!DOCTYPE html>

Chapter 10x: Irinde II

Opening

ellerie
Where have you been, Lindros? We were going to set sail without you.
lindros
Set sail? The Green Tide stuff only just blew over and we already have to set sail?
ellerie
It's been two months.
lindros
Must have been a really short two months then.
pomelo
I keep telling you to come to some nice places with me, man.
Yet you chose to spend all that time cooped up writing that paper.
lindros
I only mailed it yesterday and we already have to leave? This blows.
ellerie
You got the good end of the deal here.
We did most of the preparation while you were finding the meaning of life.
All you have to do is show up and collect the paycheck.
pomelo
And believe me, that was some hard work.
We couldn't put the ship in town so each trip is a good distance, and supplies are heavy.
Doesn't help that this warehouse is so small, we keep having to move like 10 crates to get to anything we put further inside.
ellerie
Oh, you damn know well why we couldn't afford to rent a better place.
You didn't take our budget into account with that huge expenditure on the Seahawk II.
lindros
Wait, we're still calling it that? I thought that was a placeholder.
pomelo
It stuck, I'm afraid. Placeholder names have a bad habit of sticking.
ellerie
Hey, don't try to change the topic. You were never sorry about it as well.
pomelo
And I never will be. It was worth every gold piece.
ellerie
You're lucky you're so good at your job. Anyone else, I'd throw into the harbor.
pomelo
That's because I'm also worth every gold piece. And I make great budgetary decisions.
lindros
You two can argue about this, I'm going to get what little rest I can.
Call me whenever we need to leave.
(Lindros leaves.)
ellerie
Hey, there's plenty of work to get done, don't just-
pomelo
Let the man get his nap. He's been working on his paper non-stop.
Besides, how's his scrawny frame gonna help?
ellerie
Fine. I've got some bits and pieces to take care of before we depart.
I trust the crew will have things sorted when I get back?
pomelo
Of course, you can count on me.
I do hope these bits and pieces don't involve getting a meal at Johnny's while we work.
ellerie
Hey, that was just one time, and all I got was a sandwich.
pomelo
And I'm never letting you forget it.
In all seriousness, take your time.
You could also use the break and I've got it all from here.
ellerie
(smiles) Thanks, Pom. For all your spending habits, you're a good man.
pomelo
(smiles) Hey!

If Johnny Spice's quest was taken

If B. Patricks and Francisca were saved

johnny spices
I've been informed of your efforts to save the spice convoy. Good work, Captain.
ellerie
We were under attack by the same mob, we barely survived.
johnny spices
A job done well is a good job done well. Here is your share, you more than earned it.
(Ellerie receives Exotic Spices.)

If only Francisca was saved

johnny spices
We've heard from the mercenary, it's a shame about everyone else.
ellerie
There wasn't much more we could do.
johnny spices
You did as you could.
I don't have much to reward you given the shipment was lost, but here is something for your trouble.
(Ellerie receives Rare Ores.)

If only B. Patricks was saved

johnny spices
Thank you for your help, Captain.
I'm glad the shipment made it, though it appears the guard didn't.
ellerie
It's a tough line of work.
johnny spices
It is how it is. Here's your cut.
(Ellerie receives Exotic Spices.)

If no one was saved

johnny spices
No survivors at all from the spice run?
ellerie
We were too late.
johnny spices
Damn. They were good folk, nothing can be done about that.
Thank you for your efforts.
(Ellerie receives Common Tools.)

