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Settled by Sunrise

Script and text archive for Settled by Sunrise, a romhack of Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones by Rivian. It is an alternate universe spinoff of Cerulean Crescent.

Opening

???
Your highness, we've gathered the four members of our operation.
prince
Good, good. Any later, and we'll run out of a kingdom to save!
???
A thousand apologies for my tardiness. If only-
prince
That was a joke, my friend. I know you're doing everything you can.
???
Your trust in me is heart-warming. Leading the team is Sir Adalmund...

I assume you don't need to hear more, considering he is your sword instructor.

prince
No, please tell me more. Anything to make me feel better about our odds.
Tell me about his valour, his courage, his bravery, his fearlessness, his-
???
I think I'll move on.

The second member of the team is Chalice, the Saint of the Craglands.

prince
Oh, I've heard of her. She's cleaning up after the Craglands civil war, isn't she?
Why would she come here for a mission that promises a near guaranteed early demise?
???
With how much was destroyed in that bloody affair, the Craglands are in need of rations, seeds, medicine, everything.
The Saint was very willing to give her personal assistance in exchange for us alleviating some of their circumstances.
prince
... Do we have the supplies or gold to spare for that?
???
That shall be your decision to make, Your Highness.

The third is the markswoman Yvette. She loves battle for battle's sake, having fought for bandits, rebels and lords alike.

prince
That doesn't sound like a very reliable individual for us to gamble the mission's success, and our kingdom's survival, on.
???
People who enjoy what they do tend to be better at it, Your Highness.
prince
I can't argue with that.
???
Our last was the Sunrise Sword. His hobby was attacking “worthy opponents,” regardless of status.
He's slain criminals, brigands, adventurers and nobles alike.
prince
Is this not the same person as Yvette?
???
No, Your Highness. Yvette loves the chaos of war itself, while the Sunrise Sword cares only for the powerful-
prince
I'm glad you could give such valuable insight into the minds of mass murderers.
???
Now's not the time for jest. But if you'll let me finish...
(Gecko appears and kills the Sunrise Sword.)
???
He is now dead. Had his head smashed in by a foreign girl with frying pan.
prince
Since you just gave me all that context, did you recruit this girl as his replacement?
???
Correct, Your Highness. A strong sense of justice, that one.
She took the Sunrise Sword's senseless killings very personally.
When we told her of our cause, she was very willing to sign up.
prince
I'm glad to have someone normal.
As normal as one can be after killing one of the best swordsmen of our era.
Let me meet our brave heroes before they depart on this deadly mission.

Prince's Camp

prince
Noble heroes! I cannot express the depths of my gratitude for your presence here today.
While our forces engage the Usurper's from the front, you will infiltrate her backline,
and put her to rest. As much as it pains me, there's no price I'm not willing to pay.
yvette
As much as it pains you?
I would've thought we're giving you a bargain price, for saving the kingdom.
prince
... That's not what I was referring to. I mean the sorrow of needing my own sister slain!
She was once virtuous, yet the devilish words of her wicked advisor twisted her ambitions!
Where there was charity, there is now only arrogance. The arrogance to slay her kin,
to seize the throne, and to shape the realm according to her cruel and ruthless schemes!
adalmund
I am honoured to be your blade that strikes down the foes of the realm!
Though we haven't done the saving quite yet, Your Highness.
prince
I'm certain it is as good as done, in your capable hands.
chalice
I am eager to deliver these unfortunate people from evil, but I also have my own.
Have you executed the terms of the agreement, with Elis as our witness?
prince
Of course! The good people of the Craglands are my subjects too,
even if the realm has been so divided in these dreadful past few years.
My advisor has already left to begin arranging for horse and wagons.
chalice
Then that is all I need to know.
yvette
Hey, you're that priestess whose funeral I attended a few years ago.
You're this Saint of the Craglands? Damn, you've come a long way.
chalice
Those who are taken by the raiders are assumed dead, by local tradition.
I was far luckier than most, yes.
prince
Oh, you two already know each other? What a peculiar coincidence.
yvette
Nah, just from the same home town.
Met her maybe twice in my whole life.
chalice
The accidental fire you started when you were twelve took my sight.
yvette
That was you?
chalice
... Yes. I'm quite surprised you would forget something like that.
yvette
I'm sorry to hear. But it doesn't look like its affected you much,
so let's let bygones by bygones.
chalice
I was willing to forgive you, but after hearing that, I'm rescinding the offer.
yvette
Tough. Anyways, my gold, Your Highness?
adalmund
This is a noble venture to that shall determine the fate of our kingdom.
Surely, we cannot waste time on these frivolous monetary matters,
not while our foes plot, and our people are tortured by the Usurper's reign!
yvette
They've suffered for long enough.
They can suffer an extra ten minutes so their saviours are paid accordingly.
prince
It is understandable, Sir Adalmund. This is a sacrifice that must be rewarded accordingly.
Your gold is ready for inspection behind me.
yvette
I don't like the sacrifice part, but yeah. You get it.
(Yvette receives 60000 gold.)
prince
And you, girl? What reward do you seek for this most perilous journey?
gecko
I... I don't know. I'm just happy if we can save all those people from the Usurper.
prince
You seek no reward? You're truly a virtuous soul indeed.
yvette
I'm not letting you get duped into heading into a killing field for absolutely nothing.
Ask for something, at least. A sack of gold, a castle, his hand in marriage. Something.
chalice
Selflessness is a virtue, but put no value on yourself, and you'll only be trampled on.
prince
... They do speak sense. It is unjust to send you off with no reward.
Though the last suggestion is very much off the table, to be clear.
gecko
Okay! I don't really know. I want to say, 4000 gold?
yvette
Are you out of your mind, bandage girl? Gouge this guy for 40,000 gold, at least.
You're probably about half as much as me, and my starting price was 80,000 gold.
gecko
But that's so much. I didn't even know gold could get to five digits.
I don't really have much to spend on anyways, so just, uh 10,000?
prince
A very, very reasonable reward.
adalmund
You're not seriously considering lugging around 60,000 gold on our mission, correct?
yvette
I'm not insane. I just wanted to make sure His Highness has the gold to pay me.
I'll leave them here at camp to collect later. That's what you're doing too, bandage girl?
gecko
Yeah, sure. Okay.
(All gold lost.)
adalmund
Ahem! Before we all venture off, we need to know each other's capabilities,
and how we work together as a team. It is too late to learn on the battlefield.
yvette
No disagreement from me. I've seen too many deaths from friendly fire.
I once saw an entire spear battalion get blown to pieces by their own mages!
Hilarious.
adalmund
I refer moreso to understanding how we can coordinate, but that too, yes.
prince
Of course, Sir Adalmund. Our attack begins only at nightfall,
so please do use our training grounds in the meantime.
(Adalmund looks to the training yard, which is full of crates.)
adalmund
The training ground appears to be taken by a bad crate infestation, Your Highness.
prince
We don't have the extra hands or wood to be crafting practice dummies, so our troops are getting by with crates as a temporary substitute.
yvette
That is just sad.
narrator
The game will automatically save at the start of each turn. Quitting and resuming brings you to the last start of turn.

