Part 43: Sacrificial Altar

Last time, Siegfried and the Deus Ex Machina went down for the final time, ending his threat to Filgaia. With that over with, surely the dramatics are over and people can settle down for a period of peace?
Hahaha no.


Update 43: Suicide is Pointless

A new chapter brings a new intro movie. This time it shows the Schrodingers...



and the mystery girl who's been turning up in various weird places.



Here's the video. This time, I've used the English version of Advanced Wind that appears on the Japanese soundtrack.
Well, I should say Engrish version. It's quite different from the song in the English versions of the game.

VIDEO: Chapter 4 Intro



MUSIC: From Beyond

The morning after the party, Pearl awakes to find everyone's upset about something.

What's up?
We can't find Shane...
What!? Do you think he was kidnapped!?

Not likely...
How can you be so sure!? You know somethin' we don't?
The <<secret key>> passed down from priesthood is missing.
<<Secret key>>
Secret key...? How come I've never heard of that!?

Probably because you would have done something stupid and irresponsible wi... oh.
Never mind.

The secret key is an artifact a pillar uses when the time comes for him to perform his duty. This sacred key summons a powerful monster called a hydra to act as the pillar's guard. The hydra's role is to see to it that the pillar carries out his duty successfully, so it is quite formidable. This monster is also able to regenerate. I hear the only way to negate this ability is through the use of fire...

Hint hint hint

Where is this key used!? You should at least know that.
At the sanctuary to the north... known as the [Sacrificial Altar]...



You've gotta be kiddin' me! That's the place where the pillar sacrifices his life for the planet... Wh-What are you going to do, Granny!?
Nothing. This was Shane's decision. There isn't anything I can do about it...

What? Your grandson is about to go kill himself (for god knows what reason) and you don't even care?

Then I'm gonna drag Shane back whether he likes it or not! That's what I decided! So you can't do anything about it!!



The strong needs not valor...Only a relentless will that goes against fate... Perhaps it is not the pillar that supports Filgaia, but fellows such as them...

It's not you, Mrs "Welp my grandson wants to die so I'll let him."



It's out of the way, but before heading to the Sacrificial Altar I stopped by at the Secret Garden to pick up the harvest.
While I was there I managed to breed Full Carrots to 100%. One more part of this game broken. That just leaves Mega Berries, Holy Root and Tiny Flower to go.



The Sacrificial Altar is directly north of the Colony, in the center of some plains that are only accessible by air. How Shane got here is anyone's guess... I suppose the Hydra gave him a lift?



MUSIC: Wings Ensnared with Rusted Chains

This sensation... Could it be a guardian?
No... It is similar, but much more powerful and fierce... Almost as if it is billowing...
This is Filgaia itself... Shane is trying to awaken it! Let's hurry!



Shane's picked a pretty murky and dark temple.



The first barrier in our way is this huge pit. There are pillars up the middle though, and if we move some blocks into position...



We can galecrest across.



There's a sealed door in the next room that leads to this treasure room. Inside: a Mini Carrot and a Growth Egg.



These rooms contain four doors, four pairs of torches, (which start off lit) and the following clue:

The phoenix's wings act as your guide. Extinguish all the flames and let them be. The flames will eventually lead you.

Extinguishing the torches and waiting for about ten seconds causes one pair to relight - this marks the door to head through.

After passing through a few of these rooms, we finally catch up with Shane.



MUSIC: The Barriers Blocking Your Way

Shane!

B-Brother... What are you doing here...?
You're coming home with me!
W-What are you saying, Brother? Can't you see I'm here trying to obtain the power to fight...?

You want the power to fight? Just ask for a medium or something! I mean, nobody's really using Lucky Hand or anything...

Why!?
To carry out... my duties as a pillar... And... to obtain the power to fight alongside you... If I have that power... then I can travel with all of you, right?
Stop talkin' nonsense! You're...



You don't understand me at all, Brother! Why must you always treat me like a child!? You... You need me when you fight for the world... No, actually, you need me by your side all the time! So please don't meddle in my affairs, Brother... Just a little longer, and I will gain great power... Please do not disturb me! I ask for your patience.

