Howdy! I’m Az, the writer for this journey we’re embarking on. You might be wondering why I didn’t pipe up during the last chapter, so I’ll explain that here- one of my goals for this LP is to basically keep my own voice to a minimum during updates. To accomplish this, any build changes or class overviews will take place at the start of the chapter, before jumping into the game. If you don’t care about the skill investments or party explanations, it should make it pretty efficient to just scroll to the heading, as well.
As the first manner of business, we’ll be playing on Normal difficulty. Casual swings a bunch of numbers in your favor, which is a great feature to ease in new players or folks who just wanna experience the story(or aren’t excellent at the genre in general).
Keplar’s a Landsknecht- a physical class with a couple of options for dealing damage. The Links, which are primarily what we’ll be using early on, essentially tag an enemy and deal damage to it every time that same enemy is attacked in the same turn, with a decreasing chance for followups each time the Link activates. To get to them, though, we have to invest in Sonic Raid, which is a pretty weak attack with priority. Useful for activating Proficiency, at least, which I’ll cover in a second. The Break skills are a more supportive option, inflicting debuffs to help your party survive enemy onslaughts or amplify your damage, but we’re mostly concerned with turning Keplar into a primary damage dealer, which means he should be spending turns on Links or the other physical skills we’ll get access to later. Proficiency on Landsknechts allows allies to have increased accuracy and damage against targets the Landy has hit this turn, which is pretty helpful considering you need other damage dealers to help proc your Link followups, and Landsknechts are typically very quick to act. Power Boost is a generic physical damage boost, and Vanguard sets up a buff that increases action speed and damage taken in exchange for amplifying incoming damage to Keplar. Finally, Bandage is just a cheap healing skill- not terrible to just have a little extra, but we really want to be spending Keplar’s TP on attacking early on, especially since we have a Medic. We’ll just use an item if we’re really that desperate.
Candy’s a Nightseeker, a damage class that amplifies the pain when an enemy is suffering from any status condition(but not Binds, which are a separate category). Proficiency on these guys ramps up their damage massively whenever their target is ailing, so they tend to lean into disable and then burst strategies very well. We don’t have a point in it yet, because we’re just trying to blind things initially, which will help keep our somewhat frail party safe- which is why we have 3 points in Sand Throw, a ranged attack that does pretty pitiful damage but has a decent chance to blind an enemy. Ice Knife is a composite slash/ice attack that does decent damage, and Biding Slice will probably be our primary damage move in a few levels, since it hits twice if you don’t take damage during a turn. Shadow Cloak pairs nicely with this, since it nullifies any physical hit one time while the buff is active. Unfortunately, this takes a turn to set up until we have the points to level Auto-Cloak, which might be a while. Blade Flurry lets you hold and attack with two weapons at decreased damage for the second- an important passive later in the game for reasons we’ll get to then, but for now you can kind of ignore it. Finally, Decoy Sign puts a big ol sign saying ‘Kick Me!’ on one of your allies’ backs. It’s another way to help your tank do their job, or otherwise take the heat off your highly squishy characters.
Fresh off the airship from pre-med, Marcus will be taking over Medic duties. As the name might imply, he’ll be keeping the party healthy with such skills as Healing(a single target, mostly cheap hp restore), his Proficiency(which increases healing for your entire party, including his own skills), and Patch Up(which heals your entire party for free when combat ends). Heavy Strike has a decent multiplier for this point in the game and a chance to stun, but the low might of staves and Marcus’s wiry low-strength arms aren’t doing him any favors, so we’ll probably skip that for now. Line Heal targets a row for hp restoration that’s weaker than Healing, and it’s more expensive TP-wise, but it does let you cost efficiently heal 3 damaged party members, and it removes some of the target prediction you have to do early on to keep people alive since medic is very slow on the draw. Steady Hands places a buff that increases your healing for a few turns- it’s not very useful, as you’re giving up a turn of healing to even use it, which could result in somebody getting hit twice between heals and biting it. Maybe if it also applied a higher speed modifier to your skills, but ehhh… Refresh/Treat/Recovery are basically the same skill but for removing ailments/debuffs/binds, respectively, from a single target(or row, at higher levels).
