Part 6: 04.B: This New Partnership

: This New Partnership – Gameplay
Music: Thrash Pack



: Technically, Hedwyn didn’t obtain enough Enlightenment to level up, but because he had Inspiration from the previous round that he did not participate in, it was automatically cashed in, which just barely pushed him over into the next level.



: We’re still working towards Divine Retribution, but now we have our choice between the two second-level perks Moon Formation and Sacred Bond, or I could take the first-level perk in the left tree, Martial Training (as described here).

: Right now I’m operating on the same logic as last time: Moon Formation gives me buffs while I have the Orb, while Sacred Bond requires that someone on my team be banished in the first place. I shouldn’t operate on the assumption that I’m doing poorly (at least, not yet), so I should focus on making my strengths stronger before dealing with my weaknesses.



: Jodariel and Rukey both obtain 250 points worth of Inspiration (even though Rukey sat himself out), whereas Mae also got to experience her first level up!





: Mae’s perks mostly revolve around movement rather than offense. She already runs the fastest of the bipeds, and she easily jumps the furthest out of everyone; the tradeoff is that she has a bit of a delay before performing these actions.

: The two first-level perks are Heightened Reflex (the minor startup time before Mae sprints or jumps is removed) and Snap Cast (the charge-up time for Mae to cast her Aura is reduced drastically). Her four second-level perks are Traitor’s Flight (Mae’s jump distance goes even further); Webbed Feet (while sprinting, nearby adversaries are slowed); Quick Fling (Mae flings the Orb faster and further than usual); and Sudden Grasp (I haven’t done it yet, but during gameplay, you can Salute, or taunt, your enemies with the press of a button. It’s usually just flavour, but, with Sudden Grasp, Mae will automatically leap towards the Orb while Saluting if nobody has it).

: And, the two important perks, the third levels, are False Step (Mae returns from banishment immediately if she’s banished while jumping) and Dark Vigor (Mae has limitless stamina while holding the Orb).

: We’re only going to get four level-ups per character throughout the entire game, but we don’t necessarily have to put every perk into a single tree. We could do two-and-two or three-and-one if we wanted. That said, Dark Vigor sounds pretty nutty, so I want that. Combined with Heightened Reflex, Mae will definitely be our star forward.

: So, even though I don’t think Snap Cast is that great a perk, I’m going to take it, then Quick Fling and Dark Vigor, and then cap Mae off with Heightened Reflex.



: Meanwhile, Ti’zo actually already came with a handful of Enlightenment (which makes sense, considering he, of all characters, probably knows the most about the Rites right now), and his performance today granted him enough to level up as well.




: Ti’zo’s first level perks are Elusive Nature (Ti’zo flutters and zips much quicker than usual) and Moon Sign (if Ti’zo is banished, he basically drops a teleporter than allies can move to by walking into their Pyre). His second-level perks are Safe Return (after Imploding, Ti’zo returns much faster than usual); Titan’s Rage (Implosion reaches a larger area); Last Laugh (if Ti’zo is banished and he isn’t carrying the Orb, he immediately Implodes. Also, has a great name); and Wild Heart (after a Salute, Ti’zo transforms into a faster Howler. Salute again to change back).

: And finally, his third-level perks are Inner Glory (Ti’zo gets a straight ten-point buff to his Glory, putting his damage up to 25) and Star Sign (if banished, Ti’zo drops a sigil that improves his allies’ speed and stamina).

: This is actually a tough call because I’d like to have Last Laugh more than either Inner Glory or Star Sign, but Last Laugh is a second-level perk and I only get four throughout the game. I’m not certain if it’s worth splitting my perks that thin, and making things harder is that Moon Sign is not worth as much as Elusive Nature, at least not to me.

: That said, Safe Return and Titan’s Rage together make Ti’zo a much stronger defenseman, and he’s already really good at that. So, keeping to my current stance of “making my strengths stronger,” I’ll work towards those two perks, and I’ll very likely take Inner Glory over Moon Sign.



