Part 7: A nefarious mushroom plan!
So, uh, Thursday's totally the weekend, right? I mean, it's Friday somewhere, and Friday is kinda the weekend. Wrong weekend maybe, but still.
Welcome back. Last time, we took care of some business on the farm, which went pretty good. Then we died, which was less good. But hey, it’s a learning experience!
This time, we can use our super secret special weapon.
Moving.
Who’s dead this time, asshole
And with that, we live another day. Another day of exploring!
Another day of treasure hunting!
Uhh....
Uhhhhh....
Fuck. Not again.
Alright, so here’s the deal with these chests. While the majority of random encounters are fairly simple, pretty much every area has optional chests with tougher than average fights but better than average rewards. It’s actually something I enjoy a lot! A problem a lot of JRPGs have is trying to strike a balance between engaging fights and brisk pacing. If every random fight is tough, then it’s easy for a game to become somewhat of a slog. This way, you some of the challenge without the slog, and you even get neat rewards for overcoming the challenge. Furthermore, unlike a lot of optional, more difficult content in games, you don’t need to actively go out of your way for this.
Anyway, I’m lazy and still haven’t upgraded any of our gear, so we don’t really have a chance of winning yet. Soon, monster chest. Soon.
Let’s go back to Rolent for now, I suppose.
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One of these days, I’m going to wait around in a bar and just narrate the history of our world.
And that’s why I never go home with anybody. Turns out WWII isn’t a good icebreaker.
Paddington: And in an effort to convince us to surrender, they bombarded the clock tower...
...Paddington: I...I apologize for making you recall those painful memories...
No, it's all right, really...
...?
Damn straight.
Rinon: I've been kind of sad you haven't been by to buy junk food lately.
Hmm, now that you mention it, she had been disappearing pretty often on the way home from training...
H-hey! There's nothing wrong with that... Eating cookies and snacks is the right of any girl my age.Rinon: Ha ha, stop by again when you've got a day off. I'll look into those sneakers you like so much.
I think we’ve sufficiently bothered the townspeople, let’s go get our reward.
Um...we hit a few bumps in the road, but...
Let me give you a brief report of the details.Joshua gives Aina a rundown of last night's events at the farm.
Note that we got two extra BP for the mission. We got this because we snuck up on the Crop Munchers when we were hunting them. If they’d seen us coming, they would have ran, and we would have needed to chase them down again. If you’re wondering why I didn’t say this last update, it’s because I had no idea, and only did so by chance. Whoops!
Received [Information] quartz as a perk.
Information lets us see detailed information about enemies. Since we can already see a lot of information, information actually gives us some detailed information about enemy moves and behaviours. If Gamefaqs weren’t a thing it would be useful, but as it stands, you might as well equip literally anything else.
I see. So, you ended up setting the monsters free because the Perzel family requested you to do so? I think it was premature on their part, but I won't pursue the matter any further.
Is it okay to leave things at that? The mission of a bracer is to protect civilians and uphold justice... However, there are many ways we can protect those around us, and there are as many forms of justice as there are stars in the heavens. As a bracer, it is your job to be able to discern these things.
Indeed. Our work has very profound implications if you think about it in that way.
That's because we aren't an organization that deals strictly with monster problems, we also intervene when disputes arise between nations. To become a high-ranking bracer, one must have more than combat strength. A well-honed mind and flexible problem-solving skills are also required.Welp, we’re boned. Might as well give up now.
A sharp mind and problem-solving ability, huh?
Serious? The road to the big leagues sounds a lot steeper than I originally thought.
Ha ha. Well, then your only choice is to devote yourself to working hard every day. And since you're both here, why don't I give you the details of your next job?
Those are the words I've been waiting to hear! I'm ready for anything so what've you got lined up for us this time? Another monster that needs a good whipping? Not this time. This next job will entail the transportation of goods. Smuggling?
And get this, your client is none other than Mayor Klaus, himself.Probably not smuggling.
Really? A request from the mayor? Do you think it'll be all right leaving such an important task up to us? From what I've heard, it's a pretty simple job. In any case, I'd like you to speak with the mayor directly about the job details.
Now that we’ve gotten past the farm, things finally start opening up a little. We’ve got a bevy of new sidequests available to us, which are almost certainly more important than a direct request from the mayor. I mean, this guy’s looking for a Mushroom! Now that’s serious.
If we’re going hunting for mushrooms, we’ll need money
On our way to get mushrooms, Alan is still creepy.
