Bethany Plays: RD Part 4 Prologue Combat: Holier than thou

39 members of a new organisation, "Divine Hand", more commonly known as the Disciples of Order. I wonder where the name "Divine Hand" came from.

Another day with Micaiah in charge, another occasion to bemoan the fact she still doesn't have Authority Stars. Thracia allowed characters to change their Authority as the plot progressed, where's Micaiah's Authority?

Our boss today is Yuma, who is indeed not a character you should recognise from anything but a disposable. He brings a Brave Sword to make himself concerning, at least, although his statline is a little passe.

Two Purge units to keep an eye on.

This guy has Recover and Physic, if you're using Sothe.

Crossbowman, of course, can't forget him when we have so many Flying types.

No Skills, of course, but why am I showing these screens? Because those Critical bonuses aren't right! Halberdiers have +5 Crit and Warriors have none! The discrepancy is because the Disciples of Order are not Tier 2 units, but Tier 2+ units- they have most of the benefits of being a tier 3 unit (including higher caps) but do not have Mastery Skills. Apparently the JP pinch on promotion affected them, too. On the plus side, Tier 2+ units also drop EXP like Tier 3 units.

Yuma is... well, the Disciples of Order are kind of a hive mind of sorts.

Although Sanaki seems to reckon they're Begnions. Well, obviously, that's who they are.

They're definitely hostile, though, not sure why they wouldn't be.

Well, this is a goddammit on multiple counts. Not the least a literal "God(dess) damn it".

Honestly, Rhea's are more zealous. They don't even need the Goddess's word for this.

I mean, are we truly surprised such soldiers exist?

...Hit where it hurts, why don't you?

Disciple of Order:
神使サナキは偽りの存在！
神の声が聞けぬ神使など、
偽者などに用はない！

Sanaki:
！！

Yuma:
女神は真の御使いに語りかけ、
こう命じられたのだ！
審判は下された！
女神に背く異端者に死を！
邪神のしもべたちに裁きを！

Disciple of Order:
裁きを！

OH DEAR YUNE, this is an important one! What the Disciples accuse Sanaki of here is crucial to understanding the direction Sanaki's character arc will go. This is still in the localised version, but added later, but in summary: The Disciples are accusing Sanaki of not being able to hear the goddess's voice.

Sanaki is shaken.

Sigrun fires right back, to get Sanaki out of her funk.

Incidentally, the main battle theme for this Part is Unending Task, and although the title is slightly strange, the theme is a great fit for the mood of the Part. While I'm talking audio, the Silver Army's Phase jingle is Daein Army.

And we start by... having Leanne feed a kill. Of all things.

Sanaki's going to need help to double.

Cymbeline, incidentally, happens to involve summoning a giant ball of Sun to drop on the enemy. Because Sanaki wasn't already awesome.

Paragon, even moreso. Although her battle model's eyes are a little strange.

Sigrun stands here, to try and keep Leanne safe. It was a vain effort.

This guy has to die.

I want the enemy to go for Sigrun if Sanaki's spots are taken.

Tanith is going to lead the north charge.

...Are we going to make a habit of this?

...Of course I move Tanith out of Mend range of Micaiah...

Ah well, she still needs some kills.

And some Light rank, apparently.

Skrimir, Naesala and Sothe go this direction to hide. There's treasure here, if they can get past the Disciples.

Tanith takes the Crossbow. We need to get rid of this.

And Sanaki stares the Disciples' paladins in the face. One thing about the Disciples is that they are palette swaps of normal units to a greater degree than normal- the whole model gets a gold tint as opposed to just swapping out the armour.

Starting with some Defence and the Micaiah stats.

Also getting Flare to oneshot, that's important too.

There we go, that's more like it. HP, both Speed stats and some more Magic because of course there's more Magic.

Oh, and she's just fine dodging those hits. She does have a thicket.

Micaiah attracts enemy attention, too.

This map was honestly a long recording session because, and I won't deny it, I was a little picky about how Sanaki grew. Also Sigrun, I'd kind of like her to turn out this run to show off some Sigrun dialogue if I can make it. Micaiah having level ups that are perfect 100% of the time made my life significantly easier.

Ooh, doubling already!

We haven't even gotten to Turn 2!

So much for needing Discipline.

Micaiah is dodging just fine too. She is a near-perfect unit.

Tanith finally gets some action. All the nearest Paladins ran straight for Micaiah.

Leanne Blesses Sanaki for the 2 HP she picked up from levels.

And Sanaki prepares for more counterkills. This Elwind tome is almost broken, and Sanaki will switch to Ellight once it does.

