Line part 2

## Route

Bird: Caw! What are you doing here, humans? If you're thinking of feathering your nest with MY treasure, you've got another thing coming!

What luck! Charoplet finds the Silver Orb! Charoplet gratefully pockets his find!

Veronica: Yesss! We've finally got our hands on the Silver Orb! Whoever would have thought we'd find it all the way up here? But don't rest on your laurels just yet, Charoplet - we can't stop searching till we've found all six!

#### Phnom Nonh

Bazza: Outta the way, drongos! Some of us've got sights to see!

Jade: I see this place is still full of friendly visitors...

Rab: We passed through a while back on the hunt for clues about Mordegon, ye see.

Erik: "The beatific smile of the mural of the ruins of Nhou Wat brings good fortune to all who lay eyes upon her." Well if they believe that kind of rubbish, I'm guessing you didn't find out much of any use...

Rab: Eveh heh heh! Aye, that's right, laddie. Not a sausage! But we're looking for something different now. And we've the Luminary with us too. I've a feeling it might be worth taking another look at those ruins with fresh eyes.

Jade: We'll have to make our way through town and over the top of the mountain to get there. Let's split up and see what we can find out on the way.

Dora: Mother... (sob) Father... (sob)

Sylvando: Doesn't it just break your heart? The poor thing's lost her parents! Aw, don't cry, sweetie. It's alright, we'll help you find them. Now, why don't you tell me your name?

Dora: Dora... M-My name's Dora. I c-came here with my m-mother and father. But... But then they... left me behind... They said th-the mural was going to make them rich... a-and then they just... went... (sob) P-Please help me! I wa- I want them back so badly! (sob)

Sylvando: Awww, there there, little one! We'll find out where they've gone, don't you worry! I'll take the town, you search the ruins. Okay? {YES} I knew you wouldn't let me down! Sylv's Detective Agency to the rescue! Let the search begin!

Erik: You came for a look at the mural everyone's talking about too, huh? Well, here it is. I guess it is pretty impressive. I still don't believe all that stuff about it being lucky, though...

Veronica: She's not exactly in the best condition... but yes, you're right. She's beautiful.

Serena: What's that around her neck? It looks like some kind of strange key...

Veronica: Not just any old strange key - Serena, that's the magic key, I'm sure of it!

Erik: Was that your stomach, Veronica? You're hungry AGAIN!? Sheesh...

Veronica: No it was not! Maybe if you weren't so clearly distracted by this IMPRESSIVE lady here, you'd realise that didn't sound anything like my tummy rumbling!

Bazza: There she blows! And just like she looked in me dreams too! This little beauty's gonna make old Bazza rich!

Erik: Hey, there's plenty of room for everybody to look, you know!

Bazza: I know your game, spiky! Well, you can't keep it all to yerselves, ya know! We deserve a chance to get rich too!

Fatty: Stop tryin' to hog all the good luck, ya selfish so-and-sos!

Woman: Yeah! Give someone else a chance to be happy, why don't ya?

Serena: Umm... I think we should probably leave, don't you?

Veronica: Wow... I was pretty keen to see the mural, but... clearly not as keen as some...

Erik: What is it? Is there something else worrying you? So you're looking for this kid's parents, huh? Well, we got nothing better to do. Let's see what we can find.

Sylvando: There you are, my trusty sidekick! Alas, I found no sign of the missing persons in town. Did you have any luck here? Hmmm... It is a puzzling mystery indeed! Ah - but I am forgetting our young client! A detective cannot leave a child in distress! Come, we must find her!

Mony: You are visitors here, yes? You come from far, far away? Welcome to Phnom Nonh! First, I should introduce myself, I think. My name is Mony, and I am Phnom Nonh's number one memorabilia merchant! If you want a souvenir of your trip or some tasty local produce, you must come to me! I have the best deals in town!

Sylvando: (sigh) It's no good! We've searched high and low, but we can't find her anywhere! The poor little darling has disappeared!

Mony: You are searching for someone, yes? Then you are very lucky!

Serena: Oh! Do you know how to find people?