You understand that you're in a place where you're going to need to sacrifice yourself, right?



Well, so that he has time to get power so he can help his brother fight, Shane summons a deadly monster and makes his brother fight it.

Wait a...

BOSS BATTLE: HYDRA



MUSIC: Blood, Tears, and the Dried-Up Wasteland

I'm going to look stupid saying this after complaining in my last few posts that the game is too easy, but the bosses in this update took me by surprise. I suppose Siegfried lulled me into a false sense of security. The Hydra has two attacks and a heal.



Hydra Combination is its physical attack - the damage isn't great, but it also poisons.
Maelstrom is its magical attack - it hits everyone for some nasty water damage - Pearl took 936 at one point. I confess I actually got careless and let Pearl die because I underestimated this attack (it's a generic arcana used by many enemies) and wasn't watching HP.



It can also heal itself. While the number in that shot may not look impressive, at the start of battle it can actually heal itself for all its health.
Its healing power is degraded the more you cast fire-elemental arcana on it though, so after a few castings it'll be less impressive, and you can get it down to 0 with enough casts.
It's not actually weak to Fire though - its weakness is to Ice. Once its healing is under control, exploiting that can bring it to a quick end.

Shane is long gone by that time though.



Bombing this crack in the wall opens the way to a treasure room with a Potion Berry, a Lucky Card and a Talisman guarded by four Imitators.
The Talisman gives the Resurrection PS, which grants up to a 12.5% chance of automatically reviving when killed. It's four levels and four points per level though, so I wouldn't say it's worth it.
The description suggests it is an additional chance to revive, which suggests characters always have a slim chance to revive, but I have NEVER witnessed that so until I hear otherwise it's a dirty lie.



A couple of rooms later, we come to this apparent dead-end.

The white breath shall vanquish the darkness, and expose the path.



Sweeping the Freezer Doll's spray across the pit reveals the path, but it fades away after a few seconds.



We have to carefully walk around, using the freezer doll to map out the next few platforms.
I like this room. It's not like its brother in the final dungeon, which is a horrible room... but I guess I'll get to that piece of hell when I get there.



MUSIC: The Barriers Blocking Your Way

Why...? Why must you interfere? All I want is to help you, Brother! With the pillar as my fate, I must devote my life to Filgaia... Ughhh... Ahhhhhhh... Am I a burden to you, Brother? Am I an unworthy brother to you? You don't need me? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

BOSS BATTLE: SALAMANDRA



Shane has summoned a palette-swap! Another boss that took me by surprise, too.



Its most important ability is Flaming Zone, which boosts Fire damage while reducing Ice damage. All its damage is fire and its weakness is Ice, so that's inconvenient.
But still, the Ice weakness is still worth exploiting, right? I have Boone attach Ice elemental damage to the entire party.

Only...



I forgot about his counterattack.
The weakness is a trap. He'll counter all Ice damage with this very powerful attack.



He can also use Volcannon Trap for significant damage.

With my hubris now in check, I started taking this seriously. Billy's Fire Ward is activated, (like it always should have been) making him virtually invulnerable to the enemy's attacks. I let him and Doc keep their Ice attachment, but get ready with the Potion Berries.
Shame I don't have more Fire Wards, but with a little care the rest of the battle goes smoothly.

VIDEO: Salamandra battle
Yeah, I could have done it better. Considering this video my penance for my overconfidence.



MUSIC: Only You Can Cross Your Own Barriers

I shall continue to summon as many as it takes! Though I may have lost your trust, I now have power... Yes... [Gaia] swells within me!

Kid if you start turning people into stone statues I am gonna be pissed.



THAT'S ENOUGH!! Is this what you have to do in order to fight alongside me!? What's gotten into you!?
She told me in my dream... The dream child told me...
The dream child!?
She told me the reason I can't help you is because I lack power... And that as long as I have power, I would be able to fight alongside you...



Shane falls to his knees. Boone rushes up to help him, but is knocked back by an invisible wall.

