Part 9: Our Very Honor!

: Onward!




Gfy

: By the Scribes! The sea, I didn’t know it was so beautiful?

: Having escaped the waters of Wyrm Gulf, you now can see what must be the Hulk of Ores, far on the horizon.

: Not everyone has taken well to the sea-voyage, however.

: (Ti’zo is wondering if Hedwyn is feeling better.)

: He requires further rest, Ti’zo. All we can do is to wish him a swift recovery. Reader sir? From this point, our voyage must diverge from Bertrude’s instructions. Please, consult with your companions about which course to take.



: I wonder why. Couldn’t Bertrude just tell us to take the northern or southern pass? Wouldn’t she know if one was safer than the other?




: It basically comes down to if we want another temporary stat boost, or if we want vendor trash.

: Spoilers for whoever is reading this in the LP archive or wherever, but the vote for our next team was Ti’zo, Jodariel, and Mae. Now, what I would have liked to do was take the Fathomless Trench, despite the name, because you, the thread, voted for Ti’zo before they voted for Mae, which is what I meant when I said I would be biased for whoever the thread was leaning towards at the time that these options came up.

: However, I lacked that foresight at the time of this recording and accidentally played a bit ahead. The Rite will still be played with our chosen team, but I had recorded up a little bit past the vote. My bad.


Gfy

: You find Mae gazing down into the depths.

: The water is so very beautiful, and yet, it’s very dangerous? They always said it’s very dangerous, if you fall in, or drink enough of it?

: But, the Scribes, they have protected us, and they are watching, I just know!

: Even out here, in the waters of Underking Ores! They urge us on, I feel it, I just know!

: There is no denying that the north current sends you quickly on your way. Perhaps it is the thought of reaching land again, but you can sense a spring in everybody’s step.



Gfy

: At last you arrive at the Hulk of Ores, after journeying across the sea. It seems the next Rite is to commence here soon, though there is no sign of your next adversaries, yet.



: Lots to do here! As always, let’s start with the blackwagon. It would be rude to keep a companion waiting.



: Now that our blackwagon’s been upgraded and cleaned up, we’ll automatically start filling it with various knicks and knacks from the places we’ve visited as souvenirs. It includes the nautical bell next to the door, as a keepsake from Bertrude’s, and there’s a small fishbowl that’s currently obscured by Jodariel’s right horn that contains a Silver Cudgelhead, as a pet from the Wyrm Gulf.

: Yes, clicking on the bell makes it ding.

: Reader. A moment of your time.

: You ask what is on her mind.



: …I have known Hedwyn since he was a child. Even now, I hesitate to say that he is grown. Nevertheless, there are such things that even I would never say to him directly.

: For instance, I struggle with his confidence, at times. Whether he leads us to our freedom or our doom, I am ambivalent.

: So yeah, like I said a couple updates ago, Jodariel has a stern way with words.

: Speak not a word of this to him, of course, in case that is unclear. I shall tell him in my own way if and when the time requires.

: In any case, when times remind me of his mortal weaknesses, I end up having to consider what should happen should we become separated permanently.

: She trails off a while.



: You should know that I am fully pledged now to this quest of ours. Whether Hedwyn is the one to lead us to its end or not.

: I have my reasons. One of them is him. I expect the same holds true for you.

: That is all I wished to say. Take care, Reader.

: She nods, and brushes past you toward the door.

: Wow, that was a surprisingly tender side that Jodariel just exposed to us. She isn’t exactly a poet, but she’s got some pretty strong Mama Bear feelings for her crew, and particularly Hedwyn. I can’t imagine it was easy for her to word her thoughts to us.

: Now that Jodariel got that off her chest, let’s wash that down with some light reading.


Gfy



: We’ll catch up with Sandra in a bit. As long as we visit her before we leave the Sea of Solis, she’ll be fine. Until then, let’s hit up the Slugmarket.




: The new Talisman available is called a Thorned Knot. Whoever bears it gets an 8% increase to their Aura’s maximum range when it’s cast.

: While that sounds kind of nice, the thing is that 8% isn’t a whole lot. The price tag is only 15 coins, balancing out the very meh bonus with a low cost. Unfortunately, I’d still rather save my money for anything else that Ron may stock later.

: That said, that new Pinch of Stardust costs 5 coins. Gimme gimme.



: With everyone done and out of the way, the last thing left for us to do is to commence the Rite. It’s a pretty good bet that our opponents will be water-based, and we’ll be playing on their turf, so, fingers crossed!



: Having landed at the Hulk of Ores, you and your fellow exiles now participate the hour that the Rites are to commence again.



: (Ti’zo is worried that Hedwyn is still feeling unwell.)

: Wait, I think… what’s that?

: A serpentine creature emerges from the water, followed by several others of its kind. You recognize it as a wyrm of the Sea-Dominion. What they all are doing here, you see plain by their ritual raiments…. The nearest one somehow loosens its mask.


: Music: Quest For Honor

: So it is you that heed the summons to glorious competition against this knight and his brigade!!

: Well, then! Let us do battle now without delay!! More than our freedom is at stake here, but our very honor! And this knight fully intends to reclaim his!

: Oh, and lest this knight forget!!

: He is called Sir Gilman! He salutes you all on behalt of the Pyrehearts! Until the contest!!

: He splashes out of view, just as the stars above begin to shimmer with strange light.


Gfy


: This is a pretty unique layout. The stage is symmetrical, so both teams have to go through the same motions regardless, which is nice.

: Your fellow exiles are gathered on the rotting deck of the Hulk of Ores, as your adversaries clamber into view. Rukey paws up to them.

