Part 30: Worst Trade Route Ever

Entry 28: Worst Trade Route Ever

And thus the heroes, unable to ask the wise sage about bypassing the poisonous forest due to an emo-phase childhood friend busting their airship, went "Fuck it" and entered the poisonous forest anyway.



What magical lands will the party visit this time? What over-the-top villains will drop new gameplay mechanics?



We begin with the viewer once again transported to Obvious Villain Headquarters.



I've heard rumors the Wind Crystal was..."awakened," as they would have it put.

Indeed. And worse, since its awakening, the crystal has been protected by a shield that bars all but the vestal.

You made contact with the girl, did you not? Why did you not capture her then?

Were these infamous allies of hers really so strong as to cow even you, dark knight?

They... No. Among those I saw accompanying the vestal... One of them was Edea.

......

My, my, my. This is a twist.

Quite so. A shocking turn.



Still, if this is the truth, it is a troubling one. We look to you to lead all the Eternian Forces, Lord Marshal. For your daughter to abet the vestal is...problematic.

How would you have us proceed?

......Any who would join the vestal in opposing us must be eliminated. Their birth matters not.

Ahh, bold words. But how truthful, I wonder. You would really allow her "elimination"?



The task before us is larger than us all. I'll not allow private matters to slow its course.

Then I shall go and speak with her again. Surely--

I will go. It seems the water vestal is proving a problem as well. I shall go and pluck the both of them.



As you command.





......

Luckily for Prime Minister Harena, Eternia is apparently so distracted by the vestal and Edea they'll ignore Ancheim's change of government and reversion of open worship of Crystalism.



Switching back to the party, we're still at the entrance of Miasma Forest. The fox vendor ahead sells the same goods as Yulyana Needleworks.









The last items available from this merchant. More Eisenberg mythril.



Giant mushrooms are the most common enemy in the forest. They can be either annoying or harmless depending on how strong you are, because their main ability is a chance to replicate themselves every time they're struck.



If your damage output is low, as it is for my underleveled party, you can end up in an infinite spawn loop if you're not careful.



The other residents are worse. This tree casts multi-target sleep. Irritating but manageable on it's own...



But they're commonly paired with these scorpions, who can currently two-shot the party. Combined, they...well, you can see what happens. Time Slip is the Time Mage specialty, which resets the battle when the party is defeated.



Here are the results of grinding in the desert to raise the level of the new jobs. Ringabel and Agnès also trained up White Mage.



Now we're set to rush through here.



Just take a shortcut through this dark muck...



...and get everyone poisoned.



My legs... My whole body's tingling!

This swamp... It's poison!

The wind carried off the miasma, but the swamp's still just as toxic!

Is nothing easy? I hate poison! Every step hurts, and I feel like I'm going to be sick.

We could always double back to town and stock up on antidotes...

You worry too much! All we have to do is be careful to step around the marshy patches.

Agreed. Let us be extremely careful where we walk.

Slow and steady it is.



On the second try in the forest, everyone's tougher and Tiz and Edea now do passable damage, making the scorpion and treant combo manageable.



Despite the treant's best efforts.





This forest is a fun place. How do people normally travel between Ancheim and Florem?



Map of the first subarea, just before the last treasure is looted.



The dungeon gimmick is figuring out how to reach all the treasure without dipping into poison muck.




This treasure in the second area is a bit trickier to find. The treasure in the lower right on the map is a blue chest.




Adventurer has some encouraging words for us at the end. Let's take this opportunity to buy a couple more items from Norende.



The ogre in this case may be a Japanese oni, which is ogre-like and often shown using a type of club called a kanabo.



The Monkey King's been used enough in media to be known all over the world nowadays, even if not by name. Goku, for example, was originally derived from the character.

That done, it's time to get out of the forest. As the party leaves, the viewer again switches to another unknown location.



I'll not take up more of your time than necessary. I have a request of a...delicate nature.

The Bloodrose Legion is deployed in Florem. If this favor poses no conflict to my mission, I'll consider it.

The vestal of wind has entered Florem. We're certain of it.

Ah, hence the news I just received that Victoria and Victor will be joining us there. I see.

The only problem is that Edea is accompanying her.

Accompanying the vestal!?

She's been deceived. Seduced by that witch's words. I tried to talk some sense into her, but... The two of you are practically sisters. Perhaps she'll listen to you, if not me. Will you do this?

Heh heh. That girl has caused you no end of grief over the years. Very well. I shall do all I can. But, should my sisters make contact first... Best you gave up on her. I'm afraid even I can scarcely keep these two in check any longer.

I...I understand.





The vestal may attack at any moment. Stay vigilant.

Yes, Sister.

A surrogate sister to Edea? Maybe we'll finally have someone willing to listen to reason.

We return to the party at the forest's northern outskirts.



Yeah. What IS that? It's strong... Augh, it's like something's rotting. My eyes are watering!

Perhaps we're smelling the Miasma Woods' namesake?

I doubt it. The wind is blowing in the opposite direction.

I feel like it's coming from the north.

Ringabel, when was the last time you took a bath?

Heh, if it were my natural musk, you and Agnès would be losing your minds with desire about now.

......

...Nothing? No response at all?




North of the forest is a whole new region to explore. As in Harena, the party refuses to enter most areas, like that cave there, with a standard "no time for this" scene.



This happens if you try to enter the Temple of Water right away. The party probably just wants to take a bath in civilization first. After traversing the Miasma Forest, can't really blame them.



There are a couple other non-event viewer scenes around. One is at this large tree in the wide open northeast section of the continent.





Unlike most places, the party's willing to explore.



Ugh, the whole forest reeks of death...

This is the origin of the rotting smell mentioned earlier. Must be terrible to carry all the way to the Miasma Forest.



And over there... The sheer number of bodies is mind-boggling.

This part of the forest has withered. Perhaps these remains bear some connection.

And who's capable of hunting monsters on this scale in the first place?




There's nothing to do here at the moment.



Aside from Tiz giving a comment if you reenter.



Norende chooses now to give this. At least it doesn't stink.



Northwest of Twisted Treetop is another unusual stop.



What? What is it?



You really are hopeless, Ringabel.

......

I think Ringabel needs to get some fresh air.




Next, we'll be finding the plot for this chapter in: Florem, Land of Handling Women's Issues Terribly. Just a preemptive reminder, keep conversation in this thread civil and related to the game, folks.

--

Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
The Council of Six
The Bloodrose Legion

Party Chat:
Tread Carefully
A Foul Stench