Emilia/Supports

## Angelus

### C support

> **Angelus**Hey hey dear sister, how are you? Reading on the battlefield again?**Emilia**Being in a battle is no excuse to catch up on knowledge.**Angelus**You truly are a Darkholm. Father would be proud.**Emilia**Speaking of father, how fares the family? I trust you went to see them?**Angelus**Oh they're just dandy. They miss you a lot. I told them you would return to them soon.**Emilia**Hmm, we shall see. I still have so much work left to do.**Angelus**Speaking of which, dear sister. How is your research?**Emilia**Ack, I feel like I've hit a wall. I've made little progress.**Angelus**I know the feeling, sometimes my creativity is blocked. It usually helps to try and take your mind off it.**Emilia**Hmm, that does not make any sense to me. I usually just continue to struggle until I make it.**Angelus**Maybe I can sing you a song to get your gears turning?**Emilia**I don't see how that would help me out at all.**Angelus**Don't be so quick to judge, sister. Music can help everyone out. We are not so different, you and I.**Emilia**Hmm, I remain sceptical.**Angelus**When next we make camp, allow me a chance to try.**Emilia**I'll think about it.

### B support

> **Angelus**How are you doing, Emilia. Did the song help at all?**Emilia**Strangely enough it did, little brother. My creative block has vanished.**Angelus**Hoho, there's nothing like a little music to rejuvenate one's soul.**Emilia**There you go on again talking about souls.**Angelus**You still don't believe that souls exist?**Emilia**I believe it is but a made up concept to explain things we do not yet understand.**Angelus**But the teachings of the Divines tell us that souls are what separates us from Terrors.**Emilia**Ludicrous, that's just something we made up because we do not understand them.**Angelus**You think the Terrors are like us?**Emilia**They come from a different realm, and so they are different from us. However, I believe they can speak and feel emotions just like us.**Angelus**And yet they attack us on sight without exception.**Emilia**Incorrect. The Necromancers in Styxia found a way to control them.**Angelus**Only the living dead they themselves raise from the corpses of their dead. I've yet to hear of a Necromancer enslaving a true Terror.**Emilia**A few more years of research, and I believe it will be possible. Not just to control them, but to actually speak with them.**Angelus**I don't know if I want to hear what a Terror has to say.

### A support

> **Angelus**Emilia, my dear sister. I have to speak with you.**Emilia**What is it, little brother?**Angelus**I just received a letter from home. Our father... he's...**Emilia**Has the amnesia afflicted him?**Angelus**Most of his memories are gone.**Emilia**I see... That is regrettable.**Angelus**Mother says he does not even remember our names.**Emilia**This is the fate of all Darkholms. We always knew this would happen. Sooner or later, the amnesia comes for us all, we will be no exception.**Angelus**I was hoping that maybe by traveling the world, I could find an answer. A cure to this sickness that seems to afflict us as we grow old.**Emilia**Without question, every single Darkholm I know of loses their memory eventually. It's simply a curse we all have to bear.**Angelus**So you have accepted this?**Emilia**I have, that's why I want to finish and document my research before I get old. The world has to know of my findings.**Angelus**Sister, could it be that this curse exists for a reason?**Emilia**Whatever do you mean?**Angelus**You don't find it ironic that the House tasked with recording knowledge suffers from amnesia?**Emilia**It has always been a dark secret of our House, yes.**Angelus**Maybe we all dabbled too much into forbidden knowledge. Maybe this was our punishment.**Emilia**Ridiculous. Who would want to punish us for something like that?**Angelus**Maybe the Divines...**Emilia**You are not making any sense, Angelus. Joseph ordered us to record knowledge. It is the reason our House exists.**Angelus**Record knowledge yes, but maybe we peeked to much behind the veil. Saw things we were not supposed to. And the Divines punished us for it.**Emilia**A harrowing thought. I hope you are wrong.**Angelus**Oh, and something else, sister. I was supposed to give you this.**Emilia**This is one of father's tomes.**Angelus**Indeed, mother said it was useless to him now without his memories. She wanted you to have it.**Emilia**Thank you, little brother. I shall treasure it.