HP/Spd/Micaiah stats. Honestly, what Sanaki comes out with is a bit of a grab bag. I think her omni-capping is way too much of a long shot, though. As cool as it would be to have one.

Leanne gets a perfect kill. She needs EXP too!

And Magic. Lots of Magic. Leanne's levels ate a lot of time too.

Jill and Sigrun need to clear space for the boys to hide.

...Jill, really, it's an 86!

Ilyana helps with the 'clearing room' step.

Sigrun can stand next to Sanaki for that Bond Support after this.

You just have to show off for Jill, don't you?

Micaiah gets to take out the crossbowman.

...Why are we standing in the water for this?

Dodging crossbow bolts: Now a Micaiah thing.

Since Micaiah is still a Tier 2 class, she's getting loads of EXP for kills.

While I was checking enemy stats, I noticed this guy's biorhythm. The enemies actually have fluctuating biorhythms? I thought they'd all be flat to go with the Order theme.

Time to make sure the south crew doesn't get ambushed from behind by north forces.

Tanith is doing just fine.

And they stay out of range of that one guy down there that Micaiah can finish off on her go.

The hidden item of note is in the south-east corner. I have designs on acquiring it.

Micaiah Thanis this guy just fine despite his nice weapon.

And some Elwind for Sanaki.

Enough Strength for Cymbeline. Now she just needs the Speed stat.

Sigrun is probably horrified at what Sanaki has already become.

Don't worry about the Purge bishops. I don't think they have Ellights for stealing.

So long, Silver Lance. I have other weapons.

Like this one.

...This turn was a long one, wasn't it?

Sword Rank suits me just fine.

And even more kills for Tanith.

...Oh yeah, reinforcements down here.

Including a Killer Lance. This could get exciting.

First off, get this guy out of the way...

...No HP this time?

And bye bye, Killer Lance.

That covers Elthunder and Arcwind. We only really care about Strength up to 8.

The other fliers go north, to let Sanaki have her fun. If you're curious, I'm told the Master Crown is that corner one square north and west from Jill.

Ilyana wants EXP.

Ilyana did good EXP. That's Luck capped.

Micaiah just needs to make sure Tanith doesn't die.

And forward we go.

Marcia doesn't want this guy getting in the way. Or lucky.

That'll do, sure.

Jill gets to go in all sorts of exciting directions coming up.

Get closer...

And time to be thrown at.

There's a bow cavalier who started with the other two Sanaki engaged with Elwind that's been going up to Yuma this whole time. It's been hilarious, annoying and weird.

Sigrun's Skill is good for rolling Stuns.

As for Sanaki?

Magic cap and some Skill/Defence.

Micaiah gets caught with her Staff on.

"Shoo. Go on, shoo."

And reinforcements up here!

At least Micaiah has been healed by holding a staff.

Sanaki also brought Blizzard, to get some Wind rank in from a distance. Sadly, no kills around here.

Speed and Defence. Always making sure we get good stuff.

Ilyana gives Leanne a push.

She's going to get Sanaki moving.

Not that she can get anywhere exciting.

Sigrun takes out this Purge guy, because I fear he might actually be capable of killing Leanne.

She gets a very Sigrun level for it. Sigrun really needs the good stuff.

And since we can't steal that Physic staff, might as well stop him thinking about using it.

We have only so many choices of target. Although that is an archer to the east...

Maintaing that sharp edge, that's Tanith all right.

She'll keep these guys on as much of a leash as possible. They'll have to go around her to the west to get distance, so the east is less troubled.

Jill gets closer to the stuff in the north.

And Micaiah takes out this guy. There is literally one enemy who can reach this position she's standing in.

Which is good, because it's wasting EXP time.

And this guy comes back to shooting at us after a long hidey-hole.

...Double level up, huh? No Speed, unfortunately, but this is... all right?

There's the one guy who can get to Micaiah. Of course he goes for it. Swing and a miss.

...Tanith, please, you're only embarassing yourself.

...Well, at least she's focused on the essentials.

...Well, this got ugly.

Nab and run!

So long, Archer.

Jill needs to shift down here, and...

Someone to deal with the south!

...One of them. And hopes she finds the right position for the others.

Well, that would theoretically help, except this guy is dying anyway.

Jill's level ups are getting a little cramped, what with the whole "four stat caps" thing.

These two are safely out of range, so Jill goes back north.

...Well, at least I can weaken him?

"Can" is no guarantee. For many units, it's just easier to assume you won't.

Another Sword cap.

This weaken worked.

