paranoodle | Let's play Star Ocean 3! Part 9 (Reply)

Aqueducts time! This is a fairly short dungeon, but it feels a bit more "real" than the Coffir ruins did. There's half a mechanic in it! Most notably, large parts of it are blocked by ice, and we'll run into some sections that require we slow down and walk instead of just run everywhere.

About halfway through, we run into some large icy slopes:

Fayt: Nothing. It's just the ground's frozen.

Cliff: Hmm?

Fayt: Right.

If we run on them, we start sliding down, and doing so too fast will cause Fayt to smash into the wall at the bottom and reappear at the top of the slope. This can be worked around by either running upwards (which slows you just enough), running off the slope before reaching the bottom, or just being a reasonable person and walking instead, which prevents slipping entirely.

A little further in and we run into the dungeon boss:

It's a slightly tougher fight than what we've had so far, but not by much.

Nel: I'm surprised such a creature would make its lair here.

Nel: Based on the distance we've traveled, we must be nearing the exit.

This room's floor is entirely made of frozen-over water, but it's fragile enough that it'll break if we run. So we're stuck walking super slowly until we reach solid ground again.

But it's the last room of the dungeon, so once we're out we get to breathe some fresh (read: freezing) air again!

Cliff and Fayt walk out from behind her and Cliff stretches.

Fayt: You were talking about technology, but what exactly do you want us to do for you?

Nel: I'll explain, but remember: refusal isn't an option.

Fayt: I don't know about that... I won't do anything that I don't want to do. And there's always a chance we won't be able to do what you ask.

Nel: I told you in the dungeons that I required your technology, did I not?

Fayt: Right, but what does that entail?

Nel: Look, if this was going to be a problem, you should have asked me before you accepted my conditions. By agreeing to cooperate - even just to get out of the dungeon - you're bonded to me. Those were the conditions of your release, and I expect you to uphold them.

Fayt: I... But...

Nel: Or are you planning on breaking your word?

Cliff: Look, you didn't even give us a real choice!

Cliff: 'You can live or you can die' - that's called 'coercion', you know.

Nel: So, you won't cooperate.

Cliff: When did I say that?

Fayt: Huh?

Cliff takes Fayt aside.

Fayt: What are you talking about!? What about the UP3?

Cliff: This is hardly the time or the place, kid...

Fayt: That may be, but still...

Nel: Excuse me.

They turn around to face Nel.

Nel: Can we save the discussion for later? We're not exactly safe here. Of course, if you want to head back to the dungeon, be my guest...

Cliff: No thanks!

Nel: All right, then be quiet and follow. I'll tell you everything when we get out of town.

They both nod at her.

Fayt: Okay.

Nel: Good... My people have a wagon waiting for us outside town. The exit's to the east - let's go!

Despite what Nel said, we're actually perfectly safe to take our time and explore the bits of the city we currently have access to. This is by far the largest combat-free area we've had access to so far. There's an inn, a tavern, a workshop, four different shops, and five more random buildings to rummage through. I'll cover those in an extras post sometime, but suffice it to say there's plenty to visit.

The people in town are for the most part friendly-ish, other than the guards who are pretty abrasive and thankfully don't seem to recognize us. The innkeeper threatens to let us die of hypothermia if we don't pay for a room at the inn, but most of the other shopkeepers are nicer than that. Some chatting around gives us context about how Airyglyph is currently at war with Aquaria, and that it was partly for economic/military growth and partly because they were running out of resources to the point where the populace was starving. Everyone at the grocer comments on how lucky they are to finally have plenty of food since the war started, but examining said food reveals that it's mostly spoiled, wilted, or moldy. Things don't look great here!

After getting distracted talking to everyone and annoying the guards, we make our way to the eastern gate, our only way out of the city.

Nel: Nice work, Tynave.
Tynave: I'm just glad you're safe.

Nel: Yes, Farleen. They're engineers from Greeton, as we thought.
Tynave: So we were right!
Farleen: Great! Then we'll be able to complete it!

