Chapter 5: Family Reunion

Objective Defeat Bosses

Crush these “bosses” under your boots

Opening

letter

Ori,
With mum and K. At the old place. The Hoods. 2 days. Send help.
-Marlow

ellerie

When you said that we'd be picking up your family here, I was expecting a quick stop, not another armed showdown.

oriana

I would've thought so too, since Mother can handle almost anything herself, but the note my brother left shows otherwise. If even she's in trouble....

tower

There's no sign of the Tide. Then I suspect it must be...

(Sect members approach from the south.)

tower

And here they are.

merzed

This is the jurisdiction of the Sect. Please leave.

oriana

The Sect? What are you doing here? Where's my family?

tower

Do you act on the authority of the Sect, or yourself?

merzed

Oh, if it isn't the Tower.
Your little secrets have come back to bite you.

tower

Answer me!

merzed

The Sect knows, Tower! That you harboured that cursed bloodline,
that every single dead at Rat Creek was because of your selfish actions.

oriana

What? Tower, you told me-

tower

I cannot place blame on others for what happened. But this is different, we still have time. This is preventable.

merzed

I'm sure you said the same about your dear adopted son, Valen.
And continued to say the same, while he slaughtered Rat Creek!
There's no more room for your sentimental lies, Tower!
The Sect, the Crescent, has already lost far too much!
The new cursed vessel must die.

tower

I was afraid to face my mistakes. But that's what I've toiled for these past few years!
Valen's tragedy need not repeat itself.

oriana

I don't understand all this cursed nonsense you're all spouting,
but if you think you can threaten my family, Elis herself won't save you.

merzed

You are the mother of the cursed vessel, Oriana.
You are an unfortunate soul, but you must listen to reason.
Your daughter was doomed the day she was born.

oriana

If you intend for me to draw steel, fine!

merzed

You've chosen poorly.

tower

Stand aside!

(Tower jumps in front of Oriana, blocking a powerful magical attack from Merzed that wounds him badly. He staggers back.)

tower

Urgh!

merzed

You survived the Edict?

oriana

Then perish!

(Oriana lunges and lands a critical hit on Merzed, badly wounding him.)

sect

Master!

merzed

Fall back! Damn you, Tower!
May your soul burn with the weight of your wrongdoings!

(The Sect members retreat. Oriana runs after them.)

ellerie

Tower, what the hell is all this?

tower

Go after her, damn it!

(The crew chases after Oriana.)

tower

Am I truly too weak to follow my own convictions?
No, this is what I've chosen.

(Tower follows.)

merzed

Blast, I could only use Edict once.
You two, man those towers and blast anyone that comes by.

sect

Yes, master!

(Merzed's subordinate leaves.)

merzed

Mercenary, what's the situation?

deni

I've got a bone to pick with you, Priest. You told us there were three of them,
and conveniently left out that the Headtaker was one of them! We've lost many good men!

merzed

Bah, why did you think I hired you lot? No matter, have you finished the job?

deni

We've got them cornered in these ruins, but casualties are high and morale isn't.
I expect serious compensation for this.

merzed

And you will get it, but get your men prepared. We're about to have a real battle on our hands.

deni

How many of them? And of what calibre?

merzed

Only a few, but Tower is among them.

deni

THE Tower? We're facing another of the Crescent's veterans?

merzed

He may be tough, but I've come prepared.
Just buy me a few minutes to prepare the ritual. Even Tower won't be a match.

deni

Can you be so sure? I'm risking my damned life out here.

merzed

Are you telling me the so-called Mythic Mercenaries cannot even take on some amateurs and a few fossils?

deni

Fine. I repeat my words. I expect to be able to retire on the rewards of this mission.

merzed

That's more like it.

(Merzed moves to a home in the southwest and begins casting a ritual.)

merzed

I call upon you, o mighty and righteous ancestor, to come to the aid of his descendant in need! Now, go forth!

(Merzed summons an ancestor spirit.)