Give Sanaki the EXP. (Yes, if she was one tile closer, she could use a non-siege tome for some experience.)

Hell yeah.

Ilyana just tries to cross the river.

Another great level for Marcia. She's only capped Defence, but I see such a promising future for her.

And more of these guys.

Ilyana grabs herself a kill, since we're worrying about this.

Sanaki just goes for a weaken. She's gotten plenty of EXP this map.

Sanaki is really vulnerable to the criticisms being thrown at her here.

Jill takes out this guy.

See what I mean about how hard it is to swing her stats around?

Tanith comes in to defend Sanaki's honour.

...They get into a battle of zealous rhetoric. Something's telling me this isn't helpful.

Well, you can't exactly say this guy is disloyal.

He's also dead, but, you know, Tanith's shoring up her good stats.

Here's a hint: You're not the goddess's appointed champions.

Yuma: Die! Die!

Yuma: You are the dark god made flesh! The source of all evil!
Micaiah: Don’t speak that way about Yune! She’s not a dark god!

Yuma: Death to the filthy sub-humans! Despicable, rabid beasts!
Skrimir: Yes! Feed my rage! Make me hate you. Give me reason to crush your bones in my jaws…

Yuma: Black-winged demon, eater of carrion! Prepare to receive the goddess’s judgment!
Naesala: Hmm… how colorful.

Yuma: The dark god breeds foul corruption through the words of its false apostle! Her soul is a blackened, withered husk, and we shall banish it from this world!
Sigrun: As long as I draw breath, you will not lay hands on Apostle Sanaki.

Yuma has a surprising amount of boss dialogue for a disposable, but very little character. I say Skrimir wins out, because of the whole brag of "draw out my Chaos at your peril" he's got going for him, but Naesala gets points for snark.

Leanne got level 15, which gets her a Capacity upgrade and the Bliss and Sorrow galdrar to make up for these stats. I think at this point, I just wanted to finish the mission. That is, however, a Magic cap.

(Bliss brings ally Biorhythm up to Best, and Sorrow brings enemy Biorhythm down to Worst, obeying the same rules that Vigour does in terms of "who it affects". Usually Vigour is better.)

Micaiah heals up Tanith as she prepares for the final onslaught.

We've just got to clean up some enemies here, and...

Hey, let's get rid of this guy before he gets a shot off on my pegasi!

Oh.

Tanith just isn't dodging for some reason.

This guy went for Marcia. Went less well for him.

Now that we're done, we can start pondering the nature of the Disciples of Order. They're a cut above the Begnion Central Army forces we've been dealing with. How did that happen?

Sigrun figures some of them were newbies. That... that's concerning.

Skrimir:
ふん…　かなりの手練揃いだった。
元老院はこれほどの兵力を
温存しておったわけだな？

Sigrun:
いいえ、そんなはずありません。
彼らの身に着けている鎧、
紋様の階級は…ほとんどが
隊長位までのものです。
それがここまで戦えるなんて…

Skrimir's initial question is mostly "did the Senate hold these guys back against us". Sigrun's response is that, judging by the armour patterns, these guys are captains at best. So, one should read "I recognise a few by face" as "I don't recognise many of these faces".

Right, yeah, fighting a goddess.

Farsight? Entirely on Yune.

The way she says this, I think she means that the soldiers that were unpetrified were specifically those open to zealously following her commands rather than brainwashing whatever soldiers she happened to find.

Although the Black Knight's armour is a weird case, the fact the goddess can confer blessings onto her subordinates is true, and Ashera has applied that here.

You say that, but Part 4 has a reputation for being the easiest part, mostly because all the player units are so overpowered from surviving their respective legs of the game that they can chew up the Disciples blessing and all.

These two are reference objects one can make comparisons to, although they worked... differently.

Naesala:
どこぞの厳つい黒鎧の奴と、
やたら態度のでかいベオクが
愛用してたっけな。
エタルドとかラグネルとか
確か、そんな名前の剣だったはずだ。

Sigrun:
よくご存知ですね？

Naesala:
金になりそうな物はちょっとな。
あれと同じものなのか？

Why is Naesala so quick to reference Ragnell and Alondite? He's gotta keep his eyes on anything valuable!

A single Blessing is more powerful than a thousand Blessings done at once. We don't have to worry about an army of Black Knights.

That is a strength up, though.

Yune's not quite powerful enough to match the blessings. She actually hasn't got as much experience in Blessings at all- Ashera did a lot more of it in the ancient war.

Still, we're the best of the best, and we're matched by idiots on horses that got Blessed to our skill level.

