Part 118: Sidequesting in Aurnion

Note: Since Youtube has been really awful in terms of watching videos for me recently (videos getting stuck, taking forever to load, finishing early, that kinda stuff), I've added some Baldurdash links for the videos in this update. No timecodes for skits though, just keep the video open and pause after the first skit!

Skit: One Surprise after Another / Baldurdash
Brave Vesperia is making smooth sailing! ♪
But I'm not sure if I can see which way we're heading.
...You mean it's like we're surrounded by fog on all sides...?
I kind of like that, though. You never know what's going to happen next.
*WOOF WOOF*
It's more like we lack a plan in the first place.
But that can be fun too! We might run across an amazing treasure, or something even better!
Haha, you sure have a lot of enthusiasm for someone who gets startled so easily, Captain Karol!
I-I like being startled! What's the point of an adventure without surprises?
Heh, I like that. Okay, let's just keep moving forward as we have been. As a guild.
*Woof!*


Today, we'll do some of the sidequests in Aurnion.



Aurnion is a huge hotspot for sidequests. In fact, it has so many sidequests that some people believe that the game can not load all of them at once, leading to weird trigger behavior. I can't confirm this, but more on it later.


The first thing occurs right after we reenter the town.



...Huh? What's this?
I'm delivering it to you on Commandant Flynn's orders!
This is from Flynn...? Huh? But what could it be?
What is it, Yuri?



Yeah, okay...




In the PS3 version, this does not happen; to get Flynn's Letter of Challenge there you have to rest in Yuri's home in Zaphias, Yuri finds the letter in his room after he wakes up.

What is the use, you may ask? These Letters of Challenge unlock stuff in the coliseum. We're not gonna go there until we've beat the final boss.

So then, stuff in Aurnion. First, let's talk with Flynn.



Someone please show them to their rooms.



Let's go.
All right.



We can't afford to make any mistakes. We have to be careful about things.
That doesn't sound like you, Yuri. Aren't you the one who's always acting irrational and reckless?
Nah, I think you're thinking of yourself, Flynn.
I can't imagine you'd be hesitating at this point, so...
What is it that you need? It is just some encouragement?



If that's the case, maybe I can be of assistance.
Your work can wait?
I can't think of anyone who'd make a better practice partner for you. And it appears Captain Schwann prefers to use a bow to fight, anyway.
I appreciate the help. I'll take you up on your offer.
Excellent.






I tried shaking you and calling your name, but you wouldn't wake up. I thought you were gone, Rita. ...*Sigh*... What a relief!
We must've been more tired than we thought.



Yes. They've been fighting with hardly a moment's rest ever since they started.
They look like they're enjoying themselves.
They've got some nerve. When are we going to leave? It's stifling here. I'm going to go do some maintenance on the Vesperia No. 1 or something.
Oh, I'll help!



I'd say Rita's pretty similar, really...











Yep, it looks like you got the hang of it.
Yeah. Thanks, man.
You don't need to thank me. If it helps you pull off what you're planning to do, that's enough for me.





Yeah, sorry to keep you waiting.
All right, shall we go?
Huh? Hold on, let me rest just a little bit...
We don't have time to be lounging around! All right, last one there's a rotten egg!



Leave it to me!





Skit: Casino Crasher
I had no idea you were so good at cards, Judith!
Really? I don't think I'm anything special.
Come to think of it, I've heard of her before.
Really? You knew, Raven?
Yah, I heard a rumor or two about a wanderin' gambler who rides a dragon.
They say that the casinos she's gone to have gone bankrupt, one by one...
Someone who rides a dragon?
That's gotta be Judith!
The stories get bigger every time they're told.
All I did in Nordopolica was destroy the blastia.
Anyway, let's stop talking about silly things and get a move on.
Ya know, they say it wasn't just one or two casinos that gambler put outta business...


A couple skits regarding stuff at Nam Cobanada also trigger now, not sure why they didn't trigger earlier.

Just walking around town triggers another event.






