Part 31: Update 29 – Admiral Ironwall

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Ok, I have a confession to make. This scene actually popped up ages ago, after we paid for the Delphinus and base construction. The reason I didn't show it then is to make the transition here a little smoother.

In the East, there is a land that basks in the light of the Blue Moon. That land is known as Yafutoma. They harness the powers of the Blue Moon, and have control over wind and water. Their culture is very different from yours.

Yafutoma... Yafutoma...

You've heard of it, Enrique?

Yes. According to Valuna historians... Yafutoma is a country far east of Nasr. It is scattered across several small islands. I remember the stories... The people are protected by scales and they eat by manipulating two sticks to pick up their food.

They eat with sticks? And are protected by scales?



I really like the little scenes of Aika's misunderstandings. Cupil, no!

Hmm... Somehow, I don't think it's what you're imagining, Aika...

I wonder what these strange wind and water people look like... And I still can't imagine eating with two sticks... I was hoping that we'd get to eat all kinds of exotic food on our trip... This has me a little worried...

To get to Yafutoma, we should sail around the southern tip of Nasr. Some time ago, during the Valuan - Nasr War, a cape was discovered by invading Valuan forces south of Nasr. That cape was named Cape Victory. There is a city there called Esparanza. If anyone knows how to get to Yafutoma, it would be the people there.



But, y'know, here's the thing I love the most about the Delphinus: Vyse is the captain. Every other ship you've controlled has belonged to someone else, who won't let you go to far. Drachma wouldn't let us into South Ocean, Gilder wouldn't let us head too far north or south. With Vyse at the helm, absolutely nobody tells you where to go. If the game wants to keep you out of an area there are only two things it can do, and one of them is to put a continent in your way. You want to go travel to the frozen northlands? There is literally nothing to stop you.



See? There's a whole load of discoveries in areas we could have travelled to before but weren't allowed, plus ones in areas previously blocked off by sky rifts, but rather than drop a giant wodge of them here I'll sprinkle them throughout the next few updates.



This one is kinda relevant right now. It sits right in the middle of the North Dannel Strait, which is a perfectly circular sky rift with a calm eye in the centre.



As for this one, if you try to go directly to Yafutoma, you'll find a gigantic black sky rift blocking off the entire east side of the world. This is the second and last thing the game can do to keep you out of an area. This discovery serves as a monument to it.



So, to Esperanza, the city that overlooks the dark rift.



But, if we don't go through there, we won't be able to reach Yafutoma. Isn't there something we can do?

Ungh...



No... To be completely honest, I feel awful. Why don't you guys take a look around the city? I don't think it would be wise for me to move in my condition.

I'll stay here and look after Enrique.

Alright. Aika, let's go check out the city. Someone here has to know how to get to Yafutoma.





Oh, Esperanza. Esperanza is a miserable, run-down wreck of a town. Even the Huskras look depressed.



Former Sailor: I have heard that once you're inside, everything goes a little strange...there's no light... and compasses don't work. Basically, it's easy to lose track of where you came from. Well, at least that's what some of the survivors said. I don't know if they're telling the truth or not, though...



On the bright, it has a Moonberry, which nets us one of the most useful skills in the entire game. On your first trip through the game I can all but guarantee you relied on Justice Shield to survive, although since I don't want every boss fight taking 20 minutes I'm trying to avoid burning all my SP on defensive abilities. This is one of the skills that would have made the Ixa'ness Demons infinitely easier, recovering from Chak Mol becomes so much easier when it and everything else that throw at you does half damage.



Also, this.



Former Sailor: It means “hope”. Hopeful sailors from all over gathered here to try and get to the east. But now, this city is filled with nothing but despair! Oh, the irony!

The tavern is where the worst of the misery is concentrated. Nothing like a depressant to chase those blues away, after all.



Tavernkeep: But, we heard that the Dark Rift is impossible to cross ...and he changed... and then one day, he met another girl and disappeared. He didn't even bother to say goodbye. I was foolish... I fell for such a childish man and threw away a good life...

Remember her, by the way. We'll be seeing her later. Unfortunately.



This guy too, but without the “unfortunately”.

Actually, we just came into town and we were wondering if someone here could help us.

