Part 19: Update 17 – Gordo the Round

Before we head into enemy territory we should be as prepared as possible, right? This is possibly one of the least-known secrets in the game.



Masked Man: In Moon Stone Mountain, they made me work. It was very hard. But thanks to you, I came home alive. Here, my thanks. Please use it well.



This is only available after defeating Grendel, after which you have no real reason to return to Horteka unless you know this exists. Tropica is a rare fruit from Horteka which boosts max HP by a whopping 200, compared to a measly 30 for a Vidal Seed. This is one of only two in the game, and the second one was added in the the Legends versions of the game. It goes a long way towards keeping Fina alive in fights.

And since we're here, we may as well check on few of the villagers. They should be a little friendlier now that the Valuans are gone.



Yay chicken-man!







The way you defeated the Armada and that giant... I was really amazed by what you did! Someday I'd sure like to work as an engineer on your ship.

Interesting.



I have no desire to fight any more except to protect my children. But my son Hans seems to have adopted you as his hero. It won't be long now before Hans is all grown up. I imagine he'll be striking out on his own into the wild blue yonder soon.

I have to say I really like Centime and his family. They're just so resolutely cheerful, no matter what happens. Sadly, the ship belongs to Drachma and he has enough brats in his crew already, so Hans is out of luck. And speaking of being out of luck...



But I...I will never forgive Valua. Someday I will get my own ship. I will avenge my father.

...

At the risk of sounding pretentious, this right here is why I love this game. I have always held that anything with a lighthearted, comedic tone can have serious moments like this one right here, and they stand out all the more for the contrast. If it's all doom and gloom then moments like this that should be heartwrenching are meaningless. See also: The final episode of Blackadder goes Forth, for my money the finest example of such contrast ever put to film.

But enough dwelling on depressing things, it's time to strike forth into North Ocean and Valuan territory. Naturally, new lands means new discoveries.



Hmm, remember that Beak Rock discovery in South Ocean? Maybe there's a little more to those stories after all.





I really like the discoveries that tie together like these, rather than just being totally isolated from the world around them. It makes the world feel so much deeper.





Case in point.



This is the last of the North Ocean discoveries before Valuan lands. There's a couple more to grab once we get there, but we have something else to take care of first.


Click for video!







Air Pirate: Captain Gordo! A ship armed with a gigantic harpoon has been sighted off the port side!



I'll take on anyone if I think they have good food on board. I really hope they have something that goes good with fish...



I know that flag... It belongs to a pirate named Gordo. He's known as the Gourmet Pirate. He attacks other ships and steals their food. He rarely uses his cannons because he's afraid he'll burn the food on the other ships. He'll do anything for a good meal. As far as Black Pirates go, he's a strange one.

You're telling me. He's getting awfully close...

They're boarding us! They're challenging us to hand to hand combat.

Well, while they're here, we might as well kick their butts...





Meet Gordo the Round, along with his entourage of chefs. Like Baltor, Gordo was in the original version of the game and just got tacked onto the bounty list as a bit of extra reward for the plot battle.

As for the fight itself, there's not a lot to say. The three chefs will cast Pyrum a lot for completely ignorable damage, although I'm using Delta Shield to block it because Pyrum produces the same capture errors as Increm for me.



Gordo himself uses Digest, basically a repainting of the Magma Tiki's Tremble from back in the Temple of Pyrynn. First turn does nothing...



Second turn does damage to the whole party, and again the numbers are pretty unimpressive. On the bright side, you get a Cham for finishing the easy boss fight, which I'm pretty sure is the only one in the game you're actually forced to collect.





Your name was Vyse, right? I don't think I've ever seen you in North Ocean before.

This is the first time we've ever been to North Ocean... For now, we're riding aboard Captain Drachma's ship, the Little Jack...



Drachma, were you ever in North Ocean before?

...What if I was?

Then it is you! I've heard all about you! You're the sailor that is chasing the arcwhale, Rhaknam. If I remember correctly, it was to avenge your son, right?

Enough!







And unless you want me to throw you overboard, you should get off my ship.

Ahh... that's quite alright... we'll be going now...







Even fleeing in terror, Fina bows politely to Drachma before leaving. I love that little touch.

Hrmph...



Rhaknam indeed. Or again, if you prefer the Japanese names, Mobys. Make of that what you will.

Until next time, Drachma will be left to brood in peace. See you then!

Video List

Gordo the Round