If Old Bob's son was found

old bob
I'm glad my son came back, but I'm less glad about the circumstances.
ellerie
We had no choice in the matter.
The fact that we didn't strike him down on the spot is a small miracle.
old bob
That's not the same story he told me.
ellerie
He can say what he wants. Doesn't change the fact we saved him during the Tide.
old bob
I did promise a reward, and here it is. Begone. I do not want to see you again.
(Old Bob leaves.)
ellerie
It could have ended worse, I suppose.
(Ellerie receives an IOU.)
(Ellerie visits a vendor.)
doorman
Another customer! What can I get you, on this fine morning?
ellerie
I would like chocolate biscuits dipped in soy sauce.
doorman
Sorry, chocolate biscuits dipped in soy sauce? That just seems daft.
ellerie
...
doorman
Oh, wait, I remember now. Hold on, let me check the book.
ellerie
...
doorman
Soy sauce, soy sauce. Should be 7th page, wasn't it 5th line? Swear it was here.
Falsified password marking the speaker for execution was vinegar, so wasn't that.
ellerie
...
doorman
Oh, here it is. Come this way, honored investor. The Matron will be with you shortly.
(Ellerie enters.)
matron
Ah, the famous Ellerie. I've long heard of you as a frequent customer at the Capital,
I'm surprised you didn't come to us sooner.
ellerie
It took me some time to discover that Eventide used this as a front.
Other Eventide branches I've seen used more... successful stores.
matron
Not by choice. Not only were we separated from our usual clientele, we have to compete with flea-ridden adventurers in our line of work!
We're barely keeping afloat here, but I shouldn't be wasting your time.
ellerie
It's perfectly understandable. I myself am in a comparable situation.
Though I do want to mention, the fellow upstairs seems rather incompetent?
Almost forgot the password I used and spent some time reading them out.
matron
You must understand how hard it is to get good talent in this barbaric land.
Dave was too incompetent to run actual missions so he has to maintain the front.
ellerie
(I don't think he's good enough for the front.)
Down to business.
I want Maurice dead.
matron
The Maurice? He is a dangerous man with connections to the King.
You know this is worth a big price.
ellerie
Oh, I know. I've come prepared.
matron
What an amount of gold.
So rumors that you've hit the jackpot in the Workshop were not unfounded.
ellerie
Of course not. I also want his head as confirmation of death.
None of this “he fell off a cliff so he must be dead” bullcrap.
I want his head delivered in a nice box wrapped with a pretty ribbon.
On second thought, his head doesn't deserve a box. A sack will do.
matron
It's a hard ask, but your price is good.
He will be an easier target on the Crescent, not surrounded by his dogs.
I will get my boys on the job.
ellerie
As per the usual agreement, the other half will be delivered on arrival of the goods.
A pleasure doing business with you.
matron
We offer the very best for our supportive customers.
(Ellerie exits.)
ellerie
Hopefully that gives Maurice some more problems to deal with.
I can take my time before meeting with Nerysa. Let's see what's going on in town.

New Guide Entries

One

I cannot see you, but I know you see me, fellow cultivator. I am Muoxing, Third Elder of the Sun Watcher Alliance. I have been missing for centuries. If you can secure my safe return, you shall be rewarded with half of my spirit stones and all the elixirs you desire, for my skills in alchemy are second to none.

Main Area

Shady Fella

If you bought coffee in Chapter 3x

ellerie
This small business has certainly grown.
shady fella
Welcome, welcome!
It is thanks to loyal customers like you that we can be here today.
ellerie
I bought a single cup.
shady fella
Every cup bought is about a worker's wage for the week.
ellerie
That sounds... efficient.
shady fella
Elis's Beverage Empire thrives due to our incredible efficiency.
At least, we would if not for that bloody soup stand down the road,
taking away our business.

If not

ellerie
This shop was not here last time.
shady fella
Welcome to Elis's Beverage Kingdom. Business is booming!
At least, if not for that bloody soup stand down the road,
taking away our business.
ellerie
Are you paying Elis royalties? How has the Sect not razed this place yet?
shady fella
I'm sure they won't mind the name. It's all business.
ellerie
You can hope. How much is a cup of this, err, coffee?
shady fella
Due to gullible cu- due to shortage in supply of our magical home grown beans, we've had to up the price slightly.
3000 gold.
ellerie
3000 gold, for a cup? I don't think the soup stand is why you're losing customers.
shady fella
The finest ingredients deserve the finest prices. What do you know?

Elis' Beverage Empire

Dirtwater

ellerie
Real flattering name. Get me some of that.
dave
Why go for our weakest beverage? For an extra 1000 gold, you could-
ellerie
The name is definitely an excuse to sell me the higher priced one. Give me it.
dave
You don't know what you're missing out on!
(Ellerie gains Coffee.)

Black Gold

ellerie
What makes this more expensive than the other one? Looks the same to me.
dave
To a real beverage expert, the texture, the flavor, the florality, it is like night and day!
ellerie
But I'm not, am I? I should have just bought the other one.
dave
It is a hard world for those without refined palates.
(Ellerie gains Coffee.)

Divine Blood

ellerie
This had better be a transcendent experience for the price.
dave
Of course, dear customer! Our beans were farmed in the fields of Elis's homeland,
the very earth blessed with her divinity, watered using only hallowed spring water,
passed through the bowels of our healthiest wyvern-
ellerie
Could you repeat that last part?
dave
Uh, nothing important.
But it is made with our very best. I assure you.
ellerie
... I'll take a sip.
dave
What do you think?
ellerie
Yes, my mind ascended into a higher plane from which I received a divine revelation.
dave
And that is?
ellerie
Why did I spend 5000 gold on a cup of coffee?
(Ellerie gains Coffee and gains +3 Skill and Luck.)

