MARDEK Chapter 2: A New Hero Game Script

This page has the game script for MARDEK Chapter 2: A New Hero. It includes the main story and sidequest dialogue, but not things like random NPC banter.
Please note that this is by no means a substitute for actually playing the game. Its main purpose is to make editing story sections of other articles easier.
==Main Story==
===Intro===
;Narrated
:It's been eight years since Mardek and Deugan went on the quest to explore the 'star' that had fallen from the sky.
:The peculiar entity that calls itself 'Rohoph' has shared Mardek's body since then, but still refuses to say anything about its business on Belfan or even where it came from or who it really is.
:Mardek's life has been pretty unremarkable for these last eight years. He and his friend Deugan have been on many adventurers, and though they aged, the spirit of heroism and adventure never left them, and they never gave up on their dream of being heroes.
:Not even after the death of their hero Social Fox, who reportedly died of severe wounds after slaying a particularly ferocious and powerful dragon. The death of the great Hero brought sadness and fear to many people's hearts, but Mardek and Deugan merely strove to work harder to be the next great heroes who might even surpass the brilliant strength and heroism of Social Fox.
:As they became old enough, the two boys decided that the best way of furthering their dream of being heroes was to join the Royal Guard of Goznor. These official King's Men were well-known as the best soldiers in the land, and they served as a kind of 'police force' who were dispatched to solve problems all over the known world. Confident that they'd make brilliant Guards and get their names known while helping people and slaying monsters, Mardek and Deugan applied as recruits...
:Things have been going extremely well so far, but their final test is today; they must prove their worth with this real mission to be admitted as honourary members of the Guard...
(Screen shifts to Mardek and Deugan's dorm room in Castle Goznor. Deugan comes in to wake Mardek up.)
;Deugan
:Oy! Mardek! Wake up! We have our test today!
;Mardek
:Nnngh...
;Deugan
:Oh, you're hopeless! If you sleep in like this as a Guard, think of all the lives that could be lost!
;Mardek
:Well, why didn't you wake me up earlier?
;Deugan
:Eh, you looked so peaceful! But, if you sleep in any more, we'll be late for our first mission! Come on, aren't you excited?
;Mardek
:Well, it's a test. I don't think tests are very exciting. More like... scary.
;Deugan
:Yeah, but it's also an actual mission instead of just more training! Everyone else is already there - Emela, Sharla, Donovan and... Steele, unfortunately. But still! Even with *him*, this is going to be exciting!
:I know what you mean... but though it may be a test, it's ALSO a mission! Our first ACTUAL mission! I mean, up until now we've only had those frustratingly tame practice exercise in the training areas with targets that couldn't hurt us if they wanted to...
;Mardek
:Well, did Jacques tell you what we're actually doing on this mission thing?
;Deugan
:No, he said that everyone needs to show up first. So get up and let's head over! Now remember, you can use the arrow keys to walk, and press X if you want to talk to people.
;Mardek
:Deugan, I'm pretty sure I know how to walk. And I'm literally talking to you right now!
;Deugan
:Yeah, but what if someone started on this chapter and skipped the first one? We've got to explain the controls, Mardek. Now come on! We're gonna be late!
(Mardek and Deugan report to Jacques, with the others already present.)
;Jacques
:Good. You are all 'ere at last! Now zee briefing shall begin! 
:Zis iz of course your first mission, so it won't be too 'ard. But it will test everything you 'ave been taught in your training. If you 'ave learned as you should 'ave, zen zis will be easy for you. But if you've not been paying enough attention, zis is where it will show.
:Zis is a real mission in zee real world, and zat means zat there iz real danger involved. You could die. You all should 'ave known the risks involved from the moment you joined. You should show no fear, but stand strong and you will be okay!
;Steele
:Just tell us about the damned mission.
;Jacques
: Patience iz a virtue... Yet another zat you lack, apparently...
:I am getting to zee mission now though. Ahem!
:To be brief about it, we 'ave received reports zat zee gem mines in zee mountains just north of 'ere 'ave been attacked by bandits. Zee bandits 'ave made camp within zee mines and are forcing zee miners to mine gems for zem. Zey don't seem to plan on staying long, but as of now zey are still there.
:Your mission is to enter zee mines, stop zee bandits, and free zee miners.
;Emela
:Um, when you say 'stop' the bandits, what do you mean, exactly?
;Jacques
:You might sink zat I mean 'kill', but I don't. If at all necessary, you are to disband zee bandits and force zem to retreat WIZHOUT killing zem.
;Steele
:So there won't be any bloodshed? What is this, the Pansy Brigade?
;Jacques
:If it is necessary, and zere are no ozzer options, zen you are permitted to use violence, and kill if it comes to zat. Sadly, some people are beyond 'elp, and only understand the language of zee sword. Zis is, 'owever, only acceptable as a last resort.
;Steele
:Alright, killing is fine then. Good to know. 
;Jacques
:Zat iz not what I said at all.
;Donovan
:Don't worry though, captain. The rest of us will surely do our best to not resort to violence unless absolutely necessary. Right, men?
;Emela
:You know *I'm* against unnecessary bloodshed...
;Sharla
: Y-ye-, um, of course! I mean... I wouldn't hurt anyone unless I REALLY had to!
;Steele
:No promises.
;Deugan
: We'll aim to subdue, not kill. You have our word. Right, Mardek?
;Mardek
:Well, I'd only kill a guy if he killed me first!
;Jacques
:Zat will do. You must set off on your mission now. You will go in three separate groups of two; zis will ensure you faster coverage of zee caves and allow you to complete multiple tasks at once. One team will try to save zee 'ostages, while zee ozzers will go after zee Bandit Chief.
:
:Mardek and Deugan will be a team, as will Donovan and Sharla... which leaves Emela and Steele as the third team.
;Emela
:(Oh. Lovely.)
;Jacques
:Now, enough of zis briefing! Zis 'as gone on long enough as it iz! You must go now! So go! Begone wiz you! Go on your mission! You are dismissed! 
;Donovan
:We'll all make our separate ways to the cave and meet there, okay?
;Emela
:Right. 
;Mardek
:Okay! 
;Donovan
:See you there, then!
(The group goes off.)
===Gem Mine mission===
(Mardek and Deugan arrive at the Gem Mine.)
;Mardek
:Well, we're here.
;Steele
:Took yer sweet time...
;Donovan
:Right, we shouldn't dilly-dally anymore; that briefing went on long enough as it is, and think of the suffering that those captive miners must go though! We should act quickly so they have to suffer less.
:Conveniently, there are three tunnels... And even more conveniently, each one is marked with a signpost... The middle and left ones lead to the bandit chief, and this right one here leads to the miner's cabins, which I'd assume is where the miners are being kept prisoner by bandit guards.
:Sharla and I will go right, here, and rescue the prisoners. Mardek, Deugan, you go down the middle tunnel, and Steele and Emela, you take the left tunnel.
;Steele
:Who put YOU in charge, anyway?
;Donovan
:Nobody put me in charge; I'm just suggesting how we should plan this mission out. Does anyone have any issues with this plan?
;Emela
:It's fine by me.
;Mardek
:Well, I don't mind!
;Sharla
:Um... You're a great leader!
;Deugan
:You're only saying what I would myself if I took charge, so I've no problem with it!
;Donovan
:Good!
;Steele
:New plan: You losers all wait here while I go and [PROFANITY]in' kill everyone on my own.
;Emela
:No. That's a terrible idea.
;Deugan
:Yeah, Steele. You'd probably just get killed if you try to fight the bandits alone.
;Emela
:(Hmm. Now that you put it in that way, this might be a good plan after all.)
;Donovan
:No, we're not doing that. But we DO need to get this mission done, lest we fail our test AND the miners, so come on. Let's go our separate ways now and have no more of this bickering and banter. Farewell for now!!
;Steele
:Grumble...
(The others go their separate ways, and Mardek and Deugan enter the middle cave. Upon entering, Deugan stops Mardek.)
;Deugan
:Hey, Mardek, I know I say this every time we go on any kind of adventure, but I'm going to remind you of the controls again!
:You can open the menu with the ENTER key, and we can check our stuff from there! It'd be a good idea to sort out our Reactions from the Skills menu! Remember, we can trigger them by using the X key in battle just as we hit or are hit! We can also multi-target with some skills by pressing left arrow key when targeting the enemy, or right arrow key when targeting allies.
;Mardek
:What are you talking about? I don't see any keys. Were we supposed to bring some for locked doors or something? And what's a 'menu'? This doesn't look like a restaurant!
;Deugan
:Tsk. Every time, I swear...
:C'mon, Mardek. Let's just get on with the mission.
:But if you ever need me for any reason, remember that you can talk to me using the P key... though don't expect me to have all the answers to all our problems! I'll probably mainly just make forgettable comments about the scenery or something.
(Further into the mines, Mardek and Deugan meet some bandits interrogating miners.)
;Sceptical Miner
:This is stupid, what yer doing! Yer making us look for somethin' that isn't 'ere! I'm tellin' yer, these are NONMAGIC gems! They're worth a pretty penny, but they ent no Magic Crystals!
;Bandit
:The Chief told us there were a Magic Crystal in 'ere, prob'ly, so there prob'ly is! Dig harder or summat! We need to find it for some reason! The Chief wants it!
(Mardek and Deugan confront the bandits.)
;Mardek
:Oy! Bandits! We're here to stop you! Leave those miners alone!
(One bandit retreats.)
;Bandit
:Damn! The Guard are onto us! You! Gope! Go 'n' warn the Chief! I'll 'andle these ones, but there's prob'ly more of 'em somewhere else in t' cave! That's 'ow they usually do things!
:Now, Guards, you stand no chance against me, 'cause I'm actually four blokes!
(Mardek and Deugan defeat the four bandits fit into one sprite. Further into the mine, Mardek and Deugan sneak up behind Gope.)
;Gope
:Should I go in and tell the boss? I don't know how he'll react... I mean, he could be in one of his bad moods, and could SHOOT me for being a herald of bad news! Or... or maybe I could get promoted to ... Sub-Bandit Chief? Bandit Sub-Chief? Is there such a thing? I don't know though, it's a big gamble!
:I'm so scared... Though if I stay here, maybe the Guard will catch up to me and that's worse!
;Deugan
:It sure is.
;Gope
:Wah! G-guards! They found me! Bugger and blast! You... are you going to KILL me?!
;Mardek (dialogue choices) 
*Well, that's what we're here to do, so yes, we are!
*Well, not if you surrender and leave peacefully.
;Gope (If choice #1 is chosen)
:Not if I kill you first! I'll earn the position of Sub-Chief Bandit yet!
(Mardek and Deugan kill Gope.)
;Gope (If choice #2 is chosen)
:I never wanted to be a bandit, you know! It's just... I'm an orphan, you see, and I've always been an outcast, never anywhere to go or any education to get me a good job... Banditry seemed like all I could do, seeing as how I was already good at stealing because I had to steal to survive when I was a little boy, you see... But I never wanted to hurt people! Honest!
;Deugan
:Okay, we don't need to hear your life story.
:I can tell by your tone though that you're being honest enough, so go on! Go away! Get out of here and start a new life! Go!
;Gope (leaving)
:Yes, sir! I really mean it! I'm gonna turn my life around! I want you to have this key. I was gonna loot that old cave out 'n the Glens with my buddies but I'm giving up banditry for good!
:Thak you again sirs! I'm sure I can find work at the nearest inn!
;Mardek
:Well, if only we could handle all of them like that...
(After either choice is chosen, Mardek and Deugan enter the boss cave. They hide behind some rocks to eavesdrop on a conversation.)
;Deugan
:Wait, stop, Mardek! I think that's the Bandit Chief over there! I'm curious as to WHY he's doing what he's doing, so let's hide behind these rocks here and listen to some plot or backstory or something!
;Muriance
:Bah! Magic crystals everywhere, but none of them have even a smidgen of Root Magic at all... How is one supposed to gain Supreme Ultimate Power with THESE?
;Wilhem
:We can always keep lookink, sir! I'm sure we'll find somefink eventually!
;Muriance
:And what makes you think that, then, lackey?
;Wilhem
:Well, urm... Things always 'appen like that, don'ey? One minute yer lookink fer yer sword, and you can't find it, but then poof! You just keep lookink, an' then you find it, strapped to yer belt all along!
