Part 24: Saying Hey to All Our Buddies

Entry 22: Saying Hey to All Our Buddies

Before Yulyana Woods, let's check out what's going on everywhere else.



Orthros is a mythical beast spoken of in the Crystalist scriptures. As a child, I always wondered what would happen if the beast's two opposing heads bumped together.

What is Orthros, some kind of discount cerberus?



Hat, light gear, and accessories are easy to move in, so every job has an "A" aptitude for them.

Stoic guard has temporarily become another tutorial guard.

One last stop at Ancheim's armory:









The rest of the shop's inventory, all the non-upgrades. Eventually items will get more interesting descriptions, but right now they're still mostly bog standard pieces of equipment.



I miss the wind...

Won't be much longer, npc man. But first, the party's going to fly halfway across the planet to see how Caldisla's doing.



First you save our king, now you've beaten those Sky Knight louts for us. You lot are heroes!

They've only gotten more effusive in their praise during our absence. Good that things are going well.



Don't worry, npc kid, we're going to go close it with the power of justice and bloodthirstiness.



Not sure whether she's acting oddly because she's glum Ringabel's gone or because she notices him in our party.



That's right. In fact, let's check in and see if there's anything new.





There are quite a few types of compound items. It'll still be a while before they're usable, though.



Even if the wind is revived, the rotted seas probably won't be fixed.



Caldisla is finally free from the shadow of the Eternian Forces, thanks to you.

For now, everyone's distracted by their victory, but their kingdom's dependence on the ocean is likely going to really be hurting them soon.



The throne room is now filled with soldiers. All but one has a new line of dialogue.

The captain was my hero. I always aspired to be like him...



Your feats push us all to do our best. Keep them coming, would you?





One last check on Norende before we leave.



"Morning dew that forms on crystals" -- The big four Crystals with their own religion, or just little crystals growing in the ground? The former would certainly explain the high price.

The party rests at Karl's inn and heads back to the eastern continent.



Airy seems down. Having to delay reviving the wind crystal seems hard on her.



This shot was taken with the party at the Temple of Wind and ship (green icon) in Flor-Cheim Inner Sea. Yulyana Woods surrounds the lake that was covered in mist earlier.



As luck would have it, the mist is now gone.

There isn't much to do around here. That house is our destination. There's a cave around the south end of the lake as well. Let's go visit it.





On the way, the forest is full of zombies and other monsters. This tailor we're visiting must be quite tough to live out here.



Pink numbers indicate MP loss.



The obligatory jerk enemy that drains MP. At least ethers are cheap in this game.

On reaching the cave south of the lake:



Fairly standard. Except instead of the scene ending, Agnès walks off.



Edea runs after Agnès.



Ringabel follows Edea.



Tiz hurries along last. Tiz confirmed for being a little slow on the uptake.

We'll be here again soon enough. For now, it's back to the house near the pier.



Outside the house is a calm brook.



And evidence of someone fishing. This looks peaceful.



And it sounds like the right place.



We were here... The mother vestal, I, and Olivia.

Was that strange, distant groaning here then, too? Or am I the only one who's thoroughly unsettled right now?

You're not alone. The lack of women here is positively chilling.

Though it seems someone lives here...



After a pause, an old man walks up.



So, to whom do I owe this pleasure?

Agnès bows.

I am Agnès Oblige, sir. Vestal of Wind.

Ho ho ho! Little Agnès, is it? Oh, you have grown, child!



Aw, that's cute.

Now look at you! A fine woman you've become. Fine and plump and, ho ho, pleasantly jiggly. Ho ho ho! ...Ahem.

Ah, that was an awkward turn.



Then you are indeed the sage I seek. I fear I do not remember your name, sir.

Oh, we are a lot alike in that, my dear. Not many people around these parts to call me by it, whatever it was. "Sage" will do just fine by me. It is what the last vestal called me.

And at her heels, you. "Thage! Thage!" you'd call. A more charming little echo I've never heard.

Well, I am glad to have found you.

Feels rather good to hear a pretty young thing like you was looking for me. Seems I've not quite lost my charm. Now, you called yourself vestal. I take it that means the last vestal is...