(Locust and Big Berd mill about the edge of the area.)

locust

Damn it, this mercenary schtick ain't easy.
That swordswoman nearly took my head off.

big berd

Sorry. I thought this was going to be easy money.
At least they've got it under control now.

locust

So, about that honest work, huh?
We're still out here killing for gold. Nothing has changed.

big berd

We're fighting for the Sect. It's a good cause.

locust

You mainlanders and your Sect.
I trust the hooded folk about as far as I can throw them, and I'm built like a twig.

big berd

The Sect has always been just. I'm sure it's just beyond our understanding.

locust

Sure.

I'll just snoop around the ruins and maybe find and grab some loose bits. You coming?

big berd

I'll leave the asset recovery to you.
I'm in dire needing of washing the armour and pondering our last reading session.

locust

That's what you're calling it? Asset recovery?

big berd

Looting is for lowlives. We're above that.

locust

Of course.

(Big Berd leaves.)

(Three people emerge from some ruins to the northwest, which they've barricaded.)

rohesia

More lambs to the slaughter!
I don't care if it's one or a hundred, they ain't getting past me.

marlow

Krynia, stay behind us. Mother and I will take care of this.

krynia

I can handle myself, Uncle! I won't be a burden to you.

marlow

It's too soon since your last outbreak, Krynia! You need nutrition and rest!

krynia

Food and rest won't do me any good when they're cutting me to pieces.

rohesia

Let the girl come! Illness or not, she needs to be tempered to reach her full potential. When I was her age-

marlow

Mother, not everyone was hunting dragons or whatever like when you were fifteen.

rohesia

The youth of the Crescent ain't like how they used to be.
I tell you, exertion to build one's body is a cure for any illness.

marlow

After this long, do you think this is some normal illness?

rohesia

So what? Krynia is made out of stern stuff than the chaff.

krynia

Yeah! If they want to have my head, I'll give them hell!

(Mercenaries enter the ruins.)

halyna

I'm sorry, Captain Valen, but I cannot let another demon be let loose.
Men, they're trapped! Cut them down!

tower

Please, brothers and sisters!
Hear me out, no more blood needs to be spilt today.

merzed

It is this man who let tragedy befall Rat Creek with his secrets.
Deafen yourself to this heretic!

tower

My words aren't getting through. I feared it would come to this.
The bloodshed in this battle will be on your hands, Merzed.

merzed

MY hands? That's rich, coming from the traitor who only needed to do his damn job!
If you cannot, then allow me the pleasure. The fiend in the shape of a girl dies today.

tower

If you only wish to speak with violence, then I have my answer.

narrator

Krynia's death will cause a Game Over this chapter only.

New Guide Entries

Elis and Deicide

The Sect claims a mortal by the name of Elis singlehandedly ended divine tyranny, slaying every god which opposed them.

Sounds ridiculous? Absolutely, but the destruction of several thousand years of history makes their claims hard to oppose given the gods are dead and dark magic came into existence.

It does not help that this Elis disappeared from all records after their supposed deicide. If their power was true, we can be thankful we aren't bound by the chains of some new god.

The Sect

The Sect of Elis are a new religion arising after the end of the old world who blame the gods for the downfall of civilisation.

Whilst they seek to erase the influence of the old gods, they effectively worship the champion Elis as a god in their own right.

The Sect of Elis earns the goodwill of its citizens providing both healing and defence for citizens. However, aristocrats fear the growing influence of the cult upon the people.

Turn 4

merzed

Time for a surprise. You'll pay, Tower!

(Merzed warps the Ancestor, but it lands in the middle of nowhere.)

Damn, my wound's acting up. Can't quite... control...

(The Ancestor warps to random locations several times before warping back to its starting position.)

Damn! The failed teleportation has done a number on the Ancestral Spirit.
I just need some more time to charge it back up, then I can crush these heretics.

(The Ancestor's stats are severely weakened.)

ellerie

Of course the Sect have something up their sleeve. What the hell is that?

tower

Merzed must think highly of us if he's using that thing here.
However, it looks like his mistakes have given us an opportunity.

ellerie

Then we'll just kill the bastard before he gets his toy running.

tower

You're learning quickly.

When Merzed is approached

merzed

Damn it, they are almost here! Men, take the fight to them!

Conversations

Krynia Death

krynia

Mother... It hurts...

Ellerie & Old Bob's son

young man

St- Stay back! I'll gut you!