Then we’ve got Marlene, who’s currently whispering with the thunder god to learn his secrets and bring lightning down upon unsespecting foes. Her Proficiency multiplies elemental attack and reduces elemental damage taken by her row- a very potent effect if, say, you were to deploy multiple runemasters, but it’s fine on its own too. In fact, if we really wanted to get wild, we could have Marlene giving moral support to our other elemental attacker in the front row, Keplar. She’s incredibly squishy, though, and the damage increase isn’t so large that I’d really consider that without extremely reliable lockdown or a Fortress to just forcibly redirect attacks. The first column of Runes apply a buff to all allies and a debuff to all enemies that multiplies elemental damage of the chosen element dealt to that enemy, while reducing damage of the same element dealt to your party(while they have the buff). The second row are all TEC-based attacks that target different patterns- Fireball is splash damage to adjacent targets, Ice Lance pierces to the backrow, and Lightning hits a row for equal damage. A very small annoyance about Lightning- you can’t smack an enemy backrow with it if you’re also in the back row, despite it dealing full damage from the back, unlike melee skills. Runic Gleam places a self-buff that multiplies elemental or almighty damage for a few turns; we’ll be taking this in a bit to help with boss fights. And if you’ve got some points left over and want to be able to sustain in dungeon crawls or long boss fights, TP Boost does what it says on the tin.
In the last slot, Tsukushi took the role of a Sniper. They’re super-accurate(minus one skill we’ll unlock later) ranged characters with the ability to Critical on their skills randomly thanks to their Proficiency, dealing increased damage. The actual ‘Snipe’ skills cannot miss, and attempt to bind the targeted part. Long Shot is generic single target damage for not much TP, while Steel Arrow and Flank Shot cost a bit more, are weaker, and pierce to the backrow or hit an enemy line instead. They’re all right skills to press in random encounters, just to make things go by a little quicker, but in single target encounters we really want to just be attempting to get binds off for now, since those will disable enemy attacks depending on the part you sniped. Lock On increases your critical rate for a few turns- not a bad damage buff since critical damage is an independent multiplier to your other buffs. Scavenger increases drop rates from monsters, which is more or less a waste of SP unless your build is fully complete. Finally, Spotter makes your entire party really accurate for a few turns. This could actually have some use cases with lower accuracy skills, but you can also disable enemy evasion entirely with Leg Bind or a myriad of other ailments, if you’re going the low accuracy gamble route. Tsukushi is currently working on leveling the Snipes to make disabling enemies possible, increasing the likelihood that we’ll be safe with no defensive buffs or a Fortress.
Now, with all that out of the way…
Chapter 2: Wanted: Dead Ore Alive
Hmm, you don’t think my student ID would be enough? He did sign the papers to accept me for the program personally, right?
I suppose it would serve mostly as a formality in this case. The Count is a very busy man, you see, so under normal circumstances he meets only with people he knows personally, or those that can establish legal grounds to demand his attention- in this case, any newly established guild must go through the proper channels to become officially recognized, and his seal of approval is absolutely required.
Sounds like a grossly inefficient way to handle things, to me. Don’t you guys get like, multiple guilds signing up daily? How the hell would anybody have time to sign off on all of them? Unless- don’t tell me- the Count isn’t ACTUALLY as busy as he pretends to be.
Pretty rude thing to say about a single father.
Whoa… this Count has a child? He must be swamped, on top of approving all the hopeful adventurers that register here…
One’s greatest fealty is to their own kin. A great and noble soul must burn bright within this Count!
All eyes turned expectantly to Candy, who huffed and ground her foot against the marble floor.
Fuck was I supposed to know? Let’s just get out of here, we’ve pissed away enough time already.
Anybody home? We brought an official letter and everything.
Ah, Keplar! And it would seem you brought some friends of yours.
It may be more astute to label us ‘comrades in arms.’
I see. In any case, I should extend a proper greeting to those of you I do not already know. Ahem…
Welcome to Tharsis, the city closest to Yggdrasil. I am its overseer; you may call me the Outland Count. Here in my Grand Court, when there are important duties to be carried out, I assign them to explorers as missions. But of all the explorers who arrive in Tharsis, like yourselves, we want only the best on the hunt for Yggdrasil. Before you can set out on your search, you must prove yourself worthy as explorers. What say you to this?
A test of some kind…? I-I don’t know if we’re-
We shall throw down the gauntlet at any challenge you can muster. Individually we may be yet weak, but where one of us falters another shall shoulder the burden.
Uuuu… haaah… you’re right. We can do this together, I think…
That’s the spirit. So long as everyone grasps their potential, we shall prevail.
