Beastmoot is a somewhat more civilized area, featuring the first blacksmith since quiet a while and even glimpses of advanced architecture.
There are also the expected drunkards and bumps of course.
Listening Bear: Bah! This whiskey tastes like rinse water!
: Greetings, brother. Maybe this spiritual drink can satisfy your desires?
Listening Bear: I bought this from the market and I will be damned if it didn't suddenly turn into rinse water once I've opened the bottle.
:
1. He's just another drunkard. Let's forget about him. Come, we move on.
2. <Thinks> We still have the booze from Redclay Village. We could give that to him.
→ 3. <Thinks> I've got some Apefruit Wine that the cook Yao made. I will give him a taste of that.
: I've got some delicious wine from Baiyue. You want to try a sip?
Listening Bear: Well, this stuff is pretty good.
There is also a lot to catch up on lore among other things.
: I know many interesting stories. Do you want to hear one?
:
→ 1. Of course – tell us something!
2. Well... although we would like to listen, we've still got some important things to do. But if we can we'll come back and listen to your stories.
: Let's see... today I want to tell the story of the battle between the Yellow Emperor and Chi You! A long, long time ago Chi You was in an argument with the Yellow Emperor. Although they fought for many years, no one could defeat the other. Then Chi You's own servants turned against him and assisted the Yellow Emperor. Suddenly the Yellow Emperor had the advantage.
: Really? What happened then?
: Chi You lost the war. But two of his most loyal followers, Xing Tian and Mei, didn't want to accept this failure and continued the fight until the Yellow Emperor would be defeated as well.
: And what came next?
: Xing Tian and Mei were killed many years later. The Yellow Emperor died and our ancestors came here to protect his last resting place!
: You're a great story teller.
More loar.
Old Man: Many years ago, a giant two headed monster came from the mountains of the north. This creature had amazing strength and could chew through rocks like it was tofu. It ate earth and stones, was horrible stupid and attacked everything and everyone on first sight.
: How horrible!
Old Man: For reasons which no one knows, the Yellow Emperor called upon miraculous entities from heaven, who gave the beast four eyes. They say, that the Tomb of the Emperor is guarded by giant four eyed monsters. I don't think that this is a coincidence.
Old Man: According to a tale from an old scroll there was a species of intelligent creatures, who walked like men and were gifted with great wisdom. They had scales which covered their slim bodies and their weapons were strangely curved knifes, which blades showed inward and which shafts were longer than the creatures themselves.
: Maybe this is a true story.
Old Man: At the beginning the creatures followed the law codex of the Yellow Emperor. But after he died, no one ever saw them again. Maybe they remain forever with the Yellow Emperor and protect his mausoleum, even in death.
: Could this be true?
Who cares as long as there are still houses to plunder and a love drama ready to be kicked into overdrive?
: The man in front of you has a withered, yellowish face, pale and drawn. It is Wei Shen [suddenly Wei Kun], who brings his wife to every healer that he can find. It is almost as if the breath of life within him has lost all motion. His eyes burn from a fire of defiance and the will to live but it lies deep within a pit of grief and melancholy. The woman that lies in the bed is pale and only faintly breathing. She is apparently unconscious but she mutters on occasions, “Shen, my brother Shen...” The man listens and shakes uncontrollably when [rest is cut]
: Wei Shen! How are you feeling! Lady Tian Mei [suddenly Mei Er] , she... how is she?
: “Oh, it is you!” He barely recognizes you. His stare is hollow. “Tian Mei... I don't think that she'll make it. I'm a such a failure, I'm not capable to rescue her!”
: Stop right there! Get a hold of yourself! We must fight for Tian Mei's life!
: Wei Shen's gaze slowly starts to sharpen up. He releases a weak sigh and a faint smile rushes over his face when he recognizes you. “The medicine you found for us helped Tian Mei for a short while. But it wasn't for long and the illness got worse again. Her body is getting weaker and weaker and now she can't even walk on her own anymore. She wakes up from time to time but almost immediately falls unconscious again. We arrived here several days ago and asked for [rest is cut]
: It's going to be all right; The healer will certainly help her. You can calm down.
: He mutters something incoherently and sighs, “You're mistaken. No matter who friendly I ask him or how much I threaten him – this healer, Lei Shi, refuses to help. Tian Mei is lying here since three days and nights but he is deaf to my pleas!
: This is horrible! How can he treat his patients like that? Wait here, I'll “ask” him for you.
I feel pity for the fellow.
: This man must be really old. His beard and eyebrows are completely white. His body is supported by a wooden cane. Despite the vivid shimmering in his eyes, he walks with a stoop and appears very fragile. Whenever he thinks, he let's his head fall onto his chest.
: You... you are Lei Shi?
