Beyond the Beyond: Update 21: City of the Sea (Port of Luna)

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 21: City of the Sea (Port of Luna)

With Samson recovered enough to continue their trek the team must once again face the dangers of the sands of the east. This is going to be a long update so buckle in!

Here's our map for this part of the game. The group must make the dangerous trip from Ophera Village on the eastern coast all the way to the port of Luna on the western coast.

Well are you all ready to set out?
Sure. I guess
Sir Samson?
*shakes head* I don't know what we're getting ourselves into. This is well beyond any journey I've ever been on.
At least it will be interesting.

I'm starting to think this desert is infested with cloaked people.
Who are still up to no good. Be on your guard.

Dear Journal, perhaps it is our renewed confidence or the cooler weather, but the journey out of the desert didn't seem nearly as bad as the journey into it. Our progress was steady. Even the stinging winds didn't seem to bite so hard. After six days heading south with the coastline cliffs as our guide we reached a descending slope that I knew could mean only one thing - that we would soon find ourselves in a wetter climate. Even as I write this I can see trees on the horizon. By this time tomorrow we will shelter under them.

Dear Journal, I remember stories Master Myrrdin told me of ancient times and am finding them more and more relevant to my present day. As the legends go eastern Greenheim was once home to three great kingdoms. These nations destroyed one another leaving many anguished souls to roam the continent and prey upon the living. In the quiet fields south of the sands of the east I found out these legends have some basis in fact. Undead skeletal warriors can at times be found waiting, dormant, for some unlucky traveler to pass by.

We were totally taken off guard by just such a skeletal pair but thankfully rather then use our surprise to their advantage they shouted war cries and raised decaying amulets above their heads. Said amulets wove a protective enchantment around them.

The skeletons are the first foes we've encountered that carry items to boost their own stats. In this case the War Amulets they carry function as a Boost 2 spell for one group of enemies - increasing their defense and agility for 3 actions.

Having learned my lesson with the warrior women I wasted no time in incinerating our undead foes. It felt nice to finally be able to put my training to good use.

Fortunately we have Edward and his Fire level 2 spell is precisely the sort of thing this situation calls for. These particular foes are weak to fire damage so one cast destroyed both of them.

Dear Journal, we continue to make good time and it has only been 3 days since my last entry. Now that we aren't struggling against sand our pace has spend up appreciably. Honestly, other then that there hasn't been much to write about. We keep watch for threats but there haven't been many monsters about. The dead have not bothered us any more and for that I am grateful. Maybe that means the accursed legions are mostly now at rest. That would be a blessing for this beautiful wilderness.

We did run across orks here and there but they journeyed alone. I guess the summer hasn't been kind to them for their skin seems badly sunburned to a bright pink complexion. I don't understand why a lone ork thinks itself a match for four armed humans but none have hesitated to attack us.

Dear Journal, we are nearing two weeks since we left Ophera, as expected. Although we cannot see the shore yet we know the sea must not be far to our west for the wind brings with it sea birds. Luna cannot be far now.

New lands brings new foes. Shortly after we set out this morning we ran into a strange sight. An old man with a long white beard carrying a staff seemed to have enlisted a tall ork as a bodyguard. The pair seemed amiable enough as they approached. The old man even smiled at us and greeted us with an old morning prayer.

I can't say that I felt friendly, though. There was nothing in particular that bothered me but anyone wandering around is suspect, especially when they walk with a demi-human. The old man asked us where we were going but before anyone could speak Sir Samson gruffly rebuffed him. We started to walk away when the old man shouted at us in a strange language. I felt a surge of magic that set my hair standing on end.

Finn and Annie reacted swiftly before the old man could let loose a spell on us. Wounded, he was forced to heal himself instead.

I don't think Sir Samson liked the old fellow one bit. He had no words, not even a battle cry. He simply walked over, brought that huge axe down, and the old man, I don't think he felt any pain. He simply ceased to be. His ork friend was soon to follow.

I still don't understand why the old man attacked us. Did he really feel so slighted by Sir Samson's redress that only blood could settle it? I can't say I'm sorry about what happened, though. He started the battle even if Finn was the first to draw blood.