Forgive me, Brother... I have resorted to our lineage of priesthood to complete the <<agreement>>...
<<Agreement>>
What!? You made an agreement!?
Yes. The [Surge of Gaia] will soon let loose. I may be too inexperienced to control it. It may even cause Filgaia harm... But... But since I have unleashed it, I will sacrifice my life to stop it.

"I want to fight alongside you! So I'll unleash a dangerous power so I can fight with you! But since I can't control the power I'll kill myself to stop it! That will somehow let me protect Filgaia by endangering it!"
... Shane, I know the demonic possession can be rough, but did you think this through for even one second?



Shane!!
Thank you, Brother... I really enjoyed hearing all the stories about your travels... Though I'm not familiar with the outside world, thank you for the many memories. I have come to love Filgaia...
I am not afraid to risk my life for the Filgaia that I love! I will defend it!

Afraid nothin'! You are downright eager!

How many times are you gonna make me say enough is enough!?



MUSIC: If You Realize the Strength to Break These Chains, then...

You say you love Filgaia!? You say you're not afraid to risk your life over Filgaia!? Stop talkin' outta your behind! What the heck would you know about Filgaia!? What makes you 'love' it so much!? You haven't as much ventured outta Baskar and you say such big words... GIMME A BREAK!! You say my stories, my memories made you love Filgaia!? That's just wrong!



Let me tell you a little somethin' about memories. Memories are not something you accept from others! It's something you, yourself gain by living, and experiencing! It's like... You and I aren't meant to fight together for Filgaia. You and I are meant to live together on Filgaia! Is living with me so boring as to forsake your duties of priesthood!? Let's just live together and make memories of our own...

... I mentioned this the first time we saw him, but it's moments like this that make me think Shane was originally supposed to be the girl-next-door for Boone or something.
The extremely stupid girl-next-door.



The Surge of Gaia slowly dies away.

B-Brother...!? The Surge of Gaia has been subdued... But how...?
Aren't you forgetting that I'm your big brother? I may be wet behind the ears, but just like you, I, too am a candidate to succeed the priesthood. There are two of us, see?



If we combine our powers, we become one. Through the incredible power of brotherhood, we can do anything! Remember?



Oh, my dear Brother...
Well... Uhh... I gotta act like a big brother sometime, you know?



MUSIC: That Which One Aspires to and Seizes

With the contrived and stupid crisis resolved, everyone heads outside. Hey, look who it is!

Thank goodness you're safe...!

I sensed an abnormal energy force, so I came here, but...
Looks like you've already taken care of it.



You've done well...
Thanks! But I really didn't have much to do with it.

Pearl finally got to hug her daddy!

But before everyone can get too happy...



it gets dark all of a sudden.



MUSIC: Succubus Princess

Dream child...
You know that girl!?


The lineage of priesthood didn't live up to my expectations. I thought it'd be a lot more <<interesting>>.
<<Interesting>>
Interesting!? You get a kick outta toying with people's hearts!?
I was just fulfilling his wish... I'm offended by your comment.



Beatrice! What nightmare are you wishing for now!?

My wish has always been the same... I just want a world where I can live... That's all...



She turns into static and vanishes. Light returns to the area.

Daddy...
We have to take care of the boy first. There is something I would like to ask him, as well...
Let's head to Baskar for now. I want to make sure he's all right.



MUSIC: Impatience Leading to Trouble

Back at Baskar Colony, Shane is being given some bed rest.

Thank you. I'm all right now...
Daddy... What is it you're chasing? Does it have something to do with that girl? Is it something I can help you with?
When we finally arrived at the Yggdrasil System after searching for the cause of the world's decay... You were pondering about a darkness beyond Yggdrasil, were you not? Please tell us... What happened behind the scenes of the Yggdrasil accident?



That was no accident... It was an act of evil... The tragedy began in the same manner as it did the boy. One of our colleague's minds was taken over by a demon...
His mind? By a demon...?
That colleague was Duran, the one who operated the generator. The dream-demon Beatrice appeared inside his dreams, and eventually controlled him.
Beatrice... So, that's the name of that girl...



