A Journey Home Instances of the player being addressed will be displayed as (Soldier) or (The Soldier). Emotions will be displayed as {Emotion}. Lines that have words like *this* are words that should be stressed and enunciated. (They may also appear like this) Ragni's King should sound like an old man. He is the king of Ragni. Lieutenant Tolv should sound like a young-middle-aged man. He is the lieutenant who oversees Paxon and his explosives. Paxon should sound like a young-middle-aged person. It is a demolitions expert tasked with clearing a cave-in. The Guards should sound like young-middle-aged to middle-aged men. They are both soldiers who guard the path to and from Fruma. The Fruman Recruits sound have a variety of different voice ranges. They are mindwashed recruits who are entering Ragni. The Caravan Driver should sound like a young-middle-aged man. He takes recruits from Fruma to send them into Ragni. The Fruman Guard should sound like a young-middle-aged to middle-aged man. He captures the player on a train in Fruma. Commander Lilles should sound like a young-middle-aged man. He leads the captured player into Fort Torann. Internal: They've shut you out. There's no way in from here... But what if you went back the way you first arrived? Ragni's King: Greetings, (Soldier). It is always an honour to have you in our halls. {Declaration, Neutral tone} Ragni's King: Is there anything I can do for you today? {Inquiring, Neutral tone} Ragni's King: ...Ah. I see. So I suppose...things must not have gone well. Have all the others returned? {Concern, Uneasy tone} Ragni's King: So, Tasim has stayed behind then. I'm to suppose you're worried for his safety, in amongst any other worries you might have. {Empathy, Admittance} Ragni's King: Alas, I am afraid my hands are quite tied here. There is little I can do- you recall what I said in the meeting. {Guilt, Declaration} Ragni's King: Ragni's relations with Fruma exclusively consist of the generous batches of recruits sent to fight the corruption here in Wynn. {Informing, Neutral tone} Ragni's King: Although you are not the first to wish to return to Fruma, I have not had any recruits who went to investigate come back satisfied. Or, in a scant few cases, at all. {Admittance, Informing} Ragni's King: I may only grant you access to the pass you took to first come here. Simply take the door and do what you must. I know not what you will find... {Uneasy, Admittance} Ragni's King: I'd advise you be cautious. The Queen's correspondence has been...not unkind, but forceful- And considering the circumstances... {Uneasy, Informing} Ragni's King: ...I will make only one demand of you. Whatever happens...come back alive. {Anxious, Hopeful, Nervous} Ragni's King: The door to the pass between here and Fruma is down the hall, across from the fireplace. Come back alive- that is an order as King. {Declaration, Hints of Unease} Lieutenant Tolv: Ah! You're a soldier, right? Look, I- It's, it's just a really difficult time right now. {Anxious, Slightly Upset} Lieutenant Tolv: This, this whole situation is definitely above my paygrade! I don't know how I'm going to deal with this... {Admittance, Worry} Lieutenant Tolv: Enough of that, I, ah, I suppose. What is it you need? {Concern, Inquiring} Lieutenant Tolv: Oh. Oh no. Ah, I, you see, that'll be a problem, I think. What do you even need to do at the border anyway? {Concern, Confused, Slightly Anxious} Lieutenant Tolv: I can't really imagine what you could need there, but, whatever it is, it'll need to wait! This Corkian drill won't work, and Paxon's stuck, and- {Overwhelmed, Blabbering} Lieutenant Tolv: Look, I'm...I'm sorry for snapping at you. I'm trained for military operation, not for cave-in clearance, but no one else was available! {Annoyed, Exasperated} Lieutenant Tolv: Even the demolitions expert I hired is stuck, so it's all just, it's all going wrong and I don't know what to do. {Admittance, Worry} Lieutenant Tolv: You see that new entrance over there? The expert, Paxon, has been in there for almost as long as I was trying this dud machine. {Informing, Neurtal tone} Lieutenant Tolv: If you think you can do a job better than an expert, go ahead and talk with them, but I'm pretty sure you'll have to cancel whatever plans you had. {Informing, Neurtal tone} Lieutenant Tolv: If you really need to get to the border, your best bet is to talk to Paxon in the new cave entrance. {Directing, Informing} Lieutenant Tolv: But, they're an expert, so I think your business will have to wait. Really, really sorry about all this! {Worry, Empathy, Consoling} Paxon: Oh no, not another one- I don't care what rank you are, what you're asking is impossible! Even for me, it- {Annoyed, Angered} Paxon: Wait, you aren't part of the... You're just a regular soldier. You're just trying to get through here, aren't you? {Confused, Inquiring} Paxon: May as well give up now! Not happening. No way. You're wasting your time, and let me tell you exactly why. {Irritated, Informing} Paxon: You see that blue rock over there? It's a break point. If I could set off these explosives at it, it'd open a path. {Informing, Slightly Annoyed tone} Paxon: But apparently all these structures set up are so important that