Part 50: Arrival at Nordopolica

Starting near Zaphias, Nordopolica lies to the west. If you go there directly from the ghost ship, you need to sail southwest.





Watch the cutscene!



Yep, otherwise known as the Coliseum City.
"Once popular among the nobility as a place for pitting criminals against each other in brutal contest, Nordopolica is currently run by the guild Palestralle, and has become a city of entertainment."
Yeah, Palestralle's just as big a guild as the Don's Altosk, and...

Some fireworks start up above the coliseum.



So, a party in the streets everyday, huh? This is gonna be great!
Since when are you on vacation?
Oh yeah, right... A minion's work is never done.
You're the Don's messenger, so don't be rude to Belius!
Young man, you are looking at a veritable paragon of manners and good breeding. Nya hah hah hah.



Once I've unloaded my cargo, the Fiertia belongs to you, as promised.
Thanks! We'll take good care of her.
So are the Sands of Kogorh still a long way from here?
They lie far to the west of Nordopolica.
Aren't there some big mountains on the way there?
That'd make going by foot a problem. Wonder if we could get there by boat.
I don't think that's possible. Not many people go to the desert. I doubt there would be a place to moor a boat.



I can't just let you go to a place like that all by your... I-I mean...!
Dropping anchor.



Watch the cutscene!





No, no. Thank you! You're a huge help.
Right, mutual back-scratching and all that.



Excavating more ruins? I'm always impressed that the guild boss himself supervises the excavations.
Th-the excavation of r-ruins is wh-what I l-live for.
Who's that...?



Ruins' Gate? That sounds familiar...
They're the guild that's helping the imperial mages excavate ruins.
Oh, that's why I've heard of them.



He seems like a nice person.
Hey, you were talking earlier about a guild that's selling hoplon blastia.
You mean Leviathan's Claw?



Ruins' Gate is completely innocent.
How can you be so sure?
They're upstanding, serious, diligent... That's what they're known for.
...
Well, I'm off. Take good care of the Fiertia. Say hi to Tokunaga for me, too.
Sure.



Thanks!
Mages selling blastia on the black market? That is so not good.
Rita.
Huh? Oh, yeah.
Well, I got some work to do, myself.



Yep.
Hey, why don't we all go?
Good idea. She probably knows something about Phaeroh. We'll just tag along with you and say hi to Belius.
I don't know if that's such a good idea... 'Course, I've only heard rumors, but...hmmm...
What? Is something wrong?
Huh? Nah, it's nothing...
Where can we find Belius?
The Coliseum, probably, since Belius is the duce of Palestralle.

Note: In the PS3 version, Patty leaves us here, off in search for more treasure.


Skit: Belius
Just what sort of person is this Belius exactly?
Well that's just it. I've heard the name often enough, but I've never met the person.
Karol, do you know?
I've only lived in Dahngrest, so I don't really know the guilds in Nordopolica.
The last thing we need is another Don on our hands.
Heh, you can say that again. One Don is plenty.
I can hardly wait to meet Belius now.


Nordopolica is probably one of the places you'll spend the most time in, thanks to the Coliseum. Pretty much everything important is in there, including the inn, the shop, and the Duce's quarters. But before we go there, we have a scene or two to check out.








Batangi? That's a type of fish, right? Is it any good...?
Resident: It useta be as bad as a brine-soaked boot! Ye couldna ate it if ye tried. But now, it's rather tasty!
...



Resident: Aye, it was a wee, gamey fishie, wit' nae meat oughtlins. But it got all nice an' fat all o' the sudden. It makes a right braw meal now!
This could be caused by a local aer imbalance, as well. I wonder if there's an aer krene at the bottom of the ocean...

Yuri notices Judith has disappeared.

...Judy... Not again...
Man: (offscreen) It's terrible! Hurry!



Resident: Eh? What's all this hubbub aboot?



Resident: Who'd do a thing like that?
Armed man: No one saw their face, but apparently it was someone wielding a spear.
A spear...! It's that dragon freak!



Oh, Rita...!
Rita's always running off to one place or another! Isn't that right, Judy...
Judy?
I think Judy's very much the same way, to be honest.



Where were you?
A very nice gentleman invited me out to tea.
What? Inconceivable!

Rita comes back running.

