Part 12: Chapter IX - I think I'm allergic

I think I’m allergic


Music: Glittering Gold


- Video: Celapaleis Flyover


The capital of Celapaleis. This down has a modern air that is seen in few others.
Celapaleis – Grants Way: This sprawling boulevard runs down the middle of town. It is lined with ships on both east and west sides.




Friendly Man: This is Celapaleis’s main street, Grants Way. You see the palace down the way, do you not? That is where our ruler, Duke Qubine, resides. All along this street are shops offering every eartly delight, so you should take a look.

Weapons, items, accessories, components… You can find anything down this street.
What’s your favorite?
My favorite is… Oh, certainly, the high-grade medicinal herbs imported from the south. Once you get a whiff, you’ll be sold for life.

Smarypants Qsiti: Isn’t the view amazing? There isn’t any other place in the world that’s covered with a Remnant like this! Every one of those crystals floating in the air is the Remnant Umbermarici. So long as Lord Qubiine has bound the Remnant, those crystals will glow, and the people of the town will be happy and healthy. The might and glory of Celapaleis is linked to the Umbermarici, for certain.




Hey, it’s Emma, what’s she doing here?






Oh, oops. Um, I thought you were someone else…
Hmph! Make sure you have the right person next time!
S-sorry…
Hmph… I’ll let it slide this time. Of course, that’s on the condition that there’s never a second.
(That temper is familiar too.)
Did you say something?
N-no!
Calling someone “old lady” is rude and inconsiderate… especially when they aren’t old!

Well, that was uncanny. Let’s just get on with shopping, yeah…


- Video: They call him MISTER Diggs.


There is no voice acting for this video, but the animations are great.






*curious noise*
What the-?
*explaining noise*

The creature does a little dance, leaps up, and disappears.

A thief…? But the store isn’t ready yet. There’s nothing here to steal.




Let’s see… The first thing I’ll need is some light metal. Can’t do customization without it! Time to hit the pub!
Also, after seeing that, I need a damn drink.




Celapaleis – Lamberro District: The glow of the Remnant Umbermarici defines this residential area. Many of the residents are very familiar with the area, as most have been here since birth.




Over here is the Amber Tavern, the local pub. It’s very popular with some types…
You mean… like the “type” that frequents the Athlum pub?
Oh, I don’t mean how you think – apparently the beautiful barkeep is the Amber’s big draw.

The guild of the Golden Chalice is the building with the blue door on the left.




You here from Athlum?
Uh, sorta.
Ahh… how ya like seeing a real city? Celapaleis ain’t anything like your backwater hole. At least you make a good guard dog, haw haw! ‘S thanks to Athlum that those Ghor scumbags don’t try anything. Or at least, if they did, they’d have to go through you first, haw haw!
I don’t like you.
Heh, well, keep up the good work, Athlum schmucks!

Note another guild seal there. It’s locked as well.

Legend Loving Child: A long long time ago here in Celapaleis, there was a really pretty stone. It was so pretty that people were totally mesmerized by it… enough to do evil things. Pretty soon the town was in trouble. But one day a traveler came through town, and saw the stone, and bound it. From then on, it didn’t do anything else bad, and everyone was happy.
Huh?
Legend Loving Child: Whaaat, you still don’t know what I’m talking about? It’s the story of the Umbermarici! Man, you’re stupid! Everybody here knows that!

His Highness, Lord Qubine may look young, but he is quite adept at mystic arts. I have heard there are rabble-rousers within the Ghor castle guard who are so afraid of his strength that they spread rumors about it… Outlandish claims like Lord Qubine is an alien or some Academy-produced magickal boy or something… Ridiculous. Of course, what else could be expected to come from a town like that? Those uncouth boors are lucky to be able to string two sentences together… It’s certainly not worth worrying about what they think.




Ah, so you’re looking to pick up some Guild Tasks, too?
Well, maybe, it depends…
Eh – you don’t think you can do ‘em? Don’t worry. I’ll take you under my wing. If it looks like it’ll go well, then own it! If the going gets tough – run away! That is some number-one top strategery right there, so don’t you forget it!

There’s no way to run from battles. The closest the game comes is Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R, which resets the game and kicks you back to the main menu. It’s actually a handy time-saver if you realize that the battle is hopeless.

Different towns attract different types of adventurers to their guild. If you aren’t finding the type you’re looking for here, try checking a different town. Once you visit a few other guilds, you’ll understand.

The quests are still the same here, but each place has its own unique recruits. But there are no unique leaders here yet, so who cares. To the tavern!


Music: A Friendly Ear





Barkeep’s Admirer: Even if they were, my lovely tavernkeep, you have no need to worry! I would protect you with my life!

