#anyway i'm already thinking about my EOIII party BUT

[solidandsound]

Etrian Odyssey II - Notes on a journey

THE PARTY

Fret, Troubadour (portrait 3)

A fret is a piece that sits behind the strings on the neck of a stringed instrument, such as the lute that Fret plays.

Long ago, when they were all young, Fret, Contra, Travis, Ossia, and Barry formed a musical group, called Frisson. They never got popular, and eventually the others lost interest or faith in their ability to break through into the mainstream, and the band fell apart. Fret was always the most devoted. After Frisson disbanded, he continued to play music on his own, scraping by as a travelling troubadour. Recently, he made his way to Etria, and while there, he heard a lot about a group of youngsters who made major headway in the Yggdrasil labyrinth attached to the town. Fret and the other members of Frisson grew up in High Lagaard, which also had a labyrinth, but he never gave it much thought. Seeing the fame afforded to these young adventurers, however, gets his wheels turning...

Barry, War Magus (portrait 1)

Barry is named in reference to baritone, a male singing voice with a range between bass and tenor.

In the days of Frisson, Barry was the group’s male singer. An immigrant to High Lagaard from the far south, his voice lent Frisson a unique edge, and he appreciated the companionship. Having come from a more musical culture, Barry enjoyed his time with the band, but found few opportunities to sing after its disbandment.

Barry has since become a city guard, and is watching the road into town when Fret comes sauntering back. Barry casually asks where Fret’s been, and Fret launches into his story about what he heard over in Etria and how he’s getting the band back together... to do some dungeon diving. Barry isn’t asked to commit to anything, only to meet up with Fret later, where he’ll explain everything. Then Fret runs off, leaving Barry confused, but curious.

Ossia, Hexer (portrait 3)

An ossia is an alternate musical passage which may be played instead of the original.

Before Ossia joined, another man held his place in Frisson, but that person was not a team player and was frequently disruptive with the aim of taking the spotlight, a habit made worse by the fact that he was in charge of the cymbal and other backing instruments. After that guy was fired, Ossia showed interest in taking his role. While the others were originally hesitant because Ossia gives off a somewhat creepy vibe, he ended up being a perfect fit.

Since the band’s breakup, Ossia has taken advantage of his creepy vibes and background as a Hexer to tell fortunes. However, everything he foretells is fabricated, as that’s not actually something that Hexers can do—most people just don’t know that. Ossia would really rather be doing anything else, and is pleased to see Fret enter his tent. The musician’s pitch leaves Ossia intrigued, and he decides to meet with Fret later, as requested, to find out more.

Contra, Gunner (portrait 4) and Travis, Ronin (portrait 1)

Contra is short for contralto, a type of singing voice with a low vocal range. Travis is a play on travesti, a term for a character in an opera or other performance that is played by someone of the opposite sex.

Contra was Frisson’s female vocalist, her surprisingly low singing voice complementing Barry’s well. Travis played a special piano configured for easy travel. Fret has been friends with these two since long before the forming of Frisson, and they were its first members, with Barry and finally Ossia joining later. Contra is quite shy, but was able to let loose in front of an audience. Travis always felt unable to express himself, except when behind the piano. These two bonded even further while playing music together, and soon fell in love and have remained together this whole time. They have stuck together through everything, from Contra’s health issues to Travis coming out as trans.

However, outside of their relationship, their lives have not been particularly fulfilling. Contra holds a mind-numbing secretarial job, and Travis does landscaping for High Lagaard’s wealthy. Their feelings are complicated seeing Fret, as they always are. Fret visits now and then, but his role in their lives is far reduced from what it once was. This time seems different, however, and so they agree to meet up later.

That evening, all five members of Frisson gather at a local restaurant. Contra and Travis haven’t had many opportunities lately to socialize with Barry and Ossia, and find the reunion pleasant, if a little awkward. Then Fret lays out the plan. As Frisson, they had a few dedicated fans who loved their sound, but had a hard time getting others to listen to them. But if they had had some fame to build off of, things could have been different.