That wasn't a critical hit on Samson's part. He waltzed over and dealt more damage then Finn and Annie combined (who dealt 9 and 7, respectively). Usually Samson's stat growth leaves much to be desired. After the stat boosters and spending so much time savestate-scumming his level ups I feel quite smugly satisfied when he does something like this. Sure a curse retaliation now drains 1/3 of his health from maximum but, meh, I'm used to living dangerously.

Dear Journal, it has been but one more day on this long journey since my last entry but I am happy to write that in a few hours we will be within Luna's protected walls. We can see the town below us huddled against the sea. It's smaller then I thought it would be but even at this distance there can be no doubt it is a port town.

Inside Luna's walls (although those walls aren't seen at all in the town) the team finds the town is literally built next to the water on what might be an artificial island.

Visitors? Welcome to the port town of Luna! Even though this is a small town, there is constant trade going on. Please enjoy your stay!
So who does the town trade with, anyway?
Well you know how it goes. Ships come and go under every flag.
Except Marion's apparently.
Yes, my father was never very keen on anything to do with the sea.
I noticed. Oh well, I wonder if we really can find any pirates here.
Pirates? Wherever did you hear something like that?
Aww, Finn's already making friends.
I didn't say Luna IS full of pirates. I was just wondering about the rumor. That's all.
That rumor's just a vicious lie told by people who are jealous of us. Pay it no heed.
Yes, I'm sure you all mean well. We should get going.

Yup, there's definitely something unusual about the land that Luna sits on top of. There's no vegetation anywhere, just stonework.

You really do think there are pirates here don't you, Sir Samson?
I've been around long enough to know that no port stays open for long unless it's well defended or has reached some sort of agreement with those vermin. Then again maybe we'll get lucky and won't cross paths.
Yeah why would pirates be on land, anyway? Don't they have piratey type stuff to be doing at sea?
Well there were those pirates we heard about in Ophera that were interested in the ruins. I don't know of any ruins out at sea.
(1, at table, east) Oh we finally have some visitors coming from on land, eh? Where are you four from?
Five, and we're from way up north.
(1) From up north? From Zalagoon?
You could say that.
(1) Sounds like you've had a long trip. Is there anything in particular you're looking for here in Luna?
(2, at table, south) Are you really going to badger visitors with twenty questions, Fred?
(1) What? It's just a bit of friendly conversation.
We're sort of stopping here on our way elsewhere. Any information on towns nearby would be appreciated.
(1) Towns, eh? Beyond the valley and the mountains to the east, there is a village known as Jonowan. I've heard it's pretty boring there.
(2) Why anyone goes out of their way to visit places like that is beyond me. What's there to do in a little backwater village?
It's not so bad.
(2) That was a rhetorical question. I grew up in a tiny fishing village. I know what it's like.
Pryraaa. Why did you come to Luna, then?
(2) To find work, of course. I've heard there's a great club which opens up at night, but I have to work early in the morning. If only I had the legendary Moon Crescent. Then I could have some real fun.
The Moon Crescent? What is that?
(1) Hahaha! You still believe that old wive's tale, Fred? Come on now! There's no such thing.
Ok, back up. What is this Moon Crescent, which doesn't exist, supposed to be?
(1) The stories are vague but it can supposedly call night or send someone through time or some such rot.
That sounds a bit extreme just to go to a night club. Can't you just go on a day off or something?
(2) I wish but there's no such thing as a day off around here!
Well, uh, if we hear anything about this crescent thingee we'll be sure to tell you.

Frankly, I hope this Moon Crescent really is a fable.
Why?
That sounds like dangerous magic to leave lying around.
Soooo, you think it's possible for something like it to really exist?
I suppose with the right sort of magic it could be possible but I'm not exactly holding my breath.
Hmm, well, whatever. It's not like it sounds particularly useful for us.
A ship must have come in recently or something. Look at all these crates.
Yeah. I wonder what's in them.
Is there something you expect to find, Finn?
I don't know.
Treasure?
There's some weird, smelly fruit in here.
That's not treasure.
It is if you're hungry.
What are these?
I don't know. Sir Samson?
Probably something from western Aridia. Leave it be, Finn.

Finn's search has turned up something interesting. I'm guessing this, being in a crate in the game's premier port town, is a sly way of saying that a certain maritime plague is a concern that sailors have to deal with.

