Exit Fate Part #21 - Know Thyself

Part 21: Know Thyself

Welcome back. Last time on Exit Fate, we received permission to enter the Oischin state. Our intent is to visit Faraday University, to see if any of the research being done there can help Daniel with his missing memory problems. We've done pretty much all the optional stuff in this area of the game, so it's time to move on.

The will of the goons decreed this time that Bast, Shiro, Midian, Myst, and Rorschach would be accompanying us. Unfortunately this means that all of the available party and entourage spots are filled, so Royston doesn't get to come along.

I also steal Yan Angwa's Stone Amulet and give it to Myst. 14 MP+ isn't a particularly important milestone, but hey, the extra MP never hurts.

Finally, I make a quick stop in Bergstadt to upgrade everyone's weapons. Since we've got a new party, most of our weapons are lagging a bit behind.

Bast maxes out his weapon's accuracy, since that's definitely what he needs the most.

Shiro maxes out everything. While I normally don't care about weapons' critical chances, Shiro's high critical rate is what helps make him a competent warrior, so I see no reason not to boost it.

Rorschach's katars get the biggest treatment, since their attack and accuracy levels were still stuck at 3. Rorschach's not a big damage dealer, but we've got the money, so why not.

Finally, Daniel maxes out the Seraphim's attack and accuracy levels. I also give him a small boost to critical because it's cheap as hell and I've got money to burn.

Then it's off to Oischin.

Music: Forest - Suikoden V, "The Deep Forest, The Lost Forest"

Now that we've received permission to enter Oischin, the guards step aside when we talk to them.

And into the forest we go. Much like the Mayfall Forest from way back when, this is another straight dungeon without any fancy tricks. Our task is simply to make our way to the exit of the forest in the south.

But once again, the forest denizens aren't just going to let us stroll on through. The bribe amounts have taken another big jump here, and the enemies are much more powerful than what we've seen the last few updates.

Basilisks are the toughest individual enemies in the forest, with a physical attack on par with Deke's Iron Golem. Fortunately they only ever show up by themselves, and we don't have to worry about what basilisks are normally known for as there's no petrify status in this game.

They do, however, have a fire breath that hits a row for magical damage, but it's not nearly as threatening as their physical attacks.

They have a lot of HP, but they're easy enough to take down.

A little further in we also come across some Black Cobras and Dragon Men, a recolor of the Lizardmen from Mayfall.

Black Cobras are fairly weak, though they will poison you from time to time. They're really only there to protect the Dragon Men.

Aside from being able to hit anyone on the field, Dragon Men are annoying because they will often use the Snipe Shot skill, which has a chance of stunning the target.

They will also occasionally cast Splash. I somehow managed to miss the damage numbers here, but you can see from the status bar that it's not very powerful. Much like their little brother Lizardmen, Dragon Men have very low HP and die very quickly once they're exposed.

Eventually we run across a bit of loot in the form of second-tier attack items. The Lightning Rod, as you might expect, casts Thunderbolt when used.

There's also a free Green Herb lying around.

It's not long before we run across a save point, and soon after that...

... we run into a scene.

Ice? At this temperature? Hmm, it does appear to be common ice. That's strange.

I wonder where it came from. I don't see any reason why there would be ice here in the middle of the forest.

Yeah, but... why here? Aren't you curious about where it came from?

There are many things I'm curious about, and ice is not one of them.

Damn, I think Stromgaard has a new challenger for the "least fucks given" award.

But it's not about the ice itself, it's the fact that it--

Forget it, Ljusalf. It's not worth arguing about. We're not here to investigate some mysterious ice anyway.

Well... All right.

And control is returned to us. Before we move on, I spy a hidden path through the trees in the east.

But before we get a chance to investigate, a berserker shows up.

Wood Berserkers are purely physical-oriented enemies, fond of using Row Bash as well as slamming us with regular physical attacks for about 80 damage. Like the Basilisks, they have a lot of HP, but they're not a huge threat.

Next.

Following the battle, I find a chest in the hidden clearing containing one of the most important spells in the game.

Restore revives a dead ally during battle. The reason why the spell is so important is that Restore is the only way to revive a dead ally during battle. There's no item equivalent or more powerful spell version; this is all you get. Once we have the ability to purchase them I'll be making sure to grab a few.

There's also this guy blocking a path at the northern edge of the clearing, but there's no way past him.

