Part 115: The Rite of Destiny

Chapter 22: The Rite of Destiny


On the airship, we can now go anywhere. Of course, this doesn’t mean we can land anywhere; we’re still basically limited to the green areas in terms of landing zones, and we won’t land anywhere near the volcano crater.


We will, however, be traveling up to the northwest, where Delos is. As you can see, there are no fewer than two locations to visit there.


Climbing in and out of the airship is fairly easy: simply click on the blimp itself while it’s floating still over a place you can land, and you’ll pop out. You get back on by overlapping the ship with your figure and clicking on it.

Oh, and here’s an important tip: when you’re anywhere in the airship, don’t use the Mystic Magnet. If you can’t get back to the ship, then unless you are right at the end of the game, you have just made it unwinnable. So don’t do it.


To the southwest is the dryad grove FA was talking about. Use the Hippocrene water to get things started. What, you ask, are we starting? The best song in the game, that’s what.

The hero’s dancing for this sequence was patterned after the dancing baby, an early viral video and something once featured on Ally McBeal. The dancing may be goofy, but I happen to like the song and the effects with the pixies. I used the wizard for this sequence because unlike with the other classes, their dance with the dryads actually has a point. Specifically, this is the one and only place to get yourself some magic wood. Everyone else just has a nice time.


But enough mucking around, on to the Sybil!


Rite of Destiny

Stone. Huh. Didn’t expect that.


Now what’s this flower here?


Three free mana of any color? There’s no telling what I could do with this!


“Die horribly” is your only option, sadly. This particular black lotus follows more in Conan’s original footsteps and kills whoever eats it.


You can also jump into the pool…


…And drown horribly. And here I bet some of you were wondering if this was still a Sierra game.


Of course, the correct action is to toss a drachma in the water. The Sybil feels sort of like the evil gypsy quarter machine from Big.




I am the Sybil, who sees what is to come. Hear now the future that fate brings you. Your way is darkened with blood and death. The first death you soon face is Death itself. Embrace it or not, Death shall soon drag you to its depths. Go willingly and you will gain.

The next death you face is one whose fate crosses yours. That which he cannot own, he would destroy. He will seek victory, even in his defeat.

Seven deaths, and the Dragon grows restless in dreamless sleep. Four posts that pinned it to darkness have been broken in blood. Three more shall be shattered with death. The last death shall awaken the Dragon fully. New awakened, the Dragon is weak. Each feel of fear and pain feeds it. Fix first the pillar, or it shall fly free.

Death brought the Dragon to life. Only death shall defeat it. One must give up life willingly before the Dragon can die. Without sacrifice, the Dragon is deathless.

Your way is marked with death. Face it gladly, and your way is marked with glory. That is the fate that awaits you.


Man, FA was right. That was god damn depressing. Death, dragons, sacrifice…screw it, I’ll just do what I was going to do anyway and hope for the best.


Oh, and pick up this disc here. Guess the Sybil knew I’d need some proof, at least.


Sweet, this should work. Maybe I should read that post by the fountain, though.

“Peace Unto Hades. All waters that flow in the earth, flow to Hades.
Alas, all life soon flows there too.
Where those waters flow, a gate will open.
Alas, too soon it opens for you.

When death is near, then pour the waters.
Alas, they flow to Hades’ shore.
Where darkness awaits at the river’s end.
Alas, this lament shall open the door.

Sing unto Hades this sad sorrow’s song.
Alas, all life is quickly passed,
And the gates of Hades shall open before you.
Alas, this song shall be your last.”

Sounds like something an angsty teen would write. Alas, that it should stand here instead. Whatever, I’m going.


What? Oh no, not Shakra too!

Yet again, the poisoning of a wizard happened while the hero was out adventuring. Fortunately, Shakra manages to hold off on unconsciousness long enough to help the wizard.




Ah, you have found some magical wood! Let us make you a magical staff, the symbol of the wizard. Place the magical wood on the magical drum so we can start the magical ritual to make a magical staff, please.
I understand your point, Shakra. No need to nail it in with quite that efficiency.





After some fancy effects and flashing lights, the staff is ready.

There! Now, summon your new staff!