;Muriance
:Grr... The nincompoopery I have to put up with around here... It frustrates me almost to the point of eruption! If only I was made of rock and filled with other rock which was molten! THEN maybe people would listen to me and fear my wrath!
;Wilhem
:Huh?
;Muriance (Wilhem leaves.)
:Oh, go away. You're a bother. I can't stand you anymore. I'll just... I'll just talk to myself. That's slightly less frustrating and makes me think slightly less about hurting things.
;Muriance (While Steele sneaks up behind him)
:Where CAN that damned Crystal BE? Why does NOBODY know? Surely there'd be SOME record of it somewhere, but nooo, I'm forced to look everywhere and waste away my life around morons because everyone ELSE is too moronic to know how to tell me where to find this damned thing! Why, I should-
;Muriance
:...What's this rabble doing here? What are you doing in my cave?
;Steele
:You're that Bandit Chief, right? Well, I've got somethin' for ya. (Punches Muriance)
:Ha!
;Muriance
:Oh, you're picking a fight, eh? That's not such a brilliant idea, *chum*. For you see, I am most powerful. Yes, most powerful indeed. I could kill you with a THOUGHT if I wanted. I don't think you should try anything.
;Steele
:Oh yeah? You look pretty feeble to me. Like a sissy girl. I could probably beat you up without even trying! (Punches Muriance again; Emela rushes up behind him.)
;Emela
:Steele, stop it!
;Muriance
:Oh? You have company? Ganging up on me, are you? That's not very noble or honourable of you. But it's still stupid. You'll still lose. So I suggest you don't come any closer unless you plan on throwing your worthless lives down the pit. The pit of DEATH.
;Deugan
:(Think we should help, Mardek?)
;Mardek (while joining the others)
:(Well, I do think that, yes!)
;Muriance
:More? How many of you bloody soldiers are there? Is there an ARMY hiding behind those rocks over there? If there is, come out now! I haven't got all day to wait for you to dramatically reveal yourselves one-by-one or two-by-two!
;Deugan
:No, there's just us. But you ARE the bandit chief, right? We're here to stop you. So come along quietly or we'll be forced to fight.
;Muriance
:Quietly? QUIETLY!? Never! I can take you all on! Why should I just give up my villainous plans because you TELL me to? Everything's going so well!
;Emela
:We don't want to fight you-...
;Steele (punches Muriance again)
:Oh, to hell with this! *I* do! C'mon, you pansy!
(The group defeats Muriance.)
;Muriance (while Donovan and Sharla arrive)
:Agh... Damn. Alright... I get the point... I'll leave. I'll stop my evil ways! I surrender! Just let me live!
;Deugan
:You promise to leave and to never do anything like this again?
;Muriance
:Yes, I promise! I swear on my promiscuous mother's grave that I do! Just let me live!
;Deugan
:Alright. You can go, but only this once, with a warning. Do this again, and we'll be less merciful.
;Muriance
:Oh, thank you, kind sirs! I'll just take my- (Is punched by Steele)
;Steele
:Oh no you damn well don't!
;Muriance
:AGH! My upper left section of my right lung! Also my spine! The pain!
;Steele
:Huh? What's that? You think that's pain? Buddy, you're about to find out what real pain looks like.
;Emela (Hits Steele with a lightning bolt spell)
:Steele! Stop it!!!
;Emela
:Seriously, Steele! For YALORT's sake, you can't just kill someone who already surrendered!
;Emela (While Muriance sneaks away)
:Steele? Are you even listening to me?
;Emela
:Steele...?
;Sharla
:Did you... did you KILL him?
;Emela
:No, I can't have... that wasn't even a powerful spell...
;Emela
:Oh no... oh no...
;Deugan
:...
;Sharla
:...
;Mardek
:...
;Donovan
:Donovan
:Okay, let's calm down. It was an accident, and more importantly, nobody but us saw it. Okay?
:
:He fell in the line of duty... Yes, he died in the battle against the bandits. He gets to have a hero's death, none of us did anything wrong, everything is fine.
;Emela
:I...
;Donovan
:Come on... We should get out of here as soon as possible.
;Deugan
:Yeah. Come on, let's leave before anything else goes wrong.
;Emela
:But I... I didn't mean to...
;Donovan
:Yes. But let's just... let's just leave, alright?
;Emela
:Al... Alright...
;Mardek
:Well, he deserved it. It's not like you did anything WRONG, really. He had it coming to him.
;Donovan
:Emela, we all understand that it wasn't an act of evil, what you just did... It seems to me that Steele was the truly evil one, and I suppose it could be said that it was a GOOD thing that he was slain...
;Emela
:But... but... I KILLED him...
;Donovan
:Yes. But let's just... let's just leave, alright?
;Emela
:A-alright...
(Screen fades. The group arrives back at Castle Goznor.)
;Jacques
:Welcome back, recruits.
:I am glad to see that most of you made it back alive. But... what 'appened to Steele?
;Emela
:Uhm, he, uh-... I...
;Donovan
:Steele regretfully fell in battle, sir. He was reckless, which was typical of him, and he rushed arrogantly into battle with the bandits and fell quickly, because he wasn't quite as strong as he believed himself to be.
;Jacques
:Zat... sounds very believable. It is a terrible loss, but zese sings 'appen... We must always be ready to face the realisation of casualities in this field of work.
:But 'is death was not in vain, no? You defeated the bandits, correct?
;Donovan
:We did. Though we let the Bandit Chief escape after we'd defeated him with a warning to never do that sort of thing again, lest we be less merciful!
;Jacques
:Ah, tres bon! Zat is zee kind of zhinking zat Royal Guards should 'ave! I am pleased zat you did as you did!
:I am also pleased to announce zat you all passed zee test, and are now 'onourary member of zee Royal Guard! Bravo!
;Mardek
:Huzzah!
;Donovan
:I will do my duty as a Guard with honour, sir!
;Deugan
:(So our behaviour during the test isn't assessed on some special summary screen or anything...?)
;Jacques
:You are not full Guards yet, zhough. You may 'ave passed zee test, but zere iz still a ceremony before you officially gain your new ranks. Zee ceremony is carried out personally by zee king, and will begin shortly!
;Deugan
:Ooh, the King! We'll finally get to meet him! How exciting!
;Mardek
:Well, I can't wait!
;Jacques
:And you don't 'ave to, for the ceremony will begin in a few moments! Let us all report to the Throne Room now!
(The group enters the throne room.)
;King
:Zzzz...
;Jacques
:...Ahem!
;King
:Mmmh? Who are YOU people and what do you want with me?
;Jacques
:Zey are zee new recruits 'oo just got back from zee mission, my liege. You are meant to do zee promotion ceremony now.
;King
:Mmh? I am? Oh. Right, right, mmh... Let's see if I can remember how it goes...
:Loyal servants of Goznor! Protectors of Peace! Savers of Cats! Sprinklers of Flowers that Look a Bit Thirsty! Breathers of Air! Eaters of-
;Jacques
:Ahem...
;King
:Mmh? What? Oh, right. Get on with it. Right, right...
:I can't actually remember the proper speech, but it's not important anyway! I don't want to thank you all by reciting some memorised piece of ancient tradition at you, ohno! That'd be a tad meaningless in my opinion. Instead, I'd rather thank you all personally for your tremendous work today! Well done, all of you!
:I am very pleased to promote you all to the status of Royal Guard of Goznor, Protectors of the Peace, and I hope that you'll wear the title well and defend the innocent from the malevolent with a heart driven by pure intentions rather than hate or vengeance or jealousy or grudges!
:Now that you are all Royal Guards, you will receive missions on a regular basis, whenever we here tell of evil in lands near or far. So always be on your guard and in peak physical condition, ready for combat at any time!
:Until your first mission is announced, you're all free to wander the castle and do as you please. Within reason, of course! You will be informed when duty calls and your skills are needed.
:Now, new Guards! You are dismissed!
(Screen fades back to the main hall. The group walks out of the throne room and has a conversation.)
;Deugan
:Wow... It's sort of hard to believe that we're now Royal Guards, eh Mardek? Just one more step closer to becoming Mighty Heroes like Social Fox was!
;Mardek
:It's so exciting!
;Donovan
:I'm just glad to know that I'll be defending the people of Goznor - no, of BELFAN - from the vile blight of evil! Isn't a great feeling to know that you're making a difference in the world, and making people you don't know and will probably never meet incredibly happy?
;Deugan
:Yes! That's why Mardek and I want to be like Social Fox... He lived for that sort of thing. So noble...
;Mardek
:But now he's gone...
;Emela
:Just like Steele...
;Donovan
:Look. Emela. I know you feel awful about that, but you didn't mean to kill him. It was just an accident. It's better to just stop worrying about it, okay?
;Emela
:I know, but I didn't really try NOT to kill him either. I didn't think that lightning spell could kill him, but of course it could. It's a combat spell, after all. I should have thought about it, I should have been more careful...
:
;Donovan
:If you think about it, it really isn't that big of a deal. We were all firing spells left and right at the bandits and that never bothered you.
Emela
:Yes, but now that I think about it, it DOES bother me! I mean, what if those bandits had families? Wives and little children that they'd never be able to return home because they died by OUR hands? I'm... I'm having trouble dealing with that...
; Deugan
: Yeah, Donovan, I don't think 'You also killed a lot of other people' is a particularly comforting thing to say right now.
;
;Donovan
:I hate to say this, but you should just not think about it. We're Royal Guards now, and killing people is our job. It might be unpleasant, but we're fighting for justice. We're keeping people safe. Like those miners that we saved back in the mines.
;Emela
:But are we really keeping people safe? After all, those bandits certainly aren't any safer because of us.
;Donovan
:Yes, but they put themselves in harm's way by kidnapping the miners. If someone uses violence against others like that, its justifiable to kill them.
;Deugan
:That seems questionable. After all, we were using violence ourselves. Would the bandits be justified if they had killed us?
;Donovan
:Heh, there's that argument too...
:But I think we should stop thinking so deeply about all this! We're soldiers now, members of the Royal Guard! You all know that what we do HELPS more people than it hurts, correct?
:Yes, we might hurt or kill some people, but they're people who've chosen to act in a way that makes that necessary. And if we did nothing, then more people - innocent people - would be hurt.
:
:It's pretty obvious when things are 'wrong' or 'right' sometimes. You can argue that 'good and evil are just two different sides of the same Generic Gold Piece', which is true in a way, but there's such a thing as definite evil. 
;Emela
:I... suppose you're right...
:I'm going to go and lie down and think for a bit. I'll... probably be okay tomorrow. Thanks for your words though... Goodnight. (Leaves.) 
;Deugan
:Night, Emela...
;Donovan
:Maybe you should go and talk to here for a bit, Sharla... I think the company would do her well.
;Sharla
:Um, okay! (Leaves.) 
;Donovan
:I suppose we should retreat to bed too, men! We need to be constantly prepared for battle, and well rested; you never know, a mission could come up tomorrow and we could be called off to some foreign land to battle with evil most foul!
: So good night, you two! (Leaves.)
;Mardek
:Well, night, Donovan. 
;Deugan
:I'm going to bed too, Mardek. So, uh... g'night. (Leaves.)
(Mardek enters his room and goes to bed.) 
;Deugan
:Hey, uh, Mardek... Are you awake? 
;Mardek
:Well, yeh...
;Deugan
:...
:Wow... A lot happened today, eh?
;Mardek
:Well, I just can't believe that Steele's dead!
;Deugan
:I know... I mean, I always WANTED him dead, I suppose, so I should be happier maybe... But I'm not. Especially after that conversation just then. I just can't stand to see Emela like that, and she made a good point, too...
:Have you ever really thought about things like... the life of people you might kill? We fought those bandits today... Did you consider that they might've had families that'd never see them again? 
;Mardek
:Well, I don't know... I sort of know that they do, but try not to think about it...
;Deugan
:Because it makes us 'no use to anyone' if we think about it too much and break down on the battlefield? Hm... That's all we are, I suppose... Tools. Don't want us breaking...
;Rohoph
:*I* am astounded that you humans even consider such things! In my limited experience with the humans of Nineveh, I saw them only to be mindlessly violent, slaying any and all who stood in their way with no consideration that they were *people* too rather than just targets!