: The old animal man raises his head and notices Liang Hu. “Who are you? I don't recognize you.”
: Lei Shi, you must remember me... I'm Liang Hu. I once pulled all the hair from your beard while you were asleep. Have you forgotten?
: “Liang Hu, really? Bah!” The old man knocks on Liang Hu's chest and examines him from head to toe. “You don't look dead. This is good, one should think. So you've come back to pull more pranks on me like when you were little? Hmm? Ha! You and Tie Lang never left the tribe one calm moment, that much I can remember.”
: No, master. Liang Hu has grown up. And you... your beard has turned completely white in the meantime.
: And? I'm old, yes, and soon this beard will fall off even without your help! Who is the girl? A friend? A lover?
Better not go there.
: She's a friend. Her father saved my life.
: “Oh, really? Then I thank your family, young lady...” The old man shifts his gaze towards you and looks as if he doesn't like what he sees. “Why the grim stare, young lady? Have I said something wrong?”
: No, you haven't insulted me. But... are you really a healer? Why did you refuse to help saving a life?
: The old animal man grimaces and turns toward Tian Mei on the bed. “You mean her?” His hardened eyes return to face yours. “I've been a healer for a good part of my life, who aided the wounded and saved the dying. But I'm making an exception.”
: An exception...? But, as a healer, you should help everyone!
: His upper lip rises for a snarl. “She's a Qin!”
Here we go again.
: You... but that's cruel! How can you hate her so much that you would let her die?
: “Those are the most malicious and most shameless creatures that ever walked the earth. Cursed by the gods and ready to do anything to get what they want.” The cane in the hands of the old man is shaken by his anger. “It is because of them that my Lan Er left me. Fifteen years ago. It was then that I swore that I would never again heal another Qin as long as I'm breathing!”
: Master, you're still brooding over Lan Er?
: “Fifteen years!” The cane is lifting in his hands, he's trembling in his rage. Then his face suddenly becomes sad and he looks to the ground. “And even if one thousand years pass by, I'll never forget.”
: What on earth happened? Wait... Tian Mei is waking up.
: Ah... Wei Shen...Wei Shen... are you there?
: Tian Mei, you're awake. I'm here, everything is fine.
: I'm glad that you're at my side. Tell me, do I have to die?
: No, you don't. Stay calm, Tian Mei. Uncle Lei has promised to heal you.
: Really? When did I say that?
: You... You...
: Please don't be mad, Wei Shen. Even if I can't be cured, don't make anyone else responsible for it.
: Don't say such a thing. Of course you'll be cured. Don't think too much about it.
: The last three years were the happiest of my life. You know why? Because you're with me. If I should die, then I've got nothing to regret.
: I'm so useless! Why can't I heal you?
: Don't cry. If I'm going to die then I would have one last wish, I hope you can grant me one.
: Of course! Name it! I would give my life to do what you ask of me!
: You're so kind. (Coughs) I love you so much. I want to spent every waking moment with you, so I will try to stay awake. I'm afraid that I'll never see you again when I fall asleep – no matter if it is in this world or the following one.
: Yes, I know.
: Now I'm lying here, at the gateway of death and still have the same question that is burning in my heart, as it did three years ago. Can you give me an answer, Wei Shen? Do you love me?
: Tian Mei, you're an aristocrat and I'm a nobody. I'm a poor man, a commoner! I'm not worthy of your love. I don't deserve somebody as good as you!
: You know my opinion, right? My time is running out. Can't you give me a clear answer at least for this one time? The question isn't hard. Do you love me?
: Yes! I love you with every fibre of my being! But what good is this now? I can't do anything for you! You're dying!
: You made me the happiest person on earth. Promise me that you'll look after yourself. Always be careful... (Coughs)...
: Don't leave me! Don't leave me...!
: Stop with the screaming already. Your woman doesn't have to die!
: What are you saying?
: You mean, uncle, that you'll cure Tian Mei?
The old man turns towards the family shrine.
: Lan Er, today I shall break the oath that I vowed in front of your tablet fifteen years ago. Those two children need me. Even you can see that, can't you?
: Liang Hu, what is he talking about?
The audio is missing here, so Liang Hu's lines are skipped in a heartbeat. It took me some retries to make a screeenshot of it.
: Lan Er was Uncle Lei's wife. Fifteen years ago, a group of bandits took her hostage. They demanded of him that he should save the life of their leader in return for the one of his wife. Instead of bringing shame to his name, by aiding the bandits, he committed suicide, by jumping into a nearby river.
This doesn't make much sense, seeing that Lei is still alive and breathing. My take is that he actually healed the bandit leader, who broke his promise and drowned his wife in a nearby lake.
: So that's the reason why he didn't help anyone from the Central Plains for fifteen years.
