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Jay -> Trust (10/16/2021 7:23:15)
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Trust
Location: Sulen'Eska -> Up -> Up Vortex -> Up -> Kara SuLema -> Quests -> Trust -> Quest!,
Location: Sulen'Eska -> Up -> Up Vortex -> Mritha -> Past Quests -> Kara SuLema -> Quests -> Trust -> Quest!
Requirements: Completion of A Hero of the People
Release Date: October 15th, 2021
Objective: Having returned from your trip to Falconreach, Kara has a new task for you- to find Melissa and Niki, who have yet to return from their own excursion.
Objective completed: Even outside the Vind's territory, there are those who appear to oppose The Rose... Maybe you can visit The Shears and see what this Sir Leon is up to!
Experience rewarded: Scaled
Gold rewarded: Scaled
Monsters
(3) Gorillaphant
(1) Manahuntress
(5) Tog
(2) Tuskmonger
(1) The Keeper of The Road - Boss
NPCs
Akanthus
Amadeus
Bajacu'
Jaania
Kara SuLema
King Alteon
Melissa
Mritha
Niki
Odgne
Princess Victoria
Sir Leon
Rewards
Lost Adventurer's Ring (I-IX)
Access to Trust Loot for DCs.
Dialogue
*Bajacu', your dragon, Mritha, you, and Kara are in the Sulen'Eska meeting area; you have just provided your report regarding Ash and the Rose soldiers near Falconreach.*
<Character>: ...And that's my report.
Kara SuLema: Thank you for making the journey to Falconreach, <Character> and <Dragon>.
Kara SuLema: I am glad to hear Ash was able to negotiate so successfully on our behalf!
Kara SuLema: Where to begin... Ah!
Kara SuLema: I'll send Taivas and a few scouts to establish the route to Falconreach.
Kara SuLema: With luck, we'll be able to begin transferring refugees within a few days.
Kara SuLema: Bajacu', would you mind organizing the emigration?
Bajacu': I would be glad to take this responsibility. I shall begin at once.
*Bajacu' leaves the meeting area.*
Kara SuLema: As for the other information you have provided, <Character>, regarding The Rose...
*Kara pauses.*
Kara SuLema: It is both comforting, and troubling, to hear that the extent of The Rose's misdeeds are not widely known.
Kara SuLema: Comforting, in that we may still hold faith in those who are unaware—that they may be swayed were the truth to come to light.
Kara SuLema: But also troubling, in that our struggles go largely unnoticed...
Kara SuLema: ...Yet even without the explicit knowledge of The Rose's actions, there are those in Swordhaven willing to pledge their support...
Kara SuLema: How very generous!
Mritha: Kara... I would be cautious of such sources.
Kara SuLema: Er, yes, you're quite right, of course.
Kara SuLema: I will see what information we can learn about these benefactors before freely accepting their aid.
Kara SuLema: *Sigh*
Kara SuLema: As for parley with The Rose...
Kara SuLema: Hmm...
Mritha: What's on your mind, Kara?
*Another pause from Kara; your dragon appears to be falling asleep.*
Kara SuLema: For reconciliation, there must be some measure of trust... but...
Kara SuLema: ...I'm worried about making the wrong decision.
<Character>: Princess Victoria said she was going to try to talk to her father, but there's no guarantee that it will happen.
<Character>: You have time to think it over.
Kara SuLema: You're right, <Character>, thank you.
<Character>: Although, I noticed Melissa wasn't around. Or Niki, for that matter.
Kara SuLema: Oh, yes, I almost forgot, I wanted to speak to you about that.
Kara SuLema: Melissa was feeling... restless, and wanted to "find something to fight".
Kara SuLema: With the constant Rose patrols in the swamp, I figured it wouldn't hurt to have her do some rounds.
Kara SuLema: Niki accompanied her to keep an eye out and make sure she stays safe. And doesn't get too carried away.
Kara SuLema: But... they should have returned by now.
Kara SuLema: I know you've just returned from a trip, <Character>, but could you please do me a favor and go with Mritha to search for them?
Kara SuLema: They went pretty far south, so I worry that they may have inadvertently gone into Rose territory.
Kara SuLema: You know the place, Mritha. Within sight of The Rose tower.
Mritha: Indeed, I do.
Mritha: I'll be waiting for you and <Dragon>, below.
*Kara wonders if she has made the right decision.*
Kara SuLema: And so I send our best out into the wilds...
Kara SuLema: Please, stay safe, and return soon.
<Character>: Don't worry, Kara, we'll keep everyone safe.
<Dragon>: You can count on us! | *Heroic roar!*
*On the ground, you and your dragon approach Mritha, who is saying her farewells to her dragon, Odgne.*
Mritha: I'm sorry, Odgne, but you must stay behind.
