Part 71: The Land of Immortal Mistakes

Entry 68: The Land of Immortal Mistakes



We rejoin the party as they land their airship in the southern outskirts of Eternia.



The crystal lies in Everlast Tower.

Isn't it in some manner of temple?

There are no crystal temples in the Duchy of Eternia.



We must reach the city before we can get to the tower. And that means a trip through Frostpeak Passage.

The army has special defensive units stationed there to prevent any intruders. It will be a fierce fight, so I suggest we prepare before setting out.

Edea's got a plan of action all set: Frostpeak Passage (fighting!) -> Eternia City (fighting?) -> ??? (probably fighting) -> Everlast Tower/Earth Crystal (definitely fighting).



I want you to take the proprietress and flee in the ship if worse comes to worst.

Understood.

You can count on us!

Eternia's hunkered down into defensive posture, giving the party time to return to Caldisla to stock up.



Seems the war in Eisenberg's wrapping up.

Word of the party's excursions is all over the city.

Norende was a fine village. Peaceful. I hope the day I can see it again isn't far off.

His Highness spoke of redoubling his efforts to support Norende's recovery, going forward.

How's Norende doing now?



It's pretty far along. All the shops are maxed out at level 11 except one. That last one offers bonus effects for special attacks, which is nice but not pressing.



Here's a view of Norende without the gameplay stuff, to better show how leveling the shops develops the town. The upper center with an unleveled shop is conspicuously empty.



A junior guardsman's badge, eh? A sense of fun is coming back to Caldisla. Of hope, I suppose.

Egil's fitting in well with the locals.



Ringabel's attempts to introduce himself to his biggest fan seem to be continually foiled by Edea.



Mm, the sea breeze smells fine. Seeing the clear blue water reminds me of old times.

The locals have such faith in us that, to them, our victory is pretty much guaranteed by this point.



We'll do what we can. Peace Through Punching team, away!



The party makes a quick stop to Yulyana's to check in with the sage, but he seems to be out at the moment. Maybe he's getting food.



Back at their landing spot in Eternia, the party can virtually see the city from where they are -- currently blocked by a massive guarded gate.



We'll have to go the long way around, via the Frostpeak Passage Edea mentioned earlier. The long road starts west of the landing area, then curves south and doubles back around towards the city.



Almost immediately, it's clear this won't be a leisurely stroll.



As Edea guessed, Eternia has lined the passage with defenses.



On top of that, the local wildlife is nothing to sneeze at.



Mainly because you can't sneeze, because you're paralyzed.



In fact, most of the stuff around here has nasty status effects they'll throw at you.



Even the food.



Last but not least, these terrible things.



If you decide to grind around here and use physical attacks, be prepared to kill things fast, because otherwise these mushrooms, especially alongside the radishes, can ruin the party's day.



Halfway through the passage is an unusual roadblock.



Nothing the party can't punch their way through.



This mini-boss is a recolor of the golems from the wind and fire temples.



It dances like a ballerina.



Its attacks also do ice/water damage, which means they have no effect on Iceflame shieldbearer healer Tiz.



Eventually Edea gets fed up with its antics and cuts it in two.



Given the presence of golems in the wind temple, the Eternian variety/ies are likely modeled after preexisting Crystalist technology.



The passage cleared, the party continues on. Meanwhile, in a different part of the continent...



The wind vestal and three others have been sighted leaving that enormous vessel!

They've already fought their way through Frostpeak Passage and are now approaching the city!

Have we received word from the forces deployed to the various lands?

I'm afraid there has been no reply from any quarter.

Then there is no hope of reinforcements.

......





Surely you don't mean that, Lord Marshal!

It could very well have a serious impact on those receiving treatment in the city.

There is naught else to do... Should the tower be destroyed, the linked cables place the Earth Crystal in jeopardy.

Grh...

Order all defensive units to intercept the wind vestal at the three passages from the city.

Yes, your Lordship.



In the time it took Braev to plan, the party made it to the other side of the gate. The passage turned out to only be a slight delay.



They approach the city's boundary expecting trouble... But there are no soldiers, nor other defenses.



On the contrary, the city seems peaceful.



It is.

Then how about a rundown of the popular date spots? I'll escort you to whichever you wish.

Actually, I'd rather not.

This city is unlike any I have seen before.

It is a curious town, indeed, yet I hadn't noticed till I'd been away for some time.

Edea, what are those stretching toward the city from up on that cliff over there?



The cables stretch between healing towers throughout the city, allowing patients to receive the latest treatments.

That is why few in this land die of illness and disease. The people live in good health everlasting.

Appearances would indicate otherwise.

Waves that amplify the effect of white magic... Is such a thing truly produced here in this land?

Well, the more precise term would be extracted rather than produced.

Before I left Eternia, I was thankful for their beneficence. I harbored not a doubt in my mind, but now...

......

Edea, from where does this cable--

Edea! I thought that might be you!

Hm?



Oh, um...

I was worried when I heard you'd been assigned to the Sky Knights. What a relief to see you safe and sound. Oh, and I heard about your mother, too.

My mother? Has something happened to her?

Nobody told you? She was recently admitted to the Central Healing Tower.

The Central Healing Tower!? What happened?

You really have no idea, do you? Well, you'd better go pay her a visit, then.



We'll be doing that shortly.

Tiz's line about appearances not matching Eternia's reputation isn't immediately obvious. Do the townspeople look unhealthy? Or is he thinking about all the Eternians he's left in less-than-optimal health?




Because the wind vestal's plotting and Edea's treason are being kept out of the public eye, the town is open to us.



It's easy to miss this resident of town. It's Eternia's official welcome hare!



And while you're at it, come talk to me, too. We need to catch up!

We're in Edea territory now, so she's taking lead.

Some call Eternia the Land of Immortality. A place where none need perish of disease... Or so the name suggests.

Got to say, Eternia is much less militant authoritarian than expected. Then again, maybe their troubles run under their surface.



Have you heard? They've shut the valve to the white magic cables! What does that mean for the patients at the Central Healing Tower, I wonder? I do worry...

Their health care system sounds great, though it's not so great if they can just turn it off on a whim.



Even with some hangups, though, it sounds like it's still better than how things used to be around here.



A good start to the shopping scene, though at this point even -aga spells pale in comparison to physical abilities most of the time.



The local defensive gear is made from adamant, described in detail here on the item entry for Adamant Armor.



Using refined specialty animal parts gives the sense the Eternians have developed a culture forged by a harsh, hostile environment.



The monsters here are terrifying, but the Eternians have mastered them and now turned their gaze outwards, to greener territories.



Critical to the success of Eternia is their mastery of magic, which has likely played a role in everything from everyday comfort to battling hostile mushrooms to healing every ill once amplified.



Chatting with the Adventurer nets us another new friend. If they're going to add abilities and such based on online features, it's good they at least offered an offline way to make use of the stuff for when their servers inevitably go down.



It's taking a while, but we're getting there, buddy.



There's another exit out of town to the west, but the party refuses to go that way. A neat detail is that each party member has unique dialogue for checking, depending on who's in front:

I guess that white building is the Central Healing Tower where Edea's mother is.

Let us pay Edea's mother a visit.

It would be an honor to make your mother's acquaintance, Edea.


Next: Let's meet the family! What could go wrong?

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Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
Grandship Alights in Eternia
Mustering against the Wind Vestal
Duchy of Eternia, Land of Immortality