Scenario:Arriet - The Mysterious Musician

The Mysterious Musician

The crew visits a famous instrument craftsman, but discover that he has retired after the empire banned work related to the arts. After convincing him to help, they head for the mountains to collect the materials he needs.

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The crew lands on a certain island at the request of Arriet.

She wants to order a new lyre from a famous craftsman who lives here, but it seems that there's a problem.

Arriet: Huh? You've stopped doing business?

Instrument Crafter: Yes, I'm afraid I don't make instruments anymore.

Lyria: Oh no! Why did you stop?

Instrument Crafter: Hic... Why do you care? I ain't got nothing left to live for.

Vyrn: You're famous for your skills, though! Isn't it a waste to just quit?

Instrument Crafter: No sense blabbin' about it now... It's all the empire's fault.

Arriet: What do you mean?

Instrument Crafter: Well...

Instrument Crafter: Those cowards attacked us a while ago. They conquered our defenseless island in a blink.

Instrument Crafter: Then they declared the arts useless... Banned us from doin' any artistic work.

Instrument Crafter: They even banned anyone from going into the mountains to gather materials for instruments as well, so I can't do my job anymore.

Lyria: What? How could they say that music is useless?

Vyrn: That's awful!

Arriet: The Erste Empire... To think they've expanded their territory this far...

Instrument Crafter: Well, it is what it is... Stopping was hard, but I had no choice.

Arriet: I see...

Arriet: But are you really okay with that?

Instrument Crafter: Huh?

Arriet: Your instruments have healed the hearts of so many people across the skies.

Arriet: Even hearts that have been hardened like yours is now.

Arriet: As an artist, I can't just watch you let your talent waste away. Your heart belongs to music, does it not?

Instrument Crafter: ...

Lyria: Ettie is right! You can't just give up because of the empire!

Vyrn: Yeah! All you need is some materials to get back to work, right?

Vyrn: We'll bring some back from the mountains for you! Right, (Captain)?

Instrument Crafter: What? You guys would do that for me?

Arriet: Hee-hee... Of course! We don't even live here, so we'll be able to avoid the empire's surveillance!

Instrument Crafter: Really? That'd mean the world to me.

Instrument Crafter: There are monsters in those mountains... You be careful while you're out there!

Lyria: Okay! When we get back, we'll be counting on you to make Ettie her new lyre!

Instrument Crafter: You got it. I may be a little rusty, but I'm a professional. You have my guarantee!

Arriet: Hee-hee... Okay, shall we get moving?

Vyrn: You bet! Imperial lackeys and monsters are nothin' to me!

The Mysterious Musician: Scene 2

Arriet helps the crew choose useful materials in the mountains. They manage to find what they need, but they know doing so won't lift the ban on the arts. While they consider what to do, monsters attack.

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Arriet leads the crew deep into the mountains to gather wood, iron ore, grass, and other crafting materials.

Lyria: Ettie, does this white rock here look okay?

Arriet: Hmm... It sure does. It looks like it could be used in various instruments.

Vyrn: What about that giant tree over there?

Arriet: Hmm.. I would go for the sapling next to it instead. The acoustics would probably be better.

Lyria: Heave-ho!

Lyria: Whew... We've sure gathered a lot!

Vyrn: Yeah. Our basket's totally full!

Arriet: Thank you, everyone. Surely this will be enough.

Arriet: Now the craftsman will be able to start working again!

Lyria: And you'll get your new lyre, Ettie!

Vyrn: But you know, the empire isn't going anywhere and these materials won't last forever...

Arriet: You're right... We need to think of a more permanent solution.

Lyria: Hmm... What should we do?

Arriet: Well, let's head back for today. It won't do any good to stand around here thinking about it.

Vyrn: Yeah, let's go before it gets dark.

Monster: Groar!

Lyria: ...!
Monsters are headed our way!

Vyrn: Uh-oh... Think we can avoid 'em from here?

Arriet: I think so... Everyone is tired after all.

Arriet: Oh, but... That monster's whiskers look perfect for lyre strings!

Lyria: Hmm... Now that you mention it...

Vyrn: Guess we have to fight then! Come on, (Captain)!

Arriet: Hee-hee... My apologies. I'll need your help for just a little more!