Ore gathering, huh? …Can we sell what you don’t end up using?
But of course- anything beyond the purview of the mission is yours. Now, for the details…
We had thought the vein was mined dry, but the other day, a certain explorer found that there was more to be had. The Iridescent Ore is a pretty thing. Shine light on it, and it refracts into all the colors of the rainbow… But its true worth is not found in its beauty! Though I’ll explain more about that if you complete the mission. Now, do I understand right that you’ve only recently arrived in Tharsis? You must lack the proper essentials. So I’ll pay half of the reward for this mission in advance. Use that to purchase whatever you’ll need.
Been living here all my life, but no harm in stocking up anyway. Could use a new sword, actually.
Holy shit, this is just the first half of it? You’re giving this away to new explorers?
Is that a lot? This would barely pay for dinner back home…
Candy narrowed her eyes at Marlene, and her lips curled harshly into a sneer.
Fuck kinda dinner were you eating? This could feed someone for a week if you rationed it out.
Ah, I’m sorry! I-I didn’t mean-
Stand down, knave. This is no place to be threatening our comrades.
I’m about to bury a ‘knave’ in your gut if you don’t shut it.
Hold on!
Marcus planted himself shakily between Candy and Tsukushi.
I don’t know what your history is like, Candy, but I do know the first thing they taught us in pre-med was that establishing a rapport is the first step to effective treatment. Whether that’s with your surgery team or the patient, if you can’t get along, you can’t offer aid. So I think… the first step is trying to understand each other. Marlene, you didn’t mean anything by it, right?
He eyes the shorter woman pleadingly.
I- yes! I’m so, so sorry Candy, I really wasn’t trying to make you angry…
Whatever. I’m over it.
…
Goodness. Perhaps I have miscalculated by sending you all out on a dangerous task like this?
It’ll be a different story in the field.
These armaments appear well-maintained. Quite irregular that they appear to offer mundane groceries as well- blacksmiths back home offered purely adventuring gear.
Well, it’s real convenient to get everything you need in one place, right? Having to walk all around town to get different stuff on the list used to be a pain, until the Berund Atelier set up shop.
Whoa, look at that on the shelf! There’s medicas just for sale, over the counter? That’s potent stuff.
From what I read, medicas don’t actually heal your wounds, but actually just severely dull the pain and help stem bloodflow to affected areas while you wait for real treatment.
Doesn’t take a genius to figure out how that could be dangerous over the counter.
A loud clang reverberates from the back room, and a blonde haired girl subsequently pokes her head out into the shop.
I disembarked just after the sun crested the horizon in the morn, and our party was formed more recent still. You may call us the Myrtle guild, should it suit you.
Da Myrtle crew, huh? Well, hey, welcome ta Berund Atelier. For alla ya weapon and item needs!
She thumps her foot thoughtfully.
Eh… mosta ya needs, anyways. It kinda depends on da materials you explorer folks sell us. Da more materials ya bring us, da more kindsa stuff we’ll sell yas! We gotta list posted of what kinda equipment we can make, so if ya see something ya want, bring us da stuff. Well, niceta meetcha! Give us a ring whenever ya need something for ya advencha!
If you make all the equipment and items in-house, does that mean you’re pharmaceutically licensed, since you also stock medicines beyond simple home remedies?
You betcha! Dat’s parta da family trade, y’see. From when I was just a little twerp, Ma and Pa’s been trainin’ me to get into da medicine and metalsmithin’ biz. We gots the go-ahead from the Count, and dey check our stuff now and again, too.
…How old are you, anyway? Should you really be manning the shop alone?
Hey, mista, that’s pretty wild to ask someone who’s in charga forgin’ ya weapons. But I’m seventeen, if ya really gotta know.
The same age as me, but you’re already a licensed pharmacist, an experienced store owner, AND a blacksmith… the competition in Tharsis must be insane…!
Get any greener and maybe we could plant you outside town.
All right, all right, that’s enough teasing. What’ve they got for us to start…
Yeah, that should do the trick. A sword for me, string up a new bow for Tsukushi, and fresh boots for everyone. We’re gonna be doing a lot of walking out there, need something sturdy and comfortable.
Um, do you happen to have a size smaller? And maybe in black?
I think this should cover it, right?
Yep, dat’ll do it! Thanks for comin’!
