Scenario:De La Fille - Synthetic Shine
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Synthetic Shine
(Captain) and the others come across some bad news in town about the Gem Domain's products and how they bring misfortune to their buyers. Upon hearing that De La Fille's father, the king, had been attacked as a result of recent events, the crew hurry to pay him a visit.
The crew undertook an assignment to gather gems said to exist only in a particular coal mine.
Having successfully obtained the gems with De La Fille's aid, the crew has come to town to make the handoff.
Vyrn: Phew... Thanks a ton, Miss Gem! Your help made this assignment a real breeze!
De La Fille: No, no, just doing my part. The magnificent view there was worth it anyhow.
Lyria: Yeah, it really was beautiful in that mine, wasn't it! I can still picture the wispy light of those gems.
De La Fille: They're commonly known as fluorite, named after the same kind of fluorescent glow you might find on fireflies.
De La Fille: The way fluorite glows in the darkness is a view as picturesque as the Gem Domain itself.
De La Fille flushes as she happily recalls the many wondrous sights they found in the mine.
???: You remember that guy who traded with the Gem Domain? Apparently he's been left without a rupie to his name ever since his warehouse caught on fire.
De La Fille: ...?
De La Fille stops in her tracks upon hearing the name of her home from a merchant passing by.
Gossipy Merchant 2: Again? Feels like it's every other day that we hear about someone doing business with the Gem Domain, only to be struck by some sort of disaster later.
Gossipy Merchant 1: Well, they do have quite possibly the finest stock you can find anywhere. But with all these rumors going around, merchants have been staying far, far away lately.
De La Fille: The Gem Domain's goods bringing misfortune?
De La Fille: Why, that's impossible!
Vyrn: Hey! Wait up, Miss Gem!
Furious at the idea that her domain sells products which sow misfortune, the gem princess confronts the merchants.
De La Fille: You there! Could you tell me about that in greater detail?
Gossipy Merchant 1: You sure popped up outta nowhere... Don't tell me you had a stroke of bad luck too after buying from the Gem Domain?
De La Fille: No. The Gem Domain is my home. My name is De La Fille.
De La Fille: I find it hard to believe that items from my country are inviting misfortune. What other information do you have?
Gossipy Merchant 2: Just more cases of the same really. The rumors began spreading around two weeks ago.
Two weeks ago, terrible misfortune befell a jeweler who had cut a huge deal with the Gem Domain.
From having solid business transactions turning into huge losses, to having cargo shipments raided by bandits, to blackmail—he experienced it all.
Other merchants who had traded with the Gem Domain afterward experienced similar phenomena.
Gossipy Merchant 1: Wasn't just merchants either. Nobles who had purchased trinkets from the Gem Domain didn't have it any better—some suddenly lost their family fortune, and some even lost a loved one.
Gossipy Merchant 2: Word of it all spread like wildfire. It's now believed that dealing with the Gem Domain will have you cursed.
De La Fille: My goodness...
All this scandalous talk of her beloved country leaves De La Fille speechless.
Gossipy Merchant 2: Speaking of the Gem Domain, something big just went down there.
Gossipy Merchant 1: One of those suffering merchants attacked the domain's king in the name of vengeance.
De La Fille: No... Tell me that's not true!
Gossipy Merchant 1: Hate to break it to ya, but that's the hottest rumor going around for us peddlers right now.
The story goes that a prosperous merchant lost close to his entire life's savings soon after buying accessories from the Gem Domain.
As rumors of the alleged Gem Domain curse spread, the merchant sought revenge and attacked the nation's king.
Though he was quickly apprehended, the king suffered a severe injury.
Gossipy Merchant 2: What a fool. No matter how big your losses, attacking a king is just asking for disaster.
Gossipy Merchant 1: True... I guess losing everything pushed him over the edge.
De La Fille remains in a stupor as the merchants take their leave.
De La Fille: I... I can't believe all of this has been happening in my absence... Father...
Seeing the gem princess turn pale as a sheet, (Captain) tries to cheer her up.
Choose: Let's go to the Gem Domain.
Lyria: Yeah, let's do that! We'll get to make sure your father's okay too!
De La Fille: H-hold it! The Gem Domain's problems don't concern any of you.
Lyria: That's not true! You're our friend, so your problems are our problems!
Lyria: That's what friends are for!
Choose: Let's go see your father.
Vyrn: Yeah, it wouldn't hurt to check up on him.
Vyrn: Time to head back to the airship and set a course for the Gem Domain!
De La Fille: H-hold it! There's no need for any of you to get involved.
Vyrn: Are you hearin' yourself! There's no way we could leave you alone after hearing about everything that's gone down!
Continue 1
De La Fille: But...
(Captain) explains that it would be unsafe for De La Fille to return home during such a precarious time.
As captain, (Captain) wouldn't feel right sending a crew member off to danger.
De La Fille: Very well. I'll take you up on the offer, (Captain).
De La Fille: Let us go to the Gem Domain together and uncover whatever nefarious plot is at work.
With a resolute nod, (Captain) and company make haste to the Gem Domain.
De La Fille: Father!
The crew has arrived at the Gem Domain's castle to check on the king's condition.
Making her hellos brief with the people she passed, De La Fille had headed straight for her father's private chambers.
Gem King: Fille... What are you doing here?
