Through the Sea Thou Break
Shorekeeper might have some clues about Abby's weakening frequencies. Return to the Black Shores to find out.
Go to the Black Shores
Shorekeeper: It's been some time... Have you been well?
Shorekeeper: I'm calling because I have news about Abby's situation.
Shorekeeper: When you have a moment, could you return to the Black Shores? I'll be here whenever you're ready to visit.
Meet with Shorekeeper
Shorekeeper: You're back.
Rover:
Shorekeeper: The Black Shores welcomes your return.
Shorekeeper: I asked you here to talk about Abby. Have you noticed an increase in its hunger or fatigue lately?
Rover:
Shorekeeper: Then my suspicion was correct.
Shorekeeper: The unusual frequency I noticed is from Abby. The change is subtle, but it's getting stronger.
Shorekeeper: Its frequency... is weakening.
Shorekeeper: Abby was worried about how this might affect you and has been asking for my help.
Shorekeeper: ...The one I'm trying to protect might be facing danger because of me. I can sense how anxious Abby is.
Shorekeeper: I've looked into the most viable solution for Abby's weakening frequency.
Shorekeeper: Before I explain, you should see a past record stored in Tethys. It's important for you to see it yourself.
Shorekeeper: It may answer some questions.
Shorekeeper: Please, hold my hand.
Shorekeeper: I found this when searching for information about Abby.
Shorekeeper: It remained hidden until the core leak in the Tethys System was finally resolved.
Rover:
Rover: (That message... I think I should trust it.)
Rover:
Shorekeeper: Imperator is Rinascita's Sentinel.
Shorekeeper: It is also the solution Tethys proposes. As Rinascita's Sentinel, Imperator should have the knowledge to fix Abby's weakening frequency.
Shorekeeper: Rinascita, also called the Land of Echoes, is renowned for its Echo technologies. It's home to many like Abby who have physical forms.
Rover: (Rinascita? I may finally learn who Abby really is...)
Shorekeeper: It just so happens that the best time to visit Rinascita is now.
Shorekeeper: Please take this with you.
Mysterious Invitation with a Fragrance: To our esteemed business partner,
Mysterious Invitation with a Fragrance: As the celebrated Carnevale returns to Rinascita, the Montelli family, proud organizers of this grand festival, extend an invitation for you to grace Ragunna with your esteemed presence and partake in the celebrations.
Mysterious Invitation with a Fragrance: In the spirit of goodwill, we have arranged a modest sum for your use during your stay in Rinascita. These funds are available at your convenience at the Averardo Bank.
Mysterious Invitation with a Fragrance: The Montelli family holds in high regard each of its many friendships. Should you choose to place the Blake Bloom upon the Golden Scale, we shall consider you our most honored guest and a lifelong friend of the family.
Mysterious Invitation with a Fragrance: The Montelli family eagerly awaits your arrival.
Rover:
Shorekeeper: The Montellis are one of the leading families in Ragunna, a city-state within Rinascita. Their trade connections with the Black Shores prompted this invitation.
Shorekeeper: It is Rinascita's grandest festival. During this time, Ragunna's port relaxes its regulations to welcome visitors.
"A majestic tribute to our Sentinel!"
"Food, wine, light shows, and a masquerade ball, topped with extraordinary Echo performances!"
"All are welcome, no matter your wealth or rank! Celebrate with us and let the joy and merriment never end!"
Rover:
Shorekeeper: Yes. It's also an excellent travel destination.
Shorekeeper: However... Rinascita is particularly special to the Black Shores.
Shorekeeper: The Threnodian's revival in Jinzhou has triggered similar reactions in other countries, with Rinascita as the one exception. We've detected no frequency fluctuations related to Threnodians there.
Shorekeeper: While many of our Bloom Bearers have visited Rinascita city-states before, our presence is often met with a hint of skepticism.
Shorekeeper: Given the circumstances, the best approach would be to visit as a guest of a prominent family.
Rover:
Shorekeeper: Are you leaving now?
Rover:
Shorekeeper: Ah...
Rover: Opening a portal will drain your computing power. I think it's better served for Black Shores operations.
Rover:
Shorekeeper: ...I see.
Shorekeeper: I'll have Aalto arrange your transportation to Rinascita then.
Rover:
Shorekeeper: Safe journey.
Shorekeeper: I'll be here guarding the Black Shores until you return.
Find Aalto at the port
KU-Money: Ku! The market's down.
KU-Money: Should I buy in, or sell out?
Rover:
KU-Money: Of course, I am. Every Shell Credit I use is maximized for the entire Black Shores!
KU-Money: Several Rinascita companies were acquired in after-hours trading by the New Federation. Now they're begging me to play the white knight.
Rover:
KU-Money: Nonsense! I'm making money for the Black Shores, all within the law. I haven't done anything that goes against our principles!
