Let's play Star Ocean 3! Part 16

[paranoodle]

When we leave Aquios, Nel and Cliff ask if we're ready to go - not posting it because there isn't anything more to it than that. After that, we can head straight for Arias for real to go meet up with Nel's associates.

On the way there, there's a PA in Peterny if we decide to talk to Cliff there:

Fayt: Hey, Cliff. Have you ever actually seen copper ore?
Cliff: Nope. Can't say that I have.
Fayt: I wonder if Nel has? No, it's just that... I've only seen photos of it.
Cliff: I suppose copper ore isn't something you see everyday. But what good will it do to worry about it now?
Fayt: Okay, then lemme ask you this. How do you plan on picking out the copper ore we need from among all the other rubble?
Cliff: I'll tell you how. A quad scanner will tell us in an instant. We've already 'interfered' with things down here this much - there's no reason why we shouldn't use it now.
Fayt: Oh... Yeah...
Cliff: These primitive conditions have affected your thinking. Quad scanners were developed for such uses. Features like a communicator or organizer are just something that were added later.
Fayt: Yeah, you're right.
Cliff: Hey, don't go mental on me now. But I will admit that being on an underdeveloped planet like this has a way of messing with your head.

Literally everybody disapproves of Fayt for that conversation, by the way.

Once we get to Arias, we get another PA with one of the villagers in Arias, who I'll give more context on in one of the extras. Suffice it to say he's one of the soldiers defending Arias and who was previously resting at the church.

Fervent Man: Leave the village's defense to me. You must get to Aquios as soon as you can and help build a new weapon that will change the tide of the war.



[If we choose I'll do what I can.]
Fayt: I'll do what I can. But the war can't be won by a weapon alone, no matter how powerful it may be. Don't forget that ultimately, it's the ability of common soldiers like you that really matters.
Fervent Man: Ho ho ho... Well said! Some people focus only on impressive things such as runology and dragons, but in the end it's the efforts of we common soldiers that really matter.
Fayt: That's right. The best I can hope to do is give your kingdom a little more leeway in fighting this war.
Fervent Man: I understand. We shall do what we can. And we'll do it as best we can. That means you can't fail to do your part, too. After all, we're gonna need all the leeway we can get!

[If we choose Leave it to me.]
Fayt: Leave it to me. I'll build a weapon so terrible that it will rout the Glyphian forces in an instant.
Fervent Man: Wow! I can't wait to see it. I fear the leaders back at Castle Aquaria expect us to hold off the enemy here and wait for the Glyphians to grow weary of the war. But, unless something is done, our village will no doubt fall before then.

[If we choose So you're saying the situation is grave?]
Fayt: So you're saying the situation is grave?
Fervent Man: Well it certainly doesn't look good! We're barely holding back a force that is superior to us in numbers, will, and fighting ability. The only advantages we hold are the support we get from the runologists and the absolute loyalty people feel for Her Majesty because of her ties to the Church of Apris. I think us holding back such an elite Glyphian force this long is quite praiseworthy.
Fayt: The Sacred Kingdom of Aquaria would be doomed if this village were to fall. You'll have to hold out a bit longer.
Fervent Man: You can count on me! Of course it's easy to just say that. Actually succeeding at it will likely be a bit harder.

Fayt: Hey... Why do you want to fight so badly? By what you were saying earlier, I take it you're not a particularly devout follower of the Church of Apris.
Fervent Man: I suppose it's just human nature to want to help somehow after seeing Lady Nel and Lady Clair fight desperately day after day, without ever thinking of themselves. They don't even say a word even though I know they must bear incredible pain. After witnessing such bravery, a real man would not choose to flee.
Fayt: I see. I guess you're right.
Fervent Man: Of course I am. I'm not very fond of people like the Queen or her consuls, who think they are so important, but only offer empty words as they stay far from any danger themselves. I really want to help people such as Lady Clair and Lady Nel, who are always in the thick of things.

And there's one last PA to go grab before we leave, if we talk to Clair in the Arias mansion.

Clair: Fayt... Have you found Nel to be useful? I'm a bit worried about her naivety - she hasn't changed since she was a child.
Fayt: Uhh...



[If we choose She's been more than useful.]
Fayt: She's been more than useful. I can't even remember the number of times she's come to our rescue.
Clair: I'm so glad to hear that. It seems I've worried myself for nothing. Fayt... Please keep looking after her for me.