Well, Repede also thinks of Flynn as his owner. A long time ago, Flynn and I used to look after Repede together.
Did Repede use to have such a cold personality?
Yeah, he did.
So how did you and Flynn get to be such good friends with him?
We just took care of him. One time, Repede got hurt really badly. Flynn and I stayed up all night tending his wounds and making sure he was okay.
Is that maybe how Repede got his scar?
Yeah.
Come to think of it, didn't you say that Repede got his blastia as a keepsake of his old owner? I wonder if his bodhi blastia has anything to do with the time that he got hurt...
Hmmm, good question.
Were you the one who gave Repede his name?
Nah, that was his last owner. Repede seems to like his own name, so I didn't really have the heart to give him a new one.
You're so nice, Yuri.
Maybe Repede's got a promise ta keep ta his old owner, and that's why he acts so unfriendly all the time. A hard-boiled hound who's still loyal ta his old owner...sounds pretty cool, dontcha think?
He's playing with Flynn!
...Maybe he's just a big softy inside?



Take good care of Yuri, okay?
Woof!


Skit: Histories
So Yuri has a history, too...
I'd like to know where all of you came from.
Hmmm, where should I start...?
We already know what you're going to say, you big wuss.
Urgh... Fine, Rita, then how about you?
I've done research in Aspio for a while.
Jeez, big shocker there.
...What about you, Judith?
Me? I lived in a town before I met Ba'ul.
Everybody called me a prim and proper little girl.
You gotta be kidding.
Estelle...you grew up in the castle, right?
Yes. I spent all of my time in the castle, reading books.
I'm so jealous of all of you.
See, no surprises, just like Rita's story!
Doesn't anyone want ta ask ol' Raven?
I might have some interestin' tales ta tell?
In your case, old man, I think I've got a pretty good idea what you'd say.
My past might spin ya fer a loop and have ya fallin' head over heels fer me! Ya don't know!
I can't say you've established a lot of credibility so far as stories are concerned, old man.
Don't be so cold! Come on, let me tell my story!


Okay, now is where it gets weird. There is an event that's triggered by examining the town's center blastia, possibly with Rita as the on-screen character. The commonly accepted Vesperia sidequest guide lists it right after the above event, but as far as I can tell it's not possible to trigger until a bit later. It appears to be connected to at least one if not two other sidequests, neither of which has progressed far enough right now.

Nevertheless, I screwed around here a bit trying to activate it.


Skit: The Hero of a New Town
It used to be just bare land, but it's starting to look like a real town now.
It looks like they're building more and more houses, too.
Yeah. Look on that roof over there. That's the master carpenter of the carpenter's guild.
He heard about Aurnion, and came with all his tools and apprentices to help.
He even refused to take money for it. He's so generous!
Hmm, looks like the manly carpenters are out in full force!
You could learn a thing or two from them.


Of course, it didn't trigger. Instead, let's head over to the inn and take a rest.






You said you were looking for a book. Why?
Oh, did I say that?
You can stop playing dumb, Judith. I'm not going to fall for it anymore.



Huh? Who is?
Hermes.
...Huh...? What...?!



I destroyed the blastia precisely because it was my dad who'd made them.
W-why didn't you tell me that sooner? Don't you think that's important to know?!
I don't really think the connection between Hermes and myself is that important, myself...
...*Sigh*... You don't seem to realize the importance of sharing any of your knowledge...
So? You were destroying the blastia your father had made...to atone for his mistakes?



What do you mean...? So, you weren't doing it for the planet...you were doing it for your father?
Yes...I guess so.
I can't understand how you could feel that sort of sympathy. I don't have a father, so...
You don't remember your father?
He left right after I was born. There's no way I could remember him. I hardly even remember what my own mother's face looked like.
...I see.



It's a keepsake of my dad. A thermo blastia, used to measure the temperature. He created some things that weren't harmful, too...
Hermes must have been really amazing... To create new blastia so easily like that...
You can have it.
What do you mean? Isn't it a memento of your father?
That's why I'm giving it to you.
That's why you're...what?
...I think you'd be a better person to have it than I would. I don't know much about blastia, anyway. Don't you think it's better for the blastia if you're holding onto it?
Wait, but why should I...?
You should keep the blastia. Think of it as...for its own good.
B-but...



