Part 98: Lengthy Sidequesting

Dahngrest is always a hotspot when it comes to sidequests, so let's check there next.



First, there's something here in the shop.



Hey, Karol, and Raven too! No, it's just...I've got something on my mind, is all...
What's up?
Tell us. Maybe Brave Vesperia can help.
Well, I feel pretty dumb, but...I lost the key to the storeroom. I can't do any organizing at all!
This sounds like a job fer Captain Karol!
Huh? M-me?
It's all on ya now, master lockpicker!



This lock looks pretty old. I don't think I can get it unlocked. I'm sorry...
Is that so... I wonder what I should do, then...
Aha! I'm a genius!
What? What is it? I've got a bad feeling about this...



Fade to black, fade back in.



Ohh, thank you! You did great!
What else did ya expect from the great Raven?
But all you did was give me a boost up!
I can't thank you enough. You can have whatever's in the storeroom.
But weren't you planning on tidying up your things?
Well, I was originally planning on reorganizing all of my boxes, and I'm sure that a lot of them would've ended up getting thrown away. And I need to give you a reward for the work that you did!
Okay, but don't you think this is a bit much...
It sounds okay to me. After all, it's a reward fer hard work done by Brave Vesperia!
Frankly, I don't really even know what's in there.
All right, then we'll take it! Thanks!
Thanks for your help. If I ever have another problem, I'll be sure to ask Brave Vesperia!



So what's in there?



A Klonoa statue, neat! This is actually part of another sidequest that we can't start yet.

Apart from the obvious chest, there's two more items hidden in that small room:





Nothing special, but hey.


Skit: On Art
This figurine is lovely!
A figurine? I'd say it's more like a toy, really.
You must not have seen many things like this in the castle, Estelle.
I'd like to see more of these figurines!
And thus a figurine collector is born...
Oh, some people are just more interested in aesthetics than others, Yuri. It's not all that unusual.
Yeah, I don't really have any interests outside of blastia.
I've always been a fan of cool guild emblems, myself.
What about you, Yuri?
Huh? I've never really given much thought to artistic sorts of things.
I never really looked at anything like art.
Ask me, ask me!
Ask me what I like...
Girls!
...Th-that's right...
We KNOW it's right!


Oh Raven...

Next stop: The tavern.






Come to think of it, I ended up getting this key from those Blood Alliance guys... But I don't have any use for it. You can have it. Apparently it's a key to the lower level of Ghasfarost.



Hm, we haven't been there in ages. Off to Ghasfarost!







Come to think of it, didn't we get a key a while back?

Karol uses the key.

Oh...?
This looks like it might move if you used the Sorcerer's Ring on it.



Shooting it with the ring drops this stairway, so we can go down.



What is all this?
That blastia network that Alexei was trying to create... This is all equipment that was to be used for that.
This is...?
Yes. It seems that he had Barbos set up Ghasfarost as one of the nodes in the network.
So Alexei was behind what Barbos was doing, after all.
With Zaude at the center of the network, and other nodes at Ghasfarost, the capital, Capua, Halure, Heliord, and Aspio... This network siphoned aer from blastia all over the world to Zaude, giving him all that power.
Aer should be used so people can live happily, but he wanted to use it for his own personal gain...
And that's what caused this teensy little global catastrophe we're dealin' with. I can't forgive what he did, but I can't help feelin' a little sorry fer him.
There's no need to feel sorry for him. It's because of Alexei's evil deeds that our world is in such trouble right now.
There's no use arguing about someone who's already dead! What's important is that fight to protect what's important to us now.
I couldn't've said it better myself, Karol.
Ah, it was nothing...
What the... This is...
What's up, Rita?



It's the fake Dein Nomos.
How'd it get here...?
Wasn't this destroyed in the fortress shrine of Zaude?
Maybe they made multiple copies. That would make sense... Each of the copies is a control key for the blastia in its node of the network.
Then the blastia here is also...?
Yes... I thought it was strange! I never saw how Barbos could control this tower's blastia, as immense as it is, with that crude imitation he had. But if they had this one that Alexei made, I can believe it.



It could cause the aer supply to stop working, and make the tower stop functioning, but... That's all right, right?
Sure, sure, no problem at all. Take it, would ya, lad?
Take this...?




Bastion: Changes Crushing Eagle to Guardian Field.

All right... Let's go!

If you somehow didn't manage to get Bastion off the real Dein Nomos while you had it, this is your second chance. Apart from that, it's a pretty good weapon in its own right, as it somehow has an higher attack stat than the real Dein Nomos.

There's more in Dahngrest, but that starts a lengthy sidequest -- part of the Brave Vesperia guild questline -- so let's get some other stuff first.



In Aspio, we can get a scene once we have filled over half of the Collector's Book.



Oh no, excuse me. Here, you dropped this book.



Oh, yes... Thank you very much.
The Collector's Book, eh...? Yours contains an impressive amount of data. It seems you've found lots of rare items. This is quite intriguing.
Oh? It is?
Rita's always saying how we haven't found nearly enough...
Ahem! If it wouldn't be too much trouble...
Y-yes?
Do you think I might be able to borrow this book for a short while? If I had one month...no, even two weeks, that would be enough! Please! Please let me borrow it.
Ah, well...



