Part 5: The Legendary Recipe!

(Luin) Yeah. Some person called an Illusion will give one to us.
(Gyavan) But searching for something delicious? That's pretty vague.
(Kiefer) And quite subjective as well.
We haev no choice! It's for an Orb of Loto after all!
Well, then, we'll have to move this camp along too. The journey would be easier for you if you had this camp nearby.
Right. So let's move the camp with us! I'll tell everyone else to get ready, okay?
There are many kinds of delicious foods... But I think it's best if we get something that is hard to make.

Bewildered Caravaneer: Who'd have thought we'd be told to deliver delicious food, though? They certainly aren't normal, these Illusions...
Gourmet Caravaneer: Every country or region has it's own special foods. I was thinking of blending food from all regions. It'd be a rare type of cuisine, and it's worth trying in my opinion. What does an Illusion eat anyway? Maybe we should try my idea?

(Randol) ...Huh? Somebody's searching for me!?
Yeah. Someone that looked exactly like you.
That must be one of my siblings! We might meet them somewhere, so let me ride on the wagon!

(Ripple) water! But we'd have to use really good water... Anything impure might spoil it. Anyway, I'm just grateful for whatever food we have.
(Deckson) Luin and Randol, as well as all of the other children, seem to be having the same dream about the Orbs of Loto...
(Alissa) I'm a fan of tasty foods... I eat a lot... Especially dishes with meat! Oh yeah! ...Ahh, I'm getting hungry...
(The Talking Pot) Thank you! You've saved 4 medals now, Kiefer!
Well, Luin, let's get rolling.
About moving the camp... In addition to the wagon, the tent will also be pulled along. Since everybody's moving, we'll consume a great deal of food. That's why you really need to pay attention when we move this way. If you find a good spot, hit A and select Camp. If you do that, we'll set up the camp there. But in especially tight areas, the camp won't have room, so be careful.
Gotcha. Bringing more people along means that we eat more food and it's harder to get around. Let's go talk to that lady who was cooking earlier - she seems like she knows her way around delicious food.

Cooking Mama: Oh, welcome! Were you lured in by the great smell?
Yes.. it smells delcious, and we're seeking out delicious food for an illusion.
Cooking Mama: Huh? You're searching for delicious food now? Ohh, is that so? There's nothing more delicious than the Last Steak! But there's only one man in the world who can make it. Lastan the Chef! Lastan the Chef used to live in this town, but not anymore. He taught me everything he knew... Except for where he is now.If you find him, I'm sure he'd help you make a Last Steak.

Knowledgable Old Man: There's a rare Crimson Cactus in the desert to the west. I've never seen one like that before. It looks delicious. It would probably be perfect with some meat. Even at my age, I've never had a chance to eat it, though.
Helpful Young Woman: Huh? You're searching for delicious food? Hmm, delicious food... Come to think of it, there was a caravan of Merchants who came to town a while ago. They were selling a spice called Black Pepper. It's rumored that it does wonders for cooking... But the price was so high. I couldn't afford it...
(Leela) Well? Do you want me to tell your fortune again?
Please.
Fine, I will tell you your fortune. Wait a moment... HAAAAA! There, it came to me. This is the key to what you seek. A crumbling ship in the sands of a desert... The cries of a mysterious old man in an underground spring... That's all that I see. Though it doesn't make much sense to me...
Gyavan wants to talk to you, Kiefer!

The truth is, I just remembered something. In this country, there's a town called Liliza. I have a rather strange acquaintance there. He's doing research on monsters you might find useful on your journey. I want you to try going to Liliza. You'll know what kind of person he is when you meet him there. Hohoho!
Then awaaaay we go!

And another!

Oh no! Do we have a spare axle? Or will we have to wait here and try and trade all of our clothes for one?
The wagon is fine... This is a trap!

They're taking the rations!
OH NOES!
They've taken... one ration!
What. Moving along.

