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Beyond the Beyond: Update 11: Wherein We Must All Make Sacrifices (Border Church, pt. 2)
Last time on Beyond the Beyond events took a turn for the worse. What grim news now awaits our protagonists?
Finn!
What's going on?! Finn, answer me!
Annie, is that you?
Krrr! Finn, wake up!
Opening his eyes Finn finds himself in the border church chapel. Since I saved the game standing on this tile before showing the pastor the Royal Pendant we can have a little fun with an oversight by the developers.
Finn stumbles to the right to find he was occupying the same tile as the priest. It's a good thing we can move off occupied tiles otherwise this would be a nasty way to get stuck.
What? What happened?
You're lucky you kids were found. I hate to think what would have happened if you had been left on that road all night.
What are you talking about? Steiner?
I'm not sure what happened, Finn. A man with a large wolf-like dog found you lying along the side of the road and brought each of you here. What happened to you?
The last thing I remember is that we were walking down the road to get here. Then I woke up here.
Oh my! You must have been ambushed by monsters then!
I don't remember being ambushed.
Finn, wait! One of your party members is dead. Oh, oh my they're both dead.
By Arawn...
There's not a scratch on either of them.
This does not bode well. Their bodies are fully intact, however, so it is a relatively simple matter to recall their souls.
What happened to us? Why don't I remember?
In honor of the prince I will revive [them] at no charge.
Thank you.
Are you all right, Finn?
I don't know. *muttering prayers and incantations*
They look so... empty, don't they?
I never wanted to see Annie like this again.
It is done. May Arawn bless you!
We're once again among the living - minus the 180 gold that the Orks pilfered off our corpses. It stings but we'll make that money back quickly.
Do either of you remember what happened?
What do you mean what happened? *pause* Wait a minute. When did we get here?
That's exactly what I'm asking you about.
You don't remember, Finn?
No I don't. I woke up here and you two were... in need of assistance.
Before anyone asks I don't remember either.
What were we doing?
I thought we were going to see the prince and Samson.
Oh yeah, that's right. Well come on then. What's done is done and we seem to be fine. We can worry about how we got here when we're somewhere safer.
Yes they said someone was coming by to see them. Just head on up the path there and you'll catch up to them.
back up the path...
You are late, Finn.
Yeah I know we're late. Sorry about that.
Well now that you're here you can help us. The door to the shrine is locked. We need to get in there to reach an old tunnel.
Yes, Samson has a book from the Marion archives that has instructions on how to get through here but we're having trouble understanding them.
What could be so hard about it? Well for starters it's written in the ancient tongue of Marion. Samson, show them. I would but...
But?
I seem to have misplaced the book. That's odd. I could have sworn I had it just a few minutes ago.
You 'misplaced' it?
Yes. Oh well we remember what it says.
What does it say?
It says, "You must crown Venus' brow with a laurel and tiara" ... Wait.
What?
I have the strangest feeling of deja vu. It's like I already told you all this.
She has to smile at the world to bring us closer to Arawn.
You've heard the story somewhere?
I guess. Maybe as part of a sermon.
What could this all mean?
We don't have time to sit here. We should get to solving the riddle.
Now we get to try that puzzle again.
This time I manage to work myself into a position where I wish we just had a jackhammer so we could pry up the tiles and move whole rows.
More shuffling pieces around...
...and around...
...until they're all in place. Once that happens the center tile raises again and the puzzle is complete.
This somehow opens the doors. No, I don't know how that works. This entire puzzle is a baffling level of technology for a kingdom set in early middle-ages tech. We have a puzzle that has presumably been around for centuries running on a hidden, completely independent power supply for the large scale machinery that must be buried under here. All of it is triggered by motion and pressure sensors. All of it is to lock one door which could probably be forced open using a sufficiently large battering ram using the trees growing here.
Well done, Finn. That wasn't so hard.
Great. Now Finn, why don't you lead the way.
*shrugs* Sure, why not?
Prrr. Finn the leader. Somehow it doesn't seem to suite you.
WHAT? I have you know I can make a perfectly fine leader.
When you can drag yourself out of bed in the morning on your own I'll believe it.
Bah! I don't have to stand here and take this. See, Steiner? I'll lead us into the shrine RIGHT NOW!
I still can't believe you lost that book.
*shrugs* I guess I left it in the chapel.
Probably hearing the puzzle complete the priest walks up to block the path back. This also means we can't re-trigger that fight with Ramue. (Yes you can get yourself into a strange time-loop right here of repeatedly dying to Ramue over and over again. It's the only way to reset the puzzle without rebooting the game. Well, at least it's an interesting manner of handling a puzzle reset that makes some sense in-game.)
You solved the riddle! If there is anything I can do before you go, let me know.
The shrine is small and devoid of anything that would make it a useful structure but it does have this curious statue in it.
I've never seen anything like that before. Annie do you know who that's supposed to be?
