Part 10: Yo Ho Ho And A Bottle Of Rum

Welcome back. Last time on Exit Fate, we overcame the incompetence of our allies and liberated Grunthall from rebel control. Now that we're done with that, it's time to head back to Matrech and see if Erin has any new missions for us.



One quick walk back to Matrech later...

Music: Matrech - Suikoden V, "Military Fortress"



An interesting thing to note is that characters who aren't in our current party can actually be found hanging around Matrech. None of them have anything super-important to say though.




Before we check in with Erin, I head to the blacksmith and touch up Ayara and Mike's weapons a little more.



Then it's back to Erin's office.



The rebel army was stronger than expected, but we've taken back the town successfully. Jasper went to report to the governor of Highland, so he'll be back later.
Excellent work. I will speak to Jasper when he returns to discuss your performance in detail. You can go and get some rest now if you want. We'll notify you when we have use for you again.
Hmmm... So you have nothing else for me to do at the moment?
No, unless there are any new developments, you'll have no new assignents for the time being.



Do I smell a sidequest?

You have some other work for me?
More or less. You are still looking for new recruits like you were told, aren't you?
Yes, I am. Did you have someone in particular in mind?



A magic instructor, eh? Another mage could certainly come in handy.

He left the State Army a long time ago, but maybe you can convince him to return. He'd be a powerful ally.
If he left, why do you think I could bring him back?
Let's just say... we've had our differences and he got fed up with certain people. The fact that you're an outsider may actually work to your advantage here. That's why I'm asking you. If you have no other important business, then it's worth trying.
That's true. Where can I find this person?



So we'll need a ship then?
Will that be a problem? I could have something arranged for you, but it'll take some time.
Oh, don't worry. I know a girl in Blackwater with her own ship. I can ask her again to take us on board.
I see. It doesn't matter to me how you get there, or even if you go at all. It's only a suggestion. I should return to my work now, so if that's all...
Oh, actually...
Hmm?



You mean Rock? Yes, I know him. I was born and raised in Highland, and I lived there until I was offered this position in Matrech. Rock used to be in the State Army himself, that's how I got to know him, but started getting more and more radical ideas and eventually left to go his own way. He considers me a traitor to Highland because I'm serving the chancellor here in Matrech, even though I do what I can to support my home state. Is that what you wanted to know?
I was just curious, that's all. I'll take my leave now.



Right then. Despite Erin's insistence that visiting Midian is just a suggestion, we actually do need to head back to Blackwater and visit Sally in order to advance the plot. So let's get to it.




Before we head back through the forest again though, there's a house southeast of Matrech that I've neglected to visit up until now.

Music: None




The ground floor of the house appears to be empty.



In the basement, however, we find someone.



Hmm, very well. You can bear witness to my greatest moment!

Music: Darkness - Chrono Cross, "Dragon's Prayer"



Dead man number three! Listen to my command! Reclaim your lost soul and return to life!





Music: None




Hmm... I suppose this belt must be made of leather for it to work...

Well, that was pointless. If we try talking to him again, he just tells us to go away so he can prepare for his next experiment. So let's head back to Blackwater.



After yet another trip through the forest...



... we find ourselves in Blackwater.

Music: Blackwater - Final Fantasy VIII, "Breezy"



Meiko is still hanging around here.

What about you? Do you have any new experiences you can tell me about?
Well...



...and that, honey, is why you should never trust your allies to actually do anything useful. Those idiots ought to give me tactical control of all the...





The game considers us to have had "new experiences" after each time we fight a war battle. We'll be able to come back after future war battles to give Meiko more to write about.



When we head up to the port, though...




Yeah, a girl called Sally who owns a ship here.
Oh, Sally? You just missed her. She left all in a hurry.
Missed her? Damn... Do you know how long she usually stays out at sea? Is she coming back soon?
I dunno, this was no ordinary situation. To be honest with you, I'm worried if she'll come back safely at all.



The Kirgard army!? Is there anything more you can tell me?
Nah, she didn't exactly stop to chat.
You have a ship as well, don't you? Do you know where exactly she went?



It doesn't really concern us, and it may be dangerous, but... That girl's in trouble if she's going to confront the Kirgard army by herself. I can't leave her like that.
Well, if you're going to help her, I'll be glad to give you a ride. It's all I can do for her. Let me know when you're ready to go.
Thank you.



We actually get control back here, and need to talk to the fisherman again in order to head to the island. If we say yes...



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



The save screen lists this place as "Treasure Island." Sounds promising...



Treasure Island is another mini-dungeon that we have to get through. It's probably even smaller than the forest and the mountain pass that we passed through earlier.



And as always, there are enemies to fight.




This Maneater is probably the biggest threat on the island. It hits very hard compared to most enemies at this stage of the game and has a lot of HP that we need to eat through.



Not even two screens in, we find another save point. I'm all for making the player feel safe about venturing further, but this seems a little excessive.



Of course, this being Treasure Island, there are several chests lying around.



This particular chest contains a Bronze Plate, the next tier of heavy armor above Daniel's Kirgard Platemail. I give it to him, despite the slight speed penalty it inflicts.





Elsewhere on the island we run into a bunch of mantises. They're not much of a threat individually, but they often come in groups.



