Part 69: Airship Sidequesting, Part 1

Skit: Judith's Communication
I never imagined you'd be able to speak with the Entelexeia.
Well, I use a Krityan technique to do it.
...Wait, do I detect a little jealousy?
...Hmm, maybe.
...Right, Repede?
Woof!
Yuri...you want to talk to Repede?
I think the two of you understand each other well enough already...
I've got him pretty well figured out, but I don't know if he understands me.
*Woof!* *Woof woof!*
...I think he feels the same way.


Alright, sidequesting time! Ba'ul opens up a lot of questing, though unless you either use a guide or are really really thorough with checking places, you'll probably miss half of them. Or most of them if you just continue the story, as a lot aren't available forever.




The PS3 version added something neat that I kinda wish the 360 version had as well: As soon as you have access to Ba'ul, you can teleport to most towns and dungeons by opening the world map, selecting the desired location, and pressing L3. Very useful. On the 360 version, you just have to manually fly everywhere.




Anyway, our first stop is the Shaikos Ruins.







Those guys are from Ruins' Gate.
Hearing about Ruins' Gate again makes me think of Regaey...
Don't forget that the Regaey we saw was an imposter.
Regaey was Yeager.
Wait, I thought that Yeager was just disguising himself as the real Regaey.
Really?



Mark: Archie, you've found a part of a blastia housing.
Archie: This is so awesome, Mark. I'll bet it's a priceless historical artifact.
Mark: Let's get this back to Aspio in a hurry and show it to the researchers.
Archie: Don't forget to write your name on it to prove you're the one who found it.



Archie: Wh-what's going on?!
Who do you think you are, vandalizing a valuable specimen like that?
Archie: It's my natural right as the one who found it.
You idiot! What are you trying to do?! Ack! ...It's not coming off! Okay, you two, sit your butts down, NOW!



I'm going to explain to these half-wits the importance of treating blastia with a little respect!
Mark: Look, Archie, I think the little mage is going to give us a presentation.
Archie: Hmph... Why's she so high and mighty...?
Shut up and listen!

Time passes...

...Got it?!
Mark: Yes, ma'am.
Archie: I've never heard so many words come out of such a little person...
Mark: ...I think we'd be better off doing as she says.



Still, they seem really harmless.
I guess you're right... But it's the well-meaning idiots that sometimes do the most damage.
Aw, come on. Lighten up.


To continue that quest, we need to go to Nordopolica.



However, on the way there, I run into a different scene.





Merchant: What did you just say, you pea-brained peon?!
Warrior: Damn it! You'd better watch your mouth...!
This city hasn't changed a bit...





Warrior: Who the hell are you...!
I am Natz, of Palestralle. I'm the provisional Duke. I do not know the cause of your argument, but I shall help you resolve it.
Warrior: Resolve it?
What's the point of crossing swords out in public like this? If you have a problem, you should settle it like men, in the Coliseum. If you beat him in battle, not only will you resolve your dispute, but your reputation will grow, as well. What do you say?
Warrior: Son of a... I don't have time for something like that...
Oh? Then I'll use my guild authority to have you locked up for disturbance of the peace. How does that sound?
Warrior: Damn it... This isn't worth the trouble! Hmpf...



Merchant: Thank you very much, Natz.
I don't know what happened here, but if you'd fought, you would've been given the same punishement. Please, be more careful in the future.
Merchant: Yes... I-I'm sorry...
Good luck with your business.



It looks like things've gotten tough in town since Belius passed away.
What happened with the Duce was unfortunate... But nonetheless. We couldn't go on forever depending on her to solve our problems. This is a town of humans. It's up to us to come together and figure out how to live together in peace.
So you've been going around as the Duce's temporary replacement?
Indeed. There will be a vote soon, to determine who will officially end up taking her responsibilities... Who knows how that will turn out.
I feel like Nordopolica's people have already chosen you to lead them. That's how it seems to me, at least.



...It never ends...





Maybe we can sit down over some tea and share stories.
Definitely...

Natz runs off.

Wow, he's got it tough...♪
Yeah, it can't be easy dealing with all these crazies day in and day out.
I hope he hangs in there...


Anyway.






What, we can't buy things from you without an introduction?
Merchant?: I'm afraid not. I'm not quite like the other merchants, you see.
You mean you're different from the people in Fortune's Market?
Merchant?: Yes, yes, most correct. I am Mercedes Dunkel, black marketeer extraordinaire.
Black marketeer?
Mercedes Dunkel: A salesman for Leviathan's Claw. I travel the wide world, selling my weapons wherever I set up shop.
Leviathan's Claw... So you're one of Yeager's henchmen...?!
Mercedes Dunkel: Ah hah hah. Henchman has such a villainous ring to it.
What sort of things do you have in stock?
Jeez, Judith. Go ahead and make friends, why don't ya.
I beg your pardon, but when did knowing one's enemy become a bad thing?
Mercedes Dunkel: Hah hah, I suppose I could show such an honest young lady my wares. I can't sell you anything, though. Here. This is a hoplon blastia that can spray a target with flames up to 100 meters away. It's actually an antique from quite a ways back, but I've kept it in top shape so it still works fine.



