Beyond the Beyond: Update 21.5: More Luna

[ladyabaxa]

Beyond the Beyond: Update 21.5: More Luna

The last time we saw the squad Sir Samson was giving a priest the doom stare while Edward was trying to cut trouble off before it could get started. Let's see how well that is going.

That was odd.
Sir Samson what was... Sir Samson!
He's still in there?
Yeah he hasn't moved an inch.
Ok someone is acting all weird again.
Sir Samson!
Look, I don't know what you want! Please, just leave!
*growls* Fine.
*nervous laugh* Well this day is uh, is uh, certainly interesting. Yes, that's the word I'm looking for, interesting.
Pryraa. Well if it takes your mind off of things, Finn, there really is treasure right over there.
What? Where? Ooooh, I see it now.
Sir Samson what in the world was that all about?
Nothing.
It's there, right there, and it's just barely out of reach. This is cruel!
*pats Finn's back* Aww, there there, Finn. You know you shouldn't be going around stealing things to begin with.
Nothing? For a moment there I was afraid you were going to kill that man and you call that nothing?
Stealing things? I'm not a thief! I just pick up stuff other people have thrown away... in chests and barrels and stuff.

Finn I think we need to give Edward and Sir Samson some breathing room.
Yes I do call that nothing because that's exactly what happened.
What? Yeah, I see what you mean. Uh...
There's a guy over there by the water.
Then that's where we shall go.
Are you sure we should leave those two like that?
I think they need to work this out on their own.
Hi! What's going on?
Oh hello. Kids? Wow you're awfully well armed for children. What brings you to Luna?

The only reason nothing happened is because I decided to walk away and called you back.
Then what are you complaining about?
I'm not complaining! I want some answers. What was that scene back there all about?

We're just sort of sightseeing right now. Any news?
News? There's not much. It's been business as usual.
Are you from around here?

The guy seemed a little fishy, that's all.
A little fishy? A little FISHY? Look, ok, don't assume I'm stupid...
I don't think you're stupid.
...because I've kept quiet and just gone along with a lot of strange behavior from you lately but, this, this takes the cake.

Born and raised in this town.
So what do you do for a living?
Oh I work on the docks. I love the ocean! I wish I could get on a ship and travel around the world.

I know there are a lot of things you don't want to tell me but I've never seen you get angry like this before. First was that old man the other day and now you're getting all bent out of shape over a statue. A statue!
I didn't get "bent out of shape," Prince Edward. I just asked where it came from. That was all.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no. You're not weaseling out of this one! You didn't say anything out of line but you know that saying 'if looks could kill?' Yeah, you've mastered that!

Are those two ok over there?
They have some stuff to work out. Pay them no mind.
I... see.

Is this really necessary? Do you have to go shouting our business so the whole town can hear it?
Yes! YES I DO! That seems to be the only way you'll talk to me so dammit I'M SHOUTING!
Well I'm listening so you can lower your voice.

So are any of these boats here for sale?
What would you do with one of those, Finn? You can't go out to sea in something that small.
I don't know. I'm just sort of curious.
You might be able to buy a boat but it would probably be hideously expensive. Ask Mark over there if you want to know more.

So?
So what?
So are you going to tell me what the deal with the statue is?
It's nothing.
AAARRGH! You are impossible sometimes, you know that?

Are you Mark?
Yes I am. Is there something you kids need?
Finn here is curious about the ships in the harbor.
Really? I don't have time for games kid.
No, seriously, it would be fun to sail around and see what there is to see.

Nothing happened. Nobody got hurt. I don't understand what the big deal is.
It's the principle of the thing!
*eye roll* Really?
YES! Dammit I want some answers! I'm tired of you just blowing me off.
...
Samson!
*angry frown*
Well?

I have a ship if you need to travel freely around the world. Do you wanna buy it?
Yes?
It's a bargain! Only a 1,000,000 gold?
1,000,000 gold? We don't have that kind of money.
Well, too bad! Let me know if you change your mind.
That can't be right. This guy has to be messing with us.
I think he's serious.
What if someone paid you in installments? Would that work?
Hey! I think you heard me wrong. It's 1,000,000 gold. If you want the ship, you have to pay me in full.
You're fooling yourself, mister, if you think a random traveler is going to carry around that much money.
Then how about you kids stop bothering me, all right? I have work to do.
Ok, ok, we're going.