: Splendid was your guidance of the Nightwings, Reader. Your fellows are fortunate to have found one such as you. May you find the freedom that you seek.



: … You all right, Rukey?

: Think so, chum, I just need a little time. Didn’t count on Barker being caught up in all this.

: You don’t owe him your conscience. You’ll sort things out with him, you always do.

: Barker… doesn’t really seem like the negotiable type to me. Which must say more about Rukey’s skills as a negotiator than Barker’s character.

: Hm. I do not wish to interrupt, but the dark of night is waning.

: Reader, would you join us outside, please?



Gfy

: Then, it is as I feared. We are to press further north, beneath the valley into Flagging Hands.

: The Scribes are watching over us! They will protect us, wherever we should go!

: Had you been to Flagging Hands, you would not say such things. The Scribes have surely turned their backs on that place.

: If I may? The bleakness of Flagging Hands shall wear upon you, to be sure. I urge for you to take what rest you can, for you shall need your strength upon the road ahead.

: Your fellow exiles agree to turn in for the remainder of the night. At dawn, you shall have to press deeper into the Downside.



: I bet it’s Rukey.



: Ti’zo’s made himself at home, so that’s nice. Here’s his bio, since he’s a playable character:



: You can tell something is troubling Rukey, though he seems relieved to see you.

: Hey, uh, chum. Listen, I got to level with you real quick.

: You remember Barker, don’t you? Not exactly easy to forget, though believe you me, I try.


Gfy

: I’ve been down here a little while, as you can see by now. But Barker, he’s been here longer. He’s made quite the name down here. As for me, I needed help, you understand. I had a certain standard to uphold!

: So… I figured he would be the one to ask.

: Based on the way you dress, and from you saying you had “standards to uphold,” I’m guessing you asked for money, clothes, and or favours. What in heaven’s name told you that Barker was your safest choice in debtor?!

: Then, Rukey hesitates…



: So what if I owe him, though, right, chum?! I got people back on the other side, and just between us… we’re LOADED. I mean RICH!

: My little problem with Barker, soon it’s gonna take care of itself, just as soon as my people send the money through. So! I am telling you right here and now, don’t you even worry about it, and I’m sure everything on that front is going to end up real tidy, real soon!

: Well, I’m convinced! I wonder if he is.

: With that, he scampers off before you can respond. It seems Rukey owes a debt of some sort. What is on the line, exactly, you are unsure.

: With that done, we’re ready to move on to Flagging Hands. Sounds like a wonderful vacation spot to me!



: Come dawn, you find Hedwyn and Jodariel assessing the current situation with the minstrel.

: Are you most certain?

: Aye, madam. I make no claim the journey shall be pleasant, but it is necessary.

: Hedwyn motions to you as they continue talking.

: Seems we’ll have some work to do once we arrive in Flagging Hands. Let’s get going, soon as you’re ready. Sooner we get there, sooner we can leave.



Gfy


: Music – Sinking Feeling

: Similar to our intermission with the Howlers on our way to the Cairn of Ha’ub, there’s nothing to do at this stop, so let’s just do some Considering.

: The Flagging Hands region proves as dismal as Jodariel indicated. The air is thick and foul.

: How far to the Pit of Milithe?

: All the way across the marshlands, on the coast.

: Reader, would you join me in the wagon for a moment? We have matters to discuss.

: Jodariel and Hedwyn exchange looks. Then she turns to you.

: Go see what he wants.



: Oh, it looks like we have a new trinket. Looks like some kind of neon-green crystal ball.

: Thank you for your time, Reader. I have something for you, on behalf of my client: Before you is an artifact called the Beyonder Crystal.

: You observe a shimmering crystal of some sort, beside the Book of Rites.

: As you have surmised, the triumvirates you are to confront during the Rites shall stop at nothing to prevail against you. They have prepared for this for quite some time. The Beyonder Crystal may help ensure that you are well-prepared, in turn.

: It is a resource now at your disposal, to be used at your discretion…. Gaze upon it, and you shall see what I mean.