Gossipy Girl: Some weird… thing’s been lurking around Celapaleis, giving people the willies. That’s the latest scoop, anyway!
Bartendress: Ah – I’ve seen it! Ugh, it was terrible…
Gossipy Girl: It was cute!

Rush So, speaking of strange creatures, I was wondering -
Bartendress: Some strange animal or something has been seen around the stores on Grants Way. Ooh, if something like that were to come here, I don’t know what I’d do…

(It might not be a bad idea to try and find someone important here who could help me find Irina.)
Do you know about the important people in this city?
Aristocratic Man: You wish to know the powerful families in Celapaleis? Hmm… The House of Nielsen, the House of Zita… Those two and the House of Gilles-Barre are the most well-known, I believe. However, since rule of Celapaleis passed to Lord Qubine, the Gilles-Barres have fallen into a deep decline. Their patriarch, Count Givern, passed away some years ago… It’s said that was the reason for the House’s fall. Conversely, the Nielsens have risen in standing, especially after Count Gievern’s daughter was married into the family.
Sounds complicated.
Aristocratic Man: Well. Even the high-born have drama, hmm?




Sweet-Scented Maiden: Fallen in love, of course!
With who?
Sweet-Scented Maiden: With one of the Celapaleian guards… He’s beautiful, his eyes sparkle like the Umbermarici… I can’t really see under his helmet, but I just know it! But for now, it’s just a one-sided love… I’m so worked up I feel like I could burst! *sigh*

This girl, found on the second floor of the Amber Tavern, will eventually serve as a good example of why you should talk to NPC’s. But that’s a long way off.


Waitress: Did you see the kind of, er, rough yama sitting by himself downstairs? He’s one of our regulars, but unlike a lot of the people here, he’s traveled all over and knows a lot. If you have any questions about other parts of the world, try screwing up your courage and asking him, okay? I know he looks scary, but he’s really a sweet guy.

(Maybe I should head for Elysion to look for Mom and Dad.)
What do you know about Elysion?
The Lords hold a meeting of the Congress every couple years at the sacred city of Elysion – you know, at the center of the continent. But from here, it’s a long hard journey. If you’re planning on heading to Elysion, make sure you’re stocked for a long trip.




I was going to practice on my gear, but since I know it’s mine, I can’t get into it. Will you help me out?
Okay…
Light metal is a good component to hone my customization skills with. I gotta open shop soon, but would you mind fetching me some?
Uh… any idea where I should look?
Harvesting points…




Got it? Good! Oh, one more thing. You obviously have harvesting tools, right?
Errr…
…Right?
Well…
What? You don’t? Now that’s a problem.
Couldn’t I just borrow some?
I have some, but they’re a family heirloom and priceless… Sorry.




Hey! You again!?



*excited noise*
Hmmm, interested in harvesting points, huh? Raring to go, huh?




I think I’m allergic.
*sad noise*
I said, “He wants to go too, it seems.”
*sigh* Well, if he REALLY wants to…
See you soon!

Accepted quest: Mr. Diggs






The customization guy in Celapaleis wants me to get him some ore while I carry around this ugly little creature.

Monster drops aren’t the only way to get components for weapon upgrades. You can harvest things in dungeons as well, and you use Mr. Diggs to do that. This is a special version of Gaslin with just the one digging point, usually dungeons have a lot of these.




In a fresh game you start out with 5 digs per dungeon, but can find upgrades through the course of the game, and those carry over, so I have 20 to start out with. I also inherited the upgrades that increase the chances for finding additional and better items. This combined will make searching for components a lot easier than in the first playthrough.

And this is a harvesting point. Each one gives us different chances to get specific items. If you’re looking for a specific component, you should use the wiki to search for that component. It will tell you where it can be found, and those pages will tell you which points have the best chances of producing the item.






This tutorial one is scripted to give us light metal only. In the actual dungeon there are other things it can produce, and other points are available. After we get it, we immediately are transported back to the pub.




(Reward: 1000 G)
I’ll meet you back at my customization shop on Grants Way. I’ll be waiting! Oh, and in case you didn’t know, there are harvesting points everywhere. You should keep an eye out for them.

Completed Quest: Mr. Diggs
Mr. Diggs Status has been added to the Party Menu.

Found some ore! Made the customization guy real happy. The ugly little creature likes me and decided to stay with me and help me out.




Mr. Diggs has three stats, Power, Technique, and Instinct. There are different types of harvesting point, each of which increases a different stat. This is another case of overdesigning, because it really doesn’t matter at all.That’s pretty unimportant though, especially on NG+, where you carry over all the upgrades, which are maxed out in my case.




