Scenario:Kumbhira - Guardian of the North-Northwest
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Guardian of the North-Northwest
While heading to the Boar Temple, (Captain) and company bump into its guardian, Kumbhira, the soon-to-be year spirit. Sensing the divine general's desire to grow, (Captain) offers her a chance to join the crew.
During the crew's travels, they hear tales of the Boar Temple, said to house one of the Twelve Divine Generals.
According to the stories, simply visiting this sacred ground is enough to invite good health and fortune into one's life. Thus the crew decides to venture to the temple of the north-northwest.
They arrive at the mountain where the temple is located, but after a few hours pass, they realize they've been walking in circles.
Vyrn: Oof... I thought for sure we were going the right way...
Lyria: Look! Someone's standing next to the pond over there!
A girl squats over the edge of the water, dutifully washing what appears to be three tiny boar piglets.
???: How's that, Hamward? Feel good?
Hamward: Squeeeal!
???: Hehe. I'm glad. Okay, you're up next, Thomboar.
Thomboar: Squee-squee!
Lyria: She seems really nice!
Vyrn: Maybe she knows where the road to the temple is!
(Captain) nods and begins to walk in the girl's direction, stepping on a twig in the process. Crunch.
???: Who goes there?
The girl snaps her head toward the crew. Her gaze is piercing as she stares at them.
Vyrn: Um... Is it just me or is she leering at us? What should we do, (Captain)?
Lyria: You're right! We have to let her know we mean no harm.
Vyrn: You got it! I'll grin with all my might!
Smiling from ear to ear, they each wave their arms in the air.
???: Who are these weirdos...
Lyria: Uh-oh... She looks even more on edge now.
Choose: Let's call out to her.
Vyrn: Yeah, good thinking. We'd better let her know we come in peace!
Lyria: Hiiiii! I'm Lyyyria!
Vyrn: And I'm Vyyyrn!
Hamward: Squealy-squealy-squeal!
???: Hamward! Don't answer them! What if they're bad people!
Lyria: Oh no... She looks even more suspicious of us now.
Continue 1
Vyrn: Guess we've gotta go over and introduce ourselves the old-fashioned way.
After a deep breath to calm their nerves, they approach the pond.
???: You there. Why have you come to this mountain?
Vyrn: Well, um, we're here to visit the Boar Temple. But the path was really confusing, so...
???: The Boar Temple? Temple visitors would normally use the road...
(Captain) explains that they've come from a different island, and that they never saw a road from their docking port.
???: Mmmhm.
???: Yeah, I just can't get over how weird you guys are. You even have a flying lizard for crying out loud.
Vyrn: Hey! I ain't no lizard! And we ain't weird!
Just as tensions begin to boil over, something soft and warm brushes against (Captain)'s legs.
Looking down, (Captain) sees three tiny boars vying for the captain's attention.
Piglets: Squeee...
Lyria: Wow! (Captain), it looks like you've made friends!
???: Seriously, these piglets... What did I just tell you three about strangers!
The trio of lovable fur balls manage to diffuse the situation with their adorable squealing.
???: Even you, Pigchelle? I thought you knew better...
Pigchelle: Squee-squee!
(Captain) bends down and pets Pigchelle, causing the tiny creature to squeak in delight.
Lyria: Haha. She's so cute!
???: Thanks...
Vyrn: Whoa! They disappeared! Were we just seein things?
???: It's fine. They've just returned to me.
Lyria: Like... inside of you?
???: Yes. They're like my little guardians. We've been together since I was born.
???: Even though it's their first time seeing you, they weren't intimidated at all.
???: They can sense malice, so I guess if they like you that means you're not bad people. Then again, it's best not to take chances...
The girl paces a bit before finding a flower in half-bloom. She plucks it from the ground and peels away its petals one at a time.
???: Trust them, trust them not, trust them, trust them not...
Pluck, pluck, pluck. One by one the petals fall until the girl arrives at the final petal. She breathes a sigh of relief.
???: Trust... them. Yup. My piglets were right.
Vyrn: What was that just now? Some kinda weird pig prophecy?
???: Not really. More like simple fortune-telling. I learned it from my predecessor.
???: You know what, let's walk and talk. I'll take you folks to the temple grounds.
(Captain) thanks the swine-toting girl before following behind her.
As they head toward the temple, the crew get some surprising news.
Vyrn: What, you mean to tell me you're this year's spirit? Never woulda thought we'd meet you on the side of a mountain!
???: Yep, I'm Kumbhira. Guardian of the Boar Temple.
Kumbhira: Who're you guys anyway?
Vyrn: Whoops! Forgot to introduce ourselves!