KU-Money: Listen, money is power in this world. It's what lets you do anything you want—even save the world.
Aalto: There you are! I've got your ship readied!
Aalto: You'll have to sail to Rinascita, but the Threnodian ruckuses everywhere have left you with only the dinghies.
Aalto: Don't worry, behold my private stash. Remarkably fit for keeping a low profile, if I may say so myself.
Rover:
Aalto: Well, aren't you eagle-eyed!
Aalto: This is cutting-edge gear from the New Fed World Expo. Nearly lost my shirt haggling for it. Planning to stock up for the Black Shores.
Aalto: Word is, Ragunnesi treat the Sentinel like a god—churches and all. Real holy rollers. When in Ragunna, do as the Ragunnesi do, ok?
Aalto: Now, let me work my magic on the autopilot. Before you know it, you'll be cruising into Ragunna.
Aalto: Just give me a holler when you're ready to go.
Rover:
Aalto: Then off we go. Our destination is—
Rover:
Aalto: Hold onto your britches! We're about to go from zero to light speed!
Aalto: You got it, chief. I'll hold the fort.
Abby: Yeesh, this fog is giving me the creeps. I've got a bad feeling about this...
Abby: Huh… Wait, what's that huge shadow under the water?
Rover: It's getting closer.
Abby: Watch out!
???: Ah, new allies born from the perils of the high seas! What better way to begin an epic story?
Rover:
???: Merely my duty, dear friend. The mists thicken once more, shrouding this ever-tumultuous path. A maiden voyage for you, I presume?
???: These waters teem with colossal, mystical Tacet Discords. That behemoth you saw is called "Cetus the Tidebreaker."
???: It is a gentle giant that usually keeps to deep waters and exhibits no aggressive behavior...
Rover:
???: I saw something odd on its hide. Could that be the cause of its madness?
Abby: That big fella smells of sadness and anger all over...
???: Well, well, who's this little beach ball? A talking Echo! Clever little thing! Got a name?
Abby: What? First off, I'm not little! And beach ball? Really? Also, spill your name before you go askin' mine!
???: Oh my, where are my manners? I do apologize.
Brant: Brant's the name, captain of this fine vessel. As you can tell, we are a troupe, a merry band of fools chasing freedom across the seas!
Brant: Please forgive the lack of propriety. Now, travelers from afar, may I know your names?
Rover:
Abby: Humph, hear that?
Brant: Hehe, Rover and Abby! Splendid! "All who step aboard, guests of honor be! With names exchanged, friendship's born at sea!"
Brant: Ahoy, crew! Let's give our new mates a proper welcome!
Brant: Welcome to the one and only Troupe of Fools!
Giant Mysterious Echo: *Cheerful sounds*
Abby: Are those… Echoes? Incredible! Never seen 'em like this before. Hmph, they're almost as special as me… like, 60, no, 70% as special! *Hiccup*
Abby: Er...
Brant: Ha ha ha, your little companion is quite amusing. I presume you must be headed to Rinascita for the Carnevale?
Rover:
Brant: Indeed it is! The crown jewel of Rinascita's calendar. Ah, the endless masquerades, the sumptuous feasts, the wine flowing like rivers, and the music that never sleeps! For a few glorious nights, all your cares disappear!
Brant: And at the Carnevale's peak, our Sentinel Imperator will crown the festival's finest performer with the "Laurel."
Rover:
Brant: Ha! Of course not. No mortal's ever laid eyes on the divine Sentinel up in the heaven of heavens. But the Laureate may hear the Sentinel's voice.
Brant: We've got a real Laureate in our troupe. Shame he didn't sail with us today. Oh, the tales he would tell! You'd love to hear about his glory days.
Abby: Chatting with the Sentinel if you get the Laurel? That's somethin'!
Rover:
Brant: Absolutely! It's been a decade since the last Carnevale. We're not about to miss this one.
Brant: Sentinel or Laurel, it matters not...
Brant: The Troupe of Fools shall forever breathe freedom and unbridled joy into that city.
Brant: ...Huh?
Brant: It's the fog.
Abby: Fog? Ew, I don't like the smell coming from the sea now.
Brant: Beware, my friends. The fog can affect Echoes.
Brant: This isn't just bad weather. It's a Waveworn Phenomenon. Many Tacet Discords lurk in the fog, ready to obliterate any passing ship.
Brant: But fear not! Our vessel shall not perish here! Before you stands a seasoned captain!
Brant: Hark, brave crew! Secure the lines and unfurl the sails! The helm is mine to command!
Brant: The final curtain shall not fall here! Our saga must endure!
Giant Mysterious Echo: *Pained whimpering*
Brant: Bear with me, Lario... We are nearly through this fog.
Brant: Rage on, tempest! Your fury is but a breeze against our righteous course!