If you try to buy the same beverage twice

ellerie
Not wasting my gold buying that again.

If you cannot afford a beverage

ellerie
Noticeable absence of gold in my pockets.

If you ask for the non-coffee menu

ellerie
Don't you serve affordable, non-coffee drinks?
dave
Then why even come here?

Dune (blocking inn)

dune
I'm afraid this establishment has been shut down due to trade of contraband weaponry, fighting rings and contravention of justice.
ellerie
I just wanted grub. I didn't know we even had laws like that in these parts,
or just laws in general.
dune
Someone needs to keep the pretense of civility. I'm telling you because you're a trustworthy sort, but usually we don't care.
However, their business was getting a bit too big for their breeches, so we had to step in to maintain the facade of caring.
ellerie
So I have the all clear to run an illegal business if I keep it on the down low.
dune
And everyone is happier for it. Trade is trade.
ellerie
I will keep that in mind if I ever need to run an illegal business.
dune
You didn't hear this from me, of course.

Chalice & Nerysa (& Telon & Vermillion)

nerysa
Can't believe you of all people would go adventuring, and with Telon, no less!
chalice
I believe someone kept telling me to make the most of my youth.
nerysa
I was telling you to be less stuck in the church all day, not go out doing...
Was it a good experience?
chalice
No, it was awful. Terrible living conditions, always on the run, and that mess with those fanatics.
At least Mince cooked well.
nerysa
I'm glad you're safe and sound, and all the more stronger for it.
Surely, it is time to return home?
chalice
Logic dictates I should.
But there's more I want to see of the world, that scriptures won't teach me.
nerysa
While I support going your own path, the Crescent is no place for a non-combatant.
chalice
You know I'm much tougher than I look, and I have Telon with me.
telon
To think such a powerful opponent was here all this time, you have my respect.
vermillion
Not bad for a mortal man. Had enough?
telon
But I won't be defeated here! Allow me to show you the limits of my power!
vermillion
You've barely even scratched the surface of my technique!
nerysa
Is he fighting a chicken and losing?
chalice
That appears to be the case.
nerysa
I don't know what you see in him.
chalice
I don't see much in him at all. But he's entertaining.

Mince

ellerie
Looks like you've got a nice thing going on.
mince
A side jig for some extra coin. Welcome to Mince's Stews!
More tasty and filling than that coffee nonsense down the road.
ellerie
I am feeling peckish after a day of flapping my lips.
How about just a little bit... on the house?
mince
Well... There's no customers watching right now. Let me show you around.
(Ellerie receives a Chef's Brew.)

If Acielle is alive

ellerie
You've got Acielle on the job as well?
mince
She's working as an apprentice to learn from the best in town.
acielle
It's a slow week for the heroing type. No calls to adventure to be seen.
ellerie
Surely, with your skillset, there's no shortage of opportunity?
acielle
Dead ends on the odd job market.
Calling myself the chosen of the Goddess isn't opening any new doors. No idea why.
mince
Perhaps it is divine will that you learn to make some wicked stew.
acielle
I'm pretty sure I'm only an apprentice so you don't have to pay me.
mince
Nonsense! Go back to watching the pot.

If Chixin was recruited and intact

ellerie
You have the sentient sword dicing meat?
mince
It likes chopping things.
I gave it things to chop.
chixin
Of course I can mince up all of this flesh in 5 minutes, it's an insult to my capability to suggest otherwise!
(Chixin leaves.)
ellerie
That seems very unhygienic. I doubt Chixin wipes off the blood after a battle.
mince
I'm sure a good boiling would be fine. So, how about that soup?

mince
Say, Caps. I spotted a sweet deal that I wanted to put past you.
Irinde's fishers just hauled up a whole school of Deathspine.
ellerie
Deathspine.
mince
Despite the name, it is one of the finest delicacies known to humanity.
They say its tenderness and subtle flavours melt the coldest of hearts.
ellerie
Mince, why is it called a Deathspine?
mince
Well, if improperly prepared, the Deathspine have some side effects...
ellerie
Which is?
mince
All of the consumer's organs melt simultaneously.
ellerie
Okay.
mince
Trust me. If we agree to buy their stock, the crew will be grateful.
They, we, will taste flavours we've never even dreamed of tasting.
ellerie
That could be true, as I don't think any of us have eaten poison before.
mince
The fate of the ill-prepared, perhaps. But don't worry, I am an expert.
ellerie
Assuming I entertain this absurd deal, how much are the fishers asking for?
mince
A fair price. 8000 gold.
ellerie
EIGHT THOUSAND GOLD? Who is buying this?
mince
Nobles pay a huge price for this on the Mainland.
ellerie
Of course they do. Why did I even ask?
mince
8000 gold for good fish.

