Well, now we're in the middle of a meadow that has nothing of note. Only way to go is west, so I guess that's where we're heading. Then, we get surrounded by monsters.
Ceodore: !
First two enemies are dispatched easily, but then a Flamehound shows up, which is a bit out of our leauge at this point. It eventually hits us with a Blaze, dropping us to 1 HP. Again.
Ceodore: I am a member of the Red Wings! I can't let it end like this...
And then some guy in a purple robe and hood shows up and dispatches the thing in one hit. Can we please have a boss that isn't scripted? Please?
Hooded Man: Still alive?
Ceodore: Yes... Th-thank you!
Hooded Man: Are you all right? You didn't look completely useless back there... but taking on a monster like that is suicidal.
Ceodore: I... I can do it. I must get back to Baron... no matter the cost!
Hooded man: With no airship?
Ceodore: Yes! Even with no airship! I am a member of the Red Wings of Baron. I don't need an airship to lay claim to that.
It'd help, though, considering the Red Wings is the air force.
Hooded Man: Ah...
Ceodore: You've heard of them?
Ceodore, damn near everyone would know about what happened 17 years ago. Of course he knows the Red Wings!
Hooded Man: "Who hasn't heard of them" would be a better question. That's the most famous unit in Baron's military.
I'm liking this guy already, he's already proven himself smarter than Ceodore.
Hooded Man: You'd best be careful, though. The monsters are restless ever since the trouble...
Ceodore: Trouble?
Hooded Man: Don't tell me that you don't know. The war that raged across this land once...
Ceodore: Yes, I know now. My mother and father have often told me about it.
Hooded Man: We can reach Baron from Mysidia in the west.
Ceodore: Is there a ship there?
Hooded Man: Something even better than that. I'll show you the way.
Ceodore: Are you sure?
Hooded Man: I have business of my own in Baron. Urgent business.
Ceodore: I... my name is Ceodore. And you are...?
Hooded Man: I don't have a name. No... I abandoned it long ago.
Ceodore: Huh?
Hooded Man: ...Aren't you in a hurry?
Yeah, Ceodore, stop pondering about the enigmatic man who will probably have a dramatic reveal later on in the story. He joins us, they both leave the meadow. Anyway, new character;
Hooded Man
Class: ???
This guy, gameplay wise, is the dullest character. He can only attack and use items. At least he hits hard.
Well, let's head into Mysidia.
Hooded Man: The Hall of Prayer is at the north end of the town. Someone there can break the seal for us.
Ceodore: The seal?
Hooded Man: Yes... the seal blocking the way to the Devil's Road.
Mysidia doesn't have much in terms of equipment. Seems they've stopped selling paladin gear in the last couple decades. Let's just head to the Hall of Prayer. A lady with pink hair is here.
Ceodore: Um... pardon me. Is there anyone who can unseal the Devil's Road for us?
???: Someone who knows of the Devil's Road? Who are you?
Ceodore: I am Ceodore of the Red Wings of Baron.
???: So you are! Heavens, you've certainly grown, haven't you?
Ceodore: You... know me?
???: Of course you don't remember me. We haven't met since you were a very, very young child.
Ceodore: So you are...?
???: I am Porom, white mage of Mysidia.
Okay, that explains why you know him, but not the pink dye job.
Ceodore: You're Porom? My parents have told me so much about you.
Porom: So why do you want to use the Devil's Road? You said you were with the Red Wings. Did you not come here by airship?
Ceodore: It was brought down... by a horde of monsters. Smoke is coming from Baron's direction!
Porom: I knew it... That would explain the unease I've been feeling lately.
She turns towards the Crystal Chamber.
Porom: Hey, you guys! Could you come down here, please?
Out comes a generic Black Mage and White Mage.
White Mage: Did you call for me?
Black Mage: Who are these people?
Ceodore: We want to take the Devil's Road back to Baron.
Porom: The white mage here knows how to open the seal.
Ceodore: Thank you very much!
Porom: But I must warn you that the pathway wasn't named the Devil's Road for humor's sake. It'll be a tough path to traverse by yourselves, I fear.
Ceodore: So...
Porom: I'd go with you, but I can't leave the Hall of Prayer empty right now. These two mages will accompany you instead.
Ceodore: Thank you!
Porom: Please take care. And send Cecil and Rosa my regards!
Ceodore: I will!
The Black and White Mages join us. They're both generic.
Porom: Hmm? And you would be...?
Hooded Man: No one you know, I should think. Let's go, Ceodore.
Agreed, let's get moving to the entrance.
White Mage: I will now release the seal. Stand back, please.
One quick spell later, and we can head in.
White Mage: Let us continue inside.
Now, who would have guessed that the Devil's Road drained peoples strength because it's a bloody annoying teleporter dungeon? Because that's what it is! Great! It also has damage tiles, and we don't know Float yet! It's also got lots of undead and some flan type enemies, so it's probably a good thing we now have a black mage.
Ceodore learns Raise as we start our journey through this place.
We find a Sage's Surplice on the way through, and because screw giving anything nice to the generics, it goes to Ceodore. Much nicer than his Bronze Armor anyway. We also find a Silver Apple. I'll hold off giving HP/MP boosting stuff to people until I'm done with a tale, we don't really need them beforehand.
50 bajillion teleporters later, we reach the save point in the middle of the dungeon, and the Devil's Road switches to it's other aggravating gimmick. Now, instead of the teleporter tiles teleporting us, they push us in a specific direction then block off certain paths. There's no treasure, so this is a lot less aggravating than it could be.
Ceodore learns Cura on our way out.
Once we get out, we're in Baron. No sign of any monster attack. Huh. May as well heal up and upgrade our equipment while we're here...
Well, next time, um, we head for the castle, I guess.
Stats:
Hooded Man: Lv 17 HP:671 MP:25 Strength:24 Speed:18 Stamina:19 Intellect:7 Spirit:16 Attack:58 (5x94% Accuracy) Defence:30 (3x35% Evasion) Magic Defence:4 (0x4% Evasion)
Ceodore: Lv 16 HP:367 MP:96 Strength:13 Speed:14 Stamina:11 Intellect:6 Spirit:20 Attack:37 (2x89% Accuracy) Defence:19 (2x32% Evasion) Magic Defence:7 (0x9% Evasion)