Press SELECT on an enemy to show their danger radius. Press SELECT on an empty tile to show all danger tiles.

Talking to Adalmund will finish the practice area, resetting uses and turn count. Take as you'd like getting used to the units.

adalmund
Are you ready to depart?

[Yes]

(The group marches into the woods.)
adalmund
I don't mean to abuse my seniority, but it's for the best if you follow my command, eh?
I didn't survive so many battles and live to my age by being reckless and unperceptive.
yvette
No complaints from me, old man. I may be a hotshot, heh,
but as the adage goes, an old soldier is usually a good one.
chalice
I only know how to beat people over the head, so I can only assume you know where we're going.
adalmund
That's the spirit. I was worried about having to work with irregulars, but you're a reasonable lot.
yvette
I was worried about working with some stuck-up knight, but you're not bad.
adalmund
Not bad? I deserve more than that.
Let's take care of this menace, and we'll be back home by dinner.
chalice
Or breakfast, given the hour. I would love to have some of the confidence you two have.
adalmund
Fear is the first step to failure.
You're still holding things together, girl?
It's not to late to turn back, lest your courage fail you at a crucial moment.
gecko
I'm alright, Sir. This kind of danger is not new to me.
adalmund
Heaven knows what His Highness was thinking, sending someone your age, but I can only assume you're some kind of prodigy with the... frying pan.
gecko
I haven't died yet, so I think I'm doing alright so far.
yvette
That's basically how you vouched for your own skills too, old man.
adalmund
Hmph, that's not untrue. The time for small talk is over. Let's make it home.

Usurper's Camp

camp chef 1
Sir, I wish to be out there giving my all for the Great Work,
not spending all my time mixing bone and vegetable broth.
camp chef 2
Yeah, we could be fighting! Not being stuck in the kitchen.
mince
Let me guess, some of the soldiers have been giving you two a hard time, again?
camp chef 1
No, Sir.
camp chef 2
Yes, Sir. They say we're just cowards who are skipping battle, just glorified servants.
mince
An army can choose not to fight, but can't choose not to eat!
I would even say we're the most important part of this whole army.
Next time someone heckles you, tell him this. Or send him to me.
I've got a whole Mince Surprise waiting for the sorry bastard.
camp chef 1
You're right, Sir! It is they who should respect us!
mince
A chef's kitchen is his battlefield! Our foes are hunger and malnutrition,
and only courageous warriors like you two can slay them in battle!
camp chef 2
Yes, Sir! Charge!
mince
Onwards, to battle!
camp chef 1
Yeah!
adalmund
Sounds like this squad's leader is coming out. I'll slit his throat, then you all follow my lead.
gecko
Understood, Sir.
(Adalmund advances, but Mince gets the drop on him.)
mince
You can't hide from a master of stealth! Mince Surprise!
(Mince kills Adalmund in one blow.)
adalmund
What a time for my luck to finally run out, eh?
(Mince falls back to sound the alarm.)
mince
We have trouble in the kitchen, fellow chefs and warriors!
We shall never give up the means to our meal production!
gecko
Sir Adalmund! Oh, Elis. What do we do?
yvette
They've discovered us, haven't they? The time for stealth is over, charge!
chalice
Hold on-
(Yvette charges off.)
chalice
I can't believe how this is how my journey comes to a tragic end.
Killed by the stupidity of the same person that caused my blindness.
gecko
So, Miss Priestess, do we..?
chalice
Well, this ship has already damned sailed, hasn't it?