(Alex) The Puppet Man has an annoying but currently useless ability - he has a dance that drains mana from our monster.
(Slalon) But I have no abilities that need mana, so I can just hit them.

We're in the desert and we're out of rations. We need to move along quickly! Westward!

The Cacti Ball is another monster common to the desert - They drop a few rations, so make sure to take them out as you travel!

Didn't Granpa Gyavan say he had an acquaintance here?

have this effect... And if two of these are combined, then it's closer to becoming this one...
I think this would be the guy Gyavan mentioned.
Huh? Oh, are you kids here? Do you have some business with me?
Yeah, Gyavan sent us!
You don't say? You're related to my friend Gyavan? I've devoted my life to researching monsters, but... Hmmm... I see! You've come here to scout me! To add a monster expert to your caravan! Would my research come in handy?
I think that would be great! We could use someone who actually knows things.
I've done extensive research on the rebirth of monsters. Not unlike humans, monsters also possess hearts. If two hearts come in contact, a monster is reborn with a new shape! But this is all a theroy. I haven't discovered the actual process. I though of a way to extract the heart from a monster, and made this! I call it the Heart Getter! I'll give this to you kids.
Are all of these blades and spiky bits necessary?
They are vital to the process of heart extraction! You don't want any bone or viscera to get in the way, after all! If you have that with you, it way get the heart of the monster you fought!
Really?
Well, nothing's for sure... But there's definitely a chance! This is just the beginning of my research! Those hearts will surely come in handy, though. Oh, there's one thing I forgot to tell you. I made a promise to a Merchant at the port who wants to see rare things. Could you go to the port and show that the the Merchant there for me?
Sure... let's check out the rest of town first, though.

Hungry Townsperson: I was told that nobody would buy the Rabbit Meat that I brought. But it's strange. There aren't any Bull Birds in this area. Hmm. You seem to be on a journey.
That's right! This is our caravan leader, Kiefer.
Hungry Townsperson: What? This kid? You've got to be kidding me.
Yeah, well, screw you.
Unassuming Local Guy: Welcome, boys. Are you on an errand? What are you looking for?
We would like some delicious foods, please!
Unassuming Local Guy: ...Ahh, delicious food? Well then, I recommend the Bull Bird Meat!
Then we'd like an order, please!
Unassuming Local Guy: Well, I recommend it, but I don't actually have it. It usually arrives from the northeast port every month, but... I'm sorry. I'm only selling Apples and Steaks for now!

Yes we did. It made us hungry.
Helpful Child: Did you see a red cactus there? I heard it grows in the desert. I've wanted to see it at least once... A cactus that isn't green. If you find it, show it to me! I'll reward you!
Man, I can't stand this! Business is about heart! Don't you think so? It's not just about the money, right?
Apparently, it's also about harvesting hearts, so yeah, I'd agree.
Oh, you understand what I mean, even at such a young age! I came here on the Merchant caravan, but... I don't have the heart to cheat my customers. To me, it's not about the money. But they don't understand that. By the way, could I join your caravan?
I dunno, what can you do?
Every time I act in the wagon, you get money. I can also open a little store in your caravan camp.
You're in!
(Kachua) My names Kachua! That went well! Fine, let's work together. I don't know what your plan is, but I'll work with you! I'll make sure you don't have any money trouble!

Chatty Warrior: before going on a journey.
That sounds like pretty high quality water. I'll check that place out.
Old Woman: They don't have any Bull Bird Meat here! It's granny's favorite food... What a shame... I could really go for that ultimate steak that Lastan the Chef makes. I'm pretty sure Lastan was living on the North Cape of the eastern shore.
(Not Randol Again) Rats... he's not here either?
Let's see if I can get Randol over here. Time to go back over the desert and bring the Camp over here...

Holy crap! This is one red cactus! And I've heard that red cacti are tasty... so let's chop this sucker down!

Now back to town with Randol in tow!

