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Chapter 26x: Kalor Keep

Objective Talk to Krynia

Talk to the human with the name Krynia

Opening

rosetta
How many ships remain, Sir Speedwell?
speedwell
Only enough to carry one- fifth of our remaining men.
rosetta
Only one-fifth? Does the Guild really expect me to believe an accidental fire burned down most of our fleet?
speedwell
It is not impossible this is Ellerie's doing, but it's almost definitely the Guild.
There is little chance infiltrators snuck past the walls and did such damage unnoticed.
rosetta
They fear facing the wrath of the combined Crescent alone, and have every incentive to prevent us from leaving.
I understand what it means to fear your allies more than the enemy.
But what now, Sir Speedwell?
speedwell
You could take a few trusted followers and return to safety.
rosetta
Our morale would collapse immediately!
We've only kept the minimum forces at home for the pretence of security.
We have no reinforcements to call on.
speedwell
Then your only way forward is clear. Emerge victorious.
ellerie
Damn it, Cyquin is too incompetent to even make a good distraction!
How did he let Rosetta take leadership of House Heron without a ripple?
None of my plans these past few weeks come close to breaching those walls.
It either comes down to committing to a full assault with serious casualties, or...
I'm not pleased to have to resort to...
Better to take a risk with what I know rather than what I don't know.
(Ellerie approaches Lindros.)
ellerie
We're currently in a stalemate.
We don't have the numbers like the Iron Prince to make a full assault on their walls, and they're not taking the bait to meet us in battle on the field in airship range.
lindros
Well, it's your job to break the stalemate, right?
ellerie
It is, but the past weeks haven't been kind.
We've lost many good folk attempting all kinds of schemes with little success.
Hence I'm here to ask for a lot from you. I had them shipped over as a contingency.
lindros
You did what? I know you're unlearned in the higher magics-
ellerie
...
lindros
But you're aware our work is unfinished.
We've improved them from Master's versions, but we've yet to refine control procedures.
We cannot predict what will happen if we unleash the golems in their present state.
ellerie
That's a risk we can control compared to a risk we can't, such as what the Guild might prepare if left unchecked.
lindros
We agreed that we'd use the golem for solely productive purposes.
That we'd be better than they were.
ellerie
And how would we be better?
lindros
How else? To create, not to destroy.
To use the golems to benefit the people. To ensure they can live better lives.
ellerie
How can the people benefit if they die fruitlessly in a bloody siege on Yalunzar?
Is the craftsman to rejoice at his work being replaced by a golem from the grave?
Isn't using the golems in place of our troops no different in benefiting them directly?
lindros
We'd be no different to my Master and the Iron Prince, using these discoveries for such a vulgar purpose.
ellerie
The difference is that the Iron Prince sent his men to their deaths below Irinde's walls, while we care about everyone under our banner far too much to use them as fodder.
lindros
That's...
...
I don't want to be reminded of my master, Ellerie.
ellerie
We have a righteous cause. This is not a semantic difference.
lindros
Don't we all.
ellerie
We are not them. You know that I would never force you to make a decision,
this is your project. But time is against us.
Our supplies and morale is not sustainable, so I must plan accordingly based on your decision as soon as possible.
lindros
... Give me some time to think it through.
ellerie
Of course, Lin. I don't want to place such pressure on you, but the quicker we end this war, the quicker peace can return.
Think things through, I'll support whatever you decide.

New Guide Entries

Deicide

A god should be untouchable. A god should be far beyond what humanity can comprehend. A god should not be felled by mere steel and mortal magics.

It should be a legendary hero like Elis who can slay a god, not some common woman. Is that all Elis is? What does this say about our history?

These are all distractions. What is important is that I return home, and see Krynia.

Three

As soon as I escape, I will find you. I will turn you into a sack of skin filled with minced flesh and bone fragments. I will ensure you feel every pain under the sun. I will bind your soul to an invulnerable body that can be tortured for all eternity, unable to pass on or to even scream.

Please, speak.

I just want to return home.

Conversations

Pomelo & Lindros

pomelo
Lin. It feels like ages since I've gotten to catch up with you like this.
lindros
We've both been so busy in the past few months.
pomelo
You looked rough, man. What's got you worried?
lindros
It's nothing, Pom. Just a long day.
pomelo
You sure? If something's worrying you, you know you can always come to me.
lindros
I'm sure. Don't worry about it, you're busy enough as it is too.
pomelo
I'm still taking time off, you have to too. Let's go talk and go somewhere to eat.
lindros
I'm not sure I have the time right now.
pomelo
Things are so tight you can't even eat? Is the Chief working you to the bone?
lindros
No, it's not like that. It's... I do have time to spare after all. Let's get something to eat.
pomelo
That's great, we can... Well, no place to eat here except from the ration stores.
Can't even treat ourselves.
lindros
I'm sure the finest hardtack makes for a good meal.