Nothing left we gotta do in town, right? The sooner we leave, the sooner we can get the job done and snag that reward.
Before we leave, you’re sure you’re ready for this? Whatever skills you have are useless if not trained.
Bottles… syringes… oh shoot, where’d I put the gauze…
I got everything I need right here.
Keplar brandishes his sword with one hand, and casually tosses a small, green fruit in the other.
A snack for the road! Oooh, I should’ve thought of that.
Not quite. You’ll see in a bit.
Ugh, even talking about a fucking fruit with you sounds weird. What’s your deal, anyway?
So, what’ll it be? Should we head straight for the Old Forest Mine?
We are adequately prepared. Sally forth!
Whoaaa. What kind of tree is that? It’s got its roots exposed all the way up, and then at the very top there’s the little clusters of leaves.
They kind of look like the puffball on your hat, haha.
Hey now, I’m sure you both know, but I want to reiterate. This place isn’t a joke. Everything can and will attempt to end your life, and either eat you or leave your body in the middle of a clearing somewhere. We can mess around and have fun, but I also need you two on guard as much as anyone else, got it?
Shoot, well now I’m all nervous again…
Great. Then get behind me, and let’s move.
The party treks forwards, only the soft crunch of the grass underfoot and the loud whirring of crickets breaking the suffocating silence.
Um… you know, it seems really easy to get lost in this place. It’s all so green, my head is starting to spin a little. Have any of you been tracking our steps so far? Something like a map could really help.
Hold that thought, bandage boy. What could
this be?
You pick it up and see that it is a shining, golden locket, with space for a small picture inside. Could another explorer have dropped this..? If you are curious, you can try opening the locket.
Hey! What if that’s really precious to someone? Don’t you think we should try and return it without opening it up?
Okay, but it’d be a hell of a lot easier to track them down if we knew what was inside. What if it was a picture of a loved one or something? Then we could ask around town if they knew who it was, which could set us on the locket owner’s trail.
I must say, I am utterly dumbfounded you are considering returning this precious item, instead of pawning it for personal benefit. Perhaps I sorely misjudged you.
Nobody mentioned giving it back for
free, numbskull.
…My apologies for overestimating your scruples, then.
“Found that for me, did you? Thanks, I’ve been looking all over for it.”
…!
Wh-
So this trinket is yours? My apologies for our entourage tinkering with it. We merely wished to determine if we might find any clues to the whereabouts of its original owner.
Ah, don’t worry about it. Clumsy of me to drop that in a place like this, anyhow. 'Sides, it’s nice to see new blood like yourselves looking to help out unfortunate souls who might’ve misplaced their stuff. All too common these days to just keep it for yourself, y’know?
We’re Myrtle, by the way! An exploration guild from Tharsis.
Oh, it’s really nice to meet you, Whirlwind! That’s a pretty cool name… do you think we’ll get nicknames like that eventually?
Hmm, perhaps you could be something daunting like ‘Tempest’ or ‘Mjölnir.’
Ooo, and you could be something cool but deadly, like ‘Snakebite’ or ‘the Kiss of Death!’
You wouldn’t happen to know where we could get our hands on some Iridescent Ore, would you? I don’t think we’re technically a real guild until we gather some, according to the Count.
You’re here for some Iridescent Ore? Yeah, I think there’s still some to be had in this Old Forest Mine. How do I know? Because I’m the one who found it in the first place. Here, maybe this’ll help.
The man takes a parchment from his belongings and hands it to you.
I sketched in where you can find the Iridescent Ore. I hope that helps point you in the right direction.
Hey, um, is all this space supposed to be blank like that? It’s kind of hard to tell how we’re supposed to get to the node.
Hm? The map’s only half done? Well, that makes this a great chance to learn to draw your own!
With that, the man points to the blank map you’ve opened and explains how to draw in it…
Ah, I see clearly now. This is the second test of our capabilities.
Drawing the rest of the map? I guess that makes sense, considering we would get doubled back pretty quick if we weren’t cut out to map the way. Although it would be nice if the guild would just provide us with maps for places that have been charted out, like this one.
How 'bout it? Think you can draw your own? Don’t worry, if I can do it, anyone can!
The man laughs, though you are not sure this is a joking matter.
But seriously, you need to learn to draw a map if you’re going to chase Yggdrasil. That map’s your lifeline. When you think you’re done with your map of this Old Forest Mine, bring it here and I’ll look it over for you.