Death Quotes

gecko
I guess... this really is what I deserve...
yvette
Cut down in a hopelessly outnumbered battle, is there a better death?
chalice
That's everything I've got. I leave the rest to God.

Turn 2 (if Xeo is alive)

Xeo
Onwards, with a blade in hand,
and with a song in your hearts!
For the Princess!
For the Great Work!

(Xeo gains Accelerando.)

Turn 3

(Ellerie and the Princess exit the fort.)
princess
How could the fighting have already breached our backline?
ellerie
I'm in disbelief the incompetent fool of a Prince managed to pull something off.
princess
Take charge of the front, Ellerie. I shall put this furor to rest.
ellerie
Ivadne and Xeo have it handled! You can't be risking yourself in every single skirmish.
princess
What kind of leader would I be to let my trusted comrades die in my name?
I've said enough. See you soon.
ellerie
Wait- At least use the stairs!
(The Princess warps into the skirmish.)
ellerie
This is going to bite you one of these days. I pray its not today.
(Ellerie returns to the fort.)

If Xeo and Ivadne are alive

xeo
Your Highness? You need not risk yourself, we have the situation under control!
princess
Lovely words, Lord Xeo, but that's clearly not true.
xeo
Perhaps this is a delicate situation that could use some intervention, but surely, there's no need for-
princess
Let's just skip the niceties. There's trouble, and I'll solve it
(Xeo calls to Ivadne.)
xeo
Captain Ivadne! The Princess is coming your way! Stay put!
ivadne
She just can't help throwing herself into danger, can she?
I'll wait for her, but after that, I'll turn these invaders into good enough paste for Mince's soup.

If Xeo is alive and Ivadne is dead

xeo
Your Highness! Captain Ivadne has...
princess
My most stalwart of knights? This day grows ever darker!
xeo
Your Highness, please wait before risking yourself in the fray!
These assassins have proven themselves deadly beyond belief!
princess
And wait for them to kill me after all the dust settles? Nonsense!
Xeo, cover my approach!

After Princess is defeated

(Ellerie warps the Princess to her side.)
ellerie
If I had even just been a second too late...
(Ellerie heals the Princess, allowing her to regain consciousness, but she is still badly wounded.)
ellerie
I keep telling you! Look at what you've done to yourself!
princess
My only regret is that I was not victorious.
ellerie
Arrogant woman! Xeo, Ivadne, me, we can all die. But you can't!
The hope of our success, the Great Work, all rests upon your survival!
princess
I can't possibly be that important. You'll all carry on the fight without me, won't you?
ellerie
Now's not the time for that! You need real healing that's not my hack job imitation.
(Ellerie enters the fort with the Princess, leaving the twins to stand guard outside.)
princess
Tell me, Ellerie, how is front holding up?
ellerie
... The situation is dire. With Ivadne, Xeo and us all tied up by this fire in the backyard, the Prince's forces have nearly pushed past the walls, and will be on us shortly.
princess
Then I have to stay here! I can't lie down and wait for death!
ellerie
You're of no use coughing up blood. I'll hold the fort while you recover.
We'll need a miracle, but we're not yet lost. Just, get patched up.
princess
But I-
ellerie
GO!
(The Princess retreats further into the fort. Ellerie exits and seals the gate.)
ellerie
Somehow, you two are the best soldiers we have on hand right now.
raylin
I'd advise that we-
reiker
Damn right, we are! Send me at them!
raylin
...hold the gate.
ellerie
We need our best defending Her Highness from harm.
You two are to hold this door at all costs, understood?
reiker
And miss out on all the action?
raylin
For Elis's sake, brother. Are you incapable of reading the situation?
ellerie
I envy you for your endless enthusiasm, truly. You will need it for what's to come.

Call to Arms

This event triggers on turn 10, when the Princess is defeated, or when a unit enters the right half of the map, whichever comes first.

ellerie
Good people of the realm, The Princess has bled herself dry these past few years,
fighting for a world where we need not suffer the whims of the powers that be,
where we are more than numbers on a some noble leech's taxcation record!
In her time of desperate need, will you not return the favour? Answer her plea?
man
That was the red-haired advisor, wasn't it? Is it really over for us?
young woman
I've got one of dad's spears. Time to get something done.
man
I won't let you go alone.
Been reading that book I looted from a dead mage.
Got a spark going, at least.
young woman
I never knew you were literate.
man
I'm not. But the pattern recognition works eventually.
young man
Fighting with that shoddy stuff? The Prince's demonioc armies will tear you two apart!
young woman
I'd rather die than go back than how it used to be.
man
Dain, I know you got family to look after, but we don't have em' no more.
young man
But there's the two of you. Are we not a family of sorts?
young woman
Then write us a eulogy, or something. Let's go.
(They rush onto the battlefield.)
young man
You fools... Why throw away your life so fruitlessly?

