Lia's BK tweets archive - 2020-12-10: Nashira, Greater Celestial River

Lia @liareplaysbk · 09:41 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

Time to go back to Best Island and get more time with Anna and Reblys.
I recall that quest being mostly a fun romp, which will be nice considering what’s next.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:39 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

We have to stop by Pherkad to pick up some stuff first. The person who previously complimented the Mindeer is a bit confused but still appreciative of our new ride.

Person at the docks: “Is this your... erm... ship? ...A true beauty he...she...it is!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:41 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

Previously, we always needed to age some apples into wine if we needed some. But now the bar has the wine itself in stock, which speeds things up.
The dialog is a nice touch, because Kalas’ UI said he was 18 at the start, and 19 after we get him back.

Bartender: “I haven’t seen you for a while, but you appear to have grown up.”

Bartender: “Okay, help yourself to the Mountain Apple Wine over there.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:45 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

Sheliak and Elnath don’t have much besides bits of new flavor dialog. This knight was previously pondering whether Imperial Soldiers were “just following orders”, and is as close as the game gets to stating its core thesis in text rather than subtext.

Knight: “Gazing at Diadem’s vast sea of clouds like this makes me think...”

Knight: “Maybe there’s no such thing as an evil person...”

Knight: “Maybe everyone is doing good or evil deeds for some reason or another, but it was all [cont]”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:47 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

(The other half of said thesis is, IMO, that you’ll nonetheless need to fight hard against said evil-doers to make them stop, because their harm is real and can’t be undone. But once the battle is done, they need a chance to contribute to repairs, too)

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:48 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

We get to Nashira and oh no, it’s crawling with monsters! Gibari runs in brandishing his oar as the guitar version of the battle theme starts playing...

Gibari, looking smug: “Looks like you’re in quite a jam. I’ll get ya unstuck.”

Knight: “Gibari! Am I glad to see you!!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:52 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

In a glorious (but not very accessible) display of doing things cheaply, we get a fade to black with lots of WHACK and WHAM noises. It’s a great scene.
Once things calm down, it’s the usual: small attacks, but enough of them that it’s bleeding resistance dry.

Knight: “None of us were seriously wounded, thanks to you.”

Knight: “We’ve been attacked from time to time by a few monsters. Nothing serious, but everyone’s fatigued.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:55 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

We’d gotten gentle hints to Gibari’s past as a Knight, now it’s made explicit, with some emphasis on how weird him leaving was, and his close relationship with Ladekahn.
(And yes, that factoid is shipper-bait)

Knight: “By the way... Gibari. There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you.”

Knight: “Erm, well... why did you leave us? The Knights, I mean.”

Knight: “Gibari’s father instructed King Ladekahn in swordfighting.”

Knight: “I remember you taking fencing lessons with the King, as a child.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 10:57 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

And that’s one terrible dodge. He was on track to be a great Head Knight, according to the Knight we’re talking to.

Gibari: “That was a long time ago. I just left, no big reason...”

Gibari: “Besides, I’m not cut out to be a leader.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:00 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

Kalas fails at diplomacy yet again. I kind of love the way Gibari shuts him down.

Kalas: “Hey Gibari... was there really a reason you left the Knights?”

Gibari: “I’m not old enough to go into my life story with a nineteen-year-old.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:02 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

It’s almost menacing, even? But with nostalgia / sadness mixed in. It gets a lot done in very few lines.

Gibari: “Knowing what I am, and what I’m going to do, should be enough for you. Sound logical?”

Gibari: “Well, I might tell ya someday...”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:05 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

I find it interesting that Kalas’ brand of Can’t Shut Up When He Should is generally about making people uncomfortable or angry via curiosity or aggressivity.
Contrast it to Lyude’s brand of Can’t Shut Up When He Should being about starting shit due to (justified) concerns.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:06 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

The scripting edge case here is that we can’t leave Nashira after this scene. Have to go find the bartender.

Gibari: “Hey, why don’t we go say “hi” to Anna?”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:08 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

We don’t find her, but we eventually run into a very worried grandmother. Her grandson got attacked by monsters and has been running an unbroken fever since.

Shorty’s Grandmother: “Gibari! You’re a sight for sore eyes!”

Shorty’s Grandmother: “Please, go help Anna and Reblys!”

