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Update 42: Sea Charting
Let's go sailing. Sailing is fun. And relaxing. And doesn't involve fighting.
...Do I want to know what happened in the ruins?
No.
There's our Steel Plating ship part that we unlocked a while back.
So why did you guys want to come back here?
I wish to see these ruins for myself. And to see if you missed anything during your time here.
Alright, but just be careful around those big statues. I don't trust those dang things one bit.
You look into the space beneath the stones and find an old bag at the bottom of the pit. Akatsuki jumps inside, grabs the bag, and climbs back up. You peek inside to find an old piece of parchment! Thinking that it might bear some valuable knowledge, you decide to take it to Armoroad.
After clearing one of the Sea Quests here, you can find this Weapon Tome.
Sounds like Fang could make use of it.
Assuming that it exists.
Now that we've killed Corotrangul at least once, we can do something at Sheba.
Thanks to your work in reopening the trade routes, merchant ships have returned to Sheba. But the other day, a merchant ship carrying Rock Silver to Batavia was attacked by pirates. We believe the ship was attacked somewhere to the northeast of Batavia. We want you to defeat these pirates and recover our merchandise.
Rock Silver? We already took that back from those pirates! Wait here while we get it!
You remember the crate of Rock Silver that you got when you sank that pirate ship... You tell the soldier to wait and have the crate brought from your ship’s hold.
You already did it...!? We have our silver back, the pirates are defeated... Thank you so much! This is a mere token of our Queen’s gratitude, but please accept it.
The soldier excitedly hands you two gold coins and one of the pieces of Rock Silver.
Also, we will give you this Trawling Net. A traveller offered it to the Queen, but... We do not have many fish around here, so it is of little use to us. Please, take it!
The soldier disappears into the city, most likely to report to the Queen.
After seeing him go, you board your ship and return to your voyage.
The Trawling Net lets you fish up fish instantly by just passing over the tiles they're on instead of spending a turn to do so. This does work with the Foremast. Honestly, not a ship part I like using. It's kind of a waste of a slot since you want to use your ship parts to help reach new places.
Speaking of new places, let's get ready to go to one. We'll need these ship parts to get to our next destination.
And we need to start from this point.
From the start, go 2 tiles east.
Then 10 tiles north.
East 2 tiles.
Then north 2 tiles. Oh, and there's an event here.
Oh, that smells lovely!
It must be some sort of cooked fish.
After you dock and disembark, you find a soldier cooking some dried victuals. The sizzling sound of the dried fish’s fat on the fire makes your mouth water... Noticing you staring hungrily at the scene, the soldier calls out to you.
Yep, that's us! Yo, tummy. Quit growling. I ate a bag of salt an hour ago! What more do you want!?
Thanks to your good work, we’ve been plenty busy. Meals are the only pleasure I get on this island. This here is Bacalhou, dried cod... It’s really great! Of all the preserved foods to take on a voyage, I like this the best. I usually put some Garum on it when I have some, but I don’t have any here.
Is that so? I'm afraid we don't have any to share.
It’s fine without it, though! ...Ooh, looks like it’s ready.
The soldier takes the fish and sinks his teeth into it, quickly devouring it.
Oh, I would have loved to have some of that. It looked delicious.
He's probably going to be stationed there for a while. If we manage to get our hands on some Garum, we should stop by here and give him some.
And head 4 tiles east.
HA! You were a worthy opponent, but you have been conquered at last!
...They're just reefs, Akatsuki.
Reefs which have barred our path for who knows how long!
North 2 tiles.
East 4 tiles. Don't worry about the pirate ship. The Foremast lets you outrun it.
Head north 6 tiles.
West 2 tiles.
North 2 tiles.
There's another Oceanic Pole over there!
Alright girls, full sail ahead!
West 2 tiles.
North 2 tiles.
And then head east to activate the Oceanic Pole.
Here's a visual guide on how to get there.
Now we're not done yet. The Oceanic Pole we just activated can help us reach some new places. For the next destination, take off the Foremast. It won't help you here.
And start from the newly unlocked 3rd Foothold.
Start out by going 5 tiles west.
