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Beyond the Beyond: Update 8: Wherein There is a Slight Case of Prison Break (Marion Dungeons)
Where were we last? Oh, yeah, that's right.
We were about to go down those stairs in our continuing search for where Samson wandered off to.
So that's the story. Huh. You told Mom and Dad a pretty abridged version of what happened.
Well it was kind of embarrassing for all three of us. I figured they didn't need to know everything.
Finn's calmed down a bit. How about it Finn? Are you ready to move on?
Yeah I'm ready. The sooner we find Samson the sooner we can get out of here.
So the quartet heads downstairs into what is more cave.
How did whoever built these tunnels do it without alerting anyone in town? These are pretty spacious.
I don't know but there are probably still records of it in the castle.
Really?
Yeah. I remember Da - Sir Galahad had to go to some special archive whenever he needed any old records about the kingdom.
Rounding a couple corners in their journey north the team reaches an open area in the tunnel.
We must be near the surface. Sunlight is slipping through cracks in the wall over there.
I can't smell the outside from here.
That's not surprising. The air here is so stagnant. Yuck!
This tunnel can't be very long. We should catch up with Sir Samson soon.
It looks as if this is the only way he could have gone. Unless we missed a secret passage or something.
Um, I really hope we don't have to double back to look for secret paths.
Forget I mentioned it, Finn.
Yeah what's the point of making a secret tunnel for an escape route if you're then just going to hide the real passage through it?
Who dares to follow me?!
AAAAHHHH!!
It seems we've found Samson.
Sir Samson! It's me, Percy!
Percy?!... I heard you fled to Isla village.
Yes, Lord Kevins sent me to inform my father on what had happened.
You returned without Sir Galahad?
In light of the situation it didn't seem prudent. My father had to stay and protect Isla village. I suppose so... Hmm. It seems that I'm on my own then.
By the way Percy, who are your friends?
Oh, yes. Let me introduce you to them. This is my sister, Annie.
*waves hello* Hi there. Nice to meet you.
Yes I remember you now. You've grown a great deal since you were a little girl practicing alongside your brother in the castle courtyard.
And this is Finn, Lord Kevins's son.
Hi! I've heard a lot about you, Sir Samson. It's an honor to finally meet a hero of Marion.
Lord Kevins's son? It can't be...
Huh?!
Sir Samson, is something wrong?
*shakes head* No... nothing...
He just turned away from us while muttering. Did I say something wrong, Percy?
I don't think so. This is so odd. I've never seen Sir Samson act like this.
Humans can be so complicated.
Oh yes... Finn! I remember now. It's been awhile...
This is getting a little creepy.
Maybe he remembers Finn from before he went to live with you guys.
I just wish he wasn't using that low muttery tone like he's talking to himself over there.
Sir Samson, Finn is looking for his father.
There's been no news about Lord Kevins. Was he captured? Did he escape?
Huh...? oh... We'll have plenty of time for that later.
W-what?
Right now, I have a more immediate task. *turns around to face the group* I have to sneak into the castle and rescue Prince Edward before his execution.
I knew it! He's... very dedicated to his job.
Finn! Show a little respect! I'm worried about my dad, ok?
Hahaha. You kids remind me a little of myself when I was your age.
We do?
Yes. When the prince is safe I'll have time to answer your questions, Finn. Right now we have to hurry. Bandore won't postpone the execution for much longer.
I would like to help you, Sir Samson.
You do make a good point. I'm not going to find my dad by standing around here. I'd like to help too.
We all would. The prince must be saved.
Then it's settled. For the honor of the Marion Knights we cannot allow any harm to befall the young prince.
I'm not technically a knight yet but I guess that honor stuff applies to me too.
You're not doing something this dangerous without my help.
*trumpets* Bandore won't know what hit 'em when we steal the prince right out from under their noses!
Such brave youngsters. I could use someone watching my back. Very well then. Please follow me!
Everyone then falls in line behind Samson as he leads us to a set of stairs leading up.