Ah...
Good night!
...Good night...



But... I mean... All right then, Juana it is...
Tee hee... That's a cute name... I'm sure she's quite happy with it.
...Juana...


Well that's some interesting info! You could probably have figured it out before, but it's nice to have confirmation.




Skit: On Stage
Rita, you were resisting at first, but you really got into the act, didn't you?
N-no, you were just taking your part so seriously... I had no choice but to follow along.
Your costume was pretty cute, too. What a nice treat for all of us!
Hey!
Your acting was really on point, Karol.
Heh. Well, I used to be in the actors' guild, after all...
You've been in all sorts of guilds, kid...
Anyway, that wasn't even acting.
I'd like to act in another play with everyone else, someday.
No way! Never again!
Me neither! I don't want Rita to set me on fire again!
I'd like to be in the play, next time.
I'd have to be the lead, of course.
I had my doubts, but it looks like everyone had a good time.


We're going right back to bed for another scene.


Watch the cutscene! / Baldurdash







They gain more power than they need, and grow over- confident once they have it. This had been my understanding of human nature.





One moment they may slander a friend, and the next be moved to feelings of love. Their hearts may grow more compassionate, or be lost to depravity. Truly puzzling creatures.





How long until they betray all those dear to them, in their struggle for supremacy? When they stand before a mighty enemy, will they keep their resolve?





Do you not believe in them, Sylph?
I wished only to convey the delicacy of the situation.
Should they ever become too great a nuisance, we need only burn them to the ground.
It seems that the conversion to spirit form has not tempered our leader's fiery wrath.
Nor has there been any change in the optimism that so characterized you, Undine.
And you remain every bit as cautious and careful as you ever were.
Has not that fear kept you in constant concern over the catastrophe in the sky?
It was all the Entelexeia and humans could do to seal it away 1,000 years ago.



Say no more. Speaking it out loud will only further increase your worry.
We are a new power that will form the cornerstone of this world. The Adephagos is nothing.
We may possess enough power to defeat the Adephagos once and for all. But all our work will have been for naught if the humans cannot face this threat. Do not forget that it is the mortals who must use our powers against the Adephagos.
Did you not place your faith in their hands?
As there are no others to whom we can turn... I will entrust them with our final hope.
Then be content to stand by, and watch over them. Believe in them.
I too await the day when I make known my full power.
...



Speak, Gnome, if you have something we should know.
He says "We are left to make one of two choices..." "Perish along with this world, or entrust our powers to the humans..." "They may be fragile, but their hearts burn with a determination to live. I will stand with them."
Do you mean it, Gnome?
He says, "I, too, share their desire to go on living."
That is the life for those who grow old and die. We must live as suits our nature.
No. Like them, the oncoming catastrophe could sow the seeds of our obliteration as well. Gnome, let us, too, struggle for as long as we can. As the humans do.
Goodbye...


This appears to be styled after / based on a scene in Tales of Eternia. ToE spoilers.



Skit: Telling of the Changing World
I hope everyone will accept this. I mean, that the world is changing.
There's a difference between understanding something and accepting something. It'll take time.
But this is the only way that's left. We just have to accept it.
This isn't a choice we've made freely. We had to choose it.
But...
It's something we have to do. That's what you want to say, right?
Y-yeah.
That's fine, then. Cheer up, Karol.
Okay. You think it'll work out, right?
Who knows?
...Judith...
I can't tell if you're trying to make me feel better or not...


Cue me trying to activate that blastia scene again.




Skit: Ready for the Final Battle - Men
Ha! Tah!
Ya! Take that!
Whoa, what's the occasion?
A little impromptu trainin' session?
Well, when I think about fighting Duke...I know I gotta be as strong as I can!
Yeah, what he said.
I'd expect that from Karol. But Yuri...
Brings a twinkle ta this old man's eyes ta see ya trainin'.
On second thought, let's call it a day.
What?! We were just getting started!
Never fear! I think I can teach ya a thing or two. You can thank me later. Heh heh heh.
You're volunteering to help, Raven? You're gonna jinx him.
Hah hah.
Now, don't be like that.
There's no beatin' an old man once he finds his stride, ya know.
Oh really? Guess I'd better keep practicing. We can't count on getting lucky against Duke. All right Karol, no mercy?
No mercy!