Obviously there's no way we could ever buy such a boat. One million gold is far more than our characters can carry. If they want a boat they're going to have to find some other way to acquire it.

Of course, this being a Camelot game the odds are good said boat would be destroyed twenty minutes after the team found it.

Are Edward and Sir Samson still arguing?
There's staring at each other. I think Edward's waiting for Sir Samson to flinch.
Silly humans. That'll happen as soon as pigs fly.
Should we just keep wandering around without them?
Sounds fine to me.

Prrr. Finn, Annie, there's a sign here.
A weapon shop? I wonder what you can buy in a town like this.
Let's find out.

The trio head inside.

This place is a mess.
Hey there! We're still getting set up but the store's open for business. What can I get for you today?
Okay I take that back. That's quite a variety you have back there.
No kidding. Just out of curiosity is any of this stuff from Ophera?
Of course! We also have wares that have come all the way from Aridia and Gebergheim. Is there anything in particular you're interested in?
Yeah but we kinda have other people in our party who aren't here right now.
We'll have to come back later today, if that's all right?
As you can see I still have a lot of setting up to do so I'll probably be here.

This shop is our first instance where the variety of wares requires a second page to display everything. It's also the first instance of a one-stop mega shop as this fellow sells weapons, armor, and items.

We also run into the first instance where I'm at a shop and someone's inventory is full. In this case that someone is Annie because right now I don't really trust the others to hold the assorted one-use magical weapons we've accumulated.

What now?
Are Edward and Sir Samson still having their disagreement?

I can stand here all day waiting for you to answer.
*shrugs*

I'll take that as a yes.

Prrr, there's still that building we passed up.
Okay then let's go see what their deal is.

Hey there kids! You must be travelers. Are you here to see the sights of Luna?
Sure.
This doesn't look like much of a shop.
That's because you haven't learned to appreciate the sensibilities of the sea. We have so much wondrous merchandise coming and going in this city we can't tie ourselves down like those conventional, stuffy stores.
Okay, I'm game. What do you have today?
I have a special item to sell to you. This mysterious vase! It's only 200 gold! What do you say?
It's a vase.
A smelly vase at that.
I think we'll pass, mister.
You'll never know the pleasure of finding a truly valuable acquisition. You need more space in your heart or you'll never enjoy your life!
How about you? Are you selling anything today?
I'm in acquisitions. Need to sell some items? I'll take 'em!
No thanks, human.
Too bad then. Please come back!

In case it wasn't obvious what with the warning we got from the guy on the bridge this is a ripoff. The vases for sale are useless junk you can only sell to the other guy in this room for less then the 200 gold you were scammed out of to buy them in the first place. There IS a chance a vase will turn out to be valuable and actually be something like a Tornado Vase but the odds of getting something like that are low. That said it is possible to make some nice cash here but unless you're lucky or resort to savescumming it's generally not worth the trouble.

Hyrrr. Two humans are arguing back there.
We're going to snoop, aren't we?
I'm fine with just walking away right now.
What?! You sold my vase?! You idiot! I traveled halfway around the world trying to find that treasure! That was the legendary Vase of Life!
Yup, that's an argument all right. Let's all just back away slowly and forget we heard anything.
That pirate, Domino, threatened to kill me if I didn't give it to him.
Pirates! I knew there had to be pirates around here somewhere.
Prrr, you're going to tell Sir Samson, aren't you?
Maaaybe.
Do we really need to add any more fuel to that fire?

No really I CAN STAND HERE ALL DAY! I HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO!

Domino? You're afraid of some two-bit lowlife captain?
What was I supposed to do? I'd be dead if I hadn't given it to him!
Your life... is insignificant compared to the value of that vase. You're fired! Get out!

The screen shakes as the unfortunate chap runs out of the room knocking Finn and Annie aside in the process

Hrmph!
Ouch!
If that's the way you feel, I quit!