Mercedes Dunkel: Yeah, must belong to whoever dug it out of the ground.
Hey, those guys from Ruins' Gate in the Shaikos Ruins were writing their names on the stuff they'd found.
What's worse, this thing's got that idiot's name on it, too.



You know something don't you, old man?!
Well, the Don's got this little hunch ya see, that Yeager and Regaey are one and the same person.
No way. You don't really think they're both one guy...?
That doesn't change the fact that Leviathan's Claw and Ruins' Gate're two different guilds, though.
But imperial law forbids the trafficking of blastia.
That's got nothin' ta do with the Union. Fortune's Market's about the only guild that follows the Empire's laws. Business and all, ya' see...



We have been making a bit of a name for ourselves, I guess.
Mercedes Dunkel: A man in black, a princess-like young lady, a mage, a man from the Union, a young boy, a femme fatale, and a dog. I received word from Yeager to treat you with extreme caution should we meet. And with that I'll be bringing our little business engagement to a close.



Mercedes Dunkel: H-hold on, now, do you enjoy threatening poor, defenseless merchants?
Oh stop, you have all these weapons don't you?
Mercedes Dunkel: These blastia are my inventory. I can't just use them whenever I like.
He's not worth the trouble. Taking care of this guy won't put a stop to their blastia smuggling.
Well, if it gets ta be a problem for the Union, they'll be sure ta lay down the law. Ya know, like with Barbos.
Mercedes Dunkel: Just like the man says. So if it's all right with you, I'm going to get back to earning a living, here.



Depending on Yeager's next move, we might be forced into action ourselves, before too long.


Well, I guess that clears up that question.


While we're in Nordopolica, the coliseum opened up its gates and offers 30-, 50- and 80-man melee rounds. However, I'm saving those for later.




The next stop is Mantaic.




To be specific, this guy right here.




Union Member: Hey there, Raven! Your friend, there...that's, uh, that's the little guild-hopper, right?
The name's Karol! I'm a member of a guild called Brave Vesperia now.
Union Member: Ohh, Brave Vesperia, huh? So what business does your guild have with us?
Is this the Union outpost?
Union Member: Yeah. Looking for a job? Well, let's see...this is about all I've got at the moment...



What's this supposed to mean? There's no detailed information here.
Well, it is the Union. They're probably all going to be pretty standard jobs.
Union Member: Should be just about right for one of your first jobs. It pays 4200 Gald.
Hold on a sec. Brave Vesperia isn't a member of the Union, ya know.
Union Member: Huh? You're unaffiliated? Okay, so with the 30% finder's fee, that brings your take down to 3000 Gald. What do you think? You want it?

You'd think a percentage fee wouldn't round the result to a nice value, but alright.

Man, 30%... You could've just kept quiet, Raven...
That's just the way it works. It'd be worse if they found out later.
It's fine. I mean, we're already here, right? Let's do it, Karol.
Union Member: All right. Now go talk to the client. They'll fill you in on all the details of the job. Yu's a guy who usually hangs out around the bridge near the entrance of town.
All right, let's go and talk to him!




Are you...Mr. Seron?



Yu: Are you from the Union...?
Yeah, we're a guild, Brave Vesperia.
Yu: Brave Ves... Hmm, I haven't heard of you...
Don't worry. We can handle it! You need people to deliver some stuff, right?
Yu: Yes...I'd like someone to take a book to an old friend of mine.
A book?
Yu: Yes, quite an important one. It's a book that holds many memories for us.



We'll make sure to take good care of it.
Yu: Please don't lose it. If that should happen... I'll have you pay compensation for the lost item through the Union.
Karol said don't worry, right? So don't worry.
And who might this friend of yours be?



Yu: I think he's probably in one of the cities on Tolbyccia or Desier. Please take this crest.



Yu: If you carry this with you, he should recognize it and call out to you himself. "A fiery soul into a sea of flames." You'll know it's Nobis if he says this to you.
Okay, got it...



Yu: Thank you for your help.



It's an oath for taking a new job. It's proof that you accept the client's request.
Interesting.
All right, let's go look for Nobis!
Woof!


Nobis is in Capua Torim's inn.






Nobis: A fiery soul into a sea of flames...
That's... That's what Mr. Seron said...