If the quest was accepted

ellerie

Matches the description. Are you Old Bob's kid?

young man

Huh? How the hell?

ellerie

You're in luck.

I've been specifically requested by your father to order you to come home.

young man

You've just butchered my comrades, and you have the audacity to tell me that?

ellerie

I'm giving you a chance here.
I doubt you can even swing that cutlass at me, but you're free to try and regret it.

young man

Don't think you'll get gratitude from me! One day, I'll avenge my comrades!

ellerie

I'll look forward to it. Now get out of my sight.

(Ellerie takes the man's Gambler's Folly. He runs off and escapes the battle.)

If the quest was not accepted

ellerie

You look like you couldn't hit me if I stood still.

young man

D- Don't insult me! I'm a true warrior, just like everyone else!

ellerie

You might as well be a unarmed, that's not how one holds a sword. Run off, kid.

young man

You killed my friends, villain!! I won't back down! Graaaggghh!

ellerie

I gave you a warning.

(The man roars and gains the Attack status.)

Marlow & Lindros

lindros

Your incantations, gestures, they're so inefficient! The sheer wastefulness of the-

marlow

Woah, calm down fella. What's it to you?

lindros

As a student of Oakhall, it is a duty for me to correct such inadequate performance.

marlow

Not everyone could afford to go to some private academy.

lindros

I see, a hedge mage. Who was your master?

marlow

Didn't have one. Found a tome in a pawn shop a while back. Figured it'd be easier shooting fire than swinging a sword.

lindros

You just... Figured it out?

marlow

I can't compare to a trained mage, but it was easy enough to pick up.

lindros

That's absurd! It took years of poring over theories and formulas just to form the smallest spark, and you just, figured it out?

marlow

Maybe you're just a slow learner.

lindros

I was top of my class! With such raw talent, surely you must come to Oakhall.

marlow

What I have now works fine.

lindros

Is the pursuit of perfection not a reward in itself?

marlow

Not a chance.

Tower & Rohesia

rohesia

(smiles) Tower! Still looking as massive as ever!

tower

(smiles) Can't say the same. Old age has really done a number on you.

rohesia

Oh, you flatterer. How did you put together a team this large? I thought you were perpetually broke.

tower

I prefer uninterested in earthly possessions, thank you. And I'm not leading this crew. We just happen to have the same destination.

rohesia

The arrogant Tower, willing to serve in a crew other than Valen's? Didn't think I'd see the day.

tower

It's not all bad. I've only got so much effort left to give. Let the younger folk take a bigger burden.

rohesia

Speak for yourself! This sword arm's got another three decades at least.

tower

I'll even pretend to believe you.

rohesia

Enough chatter. Let's show the young'uns how a job gets done right.

tower

Of course. Can't let them get too uppity.

Telon & Chalice

chalice

What do I do? I can't abandon the people I owe my life to, but to go up against the Sect?

telon

What's the big issue?

chalice

I wonder what, genius. I'd only be committing heresy.

telon

The choice is simple to me. One side is hostile, the other is not. The rest is irrelevant.

chalice

It must be easy, being you.

telon

Are you calling me dumb?

chalice

I'm calling you simple-minded. Very different.

telon

My simple mind sees a simple choice. You can ponder all you want, I've got a lance to use.

(Telon leaves.)

chalice

Why did I even bother asking him?
If this is a test of my faith, Elis forgive me.

Deni

Combat

deni

I represent the pride of the Mythic Mercs!
I will not go down easily.

Combat w/ Ellerie

ellerie

Mythic Mercs huh? You'll be a myth once we're done with you.

deni

You've got a bit of confidence for someone in melee range.

ellerie

It's very justified confidence.

Combat w/ Reiker

reiker

Mythic Mercs!
That's the lamest name for an adventuring band I've heard.
I could've come up with a better name when I was 7.

deni

I'm sick of people thinking that they know best about names.
Put your money where your mouth is. Give me a good one.

reiker

You're putting me on the spot.

deni

Let me hear it, wise guy. Give me a good name.
Come on. I'm waiting. Oh? No good ideas?

reiker

I'm going to need you to die to end this awkward situation.

deni

Yeah. Not so easy, is it?

