The Tim Episode

So, my basement flooded yesterday because the plumbers paid to fix the pipes suck. But, on to today!

We’re going to where Tim was born: Baskar village. It’s a small village nestled in the woods, hidden from the world. The ARMS members head to the village chief while Tim walks around his old home. Everyone seems to already know him and is super pumped to see him. We learn his mom’s name is Sabrina, and she was an important person around town. His dad was an unnamed merc who died shortly after Tim’s birth. Three years after, Sabrina fled the town, taking Tim with, to Meria. Sometime afterwards, she died, and Tim became the lovable orphan we know now. After walking around Baskar, he walks into an empty house and finds an item I couldn’t identify. Suddenly, a strange girl walks in, and he drops it. The only thing we learn here is her name is Collette. She’s a socially awkward girl who doesn’t know how to talk to people. The two have an awkward conversation, it goes nowhere, and we all go to the chief.

There, we learn Tim can become the Pillar, a role Collette had been groomed for since Tim left. The Piller is someone who can draw out and talk to Guardians (I'll be using Guardians and Mediums interchangeably, sorry).To properly fulfill this role, he needs to triumph over the depths of the Hidden Trial Arena. Collete leads the party there and awkwardly suggests she and Tim met-up afterwards at a nearby flower field. She thinks it would weird to just leave us, so that's the only thing she could think to say.

The dungeon is pretty simple, and we find Tim’s first tool, Pooky, shortly after the entrance. Pooky can be used to open chests and activate switches from afar, but only if they’re on the same vertical level. In battle, Tim sucks. He has low power but high magic. However, he doesn’t know any spells. What!? The party remains together until we reach a room called The Wall. From here forth, Tim needs to go alone. Fortunately, it’s a short walk. Eventually, we come to a boss, Gehenna Neros. Pooky teaches us that Tim is, essentially, Wild Arms’ summoner. Depending on what Medium he has equipped, he can summon an incredibly powerful creature to attack or heal. It’s cool that you can change gear on the fly to alter your load-out, but it’s not cool that it takes so long for Tim to build up the needed MP to summon. Lillia can do four times the damage in half the time, so what's the point of Tim? But Gehenna Neros, yes. Build up MP and one shot both ninja monsters. Don't be afraid to use berries to heal Tim. The sleep spell is the scariest thing about Neros, as it leaves our flimsy character defenseless. Fortunately, his attacks aren't a great threat. With the power of Tim recognized, he returns to the party and teaches everyone how to summon. We all return to the entrance, and Tim and Colette have an awkward romantic moment in the flower field. It's kind of adorable.

That night, back in the village, Tim overhears the truth. The Piller exists to be sacrificed to the Guardians. Tim isn’t happy with this, passes out, and we return to the Chateau. The scene here is heartbreaking. It's three adults, desperately, telling Tim to die.

"Please, die."
"Die. Die. Die."
"We need you to die."

Considering Tim is only twelve, this was something out of a psychological horror movie. Hell, it fit in perfectly regardless of whatever age the character is. Everyone was kind to him, only because he was supposed to sacrifice himself for their happiness, or whatever it is is the Piller needs to perish for.

Ashley is furious at the elder, but he can only yell for so long. In the middle of the argument, we’re attacked by Odessa. Judecca and Antenora have broken their way into the airship. We find them quickly and have two easy fights. The ARMS beat up on Antenora, who’s only slightly harder than the average boss. Tim gets some heart-to-heart with the stowaway friends to pep him up and then fights Jusecca. Have him summon a few times, and that’s it.

But we're not out of the woods yet. Odessa left us a giant, explosive surprise on our launcher. The Thunder Toad, Blastodon, awaits. For some reason, we can't launch it off the ship, so we have to fight it. I think it's implied we need to weaken it, or else it'll move off the platform, but whatever. Finally, a hard battle! We're not fully healed, and Blasty can make sure we never are. Evil Quasar hits everyone for huge damage, and he can poison the party. The poison rate isn't very high, but it can. I had Illia healing every turn until I realized she can do more damage than the physical guys. Despite what you'd think, the enemy is weak to fire, so exploit that, either via Tim or Illia. Its' single target, physical attack can hurt, so heal whoever got hit by it last.

Despite weakening it, it still breaks out of the laser bars created to keep it in place. In a last ditch effort to save the day, Ashley is willing to sacrifice himself to hold Blasty in place. After a little second guessing, Valeria launches the two out of the ship before Blastodon blasts. We see a massive explosion in the sky, and the camera cuts of Valeria holding a wounded Ashley on a beach. Everyone else catches up shortly after.

Back at the village, we end this arc. Tie becomes a full member of ARMS, and the villagers encourage Tim to save the world his own way. As everyone leaves, the village chief asks his daughter, Sabrina, to forgive him for what they did to Tim.

We all go to see the King of Meria Boule, where we, once again, discuss the border stuff. Valeria suggests having a G4 summit to discuss Odessa. Despite JUST being attacked, he offers to have it aboard the Chateau. “It’s the most secure place on Filgaea.” Bro, no it’s not.

Everyone gets together to talk Guild Galad’s Master into allowing ARMS free movement. He doesn’t. And then, shockingly, we’re attacked. To counter Odessa, we’re launched into their ship with our giant hook. And that’s where I called it a night.

So, Tim has his night. When do characters I like get theirs?