Chapter 3x: Irinde

Opening

narrator

Irinde's wares are of little interest to a wayward traveller. I wouldn't feed a pig the slop they call food here.
So why bother coming here? While savage entertainment such as arenas are outlawed in Auresil, it doesn't apply here.
The drink being fantastic goes well with said entertainment.

-Basil's Guide to the Crescent

ellerie

I admit, those extra days aboard the ship have utterly changed my view.
I'll risk someone stabbing me when I'm asleep; I just want warm food and board.

oriana

I think you may be sorely disappointed.
I love my hometown, but I prefer hard rations to whatever they cook here.

ellerie

That's absurd. Even if it's some backwater town like this one, anything beats rations.

oriana

You say backwater town, but Irinde is a major settlement on the Crescent.
After returning from the Capital's cityscape, it seems so unimpressive.

ellerie

That's no surprise. The Capital is built on the ruins of more advanced civilisations.
Such feats of architecture could never be replicated on some wild frontier.

oriana

You sound a bit like Lindros before he goes on a thirty minute rant about the marvels of old civilisation technology.

ellerie

I would never be so sadistic. I should stock up on whatever weapons and items we need, since we won't be seeing a town for a while.

oriana

This may be a “backwater town,” but take a look around while shopping for gear.
The crew have something to say, and doing citizen requests will raise our reputation.

ellerie

I'll keep that in mind.

narrator

Quest requirements when triggered can be read in the Guide section.
Don't forget to sell your hard-earned loot in preparations.

New Guide Entries

Irinde

Originally settled by a gang of wealthy adventurers, Irinde happened to be situated near great veins of metals and gems.

Currently it is the largest industrial settlement on the Crescent, their workshops almost rivalling cities on the mainland. They are most well known for shipwrights, critical for the coast's people.

The current Chief Oren, dissatisfied with their trade being restricted by the monopoly of the Guild, appears to be taking action.

Coast Lords

The Crescent is populated by many small factions, bickering over land and resources. They are mostly offshoots of the mainland's factions, refugees, or opportunists looking to make their fortune.

Fifteen years ago, after years of battles between the coastal powers, the strongest towns signed a pact of peace to bring temporary order to the Crescent.

Main Area

Reiker, Raylin, & Gecko

reiker

(smiling) Hey, what's on your mind? You look more fidgety than usual.

gecko

Oh! Um. I'm just a bit...

reiker

Bored? Bloodthirsty? Ready to split a man's skull with a frying pan?

gecko

No! It's that I've heard some bad things about where we're heading.

reiker

Oh it's real bad. There's these massive hulking beasts that can crush your skull,
trees that like decorating themselves with human entrails...

gecko

I've heard enough.

reiker

Ghosts that rip out your soul, human-sized-

(Raylin walks up and smacks Reiker.)

reiker

(frowns) Oww!

raylin

Stop frightening her.

reiker

Just harmless fun.

gecko

(smiles) Oh, I knew that sounded too ridiculous to be true!

raylin

(smirks) Well...

reiker

(smirks) Heh...

gecko

(frowns) Sweet heavens.

raylin

(serious) There's no need for fear. Just stick behind me. I can get you to safety.

reiker

More importantly, you have me! And Zieg, ain't that right my boy?

raylin

Zieg's doing all the work. You're nothing off the horse.

reiker

(scowls) This is Miss Noodle -arms talking!

raylin

Noodle-arms or not, I'm stronger than you are.

reiker

We can find out right here, right now.

raylin

Posturing in front of Gecko ain't helping you any.

reiker

Accepting my challenge?

raylin

Hell yeah I am. I'm gonna pound you into the ground.

(The twins start scuffling.)

gecko

You're gonna fall off the wharf! Watch out!

reiker

*Cough* Damn it, Ray! Use your eyes!

raylin

You pushed me in!

gecko

I think I'll have to protect myself.

