Bethany Plays: DQXIS Act 3 Arboria: The Hands of Time

Don't worry, I'll get you out of there...

...No you.

Right back at ya.

Not even death will put a stop to that promise.

No matter how far we have to chase it down.

Didn't seem so hard until I got told to do it again.

Ah, yes, this is our stop.

Welcome to the past. Not entirely unintentionally, there is in fact a cut in my Act 1 coverage that this fits snugly into- we have just completed this update.

And there's our evil sword, being evil. I'm sure we'll find its true place.

...Don't worry. You're not going to Fall.

There's a certain sense that maybe you should save in a different slot? If only symbolically. I'm going to press on, not that it matters either way.

We're committed.

Welcome back to Arboria- signficantly cleaner!

Apparently, the explanation for what happened to the native Erdward is... he just left.

I can only imagine.

That's... surprisingly helpful.

I wish.

Quite literally vanishing in a puff of logic.

If there's one element of the plot that supports one interpretation of time travel over another, it's the fact characters other than Erdward actually have flashes of Act 2 memories from time to time. And that starts here, with of all things, the new mother remembering losing her son. Just because we undid it doesn't mean it's not still dark as hell.

I think this is the game setting everyone to base costumes.

...Ronnie...

It's vaguely implied that, in the off-screen hullabaloo of everything, Veronica also made this prayer the first time around.

Veronica being her usual self and making sure Erdward makes it even if she doesn't.

Erdward then decides to bend time itself to reciprocate.

If all goes according to plan, that won't be necessary.

...Although now that you mention it...

Veronica suddenly realises she's caught an eavesdropper.

Don't think the other characters haven't noticed the Sword of Shadows, by the way. They don't really see the harm, but they are very confused nonetheless.

I legitimately have no idea what you're talking about.

...

Welcome back, Ronnie.

And nice to see the rest of you, too.

Says the guy with a sword called "Hell Sabre".

He's in no hurry to judge.

Nice reminder of what we were up to. All right, so let's take inventory...

Oh yeah. The item duplication has now paid off. Everything in your party's inventory back when you talked to Benedictus with all six Orbs has been replaced because time travel, and we have multiplied our stock of precious items. I'm not actually sure how money is handled, although I suspect both your cash on hand and Rainbow's End stockpile are just transferred over rather than any complicated trickery with the game remembering how much cash you had back then.

That gives us a few costumes to give out. Although these characters are still relatively low in level, they're still allowed all the fancy lategame equips we found.

Erik: Hey, where did you go? Father Benedictus was talking to us, and then you just disappeared. This isn't the time to start getting flaky on us. We're finally heading to Yggdrasil, remember?
Veronica: Hey, I'm trying to pray, and the last thing I need is you staring at me gormlessly! What's the matter with you anyway? You look like you've seen a ghost or something! Pull yourself together, will you?
Serena: I know I can be absent-minded, but I don't think I've ever wandered off while someone was talking to me... And what's that strange smile you've got on your face? Is something the matter? Well, whatever it is, it's nice to see you. I know you were only gone for a few moments, but it feels like I haven't seen you in the longest time...
Sylvando: What's with that new sword, darling? Did you go shopping without telling me? I mean, I don't mean to criticise your taste, but there's no way I would have let you buy anything that hideous!
Jade: It's a relief to see you again, Erdward. I was worried that you'd been snatched by monsters or something. You know, it's funny but you look a little taller since I last saw you. Maybe it's a trick of the light or something...
Rab: Aye, this reminds me of yer parents' wedding, laddie. Yer auld man was so nervous, he wandered off right before the ceremony. It's lucky we found him in time. But d'ye know something? Ye're looking more like him with each passing day. I cannae explain it exactly, but it's something in yer eyes.

Oh yeah, and remember those Quests I forgot to turn in?

Don't worry, I finished them on time!

...For a second there I was worried the kale had spoiled.

That is some super soup.

That something was honestly the quest window, he seemed satisfied. Nor am I concerned if he decides to continue. That taste could use work.

The butterfly baton is decent when you get it, although you're never going to use it considering the game is just about to take Serena away from you and better Wands are available as soon as she comes back.

...

