Saturday, 16 July 2022

DQXIS Act 2 Arboria: We of Arboria swear to protect you

This place was right next to Yggdrasil. No wonder it's gone and smashed.

The disembodied arms of dead monsters come to life. The creatures they summon are said to be old friends from when they were alive.

Bloody hands come from DQs 2, 6, 7, 8, 10 and the remake of 4, and the only thing they can do other than attack is call for help. Unlike their muddy brethren, a cureslime or stone guardian might answer the call instead of another bloody hand, although you'll find plenty of those.

Incidentally, every game with them (except DQ6, for some reason) that has an ESRB comment references it when determining the rating they give- they're not all too fond of a monster that's a literal blood-coated disembodied hand. PEGI doesn't, and I imagine it's not a deal-breaker when these games have casinos and Jessica/Jade, but it's worth mentioning, because the poor thing gets singled out.

Rab picked up Fullheal! Fullheal first appeared in DQ2 as the ultimate single-target heal, and cost 8 MP, before dropping to 7 and then 6... but with Moreheal and the increased effect of scaling thanks to MaMend, Fullheal got sent back up to 24 MP. Keep in mind that, before Moreheal and MaMend, Fullheal was the only upgrade over Midheal... and Midheal only healed ~75 HP at a time. It's not like we got up to 400 HP until the end of the game back then, though...

Anyway, there's Wild Animaul. I thought it an upgrade, but at any rate, it's not like we'll be making much use of it.

Monsters made in the image of a certain great statue. Rumour has it that they were originally tasked with protecting people.

Stone guardians, incidentally, are powerful statues that can send the ground a-shuddering and also Oomph. They were in DQs 3, 6, 8-10, and were actually (mini) bosses in the final citadel of DQ3. So, not exactly "protecting people".

+50 Magical Might! Erdward is still no Veronica. It'll help Zap, though.

Arboria has... well, it's seen better days, but it's still mostly in place.

Aw, it's not that bad, is it?

Oh yeah, Veronica and Serena have parents that are both alive and on speaking terms with them! Actually being a loving relationship is a bonus. Still, though, sorry about Gyldygga getting in the way. I'd probably have come straight here otherwise.

Benedictus, as always, is putting his faith in the power of Serenica to see them through.

Clearly it worked.

We brought her back in one piece! And it's almost like we had actual agency in bringing that about! I don't think I want to tell them that, though.

Benedictus does the job of pulling the trigger on this question in the plot: Where is Veronica?

Serena had just assumed she had made her own way to safety someplace else. I'd say it's surprising they didn't spawn together, but hey, I guess no one else spawned together. Except maybe Hendrik and Carnelian.

Serena gives her super-secret twin connection a try. This would've helped Veronica out in Hotto.

Then again, this is certainly no ordinary situation.

Hendrik: The Princess has given me a description of Veronica: a little girl with blonde pigtails wearing a red bonnet. I thought it rather odd that she should describe Serena's twin as a ‘little girl’. Is she less... mature than her sister? Well, no matter. If she is as capable a mage as the Princess says, she shall make a fine ally.
Rab: Hyeh heh heh! Trust Serena to be able to sense her sister from a mile off! Those two know each other like the backs of their hands!
Right then, let's not keep big sis waiting. She's sure to be lonely all on her own up there. Let's go and say hello, shall we?
Sylvando: Arboria's in such a sorry state... Still, at least the statue of Serenica was spared. That's something.
...Huh? Is she-? ...Ah, never mind. For a minute there, she looked like she was crying, but it must have just been my imagination.
Jade: Poor Serena... It must have come as such a shock to see her hometown in this state...
She hardly even flinched when we first set foot in the village, though. She's stronger than she looks, you know.
Erik: It's a long time since we've seen Veronica, huh? I wonder what happened to her after the Fall.
I lost my memory, and Jade turned into a monster... Who knows- maybe Veronica will have grown up again! Heh heh!
Serena: Veronica is in the little grove to the north of the village, I'm sure of it. We just have to follow the path next to our house and we'll be there in a jiffy.
I think we should head there right away. We wouldn't want to lose her again, after all!

...

...

You ever get the feeling they're building to something?

The Grove of Repose back here is a popular place for children. If Veronica had to be anywhere... I guess I can see why it's here.

Although apparently not here.