Then go north 1 tile, west 2 tiles, and south 3 tiles.
Go west 3 tiles, north 1 tile, west 2 tiles, and south 1 tile to see our next destination.
Ooh, I think I've spotted a city over there!
Hmm, do we have enough supplies to make the trip?
We won't know unless we try!
The idyllic city lined with windmills might be a new city to trade with. You may be able to make the town with your current provisions, but perhaps you should go back...
If you go back to the port after this, the Harbormaster has this to say:
Well done on your long voyage, everyone... What? You found a city? Hm... Damavand would be my guess. It’s a commercial hub, connecting north to south. I heard the hero who rules that city uses the power of a sealed dragon to maintain its prosperity. No pirates or invaders would dare go near Damavand for fear of the three-headed dragon’s fury. If you can find a way there... Trade with the northern lands will no longer be a distant dream. Please, do whatever you can to reach that city! All of Armoroad will be counting on you!
And go south 4 more tiles to reach our destination!
Here's a visual of our trip.
As you set foot on the docks of Damavand, a city on the equator, an old soldier greets you.
Yep, we did!
Welcome, welcome. You’re in good hands amongst the descendants of the hero Traetaona. Our worship of the three-headed dragon he sealed away has shielded us from invaders these many years. We were once the midpoint between the poles, but since the Calamity, we’ve had precious few visitors. That is why it cheers us to see young ones with your passionate pioneer spirit. If you return to Armoroad with your route to here charted, we’ll see more trade from the south.
With that, the old soldier pulls a roll of cloth from his bag and hands it to you.
This is chintz. It’s our specialty, made with the north’s looming techniques and the dyes of the south. Take it. It’s sort of a way to show my gratitude. What could be more fitting to celebrate, eh?
Your gift is appreciated!
You gratefully accept the chintz and return to your ship to head back to Armoroad.
We’re getting so close to that northern continent. I know I say it a lot, but thanks again. I don’t think it’d be a stretch to say that your future voyages will be even harder. So, once again, I’ve ordered you some improvements to your ship from Ayutthaya. When I told them the order was for Tidehunt, they got right on it! They’re working as we speak. Hopefully your voyages will be a little more comfortable now.
This upgrade isn't barred behind plot, but there's not much we can do with it just yet.
Unlike the other locations where you have to complete a Sea Quest before getting something from said place, you don't have to do that for Damavand. You can just come back here immediately.
What can we do for you?
A few days back, a merchant ship loaded with Niter sprung a leak on their way from Armoroad. Luckily, they were near an island, and all hands safely made it off the ship. However, Niter cannot get wet, so they hid it on an island north of Armoroad girt by currents. ...That is what I have come to you for. I want you to recover the hidden shipment of Niter.
You are reminded of the barrels of Niter you found stashed in a crevice on a small island. You tell the soldier to wait, and have the barrels brought out of the ship’s cargo hold.
Oh, so that's how those got there. We already found it on our travels! Wait here while we go get it.
You’ve already found it!? Oh, thank you. You’ve saved us from losing a lot of money. Here is your reward from all of us in Damavand. Please, take it.
The old soldier hands you two gold coins and an old scroll of parchment. The old soldier bows politely and disappears into the city...
Sounds like something that would make Scott very happy. Shall we look for it?
But we haven't found Aeaea.
Oh. Right.
There are still more things to discover out in the North Ocean, so let's go on some more sailing trips.
This fruit is known as Cacao, and it is famous for its seeds, the main ingredient in chocolate. If you want the Cacao, you can harvest it, or you can ignore it and continue your voyage.
You find a smaller tree and climb up on another member’s shoulders to grab the fruit. After a short while, you return satisfied to the ship with a full basket.
Mmm! Can't wait to have a buncha chocolate tonight! Hee hee hee.
Faye. Do you even know how to make chocolate?
Uhhhh, no. But I can learn, right?
I think you should worry about learning how to eat your vegetables first. I work hard to harvest those, you know!
Back in the South Ocean, you can harvest Sea Milks from these spots. There's also something else you can find here, but I'll make sure to show that off later. Just remember this spot.
Hey! What's going on!?
