Scenario:Aletheia - Reverence for an Old Sage
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Reverence for an Old Sage
After completing a monster extermination request, (Captain), Aletheia, and the crew visit a local restaurant where they encounter both Yodarha and Yngwie. After a few drinks, Yngwie suggests that the three engage in a duel for old time's sake. This leads them to reminisce about their initial meeting many years past.
(Captain) and the crew visit a certain town by way of a monster extermination request.
After a long, hard day's work, the crew are greeted upon their return with pleasant smells wafting from among the buildings in town.
Lyria: Mmm, something smells so nice! And now my tummy's starting to rumble...
Aletheia: The sun is beginning to wane. I would say that now is as good a time as any to stop by one of the watering holes.
Vyrn: I'm down for that. Seems like there are a ton of places around here for some delicious grub. Let's go, (Captain)!
Aletheia: That's right. There's a place around here that does a pretty mean steak. How's that sound?
(Captain) is plenty hungry as well, nodding at Aletheia's proposal. The crew follows him to the shop in question.
No version of Yodarha in crew
The crew enters the shop and spots a familiar face seated near the entrance.
Yodarha: Hm? Well look who it is! Ain't I just lucky!
The man laughs as if he has nary a care in the world. His name is Yodarha, a swordsman of old renowned for many heroic deeds.
Yodarha and the crew have had the occasional chance meetings in the past, and have worked together to overcome a number of trials.
Vyrn: Long time no see, old man! Oh, and you've got someone with ya...
Any version of Yodarha is a crew member
The crew enter the shop and spot one of their comrades seated near the entrance.
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk... Now this here's a mighty coincidence. If it ain't (Captain), and Aletheia too!
Lyria: Oh, hello, Yodarha! And with you is...
Continue 1
Yngwie: Hey there. Oh, that's right. You all had a monster-hunting job today, didn't you?
Yngwie: You deserve to take a load off. Grab a seat with us, why don't ya?
No version of Yngwie in crew
The man beckons toward (Captain) and the crew with a smile. He is a legendary skyfarer known as Yngwie.
He once served as the leader of a large skyfaring crew known as the Debonair Daredevils. Their exploits took them to the farthest reaches of the skies.
He travels now with (Captain) and the crew in the pursuit of a rather personal end.
Vyrn: You sure we won't be interrupting you both? It looks like you were having a really great time.
Yodarha: What? Perish the thought! The more the merrier, I say!
Yodarha: You too, Aletheia! Join us for a pint, will ya! This is the good stuff.
Aletheia: Oh, is it now? I suppose I've got no choice but to take your word for it. It will be good to get off of these old feet too.
Aletheia: Pull up a seat, all of you, and get to orderin'!
Lyria: Hehe, let's eat up a storm, (Captain)!
The table is soon overflowing with a bounty of food and drink.
Grasping a bottle of liquor by the neck, Yngwie engages in some lighthearted jabber as his body sways back and forth.
Yngwie: Hoo... Now this is some good meat. I can practically feel the strength returnin' to me.
Yngwie: I just had a brilliant idea. Whaddya say to a bit of a spar, right here and now? I feel like I'm on fire!
Aletheia: Gwahaha, I reckon all that liquor served as the kindling. I'd say you ought to take it easy, friend.
Aletheia: We're fresh off of a rather tough job ourselves. My back is achin', and I'd rather allow it some time to rest.
Yodarha: It'd be a cryin' shame to let all this grub go cold too. I'll pass.
Yngwie: Meh, what a buncha boring old geezers.
Vyrn: Now where have I heard this talk before? It seems like every time you ol' chums get together, you just wanna fight.
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk... Well that's just how it's always been between us—rivals from the day we met!
Yodarha: The first time we ever crossed swords, the whole island shook like this, I'll have you know!
Lyria: Huh, really?
Vyrn: Oh yeah, wasn't there like, a landslide or somethin' last time you all fought together?
Choose: That can't possibly be true.
Yngwie: Hah, I assure you that it is.
Yngwie: I saw it with my own two eyes after all was said and done.
Yngwie: Why don't you tell 'em, Aletheia? All about those good ol' days?
Yodarha: Not even battin' an eye, eh? I'm honored that you would think so highly of our skills.
Yodarha: Whaddya say, Aletheia? Care to regale 'em about times of yore?
Continue 2
Aletheia: Gwahaha... Wasn't much more than a spurt of youthful energy, but why not...
Aletheia: I suppose if they want to lend an ear, it'd at least make for an interesting tale.
Aletheia: And I suspect I'll be doing a lot more of this old man yarning from here on, so I best get some practice in.