Oren & Aigo

oren
Master Aigo, it's been far too long since we spoke.
aigo
Ah... Oren. I must admit that I have been too ashamed to greet you these past months.
oren
What do you mean?
aigo
I always said you'd make a fine chief.
I even convinced the old Chief to choose you over Dune as his successor.
oren
... You did? So that's why Dune...
aigo
But I've nevertheless benefited from her patronage and given her my support.
Such two-faced conduct is unbefitting of a man of my age.
oren
Master Aigo, that's nothing to be ashamed of. Ellerie was chosen by the people.
If she recognises you for your wisdom, then that's absolutely a good thing.
aigo
Even if they ring of hollow pleasantries, my previous assessment remains intact.
You would lead Irinde to a bright future.
It is unlucky circumstances which have lead us to where we are now.
oren
Is it luck, or simply poor decision-making?
If only I had acknowledged the wishes of the people, not just assumed I knew best.
aigo
An effective leader can hardly bend to the will of his followers.
oren
Even then, perhaps... It is purposeless to dwell on the past.
Master Aigo, I'd like to hear more about your collection, with how it's grown recently.
aigo
You'd be content to hear me lecture you on niche topics again?
I haven't grown more interesting.
oren
I always have. It'd be my pleasure, like the old times.

B. Patricks

b. patricks
Chieftain! Please forgive my disrespect at the last time we parted ways.
ellerie
Granted, but who are you again?
b. patricks
I am the spice runner you saved from the tunnel.
ellerie
Right. Are you still in that business after...
b. patricks
A real tragedy. The spice runners have dissolved without the big man.
I've decided to follow my true calling in life, my passion, gaming.
ellerie
How did that turn out?
b. patricks
I gambled away all my funds and had to learn a new trade to make ends meet.
But the spirit of a gamer is not daunted.
ellerie
Ah. I hope things get better.
b. patricks
The life of a gamer is filled with difficulty. I hear you are quite the gamer yourself.
Would you honour me with a fair and strategic game of chicken dice?
ellerie
We're fighting a war. I'm not wasting time on this.
(Ellerie leaves.)
b. patricks
She is not a true gamer. There is always time for gaming.

Wheatley

ellerie
Your valour has served the Crescent well, High Priestess.
wheatley
I'm not afraid to put my life on the line for the greater good.
It is just a shame Spices did not make it back.
ellerie
How did he fall?
wheatley
Do you want an accurate account or an official account for propaganda purposes?
ellerie
...
The accurate account, first.
wheatley
I told him to run. He stood still and got incinerated by a cannon blast like an idiot.
ellerie
I must have misheard.
How did he fall?
wheatley
Valiantly against the hordes of invaders.
ellerie
A true hero of the Crescent.
wheatley
I will remind you, Chief Ellerie.
My followers do deserve some kind of recompensation for their bravery.
Not in the form of gold, of course, but in the long-term. You understand.
ellerie
I understand you. You've been nothing but a valuable ally.
The efforts of the Faithful shall not be unsupported.
wheatley
I hope to see your pleasantries be more than empty words, Chieftain.

Florete

ellerie
Princess. I'm glad to see you're in better spirits.
florete
You want all this land, right?
ellerie
I am interested in the safety of all those-
florete
Let's drop the pretence. You want the Iron Realms, I can make a deal.
ellerie
I admit, you've caught me off-guard.
florete
I was raised to be a ruler.
The Iron Realms respect my Grandfather, not some child.
I don't want to die from being mysteriously poisoned.
ellerie
You're not in the most envious of positions. I can guarantee your safety.
florete
I thought so. Make sure I'm well-cared for, I'll name you protector of all the lands, or something.
I'm sure some of the knights won't agree, but they're mostly dead.
ellerie
That's an easy thing to agree to.
It is in my interests to see the Prince's sacrifice be honoured.
florete
Please don't kill me because I've outlived my usefulness, or something.
ellerie
I'm not a monster. To be honest, you're not really a threat to me.
If you can't trust my words, you can trust that.
florete
... Okay. I need to be alone now.
ellerie
Rest easy.
(Ellerie leaves.)
florete
Grandfather... I'm sorry.
You did so much for me, but I can't step up to your legacy. I can't. I'm sorry.

Smart Fellas

shady fella
-because apparently, it was a sin to combine milk with coffee.
And that's how I lost my job.
smart fella 1
That's rough, buddy.
smart fella 2
It's especially hard in this war economy.
shady fella
Milk coffee is the way of the future. Enough about me, how about you two?
smart fella 1
You know how it is these days. Gold is scarce and purse strings are tight.
smart fella 2
We're barely getting by. We're not getting investors for our genius weapons.
smart fella 1
If only there was some genius idea to get us back on track...
shady fella
I have an idea. The problem with weapons is that it's pretty obvious they're bad, right?
What if you just sell things that don't seem obviously bad? Like, say, fake coffee.
smart fella 1
... This could work. Yeah. This could work.
smart fella 2
You're real smart for this.
shady fella
Don't forget to give me a share of the profits, fellas.
smart fella 1
That's the Chief of Evil! She's coming this way!
smart fella 2
Run!
(They run.)
shady fella
I'm not getting my share, am I?