So, what the hell are all these components we’re lugging around actually GOOD for? Now that the customization shops are open, let’s find out.

They’re to both strengthen your equipment, and to create completely brand new stuff. Let us strengthen Rush’s Katanas. (This is an extremely good idea to do before the next main plot stuff, by the way.)

Any craftsman can do any upgrade and create any item, the town doesn’t matter.




Increasing to a Battle Katana will up the weapon’s strength and mystic strength by 8 and Physical defense by 3. The Daimyo Katana will let us skip to the fourth upgrade immediately, at the cost of more G and rarer components used.

I have two Katanas, so I’ll need twice the components, so 4 Copper Ore, 8 Fly Needles, and 14 Mystic Fiend Furs. Darn, I don’t have enough.

…

Okay yes, technically, I have enough, but even though it’s NG+, I’m playing this fairly close to a fresh game, which means I am keeping track of the components I need to do an upgrade, and won’t be upgrading until I gather enough on this playthrough. I need to go harvest 4 Copper Ores. But first, it’s time to create an item. I have just the thing in mind, too…




Ragna-rock

Stone that prophesizes the end of the world.

• Unknown Bonus (Read as: Bonus damage to enemy type "Unknown")
  
• Immunity: Enthrall
  
• Unique Arts + 5
  
• Growth Boost: All Arts +2
  
• Growth Boost: All Skills +2
  
• Growth Boot: Equipment + 2
  

Oh yesssssssss ha ha ha ha hahahahahahaha

If the 888,888 G price tag and long list of effects didn’t clue you in, this is a top-of-the-line item. It boosts the rate at which my Arts improve (which is not the same thing as the individual skills in the art. Don’t ask me, I don’t get it either), the rate my skills improve, it grants me immunity to the very nasty Enthrall (Charm) effect, and I get a 30% damage boost against certain specific enemies (the clue is in the description). The Growth Boost: Equipment effect is bugged and doesn’t work, but the rest is more than good enough to have this little charm on all game long.

… what, I said that I wouldn’t cheat TOO MUCH. I never said I wouldn’t cheat at all. Anyway, to become a Ranger, I have to learn at least one new Mystic skill. So let’s go try it out by fighting in Dillmoor.




Music: Rolling Hills, Sprawling Plains





That’ll do. Rush got a Mystic Chance in the battle, and he has qualified for enough Psionics XP to learn two skills. However, when Rush has multiple possible mystic skills to learn, he can only pick one. The other one isn’t gone, it’ll just have to wait for the next time he gets a Mystic Chance. I grabbed Confuse, because Paralyze seals enemy Combat Arts, and that is better than Enrage, which lowers the enemy Defense (good), but increases their Strength (bad).

With that done, I’ll be avoiding any further battles in this area. That battle took me up to BR 4, the next dungeon is quite doable at that level, and while I’m not doing a low BR run, I still want to avoid unnecessary battles.




Instead, we can talk about harvesting.


When Mr. Diggs goes into Overdrive, he’ll harvest extra times, in this case 5 extra times. It’s usually only in the low single digits, but if you get lucky, he can hit the teens or even higher.




Randomly found (in specific locations) in dungeons are these sparkling red/orange Excavation Points. These are one-time harvests for that instance of the dungeon, but can reappear if you re-enter . They contain either recipes, money, or components. This one just had a Herb component and a smidgen of G.




Alert! Rush is sprayed with a strange liquid. The stench wards off even monsters.

Some points have a chance for extra effects – some good, some bad. This one grants Rush the Terrify aura for a few minutes, which means monsters will avoid attacking him. The effect is the same for the same point each time. The possible effects are:





This is obviously a rare, but really good effect, letting you harvest longer. I now only need one more Copper Ore, but why waste good Digs? I harvested this point repeatedly (and got a second replenishment along the way) until I got down to one Dig left, which I’m saving for something…




Obtained Gaster Morsel! …or so you thought – Mr. Diggs ate it!
The (maximum) Digs count has been increased by 1! The Digs Count has been restored to Max!

This is a very special Excavation Point… Morsel excavations appear always in specific spots of certain dungeons - until you harvest them, after which they are gone for good (until NG+). There are a lot of the Morsels in the game. I got 15 of 16 in my first playthrough (no I don’t know which one I missed). Digs count maxes out at 99 if you’re willing to replay the game 5 times, but 20 should be more than enough for my purposes.

If you know where the Morsels are (or save often), you can use this to your advantage by using up all but one Digs, then getting this to fill back up and keep harvesting.