After that, we leave the clearing and continue on.

Along the path is a chest containing Green Glasses, which grant +2 to ACC. This goes to Bast, since our other non-mages all have above-average accuracy.

Soon after, we find another save point, and...

... another scene.

Music: None

There's a flash, and a strange blur rushes across the screen as it starts to snow.

BOSS FIGHT: Frostmonger

Music: Boss Battle - Wild Arms 2, "Battle vs. Solid"

Say hello to the Frostmonger. The Frostmonger is a cunt.

This is because the battle against the Frostmonger is a gimmick battle. Every few turns, the boss will use Freezing Touch on one of your frontliners, which deals only okay damage but inflicts the Freeze status. Frozen characters are actually not slowed down and can get their turns and act as normal, but having the status inflicts a crippling flaw.

See, when a character is frozen, physical attacks made against the character are guaranteed to hit, and more importantly, they will instantly kill the character, regardless of the damage done. Not surprisingly, the Frostmonger is scripted to attack any frozen character it can, and since we don't yet have a way to cure the status, that means the boss can kill one of our characters every two turns.

So, how do you deal with this? Trying to fight the Frostmonger straight-up is suicide, because we only have one Restore spell and the boss will easily pick off all of our characters before we can kill him. Instead, the solution is to use one of the battle commands we've pretty much neglected entirely until now: Move.

The thing is, physical attacks will instantly kill frozen characters, but you can only make physical attacks against characters that don't have anyone in front of them. So when the Frostmonger uses Freezing Touch, all you have to do is move the frozen character behind someone else.

Once you've figured that out, all that's left to do is to wail on him. The Frostmonger has a physical attack that does roughly 100 damage, but that's easily Mended away.

And of course, we have to get the steal. The Brigandine is the next tier of heavy armor, granting +11 PDF for 6 WGT.

When it eventually looks like we might be in trouble...

... Myst takes the boss out before he can press his advantage.

Music: Boss Battle Won - Chrono Cross, "Victory (A Cry In Summer)"

Our reward isn't anything special, but hey, an extra Frost Shard might come in handy someday.

Music: None

It must have been. That snowstorm was following the creature, not the other way around. However... This is odd. As far as I know, no animals like that occur in nature, which would mean that thing was...

Artificial.

You're the one who wanted to come along, you know...

Uhm, anyway... Clearly, someone created this ice beast, but I wonder for what purpose? It doesn't look like the creator himself is around.

Someone's trying to keep people out of Oischin? I don't know. I don't think it was a directed attack on us. We'd best be careful. Let's head for Faraday City straight away.

Elsewhere...

Music: Suspicion 2 - Suikoden V, "Standing Firm"

Oh hey, it's Vosch again, haven't seen him in awhile. I wonder if that whole "saving Mayfall" has made him change his opinion of us?

Indeed. I'm glad to see you unharmed after the Kirgard occupation. We were all left in the dark about your situation, so we were fearing for the worst.

Oh, that wasn't necessary. As you can see, I'm unharmed. In fact, I've been treated quite decently.

It was a relief to hear it. The way we lost Mayfall was utterly shameful, but fortunately we managed to turn the situation around.

And it was the Elysium Army who played a major part in our victory. I'll bet that's not sitting well with you, Vosch.

Hahaha, of course not. There are some things that just don't change, and one of them is that Vosch is an asshole.

Just like you say, the battle of Mayfall has earned him recognition. If we wait too long, he may be out of our reach.

You still intend to get rid of him, even at a time like this?

I'm not surprised about Banhk, but... Well, it was the Elysium Army who liberated Mayfall. I don't want to look ungrateful.

That? It was the strategic genius of the former State Army Major Gunwood that brought us victory, wasn't it? Now look! That colonel is being praised for his success, when all he did was follow the path that we, the State Union of Zelmony, laid out for him.

But he did help defeat Kirgard's second legion. Surely there's little chance anymore that he's really on Kirgard's side, is there?

We cannot allow someone from Kirgard to dictate our future. Do you really think he has our best interests in mind?

It's difficult to say. Maybe it's safer to get rid of him just in case, but...

All I ask is that you support me, and investigate any possible leads on Colonel Vinyard's treachery.

Back with Daniel...