2 Turns Later

young woman
Grandfather! Let us flee! The fighting will reach us soon!
old man
You can go. I won't make it to another city anyways.
I've got one of these explosive magical knick-knacks here,
should be a fun surprise for a soldier when they see a helpless old man!
young woman
You know I can't possibly just leave you here.
My odds of escaping are tiny anyways, let us die as a family.
old man
... Then help me up. Let's go.

4 Turns Later

man 1
I'm going to miss Games Night.
man 2
Really? Games Night? Not your family?
man 1
Games Night is the only time I feel joy.
man 2
... Fring, I feel so bad for you.

15 Turns Later

(Civilian reinforcements stop appearing.)
gecko
... Is there no one left?

Provocation Quotes

If you attempt to move past a boss before defeating them, they will say a quip and become mobile.

Mince

mince
Trying to sneak past ol' me?
Not a chance! Here I come!

Ivadne

ivadne
Enough is enough. Invaders, I shall abide your insolence no longer.
I hope you got a good taste for icicles, since they're going down your throat.

Ivadne (if more than 5 tiles away from Princess)

ivadne
Damn it, Princess. I'm not your guard so you can come out here to die anyways.
princess
You know well that it would be against my nature to do otherwise, Captain.
ivadne
Damn right. At least I'll get to fight alongside you. Let's crush them!

Combat Quotes

Mince

Combat

mince
You're fighting on my turf.
Let me show you why a kitchen is a Chef's battlefield!

Death

mince
That leek and potato soup... Never to be completed...

Ivadne

Combat

ivadne
You think so little of us, that you'd attack with just three?
I'm a little in awe, but also offended by the audacity.

Combat w/ Yvette

yvette
Armor, and magic on top of that?
You really disrespect the meaning of a good fight,
you know that?
ivadne
Hah! I was very much a brawler as you are, only a few years ago.
But function comes first.
yvette
I don't see function. I see a contradictory mess.
ivadne
You're the first person to not applaud me on my career shift, you know that? Regardless of who wins, you may be the last.

Death

ivadne
I always knew I'd die in battle, but like this? Against so few?
Can't believe I have to leave it all up to Ellerie, hah.

Princess

Combat

princess
What's left to say? I die, or you do.

Combat w/ Gecko

princess
My brother is just throwing a damned kid at me now?
What lows will he sink to?
gecko
I'm not a kid.
princess
I... I don't know what to say.
It's just unfortunate that we're in this situation, isn't it?

Defeat

princess
I finally pay the price for my recklessness...

Xeo

Combat

xeo
You're on the crushing end of the wheel of history, assassins.

Combat w/ Chalice

xeo
You're a follower of Elis's teachings, are you not?
Was it not Elis who opposed the tyranny of the few,
who preached the tenets of freedom at all costs?
Why do you stand against us? Against the Great Work?
chalice
I see no cruel gods for Elis to overthrow, only suffering of this realm your liege claims to protect.
Yet, you claim that your liege could measure up to Elis?
xeo
Why should she not? Her foes may be far more mundane,
yet they are no less evil than the old gods slain by Elis!
chalice
You're a true zealot. Very well.
xeo
It is I who pity you, who cannot see the truth.

Death

xeo
What more can I give to the cause, except my life?
I'd die a thousand times like this, rather than do nothing...

Raylin

Combat

raylin
What a day. And it only gets worse from here.

Combat w/ Gecko

raylin
And they called me a prodigy,
but the Prince somehow has an even younger teenage soldier!
gecko
...
raylin
Don't look so glum You're going to make me feel bad.

Death

raylin
Bro, what on earth did you get us into...

Reiker

Combat

reiker
Finally, something's happening! Let's get to it!

Combat w/ Gecko

reiker
Wow, an enemy my age? That hasn't happened before.
I won't show any quarter, of course!
gecko
...
reiker
Come on. Say something. A war cry? Fight for freedom?
Something.

Death

reiker
No blood, no glory, eh? Sorry, Sis.

Ellerie

Combat

ellerie
How did Prince get his hands on fighters as good as you lot?

Combat w/ Yvette

ellerie
You'd decline my offer from two years ago, citing insufficient reward for the danger.
and here you are, charging our entire camp at once.
How exactly does that brain of yours tick?
yvette
In my defence, I didn't know this mission was this suicidal.
I should have fleeced that Prince for even more.
ellerie
You'll regret declining my past offer very soon.
yvette
If it's any consolation, I would have accepted a second offer.
But you never made another.

Death

ellerie
I did everything I could to get us both through this hell,
and this is the reward for my efforts? This isn't right...

Conversations

Conversations occur automatically as the battle progresses if the characters are within 4 tiles of one another.

