Secret of Evermore Part #29 - And Thus, We Close Out The Forest

Part 29: And Thus, We Close Out The Forest

Howdy, folks, and welcome back! Last time, on Secret of Evermore, we went through the first half of the Dark Forest, kicked the shit out of three clones, and got a new sword. Today, we're going to finish off the Dark Forest, get another new weapon, and get to Ebon Keep, so let's boogie.

If you'd like to see the map for this place, check this out. This half isn't nearly as big as the first, which makes it much more pleasant to go through.

Shape Lifters (Jesus Christ, who the hell approved that name) still serve as signs that you're heading the right way.

Instead of blitzing through the path and out of here, we've got a shitload of heading right to do.

Heading right leads us to another item that we could permanently miss, and I'm trying not to do that.

That reminds me, there's that Monk in Crustacia that sells Amulets of Annihilation for 10,000 Jewels. I need to go buy at least one from him.

Oh, Jesus, an Oglin! Fire Power, do your thing!

Wait, hold that order. We've met this guy before.

I'm glad you're doing well. But, I'm curious, did you have to beat the Foot Knight to get here? I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if you did, but...

I damn near forgot; you can thank Seiren for making sure your ass got saved.

Neat!

This boost to magic defense applies only to York, but hey, that's still neato-torpedo.

Barring one more charm, which is useless and actually does nothing, we've collected all of the charms!

I'll probably still grab it, just for completions' sake, but that'll be in a while. I think I can still get it.

If not, we're literally missing nothing. Also, a furlong is 660 feet, so we can hit the candy mountain in a touch over six miles.

Alright, let's wrap this up.

Once you've hit this screen, you're home free.

Just one final thing to do.

Lord, he's a goofy looking bastard.

Jesus, Zach, no! I'm trying to show this one off!

With 2,000 HP, Zach has already really done a number on the Timberdrake.

Not the best shot of it, but the Timberdrake will randomly pick his teeth with his lance. It's kind of friggin' cool.

And lookit that shit eating grin.

Surprise, assbutt, the dragon has access to fiery shit!

Kind of painful, but nothing we can't overcome.

But we'll plant a spear in its belly all the same.

Like with most bosses, I could have annihilated this guy within a few spells.

Power leveling your alchemy in this game is pretty much an instant-win formula, as you've seen.

And foes' alchemy is one of the most dangerous things they have. But, the cool thing is that, no matter what they use, they'll never use a formula that you can't have access to.

With one final strike, York and Zach combine their powers to defeat the mighty Timberdrake...

Who explodes into 2,000 Coins and 2,200 EXP.

And, just like that, the Crusader Sword is rendered obsolete!

Or it would be, but I like swords, and with the Silver Sheath's bonus, the Crusader Sword is nearly as powerful.

In short, we're keeping our fancy golden sword.

Yeah, that's a barrier. We'll get past it later.

For now, it's time for another maze/sewer!

Also filled with randomly impassable obstacles.

As well as Rats and Blue Goos, which are about as much of a threat as before.

The Blue Goo can randomly drop Honey, too, which is neat. I'm not 100% sure on this, but I'm guessing that enemies themselves don't have set tables for what they can drop. I'm thinking that the drops are determined by what area they're in; if I remember right, in the Pyramid, Blue Goos can drop Nectar, but won't drop Honey.

Alternatively, maybe the enemies here, while functionally identical to the enemies in previous areas, are coded into the game as different enemies, with different drops.

Hell, I don't know. I'm not a programmer, so I'm probably talking out of my ass here.

Also, hidden path leads to those chests.

As well as those chests.

If you're playing along, looking for the hidden paths, just hump your way down the wall until York disappears into one of them.

One of these days, I'll use some Pixie Dust. Maybe. I'll try and remember.

...Have I used even a drop of Ethanol yet? I'm honestly not sure.

Water is always good to have around.

And I don't mind having Acorns around. Lance is kind of fun, even if I prefer Crush and Fire Power.

Anyways, work your way lefterly and upward and you'll come out here, the exit.

Which leads into another dungeon.

We've officially entered Ebon Keep. In Ivor Tower, opening all the cells and defeating their occupants got us a new collar for Zach.

In here, we've gotta open all the cells and kill the enemies to progress forward.

Though, game, if you're going to give me an item that nullifies the threat of an enemy, don't throw them in my path as a necessary impediment. Throw something that is---

Jesus Christ!

Oh, uh...Good dog, Zach. Those Raptors have 300 HP, and drop 290 EXP and 48 Gold.

Two of these bastards are down here.

Oh, why did I even bother? Let's just crack open that last cell.

Uh-oh. He's shooting York.

And that's just their regular attack. That hurts like a bastard!

Fortunately, we've gone our own bastard-hurting attack.

Oh, Crush, how I love thee.

And this is the cherry on top.

The cell we don't open is the path out.

Well, now, ain't this somethin'.

Where the hell is everyone?

Huh. Guess folks really did pack up and scoot out of here.

There's a few people left in this town, though.

There has to be. I mean, the Queen sent us over here to assist in killing them all.

Ah, the inn! There's bound to be someone here.

At least there's dinner.

Maybe the shopkeep is resting in the back.

At least there's free stuff.

Maybe there's more free stuff over here.

Or a living person. I'm cool with that, too.

Are you ready for an odd exchange?

Not this part.

I'm familiar with you, yeah.

I know a thing or two about that, too.

Carbon dioxide posted:

I would like to know what he has to say, is there a copy somewhere?

Austin S posted:

pre:

"Heard about my victory over Zeromus?"
  Sure. Of course!
> Can't say that I have.

"How about the time that I turned into a paladin?"
  Now I remember!
> Doesn't ring a bell.

"How about my adventure on the moon?"
  Oh yeah! The moon!
> I don't think so.

"Well, suffice it to say, I've been almost everywhere and I've done almost everything."

Note that getting this far means you miss out on the 50GP discount on the collar, or the 100GP discount on the other items.