Opening
oriana
Everything on this floor should be
dead. Or for some, dead again.
ellerie
It's hard work just clearing out the
wandering fodder on each floor.
I can scarcely imagine how it would be
if Lindros hadn't disabled the wards.
lindros
I can. We'd all be dead.
ellerie
Keep up the good work, Mr. Humble. Any luck
on finding whatever you need for Krynia?
oriana
It would be less of a headache if we had
an exact answer.
In our travels, Tower and I found a good deal of scrambled
texts and speculation, but nothing concrete.
tower
We have a long list of possibilities
that we must narrow down.
It would make it easier if there was
a box labeled the cure though.
oriana
We did not come all this way for nothing.
Have the crew take a well-deserved rest,
Tower and I will explore some more.
ellerie
Go ahead then. I don't imagine
much can stand up to you two.
oriana
We have no time to waste.
Let's go, Tower.
tower
Don't do anything stupid
in the meantime.
(Tower, Oriana, and Krynia head further into the Workshop.)
lindros
Thanks for letting them split. Tinkering with
this device here would have been a pain
with that fossil looking over my shoulder.
ellerie
I hope this doesn't fall under
“something stupid”. What is it?
lindros
From this inscription, it should be a vat in
which these friendly creatures spawn from.
ellerie
It's not active, is it? I would have liked to
have been informed of this beforehand.
lindros
Of course not.
These inscriptions contain detailed
methods of controlling them.
I can finally prove these things
are merely biological golems,
putting to rest the ridiculous
notion that they are divine will.
ellerie
I hope your grasp on
the language is perfect.
Last thing we need is for it
to put out angry skeletons.
lindros
It was the only thing I studied
in Oakhall. I will be just fine.
ellerie
If you're so sure. My lance
is ready, just in case.
(Pomelo, Ellerie, and Mince step back and stand at the ready by the machine's output.)
lindros
Alright, Lindros. This is it. Don't mess
up now, you're too smart for that.
options
Wight (Respawn per Ch, Str/Def focus)
Wight Archer (Bowrange +1, Str/Skl focus)
Mogall (Canto+, All-round)
Gargoyle (Canto+, Spd focus)
Tarvos (Canto+, Str focus)
lindros
Choice of... headwear? The old
empire had some odd priorities.
(The machine places the selected unit at the start of its "conveyor belt". Lindros moves to the next inscription.)
options
Propeller Hat (+2 Move)
Fancy Helmet (+6 def against 1 rng)
Captain Cap (Allies +3 Dmg/Def/Res in 3rng.)
Slick Band (+6 dmg initiating)
Chosen's Mask (+30 Crit)
lindros
Okay, now this is more like it.
Specialisation, hmmm.
(The machine processes the monster. Lindros moves to the next inscription.)
options
Scout (+2 move starting on terrain.)
Specialist (+30 avoid when initiating.)
Striker (+50 dmg/100 crit on 1st turn.)
Scavenger (Heal 40% when no allies in 2 rng.)
Spotter (Foes -100 crit/-20 avoid in 3rng.)
lindros
Curses, my notes went down with the ship!
Think, think! What did this mean again?
(The machine processes the monster. Lindros moves to the next inscription.)
options
Deity (+6 Res)
Cheese (+1 Spd, +5 Skl)
Steel Blade (+1 Str, +2 Con)
Device (+1 Def, +3 HP)
John (+15 Luck)
lindros
Phew, I'm a genius. Why are these buttons
flashing? Why is- Um- Err- Oh damn, oh-
(The machine processes the monster. Lindros moves to the next inscription.)
options
Denial (+5 HP)
Yell Loudly (+1 Str, +1 Def)
Moan (+1 Def, +1 Spd)
Blame (+1 Str, +1 Spd)
Lose Hope (+2 Spd)
lindros
That was embarrassing, but harmless.
Now for the most important choice of all.
[The player is prompted to select a name. This archive will use the default name, "John". Certain names provoke unique reactions from Lindros.]