In Etria, a guild met with great adventuring success and, subsequently, great fame. If Frisson could do the same, they could use that fame as a launching point for their musical careers. They could finally be a successful band!

Travis shuts it down, saying that those days have passed, but he is surprised when Barry and Ossia agree immediately. Neither man is happy with what they’re doing, so why not give it a go? Still, Travis doubts the likelihood of this plan succeeding. Why blow up their lives for something so risky? Right? He turns to Contra, but she hesitates. What if this could be their chance to make lives they can be proud of?

If it’s what Contra wants, he can’t bring himself to say no. Fret is ecstatic: the band is back together! The next day, they gear up and head to the guild office to register their band, nay, their guild, and tackle the labyrinth together.

FIRST STRATUM: Ancient Forest

Travis and Contra quit their crappy jobs. Fret and Ossia have no obligations to wrap up and are ready to go immediately. Barry simply ghosts the guard corps. He figures no one will miss him, or even recognize him if he runs into his old coworkers in the forest. They all look the same in their armour anyway.

In order to be allowed to explore the labyrinth further, the guild must first take on the Duchy’s introductory test, which is to map the first floor accurately. Barry is well aware of this, and has at times been the one to judge newbies’ maps. When they enter the labyrinth, a guard stops them to confirm their identities. Barry avoids eye contact, but the guard doesn’t seem to recognize him, as he assumed would be the case. The guard then takes them to a spot deep into the first floor and leaves them there to find their way back.

Contra and Travis start to panic, feeling that they have just been left to die. Indeed, some folks have died doing this, Barry says. But he reassures them: he can guide them in doing this as quickly and safely as possible, as long as they can survive any monster attacks along the way. Fret says that he has a great sense of direction and they should just head back the way they came, but Barry reminds him that that’s not all they need to do. They also need to map the area, and that includes dead ends and false paths. He remembers some of them, but in order to record them in accurate detail, he suggests they actually explore each path.

Having to engage in combat for the first time is jarring, but ultimately not too threatening. The party efficiently maps the area and returns to have the guard evaluate their work. With his approval, they report in to Minister Dubois at the duchy, who officially declares Frisson to be adventurers of Lagaard. He shares his hope that they may unveil the truth behind the myth of the floating castle at the top of the labyrinth. He also gives them a little spending money to get started, but it’s not much. Travis gets a little nervous seeing how little they’re meant to get by on, but Ossia knows from his interactions with adventurers that they can pick up some odd jobs at the tavern.

With that in mind, Frisson begins its exploration in earnest, making a bit of progress each time, avoiding tougher enemies and taking on tavern requests here and there to make a bit more money on top of selling what they find.

On the third floor, the group encounters a wolf, but it does not attack them. Instead, it seems to wish to direct them somewhere. Contra is smitten with the handsome hound; she and Travis have always wanted a dog, but have been waiting until they felt they could better take care of one. They follow the wolf’s directions and soon run into a man who calls himself Hrothgar, of Guild Beowulf. He gives the newbies some helpful tips, and then is joined by the wolf from before, apparently named Wulfgar. The two leave together; Contra is impressed by how helpful Wulfgar seems to be in the labyrinth.

The crew continues to check in with Minister Dubois every once in a while. On one visit, he expresses regret that adventurers seem, by and large, more competent than the guard corps posted in the forest, and wonders if he should be recruiting adventurers for the guard corps. Thinking back, Barry knows he never had as hard a time as a guard as he has so far as an adventurer. Maybe if this doesn’t pan out, he thinks, he can rejoin the corps and negotiate a raise...

Further into the third floor, Frisson sees Hrothgar and Wulfgar once again, guarding a door. Hrothgar stops them, and tells them to speak to the Duchy before they can proceed. When they speak to Dubois, they learn that ten guards have gone missing recently in the labyrinth. Barry feels strange upon hearing the news. Is it relief? Regret? He’s not sure. While saving the guards sounds like a lot of responsibility, Fret also knows that it is this kind of heroism that will kick off the fame they’re looking for, so the guild accepts the task.

