As we begin chapter 2, we have just learned that the Dark Sect of Lopt has returned, and it seems as though they may be causing the Disturbance in Agustria!
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After gaining control of Verdane, Sigurd receives orders from Barhara to preside over Evans and watch the border. Soon thereafter, he took Dierdre to be his wife. Meanwhile, Agustria was stirred up by the sudden subjugation of Verdane, and much anti-Grandbell sentiment has arisen. Their king, Imuka, has recently been killed by an assassin, and his eldest son, prince Shagaal is given control of the country. Knowing of Grandbell's weakened military, Shagaal thus orders the lords of Agustria to strike on Verdane, thus forcing Sigurd into conflict yet again.
Now in castle Nodion, Eltshan informs Lachesis that he will be heading to Agusty to talk Shagaal out of the military build-up, but Lachesis fears that he will be in danger if he goes, given that Shagaal killed his own father. Eltshan doesn't believe that rumor, for it lacks proof, and he feels that if he just meets with Shagaal, he can talk some sense into him. Eltshan does leave three of his best men behind to protect her, just to be safe, and assures her he'll return alive.
After heading to Agusty, Eltshan tries to convince Shagaal, but his request is refused. Shagaal also feels that his father had a soft spot for Eltshan, and that Eltshan always had it out for him. He then has his guards throw Eltshan into the dungeon, and sends Boldo to take control of Nodion. Once this is over, he plans to take over Grandbell as well, as Manfloy appears and notes that Shagaal has begun his plan. Shagaal proves that he is the one who killed king Imuka, and is feeling apprehensive about his chances at taking Grandbell. Manfloy assures him that there is no fear of failure, since Grandbell still honors the anti-war pact, and most of their military is off in Isaac, leaving them virtually defenseless.
A red haired knight informs Lachesis that Lord Eltshan has been captured and imprisoned in Agusty, and Lachesis's worst fears are confirmed. The man also warns her that with King Imuka dead, Heirhein may attack without notice, and will very likely strike Nodion due to both Elliot's infatuation with Lachesis, who wants nothing to do with him, and the humiliation he suffered at Verdane at Eltshan's hands. Lachesis then makes a very Clarine-esque comment, stating that she can't stand men like Elliot, and only desires one of her brothers caliber. The knight then warns her that the cross knights are stationed in Silvail, and thus only he (who Lachesis refers to as Eve) and the rest of the normal soldiers are here to defend the castle. Eve swears on his honor as a Nodion Holy Knight that he will protect her to his last breath.
Now at Heirhein, Elliot and his men are told to descend on Nodion now that Eltshan is gone by his father. Oifaye then informs Sigurd of the attack, as well as Eltshan's imprisonment, and that Lachesis requests backup from them. Sigurd agrees to help, and Dierdre asks to join him, so that she need not fear that he doesn't return. They agree to this, and the chapter begins!
Already noticing a large change to the enemy force, with wider variety in both classes and weapons, as well as named enemies currently fielded. Elliot and his horsemen, General Philip (who I see is stronger than Boldo) and his knights, and Boldo himself, guarding castle Heirhein. They are also about the same distance from Nodion to us, so this is going to be a pretty tight run to see who can reach the castle first.
Before all that, I get started with preparations, initially by repairing everyones weapons and passing the speed ring to Azel. I also then begin shopping, having Azel buy a thunder tome, Jamka buy the steel bow, Fin buy the steel lance, and Aira buy the steel blade. I then have everyone trek through the arena until they reach a foe I don't think they can beat. Notably, Aira makes it all the way through (her being the first), and this apparently recruits the final dude into my army, a myrmidon named Holyn. Holyn is pretty cool himself, being a slower and less skillful Aira with more strength, health, and defense. He also has minor Odo blood, 10000 gold, and the skills pursuit and luna, which outright negates defense. Why are myrmidons in this game so cool? Other people who have bested the arena were Sigurd and Jamka, while Cuan and Holyn were at least able to reach the final guy before I decided they couldn't win. Once I repair everyones weapons, I send Sigurd and the rest of the horse mounted units out to go protect Nodion, while the foot-units follow them from behind.
As Elliot and his men charge towards Nodion, Elliot claims that she has no way to escape his anger, and that she will be coming with him, whether she likes it or not. Philip meanwhile tells his men to keep watch of the castle, and they stay where they are. In Anphony castle, the castles lord tells his men to let loose the bandits on the villages (OH COME ON! Are all the lords from Agustria douchebags except Eltshan? Elliot's an aspiring rapist, Shagaal is working with an evil group that wants to revive a dark lord, and Anphony sics his personal bandits on villages to take their stuff. ), since now that Shagaal is on the throne, it's the perfect opportunity to claim the valuables and return them to him. Now in Mackily, that castles lord is contemplating what to do, and decides to wait for the dust to settle before getting involved.
The group continues their charge to Nodion, but it seems as though Elliot's gonna reach it first. Hopefully Eve, Eva, and Alva can hold out until we arrive. I also have Holyn and Aira stick together, since whoever their child in the next generation is, they're going to be awesome, with major Odo blood, pursuit, and hopefully nihil and one of the sword skills. Elliot's men reach Nodion and begin attacking Lachesis's guards, but they hold together, and survive for this turn. The horsemen in the party reach Nodion, and proceed to take down some of the Heirhein troops, Cuan taking the lead so that he can smash Elliot and take his silver lance, while the foot units move as fast as they can to reach the others. Elliot's men kill Eve, but are unable to take down any of the others.
The party takes on and crushes the rest of the Heirhein mooks, and Fin, Sigurd, and finally Cuan team up to put down Elliot. I then have Sigurd speak with Lachesis, and she joins us as a level 2 princess with a heal staff and a miracle sword, meh bases due to her level, 10000 gold, the charisma skill, and minor Hezul blood. After Ethlin, Aideen, and now Lachesis heal everyone, I have them head towards Heirhein so that they can take down Philip and Boldo through force of arms.
As much as I dislike ending this early in the level, the first parts always have a lot of stuff due to the chapter intro and setup discussions, and I feel this is a decent place to stop. As such, I'll be cutting this off here, having just saved Nodion, and will be laying siege to Heirhein, and if they decide to pick a fight, Anphony as well.
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