Chalice & Yvette

yvette
What kind of self-respecting priestess doesn't bring a heal staff to a fight?
chalice
The kind that's not a healer?
Besides, Sir Adalmund said he had plenty of healing supplies.
yvette
He did? Damn, why didn't you go take it off his body when you had the chance?
chalice
Look at me, and then reconsider your question.
yvette
Hey, you're not affected by all this darkness at least.
chalice
If we were anywhere that's not here, I'd break your skull.
Maybe some foes could have healing supplies to spare...

Chalice & Gecko

gecko
I thought all of the Elis priestesses were magic users, but you've not used any.
chalice
I specialised in healing when I was a mere acolyte.
Slaving raiders took me from my home before I could learn, and the days since have been too hectic for me to start again.
gecko
Ah, I didn't mean to pry and bring up bad memories.
chalice
My past is a source of strength, not of sorrow. I overcame those trials, and now I'm all the better for it.
gecko
That's... good. I wish I could do that, but I only want to sever my own.
chalice
I'm afraid I have no wise advice to give in this regard, only my own experience.
When I think about those times, all I see is my victory. They failed to break me.
gecko
I guess that's one way I could look at things.
chalice
Perhaps you will see things the same way, or not.
It is not my place to suggest a single truth.

Gecko & Yvette

yvette
There's no need to offer mercy to all those you come across.
You only dishonour their resolve.
gecko
How can that be? These are people that don't deserve to die. at my hand.
yvette
To raise their blade against their foes in a final act of defiance is glorious,
yet by dismissing them, you disrespect that defiance, whilst dooming them nonetheless.
gecko
That's how you see the world, not everyone else!
If they wish to go, I'll let them!
yvette
But those who charge us do not, knowing their death is certain,
merely seeking a glorious end. But you spit upon that,
gecko
That's twisted. I can't possibly agree to that kind of thinking.
yvette
It's your choice, bandage girl. I only say speak what I think.

Gecko & Villagers

gecko
You're not our enemies! There's no need for you to fight us!
villager
But you are ours.

After All Bosses Killed

gecko
Is it over?
yvette
Still one more big fish to fry.
chalice
Let's get this unpleasant business over with.

Character Descriptions

Gecko
A aimless wanderer who keeps encountering misfortune, but has always come out stronger for it.

Villager
A common villager.
So it seems.

Utility Skill: Warp Bomb
Gecko's homemade survival must-have.

Yvette
A skilled archer who has planned out a simple life for herself. Fight until she no longer can, then die gloriously.

Adventurer
An experienced markswoman who can rapid fire arrows with ease.

Utility Skill: Throw
Yvette's self-taught brawling style.

Chalice
A priestess of Elis who has charged herself with the duty of protecting the Craglands. Very little can faze her.

War Druid
An authority on the science of beating people over the head.

Utility Skill: “Fair Fight”
A memento for a fallen friend.

Adalmund
An elderly knight who eschews armor in favour of footwork and technique. The Prince was his worst student.

Swordmaster
They are good with the sword. Very self-explanatory.

Prince
The seventh prince of the realm and the lone survivor of the purge. Rallied many noble families against the Usurper's reign.

Prince
An important noble.

“Dummy”
Don't get excited. There's nothing inside.

“Soldier”
With the power of imagination, these boxes can be anything.

Mince
A genius chef who found himself knighted by complete accident, but decided to continue his trade.

Enforcer
Heavily armoured troops skilled with axes and oddly, archery.

Ivadne
A street thug who fought her way up to being a village chief. She took up the ways of a knight in the Usurper's service.

Runeplate
Heavily armoured spellcasters effective against other heavily armoured troops.

Xeo
Born with wealth and status as the sole heir of a noble house, he threw that all away to follow the Usurper.

Bard
Ministrels who entertain with a tune, and failing that, can resort to magic.

Princess
The Third Princess of the realm who slew all of her older siblings to take the throne. Waiting is not in her vocabulary.

Duelist
Fleet-footed noblewomen very skilled with pointy weapons.

The Twins [Raylin]
The coolheaded twin. Knows they've bitten off far more than they can chew, but can only follow helplessly.

Weapon: Far Slash
Sharp and slashable.

The Twins [Reiker]
The hotlheaded twin. Dreams of great glory without any awareness of what great dangers he has placed them into.

Weapon: Far Fling
Pointy and throwable.

Ellerie
The Usurper's closest companion and advisor who fed her ambitions. A skilled schemer, but merely a dabbling tactician.

Supplier
Adminstrators who assist their peers with paperwork and on the battlefield.

Rearguard
The lucky squads chosen to defend the sovereign instead of being on the front.

Elite
Knights, adventurers, sellswords and more, united under a single cause.

Sentry
Vigilant guards, but not vigilant enough to spot the four assassins sneaking in.

War Chef
Mince's apprentices. Some of the most beloved people in the army.

The Mob
Those who have little to lose have nothing left to fear.

Sunrise Sword (Unused)
A legendary swordsmaster whose strikes are said to bring the dusk itself upon the eyes of the enemy.

Trueblade
They true the blade.

