Part 11: Going the wrong way for neither fun nor profit.

Another compromise on the party loadout:

Pretty things... what would the Illusions consider pretty?

(Alissa) And I think... Gems are the prettiest! But it can't be ordinary! It has to be infused with magic power!
Okay, magic gem. Gotcha.
(Jula) Beautiful things...? Well, in my opinion you can't ever see beauty with only your eyes.
Understood - we need to get an expert.
(Ripple) That's the second female Illusion we've met, huh? Now we're after beautiful things... Gems are fine, but I'd choose something different. That's it! A hot boyfriend! That's what I want! Ahaha!
A gem and an attractive guy... hrm. That fancy-pants bard we met earlier seems to have fit the bill for the latter. Let's stroll back to Moonbrook and pick him up!

Smitten Woman: Perhaps he went to the Tower of the Wind. It's so dangerous there... I hope he comes back. Maybe he'll let me hear that beautiful voice again.

There's probably treasure here. But we can't really search for things, and I don't care. So, moving on!

Bridge Guard: Understood. You may pass. Past the desert in the south is the town of Tepah. You should go there.
Did you get permission from the Illusion? That's why the soldier opened the door for you, right?
Indeed.
(Ryuga) Yes! Take me with you! I want to test my strength! I'm a fighter specializing in critical hits! You help me pass, and I'll help you fight. Fair enough?
Sounds good to me!
As long as I'm with you, the caravan will be safe. But I'd prefer going on a cruise ship myself! Wahahaha!

(Ann) Bomb Crags are beefy, with lots of HP and Defense. They learn DefeatMax, which can kill all enemies, and HiDefense, which massively reduces incoming damage.

(Alex) Those PodHeros are kinda neat. They get great skills, like Heal, Bolt, and BoltStrike. The MageSlimes learn some great magic, too: Blaze, which targets one person, Fireball, which targets a group, and Bang, which targets all enemies.

(Deckson) Hey! The legendary unicorn! It learns Heal, Vivify, and Beat. Pretty good stats as well.

Thank the gods! We were out of everything! Good thing we're nearly at the Tower of the Wind!
If you head north of here, you'll find two towers called the Dragon's Horns. There's no bridge connecting the two towers, so you can't cross over them, huh?
Dragon's Horns? FFFFFFFFFffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff...
(Luin) Using the Wyvern's Wing!

Okay, two clips from the world map. The first is the location of the desert merchants, the second the Tower of the Wind.

Of course, that's approximate...

Since we have to figure out how to go around from here. But first...

Rumormongering Sailor: I just happeened to be passing by in my caravan. I hope they made it to the tower. Despite what the two of them may thing, it's an impossible journey. Then right after that, a lone Bard was making his way there! How can travelers be so ignorant!?
(Randol) I know! Sometimes they get distracted and go off on the wrong way entirely by not paying proper attention to their maps.
We don't need you that badly, Randol.
Another Rumormongering Sailor: I've heard rumors about the far off Tower of the Wind from passengers on the ships. Most of them claim to have found nothing of importance there.

Stone Spiders have a lot of defense, and learn an ability that can make them lose all of that defense and improve their attack. They can also poison you. The Dance Vegis learn various dances and Glance Kick. Nothing too special for either, but Dance Vegis just look pretty cool.

(Clast) The Florajays are just birds that look kind of like flowers, but the Beelzebub is nightmare-inducing. It's hideous *and* pink. Of the two, only the FloraJay knows any interesting abilities - CurseWords (which can curse enemies) and FairWinds, which repels breath attacks.

See that temple on the left? It's blocked on this side, but now we can open it up for easy passage from here back to Moonpeta.

We'll take care of...
How rude! I really need to pass!
Obstinate Guard: No, I won't allow it. What are you doing here alone, anyway?
I was called by the wind. Here, let me treat you to one of my songs... Sleep, my child... Sleep my baby. Snuggle with mommy... Cuddle with daddy... Close your eyes... Sleepy time... Sleep... Sleep... Lalasleeeep...
Obstinate And Sleepy Guard: Yaawn... So... sleepy... zzz
Putting someone to sleep doesn't take much, you know. Well, excuse me.
Well, crap. After him!