Brant: Time to fight, my friends! I will hold the ship steady! Let the deluge descend, our vessel stands firm! Our clarion call shall pierce the tempest's roar!
Talk to Brant
Brant: Thank you for your aid, my friends!
Brant: Onward to Ragunna we sail. Rest well as we journey forth.
Brant: Settle in and take a good look around! No need to be shy, you hear?
Strange Box: Zzz... Zzz...
Rover:
Abby: Shh, it's probably napping! But its frequency is way off from the other Echoes...
Brant: This chest? It's our first mate's personal haven.
Brant: All good, Roccia? Some new friends have joined us.
Strange Box: Hello.
Brant: Well, you see, she's rather reserved. Her way of being friendly… is an acquired taste.
Brant: This coin is one of her prized possessions. I'd wager it's her way of saying "Nice to meet you."
Strange Box: Uh huh...
Brant: Haha... Maybe she's taken by your rapport with Abby.
The mysterious and giant Echo bellows a deep, resonating greeting.
Abby: Hello there!
Abby: It's saying "hi" to us.
Rover:
Lario: *Confused sounds*
Abby: …It's stumped about why fries don't get some seagulls…
Abby: Quit with the wacky noises already!
It happily bobs its head, careful not to affect the ship's hull.
???: Ho ho!
The enigmatic giant wraps you in a bear hug. A peculiar yet friendly energy washes over you.
Brant: Behold, my friends! There she stands… Ragunna's Lighthouse of Dawn!
Brant: Here we are! Ragunna's dock.
Brant: You'll find Echo boats ahead to ferry you straight into the heart of Ragunna.
Rover:
Brant: Well, the Carnevale hasn't started yet. We're just passing through, lending our friends a hand.
Brant: And a quiet arrival? That's not our style. We'll sail into Ragunna with flair—complete with a dazzling show and the loudest of ovations.
Brant: Don't forget to stash some confetti in your pockets for the occasion!
Rover:
Brant: My pleasure! Speaking of which, where's that charming little companion of yours?
Rover:
Brant: Is it asleep? The fog likely caused this. Don't worry. Echoes will recover when they're out of it.
Brant: Oh, and do yourself a favor, try our Nectarwine. They say one drop of the "Gocce di Divino" will let you rendezvous with the Sentinel in your dreams...
Brant: Ha! That might just be your shortcut to seeing the Sentinel.
Brant: May the winds be in your favor!
Abby: Hmm... Wha... Huh? We docked already? Where is Brant and the crew?
Rover:
Abby: You did? I didn't hear a thing.
Abby: Whoa, this is Ragunna, huh? How do we get into town?
Rover:
Order Deacon: Go forth, dear pilgrims, on your sacred journey. May the Sentinel guide you as it has guided the returning ships.
Order Deacon: Go forth, Andreas... "The Fool." The benevolent Primus has blessed you with this sacred pilgrimage. May you find the righteous path on your voyage.
Andreas: If you're all so righteous, why don't you join the pilgrimage yourselves!
Order Deacon: Our duty remains here, to shepherd the lost. I grieve for you, my brother... for you have strayed from the truth.
Andreas: Ha... Haha... Truth... Don't make me laugh...
Order Deacon: Your transgression is absolved before the sacred Pilgrim's Sail. Go now, and board with humility.
???: Wait a moment, traveler... While you may harbor doubts, I implore you not to disrupt their pilgrimage.
???: Perhaps staying silent now would better serve your interests.
Rover:
Cristoforo: Pardon my intrusion. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Cristoforo, a modest playwright visiting Ragunna in search of inspiration for my latest work.
Rover:
Cristoforo: A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm working on a play—tales of pilgrims striving to reach the Sentinel's promised land...
Cristoforo: Word of a new Pilgrim's Sail about to depart brought me here. I came hoping to glean fresh ideas.
Rover:
Cristoforo: Yes. When Ragunnesi first settled here, they revered the Sentinel. The Carnevale was their tribute—a sacred rite to commune with it.
Cristoforo: It seemed the Sentinel Imperator preferred not to flaunt its power overtly to command the people's awe and respect.
Cristoforo: Yet, amidst the Carnevale's revelry, it performed miracles, keeping the people aligned with its guidance.
Cristoforo: Legend has it that, moved by its grace, the most devout believer braved storms and mists to find the Sentinel—thus was born the tradition of the Pilgrim's Sail.
Cristoforo: Should you wish, I have more stories to tell.
The liner continues to glide through the waves. Before long, distant coastlines emerge from the horizon.
Arrive at the port
Ride the Gondola to Ragunna
Gondolier: Hello there! Need a lift to the city? Hop on this Gondola right here.
Rover:
Gondolier: Correct! In Ragunna, we sail in Echoes. They are trusted and reliable helpers, gifts from divinity.