Waving a casual goodbye, he turns around.
The man then parts with you and walks back the way he came… You glance at the map he gave you and decide to begin your search anew.
…Man, I can finally breathe.
Haha… I noticed you were awful quiet back there. Cat got your tongue, loverboy?
You noticed it too. The way he snuck up wearing that much gear. It’s like he wasn’t wearing anything at all.
You’re making it really tough not to give you shit, here. But yeah, I noticed. That guy’s a freak. Guess it’s on us to stay guarded while he’s around.
Yeah. Thanks.
Across the water, you see a shining patch of ground. It seems something buried shallowly is reflecting light. Judging by the map you received from Whirlwind, the Iridescent Ore you seek can be mined there. But the water between you and your prize is too deep to cross. You frown and begin looking for another route.
Hmmm. I don’t think we could jump this, either. Maybe if I had my ice runes prepared, I could form a bridge, but I’m not very confident in my ability to freeze running water without spending basically all of my energy right now.
Indeed, practicing discretion is essential. Let us work our way around the obstacle, instead of plodding fruitlessly ahead.
Hey, anyone recognize these? They’re not like anything I’ve ever seen in a flower arrangement, or studied in class for their medicinal benefits.
Those are Rhondymedes. There’s a special property about them- actually, why don’t you just see for yourself? Go ahead and get a closer look.
However, it seems impassable from this side.
I can see a passageway on the other side! The roots are so thick, though, pushing through would be impossible.
Coud we not merely cut our way through?
If you wanna sit here for a couple hours, yeah. Those roots are insanely tough, but if we can get to the other side, we should be able to just brush them out of the way. And before you ask, fire won’t work either, the roots are coated in heavily fire-resistant film, for whatever reason.
Aww.
I think we’re gonna find dick all by doubling back towards the entrance, but we gotta map the whole place anyway, right?
Huh? Are those footprints?
Wait, Marcus, don’t go on ahead!
G-g-giant bugs?!
AAAAA-
Get behind me! Now!
All right, time for a quick sweep…
This one’s off balance!
A little dirty fighting… damn, missed the eyes.
Get it away!
FUCK! OW! SON OF A BITCH-
Wait- no! Don’t come any closer! I have a syringe and I WILL stab you with it- AAA!
I’ll try and preserve my magic… like Tsukushi said…
I shall cleave a path! Candy, claim us our victory!
You’re lucky you died after the legs fell off, you little worm..
Did you really have to tear its legs off, Candy? I think I’m gonna be sick..
After what they did to me? They deserved worse. And speaking of, hop to it, bandage boy. I’m hurting here.
Oh, right! Post-combat field treatment, right away!
You all did pretty well, for your first taste of actual danger. The enemies only get scarier from here, so be on your toes.
I was wondering.. what had you so excited you stepped out in front, Marcus?
The boy finished wrapping Candy’s arm in gauze, and dusted his coat before standing up.
There’s a bunch of footprints up ahead, almost like this clearing is more heavily traveled. I was just curious what that was about.
Perhaps we owe that to this sign.
Did another explorer leave this…? The sign begins, “Caution!” in large, bold letters. You read further… “From here on lurk monsters of the old mine! Those who mistake recklessness for courage will meet Death!”
Mmmm… hey, we’re going to be okay, right? We can handle the grasshoppers, and there’s nothing scarier out there that we can’t deal with, right?
Come now, do not lose heart. I shall give my life before I see harm come to you, and I am certain the rest of us feel the same.
Speak f-
Not now, please.
Right. Let’s get moving, then. The longer we stick around the more danger we’ll put ourselves in.
What a curious creature, taking such a dangerous engagement when vastly outnumbered.
We’re in its territory, so it must feel like it has to attack us. No sneaking by it now, though.
Just gotta aim for the soft bits-
Like that.
Hup-! Thanks, Candy. That would’ve hurt if it wasn’t flying blind.
Oh, shut up. Just kill the damn thing.
Marlene! I believe these would be much easier to dispatch with the assistance of your magic, to bypass the hardened shell it dons.
If you think it’s best, I’ll definitely do that in the future!
Hmm.
Huh? Is something wrong, Keplar?
Besides that enormous monkey? Not yet.
Why are all the hairs on my arm standing up like that? And suddenly I’m all cold and clammy…
That means you’re developing an instinct already, Marcus. Take a look over there.