(Not Randol) Ohhh! Are you... Randol!?
(Randol) It's me, Vandal! Let me introduce you to my brother Vandal! Vandal, I'm traveling on a caravan with this guy and others.
(Vandal) Really? Are you? Then can I go with you?
What the hell, why not? The more mappers the better!
(Vandal) Thanks, Kiefer! Alright! I'll do my best!
Note to self - get these guys some different colored uniforms.
(Randol) Oh! Kiefer! If we combine our powers, our Mapper skills will increase! Our maps will look nicer, and we will have a much greater effect in battle!

Helpful Child: Ahhh, could it be? A red cactus!? Show me, show me! I'll be fine with just a glimpse of it! A cactus that isn't green! Wow, it's such a deep red! Just like your clothes! You found it after all! I'll give you a reward! This is my allowance. It's not much, but please take it.
Sweet! Some kid's lunch money. Moving on out!

These are pretty easy to find.

Traveling Merchant: I recommend the Black Pepper! We're the only ones who sell it! Are our prices too high? Well, you get what you pay for!
200gp is pretty steep. Let's hold off, though.
Female Merchant: I'm so glad Kachua's gone now. She was so irritating... Always going off about how business is about heart, or something. Money is everything in this world. She's a fool if she doesn't realize that.
(Ann) I am Ann, a fighter. I'm a child, but I still can fight! Would you make me one of your allies?
What makes you better than the big, beefy Warrior we have?
I don't weigh as much and have a small chance of instantly slaying an enemy!
Sold! Come on! We're still exploring!

The MadGophers will occasionally take a turn to charge up for an extra powerful attack, and the Florabeats complement this by casting Sap, which reduces a target's defense! It's a powerful one-two punch!

I don't think I'll call attention to any more of these tiny medals and instead just leave a tiny note at the end or such.

(Lastan) They called me Lastan the Chef. Once I was world famous.
We need you to make something delicious, Lastan!
Something delicious... The Last Steak? Did you hear about that from my apprentice in Lofa? I think that I'd be able to help you with that, but...
We need it to get a legendary orb from an illusion so that we can make a wish.
To save my parents from a dread disease!
Suuuuuuure.
Is that so? Well well! I'll show that Illusion what I can do. My Last Steak will really shake her up!
Thanks, Lastan! I'll need the ingredients, though.
I'll leave it to you to collect the ingredients. Just bring all of them to me.
We sure will! Let's go, Kiefer!
Well, we need to know the ingredients.
Naturally, it needs the meat, and something to spice it up.
Bull Bird Meat, and Black Pepper...
Also, something to seal in the flavor. We'll need water for that.
And the holy water as well.
The ingredients must be perfect. Go and gather them.
Well, then we need to buy the Pepper, figure out what's going on about the Holy Water, and find some of the Bull Bird Meat. But who should we bring?


Okay, goons! Voting time!
Slalon weighs 1, and he's required at this time.
Personnel are:

Alex: Hits things with an axe. Weight 4.
Randol: In combat, improves Speed. Out of combat, he allows us to look at the world map. Fairly useful. Weight 1.
Deckson: Heals Slalon. Weight 3.
Ripple: She dances! It's quite pretty. It can distract enemy monsters for a round. Weight 1.
Alissa: She's a mage, so she can set things on fire. Weight 2.
*New Members*
Vandal: Randol's brother. Does the same things as Randol, but if they're put together, they're much more powerful. Weight 1.
Kachua: Traveling merchant. In battle, merchants get money from somewhere, vastly increasing our income. In dungeons, she will also show chests on the map (if we have a map). Weight 2.
Ann: Fighter. Strikes like a warrior, but isn't quite as damaging. On the other hand, sometimes *instantly kills* her target. Let me point this out again. *INSTANT DEATH* *LIGHTER THAN ALEX*. Weight 3.



Any party that weighs a total of 10 or less is viable, with a limit of four members, but we don't need it to be absolutely full.

Tinymedal count: 7

Next time. on Let's Play Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Hearts: We take a cue from the greatest of all Square Enix characters and make some delicious food.