~~Maybe it was better you didn't see Act 2?~~

I can only imagine how it would've felt to us to see the wishteria when we found Veronica here.

Dream of a better future than what I am, all right?

The Healer is a Charm that gives some HP restoration at the end of every turn. It might interest you to know that a +3 Healer heals as much as a +0 Wristorative. This gives you a little Charm, but still... there was a free Wristorative back in Cobblestone, behind the Magic Key Door.

Now then, this is where the update gets... weird. Now that we're re-acquainted with our party members, I decided it was time to give them a little training and did all our Act 2 Tickington stuff- well, OK, I think a few got cut off the end because of level issues. Ultimately, I decided that, for the sake of narrative flow, we're just going to finish up the big stuff here, and slip that Tickington visit into a side update.

I will be using one of the prizes from Tickington, but otherwise we can just brush it aside.

Incidentally, all of the treasure chests in the Eastern Arborian Highlands and First Forest have been refilled. I'm mostly sure the rest of the new chests in Act 2 Erdrea- Angri-La, Octagonia, the Battleground, etc- are not refilled. In total, this provides:

Two mini medals- yes, these are technically the 76th and 77th Mini Medal.
Saint's Ashes
Ethereal Stone
Savvy Sapphire
Enchanted Stone
Molten Globules

And the recipe book that gave us the Zombie Slayer has been turned into 3000 gold.

This cutscene replays when you get to the summit, although the game starts off with a very prominent "Skip me!" button. I rewatched just in case- it does look like it's the same one.

The World Tree's sparkly spots have respawned- of course they have. I'm not actually sure how long it takes for the Leaves and Dew to respawn on timers now the Tree isn't going to fall. I should probably check more often.

Erik: The Heart of Yggdrasil, the source of all life... Sounds pretty amazing, right? Come on, Erdward, let's get going. I can't wait to see it!
Veronica: What's the matter, Erdward? You look worried. Listen, whatever happens, we're going to protect you. You know that, right? So stop being such a big wimp!
Serena: It's finally time to fulfil our destiny and lead you to the Heart of Yggdrasil. In the name of the sacred land of Arboria, we will protect the Luminary. Whatever happens, my sister and I will make sure no harm comes to any of you. Now, come on, Erdward. It's time to go.
Sylvando: Life's non-stop showbiz, honey, and we always need to be ready to strut our stuff. Now come on, the stage is set- Yggdrasil is waiting for us!
Jade: After we set up camp, I lay awake listening to Veronica and Serena whispering to each other. They seem to share everything... But then they have grown up knowing they share the same destiny. I can't help envying them, always knowing their purpose in life.
Rab: I always wondered how we'd actually get up to the World Tree... Turns out we'll be using some flashy bridge! Aye, it was never going to be boring, eh? Now come on, laddie! If ye want to learn how to dispel the darkness, we're going to need to pay a visit to the Heart of Yggdrasil!

Welcome back to the Heart of Yggdrasil. This time, though, there isn't a "Skip Me" button.

The cutscene is also quick to make sure you know it's a new one- there'll be crucial mechanical information.

Sylvando tries touching the Heart again, though.

Rab hasn't changed his weird terminology for the Heart.

...All right... this is our last chance to do anything about our tail.

Erdward steps forward.

And all of a sudden, has a sudden flash of memory to another Yggdrasil.

The Sword of Shadows lights up in recognition of like.

No good, Jasper!

Jasper is as surprised to get his dramatic plan of "shoot Erdward in the back" foiled as anyone else.

But he quickly tries to put his confident airs back on.

And he's still invincible to Jade, despite Jade having an explicitly unblockable spear now.

Yeah, yeah, Jasper possesses the Dark Orb, we've seen this song and dance before.

We're not going through that again.

...Mordegon may have gotten his grubby little hands all over this, but this is still the Sword of Light- the very Sword of Light we are trying to acquire, in fact. In the hands of its rightful wielder, it knows exactly what is needed of it.

It'll take more than a showy new Orb to defeat me. I've faced your Master with seven of the things.

Jasper as he was when our hero finally took the Sword of Shadows back in time and undid the awful events of that fateful day by defeating him.