any of it being damaged, or MOVED, is unacceptable! {Livid, Exasperated, Informing} Paxon: And to make sure I'm 'supervised' while the Lieutenant is working on the drill, the detonator HAS to be here. {Informing, Annoyance} Paxon: So I have to daisy-chain a limited amount of explosives all the way over to the stone, without blasting any structures! {Informing, Annoyance} Paxon: I've been trying for hours and gotten absolutely nowhere! I'm one of the best in my field, even! It's ridiculous!! {Exasperated, Hint of Defeat} Paxon: If you feel like wasting your time, here's my stock of explosives. Feel free to try your hand at it, but you should really just go. {Informing, Feeling of Surrender} Paxon: Still at it? What, do you need a reminder? I've got nothing better to do. {Inquiring, Hint of Annoyance} [No.] Paxon: Like I said, you really should just mosey on back to the castle. If I can't get anywhere, I don't think you'll fare better. {Declaration, Hint of Annoyance} [Yes.] Paxon: So the blue rock is soft enough to crack through with the explosives. But the detonator's stuck here. {Informing, Neutral tone} Paxon: So we need to use the TNT Placer to daisy-chain blasts from the detonator, without blasting any tents, crates, or walls. {Informing, Neutral tone} Paxon: You can look at placed TNT to see its blast radius, as well. {Informing, Neutral tone} Paxon: But given how tight the squeeze between some of those structures is, there's just no way it's happening. {Informing, Hint of Defeat} Internal: ...you were scared of those, once upon a time. What a difference time makes. Guard: Where did you come from?! {Surprise, Shock, Interrogating} Guard: Halt! Where did you come from? There was a cave-in past here, wasn't there? {Confused, Inquiring} Guard: A new path, huh? I didn't think you'd have things to be doing back here, though I won't say I'm ungrateful. {Admittance, Neutral tone} Guard: It even crushed the grook's nest there. I've been working off field rations for a few days. So where are you headed? {Inquiring, Pondering} Guard: The border? I suppose if you're headed there, it must be important, official business. Although, it might have to wait. {Admittance, Informing} Guard: The bridge repair was something of a hackjob. It may not bear up your weight. Now that the cave-in's clear, we might be able to get it fixed proper... {Pondering, Admittance} Guard: But that'll take time. I'd just as soon turn back- whatever business you have isn't worth your life, after all. {Declaration, Empathetic, Warning} Guard: Say, I think I recognize you, actually. That's a rarity for this line of work. {Admittance, Hint of Nostalgia} Guard: Are you sure that what you have to do is worth it? That bridge is awful rickety. Wouldn't want to lose you. {Worried, Concerned, Warning} Soldier: Hey, you there! Come talk to me before you pass through. {Interrogating, Loud Yell} Soldier: Coming or going, I'm under strict orders to intercept soldiers and make sure they're equipped before heading on. {Informing, Neutral tone} Soldier: No exceptions, not for any reason. Especially not since the cave-in across the river! {Informing, Neutral tone} Soldier: Nothing's more important than your life, and moving on without being suited up could cost you it! {Informing, Neutral tone, Declaration} Soldier: Well, let me take a look at it and see if this stuff is up to regulation. {Inquiring, Observing} Soldier: Hmm... Ah, yep, signs of wear all over... Armor not polished... Weapon looks liable to fall apart any second... {Examining, Pondering} [But I am equiped.] Soldier: I'm surprised you made it ten feet out here with those rusty trinkets! This is no way to protect yourself! {Concerned, Declaration} Soldier: Look, there's a loot chest in the cave just there, so you need to head in and get yourself some proper equipment. {Informing, Explaining} [But I'm Level .] Soldier: ...that so, huh? Well, I think you should take a second look up ahead. {Declaration, Hint of Mockery} [I'm going the other way.] Soldier: Like I said- coming or going. No matter what, you should gear up by looting the cave here before heading onwards. {Informing, Explaining} Soldier: That looks like the stuff. You can take that armor to an Item Identifier right there, and then you can wear it once identified. {Informing, Explaining} [Understood.] Soldier: Good stuff. There's a loot chest in that cave there, so you should find everything you need. Get to it! {Informing, Barking} Soldier: Enter the cave and open the loot chest. {Informing, Explaining} Soldier: See? Now no more guff about levels- you either gear up properly, or you don't pass! I won't have you risking your life. {Worry, Informing} Soldier: You can find good stuff in caves, like the one just next to me, so hop to it. {Informing, Explaining} Soldier: That looks like the stuff. See? That wasn't so hard. Alright, now! {Informing, Explaining} Soldier: You can take that armor to an Item Identifier right there, and then you can wear it once identified. {Informing, Explaining} Soldier: Though, since you seem to be headed back to the border... I have to ask why. It's pretty unusual. Probably best you head back to Ragni. {Confused, Inquiring, Advising} Soldier: If other recruits