Aletheia closes his eyes. His head drifts skyward as he begins to recall nostalgic days of old.
Aletheia: Long ago, before I even met my wife, I was but a simple traveler.
Aletheia: You could say that I had a bit more of a knack for the sword than most others.
Aletheia: I would travel around the islands, helping folks in need as a way to further hone my skills with the blade.
Aletheia: Whew... Gentlemen, why do you turn your blades on a lone traveler? Who has put you up to this?
Mercenary 1: Hehe, no hard feelings, man. It's just that our boss doesn't want any ol' nobody doing whatever he pleases on our turf.
Mercenary 2: Maybe you should've asked us first, before you went around eliminating a buncha monsters on our property, Mr. Lone Traveler.
Aletheia: Ah yes, the monster elimination request from the village the other day.
Aletheia: I'm not sure I see the problem, however. Is there something wrong with my getting rid of a few troublesome monsters?
Mercenary 1: Yep, you bet there is. Getting rid of the monsters near that village is our job, so your doing it is the problem.
Mercenary 1: Because you see, it's a guaranteed bit of regular work and coin for us.
Mercenary 2: We earned the right to do the job, and you just waltzed on in to do it in our stead.
Mercenary 2: So now our boss isn't gettin' the pay he's been promised. Seeing the issue now, my man?
Aletheia: So that's how it is! I did think that the size of the herd I encountered was quite unusual for a forest of that size.
Aletheia: I dare say that your boss has something to do with that?
Mercenary 1: Well aren't you sharp? You know that we can't just let you go now, yeah?
Aletheia: I bet the extra money you squeeze out of the villages goes a long way toward gradually turning your little band of mercenaries into a more capable force.
Aletheia: Thinking about it, I've been running into a lot of twisted folks recently...
Mercenary 1: You done thinking? Good, because now we can make sure you never say any of it out loud again—
Mercenary 1: Guah!
Mercenary 2: H-huh? With just one strike?
Aletheia: Seriously... No matter where I go, there are always those who oppress the weak.
Aletheia: I've no intention of remaining here for very long.
Aletheia: So I'm afraid I have no choice but to take care of all of you here and now.
Aletheia points the tip of his blade at the mercenaries.
Their eyes widen in surprise.
Mercenary 2: What, you mean to tell me you go around the islands helping people like some kind of damn hero?
Mercenary 2: Wait, you couldn't possibly be that Sage of the Sword?
Aletheia: Who I am or what I do is neither here nor there. Do you think that changes anything right now?
Mercenary 2: Hmph... Yeah, you're right. Makes no difference to me if you're some sage or whatever!
Mercenary 2: I'm gonna make sure we off you for our sakes. Get him, you lot!
The mercenaries rush at Aletheia at this command.
The Sage of the Sword makes short work of the entire unit.
Aletheia: Phew, and with that, I think it is about time I make off toward the next island.
Aletheia: I should get back to the ship before word somehow reaches their boss's ears.
???: Hehehe, not so fast now! Care for one more bout?
Aletheia: Hm, who's there!
Feeling an ominous presence from behind, Aletheia swiftly turns about-face, sword at the ready.
His prospective opponent smiles as he brandishes his own blade.
Reverence for an Old Sage: Scene 2
Aletheia tells the crew about his past. One day, he would meet a young Yodarha, who challenges him to a duel after sensing his immense strength. Aletheia is hesitant at first, but agrees to fight. After countless grueling hours of combat, Aletheia decides to utilize a special skill, the power of which causes the surrounding area to collapse in a landslide.
Though he has made short work of a villainous mercenary unit, Aletheia is soon challenged to a duel by a mysterious young man.
The Sage of the Sword can sense an acute murderous intent from the glint of the assailant's blade.
Aletheia: And who do you serve, good sir? Have you also been sent by this lot's boss?
The challenger tilts his head in confusion.
Yodarha: No, I take orders from no one. I am but a simple traveler in search of one strong enough to put up a good fight.
Yodarha: So when I heard that a swordsman known both far and wide had made an appearance on this fair island, I knew what I had to do.
Yodarha: Won't you show me what you are capable of, Aletheia the swordsman? Nay, shall I say the Sage of the Sword?
Aletheia: Sage of the Sword... I suppose you heard that from those rascals, eh?
Yodarha: Hehehe! You act as if you are unaware! Not one to bask in the fame and glory much, I see!
Yodarha: People are talking, you know. How you show up, take down the bad guys, and then disappear without so much as a reward...
Yodarha: Countless people call you their hero, but countless others have developed a real bone to pick with ya...
Yodarha: Just like a wise sage to ignore all of that, I suppose.
