Part 45: Something in the Water

Entry 42: Something in the Water

Let's start off with a brief look at a variation of the showdown with Einheria. This middle section of the conversation, called Valkyrie Einheria in the event viewer, has two versions, A and B. A occurs if Einheria is met before Olivia's death, while B occurs if she is met after.

The changed section starts after this line:



If I've learned anything since then, it's how hopeless a fool I was! The Council. The Forces. The Legion. None of you are making people's lives better!

This is what you have to say?

You murdered Olivia, the vestal of water, in cold blood!

......



And she was slaughtered. Sneered at! And for what? What ideal could that serve!? It was murder, base and cruel!

You're blind. How can you be so nearsighted?

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

From there both versions of the cutscene are the same.



Today's Norende gift is... Tiz, where are you getting your suppliers? Norende's shaping up less like a sleepy farming village and more like the centerpoint of an international black market.

Anyway, back in our party's version of reality, the party heads into the Temple of Water to give the crystal a long-awaited visit.



As they approach, Ringabel holds up a hand to stop the others.



The air is charged. It's totally different from before!

Look, there! In the crystal!



......?

Rusalka...! That's Rusalka, Purveyor of Doom!

It's the same as the last time...

We can't awaken the crystal until we're rid of the beast, Agnès!

Then I have no choice.

I must do this!



A rusalka is a female water spirit from Slavic folklore, similar to mermaids. They are said to be the souls of drowned women, especially those whose death was violent (suicide or murder).



Unlike Victor and Victoria, this will be a fair fight. Kind of.



Rusalka is water element. As such, she's weak to thunder. But this won't be so simple as stabbing away at her.



Every few turns Rusalka disappears into the ground, becoming unattackable.



If a target disappears while a character's mid-Jump, they'll end their Jump with a harmless landing rather than an attack.



Ideally, the turn while Rusalka is gone should be spent in Default to build BP and have higher defense...



Because Rusalka's next action will be popping back up with a strong multi-target water attack...



And spawning three clones. These clones have only a fraction of Rusalka's HP, but look identical (unless you use Freelancer's Examine to identify Rusalka beforehand) and hit just as hard.

You only have a few turns before Rusalka disappears and the cycle starts fresh. I ended up restarting the fight because damage was too high without water resistance.



If that wasn't enough, Rusalka can also charm. When Rusalka takes actions, she makes wails that sound like a cross between a woman and a high-pitched whale.

After Rusalka's done and the last clone's beaten down:



......

Agnès changes into the vestal garb.



To awaken it, you must set your own life force to resonate with the crystal's natural rhythm. Focus your prayers on the crystal and don't stop, Agnès.

If it works as it should, we'll soon see dramatic results. I know I said it before, but be sure you don't stop before it's done.

Keep praying until I give the signal to stop. No matter what. The flow of the crystal's energy could reverse and explode out of control. Is all of that clear, Agnès?

I understand. You needn't repeat yourself.

Agnès...

......

If it does go berserk, do we get a second chance at the ritual?

No second chances. Which is why it's so important you all stay out. Alright, Agnès. Let's begin.

Right.



This is functionally identical to the Wind Crystal.



Tap the button some...



Eventually we see the crystal's nice blue color.



More tapping and the crystal explodes into shininess. Agnès pauses.

Nnh...hnngh...

Not yet! Just a little longer!

Rgh...!

More! Keep going!

A few thousand button taps later:



Press X to Pray!



Not now, Airy, I'm on a roll!



As mentioned during the wind crystal, if we go on too long, Airy panics and Agnès stops on her own.



... ... ...

Agnès is gasping for breath. The '...' lines are always voice acted as sighing, gasping, grunting, that sort of thing.



I'm fine. No cause for worry... That makes two crystals...

We're halfway there.

... ... ... (sound of Agnès panting)

Agnès, you need to rest. You've been pushing yourself this whole time.



I have to do this... I have to do it alone...



The words of Olivia and Airy have struck Agnès. If the journey so far is any indication, she'll need that conviction to save the last two crystals.



Another crystal, another support ability slot.

We leave the party as the scene switches back to Florem.



Ah! It's the guidance of the vestal. Praise be to her!

The water crystal is quicker to recover than the wind crystal. Maybe because the wind crystal spent more time corrupted?