A look of disbelief crosses the king's visage as he rises to an upright posture on the bed.
De La Fille: I couldn't just sit still after hearing you were attacked... Are you feeling okay?
Gem King: Yes. I can't move freely yet, but fortunately the wound isn't too deep.
Gem King: I'm sorry for worrying you. Though I may be bedridden, I'm sure I'll recover in due time.
De La Fille: Oh, Father...
De La Fille: Sniff...
The dam finally breaks, and tears spill down De La Fille's cheeks.
Pained to see his daughter so upset, the king gently strokes her head.
Lyria: I wonder if her father's okay...
Vyrn: Judging from the king's voice, I'd say he's doing all right.
(Captain) and company wait in the hall while De La Fille speaks to her father.
De La Fille: My father calls for you all. Please come in and say hello.
Vyrn: You sure it'd be okay for us to enter the king's bedroom?
Gem King: My apologies, but I am immobile. I wish to see your faces. Won't you please grant me that favor?
De La Fille: Teehee. Well, you heard it yourself.
(Captain) and company timidly pass through the door.
Gem King: Well met, everyone. Thank you for going out of your way to pay me a visit.
Lyria: Um, I, er... I trust you're in good health, Your Majesty... Ahem...
Gem King: Hahaha, there is no need to stand on ceremony, young one. Seeing my beloved daughter has been most invigorating.
Gem King: Forgive my absence of manners as I remain in bed. But you have my utmost gratitude.
(Captain), making sure to stand upright, responds with a sincere nod.
Vyrn: So you know about us, Gem King?
Gem King: Indeed, I do. Fille's letters often mention you all in length.
Gem King: Thank you for taking such great care of my daughter. I am in your debt.
The king tries to get up to bow, but the crew stops him.
With introductions out of the way, (Captain) and company broach the subject of recent happenings in the Gem Domain.
Gem King: Hm... So I see that word spread far and wide.
De La Fille: Please fill us in on what is happening in the domain.
Gem King: Mm.
With a sigh, the king begins to tell his story.
Gem King: It all started roughly a month ago. A merchant whinged about defective gems in the supply we were exporting.
The gems in question were confirmed to be defective, and the merchant was immediately given new ones as a replacement.
The merchant was not seen for a while. Word got out that he was recovering from terrible misfortune.
At first, no one suspected that gems might have anything to do with it.
Gem King: But then all the merchants who had dealings with us fell to terrible afflictions one after another...
Gem King: Our trade gradually plummeted, and now potential buyers turn away as soon as they hear that the stone is of Gem Domain make.
The king launched an investigation on all the gems and accessories traded in the domain.
Vyrn: Do you have any leads yet?
The king shakes his head.
Gem King: I looked into the matter both publicly and privately but could find nothing wrong with our gems.
Gem King: However, it does not change the fact that defective product was still being passed around in the market. Something had to be going on.
Gem King: I decided to go into town to appraise the gems myself.
De La Fille: That must be when the bandit struck, I imagine.
Gem King: Indeed, I was caught unawares. I feared for the stability of the domain.
Vyrn: Is it that bad? I mean, a cutoff to trade would suck for the economy, but...
De La Fille: Actually, the current situation could even lead to war.
Lyria: Huh? How so?
De La Fille: It's been known since antiquity that the Gem Domain's stones, and lithomancy itself, are unique to our domain.
De La Fille: Our gemstones are so prized that they are often used as gifts among royalty.
De La Fille: If a royal were to suffer the type of misfortune we've been hearing of, the Gem Domain could be accused of placing a curse on them.
De La Fille: Worst-case scenario, they could declare war on us.
Gem King: Just like that merchant declared war on me in his own way.
Vyrn: Wow, who'da thought a problem with one little knickknack could totally blow up like this, huh...
De La Fille: Legends speak of a war that was fought over a necklace.
De La Fille: I did not envision the day that our gemstones, traditionally symbols of friendship, could potentially turn out to be the spark for war...
Taking in the weight of her words, (Captain) and company trade nervous glances.
Gem King: Rumors give way to more rumors, and now even the populace is growing suspicious.
Gem King: As pressing as the situation is, I remain confined to my bed... How pitiable for a king.
Seeing her father's fists clenched, De La Fille musters the resolve to take action.
De La Fille: Father. Please leave the matter to me.
De La Fille: We royalty must act, lest the people grow uneasy. I promise to bring this matter to a peaceful resolution in your stead, Father!
Gem King: Nay! I forbid it, Fille!
The gem king bolts upright, scrunching up his face in pain.
Gem King: Nhg! Urk... If anything were to happen to you...
De La Fille: Dearest father. Surely you understand how dependable my travel companions here are?
(Captain) gives them a reassuring thumbs-up as De La Fille looks over.
Lyria: That's right! We'll solve this together!
Vyrn: If anyone tries attacking us, we'll just have to beat them at their own game!
De La Fille: Well, you heard it yourself. Please be at ease and focus on your recovery, Father.
Gem King: Sigh... What can I say? You really are my daughter.
Gem King: (Captain)... I apologize for my poor display of hospitality, but I trust you'll keep Fille safe.
De La Fille: You can be sure of that! We'll be back with good news.
And so the crew heads out into town to investigate the matter plaguing the Gem Domain.