: The salvation of your woman is a fairly simple thing, my son, although the price will be high. I must use your heart as a catalyst for my magic. You will die, but she'll live. What do you say?
: I would do anything to save Tian Mei!
: No... (Coughs), don't do this! If you... (Coughs) die... then my live will be without a meaning!
: Ha! Good answer! If only I would have had the same chance to rescue Lan Er by sacrificing myself! Young lady, don't worry. I was only testing his love to you. This is indeed a worthy opportunity to break my oath.
: So Wei Shen doesn't have to...
: No, he doesn't have to die. I'm not that cold blooded. I'm a healer, not a murderer.
: You're a good man, Uncle Lei.
: Very much so but now: away with you. I have work to do.
We get kicked out of the hut. No one is stopping us from re-entering though.
: His eyes are bloodshot due to the lack of sleep. But an unbearable excitement seems to lighten his face. “Tian Mei is feeling better. Uncle Lei's skill with leeches is the best there is. Look how she's sleeping. It has been a long time since she slept so calmly. I owe you much, thanks!”
: I'm glad. It looks like Lady Tian Mei shows some good signs of recovery. You look tired, please get yourself some rest now.
: I'm fine! It would break Tian Mei's heart if she couldn't find me when she wakes up.” Wei Shen smiles while he's looking down on the sleeping woman. “I don't feel tired at all, if I see her resting so peacefully.”
: Yes, stay with her. I will leave now... goodbye!
But still not all is well.
: Looks like Tian Mei is feeling a lot better. Thanks, Lei Shi.
: Lei Shi shakes his head, he seems concerned, “It is not as simple as you might wish it to be. Her disease is strange, and hard for me to diagnose. I gave her my only Xuan-Yang-Pill. You need 81 days to make one and it is very potent medicine. But it can only suppress the illness, not cure it.
: Can nothing be done?
: I've heard of a skilful healer who works very efficiently with leeches, when I was in the town Chengdu. If you'll be able to find him, I can't say. I did all that I could.
: I hope that the heaven will help her!
Sounds like the two love birds still have some work to do and so do we when we discover a nearby cave.
The guards say that only participants of some sort of holy trial may enter. We ask the local wise man what this is all about.
Old Man: Only the ones that pass the trials of the cave can assume the responsibility of defending the tribe. Even outsiders must face these trials.
: Trials of the cave?
Old Man: A strong body is not the only thing required to pass the trials. A perceptive mind and the ability to make decisions are also important. Only those who pass the trials may be allowed to lead the tribe.
: And if you fail?
Old Man: The weak are removed. For those who fail, death won't be the worse punishment.
:
1. That's the problem with Beastmoot. You have to do all sorts of things just to belong.
→ 2. Good, old master, I will take those trials upon me.
Old Man: You? Only animal man warriors can pass the test. Besides, it's dangerous in there and you certainly don't want to get yourself killed!
: I'm an animal man warrior. I would fight at your side, so how could I be afraid of danger?
Old Man: Nice words. I hope your confidence will serve you well during the trials. Here is a tablet that will get you inside the cave. Give it to the guards, then you may proceed.
: I'll go there this instance.
Said and done.
Guard: This is the entrance to the cave. No one may enter without a proper allowance.
: I've come to face the trials. Here is the token that gives me the right to do so.
Guard: Move on. Your friends will wait here until you return.
: Good luck, Liang Hu!
: Watch out! We'll be waiting for you.
: Don't worry. I will not fail.
Uh oh, a solo mission. Thankfully there are only a few crab people running around and Liang Hu is more than capable to face them.
Old Man: Young man, the trials are no child's play. It is a test about life and death.
: Great warrior, please believe me. I'm sure of myself.
Old Man: The cave doesn't only test your skills in the mystical arts and combat, it also measures the strength of your mind and your knowledge about the five elements.
: All right then. I will do everything in my power to complete all the tasks.
Old Man: Other than fighting Shadow Crabs, you will also be confronted by the guardians of the five elements.
: Thank you for your advice.
One of the guardians is close by.
: I came to solve the trials of the cave. I hope that I can prove myself to be a true animal man warrior.
Guardian: Very well. Our trials were created on the foundation that the five elements suppress each other under certain circumstances. The place that I protect is the north side of the cave.
:
→ 1. I understand. Now I know what trial I must undertake.
2. I was hoping that you could give me an advice. Which trials do I have to take?
3. Can I chose your trial now?
This is not a very complicated affair. Each guardian protects an item that you need which represents one specific element. If you accept the trial of one guardian, you'll just have to find another whose element is repressed by the element of the one who original gave you his trial. Each guardian uses skills and auras similar to Liang Hu's which fit their element and they're fairly tough in general but manageable.
Old Man: You decided to leave? Have you solved all the trials?
