Opening
narrator
Umbral weapons.
Those that leave victory to
chance do not live long lives.
Brave weapons.
Horrendously overpriced, hardly
reliable and extremely sluggish.
Rondel dagger.
A miserable thing fit for vermin.
Silver weapons.
A perfect balance of reliability,
performance and affordability.
This is the soldier's ideal weapon.
-Speedwell's Treatise
on Modern Weaponry
(House Heron's forces land on the Cerulean Crescent.)
abalone
“What a beautiful land, is it not? Not quite
the bloodsoaked sands that rumors speak of."
“The Crescent seems ill-prepared for our fleet.
Hopefully, my misgivings will not come to pass."
jeziel
Ellerie sends two no-names instead
of dealing with me personally?
wheatley
The Chieftain's preoccupied, given she is responsible for
so much of the Crescent.
jeziel
So, I'm now someone who is no longer of
sufficient importance to sit at her table.
I see through these petty power plays.
johnny spices
Listen here, prince man. There is not a day
where I forget how you messed up my home.
I am no happier to be here than you are.
jeziel
Your home was a nest of scum and vermin.
The only reason you can still stand here
before me is because of Ellerie's charity.
Don't pretend you can talk to me
from the position of a collaborator.
johnny spices
Now you lit- We aren't here to butt heads.
We are here to discuss our strategy in the
face of our enemies' overwhelming power.
jeziel
Discuss tactics with you
and your motley gang?
Flail your sticks and tools,
that is all you need to do.
Leave tactical decision
making to learned men.
(Jeziel storms off.)
johnny spices
I can't believe his smug face
made me lose my calm.
I am a man nearing his fifties,
not a hot-blooded youth.
wheatley
Do not pay his acerbic words much mind.
Despite his flaws, cowardice is not one of
them. He shall not break against the enemy.
johnny spices
That is no consolement, for I don't
know the same can be said for us.
How can you show no fear at what you
know of House Heron's invasion fleet?
Do divine visions give you such confidence?
wheatley
I am no oracle, Spices. My confidence
arises from the chieftain's schemes.
When I saw how quickly she took control of
Irinde, I knew she was a worthy investment.
It is not luck that allows one to win every
single battle at a numerical disadvantage.
johnny spices
Trust in Ellerie, rather than the gods, huh.
That's not the most pious attitude.
wheatley
If the gods had as much influence on the
Crescent as Ellerie did, it might be different.
heavybread
You know what I think, fake priest?
Your stupid god doesn't even exist.
the curate
I should have known you are witless
enough to be one of those atheists.
heavybread
I do not deny the existence of the gods.
I deny the existence of your god.
HE, you call him. No name, no
following, no real sense of belief.
I bet you made him up just so you
could feel better about killing people.
Absolute nut case, you are.
the curate
Cease your comments, street rat.
Daring to insult the holy name of HE,
there shall be retribution for this folly.
heavybread
Tell me more about him. Something,
anything. What are his tenets?
What are his legends? Could it be
that I've heard nothing about him?
the curate
A mere urchin would know nothing!
The knowledge of HE only comes
to those blessed with his favour.
heavybread
This smells of horseshit.
(Encroacher mutters to herself.)
Encroacher
Caught between a crazed old guard, and some ill-tempered killer the
Young Lady picked off the street.
Why am I the only sane one here out
of House Heron's squad leaders?
No, I don't have to deal with this.
(Encroacher approaches Heavybread and the Curate.)
encroacher
Enough is enough. We are to disembark at
a place of infamous danger in minutes, and yet you two still squabble like children
instead of preparing your men for battle?
Act befitting of your positions as leaders,
or I will inform the Spymaster of the truth, that neither of you are fit for duty!
the curate
I was placed into position by Lord Daygon
himself before you've even learned to walk.
What makes you think your word
would hold any weight against mine?
encroacher
Given your many, many, many flaws, Curate,
I think the Spymaster knows who to believe.
heavybread
You sink so low to threaten us with the
Spymaster? Fight your own battles!
encroacher
I fight battles I need to win, Heavybread.