I see... A sad loss. For all of us. She was fair, but firm. Very firm. She had taut curves fit to drive a man mad.

We shall be needing an in-depth account, good sage. Also, a briefing on any wild women of the woods.



You've quite the following, my dear. I had thought the vestals forswore all contact with the outside world.

These are... They are assisting me in my task.

Oh, assistants, eh? I see. Ho ho ho. Oh, and such colorful characters they are. I've kept you out here long enough. Come inside.

The sage leads the party into the house. Time passes, and we rejoin everyone in the evening.



You've been brave to come this far, Agnès.

I'd not have managed on my own. I owe Tiz a great debt.

Hmm... Well, perhaps it is we've come to the Harrowing.

The Harrowing?

The swelling dark is a harbinger, lad. As is the fall of the temples. The dulling crystals. The great chasm.

It is the vestal's calling to see that darkness purged. I must awaken the four crystals.

Awaken them?



Huh? What?



Each is a beauty fit to outshine the next! Their allure had me spellbound. Spellbound, I tell you!



Ho ho ho! I'm impressed a man of your scant years can properly appreciate them.



They're a matched pair...



As am I, my friend. This is art--romance! You'll come to understand in a few years. And as I recall, we didn't come here to talk. We came to procure vestal garb as quickly as possible.

While you were chatting, I searched. My efforts bore unexpected fruit, that's all.

Ho ho ho! So, you've come to me because of your need for new vestments, have you?

I have. The garb housed in the temple was lost to the darkness. We found it in scraps, sir.

Hrmmm... Those garbs are woven from rainbow thread. No substitute will suffice.

And is this thread something you keep on hand?

I fear not, my dear. The vestal to wear the garb must procure the thread herself. It is tradition. The last vestal of wind did so, as did her predecessor, and countless vestals before.

Even had I the thread used to craft the last vestal's garb, I could not fashion it into aught of use to you.

So the torn garb wouldn't have worked anyway. But then what about the outfit Agnès is wearing in the opening movie? Was it her predecessor's? Strange she knows all about the Rite of Awakening but not the unique outfit bit.

...I understand. Tell me where I must go.

Of course, my child. But come, the day is nearly spent. Stay the night. Oh, yes! If you girls would like, I would be happily obliged to make space in my own bed for you!

Oh! Unacceptable!





The night goes by without incident. At least the sage takes no for an answer. Next morning:



Edea, was it? How about making a nip of breakfast now for an old man, eh?

What? Why should I cook for you?



Given her upbringing, I've grave doubts the vestal could boil water, let alone cook. That leaves you.

Food can wait, sage. Now, the location of the rainbow thread, if you please!

Agnès? Jealous, are you? Oh ho ho! That's adorable.

The location of the rainbow thread, if you please!

Hmph, you're no fun at all. Very well, then. I prepared a light meal while you were sleeping. Eat before you go.

All that, and he'd already made food. What an imp.



Remember those directions.



Quite. It was nothing especially fancy or out-of-the-ordinary, but it went down fine.

I thought it was really good, actually.

Likewise. I wonder why he would have wanted you to cook for him, Edea?

All alone, out here in the woods? Maybe he missed the taste of the big city.

Aww, when you put it that way, I feel bad for saying no.

What sort of food do you like to cook, Edea?

Hmmm, I haven't cooked enough to have a specialty or anything, but if I had to pick something...

I make a mean jam and butter omelet.

...Beg your pardon?

Or whipped chestnut and sweet potato toast.

Uhh...

Or have you ever tried marshmallow and condensed milk risotto?

Er, no, but it sounds sweet... Painfully so.

Yup! Mother and father were left speechless by its amazing deliciousness.

I'd be happy to whip some up for you next time.

R-right... Next time...

The sage doesn't know the bullet he dodged.


Next entry won't be until after the weekend. Then the heroic misfit party's going to tackle a dungeon and a dragon.

--

Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
The Yulyana Woods
The Yulyana Sage
The Sage's Hospitality
A Vestal Tradition
Morning in the Yulyana Woods

Party Chat:
Such Sweet Sorrow