If you have less than 8000 gold

ellerie
I don't have that much, Mince. Our finances are not good.
mince
Damn. I didn't know we had it so bad.

Yes

mince
Fantastic! It's been my dream to have the chance to cook Deathspine.
ellerie
Great. Hold on, Mince, you are an expert, right?
narrator
All units received +5% growth. This bonus stacks with aged wine.

No

ellerie
We don't have the gold, or life expectancy, to splurge like that.
mince
It's alright, Caps. The fish is good though...

Tasel

If you donated in Chapter 3x

ellerie
Hey, wait, I remember you. Weren't you the guy I gave a loan to back in Irinde?
tasel
W-well, I-
ellerie
So how's that passage back to Auresil going?
tasel
I tried my best, but the ship on which I signed on was sunk by a horrible mons-
ellerie
At least the other one was honest about being a conman. Give me back my money.
tasel
But of course! I shall repay you with this fine concoction,
that is worth a thousand times what you gave to me!
ellerie
This is a vulnerary. A used vulnerary. There's hair floating in it.
tasel
...Darn.
ellerie
You know what? Give me that shiny bow, and we'll call it even.
tasel
But this bow is a family heirloom, and my only weapon at that!
How am I meant to defend myself against the Crescent without it?
ellerie
First of all, an iron sword isn't that expensive.
Second of all, you'll need to defend yourself against me right now if you don't hand it over.
tasel
Your unforgiving soul is like a blight upon the sun itself!
Fine, then! Take this bow, and know you have consigned me to a death at the hands of monsters!
ellerie
And I'm keeping the vulnerary.
(Ellerie receives a Vulnerary and a Chuanyang.)

If not

tasel
Oh woe, oh misery!
Fools and phonies make fortunes, yet I am left with nothing!
Rejected by a society that cannot appreciate my talents.
Even had to sell my family's heirloom bow just to eat.

(Ellerie walks past.)

It is people like you, people that refused to acknowledge my abilities, that caused this.

ellerie
Blaming your own failings on passerbys is certainly a way to show your talents.
tasel
Just give me a chance. I will make back capital invested tenfold, nay, hundredfold.
ellerie
I just heard you shouting about being left with nothing. Why would you think that would work?
tasel
Leave me to my lamentation!
Curse this wicked world, curse its wicked people!

Children

ellerie
(smiling) And Lindros said, “I am your doom!”
And he turned twenty mercenaries into ash with one well-timed fireball.
girl
That's pretty good.
boy
Not as good as when Mince managed to do a double backflip off a cliff and still shot the dragon in the eye!
ellerie
That's all the time I have today, kids. Take care now.
girl
Bye, Miss Ellerie!
(The children run off. Tower approaches.)
tower
Didn't take you for someone to spend time with children.
ellerie
(frowns) Please, I do more than feast on the souls of the innocent.
tower
I don't suggest feeding such misguided tales to these children any further.
ellerie
What.
tower
You paint a rosy picture of our journey. Big heroes win big battles and get big rewards.
How many children are taken in by this romanticized vision of adventuring, only to pointlessly throw away their lives?
ellerie
Tower, you're being ridiculous. I'm telling a story to kids.
I'm not going to explain all the blood, brutality and hardship.
tower
Keep in mind that stories have power. I must go to finish moving the crates.
(Tower leaves.)
ellerie
Sheesh. I just wanted to entertain some kids for ten minutes.

Guard

guard
(grins) The great Captain Ellerie! It's an honor!
ellerie
Can't say I've been addressed like that before.
guard
You're a local legend! No adventuring band has ever dealt such catastrophic damage to the status quo in years.
ellerie
Thanks, I think?
guard
How do you do it? How do you have the courage to take on so many factions despite being completely new?
ellerie
We didn't have a choice. They attacked us first.
guard
No one believes that. Why would all these factions conspire against some small-time crew?
It's clear that you're using them as stepping stones for your own entrance, which is gutsy as all hell!
ellerie
I assume you're not going to believe the perfectly reasonable explanation for all this happening.
guard
Of course not. I get that you don't want to look like the aggressors, but who cares?
On the Crescent, the victor is always right. And you guys won so convincingly.
ellerie
I'm glad you think so highly of us.
guard
Some say the Seahawks will be dead by the end of the year, but I think you're gonna be the next big name on the Crescent.
offscreen
Oi, break's over!
guard
Coming, coming! Real honor to speak to you in person!
(The guard leaves.)
ellerie
Big name, huh? What's great about being a big name in the middle of absolute nowhere,
surrounded by wilderness and tribal conflict, risking death just to make a living?

