Tales of Vesperia Part #4 - Meeting Interesting People

Part 4: Meeting Interesting People

Prison Guard: I know, I know. Then he was caught, and the loot was returned, right?
Prisoner: No. See, that's just nobility tryin' ta keep things quiet. The treasure in the mansion right now's a fake.
Prison Guard: You're pulling my leg.

Prison Guard: You mean the thieves' guild?
Prison Guard: Ahem! That's enough out of you. Almost meal time.

You think that little story up all by yourself, old man? You must have plenty of time on your hands.
Prisoner: "Old man?" Now you've gone and hurt this old man's feelings. Besides, I didn't make up nothin'. I've got eyes and ears the world over diggin' up information for me.

Heh, sure you do, old man.
Prisoner: Hey, I am what I am. Go ahead and ask me something. I'll tell ya whatever ya want to know. Wanna know about the pirate guild's sunken treasure? How 'bout the sorcerer who makes his home at the ends of the earth? Or wait, I've got it...

I just want to know how to get out of here.
Prisoner: Well I'm not sure what yer in for, but they'll let ya out if ya keep yer trap shut for ten days.

The lower quarter'll be underwater by then.
Prisoner: The lower quarter... Ah yeah, I heard about that.

I wonder how they're all doing right now.
Prisoner: Sorry, neighbor. That's one piece of dirt I don't have.

Prisoner: THE Mordio? You mean to say you've got connections ta the famed mage from Aspio, the City of Scholars?

Do you know about him?
Prisoner: Oho! Want ta know, huh? I'm afraid that information won't come cheap...

The "famed mage from Aspio, the City of Scholars" right? I think I got it.
Prisoner: W-wait, that's not it. He's the uh, the head of the gourmet guild! No wait, it's the uh, I mean...

Someone enters the prison.

???: Out.
Prisoner: Ah well, just when things were gettin' good.
???: Hurry up.

...What is Commandant Alexei doing here?

Just who are you anyway? What does the head of the Knights want with you?

Alexei: What are you doing? I said hurry up.
Prisoner: All right, easy. I'm coming.

Obtained Prison Key.

Skit: Back in Jail

Back again. Man, I was just in here last month for fighting some Knights collecting taxes.

I guess I get free meals out of it, if you can call it food.

Damn. Cumore's made this way more complicated than it needed to be.

Using the key we just got from our friendly neighbor, we can open up our cell. There's also an Apple Gel at the back of the cell that we're taking with us.

Would you look at that--it opened.

The guard is asleep, so he won't bother us.

Ever-vigilant as usual... With the way he's sleeping, it'll be a while before anyone notices I'm gone. If I come back before morning they'll never be the wiser to my little jailbreak. I think I can check on the Lower Quarter and make it back by morning.

Nothing left for us to do here except grabbing our stuff from a chest and exiting the room. As we walk out...

Knight: Who's there!

Argh, they spotted me!

An easy fight later...

I need to be wary of these guys on patrol.

Like many other Tales games, we enter a battle whenever we come into contact with an enemy on the map. This allows us to more-or-less decide which enemies we want to fight and which we want to avoid, although occasionally something will just stand in our way with no way around. Each "enemy" on the map corresponds to an enemy group in-battle, usually somewhere around two to four enemies.

The castle is pretty straightforward - all paths that don't lead to where we're supposed to be are either blocked off, or just have some treasure chests containing stuff like Gels, Life Bottles or Magic Lenses. I also find a Cape that I promptly equip on Yuri for a small increase in defense.

After a short while, we encounter someone...

Watch the cutscene!

I can't go back now!
Knight A: This is for your own good, Miss, you know that.

How can you say that when you haven't done anything to help me?

Please, don't come any closer.
Knight A: Now, now, why don't you put that down? You'll only end up hurting yourself...

Knight A: I'm afraid you leave us no choice. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this...
Knight (offscreen): Hey! There she is! This way!

Please, you've got to let me go! I have to warn Flynn!

Did she say Flynn?

Knight B: Identify yourself!

Man, just when I thought I was being sneaky, things have to go to hell.
Knight A: Careful, I think he's got a blastia.
Knight B: It shouldn't be a problem if we take him together.

After a short battle, the knights are down.

Man, is this what knights do now?

Don't they teach these guys manners in knight school anymore?

Hey! What, are you trying to kill me?

Well... you don't belong in the castle, right?

No, and I'll take it as a compliment that you can tell that by looking at me.
??? (offscreen): Yuri Looowell! Where are yooou?

Oh please, not them again. Guess there's no point in going back to the prison cell now.
??? (offscreen): Louder, fools! Say it like you mean it!
Boccos (offscreen): Lieutenant Leblanc, your voice is TOO loud. My ears...