Maurice (Unused)
The Prince's foremost advisor.

Executioner
Hooded masters of espionage capable with both blade and natural magics.

Knight (Unused)
A member of the Prince's bodyguard, mostly loaned from the noble houses.

Generic Class Descriptions

Mercenary
Swordsmen who make war their work, fighting for both gold and for glory.

Hero
Each is the hero to someone, or at least the hero of their own story.

Soldier
A decently armoured defensive line that makes up the backbone of armies.

Bulwark
Very well-protected troops that would dominate the battlefield if not for magic.

Fighter
They have an axe. They hit hard with the axe. Simple, yet effective.

Warrior
They still have an axe. They still hit hard with the axe. Still effective.

Archer
The quintessential ranged troop who pack quite the punch.

Royal Sniper
While they retain their unparalleled accuracy, some more armour helps.

Mage
Students of magic who've chosen to specialise in combat rather than theory.

Sage
Masters of magic who've decided theory does not make any money.

Shaman
An acolyte given magic for their faith in Elis, god of the new age.

Druid
The upper echelon of the splinter group of Disciples that supports the Princess.

Pegasus
Fast moving aerial scouts that are the envy of the common soldier.

Falcoknight
Quick moving aerial knights that are still the envy of most soldiers.

Cavalier
Mounted lancers tasked with running down enemies before they can retaliate.

Paladin
Captains among cavalry that lead charges into enemy lines without fear.

Villager
Regular civilians forced to take up the sword due to tough circumstances.

Recruit
Militia hastily given spears and the most simple of training.

Journeyman
Loggers and woodworkers who've turned their axe to a new purpose.

Pupil
Scholars with the bare minimum in combat magic to enter a fight.

Civilian
An innocent peasant lacking any combat skills at all.

Wyvern (Unused)
Little brings peace quicker than the threat of the aerial armoured enforcers.

Wyvern Lord (Unused)
The juggernaut of the skies, that is until they meet the end of an arrow.

Corpse (Unused)
A tragically common sight.

Weapon Descriptions

Thoron Copy
Shoddily transcribed from the original.

Thoron
An authentic copy by professionals.

Mini Bolt
Designed for suffering.

Flux 2.75
Hastily scribbled for the war effort.

Supersnipe
Pocket Siege Weapon.

Punch
When all fails...

Part 2

Opening

(Gecko, Yvette, and Chalice enter the fort, where two civilians are tending to the Princess' wounds.)
princess
Thank you for your efforts, but there's not much else you can do.
Now, please get moving.
old woman
But Your Highness, you-
man
We'll pray for your safety. Let's go, Mother.
(The civilians flee. The Princess approaches.)
princess
Call it a professional curiosity, but I'd like to hear from my killers.
You're the Saint of the Craglands. What made you agree to this?
chalice
A simple deal for my own people.
But if you had not shattered the peace of the realm with your usurpation,
the warlords of the Craglands would not have grown so ambitious,
and I would not be needing to make these exchanges in the first place.
princess
The pyre, built by the talons of local despots and rotting lineages, finished decades ago.
I may have lit the spark, but a flame was necessary to rebuild the realm anew.
chalice
A lofty promise, but I can only act on what's there in front of me.
And there I find no sanctuary, only the ruins of unearned arrogance.
princess
I suppose my intent matters not if I can't fulfil my promises, does it?
And you, you're that infamous mercenary archer, Yvette.
yvette
I'm kind of surprised that you even know my name personally.
For what it's worth, with how you broke the kingdom apart, it's quite good for my work.
princess
Thank you for metaphorically shooting me before actually shooting me.
yvette
Any time.
princess
Finally, you, a prodigy in battle who has no right to exist.
Are you a product of this chaotic age I unleashed on the land?
gecko
I'm not from here. I'm from a faraway place.
princess
I'm glad. That's one sin off my back.
gecko
I just wanted to be a hero. Like the hero would have saved me.
princess
You may get your wish.
Perhaps they might even get you a fancy title.
The Tyrant Slayer, something like that.
(Ellerie, bloodied and missing an eye, rushes to the Princess' side.)
princess
Ellerie? I thought-
ellerie
I didn't spend the effort putting myself back together only to see you give up!
princess
What's left to fight for? I hear their cries.
Our rebellion has fallen. The Great Work is over.
ellerie
Stuff the Great Work! It's no longer about that, it's about you.
Your heart is still beating, isn't it? That's all that matters!
princess
Everyone who has entrusted their future to me has already left. It would be-
ellerie
You're not playing the martyr card with me here. Get up!
We promised we'd stand at each other's side did we not?
I'm not taking this lying down.
princess
I must apologise, my would-be assassins. Something more important has come up.
yvette
Now that's the fighting spirit fitting of the so-called Usurper!
gecko
We definitely killed her, didn't we? How is she here?
yvette
Who cares? Let's end this off on a good note.
gecko
A good note... I can't comprehend you.
[Ellerie and the Princess gain Stand by Me and Indomitable.]

Ellerie possesses this item:

Plucker's Gift
A price paid for..?