Militia

soldier 1
They say that the Seahawks have their new recruits execute downed opponents to gain combat experience.
soldier 2
Do they have no sense of mercy?
soldier 1
Not in their blackened hearts.
Apparently they always leave the enemy commander until last,
that is after putting everyone else to the sword.
ellerie
...
soldier 1
Elis save us. And these people just roam freely?
soldier 2
Adventurers. Can't live with them, can't live without them.
Someone's gotta be feeding the monsters and it ain't me.
(Ellerie leaves.)
ellerie
What are they saying about us out there?

Arena

notice
THE ARENA IS CLOSED. Just because I was out of town doesn't mean this suddenly does not apply.
You know who you are.

Signed, Chief Oren

Warehouse

Raylin & Reiker

reiker
C'mon, lift those arms!
raylin
Are you even taking any weight?
reiker
Sure I am. It's not my fault your arms are for decoration.
raylin
Horsecrap, you're not even- Watch the right!
(Reiker stumbles.)
reiker
Oof! That's my left, you jackass!
raylin
Well it's not mine!
(Ellerie approaches.)
ellerie
Glad to see you two are pulling your weight. Quite literally.
reiker
More like twice our weight. Captain, give us a hand here.
raylin
Surely, you're pretty strong lugging around that backpack.
ellerie
Can't right now, I'm afraid. Got important errands to run.
(Ellerie leaves.)
raylin
Errands, my left buttock. Everyone's got errands when the crates need to be moved.
reiker
Say, how about we also have a few errands to run? To the bakery.
raylin
You're suggesting we drop our duties?
reiker
No, just, delay them. (Hopefully indefinitely.)
A quick run to the bakery won't hurt anyone.
raylin
If Tower sees us, we'd be more cooked than the chicken we had last night.
reiker
Nah, he's gone off fishing or some other old man thing. He won't be around.
raylin
Okay, just a quick trip.

Gecko & Krynia

krynia
Hey, Gecko. We haven't had a chance to really talk.
gecko
Um, hello. What is it?
krynia
We're the only kids our age. That means we should work together, right?
I just wanted to know you a bit better.
gecko
There's nothing interesting about me to know about. I'm just Gecko.
krynia
Everyone in the crew is mighty interesting. Bit of a reader? What do you have there?
gecko
Oh, it's about... Cooking?
krynia
That seems pretty useful. Let me see.
gecko
Um...
krynia
Huh, isn't this about poisonous plants?
gecko
I'm sorry. I can't actually read. I was just looking at pictures.
krynia
You can't read? I thought everyone's parents taught them.
gecko
They didn't have much time for that.
krynia
I know! I'll just teach you. How hard can it be?
gecko
Doesn't it take years, or something? You don't need to waste your time.
krynia
(smiles) Can't be that hard. I'm sure it will be fun.
gecko
Okay...

Leophric III

leophric iii
You're Lady Ellerie?
ellerie
What's it to you?
leophric iii
It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I am Viscount-Consort Leophric III of Valdersby.
ellerie
Viscount-consort?
leophric iii
Don't ask.
I request that I may admire the skies from the view of that humble airship.
Perhaps for merely a few hours, or a two-day trip?
ellerie
How much would you pay?
leophric iii
P-pay? My lady, I hope you should know that the reputation of Viscount-Consort-
ellerie
You're not getting to joyride in the airship I rightfully stole for free.
On the Crescent, your reputation is worth as much as pig droppings.
Less even, that can fertilise a field.
leophric iii
Well, I never! Such lack of decorum is truly befitting of a-
(Ellerie leans in close.)
ellerie
Of what? Consider where you are and who you are with right now.
leophric iii
My lady, you must have misheard. I meant nothing of the sort.
(Ellerie steps back.)
ellerie
I'm glad. It's an honor to have met you, Something-Count Leonard,
but you'll have to be on your way.
(Ellerie leaves.)
leophric iii
Oh my. I've never been shown such disrespect since the Wine Incident of 279.
Why, if this was the Capital, I'd-