Vyrn launches into the crew's back story, explaining their goals and their journey thus far.
Kumbhira: You guys seriously want to go to Estalucia?
Kumbhira: Picking fights with the empire, primal beasts, and what have you... You don't seem like liars, but this is all hard to believe.
Vyrn: Haha. I promise it's all true! Right, (Captain)?
(Captain) gives a good-natured smile to the still unconvinced Kumbhira.
Kumbhira: (Unwavering, honest eyes...)
Kumbhira: (What is it about those eyes... They remind me of someone.)
Kumbhira: We're here. Welcome to the Boar Temple.
Vyrn: Yowza, this crowd is intense!
???: Welcome back, Lady Kumbhira. Were you able to relax?
Kumbhira: Yeah, I guess. Thanks for covering for me.
Kumbhira introduces the old woman as a priestess of the Boar Temple who usually helps out with the day-to-day ceremonies.
Priestess: Lady Kumbhira, it's almost time...
Kumbhira: You're right... I'll be back, you guys.
Lyria: Oh, you have to go now?
Kumbhira: Yeah. There's a ritual that's gotta be performed before we start the new year—important temple stuff.
Tough Guy: Oy, girl. Word has it yer the divine boar, mm? They say yer as strong as they come.
A couple of muscle-ripped men approach Kumbhira, their aggressive intentions clear.
Rough Man: What's that they say you've got? "Blessed might" or whatever? Let us put those stories to the test.
Vyrn: You knuckleheads for real? Seems pretty rude to just...
Kumbhira puts her hand up to silence Vyrn. She then addresses the two men in a quiet, controlled voice.
Kumbhira: Here's the deal: pick up my little toy over here, and I'll fight you.
She directs their attention toward a massive bamboo pipe resting atop a sacred pedestal.
Tough Guy: What? That's it? I've had a harder time fightin' slimes—
Tough Guy: Ngh?
Rough Man: Stop being a piece of bonito crap and lift that stupid piece of bamboo!
Tough Guy: This has gotta be some kind of trick! Is it glued to the altar or something?
Kumbhira: Not at all.
Red-faced from exertion, the man loosens his grip on the pipe, and Kumbhira walks up to the holy instrument. She lifts it with ease.
Tough Guy: N-no way! Are you some kind of super Draph?
Rough Man: We're sorry! Please forgive us!
Vyrn: Wow, those dudes weren't kidding when they said you had—what was it again?—blessed strength.
Kumbhira: Not really. It was nothing.
Kumbhira: Anyway, I've got a ritual to prepare for. Bye for now.
Priestess: Excuse me, skyfarers. Would you like to see Lady Kumbhira at work?
Lyria: That sounds interesting. Let's go watch her, (Captain)!
Lyria: Wow... It might be even more crowded here than the front of the grounds!
The priestess leads them to an open rock face behind the temple.
There they find a huge group of people clustered around a large boulder tied with a thick rope.
Vyrn: What's gonna happen here?
Priestess: Omencrushing. That stone is filled with bad luck and misfortune. Lady Kumbhira will pulverize it and then lift a prayer for good health and fortune. It's a sacred tradition here at the Boar Temple.
Vyrn: She can pulverize that?
Vyrn looks up at the massive boulder just as Kumbhira finishes scaling it, her bamboo pipe slung across a shoulder.
Kumbhira: ...
She breathes in and raises the divine instrument above her head.
Kumbhira: Haaaaaaaa!
Lyria: What the! Where did the rock go?
Vyrn: She smashed it to dust. In one hit.
Kumbhira: Phew!
Kumbhira: I am Kumbhira, the guardian of the north-northwest and the divine boar!
Kumbhira: And I offer this contract to the heavens, so that we may find good fortune and prosperity throughout the year!
The moment she finishes her prayer, the crowd erupts into applause.
Temple Visitor 1: Gotta give it to the divine boar; she's amazing. The journey here was long, but I'm glad I came.
Temple Visitor 1: But then again, you know...
Temple Visitor 2: Yeah, I understand. She's great, but she's still nothing like the last divine boar.
Kumbhira: ...!
Vyrn: Whoa... She's taking off! Let's catch up to her and see what's wrong, (Captain)!
Kumbhira: I've never crushed omens like that before... But still...
Pigchelle: Squee...
Hamward: Squee-squee!
Kumbhira: You thought it was hamtastic? Thanks, Hamward.
Kumbhira: Too bad my personal best doesn't live up to my predecessor's average day.
Kumbhira: I'll never be worthy of the people who visit this temple.
Lyria: Kumbhira! It was incredible how you just went baaam and smashed that rock!