I don't know! The tides have become enraged all of a sudden!
The waters were so calm a moment ago... Even as you think this, the waves grow even stronger! For a moment, you glimpse something white behind the waves. Was it an illusion? You can stay and observe more closely, or take shelter in the cabin until this storm ends.
No:
Everyone! Take shelter inside the cabin! Now!
You ignore the mystery and run into the cabin to shelter yourselves from the waves! You wait anxiously for the storm to pass, and the ship eventually stops rocking. You nervously peek outside to find the seas calm, as if this storm had never happened. Wondering what this phenomenon was all about, you warily return to your voyage.
Just what was that about?
Yes:
Let me see what's going o-AAAAAHHHHH!
You hold onto the railing as you peer into the water, and you see something unbelievable! An old man wearing a white robe is standing in the middle of this maelstrom! His lifeless, yellow, muddy eyes are riveted on you.
I-i-i-i-is h-h-he c-c-controlling the st-st-storm!?
You decide that it’s too dangerous to provoke him any longer and decide to escape.
I dunno, but we better get out of here! Hey. I can't control the ship! This is a bad time to betray your captain, Tug Life!
Fade to black.
Using all your might to steer the tiller, you are finally able to escape this nightmarish sea. You wonder about the identity of this eerie old man as you sail away in your damaged ship.
Well. We got out of that, at least.
Unfortunately, our ship will need repairs. Lots of repairs.
That's just a one time event that happens at night. You won't run into that guy again.
Now I see why your ship is in such a state... You finally saw him...
You know who that was!?
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t know much more about him than what I’ve heard from the sailors. But they say any ship that meets him is doomed to sink.
Ha! Well he failed at that!
But he did do a number on the Tug Life.
If you ask me, I’d say he’s a lost soul... Maybe a shipwreck victim or something. Regardless, I’m glad you’re safe. I hope you thanked your ship for giving its life to protect you.
Not sure what this is about. That old man doesn't show up again in any form. Flavor text? A reference to something? Who knows.
A small fishing boat, most likely carried on the heavy currents, has washed ashore. Two men with long, unkempt beards come running toward you from the island’s interior. You gather that they were indeed brought here by the currents, and are low on food and water. You don’t have many provisions either, but you hate to leave them in such dire need...
Hey. We'd be happy to give some to you!
If you have enough supplies on you when you say yes:
Though it may hinder your voyage, you cannot abandon them. You return to your vessel and come back with food, water, and supplies to fix their vessel.
Here you are! We have plenty to spare!
The fishermen are in tears as they rejoice at being able to return to their families. They present you with a large fishing flag that gives you better hauls when raised. You take the flag and leave, as the fishermen tell you they can handle the rest from here.
You get the Giant Flag upon giving them supplies. Unfortunately, I did not have enough supplies. So this happened instead:
I'm sorry, Faye. But, we don't have enough to give to them.
Ugh, really? I-I'm really sorry. But we can't give you any supplies. B-but, we'll be back! I promise!
Unfortunately, you must apologize and tell the men you do not have enough to go around. The men smile and reassure you, telling you that they can handle themselves. They tell you that their Giant Flag, still waving in the wind on their ship, protects them. You promise that you will return for them, and set sail with an aching heart.
Now if you didn't have enough supplies to share with them, just come back here on your next trip. Don't worry about getting some for them.
Hey... Wh-where are they? D-don't tell me th-they...
No, look! They left a letter for us!
Disembarking with a lump in your stomach, you find a giant flag in the sand next to a letter.
Ha... Phew! For a second, I thought I failed to save... Ah, well. They're safe now.
It's nice of them to leave something for us, even though we couldn't really help them before.
Relieved, you decide to take the flag as the letter requested. You return to your ship and set sail.
This has an 80% chance to increase the amount of fish that appear on the seas by a huge amount.
More fishing.
Now for our final trip, we'll be outfitting our ship with these.
And once again, start from the 3rd Foothold.
Start out by going west 4 tiles.
Then go south 10 tiles.
Go west 4 tiles and south 1 tile.
And then go west 4 tiles.
And then south 4 tiles and west 3 tiles to reach this spot.