He Who Chops

he who chops
Heard you lot are the most vicious killers this side of the coast. I got a good job for ya.
ellerie
That's our reputation? Whatever, what's your business?
he who chops
They call me He Who Chops. I chop everything, people, monsters, walls, trees, they all get chopped.
ellerie
Right, but what does this have to do with the job?
he who chops
I can't chop without my favorite axe.
Some villains calling themselves the Way Winders heard of it and stole it from me.
ellerie
What will be our reward for retrieving this?
he who chops
Your first five chops for free?
ellerie
That won't cut it. We have our own choppers.
he who chops
What about this funny shaped monster bone?
ellerie
It needs to be useful to us.
he who chops
Fine, then how about this replacement axe? Won't need it if I get my chopper.
ellerie
(Is that a bloody brave axe?)

Yes

ellerie
Sure. l'll meet with these Way Winders and get your axe.
he who chops
(smiles) I'll add two free chops to our deal!

No

ellerie
We ain't willing to go against a whole other mercenary band for a single axe.
he who chops
But without my chopper, I am nothing...

Quest

He Who Chops asked me to get back his “Chopper” from the Way Winders.
(Chapter 12)

Potato

potato
I need you to retrieve some of my belongings left in Sundown Bay.
ellerie
That seems very mundane. What's the catch? Why do you need us?
potato
Going back would be harmful for my health. Great, now I have to explain everything.
ellerie
You sure do.
potato
So, I was chatting up this nice young woman at the bar in Sundown Bay.
I was telling her about how great Irinde is, and perhaps dropping some subtle hints that she should join me there.
ellerie
Right. This better not be a long-winded introduction.
potato
This is important. So to prove my point, I made some comparisons, emphasizing that Sundown Bay was a nest of vermin.
That the local crime boss was a pox-ridden leech, and perhaps some more colorful descriptions.
ellerie
I can see where this is going.
potato
Turns out the nice young woman was the local crime boss.
She wanted to make an example of me. I barely made it out with all my limbs.
ellerie
Golly, what a surprise.
potato
Needless to say, I can't head back.
I'll give you Pa's old sword as a reward. A farmer won't be needing it.
An easy delivery. How about it?

Yes

ellerie
We're heading there anyways. Where do we find your belongings?
potato
I buried half beneath my house. Buried other half at a friend's.
ellerie
That's really cautious.
potato
And look how well that paid off!
They smashed up both houses as I fled, so it should be obvious.

No

ellerie
Sadly, we're not couriers.
potato
Oh c'mon, this is the easiest thing in the world.

Quest

Potato asked me to retrieve his belongings from Sundown Bay from two ruined houses.
(Chapter 11)

Secret Passage

Oriana & Rohesia

rohesia
So Oren's the chief, huh? That's a name I remember.
oriana
Did you know him personally?
rohesia
It's a long story.
oriana
I haven't heard one of your adventuring tales in a long time.
rohesia
Two decades back, took a commission from a local warlord to get rid of some adventurer causing too much trouble.
oriana
Was he a criminal of sorts?
rohesia
No, he was some local hero that had been resisting the warlord's authority.
Anyway, I arrived during some celebration of sorts and things got out of hand.
Next thing I knew, there were a few dozen more disembodied heads than I was here for.
oriana
That's adventuring work? Isn't that just assassination?
rohesia
The definition of an adventurer is very universally applicable.
oriana
Out of all the adventuring tales you told me, this was not one of them!
rohesia
It wasn't an important one.
Anyways, I took out the family and Elis knows how many others, but there was this little kid who tried to get me with a kitchen knife.
oriana
Mother, you didn't...
rohesia
Of course I didn't kill him. It's been a while, but I think it went something like this...

“Good try, kid. But not even close.”

“Give me your name. A name that I can curse.”

“You have some guts. The name's Rohesia, the Headtaker.
Come back in twenty years and see if you have what it takes.”

“I will. No matter what it takes. I will come for you.”

“Should be a bit of a laugh. I'll see then, kid.”

oriana
...
rohesia
Ha, don't you look pale.
No worries, I didn't actually give him my real name or title.
Oren is still looking for the “Dark Bladesman” to this very day.
oriana
Oh, Elis. How did you let it come to this?
rohesia
Are you suggesting I should have killed the kid in cold blood?
oriana
No- I- Argh! I'm not exactly pleased to hear my mother was going around killing whole families for money!
rohesia
Is that not what you've been doing for the past few years?
You're not going to tell me you knocked out all your opponents, are you?
oriana
It's not the same. My hand has always been forced.
rohesia
They all tell themselves that. I'm just more honest than the rest.
oriana
Of course you wouldn't get it, Mother.

