melodiesoflife | A Search for Answers (backdated to November 13)

Ashelia and Lightning have been talking for a while about checking out the lost city of Aqures Tosf. Surely, there must be answers there; it's the original resting place of the Crystal of Fire before it destroyed the city, crystallizing the inhabitants it didn't kill outright. With Aqures Ixen nearly coming to the same end on The Night of the Thirteen Moogles, answers are needed more than ever.

What awaits on that forsaken island? Marvels? Horros? Treasure? The truth? No one knows. Will you take on the challenge?

[Aqures Ixen Airship Port]

The Heroes gather at the Airship Port to depart on their flight to Balicea. Who is coming along? Why? What do you hope to find on this journey? One word of advice: don't be late. Ashelia cannot abide tardiness.

[Airship Ride to Balicea]

The ride on the ship is short, but it doesn't have to be uneventful. Is this your first time on an airship? Time to find out if you get airsick.

[Balicea]

The Heroes arrive in Balicea on a mission. Ashelia tells everyone that they'll have the day to themselves to explore, but they should be at the docks the next morning bright and early. Ashelia will make sure they have a ship chartered to take them to Aqures Tosf.

[The Voyage to the Lost City]

Ashelia hopes that some of the Heroes coming along are better sailors than she - not one captain was willing to take them to Aqures Tosf. It looks to be a safe enough voyage with the weather, but running a ship is no small feat and Ashelia is an amateur.

[The Lost City of Aqures Tosf]

This is it. The Heroes have arrived. What awaits them? Will they learn anything that will help them unravel the mysteries of the Crystals? Or will the strong creatures that have made the ruins of the once-great city their home prove to be too much?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ramza greeted the little blue pilot.

"Yes, once the boarding gate is put into place," he replied with a little smile, making light of himself that last time he had tried to board the airship.

He looked over Ales' new uniform. "Will you be taking the helm on this journey?" he asked.

Ales smiled, remembering the time he last traveled with Ramza, waiting for the boarding plank.

"Of course I will. This will be my first official commercial flight!" He lifted the sides of his uniform to show off the Shoopuf Airlines logo on them. "I'm pretty excited to finally have the change to fly one of these things by myself!"

"Congratulations," Ramza told him. "We shall be in good hands."

He set down his pack, filled with clothing, food, potions, everything he could anticipate needing on this quest and could easily carry. He hoped he was prepared; he was not used to being so limited in holding space. Usually, supplies were spread out amongst his ranks of allies.

He wondered who else would reply to Lady Ashelia's summons. "Do you plan to venture to the Lost City, or does your employment interfere?" he asked his little companion. He knew Ales did not seek out battles, but he had joined in for that previous conflict.

Ales laughed. "Of course. I wouldn't even be considered a pilot if they weren't confident in my skills." And he was glad flying his own machine back home gave him a head start in learning how to operate the ship.

Eyeing Ramza's pack, Ales realized that most of the passengers had to depend on themselves for supplies. Crew members were provided food by the Airlines.

"I'm afraid I won't be able to. Once I reach my final destination, I have to immediately turn back. I won't have any scheduled flights the rest of this month, so hopefully I can join on another trip later."

Ramza nodded. "We will miss your aid on this quest. But I am sure you will have opportunity to explore later. There is still much we do not know about our new home."

He paused. "Sir Ales, did you learn anything of the Lost City in your research?" he asked. Simon had mentioned that the pilot had been searching for answers, but so much of what had happened in the days leading up to the Night of the Thirteen Moogles was a blur to Ramza.

"Not much, unfortunately. I can look into it once I get back, but please, tell me if there's anything interesting you find or need to be researched when you get back. I'm way interested in finding the secrets behind this!" The idea of a town tied to one of the Crystals excited him.

"I'm spending most of my time tinkering around with the metals I find, so some reminding will be necessary. This whole Scholar things is more of a thing that helps my engineering work, rather than my main hobby."

"I will write up a report when I return," Ramza promised. Well, he might have Simon help with the details, but he would see it got done, in any case.

He gave Ales a look of admiration. "So you can truly build machines? Where I hail from, machinists study artifacts from the lost civilization, but they have not yet recreated such devices. My friend claims their power sources have been changed or lost. Do you believe the power for your creations can be found in Aqures Ixen?"

Finally! Some sort of praise for his skills! Ales stood up proudly, though the effect was a bit lost due to the immense height difference.

"Of course! I studied much was of what was researched in other lands and improved it to fit my ideas. Though I don't believe our ancient civilizations were so advanced." Was Ramza really from a place that lost much progress?

The question of power source really bothered him. "It's the one thing holding me back from rebuilding many of my creations. That, and the fact I don't have those blueprints on me. My source of power back home doesn't even exist here, but I started looking to alternative sources."

He turned to look at the airship, which was nearly done with preparations and soon would be bringing the boarding plank. "Who knows what changes I'd have to make to my machines to accommodate that."

Ramza nodded. "The Ivaliceans of old rode in great airships and used guns in battle. Their knowledge was lost during the Cataclysm. From what I have learned here, most nations have less mechanical knowledge in their past and more in their futures." It probably seemed a bit backwards, but that was the way of things in Ivalice.

"I wish you luck, then. The people of Aqures Ixen and the Heroes of Light will have much to gain much from your engineering skills once you learn to adapt them." Ramza scooped his pack back up and slung it across his back. It looked like the ship's crew would start motioning them to board at any moment.

"I believe that would be the norm. Most places advance their technology as time goes one, not the other way around, unless there was some terrible catastrophe." Like losing nearly all of your research.

"Thanks. It's looks like I'll be needed on board soon to do some pre-flight prep." He headed towards the employee-only building. "I'll see you soon, and promise you a safe trip!"

Ramza gave Ales a bow. "I thank you for it," he said to the teensie as he walked toward the great ship.

A Search for Answers (backdated to November 13)

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

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Aqures Ixen Airship Port

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

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Aqures Ixen Airship Port

Aqures Ixen Airship Port

Aqures Ixen Airship Port