Let's Play The Spirit Engine 2

[prof]

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Chapter 4: Pilgrim's Rest

Part 2: This City

Porto Vale!

City of champions.



Our ostensible goal is to get across the city to let the government know that they're going to be killed by Yaegarans.

However, I'm in the mood for some exploration!




Hey, we could do that. At least one of us ought to have the muscle. It sounds like easy money to me.


Do I hear interest from the young lady and her friends? Step right up and take your best shot! Only five credits a try.


Here's your money. Get ready to pay us back.












Oh mercy me, you've smashed straight through it! Alright, here's your prise money. I'll have to fix the Beatometer and increase its tolerance a little. Come back later if you'd like another shot.


Side conversation option!




What are you doing with that book of yours now? Let me see.


I a committing this wonderful sight to paper with a quick sketch of this beautiful city and my companions.


Is that horrible grey blob supposed to be me? You've made me fat! And why do I look so miserable? This is a terrible drawing!


I am sorry, Ionae. I'm trying my best, but I'm not well trained in the finer arts, and it doesn't help that you keep moving around so much.


You've managed to make yourself look handsome enough. Wait a minute... Who is that fourth person standing next to me?


Why, that is Grandfather, of course. I could hardly leave him out. He's a much better model than you, Ionae. He's been rigid as a statue for the last few minutes.


Oh for the love of...


Why go to all this trouble, PyanPau? If you want a souvenir of the city, there are stalls all along the promenade. We have plenty of money to spare on such luxuries now.


I know, but none of their trinkets can capture the four most important elements of my time in this place; myself, and my good companions. Only I can commit those to the page.


Huh. This would seem like less of a waste of time if you weren't such a terrible artist. Is it going to take much longer?


Only a few more minutes, I promise. This might seem like an inconvenience now, but like all good investments, its value will increase in time, eventually becoming priceless.
Our minds cannot be trusted with our most precious memories. Ten years from now, I want to be able to look back upon this day and know that I can remember every important detail.


Change is the only true constant, and I will not be tomorrow the man I am today. I consider this sketch a gift to my future self.
Alright, I'm done. I've taken inches off your waist and put a smile upon your lovely face, Ionae. It is an unfamiliar sight, but I think that it suits you well. Now we can be on our way again.



Onwards!




The first to force their opponent or opponents to yield will be victorious. If it is you noble challengers, then I shall reward you handsomely for your skill.
If it is I, then at least you leave with the right to brag that you have crossed swords with the mighty Urtat the Unmovable and lived to tell of it!


Urtat Underval? You used to be the finest young swordsman in the country. What, if I may ask without being rude, brings you to be in the company of this circus?


Hard times, honorable sir. Ours is an age of gunpowder, and those jobs left that require swordsmanship involve either too much posturing or too much backstabbing for my tastes.
I have neither the patience nor the inclination for either. The duel is my passion. Now that my services fetch little price amongst the nobles and governors of our fair nation, I find the circus a fine means of travelling the globe in search of a challenge. I speak to Denever Halterbrooke, do I not?


Yes, you do. I'm surprised you recognize me.


Your surprise is unwarranted, fair sir. You and your fellow Guardsmen were my inspiration as a child.
The first duel I ever saw was between you and Sir Samuel Quesada, one mild and pleasant spring evening at the Founders Day Union gala.


Ah yes, I remember! Poor Samuel. I was overly hard on him, but he was asking for it. I do believe I broke his shield arm with one particularly savage blow as he overbalanced on a feing, and that was the end of the fight.
He spent that winter trying his best to hide it under a succession of long coats which he wore to every public engagement. It wasn't until the summer of next year that he took up dueling again.
I'd like to think that the lesson in humility did him some good, as it does us all.


It certainly taught me a great deal. I would be most honored if you and your companions would accept my challenge, sire.
I have no doubt that we could put on a great display for the crowd and learn a little from each other in the process.


What? The three of us against you? Hah! Are you serious?


I understand your concerns. You're welcome to recruit help from the crowd if you wish.


He is serious. Alright, you're on, braggard. Let's see if you're insanely skilled, or merely insane.


Hah-hah! Excellent! Seriela, start taking bets.


Fifty credits on Urtat! It's easy money. I've not seen him beaten yet! Those three poor sods don't stand a chance.