Mony: Yes! Well, no. Not me... but my wife! She is the boss of the inn in this village. She knows everything about people who are coming and going here! Agree to spend the night between our clean and sumptuous sheets, and I am certain she will share with you her knowledge! You do not need to worry about the cost - the first night, we will offer entirely for free! You are happy with this deal, yes? {YES} Good! Very good! I will tell my wife that you are coming. She will be expecting you whenever you are ready!

Innkeeper: Welcome to our inn! My husband has told me all about you. You will be staying tonight, I think so? ...Hm? A little girl who is lost? Err... Why are you asking me, please? ...My husband said what? That I know everything about everyone? Ha, he will say anything to attract customers, that one! Well, I am sorry to disappoint you, but I do not know anything about your missing girl. Please, do not be angry! I will let you stay one night for free! Then everything will be alright, I think so? In fact, I have a room that is ready for you right now! Would you like to use it? {YES} Okay! Thank you very, very much! Right this way, please... Good morning, sir! You slept well last night, I think so? Please, have a good day! Oh, by the way - do you know a man named Bazza? He is also a guest here, but he did not return last night. He was... very keen indeed to see the mural. I hope he did not injure himself in his haste to get there. You too must be careful, please.

Dora: ...

Sylvando: Honey, there's nobody here. I thought you said you saw Dora come this way?

Erik: If she did, she's disappeared into thin air. Are you sure?

Veronica: Hey, look up there!

Serena: How strange... The mural - it's different from the last time we were here!

Erik: Uhh, am I going crazy, or... were those people not there yesterday? And... doesn't that one look a whole lot like that Bazza guy? The grumpy one? The lady at the inn said he didn't come back last night...

Veronica: I've got a bad feeling about this. We need to get out of here - now!

Rab: This isnae good...

Jade: Gah! It won't open!

Sylvando: Wh-Wh-! The mural!

Erik: What the-!?

Veronica: Eeeeeek!

Erik: What is this place? It feels like we're dreaming, but... we're not... right?

Serena: No, we're... I think we're... inside the mural...

Erik: Uhh...

Veronica: Umm...

Erik: That doesn't make any sense!

Sylvando: Is this what happened to little Dora too? Ohhh, that poor, poor thing... Alright, listen up! We've got a little girl to save! Let's go to work!

#### The Other Side

Erik: Hey, look - it's our pal Bazza! Hey! ...I said, HEY! What's with all the waving around?

Serena: Yes, what are they all doing, I wonder? And what about this mural? Its the same as the one from the ruins. Who exactly is she?

Veronica: I don't know, but she's a charmer alright! She's certainly got this lot under her spell!

Mural: Hm hm! Does my beauty not captivate you too, child? Perhaps when you are little older... Ha ha ha ha! Why so confused, little ones? I am here! Right here!

Erik: Wait, look!

Veronica: T-The mural!

Serena: I-It's... alive!

Mural: Let me see now... Red, orange, yellow, green... Yes... All the colours of the rainbow! The seven of you will be very welcome here! Especially you... There is something... different about you... Something particularly... vibrant... Now come, little ones... Brighten my world... Let me squeeze the colour from you as I did the others... Let me add you to my masterpiece...

Erik: What!? What are you talking about!?

Mural: Mm hm ha ha! You will soon see! You will soon be immortalised in vivid streaks of colour! Ah ha ha haaa!

Serena: No! No, wait! Everyone! Come back!

Sylvando: Okay, you don't need to tell me what a bad idea this is, but we need to find Dora. Come on, let's go grab her and get out of here!

Serena: O-Oh... Oh dear... Th-This doesn't feel safe at all...

Veronica: Wh-What the heck is it!?

Erik: Watch out! It's looking this way!

Rab: So this... thing has been luring folks in here so it can have them for dinner, eh? Lucky auld us...

Jade: Careful!

Erik: We need to run! Right now!

Veronica: What's this? And why's it been smashed to pieces?

Serena: It's a message... It seems to have been written by the person who discovered the mural... "I have found a great fresco in the ruins near Phnom Noah. It seems to be several centuries old. It has a strange power. At first I thought it was a power for good... That this was how people had been drawn here... How the town had grown great... But now I see that it is evil. That it lures the greedy with promises of riches so that it might feast on their souls. And those too pure of heart to tempt with greed, it lures through pity. Beware the little lost girl... she will lead you to your doom."

