Part 120: Going the Distance

Chapter 26: Going the Distance


The entrance to Atlantis is the odd pedestal shape near the island with a lake-filled caldera. You can find this in the furthest southwestern location on the map, just west of the old mercenary fortress, which is now represented by the mansion icon on the right side there.


To get in the doors, you need either a magic spear or the unique spear to pry open the gates, as the game mentions that daggers are too small for leverage and swords are too thin and flimsy for the job, plus even non-magic spears will break under the strain. I can’t really say if that’s true or not, but it’s basically just the game’s way of making sure you’ve got a decent weapon to use in underwater combat. However, Open does work, and the thief's rather complicated way in is to grease the left gate's hinges and pull out the pin with the Mystic Magnet.

Oh, and while I’m on the subject, never use Lightning Ball underwater. It’s rather obvious why, but it needs to be said.


When it opens, two tritons will show up and start to whack you with their tridents, even if you use the thief's method. If you want to do the Rite peacefully, however, you can’t attack these two. Killing your way to the queen is a viable option, but I’ve always preferred the more nonviolent route.


It feels a little silly, but you can make a wide circle through the water and double back into the tunnel behind them. The usual Calm/Dazzle/Peace effects work wonders too, of course.

*You enter the blackness of the tunnel. Fortunately, you see that the passageway walls are luminescent, allowing you to find your way.*

*You feel like you’ve been swimming for miles and miles along an endless passageway. Suddenly, there is light in the distance, and you quickly make for the exit.*

This passage is where you really require the waterbreathing amulet in order to get through the tunnel. As you saw earlier, you get the amulet from either woman you rescue from Hades, but as I said at the time, you can also get it by visiting the inner gates and choosing “no one.” When you do that, Erana sighs and gives you the amulet, saying, “Think of me when you use it.” You then lose about 40 points of Honor. You dick.


As you can see, the guards have yet to notice the hero’s presence behind them.


There are wall panels on both sides of the nearby walls, but the secret passage FA mentioned is to the right.


And he must have misremembered, because the panel that moves is actually the one in the center, rather than the furthest forward.


The secret passage has you pop out from the archway, letting you get past the guard.




Sticking to the wall will keep the guards from noticing you, allowing you to reach the tower FA also mentioned. The gates in the middle also lead directly to the throne room, but taking the secret passage here means the queen’s guards won’t react, either.


While you can use the toolkit to break into the secret passage, I believe that it also responds to Open and brute strength, meaning that any class can actually use this avoidance method to get to the throne room unmolested. Failing that, wizards always have Calm and Dazzle to avoid fights, and the paladin’s Peace and Awe skills can also get them in without too much trouble.



While in the throne room, every time you approach the queen, she gives you a warning about how she’s going to kill you for getting near her. Nevertheless, I got at least this close to her without any guard reacting, and I was apparently close enough to chuck the flowers at her.

Flowers. I have not seen such things in years. Why have you brought these here?
You ever met a certain adventurer a while back?
Perhaps. About whom do you speak?
What did he say you called him back then? Dead Sea Davy? No wait, it was “Silver—“ “Silverfish?” Silversomething.
Silvertongue. I have not spoken that name in years. That’s right, I remember he used to bring me flowers just like these. Did he send you?
Yeah. He says hi, and he hopes you’re doing well.
Silvertongue was a rogue who stole my heart and broke it. Still, he also brought me a joy I have never known elsewhere. So, for the sake of someone I once held dear, I will ask you: why have you come?
I come in the name of peace. Silmaria seeks an end to the conflict between our peoples. In fact, we’re rather unsure why you started attacking our ships in the first place.
Unsure? You are the ones who started this war by catching my citizens in nets and brutally murdering them!
Really? Um, that’s the first I’ve ever heard about that, and I’m pretty sure Justinian wasn’t the type of guy to order that sort of thing done. Hmm. Yeah, I think I know who would be responsible for doing that. So don’t worry, Queen Hippolyta, we’ll be doing everything in our power to bring the guy who started randomly killing your people to justice.
Very well, for the sake of an old friend, I will trust your word and halt our attacks, for now. But if any of my people are harmed by yours again, this ceasefire shall be broken.
Fair enough.
Good. Here, you may take this statue as a sign of our agreement. And tell Silvertongue…I have not forgotten.
I’ll send him your regards.
My people, this rogue who speaks for Silmaria wants peace for us. We shall grant him this peace, as long as our people are unharmed by it. Go, and may you earn the peace you bring here.