: Say, what are you wyrms even doing here? Can’t you just swim back to the Commonwealth, or the Sea-Dominion, or wherever it is you’re from?

: Hah, HAH!! An excellent point!! It seems that these adversaries in the Rites are clever, wouldn’t you say, Sire?!



: HARK! This knight wishes to introduce his noble commander!! No wyrm-knight in history has withstood as many front-line battles!

: Doff your helm, Sire, as is our custom! May our adversaries tremble at the sight of you!

: Sir Gilman attends to his commander’s mask, despite his protests.


: Music: Knights Of The Sea

: This knight hereby present to you the great Sir Deluge! A noble visage, is he not?!

: Sir Deluge trembles and squirms.

: Uh… so, yes, you can swim, or no?

: HAH! Of course we knights can swim! All knight of the Sea-Dominion can!!

: But, we are exiles in this land, the same as ye… we can swim, ‘tis true. But, ‘tis summarily impossible to swim back up the river down which we were flushed to end up here! Nay, there is but one way to return!!



: Sir Gilman hesitates, but does as he is told.

: Th-th-this knight knows who you are, Nightwings! And he is not afraid of you!!

: Are you sure?

: He somehow climbs back into his mask, and coils up to his full height.



: Our Very Honor! – Gameplay



: There is little discussion of the Pyrehearts, who seem to have already swam off toward wherever next the stars directed them. Instead, your fellow exiles’ attention turns toward your companion who was absent for the Rite.

: How is Hedwyn?

: The Lone Minstrel makes a sound, but no words form, as yet. Something is troubling him.

: He… I urged him to remain bed-ridden….

: And…?

: Look at that face. Choose your next words carefully, Tariq.



: Off to a bad start, Tariq.

: I am very sorry, but….

: Wait, what…?

: Everyone stares at The Lone Minstrel in stunned silence. The Lone Minstrel breathes a heavy sigh.

: But then…



: Minstrel! I should wring that neck of yours.

: As I was attempting to explain… Hedwyn is already up and about. Despite my having strongly recommended further rest. Those that are unaccustomed to sea voyage, and take ill… they are very likely to experience further symptoms, if they do not remain bed-ridden, or at least sedentary. Hedwyn is running a considerable risk of having to spend another night in great discomfort.

: What are you, a doctor?

: Nay… although, I traveled once with one, extensively.

: Look I appreciate your caution and concern, Tariq. But, I’m pretty well accustomed to discomfort here, and… I had to see how things turned out tonight.

: I haven’t had to stay out of a Rite like that before.

: So, you are back among the living, then, Hedwyn.



: Despite the story of Pyre not explicitly focusing on one character more than another, I think Hedwyn was meant to be the main focus, or the ‘star’ of the plot. He’s easily the most expressive character yet; this picture adds another facial expression to the long list. By my count, he’s had eight expressions so far, while the next most-expressive character, Jodariel, has five.

: Of course, I might also not be paying as close attention as I think.

: Nevertheless, your full recovery requires rest.

: I think we all could use some rest after tonight. Anyway… thank you, everyone, for your concern, and I’m sorry that I worried you, or caused you further burden.

: He turns to you.

: My friend, what do you say we figure out where to go next? I’m beginning to miss being on solid ground.

: You follow him outside where the night sky awaits.



: Anyway, I’ll leave you to your reading. Can’t begin to imagine where we’ll be off to next. We’re well past anywhere in the Downside I’ve ever been. Even Jodi hasn’t gone this far.

: He bids you a good evening, as you turn your attention back to the sky.




Gfy

: Still further north, then.

: Not simply north…. This shall prove difficult.

: What’s the problem?

: Our destination is beyond the Deathless Tempest. A vessel such as ours has little hope of traversing it intact.

: Can’t we go around it?

: Given our confrontation with the Pyrehearts, our chances back in wyrm-held waters would be even worse.

: Also, have you ever tried to sail around a hurricane?



: Your optimism is infectious.

: Isn’t it?

: That’s… her optimistic face, I guess.

: You all concur that rest is in order, for the sea-journey has been taxing to everyone. Come daybreak, you shall have to find a way to sail past the Deathless Tempest.



: Before we wrap it up, we have two special someones that want another word with us.



: Oh! Hi, Mister! I’m so happy right now! I’m happy because I was so worried about Mister Hedwyn for a while there, you know?

: He was so kind to me when we first met. Him, and Miss Jodariel, and Mister Greentail, and you, too!

: But, I just really like him!

: She sighs. She seems happy to be here.

: Say, do you… um…

: She trails off for a moment.

: Do you think he likes me, too?



: Hoo boy.

: My first instinct is to question whether I misread her earlier interaction with Almer, way back when, and that she was actually trying to get his attention for some other reason.

: On the other hand, Mae is the type of person that doesn’t really speak with undertones or filters, and she’s asking if Hedwyn literally likes her. ‘Like’ is a pretty weak word to describe romantic feelings, and she’s asking if Hedwyn appreciates her as a friend, nothing more.

: That said, the last time I tried to read a character and second-guess their reactions to my answer, it went pretty poorly. So… I might as well encourage her?



: She stares at you a moment. Then, she begins to laugh.

: Oh, you’re so silly, Mister! I didn’t mean like him like THAT, that’s so embarrassing!

: Besides I think that maybe he’s a little old, you know?

: I’m going to go cheer him up!! This is a funny story!

: She bounds off, leaving you to ponder what just happened, exactly.



: I’m not sure if this is because I got a good beat on Mae, or on myself. Good for her either way, at least.