: But specifically…



: If I were Rukey, I’d immediately be concerned. But hell, this whole journey has been one weirdness to another. Let’s give this crystal a look.


: Music – Forbidden Knowledge

: An apparition appears before you, clad in the raiments of the Rites, but incorporeal.

: … I sense that you are not a total idiot.

: She reaches for the clasps on her mask.



: Oh, but where are my manners? You must be their lovely Reader. Please, call me Sandra. We met briefly before, when you first beheld the Book. When you were stuck inside of it. I was among the phantoms your companions banished there, no doubt stroking their egos.

: You listened well enough to that damned Voice. Now, I suggest you listen well to me.

: I am bound in servitude to you. Along with any idiots whose freedoms happen to be intertwined with yours.

: I know the Rites better than anyone. I soon can whip you into shape, if you but take advantage of my services.

: First, I offer Scribe Trials to those friends of yours. If you can pass, it shall be worth their while, and yours. Secondly, my Beyonders and I avail ourselves for Practice Rites, should you be so inclined.

: Or you could always come and chat, and briefly free me from an eternity of boredom, hmm?



: Well, uh… how are you, Sandra?

: I do appreciate the effort to make small-talk with me, Reader. Anything to break from the monotony of staring at the void within this place. Not that I could see it if I tried.

: She laughs at this, or maybe at herself.

: Certainly, I could make talk with my fellow Beyonders, trapped here as they are with me. You might expect that we all would keep each other company.

: There is just one problem, however.



: She laughs again. Perhaps not at her joke, but instead at her predicament.

: I do exaggerate to some extent. But, there is a certain truth in this. We have been stuck together long enough that we have grown more distance rather than more close. But, I had best not wear out my welcome with the likes of you, as I have long since done with all the others here.

: So, carry on for now, and if those fools with whom you travel learn something, come bring them forth to me, and I shall see to it they learn some more.



: I want to feel bad for Sandra, but I’m not sure if I’m allowed to.

: Scribe Trials are only available when the Beyonder Crystal “seeks” one of our characters. Rukey has been summoned by the Beyonders, so let’s see what’s in the books for our cur.



:



: You ask Sandra to administer one of her special trials for Rukey.

: What, the loud-mouthed cur? Well, I suppose that he is ready, technically… though, I have a litany of reservations about him. But, let us bring him forth.



: Uh, chum, why you looking at me like that…?


Gfy


: All right, what’s the big idea, huh?! This some kind of trick you’re playing, chum?

: The apparition Sandra then appears, and unfastens her mask.

: Shut you snout and listen well, Cur. You answer to me here.

: W-wha?!

: Your mouth runs quicker than those stubby little paws.

: You have much to learn if you have any intent to prevail in the Rites. Let us see how you fare without the benefit of your trusted comrades… save for your lovely Reader.

: Uh, I guess it’s you and me, then, huh, chum? Wherever you are.


: Face My Demons – Gameplay



: Hey… what’s that you got?




: Whenever someone completes one of Sandra’s trials, they get a Talisman that is unique to, and only useable by, them. As you can probably guess, they’re pretty nutty: Jomuer’s Fang, on top of being pulled straight from the mouth of one of the Scribes themselves, causes Rukey’s Aura to remain on-screen three times longer than usual.

: Considering how quick Rukey is, with this Talisman, Rukey will be able to zip all over the place longer and lock down whole areas on the field with next to no effort. He was already difficult to move against, and now, with this Fang, he’ll be downright oppressive.

: And we can buff it.



: Stardust is a precious commodity right now, so I’m not actually going to spend it on Jomuer’s Fang right now. But the opportunity is there!



: There’s nothing left for us at this stop, so we’re free to continue forward… but we’re not gonna just yet, because we have to handle a decision!

: Who do we choose to bring into the next Rite? Our choices are Hedwyn, Rukey, Jodariel, Mae and Ti’zo. Five votes gets them on the roster, and remember, the order you vote for the characters matters!