Then the fellow rushes out and the kids get back to their feet.

Well that was rude.
Yeah no kidding. I could do without anyone else running into me for a long, long time.
I'm fine.
Well then could you lend me a paw?
Oh I suppose so.

That guy's crying. Should we do something?
We could always laugh at him.
Steiner!
What? Come on it was just a vase. There are hundreds of those things in this town alone.
It sounded kind of important, besides there was a pirate involved. I'm gonna go ask him what happened.
This can't end well.

Excuse me sir but we couldn't help but overhear. You were robbed by a pirate?
Yes! <sob> <sob> That scoundrel Domino took my Vase of Life, my most prized possession.
I'm sorry. I've never heard of this Vase of Life before. What is it?
A priceless ancient relic, that's what it is. I spent years searching for it just for that dolt to lose it.
I take it this vase is magical?
I appreciate the concern, kids, but I'd rather be alone right now. Is there something you need?
No. We'll just let ourselves out then.

The trio leave the shady store behind them and find themselves back on the bridge.

Annie do you think this vase thingee is magical?
Probably. Why else would it be so valuable?
The owner of the marketplace wishes to obtain eternal life at the Tower of Arawn.
Excuse me?
I heard shouting and a courier just ran out scared half to death. I'm guessing this has something to do with the Vase of Life, right?
Yeah.
I've heard that braggert going on about it before. He feels that the Vase of Life is somehow the key to entering the Tower.
How can a vase be the key to a tower?
Must be quite an unusual lock.
I'll say. Well, whatever. I say we let the pirates fight over it.
What does this have to do with pirates?
Some pirate named Domino apparently stole the Vase of Life from that guy who went running out of here.
His Vase of Life was stolen? Wow... but it serves him right! A man like that can't be trusted with anything so precious.
I guess but can this Domino fellow be much better?
I don't know but if he's really a pirate the answer is probably 'No.'

Aaand Edward and Sir Samson are still having their staredown. Lovely. Well, now what?
*shrugs* We can't just leave town without them.
I'm hungry. I'm going to go catch some fish.
Ok then. I'm going to sit on the docks then. You coming, Annie?
I have nothing better to do so sure.

The trio return to the docks. Annie and Finn sit while Steiner flies out looking for his next meal.

The key to the Tower of Arawn, eh? I wonder if that's true.
Getting excited at the idea of adventure, Finn?
A little. *pause* Come on you know it would be fun to see the inside of that tower.
Maybe but since a pirate ran off with that vase it seems we'll never know. Not that I was looking for a way in there mind you. We've got enough problems to worry about.
That friendly fellow is still here. Hey! How's it going?!
Back again? Your friends are still sorting things out it seems.
Yeah. We have a question you might be able to answer.
Oh?
Do you know anything about a pirate named Domino?
Yeah I've heard of him. He's a captain - has his own ship and everything. Why?
Oh he just stole a magical vase thingamajig from a guy in town, that's all.
What?? Captain Domino has been seen? Rumor has it he's a loner, even for a pirate.
Do you know what he might be looking for?
No idea. He tends to keep to himself.
What's this about a pirate?
AAARGH! Sir Samson you still haven't answered any of my questions!
And I'm not going to.
Giving up, Edward?
For today. Don't think I'm going to forget this, Sir Samson!
Do what you must. Now, about this pirate...
I'll explain as we head to the shop over there. There's a sword I've had my eye on.

So once again the team is united and the first thing they do is go shopping. The shopkeeper is, naturally, just totally heartbroken to take our cash.

Items bought

Finn > Bronze Plate, Long Sword
Annie > nothing (yet)
Samson > Chain Mail, Broad Axe
Edward > Iron Rod

Well there went all our money. Now what?
We should keep moving.
But what about the nightlife and stuff around here? Shouldn't we stick around and see what that's all about?
No, we shouldn't.
I'm probably going to regret asking this but why?
I don't like pirates and I especially don't like staying the night in a city festering with their stench.
Did something happen?
Yes and I'm not going to talk about it so don't ask.

Next time on Beyond the Beyond - RANTING!

Update Twenty-One | Index | Update Twenty-Two