Hrothgar lets the guild past, though his mood seems off. He warns them that the next room is filled with powerful monsters. Indeed, when they enter, they hear the cry of a beast and see, and smell, numerous corpses. Travis throws up. Barry is frozen; this could have been him... It is Ossia who gently pushes the group to continue. He counts only nine bodies.

With some careful sneaking, the guild finds a secret passage and there meet the final surviving guard. They help him escape back to town. There, Dubois thanks them with some cash, and tells them about what the guard was investigating in there to begin with. Apparently another monster, the Chimaera, is attracting more monsters than usual to the first stratum of the labyrinth. Frisson has Dubois’s trust now, and so they are tasked with defeating it.

While running errands, Fret hears the name Frisson come up every once in a while. It seems they are starting to get recognized as a strong guild... but he knows it’s not yet enough.

On the fourth floor, a guard tells the group that Beowulf have already gone up to the fifth floor to challenge Chimaera. Apparently, some of the guild’s members were killed by Chimaera some time ago, leaving only Hrothgar and Wulfgar. They lost with five members, but attempt the beast now with only two... Fret seems to miss this detail and suggests hurrying before Beowulf steal their thunder. Barry corrects him: they must hurry to save Beowulf. Contra is beside herself. “That poor, loyal puppy...”

On the fifth floor, Ossia points out a trail of blood. The guild follows it to find Wulfgar, alone and injured. Wulfgar points them westward and cries mournfully. Given that he is alone, that cry can only mean one thing... Contra wants to pet the dog, to comfort him, but cannot tell where he is injured through his thick fur, and so stays her hand. Travis shakes with rage. He assures Wulfgar that vengeance will be had.

The party confronts the Chimaera and, through a long battle with it and its lackeys, fell it. It lets out a final shriek, which nets a howling response from somewhere not too far away. Contra recognizes it immediately and rushes off, with the others hurrying to keep up with her.

Wulfgar is still where they left him, still heavily injured. However, he seems much less distressed. Upon Contra’s approach, the beast removes his collar with his paw, then lays down and closes his eyes. Crying, Contra takes the collar, Wulfgar’s final thanks for bringing peace to him and the rest of his guild.

SECOND STRATUM: Auburn Thicket

Even after taking their reward for defeating the Chimaera, the mood surrounding Frisson is muted as they enter the second stratum. A trail of berries catches Fret’s curiosity, so he follows it, with the rest of the group trailing behind. Something feels off, though, so he stops short of the end of the trail. Contra, deep in her fugue, keeps on mindlessly, and before anyone can stop her, gets her foot caught in a trap. It is easy enough for Travis’s blade to remove, and Contra’s injuries are minor, but it is enough to snap her back to reality a bit. There is danger everywhere in the labyrinth.

Further on, a hemp sack is seen dangling from a tree. Wary of another trap, the group examines the area thoroughly, but finds no threat. Barry climbs the tree to grab the sack. He manages to retrieve it, but upon reaching the ground, finds that his hands burn something fierce. Traps aside, even the trees themselves seem out to get the adventurers of the forest.

The next time Frisson checks in at the Duchy, they are let in on a secret: the Duke is very ill. His daughter is doing her best to find a cure, as she already lost her mother some time ago. Following her mother’s medicinal notes, she is tracking down ingredients in the forest that may help. Frisson is asked now to retrieve an ingredient that can be used to make a so-called “miracle cure”. Fret’s eyes shine. Saving the life of the Duke will get them the acclaim they’re looking for, that’s for sure! The ingredient in question is a feather from the Salamox, a formidable fire-breathing beast.

