Part 37: The Other Hidden Village

Entry 35: The Other Hidden Village



Here's a look at Norende's progress so far. As areas are upgraded, houses, windmills, and factories appear. It's a cute little touch.

The party, in the meantime, has been searching for a lead to the Bloodrose Legion's activities.



That lady's sure running fast. Not even watching where she's goin--



*crash*



Tiz does a fantastic pinwheeling arms animation here, but it doesn't translate well into a gif.



The stranger backs away, not even responding, then takes off for the entrance of town.





As the others look after the woman, Agnès notices something on the ground.



Looks like they dropped something.

Let's have a look.

Ringabel yoinks it out of Agnès's hand.



No, I ought've. And good thing I did.

Why, what does it say?

"Rose to strike northern hideaway. Warn them to flee at once."



Rose... The Bloodrose Legion!

Let's hurry north. To the hidden village!

Note: this hidden village is not the same one Olivia the water vestal is hiding out in. The Florem region is just littered with secret villages and old ruins.

Also, I agree with folks that the ranger costumes are funny, but they're terrible for showing character animations. Later on I'll be switching Ringabel out of ranger for cutscenes.



This next location is the upper right blue icon, along the way to Twisted Treetop.



The area around here looks unhealthy. Is this what the Matriarch meant by lands turned to waste? Why is it only bad over in the eastern section? (we'll get an answer later.)



Being a hidden village, it's tucked past a maze of a forest.



While the previous sidequest was available before the Flower Festival, This sidequest only became available afterwards. As such, it's a higher level of difficulty.



Still, nothing we can't handle. First enemy of the region.



...We're not handling it. That thing is one-shotting people.



Time for another grinding session.



Norende gifted this in the meantime. Even the database entry is confused by this one.



A short time later, the party returns to the forest newly buff and ready to take names. At least, Ringabel was trying to get a name. Stop trying to hit on the enemies, Ringabel.



Genetically modified dragons. The Eternians may be evil, but they're got style.



Although the party's current setup has no dedicated healer, they are now deadly enough to not need one. I never did get a chance to see this enemy attack.



These guys are the only ones fast enough to get a hit in before Agnès (using iron pole w/two-hands and stave proficiency) and Ringabel decimate everything.



The party should be levelled enough for the rest of the chapter.



Taking the upper right path...



Leads to a dead end with an upgrade for Tiz. Tiz will send enemies to sleep, all right. Forever.



Backtracking and taking the upper left path leads further in, with this along the way.



The word aeolian refers to Aeolus, a Greek god who ruled the winds.



Witherwood isn't a huge place. We're already over halfway through.



The design of this dungeon is similar to the eastern East Shroud area in Final Fantasy 14. CrashScreen's actually currently in the adjacent area in their LP at the time of this post if you want to see what I imagine a higher-res Florem region looks like.




A short stroll later and we've found the Adventurer. Meaning that beyond is...




Crystalists. That is some stark landscape change in the background.



Is something wrong?

Gather your families and run! This place will soon be attacked!

What!? No way!

It's the truth! Now hurry!



This is no time to be laughing!

But it's too funny! How could you fall for it so easily?

Uh-oh.



Hurry, girls! Send word to the valkyrie!

The party is surrounded. In a short time:



In the party's defense, most Eternians so far have treated strategy like a foreign concept.

What's become of the people of this village!? You didn't--

Gone, and not by my hand. This place was deserted. Though I cannot say whether the original inhabitants left alive or dead.

......

Agnès Oblige, Vestal of Wind, you will come with me.

We won't let that happen.

Einheria...

Do not resist. Running is futile as well. You're perfectly surrounded.



You've not been given leave to speak, Edea.



Why are you doing this? This isn't--

I've warned you not to speak!

I'm afraid I cannot keep silent. Agnès is my friend.

......



Alternis begged me to talk sense into you. He was beside himself.

He's not... Alternis has nothing to do with this.

You and I learned the sword under the same master. We shared a vision. A dream. We swore our blades to the service of Eternia, and pledged to fight for her future.

......

Yet here you stand, a traitor.

I had to...

To free mankind from thralldom before the crystals. To create a new world where all can live in peace! These are the tenets of the grand marshal's philosophy.

The same that you denied when you betrayed your homeland and spat in the face of your father!



We don't know too much about the state of the world before Eternia started taking over. It's a given Agnès has a rose-colored view of the Crystal Orthodoxy, but going by real world large-scale organized religions and hints in-game so far, the Orthodoxy was likely not all rainbows and sunshine. Don't worry, the game will cover it more later on.



But no longer. I've seen the world with my own eyes. Judged right from wrong for myself. And now I can say with all confidence, you are wrong. All of you.



You burn cities down. Bleed people dry for money! One atrocity after another...

You mean to deny your own father? Just like that!?

...Yes. I don't understand what he's thinking. I can't accept it.

What have you been looking at this whole time? The vestal's illusions!?

I know what I've seen. I'll let no one deny it. Not even you.

...This is my final warning. Return to your father's side, Edea.

I cannot. I won't! I can never go back to the Eternian Forces.

......

The grand marshal's orders were... to eliminate any obstacle.

Father...!



I'll not hold back. Your treason ends now!



That's a shame. Unlike most other Eternians we've met, Einheria seemed reasonable, but whatever propoganda they get in Eternia is just too effective.



Unlike Artemia, Einheria is a single opponent. She does not need help because she is significantly stronger, especially with use of the multi-target attack Crescent Moon. With the party's minimal healing, keeping track of both her and the party's BP is a must to know when to attack and when to Default.



Valkyries are Bravely Default's Dragoons. This includes their signature ability Jump, where the user jumps off the battlefield, then reappears with a large attack on a single opponent. The party's kept ready to Default whenever Einheria jumps.



With high physical attack, Agnès can more than take care of healing herself with Life Thief.



Partway through the fight, Einheria puts up Spirit Barrier, which redirects damage to her MP instead of HP until either her MP hits zero or ten turns pass.



It only delays the inevitable.


Next: A fun-filled faerie adventure! Also, death.

--

Event Viewer
Sub-Scenario:
A Preventable Tragedy
At the Hidden Village
Einheria Appears
Cheerless Reunion - A/B
Valkyrie Einheria - A