Music: Zelmony - Final Fantasy Tactics, "A Chapel"

With that, we find ourselves back on the world map. Oischin is an entirely new area, and by entering it we've opened up a whole bunch of new things to do and see. But we'll be doing the exploration next update. Right now, we're going to make a beeline for Faraday and see if we can finally find out what the hell is up with that Brunhild woman.

Fortunately, Faraday is just a stone's throw from the exit of the forest.

Music: Faraday - Xenogears, "Singing of the Gentle Wind"

We have to speak to the headmistress of the university, right? We can probably find her if we ask around inside.

Yeah. They're aware of my coming, so let's just take a look around.

Much like Oischin itself, Faraday is fairly large and contains a whole bunch of things to check out. But again, we'll be doing that stuff next update.

Our destination for today is the university, which is easily the largest building in the city.

The headmistress's office is on the second floor, straight ahead. She deals with general matters. For student business, you have to consult the chief instructor in the northeast wing.

The university itself is fucking huge, and it's very easy to get lost. Fortunately, all we need to do right now is head straight north to get to the headmistress's office.

Not a bad place you've got here.

Sorry for intruding. I'm Colonel Vinyard from the Elysium Army. You must be the headmistress of this university.

Ah, Mr. Vinyard. Yes, I was expecting you. I am Marian, headmistress of Faraday University. As you can understand, I'm a busy person, so let's make this brief. If I understand correctly, you are searching for a way to reclaim memories that you've lost?

I don't think 'lost' is the right way to describe it. It's more like these memories are out of my reach.

The details aren't important to me. I'm just referring you to someone here who can help you.

Oh, uh... does that mean you know someone I can speak to about this?

Sounds promising. Can we meet this man?

Of course. Follow me, I will take you to see him.

Fade to black...

Music: None

Hmmm... This is an unusual case. Normally when one has dormant memories, they may be awakened through some trigger event. This trigger is generally something that reminds them of the things they had forgotten, acting like a key to open the locked door in their minds. In your case, this woman you met should've been the trigger. However, there was no effect on your memory at all.

You did remember a few bits and pieces, didn't you?

Yeah, I had what seemed like a dream about something that happened long ago. But it was only one scene, and I still can't put it in any context at all.

I see...

That's what I like to hear. Let's get rid of this amnesia bullshit.

I've devised a method precisely for this purpose. Using a spell that I've produced, I can bring you into a sleep-like state. Once asleep, you will experience vivid dreams of the lucid kind. You will be aware that you're dreaming the whole time. Then, you must begin looking through your subconscious mind for your lost memories.

Look for them myself? Isn't that like finding a needle in a haystack?

In that case, I'll try it. I'm sure my desire to know the truth is strong enough.

Very well. Before we start, I must warn you that this process can take a substantial amount of time, upwards to 48 hours.

That's fine, I don't have anywhere else to go at the moment.

Good, then let us begin...

I have plenty of work to do.

Good luck, Daniel. We'll wait for you in town.

Marian and Ljusalf leave, but Yan Angwa doesn't move.

Hmm... Do what you want, but don't disturb me while I'm working.

I forgot to ask this before, but... Is this dangerous?

I'll be honest with you. There are some risks involved. However, you're a soldier, so I'm sure your day-to-day life is more dangerous. One thing you must never forget is that although the world you'll find yourself in is an illusion created by your mind, your feelings will be very real. If you are cut, your physical body will not bleed, but you will feel the same pain as if it were actually happening. It should go without saying that you must avoid suffering extreme trauma or death.

Hmm... I'm a little anxious since I don't know what to expect, but I'm sure I'll manage.

Now, if you have no more questions, I would like to begin. First, think of that one thing you pursue, and clear your mind of all other thoughts. Everything else is unimportant. Listen to my voice as you focus on that one thing. You will slowly start to feel sleepy. Do not resist it. Your eyelids are becoming very heavy. As I speak, you will gently fall into a deep sleep. You are feeling very... very... tired...

Music: Hypnosis - Chrono Cross, "Departed Souls"

As things fade back into view, we find ourselves... somewhere else.

Music: Dream - Final Fantasy IX, "Terra"

And somewhen else, if these portraits are anything to go by.

Snap out of it! This is no time to be daydreaming! The attack! It's finally begun! Are you even listening?

The attack?

Yes! Come on! Jovian needs our help! Let's go, Daniel. This might be our last day in this place, so don't go messing it up now. We all want to go back home.

Home... Yeah, let's go...