The guild also picks up a request at the bar to map the 7th and 8th floors, as the guard corp are having trouble with the task. On the 7th floor, they run into one such guard, who happily passes off the job to Frisson. He even hands them his map so far, and Fret is happy to have a head start, but as soon as the guard is out of sight, Barry takes his map and shreds it. He knows what kinds of shortcuts these guys take and doesn’t trust their work one bit.

On the 8th floor, the guild finds the guard assigned to this floor... brutalized by monsters, his armour rendered useless. They are ambushed by the same monsters that killed the guard, but manage to take them down. Then Barry examines the corpse. Like the other guard, this one has a partial map. Barry feels bad, but he leaves the map with the guard.

Also on the 8th floor is the Salamox’s lair. It takes some sneaking, but the group manages to infiltrate its nest and steal a stray feather. They return it to the Duchy and are rewarded handsomely. Fret cares more about the ingredient’s success as medicine, however, and urges Dubois to tell them right away if it works.

In the mean time, Fret intends to take the guild back into the labyrinth. They can’t just wait around for news that might not help them, after all. But Contra stops. Her hands shake. She still can’t stop thinking about Wulfgar and Hrothgar, about that dead guard, even that trap that snared her leg. Haven’t they done enough in the labyrinth? Haven’t they killed enough forest creatures? Can’t they stop? She turns to Travis, who didn’t want to do this in the first place. Surely he will convince the others. He gently takes her aside.

Thinking back on their lives before, he was never happy toiling in the gardens of the rich. Now he feels useful, even heroic at times. He was skeptical at first, but now he feels fulfilled. It is gruesome sometimes, yes, and certainly dangerous, but it’s work that means something. Contra agrees to go back into the labyrinth, but privately she wonders how much more of this she can take.

It is an uneventful journey to the 9th floor. Partway through, however, Contra hears a chirping. She follows it to a baby monster, clearly in distress. There is a lump in its throat, and it seems to be choking. The guild has fought grown-up versions of this thing, and one less monster would make the forest that much safer for them. Ossia prepares to finish the weakened beast, but Contra stops him. She massages the monster’s throat until the object is ejected. The little beast flees. Contra clings desperately to the feeling of having saved a life for once.

Later, on a trek that lasts past sundown, Frisson runs into a guard who isn’t doing much guarding; he’s asleep. He has a heavy money pouch, and it dangles temptingly... Ossia advocates for stealing it. They’ll definitely get away with it. Barry actually recognizes this particular guard, too, and he’s a real asshole... but Barry doesn’t want to stoop to his level. He asks Ossia to leave the guard’s money alone. Ossia shrugs. He doesn’t see what the big deal is, but he complies nevertheless.

On the tenth floor, Frisson comes to a door guarded by an intimidating older man holding two guns. He seems to have heard of Frisson, but the way he speaks of them suggests he is far from their biggest fan. He “suggests” that they turn around. Travis takes the man in cautiously, predicting a vicious fight, but Fret is oblivious and tries to brush the man off, saying that they’re definitely not stopping now. At that, the man introduces himself as Wilhelm and, at the same time, takes aim.

As Frisson prepares for a face-off, a woman appears, scolding Wilhelm for trying to start a fight. She calls herself Artelinde, of Guild Esbat. She tries to claim that Wilhelm was only concerned for their safety, as a terrible monster lies beyond the door. Ossia can see right through that; he could sense Wilhelm’s bloodlust, and something’s not right about this Artelinde girl, either. Nonetheless, she insists that the group first gets permission from the Duchy to proceed.

Back in town, Dubois confirms that he hired Esbat to guard the door. Previously, he tasked Esbat and other powerful guilds with the destruction of the beast beyond that door, but it revived days later. He urges caution if Guild Frisson intends to take on the Hellion.