Continued line: Sometimes hide in the ground or create mirror images of herself.

Rusalka infested the crystal, but the rest of the Temple stayed untouched. If Eternia now ignores Florem as much as Ancheim, at least the remaining Crystalists will have a clean place of worship.



A new section of the brooch is lit. Two more to go.



We did good.

Going back to the Matriarch will trigger three cutscenes in a row. The first scene concerns the water crystal's revival, and only one version is listed in the Event Viewer. However, if you've already triggered optional scene The Vestal of Water is No More, informing the Matriarch of Olivia's death, a different scene plays which, so far as I can tell, unlisted.



I hear the oceans return to life. It is you to whom we owe this miracle, yes?



That's our version of the first scene. Second scene changes depending on whether you've gotten rid of the Bloodrose Legion.



I give you the thanks of all Florem's people, in the vestal of water's stead. The nation will not return to its chaste and proper ways overnight, I'm certain...

But once a new vestal is chosen, the people's hearts will unite behind her.



Lastly, the third scene is always the same.



I was told the vestal of fire is deceased. I must hurry to the Fire Crystal's side.

I see. Then beyond the sea, to Eisenberg and the Temple of Fire. If you follow the waters west of here, ever west, you will find it.

First, cross the Miasma Woods, then to the shore of the inner sea. I shall make a mark of it upon your map.

The seas are only newly tamed, and the journey is long. I pray you will be safe.

Why is the Matriarch marking our map to remind us where we parked our ship? Maybe she's just marking the port where the party can find ships.



Before we get caught up in the next event, let's cover the alternate scenes with the Matriarch.

First scene, if she hasn't been informed of Olivia's death:



I take it for a sign the Water Crystal, too, is returned to its pure state. What joy! And the vestal of water. Is she not with you as well?

......

Olivia Oblige, Vestal of Water, has given her life in the service of the crystals.



I had thought, certainly...certainly the clearing waters were her doing... Lost to us... Gone from this world? What is Florem to do now!

Second scene, if any of the four leaders of the Bloodrose Legion are left alive:



I beg you will forgive my presumption... Please, stay here. We need your guidance.

My duty now takes me elsewhere. The Crystals of Fire and Earth remain in shadow. They are my responsibility.



Not at all.



And mine, I assure you. But the crystals must come first. You agree, Airy?



Those iterations make for a more bittersweet chapter ending.

There was a lot of blood, tears, and grim darkness, but that's Florem all wrapped up. The party preps for the journey back to Harena's port.



...Are you so worried about me? Do I make you so worried?

Of course I'm worried about you. After what happened, how could I not be...?

I'm fine. I haven't the luxury of stopping to mope.

...... When we first met, you were praying to that pendant of yours, weren't you?

This... The sage gave this to me when I was a child.

He said something I didn't properly understand, then handed it to me.

What did he say?

Have the courage to think and act on your own. And the courage to disobey as well.

And should you ever face a danger beyond all hope, this pendant will be your salvation.

...What do you think he meant?

I had no idea, at the time. Even now, I cannot say that I understand any better.

The sage is a mysterious man, but I trust his words were true.

...Now, that's enough talk. We ought to be moving.

That was good of Tiz. He got Agnès out of her angst, if just for a minute.

Let's take a mental break of our own.



Here's the current process on Norende. I accidently picked up a second person along the way, but having the extra help is appreciated for the higher level buildings, where construction regularly takes 48 - 99 hours.





Two new items from Norende. Most Norende items can be dropped or stolen from enemies, but it's much easier to lounge around and have Norende give you the stuff.

A very, very quick and rough summary of the Titans in Greek myth is that they were the first gods and progenitors of Zeus and his brothers and sisters. Zeus and co. fought the Titans and won, proceeding to become the fickle, destructive gods well-known and loved (insert Zeus joke here) today.


Next: The sea and sky may be clear, but the mood forecast calls for cloudy.

--

Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
Purveyor of Doom
The Water Crystal
The Water Crystal Awakened
Until the Flowers Return to Bloom - A
Onward, to Eisenberg
A Sea, Reborn
Until the Flowers Return to Bloom - B

Sub-Scenario:
Valkyrie Einheria B

Party Chat:
The Pendant