For all your bravado, neither of you believe
you are safe from her daggers in the night.
heavybread
Tch.
encroacher
That's a nice tch. Do you practise that in
the mirror? Now go do your damned job.
(Encroacher and Heavybread leave.)
the curate
I outlasted both of your predecessors.
I shall outlast you both.
Night
lindros
Even the common man knows the influence
of the noble houses exceeds the crown.
They are the masters of the Mainland,
an untouchable dragon hoarding zealously.
Yet we face this dragon in its finest hour.
ellerie
Dragons exist to forge the
legends of dragonslayers.
We've lured it out of its lair,
we shall slay it on our grounds.
lindros
And for every legend,
how many dead aspirants?
ellerie
You don't have to take Tower's
place as the resident doomsayer.
It's not an essential role.
lindros
It's quite cathartic.
You should give it a try.
(Pomelo approaches.)
pomelo
Chieftain! They come!
Their fleets come over the horizon!
ellerie
Let them approach. It truly seems
they have no clue of our treachery.
pomelo
This shall be the first time the
new landboats see a true battle.
I can't help but worry, so much
time and resources went into this.
lindros
We all know your skills, Pom. If anything
goes wrong, it's the operator's fault.
pomelo
Thanks, Lin, though that
feels a little unfair.
(Krynia approaches.)
krynia
Chieftain! All landboats are safely
concealed and ready for action!
lindros
That's my cue to get the
crew ready for deployment.
You've led us this far, Ellerie.
You can't fail us now.
pomelo
I guess I've done everything I can for
them. Chief, am I to do something yet?
My palms are getting really sweaty.
ellerie
Keep calm.
We shall wait some more.
the curate
The infamous Cerulean Crescent.
The sands are not crimson from the
blood of innocents, how disappointing.
abalone
An absurd rumour, but I have not called
you out here to admire the sand.
You know I've done much to conceal
your complicity in the former squad
leader's crimes from the Young Lady.
the curate
Now is where I must repay this favour?
What task have you prepared for me,
oh so powerful queen of the night?
abalone
The Young Lady has left for the eastern
coast with only a few companions.
the curate
Yes, against your warnings.
She really believes she can peacefully
convince settlements to capitulate.
abalone
A lot can go wrong on the
Crescent, as untamed as it is.
Curate, you are to take your
most skilled men, and kill her.
pomelo
They've started to set up camps,
and we are still waiting?
ellerie
Pomelo, keep looking. Do you
spy any authoritative figures?
Possibly in a hood, and with
brown hair. Thin build, and uh...
Damn, no good at descriptions.
pomelo
I'm not seeing hair colour when it's
this dark, even if they have torches.
ellerie
This makes things
more difficult.
krynia
Who are you
looking for?
ellerie
One of my old teachers. Spymaster Abalone,
second most powerful figure in House Heron.
She came from a mere farmer's family and
arose off merit alone, if rumours are true.
We know Lord Daygon is landing near the
Guild, so this fleet is likely led by her.
If we can't locate her, another will do.
krynia
I think... Yes, it seems like they're someone
in charge. A messy mop of brown hair?
Looks like a cloak and a single pauldron.
Weird thing to go with a cloak.
ellerie
It's been two years, but
that does sound like her.
pomelo
I see nothing. How did you do that?
You're not using a telescope, and it's
pitch black where you're pointing.
krynia
Must be blessed blood creeping in again.
She's broken off from the crowd with
someone. A black haired man, in vaguely, I don't know, sharply pressed clothing?
A tome too. They're discussing something.
ellerie
The Curate! That has to be it. Pom,
fire at where Krynia is pointing.
pomelo
This ain't the most accurate shot,
Chief. I'm half going off vibes.
ellerie
It's worth a try.
the curate
When she has your favour? I see.
She may still be green, but she
has grown too much, too quickly.
You do not desire House Heron to
have a capable and ambitious heir.
abalone
Save your needless speculation.