Upon returning to the tenth floor, the group does not see Esbat anywhere. They are free to fight Hellion, which turns out to be a grotesque humanoid fire demon. They kill it and return to town to report to Dubois and receive their reward. Since it’s been a while, Fret asks for updates on the Duke’s health. Dubois shares that the fire plume wasn’t enough on its own. He has new information on a flower in the third stratum that may help. It seems the guards sent to retrieve these flowers haven’t been returning. While Barry wonders what happened to all those guards, and Ossia worries that they are being sent on a wild goose chase and there is no cure for the Duke, Fret eagerly accepts the mission, seeing only the guild’s fame if they succeed.

THIRD STRATUM: Frozen Grounds

The temperature drop on the first floor of the third stratum is sudden and severe. It would be easy to freeze to death. Barry wonders if that’s why the guards haven’t been returning...

When the guild shares their progress with the Dubois, he reveals that the Duke is offering nobility to those explorers who reach the top of the labyrinth... if they want it, of course. It’s worth pondering for Fret, although not for its own sake. Would being a Baron or Knight or something make him seem more notable as a musician?

On the 12th floor, the guild finds a guard, shivering violently. Barry’s theory gains credence. The guard explains that they’ve only been hunting for the flowers during the day, as it’s too dangerous at night, but they haven’t found any yet. Travis wonders how efficient they can even be when they’re reacting that poorly to the cold. He knows how much longer even a simple task can take when you’re freezing.

The group scouts out the floor a bit, but Contra has a nagging feeling that they won’t find the snow blooms either... Some terrifying monsters are napping throughout, sometimes blocking paths the group would like to take. The floor really would be more dangerous if they’re up and active at night.

They make their way through the floor until they are stopped a familiar voice. Artelinde appears and stands in front of the door to progress. She happily shares that there are no snow blooms further on, but Ossia senses something off about her; her cheer seems stiff somehow... Fret is frustrated. He tells her that they haven’t found any behind them either, but Artelinde insists that she’s correct. Fret’s fists bunch up, but before he can punch the girl, Contra speaks up with her theory: the flowers only bloom at night. They’ll have to come back after dark to spot them.

After resting up, the guild scours the 12th floor again, this time having to carefully avoid the monsters who now roam awake and hungry. Sure enough, they find beautiful glittering blooms, which they pick and take back to town. They hand the flowers over to Dubois, who disappears to report to his superior. Moments later, the princess of High Lagaard, Lady Gradriel, appears before the guild for the first time. Fret is floored, and is quick to kneel and ingratiate himself to her. Her favour would go a long way! Indeed, she is grateful for the help, but there is one more thing she needs to save her father, and that is the Holy Grail, said to be located in the floating castle. When the ingredients they’ve already found are mixed in the grail, any illness can be cured, supposedly. She begs the guild to find the grail and save her father, then flees tearfully. Most of the group is genuinely moved, but Ossia only sighs. He is even surer that there is no floating castle, there is no grail, and they are on nothing more than a wild goose chase. He can tell that no one else holds his opinion, however, so he keeps his mouth shut.

Nonetheless, if Frisson wishes to reach the floating castle, they must press on through the labyrinth. They return to where they were previously stopped by Artelinde, where she still waits. She cannot even feign enthusiasm this time. She asks them outright: will you give up and go home? Fret refuses outright. She doesn’t seem surprised. She shares a bit of the legend of the floating castle that Frisson hasn’t heard yet: that the ruler of the skies lives there, collecting the souls of those who die in the labyrinth... She says that if they want to proceed, she won’t stop them... yet. With that ominous last word, she disappears.

Frisson journeys on, making short work of the 13th floor. One floor up, they are stopped by Guild Esbat’s old gunner, his gaze as menacing as always. He warns the group not to go to the fifteenth floor, or else... Then he departs. Barry wonders aloud what Esbat’s deal is, as they seem intent on keeping other guilds from climbing too high. Fret doesn’t care what their reason is; they’re pissing him off!

On a trip back, Dubois shares that Frisson is a common topic of discussion among the guards. Fret is pleased; they’re getting famous! Barry feels weird about it. He never got along with the other guards, but now they’re following his exploits? And they don’t even seem to have clocked him as one of their own.