The Wyverns are a very old monster with good skills, like Heal and Cold Breath. The Wicked Axe, in addition to being a clever pun, gets several defensive skills.

The Phantom Glass doesn't have anything really good for skills, but has an interesting design.

Neato! This heart has a crown!

Too bad. If I had the Wind Cape, I'd be able to cross the Dragon's Horns...
You might not have the cape, but the wind will always be there for you. I can hear it. It's the voice of the wind. It is calling for all of you. Lalalala... The wind is calling! It carries both our dreeeeams! Gently swaying our heeearts... As we hold each other's haaands.
That's a nice song... Mainly because of your beautiful voice...
Hmm? A traveling Bard in a place like this? You're a real man!
My oh my! Women can become Warriors? Oh, that was rude of me..
How dare you! Women make fine Warriors!
I... didn't mean to be cruel, ma'am. Oh, there are others here too!
Hi there!
I heard that you need the Wind Cape to pass through the Dragon's Horns. After all, the ships aren't running, and I need to return to Lupghana. But the Wind Cape is nowhere to be found! Are you traveling in a caravan? Do you enjoy traveling with a lot of people?
Indeed we do!
Is that so? It makes traveling more lively, doesn't it? It's certainly a surprise that we met here... Wouldn't you say?
That's right! Take us with you!
(Seska) I am Seska the Warrior. This is Tasha, a Nun.
(Tasha) Nice to meet you. Should we be going now?
Hey, would you take the two of us with you?
What the hell, why not? Sure!
Excuse me. Of course you'd want us to join you!
Yes, I'll do my best! Let's ride in the wagon outside!
Wait, why are you still here? Did you want to listen to me?
Actually, we wanted to use you to placate an illusion.
Really? An Illusion sent you on a quest for beautifuly things? I don't mean to brag, but most women find me very handsome.
And he's so modest! *swoon*
Perhaps I am something that might interest this Illusion? I know that there are things far more beautiful than I, of course. Things like the love that a man shares with a woman... If it's okay with you, can I accompany you?
I'm not...
Collected Womenfolk of the Caravan: Of course!
(Boldo) Thanks. I am called Boldo. The pleasure is mine. Kushalami, the Illusion... What is she like anyway?

Uh-oh. We have too many people - we need to kick someone out if we want to keep Boldo (which we do! Read his entry under the voting block!)


MORE VOTING!

Who gets kicked off of the caravan?


Attack:
Alex: Hits things with an axe. Weight 4.
Clast: Also a Warrior, like Alex. But only weighs half of what Alex does. Weight 2.
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.
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.


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



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.
Ronmil: Just like Randol or Vandal - 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.
Renda: Another lightweight fisherman like Nana. Weight 1
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.


New Members:
Ryuga: Another solid fighter with a chance to instantly kill, like Ann. Weight 4.
Seska: A female warrior, in the same class as Alex and Clest. Weight 3.
Tasha: Another healer, like Deckson.
Boldo: An entirely new class! In battle, he seals enemy spells, keeping them from casting. Out of battle, HE CAN RENAME MONSTERS AND WAGONS (so if we keep him, feel free to suggest alternate names for things). He is also, and let me make this extra clear, CURRENTLY VITAL TO THE PLOT. Weight 2.



Tinymedals: 23
Hearts: Mad Gopher, Dradon, Flower Beat x 2, MadPlant, BabyPanther x 2, Demonite x 2, Gargoyle, Reefer, BullBird, WildApe, Nocto King x 2, Tonguella
New Hearts: Nocto King x 2, Bomb Crag, Dead Father, WildApe, StoneSpider, FloraJay, PhantomGlass

Next time. on Let's Play Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Hearts: The Grand Renaming!