;Mardek
:Well, were you angels better than that? 
;Rohoph
:Heh... Funny. We were probably worse... Maybe not violently, but we certainly treated the droma like objects rather than other sentients... I always had a problem with that, but the others never listened. And now, after that crystal arrived...
:Eh, I said I'd not go on about my past or purpose, so I'll leave it at that. Vague. Mysterious. Don't ask any further, please.
:But! I must bring something up!
;Deugan
:What is it? Sounds urgent!
;Rohoph
:It might be, but I'm not sure... Since I melded with Mardek, my innate powers have sort of been on the fritz... I've been not detecting things I should, and detecting other things that turn out to be nothing.
:But when we were exploring those mines, I got this overwhelming feeling that I can't ignore... I COULD be wrong, and I HOPE I am, but... I think that another of my race - another 'angel' - is here. On this world. Now.
;Mardek
:Well, that's good! You can have a chat about old times together, and he can maybe take you home! 
;Rohoph
: I doubt that greatly. You see, uh...
:I've sort of refrained from telling you this before because it might frighten you and make you edgy, but, uh... Well. I'm not exactly *liked* by others of my kind.
;Mardek
: Well, what do you mean?
;Rohoph
:I mean, uh... If that other is here, chances are he's after me. He's looking for me, yes, probably... To destroy me.
;Mardek
:Urk!
;Rohoph
: Ah, see, this is why I didn't mention anything before!
: I don't know if he'll be able to detect me though. I can only pick up his vague magical signature, but I can't say where he is. And like I said before, I could be completely wrong, and I could've just detected a monster or something...
;Deugan
: That mine WAS full of magical crystals... Maybe that had something to do with it? 
;Rohoph
:Actually... you're right! That seems reasonable! Because I can't feel it anymore. I could in there, but that must've been it... The magical crystals, yes. 
:So, uh, it'd be best if you didn't think too much about what I've just said! The chances of them finding me here of all places are pretty low anyway, and they've probably assumed I'm dead by now since it'd been so long! So please don't worry about it.
;Mardek
:Well, okay...
;Deugan
: We should go to sleep now though, Mardek. It'll probably be a big day tomorrow!
;Mardek
: Well, okay! Night night!
===Missing Shaman===
(The next day, Mardek meets Deugan talking to Jacques in the main hall.)
;Deugan
:Mardek! There you are! You ALWAYS sleep in!
;Mardek
:Well, you never wake me up!
;Deugan
:You always look so peaceful!
:But anyway, apparently something's happening over in Canonia, and since I was the first one up, we've got the mission to go and explore! Right, sir?
;Jacques
:Zat is correct! Missions are usually taken by 'ooever reports first, and since Deugan got 'ere first today, 'e 'as the mission and can choose 'oo 'e wishes to go along with 'im.
;Deugan
:So you're coming along with me, Mardek. You, uh, are okay with that, I hope?
;Mardek
:You didn't ask Emela?
;Deugan
:I didn't think she'd be up to it... I was going to ask you AND her, but considering how she was yesterday... Well.
;Mardek
:Well, I know what you mean...
:What's the mission? 
;Jacques
:We 'ave received reports of strange activity near zee village of Canonia just east of 'ere. Monsters are acting wild and frenzied, and attacking more zan usual. Also, zee Canonia Shaman 'as gone missing. Zis is most odd, and we 'ave no explanation for it. So it's a sort of mystery.
:You are to go to Canonia and find out what is going on. If you find zee Shaman, surely everything will become clear zen.
;Deugan
: Sounds interesting, eh? The monsters around Canonia aren't very strong normally, so it should be pretty easy. So c'mon, Mardek! Let's go now, quick! Adventure, here we come!
;Emela (rushing in)
: Wait!
;Emela
: Take me with you! If it's in Canonia, I want to go too! 
;Deugan
:Er... I have no problem with that! Do you, Mardek? I don't think you would! 
;Mardek
:Were you listening that whole time?
;Deugan
:So yeh, er, you can come with us, Emela! That'd be great, actually!
:But why, er... why particularly do you want to come with us?
;Emela
:I'm from Canonia, and, uhm... Well, I just want to know what's going on there. Since I am from there and everything. Yes.
;Deugan
:Okay then, that makes sense... So come along then. Let's go. To Canonia! We should hit the shops in Goznor on our way out of town, too!
;Mardek
:This'll be great!
(The party reaches a broken bridge in the Eastern Glens)
(The party crosses underwater to the other side)
;Deugan
:Hey, Emela, er... How are you feeling..?
;Emela
: Hm? Oh, I'm... I'm alright... Why do you ask?
;Deugan
:Oh, I was just concerned... You seemed really distressed last night after, er, what happened... Do you think you'll be okay with this mission? I mean, it might include killing...
;Emela
:Yes, I'll be fine. Donovan had a point, after all... I did sign up to be a Royal Guard, and that's going to involve violence. It's inevitable. We just have to remember that even if we hurt people, we're ultimately helping more people through what we're doing.
;Deugan
:Exactly. We're not hurting innocent people. We're hurting people who hurt innocent people, which is fine. Good, even!
;Mardek
: Well, yeah!
;Emela
:Alright. Come on, guys, we need to hurry up if we're going to get to Canonia anytime soon.
===Lake Hag===
(Nearing Canonia, the party reaches Lake Qur.)
;Emela
: Lake Qur... It's been a while since I was last here... Oh, the memories...
;Deugan
:Did you spend a lot of time here growing up, Emela?
;Emela
: Well, naturally-
:Oh! Um, yes! Yes, that's right! I used to, er, play by the lake all the time.
:
:I remember it so clearly... I mean, it was just me who played by the lake, though. The other, um, children in Canonia... they all liked to stay inside the village, or play in the forest, so I was always alone when I was here by the lake.
:
:
:...Hey, do you guys hear that?
;Deugan
:... Sounds like this was your home away from home, almost?
;Emela
:Something like that! It, um- it was nice, though? It was alright! Lake Qur is a nice place, don't you think? It's kind of serene, like a beautiful spot of blue in the green forest... If you're going to spend time alone, it's nice to do it in a calm place like this, I suppose...
;Deugan
:So-
;Emela
:Sorry, um! I know what I just said, but... do you see that moth over there, you two?
;Mardek
:I do! And also the moth on that tree, and the moth on that other rock, and-
;Deugan
: Emela, is there something wrong with the moths?
;Emela
:Well, no... or maybe? I've just never seen those moths around the lake before, and they seem... a little odd, don't they?
;Mardek
:It feels like that one is looking at us. Do moths normally look at people?
;Emela
:Something feels wrong here... we should proceed with caution.
(Partly across the lake shore, the party takes suspicion on the numerous glass statues scattered about.)
;Deugan
:We've passed a few of these weird statues now... Aren't they interesting? They look like they're made of crystal or glass, or something... Emela, do you know what they're made of, or who made them?
;Emela
:No... no, I don't. I might've heard of statues like these, but they've never been here before, at least not that I remember - they're new, like the moths.
:
:I don't like the look of them, either. Look at the expressions on their faces... it looks like the artist was trying to capture the subjects in moments of shock and fear. I can't say I approve of something like this lying around on the lakeside.
;Deugan
:Now that you mention it...
;Mardek
: Well, I just want to know what they're made of. They're so shiny! 
;Emela
:Well, if we ever meet the sculptor, I suppose we'll be sending some rather mixed signals...
(The party defeats a Gryystal) 
;Deugan
:Was that... a monster disguised as one of the crystal statues?
;Mardek
:Or was it a crystal disguised as a monster...?
;Emela
:Whatever it was, it shouldn't be here. None of this should be here. The statues, the moths, they're all new and they're all *wrong*... something was wrong with this whole place before we got here, and the further we go, the more I...
;Deugan
:Emela?
;Emela
:Shh... do you hear that?
;Mardek
: Well, it sounds like someone is crying... not too far ahead. Maybe at the pier? 
;Deugan
:We should hurry forward.
;Emela
:Agreed.
(At the other side of the lake, the party sees a young girl sobbing.)
;Elwyen 
:*Sob*
;Emela
:Hey, what's wrong?
;Elwyen
:*Sob* Mummy... Daddy...
;Deugan
:There are some more of those statues there... Do you know anything about them, little girl?
;Elwyen
:It's... it's the Lake Hag what does it! 
;Emela
:The Lake Hag...? She... sculpts these statues?
;Elwyen
:Nooo! She turns people INTO these statues! Like... like my mummy and daddy... *Sob*
:The Lake Hag curses people by the lake, but nobody knows how or why... Usually it's safe, so my mum and dad and me went for a walk since it was nice... But then... then! *Sob* 
;Mardek
: Well, is there any way to remove the curse? 
;Elwyen
:H-huh? You'd... you'd try to remove the curse?
;Mardek
:Well, we would if we could! We'll do what we can to help!
;Elwyen
:You... you will? Oh, thank you so much!!
:I think... I think maybe if you get rid of the Lake Hag, the curse will go... maybe...
;Mardek
:Well, where is the Lake Hag?
;Emela
:Mardek, Deugan, we should... step aside for a moment...
;Deugan
:Emela, are you thinking what I'm thinking?
;Emela
:Um... maybe? Look, I... I *know the stories* about the Lake Hag, and... yeah, the stories *say* she can freeze people like this, but she's never *actually done it*, not as far back as I can remember. She's enchanted to be friendly. Or, um, so the stories go. 
;Mardek
: So, you don't think she did it?
;Emela
:No, I... I don't know what to think.
;Mardek
:Well, I think we should go see her!
;Deugan
:Agreed. We *are* Royal Guards, and we were sent to help out the people of Canonia... maybe this is related to their missing Shaman? 
;Emela
: I don't know about that... but I do think you're right, and we should visit the Lake Hag to investigate. Then, if we *must* get rid of her...
;Mardek
:We're going to help you, little girl! We've agreed on it and everything. Where did you say the Lake Hag lives?
;Elwyen
:Um, she lives in the lake, I think... At the bottom, in a cave.
;Deugan
:Another journey underwater! Emela, that rare spell of yours is certainly coming in handy. 
;Emela
:I suppose it is, yeah... I'm just happy to be helpful, I guess. 
;Mardek
:Then we'll all be even happier when we've dealt with the Lake Hag! Time for a swim!
;Elwyen
:Yay!
;Deugan
:That's a peculiar spell to have though, Emela... It's not one of your everyday incantations that you can buy at the local magic shop. It must've been hard to get!
;Emela
:Um... My parents taught it to me... I probably didn't even know it was rare or anything! That and I like swimming, so it's good for swimming! Yes! Let's stop talking now and go in this lake that I've totally not been in before! Except when I was playing in it! Yes! Come on! 
;Deugan
:Okay...
(The party confronts the Lake Hag at the bottom of the lake.)
;Lake Hag
:Gwuuuuhhhhh...
;Deugan
:THIS is the Lake Hag?
;Emela
:Yes, it's a creature that's lived in this cave for ages, but it's not usually ever been a bother... In fact, people used to revere it at one point due to its magical powers. ...What were you expecting it to be?
;Deugan
:I pictured some kind of... old woman thing with seaweed for hair. Look, she even has FOUR different colours of underwater yarn!
;Emela
: How odd you are!
;Lake Hag
:Gwuuuuhhhh! 
;Emela
: Something's clearly wrong with the Lake Hag... It's never acted like this before... Do you think we should-
;Lake Hag
:GWUUUUHHH!!!!
;Emela
:Wah!
(The party defeats the Lake Hag.)
;Mardek
:Well, that went well! She did have the seaweed for hair though!
;Emela
:She attacked us on sight... I'd hoped it wouldn't come to this.
;Deugan
:Didn't the Lake Hag try to crystallize us back there? Why didn't it work? We should've ended up like that little girl's parents and all the other statues.
;Emela
: That... oh, that's another side effect of the Aqualung spell I cast. The spell protects against loss of oxygen and other underwater dangers such as suspended animation, I guess... Convenient, I know!
;Mardek
:Well, I tripped and stubbed my toe on a rock earlier, and it didn't protect me at all!