Anna

anna
That damned Chief thinks he can shut down my business!
Well, guess who is opening shop right beneath your nose! Hmph!

Jake

ellerie
What's this passage lead to?
jake
Ah! Mistook you for the town guard.
This leads to the Irinde Central Fort, so I'm hoping whoever comes down sees this junk and thinks its just a storage room.
ellerie
Sounds like a marvelously risky move.
jake
Yeah. I said the same.
But Anna was insistent that this would somehow get back at the Chief.
Say, could you do a job for me? I can't show my face above ground.
ellerie
That's what us adventurers are for. What do you need?
jake
I heard things are really bad at Enan, with the power vacuum from the Saltsworn being driven out.
Could you deliver some extra food supplies to my friends over there?
ellerie
Even if we were responsible for said power vacuum?
jake
Well, the Saltsworn certainly aren't around any longer to be stopping you.
I'll open up our secret stock as a reward.
Will you deliver this food to those in need?

Yes

ellerie
We can do it. Give us the goods to deliver.
jake
Here you go. I figured there's no way an esteemed adventuring band would consume these provisions meant for beleaguered citizens.
ellerie
Of course.
(Ellerie receives Steamed Rice, Hearty Stew, and Eagle Roast.)

No

ellerie
That's too dangerous a move for us.
jake
No worries, I'll ask someone else.

Quest

Jake wants us to deliver three sets of food supply to Enan's citizens. The only challenge is not eating them, but we wouldn't do that, right?
(Chapter 14)

Ending

dune
The tightening regulations on weapons and drinking hours is causing unrest.
nerysa
It will die down eventually. The alternative is violent accidents in the making.
dune
Irinde's people are descended from the bloodline of great adventurers.
We're born with weapons in our hands.
We shouldn't be treated with the same principles as the soft mainlanders.
nerysa
I am simply an advisor. You can take it up with Oren.
dune
We know you've got Oren's ear.
Your interference with our way of life is not appreciated.
nerysa
What way of life, bar fights and bloodsports? We're not savages.
(Ellerie approaches.)
ellerie
Am I interrupting anything important?
dune
Nothing of note.
nerysa
Don't worry about it. I trust you are all prepared?
ellerie
All we have to do is bring back the Chief from the gathering. Shouldn't be hard.
nerysa
Recent news has reached my ears that things might not be so easy.
Are you familiar with Irinde's relationship with the Guild?
dune
Long story short, the Guild is bad.
nerysa
Let me finish, Dune. It's not that simple.
dune
It is that simple. They're crooks and scoundrels, the lot of them.
We don't need a deep dive into coastal politics.
ellerie
I know that the Guild forces all channels of trade from the Crescent through Yalunzar's merchants.
dune
Honest workers are labeled smugglers for defying their obscene mark-ups to sell our own wares on the Mainland.
The Guild is a blight on the Crescent.
nerysa
As crude of an explanation that was, that's the gist of it right now.
The Guild cooperated with the other settlements in the years past,
but now that its trade monopoly is being eaten away over the years, it's taken to aggressive measures.
dune
And it wouldn't be this bad if we didn't let them roll all over us, Archsage.
nerysa
I'm not liking that accusatory tone.
We're doing what we can. We can't simply go to war with them.
ellerie
So you're worried the Guild might make a move at the Gathering?
dune
It's not like they give a damn about treaties when it doesn't suit them.
nerysa
We can agree on something.
All their rivals at one convenient spot would be where they'd do it.
(The Matron enters.)
matron
Got some glum faces in here. You called for me, Archsage?
nerysa
Glad you came on a short notice. This is Persimmon, a local fruit seller.
dune
An upstanding trader who'd deal with us rather than join the Guild conglomerate.
matron
Thank you for the introduction, but I'm already acquainted with the Captain.
We discussed fruit prices over a coffee.
ellerie
It was enlightening to hear about the oversaturation of honeydews this season.
matron
I was getting up to the cantaloupe crisis before you had to leave.
We should finish that conversation.
nerysa
Melon prices are mighty interesting, but I believe I called you here for a reason.
matron
I'm not that old, have patience. Here's what I've discovered.
ellerie
Shipment of weapons, inflows of metal and materials and... what are these names?
dune
They're adventuring band contracts. Only adventuring bands have names that stupid.
I'm duly impressed. You've got some impressive eyes and ears, Persimmon.
matron
Those fools in the Guild couldn't slip a fly past me.
nerysa
Even a quick glance can tell this is quite concerning.
We cannot say if the Guild means to break the Coastal treaty, but I fear the worst.
dune
But if it does, gut them like they deserve.
matron
I've got a vested interest in you, Captain Ellerie. Don't waste it.
ellerie
The Seahawks are more than a match for anything merchants can throw at us.
We will bring the Chief back safe and sound.

