They say you learn something new every day, and my new thing is "don't put a protein shake on Cinnamon Grahams", it enhances neither and spoils both. I shouldn't experiment in the kitchen. At least with writing if it starts getting a bit weird I can always editsdfoijhostrnonovdsf
Last time, barely escaping from Golmore Jungle. This time...
Paramina Rift[]
Enemies[]
Oh come on, they're not even trying anymore. Italians.
So there's a Paramina Rift but Square Enix have yet to make Apoqliphoth Temple? I'm dismayed. And they gave it a really nice piece of music -- admittedly it kind of peters out but it starts brilliantly. In the first area, Fading Vale, there's a Save Crystal. For some reason. Saving, I'd imagine. Anyway, head north into the proper area. You know, with the monsters and treasure and stuff.
Said monsters aren't a massive step-up from the Ozmone Plains or Henne mines; I was level 28 at this point with minimal griding other than making myself strong enough to steal a Deathbringer from Barheim Passage and taking out a few Worgens back when I could first access Mosphoran Highwaste.
Anyway, in the Head of the Silverflow, there's a large area down in the valley (to be read in a Welsh accent) that you can ignore for now; it's the upper, northern path you want, going east to Freezing Gorge. There's a scene when you enter.
Balthier and Larsa share some (subtly revealing) dualogue regarding his conviction in his father's want for peace. Meanwhile, Vayne and Gramis. Yep, that's all for now. Make of it what you will.
Back to adventure -- follow the path to an east/south split. Once again, there's a large southern area that you can ignore for now so continue east and head north when you can. Hey look, the "???" zone-out. We're done here already?
Mt. Bur-Omisace[]
Ooh, an FMV thumbnail.
What a cute lil' mini-village the Sand-Strewn Pass is. There are two shops and a Warp Crystal, which is always lovely to see. Less lovely is Gurdy, greedy Moogle extraordinaire. And up ahead are what I can only assume are wizards who have managed to somehow sneak past the zone-out without being magically transported to Temple Approach. Subtle right? While you're here, buy everyone you plan to use in the near future an Ice Shield; they'll come in real handy soon.
So, what to do...what should we do in the Temple Approach. If only the name gave so kind of hint about what we need to do. I'm gonna go out on a limb and try the radical idea of approaching the temple. Oh wait there's a zone-out never mind.
Turns out we can only approach the Temple Grounds. It's like Zeno's Paradox or something. Here, go halfway towards the temple to your east. Then, go half the distance between you and the temple. Next, head east until you've gone halfway between where you were and the temple.
An infinite amount of time later...
What, you want me to use Mind Read on you?
Hey look it's the Pope. A comatose psychic who can communicate telepathically. Basically, he's Ivalice's Master Nyunpa. As is to be expected of an RPG religious leader he has to pick from the barrel of either 'Mystical Nonsense-Dealer' or 'Dangerous Cult Zealot'. Luckily (I think) he choose Barrel A and comes up with some pseudo-spiritual flannel about "the mirror of dreams reflecting what is reality".
Ashe responds by basically committing heresy, referring to the world's religious leader by name, and the holy ceremony is interrupted by what I can only assume is Don Juan's Rozarrian brother, Al-Cid Margrace. While he wants peace, he's also a realist, reasoning with the Gran Kiltias that, in fact, war is ipponous. I love how David Rasner is basically the go-to voice for "eccentric foreigner" characters. Special mention goes to Al-Cid's personal assistant, who keeps his sunglasses stashed away in her boobs. What a guy.
Also, slightly less good news in that Emperor Gramis is dead. Welp. Let's check up on that sitch.
Spare me your lies! I see the serpent coiled here before me!"
Apparently, the Senate poisoned the Emperor and took his own life in recompense. Or, y'know, Vayne did it and framed the Senate to get them off his back. In the grand scheme of political power plays this has all the subtlety and nuance of the EdStone. It looks like the only one who sees the truth (or cares) is constant reminder that not all Archadians are dicks Judge Drace. Unfortunately, soon-to-be constant reminder that most Archadians are dicks Judge Bergan grabs her by the face and throws her across the room. What is it with politicians grabbing women without their consent?
Also, this scene seems to have a lot of deviation between the subtitles and the spoken lines. I think some of the actors ab-libbed somewhat. Anyway, Vayne sends Judges Bergan and Zargabaath to retrieve Larsa on the Alexander. Oh, so there is something in this game named after me: an airship for absolute knobs. Brilliant.
Without the armour, this scene would be...rather different.
Enter Gabranth, who seems less than happy at being the pet dog of a new master, especially when said master has him "carry out his duty" on Drace. I can't tell how much this game tries to appeal to women -- Ashe is powerless but determined, Fran kicks ass but is basically fetish fuel, Penelo is a cheerleader and the only woman among the Judges Magister is honourable but killed off for being right.
Back in the Vatican Temple of Bur-Omisace, Al-Cid continues with the rrrolling news reports and informs everyone that Vayne is preparing to mobilise the Archadian forces, so that's fun and acceptable. Ashe wants to fight fire with fire, which finally opens the Gran Kiltias' eyes. He tells her to go and find the Dynast King's other treasure -- the Sword of Kings, a blade with the power to cut through nethicite.
Rather than Ashe being a powerless figurehead, she can just hack the Empire to bits with a legendary sword. Now this more like a Final Fantasy game. Sorry Vaan and Basch; your part of the story is done. I'm actually gonna start maining Ashe from now on.
The next stop is a fairly lengthy dungeon, so I think I'll leave this part here now. I'm getting sleepy...veeeery sleepy...
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