Part 64: Situation in Dahngrest

Before we head to Dahngrest, we can do some minor sidequesting. Our first stop is Zaphias.









It might be a bit small, but go right ahead.





You're full of energy as usual, Ted.
Eh? Flynn's not with you?
He's been busy with the Knights. I couldn't drag around some rising star captain on my little errands.
...Did you two get in a fight again?
Again? Do Flynn and Yuri fight a lot?
Yup, day in and day out. Yuri, I want you to go and make up with Flynn.
Look, it's not that simple.
Simple? You and Flynn are as simple as they come! Like when we couldn't pay our taxes. You thought you'd just get rid of the tax collector. What's simple is your way of thinking. Even I would've thought that one through a little more.
That's simple, all right.
They're both too stubborn. If they'd just give each other an inch... Like when Yuri quit the Imperial Knights...things keep getting rocky like that.





Bread? Why?
You can split it. Yuri and Flynn have split everything with each other, ever since they were kids. Like their first sword. They could only afford one, so they switched off using it all day long.
Ah, I think I'm starting to see how similar Yuri and Flynn really are.
We've been together forever. When you grow up in the same environment, you're bound to be a little alike.
You'd better make up with him before the next time you come back here. Then I'll have the missus cook up everyone a nice, big dinner!



It was so easy when we were kids...






In the PS3 version, there's also something at Heliord.





Healas: Got that right, Cotton. I've suffered huge losses. I never would've thought things would turn out so badly.
What's the matter?
Cotton: Hmm. Kids your age probably aren't interested in what we're talking about, but lend us an ear.
Of course. I'd love to hear.
I'll be the judge of whether or not it's interesting after hearing you out.
Healas: You're good kids.
Cotton: We invested money in small guilds. When said guild succeeded, we would receive money back according to how much we invested.
Hm? That sounds pretty fishy.
Fishy?
Healas: Yeah, I guess that figures.
What? It figures? So then...
Healas: Up until recently, it was very profitable, so we invested in lots of guilds. However, all the guilds we've invested in lately have been disbanding up across the board.
Cotton: We didn't receive the money we invested back, so we've suffered heavy losses.
I can't believe that could happen. Guess you have to be careful.
Are you going to be able to get by all right?
Cotton: More or less. We still have some savings left. We figure this must be the price we pay for taking the world of business lightly. We've called the quits.
Aye, you're lucky it wasn't worse.
Healas: You're such nice kids to listen to us rant. While I still have your attention, I want to give you one last piece of my mind. One way or another, money is important. Just because you've put a bit away, doesn't mean you can go off and spend it. You'll regret it.
Cotton: Whenever you can be making money, you better be making money!
Healas: Yes, yes! Even fighting monsters is an opportunity to make money.
Really? I can make money while fighting...
...Patty, what is it?
Hm. I just thought up something good!


From this, Patty gets the Search Gald arte.





It's not really all that useful, though it can be used to attack as well.







With that done, we can head off to Dahngrest. The game suggests landing near Heliord, but I find it much easier to dock near Ghasfarost.






Watch the cutscene!




These things usually take a while, so why not hang tight at the inn. I'll come over when I can.



Huh? This is Union business. Not sure you'll have much ta talk about.
I... Actually, there was something else I wanted to ask...
Can't it wait till ya bring the apatheia with everybody else?
It's... I'd rather ask it on my own.
If it's not too complicated, go and give it a try.
I can't make any promises, just so ya know.







That qualifies as complicated.
You've got that right...
Let's be good kids and wait for Uncle Raven at the inn.


Skit: Guild versus Guild
The town's quiet now, but it could get ugly quick.
Yeah, well. We've seen our fair share of ugliness.
Not like this, we haven't. Do you think Palestralle is just going to take Belius' death lying down?
...The Don's grandson is wrapped up in this too. I guess they can't just let things slide.
The guilds sure make a big deal about their rules and settling their scores.
Exactly.
What a pain. I don't get it at all.
We're kinda caught up in this ourselves, you know. Just be ready if things go bad.
I know.

Not much for us to do here except resting at the inn.



Ahh...b-but...I have to...
We're going to get some rest. What about you, Yuri?
Hmmm, yeah. I could use some time off my feet, too.









Oh... Hey, old man. You're back... ...What about Karol?
Haven't seen 'im since I left the Union. I reckon he's still there.
I hope he's okay...



Did you see the Don?
Well, about that... As soon as the Don heard what happened with Harry and Nordopolica, he left the Union.
By himself? That's not like him. Where did he go?
Well--and this is just my intuition, mind ya--



What?!
But Yeager is the head of Leviathan's Claw! That's so dangerous!
Well, I don't think Yeager'd try anything against the Don. If they went up against the Union, they could lose all of their business, for one.
So why did the Don go out there...
...