I've already opened the secret trap door but watch your step. Some of the boards on these stairs are loose.
We then emerge from the tunnel into a dank prison cell. It's a good thing the cell door happens to be open and unlocked.
The secret tunnel leads directly to the prison? Yup. In the event the castle is breached this is an optimal fall-back zone.
I'm not following you.
If you're on the defense you want barriers between you and the enemy if you can help it. What place is more locked up then the dungeons?
Ooooohhh. Now I understand. I think.
Samson is now part of our group. Well, at least the game tries to make him look like an accomplished warrior even if, at level 15, he has absolutely horrid stat growth for everything but strength and his health is barely more then what we're running around with. It also isn't encouraging to know his axe gives him only +4 attack power and his armor and bracer a mere +4 defense. Huh, wait a minute. A brash and arrogant man named Samson hailed as a hero due to his legendary strength in a nation where religious iconography is associated with the sun? Uh oh...
For comparison and since it's been awhile let's look at Team Rugrats. I didn't bother to rest at any time among all that running around the kingdom so the kids are a bit beaten up. We'll munch a couple of herbs and then be on our way. (Keep in mind there's a slight bit of variance in how the game will generate Samson's stats here. By slight I mean his VP, LP, and strength may vary by a couple of points but he will always be level 15 and always join the group with 17587 XP.)
Finn already has almost as much health as Samson and would have equal defense without that ring.
Annie's working hard on becoming a speed demon and is already closing in on Samson's starting speed of 15.
Percy is... well, he's better then we last saw him at level 1 but he still has only one measly point of Luck. This guy just isn't one of the lucky ones I guess. I hope that's not going to be a problem down the road.
Just a few cells down a Bandore soldier is wandering inside a locked cell.
How did I get in here?
I don't know. How did you get in there? I remember drinking... and drinking and drinking... I passed out in front of the emperor. I was told to sleep it off. When I woke up, I was in here. I think I'll sleep some more... *lies down*
The emperor is here in Marion?
ZZZzzzzz...
It's no use. He's out cold.
Do you really think the emperor is here? He must have led the invasion force. No wonder Bandore is keeping so many troops around here.
Is that going to be a problem?
No. We don't need to worry about it right now.
Huh, I guess that crack about Bandore partying hard following their victory wasn't that far off the mark.
There's that soldier we met earlier.
I remember you kids. I was captured while trying to rescue Prince Edward alone.
That sounds like a rather foolish thing to do by yourself.
What?! Is that you, Sir Samson? Sir Samson, please rescue Prince Edward and save Marion! *brandishes axe* Planning on it.
The last cell we come across has a kid dressed in bright gold and purple.
Who are you?
The inspection committee.
What?
I'm just kidding.
Prince Edward! I'm glad you're still safe! Oh!! You're with Sir Samson!
Uh, hi. Yeah we're with Samson all right.
You must be here to save me! Hurry up and open the gate!
*yanks on the door* It's no good. Not even I can force this open. We'll have to find the key.
You're awfully nervous, uh, your majesty.
You get stuck in a cell for however many days it's been with the constant threat of having your head lopped off looming over you and see how well you deal with it.
Okay, okay. I get it. I meant no harm.
Ugh, I'm sorry. Please excuse my rudeness. My nerves are a little raw, you see, from everything that's happened.
I'll have you out of there in a few minutes then we can get you somewhere safer.
Well this door's locked. What now?
There's another entrance to the guard station just down the hall.
We want to walk into the guard station... because?
*walks to the door* The key to the cells must be in this room. Let's take them by surprise. If we move fast we shouldn't have to fight many of them.
You want to fight them? Here?
These Bandore cowards don't frighten me. Are you four ready?
*draws sword* I guess.
*draws sword* Just give the order Sir Samson.
*tightly grips staff* I suppose I wasn't unready to begin with.
Krrr. I've lived with Finn for years now. I'm always ready for danger.
All right. On three then. One... two... three!