Yuri Lowell? You're one of Flynn's friends, aren't you?

Yeah. Why?

And you used to belong to the Imperial Knights?

Just for three short months. You hear that from Flynn?

Yes.

Huh. Guess he managed to find someone at the castle he could talk to after all.

Yuri! I need to talk to Flynn!

Hold on just a second. Who are you supposed to be, anyway? I can tell you know Flynn, but why are you being chased by the Knights?
Knight (offscreen): Over here!

Listen, I want to hear the whole story, but we can't really afford to stand around and chat. First things first, let's get to Flynn's place. Want me to lead the way?

Ah, yes!

Let's go.

More castle corridors and knights. We can pass by the castle kitchen and restore our HP and TP, but apart from that, nothing really exciting. Once we get to Flynn's room:

This is Flynn's room.

Watch the cutscene!

Flynn must be off gallivanting around somewhere.

Then... That means I'm too late.

So what sort of wickedness did you do anyway?

Me? I haven't done anything wrong.

And yet a bunch of knights were chasing you around the castle. ...Yeah, that makes sense.

Um, you see...Yuri!

Whoa... What is it?

I can't be specific, but Flynn is in terrible danger! I've got to go and warn him.

I wish I knew...

Listen, I've got something I've gotta take care of right away, too. As soon as things quiet down outside I want to get back to the lower quarter.

In that case, would you take me with you? Please? Other than Flynn, there's no one I can depend on. Will you at least help me get out of the castle?

Okay I can see you're serious, but why don't you tell me your name first.

Before she can answer, someone breaks down the door.

Prepare to fall victim to my blade...

Haven't you ever heard of knocking?

I am Zagi... The man who will end your life. Now die, Flynn Scifo!

Boss time! Zagi's our first boss of the game, and thus fairly easy, but he can still screw you up if you're not yet used to the battle system. However, if you keep doing your 3-hit (-> Free Run hit) -> Arte combo and heal yourself with an Apple Gel or two when your health gets low, you'll be fine.

Vesperia likes the party having conversations with themselves or with the enemies during boss battles, which is a pretty nice thing.

Listen to the full conversation!

You got the wrong guy!

Die.

You really should listen a little more.

My name is Zagi. Remember it well, Flynn.

Listen! I'm not Flynn!

Mhaha, oh, what's wrong?

What the hell is wrong with you!?

I'm gonna kill you and carve your name into my blood.

Yeah... that's pretty disgusting.

Oh yeah... this is gonna be fun!

He's got a few Artes himself that can be a bit dangerous when they hit, but you can pretty much block them all.

After you get him to about half health, this happens:

Ahh, now I feel it.

You feel what? I'm not feeling anything over here.

Yes, so full of confidence. Ah hah hah!

What's with him all of a sudden?

Mwa hah hah hah!!

Yuri, let me help you!

But--!

Bring it! The more the merrier!

If things get out of hand, run for it.

I will.

Oh, don't give up so soon. I haven't had a fight like this in years!

Zagi is now more aggressive, but the general strategy hasn't changed. Your pink-haired companion has First Aid, a healing spell, so overall I'd say the battle even becomes easier from this point on.

If you're planning on scanning enemy in this game (required for a sidequest!), note that Zagi's second form here counts as a separate scan, so you'll need to use another Magic Lens.

One thing you immediately want to do is going to Strategy and changing your partner's Action from Heal to Artes Only, as Heal has the stupid side-effect of her running up to and meleeing enemies when everyone's got full health.

Listen to the full conversation!

Hahaha, this is fun!

Relax. He's just doing that to mess up our fighting.

You relax! Trust me, he's not thinking that hard.

So... that's just who he is?

The more you talk, the faster you die, Flynn!

Dammit I am not... ugh. Nevermind. You're not listening anyway.

But if it's just a misunderstanding, maybe we can talk?

Hahaha! Your fate was sealed the moment we met.

You seriously think we can talk to him? Let's just take him out already!

Uhh... you're strong. Ahaha. Ooh, that hurts!

After a while, he'll go down.

Do I look like Flynn to you!?

Not in the least.

Most boss battles in this game feature Secret Missions, small things you can do or avoid during the battle to get an Achievement and an extra, usually rare, drop at the end of the battle. The first one here is making sure your ally doesn't get hit too much, which is pretty much a freebie as Zagi concentrates on you.

The rare drop here is the Sage, which increases one of your party members' Max HP by 10.

Achievement/Trophy:

Secret Mission 1

He's not Flynn!

Details, details. Bring it!

This guy's nuts. Flynn sure has made some interesting enemies.

Lackey: How dare you!

Hah hah hah! Mind your own business! I'm just getting to the best part!
Lackey: Hurry, before the Knights get here. Or would you rather have your fun end today?