Nel: That's right. But we don't have time to kick back and chat now. Our pursuers are right behind us. If the Dragon Brigade shows up, we'll be in serious trouble.
Tynave: Yes, ma'am!
Farleen: Ma'am!

Nel: Get in the wagon. We leave immediately.

Cliff: Hey, you gonna introduce me to these fine young ladies?

Nel: This is Tynave and the driver's Farleen. They serve directly under me - my ears and eyes in Airyglyph. They're the ones who told me about you two.

Fayt: Lucky for us.

Cliff: All women, huh? Not that I'm complaining!

Nel: Aquaria is ruled by the Holy Mother of the Church of Apris. We employ many more women than Airyglyph.

Fayt: The Church of Apris?
Tynave: Yes, the church of the Sun God Apris. The Holy Mother leads the church - and is also Queen of Aquaria.

Fayt: A theocracy...

Cliff: I gotcha. What you're saying is your country's packed with temple maidens. Now I HAVE to see this place.

Fayt shakes his head.

Fayt: Nel, I'd appreciate it if you'd answer my question now.

Nel: Right. But before that, might I ask one thing?

Fayt: What?

Nel: Are you two really engineers from Greeton?

Fayt: Well, umm...

Cliff: Hey, you still don't believe us?

Nel: It's not that. It's just... The fact that you possess special technology and knowledge is clear to me - so, yes, it does seem likely that you are who you say. Still, something doesn't fit. The way you respond to danger, and your fighting ability indicate that you are not telling me everything. And... you are certainly not average engineers. So you see... I believe my doubts are well founded.

Fayt: Well...

Cliff: Okay, you got a point.

[pause]

Cliff: But, it seems to me you're just going to have to take our word. We got nothing to gain by lying to you anyway. Wait, you don't think we're Airyglyph spies, do you? Oh, please.

Nel: Yes, I see what you mean.

Cliff: But... you still don't trust us?

Nel: No, I trust you. In any case, I was ordered by Her Majesty to bring you to Aquaria. I must fulfill my duty.

Fayt: ... Well then, Nel?

Fayt: Please answer my first question.

Nel: Yes... Since you're unfamiliar with this region, I'll fill you in on the details while explaining our current situation.

Fayt: Please.

Nel: Tynave, the map.
Tynave: Yes, ma'am.

Nel: As I mentioned earlier, Aquaria and Airyglyph are at war. Airyglyph is a militaristic nation that reveres power above all else; Aquaria is a peaceful nation that worships the Church of Apris.

Nel: Aquaria and Airyglyph maintained friendly relations until several years ago. But one day, they invaded our territory without warning.
Tynave: It seems they'd been planning their invasion for some time. Airyglyph's a frigid land ringed by mountains. Food production has never been easy here - especially in winter. We believe they were after our land, fertile with the blessing of Apris.

Cliff: A war of aggression, huh?

Nel: Correct. There was no diplomacy, only outright military aggression. We resisted, but we were outmatched. Somehow, we managed to hold them back, but the bordertown of Arias was laid to waste.

Nel: Still, the war has not been completely one-sided. We may be lacking in military power, but we do have runology.

Fayt: Runology?

Nel: A secret art handed down by the followers of Apris. We inscribe special runes into our flesh that enable us to invoke normally impossible phenomenon...

Nel: Thus the name 'runology'.

Cliff: So that's how you broke the prison bars.

Nel: Correct.

Fayt: (Special runes? They look like tattoos... I can't help feeling I've seen something like this before.)

Cliff: Hey, isn't that like symbology?

Fayt: Symbology! Right, that's what it reminded me of!

Cliff: Yeah.

Nel: Symbology?

Cliff: Er, never mind that. Just continue.

Fayt: But - what's stopping you from using runology to keep Airyglyph back?

Nel: There's only a few of us that can use runology. Far too few to help us stand up to Airyglyph.