They'll also occasionally show up with this pixie-looking thing here.





They attack with stars and sparkles.




They're also very difficult to hit. Magic is the best way to get rid of them, as it never misses.




A few more chests contain a mundane Ice Cube and a far more interesting Silver Dust. We don't have the ability to purchase these ourselves yet, so they're always nice to find.



We also find a Clearsight, a spell that cures blindness.



Not long after we find a third save point. This island takes all of five minutes to walk through. How many save points do we really need?



Eventually, we find something.

Let's take a look... but carefully.

Fade to black...

Music: Kirgard - Suikoden V, "Harbor Town by the Lighthouse"



This is... not exactly the person I was hoping to see.



General Keyser must consider this treasure very important. Why else would he have sent his best officer here?
Of course. That old man claims this treasure contains the 'Secret of Zelmony', whatever that might be. I guess he's expecting me to find something that'll help us win the war.



Can't imagine why he'd want that, no siree.

But is the general really relying on a few suspicious rumors?
You know what he's like. His plans are always crazy, but they work out in the end. I'm not so sure about this one, though...




Let's see what we've got here.



Bruce tries to approach the chest, but Sally suddenly sprints onto the screen and blocks his path. I was a little slow on the screenshot button here.



Your great-grandfather...? Hahaha... what are you going to do about it, little girl? Ask us nicely to give it back?



Those are some balls of steel right there.

Y-You little brat! Don't try my patience! Get out of here before I hurt you, kid!

Music: None




Here we come to save the dayyyy...



Bruce! What the hell are you doing here?
Well excuse me, but I don't think that's any of your business anymore. I'm surprised you even dare show your face to us again after all you've done, you pathetic traitor.



Daniel is not having any of Bruce's shit.

Hah, I must have the worst of luck, running into you out here. I was hoping to find someone sensible to talk to, but I'd only be wasting my time on you. You'd never believe me anyway. Just leave that girl alone.
What? You came all this way just to save this little girl? Haha... I really don't understand you, Daniel, I really don't. But I don't give a damn about her. You can have the girl for all I care. I'm leaving with the treasure.
Like hell ye are! I'm not gonna let ye have this!
Well, I guess I'll have to take it by force then.



Music: Fuse - Xenogears, "Fuse"

Get out of his way, Sally.
Huh? What?
We'll take care of this.



Sally steps aside.



Well, this time I'm going to get it!

BOSS FIGHT: Bruce

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



That's one hell of a sword you've got there Bruce. You know what it generally means when a guy buys a big sword, right...?




Anyway, it's time to smack the shit out of Bruce. He's accompanied by four Kirgard 2nd soldiers, who are prime examples of the RPG law that states that all human soldiers are always exactly at your level. They're not too much of a threat though.





Bruce is very quick, and he has several painful moves. He begins this battle with Red Storm, which hits everyone for fire damage and has a chance of causing blindness. Fortunately only Col gets hit with the status.




He also will occasionally use Flamestrike, which appears to just be a fire-elemental Column Strike.




The Kirgard 2nd soldiers hit decently hard, but we can take it.





Our first order of business in this battle is to take out Bruce's lackeys. This is easily done by applying a liberal dose of multi-target magic, and then slicing them up one by one.



While Bruce hits fairly hard, without his minions, his damage is easy to handle.







But he has a lot of HP, so I end up having to use all five of my Mends before the battle is out.



It also takes me at least five attempts to succesfully steal from him. The prize isn't even that worth it. The Bronze Badge is an accessory that grants +2 STR.



He falls eventually though.

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



The bastard doesn't even give us any money.

Music: None




We'll meet again!



And he flees. Pansy.



I can't believe you confronted those guys all by yourself. This treasure must be very valuable to you.
It is! Me great-grandfather was a famous pirate on these here seas. When he feared he'd soon be caught, he buried his loot on this island and left the map with his grandson. That was me father, see. Anyway, it seems like the old man wasn't the only one who knew about this location.



The secret of Zelmony? What is that?
Beats me... Ah, hell.




I'm certainly not going to question free money, but that doesn't really seem like a "secret of Zelmony" to me...



What is it?
Uh, let me read this.



A... recipe?
Aye! It's the secret recipe for Zelmony rum, a legendary pirate drink that me great-grandfather invented! The recipe got lost after he died. I'd have never guessed it was buried here all along!
That's... all? Just a recipe?



Hey! Don't be laughin' now! This is a very important treasure to me. I'd better hold on to it myself.
Anyway... we were originally just looking for transportation.
Transportation, huh? I wouldn't have gotten this treasure back if it weren't for you. I swear on me sailor's honor that I'll pay you back in any way I can.







Let's see what Sally has to offer, shall we?



Sally is... a decidedly mediocre character. Like Col, she's very fast, and very accurate, but she doesn't have the strength or magic to do anything useful with her speed. She has other uses, though, which we'll see next update.






She fights with a cutlass, and also seems to grow about a foot or so when in battle.



Anyway, meeting Bruce and having Sally join up with us was the plot-required part of this segment. We can return to Matrech now and Erin will have a new mission for us, but we still have other things to do here, so for now, we'll head back to Blackwater.

Next time: We've got a mage that needs recruitin'. And a few other characters as well.