;Deugan
:Ha... I guess 'rock' doesn't fall under the category of 'underwater dangers', though I agree that is quite the spell to have. I'm glad I asked you to come along, Emela, otherwise we'd be 'out of our depth', if you'll excuse our current surroundings...
: Speaking of spells, Emela, you mentioned an enchantment on the Lake Hag before... What did you mean by that, exactly?
;Emela
:Oh! Yeah, the Lake Hag had a spell put on her long ago, making her friendly to the people at the Lake. I, uh - I read about it once! Yes. But that enchantment must have run out since last time I was here...
:The enchantment might have even been broken, if something happened to the person who cast it... 
;Mardek
:Ooh! Do you think the Lake Hag's curse wore off because of what we did, then? 
;Deugan
:That's a good point, we should head back to the pier, they must be in a panic over there.
;Mardek
:Well, good thing there's a convenient portal-thingy up ahead! If we walk blindly into it, maybe it'll lead us back to the entrance.
;Emela
:...
(The party returns to the surface.)
;Emela
:Um... 
;Mardek
:Well, we defeated the Lake Hag...
;Elwyen
:But... my parents... They're still statues!
;Emela
:The curse didn't fade? That's... bad. Because if it didn't, then I don't think there's anything we can do...
:These sorts of curses are the types that can't be dispelled by regular magic. In fact... Your parents' souls most likely have already left their bodies... I'm so sorry...
;Elwyen
:But... Mummy... Daddy... What do I do now?! *Sob*
: Would you, um... You're good people... You killed the Lake Hag. Um... Can I- can I come with you...?
;Mardek
:Well... I don't see any harm in it...
;Elwyen
:Really?
;Deugan
: No, Mardek! She *can't* come with us!
:
:I mean... It's greatly unfortunate that her parents are gone and we can't do anything about it, but if she came along it'd be too dangerous for her, and she'd be a liability to us... I mean, she's just a child!
:
:I wish we could do more to help, but dragging her into dangerous dungeons won't help anybody.
;Elwyen
:But... I've got nowhere to goooo... *Sob*
;Deugan
:You're from Canonia, right? Don't you have any friends in the village?
;Elwyen
:Yeh, I suppose...
;Deugan
:If you went to them, I'm sure they'd understand, and look after you much better than we could. Adventuring isn't something a young girl like yourself should do. You could get killed, and you've so much to live for! 
;Elwyen
:I... I understand... *Sob*
:I'll go to one of my friends' houses...
:xxSo, uhm... Thanks for killing the Lake Hag... At least nobody else will... will die, like my mummy and daddy... -Sob-
:-Sniff...- Wait though... What are your names..?
;Mardek
:Well, I'm Mardek, and this is Deugan and Emela!
;Elwyen
:Mardek... Mardek... I'll remember that!
:But, um... Bye now, I suppose...
;Mardek
:Maybe we should go and see her in the village later to see how she's doing...
;Emela
:Yeh, the girl's parents just died... I can't even begin to imagine how horrible that must be! To feel all alone, with nobody who *really* understands you to look after you...
:
:...
;Deugan
:...Emela?
;Emela
:Sorry, I, uh, was just thinking about the Lake Hag's broken enchantment and what might've happened with the caster...
:
:If something happened, then...
;Deugan
:Do you know who cast it? 
;Emela
:I - uh - I... I might? I think it was the Shaman who cast it. Sylvia. Yes, she must have done it. That would make the most sense, seeing as she's gone missing.
;Mardek
:So maybe something DID happen to Sylvia...
;Deugan
:If that's the case, then we need to get to Canonia and get a lead on her.
===Missing Shaman cont.===
(As the party arrives in Canonia, they meet a paladin in green armour.) 
;Vehrn
:Greetings and well met there, friends! You look like soldiers! Were you sent because of the monsters and things that seem to have become unusually active, and the missing Shaman, eh?
;Mardek
:Well, yes! That's exactly why we're here! How did you guess?
;Vehrn
:I'm here for the same thing, y'see. I knew they'd send soldiers!
:I'm sorry though, but you're not needed! You can go home! I'll be handling this. No need for petty soldiers to get involved! 
;Deugan
:Petty soldiers? Who the bloody hell do you think YOU are, mate?
;Vehrn
: I am Vehrn El-Ganobyi, a Paladin of YALORT! My mission is to aid those in need of it, and I came here on the winds to help these people in distress!
;Mardek
:You came on the winds?
;Vehrn
:Well, not *literally*, but you know what I mean.
;Mardek
:No I don't.
;Vehrn
:...Anyway, you soldiers won't be necessary, because I'm quite capable of handling this myself! And I said that already! So go home! 
;Emela
:And what makes you so sure that you won't be overwhelmed by something you're not expecting? You seem like the sort of guy who works alone, so how will you handle that?
;Vehrn
: Why, I'll pray to YALORT for assistance, of course!
;Emela
:And that'll help, will it? Has He ever directly helped before? Ever zapped your foes with green lightning, anything like that?
;Vehrn
:Not- not in so many words, no! But YALORT does assist me! Just... just not in such vulgar ways! He's much more subtle. He gives me *support*, not lightning bolts!
;Emela
:Sure, if you say so.
;Vehrn
:Anyway, silence! You're just soldiers! Godless, heathen soldiers too, probably! You wouldn't understand.
:I suggest you all go home and play with your toys and pray to YALORT to forgive you for not worshipping Him, while I do what needs to be done here! Adios!
;Deugan
:...
: He'll be dead within the hour.
: But Emela! This is your hometown, eh? Maybe we should go and say hello to your parents, or maybe your friends?
;Emela
:Um...! My parents moved away a while ago, probably, so they don't live here anymore! And, um... all my friends moved away too, just like I did! So nobody I know lives here anymore!
;Deugan
:Okay... How about we go back to your old house anyway? I'd like to see where you grew up! It'd be interesting!
;Emela
:Um, er... I, um... It's probably been knocked down or something! But hey, we should go to the barracks and see the Guard Captain there! Yeh, let's go and do our mission! C'mon!
;Deugan
:Right...
(The party goes to the barracks to be informed.)
;Guard Captain
:You're soldiers, right? From Goznor, I assume? Were you sent by Jacky-boy to help with the monsters and things?
;Mardek
:Well, that's right!
;Guard Captain Banquo
: Jolly good. I heard he sent you out to the Gem Mines to deal with those nasty Bandits. I suppose I should fill you in then.
:The monsters seem to be coming from the woods to the south of the village. Normally there are monsters in there, just like in any woodland, but it's only recently that they've been acting up like they are. It's odd. 
:I'd assume this is due to the disappearance of Sylvia, the Shaman of these parts. The monsters started going wild when she went missing one day. Nobody knows why, or where she went. 
;Deugan
:Yeah, we met Sylvia when we were kids. Remember, Mardek? She told us to punch the ancient, all-powerful tree that would've killed us instantly.
;Guard Captain Banquo
:
:Sounds like her alright. Your main mission is to find her. If she returns, then surely the monsters' odd rage will subside, and we can be at peace once more. 
:So, that's all you have to do. Go into the woods; Sylvia's missing, yes, but it's unlikely that she left the woods. And even if she did, it'd be a good idea to check the woods anyway just to be on the safe side.
:Best of luck, soldiers! Come back and see me when your quest is finished, and I would be happy to reward you.
(The party travels through the woods and into a cave. Partway through the dungeon, they meet four people dressed as heroes.)
;Mardek
: Well, we're soldiers! Who are you?
;Bartholio
:Ja, we are Adventurers! Heroes! We are here on an important Quest!
;Deugan
:To find the Shaman and stop the monsters, right?
;Bartholio
:Eh? What's this about the Shaman? And monsters?
;Vennie
:Oi berleev the Shaman's moiybe gone missin' er summat, roit? An' that loik... monsters're overrunnin' Canonia er summat!
;Bartholio
:Oh. O-kay. Nein, though! We are not here for that, whatever it is! We are here for a Crystal! We heard that there was one in this area. We are Questing to find it!
;Emela
:Heh. The Water Crystal, right? You're in completely the wrong place, y'know.
;Bernard
:That pretty youngun's right, she is.
;Bartholio
:Nein! The Crystal is in the Canonia region, and this is the only dungeon! It must be in here!
;Aalia
:wen r we guna get 2 da cristal!!! D:
;Bartholio
:Certainly soon! We just need to get past these petty soldiers!
:In fact, why are we bothering to talk to them at all? We may as well talk to the gruuls!
;Deugan
:Hey, are you comparing us to random monsters? What makes YOU any better?
;Bartholio
:We are Heroes of Goodness and Justice! Warriors of Light! We quest for the Crystals!
:I am Bartholio, strongest arm in the lands and skilled master of the blade!
;Vennie
:Oi'm Vennie, fastest feef you evah did loi oiys on, innit? But Oi 'ave an 'eart o' gold, oh yes Oi do!
;Aalia
:im Aalia and im a princess an i liek ponys and hot boyz and puppyz ad wht mgc. nd helpin pplz lol ^_^
;Bernard
:And I'm Bernard. 
;Bartholio
:Together, we are the World's Saviours!!
;Deugan
:That doesn't sound nearly as impressive as I'm sure you wanted it to.
;Bartholio
: You mock us, soldiers? Then ready your weapons! You are merely obstacles in our way, and we will get past you and to the crystal! BATTLE TRANSITION FADE THROOOOOUUUGH!
(They attack but are defeated.)
;Bartholio
:You are so weak, soldiers! Just as weak as we knew you would be!
;Aalia
: owww!1 my me hurts D:
;Deugan
:How can you call us weak when you *lost*?
;Bartholio
: We did not lose! We... merely let you think you had won! Ja, we got bored and lulled you into a false sense of victory because we are so kind and nice!
:But this is boring me! We can see that the crystal is not in this room, so we are off now to explore more corridors and rooms so then we will find it!
;Emela
: I'm certain you won't, y'know. 
;Bartholio
: Shut up! We're leaving now! You should be honoured to have even MET us, for we will be the heroes who save the world from the evils that threaten it many times in the future, this is certain! We are the World's Saviours! You haven't seen the last of us! I'm sure there's a secret postgame area somewhere later on--and it is there that you shall be defeated! 
;Bartholio (While leaving)
: Now, Saviours, away!
;Mardek
:Well, if they were The Heroes, does that make us Not The Heroes?
;Deugan
:There's a difference between thinking you're heroes and actually BEING heroes. They were certainly well into their roles and knew what they should be like, but they were so corny! 
:I'm sure we've not seen the last of them though... Eugh. 
:But let's go now! We still haven't found the Shaman yet, but something tells me we're extremely close!
(The party later finds the Shaman in a room at the back of the cave.)
;Mardek
:Sylvia?...Is that you?
;Sylvia
: It's me, dear...
;Mardek
:Wah!
;Deugan
:She's a zombie!
;Sylvia
:How very observant of you, dear...I remember you. You little rats!
;Deugan
:Who did this to you?! And is it... curable?
;Sylvia
:Curable? Why would I want to be *cured* of this Dark Gift? I have been granted extended powers of Darkness and eternal life by the Dark Spectre, the Reaper, the Omega himself! With these powers, I am more powerful than I have ever been before!
;Emela
:You're behind all the monsters acting like they are too, aren't you?;Sylvia
: The beasts of this region do my bidding, and are taking it for me! Too long have I merely 'protected' this region... The Reaper convinced me that I could have so much more! I could BE so much more!:With ease, I can RULE this land, and all will do MY bidding for a change! All *I* had to do was tell the Reaper where he could claim the most souls...
;Mardek
:Well, you're MAD..!
;Sylvia
: I am POWERFUL! Unstoppable! Unkillable! My dark power can overwhelm and destroy you! You want to stop me, don't you!? The Reaper told me to destroy all who would try to stop me! I must destroy YOU!
(The Shaman attacks the party and is defeated.)
;Sylvia (disintegrating)
:Nooooooooo!!!
;Mardek
:That'll show you for learning to mess, uh... teach mess meddle with, uh... uh, with me! Us! Yeh!
;Rohoph
:I think I may have dire news!
;Mardek
:What?!
;Rohoph
:The 'Reaper' that that Shaman spoke of... The personification of Death on this world is a dark, cloaked figure that wields a scythe, correct? It's called the Evereaper, or just the Reaper, and the Shaman said that she was contacted by this Reaper personally.
