Emotions will be displayed as: text {emotion} The Guardian of The Forest is very wise, talks slowly and calmly. The Elder is also wise, he also talks slowly and calmly. [1/7] Lari: Awaken! Your guidance is needed! {commanding} [2/7] Lari: ...ah. soldier. So you are needed here too, then? {wondering} [3/7] Lari: I am... TRYING... To awaken the Guardian of the Forest to receive its guidance, but it refuses to budge! Even the voice of Orphion provides no reaction. [4/7] Lari: I beg once more of you, awaken! Us two... Us two seek your wisdom! [5/7] Lari: I present you Orphion's barest light- Please, respond! [6/7] Lari: Urgh... See? Nothing is happening. I'm at a loss of what to do. {annoyed} Maybe you can affect some change, considering what you've done before. [7/7] ???: My pulse, it is time. I shall shine my light upon the roots of the Guardian. You and she must learn now. //Orphion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1/4] Lari: An inscription! That wasn't there before! It was... That was completely instant. How did you even...? {confused} [2/4] Lari: But, still! I knew I could be useful, let me translate this for you! As a stranger to Gavel you wouldn't know High Gavellian... [3/4] Lari: It says... Secrets uncovered in the oldest of libraries in Cinfras. {saying the translation slowly, as though you are thinking for the right words} [4/4] Lari: ...of course. A place that Elves aren't allowed, but humans are. soldier, you'll have to find this library on your own, it seems. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1/7] Lari: Do you reject the light of Orphion? Waken, please! {begging} [2/7] Lari: Urgh... soldier, please tell me you were able to make some progress. The Guardian still refuses... To... WAKE! [3/7] Lari: What is this? A spell scroll- Of the Waking Forest?! In Cinfras, of all places? {suprised} Where it would have been... Impossible for me to go... {annoyed} [4/7] Lari: So I am Orphion's chosen, yet I would not have been able to do what was asked of me. That... No, I can't dwell on that, let me see the scroll. [5/7] Lari: ...hm. It says, The seeker must rest these words upon those of the Guardian. [6/7] Lari: I suppose that means you need to place it by the inscription. So yet another task that you must finish... [7/7] Lari: ...go on, then, do it. I'm just needed here to be a translator for you thusfar, it seems. {annoyed} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1/7] Lari: Let me go ahead and read this, too. This will be tedious, I fear... [2/7] Lari: It says... Awakening the Guardian of the Forest requires more than just magic. The home of the elves will house the answers and revelations...? [3/7] Lari: That... This is finally my time! I still have a hand in this!! Finally, I can do something more than just holding stasis here! {happy} [4/7] Lari: Listen, soldier. Achara... This is my time. I can finally help you more directly. I know the elders of Aldorei- They're sure to have answers! {happy} [5/7] Lari: You truly have been helpful, even through my own worries. I must thank you, but you can relax now! I will be the one this time! {thankful} [6/7] Lari: You can continue doing...whatever else it is you need doing. I have seen you helping in various places- Concern yourself with those for now. I can handle this. [7/7] ???: Pursue her, my pulse. She must take dire action- Alone, her light shall illuminate nothing. You must provide her direction. //Orphion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1/2] Lari: W-What? You- Why did you follow me? I can handle this! I can finally be useful again! Do you...not trust me? [2/2] Lari: Please, just respect my wishes! If I need your help, I'll go find you- For now, just leave! You don't need to worry about this! {commanding} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1/1] Lari: Get out! Just...get out. {angry} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1/16] Elder: ...if this human has truly done what you have said, then why do you spurn their aid? It is unlike you. {talking slowly} [2/16] Lari: I know, I know. I just am in disbelief. They've been contacted by Orphion himself, allowed into the Taproot, they have a symbol of Orphion's blessing!! [3/16] Lari: They just...walked up, after a thousand years of my putting my entire life into trying to save this province, and do everything I couldn't, in the span of weeks at most! [4/16] Lari: Do you understand how infuriating this is? Can you comprehend such a thing, not having been in my position yourself? [5/16] Elder: No. I cannot understand. But I also cannot understand how you are not grateful for this aid. [6/16] Lari: I know I should be! It's all I've been able to think about. I should be ecstatic! The light will be saved, it should be everything I've dreamed of... [7/16] Lari: But it makes me feel like a complete failure. Like everything I have done has been for naught, that I have somehow been doing everything wrong! [8/16] Lari: I know I have made mistakes. Dullahan would still be... Still be himself, if I had taken faster action, but I can't have done nothing right. I can't accept that. [9/16] Lari: This is my chance to prove I can still be useful- that Orphion choosing me wasn't a fluke! Please, the inscription said you would know where to go! [10/16] Elder: ... [11/16] Elder: ...even after a millennium, there is so very much for us all to learn. Fine then. [12/16] Elder: But promise me to accept the aid you receive. This opportunity cannot be wasted, Lari. [13/16] Lari: ...I have to do at least one thing right. I can't just keep up this holding pattern. I'll do whatever is