Oh… good, sweet, merciful gods…
You know that there is no shame in avoiding unnecessary combat. A wise explorer picks his battles. If you wish to avoid an encounter, study the monster’s movements and slip past it!
You knew it was there before you even saw it. That’s called an adventurer’s instinct, and it’s something you don’t often see developed until somebody’s at least a few weeks veteran to exploring. Pretty remarkable that you’ve already got a taste of it, honestly. Might have a real talent for this sort of thing.
You think so? Thank you! Although… do you ever stop feeling so wobbly like this? I can barely put one foot in front of the other…
I did. No promises on your end, though.
Shall we engage? I think it unwise by the sheer stature of that beast, but it is an option we have.
Let’s go get ourselves pounded into fucking jelly, sounds brilliant! No, we sneak around, obviously.
Wait for it to turn around…
That wasn’t so bad. I just really hope we don’t have to do that a lot, what if they actually catch us once after a small mistake?
We shall tackle that problem when it arises. For now, what’s done is done.
This is a plant called a Traveller’s friend, prized by explorers for the way it stores water in its stalks.
Hey, I think I recognize this! If you snip the fan-shaped protrusions, you should be able to get at some water in the stalks to slate your thirst. We actually had these back home, I used to drink from them all the time in the fields out behind my house.
Memories of home can be refreshing as any water.
Well, if the resident doctor says it’s fine, then cheers.
The water stored within has a raw smell to it, but it still helps to alleviate some of your exhaustion.
Satisfied with the forest’s modest gift, you turn back to resume your explorations.
Are those the same bugs from earlier? They don’t look hungry to you guys, do they?
Damnit, everybody back in formation!
The brief succour was well-timed! You take your weapons to hand and prepare for battle!
There’s so many of them! We can’t- I can’t-
Steady yourself, Marlene. You need only strike when I say, if it would help.
Strike first, ask questions later.
Ahhh! Stop staring with those buggy eyes!
Ngh… I can take it. Heads up, the front one’s going for Candy.
Fear not! I shall put a stop to it!
…Marlene shall put a stop to it!
Ugh.. maybe that payout isn’t worth the broken ribs…
Now is your chance, Marlene! Send it hurtling into the abyss!
God of thunder, hear my cry.. smite these beasts and let them fry!
Well done! Onwards, to victory!
Try kicking me now, you little shit.
Ahahowowowwww…
Getting a little roughed up here… let’s close this out.
You take that thought to heart and resume your search with even more care than before.
Suppose that shows pretty handily why we gotta stay on the move. Stopping for a rest always carries a risk.
Okay, it keeps happening and nobody’s bringing it up, and I’m soooo sick of it. What the hell’s up with the tips? It’s like you’ve done this all before.
Yeah, I’ve been through this place before. Back during the airship boom, this place was the spot to get ore to construct them, and I went hunting for some.
…Alone. That was a while ago, though, and it didn’t exactly solve my cash problems, as you might’ve guessed.
Hahaha, that hesitation was insane. Never heard more obvious bullshit in my life, but we do need to get going.
Thanks.
Oh! This must be the other side of that clump of flowers we saw on the way in.
You said it should be passable from this side, right?
Woah, you weren’t kidding. It’s like a completely different deal, pushing the roots from this direction.
Why do you think they could’ve grown like that? There’s really no advantage I can imagine for a plant that only allows passage of larger animals in one direction.
Were I to hazard a guess, perhaps growing up in harmony with one of the creatures here is to blame. What if a creature were to use that plant to guard its nest, and provide it with nutrients in turn? It would provide a stalwart defense against intruders while closed, while still being passable if the animal was behind these flowers in the event it needs to leave the nest.
Think back to all those rollers that scurried away on the other side. Seems like a solid theory to me, assuming the little bastards are smart enough to understand how these plants work.
Never really thought about that, but yeah, I guess that would explain why they’re like this. Anyway, the path should be open now, almost like a shortcut to the deeper parts of the mine.
The soldier, upon noticing you, hails you with a friendly wave.
Hi there! Here on a mission?
An incredibly important one! We need to collect Iridescent Ore for the Count, which should get Myrtle officially recognized as a real guild! What about you? Does the Count depend on your success?
I came to investigate this place, but honestly, all these baboons are wearing me out. Aren’t you tired too?
Wearing you out? You mean… you actually took one of those giant things on?!
Hahaha, of course! Only one, but you can’t get hired as a guard without having at least a little combat capability, you know.