Combat w/ Telon

telon

I remember you. Fifth place in Irinde's arena.

deni

Dang, that was a long time ago.

telon

Ever since I've seen you,
I've always relished facing a worthy swordsman.
Prepare to die.

deni

The hell? Crazy nutjob.

Death

deni

Does our legend end here? Was it never meant to be?

Halyna

Combat

halyna

Out of my way!

Combat w/ Tower

tower

Halyna? So you survived after all.

halyna

I did, no thanks to you. But no matter.
Can't you see that we cannot allow this to happen again?

tower

This isn't the way to do it.

halyna

Your compassion is blinding you to what's at stake!

tower

Then I have nothing more to say.

Combat w/ Iosaf

halyna

What in Elis's name? They're consorting with monsters!

iosaf

Monster this, monster that, I have a name, meatstick.
It's Iosaf.

halyna

The thing speaks! No, I must be losing my mind.
I'll just kill it.

iosaf

From “monster” to “thing” to “it”? What's next?

Defeat

halyna

After surviving all that, to die here?
What a waste...

Merzed

Combat

merzed

All will fall before the will of Elis.

Combat w/ Tower

merzed

Once an evildoer, always an evildoer!
I told them you could not be trusted.

tower

I'm sorry. This pains me, but I let down Valen.
I cannot let down his daughter.

merzed

Speak your apologies to Elis, for I will send you to her!

Combat w/ Oriana

merzed

You foolish woman!
Do you understand what you are unleashing on the world?

oriana

Save your rambling.
Anything that threatens my family answers to my sword.

Combat w/ Chalice

merzed

You are a disciple, yet you stand against us.
Are you another fooled by Tower's heresy?

chalice

This has nothing to do with that old man.
As I see it, I'm defending my crew, and their family, from whatever zealous nonsense you're spouting.

merzed

What kind of disciple are you?
It is the will of Elis to erase all that's left behind by the gods!

chalice

Elis did not say that. In fact, Elis did not say much at all.
It is easy for shallow followers like you to get it mixed up.

merzed

To argue semantics with this threat right here, you are exactly as blind as you look, heretic.

chalice

You deserve to get a staff to the head for saying that.
I'm sorry for being more well-read than you are.

Combat w/ Krynia

krynia

I'm the one you want. The great evil. Do I look the part?

merzed

Blame the gods for being born with misfortune, cursed one.

krynia

No, I'm blaming you. In fact, I'm going to kill you.

merzed

Aggression and malevolence. Expected of a cursed vessel.

krynia

Yes, and there's no other reason for why I'm mad.

Death

merzed

You will be judged.

Locations

House

visitor

Some poor bastard left their spare sword behind.

(The visitor receives a Light Brand.)

Ending

ellerie

What the hell was that about?
If we're going up against the Sect, I want some damned answers.

oriana

If I knew the Sect was after my daughter, I wouldn't have just left for the Mainland!

ellerie

There is something more to this illness, isn't there?

oriana

Krynia has been chronically ill, and the symptoms are... unusual,
but this talk of curses? Demons?

tower

The time for secrecy is over. I'll tell you everything I know.

oriana

Tower, you better have a good reason for keeping things from me.

ellerie

Your secrets have endangered the crew and I. Let me hear it.

tower

As with many of the Crescent's problems, we begin with the Gods. They granted mockery of blessings upon their champions,
as tools of petty wars they waged against each other. A blessing that transformed their bodies and distorted their minds.

oriana

I assumed this hereditary disease would have a supernatural source, but the gods? How did you expect me to find answers with half the question?

tower

I did not know your character at the time.
If you knew the full extent of her danger, I couldn't risk you seeing Krynia as a burden to be erased, the fate of many a blessed.

oriana

What about now, Tower? Do I deserve the truth?

tower

I erred. You always deserved to know.

ellerie

What is the endpoint of this transformation? What's this about the fate of Rat Creek?

tower

While it is true that Valen's crew failed to breach the Workshop, they did not fall that day.
No, Valen slaughtered them all.
His rampage did not end until the Sect finally destroyed him, but not before Rat Creek was utterly flattened.

oriana

That's why you insisted Krynia recover at someplace reclusive.
That's why you didn't want me to bring her along.
This crew, the wider Crescent, they weren't acceptable collateral damage, but my family was!

