Part 90: High and Dry in Harena Desert

Entry 82: High and Dry in Harena Desert

For the second time, the party is awakening the Wind Crystal to bring back the breeze and save the world.



I know you've done this four times already, but do you have any questions?



Maybe something screwed up during the first four times. Let's double-check to make sure things go all right.

Okay, let's go over the Rite of Awakening again. You can stir the crystal awake by reciting ritual prayers. Keep going until I tell you to stop. Got it?

When I say stop, you have to stop right away. You could destroy the crystal if you push it too far.

Are you sure we have been doing this correctly? I would hate for it to all be in vain again...

Huh?

It... It just worries me a little.

It's one thing for this all to go wrong, it's worse to have no idea why.



Mechanically, awakening the crystal is the same as before.



Partway through, Agnès gets exhausted but is urged on by Airy, the same as previous times.



The party's been lectured multiple times about the danger of awakening the crystals. Agnès was horrified to hear about the Orthodoxy's attempt to overload the Earth Crystal.



Similarly, Airy's warned us about the potential to break the crystals. In short, there's a lot that can go wrong when dealing with such potent power sources.



Luckily, everything seems to have gone right. Now the wind will return.

*Phew* Have you checked your brooch, Airy?

Yes, the wind crest is lit.

Phew... Good...

Agnès walks down the steps to the rest of the party.



Yes, I am used to it now...

I need a short rest, but then we should head to the next temple.

Okay...

Agnès changes back to her normal clothes and the party starts out of the temple.



Yes, and it is not simply a matter of going back in time or a lapse in memory.

It's the same world, and yet it's different. Events in this world are happening just a bit differently than what we've seen.

And the ladies here are different, too.

But that suits me fine. Keeps things fresh and exciting.

A pity your personality hasn't changed, too.

This world does differ ever so slightly from the last one...

But why do you suppose the Great Chasm is in the exact same place?

......

And why does Norende Village have to be swallowed up every time?

Now that you mention it, that is strange.

I know... Maybe someone or something is out to get you, Tiz.

Please, Edea, don't make me out to be more than I am.

Perhaps Norende Village holds some secret we have yet to fathom.

Who knows? But I have a feeling you're not far off the mark.

So the opening of the Great Chasm is inevitable...?

Norende, and Tiz for that matter, are normal as dirt so far as we've seen. Guess Norende's just unlucky.



Agnès wanted a break before the next crystal, and what better way to relax than beating up a bunch of terrible people?



First, the leader of the band of thieves terrorizing the local oasis.



Gah, my throat is parched beyond belief... And it's all because of you. Don't think you're getting out of this one alive. That's what a rat gets for stumbling into a trap uninvited.

I know the pain that you feel, but I must ask you to stop this nonsense now.



Jackal for some reason has a poor opinion of strangers barging into his house and offering life improvement tips.

You are accosting the townspeople who come to draw water at the oasis at the Merchantry's bidding. All so the Khamer & Profiteur Merchantry can make money... This is pure selfishness!



What about proof? Can you prove I'm behind this!?

There's your evidence!



Edea holds out the letter we got from Jackal last time we killed him.

Wh-what!? How did you get ahold of this? Criminy! Everything's going down the drain. I can't handle this thirst...! You lot have come here to take everything from me, eh!?

Rgh, hypocrites like you always rush about, sword in hand, ready to fleece the last penny from the likes of me without a second thought. My worthless parents were born victims who lost everything they had. In the end, they cast me aside and left me to die.

Jackal's even more out of it than last time. He's just been caught red-handed, and he's not even surprised so much as angry at the world.



But they turned out to be scum, just like my parents! They just wanted to make a quick buck off me! Once I was worthless to them, I was out on my backside. Do you know who saved me in the end?

A band of thieves. Now isn't that something? They took from others, but gave me a reason to live! It was them who taught me that to make it, you have to be the exploiter, not the exploited.

It's a not uncommon story. He's a kid who's been used as a pawn his entire life, without affection or care. For him, love has never been a reality -- just a useless dream. What matters is money and water.



Who needs love? Those with money and water are the winners. Jackal's a winner, see? He has all he needs. He's surrounded by treasure, and he drinks, and drinks, and drinks...

But is always thirsty.



He can't really tell us anything about our journey, and at this point he won't accept help. All we can do is either ignore him or choose to stop his exploitation of other people.



Khint appears out of the shadows at the start of battle.

Ah, chief. Perfect timing!

The usual fee, then?

Heh, no problem!

Like the other battles in this chapter, this is largely a repeat of its previous iteration, just with more numbers.

Also as before, once Khint or his partner have enough HP taken off:



Khint declares he's fulfilled his money's worth and leaves. The dialogue is the same as in chapter 1.

Not long after:



Not...my parents... The boss...

With Jackal's death, the party exits asterisk space. Khint is already long gone.



We've defeated a man who admits he is rotten to the core. Yet I feel bad about it for some reason...

I understand... But nothing can justify what he's done.