Alan: Speaking of the Royal City, Queen Alicia’s granddaughter, Princess Klaudia, lives there. Rumor has it that she’s quite the eye-catcher, but how about it in reality?
Orvid: If they don't hurry and get here, I'm going to miss my flight. I should have expected as much from a rural backwater burg like this...
Orvid: Well, I'll be. That's the bracer emblem if I'm not mistaken. I've been waiting for you to show up. I have an urgent job, so do you have some time to hear my request.
Uh, sure. We've got some time.Orvid: Great. This really helps me out a lot. All right, let me give you a rundown and explain the details of the job. Let me formally introduce myself. I am Orvid, representative for Orvid Co., Ltd.
Never heard of it. Guess you’re not that important
I'm Estelle and this is... Joshua. It's nice to meet you.Orvid: Estelle and Joshua, is it? The two of you are quite young if I do say so myself.
Hee hee. We're actually pretty new to this whole bracer thing.Orvid: Greenhorns...? ...Oh well, I guess you'll have to do.
I don’t like this dude.
Pardon?Orvid: *cough* ...Never mind, I was just talking to myself. All right, let's get down to business. Please excuse my lack of decorum, but I'm in a bit of a hurry.
Sure.Orvid: At the moment, I'm looking for a rare mushroom called the [Firefly Fungus]. It is said that it only grows in soil rich with septium. There are records of it being picked here in Rolent, but no shops seem to carry it. However, it is of vital necessity that I get my hands on one, so I put in a request at the guild.
Soil rich with septium...hmm... I can only think of the Malga Trail as a possible location. Do you know any other characteristics of these mushrooms?Orvid: It seems that it normally grows in areas with patches of grass. However, since it is buried in the dirt, if you don't look closely, you won't find it.
Jeez, this one sounds like it's going to be a pain...Orvid: But, once you dig one up, you'll know if it's a Firefly Fungus or not. For one thing, it glows with a light green color.
So that's why it's called a [Firefly Fungus]? Well, that makes sense.Orvid: All right, have I explained things clearly enough?
So basically all we need to do is find a glowing mushroom in a patch of grass along the Malga Trail, right? Looks that way to me. Well, if they're really growing in the ground, we probably won't be able to find one so easily.Orvid: If you run into any trouble, come back and speak with me again. I ask that you find one as soon as possible.
Alright, let’s go.
Remember where we got the White Bracelet way back when? Probably not, but either way, it’s your goal. If we examine the nearby patch of grass...
Yeah, finding this would be tedious as hell without a guide. For the most part, the sidequests are transparent enough, but every once in awhile you get something like this.
What's with the sudden outburst?
I've found it! 
Now to claim our prize!Found Firefly Fungus
Isn't that...?
You think so, too? The place it's growing seems about right, and it's got that soft green glow. This has got to be that Firefly Fungus that what's-his-face was talking about!
You mean, Orvid, right?Whatever, he’s no fun, he doesn’t deserve a name.
Yeah, that's who I meant. It doesn't look all that tasty, but it sure is pretty for a mushroom. Almost like the glow of septium, if you ask me. ...Septium?
What's up, Joshua? I may be worrying too much, but I think you'd better put that mushroom in your bag quickly, Estelle.Oh crap, the cops!
...What the--?!
That can’t be good. I mean, they’re weak as hell, so it’s not bad. But it’s hardly good either.
Actually beating monsters is kinda fun. So maybe it is good!
Just like I figured. This mushroom attracts...?!
Let’s get ready to rumble!
We rumble pretty good. Also, note that Estelle has done the impossible, and now has 200 CP, even though an S-Craft only takes 100.
If you use an S-Craft with 200CP, you get an upgraded form of the same Craft. In most cases, you just get a damage boost, but some characters get more creative bonuses.
Also, using an S-Craft always uses all of your CP, but you only get any extra bonuses for having exactly 200CP.
Did you put that thing away? Yep. It’s all taken care of. The light emitted by raw septium has the power to attract monsters.. This mushroom also seems to have the same effect. That sneaky merchant! He never mentioned a single thing about this! Anyway, let's hurry back to town.
Right! Just wait 'til I get my hands on you, you conniving merchant!And now we get to assault a merchant! Being a bracer is fun!
Lemme at ‘em!
Yep. We found it all right.Orvid: Oh, wonderful!
But it might be different than the one we heard about from you. You see, this mushroom attracts monsters...Orvid: Uh, well...it's like this...
Scoundrel!
So even though you knew the risk, you hired us for the job, Orvid?
Orvid: And besides, a bracer's job is to deal with danger, right?!
