Sadly, not as mighty as they used to be, although they are none too shabby now. I may decide to use them, at least for now, although their bases are pretty average. I will at least allow them to join us for the next chapter. I decided against using the arena this time, since experience is more prevalent in this game, and I feel I can get everyone to 20/20 on my own.
The Final Battle: Finished.
Base: The only conversation available is Sheema and Lyra (1), where Sheema thanks Lyra for helping her, and after some chatting Lyra notes that Sheema needn't have her armor on in a lounge. Lyra tries to help her remove it, but Sheema leaves, obviously flustered, and Lyra finds that she has dropped a doll. How's Everyone yields a Hit axe, but little else, and Sheema is given the Lifesphere to make her basically invincible to all but the most brutal of assaults.
Marth: Recruits Roshea, who then begins the Wolfguard recruitment chain starting with Vyland, followed by Sedgar, and finally Wolf, before Marth seizes after all foes are slain.
Party: Advanced across the long mountain pass leading to Archanea palace, Warren charging ahead to hunt a couple thieves. They stray as clear of the ballistae as they can, but as Warren charges in to intercept the lead thief, he is swarmed by paladins. The party shoots down his assailants, and Robert takes down the closest thief to open the way for Warren, who finishes off his target and deals with the warriors guarding the village, sword in hand. As this goes on, a few of Sedgars forces notice us and attack. They are defeated, but Sedgar himself is provoked, just as Vyland appears from the south. Horace, Ryan, Gordin, and Norne hastily surround Sedgar to prevent him from doing any more damage and hold him in place for later, while Roshea, freshly recruited, charges out of the village area to recruit Vyland, who is currently being held back by Sheema, Lyra, and Jake. He quickly turns Vyland to our side, who then recruits Sedgar in turn, and the former Wolfguard member joins the party temporarily to assist in the seizure of Archanea Castle, as well as the recruitment of Wolf. The party pushes forward, Horace and Sheema in the lead, and after pushing through the chokepoint, Warren and Horace smash a ballista, luring out Wolf. Sedgar recruits him, and the new collective party deals with the remaining ballistae and enemy reinforcements.
Neering: Defeated by a tandem assault from Horace and Sheema, striking him down with two full rounds of combat.
Afterwards: Marth encounters Boah, who explains the tragic tale of Hardin's marriage to Nyna. As there needed to be a king for Archanea, and no one was able to fill the role save Hardin, he was wed to Nyan; a joyous occasion for Hardin, for he loved Nyna dearly. However, she still loved Camus, and upon learning she did not reciprocate his feelings, he locked himself away, drowning his sorrows, and wallowing in heartbreak, when Gharnef appeared. The Darksphere immediately capitalized on Hardin's weakened mental state, and took him over. Marth asks what happened to Nyna, and Boah explains that the blood of noble-born clerics is needed for the resurrection of the Shadow Dragon, and grants us his tome and staff.
Up Next: Dark Emperor, where we shall slay Hardin, an old friend who was consumed by the evil of the Darksphere...