Since it's apparent that we've gone back in time somewhat, at least to before the beginning of the game, we appropriately find that both Daniel and Angel are level 1. For the time being, our items and equipment menus are also unavailable.

Oddly enough, though, our magic arsenal remains present and usable. Ah well, best not to think about it too much.

Anyway, it's not quite clear where we are yet, aside from it being some sort of army camp, but Angel told us that an attack is occurring, so let's move out and figure out what to do about that.

There's nowhere to go here but north. There are some other pathways around, but they're all blocked by soldiers telling us that they have the area covered.

As we continue onward, we run into some soldiers with horned helmets. I feel like I've seen those somewhere before...

And we're thrust into battle. There's no battle music for this segment; the "Dream" track continues playing during all of the fights.

Almenga, huh? That should give you a pretty good clue where we are.

Young Daniel has an attack animation fairly similar to Ayara's. My damage, where did it go?

Young Angel's damage isn't much better, but there's not much else we can do.

Man, everyone in this war is weak as shit. There really isn't much of a strategy to this battle; everyone just trades attacks over and over.

Eventually the enemy soldiers go down.

Oddly enough we do gain experience from the fight. But we started the game with 0?

We also apparently still have all of our money from the real world.

Afterward, we continue along the path and run into a few more soldiers.

This time I have the presence of mind to use Splash, which turns out to be quite effective.

Not much to worry about here.

Continuing along the path brings us to a scene. Looks like Jovian's here as well.

Everyone else has gone ahead already?

They're taking a different route than us. We have to sneak up from the flank and catch them by surprise. Well, are you two ready? No turning back now.

That's what we came here for. Let's do it.

What about you? Hey, Daniel! Are you with us?

Oh... yeah. I'm ready.

Then follow me, and don't lag behind!

Hey, remember that? If you'll recall, there were several references to this war earlier on in the game.

It's so vivid, almost like I'm right back in the middle of it again. I was still so young back then. Looking at it now, it all seems so different. But why did I end up here? Did something happen during the war that I forgot about? I thought I would end up back home, but...

Daniel! what are you waiting for!?

I'm sorry! I'm coming!

Fade to black...

Without any chance to regain control, we enter another battle.

Young Jovian also has a very Ayara-esque attack animation, though with additional cape flourish. Much like we saw way back in the bandit cave, Jovian is by far the strongest of the three characters.

The enemy soldiers are still no trouble.

I won't let a single one of them set foot into Kirgard ever again!

Music: None

What's wrong, Daniel? You're acting strangely. You should be happy! We're winning!

I need to ask you something, Jovian.

You were on the forefront of the war against Zelmony because you strongly believed in it, but I always argued with you and tried to change your mind. Would you really perceive that as a threat? Would you really see me as an obstacle to achieving your goals?

There's a flash of white, and we suddenly find ourselves all grown-up again, in St. Reinard.

We're not that different. We both have our own ideals.

No, I'd never do to you what happened to me, no matter the situation.

Even if I was the only thing standing between you and your lifelong goals? You would choose to follow your dreams, wouldn't you?

Jovian begins walking away.

But as we follow him, there's another flash of white, and we find ourselves somewhere else.

Music: Levier - Xenogears, "October Mermaid"

An orphanage was built here in the middle of the plague years, when many children lost their parents and had nowhere to go. After the plague ended, the amount of new children that were brought in slowly decreased. This town simply wasn't large enough. Yeah... By the time I left Levier to join the army there was only a handful of us. Eventually, everyone left. I've never known if my own parents, too, had fallen victim to that plague.

Sounds like a good plan.

The entire town is open to us, but if we try to enter most of the buildings, there's a silent white flash and we're teleported back. It seems that this isn't where we want to go.

Our destination is an open building in the north end of the town.

And in there, a door on the second floor beckons to us.

Music: None

Inside, we find the person we've been searching for. Brunhild.

But before we can say anything to her...

... there's a flash of black, and she changes into... Daniel?

Music: ??? - Xenogears, "The One Who Is Torn Apart"

That's... that's not Daniel

What a waste of time.

Who... Who are you?

I-I don't understand. Where is Brunhild?

Brunhild, Brunhild... What do you want from her?

I want to know who she is, and what her relation to me is! I want to know why I can't remember anything about her!

I know she does! She came to see me after the castle's opening, and I remember talking to her in the past! You're a part of me, aren't you? You should already know this!