Never mind us, the big question here is your motive. What do you intend to use this mushroom for? Yeah, this thing could be a weapon. Fess up! You had some big, nefarious plan in mind, right?! A nefarious mushroom plan!Truly the most nefarious of plans.
Orvid: Er...what? Isn't it obvious what I'm going to use it for? For cooking of course.
Wh-what?! Cooking...? Are you trying to tell me that people actually eat this thing?Orvid: This is why it's such a pain to deal with country bumpkins. In the hands of a skilled chef, the more distinct the ingredient, the more profound the taste. And from that perspective, the Firefly Fungus is the king of them all. This is, no doubt, the ultimate ingredient!
Orvid: Hmph! That's the talk of one unacquainted with a true delicacy. But then again, commoners such as yourselves would never have an opportunity to try such dishes.
This just in. This dude still sucks.
And praise be to heaven for that... I'd never want to gnaw on a ratty green mushroom like that. (Agreed. It looks pretty nasty...)Orvid: Anyway, I have other business preparations to make. Now if you don't mind, I'd ask that you hand over the mushroom and leave.
Yeah, please take it.Handed over Firefly Fungus.
Orvid: On behalf of this mushroom, I shall turn a blind eye to your ignorance. And as promised, I will pay you, so be grateful to your client.
Nobody's going to buy that mushroom, I hope you know. Come on, Joshua! Let's go! Please excuse us. We will be going now.Orvid: Yes, please do.
Well, we didn’t get to assault him, but maybe we’ll get to assault some people via mushroom proxy?
Nah, it’s just not the same.
Our next mission is simple. We already have a Monster Wing (it’s a random drop from some of the monsters on the northern road), but since we’ve never been to the Mistwald we don’t have any Bear Claws.
rrarh
The southern road has a new enemy. They’re pretty straightforward, but stronger than anything else we’ve seen.
And finally we make it to the Mistwald. If we were smarter, handsomer bracers we’d turn around now, we’re short a party member and some levels.
Instead, we just weave our way through certain death, and get to pillaging.
Don’t you judge me chest. You’re just a chest. You don’t know who I am or where I’ve been.
Heading back to the church...
Father Divine: You seem to be in a cheerful mood as usual.
Tee hee. Here you are. These are for you, Father Divine.Handed over Bear Claw
Handed over Monster Wing.
Father Divine: This is...?!
The Bear Claw and Monster Wing you were looking for. Please use them as medicinal ingredients. You requested these at the guild, right?Father Divine: That's right. I did put in a request. I'm just surprised that you went to all the trouble to do this for me. Weren't you hurt trying to gather these?
Nope, we were totally fine.♪ ...I mean...we were fine...well, maybe minus the [totally] part...heh heh heh...We did die a couple of times, but it worked out fine.
Father Divine: ...I'm worried about your attitude, Estelle.
So is everyone, ever, it seems.
Eh...?! Why? There's nothing to be worried about.Father Divine: I know I've told you this before. It's certainly a joyous occasion when everything goes well... However, it is at these times when we should gird up our loins for the trials that lie ahead.
O-kay. I'll be more careful from now on.Father Divine: Hmm...since I seem to have a bit of spare time... How about I take this opportunity to give you a special sermon...?
Man, you try and do a good thing, and this is your reward.
(NOOOOO, anything but that...) I-I'm sorry, Father, but we've really got to get going. We've actually got an urgent mission that needs our attention. You've still got work left to do, right, Joshua? (Why do you have to bring me into this...?) Please excuse us, Father, but we have to get back to the guild...Father Divine: That's too bad. However, since it has to do with your job I must respect your position. Thank you for all your hard work, Estelle and Joshua. I pray that the Goddess will always be with you.
Whew, dodged that bullet.
Here’s a fun question: What would be worse? The soldiers completely wiping the floor with us, or the soldiers NOT completely wiping the floor with us. We’re only 16.
Since we’re pretty much hopping back and forth between locations, I’ve been omitting music, since I don’t think you really want to hear the first 5 seconds of a song. This one’s new though, so it stays in.
Nice place. Sadly, the camera in the game makes it really hard to show off the various areas, it’s zoomed in so close you can’t really see more than one part of it at time.
Hello, Sergeant Ashton. It's been awhile since we last met.Sergeant Ashton: Yes it has. So I've heard my boy, Luke, caused you a lot of trouble, did he?
I like little world building touches like this. It makes the setting come across as more real.
Sergeant Ashton: I'm absolutely ashamed as a father.
