DQXIS Act 2 Dundrasil: Irwin's Last Moments

Where else would Irwin's greatest regrets lie other than in the halls of Dundrasil?

These people really don't know...

You can hear that grim sense of foreboding, can't you?

The various Kings of the realm are gathering here, too. Today's the day for a Colloquy of Kings.

There's a momentous occasion in the offing, after all...

And everyone wants to feel involved. I'm sure this will manifest harmlessly when the time comes.

...You mean the Colloquy of Kings isn't a regular thing? The fact it has a name makes it sound like it does. At any rate, if anything was going to make it happen, the Luminary is sure to be such a good reason.

This is also going to take Irwin out of the party for his own son's birth. On the other hand, I'm not entirely sure how much this party is going to be "about" his son.

DQXIS Act 2 Warrior's Rest: Bound by the Chains of Regret

Now then, it's about time we headed Zwaardsrust's way.

...Well then. That's never good.

(Erik has appropriate behaviour for all cutscenes from now until his formal join time, and it's always worth checking to see what some animator had him doing in the background.)

This is not at all encouraging. While I don't necessarily fear sinking, perhaps it's possible we'll face something similar-

Oh, lovely.

We got a surprise guest.

I was wondering when we'd get around to saying hello to Alizarin.

I kneel only to Queen Marina.

Rab prepares to open the Pearly Gates up on him.

Alizarin proves resistant.

And I thought it was bad enough the Dark Orb could do that.

We can certainly expect a difficult time getting to a shore.

...Well, that couldn't have happened at a worse time.

DQXIS Act 2 Inner Ocean: Forgotten Friend

This update will be sidequests, sequence-breaking, and one nugget of important, if out of sequence, plot information.

Starting with this man, who has appeared now that the Soldiers of Smile have taken up residence in Don Rodrigo's manor.

He requires us to perform a Pep Power.

This sidequest is somewhat tricky, since it requires a three-person power when we haven't gotten back to seven party members, but the reward is something impressive.

To be specific, the party members in question are Erdward, Hendrik and Sylvando. I do not imagine I was required to explain that, but it helps to know for sure.

With the Stallion ready for use, Dave has now reappeared at port. I don't think I've ever actually tested Zooming to Puerto Valor, running to the Emerald Coast and trying that port. In DQ games past, that would not be allowed, but I think DQ11 might make an exception because of how its overworld works?

Dave points us in the correct direction: Our next plot objective is in Zwaardsrust.

...Like the last time we got on the boat for the first time.

Rab is remarkably interested. Not sure why, but he is relevant to the quest in question. Which probably means the game will find some way to railroad you into picking him up before you do it.

DQXIS Act 2 Puerto Valor: Father and Son

Son is just about to meet with his father, although he is just as concerned about this unfortunate accident as he was when we started.

Sylvando gives him an encouraging push.

Aren't you proud of your Son, Da?

...And he is not.

Son actually flinches. Part of me wonders if they're laying on the reveal a little too thickly here...

Because Son has read this situation all wrong. The fact the game has been perfectly willing to set up the alternate reading of Da being actually abusive kinda works against the reveal, but to an extent, the game is prepared for that.

Da lied about the necklace being his most treasured possession.

And perhaps the part of Da's actions that lead to the less favourable conclusion are further deceits on his part, making sure Avarith doesn't susepct Da has not been entirely truthful about what he treasures.

Still exceptionally rude on his part.

With all that said, with the threat of Avarith no longer upon them, they can put all this behind them and focus on a bond of friendship again.