Scenario:Percival - The Simmering Fire Within
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The Simmering Fire Within
(Captain) and company meet a fiery young man named Percival who is determined to have them as his vassals.
(Captain) and company are traveling in a carriage through a mountain.
A mother, fast asleep with her two children, and a man in extravagant armor are riding along with them.
Vyrn: What're we doing here? We could just fly over these mountains with the airship.
Lyria: Oh, Vyrn... Sometimes it's nice to slow down and enjoy the journey, don't you think?
They're on their way back from delivering supplies to troops in the foothills.
The horse-drawn carriage trundles on as the sun goes down.
Just then, two children sleeping on their mother awaken.
Thin Boy: Agh...
Young Girl: Yawn...
Frail Mother: Oh, it's all right children. Go back to sleep, my dears.
Thin Boy: Mama, I'm hungry. Do you have any snacks?
Young Girl: Me too, Mommy. I'm hungry too.
Frail Mother: I'm sorry, my dears. That bread earlier was the last of our supplies.
Thin Boy: Oh, all right...
Young Girl: Aww... But... I'm hungry!
The young girl begins to cry.
Frail Mother: Just wait a little longer, all right? At the next village I'll pick something up.
Young Girl: Nooo! I can't wait anymore!
Lyria: (Captain), do we have any food we could give them?
Lyria: Let's see... Oh, here it is!
Lyria: It's an apple that Vyrn was saving as a snack!
Vyrn: Hey! What are you doing with my apple?
Lyria: Come on, Vyrn. You can give up an apple for the kids, right?
Vyrn: Oh yeah! Sure I can!
Vyrn: (Awww... There goes my apple...)
Lyria gives the apple to the children. Encouraged by her gesture, an armored man also offers up some of his rations.
Vyrn: Oh yeah! I forgot about that.
Vyrn: Lyria was saving a cookie as a snack!
Lyria: What? Ah, well um, let's not be too hasty...
Vyrn: Ah, here it is! I found it!
Vyrn: Hey, Lyria! We can give this cookie to the kids, right?
Lyria: Yes! Of course!
Lyria: (Awww... I'll just have to get another one...)
Vyrn gives the cookie to the children. Encouraged by his gesture, an armored man also offers up some of his own rations.
Continue 1
???: Eat this. It's bland, but it should fill you up.
Frail Mother: Thank you, kind strangers. All of you...
Young Girl: Yay! There's so much food!
Vyrn: It's the least we could do to cheer you up!
Lyria: Don't mention it! Now eat up!
Young Girl: We will! Thank you, everybody!
Thin Boy: Oh, thank you so much...
???: Maybe now you'll stop whining and keep quiet...
Frail Mother: I'm sorry...
The man goes back to sitting in silence...
So the crew decides to strike up a conversation with the mother.
Vyrn: It must be hard traveling with young kids, I bet.
Frail Mother: It is... It pains me to take them on such a tough journey while they're so innocent.
Lyria: May I ask why you're traveling?
Frail Mother: Of course. Recently our country has been taken over by a real piece of work...
Frail Mother: There was a resistance, and now the country's in an all-out civil war.
Vyrn: Wait... Does that mean what I think it means?
Lyria: Yes. The soldiers we delivered supplies to were probably involved.
The carriage makes its way up the mountainside, giving the passengers a view of the foothills bathed in the fires of war.
Frail Mother: That's what we're trying to escape. That's why we're heading for the border.
Vyrn: Oh... And to think that we got involved without even knowing...
Lyria: Oh dear...
Feeling guilty, Lyria looks to the mother.
Lyria: If there's anything we can do to help you, please tell us.
Frail Mother: What? No, I...
Frail Mother: You don't even know me. I'd hate to be a burden to you.
Lyria: But we want to help you!
Lyria: You see, we're actually skyfarers. If you want, we can take you to a nearby city on our airship!
Vyrn: Yeah! It's no trouble at all. And we don't mind either!
Frail Mother: Well, if you're sure... Thank you so much.
Frail Mother: I'll never forget the kindness you've shown to us today.
Suddenly, the armored man breaks his silence.
???: There's no escape. Wherever you go.
Vyrn: What's that you say?
???: I said that wherever you go, it will all be the same.
Lyria: What do you mean?
???: I've been traveling around for longer than you can imagine. This woman's story is all too common.
???: Wherever you go, there will be people who only look out for themselves at the expense of the country.
Vyrn: Well, not everyone's gonna be model citizens.
???: Of course not. That's my point.
The man then poses a question to the crew.