Aletheia: Sigh... Wish someone would have asked me before giving me such a troublesome nickname...
Aletheia: It will surely become a hindrance in this journey of betterment if my reputation spreads any farther.
Yodarha: Hehehe! Well aren't you ever the pure and humble one? Too much purity can be poisonous too, you know. Every fish needs some kind of gunk in the pool to survive!
Yodarha: Anyways, I'm out here training too, and there's no way I can let a chance like this pass me by. Will you face me?
Aletheia: You speak the truth. It would be quite the wasted opportunity.
Aletheia: So yes, I will lend you a little bit of my time. Let's get this over with before anyone else comes along, shall we?
Yodarha: Hehehe! How long do you think you can keep up the cool and casual act?
A furious duel erupts upon the vast, grassy expanse.
Yodarha: Hehehe! Sticking to defense, eh? No matter—I can strike you a thousand, two thousand times, and my blade would still not dull!
Aletheia: Are you sure you can afford the energy to continue the inane babble? I can read you like an open book.
Aletheia: (Hm, his slashes come fast and from every which way. Is this wild style a way that he chooses to make up for his small stature?)
Aletheia: (I won't be winning this battle with speed, but perhaps with a broader range of attack...)
Yodarha: Oho, magic and swordplay? I would expect no less from a sage!
Yodarha: Unfortunately, I only know how to use a sword. But I'll be taking it from here!
Their duel has eclipsed three days and three nights. Neither of the men have gotten a wink of sleep.
Aletheia: I've got you!
Yodarha: So you think!
The brilliance of their swordplay overtakes the colorfulness of their banter.
One side was bound to give sooner or later.
Yodarha: ...!
Tch, now this is quite irritating...
Tch, now this is quite irritating...
Aletheia: (Hm, it would seem that your stance has betrayed you at last. The ground beneath your feet has become uneven.)
Aletheia: (I'm sorry, but I cannot afford to pass this chance up.)
Aletheia: I'm ending this!
Aletheia: Swordsweep!
Yodarha: This technique!
Aletheia moves to take advantage of an opening in Yodarha's defense. The Harvin manages to dodge the attack by a hair's width.
Aletheia's sword becomes planted into the ground.
Immediately following this, the ground tremors and a great reverberation rings out.
Aletheia: Hm... Perhaps my force was a bit much.
Yodarha: Don't just stand there, you fool! Let's get outta here!
The two jump out of harm's way.
They watch the ground below slip away as the sound of a landslide echoes throughout the surroundings.
Yodarha: Well that's certainly the first time I've seen that happen before! No other swordsman'll ever believe me when I tell 'em this!
Aletheia: Sigh... I can only speculate as to how many more pursuers I may have to shake off.
Aletheia: Perhaps you could not tell anyone else of this? It would really help me to be able to continue my training in peace.
Yodarha: Hehehe... I can't tell if you really want your peace and quiet, or if you're just a prideful one at heart.
Yodarha: I suppose we should call it quits here for now—let the rivalry flourish again some other time.
Yodarha: I thank you heartily for the duel. You should also consider splitting before any big bad authorities show up.
Yodarha sheathes his sword and turns to leave.
Aletheia gazes on as the man's backside diminishes into the horizon.
Aletheia: Good sir, please wait. Surely you don't mean to leave me behind to deal with this mess?
Aletheia: I can fix the soil with my magic, but would you at least help me with the fallen trees?
Yodarha: Hahahaha! Are you sure you should be sticking around to worry about that? Your reputation's only going to continue to grow, you know!
Yodarha: Oh, but I suppose it's fine. What say we split the notoriety fifty-fifty?
Yodarha lets out a deep laugh and proceeds to cut up the fallen tree trunks with his sword.
Aletheia unleashes his magic to restore the ground to the state at which they found it.
Reverence for an Old Sage: Scene 3
Aletheia uses magic to reverse the effects of the landslide, and convinces Yodarha to help clean up some uprooted trees. After Yodarha's departure, a young Yngwie appears before the Sage of the Sword before he has a chance to return to his airship. Another intense duel ends in Yngwie's defeat, but Aletheia promises to fight the boy again when he becomes stronger. Aletheia concludes his storytelling, and the three men leave the restaurant to partake in a few bouts.
Aletheia is casting all manner of spells on the surrounding ground in an effort to return it to its former state.
Having finished cutting up the felled trees, Yodarha has taken his leave ahead of Aletheia.
Aletheia: All right, that should do it. No more dallying for me either...
Aletheia: Is what I would like say... My good sir, how long are you going to simply stare at me from afar?
???: Oops! Shoulda known that I was way too close.
Aletheia: You don't look like you are one of the mercenaries from before... Your name is?