The Mysterious Musician: Scene 3

The craftsman happily begins work on Arriet's new lyre using new materials received from the crew, but is interrupted by imperial soldiers. Arriet questions the soldiers regarding whether they have the authority to ban the arts.

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After defeating the monsters, the crew returns to town and hands over the materials to the craftsman.

Instrument Crafter: Thank you! With this, now I'll be able to make instruments again!

Instrument Crafter: First order of business, a lyre for the young lady. I'll have it finished before you know it!

Arriet: Thank you. I'm looking forward to it!

Lyria: Hee-hee! The craftsman seems much happier now.

Vyrn: His eyes are sparkling. I guess he really missed his work!

Imperial Soldier: Hey! What are you doing?

Lyria: ...!

Imperial Soldier: Outsiders? So you're the ones we've heard about.

Imperial Soldier: You're the thieves who snuck into our territory and stole our precious resources!

Vyrn: Who are you calling a thief? These resources didn't belong to you in the first place!

Lyria: That's right! This island belongs to the residents who live here!

Imperial Soldier: Not the sharpest sword in the armory, are you? This island and everything on it belong to us!

Imperial Soldier: Looks like you've got some materials to make into musical instruments. We're confiscating them, so hand them over!

Instrument Crafter: Grrr...

Imperial Soldier: Heh-heh... You got a problem? How about I use your worthless hide to warm up a cell?

Arriet: Sigh...

Arriet: Well, this really is inexcusable. I guess I have to cause a scene after all...

Lyria: Um... Ettie?

Arriet: You men call yourselves imperial soldiers? You're hardly worthy of the name.

Imperial Soldier: What? How dare you!

Arriet: Meaningless oppression, unnecessary control... Do you even have permission from the empire to do any of this?

Imperial Soldier: ...?

Arriet: Hee-hee... Just as I thought.

Vyrn: Permission? What do you mean, Arriet?

Imperial Soldier: You swine... I don't know who you think you are, but you won't get away with this!

Lyria: Ahh! They're attacking!

Arriet: (Captain), are you ready? Let's give these buffoons a dramatic finale!

The Mysterious Musician: Scene 4

Arriet plays her new lyre and soothes the hearts of the islanders, who have not heard music in quite some time. When the crew heads back to the airship, Arriet disappears to get in touch with a mysterious knight who loosens the empire's hold on the island.

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The crew defeats the imperial soldiers. Once Arriet's new lyre is finished, she decides to test it out.

As she begins her performance, a crowd immediately begins to form around her, captivated by her music.

Lyria: Wow! It's looking like a real concert!

Vyrn: Yeah! And the craftsman was thrilled too!

Arriet: This is a fantastic lyre. Thank you, everyone.

Lyria: Hee-hee.... I'm glad it was all worth it!

Vyrn: Oh yeah... What'd you mean earlier, Arriet?

Vyrn: You asked those soldiers about permission from the empire.

Arriet: Ah... Well, that was no big deal really.

Arriet: Just think about it. I know the Erste Empire is arrogant, but do they really need to suppress the arts?

Arriet: If they abuse their power like that, it will only lower the productivity of their territory and make their reign on the island pointless.

Lyria: Hmm... And that means...

Arriet: It means the soldiers here were acting on their own.

Arriet: I was actually only guessing when I brought up their authority, but it seems I was right.

Vyrn: Oh... So that's why they got so angry.

Arriet: Yes. They'd be in big trouble if the empire found out.

Arriet: But I have a feeling this island will be just fine.

Lyria: How do you know that?

Arriet: Hee-hee! How indeed?

Lyria: Huh?

Arriet: I'm just going to step out for a minute. I'll meet you back at the Grandcypher, okay?

Vyrn: Oh, sure. Where are you going?

Arriet: An errand of sorts.

Arriet walks away from the crew, smiling and with a spring in her step.

Though puzzled at Arriet's words, the crew heads back to the Grandcypher.

Arriet: Yes, the empire's control has been spreading rapidly.

Arriet: It seems that rogue regiments acting on their own are on the rise. It's just as you predicted.

Arriet: What are your orders, my lord?

Blue Knight: ...

Over the next few days, the empire's oppressive policies began to disappear from the island.

Exactly how or why they disappeared will remain a mystery to the crew for some time yet.