Ack! Mordio! Y-you know this young lady?!
Yeah. I know you don't wanna hear this... But we can't give you the book yet.
Wh-why?!



We don't want to have to lend it to you every time we make an update, either.
Err, I... I see, yes. Then once you've finished filling in that book, allow me to borrow it for a bit! Of course, I don't expect you to lend it to me for nothing.
Oh, you don't have to give us anything! Really, it's quite all right. We'll bring it to you once we've finished updating it.
Th-thank you! My name is Giovanni. You probably already know this, but I'm a researcher here.
Okay, Mr. Giovanni. We'll bring you the Collector's Book as soon as it's completed.
Oh, thank you so much! I'm looking forward to it.




Likewise, we can get a scene in Nor for filling over half of the Monster Book.



It's Nan! Nan!!



After what happened at Mt. Temza... Are you okay?
...I'm okay enough that I don't need your pity, Karol. I just let my guard down, is all.
Yeah. I guess.
...Do you want something?
The Monster Book that I got from you has been helping us out a lot, Nan!



I see. But why are you reporting all this to me? You never know when we'll end up face-to-face, competing to catch the same mark. Stop talking to me like you're my best friend.
N-Nan...
I'm leaving.





Karol, you okay?
Yeah... I'm fine... Let's go...
...Okay.

Both of these are just setup for the scenes you get from fully completing the books.



Next, there's two scenes in Myorzo.





Hey, good to see you again.
Elder, why is the mural hidden like this? Isn't this the lore of our ancestors? Isn't it important for everyone to know?
...We gave up blastia as a race so that we might not repeat the mistakes of our ancestors. And then this mural was left behind, so that the dire consequences of these mistakes might be known to later generations.



Those who handed down the lore of the Kritya were the only ones entrusted with this truth...
Really...?
Yes...but now that I think about it, perhaps it was a mistake to keep it a secret. We should have told everyone of these events earlier, and worked together to find a way to fight against the Adephagos.
...But... It's not too late!
Thank you, thank you, Miss Earth-Dweller.



Ah...what's that painting doing here?
Oh...well, you see, this was...passed down from our ancestors...
Hellooo, I hope I'm not late... Wait, what is that...?



The Krityans are holding spears, too!
Wooow, cool!
Indeed it is, little one.



Maybe it's not such a big deal. Look, no one seems to be too disturbed by it.
I guess...
How could you keep something as cool as this all for yourself, Mr. Elder? That's not fair!
Sorry, little one, but my grandfather told me to take good care of it. It was too much trouble to leave it out, so I hid it.
Ah, I thought as much.
But what about my encouraging words...
The Krityans fought against the monster, too!



We need to be brave, too...!
I understand their hesitation. This is what being a Krityan is all about. I wasn't able to be like the rest of my people. That's why I left this city in the first place.



Well then, if you'll excuse us...
Oh, right, we'll be going now.


No we won't! There's another scene for checking the mural.




Wow, the Krityans in this painting are raising their weapons against the Adephagos...
That's odd. The Krityans don't seem like very warlike people. Well, besides Judith, that is.



We laugh and we cry, but seldom do we fight.
So the only time that the Krityans armed themselves and fought was against the impending threat from the Adephagos?
Err, well... It seems it's not so much a depiction of real life, as it is a scene that the artist thought would be cool to paint.
What the... You mean, they're not really fighting?
Well, that was all a long time ago. But we do know that around that time, a certain type of magic was developed. It was a powerful arte called Astion, and apparently it served them quite well in the battle.
If such an amazing type of magic exists, you have to teach it to us! I'm sure it would be useful in the battle we'll have to fight.
I'm sorry, but I don't know the magic. I wouldn't be able to teach it to you.
...It's just letdown after letdown with you, isn't it?
Come now, don't be so critical. Perhaps this can make up for my ignorance.





Oh my gosh, it's so cute...!
Please, take good care of it.
Of course...!
I can't believe you... *Sigh* I give up...
It's possible the knowledge of Astion is still being passed on among our brethren who descended down onto the planet's surface.
You think the Krityans on the surface would know it?
Well, I don't think that all of them are as well-versed in the old Krityan lore as others. But someone might know of it.



Well, I guess we have no choice but to go to Aspio and ask him in person.


Tort still hangs out in Aspio, where we first met him back when we were searching for Myorzo.






I'd like you to teach me the magic known as Astion.
You've heard of Astion? I'm impressed. But unfortunately, I cannot teach it to you.
Isn't the some way...? We want to do what we can to stop the Adephagos!
But you see... Oh, that Bush Baby doll you have...
Oh, this...we got it from the elder of Myorzo.
Hmmm...alright, then let's have a trade. I'll teach you Astion if you'll give me that.
Huh? But we can't...! Huh? Really truly?