Kumbhira: Oh, you guys were there? Thanks for coming.
Vyrn: You've got some extreme muscle! Is that from some kind of crazy, hidden power or what?
Kumbhira: ...
Kumbhira: Sorry. I don't have blessed might or anything like it.
Vyrn: Uh? Wait a minute... Didn't you just smash a boulder? Like, into dust?
Lyria: Yes, and that pipe you used for the Omencrushing, those men couldn't even lift it before.
Kumbhira: This old thing... Its full title is Recklessness Incarnate, Revered Lance of Dripping Gold.
Kumbhira: I call it "Recker" for short., but it's a weapon that only the divine boar can wield properly. I can change its weight at will.
Vyrn: So when you lifted it earlier, you just made it lighter?
Kumbhira gives an embarrassed nod before continuing.
Kumbhira: The former divine boar, she really did possess blessed might. She would even pump up Recker's weight way beyond normal and swing it like it was a twig.
Kumbhira: I don't have strength like that—I can't actually use Recker the way it's meant to be.
Kumbhira: In all the history of this temple, there's been only one divine boar without the legendary blessed strength, and, well... you're looking at her.
Vyrn: But the Omencrushing was great! If you weren't already super strong, then there's no way you coulda managed that!
Kumbhira: That was just practice. I've been training for the ritual since I was a child.
Kumbhira: I've spent weeks examining boulders from every point, and now I can see their weakest spots. Once you know the proper angle of attack, it's nothing to destroy a dumb stone with Recker.
Kumbhira: That's why the Omencrushing was nothing special. I've been in this village forever now—just looking at rocks and practicing for one, specific ritual.
Lyria: Oh, we didn't mean to... We're sorry to...
Kumbhira: Don't worry about it. I decided a long time ago that I would become a divine boar worthy of the title.
Kumbhira: Even if I don't have the blessed might of the other boars, I'll work until the people see me the same way they saw my predecessor.
Vyrn: Your predecessor? You really wanna be like her?
Kumbhira: Yep. She was amazing.
Kumbhira: One time, a rampaging primal came to this island. But she knocked it clear across the sky with one hit from Recker.
Kumbhira: She was cheerful, kind, and honest, and she had the strength of the divine boars before her. She was truly loved by the village.
Kumbhira: But after she finished the previous Omencrushing, she just disappeared.
A dejected Kumbhira lowers her gaze to the ground.
Kumbhira: It's finally my turn to fulfill the sacred duties, but I've since realized I'm not good enough yet...
Kumbhira: I'm a far cry from what my predecessor was, that's for sure...
Vyrn: Kumbhira...
Kumbhira: Hey, (Captain)...
Kumbhira: How can you lead your crew to Estalucia? You don't know what awaits you there, yet you still continue forward, unwavering.
Kumbhira: How can you fight foes like the empire and primal beasts again and again?
Kumbhira: And how... How did you get the strength to handle all of that?
Choose: Because I've got my crew.
Vyrn: That's right. There's plenty that we've struggled with, but nothing we couldn't handle together.
Lyria: Yes, if we weren't there to support each other along the way, I think we would've given up a long time ago.
Kumbhira: A crew... That's why you're so strong?
Kumbhira: Hah. So that's what I've been missing: friends. I've been training alone for so long.
(Captain) notices something change in Kumbhira's demeanor.
Choose: Come with us on our journey!
Kumbhira: Huh?
Vyrn: Heh-heh, good thinking, (Captain)! I'm all for it!
Lyria: Yes, Kumbhira! You're welcome to join us!
Kumbhira: (Me, exploring the skies? I've never thought about that before...)
Kumbhira: Sorry, no can do. I've been stuck in my village for so long...
Choose: You won't know unless you try!
Kumbhira: ...!
Kumbhira: I'm not strong... How am I ever going to live up to the title of divine boar...
Former Divine Boar: Silly sow, you won't know unless you try!
Kumbhira: (Hah, that's right...)
Kumbhira: ((Captain)'s resolve... It's just like hers.)
Just then a bell rings throughout the compound, returning Kumbhira to her senses.
Kumbhira: Sorry. I've still got a few responsibilities to take care of, so I'd better get going.
Choose: The offer's still open!
Vyrn: Yeah! The offer's still on the table!
(Captain), Vyrn, and Lyria are left wondering whether Kumbhira would consider their final pleas.
Priestess: ...
After taking care of her duties, Kumbhira heads to an empty field to sit and clear her head.
Kumbhira: (Paid my respects to the village chief, so now I can finally take a break.)
Priestess: May I ask you something? Why didn't you go with those skyfarers?
Kumbhira: How did you sneak up on—Ah, so you heard our conversation, huh?