??? family
2055 HP
999 MP

OK, I wasn't entirely truthful about this Jasper not having a bio. It was just an incredibly spoilery one. Jasper has his Falcon Flash, Zammle, Kazam, can block attacks with his swords, and has the Dark Orb power Fell Flash still at hand. He can also flash a frosty smile to pass a turn.

Not only is Erdward required for this fight, but Veronica is basically required for the proper levels of story pathos.

If anyone goes before Erdward, they need to buff.

To dispel Jasper's barrier, Erdward must strike Jasper with the Sword of Shadows. The dispelling blow does still deal damage, not that Sword Dance really cares.

Any questions?

With that said, damn, Jade, you're 17 levels behind and close to matching Erdward's power!

Jasper can use up a turn to restore his protective aura, not that it'll last too long.

Bye bye!

Oh, this is just going to be beautiful.

OK, that's just being rude.

Jade is the one to land the final hit, though. What was that about her not having my back in the past?

So then... that's one of our ambushes dealt with.

...Although the Sword of Shadows has clearly seen better days. In the technical sense of the term.

Oh, grow up.

Jasper flings a last ditch attack, and in blocking it, the Sword of Shadows is destroyed for good. Not even the Sword of Light it used to be remains.

Jasper drops to the ground, out of last-ditch efforts.

And along comes King Carnelian...

...So how are we going to deal with this particular hurdle?

Hendrik looks around, absolutely amazed, because this is not at all what he was expecting after he did his off-screen investigations into Jasper and dobbing him in to the King.

Rab and Jade, despite being the ones suspicious of Carnelian throughout Act 1, gladly tell Carnelian that all their evil ways are Jasper's fault.

Hendrik certainly seems to believe that story. Considering everything that's happened to him thus far, I don't blame him.

Jasper then looks up at Carnelian and begs his Master for assistance. We know, of course, that Jasper is a servant of Mordegon, and this is the angle Jasper is coming from.

But it's not the angle Carnelian is using in this conversation.

...Although apparently neither Hendrik nor Jade was expecting that. Potential clue that this man isn't the real Carnelian?

Carnelian carelessly dismisses Jasper as a ruthless tyrant of a King might. Although I wonder what Mordegon thinks about Jasper's failure to secure the Sword of Light with this plan. Obviously, he's not going to like that, but considering Jasper was his right hand in Act 2, I don't really think Mordegon would destroy Jasper on the spot if he had the option.

Much like he does in Act 2, Jasper dies a monster's death. In the vanilla release of DQXI, this is actually the last we'll see of him.

You ever just take a moment to admire the sheer size of Mordegon's guts?

Hendrik, now that he has a moment to realise what just happened, has realised "oh man, my best friend was a bad guy!"

He tries to keep things under control.

If Hendrik had not just had the emotional upheaval of a lifetime, he might recall that he was actually the first to hear Carnelian spewing the rhetoric of "Darkspawn"- we, the player, saw for ourselves that Hendrik is the first person Mordegon met while in Carnelian's body that he left alive.

...It would also be nice if Erdward himself could be counted on to call out the lie too.

Yes, that "oh, ahh" is intoned exactly as if Carnelian has absolutely no idea what his line is here. I'm impressed he recognised her at all.

No, genuinely, I'm amazed he knows her name, let alone what she looked like.

Jade is getting an inkling things aren't qutie right here.

Carnelian asks if Rab can "put Dundrasil behind him"- Mordegon just blazing past all the warning signs he can manage.

Rab is not so easily distracted.

...I... Is this a good idea...

Well, we're put in control. Although I expect we're not leaving without that Sword.

Why is Carnelian right next to it?

Actually, come to think of it, why does Mordegon want the Sword of Light so badly? I guess he never really acknowledges we can make a new one.

Erik has faith in us to spare, but even this stretches his understanding.

I dunno, but for some reason, I expect it would involve the death of thousands and also you.

For some reason, I get the feeling he's closer than we think...

Rab might not be ignoring the cause of dealing with Mordegon, but he's happy to act as if there is no more of Mordegon's influence in the Kingdom of Heliodor.