Deep into the 15th floor, the party is stopped again by Wilhelm, the Esbat gunner. Fret rolls his eyes and turns around to find another way, but they are blocked from behind by Artelinde. They’ve fallen into a trap. Artelinde speaks of a war magus who explored the labyrinth with her allies long ago, until she lost her life in the third stratum. Artelinde is overcome with emotion, so the old man continues for her, claiming that the ruler of the heavens gave that war magus eternal life... by turning her into a monster. Artelinde finishes: if Frisson continues, they will have to fight Esbat’s transformed friend, and she won’t allow that.

A fight ensues. Guild Esbat are tough, but there are only two of them; they stand no chance against a full party. Beaten down, they submit. Wilhelm switches tactics. Admitting that he can’t stop them, he asks them to find the floating castle, find its overlord, and kill him for his crimes, for transforming that war magus and who knows how many others. Then he leads Artelinde away, and the duo vanish. Contra thinks back to the stronger foes they’ve fought so far. Was the Hellion also...?

Frisson proceeds and comes to a great frozen lake. At the centre of it is a monster with various grotesque tentacles and appendages, but also the face of a woman. Contra’s heart falls. So this is Esbat’s beloved friend... The beast lets out a terrible, sad shriek. When it goes down, Travis cannot help but feel that perhaps they’ve done her a favour. At any rate, she is done. The fourth stratum awaits.

FOURTH STRATUM: Petal Bridge

The fourth stratum is filled with cherry blossoms in full bloom, pink petals falling and blowing in the wind. It is a striking sight. Not far into the stratum, the party comes upon a man with wings on his back. He seems to call upon his deity before flying off. Frisson is left shocked, awed, and confused. In all his time in the labyrinth, Barry has never seen or heard of anything like what he just saw.

The group returns to town to report what they saw immediately. Dubois hears the word “winged” and runs off to fetch Lady Gradriel. She is much calmer, and shares what she has read of them. According to ancient lore, they were created by the Overlord of the heavens and safeguard the entrance to the Heavenly Keep. There is a secret phrase that apparently works as a password to allow access, and Gradriel teaches it to the party. Travis commits it to memory. Ossia is quiet. He didn’t think the castle really existed, but if these winged folk are real, then maybe...

They proceed through the stratum, making it to the end of the 18th floor. As they are about to open the door there, they hear a familiar voice before seeing the winged man swoop down in front of them. He gives them the once over, then claims that they are unfit to use the Grail of Kings and commands them to turn back. Ever quick to anger, Fret docks an arrow in his bow, but Travis steps up before he can let loose. Travis repeats Gradriel’s phrase, the ancient pact that asks for guidance in mankind’s return to the heavens. The winged one acknowledges this and flies off, leaving the party free to proceed.

Before going further, they report back once more. Dubois shares that Gradriel has told her father about Frisson. Fret can barely contain his glee. The most powerful man in the land knows who he is! Of course, it will mean nothing if they can’t save his life.

Even outside the palace, there seems to be a lot more buzz around the guild’s exploits lately. Contra proposes that maybe they could even stop now, could shift back to music and be fine. Ossia contradicts her. He believes that, if they give up now, they will be something worse than unnoticed: hated. They have no choice but to finish what they started.

On the 20th floor, another door and another winged one blocking the way. This time the one blocking the path seems to be of a higher status, going by the way he dresses and holds himself. He seems to require a certain item before they group can proceed. Figuring Dubois may know about it, Frisson returns to town.

Dubois confirms that the one they met was the chief of the winged ones, but goes to fetch Gradriel when the group asks about the required artifact. She agrees to part with the keepsake, on one condition: the group agrees, once and for all, to find the Holy Grail. It’s a no-brainer, of course. Frisson is locked in at this point. On their way out, Dubois gives them a warning that the winged ones may be dangerous. After all, they are said to be the ones who bring people to the floating castle. Dubois does not want that to happen to anyone else.