: Now, you could dismiss this as madness, but I don't believe that to be so. I believe it to be much worse, and I believe the zombified state of the woman made this clear.
:I believe that the 'Reaper' she referred to was one of my race, my Order; one of the Annunaki, the Governance de Magi... So my suspicions from earlier proved true... This is MOST unfortunate!
;Mardek
:Because they're out to kill you!?
;Rohoph
: Yes, most certainly, and this threatens us both, but I'm afraid that the Governance de Magi would never stop at just that. From the look of it, they've sent Moric, The Necromancer, and the Violet Crystal seemed to affect him majorly... It made him covetous of power, and it wouldn't at all surprise me if he's using this little mission to gain some of it.
: Your world of Belfan is weak compared to the power he already wields. He could feasibly conquer it quicker than you'd like to believe, and he would, too; seems he is trying to, actually. 
:I'd guess that he asked the Shaman about the nearest populated place so then he could go there and raise as many undead servants as possible. He zombified the Shaman so then he could essentially use her to control this area... probably. Moric IS predictable.
;Deugan
:But what are we supposed to DO?
;Rohoph
:I'm pretty certain that Moric would have gone to *Goznor*, from the sound of it, and this is bad. Very bad. He didn't seem to be there when we last were, but chances are he is by now. We need to head there, and fast.
;Mardek
:Well, let's stop delaying and go now then!;Deugan
: Yes, c'mon! To Goznor!
;Vehrn (if in party)
: I'll accompany you. It may have been my mission only to find the Shaman, but now I can see that there are far more significant and world-threatening things at work here, if what your demon says is true. I shall see this through until the end.
;Emela
:Wait... Who was just talking then? That didn't sound like Mardek!
;Deugan
:Uh... We can explain all that later! For now, we need to go to Goznor!
===Zombies attack===
(The party heads to Goznor and witnesses that zombies are in the town. They head to the Yalortian Monastery.)
;Medium Priest Gallovar
:Foul fiends of the night! You may have finally broken into this sacred temple of YALORT, but-:...Wait. You're not undead. That's a great relief, Mardek!
;Mardek
:Well, no we're not, but is everyone else okay?!?
;Medium Priest Gallovar
:Worry not; everyone is safely locked away in their homes! The zombies are too dim-witted and feeble to force their way inside, and were slow enough when they arrived to give everyone a chance. 
:But they just keep coming! I need to go and stop them! I was just about to set off...;Mardek
:No! We can do it instead!
;Medium Priest Gallovar
:You... you would? I'll not object to such an offer! You're strong; you should be able to handle it... whatever it is that's causing them to rise as they are.
:Here. I had an old suit of armor that I was planning to use for fighting the zombies, but I think you'll get better use out of it than I would. And I prefer my stylish, fashionable robes, anyway.
:
:And one other thing... You'll need this generic rusted key. With it, you can unlock the big door in the sewers. Deeper in the sewers, you'll find an entrance to the old Catacombs beneath the village, where many generations of corpses are stored. I'm certain this is where the undead are swarming from!
:
:There's also a door in the upper level of the Sewers directly to the heart of the Catacombs, but I don't have the key for that one. Someone probably lost it somewhere in the catacombs, so keep an eye out for it
;Deugan
:Wait... If we need to get past a locked door to get *there*, how is it that they can come *here* freely? And why is the only way to get to the catacombs from the filthy *sewers* anyway? Is that any way to honour the dead?
;Medium Priest Gallovar
:Don't be absurd. Having an impractically large, labyrinthine system of corridors in the sewers which connect to the underground catacombs is a sacred tradition.
:
:And now is not the time for questions! They probably have a magic lock-picking zombie or something, who knows.
:
:Deugan, be sure to take this sword your father left for you. Now be gone, you must head off and save the village!
;Mardek
:Let's go, then!
(The party encounters a rat.)
;Mardek
:Oh no, a rat!
;Emela
:We've been fighting rats this whole time. Why are you so surprised by this one?
;Mardek
:Because it has an overworld sprite and a unique name!
;Ignatz
:I say! You lot look rather edible, actually. Apologies, but I think my children and I are going to have to devour you alive now. Really nothing personal.
(The party travels through the sewers and reaches the catacombs.) 
;Rohoph
:Ah, I knew it was Moric... And I'm certain of this now. I can sense him strongly. He's deep within these catacombs, apparently working on a powerful incantation that will raise all the corpses in the area as his undead slaves.
:We should be careful, but also quick; we can't allow him to finish casting that spell!
;Deugan
:This still doesn't make sense. HOW did he get down here in the first place?!
;Rohoph
:We have no time to lose! We need to go now! Come along!
(The party encounters the Zombie Locksmith.)
;Deugan
:It's a zombified...locksmith?
;Mardek
:That must be how Moric unlocked the door and got in here! It makes perfect sense now!
;Deugan
:Wait, but wouldn't he need to have the key *before* he got in here and raised all these zombies? And why is this zombie capable of making keys when all the others are just mindless monsters? This still doesn't make any sense!
;Emela
:Let's focus on fighting this thing and leave the plot holes for later.
;Zombie Locksmith
: MRRRUUUUUHHHHHHH!!!!
(The party travels deeper into the catacombs and encounters a Zombie Warrior.)
;Zombie Warrior
:Yeeees... With these undead, I have eyes and ears all throughout this tomb... I know you're there, Rohoph... And I know you're after me, yeeees...
;Rohoph
:Moric? Is that you?
;Zombie Warrior
:Yeees... Rohoph. It's been a while, mmm? But a while is all you've got left, for you see, this tomb will be your... tomb. Yeees, my undead slaves - my pallid, rotting extensions of my own consciousness - will annihilate you. They will make your sparkling white robe run blue with blood, and then I can add you too to my undead legions. Yeees...
;Rohoph
:I don't actually have a robe anymore... I miss it though. I *liked* that robe! Thanks for bringing back bad memories, Moric!
:But we're coming for you... Your reign of madness-driven evil is almost at an end, old friend... I'm sorry it's come to this, but it seems that your death would be the only end to this... *this*!
; Zombie Warrior
:Why didn't you just join us, Rohoph? We could have ruled the galaxy together! Yeees, the dim masses would have bent to our whims, died by our orders... We would have had ultimate power, the power to do and get anything and everything we wanted on a whim, but you turned that down... and for what?;Rohoph
:Don't you *listen* to what you say? You're not the Moric I used to know. None of you other Magi are those who I used to call friends... Can't you see that that Violet Crystal has warped your minds?!? It's making you *evil*!
;Zombie Warrior
:It gives us *power*! It shows us the true way of being! We never really had ultimate power as benign benefactors, and we often went unappreciated... But as dictators... We can do so much more! We get so much more praise! Yeees, else we destroy those who refuse to accept our glory...
;Rohoph
:Eugh, it's sickening to think that this is what you've all become... I really do hate having to do away with you like this, but enough talking, for it needs to come to that! Doing away with you, I mean! I'm coming for you, old friend!
;Zombie Warrior
: Yeees, come, then. Come to join my undead legions!
(The Zombie Warrior attacks but is defeated.)
; Zombie Warrior
:RRRRRGGHGHHHHHH!!!
; Mardek
: Well, did we win? Is it over now?
;Rohoph
:What? No, no! That was just an undead that was being controlled by Moric's mind. He was merely using it as a way to remotely communicate with us. The real Moric's further in the catacombs, so come along!
(The party travels deeper into the dungeon and encounters another Zombie Warrior.)
;Zombie Warrior
:RRRRAAAGHHHHHHHH!!!!
;Mardek
:Oh no! A plot-unrelated boss monster!
(The zombie attacks but is defeated. The party confronts Moric.)
;Rohoph
:Moric!
;Moric
:Rohoph.
;Rohoph
:Moric!
;Moric
: Rohoph.;Rohoph
:Moric!
;Moric
:Rohoph.
;Rohoph
:Moric, did you come here to find me and destroy me?
;Moric
:Yeees, that is an accurate statement.
;Rohoph
:Oh good, because I'd feel awfully neglected if you were here for some other reason!
;Moric
:You need to be annihilated, Rohoph. You know too much. You must pay the price for committing the act of traitory, scrubbing the back of traitordom, and suckling the sweet, sweet teat of traitorness!
:I was sent here to vanquish you, O White Anti-Reaper, for if left to live, to breathe, to- ...Wait. Rohoph, you appear to have a completely different body, unless I'm completely mistaken, yeees?;Rohoph
:I do have a different body, but it's irrelevant! I'm still the same old soul, and I know all that I knew before the Transfer!
;Moric
:I see. As I was saying... If left to live, to breathe, to speak and spread your knowledge, you could rally a resistance against us-
;Rohoph
:Which is exactly what I'm planning on doing!
; Moric
:-and though it's unlikely they can stop us with the blood-prickling power of the Violet Crystal that we can harness, it would still be an inconvenience we could do without, yeees... Hence my being here.
;Rohoph
:But why did YOU come? Surely you had a near infinite amount of lackeys you could've sent to do your dirty work instead?
;Moric
:...
; Rohoph
:And why did it take you this long to get here? I mean, it's been eight years or so! I got here from Anshar in a few weeks!
; Moric
:...!
:When I came here, my goal was to destroy you and then depart - to rend you limb from limb, bathe in your blood and sneer as your flesh was consumed by beasts and your pallid robe was torn into at least seventeen shredded strips, soaked in the humours of corporeal life - but since I arrived, I have realised... there is so much more potential, yeees!
;Rohoph
:Oh? What do you mean? Are you becoming more aware of what that crystal's doing to your mind since you're so far away from it and outside its field of effect now?
;Moric
:I said previously that the crystal gives us *power*, and I crave power! I lap it up like a starved nongrle that's also thirsty and rabid! Power is my drug, my purpose... Power... ohhh, how I DROOL at the thought of the things I could do with a clenched, shuddering fistful of power!
:But I digress, Healer. No... What I came to realise is that this planet is oozing with the potential for power! The potential for me to HAVE power! To suck it from it like a bno fly sucking the juices from a newly hatched sk'nag hound! To drain the power and absorb it!
:You see, with the ease of a g'nuk leaping over a malodourous mound of rotting beastflesh, I could CONQUER this world. I could have it in my grasp like a thing, that is in my grasp! This is an Undeveloped World. A Class IV. They would worship me as a GOD, and be unable to resist my curdling power! It would be just... *enthrillerating*, yeees... Yeees!
:Much more so than just killing you to death and then leaving, at any rate. Yeees. Yes.
; Deugan
:So, Emela, are you paying any attention to any of this?
;Emela
:I'm trying to figure out what's going on! That's not Mardek talking, is it? Is it some kind of demon that's possessed him, or something?
;Deugan
:Something like that.
;Vehrn (if in party)
:(I should really disapprove of this demon possession thing, being the holy righteous Paladin that I am, but... eh.)
;Rohoph
:Are you sure you won't come to your senses, Moric? I really don't want to destroy you... We used to be like brothers!
; Moric
:You know that's a lie, Rohoph. We are polar opposites in our fields of magic. You specialise in giving life, I in taking it away and then doing horrible, foul, turgid things to create perverse imitations of it. You always disliked me.;Rohoph
:I do admit that I didn't completely approve of your abilities, but dislike you? I think that's a bit harsh!
; Moric
:You used to insult me regularly. You lorded over me. Belittled me. Told me I was a stain on the cloth of existence. When you were angry, at least. I could tell you thought such things deep down always, yees...
; Rohoph
:What? That's not... It's... It wasn't like that!
;Moric
: I was too shy, though... yeees, quiet. I just took the blows, said nothing. But it hurt deep down, yeees... Scarred me, like a keen knife carving gracefully through the flesh of one's pallid forearm...
;Rohoph
:Moric...
;Moric
:Now though, I have power. Yeeees, much power; more than even you, O Pale Ghost! And I'm going to complete my mission now before getting back to my own concerns. Yeees, I'll tear your new body a few new orifices, into which I'll pour slime so foul and black it'd make your vomit vomit in rage that such an atrocity should ever have come into existence!
:Now is the time for you to pay for so much, Rohoph! Our Governance will not return to the sorry state it was before! DIE!!
(Moric attacks but is defeated.)