necessary! [14/16] Elder: You must seek the Canned Abis plant, then. It rests within a cavern shaded by giant fern leaves. [15/16] Lari: Thank you. I can finally do what I was meant to do! I won't let anything stop me this time!! {confident} [16/16] Elder: ...Human, I can see you. Consider yourself lucky that she did not. Come talk to me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1/12] Elder: So you are Orphion's new chosen, then. It is both surprising and not- Humans have an interesting reputation. {just as before, talks slow and confidently} [2/12] Elder: Often said as being able to get anything done, without limits, be it completing impossible tasks or breaking moral tenets. [3/12] Elder: In this instance, however, you've both to do. Orphion has commanded it, has he not? And so you must, and for that I apologize. [4/12] Elder: I have seen Lari's work- And she has done this land a priceless service. Alone, she has kept the Decay from creeping south, and thus the Guardian remains with us. [5/12] Elder: However, her own morals prevent the situation from progressing. She cannot kill- And the source must be exterminated for light to once again fill the land. [6/12] Elder: Orphion's circumstances are dire- And so you must come to understand something. He is above us, in terms of morals. Such concepts do not apply to him. [7/12] Elder: As the embodiment of Light itself, he has no sense of morals- Merely survival and stasis. What he asks of us, many will balk at. [8/12] Elder: It is a matter where morals must be set aside... And such a thing is one that Lari cannot abide by, for she has stubbornly clung to them for a thousand years. [9/12] Elder: To break them... I will admit, I believe there to be some other way to solve these problems, but the fact of the matter is there simply is no time left. [10/12] Elder: She must use the extent of her powers, and while she retains her pacifism that will not happen. I must ask you to follow her, as Orphion would wish. [11/12] Elder: There is, unfortunately, no right to this. There is simply necessity- And there, you must push her to her limits. Seek the cave of the Canned Abis. [12/12] Elder: It is north-east from here. The entrance is shaded by giant fern leaves. I only pray that this will be enough. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1/13] Lari: ...I can't believe this. What am I doing wrong? What is it? There has to be some reason, what IS it?! {annoyed} [2/13] Lari: There's not another inscription...it's just the same words! What does it mean by ""dire actions?!"" I've done everything I can think of! {annoyed} [3/13] Lari: Is- Is this not dire enough? Is poring over you and putting aside my role and pride to someone else not EXTREME enough?! {angry} [4/13] Lari: ...soldier. I. I have to know. What did Orphion tell you, exactly? I can't stand not knowing any longer. Did he really replace me? [5/13] Lari: I can't think of any other reason why everything for me has just...stopped working. Did he? Please, tell me- {begging} [6/13] Lari: ...wait... You... You have Canned Abis on you!! Where did you get that?! {suprised} [7/13] Lari: You... There's no way you would've known that unless you... YOU! You eavesdropped on me!! {angry} [8/13] Lari: You FOLLOWED ME into the cave even after I asked not to! You... After everything I said!! After you heard all those private thoughts! {angry} [9/13] Lari: You STILL decided it was a good idea to come after me! What are you planning to accomplish like this?! {angry} [10/13] Lari: What, are you thinking ""oh, let's follow the funny elf girl and see her FAIL, OVER and OVER AGAIN!?"" IS THAT IT?! {angry} [11/13] Lari: You heard me then!! It's ALL out in the open! I can't succeed! You're there! You're doing everything I couldn't! {angry} [12/13] Lari: I'm NOT a failure! I'm not! I won't be! I refuse to be! You don't GET to watch me flounder and flail!! {angry} [13/13] Lari: I DON'T CARE ANYMORE! STOP STEALING MY LIFE LIKE THIS!!! {angry} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1/52] Guardian of the Forest: YOU HAVE GONE FAR ENOUGH! {loud and commanding} [2/52] Guardian of the Forest: This is enough, Lari. I waken. And thus, your task is complete, soldier. You have done as Orphion asked. [3/52] Lari: Wha- I... What just... What did I...? {confused, regretting} [4/52] Lari: I j-just... I nearly... {confused, regretting} [5/52] Lari: ... [6/52] Lari: ...GRAAAAAUGH!! TELL ME HOW THIS IS ""ENOUGH!"" TELL ME, NOW! {angry} [7/52] Lari: I-I NEARLY KILLED THEM! I JUST BROKE AND DEFILED EVERYTHING I'VE EVER STOOD FOR!! {angry} [8/52] Lari: TELL ME!! HOW COULD THIS POSSIBLY BE THE ANSWER?! HOW COULD THIS BE WHAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN?! {angry} [9/52] Lari: WHY WOULD I BE NEEDED TO... To... {angry} [10/52] Guardian of The Forest: To do something ""dark,"" you are about to say, and to that I say you have not. {calm} [11/52] Lari: T-Trying to murder them because they did what I couldn't isn't dark? How can you possibly think that?! {a little bit calmer but still angry} [12/52] Lari: What kind of guardian are you, permissing this kind of violence? How is anything I just did alright? [13/52] Guardian of The Forest: For a thousand years or more of your own thoughts, I understand that you are conflicted. [14/52] Guardian of The Forest: However... You have, in that time, made a grave error. You have grown to realize an incorrect assumption. [15/52] Guardian of The Forest: Dark and Light... They oppose. They clash. They create a cloying pox. But, allow me to ask. [16/52] Guardian of The Forest: Is the axe evil for chopping the tree? Is the wood