Tales of Vesperia Part #12 - Healing the Tree

Part 12: Healing the Tree

On our way back to town, it turns night. Usually, time and weather changes depending as the story demands, but occasionally (for example when we get far enough away from where the plot wants us to be) it can be random. The current time and weather condition can affect which enemies spawn, and if you're in an area where it's random, you can change it by resting at an inn.

Let's get back to the store to make our Panacea Bottle!

Ah, you're back! Have you gotten all the ingredients together?

We sure did.

Eggbear claw, nia fruit, and luluria petals... That's everything. All right, let's get this stuff made.

Please, Karol.

Synthesis in this game is pretty simple, you just go to any store, select Synthesis, and select what you want to make. To synthesize, you need some items, listed on the right along with how many you have, as well as some money.

We get an Achievement/Trophy for synthesizing our first item:

Achievement/Trophy:

Eureka!

Here you go, one panacea bottle!

Now we'll be able to cleanse the poison! Let's hurry!

Whoa whoa, settle down! You'll drop the bottle if you're not careful!

R-right. Then, let's hurry cautiously!

Alright, now that Synthesis is unlocked, I make myself some new weapons.

Something you may notice here is the "1/E" next to Wand. This means that, while I don't have a Wand in my inventory, I have one equipped and can still go through with the synthesis.

The items I synth here are:

Cross Counter: Attacks deal more damage when hitting an enemy that's currently attacking.
Step Away: Avoid staggering when hit while Backstepping. Very useful, especially in combination with another skill we get later on.
Resist: Increases Magic Defense by 5%.

Magic Guard: Guard magic by holding Down while guarding.
Critical Guard: Press forward while guarding to dash towards the enemy. Apparently this can nullify enemy attacks, but I've never done it.
Guard Plus: Decreases damage taken when guarding attacks.

Item Thrower: Allows character to use items on other party member.
Item Pro: Decreases time immobile after using an item.

There's a lot of weapons with +1, +2, +1alpha, etc. modifiers in this game. As a rule, those weapons have the same stats and look as their base form, but more and/or different skills.

Anyway, we're supposed to heal the tree.

Watch the cutscene! (recommended)

Karol, it's up to you. I'm no good at this sort of thing.

Who, me? Okay then, here goes!

Didn't Karol say there was someone he wanted to show the blossoms of Halure to?

I think so. Here's hoping we aren't too late.

The tree is...

Please, great tree of Halure. Restore the fallen barrier.

No way! Was the dosage too small? Or maybe this isn't the right way...

We'll have to get another panacea bottle!

I'm afraid that's impossible. That was the last of the Luluria Petals.

Can this be...?
Resident A: Is she using healing artes...?
Resident B: It's like a dream...
Resident C: There's no way... and yet...

*Huff*...*huff*...

Girl: Thanks for making the tree of Halure healthy again!

We owe you our gratitude. Thanks to this, our city can live once more...

W-what did I just...?

...That was incredible, Estelle. Can you get up?

Flynn's gonna be so surprised to see the flowers blooming. Hah, that'll show him.

You and Flynn seem to have such a strange relationship. You are friends, aren't you?

He's just someone I grew up with, that's all.

Repede notices something in the distance.

Aren't those the people from the castle...?

We can't let these people get caught up in this. Let's lay low for a while.

Huh? What did I miss? Where are you guys going?!

Skit: Blastia

Halure's flowers sure are beautiful. I feel like I'm dreaming.

Yeah, they're even nicer than I thought they'd be.

Yeah, this really makes it feel like our hard work was worth it!

Halure shouldn't worry about monsters attacking, as long as the barrier stays like this.

Halure's tree will keep everyone safe.

I wish we could wait here for Flynn to come back...

Who's this Flynn person?

He's an Imperial Knight that Estelle's got a crush on.

What?!

You don't? Ohh, I get it. You two are already a thing then?

No, it's not like that at all!

Well, anyway, we'd best be getting away from the town.

Yes, you're right. We wouldn't want to cause trouble for the villagers.

The city mayor comes running.

Please wait.

Oh, please don't mind.

I will be waiting at my house. Please come.

Uh, wait...

A reward? What do you say?

Well, I guess we can't ignore his offer and leave.

I wasn't really sure what I did back there. I don't think I deserve anything.

Let's just stop by at the mayor's house. We can still decline his offer there.

Skit: Red-eyes at the Tree of Halure

Were those the red-eyes?

So you got both the Imperial Knights and those guys after you?

Yeah, I seem to be a big hit with all the weirdos.

And what did you do to get so popular?

There's twenty-one years' worth of stuff. Listing everything might take a while.

...On second thought, never mind. I don't wanna hear it.

I stop by the inn to heal up.

There's also a nice little reference to Symphonia in here:

After that, we stop by the mayor's house.

Thank you. But unfortunately we need to be leaving very soon.

Are you leaving before that young knight is back?

The situation's changed a bit.

Did something come up?

You could say that.

If there's anything I can do to help, don't hesitate to ask.

We appreciate the sentiment, but we can't ask for your help.

I see... Then, it's not much, but I'd at least like you to take this.

Who, me? I didn't do anything at all.

But since your friend helped us out so much...

Well then, I'd be happy to--

No, we can't take that!

Oh... um... yeah, I guess I can't... take that...

But then how will I ever repay you?

Well, how about this. The next time we come into town, set us up with VIP blossom viewing picnic seats!

That's a great idea! I can't wait.

...All right then. The next time you're here, I'll put my heart and soul into paying back what you've done for us!

Oh, can I ask you one thing? Have you ever heard of a town called Aspio?

...Aspio? Ah yes, I believe that was the name of the City of Shade...

The City of Shade...

From what I've heard, the town lies between tall mountains, and sunlight rarely reaches its gates. Every now and then, a few quiet folks in cloaks and hoods come to our town to get supplies... But they're quite creepy, to be honest. Our town doesn't deal with them much.

Where is the town located?

Towards the east, I think. I wish I could tell you the exact location...

Flynn was headed east as well, wasn't he?

Yeah. I suppose a "city of scholars" might have some link to blastia, after all.

Thanks, that's all I needed.

I'm coming for you, Mordio!

And now we can finally leave, and head towards Aspio!

Leaving Halure

I'm happy this means we're continuing our journey. I haven't known this sort of freedom until now.

Hah hah. So Karol, what are your plans?

I want to go to the port city, and cross over to Tolbyccia from there.

So, I guess it's goodbye, then.

Huh?!

Thanks, Karol. It's been fun.

Please take care of yourself.

On second thought, maybe I'll stick with you guys a little while longer.

Why?

You guys would be lost and lonely without me around.

Well, you have come in surprisingly handy, Captain.

Well then, let's all go together.

So, east was it?

Yeah, Flynn went east.

Okay.

I'd like to get to Aspio somehow... Anyway, let's get out of here before the goon squad shows up.

Back on the world map, we can actually see that Halure has a barrier now.