John
lindros
Ah yes, John, like the legendary
hero. Well then, little buddy,
you have a bit to live up to.
Ellerie
lindros
Ellerie is a bit of a monster,
so this is a fitting name.
Tower
lindros
Since Tower will be mad anyways...
Yeah, I think I am very funny.
Pomelo
lindros
I don't think Pomelo will be very
happy to hear my name choice.
Lindros
lindros
Going to name this after
the smartest person I know.
Ulach
lindros
This seems a little demeaning,
but whatever. It's funny.
Rivian
lindros
... Where did this name come from?
It seems to hold some significance...
Kelik
lindros
Weak souls succumb quickly
to a strong spirit...
(Lindros steps back as the machine disgorges the finished monster. Ellerie tenses.)
ellerie
Be careful! Is it working properly?
lindros
Done in one try, couldn't
be anyone but me.
ellerie
Keep it away from me, it's giving me the
creeps. Keep it away from Tower as well.
lindros
No need for fear, I'm a professional.
Everything is under control.
ellerie
It really seems to follow your
directions without verbal cues.
lindros
Well, it's a tad complicated.
I rely on the-
ellerie
Don't bother explaining to me.
As long as it doesn't stab me in
the middle of the night, I'm happy.
narrator
John has joined the party!
pomelo
Lindros, congrats on the new pet and
all, but does everyone hear that?
lindros
Must be some stragglers. I'm very confident
that I've ensured nothing serious wakes up.
ellerie
Tower and Oriana
have got it then.
mince
That's a very loud roar for
just “some stragglers”.
pomelo
Sorry, Lind. I'm with Mince
on this one. It's getting louder.
lindros
There's no way-
ellerie
Everyone, get into position!
Something is coming!
(Oriana, Tower, and Krynia emerge, pursued by a draco zombie.)
lindros
I- Ah-
pomelo
Lindy! Run!
(Pomelo jumps in front of Lindros. Before the draco zombie can attack, the totem warps in and blasts the draco zombie, breaking itself in the process.)
tower
Have your knees turned to stone?
Flee before it snaps out of it!
(Everyone runs deeper into the Workshop and bars the doors behind them.)
ellerie
How long will that thing
be stunned for?
tower
Not long at all. Ridiculous that the totem
exploded after one concentrated blast.
oriana
The last one of these required half the
Sect on the Crescent to take it down.
We are not beating it in a fair fight.
lindros
Too close... Tower, you're a lifesaver.
The floor was clear, wasn't it?
tower
Looks like your ward breaking
wasn't as good you thought, since we must have tripped
something that woke this up.
oriana
There's no need for that, Tower.
We were bound to run into
something dangerous eventually.
tower
I'm aware. I suggest coming up
with a plan of action, and fast.
This door won't hold, and there
is no more totem to burn.
ellerie
Lindros, got anything else from
that information bank of yours?
lindros
I'm not a miracle worker.
ellerie
Our only choice is go deeper. Pray
the Workshop has something else.
tower
What, we're going to go down
and just hope for the best?
ellerie
If you have a better
idea, I'd like to hear it.
Better enemies we can kill
than an enemy we can't.
oriana
That room below us looks more guarded than
the rest. If there's something, it's there.
ellerie
I see it. The way looks to be
blocked by some barriers.
lindros
Those aren't natural barriers; they require
spellcasters to maintain. Likely in this room.
ellerie
Got it. So we kill the spellcasters holding the
barriers, open the room and hopefully profit.
tower
We're betting on a magical
solution saving the day.
oriana
Even if it doesn't, we're putting more
distance between ourselves and big teeth.
tower
I suppose desperate situations
call for some awful plans.
lindros
John here won't be targeted by its
fellow monsters, because I'm that good.
Can't say the same for the boss monsters
though. They're too smart for that.
If the player has the Broken Sword
ellerie
That broken sword that Tower broke!
I knew I should have held onto it.
It seems to be... drawn to somewhere?