If the extent of your crimes were revealed,
your skin would hang from the castle walls, Lord Daygon's favour or not.
the curate
You need not force me with threats.
I've yet to taste the fear of a noblewoman,
much less the headstrong lady herself.
Her death shall be... delicious.
abalone
You are to leave on the morrow. ... No,
something is amiss. Do you see anything?
the curate
I see nothing but endless
night, Spymaster.
abalone
No, I trust my judgement. Prepare for battle!
Send word to the other squad leaders!
(The Seahawk II fires a shot directly at Abalone, killing her instantly. Upon her death, Irinde soldiers emerge from hiding.)
guard
That's the signal! Glory to Irinde!
Blast these invaders into ash
and turn them to fertiliser!
the curate
What in the- Spymaster?
...
Hexbreakers! Dye these
shores red with blood!
(Heavybread watches the commotion from another shore.)
soldier 1
We're under attack! Squad
leader, what are your orders?
heavybread
This soon? What in Elis's
name is happening?
Go find the Spymaster!
She is supposed to be
giving orders, right?
soldier 2
Report! The Spymaster is
dead! What are your orders?
heavybread
Dead!? Damn, damn!
Get ready for battle then!
soldier 1
Shall we prepare the
blast giants for combat?
heavybread
Yes, do that too.
soldier 2
On it, Sir.
(The soldiers march out.)
heavybread
I'm a killer, not a leader! Why did the
Young Lady put me in this position?
I don't fucking know what I'm doing!
(Encroacher watches the commotion from another shore.)
soldier
We're under attack! Squad
leader, what are your orders?
encroacher
I knew House Heron's arrogance
would eventually lead to this day.
Order the engineers to immediately
begin activation of the blast giants.
soldier
The engineers are still yet to
finish assembling, squad leader!
encroacher
Then tell them to
bloody well finish it!
pomelo
I've made improvements to the ship
so that it is even sturdier.
Through innovation and a lot of luck,
our cannon didn't blow itself up.
We can still use the thing, once.
ellerie
Everyone! Watch out for House
Heron's specialist forces.
They might require unique
approaches to take down.
Ruined House
sorbet
I am pondering the secrets of existence,
but you are producing distractions.
(grins) Do you not wish to see life leave the eyes
of a dying man, gnaw on his beating heart?
Do you not wish to teach others the very
pain of what it means to exist itself?
(normal) I cannot say such temptations have arisen.
What matters more is my peace and quiet.
(grins) We can negotiate, yes. Twelve hours for me.
Twelve hours for you. Good deal, yes?
(normal) Please hold onto that thought.
Discourteous individuals are producing
a clamour near our humble abode.
(grins) Our goals are aligned. I crave the hunt,
you crave the peace as an aftermath.
(Sorbet exits their dwelling and speaks to Ellerie.)
sorbet
Are you responsible for this
late night cacophony?
Please cease such behaviour.
It is preventing me from enjoying
the quiet use of my dwelling.
ellerie
We cannot, because we must deal
with the enemy force on our doorstep.
sorbet
(grins) She refuses! This is as good an
excuse as any, yes. KILL her.
(normal) Pay him no mind, he simply
speaks his mind too much.
I understand you may
have your own troubles, but you must account
for the needs of others.
This is my home, I have the
right to quiet premises.
ellerie
Your home?
These ruins?
sorbet
It is but a pitiful thing,
but it's my own.
ellerie
You should realise that as soon as
these invaders set up camp here, they're evicting you. Or more likely,
just killing you on sight.
sorbet
That seems like unlawful behaviour.
How can I trust your word to be
true regarding this other party?
ellerie
I'm the Chieftain of the Crescent,
of course my word holds true.
sorbet
You are the lawful ruler of these lands?
Forgive me for not showing due respect.
ellerie
I don't have much time.
How about this, you help prevent
these people from being unlawful, and I get you an actual house
instead of this wreck.
sorbet
(grins) Yes. Take the deal. We get to do what
I enjoy, and you get your house.
(normal) A small amount of murder is an
acceptable price for home ownership.