I'm sure it's perfectly normal for a boy his age to be naughty like that. I mean, even I ran around outside of town when I was young. Yeah, and you're supposed to be a girl...
Sergeant Ashton: Ha ha, you're certainly full of energy as usual. I'd love to get you to share some of that vigor with my new recruits. I've been thinking recently about doing a simulated battle to whip my men into shape. So I put in a request at the guild for a few good men (or women) to play the part of enemy soldiers. I think the pair of you would be the perfect fit for the job, so how about it? Can you do this for me?
Sure, we'll do it. We'll gladly accept.Sergeant Aston: Thanks. I really appreciate this. Go ahead and take a break until the preparations are ready. If I don't have you in tip-top condition then there's no point in doing the training.
Heh heh, then I'm ready for an afternoon nap. All right then, we'll get ourselves ready.Sergeant Ashton: Sure, please do what you need to.
Private Scott: I know I was bored before, but...
Private Harold: I-I know it's just training and all, but it still scares the living daylights out of me...
Seriously? You have guns. We have 2 years to go until adulthood. Because we’re sixteen. This nation is basically fucked, isn’t it?
Sergeant Ashton: This is a training exercise, so please refrain from speaking! You all need to take this seriously as if this were a real battle! Estelle and Joshua, you don't need to hold back on my men.
That was my intention from the beginning. We'll do as you request.Private Harold: Yikes!
Sergeant Ashton: Forward!
Hey, they even set up a light show for the fight. Ritzy!
Illuminated violence is the best kind of violence.
Off to a great start.
The soldiers are basically as tough as you’d expect. They can shiv you with their bayonets, but, unlike most shivs, it doesn’t do much damage.
They can also hit you with some kinda murder paintball, doing only slightly less damage than a shiv.
If you’re having trouble with the fight, you could just cheese it with your S-Crafts, but even then, you probably shouldn’t have too. Admittedly, I still started with enough CP I could have Joshua use Dual Strike every turn, which vastly increases your damage output.
Winning the fight nets you extra BP for the mission.
Sergeant Ashton: This training is over.
Private Scott: Owowowow...
Private Ashton: Oh my goodness. It's finally over...
Good job, everyone. Can I say pathetic? Are you guys really supposed to be soldiers?Apparently the answer to “How are Estelle and Joshua the youngest bracers ever?” is people are super incompetent in this world. I’m looking forward to killing the final boss when he trips onto his overly long sword.
Private Scott: H-hey! You be quiet! We're not all feral kids like you!
How about you try and say that one more time?!Sergeant Ashton: Knock it off, Scott. Training is over!
You seriously need to cool down too, Estelle. I hate sore losers.Sergeant Ashton: Private Scott, Private Harold... I think what Estelle said just a moment ago is how the citizens of this region really feel. Do you really have what it takes to protect them...? It seems as though the both of you need to take another look in the mirror.
Ashton’s alright though.
Private Scott: ...
Private Harold: ...Y-yes, sergeant!
Sergeant Ashton: Very good. Do not forget what you learned today and strive to fulfill your duties.
Sergeant Ashton: Estelle and Joshua. Thanks for your hard work today. Thanks to you, I think my soldiers have gotten the wake up call they needed.
There's no need to thank us. It's us who should be thanking you. This was excellent training. I agree. This was a good learning experience.We learned that this nation is on the brink of being conquered by a particularly gentle breeze.
Sergeant Ashton: Ha ha, if you think so then you're set for life as bracers. Though our positions may be different, we are both here to serve the public. Although I can't do much else, I'll pray for success for the both of you.
Sure. And thanks again. Take care of yourself.Sergeant Ashton: I will. And I hope to be seeing you again, sometime.
Heading back to town, we’ve got one more sidequest to take care of. This time though, let’s hear it from the man himself, instead of our notebook.
Freddy: I've been hearing a lot about your hard work recently.
Yeah, that's because we're still new at this, so we have to work extra hard.Freddy: That's encouraging to hear. You guys actually came at a good time. I've got an urgent job that needs to be taken care of. Do you think that you'd be up to the task of replacing an Orbment Light in a road lamp along the Milch Main Road?
You just leave it to us. If you're fine with us doing the job, then we'll gladly accept.Freddy: Thanks, I really appreciate this. I completely forgot it needed to be replaced today. First off, I'll need to give you the important items.
Received Orbment Light
This is the replacement orbment?Freddy: That's right. I want you to replace the Orbment Light in road lamp no. 6 on the Milch Main Road to the west. It's the 6th road lamp that you'll come across counting from Rolent's west entrance. Make sure you get the right one.