Mritha: We can't risk Rose sentries seeing you so in the skies so far outside the swamp!
Odgne: I understand, Mritha, but I do not like it. | *Mournful growl*
Mritha: We've run missions separately before. This isn't the first, and it won't be the last.
Mritha: I'll be back before you know it!
Odgne: Your compatriots have arrived. | *Pointed snort*
*Mritha turns around to face you.*
Mritha: So they have!
<Character>: Is everything okay?
Mritha: Yes, I was just saying goodbye to Odgne.
Mritha: It's never easy being apart from the one you are bonded to, as I'm sure <Dragon> can attest to.
<Dragon>: I was soooo hungry without your snacks! | *Hungry grumble*
<Dragon>: Oh, and I missed you, too, of course! | *Affectionate-yet-somewhat-of-an-afterthought-purr*
<Character>: ...Maybe it's different for different bonds.
Mritha: Ha! I'm sure it will develop over time!
Mritha: Anyway, I'm ready to go now! Let's go find out what Melissa and Niki are up to!
Mritha joins you as Guest B.
<Dragon> joins you as a pet.
*Eventually you, your dragon, and Mritha find Niki and Melissa; Melissa has her sword drawn to a seemingly unarmed male knight, who has his hand outstretched signalling her to stop; Niki's wand is also at the ready.*
???: Now... there's no need to be hasty. There's clearly been a misunderstanding.
<Character>: Melissa? Niki? What's going on?
???: Ah, companions of yours! Greetings! I do hope you won't draw your blades on me as well.
Melissa: This... spy tried to ambush Niki while we were scouting the area.
Melissa: He stinks of Swordhaven.
???: Stinks? I'll have you know—
*Melissa glares at the male knight.*
Niki: He approached us and demanded to know where he could find "the resistance".
???: See, I thought I asked rather politely—
*Melissa continues to glare at the male knight.*
<Character>: Melissa, let him speak.
???: Thank you.
Sir Leon: My name is Leon. Sir Leon. I am a MageKnight of—sorry, was a knight of Swordhaven.
Sir Leon: After The Rose took over, King Alteon and some of the more magical knights in his employ had some... disagreements.
Sir Leon: I was searching for a way to approach the Oculus Tower—that is, that Rose tower looming over the landscape...
Sir Leon: ...when I came across these... most merciful ladies.
Sir Leon: With them being of obviously magical persuasion, I thought I could maybe ask for assistance.
Melissa: Obviously magical?
Sir Leon: Well, your wings kind of give you away.
Melissa: ...
Melissa: What do you think, Mritha?
Mritha: I think... Let's all take a step back. Lower your weapons, Melissa, Niki.
*Niki lowers her wand, but Melissa does not lower her sword.*
Mritha: Melissa.
Mritha: There's five of us here. I don't think this Sir Leon would be able to do much with all of us here.
Melissa: ...As you say.
*You and Mritha make your way to the front of the group, while Niki stands close by, Melissa slouches against a tree, and your dragon lies on its back wiggling its feet.*
Mritha: Now, Sir Leon, what business do you have with the Oculus Tower?
Sir Leon: Hold on, how do I know I can trust you?
Mritha: You're not in any position not to.
*Sir Leon pauses.*
Sir Leon: Fair enough.
Sir Leon: The Rose is... doing something with the tower.
Sir Leon: All I know is that they're trying to find a way to locate magical creatures and objects from a distance.
<Character>: That's... not good.
Sir Leon: It isn't. Thankfully, for now, they're still only trying. But if they succeed... then...
Mritha: Then the resistance would be laid bare.
Sir Leon: As well as anyone or anything else magical within range, yes.
Melissa: You were going to stop The Rose all on your own?
Sir Leon: I was just looking around for a way to approach without being spotted.
Sir Leon: I didn't mean to... "ambush" you. You have my apologies.
Melissa: Hmph.
Mritha: Well, Sir Leon, you've found the resistance, at least.
Mritha: But the tower is outside our current operational area. If you would like to come with us back to—
Sir Leon: No! ...No, I can't, I have to keep watch, make sure she... make sure The Rose doesn't finish what they've started.
Niki: Should we... help?
Melissa: I could do with some more action.
Mritha: I...
Mritha: With the potential for negotiations with The Rose coming up...
Mritha: We can't afford to give them more ammunition to use against us in potential talks for peace.
Mritha: And we certainly can't take such risks just by the word of a wandering knight.
*Your dragon can be seen flying through the air as the group contemplates how to best handle Sir Leon.*
<Character>: Maybe I can look into it, if I find the time.
<Character>: It would be easier to pass off my actions as those of the hero, rather than the resistance.
Mritha: It's your decision, <Character>.
Sir Leon: Here, if you want to help out, there's a small inn, nestled to the south of here, known as The Shears.