So you came to me... Well, that's just great...

By the way, the name is Don. Now ask me your question and be on your way.

You know that sky rift to the east... How do you get through it?













...?

What?

Tavernkeep: Are you kids serious? You're trying to cross the Dark Rift?

Sailor: They don't stand a chance. Someone better tell their parents where they are.

Kid, that's no ordinary sky rift...



During the war, this cape was discovered... And this city was built. This place is the edge of the world. If you try and go any further east, you'll be killed. Hundreds of men... good men... have died tryin'. But, there's always a few fools that don't heed the warnin's. The Dark Rift usually claims 'em... Some of the best sailors from all over the world tried to cross the Dark Rift. They came from everywhere...



The ships that enter the Dark Rift are either pushed away by the winds... or they get sucked in, never to return. My crew and I lost our ship. We were lucky to survive. After a while, sailors stopped comin'. All we do now is sit around here, and wait to die...

Sailor: Some things are just impossible, kid. Why don't you just go back to wherever you came from and have your mommy tell you bedtime stories.



Vyse, let's go! We're just wasting our time here.



God damn. Broken down, hopeless towns in JRPGS are ten a penny, but how many times have you seen a verbal smackdown like that laid on one?

If you lose sight of one dream, replace it with another. Think about how much you could have accomplished in the time that you've spent here. Just because you couldn't cross the Dark Rift, are you just going to sit here for the rest of your life? Because you tried something once and failed, are you going to throw the rest of your life away? There's a whole world out there to see! Don't you have any desire to sail again?

......



Fina, what is it?

Vyse! Aika! Come to the port! Quickly! The Armada is coming!!!

What?! What are they doing here?!

Aika, let's move! We should hurry back to the port.









There it is, Auriga the Charioteer. Only the Monoceros has been upgraded to the new, sleeker, Delphinus-based design, so I'm not entirely sure how this fleet got here in the first place – Esperanza is completely surrounded by sky rifts. I do like that Gregorio has his entire fleet personalised instead of just his flagship, though.

That huge armored ship belongs to Admiral Gregorio. Gregorio is the best defensive tactician the Armada has ever seen. They even nicknamed him "Ironwall."

Interesting... he's forming a blockade around the town.

Valuan Soldier: Prince Enrique!



I see. Well done.







“If my Prince refuses to comply, my ships will regrettably begin firing upon the city tomorrow at noon. Your Humble Servant, Gregorio" ...Hmm... Uncle Gregorio is asking me to surrender.

Uncle?

Oh, Gregorio was an Admiral in the Armada even before my father passed away... He helped raise me when I was growing up... He's always been like an uncle to me. I know that he doesn't want to fight, and he really does want me to surrender... But I can't go back. Not after everything they've done. Even if... even if it means I have to fight him.

Enrique?

Let's rest up for tomorrow. Gregorio is the most honorable man that I've ever met. He won't break his word.

I understand. We should rest on land tonight and keep you off the ship until tomorrow. The last thing you need is for your "Uncle" to see you throwing up over the railing in the heat of battle.

...Great... now you're starting to sound just like Aika.



One restful day/night transition later...


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Aye aye!

Hey...You aren't actually goin' to fight against the Armada, are ya?

Huh?



Yup. That's the plan.

I don't doubt your abilites, but I used to be a Valuan Soldier. I know what the Armada can do. Going up against one of their Admirals is crazy.

Our ship is the best there is. We're faster than Gregorio's ship, and I think we can match his firepower.

But... even if you win... You'll never get through the Dark Rift!

Like I said yesterday, our ship is the best there is. Our engines are more powerful than you think. And it might just be powerful enough to get us through the Dark Rift. Besides... Ever since I was a kid, I've always wanted to see what was beyond the edge of the world. That very edge is right in front of me. I have a chance to do what nobody has ever done before. I have a chance to make history today. If I said that I'm not scared, I'd be lying. But, I won't let this opportunity pass me by. The chance to fulfil my childhood dreams lies right in front of me. You don't expect me to just give up, do you?

Heh heh... I suppose, then, no matter what I say you're not goin' to listen...