Shorty’s Grandmother: “Shorty wandered outside the village to play, while I wasn’t looking.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:11 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

What does that have to do with Anna and Reblys? The Greater Celestial River has a medicinal seaweed that’s great for fevers, and they went to get some. Shame the place is a bit deadly.

Shorty’s Grandmother: “...They went to the Greater Celestial River...”

Gibari:, furious: “What?! That place is dangerous!”

Shorty’s Grandmother: “They went to gather Pekusa seaweed...”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:13 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

Gibari initially blames Reblys for dragging Anna into this, but it’s the other way ‘round, because of course Anna rushes into danger to save people.

Shorty’s Grandmother: “No, from what I heard, Anna rushed off alone...”

Shorty’s Grandmother: “Reblys heard of this, and ran off after her...”

Gibari: “Hey, don’t worry, okay? We’ll pick up both them and the seaweed, and be back in no time.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:14 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

Anna, as a reminder, shouted Imperials Soldiers down without trouble, so I’m not sure she needs help THAT much.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 06:41 PM · Oct 19, 2020 Go

We find Anna having a shouting match with Imperials bullying a kid, which she of course wins because she’s a Cute And Badass Fantasy Bartender.
Back to the bar, SECRET TUNNEEEEEEEEL

Anna in front of a large opening in the bar’s floor: “Here’s the entrance.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:17 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

“North”

Gibari: “Okay. Let’s head for the Greater Celestial River. It’s north of here.”

Gibari: “Might behoove us to have a look at the river’s Master, while we’re there.”

The world map, showing the Greater Celestial River completely to the left of the screen, while Diadem is at the bottom right.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:19 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

Before heading off, we talk to everyone and get the name of the Legendary Fisherman who stuck a weapon in the Master’s back. Okay.

Villager: “Aeons ago, Balgora, the legendary fisherman, drove an oar into the back of the Master of the Greater [cont]”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:21 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

We also make the mistake of talking to this lady in blue and end up reloading the last save.
She’s been rambling about finding a good man from the start, but now she goes on about how money is the true secret to happiness.
Your dialog options are to give money or slap her.

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

Giving money takes about 1/6th of what you have, slapping makes her complain (as she should!) and claim about 1/3rd of your cash as compensation. URGH.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 11:23 PM · Dec 10, 2020 Permalink

And the quick check in Anuénué...

Gibari: “Hey, Kalas. I can’t just leave Anna and Reblys alone.”

Gibari: “I don’t wanna get too pushy, but you gotta come with me to the Greater Celestial River.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:11 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

The Greater Celestial River looks a lot like its Lesser cousin, except it has those utterly creepy sea turtles with pitch-black eyes. Nothankyou.

A wide river with rocky banks. Title card: “Greater Celestial River”

Combat screen, showing Gibari facing a sea turtle-like creature with pitch black eyes.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:13 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

We find Reblys not too far in, taking a breather. LET THE SHITTALKING BEGIN

Gibari, concerned: “Yo, Reblys! You all right? Where’s Anna?!”

Reblys: “She went up ahead. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t listen...”

Gibari: “I won’t bother telling you to go back to the village. You never listen to me.”

Reblys: “Of course not. I’ll be the one to help Anna!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:21 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

We find Anna up ahead (which again suggests that she did not need that much help)...

Gibari: “What happened? Did you get the seaweed? What are you doing up here?”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:23 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

Gibari and Reblys are both shocked at how flooded the river is...

Reblys: “Hey. What’s up? What are you standing here for?”

Reblys: “...Oh! What the blaze is that?!”

Gibari, as the camera pans over the flooded river: “Never seen anything like this...”

Reblys: “Same here... Looks like the Celestial River is flooded.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:24 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

Which is a problem to gather seaweed and therefore save the kid.

Anna: “We can’t get seaweed in these conditions.”

Anna: “What should we do? We have to hurry, Shorty’s life is at stake here!!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:26 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

Luckily we have two absolute geniuses on-site.

Anna: “Excuse me?! What on earth are you talking about?”

Gibari: “Yeah, that’s it, Anna! Let’s fish!”

Anna: “Has everyone here lost their minds?”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:27 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

It actually does make sense, but if you front-load that you miss out on comedic value.

Gibari: “Some fish or another is bound to have pekusa seaweed in its gut.”

Gibari, looking smug: “What a great idea! Not bad for a knucklehead like you, Reblys!”