Anna

anna
It wasn't easy for me to drag all this here, you know! Buy, buy, buy!

Helisent

helisent
Hello, my name is Helisent.
I am applying for the position of strategist within the Seahawks.
ellerie
I don't believe that was ever a role I opened for recruitment.
helisent
Do you have one?
ellerie
Thinking things through has always been my job, being the leader and all.
helisent
Thinking you don't need a strategist is a clear sign you need a strategist.
Here's a list of all my qualifications.
ellerie
... Graduated with top honours from- Wait a minute, I've heard of you.
You're that legend that got on the bad side of every noble scion two years above me.
You were an inspiration to future years.
helisent
I was not aware I had such a prominent reputation.
ellerie
I'm pretty sure commoner students have it even harder now due to your example, but that's the fault of the corrupt faculty.
How did you find yourself on the Crescent?
Are those nobles still hounding you?
helisent
I am not here to discuss my personal situation. I am here to discuss employment.
ellerie
No one is on the Crescent without tough circumstances, I suppose.
I'm more inclined to give you the job now, what's your asking price?

If Oriana recruited Helisent

helisent
6000 gold for each week of service.
ellerie
That's a hefty sum, especially for starting off in a new role.
helisent
I performed admirably in the Shearwaters. I believe this price is worthy of my services.

If not

helisent
2000 gold for each week of service.
I recognise I do not have much practical experience, hence I ask for a lower price.

If you have less than the required gold

ellerie
I would love to have you, but pursestrings are a little too tight.
helisent
If you cannot even afford such fair wage then perhaps I am ill-suited for this role.

Yes

ellerie
Easy. Welcome to the Seahawks.
helisent
Please hand over all of your relevant information for me to examine.
ellerie
Let's slow down a bit.

No

ellerie
On second thought, there simply isn't a vacant position for a strategist.
helisent
Perhaps I will have to return to working at a pawn shop.

Locations

Upper-Left Bookshelf

book
I dreamed of my brothers. It was a feast at the Shining Palace.
We pretended to be content, carefree.
We gave each other false compliments. We knew only one of us would rule.
We were all wrong. I outlived them all by decades.
ellerie
Wow, Prince Jeziel really just slotted his diary into this random bookshelf?
There has to be something interesting in here, secrets, treasures, something.
book
I dreamed again of the opulent bedroom and garden of my youth. A harsh contrast to the dreary grey of my stone hovel.
I dream much of the past because my time is short. Not enough time to prepare my sole heir. To conclude my affairs.
ellerie
It's just pages and pages of being sad.
Couldn't tell from how much of a prick he is, but that was a jolly waste of time.

Upper-Right Bookshelf

book
My claim to the world is backed by the living gods themselves.
My empire shall only be bordered by the endless sky and sea.
I will not rest until the heads of my enemies line the walls of my cities.

-Emperor Hongdou

ellerie
Hey, I remember his tomb got dug up just a few months back.
I saw a few kids kicking around his head since the Guild wouldn't buy it.

Lower Bookshelf

ellerie
A map of the Cerulean Crescent. With any luck, I'll own all of- Wait. What's this?

(Ellerie notices an island off the coast.)

Hightide. Supposedly located south-east of Yalunzar. I know nothing about it.
I've heard of no one who comes from there, nothing about its role in the Crescent.
Anyone I've talked to denies knowledge of this place, its inhabitants or its history.
But I know I've seen it on maps. Why?

Hightide

How can everyone collectively forget about a town that was on maps dated to only a few decades ago? Shouldn't there be reports of sailors who've landed there, even if the town no longer exists?

Perhaps I should forget about this. This reeks of dangerous magical nonsense.

Ending

(Ellerie speaks with Krynia.)
ellerie
Am I ready to depart?
krynia
No luck, Chief. I tried selling, but Florete wasn't buying.
Just cause I'm younger than you doesn't mean I'm any better at talking to kids.
ellerie
They're peculiar creatures. Oriana would fare better, but can't think of anyone else.