see you coming the other way, they might get confused, or discouraged. Wouldn't want to risk that, right? {Admittance, Slight Anxiety} Internal: This gate marks the Fruman Border- you must make sure you aren't spotted from this point onwards. Fruman Recruit: ...been recruiting Fruman soldiers for the war effort. Apparently things are really bad over there. Makes me nervous... {Nervous, Concerned} Internal: Sounds like new recruits are walking down the path! You better find somewhere to hide before they spot you! Fruman Recruit: Walking corpses aren't anything I'm going to underestimate, but it can't be all doom and gloom, right? {Hopeful, Pondering} Fruman Recruit: I suppose we'll see once we pass through this gate. It marks the border... Deep breaths, deep breaths... {Anxious, Attempting to Relax} Internal: They're gone. Hurry down the path! Fruman Recruit: ...know anything about Wynn? I didn't get any debriefing. {Pondering, Aimless Confusion} Fruman Recruit: I remember rumors... Something about a great hero. Name started with...an R? {Pondering, Inquiring} Fruman Recruit: We'll make it a point to ask as soon as we can. Information's key to fighting wars. {Informing, Explaining} Fruman Recruit: ...rotten driver. I feel for the man, but he said he always hits that boulder. Sounds like his own fault to me. {Empathy} Fruman Recruit: I'm thinking about meals more than wheels. I feel like I haven't eaten in days. Hope the walk's short... {Hungry, Informing, Hopeful} Fruman Recruit: Well, if he was a more competent driver you wouldn't have to walk so far on an empty stomach! Let's hurry so we can get you a feast, huh? {Exclaiming, Excited} Caravan Driver: ...and that's the last of them for today. {Tired, Neutral tone} Caravan Driver: Lot of pairs today. Eight more in the wings... But that's for tomorrow. {Alluding, Monologuing} Caravan Driver: Same darn boulder... Same darn line, too. Wonder if they'll let me shake it up one day. This is always a pain... {Tired, Hints of Annoyance} Caravan Driver: And that's that about that. And now, to be off...to the home I choose. And there's no troubles to follow me there. {Tiredness, Neutral tone} Internal: This is your chance, the gate's open! Follow the Caravan Driver! Internal: What is this place? Such technology, you can hardly imagine how it was made. Internal: The caravan driver seems to have disappeared... maybe you can find something if you look in some of mechanized carriages? Internal: He's dead asleep. You could probably ring a church bell an inch above his head and he'd stay unconscious. Internal: ... ... ... Internal: ...something's prickling at the back of your mind. Weren't you asleep like this when you first arrived, too? Caravan Driver: Just couldn't take the hint, huh? {Annoyed, Declaration} Caravan Driver: Bet you think you're slick. Didn't even notice me hang back to watch, huh? I wasn't born yesterday. {Declaration, Annoyance, Hint of Insult} Caravan Driver: Listen, this isn't the first time something like this has happened- Y'know. Someone gets curious, retraces their steps. {Informing, Neutral tone} Caravan Driver: If you couldn't tell, this whole thing's meant to be a one way trip. The bridge, the cave-in, everyone trying to discourage you. {Informing, Neutral tone} Caravan Driver: It's not wise to be here- After all, you weren't the one out of your group of three that got permission to stay. Yeah, I heard about the tournament results. {Informing, Alluding to Tasim/Aledar} Caravan Driver: So...you got two choices, buddy. We can let this slide between us. We can. You can go marching right back to Ragni and my lips will be sealed. {Directing, Hint of Annoyance} Caravan Driver: Or, you can live life dangerously and follow me on the train to Fort Torann. Better make your choice quick, though- it's leaving soon. {Advising, Directing, Urging} Caravan Driver: If I see you in the passenger cabin, well...that'll be that, and you'll just have to wait and see what comes of it. {Informing, Neutral tone} Caravan Driver: Last chance to back out. This your choice? {Inquiring, Neutral tone} [No.] Caravan Driver: Well, you better get headed on the long walk back to Ragni then. {Informing, Directing} [Yes.] Caravan Driver: Well. We've arrived. {Neutral tone, Tired} Caravan Driver: .... Caravan Driver: You know what they say about curiosity, and how it killed the cat. You the type to believe satisfaction'll bring it back? {Inquiring, Genuine Curiousity} Fruman Guard: Well, 'kittycat,' you didn't find the cream- just the hound dogs. {Authoritative tone} Fruman Guard: Intruder to Fruma, you are under arrest! Now march! {Authoritative tone, Demanding} Commander Lilles: You really thought the Driver was on your side, intruder? What a fool you are. We gave you every chance to quit this endeavor, but here you are. Let's go. {Authoritative tone, Demanding} Internal: ...you need to escape. Strike while the commander is busy, and find a way out! Internal: You have emptied Fort Torann of soldiers. You must escape before someone discovers what has happened here. The only way out is forward. Internal: A strong spell should get through this wood without a problem. Internal: Maybe another spell? Internal: Again? Internal: Again.