Death Quotes

ellerie
That... won't be enough.
princess
Can still... Keep...

Ending

princess
I thought I was prepared for failure. But when this day came...
The hope everyone placed in me came to nothing. Only a legacy of destruction,
without any of the promised reformation.
ellerie
I'm certain the people will look back on what you did with a favourable view.
For now, you should take comfort in the fact that you did what you could.
princess
But I dragged you down with me.
(The Princess embraces Ellerie.)
ellerie
We promised to never stand alone.
princess
...
(Gecko approaches.)
ellerie
No need to stain your hands one last time, girl.
I will see myself out.
gecko
You... You shouldn't have. Made a deal with it.
ellerie
It cannot take from me anything greater.
(Ellerie and the Princess die.)
gecko
...
(Gecko, Yvette, and Chalice exit.)
gecko
It's suffocating in there.
yvette
I must say, I was not expecting any of us to survive the day.
Miracles do happen, I suppose.
chalice
Home has never felt more inviting than it does now.
Being out of your company is merely a bonus.
yvette
Are you still mad about-
chalice
I've long made my peace with accidents out of our control.
That phenomenally stupid charge to send us to our deaths was not.
yvette
The camp would've been on full alert after the old man bit it, so same result.
gecko
Enough about that! Do you two really feel nothing after everything we've seen?
yvette
What's there to be sorrowful about?
Everyone here died for something they believed in, as heroes to themselves.
I'd say that's a beautiful way to end one's temporary stay on this plane.
gecko
If we weren't the perpetrators!
But I couldn't stop, because then they'd kill us, and so I had to keep going.
I thought if we got to the Usurper, this would end, but it kept going and-
yvette
The world has no shortage of fighters with a cause. Bandits, mercenaries, knights,
who doesn't believe the world owes the right to enforce their own will?
gecko
That's so, so- I don't know the word. But it's not all equal.
yvette
As I see it, they all seek to deprive others and enrich themslves.
They keep losing me with the nuances, but sounds similar to me.
chalice
Don't listen to the madwoman.
Our foes were promised to be traitorous and wicked enforcers,
not townsfolk forced to bear arms, not the bold and the desperate.
It's natural to lament this loss of life, especially given the Prince's deceit.
gecko
So you wouldn't have agreeed to any of this if the Prince didn't lie?
chalice
... I make a point to not lie. I might have agreed nonetheless.
gecko
But... you're a follower of Elis. You should be kind and benevolent, right?
chalice
Elis was not benevolent, nor was she even a god. But that's not particularly relevant.
I can only act on what's in front of me, and that's the needs of the Craglands.
They took me in after in those cruel years, and for that... there are lows I will sink to.
I've learnt to make my peace with that.
gecko
How can you look at this carnage, brought about by our hand, and simply say, “I've made my peace?”
chalice
It's how I was able to stay sane in the past few years of my life.
gecko
It shouldn't be this way.
yvette
There is only keeping pace with what is.
(The Prince's knights have rounded up the remaining villagers in the town square.)
young woman
Rot in hell, puppet prince!
man
How much kingdom is left for you to sell to the real rulers?
prince
Is that everyone? Good. Archers, open fire.
(The Prince's men kill all the villagers.)
prince
Ah, my heroes of the hour! But where is Sir Adalmund?
yvette
His corpse is somewhere near the riverbank, I reckon.
prince
Alas! What a good man. A shame he would not see the scene of my ultimate victory,
which his sacrifice brought about. A public ceremony will be held in his honour.
gecko
You said we were here to liberate people from the Usurper!
You've lied to us about what we're doing, who we're fighting,
just... just everything!
prince
Lie? I need not lie to secure the loyalty of mercenaries.
gecko
Then what's all this?
prince
These are not my people.
They're traitors. Filth to be cleansed from my land.
gecko
I thought princes were supposed to be noble and heroic, but you're a...
a... a wretch! A... villain!
No better than a common pirate, like all those we have back home!
yvette
This would be more entertaining if you could make a real insult.
gecko
Oh, Elis... Maybe I shouldn't have...
prince
Be silent! I have handled your lack of decorum with grace and understanding,
but I shall not be accused with these... vulgar insults, like a common vagrant!
chalice
Your Highness, please excuse our companion's outburst.
You must understand the harm war can cause to the mind.
prince
I am not unaware of such, but belittlement of your to-be king cannot go unanswered.
I'd call for death in any other circumstance, but I'd say two hundred lashings will suffice.
A simple lesson. Nothing more than that.
chalice
(Oh, you slimy bastard.)
I must have misheard the number, Your Highness.
For two hundred lashes is merely a slower execution.
prince
Given she's quite the warrior, I'm certain it'll do little lasting harm.
gecko
I'm not going to lie down and let you kill me!
(The Prince's forces turn hostile.)
prince
I have no further business with you, Saint and Markswoman.
Politely leave the area.
yvette
She's higher on the comrade scale than you are, Your Royal Highness.
This seems like it's going to be quite the showdown, and I won't miss it.
chalice
I can't let you kill her in good conscience, Your Highness, for just a simple outburst.
I'd implore you to reconsider.
prince