If Betrayer is present

krynia
But I have another matter I need to tell you! It's about Betrayer.
He is behaving more suspiciously than a rat in a cellar full of food.
ellerie
This again? Krynia, I know you don't trust him at all, but you've yet to provide any solid evidence of wrongdoing.
krynia
No, it's not like the last five times! I've got him this time.
ellerie
Elaborate.
krynia
I've managed to gather that his sneaking patterns were around Lindros's cave.
I tried to stalk him once on one of his trips, but he caught on and disappeared.
I am pretty sure he did something to the journals, or something else.
ellerie
Did Lindros report anything missing? Anything in the wrong place?
krynia
... He didn't.
ellerie
What would a meathead warrior like Betrayer want with Lindros's journals?
Even I can't decipher them, and I passed Introductory Runes at university.
krynia
I don't know. Something nefarious, no doubt.
ellerie
I find it doubtful he just intended to expand his reading materials and do nothing else, if he had evil intentions.
krynia
He winded down for a while, but I've noticed he has started sneaking around camp again, I absolutely know he is up to something big.
ellerie
Are you sure you're not seeing the evidence you want to see?
krynia
Absolutely not!
ellerie
(Should I waste time on this?)

If not

krynia
Is failing to comfort a child all that we're doing here?
Are we just waiting for our enemies to make a move?
ellerie
Patience, Krynia. Someone just needs to understand. It won't be long now.

Yes

ellerie
I'm still skeptical, but I'll give this a look.
krynia
Finally! Let's unmask this treacherous man.

No

ellerie
We're in a tight situation, we can't afford to jump at every shadow.
Besides, we're not even at Irinde.
krynia
Fine, Chief. I'll just figure it out on my own.
lindros
What would Tower think of this, if he could see my indecisiveness?
But Ellerie's words hold weight, this is no longer a personal matter.
It's about the whole Crescent.

If you investigate Betrayer

(Betrayer approaches Lindros in the library, only to be ambushed by Ellerie's forces.)
betrayer
You've ruined everything, little girl!
My betrayal would've been the finest betrayal this land has known, and now you've ruined it!
krynia
You're a fool for thinking your devilish schemes could escape my attention!
ellerie
... You could've given me any other explanation for being in a library.
Why, B. Treiyor? Have I not treated you well, paid you your fair share?
betrayer
Gold and luxury are just temporary.
Seeing the unfiltered misery of a victim who loses everything, that bliss is eternal.
ellerie
You intend to betray me just so you can feel something?
What a short-sighted reason, so devoid of any meaning.
betrayer
Only the fraudulent traitor assigns value to the consequences of betrayal.
The enlightened traitor needs no reward but joy in performing the act itself, for-
(The guard captain kills Betrayer.)
Betrayer
There is only one thing I regret... My last wish...
Is that I could have inflicted more pain on the world...
If only I could have betrayed just a few more... people...
That would have been a satisfying life to live...
(Betrayer dies.)
guard
Sorry, Chief, but my stomach's acting up so I wanted to wrap things up quick.
Permission to leave?
ellerie
Granted.
(The guard captain leaves.)
krynia
I told you, Chief! I was right, wasn't I? I knew I was right.
ellerie
I suppose you were.
krynia
He hid his tracks well, but through my skills in investigation and observation,
I was able to find all the secret signs that clued me in to his true nature!
ellerie
... Sure. Good job.
lindros
What's the commotion? I was deep in thought.
ellerie
You can go back to thinking.

If not

(Betrayer approaches Lindros in the library.)
betrayer
Hey.
lindros
What the-
(Betrayer kills Lindros. Nerysa, Krynia, and Pomelo barge into the library.)
krynia
Stop right there villain! You-
Damn it all, we were too late!
nerysa
I heeded your warnings, but I could not expect-
pomelo
LINDROS!
(Pomelo charges at Betrayer, who kills him.)
krynia
Pomelo! This wasn't supposed to happen! Get the Betrayer!
nerysa
Don't be hasty, he is a deadly one! Soldiers apprehend him carefully!
betrayer
Your numbers are nothing in the face of true treachery. Behold!
The pure essence of justice denied!
(Betrayer unleashes a wave of malignant energy, killing Krynia, Nerysa, and the soldiers.)
betrayer
Slaying and betraying.
(Betrayer sneaks away.)
narrator
Ellerie's fate has been severed.
DO NOT overwrite this save file if you wish to see the end of her tale. Make a separate save file!

[Betrayal begins.]

Character Descriptions

Helisent
A self-proclaimed strategist wanting to make gold off violence without doing the dirty work. Uncomfortable to be around.

Tactician
Masters of the battlefield. Their peerless minds brings armies to ruin. That's what they claim on their resume, at least.

Florete
Entirely unimportant except for her use as a hostage.

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.

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

B. Patricks
Johnny Spices's best spice runner. Has survived over 17 ambushes on the river.

Shady Fella
A guy I can trust.

Smart Fella
Entrepreneurs with a good eye for opportunity in the Crescent's market.

Lightwalker
Fanatics who worship the old gods. Have more in common in the Sect than they realise, though I dare not say it.

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

Civilian
Civilian becomes a synonym for collateral damage very quickly.

Materials
Piles of dead trees sacrificed for construction of a wondrous project.