I'm getting a lot of Rhea vibes from this line. The zealots think their goddess loves them personally while the goddess is planning to ditch them as soon as they fail her.

How does Yune manage to slip away from Sothe so easily?

Yune is sick of dealing with Sothe and bolts before he starts complaining about the goddess hogging his girlfriend's body again.

Good idea. They won't have a goddess warning them. Hope they haven't been attacked yet.

Skrimir needs some more sleep.

...Sothe. She needs to have a human mouth to talk to us. Besides, you get Micaiah for most of the rest of the day- Yune only ever seems to take over an hour at a time at most.

Micaiah is rather fond of Yune, and is not particularly fond of Sothe badmouthing her all the time.

Sothe is surprisingly slow on the uptake.

So Micaiah's figured out Yune's been behind Farsight the whole time.

And reasons that's because Yune's cared about humanity all along.

Sothe:
…変じゃないか？　邪神は、
ミカヤが呪歌で解放するまでは……
あのメダリオンの中で眠っていたはずだ。
それなのに、危険を知らせたり
小鳥になってつきまとったり…
そんなことができるものなのか？

Micaiah:
でも…そうなの。
ユンヌだって神様だもの。
わたしたちでは想像できないような
すごい力が仕えても不思議はないわ。
彼女は、眠りながらも…
ずっとわたしたちを気にしていた。
ユンヌはベオクとラグズを深く愛している……

Sothe asks how Yune went about that, and Micaiah gives more or less "A wizard did it."

...Which contradicts this part a little bit, doesn't it?

Whatever happened to get to this point was against Yune's will. Some gods would welcome this title. Always the crazy ones.

Sothe resolves not to call her the dark god.

And Yune immediately jumps in to finally bask in Sothe actually appreciating her!

Sothe jumped a mile from the sudden switch. Micaiah's sprite flashes when she switches between Micaiah and Yune, but it can still shock you. Espcially since she jumps right into her speech.

Because Sothe is focused on Micaiah at all times, he resents the fact you rob her of her agency.

Sothe:
おまえこそ、
ミカヤにばっかりなついてて…
俺が餌をやっても見向きもしなかっただろ！

Yune:
そ、それは…だって……
ミカヤが私よりサザと仲良しだったから……
うらやましかったのよ。

Remember Yune-the-bird pecking Sothe? Apparently Yune's jealousy that Micaiah likes Sothe as well as her extended all the way back then- Yune was very persnickety when Sothe tried to feed her.

Yune knows that at least this is something to help keep Micaiah alive.

And Sothe is exceptionally weirded out.

Oh, how adorable.

So yeah, remember how I said Master Crowns don't work on Sothe? For some reason, he gets a plot promotion. I guess he couldn't promote on his own in PoR, either.

Honestly, even a trained Sothe makes a poor protector for Micaiah. His Strength cap is terrible.

You could always arm-wrestle Skrimir. You'd still lose regardless.

If Micaiah's going to have a bodyguard, he better do the best damn job he can.

And Micaiah comes out with this line. Do I want to know what tone that "disappointed" is in, after Homecoming?

Sothe still doesn't understand Yune. It's tricky business doing that.

Micaiah:
……………………
………行っちゃったわ。

Sothe:
ミカヤ。

Micaiah:
似合ってる。その格好。

Sothe:
………そうか……？

Micaiah:
うん。

Sothe:
ユンヌのやつ……
礼ぐらい言わせてくれてもいいのに。

The first thing that happens when Micaiah resumes her body after Sothe's promotion is take a full dose of the female gaze. Fair play after what happened when it was Micaiah's turn to class change.

...Stubborn, I guess? Not a comparison out of nowhere, but...

It's a comparison Sothe doesn't appreciate.

The JP version of the conversation ends here. Or, well, it picks up when it changes perspective to Sigrun and Sanaki.

Micaiah and Sothe haven't forgotten how they left Daein. There's still a loose plot thread to pluck.

Lekain has our Blood Pact.

If we can get a potshot in on that guy, we've solved our biggest problem nice and conveniently!

Whether or not Lekain has invoked the Pact already is one matter. But right now, Daein as a nation is entirely meaningless and the Pact is about as valuable as toilet paper. If we undo the Judgment before we break the Pact, then the invoke kicks in and people start dying.

Either that, or the statues are dying while still stone and there's going to be an ugly surprise when we get home.

...Any reason in particular? What is Micaiah doing that makes it hard to talk to her?

Ooh, this is an interesting point. Sanaki's ability to hear the voice of the goddess and learn the whims of fate ahead of time sounds a lot like Farsight. These two have more in common than first glance.