Reblys: “Humph! A compliment from one of my lessers.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:30 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

It’s CHALLENGING fishing though! Meaning it immediately turns into a di- er fishing pole measuring contest.
(Every dialog bit is actually echoed between Gibari and Reblys, I’m trimming a solid 50% of the shittalking here)

Anna: “But... the fish in this river are huge.”

Gibari: “Don’t worry, Anna. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Gibari, to Reblys: “I’ll show you what being a man of the Sky is all about!”

Reblys: “I’ll show you what bein’ a real man of the Sky is all about.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:31 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

Anna has the universal reaction of a person caught in the middle of Typical Male Bullshit: a heavy sigh.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:38 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

Both the dorks somehow find entire tree trunks on the barren shore to make fishing poles out of, and so we wait.
(Missed opportunity to have the rest of the party doing funnier animations. Xelha wiggles impatiently but that’s about it)

Gibari: “All we can do is wait for one of ‘em to take the bait.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:39 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

And so... we... wait...

Gibari: “Hey Anna... you know this one? Everything comes to those who...”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:41 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

Reblys gets the bite, and immediately doubles down on the shittalking.

Reblys: “See, those are the three things I have, and you lack!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:43 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

“Shut up and fish” is a pretty great line.

Reblys: “Hm! Whoa! This bugger is huge!”

Reblys: “Good thing it bit my line, would’ve been long gone by now if it hadn’t been me.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:46 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

The thing’s too big so they team up eventually, though not without more quality Typical Male Bullshit.
(My headcanon is that the entire Man Of The Sky thing is some nonsense those two made up and the rest of Nashira is just endlessly confused)

Reblys, as Gibari rushes in to help: “Wooaahh!!”

Gibari: “We’re fine Anna, just leave us be! It’s about honor! About being a man of the Sky!”

Anna: “Huh? What are you talking about?”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:48 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

After MORE shittalking, they haul the thing out of the water - or, more likely, it gets annoyed and comes to see who’s pestering it.
Surprise, it’s got an oar in its back, it’s the legendary Master Of The Celestial River!

Gibari: “If it’s too much for you, leave it to me. Your bones must be achin’.”

Reblys: “Shut up, Gibari... Your knees are wobbling!”

Gibari, serious again: “Look, Reblys. It’s getting tired...”

A giant armored fish standing on the shore.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:51 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

The fight’s nothing unmanageable. It hits decently hard, but as always, you’d need to be seriously under-leveled to actually be at risk.
We get a couple of semi-serious lines...

Gibari: “Well done! Look, Anna. Take a look at its mouth. That’s it. Pekusa seaweed.”

Reblys: “Gibari, so the rumors were true. That you were a Knight of some standing...”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:52 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

And it’s right back to shittalking.

Reblys: “I see. But you’re not bad as a fisherman...”

Reblys: “Nothing near what I am, of course, but good enough.”

Gibari: “Heh, give me a break, will ya?”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:55 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

Thank goodness for Anna

Reblys and Gibari still laughing after everyone else has left.

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:57 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

Back at base, the day (and Shorty) is saved.

Shorty’s Grandmother: “Oh... the fever has gone down...”

Shorty’s Grandmother: “Thank you all so much! If it weren’t for you... my Shorty may have...”

Anna: “It was our pleasure, Granny. Shorty means so much to us.”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 12:59 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

We get Balgora’s paddle with, you guessed it, a side-serve of shittalking.

Reblys: “Balgora’s Paddle. It was lodged in the back of today’s catch. Take it.”

Reblys: “You need the best gear available if you ever wanna beat me.”

Gibari: “Right then. Courtesy of Sir Reblys. Thanks, buddy.”

Textbox: “You’ve obtained a Magnus: Balgora’s Paddle”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 01:01 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

That’s Gibari’s quest wrapped up. While the drive of it is dramatic, it’s lovely and light-hearted.
Those three have a fantastic dynamic, and I love that it’s friendship and rivalry, not really romantic competition over Anna.

Gibari: “Well, it’s time to get movin’!”

Reblys: “Don’t get yourself killed out there!”

Lia @liareplaysbk · 01:02 AM · Dec 11, 2020 Permalink

Next time: run a bunch more errands and then we’re off to a... less light-hearted sidequest. Lyude’s going to have a very, very, VERY bad day.