???: So I have to ask... Will you folks reach out the same way for every sob story you come across?
Vyrn: Of course! Why wouldn't we?
???: Humph...
The man smiles in answer, but his eyes reflect both pity and curiosity toward the crew.
The Simmering Fire Within: Scene 2
(Captain) and company meet a fiery young man named Percival who is determined to have them as his vassals.
Suddenly there is a shriek from the driver, and a great roar surrounds them.
???: Tch... You all stay in the carriage!
Frail Mother: Oh dear!
Vyrn: Hey! Wait!
With a sigh, the man jumps out of the carriage. The crew, ignoring his instructions, follows after him.
There's no sign of the driver and the road ahead is blocked by countless fallen trees.
Vyrn: What's happened?
???: Bandits.
Bandit 1: Haha! Hand over all your valuables!
???: I'd be careful about who you're talking to.
Vyrn: Hey, big guy! We'll help you fight!
???: Just don't get in my way.
Bandit 2: Hey! That's enough chatter. Hand it over to us now!
???: Humph... I've had enough of you idiots. It's time to teach the both of you a lesson.
The man gracefully moves into a fighting stance as he slides his hand along the edge of his sword.
All of a sudden, his blade alights with a cold fire.
Both the bandits and the crew stare in awe at the beautiful yet dangerous glow.
???: All right. Who's first?
Bandit 1: You are!
The fight is over in a flash of the armored man's firebrand. The bandits, frozen in place, quickly burn cold.
Bandit 1: S-so c-c-cold! And so hot!
Bandit 2: How'd he do that? We gotta get outta here!
Once the coast is clear, the mother and children come out of the carriage.
Frail Mother: Oh, thank you so much!
???: There's no need for your thanks, madam.
???: I barely had a chance to let out so much as a spark before they scampered off.
Vyrn: Well, well, it looks like someone's being modest.
Lyria: I guess he's a lot nicer than he looks!
Young Girl: You're a fire magician, mister? That's so neat!
Thin Boy: Say, can you tell us how you do it?
???: We can chat later. We're not out of the woods yet.
???: We should get going before more bandits show up.
Vyrn: How are we supposed to go anywhere? The driver and horse have run off!
Lyria: That's right. And besides that, with the trees in our way there's no way forward.
The bandits are gone, but the gang now finds themselves stuck in the middle of nowhere.
???: No need to worry.
And with that, the man takes a mighty swing with his sword.
The flames come shooting forth from the blade, turning all the fallen trees to ash.
???: Come on. Let's go.
Vyrn: Right behind ya...
Lyria: Have you ever seen fire like that before, (Captain)?
The man leads everyone away from danger...
But before long the young girl starts to cry.
Young Girl: Mommy, I'm tired! I don't wanna walk anymore!
???: We're nearly at the border.
???: We'll be safe once we reach it, so just hold on a little longer.
Young Girl: No! I can't! I want a piggyback ride!
Thin Boy: Come on, don't be a baby.
Frail Mother: I'm sorry darling, but Mommy's tired too. Are you sure you can't walk?
Young Girl: No! How about you, (Captain)? Gimme a piggyback ride!
The young girl approaches (Captain) with hope in her eyes.
As (Captain) reaches a hand out to the girl, the man speaks out suddenly.
???: Wait.
Vyrn: Hey, what's up with the scary face?
???: How long do you all intend to look after this woman and her children?
Lyria: Well, I don't know...
???: It's easy to lend a helping hand right now, but you're forgetting something.
???: This family has to learn to stand on their own.
Vyrn: I can't argue with that, but didn't you give them some food earlier?
???: Hunger can be unbearable.
???: But if someone has energy enough to moan, they have enough to walk.
The gang silently listens to the man.
He turns to the children and, in his best attempt at a calm voice, begins to speak to them.
???: You have to find the strength within yourselves to keep moving. Support each other if you must.
???: And don't ever make your mother worry. From now on you have to be her helpers. All right?
Boy and Girl: All right!
The children nodded their heads earnestly as they listened to his words.
???: Good. Let's get to the border, shall we?
And so the party picks up again, making their way to the border.
The Simmering Fire Within: Scene 3
(Captain) and company meet a fiery young man named Percival who is determined to have them as his vassals.
???: We should be safe now.
Vyrn: Phew! I'm glad those bandits never came back.
Lyria: Me too! Though we'd have been ready for them if they did.
???: We all did very well to get here safe and sound.
Thin Boy: Haha! We should be fine now!
Young Girl: Hehe! Let's keep on walking!
Frail Mother: Everyone, thank you so much.