tower

It was part of my agreement with the Sectmaster herself!
As long as I minimised the risks, the wider Sect would never know, and I'd have three years to resolve the matter as I see fit.

oriana

What a wonderful bargain! It's only my family that has to bear the risk.

ellerie

Yet here the Sect are, baying for blood.

tower

I did not consider that in two years, the Sect would be foreign to me, and my opponents would have all they need to discredit my name!

oriana

You always assume you'd be correct, and look at what that's cost us!
If you were any other person, if you did not accompany me all this way, if you were not dedicated to Krynia as I am, my blade would seek blood,

ellerie

(Family drama is less entertaining when my life is directly at risk too.)

tower

I admit my actions were contemptible, placing your family, this little crew, even the Sect, below my selfish desires.
Do you desire an arm? A leg? My skull? I won't stop you.

oriana

You frustrate me to no end. I know those selfish desires are for Krynia!
It could not have been easy to stand against everything you know,
so I'll find it in my magnanimous heart to give you a drop of forgiveness.

ellerie

I may be an outsider to your story of gods, adventurers and curses, but you've forced me into your struggle. Where does this leave us?

oriana

We dragged you into something far bigger than an expedition, haven't we?
I will not fault you if you wish to abandon this journey.
I'll pay back the gold, and drop you at a safe location. But this ship must continue its voyage.

ellerie

You're not going to even try with honeyed words?

oriana

I will lay all my cards on the table. I've had enough of secrets.

ellerie

At the end of the day, we still have a crew, a ship and a destination, Sect or not.
I can't truly fault you wanting what's best for your loved ones. We will continue.

tower

To wish to persevere despite my deception, and the odds, is admirable.

oriana

That's his convoluted way of saying thanks. This is a debt I can never fully repay.

If Marlow & Rohesia survived

oriana

(smiles) Thanks the stars that everyone is safe. Oh, Krynia, I don't know what I'd-

krynia

Mother, I'm fine! It's going to take more than that to harm me.

oriana

We had parted on poor terms, but for you all to go this far for Krynia, I couldn't ask for a better family.

rohesia

(smiles) I know, I know, I'm pretty fantastic.

marlow

Don't get it mixed up, Sister. I did this for Krynia, not you.

rohesia

(frowns) Who knew that my lazy drunkard of a son could actually put in effort?
You did good for once, my boy.

oriana

(frowns) Mother! Now's not the time for this!

marlow

I'll take that compliment.
More than what I've got out of you for the past twelve years.

rohesia

For good reason! Unlike my good granddaughter, who held her own.

krynia

You should have seen me! They weren't ready to take me on.

oriana

You were fighting? Dear Elis, it was a desperate situation.

rohesia

A sheltered flower ain't helping anyone.
When I was her age, I was fighting liches on the east coast. Adversity builds character.

oriana

The Crescent isn't some wild wasteland anymore. Krynia doesn't have to fight for her life to have a good future.

rohesia

It may be peaceful now,. but it ain't staying that way. The Sect just proved that.

krynia

I think-

oriana

She doesn't have to fight at the front to get that kind of experience.

marlow

Maybe Krynia is old enough to speak up for herself.

rohesia

Ha! Look at how you turned out with your own decisions.

oriana

Marlow, you know she's been ill for so long.

marlow

I'm so sorry I opened my mouth.

krynia

You can argue all you want, I'm going to sleep!

If only Rohesia survived

oriana

Krynia, thank Elis you're safe and sound!

rohesia

Thank Elis, but not your old mother, Oriana?

oriana

Of course, Mother. Thank you for protecting Krynia while I couldn't.
Where's Marlow? I haven't seen him.

krynia

Mother, Uncle is... He's...

rohesia

One of the rare time my son does good work, it's his last.

oriana

Mother! How could you such a thing?

rohesia

What's wrong with me complimenting him?

oriana

I can't believe it. I was finally ready to make up with him, after so long.

krynia

Every time my illness flared up, his weird sorcery helped a little.
He got me books and spears, even though Irinde was a good bit way.
Why was I born with this illness? If it wasn't for that, Uncle...

oriana

It was the Sect, not you, Krynia. Those monsters are to blame!

krynia

But why? Why do the Sect... Why do they are? Why can't they leave us be?

oriana

...