I think I've got it. The 6th road lamp from Rolent's west entrance, right?Freddy: Once you've found the road lamp, you'll need to open the maintenance panel. You'll need a 6-digit combination to open it.
Are you serious?Freddy: Yep. The combination for the 6th road lamp is 544818.
I'm sorry, but could you repeat that again...? It's 544818.Show-off.
Freddy: That's right. Good memory, Joshua.
Show-off...I actually had forgotten Estelle said this when I made my comment. I’d say great minds think alike, but I don’t think Estelle’s a great mind.
Oh god, I’m stupid, aren’t I.
Freddy: After the combination is entered the panel will open. And after that, all that's left is to replace the orbment. It may seem like a simple task, but make sure not to mess it up. The road lamp may have been out of order for a while now.
I see. The light of the orbments keep the large monsters away, right?There’s actually an in-game explanation for why monsters generally stay off the road, which is kinda neat.
The exception, for the most part, are bounties available from the guild. So you’re basically being hired to keep the roads safe from monsters that aren’t deterred by the lamps, which is also kinda neat.
Freddy: It's not much more than an unconscious dislike for them. But if they do go out, then we run into real problems. Which is why I'm asking you to do this job, just in case. These road lamps are placed just off the roads in areas where monsters are most likely to appear.
Well, you just leave those monsters to me and I'll take care of them. But I'd better write down that combination before I forget... Then, maybe you should let me deal with the combination instead.Freddy: I'll leave it up to you two to divide up the work amongst yourselves. That should be everything you need to know, so good luck. If you need to double-check or cancel the job, then come and talk with me again.
It says [Road Lamp No. 6] on the panel, as well. You're right, it does. All-righty then. Let's get to work and finish this job.
...Unfortunately, it may not be that easy. What do you mean...?
It looks like the orbment really has burned out. Anyway, one of us will need to fend off these monsters while the other replaces the orbment. Yeah, you're right. Well then...
If Estelle fights the monsters, that’s that, but if Joshua fights the monsters, we need to get the combination right with Estelle. But, in exchange, we get extra BP. So have Josh take on the baddies.
How about you handle them, Joshua! Do you really know how to replace one of those things? Come on, Joshua. How hard could it be?Famous last words.
Even I can do something as simple as replacing an orbment.Followed by tempting fate.
Says the girl who glued her hand to her head once... But, all right. If you say so.
Wanna hear that story. I’m counting on you, Estelle! Got it!
Joshua does his thing. But can Estelle do hers?
How's it coming, Estelle? I'm entering the combination for the maintenance panel right now. Umm... I'm pretty sure the code was...
This can fuck you over pretty easily. Unless you write it down, or have a pretty solid memory, it’s easy to think you’ve got it memorized, then become unsure when you see a bunch of nearly identical numbers. Anyway, it’s the third option.
Okay, 544818... ...It's open! Sometimes, I'm too smart for my own good!Very, very, rarely.
I'm okay here, Estelle. So just focus on fixing the lamp. Got it! Now for the orbment...which goes in like that and...voila! Perfect! Good work, Estelle. All the monsters seem to have gone, too. Whew... I sure got all stressed out over this job. Considering the circumstances, it seemed pretty reasonable to me. But the thing that surprises me the most is that you remembered the combination. Do you want to know the truth? I actually just saw a jumble of numbers in my head, and the buttons I happened to press were the right ones. I should have figured as much. You're something else... A-anyway, our job is done here, so let's just think about something else. I guess you're right. All right, how about we head back to town? We'd better go report to Freddy. All right, let's go.With all our new found scratch, we can finally buy some new stuff. Time to say hello to some old friends...
So we meet again.
And so we part.
Before I use his S-Craft, I want to use Double Strike enough times to end up near 100CP, so that we don’t waste potential uses thereof.
Estelle dies, but we can take enough hits now that we’ve already done some decent damage to them beforehand.
A Revive Balm brings Estelle back to her feet, and Joshua gets lucky with Soul Blur and faints an enemy, preventing them from doing anything. Faint is a ridiculously useful status-effect, which is a part of the reason Time magic is so great.
The beginning is the hardest part of the fight. Once you’ve cleared out some of the enemies, they no longer have the offense to power through your defense and healing, so the momentum is on your side.
The Topaz Talisman makes a character’s attack and defense earth elemental. Their main use is pretty self-evident, although since not many bosses have large weaknesses, it’s normally better on bounties, which tend to mix things up more.
We beat you chest, deal with it
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Next time: Mystery is afoot!