Nobis: Indeed. You were sent to find me?
Yes, we brought you something from Yu Seron.
Nobis: You haven't looked at what's inside, have you?
Huh? No, of course not...
Nobis: Very well. If that is all...



Nobis: Ah, okay. Let's see...you can take this to him as proof of delivery.



Nobis: Well then, say hello to Yu for me.
Of course. Thanks!



We're not done yet. We still gotta take this proof of delivery back to Yu.
And then we'll finally be finished with the job.
I'm glad we didn't lose the book before we got it to him!
That would've been bad. I don't think you could just go out and buy a replacement for that book.
How would you even lose something like that?
Maybe if ya went ta the bathroom and accidentally left it by the sink when ya washed your hands?
Eww, that's dirty.
What's dirty? You're washin' yer hands!
We need to make sure not to lose the proof of delivery, too.
Okay, enough talking. Let's get moving!
Yeah, let's go to Mantaic and see the client.
Yikes, are we going back all the way?
The sooner, the better. Don't you want to tell the client?
There's no need for a rush. Talking of things like this, the more you wait, the more you joy.
Is that true... ?
Let's see the client when we stop by at Mantaic later sometime.
Woof!


Back to Mantaic...




Watch the cutscene!



Here, look... This is proof we finished the job.
Yu: Oh, indeed. That's Nobis's, all right. Wow, thanks so much for your help! And here is the pay I promised you...
If you ever need anything else, don't hesitate to call on Brave Vesperia!♪





It was just a normal book. Looked like it had something ta do with economics.
Did you look inside, Raven?
So what if I did?
I mean, it's fine, but...what if the client had hidden something private in the book?
Oh, it's no big deal. No harm done if it didn't get in the way of the job.
An economics book, eh... Doesn't sound too racy.
It would've been funny if some romance novel was the proof of two guys' friendship!
Really...?



So this what it's like to work in a guild.
Yeah. If we were the Hunting Blades, we'd probably get jobs to exterminate monsters. Fortune's Market usually does stuff like transport products over long distances.
So, Brave Vesperia's in the delivery business, then?



*Howl*, woof woof!
We can think it over while we try out a few different kinds of work.
Yeah, sure!


Not particularly interesting, but this is a fairly lengthy questline and you need to do them all in order.

While we're in Mantaic, let's enter the inn.




I'm not sure if they left the town, but they did spend the night here last night, and I'm fairly sure that their leader was your Chief.
Hunting Blades Member: I see.



Oh, he said something about being a member of a guild called the Hunting Blades, I believe. It seems he got separated from the rest of his guild, though.
D-did Nan stay here last night?!
Nan?
Chill out, Karol. You can't expect him to know that.
Sir, members of that guild were staying in this inn, correct?
Yeah, they were here until early this morning.
W-was there a girl with brown hair travelling with them?
Actually, I seem to remember someone like that, yes... She looked like she'd be injured, somehow.



You don't know that for sure. Those guys get into fights all the time.
Hey Yuri, ya think we might be here fer the night? Looks like the kid's a mess. Some relaxation'd be good fer his nerves.
You're sure it's not just that you're tired and want to rest?
Well, there is that, too...
Good idea. Let's get some rest.
Well, you said it!


At night...





Judith... Why are you up? It's so late.
I was just watching the moon...
The moon...
You're worried for that girl?
...Yeah.
You're a nice kid, Karol.
I've...been in so many different guilds... But I ended up doing a cruddy job in all of them and quitting... So all the guilds just gave up on me. But then...Nan...
She invited you into her guild?
Ah...yeah... But we still haven't made up since we got in that fight. I'm sorry... I'm a member of Brave Vesperia now. I shouldn't be thinking about all this.
I don't blame you for it. She's important to you, right?
Er...h-how did you...?



You...you knew?
I've seen you looking at her picture with that silly look on your face several times now.
Oh...I got a friend of mine from the photography guild I used to belong to to take that picture for me.
A little photography on the sly?
N-no...I mean, he just happened to take it as she was passing by... I mean... I guess...it works out to the same thing.
What a naughty boy. But...I don't think it's all that bad, really.
Really...? I, I wonder... Do you think we'll run into her again?
I'm not sure...
No, I know we will... I still have to make up with her!
Heh heh...good luck with that.



Oh...yeah... Thanks, Judith.


Another thing we can do while we're in Mantaic is check out the Kowz guy and the Ant Lion Man again.



You've come again, I see. You missed me, eh?
Nah, we just wanted ta see whatcha were up ta, really.
Oh, so you like me! You really like me!
Hey, don't you ever get hot, dressed up like that?
Hot? Why would I be hot?
Isn't that some sort of weirdo fursuit, or something? It makes me feel itchy just looking at you.
What doooo you mean? I am naked! Can't you tell? I am going au naturel!
I, uhh, err...
Try not to give it too much thought. Now, what's today's item du jour, you might ask? Dadum dadum dadummm... DUM! It's the "Trident!" Tadaaa!