This treasure chest is hiding behind the Rubber Soul. The necklace I think just has a bonus to some resistances on it. Now back to Celapaleis to upgrade my weapons.






Look at all that Copper Ore, and that’s just from that one dungeon. I didn’t even use up all the extra digs from the morsel. Dig sites which replenish your digs are pretty good. Needless to say, getting money in this game is not hard, as much as you want is free for the taking if you want to put the time into harvesting and selling components.






You there, you aren’t Rush Sykes, are you?



I wonder who gave that description to the soldiers?

You’re mistaken, old man.
*snort* Playing dumb won’t get you anywhere – if you’re playing at all. Lord David put out a summons… he said he needed to speak with you about something. Hurry to the castle.

When David wants to find someone, he doesn’t kid around. There’s a soldier in every town location and tavern. We’re done fooling anyway, let’s go.




- Video: “Request” from Celapaleis


… That is all, Lord David. I pray for your success.
…




You’re here!

Music: The Young Marquis





Who was that?
Uh… *ahem* Yes... a messenger from Celapaleis, sent by the Duke of Qubine. He wanted to warn us of some unidentified troops invading Blackdale.
He believes they’re troops from the Duke of Ghor. We are to look into it immediately.
But I thought Blackdale belonged to Athlum. Why’s this guy butting into your business?




*sigh* It was merely a request, not an order. And although we are allies, Athlum is actually under the control of Celapaleis. We have little say.

For once, Torgal’s irritation is directed elsewhere.

If you look at the flags, Athlum’s official colours are red and black. Now, scroll up, and compare the Celapaleis emblem on the soldier’s backs to Lord David’s outfit.




Huh… so what do you need me for?
You will be joining us in our investigation.
Why’s that?
Pagus?




Yes… *a-ahem*. According to the report, the troops from Ghor that have entered Blackdale were led by a mage dressed in white. Not only that, but they were accompanied by a flying Remnant.
That sounds like someone we know. Like those guys we saw at Dillmoor.

Rush sounds surprisingly calm here.




*nods* We must make haste. Prepare for departure at once.
Wait, you’re going? Aren’t you too important for this?
I was requested to go as well. And if nothing else, it should satisfy my curiosity.
…
We are leaving for Blackdale immediately! Is that clear?
Yes, my Lord!

Music: City of Heroes







Thanks, Dave!

David and Torgal’s squads have joined the party.

There is no armor rating in the game, so the jacket doesn’t do anything except make Rush LOOK more like he belongs on a battlefield. Speaking of battlefields, we’re about to see our first real one. Dave will be our last mandatory party member for a while, so let’s look at his profile



David Nassau


The ruler of Athlum. Cool-headed and poised. Controls the Remnant Gae Bolg.

Class: Mysticknight
Initial BR: 7
HP: (400)
Str / Int: (26 / 24)

Current Arts

• One-Handed: (Knee Splitter)
  
• Invocations: (Spark)
  
• Herbs: (Restorative Herb)
  
• Unique: (Ex Machina)
  
• Conjurations: (Gae Bolg)

Future Arts

• Remedies @ BR 34
  
• Shards @ BR 50
  
• Arcana: Blackout, Crimson Flare

Comments
Dave is a Mysticknight, a fighter-mage hybrid. That means you can build him in either direction. He has both Herbs and Remedies. Both are good, but herbs mostly for the easy revivication option, and you’ll want to use Remedies for the healing. The problem is that mixing combat arts and mystic arts muddies the battle commands somewhat, and slows progression of both arts and stats, so you’ll probably have to turn off the side he won’t use. There’s little risk of him becoming a Scout, especially on the Mystic path, so Herbs are safe.

Dave's special arts are pretty good though: Ex Machina does heavy damage to a single target (which should also kill the entire union), but it requires high union morale, and David’s Division can’t be in Deadlock. Gae Bolg is just as impressive in gameplay as in the cutscenes. It’ll wipe out an entire screen of enemies at once. The trick is that you can only use it if 3+ unions are on the field, David’s Division is not in deadlock, and has enough AP to cast it. Once you know that trick, you can fairly reliably trigger it at will in certain story battles. He can learn a couple Arcanas if you send him down the mystic path, or a Weapon art if you send him down the combat path AND fully upgrade his weapon.

Tags: Combat, Healer, Mystic, Unique Arts, Shards, Arcana



New Arts Summary

learned Bluff II !



Video: Celapaleis Flyover
Video: They call him MISTER Diggs.
Video: “Request” from Celapaleis


Now it is time for the official vote on party configuration for the next little while. See the next post for details.

Next Time: I shan’t dare do anything to put you out.