Rab: Amazing, isn't it? Serena can tell where her sister is even when she's nowhere to be seen. That's twins for ye, I suppose. Hyeh heh!
Sylvando: Oh honey, I just love meeting people's parents, and Ronnie and Serena's are some of my faves!
Speaking of Ronnie... I'm worried about her. What if she's crying her eyes out in those lonely woods, wondering where everybody is? Come on, let's go and give her a nice surprise!
Jade: It's been ages since I last saw Veronica. We have so much to tell her about our adventures since the Fall. I can't wait to see her again!
Erik: What's Veronica thinking, hiding herself away in those woods? Doesn't she know her poor parents are worried sick about her?
I bet she's busy working on some new spell or something. Well all I can say is, she better not burn the whole forest down while she's at it...
Serena: I'm certain that Veronica is in the little grove to the north of Arboria. I wonder why she didn't tell Mother and Father she had returned...?
Well, we shall just have to go there and ask her ourselves! Come along, Erdward- to the woods!

There are several conclusions one can draw from this, none of them good.

Serena keeps up the faith Veronica's somewhere around here.

And it pays off.



...

Well, if nothing else, it seems like Veronica's Staff is going to play the role of Yggdrasil's Guidance. Perhaps it's literally tapped into one of Her roots underneath the ground.

Better than nothing.

"Dark" day, it says.

(This memory's using Distant Memories.)

This was a cutscene when we saw it the first time, but here we have it in lower quality.

And Yggdrasil gets destroyed, and the blast does...

...What did it do to us, anyway?

I think it's about time we found out how we all survived being hit by the destruction of the Life Force.

Veronica cast some kind of counterspell at the last second.

Well... she was the one who taught us Zoom. Considering what she just managed, I doubt she had much control where everyone turned up.

Because she didn't have enough left in her for one more spell to Zoom herself out.

This is one of those scenes where they show the lips moving but don't actually say the words. I haven't seen many works that use this and I don't like it in the ones that do.

But it's clear as day what it means for us.

Veronica was gone. And she's been dead the whole time through Act 2.

Sylv understands Veronica's good side- the fact she always pulls through for Erdward and the party.

Erik's never been good at emotions, but as much as you'd never get him to admit it, he was closer than anyone else to the twins. I don't think it's as much of a "sniping at Veronica is basically the same as sniping at Mia" thing, but it's definitely Mia-motivated.

Jade might seem the strong, silent type, but she always was prepared for a good cry when the situation called for it. She just does her crying and moves on.

Hendrik, the one who wasn't in the party, merely considers his role in the Fall. He was the one who brought Mordegon there. Fair or not... Veronica's death may just be on his head. He'll certainly blame himself enough to match.

On the plus side, she did get to be an adult at one point!

...Yeah, even counting that, she was never old enough to die.

Out of everyone, it's actually Serena who's the most subdued.

And she does what she had never done before, and steps up to take charge.

Hendrik: I... I have never felt more furious at fate, nor more reproachful towards myself...
Rab: Och, Veronica... I cannae believe I'll never see yer cheeky wee face again...
Sylvando: It doesn't feel real... Is Ronnie really gone...?
...Ah, I can't stand it! This place brings back too many bad memories. Come on darling, let's get out of here.
Jade: Until now, I thought it was a miracle that we survived the Fall...but it was all Veronica's doing... She saved us...
Ugh, I'm losing my mind here... If only I'd been stronger... I feel sick to my stomach...
Erik: ......
I'm sorry Erdward, but could you give me some space? My head's all over the place right now...

Serena went ahead and organised the funeral. They got there quick. Probably running a lot of these since the Fall...

Even Benedictus can't get through the whole rites on his own this time, though.

I'm hoping he's talking about Veronica, and not, you know, Serena.

As "ways to die" go, the Arborians clearly value the fact that she saved the Luminary highly. I think the other six lives she saved in the same breath were also pretty cool.

This is an Arborian Keeper rite, and I get where they're coming from here, but they take it in some... interesting directions coming up.

Fidelus and Alma got hit the hardest.

With all that said, Serena's still keeping her chin up... despite everything.

Yes, yes, you have more lore for us, we'll get there.