You've met her for no more than a day, yet you would disobey the to-be King for her?
chalice
Hence why you should reconsider, in your infinite mercy.
gecko
Thank you, you two. I've not had someone on my side like this.
prince
A pity you fine warriors choose to die over something so trivial, but so be it.
Kill them all.
(The screen fades to black to the sound of three kills.)
narrator
The Seventh Prince besieged the Third Princess for ninety-three days, until the walls of the town fell.
The Third Princess, her advisors Ellerie and Xeo, and her commander Ivadne, were all killed in battle.
On that morning, the Seventh's claim to the throne was unopposed...
(The screen fades in to reveal Gecko, Yvette, and Chalice surrounding the Prince.)
chalice
All you had to do was swallow your pride for one minute. Now look at us.
Cragsland won't get those supplies, Yvette and Gecko won't get their gold,
and you won't be alive very shortly.
yvette
I thought princely education would've given you a good grasp on numbers.
Should've done the maths, and realised if we could take out the Usurper's rearguard, we can do the exact same thing to you.
prince
This has all been a terrible misunderstanding.
gecko
That you wanted me beaten to death?
prince
You must have been deceived by the wicked words of my sister, or her advisor.
I've read her speeches. and know of this Great Work she so self-righteously defends.
Overturning centuries of tradition that is the very foundation of law and order!
I was content being a free prince, and didn't even dream of taking the throne.
But it was she who extinguished the royal line, who forced me into this position!
But you can still make this right. Allow me to depart unharmed, and I shall forget any-
yvette
Good for you, Your Highness. But we don't care about any of that. You tried to kill us.
gecko
... Tried to kill me. You two didn't have to do anything.
yvette
Close enough.
chalice
He's probably plotting nineteen ways to avenge this humiliation.
Needless to say, kill him.
yvette
Do you want to do the honours? I'll do it.
Never snapped the neck of a prince before.
prince
You cannot touch me, fools!
Once my supporters and the main army catch up to you,
they'll skin your alive like the rabid animals you are!
They'll display your limbs at every castle in the land,
grind your bones into dust and throw it into the winds-
gecko
I'm doing it.
(Gecko kills him.)
yvette
You know, I've always been kind of curious. Do you cook with that pan of yours?
gecko
No!
yvette
I figured. You'd be tasting royal brain in the morning.
gecko
You should have left me to die. Anyone else would.
chalice
I should have, if I truly put the Craglands above all.
But I never claimed to be a creature of logic.
yvette
As I see it, you made the obectively correct decision.
Gecko and I could've killed you and all of the Prince's guards.
chalice
Sure.
gecko
I ruined everything again, didn't I? I just... got so very angry.
I didn't think that it would ruin the supplies your people need.
chalice
Gecko, think nothing of it. It was my decision to side with you.
Perhaps it is justice that I do not benefit from the demise of others,
and thus I was foolish for thinking I should have in the first place.
gecko
Everything I touch turns to dust. It's why I had to keep travelling.
Why I ended up all the way here.
chalice
Your heart's in a good place, and that's worth more than everything in this world.
Leave today behind. I'm certain you will find a cause worth fighting for.
yvette
I was going to suggest that maybe you should go home, but that sounds better.
chalice
You need to keep your mouth shut.
gecko
I understand. I can still fix things.
I just have to find the good ruler, make them the real ruler, they can fix everything, and everything will be all okay!
yvette
I don't know what kind of mental leaps you made there.
chalice
That's not quite what I would suggest.
gecko
No, this is the right thing to do. Then everything I've already done, it would all lead to something. It would all mean something.
I understand now.
yvette
If that line of thinking works for you, then who am I to judge?
In the meantime, our late employer's threat wasn't quite an empty one.
I do like a good last stand, but this isn't quite what I had in mind.
chalice
As quickly as we come together for this unfortunate day,
we disperse. Very well, I hope for your good fortune,
though some less than others.
gecko
You two are good people, despite it all. I hope we can meet again one day.
yvette
Good people! My father must be so proud from the afterlife.
Perhaps drinks are in order, if we ever cross paths again.
chalice
Never.
yvette
Tough.
narrator
... but was promptly slain by his own mercenaries. With his death, the lineage of the Old Kingdom came to an end.
But the world moves on. In this new era, within the short span of just twenty years, seventeen sovereigns rose...

Ending Cards

Chalice, Stoic Protector
Chalice returned to the sinking ship that was the Craglands, and forcibly kept it afloat. Her efforts were crucial to keeping the Craglands out of the war that would plague the continent. Illness from overwork took her in the end.

Yvette, Eternal Warrior
Yvette thrived in this chaotic era, and found herself leading her own band of desperados. Her renown grew as she survived battle after battle, and she slew many a warlord personally. Her reunion with Gecko would be her final battle.

Gecko, Adrift
Gecko served in the army of a warlord worthy of her loyalty and rose up the ranks. While she was a successful war hero, her tactlessness made many enemies in the new ruler's court, and she was exiled from the centre of power.