Sir Leon: If you have a map, I can mark it for you.
Sir Leon: Find me there, if you want to help.
<Character>: I'll consider it.
Melissa: That's it? That's it?! We're just letting him go?
Niki: Melissa...
Melissa: And what if he's lying? I don't like this.
Melissa: The entire resistance could be at risk—
Mritha: Even if he is lying, one lone scout on the far outskirts isn't going to make a difference.
Mritha: Besides...
Mritha: When <Character> pays a visit to "The Shears", we'll know for sure if he's lying or not.
Mritha: And, Sir Leon, if you are lying...
Mritha: Well, I have a dragon who I'm sure you'd love to meet.
<Character>: And <Dragon> hasn't burnt anyone's eyebrows off in quite a while, too.
<Dragon>: We have... ways of finding out if you're lying! Yeah! | *Threatening growl*
Sir Leon: ...Understood.
Sir Leon: Thank you for your mercy. And, <Character>, was it?
Sir Leon: I'll await your arrival at The Shears!
*Scene fades to black, then back in; meanwhile, in Brittany's room at the Swordhaven Castle, King Alteon sits on her bed, checking on his unwell daughter; Princess Victoria pokes her head in through the door.*
Princess Victoria: How is she doing, dad?
King Alteon: Better, today, I think. Jaania assures me that Brittany's health is improving... but...
King Alteon: All we can do is hope.
King Alteon: Is there something you require, Victoria?
Princess Victoria: I've... I've heard some rumors about The Rose... and the resistance.
King Alteon: Have you, now? And where did you hear these rumors?
King Alteon: I thought I told you to stay inside the city, at least!
King Alteon: I know I can't control you... and I don't ask when you go missing for weeks at a time, but I worry!
Princess Victoria: It—It doesn't matter where I heard them from!
Princess Victoria: And what I do and where I go is none of your...
King Alteon: It is my business.
King Alteon: With Tara out of the country, and Brittany's health wavering, if anything were to happen to me...
King Alteon: With the ever-present threat of magic...
King Alteon: Rule over Swordhaven, over Greenguard, would fall upon you! And if you keep shirking your duties, I don't know if you would be ready for it!
Princess Victoria: I never wanted—I—
Princess Victoria: Just... Listen, father.
Princess Victoria: It doesn't matter how I heard it, but I know that the Vind are willing to try talking to us. To The Rose.
Princess Victoria: For peace!
Princess Victoria: ...Could you please talk to Jaania? Try to make it happen?
Princess Victoria: If war were to break out, so many innocents would be caught in between.
King Alteon: I have heard that events in Betrubung Swamp were escalating.
King Alteon: ...It indeed would not do to have battle spill out into the countryside.
King Alteon: I will see what I can do, Victoria.
Princess Victoria: Thank you, father.
King Alteon: Please have somebody let Jaania know that I would like to speak with her as soon as possible.
Princess Victoria: I will!
*Scene fades to black, then back in; elsewhere, in Jaania's room at the Ivory Tower, she sits at her desk reading a report from Akanthus while he stands before her.*
Jaania: ...And these losses here?
Akanthus: The Vind, again, Lady Jaania.
Akanthus: They released a number of dragons that we had planned to secure, as well as some stray Dravir that were en route to Swordhaven.
Jaania: Then they are getting more and more brazen with each attack.
Akanthus: Indeed. It seems that this <Character> is quite the formidable asset.
Jaania: ...
Jaania: This cannot be allowed to continue. What if they were to attack Falconreach? Or Oaklore?
Akanthus: The Vind are clearly out of control. Rabid. If you would allow us to burn the swamp–
Jaania: That... that is... that is not an option.
Akanthus: It is well within your–
Jaania: No!
*Somebody knocks on Jaania's door.*
Jaania: Yes?
Amadeus: It is I, my lady. I bring a request from King Alteon.
Jaania: Enter, Amadeus.
Jaania: What would the King have of The Rose this time?
*Scene cuts to black.*
Complete Quest
Loot for DCs - opens Trust Loot for DCs shop.
Other information
Pop-up headlines during the quest:
quote:
Mritha: "No sign of The Rose. That's a good thing, I think..."
Mritha: "You can see the border checkpoint from here..."
Mritha: "What were Melissa and Niki thinking, travelling this far south?"
Mritha: "Looks like we found a road again. Doesn't seem well travelled."
Mritha: "But this is well outside Vind territory! I'll need to have some words with Melissa when we catch up to her!"
Mritha: "Wow. What a view. Maybe... We can leave this one be?"
Mritha: "Do you hear... voices? That must be Melissa and Niki! Let's hurry!" This quest replaced The War Room quest and Choose zone with new dialogue, artwork, structure, music, and rewards; more information can be found in the October 15th, 2021 Design Notes.
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