Hendrik: I failed to see through Mordegon's disguise. Not only that, but I was the one who brought him to the World Tree... And now, because of me, Veronica is... Agh, how could I have been so foolish?
Rab: Veronica would sometimes call me ‘grandad’, ye know... Half the time she was taking the mick, but the other half, it felt like she really thought of me as part of the family...
And now I'll never hear that sweet voice again... (sniff) I'm sorry, laddie- I think I need to be alone for a wee while...
Sylvando: Is Serena okay, honey? She's just lost her sister, but she hasn't even shed a single tear...
I hope she's not putting on a brave face for our sakes. Somebody should tell her it's okay to cry. Heck, she should be bawling her eyes out! I'm sure she'd feel a lot better afterwards. We all would...
Jade: Veronica was the only one who wasn't knocked out by Mordegon's blast... She could have escaped, but instead she gave her life to save us...
She made the ultimate sacrifice... What was she thinking in those final moments...?
Erik: All the time I knew Veronica, I thought she was a stuck-up, bad-mannered, back-talking little brat. I wanted to rib her every chance I got...
But now she's decided to play the hero, I can't even crack a smile, let alone a joke... Dammit Veronica, how do you always find a way to get the last word?
Serena: ......Come on Erdward, let's go. I know you must be very upset about losing Veronica. We all are. But you're the Luminary. You're Erdrea's only hope...
Father Benedictus said that he wanted us to meet with him in the cathedral. It sounds as though he has something to tell us.

...I don't think she'd be very happy to have not met the lot of us.

Sadly, I think Mordegon's return meant somebody had to inherit Serenica's power...

Veronica may berate everyone who gets under her nose, but she always made sure to go no further than that.

...

I have some... bad news for you about the kid we saw getting baptised when we first got to Arboria.

These are his parents, and yes, the baby has gone.

I'd sooner learn from her than some of Rab's teachers.

...Mildly concerned, but I'm sure she knows when she's going to explode.

Good question. Why can't I pay the church or throw her a Zing spell? I'm assuming the "lack of a body" might've done her in this time.

Rest assured, I would've done the same for her.

Lines like this only blur whether Ronnie and Rini are adopted or natural births. Both seem plenty applicable here.

This is where I get the idea behind the Keeper rite. But there's an extra layer of symbolism I'm still missing about it.

If nothing else, you did a good job, because it clearly did enough of a job to save eight people from certain death.

I don't think there's any question of the answer.

Sometimes needs must, but a rescue you can walk away from is always preferable to the alternative.

You guys are far enough away that the kinetic energy wasn't an issue? Either that or you guys are tougher than I thought. Still, there were an alarming number of ways to die from the Fall damage, and it's lucky the Keepers survived them all.

Making damn sure it doesn't happen again.

Alright, Benedictus, let's hear it.

Well, it's a logical conclusion. We need something to help us get to the castle.

Good to know that using the Sacred Conveyance is in our future.

And as it happens, Benedictus actually saw Veronica's death coming. Well, mostly. He saw Veronica missing, and didn't realise that meant anything until it happened.

Although the idea did occur to him.

Benedictus decided that, if the vision was true enough to be missing Veronica, then it's true enough that we actually have a conveyance to count on.

...The least you could've done was wait until you actually figured out how to summon Cetacea before getting our hopes up.

Let's go sit down, like we should've beforehand.

Hendrik: This day has been long and arduous. Come, we must rest.
Rab: Cetacea, eh? I've been on the road for a fair wee while, but I cannae say that's a name I've heard before.
Still, it seems like it's only a matter of time till we meet this divine being face-to-face. We're on the right track, laddie!
Sylvando: Cetacea... Now there's a name that sends shivers down the spine! Whatever this divine being is, I can't wait to climb aboard!
Jade: A divine being who soared through the sky on silver wings... A beast summoned to Erdwin's side by a mystical melody...
I wonder what kind of song can summon a legendary creature like that? I can't even begin to imagine it.
Erik: This place reminds me of her, man... To be honest, I'd rather be anywhere else right now.
But until we figure out how to get our hands on Cetacea, we won't be able to defeat the Lord of Shadows. So I guess we better stick around.
Serena: ......Oh, I'm sorry Erdward. I was just thinking about what Father Benedictus told us.
But I suppose there's no point brooding over what kind of creature Cetacea might be until he's finished his research. Let's go and rest at the inn.

The rest is free tonight.

And there's an event to occur.

That's kinda been true the whole adventure. Serena was always stuck in Veronica's shadow the whole way through Act 1. She got the birdsong nectar and half of the Dora quest, but never fully got to take the lead.

I exercise my mourners' right to tell you to shut the fuck up.