;Moric
:I regret... that I made no difference, yeees... Now... I come to you at last, my Servant, my Weapon, my Master! Ghu...
;Rohoph
:It is done...
:Mardek, Deugan... Girl, Other Guy. We should return to the surface. We can discuss things once we get there. This is no place for that sort of thing. Let's... let's go now.
(The party returns to Castle Goznor.)
;King
:And here they are! The soldiers - no, the *Guards* - No! The *Heroes* who saved the day! The Kingdom owes so much to your efforts and achievements!
;Deugan
:Thank you, your majesty. We're flattered!
;King
:Keep this up, and quite soon you'll be official Royal Knights quite easily!
;Jacques
:Your mission iz complete. You soldiers will now recieve your pay; 1000 generic gold coins each.
;Mardek
:Ooh!
;Emela
:I'll be sure to spend it on, uh, shoes or makeup or something.
;Mardek
:Me too!
;King
:You are now dismissed, Guards. You'd better get some rest! It's been a long, tiring day for you three, I'm sure!
;Jacques
:You will be informed if any ozzer missions become available!
(The party exits the throne room.)
;Vehrn
:What a day this has been! YALORT truly smiled on us today!
:Anyway, I'm going to the monastery to pray for a bit, then I suppose I'll stay at the inn for the night. Perhaps we could travel again sometime?
:But for now, adios! (Leaves.)
;Emela
:Well guys, this has been really fun... I can honestly say I enjoyed travelling with both of you! It's certainly a million times better than being in a party with Steele, but that's not saying much.
:Yes... Steele...
;Deugan
:I'm, uh... I'm just glad you liked adventuring with us! Let's do it again sometime; we'd certainly love your company, eh Mardek?
;Mardek
:Well, definitely!
;Emela
:Good to know!
:That thing with Mardek was pretty weird though... That whole demon possession thing. And so was fighting what looked like Death, too. That's certainly not what I was expecting at all when I came to join the Goznor Guard!
:I'd love to talk about it all with you now though, but I'm exhausted... I'll see you guys tomorrow, maybe?
;Mardek
:Sure!
;Emela
:Goodnighty night for now, then! (Leaves.)
;Deugan
:I don't know about you, Mardek, but I'm completely exhausted too... I can barely stand up! So I'm going to bed too. See ya. (Leaves.)
(Mardek returns to his dorm and goes to bed.)
;Mardek
:...
;Rohoph
:Mardek... Deugan, you should probably listen too. I've been thinking...
;Deugan
:Muh... What... what is it? What's the matter?
;Rohoph
:Well, we defeated Moric back there, yes? That much is obvious. But consider this: my body was destroyed too, and yet here I am.;Mardek
:...So?;Deugan
:So that other Death guy might have survived the death of his physical body too and lived on?!?
:But wait... Wouldn't he have needed another body to go into like you did? There weren't any around apart from us, and he didn't go into any of us like you did with Mardek...
;Rohoph
:There weren't any around? Ho, how silly of you! We were in a *tomb*! There were bodies *everywhere*!;Deugan
:But... don't you need an alive body?
; Rohoph
:Not necessarily! It's preferable and easier - says I, as if I have experience transferring my soul, even though I've only done it once - but Moric's a Necromancer; I honestly think he'd *rather* have a dead body than a live one!
:You're also not limited by the body's element if it's dead, anyway... I was able to share Mardek's body with him because we're both Light, but if we were different elements, it wouldn't've worked. The soul determines the element though, so evacuated bodies offer no such limitation.
:(And if you're wondering why the Undead have elements, well... Their elements are determined by the necromantic energy that animates them.)
;Deugan
:If that's the case, then couldn't he have re-possessed his own corpse?
;Rohoph
:Heh, you'd think so, wouldn't you? But unfortunately it doesn't work like that. It can't. As for why not... That's technical and irrelevant.
:I am greatly concerned that Moric may yet perpetuate his existence on this physical plane, and you saw how he was when we battled him back in the catacombs. He seems dead set on conquering this world for his own selfish pleasures, and we must stop him!
;Deugan
:But how do we know he DOES still live, or exist or whatever?
;Rohoph
:We don't, but I'd bet all your money on it. As for finding him... That should be simple. Just... well, I know you're both exhausted, but rest lightly tonight, and get what rest you can. I have a feeling something's going to happen really soon...
(Later in the night, Mardek is woken up by Emela.)
;Emela
:Oi! Mardek! Get up!
;Mardek
:...Mmm... wuh...?
;Deugan
:It's happening! The thing that Rohoph predicted!
;Rohoph
:What exactly has Moric done?
;Deugan
:Jacques says that a black mist has appeared over Canonia, like how one appeared over Goznor! But there's not just that! Apparently this big black... solid cloud thing appeared over the village, burning with magical green fire or something!
;Rohoph
:Ah... That'd be his battleship. I'm surprised he didn't use that before, on Goznor...
:We must act, and quickly. Moric's battleship has power like nothing you've ever witnessed before, and though I can't imagine him putting it to quick use, the death of one's body can injure one's mind, and Moric's was fractured enough to begin with. Who knows what he'll do!
:But we need some way to get to the battleship... It's suspended in the air, yes? Do you have magic on this world that can allow you to fly?
;Emela
:Um... I don't think there are any spells like that - at least, none that I've ever heard of - but I suppose we could ask the best magical people around if they know anything that we could use...
:But, um! We need to act quickly! Please! Canonia's in danger, and that place isn't as well-defended as Goznor!
;Mardek
:Well, let's go now then!
;Rohoph
:We can't just head to Canonia straight away though! First we need to find a skilled magic user capable of assisting us!
===Showdown===
(The party heads to Canonia and see that it is invaded by zombies. They go to the Zombieproof Cave and talk to the Goznor Shaman.)
;Deugan
:Graham! We need your help! We need to get into that big evil zombie-spawning cloud thing in the sky! You're the best magic user around; can you make us fly?!
;Graham
:Mmh? Mardek and Deugan? Mm, it's been years... You always did want to be Mighty Heroes; I should've expected YOU to come to the rescue of the world... Mm, there are some other adventurers outside, wanting to do the same, but I don't trust them...
;Mardek
:Well, can you help us? Do you have any spells that can make us fly?
;Shaman
:Mmh, mm-hmm, you have your father's blood, Mardek... I've watched you grow, and I'm so proud you're doing this now... I believe you can save us, mmh... I'd go myself, but I need to protect this cave with my magic so then the villagers are safe from the zombies, since Sylvia is no more, Nature rest her soul...
:I have no spells that allow one to fly, mmh, no... There are no such spells, I'm afraid... However, I can help you. I can cast teleportation spells, you see, so I can teleport you inside the cloud, mmh-hm, yes...
:However, mmh, it'll be a one-way trip. I can send you in, but I can't get you out. That part would be up to you.
;Deugan
:Ah... That's... that's not so good.;Mardek
:Well, we'll do it. Send us there.
; Emela
:Mardek, are you sure about this? I mean... we could all die, or get trapped there, or... or... We have no idea what to expect!
;Mardek
:Well, none of you need to come. I can go alone!
; Deugan
:Are you simple, mate? You think we'd abandon you and let you do this by yourself? I'm coming, and there's no way you'd stop me! We've always wanted to be Heroes together, and those dreams aren't changing today!
;Mardek
:Thanks, Deugan!
;Emela
:I... I feel ill, I'll admit... Not just because of all the uncertainty involved and the terrifyingly high chance of dying... No, there's something else... I know something's happened because of this. Something I can't possibly forgive, or leave alone. I have to be a part of this... I'm coming with you too, Mardek.
;Mardek
:Well, great!
; Vehrn (if in party)
:We're the Heroes, and YALORT's on our side! There's no chance of us losing, and this thing needs to be got rid of; it's a threat to everything and everyone! I'll accompany you!
;Zach (if in party)
:I don't fear death, and you paid me. I'm coming.;Mardek
:Well, thanks a lot, friends...
;Shaman
:Mmh, it's so heart-warming to see you young people all enthusiastic and good of heart and eager to save the world! So heart-warming... But now, I suppose you'd better get to it, mmm?
: I can teleport you into the dark cloud from here when you're ready. But you must keep in mind that you will likely not be able to return until the deed is done. Do whatever needs doing here before you tackle this, mmh.
;Mardek (dialogue choices)
* Well, we're ready!
*Well, we need to prepare... We'll be back soon!
;Shaman (if choice 2)
:I shall wait here for you.
;Shaman (if choice 1)
:Mmh, this is it, then... I can teleport you into the thing, but I cannot say whereabouts inside it you will end up. We leave that to Fate.
; Shaman
:I give you my blessings, mmh, and wish you as much luck as I can muster. Belfan is depending on you, my children; now is the time to live that dream of yours!
:TELEPORT!
(The party is teleported to the battleship.)
;Rohoph
:Well... We're here. This is Moric's Battleship. Beyond your primitive comprehension, eh humans?
;Mardek
:Well, it's so WOW!
;Emela
:Certainly different to anything I've ever seen on Belfan anywhere! How very alien!
;Rohoph
:We must be careful. Annunaki battleships are as dangerous to enemies on the inside as they are on the outside. They have very high-tech and effective security systems.;Deugan
:Security system?! What does that involve?
; Rohoph
:Monsters, apparently. Random battles. Because that makes sense, of course.
: At least it's something you can handle, I suppose...
:Anyway, there's no time for talking now. We have to get to Moric, the bridge is at the center of the battleship! And if we were to need them, escape pods are found to the north! Come on!
(The party heads further into the battleship.)
;Moric
:Rohooooooph....
;Mardek
:Moric! Are you speaking over the intercom?
;Moric
:Yeeees.... Moric... That's me... meeee.... MEEEEeeEeeEeE. I'm Moric! I'm a Necromancer, yeeees, yeeees! I'll necromance you, Rohoph, you... you festering blightering blightery... blighter, with your... your.... yeeeeees... your robe, your robe... Your words... You hurt me, Rohoph. My body, yeeees... You broke it.
: I had to do a Soul Transfer, yeees... a Soul Transfer, so humiliating... So... so gruuuhhnngh...
;Rohoph
: Moric... I fear the Transfer didn't go as well for you as it did for me... You appear to have lost your mind.
; Moric
:My mind? My MIND? MY mind? Yeeees, yes... Yeeees, I had one of those, a mind... MY MIND. Once... once, I did. I do... Yeees... You broke that, too. You're forever breaking my things, Rohoph...
:You're a bully, Rohoph. Yeees... I would wager that you don't recall the times you annihilated my spellbooks and my reagents, Rohoph, spoke against me all the time, Rohoph, back... back in the days, the young days...
:You've done me harm, yeees... So much harm, Rohoph... So much harm... And now look. Yeees, look what you've done. You... yeees you flestering bitey blight... sno-, crag-, nnek'gruuuh.... My... I hurt all over... I cannot think...
;Rohoph
:Moric, maybe I can help you? I am a Healer, after all. Perhaps... perhaps I can save you from the Violet Crystal's Influence? Restore your mind to its former glory? Maybe... maybe I can show you how monstrous our Order has become? We can save the galaxy together if only you'll let me aid you!
; Moric
:Save? SAVE the galaxy? No... nngh... I... yeees, you... that won't SAVE the... the us. Galaxy... So... so... SELF-RIGHTEOUS you always are, Rohoph, yeees... You're always RIGHT, always right... No... Yeees... I was always wrong... You always thought I was wrong... Wrong, wrong... yeees...
:I... I'll kill you, Rohoph, yeees... Come to me... Come to meee...
;Rohoph
:Moric...
: He's lost his mind. That... was painful to listen to... In this state, who knows what he's capable of...? We have to go to the bridge and stop him as quickly as we can. Come on...
(The party heads further and encounters a monster.)
;Dracelon
:Rrrruuuhhh... -INTRUDERS DETECTED. GENERICALLY STATING THAT THEY MUST BE DESTROYED.-
;Rohoph
:This is a Dracelon, a sort of Ansharian dragon... though this is a cyborg zombie version, apparently... You could say it's Moric's personal guard dog. It's going to try to kill us now, so get ready to fight!
(The party confronts Moric.)
;Moric
:Rohoph... Rohoph, and your little friends... yeees, you always did have all the friends... yeeess... You came. You're here.