*You are escorted out of Atlantis by the tritons.*

*Later That Evening*



Back again? What are you doing here this time?
I told you, I heard you were looking for the Blackbird.
Me and about eighty percent of the local guild. So what?
I brought the real Blackbird with me from Spielburg when Minos invited me here. Although he wanted to use me primarily for the Rites, he seems to know the bird’s value as well, since he’s kept it carefully locked away since I brought it.
Wait a second, hang on—


Question: in all four games, which Blackbird statue has the hero never personally handled?

You had the real Blackbird this whole time?!
Yep. Got it off a wandering trader about three years before you showed up. I didn’t even know about its value in thieving circles at the time.
How come you never showed up to the guild headquarters with it?
Did you see an “E” in the betting pool? I’m not interested in being a chief thief. I don’t believe Minos is, either. Now here is how we help each other out. I wouldn’t mind seeing the bird stolen from Minos; in fact, I would feel pretty happy to see him angry. However, I can’t be suspected of taking it myself, which is why I need you. So if you will come with me to Minos’s ship, I can smuggle you to his palace. You have the Magnets to get back, so your only trouble should be getting inside the gates themselves. Meanwhile, I will be staying with Minos so that I have an alibi, and also to make sure he doesn’t end up discovering you. In fact, stealing the Blackbird would probably cause Minos to search rather frantically for it, allowing me to search for evidence about his actions. You and I can only benefit from working together on this. You will have the Blackbird, and I will have Minos. What do you say?
What do I say? What do I say? Maestro?

I have often dreamed
Of a far off place
Where a burglar’s welcome
Would be waiting for me.
Where the thieves will cheer
When they see my face,
And a voice keeps saying
This is where I'm meant to be!

I’ll be there someday,
I can rob the Blackbird.
I will find my way
If I can be strong.
I know every guile
Will be worth my while
When I rob the Blackbird
I’ll be right where I belong!

Down an unknown wall
To embrace my fate,
Though the rope may wander
It will lead me to you.
And a thousand years
Would be worth the wait,
It might take a lifetime
But somehow I’ll see it through.

And I won't look back;
I can rob the Blackbird!
And I’ll stay on track,
No I won't accept defeat.
It's a dang’rous rope,
But I won't lose hope.
‘Till I rob the Blackbird
And my journey is complete!

But to look beyond the shiny is the hardest part,
For a burglar’s strength is measured by his Art.

Like a hidden star,
I will rob the Blackbird!
I will search the world,
I will face its guards.
I don’t care how far,
I can rob the Blackbird.
‘Till I find my burglar’s welcome
Waiting in your arms…

I will search the world,
I will face its guards.
‘Till I find my burglar's welcome
Waiting in your arms…

Elsa, you’re a peach.

*Elsa smuggles you on board Minos’s ship, and you are taken to his island fortress. You wade ashore.*


<sub>Finally, a real challenge! Looks like Elsa was right about the goon guards.


Take that, [insert least favorite SA member here.]!




Yep, looks like the front door is right out. Sure hope there’s another way past.


Ah, good, looks like there’s a ledge up there.







Simplicity itself.



You deserved that, [insert second least favorite SA member here.]!


Don’t think I can get past those goons up there.


Good thing I don’t have to.



What, they didn’t notice me here? Guess goons don’t have much peripheral vision. I bet I could go straight up to that statue over there.


Gaudy, but expensive. Now, if I time my movements just right, I bet I could bypass the guards and check all those gates for what’s inside. I’ll need to be very careful though, since they’re patrolling so fast.</sub>


Eh, fuck it. Die, [those two guys no one likes.]!


Doesn’t really look like a blackbird, but I should probably check this statue out. Seems kind of familiar, though.




Probably because we found one just like it in the monastery basement back in 4. No awesome “death by choking on your own slime” this time, although using the extra spare sheets to handle the statue still works (you can get a second set from the bed itself).


There are a series of six gates, three on each side. You can get a basic description of what’s inside by looking at them, and a better one by clicking on the alcoves and selecting “examine alcove.” In addition, every alcove is protected by the hardest trap in the game.


In addition to only letting you screw up once before exploding, this type only shows the dancing men once in a random pattern before activating. Make sure you know how to symbolize them quickly before taking one of these on. From front to back, the grates on the left side contain:


Magic armor,


Magic weapons,


And five of every kind of potion.


The other side is similarly well stocked. Again, from front to back:


Five thousand drachmas cash,


A random assortment of enchanted jewelry,


And…

That’s it. This is the real one. The heft, the craftsmanship, even the signature on the pedestal looks genuine. I’ve finally got it.


Honestly though, I have no idea what the big deal is.

*The following day*


Technically, you can’t get back into the Science Institute after you open the secret laboratory, but Praetorius has a line that Mobius doesn’t, and we really shouldn’t miss it.

