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Helmet 10 Warehouse
Jul 21, 2007

...
Update 34: Flash To The Rescue

Welcome back, everyone. Last time we finally did something heroic and saved a bunch of old people and one well dressed, young man. The young man informed us that The Walister Resistance has take back Coritanae Castle from us. Which is unacceptable. Now that we're moving on into the next leg of things, lets recap:


Click here or above for a larger image.

Here is the current state of affairs. As can see the territory for the Bakram (red) and Walister (blue) haven't change, but we have a new contender. That's right, the green area is ours. We would have had Coritanae Castle too if the Walister did grab it when we weren't looking.

Speaking of Coritanae, that place has been very active lately. From before the start of the game to just before the end of chapter 2 it was the capital of Galgastan. That lasted until the Walister Resistance sacked the city and drove a death nail into the Galgastani nation. This were looking pretty good for the Resistance at this point. They stayed in the city until news broke out about the invasion of the Dark Knights. After that Duke Ronwey and the Resistance returned to Almorica to mount a defense. The invasion didn't advance far into Walister territory, and since then the two nation, Bakram and Walister, have been biding their time. To that end Ronwey has been sending Vyce on secret talks with the leaders of the Dark Knights and Bakram.

When the Resistance left Coritanae a group of the remaining Glagastani loyalist moved in to occupy their former capitol. This is when we came in. For some reason Denam thought taking over Coritanae has a good idea, so off the Order of Goons went. We successfully took the castle, but the loyalist lead by Xaebos fled to Brigantys Castle and took the locals hostage. Also, this is when Catiua left. She said she was returning to Golyat. Then after all that we followed Xaebos to Brigantys, kill him, save the people, and ran into a few Necromancer along the way.


Our new goal is to take back Coritanae.


But right now all the roads to Coritanae run through the Bahanna Highlands, so you know what that means...








A man is confidently traveling across the highlands when two ninjas move to surround him.

Then, this happens...






The man easily dispatches his two pursuers.


Then, he continues on his way.


Until he hears a sound.

They move like the wind.


To the north Denam and crew arrive, but it seems like we weren't what caught his attention.


On cue, the rest of the pursuers catch up. Oh, and they appear to be fans of ours too.

Our mysterious swordsman has flushed out rare game! The Wheel turns for us!

Again with that drat Wheel.






It's save the suicidal NPC time again, but this one seems pretty chill. He does nothing on his first turn. That's right he didn't charge head first into the enemy. That's a first, but I have a feeling it won't last long.


Unless this Ninja can do something about it.


He tries to bind Hobyrim's movement but fails. By the way the guy's name is Hobyrim in case you couldn't be bothered to read it.



The duke favored you above all others, but like any mongrel, you were quick to bite the hand that feeds.

I fought not for the glory of a single man but to bring peace to my people - to Valeria! It is the duke who betrayed our struggle!


At this point Denam is better off going :words: because that's all that this guy is hearing.

Steady hands, lads. We face a foe more foul than the Heirophant himself!



The Ninjas try a couple more times to bind Hobyrim, but to no avail. Depending on your play style this can be a good or bad thing. The obvious benefit is if he can't move, then he can't charge the enemy and get himself killed. The downside is...

is...

You know what, there is no downside. Those Ninjas are letting us down by not immobilizing him. Thanks a lot, jerks.


Denam calls out to the man.

And you are?

My name is Denam Pavel, captain of the Order of Goons.

Young for a knight captain. No matter. I'll take what help is offered!

I like this guy. It's been awhile since we meet anyone on the road who didn't want to kill us.



On his second turn, Hobyrim moves forward to attack the female Ninja.


And he is now in lobber range.


Which is good because the enemy is about to rock his world.


Next, Ninja 1 continues to be a jerk.


While Ninja 2 one-shot kills our new golem.


He's kind of underleveled.




The Berserkers bring Hobyrim down to 39 HP.


Eventually, Cake Attack tosses him a leaf.


Just in time for our target Modiliani's next attack. Okay things aren't looking to good right now. Something drastic needs to happen or else Hobyrim is going to bite the big one.



After a few turns an enemy Wizard gets a chance to attack.


He then turns Hobyrim to stone.


Welp.


Unlike other games in the fantasy genre, you're not considered dead when you're petrified. A petrified unit still has to be killed the old fashion way of bring their HP down to 0. So no game over even though Hobyrim is a statue.


The upside of all this is that the enemy AI will now prioritize going after different targets. This Ninja took a long time think about who to go after.


In the end he decided to attack Arcyelle with the same attack the other ninja used on the golem. He missed two times on a three hit attack.


Prowler goes down for the second time in two fights. He might have survived this attack if Buluru didn't stab through him earlier to kill one of the Berserkers. I bet that Berserker thought he was safe using Prowler as a shield. Until Buluru killed him that is.


No sense in dragging this out. Our target is a mage with the physical defense of a toothpick.


While we're busy with our target, a Wizard throws some mean words at Hobyrim. It's kind of hard to hear when your ears are made of stone.



Denam gets a good hit in.


Then, Modiliani pulls out the big guns.






Ouch


Buluru puts end to this by once again stabbing through something. This time it wasn't a teammate.


No deathbed realization for this guy.


Just a reminder that the world still thinks we had a part in the massacre at Balmamusa.



Though some people just don't seem to care. Like our new friend here.

I'd rather you address me by my name, Denam Pavel.

Of course, forgive me. I am Hobyrim Vandam. I owe you my life. I'll not forget it.

What errand brings you to such a place as this?



You've some score to settle with the Dark Knights?

Aye, you might say that.


Oh, he's blind. Didn't see that one coming. Sorry.

...

I may not be able to see, but my sword is truer than most. Let me join your struggle.


The Order of Goons is an equal opportunity employer.

You would be a welcome addition.

You've my thanks, then, and my sword.


Congratulations





:toot: Be the way, this is when the game would normally give us our first Swordmaster classmarks. This is if we didn't go out of our way to get them from Phorampa Wildwoods back in update 19. But we did, so whatever.


Meanwhile at Almorica Castle, Duke Ronwey is holding a meeting.


I like that nobody is sitting next to Vyce. Even the other chairs don't want anything to do with him.

He has. We're to meet at the cathedral in Rhime, at a time of our choosing. He even agreed to limit our escorts to three men apiece.

You've served me well in this, Vyce. I could ask for no finer envoy.

We are one step nearer to vanquishing the Bakram.


A fair question.

I should have your tongue out for that! You dare question me?

An unfair response.



Your concern, however well meant, is uncalled for. The Dark Knights will honor their agreement. They know full well the Bakram cannot stand against us with the Galgastani gone. An alliance serves their interest as much as ours.




Ronwey uses lies like a carpenter uses nails.

His claim to power rests on the young heir to House Eltenague. Without the boy, Brantyn is nothing. Stripping him of the regency will be simple enough. With his power lost, his flock will soon scatter. Once we have restored peace to the isles, the Dark Knights will have no choice but to return to Lodis.

...

I know you've only just returned, but I'm afraid there's no time to rest. We must inform Tartaros of the time of the meeting. Fetch me quill and parchment...

____________________________________________________________

Before we end this update, let's take a trip to the surprisingly polite rear end in a top hat universe.



I'm sorry. Were circumstances different...

Understood. I can hardly expect you to welcome me on no more than my word. No matter. I am sure we will meet again. Until then, stay whole.

Needless to say this choice get's us nothing.

____________________________________________________________

Warren Report

Hobyrim Vandam