Oh, hello kids. You must be new in town. Have you heard the rumor of pirates living in this town?
No, not at all.
The rumor came from Zalagoon. But, as you can see, it's completely unfounded.
Actually, we heard about pirates while we were in Zalagoon.
*grumbles* I was being sarcastic. I bet everyone on this side of the continent has heard by now.
Who is spreading these lies? As you can see, there is not a single pirate in town.
I'm sure.

Suddenly another blonde chap runs onto the scene. And here I thought Zalagoon was Attack of the Blonde Guys. Silly me.

Are you people asking about pirates?
Maybe. What's it to ya?
This didn't come from me, but I heard that Luna's night life attracts all kinds of people. If you're looking for someone you should check it out. Not that there would be pirates there or anything.
Are we looking for a pirate?
NO!
Well you don't have to be rude about it.
But you just said there aren't any pirates around here.
Of course there aren't any pirates here. That's just a myth! Well, anyway, have a nice day!
The people in this town are weird.
I feel a headache coming on.
You want some herbs or something?
Nah, it's just an acute reaction to bullshit.
Ahhh, yes, one of those allergies.
The sooner we get out of this town the better.
Agreed.

At least the inn is close to the city gates.
Huh? What?
It seems we are not alone.
...I was partying all night. Let me sleep. Zzzzz...
Oh, uh, sorry. We'll just be going now.

What are we looking for while we're here?
Don't answer 'treasure,' Finn.
I wasn't!
I don't think we're in the market for a ship. I guess we're just sort of seeing what there is to see.
The village of the elders is supposedly to the north. We should ask around.
Oh hello kids. Are you from out of town too?
Yes. Where are you from?
I'm from an island to the west. I came to Luna because I had heard that you could buy ancient treasures. But all I see are crooks selling cheap imitations!
An island, eh? So you came here by boat?
Yes. I take it you haven't heard of the Shrine of Discipline.
I've read about it a couple times but the books didn't say much.
I'm from a small village on that same island. I would say if you get a chance you should visit it but between all the pirates and Bandore's navy now isn't a good time to be out at sea.
Are they just attacking random ships or something?
No, they're fighting each other. It's gotten so bad Bandore will open fire on any ship they run across that's not theirs. Mine barely made it here in one piece. We had to outrun one of their frigates!
That sounds terrible. I take it, though, that that's not normal?
No. I don't know what set it off but in the last couple of years some of the pirates have gotten extremely aggressive towards Bandore. Bandore being Bandore they've returned the favor.
Ya know, Edward, maybe your dad was on to something with not wanting a navy. It all sounds way too complicated.
It gets worse.
Oh?
A few months ago a derelict ghost ship turned up. No one knows what happened but the crew and passengers all disappeared yet the cargo wasn't touched and the ship wasn't damaged. The only clues were bloodstains on the decks. Back on my island people started whispering that monsters who roam the sea have grown bold.
Hey, Finn, it sounds like you're not the only one everything is trying to kill.
That's not very comforting, Steiner!
The last couple of weeks have actually been pretty quiet. Maybe things are settling down, Finn.
I hope so.
So you've been accosted by monsters? Haha, I wouldn't put too much stock in rumors. Other then our run in with Bandore my trip was uneventful.
Speaking of your trip, I am curious about that crooks accusation you leveled earlier.
It's true! You see that building right over there? The one with the sign out front?
Yeah.
I'd stay away from there if I were you. Those scoundrels will steal the clothes right off your back if given half a chance!
We'll keep that in mind.
I hope you have a safe trip home.
Me too, assuming I can find a ship to take me back. I might be stuck in this town for awhile.

So we're really just going to skip that building?
For now.
Hey it's a church!
It's an empty church.
Is there something I can help you kids with?
Nah we're just sorting of looking around.
That is a peculiar statue you have back there.
You like it?
The design looks familiar.
It's identical to the statue in the shrine at the border church in Marion. Say, where did you get it anyway?
Oh, well it's been here for years.
Years?
Yes, it was acquired by my predecessor and was part of the old church before the earthquake some years back. Is there a point to all these questions?
*cold stare*
Ah, yes, we were just leaving.

[When we continue in the next part we'll find out just what seems to be bugging Sir Samson as well as what else Luna has in store for the kids. I mean, there's gotta be a shop around here somewhere, right?]

Update Twenty | Index | Update Twenty-One point five