Seahawk II

oriana
Flying in the breeze doesn't get old.
This should be a nice break of a mission, grab the Chief and collect pay.
tower
Tension between the Coast Lords have been growing for decades.
Something unscrupulous is bound to occur eventually.
oriana
I hope you're wrong. The situation with the Saltsworn just blew over.
tower
The death of one of the Crescent's faction leaders doesn't blow over.
That's why I'm still here. To be ready for the worst, and not on vacation.
oriana
I figured adventurers ought to operate outside coastal politics, you understand?
Find loot, kill monsters, explore new lands.
tower
That silly romanticisation is what storytellers would have you believe.
The wars between the settler factions have been far deadlier than any monster.
Adventurers have been in the center of it.
oriana
Of course tales are more optimistic than reality, but what's wrong with that?
Besides, that was years ago. The Coastal Coalition exists to keep the peace now.
tower
A temporary ceasefire. You may have naive ideals about what adventurers should be, but gold drives the hearts of most.
When the ceasefire breaks down, they'll be just mercenaries by another name.
oriana
We will see. Hopefully not on this trip. I want this to be uneventful and boring.
krynia
Captain, you know what we've been missing this whole time?
ellerie
Worker compensation insurance? Job security?
krynia
Yes, but I can't fix those. What I can fix is that I made us a flag!
ellerie
Our drab ship does need some more color. Let's see what you got.
krynia
Here you go! I got a lot of input from the crew!
ellerie
I see this is our namesake up here, the seahawk.
krynia
No, that's the Seahawk II. The ship.
ellerie
I thought this up here was the Seahawk II. It's twice the size and vaguely ship shaped.
krynia
No, that's the animal.
ellerie
My mistake. I can tell where the crew wanted their own input-
Wait. Is this what I think this is?
mince
Hey, I see you're admiring our handiwork. How does it look?
ellerie
Is that supposed to be a portrait of you next to a cooking pot?
mince
Wow, you could tell what it was? You got good eyes.
ellerie
Why did you think this needed to go on a flag?
mince
A flag should represent the crew, right? I'm pretty important.
krynia
I think it looks good.
ellerie
That aside, good effort. I'll have it up immediately.
krynia
Glad you like it, Captain! Uncle Mince and I worked hard on it!
ellerie
(smirks) Hmm, Uncle? Krynia, how old do you think Mince is?
krynia
Fort-
Thirty something?
mince
(frowns) ... I'm twenty-two.
krynia
But the-
mince
(smiles) It's a lifestyle choice, and a good one at that. Call me big bro from now on.
ellerie
You should keep calling him uncle. He does seem like the uncle type.
mince
Then you should call the Captain auntie. She's older than me.
krynia
Duly noted, Uncle.
ellerie
(frowns) Let's not get too ahead of ourselves.
(Ellerie receives the Seahawk Flag.)

If the Plucker's Gift was obtained

(Four copies of Ellerie appear. They are all missing an eye.)
ellerie?
...
ellerie?
...
ellerie?
...
ellerie?
...
ellerie?
Status.
ellerie?
Greed.
ellerie?
Power.
ellerie?
Spite.
ellerie?
Flesh.
ellerie?
Sight.
ellerie?
Freely.
ellerie?
Given.
(Ellerie wakes up.)

If Ellerie's Magic is less than 9

ellerie
That was... My magic feels different, but I also felt like I lost something.
Was it not a senseless dream?
(Ellerie gains 5 Magic.)

If Ellerie's Magic is 9 or more

ellerie
The skyboat isn't great for my sleep.

Character Descriptions

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

Nerysa
Used to be a big deal at Oakhall, now an advisor in the middle of nowhere. An odd career choice if you ask me.

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

Leophric III
Some noble who picked the worst possible place for a holiday. Why the Crescent? There's nothing here.

He Who Chops
A charitable butcher who treats everyone around him with kindness and is beloved by Irinde's residents.

Potato
Has no redeeming personality traits, but is widely respected for his ability to cultivate the finest tomatoes.

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.

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.

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.

Irinde
An inhabitant of Irinde who has taken up arms. Not well trained, but eager.

Chicken
Bawk.