Okay, that didn't work either, sleep on it some more.




I've just gotten to a really good part...



Why do you say that?
Hermes had already deduced how elemental spirit conversion could be used.
Yes... It's not hard to believe that someone as smart as he was would have been able to accomplish that...
But not as something to use for the disasters that we're facing now, but rather, as a possibility for the far, far-off future. Long after humans have been wiped out, and probably after the Entelexeia themselves are gone from the world... When the planet Terca Lumireis is approaching the twilight years of its life... All aer on the planet will undergo spirit conversion, through mana.
But right now, quite unexpectedly, spirit conversion is being done by human hands. Even though people...and the world itself...aren't ready for it to happen. Now we have to find a way to continue to do all of those things. Those things that people have used blastia and aer for so long to do that they take them for granted...
Yes... But this book goes into great depth about the intricacies of aer. If I used this and what I know to do some experiments with elemental spirits...



Really...?
His formulas are a little bit complicated...but I think I'd like to give them a try. A high-output model like a barrier blastia might be impossible, but... Anything is better than nothing, right?
Yes. Of course. I'm sure you'll be able to do it, Rita.
I'm so impatient to get started. Maybe I'll just try an experiment or two right now...
No, don't rush. We all have to stay in tip-top shape for the battles ahead, you know?
Yeah...
Well, good night.




Okay, that's the first (maybe only?) requirement for the blastia scene. It doesn't activate yet, though.


Skit: Ready for the Final Battle - Women
...Is fighting really the only option with Duke?
Well if he's in Tarqaron, then I think we'll have to.
If only we can defeat the Adephagos with the spirits before he completes the formula...!
Do you think he'll just let that happen?
As long as he's sacrificing people to achieve his aims at Tarqaron, we have to stop him.
...
Are you that conflicted about fighting him?
Yes... But we won't win if we go in with doubts.
Oh, I don't know. If doubting is part of your nature, you should trust that nature in battle.
What?
Well said, Judith. Maybe that's the right approach.
We're not your typical band of heroes, after all.
You do what you can. You take the hits. But you don't lose. Sound about right?
Rita... Judith...
Thank you.


Skit: Aurnion's Spirit
Man, Aurnion's just getting better and better.
Indeed. A town born from the empire and the guilds... I'm sure it'll be a wonderful city.
Though it's a shame it took a world crisis to get them to work together.
Heh, a global threat brings people together. That's irony for you.
I think that's all right, though. They're finally seeing eye to eye.
Right. And even if they need a crisis now, I'm sure one day, it'll just come naturally.
Yeah.


Instead, we rest once more. It's getting a bit silly by this point.







Good morning!
This town's gotten pretty cozy.



Huh? Is Judith still asleep?
She wasn't in her room...



Well, I'll be off. Sorry I couldn't be of any more help.
No, not at all. Thanks for your time.



She just came to give me an update on something I'd asked her about a while ago.
Something you asked her about... You mean the spear that was taken from you back in Ghasfarost?
Yes.
...The spear that you used to destroy all that blastia... So you've been looking for it.
That was a pretty nice spear...
So, did President Kaufman tell you anything useful?
There hasn't been any news, so far as spears out on the market are concerned.



The Blood Alliance, eh... I wonder if they had another base besides Ghasfarost...
So do you want to look for it?
...Nah, that's okay.
Really? But you were so intent on finding it.
...Yeah. But it's reached the point that it might not be worth the trouble anymore. The Adephagos isn't going to wait for us while we look for it...you know?
I see. Well, if you really don't mind, then we don't have to look for it. Anyway, we're all together... Shall we head out?
Yeah!




Now, you might think we could find the Blood Alliance and get our spear back, right?