Gondolier: A third of a Ragunnesi's life is spent on a Gondola. Pretty amazing, right?
Gondolier: This little one will get you there safe and sound.
(Optional) Talk to Cristoforo
Cristoforo: A righteous soul with humble curiosity... Just as I expected.
Rover:
Cristoforo: Fenrico, the Enlightened One, present Primus of Ragunna, uncovered the path that leads to the high heaven, where the Sentinel imparts Their teachings to mortals.
Cristoforo: Under his permission, pilgrims set sail for the Promised Land, their voices a symphony of hymns, hearts aflame with unwavering piety and hope.
Rover:
Cristoforo: I sense your doubt, and it's not unfounded. These pilgrims have little choice. After all, they are not counted among the Righteous but instead deemed the Fools by Ragunna's laws.
Cristoforo: Whether a righteous soul clinging to hope amid hardship, or a lost fool floundering in waves of confusion, the audience always favors the former.
Cristoforo: I'm working on a play. Tells of pilgrims striving to reach the Sentinel's promised land.
Cristoforo: But to captivate, there must be twists. Perhaps, what awaits them is not the sweet salvation promised by their Sentinel, but...
Rover:
Cristoforo: Hehe, who knows? Maybe treasures beyond count, or an unnamed beast lurking in the mist.
Cristoforo: Or perhaps nothing but a forsaken shore. These are just initial musings. I need time to refine them.
Cristoforo: Would you care to share your thoughts on the ending?
Cristoforo: Should the story depict them as lost Fools facing their end in despair, or as wronged Righteous finally finding justice and redemption?
Cristoforo: What is more compelling to you, sir?
Rover:
Cristoforo: Ah, I see... Your comment is noted.
Cristoforo: Until the Carnevale, guest from afar. I hope you enjoy the show.
Cristoforo gives a courteous nod and takes his leave.
Abby: I'm honestly baffled... Was all that real or just a story?
Abby: Hmm, that one gives off a mysterious vibe...
Rover:
Abby: Ah, who cares? The Carnevale sounds like a blast! Everyone's raving about it. You might even catch a chat with the Sentinel!
Cheerful Resident: Seems like there's been a lot of mist lately, hm?
Nervous Resident: It's not a good sign. The Carnevale is fast approaching...
Cheerful Resident: Eh, don't worry! We Ragunnesi do not worry over tomorrow. Why not get some flowers for the children? Prices may rise with the Carnevale approaching.
Matteo: Andreas... That ship... No, no, I must stop that ship!
Simone: ...Have you gone mad? You can't stop the Pilgrim's Sail. The Order will arrest you!
Matteo: Ah, you just don't understand...
Travel to Ragunna on the liner
Abby: I didn't know all the ships in Ragunna are Echoes. That troupe isn't as special as I thought...
Abby: Now I can't even imagine what kind of Echoes we might see in the city.
Rover: Maybe we'll come across some that look like you, a whole pack of them.
Abby: You're kidding me... Even in the Land of Echoes, I, Abby, will always be the most special one!
Abby: Hic!
Serious Acolyte: ...Approved. Welcome to Rinascita.
Serious Acolyte: Excuse me. First-time visitors must cooperate for inspection.
Serious Acolyte: Is this... a Reserved Terminal?
Serious Acolyte: Reserved Terminals should be declared upon entry. May I see your declaration form, please?
Rover:
Serious Acolyte: These are the rules. I'll need you to cooperate.
Senior Acolyte: Forgive the inconvenience. By the Order's decree, all visitors must undergo customs clearance to ensure safety...
Senior Acolyte: ...Or, do you have a guarantor?
Rover:
Serious Acolyte: Ah, I see you are a guest of the Montelli family. You are granted permission to bring your Reserved Terminal into Rinascita.
Serious Acolyte: We apologize for any trouble caused. All Echoes, even those in Reserved Terminals, are seen as Divine Envoys. Once they are baptized, they too will receive Imperator's blessings.
Rover:
Senior Acolyte: Naturally! We are all "united" under the Sentinel's influence, free from "division."
Senior Acolyte: The Sentinel is with you, me—all of us.
Senior Acolyte: Their presence is eternal in our hearts, guiding us always...
???: Preach with respect and patience, lest you induce doubt and confusion.
Serious Acolyte: Acolyte Phoebe.
Phoebe: I'll take it from here. Greetings, esteemed guest. I am Phoebe, an Acolyte of the Order.
Phoebe: The city of Ragunna welcomes your arrival. Many visitors are here for the upcoming Carnevale. To ensure everyone enjoys the festival safely, the Order has tightened the customs procedures and added new regulations...
Phoebe: Some information might be overlooked on your declaration form. Please accept our apologies.
Rover:
Phoebe: Thank you for your understanding. Please follow me.
Phoebe: Certainly. Please follow me.