We don't need your commentary, old man.
It seems like there's some commotion going on. Did something happen?
A blastia was destroyed! By the same dragon rider as last time, too.



Yeah... I'll bet you're scared stiff...
It was torn to pieces... Damn it!
I swear, I'm going to make a permanent imprint of my fist into that dragon freak's face...!


The rest of the party has to get suspicious of Judith at some point...

Anyway, walking towards the coliseum for a bit, there's a sign to the left before a bridge, with an easter egg if you've played Tales of the Abyss if you check the back:





Across the bridge, we can find Drake, Estelle's teacher, again.







Yes. Master, you look quite well, yourself.
It seems you've traveled to a great many places since last we met.
Yes! I've seen and heard so many things...it's been an amazing experience.
But was that experience really necessary in order for you to take the imperial throne?
What do you mean...?
You've been cavorting about with people of questionable character, without any regard to proper behavior or principles.
Questionable character, huh...
Have you given any thought to whether or not these have been the right actions for a candidate to the imperial throne?
But Master, you said that I needed to have a wide range of experience...
There's nothing wrong with broadening your horizons. The problem is your own actions.
My own...actions...?
It's a question of whether or not you've been conducting yourself in a manner fitting of the sacred role of empress! I'd like you to reexamine the actions that you, yourself have taken since you left the castle. And consider whether or not those were truly the correct actions to take.






I didn't notice that attitude the last time we met him. Is he always like that?
Yes, Master Drake has always been very...strict. I'm pretty used to it, though...
...But really, he might just be the reason that I'm traveling with you. I mean, I want to prove myself to him...
That's just a guess, right?
I'm sorry, actually...



Yes.
All right, then you should set him aside and give him a piece of your mind someday!
Okay.


Up the stairs in the back and we'll see the Coliseum.







First order of business: Shopping/Synthing!




Happiness: Occasionally increases EXP earned.
Happiness 2: Occasionally increases LP earned.
Happiness 3: Occasionally increases the amount of Gald earned after a battle.


Magic Guard
Magic
Resist


Spirit Healer: Increases TP recovered after battle.
Resist 2: Magic Defense +10%.


Link Slash: Prevents Link Encounters.
Fatal Finish: Recover full HP upon successfully completing a Fatal Strike combo with a certain number of hits.
Fatal Finish Plus: Fully recovers HP and TP upon a successful Fatal Strike after a series of FS chains.


Guard Artes
BA Force
Cure Guard: Recovers physical ailments by staying in a guard position for a short period.


Long Step
Strength T: Increases physical attack by 25% when HP is over 75%.
Defend T: Increases physical defense by 25% when HP is over 75%


Magic Guard
Magic


EXP Share
Vitality
Guard Plus


EXP Share
Resist
Magic Guard Plus


Speed Up: Increases the speed of normal attacks during Over Limit.
Hunter's Fang: Increases the bonus for a green Fatal Strike attack.
Full Check: Analyze all enemies on the field with a single Magic Lens.


Apparently, all that sidequesting the last few updates made me ignore my cooking habits, since this skit popped up after I was done shopping:

Skit: Hunger is the Best Spice
I'm so hungry...
I'm dyin' here...
Already? The girls look like they're doing fine.
...Was that Estelle? Listen, her stomach's rumbling, too!
I can wait. Though it's been a little difficult...
Hmm? That sounded like it came from Rita.
Judy, you too? Are you trying to see who can hold out the longest?
Perhaps a diet is a little bit like a competition in holding out.
A diet? What do you need to diet for?! Especially you, Rita! Lose any more weight, and you'll--

I'm just waiting until I finish reading this book, okay?!


Further to the right, we can enter the main area of the coliseum, where people can sign up for the battles.





Directly to the right here, we can find the Wonder Chef for another recipe:





Behind that, up the stairs, we finally reach Belius' quarters.



Watch the cutscene!



But we've come to see Belius.
What? Who are you?
We're a guild--Brave Vesperia!
...I haven't heard of you. Do you have an appointment with the Duce?
Huh? An appointment?
Unfortunately, my lord only meets with individuals who have appointments.



The Don... Oh, my apologies. My name is Natz. I am the acting representative for the Duce. I will gladly deliver any message you have for the Duce.
Sorry, but the Don's orders were to give this letter directly to Belius.