Telon, Chalice, & Dune

dune

A weight has been lifted now that you've both returned safely.
If only you knew how anxious I was when I heard you had gone alone.

chalice

There's no need to chew him out. I've already done that.

dune

Maybe this failed escapade will have taught you a lesson.
If you're going to take up the mantle of the Ironsmith name, you can't be running off like this.

telon

Not likely. I'm going to leave Irinde, to join an adventuring party.

dune

You can't be serious!

telon

I was never good enough for the Ironsmith family.
Not respectful enough, not reliable enough, not smart enough.

chalice

Ignore the town gossip. Maybe you're too rash, too headstrong,
But you shouldn't be ashamed too... Wait, I'm missing the point.

telon

Thanks, Chalice. That's exactly it. Here, all I'm seen as is the failed Ironsmith.

dune

Why pay any mind to the words of those with too much time?

telon

It stings all the same. I must prove myself some other way.

chalice

Telon needs a clear mind to keep him out of trouble. I can try.

telon

You'd be willing to accompany me?

chalice

It's not just about you. I've lived in this town for my entire life. I'm a bit sick of it.

dune

I can't stop you, but please be careful out there. I can't lose another brother.

telon

I will.

dune

Chalice, if my brother does anything stupid, beat him over the head until he sees sense again.

chalice

You have my word.

Tasel

tasel

I am ruined. Ruined!

(Ellerie approaches.)

tasel

Hey, you there! Want to make the investment of a lifetime?

ellerie

I can't say it's what I'm looking for out here.

tasel

I, Tasel, finest merchant this side of the coast, have encountered misfortune!

ellerie

You're doing a poor job of convincing me of your title already.

tasel

Oh, you wound me! If not for my hirelings, those traitorous scum, who stole away with my ships and barrels of goods, I'd be-

ellerie

The offer?

tasel

I will pay you back with interest! All I need is 2000 gold for a ship back to the Mainland.
A mere pittance, just 2000 gold.

If you have less than 2000 gold

ellerie

I don't even have that much gold on me.

tasel

Oh woe, oh misery!

Yes

ellerie

I've got gold to burn. Don't make me regret it.

tasel

(smiles) Oh, you are like a lantern in the darkness! Thank you, friend! You will be repaid.

ellerie

A dramatic performance to be certain, but not a convincing one.

tasel

Oh, woe, oh misery!
You are like the unfriendly folk of this town; unwilling to help a man in need!

Children

girl

(smiling) Hiya, miss with the spear! You're one of those boat adventurers right?

ellerie

(smiles) I sure am.

boy

Mama said you beat up pirates and slavers, all at once!

girl

Tell us about the fight! Were there hundreds of them?

ellerie

Maybe not that many.

boy

I'm tired of the same story of Elis beating the gods! I want to hear about pirates!

ellerie

Of course. Let's take a seat. So it was around mid-morning...

One action packed, tension filled, dramatic retelling later...

And then Tower did a somersault and knocked the pirate into the sea.

girl

Awesome!

boy

Do you have more stories?

offscreen

Children, stop bothering the poor miss! lunch is ready!

girl

We got to go! Mama always told us to repay a favour, so here's a shiny rock I found!

boy

Bye miss!

(The children leave.)

ellerie

That's cute. Hmm? This is certainly an oddly shaped rock.
(serious) Oh s-

(Ellerie receives a Mine.)

Shady Fella

shady fella

Have gold on hand? Looking to support local businesses? Look no further than-

ellerie

You look like a man I can trust. Tell me more.

shady fella

I wasn't expecting to get this far. We have, err, sorry, let me check my notes again.
We deal in interior decoration, palm reading, and, umm, a potent potion whose ingredients have been harvested from the furthest reaches of the Crescent,
prepared by the most skilled brewers north of Auresil, in the finest alchemical workshops since the cataclysm,
using our own secret recipe passed through our family for twenty-nine generations that was created by Elis herself.

ellerie

How can it be twenty-nine generations, if it's been three centuries since Elis's birth?

shady fella

Err, maybe I misread, not important. A small fee for such a potent product.
Only 2000 gold. What a deal.