Now now, no need to play dumb, Pheromone-Boy.
Heh heh! Pheromone-Boy...
Pleeeease? ♥
Another item exchange, then?
Exactly, Miss Bouncy! So hand it over!

Yeah, sure, you can have a Trident I guess.

Thank ya, thank ya. Round and round we go! Where we stop...only I know!



Caatch!
Ant Lion Man: As always, thankee! Heh heh!



Even though I know when he's going to come out, he's still quite startling!
So, what'll ya give us this time?
Hmmm, what indeed... Here, you can have this.

He gives us a couple incredients, some Rice, a Potato, an Onion, and a Carrot.




Kind of a bad trade, but it'll be worth it in the end.

Another event in Mantaic can be found by the lake.






Man: It's much bigger, and much deeper. The ocean is bluer than any lake, and prettier, too!
Child A: Fish live in the ocean, right? Where is it?
Child B: Is it far from here?
Man: Yeah, it's a little far from here.
Child A: Aw man! I wanted to go see it!
Man: You can go when you get older. You can get on a big ship and go to other cities, and see all sorts of new stuff!
Child B: Yeah!


To continue this we have to go rest at the inn.




That guy who was playing with the kids...I feel like I've seen him around somewhere...















Man: Hey, thanks for the help back there. And you reproduced the move I used back in Nordopolica perfectly...
I thought it'd be a good way to attract your attention. You're the man who was with those kids down by the lake in the afternoon, right?
Man: Ah, so you noticed. We're two of a kind, you know. Maybe fate's brought us together.
How do you know...



Well, that's not fair. I hardly know anything about you.
Man: Unfortunately, I don't think I really have time for us to get all chummy. But just for tonight, I'll let you ask me one question. Besides my name, that is.
Just tell me why...you've had to get your hands dirty.
Man: Let's just say my reasons are not the same as yours. I'm looking for the man who killed my swordsmanship teacher. I'm just purging the world of a few villains in the meantime.
You don't mind murdering people along your quest?
Man: Just a little collateral damage. But it's who I am.
It's who you are...?
Man: It's fine if you don't understand. Maybe it's better, even. You can still turn back.
What are you talking about...?
Man: I thought I told you, you only get one question. Well, I'm off. I hope that our paths don't cross again.



Yeah, I'm not too crazy about seeing you anytime soon, either.



Last stop for today: Ehmead Hill.





Entering from the west puts us fairly close to the small clearing in the forest, which is where we want to go.



What's with you...?



Hmm...? Hey, that's a cyrtanthus bloom.
You actually know a lot about plants, don't you, old man?
Oh, I dabble here and there.♪
Hmph... So what's that one called?
Hah? One second, it's a...teardrop tulip.
How about that?
Why, um... That's a, uh rainbow flower?



I just happened to not know those.
It looks more like you just happened to know cyrtanthus bloom.
No, no, really--
So, how did you just happen to know about these nightshade flowers?
Argh, listen to me!
Sounds like you've got a special reason.



My friend's room was always full of 'em.
So you have had a couple of friends, then.
You're sayin' that like it surprises ya. Poor old Raven'd just curl up and die if ya left him all alone.
Just what is the correct response when a man starts whining like a mouse, I wonder.
You say, "Oh Raven, you big silly, you're so cute."
Hah...That's not the word I'd use.
Argh...! Judith, darlin' you're cold as ice.
...Good grief.
It's a little like Flynn and Yuri, what with you having a friend in the Knights, and all.
Well now, it can't compare ta the shinin' example of friendship those two young lads've got goin', but yeah. We were pals.



Really? But youth's a fleetin' thing for all of us. That friendship's long past, now.
Oh, did you fight about something?
Hm, I s'pose ya could call it that. Would ya mind pickin' a few of those for me, young miss?
Hmm? Oh, certainly.




And we can find one more event by the cliff.


Watch the cutscene!



What are you...?



...An old friend. A dear comrade who shared my cause, and gave his life in battle...
Battle...? Was he in a guild?
Why would you think so?
Well, Imperial Knights who fall in the line of duty are given a state funeral.
This has nothing to do with the empire or the guilds.
What's that supposed to mean?



Is he the reason you've been driftin' around so long?
That is none of your concern.
Hey, no need ta get testy.



...Just whose grave is this, anyway?
It's not a knight or somebody from a guild. That's gotta mean...
I know some people can't afford a burial, but why put them in a place like this?



We may not know whose grave this is, but this feels like the right thing to do...
Might as well...



Okay, let's head back down. I think we're done here.


I think we're done here too. Next time: More sidequesting!