Jade, because she's also not quite smelling a rat around Carnelian, suspects her lingering feelings of "there's something not right here get the hell away from him" is her being a bad daughter rather than him being a bad father.

Hendrik can't help but stare at what used to be his best friend, gobsmacked.

Don't worry. This time, it will.

It's been quite some time, but at last, what was supposed to happen successfully occurred.

Mordegon greedily reaches for it immediately, complete with manaical expression.

Something zaps him. In motion, it is incredibly obvious what it was, but I failed to capture it. We'll see it again later and I succeed then, so why not, let's leave a sense of mystery in place for now?

Mordegon invites us to his home turf while he makes a backup plan.

And fortunately, he has just the pretext to do it.

...

...I can't say no, can't I?

Hendrik is still staring blankly at where Jasper stood.

Although now, he's gotten far enough through the grieving process to recognise that, in following the Darkspawn party line, he has done Erdward a disservice, and announces his intentions to correct it.

He won't be joining the party just yet, though. And thank Yggdrasil for that, I can promise you now.

Erik: When I was locked up in that dingy cell, I never thought I'd ever be guest of honour at Heliodor Castle. I can't wait to see the look on the guards' faces when they see me! Heh heh! This is going to be sweet!
Veronica: I really thought we were done for when Jasper turned up...
Serena: Maybe I'm imagining this, but when King Carnelian went to touch the Sword of Light, I'm sure I saw some kind of shadow pushing him away...
Sylvando: We beat Jasper, but Hendrik doesn't seem too happy about it. I guess they do have a lot of history, though. It can't be easy watching an old friend going off the rails like that...
Jade: ......... ...I'm sorry, it's just taking a while to sink in. Meeting my father again, I mean. I haven't seen him since I was a little girl, and then suddenly there he is. It's just going to take some time to get used to, that's all...
Rab: It's been quite a journey, laddie, but ye've finally managed to get yer hands on the Sword of Light. Now, make sure ye look after it, won't ye? Ye know as well as I do that it isn't the kind of sword ye find every day.

Right, the Super Sword of Light, Erdrick's weapon...

Like the Sword of Light, it deals Lightning-type damage, and it also has a 3% chance to remove beneficial effects per stroke. The Sword of Light we made ourselves can be Used to cure an ally of negative effects- this one cannot. It does have a Use effect, but it only works in one fight.

That is just a hilarious margin. At this point, though, yeah, we're using the Super Sword of Light for now.

Right... so back in Heliodor. We haven't been welcome here since the game started.

Veronica: Listen, Erdward, I know that getting invited to Heliodor Castle by the King is a big honour and stuff, but don't go getting a big head, you hear? Let's just stay cool and enjoy ourselves. I can't wait to see what delicious delicacies they serve up!
Serena: Being invited to a banquet in Heliodor is an honour, but I can't help feeling nervous about it. It's silly, though. I mean, when you first went to Heliodor you were on your own, weren't you? I wish I was half as brave as you.
Sylvando: Come on, honey, let's show Heliodor how to party! That town won't know what's hit it! Ohhh, I just can't wait to strut my stuff! I can hear my audience calling, and I am not going to let them down!
Jade: It's strange. I've been wanting to be with my father again for so many years, but now I can't help but feel heavy-hearted about the prospect. I'm his daughter and I should want to spend time with him- especially after all the time we spent apart. I don't know what's wrong with me...
Rab: .........Sorry, laddie. I was miles away. Now, let's get to Heliodor. We've got some feasting to do!

Another thing it occurs to me to do in a hurry is remember to spec Rab in Claws.

...I'm going to stay silent on that one.

Apparently, Jade's new appearance has entered the rumour mill- I blame Hendrik, honestly.

Then again, this lady is going by gut instinct and not any sort of evidence.

Apparently this noblewoman wasn't invited to whatever banquet is about to occur in our honour. Probably for the best- I have no idea who she is or why she's important.

This is our first time in Heliodor Castle since the game's opening, as a matter of fact. So this is my first opportunity to notice the fact this guy won't even let Jade into her own room.

This comes back around, but the same man still sits upon the throne.

Fortunately, Mordegon can't really backtrack on the ideas Jade and Rab have in their mind- not without proving them wrong and allowing us to open fire.