I shall accept your gracious offer.
ellerie
Welcome to the crew.
Ending
pomelo
(grins) We won.
ellerie
(smiles) We not only won,
we crushed them.
lindros
(smiles) To witness the humbling of
the great House Heron, what a day this is.
See that,
Pom? That was all you.
pomelo
I couldn't have come all this way without
your support, Lin. The landboats in action...
My eyes were welling up with tears.
ellerie
Hey, I'm feeling a bit left out.
I like to think I helped a little?
krynia
(grins) With your leadership, of course
they didn't stand a chance.
ellerie
I had no genuine idea of if we'd prevail.
So many things could've gone wrong, too many to list. But it went perfectly.
lindros
(frowns) That's not how you pitched this plan.
The impression you gave was that
this perfect outcome was definite.
ellerie
(serious) I thought you had a lot of
experience doing the same.
Besides, you're smart enough
to see through my bluster.
krynia
(frowns) (Is she calling me dumb?)
House Heron didn't seem all that tough.
We could beat them in a straight fight.
ellerie
You've never been to the Mainland.
A force like this is practically one of the
strongest, rivalling the king's knights.
Yet, they stood no chance against us.
Us. I always thought the Crescent was
some backcountry wasteland, and yet...
krynia
(grins) Wow. Does that mean we could
take on the Mainland easily?
ellerie
(smiles) That is the idea.
pomelo
(frowns) Take on the Mainland? Is peace for
the Crescent not a far enough goal?
ellerie
(serious) If all continues to go according
to plan, that's an inevitability.
You, me, we all deserve far better than
being relegated to these remote shores.
Stick with me, we can carve out a
future beyond these exiled lands.
krynia
You don't need to
ask me twice, Chief!
lindros
My path is bound to yours, as it is.
I trust you will not let me down.
pomelo
... Aye.
ellerie
I am counting my chickens before
they hatch. Take a short rest,
the ship is not stopping until
we reach our next battle.
daygon
These mud-dwelling peons have dared
to line up some kind of resistance?
A poor, futile attempt. Speedwell, let us
show them the full force of our house.
speedwell
Milord, I've still not received
the Spymaster's messenger birds.
It is three hours from the time
of planned correspondence.
daygon
It probably got eaten by a seahawk, or
something. Fickle things, her pets are.
speedwell
Milord, the seahawk does
not eat its fellow bird.
daygon
Bah, you're a bloody bird expert now?
The different environment of the Crescent
probably did something to its flight pattern.
What's the alternative, that the fleet has
been wiped out by some invisible army?
speedwell
I do not suggest such an extreme, but
the Spymaster is a punctual beast.
daygon
You've grown too fearful in your old age,
Speedwell. Prepare for a full advance.
I shall lead personally from the Fortress.
speedwell
As you wish, Milord.
Character Descriptions
Sorbet
One of the few sentient monsters made
by Lindros. If both its personalities are
any indication, I'd rather not have more.
Encroacher
A woodcutter who applies her skills with
the axe to necks. Known for her lack of
hesitation in getting any dirty work done.
Executioner
A knock on the door late at night from
them is the greatest fear of all those
who live under House Heron's banner.
The Curate
A truly vile man masquerading as some
old god worshipper. Responsible for
half of House Heron's bad reputation.
Hexbreakder
The greatest threat to public order is a
rogue magic user. This force ensures they
stay in line. The Sect is not fond of them.
Heavybread
An unfamiliar face among House Heron's
squad captains. One can only wonder
how a common rogue got this position.
Trailblazer
Acting as scouts and law enforcement
officers, a few of them ensures words of
treason are reported and spies put down.
House Heron
All kinds of troops bound to serve House
Heron as willing fodder to advance the
purpose of those of superior bloodlines.
Carrier
Keeps on dropping disposable goons
until we stop the infection at its source.
Engineer
It takes a genius to work out how
to bring these golems back to life.
A pity.
Irinde
An inhabitant of Irinde who has taken
up arms. Not well trained, but eager.