This could prove rather fruitful.
Ending
If the Keeper was killed without using the cannon
ellerie
It's dead, right?
We did it.
mince
For something that looked so spooky,
that was surprisingly easy.
tower
These creatures can tear down whole towns
and we, some ragtag bunch of adventurers,
were able to slay it at its full strength?
oriana
Maybe Valen's spirit
is watching over us.
mince
Maybe this one was
the runt of the lot.
ellerie
Whatever the reason, I'm happy
about it. Let's clean up this floor.
ellerie
(smiles) Things just keep getting better.
Our luck is finally turning around.
pomelo
(smiles) Huge discovery, Captain. Looks like
they were hiding an airship down here.
It seems like it's still functional.
lindros
It's got this huge cannon on the front.
I suppose we could have used it to blast
that dragon thing, but we didn't need it.
pomelo
(frowns) Doesn't look very stable. I suspect
it's not going to last much longer.
ellerie
A huge cannon is a huge cannon.
We'll have an opportunity to use it.
mince
What a beautiful
creature.
ellerie
I'm not sure beautiful
would be the word I'd use.
Don't tell me you're going
to try cooking this too?
mince
Who do you think I am, someone who
eats anything that used to move?
ellerie
You haven't convinced
me otherwise.
mince
I'm sure it'd taste as awful as
what we ate at Irinde's tavern.
ellerie
I don't think it was that bad.
Their porridge was pretty filling.
mince
Then from now on, I won't trust a single
compliment from you about my cooking.
(Oriana approaches.)
oriana
I hardly believed we could face
another of these and live, considering how much it took
to bring down the last one.
ellerie
As much as I'd love to say it was
tactics and skill that won us the day, it all came down to being lucky enough
to find something that'd hurt it.
oriana
Beautiful, isn't it? This is the fate of
the bloodline blessed by the gods.
ellerie
(Thank Elis she didn't hear our
conversation from earlier.)
mince
(Dodged an arrow
there, Mince.)
ellerie
And to think those of the bloodline
used to be revered as demigods.
oriana
Many of these engravings show the
shape of a majestic and mighty being.
I wonder if it's the demise of their divine
patron that twisted their current forms.
ellerie
It's already unlucky to be afflicted with a
curse from birth, then the Sect jumped in.
oriana
Tower's a good man, but
the rest of them can rot.
mince
Maybe this unfortunate fellow used to
be some kind of great hero, even a king.
I wonder if they were trapped in
their body, or simply unconscious.
oriana
I don't dare consider.
ellerie
Maybe they could make one
last contribution to humanity.
Is the corpse of any use?
oriana
Only Elis knows. I am willing
to try any possible lead.
mince
If you need someone to help
cut something up, I'm your man.
oriana
I'm glad for your help. I doubt you want to
stay for this, Captain. It won't be pretty.
ellerie
Then I'll gladly make myself
scarce and check on the others.
(Pomelo rushes over, shoving Mince out of the way.)
pomelo
Oriana, Captain, there's
trouble! We need you now!
mince
Oof! Amazed you even manage
to shove me with all this armor.
pomelo
Sorry, Mince, this is
an emergency!
oriana
Is there another powerful group
of monsters heading our way?
pomelo
Worse. Tower and Lindros look like they're
gonna throw down. I can't stop them.
oriana
I figured this was going to happen
sooner or later. Where are they?
ellerie
You have more important
matters to deal with.
It's nothing the good
Captain can't sort out.
oriana
If you're sure, that'd
be appreciated.
pomelo
Then let's go!
lindros
You can't take this from me, Tower.
Years of my work built up to this.
tower
I take no delight in this. But the knowledge
of how to create these monsters must not
be returned to the surface.
lindros
Why do you cling so tightly to the Sect's
tenets? You're no longer part of them.
tower
My mistakes are irrelevant to
my belief in their veracity.
lindros
Yet despite your alleged faith, you too used
an artifact for your own personal desires.