Chill, dude, I know all about Gort. How’s the waterproofing going?
You know already? Yes, I suppose there was some sort of disturbance a few days ago. And the waterproofing is already complete; I was just doing some minor adjustments to Gort’s personality. He has been starting to act a bit heroic, and that would be most unwise. Science should be cautious, not foolhardy!
Why? I’ve heard of a lot of discoveries that were made by accident.
Such discoveries could have easily been made under carefully controlled conditions! Honestly, Silmaria needs cautious, rigorous science to rule it, whether the populace wishes it or not. For far too long it has suffered from the superstitious poppycock spewed by those so-called wizards. But now, with those charlatans properly drugged, we scientists will reign supreme!
Wait, what did you just say? What do you know about the wizards getting drugged?
Oh, erm, it would probably be best for you to forget about my mentioning that. Some people just wouldn’t understand. We can keep it our little secret, right? That’s a good lad.
Not cool, man. Not cool. Those “charlatans” were my friends. Plus that means you sent me a box of drugged chocolates, too. Fuck secrets, dude. I’m telling everyone.
Oh, dear. This seems like it may not end well.


You look rather pleased with yourself. Have you performed any actions lately that I would want to know about?
Here.
Could it be? Yes. Yes! This is it! This is the real Blackbird! At long last, I have the real Blackbird! Ha, ha ha ha ha ha! Oh my, I do believe I am having some trouble maintaining composure. I must congratulate you, my friend. I always knew you were a man of infinite resource.
The deed?
Yes, of course. Here is the deed to the Gnome Inn. As you can see, I had such confidence in your abilities that I decided to carry the deed personally. And with your deed done, it carries no interest for me now. Oh, and you have my word as a gentleman that no mention of certain…unsavory aspects of your profession will ever be revealed; at least, not by me.
Or through your actions?
Or through my actions. Honestly, with the bird in my hand, any deal seems like a bargain.

As Gnome Ann’s sidequest exists for all four classes, Ferrari does accept something else from non-thieves. Specifically, he will take the peace mission statue (which stays in your inventory after you finish the Rite), accepting its curiosity value as equivalent to the Gnome Inn’s deed.

Oh, and getting the deed is also part of Nawar’s courtship. After you show her the ring, she asks you to do two tasks for her: fight the big guard outside the Dead Parrot (just punch him a few times and a guard will show up to break up the fight), and “show up Ferrari.” For some reason, engaging him in a real estate deal is showing him up. You need to get her to ask this before you make the deal for it to count, but since Nawar is quite apparently losing the vote, I feel comfortable showing events to you like this. If she does suddenly get a surge in her favor, though, I will be heavily modifying this section.


Thanks so much. I’d be a homeless gnome without this, and the cooks would have to find jobs as circus clowns again. You’ve saved us.
Anything for a friend _{and to avoid blackmail.}
What was that last part?
You’re welcome.


Right. And hey, I’ve got a few things I wanted to say about Praetorius…


This happens whether or not you visit Praetorius during the Rite of Peace, but it makes a lot more sense if you do.

Dr. Praetorius, you are accused of drugging the wizards Erasmus and Shakra, and attempting to drug others. What have you to say of this?
I have harmed no one. I have merely attempted to make certain that those pesky perverters of reality who call themselves “wizards” do not interfere with this contest. This was done to make certain that science should prevail over such nonsensical sorcery. This kingdom must be ruled by reason, not magical quackery.
You do not deny that you and Gort are directly involved with drugging the wizards?
Of course not. I’m a perfectly honest person.
Very well. By your own words, Dr. Praetorius, you have convicted yourself of the crime of distributing illegal drugs. Gort, you too are accused of being an accomplice and accessory to this crime. You are disqualified from the Rites of Rulership.
No! You can’t disqualify Gort. I protest! Science must rule!


*pop*

This is not fair! You are fools, all of you, to believe that neutralizing magicians is some sort of crime. They perpetuate the crime of altering reality! Why don’t you convict them? We scientists deserve to rule this misbegotten little kingdom! Only we can show the world the way to the future. Only we can destroy the superstitious sorcerers, and let technology triumph! We will overcome the occult! Science rules!
Take them away.

How much of a nerd do you have to be for your Mr. Hyde alter ego to be as big a science geek as you? And yes, there isn’t even a single flashing light or needless particle effect to mark the transformation. I guess that must have been cut, too.


The people of Atlantis have pledged their alliance with Silmaria. Our boats will again be able to sail without fear of attack from the tritons of the sea. Our harbor will again be safe for free trade. Prince Nike of Shapeir went into the depths of the sea. He found Atlantis, and brought forth the symbol of peace between our lands and peoples. Thus ends the Rite of Peace.