Part 18: Ominous Bad Guy Fortress Interlude

Entry 16: Ominous Bad Guy Fortress Interlude





Welcome back to Bravely Default.

Having done a few dungeons, beaten up a few evil-doers, recruited a misfit party, and saved a kingdom, it's now time to start the game proper.



Last time, the party was just coming into the port on the Flor-Cheim Inner Sea.



Still no wind...

Are these desert places normally supposed to be windy?

When they're the site of the Wind Crystal, they are. This stillness shouldn't be possible.

The wind carried all manner of blessings to this land in days past. It was the kingdom's lifeblood.



From here, we need only head...

Er, we ought to make for... Hmm, which way is it?

Ignore anything she says. Agnès raises getting lost to an art form.



Just a moment. My journal details much of Ancheim's topography.



"A massive timepiece crowns the kingdom, fueled as all of Ancheim by the ceaseless currents originating from the Temple of Wind to the south."

Quite thorough, isn't it? Sounds as if you've been here before. Perhaps that book of yours is a travel diary?

I do seem possessed of a certain wanderlust. The normal sort, as well. Ooh, perhaps I'll find a train of ex-lovers here among the sands.

Let's be off. We make south.



That conversation concluded, our view switches from the party to a new, unknown location.



The man in white on the right speaks first.



I trust word has reached you from Caldisla. The Knights of the Eternian Sky have fallen to the vestal.

This man's voice has a strong echo thanks to his helmet. That's some attention to detail.

I'd not thought the girl so bloodthirsty as all that.

It appears she's surrounded herself with capable guards.



That is no concern of yours. Do not confuse personal matters with your assigned task, Alternis.



Not only did the Sky Knights fail, they've given the vestal wings. Why they didn't simply kill the child, I'll never know.

Keenly insightful as ever, Victoria. Yet I fear we've need of the vestal alive.



If she fled by air, it's a simple matter to track her. She makes for Ancheim by necessity.

And to the Temple of Wind. Ancheim does face upon the Flor-Cheim Sea.

Of course! Most of the world's seas have gone putrid, but the inner sea remains navigable. That would offer the airship a berth. But what does she aim to do there? Why return to the crystal now? It smells of some sinister plot...

Ancheim is the province of the Khamer & Profiteur Merchantry. What say you, Lord Marshal?

We haven't the leisure of chasing the vestal across the globe and back. We need her in custody now. Tell the merchantry to employ any means they must.



Looks like the Sky Knights were just the start of our trouble. Also, there seem to be either deep-seated communication issues in Eternia or they're a ton of gleefully sadistic murderers. Or both.



Before heading into the desert, the group takes the airship out for a spin.




Here's another area where the airship can land. Nothing but an obelisk and some higher level enemies. Good for grinding, but no need to skip ahead.

Back to the Flor-Cheim Inner Sea, where Edea switches to Knight. Although knights have E-proficiency with katanas, Ise-no-Kami is still her strongest weapon.





There are two new enemies on the sea: giant man-eating fish and giant man-eating vultures.





Vultures don't usually go after healthy living prey, but maybe pickings are slim at the moment with the rotted sea obliterating the food chain and all. That might also explain why an anglerfish-like creature would come to the water's surface.



The fish also drops this. Apparently it was alive for 250 years before we came along. Go team!




After all that fun, the party dries themselves out by walking across half a continent's worth of desert.

Along the way, Tiz's mind drifts back to Norende.



I hear you. It would be nice to up the pace a little. Can't you send out word to everyone you know and ask for their help?

...You three are everyone I know.

Oh, er... Right. Sorry.

I'm afraid the only people I know are those from the temple.

No, that... That makes sense.

Don't look at me. I'm not conscripting women into physical labor.

......

Ugh, fine! I guess I'll have to ask my people, then!

I'll just...oh. Right. I kind of went traitor, huh?

Well, then we'll just have to go meet some new people to enlist!