## Shom

### C support

> **Emilia**Excuse me. Shom, is it?**Shom**It is. What's the matter?**Emilia**It's about your spellcasting. It's sloppy, unrefined. Like you're barely trying.**Shom**I've been doing well enough so far. Anyway, how is it any of your business?**Emilia**As a scholar of magic it offends me to see someone put so little effort in their craft. Magic is knowledge and discipline given form, just relying on the basics and your bloodline... It's just a tremendous waste of potential.**Shom**Discipline... I admit, I'm not much for that. But it doesn't matter anyway, who cares if my spells could be a little more efficient?**Emilia**Homing your craft can be its own reward. It's not merely about the end result. I am not an expert on anima magic, but I am familiar with a few basic exercises. Just getting into the habit of consciously improving your technique would be start.**Shom**Slow down, I haven't agreed to anything yet! Look, I'll think about it and get back to you.**Emilia**Wonderful, here's a primer on magical theory and some exercises to get you started. Once you've mastered them, we can move on to more advanced theories and concepts.**Shom**Deep breaths Shom, deep breaths... Not everybody is a good listener. And what is this? This time is way too big and heavy to just be a basic "primer". I can always just ignore her and toss those out. Would be a bit of a waste though...

### B support

> **Shom**Alright Emilia, I worked through that entire time and did your exercises, what's next?**Emilia**Well done, as for what's next? Hm, I think it would be best, if you decided for yourself. What would you like to learn or improve on the most?**Shom**I never really thought about that after I stopped my lessons. Never really had the motivation to do my own research either. How did you decide on your first projects and what were they?**Emilia**I always been fascinated with terrors, my first independent studies were about them. Dark magic is a subject I dabbled in our of necessity, fieldwork can be dangerous. In the process I developed some techniques like an Aura to make foes more vulnerable.**Shom**That aura has come in handy quite a few times already, how did you develop it?**Emilia**The theory behind it is surprisingly simple! Getting the execution right was difficult. I am merely applying some Dark magic to manipulate the lifeforce of the targets. Initially I had difficulties targeting exactly who I wanted, there were... minor losses. I can lend you my thesis to get you started if you want to adapt it to your own needs.**Shom**Disturbing comments aside, that seems like a start, but will I understand your notes?**Emilia**Oh, I am sure you'll manage. It was a rather simple project. This is the short version.**Shom**Oof, this is another tome! If this is "simple" I don't even want to imagine "complex"!**Emilia**Just remember the differences between Anima and Dark magic and you should be fine. I predict only minor risks to your health and sanity, but it's all in the name of science!**Shom**...... Not that I care much about either, but she still seems a bit nonchalant... Anyway, how hard can this possibly be?

### A support

> **Shom**Hey Emilia, good news. I think I did it. By applying your theories, I was able to enhance my magical projectiles.**Emilia**Well done. I must say, I'm quite impressed. Especially how quickly you managed it. Despite calling it "simple", the process still took me a few months to perfect.**Shom**Well, your notes helped me out a lot. My method works on similar principles. Instead of opening up vulnerabilities, my spells now seek them out.**Emilia**Aha, I expected it would work that way, I hope you recorded your findings. Research needs to be shared, reviewed and tested to be validated after all.**Shom**Yeah.. about that... I wrote down what I did, but it's only a few pages and drawings. I really don't understand how you scholars manage to fill tomes about a single subject.**Emilia**We'll have to work a bit on your writing style, and you really ought to give me more credit. And you were a little light on the methodology, ideally a novice should understand your work.**Shom**Wait, so you're not happy with it?**Emilia**Oh no, personally I'm very happy with it. It's just not something you could publish. More importantly, how did conducting your own research make you feel? Satisfied?**Shom**It was nice to just solve a tangible problem for once. It was rewarding to figure out. I really don't think academia is for me, but I enjoyed this diversion. Thank you, Emilia.**Emilia**Oh, that is a shame, but I can't blame you. Academic restrictions can be so stifling. Speaking of solving more tangible problems, should we engage in a bit of field testing?**Shom**That sounds just fine to me. I wanted to try it on targets affected by your aura.**Emilia**Ah, a lovely hypothesis. Let's test it out.

