The Threshold
As of now, we have four party members, each bonded to an Outer Evocation, therefore, in the name of balance, there should be four Inner Evocations. However, we've only encountered three of them so far. What's more, the mayor mentioned someone named Phritotch, whom we have yet to see in person.
And speaking of, exactly what do the bad guys want with Dottie?
So, here's the deal, we go in, deal with whoever's there, and go out.
Sadie? What are you doing here? Didn't you drown in the sewers.
Of course the game would have a tutorial this late in the game. We're through with your average everyday status effects; time to bring out the big guns.
Special notice goes to the very last one: after all that Alicia has gone through to rescue Dottie, do you think that she would be pleased to see her die in front of her?
Here's the main gimmick for this dungeon and only this dungeon: there are wisps that look like the ones found in most of the areas up to this point, but instead of delaying random encounters (that don't exist in this area anyways) they give your party a small amount of EXP. And there's just enough in this dungeon for the whole party to level up once.
From what I heard, when the game was first released, quite a few players had trouble getting through this area. Personally, I had little trouble with this area back then.
Regardless, the way to progress is simple. Activate two switches at opposite ends of the temple to access the inner sanctum. Naturally, I wonder how on earth Sadie managed to reach it before we did.
New enemies, a red astronaut and the Borg Cube.
Remember the Strange Tablet from earlier? It unlocks this normally invisible door. Behind it is someone who quizzes you on what stats you want to have improved. Completing the quiz gets you the Monkey's Paw, which boosts those stats at the expense of others.
Here's the one notable enemy found in this area, the Expectant. True to its name and appearance, it regularly spawns more monsters to harass you, so you want to take it out as soon as possible.
Like so.
While all this is going on, we get a pretty kickass weapon for Miriam.
Last loredump: the struggle between the Evocations in the wake of their mother's death tore the Derleth Expanse apart, and that's why the Inners stole Daybreak from reality; so that they could use it as a base for a new Expanse, as the documents back at City Hall hinted at.
We reach the temple's inner sanctum, and, as expected, run into Sadie again.
Remember how Phritotch is still unaccounted for?
As you have most likely predicted, Sadie has become Phritotch's flesh vessel. With every other Inner Evocation that we've encountered, our Outer Evocation buddies have been easily able to detect them through their human guises. This isn't the case here though. Not only has Phritotch been able to elude the Outers' sight beyond sight, but she has managed to keep up her disguise for five years.
But wait, you may be asking, what does Dottie have to do with any of this? Well, the reason that Phritotch was interested in her was she was planned to be her next vessel due to her attunement with the Eldritch. But obviously, since you stopped that plan in its tracks, she's had to settle for the next best thing.
So, this is the battle with Pritotch. You'd think that the last of the Inner Evocations would be our toughest challenge yet. Sadly, she appears to be far better at disguises than fighting.
To start with, she's the only Inner Evocation to have a single-stage boss fight. Her main gimmick is summoning "Fingers Of Beyond" that support her mainly with physical attacks. In the meantime, Phritotch herself uses Eldritch attacks. She can gain the Eldritch charge status, but unfortunately, there is no Eldritch shield, so you'll just have to take the ensuing attack.
Anyways, that was much, much easier than I expected. For an eldritch god beyond mortal understanding, she's awfully gracious about her and her host's defeat.
Well, looks like that's the end. Next up: the grand denouement!