;Mardek
:Wuh!!;Deugan
: That- that's Social Fox! You stole his body, you foul demon! That's... that's just UNFORGIVABLE!! Oh I'll make you suffer for THAT! How dare you defile his body like that!?!
;Mardek
:Well, he was our Hero!! We'll kick your shins and wobble your soul so hard for that!!
;Rohoph
:Moric... Yes, I am here now... And things are going to be alright. Let me heal you. We can stop the evil Governance de Magi together!
;Moric
:Rohoph... You're not... yeees... You're not helping me, no... This is... yeees, you and your tricks. Your lies... You never lied, you say, but you do... You traitor... You left us, you wanted to destroy us all... Now you're here to destroy us... yeees... yeees... I'll destroy YOU first!
:
:I'll make your... your blood run free, run free, all... all over your robe, your white robe... Yeees... Every time I saw that robe, I shuddered, yeees... Fear... I control fear... Fear can't control me... Threat, threat... No... Yeees...
;Rohoph
:I'll admit that I didn't much like you in the past, Moric... But I thought all that was behind us. Apparently not though... I never realised how much it had affected you! I... Can't I ever make it up to you? Let me heal you now, and like I said, we can work together, and I'll treat you right!
; Moric
:Beyond reason... Far, far beyond... Yeees... You won't. You wouldn't. You can't... You don't UNDERSTAND... Don't... don't understand... You can't feel my wounds... My hurting... hurty wounds, they hurt... Deep down... So sharp, so... so... so sharp... I bleed in my soul. It's broken... Fear, no... I control fear...
:You did it... It's all YOU... I will make you pay, Rohoph... yeees... You... I won't let you ruin everything anymore!!:You must die!! Only then can I be free!!
(Moric attacks but is defeated.)
;Moric
:Gnnruhh... I.... So green, so green... Qualia, all green... Spinning... Sharpness, exude... yeees... I... I hate you, Rohoph... Blight... Destroyer... Uhhn... *CHAOSBRINGER*... I am so... cold... Icy. This bleeds so much... Bad choice? Guh... Now... it ends... yeeeeeees...
;Rohoph
:......
:Quickly. I must cast a spell that I was preparing when you slept; it will seal Moric's soul so then he can't do another Transfer.
(Rohoph casts the spell.)
;Rohoph
:There... He will no longer be a bother...
;Deugan
:Social Fox... All these years, he was my idol... I almost faltered back there, hesitated to fight him... But this isn't him. He's surely Moved On from this realm now, he certainly deserved to Move On...
;Mardek
:Well, look what we did to his body...
;Deugan
:It deserved to rest in peace, with more honour than this... Ugh, what would he think if he knew this had happened?
:Anyway though... We've saved the world, Mardek. People will consider us Heroes for this, I'm sure!;Mardek
:Huzzah! Heroes at last! Our dreams come true!
;Deugan
:Heroes for slaying a dead Hero though... I never would've dreamed that this would be the way we'd gain fame...
;Emela
:I don't mean to break up any emotional moments here, but um... Shouldn't we be trying to get out of here right about now?
;Rohoph
:Ah yes! Come to think of it, we really should get a move on, because you see, uh... I'm pretty sure that right as he was dying, Moric willed the ship to shut itself down...
:(You blasted fool, Moric! I could have USED this ship! You could have at least given me that! But alas...)
;Deugan
:Shut itself down?!
;Rohoph
:Indeed! It, uh... it's a kind of self-defence measure, of a sort, that stops our technology from falling into enemy control... However, it takes about ten minutes for the systems to shut down; that was MY idea, so then the surviving crew had a chance to escape...
:Once the ship has shut down though, I'm pretty sure it would not be a good idea to be in it seeing as it's this high in the sky! It will fall! Pain will ensue, and most likely death, too!
:We must make our escape! We have about ten minutes... There are escape pods; we must head to those!
(The party heads to the escape pod room.)
;Dracelon
:Rrruuuuhhhh!!! -INTRUDERS ARE STILL ALIVE. KILL THEM THIS TIME I WILL.-
;Emela
:Aah! We haven't got time to fight this thing again! We need to get out of here!
;Rohoph
:The escape pods are right there, but if we try to escape in them, it'll surely destroy us while we're vulnerable! The escape pod, too! It won't let us just run away!
;Deugan
:No... No, it won't... But we can't fight... Not enough time...
:I'll hold it off. The rest of you, go! Run! There isn't much time! You need to get to the escape pods!
;Mardek
:What? You're staying behind?! No!
;Deugan
: Mardek... If I don't do this, then we'll all either have to fight this thing and die when the timer runs out, or try to flee and die when it chases us down. I can't let either of those things happen.
:The world needs a Hero, but I suppose it was never meant to be me... You've always been more successful and likable than me, Mardek... You're the better man, and it's you who should shine your light on the world and become the next Social Fox, not me.:So go on, mate. Be a Hero! Do it for both of us! Live our dream! You'll make a damn good Hero, I'm sure of it!
;Mardek
:Deugan, no! You... you can't leave like this! You have to come with us! We need to be Heroes together!
;Deugan
:I'm so sorry, mate... You know I'd love to, but I think this is more important. So go on, just leave, dammit!
: And... please, look after Emela...;Emela
:Deugan...
;Mardek
:...
;Vehrn (if in active party)
:(Why is it just standing there not doing anything?! We've delayed for ages just talking! Aren't we supposed to be hurrying out of here?);Deugan
:GO!
; Rohoph
: Come on... Deugan's made his choice, and I can see there's no changing his mind. We need to go now, quickly!
;Deugan
:Come on, you hideous monstrosity, you dream stealer... This is for Mardek, for Emela, for Social Fox and for Belfan...
:RRAAGH!
===Epilogue===
(The battleship crashes. The others return to Castle Goznor.)
;King
:Ah, the Heroes return once more! Huzzah to you, soldiers! You're most certainly the best recruits we've ever had, having saved the whole of Belfan not once, but twice! And this time you weren't even on a paid mission!
:But... where is that other blonde soldier, Deugan? Is he not with you? Surely he-...?!;Mardek
:...;Emela
:He... He fell...
;King
: Oh! Oh dear... I'm so sorry. That's... that's a terrible shame for us all... He was a great soldier, and a great man... His memory will not be forgotten, and his sacrifice will not go unnoticed. He did not die in vain.
:As for you two, however... You have most certainly proven yourselves more than worthy of the highest honour I can give Guards such as yourself: I am officially Knighting you! You'll both become Royal Knights!
;Mardek
: Well, thank you, your majesty... I am honoured.
;King
:Then I dub thee (without getting out of my throne, of course) 'Sir Mardek'. May you fight for goodness and justice, and help all those in need in the name of Goznor.
;Mardek
:Well, I shall, my lord.;King
:Good! Now you, Emela! I dub thee-;Emela
:My apologies, your majesty, but... I absolutely must refuse the honour. ...Can I do that?
;King
:Oh? You can technically refuse, but... that's surprising! Most unexpected! What are your reasons for this? If it's just modesty, then you needn't be like that; you've more than earned this!
;Emela
: No, it's not that... It's... personal reasons. Something happened when that black cloud appeared over Canonia and turned people into zombies... Um... I'm afraid I'll also have to leave the Guard... I need some time to, um, travel, and do some things...
;Mardek
:What?! You have to go away?!
; Emela
:I'm afraid so...
;Mardek
:Well, how long will you be gone for?
;Emela
:Uhm... I really don't know if I'll be coming back to the Guard at all, ever... I'm so sorry...
;Mardek
:But... but...!
;King
:This is most unfortunate! Your magical skills would have been so useful to us, and you could have saved many lives with your power and courage. But alas... I understand that personal matters can be more important.
:Know, though, that if you were to return, you would immediately be considered a Royal Knight due to your bravery and exploits today!
;Emela
:I thank you, sire.
;Mardek
:But... you're leaving...
;King
:You two look like you might have a lot to talk about in private... You are dismissed now, so you have the chance! Sir Mardek, you will be informed when your services are required. Emela, you will be sorely missed, but I wish you the utmost luck on whatever it is that you're off to do, and you have my blessings. Good night to you, now!
;Zach (if recruited) 
:My contract has expired. (leaves)
(start Vehrn tangent)
:;Vehrn (if recruited)
::Phew... What a last few days these last few days have been! Never in all my time as a Paladin have I done anything so... well, so exciting! We surely saved so many people though... For that, I'm glad that YALORT blessed us so.
::He even blessed you soldiers, allowing you to overcome and defeat such evils! Heh, surely you must just have been lying when you said you didn't worship him!
:;Emela::Yes, sure... That's right. We secretly pray to YALORT six times a day, but don't want to admit it openly for some reason.
:;Vehrn
::I knew it! How else could you possibly have such power and success?!
::This venture has been beneficial though, and I might even go so far as to say it was rather *fun*! I'd hope to be able to do this again with you all sometime!
::Adios! (leaves)
(end Vehrn tangent)
;Emela
:Well, Mardek... I guess this is where we part ways, too...
;Mardek
:Well, do you really have to go?
;Emela
:I really do, yeh... I mean, it's not just a selfish whim that I'm leaving on either... It's like... a duty that I have, a thing I NEED to do...
;Mardek
:Well, what is that thing?;Emela
:I, uhm... I can't tell you, sorry... It's important though, really it is!;Mardek
:Well... I'll be all alone... I'll miss you...
;Emela (walks closer to Mardek)
:I know... And I feel so terrible about leaving you because of that... I mean, Deugan... I'm so sorry, Mardek!
; Mardek
: Well... well.
;Emela (hugs Mardek)
:Mardek...;Emela
:I've lost people close to me too today... So I know how you must feel. Sort of. And I'm so sorry... I just wish there was something we could've done to convince him to come with us, or to destroy that monster thing...
;Mardek
:...
;Emela
:I wish I could stay, I really do, but I can't... So uhm...
:So long, Mardek... We'll meet again one day, I'll make sure of it! (leaves)
(Mardek returns to his room and goes to bed.)
;Rohoph
:Mardek...
;Mardek
:...
;Rohoph
:I understand how you must feel... Not just because I can actually access your brain in such a way that I can literally feel what you do, but also because I too know the pain of loss.
:Today, for example, I lost Moric. True, he and I never did get along well, as he said, and - though it pains me to admit it - I might have been a tad hostile towards him in the past because of his chosen field of expertise, I still considered myself close to him, and to see him do the things he did and then to end his life, twice... It was quite a potent blow to me.
:Certainly not as much of a loss as Deugan's death was to you, but that's not all.
:I've also lost everything and everyone I ever knew when I came here... I was forced to leave my homeworld suddenly; I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye... Though I suppose I did to the ones who I was closest to, since it was them who are now after me...
:But we should look on the bright side, Mardek! Moric's gone now, and the Governance de Magi might take that as a hint and leave me alone... Or, at the very least, their numbers are depleted, and that's a good thing for the entire galaxy! If we keep this up and kill one of them every chapter or something, we should have saved the galaxy before the eighth chapter!
;Mardek
:Huh?
;Rohoph
:You're also a Knight now, Mardek! Doesn't that make you feel special and empowered? You have a lot of power in the world now... Isn't this what you always wanted? The power to help people?
;Mardek
:Well, me and Deugan wanted that together...
;Rohoph
:Hm... Perhaps... Perhaps you should just sleep on it... Maybe in the morning you'll be able to feel better, and honour Deugan's sacrifice by being the best Knight you can be, living the dream for both of you!
;Mardek
:Well, he was my best friend...
;Rohoph
:Let's rest now, Mardek... Let's rest.
(Screen fades. A meeting between the GdM is shown.)
;Gaspar
:CRUMPETS. MORIC'S DEAD. I KNEW WE SHOULDN'T'VE GROPIN' WELL TRUSTED THAT LITTLE BONSOGGETTIN' MOGGABOUT TO GET THE JOB DONE!! THAT RATCHETIN' RESISTANCE IS LOOKIN' LIKE A CONFLABBLING REALITY WE'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH SOON AT THIS FATIN' RATE!!
;Balthazar
:Myes, he did seem to do rather an atrociously terrible, terrible job. Not only did he forget about the mission initially, but then he went and tried to betray us, too. What nerve. It's as if he didn't even know we were constantly monitoring his behaviour.