Aha, excellent! And perhaps this one will have some staying power, yes?

As a matter of fact, it does! That’s right, it took them three games but they finally figured out how to make the staff useful! You might have noticed just now that the staff appeared as 8 on the quick item bar, and that “Staff” has replaced the mana bar in the hero’s stats. The staff is now an item you can equip like a sword, and…well, I’ll let the game give the description.


Simple enough, yes? The staff is a method the wizard hero can use to extend his mana almost indefinitely, and at a much cheaper rate than by mana potion. The only two things limiting its power are the phrase “current mana” and the spell’s rather hefty cost, but that’s not too much of an issue, really. Especially since you can hang on to your staff until it runs out of mana, rather than when you move even a little bit like before.




Dude, what happened? Why is Shakra out now?
Dunno, man, I guess he got some of those wonky chocolates. Man, it’s just one bad thing after another. Who’s going around putting the hurt on all these nice people?
Shakra lies in a deep coma, seemingly asleep but getting no rest. Somehow we must cleanse his system or help him get true rest, or I’m afraid he might die.
Damn it, the people who could help most keep getting bumped off! So who’s taking care of Rakeesh now that his son’s out, too?
We have taken the responsibility of direct care upon ourselves for both of them. Erasmus is still being cared for by Fenris and Ugarte has someone from the Dead Parrot looking after him, but without any means of cure I’m not sure what we can do to bring them out of their restless sleep.
Y’know, that drug is really bad karma. It’s like the people who ate it are sleeping, but not really asleep, you grok? I’ll bet their dreams are not fun at all right now. They aren’t getting any rest, and their bodies just keep getting tireder and tireder. This is not good, man.
So what can we do?
Man, I’d give just about anything to answer that right about now. I almost wish I could take them to the River Lethe so they could at least get some decent sleep.
Lethe?
It is said that there is a river in Hades, called Lethe, which has miraculous properties, like the ability to calm fears and relax the body. Of course, there is the little difficulty of it being in Hades, and I don’t know for certain that even that would be enough.
Dude, you’re a hero, right? Well, if you ever find yourself in Hades, could you do us a big favor and get a nice amphora full?
Yeah, I’ll…keep that in mind. Oh yeah, and I found this one flower that looked pretty rare. Did you want it?
Ooh, a black lotus! Pretty. I’ve always wanted to gather one of these magic flowers. I’ll get right to work adding it to my poison cure pills. That’s homeopathics for you!
We’ll do some checking to see if this is the flower we need. May your sleep come from nature and cure all ills.


Oh, I am so excited! I have heard you have made a thing that flies like the picture I painted, and that you have taken it far away. I only wish that I could see it.
I’ve still got it, actually. I’ll make sure to buzz the town sometime just for you.
Oh, that would make me most happy! You must have a very fine time in your flying machine, I am thinking.
Well, aside from all the rowing, it is pretty fun.
I would very much like to fly someday. I would be like a bird and fly away north for the summer, except that my homeland is to the east, and I would be flying there.
You still miss your home?
Oh, very much so some days. That is why I tell myself so much that I should stop missing my homeland and get back to work, and so that is what I do instead.
You have fun with that, then. I’ve got a plate to deliver.
I hope that you will have as much fun on your next quest as on this one. Greetings go with you.



The web of the future is woven, and few dare to face what the Fates have sewn. One man has looked upon his future. Prince Nike of Shapeir knows now what lies before him, for better or for worse. Thus ends the Rite of Destiny.

*You are dismissed to rest up for the next Rite. You then return to the Hall of Kings.*


I have said before that a ruler must be willing to face death for his kingdom. A king must be willing to go through Hell if that is what it takes to make Silmaria safe. You, too, must enter the depths of death. You must open the gates of the Underworld. You must face the fearsome guardian of the dark reaches—Cerberus. You must journey downward to the very center of the Abyss. Enter the realm of Hades. Find the river Styx, with which even gods swear oaths of binding. Return from this infernal land with the water of the Styx to swear your honor and valor. This is the Rite of Courage.

*You are escorted by guards through the corridors of the Hall of Kings, and eventually led out of the gate.*


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FUCK.