Part 2: The World Around Us

(Kiefer) Well, okay. Only because it's an adventure, though.
(Luin)Yesss! Thanks Kiefer! From now on, Kiefer, you are the Eagle Wagon's Caravan leader!
Hmm, this is good, Luin. Take care of things, won't you Kiefer? Still, it's getting late. We should wait until tomorrow to depart. Make your way to the tent and rest there today.
Yeah, sure. Kiefer, let's catch up on some sleep in the tent.

(Alex) That being the case, consider my power yours. Please, caravan leader. Leave the fighting to us!
(Deckson) So, it appears you're our leader now. There are an infinite number of monsters lurking outside. I'm sure wel'll run into other travelers too, and even accidents. No matter what we face, I will not be afraid.
(Slalon) I'm so excited that we'll get to travel together, Kiefer! I'm still pretty inexperienced, but... I'll become a Guard Monster worthy of protecting a large caravan! You should aim to be the leader of a large caravan too, Kiefer.
That'll be great experience for later in life, I suppose. *yaaaaaaawn*
Oh, you wanted to rest in the tent today, right? Sorry! Sorry!
(Randol) I've been Luin's friend ever since we were born. Luin said he was going on a journey, so I went too! You need a map to travel in the right direction! That's why mappers are essential!

Yes. I'm aware of how sleep works.
Well then, sweet dreams.

(Magarugi) Children of the world, heed my words. Bring me the Orbs of Loto, and I will grant you any wish! To obtain the Orbs of Loto, you will need both power and bravery. I am waiting for you on the Continent of Legends... Huhuhuh!

Leave the defense of the wagon to me. As long as I'm here, you'll be okay. But if I get killed, the whole wagon will be destroyed. Just don't let that happen! You know how dangerous it can be!
The wagon is ready to go. We just need to get everyone on board.
Oh, Kiefer! Fine weather for a journey, is it not? This is a great day to test the steel of my axe! My axe's strength changes depending on the strength of the Guard Monster. That means if Slalon gets stronger, I do too! Let's do this!
Hmm, why don't we return to Del Quondal for the time being?
I can heal the wounded with prayers to God. But if Slalon is critically wounded at the end of battle, then... You should change the lineup and put me in front.

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Mechanics Sidebar:
Basically, we need to keep Slalon alive. If he dies, not even our Warrior, Cleric, and Cartographer can save us. The Alex, the Warrior, can hit things with an axe, Deckson the Cleric can heal, and Randol the Cartographer can make maps and not be terribly effective in combat. He improves footwork, which increases the speed of allied monsters, but not much. They act in the order that they're placed in the wagon, and their abilities improve with the Guard Monster (in this case, Slalon's) level. When we get more people to hang out on the wagon, we can do more with this.

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Okay, everyone's on board. Now we can get going! By the way, Kiefer... Did you have a weird dream last night?
Nah, just the usual random godlike being making demands and offering wishes. You?
I did. Some illusion person appeared to grant our wishes! It's got to be a message from God! I want to try searching for the Orbs of Loto! But before we go, let's return to the village of Del Quondal. I want to apologize to my dad for running off with the wagon. We're all about ready to go. Are you ready to head outside, Kiefer?
Let's do this!
Well then, onward to Del Quondal!

Oooh! That's a Confetti, the star-shaped Slime. They're more yellow and considered slightly cuter than common slimes.

Lead Merchant: I'm the leader of this caravan. Pleased to meet you.
Female Merchant: If you continue on a long journey, your caravan will get used to traveling. We call this your caravan level. If you raise your level, you'll be able to hold more rations. It should help if you ever find yourself lost somewhere.
Salesman: Oh... Is it true? A little boy like you on a journey in a caravan?
Yeah? What of it? You have a problem?
Salesman: Hoho! You're young but you're a hard worker... Good for you! If you need help with food, I'll stock you up with rations free of charge. No need to hold back! You want me to fill up your rations?
Sweetness! Sandwiches!
Salesman: There you go! I've ordered rations to be delivered to your wagon. This offer's only available for a limited time, so come back soon!
Female Merchant Let me tell you something important, boy. Do you know what happens when you run out of rations during your journey?
... We get hungry?
Female Merchant: Your Guard Monster's health will begin to reduce rapidly. If your guard monster runs out of HP, the journey will be over!

It's a Gophecada - a minor bug monster. They're not terribly impressive, but they have a pleasant red color.

My home is in this town. I'd like to go see my mom and dad...
Then let's go and give them a visit, shall we?


