Part 2: Update 2 – Pirate Isle

The trip back to Pirate Isle isn't in the video because it really isn't very interesting, but there's a few things I want to show off on the way there.



First up, the result of the Moonberry we found on Antonio. Alpha Storm is great for taking out clusters of weak enemies.



Secondly, as soon as we fly over this island on the way back home the compass starts spinning wildly. Press A in that spot and...





The first of the Discoveries! These are scattered all over the world map, 88 of them in total. You know you're nearby one when the compass starts to spin, and just like treasure chests you need to find every single one to unlock all the game's secrets, but unlike chests we have some competition for Discoveries. More on that later.





Most random encounters I won't bother commenting on, but this one has a couple of noteworthy enemies. The ammonite-looking thing is a Marocca and they have defence out the wazoo - Vyse's attack did a measly 10 damage, and Aika will be lucky to beat 3. I could just keep plinking away at it with normal attacks, but why do that when we have a new special move to show off?







Aika's new Alpha Storm makes toast of the squishy enemy and takes a good chunk out of the Marocca, but the third enemy in the group is totally unscathed.



This is the monster in question, a Looper. They're the mascot enemy of the game and the entire point of their existence is to be unspeakably annoying to kill. Firstly, they have Mdef so high they're effectively immune to magic. Secondly, they have evasion so high they're effectively immune to normal attacks.



Thirdly, they like to run away from battle. A lot. The only reliable way to kill them is with a physical Super Move like Cutlass Fury, or if they decide to attack someone and get counterattacked – counterattacks never miss.


Click for video!

Pirate Isle! Home and headquarters of the Dyne Pirates.



I'm feeling much better. Thank you for your concern.

Heh... no problem. I'm just happy to see that you're well. Looks like we'll be reaching the island soon.

... Island?

You can see it right over there. That's our base... Pirate Isle.

Pirate Isle...





From the surface it looks just like a peaceful farming village...



...but hidden in the base of the island is a hidden drawbridge.



The Albatross sails inside.



And the door closes with barely a trace.





Mabel the Raider: Tonight, we should celebrate!

Everyone: Yeah!!!

Well Fina, this is what we do! What do you think?

Well... It centainly looks challenging.

Hahaha... challenging, huh... Well, now that you mention it, it isn't easy, but it is fun!

This is the Underground port outside of Pirate Isle. From the outside, this island looks like a quite, peaceful village but the inside of the island is where our headquarters is located.

There are armories, shops, and even a tavern inside here. Come on, we'll give you a tour.

Vyse!



Vyse... I wonder what that was all about.

... I'm not sure, but we'd better hurry. You know how my dad gets when we're late.

The next scene isn't in the video in the hopes of keeping things a bit more streamlined, but it pops up if you visit the tavern before going to see Dyne.









Timmus the Gunner: Hey! There's nothing wrong with relaxing with friends after a hard day's work!



Fina, this is our tavern. We serve all sorts of drinks here: nectars, juices, loqua...

Juices and loqua?

Um...excuse me, but what exactly is “loqua”?

WHAT?! Fina...you really don't know what loqua is?



Fina's blush here cracks me up.

Everyone seems to be drinking it so fervently...it must be delicious.

Mabel the Raider: You want to share a bottle of Mur Loqua with us? It's made from Loquat Berries and Moon Stones. It's just a juice, but it tastes great!

Nononononono! We can't just sit around right now! We have to go talk to the cap'n!

Why? Are we not supposed to be here?

Well, the cap'n is always getting on our case for being late and stuff...I really don't want to get in any more trouble today...

Heh...yeah, my dad can get pretty worked up when he's mad. We wouldn't want him to have a heart attack now, would we?

Haha...you're so mean to your dad, you know that Vyse? C'mon...we should probably get going, your dad's waiting for us.

So yeah, “loqua” obviously got censored for the English release. In the Japanese version, Eternal Arcadia, it was just plain rum. Strangely, for the Legends version it was the English version that got ported for both languages, so the Japanese Legends picked up the censorship as well.

Anyway, on to Dyne's office.



Hmph... you're a little late. I'll let it slide this time... Come on over. Young lady, I am Dyne, the Captain of the Blue Rogues. There are a few questions that I want to ask you. Will you answer them for me?

Of... of course.

I've been sailing for a very long time, but I've never come across anyone wearing clothes like yours. What country are you from and why were you travelling alone out there?



Another Swashbuckler choice. Dyne is the captain here, so we'll just sit quietly and listen.

......

Cap'n Dyne, you worry to much. Fina is just a normal girl.

Silence, Aika. I am the captain here. It is my duty to protect the safety of my family and crew. If this girl is a danger of any sort to you or any of my men, I cannot let her live.

But... but...
... Fina... It is your turn to speak.

Fina...

I... I cannot say.

Why is that? Is it because we are Air Pirates? Don't you trust us?

No, that has nothing to do with it. I thank you with all my heart for saving my life but I cannot tell any living soul about the purpose of my quest. Even if it means sacrificing my own life.



That's one hell of a determined look in her eye.





So who here thought Fina was going to be a complete doormat character? Anyone expect her to stare down Dyne half an hour into the game?

I understand your dilemma, and I can see in your eyes that you are true to your word. Although we're Air Pirates, we also have a strong sense of honor. You do not need to divulge the details of your quest. Understand that you now have my trust... Be careful that you not lose it.