Beatrice, who concealed herself in the information library Hyades, took advantage of the fact that she herself is composed of electric signals... She managed to connect with people's minds... dreams, which are also composed of electric signals... That is what happened to Duran, but I'm sure there are plenty of other victims... ... The dream-demon, due to her unique composition, is hardly capable of affecting the real world herself. However, she can manipulate people by controlling their minds through dreams. That way, she was able to reach out to the real world, without having to directly intervene.
So my dream sight was the dream child... All I saw was information being fed from the dream-demon Beatrice...
I want you to tell me. What is it that Beatrice wants, and what is she trying to do? Why did she cause the Yggdrasil tragedy of ten years ago?
I'm sorry... Most of the dreams Beatrice fed me were about the Blue Menace. Looking back now, I understand they referred to Siegfried and the prophets...



Which means... Beatrice refused to help her fellow demon Siegfried... That's not all. By telling Shane, I think she made us interfere with his plans...
A conflict of interest? Or was Siegfried's plan of Filgaia's terraforming a hindrance to her hidden agenda?
Anyhow, I plan to seal the Hyades, which has brought dangerous wisdom to this planet. Filgaia is our planet. All life stems from Filgaia. The demon's wisdom must be sealed so that no further harm will come about...



Doc does not seem to like that idea.

I beg to differ!! No doubt the information library Hyades has brought forth great harm and damage to this planet. The power of Hyades is enormous... However, I do not believe this power itself is evil. If we can use it effectively, or perhaps... I believe the planet scarred by the wisdom of Hyades, should be restored by the wisdom of Hyades.

MUSIC: You Look Defeated when Sad

Forgive me. I got a little heated up...
My professor and I once pursued the history of Filgaia together... Perhaps that is why I am against sealing such a precious artifact as the Hyades...

He's got a point... on the other hand, the thing is full of demons.

Before the argument can progress any further, the entire village shakes violently.



MUSIC: A Needle in the Heart, Broken and Washed Away

Outside, a huge pillar of light appears over the dunes.



Th-This ain't good! You feel it, too, Shane?
I feel it to the southeast... near the peninsula... It is an evil force... like the demons, but far greater...
Beatrice... How dauntless of you! So, you need not hide inside the darkness of people's hearts anymore!? You go find out what's behind this impact! I must go stop the Hyades! That is the only way I can atone!!
Let's get a move on!!

Lets do that next time!

P.S. I misremembered the events in this update last time, and blamed Shane for everything that's coming up. Turns out it's not his fault.
He's still bloody stupid though.

Next Time: The Previous Game Reference Pillar




But first, a bit about Beatrice.
It may seem that the final enemy of the game comes out of nowhere, in the great tradition of crappy JRPG villains. This is mostly true, but in her defense she's been hinted at frequently throughout the game and been brazenly onscreen a few times, following us about. It won't mean anything on first playthrough of course, it's just a bonus if you replay.
Here's a little selection of her appearances.

Update 8



Seen in background, being harassed by Romero and Dario. She apparently shocks them while Janus talks to Pearl.

Update 17

You can read about her in Duran's Diary in the Leyline Observatory.


You are still fuckin' creepy, man.

Update 18



Seen wandering around the first time you visit Uncle Gob under Humphrey's Peak

Update 23



Near the well when Janus is threatening to flatten Boot Hill. There's also a book that alludes to her powers in one of the buildings.


Update 30



Seen lurking about at the back of Laxisland.

Update 33



Beatrice's giggle is heard just before Humbaba attacks, and at several other points when the drifters or Prophets are discussing something.

Update 39



And of course, her presence becomes obvious once she breaks Malik's mind by reviving his mother.

She can also be seen from the chicken coop in Claiborne and Pearl's balcony in Boot Hill. (and on the balcony in Gunner's Heaven, thanks for the reminder meteor9)


A Day A Day

Today is March 31, Necktie Day. You look smart wearing a tie with your shirt, but wearing just a tie makes you look dumb. I like to think of other accessories like this, but none came to mind. I guess neckties really do deserve a day of their own.

Today is April 1, April Fool's Day! You can tell lies all you want today, and not one will be remembered. People tell me that I'm a born liar. It's so nice to be able to say whatever I want and not feel guilty one bit.