Part 8: Going where we're told not to, and learning why we weren't supposed to go there.

(Kiefer) Let's get this show on the road - on to the Gate of Laura.

(Ann) Ewww, icky. Lipsys have LushLicks, which licks you in such a distracting fashion that you lose a turn. They can also learn Sap, which reduces a target's defense, and Mimic, which, well, mimics an enemy attack.

(Raider) Oh, I've seen these before. Toadstools have several status-inflicting attacks, while Chestnuts have several defensive skills that help them dodge and take hits.

(Nana) Reefers are a good support monster - they learn Heal and Sleep, as well as an Odd Dance. The Tonguella is basically somewhere between the Lipsy and Toadstool - he has both a single target and area Sleep effect, with the same licking that the Lipsy can do.

So many new monsters today.
(Randol) The PomPomBomb learns several instant death attacks, including sacrificial ones.

(Ixas) What are you doing? The Gate of Laura is behind us now!
I have the feeling that we need to go into this shrine thing first.

That's a Traveler's Gate, Luin. We got to this continent in one.
(Luin) What is it? Something's coming out of it!
Where am I?? I'm sure I heard a voice in that light vortex! Then everything before my eyes turned bright white...
Umm...
Egads!
Oh, sorry for surprising you.
No, I'm fine! Can you tell me where I am?
This is the Samaltoria region, if that's helpful to you.
I've never heard of it. No, I mean, well... Anyway, why are you here? Are you on a journey?
Certainly! We're scouring the earth for the Orbs of Loto. We've got a caravan full of people and guarded by monsters.
The Orbs of Loto... I heard that name in my dreams... If it's okay with you, would I be able to join you?
Of course! We otherworlders need to stick together, after all.
(Foz) I am called Foz. Please, take me with you!
Foz? I thought you looked more like a Fosse...
Thank you very much. I don't know how useful I can be, though...
Kiefer, I think we should head back to the camp.
Could I go there with the two of you?
You can and should!

Alright, if you insist, Fosse.
(Gyavan) Don't worry, it's okay. One more person won't be a problem for us.
I am a cleric at a shrine called Dharma.
So does that mean you can use curative magic?
No, I work with changing classes... You might say.
That's good! We have a lot of people in useless classes.
I still haven't completed my training though, so my power to change classes is limited.
(Professor) Changing classes, huh? That's an interesting profession.
Foz seems tired. We should continue talking after we rest.
We should rest for the day too, Kiefer. Ah, I'm just going to check on the wagons now.
Kiefer. would you lend me an ear?
What's up?
(Whispering) I get the feeling you came here from another world. Am I right?
I said as such earlier.
Just as I thought... I also came here from another world. Suddenly, someone called the Master of the Illusions appeared to me and said something. That there was one who would need my power, and without me they would not... Then I couldn't hear anymore. That's when the vortex of light appeared before my eyes. I entered without thinking, and ended up cast into this world. And then I saw your eyes... And here I am. There's something that I must do in this world. I plan to learn more about this, so I'll stay here for a while.
Class changing? The power to change a person's vocation... I wonder if I can incorporate that concept into my research.
It's late. Everybody take 5 for a nap.

The next morning...

Oh, hey, a new tent is up!

My research finally bore fruit!
Sweet! I like fruit with my breakfast.
Foz's power to change classes and my monster research led to the ultimate breakthrough skill! We call it... Reforming. Come here and I'll explain it.
Ooooookay?
Reforming uses the hearts of other monsters! Foz uses her class changing power to boost the Guard Monster! It takes a new shape, and can even learn new skills! The catch is that two hearts must be used, and they can't be resued. Depending on the Guard Monster's form and the two hearts used, the effect changes!
Using two hearts to reform a Guard Monster changes their shape and strength. A reformed monster's level returns to 1, and it's abilities are lowered, but Reformation gives that monster the potential to become even stronger. For example, it can learn skills from a monster's heart... And it can bypass its growth limit as well. Once a Guard Monster passes level 10, I can reform it... But make sure to raise it until it learns the skills that you wanted. Once it learns a skill, it won't forget it... Sometimes, it's best ot get to a high level before reforming. So, will you try out a reformation? We're ready for it here.
Not yet. But soon! Very soon! Let's wait for a while and get more of those levels that you were talking about. On to the Gate of Laura!

Gate Guard: Well, even if you head down there, the door is locked. You won't be able to enter.
What? What happened?
Gate Guard: Prince Ixas? What are you doing here!?
Never mind that. By my authority as the prince, I demand passage.
Gate Guard: Understood, Your Highness! But you can't proceed beyond the door!
I'll be the judge of that!

Then on to the Cave of the Lake!

HOLY CRAP! That thing could eat me whole!
Gulpbeasts are tough stuff! They have a bunch of physical skills that will smack the hell out of you, and the stats to back them!

Cave Guard: Are you their allies? Then be careful in there.