Captain Dyne... Thank you kindly. I will not dissapoint you.

Vyse. Aika... Bring the girl... Fina topside and give her a tour of the village.

Now that's more like it!

Way to go , Dad! You're the best!

... It's not "Dad", it's Captain! I swear... how many times do I have to remind you? You're excused... Don't be late for dinner.

And now we have free reign of Pirate Isle. First up, this bookcase in Dyne's office looks a bit suspicious.





All that's behind it is a handful of gold, but it still counts as a chest.





This scene pops up as soon as we head outside the underground base. The entrance/exit is hidden in the rock wall behind Vyse.

Vyse, go ahead. I have to stop by my house for a second.

Why? What's wrong?

I just want to freshen up. Don't worry, I'll catch up with you guys in a few minutes! See you at your house!



There's a few more chests scattered around the island, but only two of them are really noteworthy. This one is noteworthy because it's in the lookout point at the top of this ridiculous ladder that takes forever to climb. I'm not speeding up the video of it either, if I have to suffer then so do you.



This chest is behind a hidden door that leads back into the underground base. It contains a Moonberry that earns Vyse his second Super Move.



Counterstrike is quite possibly the most worthless move in the game! All it does it make Vyse guard for the turn and give him a 100% counter rate. The problem is that only regular attacks can be countered and those aren't worth guarding against in the first place.



This little fellow is running around the village playing with the kids.

O, oh my!

Quiet, Pow! I told you not to bark at guests before, right!

Pow... pow...

I, I'm sorry. He just took me by surprise. He's actually really cute...I guess on your island, you live with other animals...

Um, yeah, I, I guess. You don't have pets where you come from?

W, well, um... no. Not really. Is it that unusual? I'm so sorry... it's just that everything seems so... different here.



Alan is one of the aforementioned kids playing with Pow. The other two are Lindsi and Jimmy.

Alan: Does that mean I can't become a sailor?



One of the optional Swashbuckler choices. Most of them you run into in the main storyline, but a couple are missable like this one. The right choice here is obvious.

Sure you can be a sailor! Used to get airsick all the time when I was little. And after a while, you just sort of stop throwing up. Your body gets used to it.

Alan: Okay! I'll throw up however many times it takes until I can become a sailor!

You know, Aika's been gone a while now, maybe we should check up on her.



A mystery! Well there's only one way to solve this.



Oh...I think there's something underneath it.




_{This track is missing from the OST. Despite showing up here, it serves as the theme for a character we haven't met yet.}

…?

Aaaahhh! Who's there?! Take that, you creep!





You should be ashamed of yourself! I can't believe you would spy on me like that! Get out of here!

But...but...I was just looking under this handkerchief! I didn't know! You probably just put it there to draw people's attention...

Oh dear. Time to beat a quick retreat back to Vyse's house, methinks.



Vyse's Mother: So, you're Fina. It's very nice to meet you.

The pleasure is all mine. I... I hope I'm not intruding.

Vyse's Mother: Oh, don't be silly! It's been a long time ago since we've had guests. Well, I have to finish cooking dinner. Go outside and have some fun. I'll call you when it's ready.

Hey guys!



Aika isn't one to hold a grudge. That, and the programmers didn't bother changing it depending on if you've seen the optional scene with Aika.

Hey... the sunset outside is beautiful. Why don't we go outside and check it out?

Well, we still have some time before dinner... Why not?

Okay, great! Come on! We can get a great view from up top on Lookout Island.



Snake Eater...







She's not kidding. It really is a fantastic view.

I love it up here, it's so peaceful. I come up here to relax and watch the sunsets. When I'm up here, I often wonder what lies beyond the sky... Beyond the sunset...

Beyond... the sky... ?

Some say there's monster. Other say there's a maelstrom that either blows ships, or pulls them in... and they're never seen again. And there are other that just say it's impossible...

......

I want to know what's out there... Besides, I don't like giving up on anything without giving it my best shot. Someday, I will be the captain of my own ship. I'll go beyond the sunset, and I'll see what's out there.

Wow... I bet if you could go beyond the sunset, the sky would look even more beautiful.

Hey!!



A meteor shoots across the sky with a totally inappropriate laser sound!

T... That was a Moon Stone!

... A Moon Stone?





What, you thought the glass eyepatch was just for show? Shame on you. Now the shirt sleeves held on by rubber bands, those are for show.


_{Another theme from a character we haven't met yet!}

It's been a long time since we've seen a Moon Stone fall!

I don't understand. That was a Moon Stone?

That's right. Fina, you've heard of Moon Stone before, right? They're pieces of rock that fall from the Moons. They usually crash land on the islands. They're a really powerful source of energy, too. We use them for all sorts of things. They power our airships and we can also forge weapons out of them.

Oh, yes. I know of Moon Stones. But, it's my first time seeing a Moon Stone actually fall from the sky.

Vyse, are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Yeah, we should try to recover the Moon Stone. Let's go first thing tomorrow.

Vyse's Mother: Vyse! Aika! Fina! Dinner is ready! Come on down!

Let's go Fina. You're going to eat with us, right?

We're so lucky!! I love your mom's cooking... Fina, let's go eat while it's still hot!

Yes, thank you for your gracious offer.





As they leave, Fina takes one last look up at the moon from whence the stone fell.

First thing tomorrow, we strike out to Shine Island in search of that Moon Stone!