Is it not your duty to dispose of them?
tower
I freely admit my hypocrisy. But if even
I, one who served the sect for decades,
would be open to such temptation, where does that put everyone else?
The knowledge you carry is far deadlier than
any artifact, as the tools of warlords and
tyrants, not something that is used up.
lindros
Should we ban fire because it can harm,
abolish mining to prevent weapons of war?
We cannot decide how knowledge is used.
We shouldn't be held accountable for it!
tower
Perhaps the world was a gentler place at
its most simple, without fire, without iron.
But let's look to the present, at the coastal
warlords, at the nobles of the Mainland.
These are the people who have the wealth
to benefit from the creation of monsters.
lindros
I recognise that they would be used as
instruments of war. But wars do not last.
What does last is advancement.
People will recognise the utility of their labor,
for agriculture, for limitless purposes.
tower
It's not that simple.
By allowing rulers
to unleash soulless automatons rather
than living beings as their enforcers, you may open the world to dynasties of
tyrants who can no longer be challenged
by their people. Gods by other means.
(Pomelo and Ellerie rush over.)
pomelo
Thank Elis they haven't
come to blows yet.
lindros
That's only out of respect for you, Tower.
I wouldn't have held back for anyone else.
tower
Do you understand
the situation, Captain?
ellerie
Pomelo filled me in on the way here.
You're arguing over Lindros's notes.
tower
I've destroyed the original inscriptions.
These notes are all that remain.
lindros
Even if you do destroy them,
I can seek out more ruins.
tower
Perhaps you may find them. Perhaps
they've all been lost to time. Perhaps you
won't survive to make another discovery.
But none of that matters to the present.
Captain, you were in the Royal Court for
years. You surely understand such knowledge
getting out would only cause destruction.
lindros
The Sect presents an unreasonable stance
on any knowledge from the old world.
You remember how they fought to kill a
young girl. Why follow their beliefs?
tower
Lindros makes an unfair representation
of the Sect. Those people were fanatics, not the core of what the Sect represents.
ellerie
Enough, I've decided.
(Ellerie grabs Lindros' notes and destroys them.)
lindros
Yo- You- Grahhh! You're all the same,
obstacles to my research, to my success!
(Lindros runs off.)
pomelo
Lindros, wait!
You're not worthy to be
called Captain, Captain.
This isn't over.
(Pomelo runs after Lindros.)
tower
What you did was the right thing, but I
did not wish for it to end like this.
It is my fault that you've alienated two
of the crew, and at such a trying time.
ellerie
How else could it have been resolved?
There were only two outcomes.
Would you have backed down?
tower
No, I would have cut them down if it came
to it. But it did not come to it, thankfully.
ellerie
(And if I had sided
with them...)
tower
... You should go after them. We can't be
having divides when we're in such danger, they surely recognise that.
If you need to compensate them to come to an agreement, I will do all I can to help.
ellerie
I will do my best.
(Ellerie runs after Pomelo and Lindros, finding them on the next floor.)
lindros
What do you want? Besides a fireball to
the face, because that I can give you.
ellerie
I have a peace
offering to make.
lindros
I have no need for whatever comes
out of your hands. Get out of my sight.
pomelo
Lindy, you might want
to listen to her.
ellerie
How about this?
lindros
Are those-
ellerie
A good bit of sleight of hand.
Sadly, the Seahawk's inventory and wages
accounts has been shredded and burnt.
lindros
These are my notes. They're all here.
I think I'm having an emotional whiplash.
ellerie
Did you think I would have sided with him?
Us “youngsters” got to stick together.
lindros
(smiles) Captain, thank you. That
saves me so much trouble.
ellerie
(Oh, you have no idea.)
pomelo
Sorry for putting you through that, Lindy, but the Captain came up with the plan as
we ran here and we couldn't tell you.
lindros
(serious) In retrospect, you did
react conveniently slowly.
ellerie
It could have gone so badly, but Pomelo
assured me that you were a wimp.