Late at night, while the guild is preparing for the next day’s venture, they are approached by Abigail, the girl who runs the shop. She has a favour to ask, though she is hesitant to do so. Apparently, she head from another guild that they defeated a monster, but left its baby behind. Abigail wants Frisson to find it and feed it, so it doesn’t die without its mother. It is a ludicrous offer on the face of it, and Ossia protests. They’re killing monsters all the time out there. Letting a baby die now is easier than killing an adult later. Furthermore, they already spared one such baby earlier on and don’t need to do so again. Contra protests, that even if it isn’t logical, she can’t just let a baby die. Barry and Travis side with Contra, although Barry from the practical standpoint: they’ve been asked a favour, and would do well to gain Abigail’s regard by completing it. Ossia grumbles, but he is outnumbered, so he lets it go.

They find the spot Abigail mentioned on the 19th floor. There sits a small bird, all alone. Ossia challenges the party again: this is their last chance to simply leave it be. Contra ignores him and offers food to the monster chick. It eats happily and chirps graciously. It seems to be looking healthier already. Despite his protestations, Ossia can’t help but feel his heart warm a little at the sight. Maybe they will have to deal with it later, them or some other explorer, but for now it feels good to have done something human. He suggests leaving the rest of the food for it so it can feed itself, and the group moves on.

Frisson returns to the 20th floor, where the chief of the winged ones waits. Fret hands him the artifact. His demeanour changes immediately; he becomes almost gleeful. He asks for the group’s names, but Fret insists that there’s no need to remember each of their names as individuals. He can just call them Frisson.

In turn, the chief introduces himself as Canaan. He says that it is his duty to guide Frisson to the path to the heavens... but it is not so simple a task. The way is blocked by a winged beast. It is up to Frisson to defeat it if they want to continue. Canaan flies away, leaving Frisson to journey on alone.

The guild makes their way through the 20th floor, fighting off fiercer monsters than they’ve seen up to this point. At a door deeper in, Canaan reappears. He seems impressed that they were able to survive to this point, and offers to tell the group whatever they want to know. Travis is curious about what happens to the people who get carried up to the floating castle, but Canaan doesn’t know. Their orders are to fly the wounded to the entrance, but they are not allowed inside. They were created by the ruler and do as they are told, that is all. Ossia asks about the ‘winged beast’ mentioned previously. The Queen of the Skies, which lies just beyond, has massacred any winged folk who have attempted to make their way to the palace in recent years. Canaan cautions the guild to be careful in their battle, then flies off once more.

They enter the area where the Queen lies in wait. At first they don’t hear anything, but then they notice a beautiful song coming from above. It seems beautiful at first, anyway, but something seems off about it to Fret... He is about to share this observation when he notices that Barry, Travis, and Contra are utterly enchanted by the song! Ossia is on the same page, at least: he knows a siren song when he hears one. Fret breaks out his lute and sings a song of his own, which breaks his friends out of their spell. With that, the Queen of the Skies swoops down in a rage, but now that she doesn’t have a hold on anyone, the fight is easy. Frisson take her down.

Canaan returns. Shocked at the power of mere humans, he grants them passage beyond, to the heavens above. The party step into a glowing pillar of light, and are whisked away.

FIFTH STRATUM AND BEYOND: Heavenly Keep

Frisson find themselves on a bridge high in the sky, connected to a great golden fortress. As they approach the entrance to the keep, they are greeted by a haughty voice calling itself the Overlord. Fret, hyped up on his recent victory, demands to know who is speaking. The Overlord claims to be the one humans refer to as a god, for he is one who can grant eternal life. He invites the party to come to him, to claim their destinies and their immortality.

The offer is tempting for Fret. After all, isn’t that what they want? To have their music be known forever? Ossia reminds Fret that this Overlord’s idea of immortality seems to be turning people into regenerating monsters. Does he want to be the next Scylla? “Of course not,” he says, but in the back of his mind he thinks, at least the Queen of the Skies could still sing...