[If we choose I'm disappointed, to tell you the truth.]
Fayt: I'm disappointed, to tell you the truth. We're probably better off with her than without her, but that's about all I can say. I wish we could get somebody who was a little more useful.
Clair: Perhaps Nel is too kind of a person for such work. Such traits are ill-suited to the age in which we live. I hope her gentle nature doesn't turn to a naivety that ends up costing her her life one day.

And if we talk to Clair again:

Clair: Ever since Nel decided to follow in her departed father's footsteps, she has portrayed herself as being composed and coldhearted. But the truth is, she's really just a kind, ordinary girl. Fayt... Please look after her for me.

:')

And with that we can get around to actually meeting up with the everyone at the northwest gate.




Nel: What's this?
Clair: It's a talisman. You are heading into a den of dragons, after all. Better safe than sorry, right?
Clair: Be careful
Nel: I will.
Clair: Fayt, Cliff, I expect to see you again soon.
Cliff: You can count on us. We'll take care of Nel.
Fayt: We'll get you that copper; don't worry.
Clair: May good fortune in battle smile upon you.




Nel: This is not where they're usually stationed.
Cliff: Well, it looks like we'll have to take 'em on. They're blocking our way into the mines.
Fayt: They're probably here after air dragons to beef up their army.
Nel: Yes, it's likely you're right.
Nel: Tynave...
Tynave: Yes?
Nel: You two wait here. We'll take care of them.
Tynave: Ma'am!
Farleen: Yes, Ma'am!
Fayt: Cliff, Nel, let's go!


Dragon Brigade Soldier: Who are you!?

We have a quick fight against some Dragon Brigade soldiers. They're pretty easy to fight, just inconvenient on account of how high their hitboxes are.


Nel: Any last words?
Dragon Brigade Soldier: Grrrrrr... You won't get away with this!


Nel: I'm sure he'll be back... with reinforcements. We shouldn't have let him escape.
Fayt: Then we'd better hurry.
Nel: Right.
Nel: Tynave, Farleen!!!
Tynave: Yes!
Farleen: Right here!


Nel: You two follow a little ways behind us.
Tynave: Okay.
Farleen: Please be careful.


Nel: Let's go.
Fayt: Okay.

Bequerel Mine is a pretty neat dungeon, it's not super long but it has a variety of puzzles, mostly based around light sources. There's predictably a lot of dragons in it.



After running around for a while, we get deep enough into the mines.


Nel: I think you're right.
Nel: We still have some time before Tynave and Farleen return, so we should explore the area a bit.
Cliff: Wait. Don't you hear that?


Fayt: What is it!?



It's a boss! The cockatrice can be pretty tricky for underleveled/undergeared parties, most notably because it has access to the petrify status effect, which can easily KO your entire team if you're not careful (petrify counts as a KO for the purposes of game overs), a nasty little chicken.



In this case, "exploring" means "walk to the back of the small room we are in", where we find the copper we're looking for.


Fayt: This area shows little sign of being mined and the purity looks quite high. Let's search around here, Nel.
Nel: All right.
Nel: Everyone, start digging around here.
Farleen: Yes, Ma'am!


Nel: All right, let's take it to the refinery. You go ahead on the hauler.
Tynave: Yes, Lady Nel. Please be careful.

We're around 3/4 of the way through the dungeon at this point, but there's a bit more walking to do before we can reach the refinery. Once we do, there's a bunch of people busying themselves with the copper, and we can talk to one of them to get healed up. Once we're ready to leave...


Runologist: Lady Nel, there's...
Runologist: Outside...
Nel: Did you see something?



Fayt: Reinforcements!?
Nel: Looks like we took too long...


Farleen: Yes, right away!
Farleen: Hurry everyone! Let's get that copper loaded!
Demetrio: Lay them to waste!
Cliff: In your dreams!

We fight a couple of Dragon Brigade soldiers, same as when we entered the mines.


Nel: No! Someone has to deal with the Dragon Brigade. You go on ahead! We'll hold them off!
Farleen: What!?
Cliff: Just go, hurry!
Fayt: Don't worry, we'll catch up with you later, I promise. Now, get that copper to Dion!
Tynave: ... Good luck! Farleen, let's go!

They drive off with the cart.