If this man is not the next dead person in Arboria, then something seriously wrong went down. Which I'm not counting out quite yet.

A few of the party members are still up right now, somewhere around Arboria.

I think I can manage that, grandpa.

Another reference to this hair tradition, this time about the volume. It's at this point that I mention that Serena didn't offer any of her own hair during the funeral. Although I don't recall Fidelus or Alma doing so either...

Other quotes I missed, since apparently I just haven't done a lot of exploration at this point in the story:

Newborn's mother: Ever since my son passed away, I have thought of nothing but following him into the next world. ...Until tonight, that is. The ceremony for the repose of Veronica's soul reminded me of a time long ago when she and I shared our dreams for the future. I told her that I wished only to make a happy home in Arboria- and I still can, so long as I keep fighting. Veronica would be so angry with me if I gave in to my grief...
Innkeeper:
For more than a month, the tea I have served my customers has been brewed from the dry and dusty sweepings of harvests past. Tonight, however, I am serving the last of the premium blend. When one knows not what tomorrow will bring, it is only natural to save such luxuries for a rainy day- I only hope that this small pleasure can help clear the rainclouds from my customers' hearts...
Caregiver: This poor child lost his entire family in the aftermath of the Lord of Shadows' destruction of the World Tree. Every night since, he has tossed and turned restlessly in his sleep. No matter how many tears one spills for a loved one, it will not bring them back. Slowly but surely, one must build one's life anew...

Fidelus: There is something I must tell you, Erdward... I am not Veronica and Serena's father. Nor is Alma their mother. I am sure that they both realised long ago that this was the case, but they were never so unkind as to say it. I hope that we have always loved them as we would have done children of our own. The pain of losing Veronica is almost too much to bear... I would happily have departed this world in her place...
Alma: Some eighteen years ago, Father Benedictus found a basket lying beneath the old oak in the grove north of the village. Two baby girls lay inside it, crying for their mother. My husband and I had long wished to start a family, but the heavens had not provided- until that day. We took them in and raised them as our own. Father Benedictus told us that he sensed a great power within them. That they were the heirs to the soul of the holy sage. But that was not what mattered most. What mattered was that they needed us. And so, we strove to raise them as best we could. To love them, and to make them happy. And yet, even so, they have met with naught but death and despair... Oh, my poor, sweet Veronica... (sob sniff)

Hendrik: When Mordegon was reborn as the Lord of Shadows, the fate of this world was thrown into disarray. If only I had realised that Jasper was in the demon's thrall, perhaps I could have stopped him... Perhaps Veronica would still be alive today...
Erik: People come and people go. That's just the way the world works, I guess. But why did she have to go so soon? She could have said something at least. I had...stuff I wanted to talk to her about...
Sylvando: Hey there, honey. Can't sleep either, huh? Well, we all need time to think, but try not to brood too much over things you can't change, okay? I wanted to make everybody in Erdrea smile, but with the world the way it is, that's an impossible dream... There are things that even I, the Great Sylvando, can't do... Ugh, it's that depressing music- it's making me all mopey! It's coming from behind the inn. Sounds a lot like Serena's harp...

I knew Veronica and Serena were adopted! I even remembered the "baby in a basket" story. I think, when the more ambiguous lines came up, I just thought the baby-in-a-basket story was about a different set of magical children being adopted in DQ history.

Serena's up here, playing the harp.

She's playing a tragically fitting piece.


I don't think we ever get told who wrote it, but I have the sneaking suspicion I happen to know who did. Very few of the myths about Erdwin mention the fact Serenica outlived him by a good few years.

Serena casts her mind back to this exchange. Surprisingly, the game remembers them in their default costumes. Or possibly the ones they're wearing right now.

Considering where she ended up... this is certainly a conversation that takes on an entirely different tone.

And it turns out it didn't actually end where we saw it end. Veronica... kinda knew where she was going to end up.

And Serena dismisses the theory out of hand.

I doubt it. She certainly made it easily enough regardless. Barely even looked bad about it, too. Even if she was worried about you, I don't think she was worried about everyone else.

...You know, mechanically, Serena does actually level up slower than Veronica. I'm tempted to say that one might actually be intentional.

...

You can always take that chance.

(This is after a quick time-skip.)

And with that, Serena takes on a new resolve.

Starting with a haircut.