That was barely a struggle. Gave me all
the space I needed to make the switch.
lindros
For the first time, I'm supposed to be
grateful for my physical ineptitude?
pomelo
We need to keep up the pretense of
hostility a bit longer if we don't want
Tower to suspect anything.
lindros
(smiles) Right. If you want us to remain in the
crew, I demand double the weekly wage,
and a flat amount on the spot.
ellerie
(smiles) Conveniently, the wages account
was accidentally lost in battle.
Maple Inn
(Blaine, Halyna, Corkius, a pirate, and a Sect disciple sit at a table.)
letter
Dear Adventurer,
It has come to my attention that
you have come afoul of a certain
miscreant named Ellerie and her lackeys.
I wish to offer you the greatest sympathy
for this encounter, for I know well of her
savagery and wickedness.
I am writing to many such as yourself
so that we can band together and
end this blight upon the world.
Of course, I am not coming to you
empty-handed. Attached to this letter
is a small amount of compensation,
and I shall offer much greater reward
if you are to join us in this noble quest.
Signed,
Maurice
halyna
...
blaine
...
ozie
...
foreman
So. We're among friends here,
aren't we? Lighten up a little.
What's gotten everyone here?
halyna
You already know the answer.
We all got one of those letters.
ozie
The Seahawks harbor a creature that
must be destroyed under Elis's edicts.
It is my duty to Elis and the Crescent,
as well as avenging my fellow disciples.
halyna
I know too well what you refer to.
It utterly destroyed my old crew.
I would have died trying to stop
them, if not for the Sect's healers.
ozie
Then we share even more of a
common purpose than we thought.
What about our blindfolded friend?
blaine
Vengeance.
(Blaine leaves.)
halyna
That was descriptive.
foreman
We get one of those types
every once in a while.
halyna
You brought this up, yet you
haven't disclosed anything.
foreman
I was getting to it. I'm from
Albatross Point, you see-
ozie
You're one of those Albatross pirates?
I refuse to work with such scum.
foreman
Don't jump to conclusions. More than
just pirates live on Albatross Point,
I'm just a humble breadmaker.
ozie
I shouldn't have assumed
from appearances.
halyna
I'm certain you have the
look of the average baker.
foreman
While the Seahawks passed there, they murdered my dear old dad
and my poor son in one fell swoop.
ozie
Of course the Seahawks would engage in
such depravity. Elis will treat your family well.
halyna
Yet you don't sound at
all upset about that.
foreman
I was tired of my old man begging me for
coins and Dirk was my least favorite son.
But I got a reputation to uphold
that needs to be signed in blood.
halyna
Not a pirate, right. Anyone
know this battered dog?
ozie
No clue.
(Maurice approaches.)
maurice
Glad everyone is getting along. Sorry for
being late. I had an unscheduled meeting.
ozie
We came a long way for this.
It better be worth our time.
maurice
Of course. But my compensation is far more
than gold. I'm sure you all recognize this.
foreman
Some kinda fancy emblem?
Doesn't seem worth much.
halyna
It's not an adventuring company
insignia I'm familiar with.
ozie
You fools, that's the seal
of the royal family!
foreman
Huh, you saying he's
some kind of Prince?
maurice
(Thank goodness one person
here wasn't a complete bumpkin.)
No, it means I'm working on
behalf of the royal family.
That means there's a lot I can
do for you beyond mere coin.
ozie
Can you get me a transfer away from this
backwater place to a church in the capital?
maurice
My pull with the Sect is limited, but
I'm certain that is within my power.
foreman
So much for upholding the Sect's
tenets. I have no such ambitions,
I deal in hard gold.
At least twenty thousand.
halyna
Negotiating the blood money
of his father and son. How callous.
foreman
I don't pretend to have higher ideals.
As if you aren't here for the gold.
halyna
I need no reward, only the promise
of the Seahawks' destruction.
maurice
Now is no time for conflict. Your
reward is negotiable, but don't forget, this is on the condition that Ellerie is
absolutely dead. Now here is my plan.