Back in town, Frisson share with those who are invested in their exploits that they have finally reached the floating castle. They receive much praise, with the bartender wanting to hear all about it. Dubois says he will remember their accomplishments to his grave.

On the 22nd floor, the group hears the Overlord’s voice again. He muses on death, and his own attempts to defy death. He states that Frisson will be put to use in service of that goal. A shiver runs down Contra’s spine.

On another return trip, Dubois notices that Fret’s shirt is torn, and immediately sends someone to fetch him a new one. Getting free stuff is a key part of being a celebrity, so Fret is pleased as punch.

Back in the labyrinth, on the 23rd floor, the Overlord speaks once more. He speaks again of the terror of death, and wonders at why the group do not seem keen to gain immortality. But the Overlord will prove his power to them, as one who has been granted eternal life guards this very floor: the Colossus! By this point, everyone in Frisson knows what that means, and they are not amused. They brace for a tough fight.

An army of mechanical monsters stands in the way, but the guild maneuvers past them all and into the chamber where the Colossus awaits. It is a towering beast, a many-horned behemoth. On sight, it bats Travis away, hitting him so hard he goes flying. This may be the Overlord’s greatest warrior. With Barry’s help, Travis gets back up, and so begins an arduous fight. They play defensively, slowly chipping away at the Colossus until it finally goes down.

The Overlord speaks. He is left with no choice but to face the party himselff. One way or another, he says, they will be granted eternal life...

Determined after having made it this far, Frisson climbs to the 25th floor and passes a particularly ornate door. The Overlord speaks once more, explaining that the Heavenly Keep was created as an ark to escape a calamity on the planet’s surface, long, long ago. The Earth became so contaminated that there was no way for its people to return as they were. That is when the Overlord began his research with the Grail of Kings, but it has a flaw in that it warps anyone who is granted immortality with it. The Overlord insists that he must continue his experiments, for the sake of mankind’s future. Barry is confused. He tries to tell the Overlord that mankind is doing just fine now, whatever happened in the past, but the supreme being is not willing to listen. He descends in an egg-shaped mechanical body and begins his attack.

Travis’s katana hits hard, and he slices the egg open. The Overlord backs off and shakily pleads, offering eternal life one last time in exchange for forgetting about the Grail. Everyone looks at Fret, wondering what he will say, but he refuses. The people of High Lagaard already treat him like a hero. He doesn’t need the Overlord’s help to make a lasting impression!

The Overlord retreats through a hole in the ceiling. The party finds a way up and follows him, but the egg is nowhere to be found. Instead, they see the Overlord’s true form, a towering mechanical warrior. A fierce fighter, to be sure, but no match for our band of heroes. The Overlord’s mechanical suit breaks up into a thousand beams of light, and then is gone.

Frisson return to town, victorious. They hand the Grail over to Gradriel, who uses it to return her father to full health. The Duke offers nobility to every member of the guild, but none of them want it. They’ve already gotten what they were looking for.

After only a few days of recovery, they begin their musical career anew. They play in High Lagaard, then travel the land, going to places even Fret has never been before. They always receive a good deal of attention as the heroes who saved High Lagaard. A lot of the attendees of their concerts are there for that reason alone, at least at first, but over time that particular brand of admirers gets bored, leaving only their true fans, of which there are plenty, more than enough to sustain a musical career.

In interviews, Barry speaks of his past career as a guard, and how much more fulfilled he feels now as a full-time musician. Travis and Contra get married and adopt a dog, who they name Wulfgar; Wulfy follows them on all their tours. Ossia becomes the band’s moral centre, ensuring that they never let their fame go to their heads and that they are always honest and fair to their fans. Fret has accomplished his dream of becoming a musician people will remember for generations, but that’s not the most satisfying part. As it turns out, what he wanted most of all was to play music again with his friends.