evil for resisting the metal? [17/52] Guardian of The Forest: Are the flames evil for burning up the leaves? Is the water evil for dousing the fire? [18/52] Guardian of The Forest: Is a victim evil for striking back against those that have struck them? [19/52] Guardian of The Forest: And most importantly... Are any of these things light, or dark? [20/52] Guardian of The Forest: What connection does a primordial force have with the moral leanings of mortals- or even immortals? [21/52] Lari: ...you. You can't possibly be saying that what I did was the right thing to do. I refuse to accept that. {in denial} [22/52] Guardian of The Forest: I will not ask you to. You must understand that Orphion has no moral bearings- He simply needs action. [23/52] Guardian of The Forest: What you have done may not have been the right thing, by anyone's account. However, it was necessary. You have thrown off your bonds, in a sense. [24/52] Lari: ... [25/52] Lari: ...then... Shouldn't I feel... I don't know. Shouldn't I feel less restrained? Less afraid? More... More free? {confused} [26/52] Lari: If what I've done was what needed to happen, why do I feel like the scum of the earth? Why do I feel so terrible?! {pleading for answers} [27/52] Guardian of The Forest: I admit, such a thing is a conundrum. I agree that it is a tragedy to kill, in many instances. [28/52] Guardian of The Forest: Yet when such an action could save the lives of others, it becomes a conundrum with no answer. An impossible value to weigh. [29/52] Guardian of The Forest: Despite the circumstances, you have done the best you could. I cannot fault you for your thoughts and morals. [30/52] Guardian of The Forest: And so... As you are now proven, as I am awoken, the gateway to the Light shall reveal itself to you. Lari... You must prepare for your journey to the Realm of Light. [31/52] Lari: ...I... I need time to process this. I... Do you understand how difficult this is to hear? To bear? [32/52] Guardian of The Forest: I do not blame you for it. By the time you have composed yourself, your ally will be ready. Understand that they are as necessary as you are. [33/52] Guardian of The Forest: For now, {our, say the our} soldier must learn what you have learned, of the nature of realms. They must know what you know if they are to aid you fully. [34/52] Guardian of The Forest: I must ask you to pay close attention. I shall present it simply- though the enormity of this cannot be understated. [35/52] Guardian of the Forest: Allow me to show you our reality, soldier. It is difficult to properly present its scale... So here is an approximation. [36/52] Guardian of the Forest: This is our world, the world we stand in right now. The physical plane of existence. [37/52] Guardian of the Forest: Only a select few are aware that there is more of the world than this. Even the astronomers and those who view the enormity of the sky cannot understand. [38/52] Guardian of the Forest: For, you see, this realm, this plane- It is mirrored upon a second plane, as the embodiments of Realms clash. [39/52] Guardian of the Forest: This is the Plane of Influence, comprised of many realms. There are three you must know- But only one you must pay attention to. [40/52] Guardian of the Forest: The Realms of Influence are connected to the physical plane, tied inexorably so to it. This is why even those gazing at the cosmos cannot grasp the enormity of it. [41/52] Guardian of the Forest: These realms are in a constant push and pull- Battles that could not be seen by those of this world, waged constantly. [42/52] Guardian of the Forest: However, they can be felt. Wide-scale changes to the balance of one realm or another are reflected on the physical plane. [43/52] Guardian of the Forest: The Realms of Influence are, themselves, reflections of a Beast- They themselves, a physical manifestation of their realm, as their realm is a manifestation of them. [44/52] Guardian of the Forest: So surely, you must know- As Gavel has decayed, it must mean that the Realm of Light is in peril, and thus that Orphion is, as well. [45/52] Guardian of the Forest: The Light is infected- That abominable parasite has breached the Realm of Light, and sought Orphion to leech away his light. [46/52] Guardian of the Forest: And so, as the sun is forced to set, the land of Gavel grows dark. As the dark parasites spread and devour the minds of those here, so too is Orphion subject to this torture. [47/52] Guardian of the Forest: The balance shifts, and Orphion grows weary. Angered, desperate. He called to you as a last plea- and you have done admirably, for what he has asked of you. [48/52] Guardian of the Forest: Now, you must enter the Realm of Light, and aid Lari in purging the parasite, before its work is finished and Orphion's mind is consumed. [49/52] Guardian of the Forest: You must ready yourself before this, of course. To venture to another realm is a lofty task. [50/52] Guardian of the Forest: I will bestow upon you two things that will surely aid you in this, however. First, I shall provide you the way to the Gateway to Light. [51/52] Guardian of the Forest: Once you have reached it, I shall bestow upon you a personal blessing of mine, in the hopes that your path will become clear. [52/52] Guardian of the Forest: Enter the portal, soldier. I shall show you the Gateway to Light... And I shall wish you luck. [1/2] ???: My pulse, your light is brilliant... It has shone upon Lari, and soon her light will shine my way... //Oprhion [2/2] ???: Enter the roots, and witness the path to my realm. And then, prepare yourself. Muster your most blinding light... //Orphion