;Melchior
:I liked Moric... He was creepy. And green and black. Green and black contrast sooo much and made him look sooo creepy! Moric said 'yeees' all the time. I liked that. It made me laugh. But now he has died. Oh well. You can't win all of them.
;Qualna
:*I* say that he just wasn't skilled and talented enough to do the job! *I* think that yours truly could come up with a much, MUCH better solution to the Rohoph problem than that old dead MORIC! HIS approach was too ham-fisted and dense; what this requires is subtlety, and I can do just that!
;Gaspar
:WHAT, WITH YOUR ERUDITIN' TRILOBITIN' *CLAIRVOYANCE* AND *POSSESSION* AND *ACTING* SKILLS, YOU TARTISH SMOKIN' *DIVINER*?
;Qualna
:Ohyes. They're good skills, thankyouverymuch. They're leagues more elegant than *your* standard 'go in and burn everything' approach, O 'Firestorm'.
;Gaspar
:WELL IF YOU LICIN' WELL THINK YER TOADIN' CAPABLE ENOUGH, WHY DON'T *YOU* ROACHIN' WELL GO AND... DO... THING? KILL... THAT GUY? CROAKIN' WELL... DIE HIM... TO DEATH. GRASPIN'. THAT.
;Balthazar
:Myes, Qualna. You can talk the talk, but can you... kill... that guy? Hmmmm?
;Melchior
:I'd go, but I need to wash my hair.
;Gaspar
:YOU DON'T FOOLIN' WELL *HAVE* ANY PRUNIN' HAIR, YOU LAGABOUTIN' SPOUTIN' POUTIN' TROUT!
;Melchior
:So it will take a very long time to wash it.
:You see, mathematically, since I have no hair, and dividing by zero results in infinity, it shall take an infinite amount of time to wash my hair.
;Balthazar
:...
;Gaspar
:...HOW IS THIS BEASTIN' WELL RELEVANT?!?!
;Melchior
:I like relevance. I find it goes best with a side dish of scones and onions. Onions have fresh, fresh skin. Many layers of it. They're also native to a world I've never been to, most likely, so talking of them as the alien being I am is rather unrealistic.
;Qualna
:...Soooo... Ahyes! *I* can do a much better job than that thermadore of a biscuit Moric, by Jove! I bite my thumb at him! And et ceterum!
:I'm, er... I'll be off now, then?
;Anu
:Don't die. We have lost one of our ranks already. We can afford to lose no more.
;Qualna
:Sure, okay. I mean, if you don't *want* me to... I'll not die! But I'm doing this for *you*, you know, so you had better remember it gratefully!
;Anu
:Sigh...
;Balthazar
:Hm... We completely failed to mention that 'our plans are coming along nicely'... It has been several years since before, so surely our plans would have progressed somewhat, myes? And they have. They have been coming along rather nicely.
;Gaspar
:WHAT ARE YOU ARSIN' WELL PRATTLIN' ON ABOUT, MAN? 'BEFORE'? WE TARTIN' WELL TALK EVERY DAY! WE WERE JUST HALKIN' WELL TALKIN' ABOUT OUR PLANS EARLIER! AND HOW THEY'VE WARTIN' WELL BEEN COMIN' ALONG DICELY NICELY!
;Balthazar
:Myes, but THEY didn't know that! We have to consider THEM! And yet we must also be mysterious, myes, myes...
;Anu
:Sigh... Let's just fade out with an evil laugh. MWAHAHAHAHAHA, etc.
END OF CHAPTER
==Sidequests==
===Gope===
;Gope
:'Ey, I know you! You're the Guards who didn't kill me back in the Gem Mine! Thanks for that!
:I'm rather grateful, you know... I really thought when I saw you that that was the end, but you gave me another chance. A chance to improve meself. And I'm going to take that chance, and become a better person! No more Banditry for me!
:Thing is... I'm not sure I know what else I'm good at...
:I'm sure I'll find out one day though, and we'll meet again!
:'Ere, though... I'm so grateful for you sparin' me that I want to repay you... So you can have my bandit outfit. I'm not needin' it anymore. My thieving days are over!
:
:I planned on lootin' that place with my bandit partners, but I won't be partnerin' up with those blokes from now on. 'Opefully you find some valuables in there that helps you with soldierin' an' all that!
:Thanks again for sparin' me, Guards... The world needs more good people like you, and I intend to become one of 'em meself! We'll meet again sometime, someplace, I swear it!
===Pickaxe Pendant === 
;Miner
:You're the Guards that saved us from the bandits, eh? Good work, younguns! We're thankful for that, really we are!
:Ere... Take this item thingy as a gift from all us miners as a way of sayin' 'thanks'. I 'ope you Guards use it to help you fight the good fight!
===Lapis Lily === 
;Elwyen
:MARDEK!! You caaaame! 
:I'm so happy to see you!
;Mardek
:Heh, well... How are you feeling?
;Elwyen
:Um... I'm better now... Gloria and her parents are so nice, they've let me come and live with them, so at least I'm not alone anymore... I still miss my parents, but I'll be okay...
:I feel much, much better now that you're here now though, Mardek! 
:Um, here, Mardek... I want you to have this! You were so kind to me, and killed the Lake Hag so nobody else would ever lose people like... like I did... So I think you deserve this! I hope you think of me when you wear it!
;Mardek
:Well, thank you a lot!
;Elwyen
:I hope you can visit often, Mardek! I'd really like that if you did!
;Mardek
:Well, I'll stay in touch!
;Elwyen
: Yay! You'd better get back to your soldiering now though, soldier man! Go on and make more people happy!
===Zach===
;Zach
:...
;Mardek
:Hello!
;Zach
:...What?
;Mardek
:Well, I said hello. How's things?
;Zach
:Psht.
;Mardek
:You don't talk much, do you?
;Zach
:No.
;Mardek (dialogue choices)
*Well, who are you?
*I'll just, uh, leave then...
;Zach (if choice 1)
:A mercenary.
;Deugan
:A mercenary? Does that mean that you're hired to kill people for a living?
;Zach
:Basically.
;Deugan
:If we were to offer you money... Would you fight with us?
;Zach
:...1000 generic gold coins. I'll sell for that. No less.
;Mardek (dialogue choices)
*Well, here you go!
*I'm not paying that!
;Zach (if choice 2)
:Hmph.
;Zach (if choice 1)
:Then my sword is yours to command.
;Mardek
:Well, since we're friends now, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
;Zach
:No. And we're not friends. Let's go. (Joins party.)
;Mardek
:Well, okay...
;Emela
:(Isn't it so ironic that we just hired a cold-blooded killer to fight with us, despite all the talk of how killing is wrong that we were doing earlier? Tsk.)
===Vehrn===
;Deugan
:Why does this not surprise me?
;Vehrn
:Hey... Soldiers... Help me, will you?
;Emela
:Why don't you ask YALORT to help you?
;Vehrn
:I... I did, but I must've somehow upset him but I don't remember how I did but I must have and he's ignoring me because I did and now this is my punishment for doing whatever it was that I did wrong! Forgive me, YALORT! 
:But please! We...we're here for the same reason, aren't we? We're all trying to get rid of the monsters and find the Shaman... So please, let me... Let me come with you! We can all help each other!
;Deugan
:But do we really need your help? I mean, here you are, like this... You're obviously not as skilled as you claim.
;Vehrn
: But! But...
;Emela
:No, I think maybe we probably should let him come with us. I mean, what *harm* could an extra sword arm do?
;Deugan
:Mardek, what do YOU think?
;Mardek
:Well, I think he can come along. He needs help, and we could use help too probably, and he's offering! So let's work together!
;Deugan
:As you wish.
;Vehrn
:Oh, thank you, soldiers! With myself and YALORT on your side, we're sure to succeed! Now off we go, for Justice and Honour! (Joins party.)
;Vehrn
: Oh, thank you, soldiers! With myself and YALORT on your side, we're sure to succeed! Now off we go, for Justice and Honour!
:
;Vehrn
:But before we go! Here, soldiers, take some extra gold for your quest. Think of it as thanks for paying forward YALORT's blessing!
;Emela
:Or, y'know... We happened to come by and help you on our own, having nothing to do with your god's blessings.
;Vehrn
:Oh please, spare me! You soldiers only care for your material possessions anyhow. You lack the virtue to appreciate a true blessing when it comes to you.
;Emela
:...Uh huh.
;Mardek
:Well, thanks, Vehrn! I don't know anything about blessings, but this gold seems pretty useful!
;Vehrn
:Indeed it is! Now onward, not-so-blessed soldiers! Let our newly-forged alliance carve a path to victory! (Joins party.)
===Mirrilixir===
;Guard Captain Banquo
:Well, the monsters seem to be clearing up a bit... so you appear to have done your job. But what of the Shaman? Did you find and rescue her?
;Deugan
:As it turns out, Sylvia was responsible for the monsters' frenzied and agressive state... She was turned into a zombie by a... demon... and we had to destroy her...
;Guard Captain Banquo
:Oh? That's not what I was expecting at all! But if you say that is what happened, then I trust you, soldiers.
:
:Either way, the job is done, and you've saved the village. You should already have been given a reward by Jacky-boy or the King, but... here. We have a few of these fancy potions laying around, I want you to take one. Good work, soldiers.
;Mardek
:Well, thanks!
;Guard Captain Banquo
: Now, you'd better be off. Surely you have more missions to complete!
===Yalortian Amulet===
;Medium Priest Gallovar
:Bravo, bravo, and huzzah! Here the conquering Hero comes! I knew you could save us from those zombies, Mardek! Your father would have been very proud of you indeed!
:So glad am I of your success that I can't just let you walk away unrewarded... YALORT generally doesn't approve of gift-giving, but what does He care about what His priests do? So here, I'd like you to take this amulet. It's not much, but it's better than nothing!
:Now, I won't ramble on at you for ages like some other people probably would... So go now! Continue being a Hero! You could well be the next Social Fox! I'd certainly count on it! May you go with YALORT's blessings, and mine!
===Zombie Dragon===
;Zombie Dragon
:Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!
===Arena===
;Clerk
:Welcome to the Arena! Here, you can participate in Tournaments, where you battle hordes of monsters and maybe other adventurers in our special Battle Cave to win fabulous prizes! Are you interested?
;Mardek (dialogue choices)
*Well, okay!
*Can you explain things to me?
*No, I don't want to do that.
;Clerk (if choice 3)
:Bugger off, then.
;Clerk (if choice 2)
:There's not all that much to explain... You enter a Tournament, which has 20 rounds. Each round you fight a group of monsters. Win all 20 consecutive battles and you get a prize. Lose, and you die and probably reincarnate as somebody else maybe. Who knows?
;Clerk (if choice 1)
:Excellent, sir. Excellent. Without further ado, let the tournament begin! If you'll kindly proceed to the Battle Cave...
(During the tournament...)
;Invisible Announcer
:Begin Round (1...19)!
;Invisible Announcer
:Begin Round 20! (The World's Saviours walk in.)
;Bartholio
:Ah-ha! I see that the final round is to be a mere breeze, for we are up against these puny little soldiers again, Saviours! This battle shall be just as effortless as the last time we fought. We may as well give ourselves haircuts during battle, we will be putting so little effort into fighting you!
;Aalia
:but dindt tehy kill us last tiem! o_O
;Bartholio
:NEIN!! That must just be some deranged fantasy dream thing in your dozy little head, my dear, where the laws of reality no longer make sense! For we are the World's Saviours! It is not possible for us to lose!!
:Give us the best that you have, puny soldiers, and it may just give us a bit of a warm up as we pummel you to the ground as if you were a party of old women who had decided one day while knitting together to go adventuring but it turned out that they weren't very good at it!!
;Bernard
:Heh. Old women.
;Mardek
:We'll show you who's an old women! And we'll also win!
(The Saviours attack and are defeated.)
;Bartholio
:Damn you, puny soldiers! This must just have been one of those unwinnable plot battles! Annoying! But that means that next time we fight, we will HAVE to win!
;Invisible Announcer
:Congratumalation, fighter! You have won the tournament apparently! Here, have a prize! Also, get out of here!
Category:MARDEK Game Script