Holy shit… if this guy can take them on his own, maybe we need to double back and try our own chances! It’s five on one!
For once, we are in agreement, toxic one. I would very much like to test my mettle against such a towering creature.
Absolutely not. We’re almost to the ore, stay focused. Unnecessary risks will get us killed- if not this time, eventually.
That said, all this stress has me wanting to just curl up and forget about the world for a bit… I really don’t think I’m built for this.
Here, a gift. Drink that and you’ll feel better. But if things turn sour, don’t hesitate to go back to Tharsis.
Oh, thank you! We didn’t bring any of these in, that’s really kind of you!
You store the tonic in your knapsack and pick up your explorations where you left off.
What’s a door doing here, in the middle of a forest? Did Tharsis build thieuuuugh-
Yeah… I think I have a pretty good idea of what might be on the other side- urk…
But have a care! The wandering beasts will hunt you mercilessly even while you mine for materials!
Oh no… there’s two of them now. We’re supposed to mine right next to them? If they catch us, they’re gonna squish us like grapes!
The most important quality when faced with a situation like this is to stay calm. Take a deep breath, hold yourself back from acting immediately, and just take in the surroundings for a bit. Stop looking inwards, where panic might be welling up, and focus on everything around you instead. The sound of the wind, the smell of the grass… and then, think.
Ok… I’m going to try. I’m going to close my eyes, and really focus on the scenery!
Maybe don’t do that. You still need to observe the enemy to figure out a way around.
Ahaha… oops.
The strategy we employed to circumvent the baboon previously should also apply here.
Allow the fiend to circle around…
And fill the gap left behind. All that remains is to gather our quarry and escape.
I’ll handle the mining. You all keep a lookout, and tell me when it’s time to book it.
I-it’s getting really close! We need to run!
Hold just a moment longer. Remember, patience is a virtue.
Uoogh, my stomach is in knots. Cold sweats like this are usually indicative of a fever…
Get that ass in gear! Time to bail!
Haah… we’re safe…
Not yet. Didn’t get what we’re looking for- we gotta keep digging.
The ore won after many tense moments near powerful monsters is lighter than you imagined and feels fragile… After you finish exulting in your accomplishment, you stow the shining stone and begin your trek back.
That’s it! We got what we came for, let’s move!
Ugh, sustained levels of stress like this are really bad for my blood pressure… at least we should be able to just follow behind it now.
Indeed, we have prevailed in our quest! Let us savor this victory for the remainder of our outing.
If only I had your confidence. Is there some secret to being so unbothered by the prospect of death staring you in the face?
Fear is but a failing if your own conviction. If your conviction is strong, then no situation, no matter how dire, shall shake you.
Huh? My conviction is the problem?
Laid bare, convictions are the source of our desire to move forward- to face challenge and triumph, in spite of the odds. But when you quake in fear- when your legs quiver and refuse to take another step, your heart hammers in your breast and your throat burns- that source has been weakened. You have forgotten, momentarily, why it is you embarked on such a campaign. Only by reigniting your conviction shall you overcome fear.
But that’s absurd! Everybody
feels fear! It’s a natural response to danger in our bodies, a survival instinct. You can try and act in spite of it, but to say you can just overpower it with sheer force of will…
If you are fully focused on your goal, there is no room for doubt to worm its way in. There is no need to ‘overpower’ that which cannot take root.
I don’t mean to be rude, but that’s really not very helpful advice. Fear very clearly has a biological basis- you can’t overcome it by just thinking it away.
And yet I am living proof. I would urge you to consider what it is that truly drives you- why have you decided to risk your life? What do you believe in, so earnestly that on pain of death you would not relent?
Hate to interrupt, but take a look at that.
Ahhhhh, finally! What we’re all actually here for! Tell you what, we should divvy up the treasures in order- one of us gets a chest, then the next in line gets a chest, until we wrap around back to the start. How’s alphabetical order sound?
Everyone’s in agreement, great! Let’s open this bitch up and see what’s ins-
…ide. How much did this sell for, again?
We didn’t really look, but it can’t be more than 50 en…
So, hear me out, what if I got two chests instead?
Just put it in the bag, and let’s get out of here.
Um, guys, hold on! Isn’t this one of those plants we found earlier?
A Rhondymedes flower. A commendable find- you should be proud.
Might even take us right back to the start. How convenient.