You're writing these newcomers off to easily, Aelfred. I have a good feeling about them, and I'll wager they fight tougher than they look. Sixty credits on them!


En guarde, all of you!



Okay, us versus Urtat!

How hard could it be?



...That hard. Look at those armor values.

Almost nothing I have can hurt him.



Strategy determined!

PyanPau: Healing support! He can't hurt the guy.
Ionae: Black Bullet! The bullet itself won't hurt, but poison is Ethereal damage, so it can chip him down.
Denever: Use Charge, then pause the action to charge it up as much as possible...



Longer...!



...Okay, no, I can work with this...



Black Bullet is doing 8 damage per second, but by golly, Denever's action gauge isn't done changing colors yet!



BAM

And that was through 16% piercing resist and 371 armor.



PyanPau's back up! Now he's alternating Heal and Aurora, to guard against Swordfaith.



I don't think I've gone into it in detail, but Brace is an extremely useful skill here - it vastly reduces the damage of the next two attacks to hit Denever. Since I'm just fighting one guy, that's a really nice ability to have!

Also, PyanPau's down again.



Perfect chance! Armor is reduced when you're charging--



BAM

One more good hit and I've got him!



I am, however, starting to run out of healthy allies to hide behind!

Also, he's healing himself!



So close...!



GEH

Then he starts using Recover again.



About 200 years later, this happens.




Hardly, Urtat. We outnumbered you three to one. You must be the most exquisitely skilled swordsman I have ever seen, and I have made a point to observe such fighters on my travels.


Nay, do not seek to console me, for I am not aggrieved. This has been a most invigorating challenge!
Truth be told, I've grown complacent lately against inferior opposition, and this loss will improve me moer than any victory could.
Here is the reward I offered for your participation, 300 credits. Go in peace and, God willing, our paths will cross again in the future. We shall see then who has improved the most in our time apart!



ONWARD




Percy Pemberton? You old dog! How are you doing? How is Juliette?


I'm well enough and so is the wife. In fact, she's the reason I'm in Porto Vale. It's our fortieth anniversary next month and I'm looking for a present, God help me. You wouldn't have any ideas, would you?


For Juliette? Goodness no! She always was a nightmare to buy for. And truth be told, I've hardly been keeping up on modern trends.


Me neither. I think this is giong to be an awfully long day! Are you going to introduce me to your friends?


Yes, of course, where are my manners. Percy, this is Ionae and PyanPau. Ionae, PyanPau, this is Percy Pemberton.
He's an old comrade in arms from my days in the Dragonguard. We've seen our fair share of trouble together.


We certainly have! Little of it we started, mind you, but all of it we finished.


It's a pleasure to meet you, sir! Any friend of Denever's is a friend of ours.


They look like a capable lot. You wouldn't be off on another adventure, would you, Denever? Honestly, at our age, too! When the time comes, they're going to have to pry you out of that armor with a crowbar.


You know me, Percy, I like to keep busy. I missed all my chances to settle down. Are you in touch with any of the old gang? Jacob? Zefiah?


Zefiah I've not heard from in a while. He was always like you, Denever. Never found a wife, never got cozy. One day last year, he and I were sat around a tavern table and we got to talking about the future.
He said he was headed south, to the Spirals. There was this gleam in his milky old eyes, like he was twenty years old again. He had his rmor on and faithful old Trisgothik by his side.
The last I saw of him was as he shook my hand and walked away into the morning sun. I don't know what he found there, but I don't think he planned on coming back. He wanted to go down fighting.


Jacob never had the chance. He died early this spring, Denever. His lungs finally gave out on him.
We tried to get in touch with you, but with no fixed address you're a tricky fellow to catch. The funeral was held a few weeks later.


I hadn't realized. Dear Jacob, I should have been there!


It was a good service with a fine attendance. Don't worry yourself. You know Jacob would rather see you out on the road with your sword than getting misty-eyed at his funeral.


Denever, I'm really sorry, but I have to be going. I've got an appointment at twelve and I'm already late. It's been so good to see you again.
Juliette and I are holding our anniversary party on the 16th of next month. We'd love to see you there if you can make it.


I'll be there, Percy, I promise. It was nice seeing you, old friend.



Next time: The Admiralty!


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