Tales of the Abyss

[SimsHsia]

Yeah, a week late. Here it is.

Episode 12: Water Metropolis

Recap from last time:

We learn of Jade's and Dist's past.

Key plot points:

• Onboard the Tartanus, the group discover that all ports in Grand Chokmah are under lockdown due to increasing tensions between Kimlasca and Mulkuth. Jade suggests they dock elsewhere and approach through Theor Forest.
  
• The guards at the gate can only allow Jade to pass, so Jade assures the group he will get authorization for them to enter. During their wait, Largo attacks Luke only to be saved by Guy. A hiding Sync activates a curse slot previously attached to Guy causing him to be under Sync's control and attack Luke. Natalia manages to attack Sync hiding in a tree due to an earthquake. They are saved when Jade and several guards come rushing toward them.
  
• Ion tells the group he is able to remove the curse slot from Guy's arm, but reveals to Luke that Guy became like this because he had an intention to kill Luke. After the curse slot is removed, the group discover Guy was previously from Mulkuth. The reason for his desire to kill Luke is due to the fact that Luke's father ordered the attack on Guy's hometown, the intention was to exact revenge by killing Luke.
  
• The group are in audience with Emporer Peony and learns that Kimlasca has issued what is technically a war proclamation accusing Mulkuth responsible for the destruction of Akzeriuth and the deaths of Luke and Natalia.
  
• Luke proposes he and the rest of the group go to St. Binah and evacuate the citizens there before its collapse. Peony and his advisers agree to this proposal, since they can not appropriate any of their military due to increasing pressure from advancing Kimlasca military and a possible sign of aggression by moving any military units near St. Binah.
  
• Evacuations in St. Binah go smoothly until the ground around them begins to collapse. Luke and the group are on higher ground, but people, mainly military, are trapped in the sunken ground. However, they are all surprised when an airship has appeared over head.
  

Episode thoughts:

The tension between Mulkuth and Kimlasca is heightening that there will inevitably be an outbreak of war. So, we learn more about Guy's past and the woman in one of the previous episodes who died is someone in his family, my guess is his mother. Although I don't mention it above, the group visit Peony's room full of rappigs - rabbit pigs - which has a moment where Tear calls them all "cute" and attempts to pet one of them only to conform herself quickly. Peony seems alright, he has the same humor as Jade, and even named one of his rappigs after him, who is very popular with the maids. The airship, ah, yes the airship. In most any RPG game there should be some sort of flying thing - living or inanimate.

In any case, the next episode "Outbreak of War" will involve several group members flying in said airship while a battle rages between Kimlasca and Mulkuth military. My guess is that said airship will aid in battle and/or, most likely, get the group to get some of their imprisoned group members.