...Well, that's where it would be, except nope, the scene doesn't trigger yet. While we're here though, let's check out that Arte Yuri got from Flynn: Final Gale.







Pretty neat. It can alter into a water-elemental version, Frigid Blast, with the help of Great Deluge.










As a sidenote, the scene about Judith's spear might be the possible second trigger for the blastia scene. Maybe. I'm honestly not sure, this place is a mess regarding sidequests. But after going to Cear Bocram and coming back, the scene finally triggered -- despite not triggering when leaving/reentering the town right before going to Bocram!






Even if it's not working, maybe they want to leave it here as a symbol of protection for the city?
...I think I figured it out.
Oh? What did you figure out?
Why I like blastia, that is...



Your brothers and sisters...?
I didn't have a father while I was growing up, and my mother died when I was young, too. But blastia were always with me, even when no one else was.
So that's what you mean by brothers and sisters...that makes sense.
And my knowledge of blastia developed and grew as I did. Maybe that's why I always felt so close to them, and why I got so mad when they were broken.
...
...But I'll have to be saying goodbye to all of those blastia soon...
Brothers and sisters...can't be together with you forever. Someday, you have to leave them behind and move on.
Someday, you say...?
When you find someone who's even more important to you.
But just because you're separated from them, that doesn't mean that the important link you had with them is broken.
...Maybe you're right...
And just because you're apart... That doesn't mean that you have to forget how important they are, or how much you love them.
Estelle... Judith...
And Rita, you've found a lot of people who care about you very much. Isn't that right?



A long way to go?
Apparently so.
You're terrible, Rita!
This is how ya repay my love? You shrew!
You're so annoying! And you're the worst of all, old man!
...Maybe someday Rita will learn how to take affection gracefully...
I don't think it's so bad. I mean, I think that's one of her cutest traits!


Now we can go to Caer Bocram to find the Blood Alliance. Sheesh. This scene is part of the reason people believe Aurnion can only load [x] sidequests at once and disables some if there's too many active. I dunno about that, but it is an explaination for the weird triggering behavior.



We can also examine the blastia again for a tiny scene:



Going off and naming blastia whenever she wants to...
I think it's a very cute name!


Anyway.




We have to enter this house right here, directly to the right when entering the dungeon. In the PS3 version, for some reason, it's been moved to a different house, near the top left of the town. Quite annoying, since you have to run through part of the dungeon again to get there.



What's more, the Blood Alliance got tossed out of the five master guilds!
If the boss hadn't sold this city to Alexei, we would've had a strong guild presence with a respectable base stronghold here!
Thanks to Alexei's damned blastia experiments we're stuck in these wretched ruins.



I hear that spear's pretty famous. The old man at the smithy said so.



Wait, aren't you Barbos'...
That spear...!
Wait, these kids... They're the little punks that beat the boss at Ghasfarost...
Wh-what?! We haven't done anything wrong!
Everything we did...it was on our boss's orders...!
Crap... Let's get outta here...!





That belongs to one of our members. We can't let you have it.
You two...
Hell no, that spear is our...
What's that? You're ready to fight to defend it?
D-damn it...








Aerial Combo 3: Adds 3 more hits to an aerial attack.
Aerial Armor: Avoid staggering when hit while jumping.

Really, you're giving this to me? This is the spear that destroyed all of that blastia, you know.
It's important to you, right? Weren't you looking for it?
This is the spear of my oath... The oath that no matter how hard it got, even if no one understood or wanted to help, I would continue in my quest with Ba'ul. I swore on this spear, a symbol of the bond between Ba'ul and me.
Wow, so it's really important to you...
And you were just going to give up on getting it back?!



But Judith! You should never have to forget feelings that are important to you! You can't just give up on them!
I'm sorry.
Judy, I don't think you need to be apologizing here.
...You're right. Thank you, Rita.
D-don't mention it! I was just running my mouth. That's all.
...Really, thank you.


And there we go, we got the Brionac back! This is by far the worst sidequest in Vesperia to do correctly, I have no idea how they expect anyone to get all the required scenes for it, especially since most of them have a story cutoff.

Oh well.