Cliff: Don't even think about it!
Nel: I think we avoided the worst-case scenario.
Demetrio: Bah. What could you possibly accomplish by looting some copper? Or... maybe it's for that new weapon of yours?
Nel: How do you know about that!?
Demetrio: Don't underestimate us. We've known about it for quite some time now. You don't have a monopoly on spies, you see.
Nel: Why you...
Demetrio: Whatever this runological wonder of yours turns out to be, it won't help you win the war. The weak will always fall to the strong. But enough with this pointless posturing. Surrender!
Nel: Don't make me laugh!
Demetrio: So these two are Fayt and Cliff, huh? You both are quite impressive. It's not too late, you know. Join with us.
Demetrio: If you refuse, you'll die.
Cliff: Wait, join you or die? I can't decide which is worse.
Fayt: We'll never join you! And I don't intend to die, either!
Demetrio: I thought you'd have a little more sense... What a pity.

Time for a boss fight against Demetrio proper! He's really similar to all the soldiers so far, just a bit beefier. He goes down fast enough anyway.



Nel: We better get back to Aquios, fast. Now that Airyglyph knows we are working on the new weapon, we don't have much time.
Fayt: You're right.

It's a bit hard to see in screenshots, but Demetrio fell off the cliff and into the abyss.

At this point, Fayt says that we should probably go rest up at the mines again, just in case. Which is really just a nice way of telling the player "if you don't save you're going to regret it", because we have another boss battle coming up right away. As soon as we reach the end of the mountain path towards Arias, a cutscene starts.



Fayt: Tynave! Farleen!
Cliff: Damn, they didn't get away!?
Albel: Hmm!
Albel: I thought something intriguing might be afoot. And now we meet again. I'm glad I came out to play today.
Fayt: Albel!
Albel: What a pity. We had to seize your precious cargo.
Tynave: Argh...
Farleen: ... I'm so sorry.


Nel: Albel Nox! How dare you do this to my people!
Albel: Huh? You mean these two? They resisted when we tried to seize the goods. They didn't put up much of a fight.
Albel: They... dropped like flies! Bwahahahahaaa!
Farleen: It... It hurts...
Tynave: Argh...
Fayt: You...
Nel: You won't get away with this...
Albel: No getting off the hook for free today, ladies. I'm not through playing. Besides, this time you might even give me a little sport.
Cliff: Oh yeah? Try us! We have a way of taking the fun out of things for our enemies.
Albel: Hah! I'll be the judge of that! Now, let's see what you've got!
Fayt: Ahhh!

And there's the boss battle. As with the cockatrice, it's not too bad if you're appropriately leveled/geared, but otherwise it can be a pretty tough fight, because Albel is more mobile than any other boss so far. Careful stunning (or MP bombs, as he has low enough MP to make them worthwhile) gets the job done though.




Cliff: Huh?
Fayt: We gotta get Tynave and Farleen to a doctor, fast. And we got the copper. No reason to stick around here.
Nel: ... Yeah, you're right.
Cliff: But shouldn't we take care of this little problem first?
Fayt: Yeah, well, it's just like he said: Easy wins have never been my style.
Albel: !
Cliff: Hehe, yeah, I gotta agree with you there. I've no interest in trouncin' weaklings either!
Fayt: Let's go.




(I have legit no idea why that line is captioned like that since it has nothing to do with the noise he's making)



Clair: Of course... don't worry about them.
Clair: Are you going back to Aquios?
Nel: Yes; somehow, information about the top secret new runological weapon that we developed, the Thunder Arrow, was leaked to Airyglyph. I must report to Her Majesty as soon as possible. They're not fools... They must be planning something.
Clair: As for that leak, one of my subordinates has gone missing. He disappeared right after you came back. There is a good chance he was passing information on to Airyglyph... This is truly unfortunate.
Nel: I see...
Fayt: Nel.
Fayt: Let's go.
Nel: Right.

We'll leave Arias to report to the queen in a minute, but first we might as well check on the girls, and specifically Farleen who has a PA.



If we talk to Farleen...

Fayt: (Is she really sleeping? It looks like her eyes are slightly open.)



[If we choose Leave her alone.]
Fayt: (I don't want to disturb her. After all, she's been working so hard.)

[If we choose Try poking at her cheek.]
Farleen: Huh? What? I'm exhausted... I really am.
Fayt: But...

[If we choose Try tickling the end of her nose.]
Farleen: Ahhh!
Farleen: I'm trying to sleep. I'm exhausted, you know.
Fayt: But...

[All choices merge here]
Farleen: Zzz...
Narration: It almost sounds like she is pretending to be asleep.

Well, that could've gone slightly better, but we did get the copper we came here for, and Cliff got his fight so it's not all bad.

Next time: we go back to Aquios!