Sylvando: "The little lost girl"... Dora...

Erik: So this whole thing was just some elaborate trap? Well, that's just great...

Veronica: I think it's time to get out of here, don't you?

Serena: Could this be...? It is! It's the crack we saw when we first went to look at the mural!

Veronica: I think she's right, you know! This could be our way out of here!

Erik: Only one way to find out! Here goes nothing!

Sylvando: Oyoyoy! Well, I've made more graceful entrances... Is everybody okay?

Veronica: More or less... Anyway, I'm just glad we got out of there.

Serena: We have to let everyone know the truth about the mural! Come on, let's get back to the village!

Sylvando: Well look who it is!

Oldster: I had heard rumours about the mural. That's why I'm here, to be honest. But can what you just told me really be true?

Dora: Yes, it's true, it's true! The big painting cured me! All I had to do was look at it! It will do the same for you, I'm sure!

Oldster: Ho ho! Well, I suppose I'd better go and take a look right away, then! Thank you, young lady!

Sylvando: Another satisfied customer eh, YOUNG LADY? Another lamb to the slaughter, more like!

Dora: B-But how-!? I had you in my clutches! You should be part of my masterpiece by now!

Serena: You've lured your last unwitting victim into that painting of yours! You must go back and let them all out this instant! You can't keep all those poor people trapped in there!

Veronica: Come on, there's no point playing innocent any more. Just let everyone go, will you?

Dora: Hm hm hm! Ha ha ha! Hee hee hee hee! HAAA HA HA HA HA HAAA HAAA HA HAA! Let them go!? When my great work is so close to completion? Fools! Thanks to the gift of that greatest of beings, I have the power to paint their memories onto the very canvas of time! There is only one way you will convince me to release them! Come to my world! Bring it to life with the bright brushstrokes of battle!

Rab: Wait! Before ye go - this "greatest of beings" - who d'ye mean, exactly?

Dora: Hm hm hm hm... Hm hm hm hm! HA HA HA HA HAAA!

Veronica: Well, I for one don't intend to let her get away with this! Come on, let's get back to that mural!

Veronica: It's over! We've got you cornered!

Dora: "Cornered"...? Hm hm hm! Hya ha ha haa! It is you who have painted yourselves into a corner! Poor, drab fools! Behold! I am beauty personified! Artistry made flesh! I am Dora-in-Grey! Worship me!

Veronica: Worship the woman who lured poor innocent people into a trap so she could turn them into paintings!? Not likely!

Serena: But why? Why did you do all of this?

Dora: Ha! Why? For beauty, of course! For my masterpiece! Each of you will be a splash of colour on my magnificent canvas! You should welcome such a fate! Ahhh, how I wish that greatest of beings had given me this gift sooner! Crossing dimensions, collecting colours with which to adorn my work... Such fun! And the world is so much better for it! You allow your basest urges to bring you to me, and I transform you into something altogether less... ugly! I do not lie when I say the mural brings fortune-it brings the good fortune of becoming a part of my masterpiece! Hm hm ha haaa! HA HA HAA!

Serena: Look out, everyone!

> **Boss: Dora-in-Grey, HP: ~1200**
>
>

Dora: H-H-How did you...? Hnnngh... An ugly victory... But listen well, foolish humans! Your battle cannot be won! You will never defeat my master... My muse... My inspiration... My... MORDEGON!

Rab: "Mordegon"!?

Dora: Hm hm hm... Ha... ha ha... When his vision is at last realised... When his world comes into being... I shall... return...!

Jade: Wait! You have to tell us more about Mordegon!

Dora: Mm hm ha ha! You will learn more soon enough! ...Master! May these unsightly souls be cursed... and may you live... forever more...!

Rab: Mordegon... Finally we're getting close... Wait... We know that he corrupted an ancient kingdom by possessing one of its most powerful people... Could Nhou Wat be the ruins of that kingdom...?

Jade: She said something about wanting him to live forever. Is that what Mordegon wants? Is that what all this has been about?

