Scenario:Jeanne d'Arc - Recollections of a Princess

Recollections of a Princess

(Captain), the crew, and a local army fight off a horde of undead under Jeanne's leadership. The crew notices how the knights following Jeanne did not seem to fear death. Bit by bit however, the once-indomitable Jeanne begins to speak in a more genteel manner and to shrink from the prospect of violence. The cause seems related to her recent odd dreams.

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Jeanne d'Arc: ...

A young woman gazes out across a battlefield, thousands of soldiers arrayed at her back.

The troops are split into three units. Standing at the head of one of those units is (Captain).

Katalina leads the second.

Vira stands in the vanguard of the third.

(Captain) and the others have come to lend their support to the local army.

At the center of the battlefield is a black pit where the fabric of reality seems to have melted away. The crew has been fighting an endless tide of the dead spewing forth from that dark maw.

Spirits: Unnnggghhh...

Jeanne d'Arc: Here they come! (Captain)! Katalina! Vira! Follow me!

Knights: Hrrraaahhh!

A thousand battle cries ring out in response to Jeanne d'Arc's call.

(Captain), Katalina, and Vira's squads all advance as one on the hordes of the shambling dead.

Jeanne d'Arc: Soldiers, look to your leaders! Let their examples guide your blades!

Banner raised on high, Jeanne d'Arc fights like a lioness, carving a path through enemy ranks for her troops to follow.

Since she was young, Jeanne trained her sword arm as a soldier of Orleans.

And one night, she was visited by a dream.

???: Save the world.

Jeanne d'Arc: Save... the world? Me?

Jeanne set out to fulfill the mission imparted to her in that dream. Every day was filled with battle.

"Save the world." The great being who spoke to Jeanne gave her no indication of what catastrophe threatened the world, nor what she should do to avert it.

Doubt was her constant companion. What if she chose poorly and the true threat slipped past her?

But at last, fate guided her to an important encounter.

Jeanne d'Arc: You...

Vyrn: Me?

Jeanne d'Arc: That aura... It's so like the great being who appeared to me in my dream!

Vyrn: What? No way—you've got me confused with someone else! I'm no big shot!

Jeanne sensed that Vyrn could provide the guidance she had so sorely lacked. With newfound certainty, she joined (Captain)'s crew.

Jeanne has continued to wield her sword in defense of the helpless with (Captain) and the crew at her side.

Jeanne d'Arc: Those who tread the path of righteousness have no use for fear! Let your blades shine with the light of justice!

Knights: Daaahhh!

The units led by (Captain), Katalina, and Vira fight valiantly against the undead army.

The soldiers show no fear, though even a touch from these creatures means mortal peril.

The battle winds to a close, and hundreds of mages arrive to seal the rift.

Vira: ...

Jeanne d'Arc: Vira, is something troubling you?

Vira: No... I was just surprised by the troops' tenacity. Their motivation seemed almost unnaturally strong.

Jeanne d'Arc: The three of you deserve a great deal of the credit. I knew fighting alongside warriors of your caliber would bolster the soldiers' morale, but they exceeded my expectations.

Katalina: When fighting the undead, a moment's hesitation could mean the difference between victory and ruin.

Vira: Can three people really make that much of an impact? Those knights fought as if they didn't fear death at all.

Jeanne d'Arc: I'd say their bravery on the battlefield is your answer. I can't thank you enough for your assistance.

Vira: ...
It was an honor.

Jeanne retires to her room in the inn the crew has chosen for the night. (Captain) and the others remain in the lobby, reflecting on the day's battle.

Katalina: I still can't quite get over how those soldiers fought.

Vira: Indeed... It was not that they were exceptionally brave, nor that they lacked regard for their own lives.

Vira: They were sure of their victory, even faced with an undead horde...

Jeanne d'Arc: Then the three units converged, wiping out the enemy forces...

Jeanne records the events of the fight in her journal.

Jeanne d'Arc: (Captain) and the others were of great moral support to the soldiers...

She notes each shift in the tide of battle. Suddenly, however, her pen comes to a halt.

Jeanne d'Arc: Those revenants today...

Otherworldly Being: Beware the power of the girl in blue and the small dragon, for they shall lead the world to destruction.

Otherworldly Being: Lead these two demons to me, and I shall seal them away for eternity!

Jeanne d'Arc: The knights referred to them as the dead... But they looked like that creature which once led me astray. Could they be connected?

Jeanne d'Arc: Either way, they are certainly a threat to the world. I must remain vigilant.

With her resolve to defend this world and its people firmer than ever in her heart, Jeanne settles down to sleep.

Jeanne d'Arc: Hey, could you show me that technique again?

Boy: Sure thing! Yah! Daah!

In a certain rural village, a young boy swings his sword at Jeanne's behest.

Jeanne d'Arc: Wow, you're a natural!

Boy: You betcha! I'm gonna be a knight when I grow up!