If you have less than 2000 gold

ellerie

I don't even have that much gold on me. Hell, I don't even know what the potion does.

shady fella

My first deal... gone...

Yes

shady fella

(grins) This is my first successful deal. Thank you, kind customer!

(Ellerie receives Coffee.)

ellerie

I just saw a better conman down the road.

shady fella

It's my first day on the job.

Plucker

(The screen is tinted purple and begins to glitch out.)

ellerie

What, what's happening?

???

An eye for an eye, is this not what you want?

ellerie

Yes... That is...

???

Then it is done.

(Ellerie loses her right eye.)

ellerie

Aaarrrghh!

(The world returns to normal. The Pluckers are gone and Ellerie has her eye again.)

ellerie

Huh? What was I doing here? I had matters to attend to.

Plucker's Gift
A price paid for mobility.
-4 Def/Res. +2 Move.

Chest

(Ellerie loots Uncut Gems.)

ellerie

What am I doing? I've sunk quite low, but not to the point of robbing some rural town.
I'm putting this back.

(Ellerie returns the Uncut Gems and gains 2 Luck.)

If you attempt to loot the chest again:

ellerie

Still no. I'm not quite that desperate yet.

Arena

notice

Due to the multiple accounts of death, dismemberment, and hurt feelings, the arena is now permanently closed.
All complaints are to be directed towards the business end of my axe.
Signed, the Chief

Redshrike Inn

Tower & Lindros

lindros

Tower, can we have a moment?

tower

I should lay off the drinking. What is it?

lindros

It's about the sword. I wish to apologise. I should not have lost my temper.

tower

You lost your temper? I thought that was normal.

lindros

...

tower

You're still young. I don't think you fully understand what you're dealing with.

lindros

May I enquire further about your experiences?

tower

There is a sense of mysticism attached to these pre-cataclysm artifacts, as if they would solve all our problems.
Yet I've lost count of the amount of times they were used for horrendous deeds or backfired spectacularly.
There is false hope tied to searching the past for solutions when such effort could be put towards solving the problem.

lindros

I am not blind to the threat these relics contain, but if utilized properly, their potential benefit is limitless.
If we could recreate the wonders of architecture and industry from the past era, we could usher in a new golden age.
Surely, this is a risk worth taking.

tower

I don't deny that artifacts can be used for a just cause. Yet is this the case?
Who are the individuals able to splurge countless gold on these artifacts?
Who are the kinds of people that would dive into danger to retrieve them?
Not people who would seek the betterment of humanity, but for power, wealth or glory.

lindros

That is why we Oakhall mages exist, to uphold ideals of accelerating humanity through rediscovery, where others will not.

tower

How can you know they will not be tempted by the powers those relics hold?
How can you know you won't be tempted?

lindros

I have faith in Oakhall, in its members, and in myself. Do you not have the same faith in your fellow priests?

tower

Faith is easily shaken.
I pray that your ideals may hold true, but it is not something I put my faith in.

lindros

You've given me matters to think about.

Oriana

oriana

A drink, Captain?

ellerie

I don't drink, thank you. How's the dancing?

oriana

It's acceptable. I used to dance here.
Maybe I don't miss this place, but I can fool myself into thinking I do.

ellerie

What changed? Did you feel the call of adventure?

oriana

That would be a story to tell.
But no, I fell head over heels for a dashing young man.
Next thing I know, I was on the first ship out with him.

ellerie

That is certainly romantic. I couldn't have made such a decision myself.

oriana

Then you are a smarter woman than I am. Ended in tears.

ellerie

Ah. I'm sorry it turned out that way.

oriana

Compared to possible alternatives, I have little right to complain.
I start rambling when I drink, I should leave you to it. Don't forget about the supplies.

ellerie

I won't.
See you soon.