Ahh, I cannot face His Majesty. I must face the end...
It hurts, Mommy!
Powerful Monster: You! Weak! Disappoint Barbaru! (Turns to face the party) Gyarr! Found strong enemy! Gyaaah! Show powers!

Egads! A gargoyle! And this one's even beefier than the Gulpbeasts in the area! But we can take him!

Please, don't let this happen again, Kiefer!
That reminds me, while I'm here...

Thank you! You've saved 14 medals now, Kiefer! Oh, right! I wanted to thank you for the medals... How about with monster hearts? That's about all I can give in return...
That sounds great! We can use those now!
So monster hearts it is! Do you want to trade some of your medals for something?

Neato! Now, grinding! We *will* defeat that gargoyle!

The BabyPanther is what Carol is - great at physicals, not too smart.
(Carol) Growr!
But certainly smart enough!
Arrrgh! Still not strong enough. Let's try that 'reformation' thing. Venasu - we're going to do you, since Slalon is kind of a mascot.

This should make a better monster.

It's stats are around 75% of what they used to be, he keeps his old skills, gets new skills based off of his new monster type and the hearts used, and will level up quickly! Spectacular! The only problem is that he's slightly heavier, but that's not a big deal - his wagon is full of lightweights.

AAAHHHH! CREEPY SHADOW!
Mysterious Shadow: An Andreal? No.. A Gulp Beast? Or was I an Orc? Please, you must tell me! What in the world was I?
Hrmm... Definitely a Gulp Beast
Mysterious Shadow: Oh, that's it! I remember now! I was definitely a Gulp Beast! Thank you traveler! Now I can rest in peace. Please, take my heart... Well then, farewell...
Encounters like this are a great source of hearts as long as you can tell which shadow is which. Since hearts have such a tiny chance of being usable in normal encounters, *pay close attention to these.* Let's give the Gargoyle another try!

Dying Monster: Mission complete... Want to meet Big Barbaru...
Oh, young man! Thank you! I thought I was going to be killed... To think I'd be saved by a caravan led by a little boy... All of you are quite strong...
Why did you come here? Could it be? No, you couldn't have come here to find the key!
Yeah, we did.
What? You came for the same reason as us? Well then, I have a request. Lend us your powers... No, make use of our powers!
At this rate,we won't be able to keep our promise to His Majesty. I am sure that the monster at the Gate of Laura is even stronger than the one we faced...
We should all fight together! Please!
I don't know...
You can even use our great wagon.
SOLD! You guys are coming with us.
(Gordon) I am Gordon, a Knight. And this is my wife.
(Jula) I am Jula, a Fencer. Pleased to meet you.
This is our son Clast, an apprentice Warrior.
(Clast) I'm not an apprentice! Good to meet you, anyway.
The key to the door at the Gate of Laura should be around here.
Let's go back to the camp and get organized, then renew our assault on the cave! But first, let's fiddle with our monsters a bit more.

Slalon, we're holding out for you until we can turn you into a better slime.
(Slalon) Aww.





MORE VOTING!
Slalon weighs 1, and he's required at this time.
Venasu weighs 3, and he's necessary as well.
Carol weighs 4, but is a crazy awesome Gulp Beast.

Attack:
Alex: Hits things with an axe. Weight 4.
Alissa: She's a mage, so she can set things on fire. Weight 2.
Ann: Fighter. Strikes like a warrior, but isn't quite as damaging. On the other hand, sometimes *instantly kills* her target. Weight 3.



Battle Support:
Deckson: Heals monsters. Weight 3.
Ripple: She dances! It's quite pretty. It can distract enemy monsters for a round. Weight 1.


Out-Of-Battle Support:
Randol: In combat, improves Speed. Out of combat, he allows us to look at the world map. Fairly useful. Weight 1.
Vandal: Randol's brother. Does the same things as Randol, but if they're put together, they're much more powerful. Weight 1.
Kachua: Travelling 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.
Raider: Merchant, like Kachua. Heavier, but same effect. Weight 3.
Nana: Nana the Fisher can fish out of battle, giving us food if we're near a body of water, and uses bait to distract monsters for a turn when fighting. Weight 2.

New Members:
Leela: Out of combat, she reveals the presence of orbs, which isn't terribly useful... yet. In battle, she reveals a monster's HP, which also isn't that good. On the third hand, if she's in the caravan at all (not necessarily on a wagon), she can give some clues on what to do. Weight 1.
Prince Ixas: A Medic. They can treat status effects. Weight 1
Gordon: Gordon has the Knight's Shield, which improves the party's defense when used. Weight 2
Jula: Fencers don't do as much damage per attack as the other classes, but does attack twice. Better against enemies without a lot of defense.Weight 4.
Clast: Also a Warrior, like Alex. But only weighs half of what Alex does. Weight 2.



Hearts: Mad Gopher, Dradon, Flower Beat x 2.

New Hearts: MadPlant, BabyPanther x 2, Demonite x 2, Gargoyle,

Tinymedal count: 17



Next time. on Let's Play Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Hearts: We go to the Gate of Laura, of course. No! Really this time!