## Bjarki

### C support

> **Emilia**Hello, you must be the viking Bjarki.**Bjarki**... Hello, Emilia.**Emilia**Since you're from Hornheim, you're just who I needed to interrogate.**Bjarki**Hold.**Emilia**Hm? Is something wrong?**Bjarki**You use dark magic.**Emilia**Yes, what about it?**Bjarki**Skadi use dark magic. Foul, noxious, deadly.**Bjarki**Are you like those women?**Emilia**No, not at all! I'm a noble from House Darkholm! Our use in dark magic is scholarly and scientific!**Bjarki**Hm. You may ask, then.**Emilia**I appreciate your cooperation.**Emilia**Would you be so kind as to describe what Terrors are found in Hornheim? You see, I am ever so curious about their behaviour on different regions.**Bjarki**There are terrors in Hornheim land. Large beasts who hunt in groups. They tear cattle and only leave blood behind, cannot be pursuit.**Emilia**Are you referring to Hel Hounds? No, that doesn't sound correct... Do you not think that they could just be regular Hornheim wolves?**Bjarki**... Perhaps. Wolves terrorize livestock. No different from Terrors.**Emilia**Eh... you make your point, but I was expecting more. Animals aside, are there Terrors among your land?**Bjarki**... Yes.**Emilia**Ok, so tell me about them!**Bjarki**... No.**Emilia**Oh hells, and why would that be?!**Bjarki**State your intentions.**Emilia**Like I said, it's because I study them!**Bjarki**Why study such beings? Only danger will come.**Emilia**Why, studying is a crucial step to understand these beings! Knowledge is fifty-per-cent of winning a battle, afterall!**Bjarki**You study to kill Terrors?**Emilia**Y-Yes!**Bjarki**... Fine.**Emilia**I'm glad you understand.**Bjarki**I will tell you later. Focus on conflict.**Emilia**Don't be a tease! You should not toy with a lady like that!**Bjarki**Farewell.[Bjarki leaves]**Emilia**What a tough nut to crack...**Emilia**I wasn't being completely honest with him about killing the Terrors. But he shouldn't be bothered with the details! It is just a white lie.

### B support

> **Emilia**Bjarki! There you are!**Bjarki**... Hello, Emilia.**Emilia**Now, could you tell me about the Terrors you promised me?**Bjarki**I worry.**Emilia**What bothers you?**Bjarki**Your safety.**Emilia**Wait, so you think telling me about Terrors will put me in danger?**Bjarki**... Yes.**Emilia**Why?!**Bjarki**It is a dangerous myth. Those who hear it are pulled by its cursed.**Emilia**T-Truly?! Could there be a Terror so strong that just hearing about it will damn you?! That's... so... cool! I mean... convuluted! There's no way such thing exists!**Bjarki**It is a legend of over 300 years ago. A dragon fled Timaet to Hornheim. There, it took refuge in a cave near Berserkergang territory, hiding itself. One day, a Skadi witch found them. However, they became friends fast. They fell in love over the years, and the witch kept the dragon a secret. One day, though, the dragon heard screams, coming from a small child. The dragon took care of the young girl, who was freezing in the snow. But the girl did not survive the cold and died despite the dragon's work.**Emilia**... That's awful...**Bjarki**A search group was sent to find her, so on the same night, they found her body. Laying on the desperate crying dragon's arms, shuddering for not saving her life. Enraged, Berserkergang sought revenge. Killing them without any mercy or thought. The witch came the next day, her heart sank to despair as she saw the corpse.**Emilia**What happens then?!**Bjarki**She tried reviving the dragon, but failed. However, she restored the dragonstone. Using that energy, and her bitter hatred, the witch turned the cave to a dungeon.**Emilia**Huh? Could it be?...**Bjarki**What?**Emilia**Wow...**Bjarki**Háttatal is said to be sentient. Full with many strong Terrors. Explorers never come back, so it became a taboo story.**Emilia**That's an incredible story, Bjarki. How do you know about it, then?**Bjarki**... Wife told me. Her uncle explored Hornheim's land.**Emilia**I didn't know you were married.**Bjarki**Wife died in battle.**Emilia**I'm sorry to hear that. But, was it honorable?**Bjarki**... Yes.**Emilia**I see... Bjarki, you have no idea how helpful this myth has been. With it, surely I'll be able to...**Bjarki**Hold.**Emilia**You're not gonna tell me to not go, are you?**Bjarki**...**Emilia**Sorry, big guy, but it is just the key I need for my study.**Bjarki**You will walk to your death.**Emilia**If I will die, at least it will be trying to make the world a better place. You wouldn't get it, no one does... this is what I searched for years.**Bjarki**... You are brave, Emilia.**Emilia**I wouldn't have lived this long otherwise.