Wheatley

wheatley

Hey, fresh me- mercenaries! Just what I need.

ellerie

Actually we're ad-

wheatley

Mercenaries, adventurers, same damn thing. Do you want to earn some easy gold or not?

ellerie

Tell me more.

wheatley

Take this torch to the temple down the river. It's near the bend, you can't miss it.

ellerie

That is all?

wheatley

That is all.
I'll pay you 1000 gold, right here, right now.

Yes

ellerie

Sure. Easiest 1000 gold I've ever earned.

wheatley

I am very pleased to hear you have such courage.

(Ellerie leaves.)

ellerie

Some backwater superstitious nonsense.

(Ellerie receives a Fire Emblem.)

ellerie

We don't have time for errands.

wheatley

Your loss.

Fire Emblem
It's on fire and is emblematic of society, or something. +2 Str/Mag. Blocks Crits.

Quest

Wheatley asked me to bring a torch to a ruined temple. It's free money.
(Chapter 6)

Johnny Spices

johnny spices

I have an urgent request for a well-paid adventurer. Are you willing to hear me out?

ellerie

I'm all ears.

johnny spices

Just got word that one of my spice runners got hit down the river.
I want you to make sure that they make it home in one piece.

ellerie

By pirates? This far inland?

johnny spices

I assume some must have slipped past, as rare as it is.
I can offer half of the value of the shipment as payment.

ellerie

And they are still alive? How long has it been since they contacted you?

johnny spices

Just arrived by pigeon post. Hopefully they're still in the tunnels near the broken bridge.
You on board to rescue them?

Yes

ellerie

We will do our best, but no promises.

johnny spices

I'll reimburse you for your time if nothing else.

ellerie

I think this may be above our pay grade.

johnny spices

I'll have to hope there's someone else willing to take the gold.

Quest

Johnny Spices asked me to rescue his spice runners. They are hidden in tunnels near the broken bridge.
(Chapter 4)

Old Bob

old bob

Good day, adventurer.

ellerie

You too. It's that obvious I'm an adventurer?

old bob

Wearing armour all the time, weapons half drawn, faint scent of blood.

ellerie

I've been in this line of work for less than a month.

old bob

You seem to handle yourself well. Unlike my fool of a son!
Left to join some mercenaries,
when he couldn't tell one end of a sword from another!

ellerie

Maybe it's better for him to follow his dreams.

old bob

Oh, I know my son. He can hardly kill a chicken, much less survive a battle!
Would you be willing to do this unfortunate old man a favour?

ellerie

Tell him to come home?

old bob

And that I'm disinheriting him if otherwise. Surely, it's an easy task.
Well? Are you going to look for my son?

Yes

ellerie

We will, if we see him. How do we identify him?

old bob

If you see some lad struggling to lift his sword, that's probably him.
He also wears a stupidly shiny medallion.

ellerie

I can't promise anything.

old bob

That's perfectly fine. I pray that he returns home safe.

Quest

Johnny Spices asked me to rescue his spice runners. They are hidden in tunnels near the broken bridge.
(Chapter 4)

Hired Hand

guard

You damned travellers, sticking your noses into whatever.
No more! You'll have to get through me.

The Hired Hand can be shoved away from the door, which gives you access to Anna's secret cave and prompts the following reaction:

guard

Oi! Get back here!

Anna

anna

So you found your way down here. You won't find these prices elsewhere!
As in you literally won't. They don't just have these at your local store.