If only Marlow survived

oriana

Krynia! I can't be more overjoyed to see that you're unscathed.

marlow

You really cut this one close, Sis. I thought we were done.

oriana

Marlow, you really proved yourself out there.

marlow

I sure was some kind of person out there.

krynia

...

oriana

Krynia? What's wrong?

krynia

It's... Grandmother...

marlow

Don't feel too bad, Ori.
What's the common adage?
Adventurers don't retire. They just die instead.

oriana

That's callous, even for you, Marlow.

marlow

I'm sure our mother prefers going out like this over old age.

oriana

That... That may be true.

krynia

Grandmother was a legend, isn't she?
How could she die to just these freaks?
It doesn't make sense! It shouldn't be like this!

marlow

Any lucky shot can take out a legend, Krynia.
No matter how good you think you are.

oriana

...

If only Krynia survived

krynia

Mother... You're too late. Uncle, Grandmother, they're...

oriana

This can't be... If only we'd just arrive a little sooner!

(Oriana moves up to Krynia.)

oriana

It's alright. I'm here now.

krynia

If not for me, they'd be alive, won't they? Maybe I am cursed!

oriana

You can't think like that! It was the Sect, remember!
The Sect, not you!

Night

oriana

Krynia? Is this another episode? You should have told me!
Don't pretend to be fine!

krynia

It'll be fine, Mother! Don't panic. (closes eyes) I'm used to it. I'mm-mm useee-

A--a-a--AAGHh-
-HHhh--Hhhhhh--

(Krynia collapses.)

oriana

Oh, dear Elis, how has it progressed this far?
It had only reached her forearm before I left!
Get Tower! Anyone that can use a staff! Medical supplies!
Hurry!

ellerie

And that's the full story.

mince

(frowning) Caps, I only caught maybe half of that, with all the screaming in the background.

pomelo

How have her vocal chords not...

ellerie

Half of her body is sprouting tumours of this rotten flesh.
Oriana has to keep scraping off the newly formed meat,
while Tower does his best to keep the girl tethered to life.

mince

That's supposed to be an illness? Poor girl.

lindros

That's no illness I've ever heard of.

ellerie

I hope you caught the most important part of my story,
that she's poised to transform into a violent abomination.

pomelo

There's not much we can do is there, Captain?
It's not like we can just slay her before she turns, with Oriana keeping a close eye on Krynia at all times.

ellerie

Just keep an eye on the timed explosive, and know when to flee. And warn me.

lindros

That's incredibly fascinating. What are the mechanisms for this transformation?
How does the human body reshape itself into more mass than it initially contains?

pomelo

For your own safety, Lin, do not go poking around.
Oriana will gut you.

Character Descriptions

Rohesia
A legendary swordswoman whose tale even I once read. She may be retired, but she isn't 7 feet tall as the tale said.

Sword Saint
When being a swordmaster isn't enough and a more pretentious title is needed.

Marlow
A lazy town guard from Irinde, wants nothing more than a cozy job and drink. Only his family could have gotten him here.

Krynia
Oriana's daughter, a sickly yet determined girl. I'm a bit envious of how protective her family is towards her.

[Krynia & Oriana have A-rank support with each other.]

Merzed
A senior member of the Sect's coastal branch. Clearly has personal grievances with Tower in particular.

Weapon: Edict
A fragment left by the greatest heretic and the new god. +10 Def.

Deni
Leader of the Mythic Mercenaries, sick of people making fun of their name, and wants to be taken seriously.

Halyna
One of the few survivors of Tower's old crew. Makes the best skewers on this side of the Crescent.

Ancestor
The summoned spirit of a mighty champion long deceased.

Disciple
Extremists of the Disciples of Elis out to serve 'divine will' or some nonsense.

Mythic Merc
An amateur band of sellswords whose only objective is to live up to their lofty name.

Locust
I could've sworn there was someone standing right here. Maybe I didn't get enough sleep.

Loot
Just gonna yoink this while no one's looking. Or smash it.

Barricade
A handy barricade to slow down the people who want to kill us.