This game specializes in pitiable people who do bad things.



So as usual, it's up to us to fix everyone else's failings. Time to head to the sources of the local problem, over Airy's protests.



Profiteur's in his office as usual, counting his money.



Which is a front. You are Erutus Profiteur, merchant of death! We see right through you!

If we're going to make allies with any Eternians, it won't be with Mr. "Money Justifies the Ends and Means".



You have conspired with the time mage Khamer, King of Ancheim, to monopolize the well here!

And you hired desert thieves to attack those who went to the oasis for water.

Y-you have no evidence of zis!

We have proof. A note containing instructions to the thieves. And another mentioning a hidden passage to the palace.



Edea shows him the letter to Jackal as well as the notes they pulled off Profiteur's desk last time they killed him.

Impossible! What is going on? Why would zis fall into your hands!? You must have skulked into my place of work! You dastardly fiends!

Trust me, guy, the truth is much more unnerving.



Greed and the power of an asterisk are a potent combo.



This probably isn't the first time Profiteur's dragged a competitor or snitch to asterisk space.



Khint, smelling another business opportunity, pops in just in time.

Is zis not obvious!? Kill ze little pests!

I trust I will be compensated?

You shall be richly rewarded. Make sure none survive!

Then we have a deal. Your money will be well spent.

And, same as the previous fights, partway through:



Khint declares his life too expensive for Profiteur and turns his back on his fellow Eternian. Again, same conversation as chapter 1.

Finally, at the end of battle:



It buys status, fame, anything...

But not sense nor life, not here for Profiteur.



It's not like he was doing anything differently, though.

I felt it. His words grated more than in the previous world.

I feel more relieved we have beaten him, too.

It's probably less that Profiteur's changed and more that we're more aware of how terrible he is.



The only one left is King Khamer himself. Same as before, need to wait until nightfall to sneak in through Grand Mill.



C'mon, Airy, we're going through these guys pretty quickly. Just a little longer!



The party sneaks to the castle just in time to witness a clandestine meeting between Khamer and Khint.



Is it not brilliant, spell fencer?

Yes, perhaps you are right, Khamer VIII. Or should I say, Eloch the Time Mage.

There is no perhaps about it. It is hard fact. And more will prostrate themselves before me over time. Through my collaboration with Profiteur's Merchantry, the price of water has surged. The people suffer greatly.

The public service I have ordered will surely be a burden to them. The more I steer their discontent towards the wind vestal, the more they will all trust me.



Khamer says this even though we not only spoke to him earlier but awakened the Wind Crystal. He's not the most observant fellow.

Without the vestal, the people can devote themselves fully to their king. It is only a matter of time before believers of Crystalism disappear from these lands.

We have no need for the crystals, or the vestals. I shall become the supreme power here, and under the banner of Anticrystalism, the Kingdom of Ancheim shall thrive! With me as ruler, this kingdom can last a thousand years! How delightful it will be!



Hmph, do not be such a bore. You'd be wise not to rain on my parade.

My apologies.

Khamer and Khint are having an awkward pause! Now's our chance to bust in and make a scene!



Same as last time, Khamer panics at our presence and Agnès cooly declares she heard everything.



You're a poor actor, King!

You have some proof, then? Some evidence to show that I made these comments? Hah!

He's like a child caught in a lie...

No! Of course no such proof exists! I know you lot are plotting to tear me from the throne, but it won't work! It won't!

You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Is this what you call leadership!?

Just where did you creep in from?

We came through the secret passage in the giant clock. We know that you and Profiteur are in cahoots.

Eh!?

I trust you did not see anyone but soldiers on your way here?

What do you mean?

Mmm, I see. Well then...



......!

You horrid beast!

Do not let any leave here in one piece, spell fencer. You can name your reward!

Then we have a contract. If price is no object, I shall place all on the line for this battle.

Khamer is ostensibly in charge of Eternia's dealings in Harena.



Even if he had a better handle on his citizenry, he seems oblivious to the fact that Profiteur would turn on him the moment this kingdom became unprofitable.



Unlike Florem and Eisenberg (and supposedly Caldisla), there is no semi-honorable person in the Eternian bunch sent here. Seems Braev prioritized anti-Crystalist fervor.

After dealing some damage, Tiz takes advantage of a lull in combat to taunt Khint.

What, you aren't running this time?

Such a reward is worth taking a few risks.



But this risky bargain ends up costing Khint his life.



Khint will always die during the Khamer fight. If Khamer's defeated before Profiteur and/or Jackal, Khint will not show up in the other fights.

Still...the money has been...worth it...

Khint! This isn't happening... Is there no one else!?

With Khint gone, Khamer's time on the throne is ended with all due haste.



Afterwards, Prime Minister Harena thanks the party and vows to bring Ancheim to a better future, a repeat of what happened the first time.

This is all well and good. Ancheim is saved, the crystal's back, everyone's happy.



But depending on what the party did in earlier chapters and the order of the three Harena battles, things can change.