Whoa whoa whoa! Just calm down, and tell us what you want!
Actually, I believe they might be...
You recall something you learned before about a nomadic group that travels this area by boat. They are clad in crustacean-themed armor... They must be the warriors of that tribe. They declare you a guest of the tribe...
Oh, cool!
Then unreasonably demand a gift for their hospitality.
Oh, what!?
Their firm stares tell you that they won’t take no for an answer, and you might not survive a fight. You can give them something as they “request,” or you can run away.
If you paid attention to the flavor text, you should know what the right choice is. But let's pick the wrong ones first. Run away:
Uhhh, look behind you! A giant crawfish!
You wait for just the right moment, then run like the wind! After a thrilling chase, you manage to escape your spear-wielding captors and set sail!
PEACE OUT!
Give them Rock Silver/Armoroad Cedar
Will this be a suitable gift?
You hand the tribesmen the Rock Silver/Armoroad Cedar you discovered during your voyage. They look at it with interest, then shake their heads in disappointment. It seems that this isn’t quite what they were expecting... You return to the ship with misgivings over the outcome of this situation...
They must have wanted something else.
Give them Crawfish Claw:
Now if you don't have any of these items, the game won't let you choose that option. Fortunately, we have the Crawfish Claw.
How about this?
You hand the tribesmen the Crawfish Claw you discovered during your voyage. When they see it, the men suddenly begin to shout with joy and dance around you! It seems they are worshippers of the Giant Crawfish, and you are now welcomed guests. A beautiful woman emerges from the forest bearing a pot, and bids you to drink from it. According to this priestess, as she calls herself, this is kava-kava, a most relaxing drink. The pot contains a suspicious brown liquid... You can drink it or politely turn it down.
No:
Oh we're sorry. But we have to be sober when steering the ship, otherwise bad things will happen.
But Faye is the one steering the ship.
Quiet, you.
You nervously explain that you cannot steer the ship if your perception is altered. The priestess sadly hands you the Kava-kava and asks you to take it home with you. After accepting this gift and waving goodbye, you return to your ship and the voyage.
Yes:
Eh, sure. Why not?
You nervously drink from the proffered pot, and instantly begin feeling its effects. You party with the tribe for a while before leaving the island in high spirits.
Mm, that was quite the drink. I wonder what's in it?
EWWWWWWW!
From that island, go south 2 tiles, west 2 tiles, and north 2 tiles.
Then go west 4 tiles.
Whoa! Look at that!
In front of you is a grand stone tower, which dizzies you with its formidable height. The tower is so tall, you cannot even see the top... If you wish to continue exploring, you may, though it may also be wise to return and resupply.
There's our next destination. If we go back to the port at this point, the Harbormaster has this to say:
Hm... So you found a structure so tall, it’s veiled by clouds? Must be the Tower of Victory. It’s said that those who find an end to its infinite spiral stairs will be covered in glory. Bit of a contradiction, isn’t it? It all depends on whether or not the tower is the real deal... According to historical records, countless towers with the same name have been built all over the world. We’ll need to confirm its authenticity. I’d like you all to investigate that tower. If we can get a research team in there, it would be invaluable. But as always, proceed with caution.
And head south 3 tiles to reach our destination!
Here's the route we took to get here.
You look upwards from the base, but the tower pierces the clouds. You wonder how tall it is... Stepping inside the tower, you hear your own footsteps echoing in the tower’s crisp air. You look up to find a spiral stair leading upwards to the apex of the tower. Deciding it would be impossible to climb with your current equipment, you decide to return to Armoroad.
I’ll get in touch with the Senatus to confirm its validity as soon as I can. Thanks to you guys, you could say that Armoroad’s restoration is in its final stages. That’s why I’ve ordered the latest and greatest for your ship! The Latin Sail! This should help your ship catch the wind even better, which should make you more mobile out there. There is one catch, though... These sails are custom-made, it’ll be some time before yours arrives. Try to stay patient, okay?
Unfortunately, we won't be getting the Latin Sail until the 5th Stratum. And we need it to reach any more new places, so we won't be sailing for a long time.