One is almost certain this is meant to tie in with the Arborian Keeper tradition, especially the fact Serena went out of her way to do things on her own rather than with everyone else. I'm not quite certain on the full specifics of this decision, however. Sometimes, though, a new face can help.

(The music's also gotten... a little better).

Veronica clearly seems to approve.

Serenica was reborn to aid the Luminary once again. And she's not going to let a little speedbump like death get in the way.

Serena has found her expanded Skill Tree. And while we're still down the sardonic commentary, we're not really without Veronica, either.

Serena's going to stay out on this balcony and fully settle into her new state. I think finishing up the rest will be just fine.

Not actually Party Chat, but the party have new lines:

Rab: ...Well, will ye look at that. The sky's cleared right up. Perhaps it had something to do with that sad song coming to an end. That was Serena singing, was it not?
Sylvando: Hey, honey. What was that light I saw shining on the terrace just now? Could it have been the first rays of the rising sun? No, no- it was much more... fiery. You know, it reminded me of a certain someone...
Jade: ...Well, at least it's stopped raining. If the sky was crying before, it seems to have cheered up a little now. What do you say we head back to the inn? It's almost dawn. We should try to get some sleep while we still can.
Erik: The first time I met Serena, she seemed like such an airhead- the kind of girl who walks straight into trouble without even realising it, you know? She sure has changed. If Veronica's up there somewhere looking down, I'll bet she's proud of what she's seeing. I know what it's like to watch your little sis finally grow up...

...Whoops.

Probably a good idea.

Serena: Father Benedictus popped by the inn earlier this morning and said that he had something to show us at the top of the mountain. I'm sure everyone's up there now, waiting for us. Let's go and join them, shall we? The path that leads to the summit is through a little door to the side of the cathedral.

Right, so now we have Act 2 Serena for real. All of her costumes have a short haired version to accompany it (well, except one), she can equip Heavy Wands and Whips (but no new armours- not that there were a lot of armours Veronica could use but not Serena), and oh yeah, she also has the Magical Might to use Veronica's abilities to the fullest.

Does one get the impression Rab might just be a little bit outclassed right now? At least he has Claws.

Whip Serena, for completeness sake.

Serena's new and expanded Skill Tree... well, is just Veronica's tree, slotting neatly into place. With six exceptions: In between each tree, there is a gap, and each gap is filled with a brand new Skill for Serena to benefit from. Oh yeah, and Serena's also got all of Veronica's SP to use too. (This also applies to any new levels she gets- she gets the SP Veronica would get from the equivalent level plus her own.)

Wands:

  • Grace of the Goddess: For five turns, applies a buff that automatically revives Serena on death. Useful, but I wouldn't say I'd make it a go to.

Spears:

  • Be Like Water: Gives Serena 20% parry chance, 50% evasion and counter attacking at normal damage for two turns. If you're using Spear Serena, I can see how it helps, but I wouldn't say it's reason to use Spear Serena.

Harpistry:

  • Holier Hymns: Increases the defensive buffs of the Hymns given in Harpistry. I challenge you to point to a time I've used them at all. They would be good if you knew the right timing, though.

Heavy Wands:

  • Pep Chance +10%

Whips:

  • Wyrm Whip: A three-hit attack that removes any buffs an enemy has applied. This would be a fantastic skill for Serena if it wasn't sandwiched between Whips and Spears- and even then, you're switching out from her Wands to her Whips. Even Heavy Wands seems a tall ask.

Vim:

  • Enchanting Echo: Every time Serena performs any spell, there's a roughly 25% chance that she will repeat the spell at no extra MP cost. This is just... the best skill to have around, no questions asked.

With Veronica's Magical Might at hand, but for a few armour choices and general build differences, Serena is also Veronica in most of the ways that matter. Including the ability to throw out Booms and Kacracks like nobody's business. You bet all that extra SP is going into Heavy Wands and Vim.

The Surprise Panel is on Staff of Salvation. Good place to hide it- Serena has no use for this skill.

Managed to pick up Enchanting Echo, partially thanks to all that SP I saved not picking up some of Serena's harpistry talents. Also the way this Skill Tree is set up, Serena can just dip into any Tree she wants from anywhere seemingly freely. Just look at the Heavy Wands tree.

Taking a peek into the shop. I missed the Dragonsbane when I was playing the game myself, but there's not a lot here I'd spring for. Some things have clear value, though.