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Sidebar: As you can see, instead of a traditional JRPG town, we have a menu of places we can go. Each of them have people to talk to and so on, but no random people wandering in the streets!
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Yeah, it's me, Mom... I'm sorry I went out all alone...
It's okay. I'm just glad you're back home now!
Mom, this guy's name is Kiefer. He saved my life! Kiefer, this is my mom! Her name is Luna.
Howdy. Good to meet you guys, since evidently we're doing our adventuring on your behalf.
(Luna) I'm sorry that you got wrapped up in all of this, because of my illness...
It's okay, Mom. We'll cure your sickness for sure!
Sorry! But Mommy will do her best not to lose to this illness...!
Luin...? I wasn't too happy when I heard that you ran off with my wagon.
I'm sorry, dad! But I had to do something for you and mom...
(Wayne) So you did it to cure us, did you? You've always been such a nice boy. So that's why my old allies went with you... I couldn't be a caravan leader like you were, dad... But this is Kiefer! He became our caravan leader!
A happy hello to you as well, old man.
With Kiefer here, we'll be fine. So please, allow us to continue the journey!
Not like you could stop us, after all.
Oh, you... You know I once traveled over the whole world in my caravan. There are things you can't do alone. You need allies. You've found an ally with the qualities of a leader. Please lend your power to Luin... Cough!
Dad, does that mean we can go?
...Yes. If that is what you want, then I won't stop you.
We still don't know the cause of their illness. All the medicines and prayers have had no effect on it. This could only have been caused by a dreadful curse or spell... Well, until we know who did it, we can only guess at what it is.
Then let's go get the stuff we need to save them. Adventure time!

Hey, there's a tiny medal in this barrel. I'll give it to that pot the next time I think of it.

Inn Occupant She's so cute, and her dances are amazing! I get week in the knees whenever I look at her. The only reason I even go to the bar is to watch her!
(Leela) Silence. Sit. What is your business with the all-knowing Leela the Seer?
I followed what you said in your divination, but there was nothing in the Lost Forest!
Are you certain? Was there really nothing there?
That's quite a knowing look you're giving me... keep in mind, I'm just 10, you old bat.
The two of you met there. It was decided by fate. I saw all of that before it happened. What happens next is up to you.
So, you're a seer, eh? Can you tell me my fortune?
Well? Shall I tell your fortune? What you seek is mine to foretell. Are you searching for something?
Erdrick's Balls, or something like that. It was a dream, it was kind of hazy.
The Orbs of Loto, Kiefer!
Same thing.
The Orbs of Loto? I've never heard of them, but I shall peer into the future. Ahhhhhhh... There, it came to me. This is the key to what you seek. It is across the ocean, on another continent. What you seek is in that area.
Distressed Mother ...Oh yeah! Luin! Did you see my daughter Alissa anywhere? She says that she's going to use the Orbs of Loto to wish herself into being a witch! Since they don't appear to be in this kingdom, she said she'd go to another country. I wonder if she's going to be okay?
That's a pretty laissez-faire attitude for your own child. On the other hand, who am I to say otherwise?

(Ripple) Huh? Well, if it isn't Luin! Are you allowed to come into a place like this? Your dad would worry if he knew you were coming here!
I'll be keeping an eye on you, sweetcakes.
Bar Patron Hooooey! Hic! Listen to your elders, sonny! You can buy food for your caravan at item shops! Urp! If you've got the money, they'll give you the food! If you have apples or steaks, you can make your own rations!
Wait - so we can buy food in stores, or can eat apples and steaks? GENIUS.
Bully Hey, Luin. Did you find that medicine for your parents yet?
No, not yet... I thought it'd be in the Lost Forest, but...
Bully No luck, huh? That's too bad... Well, don't let it get you down.

Village Elder But we already know. Do you plan to go very far to search for the medicine?: [/b]
Well, yeah. We're gonna need to go to other continents for orbs or something.
Village Elder If you're leaving the country, you must pass through the northeastern cave. But there are fearsome monsters living in that area. I don't think your caravan could handle it as it stands. You should put the maximum of four people in your wagon... Go gather allies. I'm sure that there are some who would join you.
Okay, elder. I'll search for allies.
What evs. We'll see what we can scrounge up, I suppose, since Luin doesn't count for anything.
Village Elder Right. You have your work cut out for you. Remember that, Luin.
Thanks, elder! Let's go, Kiefer! Let's search for allies.
I have just the person in mind...

Let me put on a dance for you!
What a great day!
I don't understand...
And to be honest, I don't think you ever will. Woooooooow!
Ahh... How was that? Do you like my dancing?
Very much so!
Thanks! I'm glad you liked my dancing! But you know, I thought I might quit soon. I've wanted to go on a journey for a while...
Well, Ripples, you can come with us.
Huh? In your caravan!? I can only dance, though. Is that okay?
That is *extra good*.
Is it really okay? Thank you! I'll do my best! I'll show you! My dances can even make the monsters stop and look! Well, I'll head over to the wagon! See ya!
Now that we have a fourth, let's go and talk to the elder again.

Yeah, elder! We've got four allies now! How about that?
Village Elder Oh, well done! Find... you have my permission to go. However, don't be careless just because you have allies now, Luin! Show yourself to your father one last time before leaving.
Sure, I understand, elder. Thanks for your help. Let's go, Kiefer. Back to see my dad again!

How did you know? We didn't say anything yet!
So you're really going to go... I understand, Luin and Kiefer. Let me tell you one more thing. It's about fighting in a caravan. The order in which your allies line up in the wagon will affect a battle. Putting a Warrior at the front might let you kill an enemy in one round. If you put a Cleric at the front, your guard monster will always get healed. I heard that a Dancer has the power to weaken enemies with a dance too. Think about it, and be sure to try changing your allies' lineup. Go along. Don't worry about us. We'll be fine! We won't lose to this illness... Cough!


Next time: The Northeastern Cave!