the dreaded scripted battle as a pair of spooky bat sprites float down from the top of the screen to stop us.

More bats?
Huh? What's wrong with bats?
It's a long story from the Cave of Spirits.
Let's save it for after this. They're attacking!

I don't understand. What's so intimidating about bats? Sure you might get rabies if you're bitten but any priest can cure that.

Said bats immediately turn and start punching Finn. Seriously, they got 3 attacks and all 3 were to Finn.

WHY DO BATS HATE ME SO MUCH?!
Your sparkling personality?
AIEKDGMELDKG!!

That wasn't so bad.
Why are they attacking us, though?
Uh, hungry I guess?
Have you noticed an increase in monster aggressiveness lately, Percy?
I... I have no idea. You don't run into monsters by cleaning the stables or pulling night watch in the castle. Why do you ask?
EVERYTHING'S BEEN TRYING TO KILL US THAT'S WHY!
There's no need to shout, Finn.
Uh, oh. I think you woke up more bats.
AARGH!

Three more ominous (if not hilarious looking) bat sprites flit down to momentarily bar our path.

It's only three bats, Finn. Deep breaths. Focus. You can't let yourself get all worked up like this.
*makes an assortment of strained breathing noises*
Are you sure you're ok, Finn? We could go back topside and get you some tea or something.
No! I'll be all right.

Taking a break from pummeling Finn, one bat tries to unleash a critical hit on Annie so we finally get to see the fire trail animation in action.

Too bad she immediately blocks the attack.

I don't know why you've had such trouble with these things, Finn. Their attacks are so slow.
*facepalm*

HIYAAAAAA!!

Also, Percy then turns around and crits one causing it to dramatically explode. It sadly does nothing for poor Finn's blood pressure.

Walking forward the team finds their path barred.

Look! That stone is blocking our path!
Can't we just climb over it or go around? I'm pretty sure I at least can fit.
I think it would be best if we just move it.
If we all push together, we might be able to move the rock.
Uh, why?
If we run into more bats down there and Finn bolts or goes into shock I'd like a clear path back to town.
I'm not sure if we can do it, but do you wanna try anyway?
Rock? No! No rock! NO, NO, NO!
Whoa what the hell, Finn?! Get a hold of yourself!
All right, we'll have to find some other way around.
Hey Finn I think I see more bats up on the roof. They're just staring at you, laughing, wondering how you're ever going to become a knight if you're terrified of them.
They are? *stares at the ceiling*
Wow, Annie, that's... really cold of you.
Sometimes motivating people isn't nice.
Since when do you "motivate" anyone?
Since we decided to chase Samson down here and Finn became paralyzed with fear due to what happened back in the Cave of Spirits.
I can do this!
Finn?
*takes a deep breath* I'm not going to let any stupid rock stop us. Come on!
When we get out of here I so want to hear the whole story behind this.

Teamwork in this case means the group forms into the conga line pictured above. I wonder if this is just due to technical limits or if the devs really wanted to convey a scene of Steiner encouraging Finn to push a rock as Percy pushes Finn from behind and Annie pushes Percy from behind. For the sake of narrative let's juts assume all the humans are pushing the rock and not each other.

One... Two... Three... PUSH!

With team effort the stone is pushed just far enough the team can easily walk around it.

Ha! Take that, bats!
Well done! Now let's hurry on our way.

--SUMMARY OF EVENTS--

Marion Town has been conquered by Marion's archenemy Bandore. Samson, hero of Marion, somehow escaped and Bandore, totally embarrassed by this, threatened to execute Prince Edward if Samson doesn't turn himself in. Except Bandore is full of lazy, drunk, and/or preoccupied villains who have only been sort of half-assed threatening this because the team had plenty of time to crisscross the country talking to everybody with a pulse. Then it turned out Samson was in town the whole time. Unfortunately he decided to emerge from hiding right as Bandore soldiers were around his hiding spot. Murder ensued, Samson ran off, and the team followed his trail into a dingy hidden tunnel under Marion's graveyard. Then Finn remembered he hates bats. The end.

With the path now open the team takes a moment to contemplate their futures and let Finn calm down. Lunch is optional.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - where the hell is Samson?!

Update Six | Index | Update Eight

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Finn is fortunate there are no Castlevania Birds in this game or they'd be fighting for the dubious honor of filling his nightmares.