Nel: That's why we decided to develop a weapon that makes use of runology. It's a man-made weapon that uses the special energy evoked by runology as a power source.

Nel: The engineers have named that energy 'channeled force'.

Fayt: 'Channeled force'?

Nel: Correct. It's similar to lightning. But there are still a number of problems preventing us from completing the weapon.

Fayt: A power... similar to lightning?

Nel: Just when our research ground to a halt, Tynave and Farleen told me about you two. They also brought back a fragment of that thing that fell into Airyglyph. It was of great interest to our researchers.

Nel: They said the fragment was of a material they could not identify, and that we should enlist your aid in our weapons development. And that's where I came in.

Fayt: So you're asking us to help develop a weapon that uses channeled force?

Nel: Yes. That is correct.

Fayt: Yeah - a radio wave device, maybe. I don't really know much about this 'channeled force', but my guess is it's electricity - and if we can make that, we're home free, but...

Fayt: Nel, I can't do it. We can't help you.

Nel: Didn't I say refusal wasn't an option?

Fayt: But you're talking about a weapon that will kill many people! I don't want to have any part of that.

Fayt: Plus, we don't have any time to spare.

Nel: I understand your situation - you need to hurry to save your father, correct?

Fayt: Yes.

Nel: You admit this is a personal problem - not one that concerns us?

Fayt: True, but...

Nel: Our country's in a state of war. Both the people of Aquaria and Airyglyph are dying, energy weapon or no. A quick end to this war will reduce the number of lives lost. That is why we need to complete our new weapon as soon as possible.

Cliff: This is starting to remind me of my old Earth history lessons...

Fayt: Even so, that's not a good enough reason for me to build a weapon.

Nel: So you're going back on your word?

Fayt: That's coercion!

Nel: Call it what you will. I already told you back at the prison I could not let you live if you refused to cooperate. I don't have anything against you two, but my duty comes first. And I don't need to remind you that you can't help your father if you're dead.

Fayt: Now wait a second!

Nel: What do you think Airyglyph would do if we abandoned you here?

Fayt: We wouldn't help them, either!

Nel: I wonder if you'd sing the same song after their Inquisitioner had his fun with you.

Fayt: ... I would. I've already had a taste of it. Believe me.

Nel: Confident, aren't you?

There's an awkward pause as Fayt and Nel both glare at each other.

Cliff: Hey, don't get all bent outta shape. And you, chill out.

Fayt: But...!

Cliff: No buts, kid. Nothing good comes of acting hastily.

Nel: We have no other choice. Frankly, the war with Airyglyph will escalate unless something is done soon.

Nel: If we could only complete the new weapon, the situation would shift in our favor. If that means we must force uncooperative people into submission, then so be it.

Fayt: Is that a teaching of Apris?

Nel: Of course not. The Sun God Apris and our queen would never wish such things. Yet if we do not act, they will find themselves lacking for followers.

Nel: Would you rather we submit to their swords, like lambs to a slaughter?

Fayt: That's not what I mean.

Nel: But that is what you are saying.

Fayt: You're just twisting my-
Farleen: Oh no!

Nel: They've caught up with us? Damn, we were so close to Kirlsa, too!

Cliff: What are you gonna do? Fight?
Tynave: Lady Nel...

Nel: What is it, Tynave?
Tynave: It would be best for you to slip off and find shelter in the rocks - We'll lure them away!

Fayt: That's too risky!
Tynave: Don't worry.
Farleen: We'll be fine! We've lost their kind before!

Fayt: But...

Nel: Tynave, Farleen, I'm counting on you.

Tynave: You are too valuable for us to lose! We'll be fine - fewer people means more speed. We'll outrun them! So please, go!

Cliff: No time for chitchat. Let's move!

Fayt: But...!
Tynave: Fayt-
Tynave: Please, look after Lady Nel.

Fayt: You be careful yourself!
Farleen: Don't worry about us! May the grace of Apris be with you!
Tynave: May the grace of Apris be with you!