Rab: The magic key, eh? Well, if nothing else, we'll be able to open a door or two we couldn't before. Who knows what we'll find?

Charoplet acquires the magic key! Now he can open any door marked with its symbol!

Rab: Well there's a nice wee bonus for our troubles, eh? Now I don't know about you, but I'm about ready to leave this accursed place...

Erik: Well, well... I guess we saved the day again!

Mony: What is happening, please!? So many people are coming out of the ruins! What in the name of heaven!? You have done something to our mural! Where is it!? Tell me!

Bazza: Ughhh... We're free... We're back in the real world! Thank crikey for that! Ha haaa! And don't come back, you stupid painting! Heh!

Mony: "The real world"? What is he talking about, please? No! You are lying! The mural did all these terrible things!? I-If this is true, then we owe you a great debt, friends. Come, you must stay at our inn again this evening. Free of charge, of course!

Mony: Oh! You're leaving already!? I must thank you before you go - you have saved our town, and given me many great new business ideas into the bargain! Goodbye to the home of the fortune-bringing mural... and hello to the town of the mural that swallows humans whole! Ha ha ha ha! Tourists love scary stories! Now, I must go! I have a fresh batch of replica murals to sell!

Rab: Heh! They certainly know how to spin a setback into a sale round these parts, eh? We'd better be putting our best foot forward too. Why don't we get out there and see what that magic key unlocks? I'm sure I remember seeing a door with the same symbol as the Key on it over in Zwaardsrust. It was near that Warrior's Rest Inn. Let's not get too bogged down in the auld treasure hunting though, eh laddie? It's Mordegon we really need to be worried about. I'm more certain than ever that he's the one behind the change in King Carnelian...

Jade: Rab's right - we need to get moving. I don't know how Mordegon's planning on achieving eternal life, but I know one thing: we're going to stop him!

#### L'Académie

Everyone: Neat the branches of the birches ~ Daffodils sway and swiiing ~ Here among the graceful gardens ~ Budding young ladies siiing! ~ We'll stride across the wide, wide world ~ And hunt for mini medals low and hiiigh ~ But our hearts live forever in ~ l'Academie de Norte Maitre des Medailles! ~

Maxime: Tres bien! A splendid rendition, girls! Now, to your lessons. May you 'ave a maximally fruitful day on your journey to become miniature ladies par excellence!

Girl: All together now... Merci, Monsieur Medaill?

Everyone: Merci, Monsieur Medaill?!

Maxime: Merci, Mesdemoiselles! Hm? What 'ave we 'ere? It is not so often zat we receive les visiteurs... It is a minimally common occurrence,in fact! ...Incroyable! I do not believet! Young man, it must 'ave been fate zat brought you 'ere! Destiny! la prodence! I sense a great power within you! A power of maximal significance! Zere is much to discuss - but not out 'ere, hem? Come to my office, and I will reveal all you need to know. It is nearby - a minimal distance, you will see!

Maxime: Ah, zere you are! Now, you must allow me to introduce myself properly: I am Maxime Medaill?! And zis is my umble establishment, l'Academie de Notre Maetre des Medailles - a school in which miniature ladies bloom into beautiful full-grown flowers! As part of zeir education, we encourage our pupils to journey through all ze lands of Erdrea, and to gather ze maximum number of mini medals zey can find. As zey 'unt for medals, zey immerse zemselves in ze cultures of ze world, and acquire at least a minimum of... 'ow you say... savoir faire. But every so often, a born medal-'unter comes along. I sense zis in you! I see ze most maximally adroit medal detector of my career before me! 'Owever, zere is one miniature probl?me... Ze Academie is for young girls, and young girls alone. Sadly, I cannot offer you a place 'ere... But does zis mean I will allow such potentiel maximal to remain untapped? ...Non! By ze power vested in me, I 'ereby enrol you as an honorary member of l'Academie de Notre Maetre des Medailles!

What luck! Charoplet finds the Purple Orb!

Sylvando: Woohoo! Honey, we did it! We got the Purple Orb! And it's still in one piece, too! If we carry on like this, we'll have the whole set before we know it!