What if the party had ignored Profiteur and Khamer's corruption earlier? What if they'd rushed through, awakened the Wind Crystal, publicly shamed Khamer, then moved on to Florem without ever looking back?



They first meet Profiteur in Chapter 5. They're oblivious to his corruption, same as they were in Chapter 1 of our main game.



Tiz gets thirsty but isn't allowed to drink from the local well. The party returns to ask Profiteur how to get water. He tells them to go to the oasis.

But the party is persistent. They talk to Profiteur a third time.

This is where things change.



In Chapter 5, Profiteur is less patient and more willing to be honest. Brutally so.

Huh!? You will?

But of course. You will only be back if not. I will make zis quick, so listen carefully.

Ze Khamer & Profiteur Merchantry controls ze well in town, no? But zat is not ze whole story. To make ze long story short, we work with ze royal family. Only zey can approve ze well permit. In return for passing His Majesty a big bribe, only we have ze permission, you see? Ze price of water all hangs on how we ration it out, no? With no rival, we can set zis price sky high. Even with ze price through ze roof, stupid citizens are fool enough to pay.

Heh hah hah! None can survive without water, so ze only choice is pay or die.



A life I cannot profit from? It is worthless, you see. Ze penniless can perish for all I care! Zis is a saying I live by. Heh heh heh!

Still, sometimes ze people go all ze way to ze oasis to get water. When zis happens, I have a backup plan. Surely you can guess? Ze thieves, of course. Zey are in my pocket. I ask zem to check ze desert oasis from time to time, and attack any foolish enough to go for water.

Ze most important part is zey must let some live. Ze survivors let everyone know ze oasis is crawling with thieves. And what do you know? Ze scared poor people scrape pennies together to buy ze water from our well.

Oh, and ze rich who want to visit ze oasis? We lend zem a caravan. Zis is another ripe target for ze thieves. And finally, we fleece ze fools zat come back alive for compensation. Zat is ze best way to deprive ze more opulent customers of money. A perfect scheme, no? We make money hand over fist.



By the way, this scene is only available if you have yet to ever meet Jackal. Otherwise, Profiteur clams up.

Zis is a shame, of course. But business is business. I deal in coin, not pity. Do ze wise words I speak not move you? Now you know all about ze little ruse, hmm? Does it anger you? Ah, scruples.

I will have to put you out of your misery! Zat was ze plan from the beginning, of course.



Profiteur's entire plan, finally, is laid bare. This is what Eternia's -- Braev's -- campaign has allowed to happen overseas.

Profiteur's defeated here, easily. The alternate D's Journal entries:



But what about Jackal?

In Chapter 5, the party wanders into Jackal in his thieves hideout without ever having met him before.



Gah, my throat is parched beyond belief... And it's all because of you. Don't think you're getting out of this one alive. That's what a rat gets for stumbling into a trap uninvited.

Who are you!?

Quit moaning, you shrieking shrew! I wouldn't rile me up if I was you. You might get stepped on.

There's never enough water. I could drink gallons of the stuff and still be thirsty. Maybe I'll go stitch up another victim looking for water at the oasis.

What!?

They say I've got to leave a witness, though... That irks me the most. Can't do away with the lot like usual. You know why I can't kill them all? So fewer fools come out to draw water. That lines the merchantry's pockets. They control the town's water supply. Take the oasis out of the picture, and those morons in town have to buy from the well or drink sand.



Jackal thinks he finally has a handle on things, but he has no idea what he's wrapped up in. Not only is he a pawn, his Eternian masters manipulated him from the very start.

Would Braev feel sure about his Anticrystalism occupations if he saw the human cost firsthand? Would his sense of justice extend to non-Eternians?

But this is getting old real quick. This kind of thievery ain't my style. Chairman Profiteur will fork over the dough if I hold up my end, but this thirst just won't go away...

What a dastardly scheme!

You lot have come here to take everything from me, eh!?

From here Jackal devolves into raging about his parents and history again, then fights the party.

Some additional notes about all this:

- If the party is fighting someone for first time, any scenes not shown here have the chapter 1 version scene, or something very close.
- Party dialogue will change slightly in a couple of scenes to reflect which papers they already have regarding the water conspiracy.
- The party needs to find out about Grand Mill's secret entrance from Profiteur in either Chapter 1-4 or 5 to access the Khamer fight.
- If confronting Khamer for the first time in chapter 5, Khamer's talk with Khint will still be the chapter 5 version, because he never had the public confrontation with Agnès in chapter 5's version of events.

And with that, we really are done with Harena.


Next: You know what? Enough dealing with underlings. Let's go chat with Braev.

--

Event Viewer
Main Scenario:
The Rite of Awakening
A Crystal Awakened

Sub-Scenario:
Exploiter and Exploited - B
Feeling Bad
We See Right Through You
Nastier Than Before
Khamer's Kingdom of 1,000 Years
No Place for a Vestal
Profiteur Explains Himself
Exploiter and Exploited - A

Party Chat:
Inevitability