Priestess: Lady Kumbhira, I've watched over you since you were crawling on the ground. I can tell when you're not being honest with yourself.
Kumbhira: Cut it out... I'm not a little kid anymore.
Priestess: Are you sure you don't want to go with them?
Kumbhira: I'm the divine boar, right?
Kumbhira: Everyone's been expecting big things from me pretty much since I was born...
Priestess: I believe you're already aware of this, but there is no precept that states the divine boar must reside in the village.
Priestess: Of course, the former boar stayed here for quite a long time. But that was simply of her own volition.
Kumbhira: ...
Priestess: Lady Kumbhira, the way you conducted the Omencrushing today was exceptional.
Kumbhira: But I overheard some of the crowd say they thought she did an even better job. I feel like I'm letting everyone down.
Priestess: Well... I don't believe that's true at all.
Kumbhira: Huh?
Priestess: The people of this village know you're always working yourself to the bone.
Priestess: And you—even without any blessed strength—were able to put on a magnificent display today.
Priestess: No matter what the people from the village or anywhere else might say, you are a beloved and worthy divine boar.
Kumbhira: ...!
Priestess: Which is why, Lady Kumbhira, it behooves you to choose what will make you happy.
Priestess: In any case, I'm looking forward to watching you become even more awe-inspiring as we approach this new year.
Priestess: Please, take care of yourself.
Kumbhira: Ugh, why would she say all of that and confuse me more...
Kumbhira: What should I do?
Kumbhira: ...
Looking down, Kumbhira spots a flower. She plucks it from the ground and begins chanting.
Kumbhira: To go, to go not...
Priestess: Which is why, Lady Kumbhira, it behooves you to choose what will make you happy.
Kumbhira: To go, to go not...
Vyrn: Yeah! The offer's still on the table!
Kumbhira: To go... to go not...
Former Divine Boar: Silly sow, you won't know unless you try!
Kumbhira: ...
Kumbhira: That's what she said when I was unsure about becoming the divine boar. I sure do miss her.
Kumbhira places the flower on the ground and looks up to the clouds.
Kumbhira: The sky's so big and blue. But it's the same sky that (Captain) and the others are exploring every day.
Kumbhira: Do I really have what it takes to fly? I don't know. I don't know, but then again...
Kumbhira: I won't know unless I try!
She stands and begins racing across the field with all of her might.
The flower lies atop the grass, facing the sky and half of its petals still intact.
Vyrn: Aww, I know how you feel, (Captain), but maybe we should get goin' soon.
Lyria: Wait, look over there!
Lyria points to a figure charging at them with furious speed.
Lyria: It's Kumbhira! She's headed right for us!
Kumbhira: Pant, pant... (Captain)...
Kumbhira: Let me... join your crew!
Vyrn: Kumbhira!
Kumbhira: I want to be a worthy divine boar! Just like the boar before me!
Kumbhira: I'm not sure if I'll ever be good enough, but even still...
Kumbhira: I can't give up yet. And I realize now I won't become like her if I keep at it alone.
Kumbhira: That's why I want to travel with your crew and learn from you! I have to challenge myself!
Kumbhira: I'll do anything... So please, (Captain)!
Filled with excitement, (Captain) nods with gusto.
Vyrn: Didn't we tell you the offer's always open, Kumboara!
Lyria: Glad to have you with us!
Kumbhira: Thank you, everyone!
Hamward: Squeal!
Kumbhira: Whoa, Hamward! What have I told you about appearing without my permission!
Lyria: Hehe. I think he felt how happy you are, so he just wants to celebrate with you.
Hamward: Squee-squee!
Kumbhira: Th-that's not it at all...
Kumbhira: Oh, whatever. You can't trust any of these piglets with your secrets.
Just before boarding the Grandcypher, Kumbhira turns to take a final look at the mountain she's always called home.
Kumbhira: (Wait for me. I'll come back stronger than ever!)
She takes a step into the airship, the first step of new adventure and determination.
The Grandcypher lifts off into the air, heading north-northwest into the blue sky, as vast as the possibilities it holds.
Categories:
- Scenario Character: Vyrn
- Scenario Character: Lyria
- Scenario Character: ???
- Scenario Character: Hamward
- Scenario Character: Thomboar
- Scenario Character: Piglets
- Scenario Character: Pigchelle
- Scenario Character: Kumbhira
- Scenario Character: Priestess
- Scenario Character: Tough Guy
- Scenario Character: Rough Man
- Scenario Character: Temple Visitor 1
- Scenario Character: Temple Visitor 2
- Scenario Character: Former Divine Boar
- Character Fate Scenario