The Flowing Dress was the ultimate armour for the Princess of Moonbrooke in DQ2, and has found a life as a recurring lategame armour for magic users and women. I rather like the design, and it's a shame DQ11 kinda doesn't really scream out for its use.

Veronica would've been highly offended if I didn't.

Yeah, Serena needed to get that cry off her chest, but like hell she was leaving Erdward and Erik alone.

I... actually, I think you have a point on that one. Most of her stumbles seem to be because she had chosen her objective and wasn't really dropping it when it was appropriate to do so.

You can count on all of us for that one.

This is actually something I checked much later, but this is probably the best time to mention it: The First Forest is completely inaccessible, due to Yggdrasil having landed on it. For some reason, I have memories of being able to get in there, but I guess not.

Luminary's Landing is off to one side of Arboria, and was barred off to us until now.

New Tockle in here, too. Can't miss this guy.

The Roamers were a tribe of nomads in the story of DQ7 that performed rites for the Almighty's benefit. Befitting their nomadic status, they actually appeared and disappeared from the plot as they were needed. In their first appearance, Kiefer was so taken with the Chief's daughter that, after winning her affections, he permanently left the party to continue being in their company.

Come to think of it, I don't think it's entirely coincidental that we get a Pastword for this moment so soon after losing Veronica. DQ is traditionally exceptionally sparing when it comes to permanently losing party members, and Kiefer is the one instance before now where they made it hurt to lose him. Prince Harry from DQ5 was technically first, but because of how DQ5 works, it's not so massively impactful.

...How long were you waiting here? And how bored did you get? One can only imagine the antics Erik, Jade, Rab, Sylvando, Hendrik and Benedictus can get up to.

Veronica giving advice from beyond the dead. Well, she hasn't truly passed on yet- all the dead are in the cul-de-sac, Veronica's probably pulling a Pang and doing something useful with her time there.

I... don't remember this part? If Erdwin ever landed here, it wasn't just after beating the Dark One. Maybe it was another battle.

This flute was indeed used by Serenica for the same purpose we'll be using it.

Remember how Veronica did have it before Yggdrasil? Someone went to a lot of effort to make sure it stayed in our hands this time.

Serena moves up, and plays a tune.

Unfortunately, things didn't work.

I kinda find it funny that, despite this being Serenica's thing, neither Veronica nor Serena seem to have inherited this particular gift.

Looks like this is a job for the Luminary!

...

Erdward, I don't think this is how you play a flute.

On the plus side, no fishing minigame.

Sylvando, never one to miss a beat, decides that if we're suddenly fishing, let's at least catch something.

It was a big one.

A whale, to be specific.

So our ancestors rode on the back of a giant whale? Sounds like fun!

After fishing Cetacea out, the flute has returned to being a flute.

And now, whenever we play the flute from our inventory, we can now summon Cetacea from anywhere in the world.

Our goal is to find a floating island.

And away we go!

As briefly alluded to when talking about the Tockle, Dragon Quest typically shies away from matters like the death of party members. Not that this is a common element of RPGs- although it was certainly given great fame in Final Fantasy VII- but Dragon Quest doesn't like affecting the party in such a personal way. DQ5 gets away with a little more to facilitate timeskips and DQ7 makes Kiefer peacefully retire from the party, but apart from that, your party has all the same plot armour the hero does. DQ11, especially with the Side Stories, kinda leads the player to draw the same conclusion that, although the story is darker, this truism won't be breached. And then it was.

This chapter in particular was pretty hard for me to go through. Part of it is just how much I like Veronica and am sad to see her go, another part of it is how... somber the game is over her passing. When people die in Dragon Quest and civilisation is still at hand, people throw funerals. NPCs notice and mourn. The story, in general, treats the atmosphere much like the death of someone in real life. And I've never been good at being a mourner. As much as I scoffed at Benedictus's approach, I'd probably be in his shoes.

Mechanically, having Serena take on Veronica's powers is certainly an interesting way of going about things. It's not like having the MaMight edge of Serenica is going to matter narratively, so the decision to make Serena "better Rab" is purely mechanical in nature. And, well, it's hard to miss Veronica when Serena is still doing her job. Granted, having Serena using all Veronica's spells and debuffs gets in the way of her healing and buffs, since she's only one character, but that's hardly a downside considering that can also be considered an advantage. Then again, it's not like I can say no to keeping someone with Kafrizzle and Kaboom on hand.

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