Lia @liareplaysbk · 06:31 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Much comboing has been done, now let’s see about this whole rescue operation.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 06:34 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Someone on Alfard DOES know that the dimensions are kinda messed up! It’s interesting how few hints there are for this one.
Maybe it assumes you’ll know to go back there eventually?

Lia @liareplaysbk · 06:34 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

We get a lifetime authorization to go into the caves because we won’t mess them up like those Imperial clowns.
Should we tell him about the whole wicked god thing and how we very directly caused those interdimensional cracks, you think?

Lia @liareplaysbk · 06:36 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Either way, back in the glitchy room we go, grabbing some lava on the way.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 06:37 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

The way this works:
- Each crack is where an End Magnus was.
- There’s a gate that requires a quest item representative of that island.
- Then a boss.
And once we get past that we get a party member back.
You’re supposed to follow the game’s original island order...

Lia @liareplaysbk · 06:38 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

... because the bosses gets harder, mostly by having more health.
Because I’m a doof and have favorites, I’m going to try and do this backwards and see how badly it blows up in my face. ONWARDS.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 06:43 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

... That went splat really fast. I guess it actually adjust the bosses’ health based on how many you’ve defeated?
*adds to list of stuff to reverse-engineer*

Lia @liareplaysbk · 06:49 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Stating the obvious MUCH

Lia @liareplaysbk · 06:51 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

There’s writing on the gate, which is the hint for what Quest Magnus to use (here, Lava).
That makes the gate disappear and the boss appear.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 06:52 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Battle is trivial and it turns out the name matches the first, not last boss. So yep, tied to how many you’ve killed, not location.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 06:59 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Yep, they’re all pinned up like that, because DRAMA.
Bonus self-esteem issues, when the more reasonable surprise would be “They didn’t get you then?”.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 07:02 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

There’s 6-7 textboxes of this, and TBH considering how much the plot’s tossed at him I AM also surprised he can walk on his own.
(The plot has one more major sucker punch in store, worry not)

Lia @liareplaysbk · 07:02 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Combat drops are an equipment and a finisher for Gibari so yeah, intended order is to start with Diadem.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 07:19 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Rinse, repeat. Glad it’s not all the way at the bottom of the Labyrinth of Mirrors.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 07:21 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Mizuti was not actually in a different pose to normal at all and looked like flying off wouldn’t have been tough? Go figure.
Either way Mizuti was also certain we’d come because friendship, which might be the first strong hint of the character’s actual age.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 07:33 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

(Well, the characters info menu says 14 all along, but you don’t REALLY internalize or believe that until... later events)

Lia @liareplaysbk · 08:36 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

We do however get to climb the entire darn Celestial Tree again.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 08:38 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Someone give trauma therapy to the two ex-Imperials already.
That aside, this is a delightful interaction in how Xelha gives Savyna an easy out from talking about feelings.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 08:41 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Switching right back to tactical mode, with what feels like a mild jab at the whole Kalas thing.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 09:10 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

The crack in Sadal Suud is empty, though Xelha gets a strange dizzy spell with water noises playing.
Which... we’re right by a spring, so it can be read as that. But on repeat playthroughs it can be seen as a first hint of her connection to the Ocean, maybe?

Lia @liareplaysbk · 09:12 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

To Diadem! This boss actually starts hitting hard enough that I have to vaguely pay attention, but it’s still no challenge.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:04 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Gibari indulges in some bragging, of course, and is then also immediately in tactical mode. Which makes more sense when we know his past, which his sidequest might be explicit about? Can’t recall.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:08 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

That’s everyone rescued, we get the obvious pointer of going back to Anuénué where all the leaders are.
Gibari’s characterization is consistently delightful, just the right mix of taking things seriously while still being lighthearted in phrasing.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:11 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

Since Anna and Reblys were the only ones who really remarked on the absence of a specific character, let’s go check on them.
I do love the idea that the rest of us need to be careful around what he starts, when he’s clearly a pillar of reasonableness in this crew.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:24 PM · Nov 22, 2020 Permalink

And that’s it for today. Next time: moar talking, and off to the mystical land of witches!