If you could perhaps come on the next new moon...
The next new moon...?
Why only on the night of a new moon?



The moon just turned full, so the new moon is still a while away.
So should we come back?
We don't really have a choice if she's not here.
Sorry for the trouble. I'll let her know that a messenger from the Don stopped by.
Great. Thanks.



And about Phaeroh, too.
I'd like to get some information about the aer krene, myself.
We shouldn't have trouble getting information about all of that in a city this big.
You mind if old Raven goes ahead to the inn? I should send off a progress report to the Don.
Sure.
All right, let's get going, too.


That's one of the weirdest requirements about meeting guests I've ever heard, but there's not much we can do about that.

Back at the inn:



I think a companion of ours should've already arrived. Did a cynical older man come in?
Innkeeper: Oh, he's a friend of yours? Your rooms have already been paid for, so please, make yourselves at home.



Good idea. We've earned a good night's sleep.




However, in the PS3 version, Raven has not arrived yet.

I think a companion of ours should've already arrived...
Innkeeper: A companion? No other guests have come yet today, actually.
...What a tottering and unreliable old man.
In that case, why don't we go around and ask some more people?
Alright.


Exiting the coliseum and running down the street, we can find Patty again.

Note: Due to technical difficulties, there's no video of this scene, and probably some other PS3 scenes in the future. I apologize for the inconvenience.



It looks like she's shopping.



Shopkeeper: Y-yes...
Customer: Hey, you!



Shopkeeper: Um, I hate to ask, but could you perhaps be Aifread's granddaughter? Your outfit is quite unique... You see, there's been some rumors going around lately. Apparently there's been a girl that wears the same outfit as Aifread, and she calls herself his granddaughter.



Huh? Granddaughter? Really...?



Shopkeeper: Uh... That'll be 450 Gald.

Patty pays.

...



Because I'm Aifread's granddaughter...?
Shopkeeper: Uh, well, I don't really mind personally. It's just that it makes the other customers uncomfortable.
Customer: Huh? Wait... me? Hold on a second! I didn't mean to...
Shopkeeper: What do you mean? You're the one who said the store's reputation would go down if we served the granddaughter of the man who tarnished the honor of the guilds!
Customer: Well, come on! A guild's duty is to protect the people. And she's the granddaughter of the man who violated that duty by slaughtering countless civilians!
Th-that was...



Shopkeeper: W-what's that to you?
What exactly is this kid responsible for? Did she herself do anything wrong?



Hey, Yuri's going out of his way for you here.
There's no need to worry. I'm leaving this town soon anyway. Later!



Hey, I wasn't finished!
Shopkeeper: *Sigh*



Patty is Aifread's granddaughter? What could this mean?
I've never heard anything about that. I wonder if it's true?
Who knows? Still, I wonder if this Aifread character is really as bad as they say.
His guild lost credit due to the Black Hope incident. After that, lots of people started to talk badly about the guild's members.
I see.



We're talking about Patty here. She's a tough girl.
Yeah. And more importantly, if we keep the old man waiting, he might stir up more trouble.
I guess so...



At this point we can go back to the Inn and take a rest.




At night...

Watch the cutscene!








I just can't shake those words Phaeroh said to me.
Oh yeah, what was it again?
The insipid poison of this world must be purged...
The world's poison. Hm... Yeah, well the world is full of pessimists, that's for sure.
For what it's worth, you don't look like poison to me.
Was that your attempt to cheer me up?
Hey, I'm just trying to be straight with you.
Heh heh. I guess I do feel a little better.

Hey... Yuri, look at that.
Hmm?



The brightest star in the night sky...
There's an old story about that star:
"In the days of old, a great cataclysm occurred that plunged the world into ruin. Countless lives were lost as the people struggled to stand against the oncoming disaster. Its energies all but spent, humanity's hope seemed lost when a pair of siblings appeared. This brother and sister together fought the calamity, and saved the world from annihilation. The sister they called Child of the Full Moon. After the struggle, she remained with the earth. Her brother they called Brave Vesperia, and he ascended to the skies to watch over the world."
The end.



Now that you know the story, you should strive to make your guild shine as bright as the star.
Yeah... We'll have to tell Karol about this. We'll definitely have to live up to the name.



Okay.