Yngwie: Name's Yngwie. Just a humble skyfarer-in-training.
Yngwie: I happened to be nearby when the earth started rumbling. Thought I'd come by to check it out.
Aletheia: Yes, from when my sword split the very terrain in two. It must have been quite alarming, and for that I am sorry.
Yngwie's eyebrows twitch at the sage's casual admission.
Yngwie: What? So that landslide... It was caused by one of your sword techniques?
Yngwie: Well, ain't that something. Would've liked to greet your opponent too while I'm at it...
Yngwie: But I'm content with a round or two against just you. What do you say?
The aura surrounding Yngwie undergoes an ominous shift. Aletheia can only let out an exasperated sigh.
Aletheia: Sigh... I've yet to fully recover from my bout with the last fellow and all of the landscaping work I've just performed...
Yngwie: C'mon now, be a good sport. Passing on a once-in-a-lifetime encounter like this would be a shame, don't you think?
Yngwie: Also, I'm sure it would be even more of a pain for you if I were to tell everyone that the great Sage of the Sword were on this very island, no?
Aletheia: Hmph, well aren't you a rascal, demanding something you believe to be owed to you.
Aletheia: Looks like I have no choice.
Aletheia: I admire your will, but I shall show you that you are much too green to be challenging me.
Yngwie: Bravo! Now this fight's definitely going into my memoirs!
Afternoon turns into evening.
Yngwie is collapsed on the soil, while Aletheia stands hands-on-knees, attempting to catch his breath.
Yngwie: Looks like... this is about all I can muster right now. Thought I could've kept going a bit longer, honestly...
Aletheia: Mm, you've put up much more of a fight than I initially thought, I'll give you that.
Aletheia: In the end, however, I'm not one to lose to a mere child.
Aletheia: Feel free to challenge me again once you've become a little less wet behind the ears.
Yngwie: Yeah, I will. You should know that I'm not the type to let a minor loss like this bring me down.
Yngwie: My journey's only just begun.
Yngwie stands up and offers a respectful bow to Aletheia.
Yngwie: I'm grateful for this duel, Sage of the Sword Aletheia.
Yngwie: I'll seek you out again, after taking in everything these skies have to offer.
Yngwie: Here's hoping you'll continue to blazon your name across the skydoms, so that I'll have an easier time finding you when the time comes.
Yngwie: Guess I'll be looking for your rival next. Till our paths cross again!
Yngwie takes off running across the plains.
Aletheia: My goodness, kids these days will say just about anything to make themselves sound all keen...
Aletheia stares off at another backside as it makes its way into the distance. Once it has disappeared, he sets off for his airship once more.
Aletheia: Yes... So that about sums up how I met these two.
Lyria: W-wow, that was quite the story! What a landslide of emotions...
Lyria: Or maybe that was me feeling that you actually did cause a landside all those years ago!
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk! I can still remember how dreadful the cleanup work was!
Vyrn: It's really cool that you guys kept your promise, Aletheia and Yngwie!
Yngwie: You've got that right. And I'm glad that neither of our skills have deteriorated with age.
Aletheia: Gwahaha, they make for a fine set of memories.
Aletheia: I've felt like a fool for living in hiding all that time...
Aletheia: You know, I think I've found it much easier to just embrace it all again.
Aletheia: Donning the mantle of the Sage of the Sword once more and putting down all of the challengers rather than trying to avoid them all is a much more simple way of life.
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk! With your reputation, you weren't going to be able to stay hidin' for long!
Aletheia: Well, I've never considered myself to actually be a "sage" or anything like that.
Aletheia: But the title made me stand out, and all eyes were on me while I traveled around with that treasured sword in tow.
Aletheia: I am grateful that my wife and children were never targeted by any of the pursuers who were after me.
Aletheia: Now that I think about it, I believe I owe all of my thanks to you two chaps for that.
Yngwie and Yodarha turn to each other and chuckle.
Yodarha: What's with that look, Aletheia? If that's truly how ya feel, then how's about pickin' up my tab for this meal?
Yngwie: Nah, I have an even better idea. Let's duel! I'm about to be completely sobered up over here.
Aletheia: Hm, and the loser will be paying the bill, I take it?
Yodarha: A-hyuk-hyuk, sounds good to me!
Yodarha: You all just stay here and eat and drink your fill.
Yngwie: This'll be over before ya know it, so sit tight! We just gotta find a wide-open space.
Lyria: Ehehe... There they go...
Vyrn: Geez, looks like nothing's changed.
(Captain) and the crew exchange pained smiles.
Both dinner and a show are served as the faint sound of clashing blades fills their ears.