:
1. Some of them are incomplete. I need time to think about it.
2. The trials are too hard for me. I give up.
→ 3. I was successful with all five trials and have received five rewards.
Old Man: Well done, young hero, continue onwards. You will be confronted with the most difficult test of all. Be on your guard. Don't make a mistake.
: I thank you for your help.
Despite the big intro bravado, this trial is just another test about the elements, only in-reverse and without any combat or even a chance to fail at all. Each element is represented by a coloured flame on the altar. Depending on which flame is currently weak, you just drop the item that will enchant the element corresponding to the flame and voilà.
: Yes! I did it!
A nice distraction from the usual hack&slash but we don't get any reward for the effort which is rather disappointing. Catching up for the time wasted, we go to the chieftain’s office.
: Wu Jing gives Liang Hu a warm-hearted hug. “Liang Hu! We haven't seen each other for years but you don't seem to have changed one bit. I'm happy and honoured that you and your friends came to stop the injustice that was done to me.”
: We are friends since we were children. You would have done nothing less for me.
: Ha ha ha, I remember that time! Who would have though that you would really jump over that cliff!
: Ha! That is the past, Wu Jing. We're here because we want to ask for your help.
: Oh? Where lies the problem? If it is within my power then I'll help you!
: We're searching for the Imperial Stones and want to borrow the one of your tribe.
: This...
: How about it? Are there any problems?
: Ah, I would be honoured to help... but... Wu Zhen, our eldest... - he is not here and he instructed us that the Imperial Stone may never leave our village. As chieftain I must obey his wishes.
: Great chieftain! Please! I need every single one of the Imperial Stones. I want to bring my beloved father back from the realms of the dead. With the stone from your village, I would have four out of the five!
: I'm sorry but there is nothing that I can do.
: Lan Wei, let's get out of here! Don't let us beg even more!
: Yan Hong... chieftain... this...
: Liang Hu, my kinsman, it's not as if I'm not willing to help. Really. But I can't ignore Wu Zhen's instructions.
: I... yes... I understand.
Wu Jing leaves.
: Wu Jing really refuses to hand over the Imperial Stone. What now?
: If I would have known that he would turn out to be this ungrateful, I wouldn't have saved his pitiful skin. I say: let's steal the stone!
: I don't necessary like to become a backstabbing thief – but alright, let's do it...
: No, we can't do this.
: We don't have a choice, Liang Hu.
: He is my chieftain. I will not betray his trust.
Old meme, but who invited the role-player into the group?
: If we don't do it then everything we've done was for nothing!
: No, I will not steal the stone.
: Liang Hu, this is a really bad time to rediscover your long lost morals!
: Don't push me, Yan Hong.
: If Lan Xiong should remain with the dead, then the villages won't be united to push back the Qin. Do you want to have that on your conscience?
: Of course not. But if we steal the stone from Wu Jing then we will be no better than the Qin and we must always try to do better.
: Bullshit! You have the chance to save thousands of innocent lives but if you refuse that chance because of your so called 'honour' then you're worse than the Qin! Then you're a cowardly fool!
Spoken like a true renegade.
: Liang Hu, please...
: Liang Hu, we'll take the stone with or without your help. If you should betray us, I swear by everything unholy, I will hunt you so long in the afterlife that you'll wish that you would have stayed alive!
: Enough, enough already! All that I want is a little time to convince Wu Jing to change his mind. I hate you for bringing me into this situation.
Liang Hu runs off for good. Our band shall never be the same again. *sniff*
Skill Corner
Yan Hong
: Balanced Attack (Defensive)
Requires: Senior level of Summon Stone Creature, 60 points of
earth
Additional Effects: The golem can now stun an opponent with each attack
Notes: I almost completely swapped to the fire demon at that point but this can still buy you some time when on the run
: Divine Fortune (Defensive)
Requires: Senior level of Divine Blessing
Additional Effects: +3% resistance against shock for every five points of
earth
Notes: Stun is usually not as dangerous as slow if the arena isn't too crowded but it comes for free so no complaints there
Cai Xin
: Curved Flash (Offensive)
Requires: Senior level of Thundering Strike, 60 points of
water
Additional Effects: Causes slow when executed as a final combo move
Notes: Didn't reach the requirements for that one so no comment
: Hunt for the Light (Defensive)
Requires: Senior level of Shooting Star
Additional Effects: +10% attack-speed, +1% for every five points of
fire
Notes: Dunno if there is any significant difference between the numerical and the percentage increase. I never felt a big difference at least
Gai Nie
: Meditate for Strength (Defensive)
Requires: Senior level of Meditation
Additional Effects: +30% percent mana regeneration for every five points of
water
Notes: +30% alone is quiet a boost even if my Gai Nie had about 15 water at best. The additional mana was put to good use in the more desperate situations