No. I can't say I've ever heard of any winged figures.
It might be a very old depiction of Arawn. I remember a couple of stories about him being shown in human form centuries ago.
This is all very fascinating but it's just a statue and we really should be going.
The stairs lead into a dark, dingy tunnel with stagnant water collecting anywhere it can. Thanks to rpg logic we can see just fine though.
Inside a vase is a Blizzard Card. Cards in this game are one-use items that cast a high level spell in battle. In this case using the card would create a powerful ice spell to damage enemies for 30 - 35 damage each. It's overkill right now but it doesn't hurt to have these in case we run into something really nasty and need a panic button. We can also sell them for a nice chunk of cash.
Just to the north is a closed gate easily opened by use of a lever right by it. There's no lever on the other side so this gate is apparently securing the Marion side of the border from anything trying to enter the shrine from the tunnels beyond. Of course if anyone got through the gate they'd then be stuck in the shrine itself until someone wandered along to solve the puzzle out front for them.
Over here! I think I saw them! Prince Edward and Samson must've gone this way!
When the team passes through the opened gate Percy hangs back thanks to someone who either has an epic set of lungs or a megaphone.
Percy!
Percy, what are you doing? No. You're not going to...
That's right, Annie. Didn't you hear them? They're getting closer.
No, don't! Please don't do it, brother!
If I close the gate, you will have enough time to escape. Someone has to do it...
I guess in hindsight we should have asked the pastor if he could lock up behind us.
If you lock the gate then you'll have no way to avoid them.
They can take me, but I will never allow them to capture my sister!
Finn, take care of Annie.
Uh, what exactly do you mean by take care of her?
Hello I'm standing right here!
I mean make sure she gets back home still in one piece and breathing when this is all said and done.
I can take care of myself, thank you very much.
I know that sis but it doesn't hurt to have someone watching your back.
Percy pulls the lever thus closing the gate.
And now to make sure they don't follow you.
Percy breaks off the lever! (Animated GIF ahead.)
The force of this is great enough that Percy is comically thrown back against the opposite wall causing the screen to shake on impact. He then gets up, shakes off the mild concussion and walks back to the gate.
Now go! Leave before they arrive. And... good luck!
Then Percy runs off. Thus Team Rugrats is cut back down to the core trio. (This is also why I didn't bother upgrading his gear or have him carry anything essential.)
Percy, you are such a fool! I... What am I supposed to do? I... I'm all alone now!
Prrr. Annie...
That was a foolish... but extremely brave thing to do!
Percy, proud son of Galahad, your name will not be forgotten.
*walks ahead of the group* Shall we go? We shouldn't let Percy's sacrifice be in vain.
Yes, Sir Samson. We should be going.
Krrr. Annie, are you listening? Come on!
Go? You want me to just turn my back on my brother and walk out of here like nothing happened? How can you be so cold, Steiner?
But there's nothing we can do for him. Even if we could get the gate open we'd just be walking into danger.
But it's all right if my brother walks straight into danger to save your butt?
I didn't mean..
Well what did you mean then?
I understand how you feel Annie but there is nothing we can do to help your brother right now. We need to keep moving or Bandore will catch up.
*pause* How can you all be so calm about this?
They're not, Annie and neither am I.
Somehow I don't believe you.
It's the truth.
You didn't just lose your brother.
*steps closer* You think Percy isn't like a brother to me at times? We grew up together, Annie. I've lost you once before, remember? See? Look, my hands are shaking even though I'm trying not to think about it.
I remember. Are you scared because of that, though?
I never want to go through anything like that ever again. So, that's why, I have to be extra careful from now on so it never has the chance to happen again.
That's right. That feeling that you're being torn apart. You understand what it's like. Finn, you're also my brother. You're not alone. No matter what happens I've got your back.
Thank you.
Crisis averted.
Hello? Bandore right at our heels?
We should keep moving then.
Pressing onward the combined team starts running into roaming monsters. A pair of Tumble Rabbits drop a Monster Bait for the team's war chest. This pretty much makes up the money we lost to those scavenging Ork Lords.
In a barrel down the hall the group finds an herb. I stocked up back in Marion but one more won't hurt. Besides with Samson and Edward now in the party we have plenty of inventory space.
Up the stairs we come to a juncture. There sure is quite a lot of water in this cave isn't there?
Heading east leads to a staircase up that results in a chest with a Source of Agility. Beyond the Beyond is usually pretty good with rewarding the player for wandering down side paths. At least, it is for now.
Another one of those weird bottles. That makes three so far.
*sniff, sniff* This one smells of magic too, Finn.
Where are they all coming from?
It certainly does seem like an odd thing to keep in a chest in a dank cave, doesn't it?
Back down the stairs we backtrack to the juncture, turn north and find the path splits again.
Wait, Finn I think I see someone to our left.
Just up the west path, though, is a priest just sort of hanging around.