Jeanne d'Arc: You will? I'm impressed... I could never do anything like that.

Jeanne d'Arc: Just the thought of swinging a sword scares me. I can't imagine being a knight.

Boy: Geez, where's your spunk? I guess I'll hafta look out for ya if any monsters show up!

Jeanne d'Arc: Hehe, that's a relief.

Boy: Where are you from, anyway? I've never seen you before.

Jeanne d'Arc: Well, um... A pretty long way away.

Jeanne's conversation with the boy is interrupted by the distant sound of a man's voice.

Knight: Princess Jeanne! Princess Jeanne, where are you?

Jeanne d'Arc: Oh, dear... They've found me already.

Knight: Here you are. The king is looking for you. Come, let's return to the castle.

Jeanne d'Arc: Sigh... I sense another one of father's lectures waiting for me.

Boy: Wha... Miss, do you live in the castle?

Jeanne d'Arc: Mm, you've found me out! But can we keep this meeting our little secret?

With a wave to the boy, Jeanne allows the knights to escort her away from the village.

Yes, this young woman dressed in a humble villager's garb is in fact the princess of a small country.

Jeanne d'Arc: I've returned, Father. All decked out in my new dress.

Jeanne enters the king's study, but he is nowhere to be seen.

Jeanne d'Arc: Father?

King: I'm sorry, my dear. I just returned, myself.

She hears his voice from the antechamber on the far side of the study.

King: Now, Jeanne... I hear you slipped out of the castle again. You mustn't worry everyone like that.

King: We would all be heartbroken if you were attacked by monsters or some other misfortune befell you. You know about all those recent monster sightings.

Jeanne d'Arc: But those visiting skyfarers took care of them, didn't they? Isn't that why we're preparing this banquet?

King's Voice: Yes... But that doesn't change the fact that I don't want you worrying everyone to death.

Jeanne d'Arc: Yeees, Fatheeer.

The king finishes changing and emerges into the study. He smiles when he spots his pouting daughter.

King: You look lovely, my dear. I'm glad we had that dress made for the feast.

Jeanne d'Arc: Haha. You look splendid yourself, Father. The skyfarers will attend, won't they?

King: Yes, of course. We have to show our appreciation for them hunting down those monsters, after all.

Jeanne d'Arc: I'm so excited to meet them. They must be such gallant adventurers...

Jeanne d'Arc: Nh... Waking before sunrise again... I wonder if I'm coming down with something.

Jeanne d'Arc: I wonder why I've been dreaming of the past so much lately.

Jeanne d'Arc: Haha... That really takes me back...

Jeanne's eyelids fall closed, and she sinks back into sleep.

Her exhausted mind accepts the visions which follow without suspicion.

Jeanne d'Arc: Ngh... Rgh...

The same dream envelops her once more.

Jeanne d'Arc: Nh... Mmf...

Her strained expression does not seem to match the peaceful nature of the dream.

The next morning Jeanne trudges down to the lobby to meet the others.

Jeanne d'Arc: ...

Katalina: Good morning, Jeanne. You look a little tired. Still worn out from yesterday's battle?

Jeanne d'Arc: Oh... I hope this morning finds you better rested than it does me, everyone. I've simply been having the worst trouble sleeping of late.

Vira & Katalina: ...?

Katalina: I... see. You should probably take it easy today then.

Vira: Yes. There aren't supposed to be many monsters on the next leg of our journey, so take this chance to rest.

Jeanne d'Arc: I will... Thank you.

Jeanne d'Arc: I've never been much good in battle... I do apologize.

Vira: ...
What's wrong, Jeanne? What happened?

(Captain) and the others cannot hide their shock at the change in their gallant companion's demeanor.

Jeanne d'Arc: Nothing happened... I've just been kept up lately by dreams of the past.

Katalina: You dreamt of Orleans? Your hometown?

Jeanne d'Arc: Or... leans? No, I was dreaming of my life in the castle...

Jeanne d'Arc: ...!

At last, Jeanne realizes the change in herself. She begins to tremble.

Jeanne d'Arc: Castle? Princess? What in the skies have I been...

Jeanne d'Arc: I am Jeanne d'Arc! I was born in Orleans and raised with a sword in my hand!

Jeanne d'Arc: Charged in a revelation to save the world, I have fought ever since to carry out that mission!

(Captain) and the others exchange worried looks.

Katalina: Jeanne, what's going on? What has you so confused?

Jeanne d'Arc: I don't know... It's as if my memories were replaced with someone else's...

Jeanne d'Arc: Or... Yes, that's right. They were dreams. Dreams that began to feel like actual memories...

Vira: ...

Vira: (Captain), Katalina, I propose we change course. I know an island where many experienced mages live.

Vira: There's something wrong with Jeanne. I suspect it might be a curse.

Jeanne d'Arc: ...

(Captain) nods in agreement. Jeanne sinks to her knees, pale, shivering, and silent.