Ending

oren

(smiles) As both chief of Irinde, and a friend of those you saved, you have my gratitude.

ellerie

Think nothing of it. Anyone with a smidgen of honour would have done the same.

oren

I'm sure there's quite a few that would have charged me their weight in gold.
I'm surprised someone as young as you got Tower under your command.
He's a bit of a local legend.

ellerie

He may be skilled, but I have some potent powers of my own. The necessary gold.

oren

Truly the most mighty magic of all. Perhaps I can repay you in some way.
I suppose you're another group of hopefuls heading to the Workshop?

ellerie

Yes, was it so obvious?

oren

(serious) There are a few every season, but you've chosen a poor time.
Last year, some horrifying beast flattened the Rat Creek settlement.
More adventurers are disappearing, and the woods are restless.
Word is going around of bad tidings further upstream.

ellerie

Thank you for the warning,
though I don't believe the mere threat of danger will deter us.

oren

(smiles) You wouldn't be adventurers otherwise. Now as a reward...

(Oren gives Ellerie a Warp staff.)

oren

(serious) Don't tell my wife I gave you this.
If she knew I just handed one out for free, she'd flay me alive.

ellerie

I didn't know there were any of these left. I can't possibly decline.

oren

(smiles) Then it's settled! Let's shake on it and call it a day.

ellerie

(Ouch!) Thank you, Chief.

oren

And you, Young Captain. If you survive this journey, perhaps we could speak further about possible partnerships.

oriana

That is a staff with some value. Oren is as generous as they say.

tower

Yes, that is good and all, but bad tidings upstream, he said?

ellerie

I assume that's simply the norm for the wilderness.

oriana

Tower, do you think..?

ellerie

Think what?

oriana

The seasonal natural disaster that haunts the Crescent.

ellerie

Natural disasters can be seasonal?

tower

Nothing you need to worry about. The last one has been far too soon.

oriana

I suppose it has. Perhaps Oren is referring to pirate activity.

tower

Those accursed lake pirates are a plague upon our shores.
Regardless, let's not dawdle.

ellerie

I am satisfied with my fill of hospitality. Let's move.

If you obtained the Plucker's Gift

gecko

Captain, what happened to your eye?

ellerie

What do you mean?

Where is it? Why is there nothing here? Why are you the only person who has asked?

gecko

It can't be. Did you make a deal with it?

ellerie

What are you talking about? I can't have- Did I? I don't remember. There was someth-

gecko

You must have made an exchange, and paid the price for it.

ellerie

Exchange? I didn't agree to anything!

gecko

It knows. What was given goes unnoticed to others.

ellerie

No, it can't be true. That's absurd, something like that cannot exist!

(Ellerie's eye returns to normal.)

gecko

Captain, Captain!

ellerie

Huh?

gecko

You were staring into space.

ellerie

Ah, I lost my train of thought. I feel like I'm forgetting something.

Character Descriptions

Dune
Head of the guard at Irinde. Spouts crap about dedication and honour and is about as boring as they come.

Tasel
Self-proclaimed greatest trader on the coast that has fallen on hard times. If he's to be believed, which he isn't.

Johnny Spices
A prominent smuggler making some good cash evading spice laws. His reputation stretches to the Mainland.

Wheatley
An enigmatic woman who feels like she's looking at me through her blindfold. It seems a bit hot to be wearing so much.

Old Bob
A potato farmer who claims to have been a renowned mercenary in his prime. Tired of eating potatoes.

Jake
A man of many talents. Has skill in sailing, archery and mechanics but decided to focus on bartending.

Anna
A respected trader who tends to show up in some really odd places.

Big Berd
An incredibly large fellow, who must have spent a fortune on red paint. Can't hit the broad side of a barn.

Shady Fella
A guy I can trust.

Plucker
A chicken it be.

Dreadlich III
A perfectly average traveller on the Crescent. They have a very interesting choice of headwear.

Child
A bundle of hopes and dreams.

Dancer
Graceful dancers whose military potential remains undiscovered.

Civilian
Civilian becomes a synonym for collateral damage very quickly.

Militia
Faceless fodder who will be the first to die when any kind of true threat arises.

Hired Hand
Able-bodied fighters paid to protect their employer, and failing at that.

Adventurer
Broke soldiers who've realised guard duty is not bringing home the money and will get themselves killed for gold.

Chicken
Bawk.