Greetings, I am Brother Thomas. I was meditating in these caves, and I can't seem to find my way back out. Would you please guide me to the exit?
Are we really going to stop and help everyone along our way?
What?! You would not help a servant of Arawn? You lack proper schooling, child. Perhaps you should reconsider my request.
I was kidding! KIDDING! Sheesh, humans.
Don't mind Steiner. We'd be happy to help to help you find your way. You are very kind. May Arawn guide your destiny.
This cannot be turned down as it just loops back around to the Yes/No box if you pick no.
Besides which we have no reason not to help Brother Thomas and this is a small cave so we agree to lead him out and come upon the next staircase up a short time later.
Up those stairs it's a straight line to the exit. How did Brother Thomas get lost in here?
Sunlight! Yay! Goodbye cave! Thank you for guiding me. I will be staying in the inn at the crossroads ahead if you need my assistance.
Then Brother Thomas takes off.
Meanwhile back in the border church Ramue and three of her lackies are on our trail. This time, however, they haven't dragged the priest up with them.
(1) Mistress Ramue.
What did you find?
(1) Prince Edward and his party have closed and broken the gate to Zalagoon. It will take a while to fix the gate to follow them.
Is that so? Perhaps you lacked the motivation to find them quickly enough. Perhaps, knowing that next time your life will be at stake, you will be more motivated!
(3) Should we begin the repairs, Mistress?
(1) Yes! I'm sure we can be done by sundown!
(2) Those humans won't get far, great mistress!
The orks jump up and start heading north before Ramue interrupts them.
No need.
(1) Mistress?
Preventing Prince Edward from getting to Zalagoon would be a waste of effort. Even if they make it to Zalagoon, they will not get any assistance there. Whahahahaha!
(1) Then what have we been doing all day? (2) Keep your voice down or she'll hear you.
(3) Great Mistress we are ready to depart whenever you are. Mistress?
What? Oh, yes. I just noticed the priest has been doing a poor job maintaining the grounds. This tree here has been scorched by fire. (2) Do you... want us to do something about it? No, must be from lightning. No matter. Come on we need to get back to the castle. I am not spending another night out in this wilderness!
With that we are well and truly out of Marion. We won't see the kingdom again for a long time. It also means that we're completely on our own and need to be careful with our limited supplies because there are no shops until we reach Zalagoon. There are, however, dungeons, and the little house ahead of us is a small inn we can use for all our resting and game saving needs.
Inside the inn we find Brother Thomas precisely where he said we'd find him. This is good because Edward and Samson are going to need a little grinding before we're ready to move on.
Oh hi.
So this is the crossroads?
Yes. Long ago this was the site of a major trade route between Marion and Zalagoon. Hardly anyone comes by here anymore.
How does the inn stay in business then?
I live here of course. I get most of what I need from the land and the rest mostly from the priests and adventurers who wander through.
Samson are you all right?
I'll be fine.
Oh, that's right. Brother Thomas, we could use your help. Do you know anything about curses?
Oh! Of course, Finn. I'll gladly be of service! Let me see what I can do.
So are you folks planning on staying tonight?
Yes.
But can we really stop now? I don't think we have much of a choice. Samson's too proud to admit it but he's been in terrible pain all day.
--SUMMARY OF EVENTS--
Team Rugrats joined up with Team Royals at a church on the Marion - Zalagoon border and found themselves tested with a sliding block puzzle before they could enter the main shrine. There Ramue and two flunkies attacked and killed the party only for Finn to wake up in the church having no memory of what happened but having been found and saved out on the road by other travelers. Then Percy and Annie were revived, they met up with Team Royals again and solved the puzzle without a hitch. This opened access to a tunnel heading east under the mountains. In order to stall Bandore's pursuit team lead by the sorceress Ramue, Percy opted to close and seal a portcullis behind the party leaving himself alone on the Marion side. Since then he has been Missing in Action.
--BONUS CONTENT--
Percy Knight Age 20 Annie's older brother is currently a knight at Marion Castle. His basic personality seems to be much like Annie's. He is both brave and is not afraid to sacrifice himself. He is an excellent swordsman and one of the brightest prospects of all the young knights at Marion Castle.
Percy is an excellent swordsman... who starts the game at level 1 with pathetic stats. If that makes him one of the "brightest prospects" among the young knights then I can understand how they lost to Bandore's forces. We only fought 3 in that unloseable fight with Samson but even then the Bandore soldiers were much better then Percy was back at level 1.
Extra bonus! The save point after finishing the puzzle and saving when the priest blocks the path back is labeled as St. Baldrick's Garden. Who is St. Baldrick? I have no idea. Direct all hate mail for that stupid puzzle to them, though.
Next time on Beyond the Beyond - the party are now fugitives stuck in the wilderness. How will they make the trip to Zalagoon? Will they survive the trip to Zalagoon?