Is this sufficient?
Oh, hey guys. Want me to take a look at that map? Alright, let’s see here…
Whirlwind studies your map intently for some time, but eventually his face brightens and he addresses you.
This is nicely done, considering the time it took. I’m surprised how well drawn it is! Looks complete to me. This is your map and yours alone. You never know when you might need it again, so take good care of it.
Kind of you to say. We do need to get going-
Why the rush? That wasn’t all you were here for, right?
…
You get yourself some Iridescent Ore?
We sure did! We had to do it right in front of those huge baboons, but Tsukushi helped us keep calm and make sure we got everything we needed.
I thought so, since you seemed so pleased. Anyway, that wraps it up for your mission. Nicely done, you’re already on your way to being swell explorers, and helping out the town a whole bunch.
Yeah, whatever. Maybe next time we’ll find something actually worth selling.
When we get back to the inn, I hope none of you disturb me for at least 12 hours. I’m gonna be curled up so hard, with a nice book, the fire blazing, and most importantly, no giant bugs or monkeys out to eat me!
There shall be time for a brief respite aboard the airship, as well. You may lean your head upon my shoulder, if you wish.
…haaaah. I don’t get it…
Something bothering you, Marcus?
You told me you don’t get all shaky around those giant monsters, right?
Cool as a cucumber. They don’t really unnerve me, no.
Then, is it true that you really strongly believe in something? That you’d be willing to die for without regrets?
…Nah. I don’t really have any strong feelings about some lofty goal.
So Tsukushi can’t be right. There’s something else to it, something that’s letting you stay cool in tough situations like that.
Tsukushi? Is this what you were talking about in the back earlier?
Yeah. She’s convinced that I’m always so afraid because my ‘conviction’ isn’t strong enough- that I don’t have a clear enough goal, and when I start to question what I’m doing putting my life at risk, fear manifests in the absence of an answer.
…People like her are different than you and me, I think. If you meet enough of them, you start to recognize when somebody’s just born with the spark- that drive that lets them tunnel onto one goal, put the blinders on and tough it out until it’s done. For a person like that, setting really specific goals works, because they really are capable of shutting out distractions. If you believe in the concept of a soul, theirs are like the flames of a phoenix- no matter how many times you douse it, it just comes back stronger, angrier, and hotter than ever.
But… you think we’re not like that? We were born without that ‘spark’? Then what are we supposed to do about that crippling fear- what did you do to get past it?
Keplar twisted his blade in the dim lamplight of the airship’s cabin. He remained silent for a bit, listening to the sound of the wind, and the smell of the grass from far below…
You gotta learn to care a little less, I think. What’ll come, will come. There’s a reason you’re a whole lot less likely to get hurt rolling with the punches than stiffening against them.
Marcus’s eyes widened, and he opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Finally, he mustered his voice again.
That’s horrible! You’re essentially telling me to give up, that there’s nothing we can really do!
Never said that. You should still do your best, but trying to brute force a path like Tsukushi is suggesting isn’t going to work for you. Live in the moment, rather than trying to direct the future, and those fears will ease up, like they did for me.
I’m sorry, I need some fresh air. I’m going to head up to the deck- please don’t try and follow me.
Yeah. We’ll be back in Tharsis soon, anyway.
We’ve an obligation to return the Iridescent Ore to the Count. Let’s get going, shall we?
Speak for yourself, I’m bushed. I’ll meet you kids at the inn.
Aye, I could use a rest.
I guess a rest couldn’t hurt. We’ve still gotta make sleeping arrangements, though- I wasn’t planning on having a full guild just yet!
Don’t worry about it- There’s an inn just up ahead! I have some relatives that stay there on occasion, including my brother, who lives just outside of town.
Yeah, we are new explorers! How’d you know? Anyways, we’re gonna need reservations for… two rooms, please.
If I may? Our guild is titled after a word of old, meaning gold. Perhaps a name such as Argentum would suit our guild’s new flight companion?
Sure thing.
Kapoks, hm? They are marvelously beautiful- 'tis a shame we have none in the East.
That’s it- the Lush Woodlands. Those monuments are connected, without a doubt. I say we crush whatever monsters are in there, and we’ll find a way to clear the fog. Though I wonder why my brother never mentioned the monument before… he works as a soldier here all the time.
…
Sorry, but no time to chat. This poor Tharsis boy… looks like he ran into bad news down there…