Yeah, but how are we going to--

Details! We'll just head someplace with a lot of people and trust our luck!

These guys aren't going to do a thing. This is the game nudging you to use Street Pass.



Ancheim is tucked between tall cliffs to the east and west, which would create a funnel for winds blowing from the south. Perfect for any economic system involving giant windmills.

But before we go there, let's check in on the Temple of Wind to the south.



Well, so much for that. Safe guess this 'Majesty' is in Ancheim.

Also, because we're in a desert RPG civilization, the residents are vaguely Arabic. It's nice to have some variety, but in this case it's only the most superficial difference.



So Ancheim it is. As the party enters the city, our view switches to another unknown location, with more unknown people.



Those were their words. I've relayed them to you. My contract states I'm to receive payment for my troubles from you.



......

Bah, fine. You'll have your fee. But I am taking ze small discount. Only fair, as a regular customer, eh?

If you must.



If ze margin is high enough, I would tackle a behemoth bare-handed. But until I see a profit, I'll not move an inch. Business is business, yes?

The scene closes on grim stranger and anthropomorphized capitalism with a fake french accent.





...And opens on one of the best-looking locations in the game.



Yeah, it's great, but this heat! Ugh... I feel gross.

The heat was always allayed by a steady breeze, but now...

The wind is stopped, the air stagnant.

What about the water? Is that contraption drawing up drinking water?

I believe so. I recall hearing it was quite costly, last I was here.

Well, it is an impressive machine... Wait, you mean the water!?

Indeed. I was surprised to learn water came free in Caldisla. I had always known it as something to be bought, so you can imagine my delight.

More importantly, Agnès, what of the women here? Are they beautiful? Passionate? Devoted?

Where would you suggest for a date spot? I'll need a list of good restaurants if you ple--

Unacceptable.




A new city, a new set of shops to buy out.



Airy agrees. We managed to do the impossible and cross a stilled ocean to get here. It'll be good to finally take a break.



Just one thing: the windmills aren't moving. It might be more impressive if we were able to get the wind going again.



Hey, Adventurer! Who do you have in mi--



...No...no thanks, Adventurer.

Another nudge to use online features. It lets players share overpowered moves with each other. I'll get along without it.



We're away from Karl's inn now, so we have to pay to rest. At that price, it's more a psychological than monetary change.



The weapons aren't upgrades, but the armor is.









These will start us off well. The tricorne is especially fashionable.





There are a few hidden items around town. If you look carefully, you can make out that, although the windmills are stopped, some of the gears around town are turning. So, the city is semi-functioning. But without wind, how?



One last shop stop for new magic. The black and white magic is level two, meaning only Tiz and Ringabel, respectively, can use them at the moment. The magic type with the moon icon is new, but unusable with our current jobs.

After that walk across the desert and successful shopping spree, the party's due for some sleep.

The next morning:



Just woke up and already that tired, Tiz?

It's this city. You notice how there are always gears turning someplace close?

Sure, the sound is deafening, at times. Little wonder this place is known for its grand clock.

The noise is bad, but the vibration is worse. I can't get to sleep with that hum.

I'm surprised you're so high-strung.

Surprised...?

I'm jealous of your ability to pass out anytime, anywhere, Edea.

Do you need a bit more rest, Tiz?

Oh, no. I'll be fine. Let's get going.

Edea's surprised Tiz is high-strung? The guy murders anyone who gets in his way.



On the way to explore the east side of town, an upset crowd of people blocks the party's path. Let's hope Tiz doesn't get impatient.


Find out what's going on next time after a short break.

Also, the game is about to start branching off into multiple paths. As a reminder, don't spoil paths that haven't been shown yet!

--

Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
Anchoring in Ancheim
A Wanted Vestal
Ancheim, the Land of Sand and Time

Party Chat:
Norende's Population
Ancheim, Land of Sand and Time
The Cogs of Ancheim