There are other calm pockets along the edges of the Dark Rift. If you find one of the pockets, you might have half of a chance.

I see... Thank you! I'll come back here when I'm done... I promise!



Y'know, I somehow doubt that. How many times did YOU steal the most powerful ship in the world and go on a Moonstone-fueled rampage through the Armada?



My orders were to bring him back alive, or kill him if he refuses. We must do everything in our power to take him alive. All ships, prepare to attack! The Delphinus is the Armada's most powerful ship. Our adversaries may be young, but we can't underestimate them.



This is it! Everyone, man your battle stations! We've got to get past Admiral Gregorio's defenses! We will defeat him! Then we'll get through the Dark Rift and reach Yafutoma!

Aye aye!





Before we can face the Auriga, we have to break through the fleet accompanying it. First up is the Gregorio Cruiser, a souped-up version of the Valuan Cruiser. That's the weakest ship in the Armada, by the way.



Gregorio's version is vastly more powerful than the standard version, but against the Delphinus? It might as well have been made of cunningly folded newspaper.



Sailor: You idiots! What are you doing? You're supposed to fire all your cannons right there!!

Former Sailor: Yeah, get them!!! Hey, they're not that bad!!

Everyone: Huh?!





Everyone: Aaaaahhhh!!! Incoming!!!



They still need to get past the next line of ships... They still have a long way to go!







Next up is the Gregorio Gunboat, despite what the intro text says, so you can probably guess what the base for this one is. Like all of Gregorio's fleet it's a lot tougher on defence than offence – it actually survived a shot form the Moonstone Cannon, mostly because I messed up Increm.



It's still no real threat. The Crystal Ball is one of the Osman drops, and serves no purpose but to sell for 1000 gold.



Gregorio's ship dead ahead! He'll be in range shortly!

Uncle Gregorio... I can't let you take me back!

Alright... Full speed ahead!!! It's now or never!







Leaving this in just because you wouldn't believe me if I typed it.

As I stated before, Gregorio has been nicknamed "Ironwall" by his peers. He is the Armada's best defense tactician... I have heard that he sets up a tight defense and waits for his enemy to make even the smallest mistake. It is then that he attacks.

Okay, the Auriga! This is a really fun fight. Just like Enrique says, he just bides his time for the first few rounds, occasionally poking you with his cannons to soften you up, until...



That's a LOT of hurt about to come our way.



But if we manage to turn it around, Gregorio is the one in for a world of hurt. Still, in an effort to show off everything, here's what will happen if you don't know the trick to this battle.



RAMMING SPEED!





Vyse, watch out! He's not letting up on the cannon fire, either!

After that, you still have to survive that round of vicious attacks from Gregorio. It's not so bad if you have the Delphinus properly kitted out and have Increm, but it can be a nasty surprise if you think the Delphinus by itself will carry through the game.



Only Gregorio's heavily armoured Auriga can pull off an attack like that...

Maybe we can dodge his attack if we can somehow increase our speed...

Perhaps we can increase our speed with magic or some other method before he tries to ram us?

So yeah, as the game just ever-so-subtly hinted, you can dodge Gregorio's Hull Ram by using either Quika or the Hull Wax item on that turn, leaving him open to every cannon in the ship.



On my game, he didn't survive long enough to try it again.



Valuan Admirals spanked: 5/5 6









I always thought that if we were ever in battle together that we'd be on the same side.

Prince Enrique. Is there anything I can do to make you reconsider?

...No... I've made up my mind. I am not going back to Valua. I know that you've noticed a change in the Empire as well... They are headed down a dark path... Trying to rule the world with an iron fist... It will be Valua's downfall... This world... this sky... is not Valua's to rule. It belongs to the people.

God damn that's a lot of ellipses. This game is normally pretty good about that, but god damn.

......

And to right the wrongs that Valua has commited, I have decided to travel with Vyse and his companions. Tell that to my mother. And also that I pray every day for her good health. This is goodbye. I must go. Be well.









Former Sailor: HaHaHa! They make me feel like sailing again!



If you make it back from the Dark Rift... I hope you come back here and take me with you... I can't believe I'm saying this... You hear me, kid?! You better make it back!

Video List
Esperanza
The Auriga