So anyway, I'm sorry, but the Don's left the city.



You believe the old man's intuition?
If the Don's going up against Leviathan's Claw, we can't very well sit around and twiddle our thumbs. There's no guarantee the scum won't try to attack him.
...Well, all right, then. I'm not really one for waiting, anyway.
...Estelle, will you wait here?
I...I'm going with you.
Estelle, don't overdo it. Are you sure you're up to this...?
Yes... I'm absolutely fine.
Estelle...
...So, you all know where the Manor of the Wicked is?
I figured you knew, old man. Aren't you coming with us?
Well yeah, I guess I am.
Well then, it's decided. We'll just go pick up Karol, and...

Sounds of a commotion from outside.



It sounded from the direction of the bridge...
Uh oh...
Let's go and see!





Karol's over there!



Guild Member B: Even if we're the only ones helping, we owe it to the Don to protect the city!



Guild Member C: We've heard that a group from Palestralle has been spotted near Heliord!
Their leader got killed thanks to a mistake of one of our own. It's only natural they'd wanna talk about the incident.
Guild Member C: Once they learn the Don's left town, things could get ugly! We must defend the city from them until Don returns!
You fools. If y'all weren't so eager to fight, the Don wouldn't've had to leave in the first place...
Soon as they learn that there's fighting between guilds... Dontcha think the Knights are bound to stick their noses in our business again?
Guild Member D: Dahngrest is independent from the empire! The Imperial Knights are in no place to tell us what to do!
The friendship treaty still ain't finalized yet, you know...





Yuri! Everyone! What do we do? This is going to become a war between guilds if we don't do something! If only the Don were here...
They say that the Don may have gone to the Leviathan's Claw compound, the Manor of the Wicked.
What! Really?!
Well...probably so...
We were about to see if we could go there. Wanna come with us?
But...there's a chance that the Don's not there, right?
Yeah, it was just the old man's intuition, after all.
If he's not there... War could break out while we're out looking for him... Yuri...what should we do...? What would be best...?
Well, we should be able to handle the Manor of the Wicked ourselves. You go ahead and do what you think you should do.
Y-yeah...then I'm going to go and talk to everyone!



We don't have much choice. We can't follow the Don and guard the city at the same time.
I hope that we find the Don at the Manor of the Wicked...
We're his backup. If Yeager's the one the Don's up against, he'll need all the help he can get.



Hey, wait for meee!


Skit: Don, Don't Get Hasty
If the Don really did go meet with Yeager, what could the reason have been? And why would he go alone?
It's not to deepen the ties of their friendship, that's for sure.
It was probably because he didn't want his subordinates to get wrapped up in the mess.
Well, that's just one more example of how much the guilds love doing things the hard way.
Upholding every rule. Settling every score. Is it all really that important?
Hey, if we're goin' after the Don, now's the time. We can have special sharin' time later.


Before we head off, I buy some more equipment.




Revenge Spell: No casting time if a novice spell is used while staggering.
Endure: Decreases amount of time needed to recover from a stagger hit.


Step Away: Avoid staggering when hit during Backstep.
Evade 2
Vitality 2


BA Force: Increases the effectiveness of Burst Artes.
Reflect: Reflects a certain amount of damage from an attack.


Spirits 2
Magic 2
Resist 2


Defend Artes: Avoid staggering when hit during a base arte combo.
Status Guard: Reduces the effect of magical ailments.
Condition Guard: Reduces the effects of certain physical ailments.


Spell Charge 2: Hold the Arte button after casting an intermediate spell to move freely while delaying the spell.
Combat Force: Converts 25% of HP to the same amount of TP. (Reduces HP to 75% but increases TP to 125%)


Happiness
Happiness 2
Happiness 3


Heal Supply: Heal an ally to recover some HP.
Guard Supply: Recovers TP when guarding enemy attacks.
Guard Reflect: Reflects 1/5th of the damage taken during guard.


Dispersion
Great Deluge
Life Up: Occasionally increases Max HP after a battle.


Over Cast 2: Hold the Arte button after casting to increase the effect of an intermediate spell while consuming TP.
Magic 2
Lucky Soul: Occasionally recover TP when knocked to the ground.


Alright, we're off!





Ya do realize what going to the enemy's compound means, right?
What it...means...?
We're gonna be on their turf, playin' by their rules. If we get there and we're not ready to roll, they could give us a mighty beatdown and it'd be lights out for us...
So, you're asking if we're totally prepared to go?
We're ready to roll, old man!
Y'sure?
You're worrying more than usual. We're ready.
Yeah? Well then, let's go.





The Manor of the Wicked isn't too far away from Dahngrest.





Just head over the bride to the right after passing Keiv Moc and you'll get there fairly quickly.





And here we are! We'll enter it next time.