It was originally used in the ceremony to honor Krones.
Krones...?
Krones is the name of the one who carries Myorzo. To the Kritya of Myorzo, Krones is a being held sacred above all others. That's why that doll you have is so important.
...The Elder sure handed it over without much of a fuss, didn't he?
We might as well, right? If all we have to do is give him that little trinket.
"That little trinket"...? That is blatant disrespect towards the Bush Baby doll! Take that back!
Oh, geez...I'm sorry.
Hey, it's no skin off our backs. Come on Estelle, hand it over.



What are you talking about? This thing's our ticket to learning that magic!
I'd rather have this cute little doll than some stupid magic spell...



You know, they say that sometimes dolls have powerful curses on them that affect anyone who touches them.





Simply amazing. I never thought the day would come when I would lay hands on this doll. ...Now then, this is for you. All of the details about Astion are written in this book.
Ohhh, how could you trick me like that...?!
Come on, grow up a little.



What...? My kind of...?
Read through that by tomorrow and see if you can learn it.




The formula's interesting because it's so old, but it's really too bad...
?
I dunno, it's just a very simple kind of magic. Frumpy, if you will.
So you gave it to Estelle because it's boring?
Th-that's not a very nice way to put it! Some people are just more naturally inclined towards certain types of things!
...You're terrible...


Astion is, eh, it's just a stat-up spell. Increases magical attack power temporarily.








Okay, back to Dahngrest. Let's continue that long quest chain.






Hey, good to see you. Looking for more work? Unfortunately, I don't have any jobs for you right now.
Hmm... I guess sometimes there's just not enough work to go around.
Yeah, we can't always count on there being jobs for us to do.
We can always try again later.
Woof!


Yu's on the bridge near the eastern entrance to Dahngrest.




Hey, we should be thanking you for giving us the job.
...Actually, you've come at a perfect time... I have a favor I'd like to ask.
What is it?



Would you mind going and hearing what he has to say?
Well...
Hold on. Can we take a job without asking the Union first?
The Union doesn't keep other guilds from doing their own work. The Union system for getting jobs is just to help out guilds that couldn't get work on their own.
So we just moved up as a guild.
Exactly. And this way, there's no finder's fee, so we get all the money ourselves!
Huh. All right, we'll go talk to your friend and decide whether or not to take the job.
Thank you. He's most likely in Torim harbor right now. Please go there and listen to what he has to say.


Get used to this, they'll chase us over the entire world map in this questline.






It's you...!
Hello there. I apologize for not staying in touch.
Why would you? All we did was deliver a package.
Ah, that's a good point.
We heard from Yu that there's something you'd like to have done?
Really? Oh, I would be so grateful..
Thank goodness for friends, right?
Actually...I have a job for you, if you're interested.
A job? Huh? For us?
I've actually heard your guild mentioned here and there recently. I thought you could probably find the answer I seek.
So you want to hire Brave Vesperia?
Yes, that's right. I'd actually like you to go gather information about a certain something.
Gather information? Sounds like another job that just keeps going and going...
Well, I tried to do it myself, and I've also asked whatever guilds would help... So far though, there haven't been any promising leads... However...I cannot afford to be dissuaded. I must obtain what I seek at any cost.
This sounds pretty...serious.
Yes. For me it is a matter of great importance.
Great importance, huh...? So what is it you're looking for?



...But that's...
The girl who asked for our help back in Dahngrest...her necklace was made of Everlight.
She did say something about her dad digging it up in a mine somewhere.
Really...?
Yes. We might be able to get more information if we asked her a few questions.
Splendid. You will of course be paid well for useful information. Allow me to explain.
You really need this Everlight... What are you going to use it for?



...A dream you'd...give your life for...
Sorry, I shouldn't bore you with personal matters. Will you do this for me?
Well, guess we'd better see if we can't get this thing done.
Oh, really?
We couldn't possibly refuse to help with something that's so important to you!



Thank you. I'm counting on you. I'll be waiting here in this town for a while in case you find some good news.


...And back to Dahngrest.






Do you think Rhianna is still at the inn?
Well, let's just go inside and take a look.
Hey...I um...
Don't want to see your old teacher, huh? You can wait here if you want.
O-okay...




It was nothing.
It was a lot of work, actually.
I was trying to be polite...
Woof!
Actually there's something we want to ask you.
Oh? I'd be happy to help, if I can.



Yes.
You said your father mined the ore for the necklace and made it himself, right? Do you know where he got the ore from?



Mt. Temza...?
Yes, that name sounds right. He wrote that he went up to the mountain after spending the night in a Krityan village there.
Do you know when this was?
Before my parents got married, so...over twenty years ago.
Twenty years ago...
That long ago, huh... There's no telling if there's any Everlight left there anymore.
...I'm afraid I don't know anything more than that...
That's plenty. Thanks!




She said it was twenty years ago on Mt. Temza...
Twenty years ago? Huh? What was?
That area's been a wasteland ever since the Great War.
But rocks are rocks. Wars shouldn't really affect things like that.
Judith, weren't you born there? Did you ever hear anything about this?
Well, I was really little when I lived there. I never heard anyone talking about Everlight.
Hmm... Okay...
Wouldn't it be faster just to go and see if we can get any ourselves?




Alright, that's enough for now. Next time we'll continue this, and grab some extra treasure we couldn't get earlier due to lack of Sorcerer's Ring power.