### A support

> **Bjarki**Emilia.**Emilia**Hello, Bjarki. Fancy seeing you start a conversation.**Bjarki**I must talk to you.**Emilia**Let me guess, about Háttatal?**Bjarki**Yes.**Emilia**You can't change my mind, Bjarki.**Bjarki**I do not plan to.**Emilia**Oh, well... then what?**Bjarki**You are fearless, why? I warned, yet you were not fazed. You know more than you show.**Emilia**Quite perceptive of you.**Bjarki**I listen more than talk.**Emilia**I have read about something similar to Háttatal before. What you described is known as a 'Void Chamber', Bjarki.**Bjarki**Explain.**Emilia**Void Chambers are born from incredibly powerful dark magic. But you need much more than that, you need to utilize a soul. And you need to corrupt them by chaining them to the Void.**Emilia**Named Helheim in your culture.**Bjarki**Mm...**Emilia**So think of it as Helheim manifesting in this world. Albeit limited, Háttatal is feeding off all life it gets. And the energy it drains creates more space in it.**Bjarki**... So it grows bigger?**Emilia**Precisely. Not only that, but it has indispensable resources. Since it ties to the Void, it has magic from there. The myth is very likely true, so I will investigate further. Knowledge is half the battle, I will be prepared to face it.**Bjarki**I will come with you.**Emilia**What?! You can't be serious!**Bjarki**We went to Helheim. Difficult, but survived.**Emilia**Only briefly! It doesn't compare to a Void Chamber, not close!**Bjarki**You act odd, Emilia. Terrors destroy all life, endangering Hornheim. I will protect my clan and cleanse the land.**Emilia**Please, stop this slander! Terrors are not all evil!**Bjarki**Explain yourself, Emilia.**Emilia**Some terrors are sentient, you know?! They have feelings and eat just as us! In fact, humans destroy themselves far more than terrors do, you know?**Bjarki**You like terrors. Why?**Emilia**I guess I can't hide it anymore... Yeah, I don't want to kill them. I lied to you about that, sorry.**Emilia**I've studied them since I was young. They are all wonderful creatures... Their magical composition, physical structure, almost the same as us!Yet they are wrongfully treated as villainous, I relate to them a lot... I was always called a freak, is it so wrong to bring peace to all of us?**Bjarki**...**Bjarki**You are not malicious.**Emilia**Do you really truly mean that, Bjarki?**Bjarki**... Yes. Following your own honor is important.**Emilia**... Thank you. It feels so marvelous to hear this from someone.**Bjarki**Wait.**Emilia**Yes, Bjarki?**Bjarki**When you go to Háttatal. Will you protect yourself?**Emilia**For the sake of self-defense, I will fend myself if attacked.**Bjarki**I will go. And protect you.**Emilia**I'm still not sure if this is a good idea.**Bjarki**You desire to bring peace. As do I, let us go together.**Emilia**You do make a very good case... So be it, let us conquer Háttatal!**Bjarki**You don't desire to harm Terrors, but you know how to, effectively...**Bjarki**Teach me. It is needed.**Emilia**As much as it pains me, it might be inevitable... But, dissecting them is quite the inviting offer. Very well, but listen closely! Terrors have quite an interesting magic flow. Holy weapons disrupt the magic circulation. Which leads to lethal breaks in the organs. However, it's viable to do this without use of magic. Dark magic traverses the lungs to reach their brain. So think of it as a second air that travels their body. Hitting them on the chest will destroy their organism.**Bjarki**Hm. And skeletons?**Emilia**Oh you just hit them on their neck bone...**Bjarki**Understood.**Emilia**I will need you to guide me to these mountains you speak... I hope you won't chicken out! Since we will save this world!**Bjarki**To peace, Emilia.**Emilia**To peace!