???: We still have a ways yet until the border. Do you think you can make it?
They continue to walk on, but at last the border gate comes into view.
Once there, they are stopped by the gatekeepers.
Gatekeeper 1: Why, hello there. Show me your permits, please.
The party presents their travel permits.
???: Everything should be in order. Now please let us through.
Gatekeeper 2: Well, I guess everything checks out...
Suddenly, the gatekeeper rips the permits to pieces right before their eyes.
???: What's the meaning of this?
Gatekeeper 1: Sorry, but we're under strict orders to not let you through.
The two bandits they'd met earlier suddenly appear.
Vyrn: Hey, what's going on!
Lyria: I've got a bad feeling about this!
???: ...
Bandit 1: Come on. You didn't think you'd get away that easily now, did you?
Bandit 2: Heheh! We need to pay you back for that little stunt you pulled earlier.
Gatekeeper 1: All right now. Just don't hurt the mother and children.
Bandit 2: Fine! We split the spoils same as always. All right?
???: Heheheh...
Bandit 1: What's wrong with him?
Gatekeeper 2: I think you touched a nerve with this one.
???: Corruption has spread into every corner of this land.
Gatekeeper 2: Ha! Why thank you! We do try.
???: No, it is I who must thank you.
???: With rotten scoundrels like you, I don't have to hold back.
Gatekeeper 1: Come on then! I can't wait to knock you off your high horse!
???: You're about to get burned so badly, your ancestors will get singed. Are you ready?
Vyrn: We've got your back! Come on, (Captain)!
???: (Captain), I need you to stop me if I go too far. I can't always tell.
Lyria: Don't worry! We'll step in!
???: Then here I go!
The man readies his sword before charging forward at full speed.
The fight is over in an instant. Both the guards and the bandits have fallen.
However, the man's ire sparks a fire that quickly spreads to the border gate, burning it down.
With no obstacles in their path, the party crosses the border to safety.
The Simmering Fire Within: Scene 4
(Captain) and company meet a fiery young man named Percival who is determined to have them as his vassals.
Having successfully evaded their pursuers, the crew returns to the Grandcypher.
Vyrn: Oh boy. He took it pretty far with the fire...
Lyria: The gatekeepers were really mad, weren't they?
???: Don't worry! I'll take the blame.
Vyrn: Take the blame? Well of course, since it was all your fault anyway...
???: Never mind that. No good comes from fretting over the little things.
The man glances over at the sleeping mother and her children.
???: About these three... I suppose you intend to drop them off somewhere safe?
Vyrn: Of course!
Lyria: We promised to take them to a town, so that's what we're going to do!
Vyrn: And where can we drop you off, Sir Burnsalot?
???: Hm, I hadn't thought about that...
The man seems stumped by Vyrn's question.
After thinking for a few moments, he begins to speak again.
???: Well, you folks seem to be able to handle yourselves in battle. Which country do you fight for?
Vyrn: Hm? We don't fight for any country. We're just a ragtag crew of skyfarers.
???: Hm, that's just what I'm looking for.
???: Very well then. I shall do you all the honor of naming you as my vassals.
Vyrn: S-say what!
???: Look at you! Flying up in glee!
???: I'm pleased you agree so willingly.
Vyrn: No way! What's with this ego all of a sudden?
???: What? You don't want to serve me? That's strange...
???: You should feel honored to serve under one such as me.
Lyria: Well, um, we don't even know your name yet.
???: You don't? Oh, how rude of me.
Percival: I am Percival of the House of Wales. I'm sure you've heard of me.
Vyrn: Sorry... It doesn't ring a bell.
Percival: Is that so? Then I guess you haven't heard.
Ignoring the confusion amongst the crew, Percival continues to speak.
Percival: I could tell when I first laid eyes on you. You all have good hearts.
Lyria: Good hearts?
Percival: Yes. The way you all reacted to the plight of that poor woman and her children...
Percival: You went to help her without a second thought, did you not?
Vyrn: Exactly! We help the helpless! Is that so wrong?
Percival: No, not at all.
Percival: But it's charitable acts like that that endear fools like you to people like me.
Lyria: Oh, I see... I guess.
Vyrn: Hey! You call that a compliment?
Percival: Don't take it the wrong way. I think the world would be a better place if there were more fools like you in it.
Percival: But you saw the corruption in this land.
Lyria: We did...
Percival: At this very moment, there are people suffering everywhere.
Percival: I dream of a country where even the powerless can live in peace and prosperity.
Percival: And I'm doing all I can to bring such a utopia into reality. For now, I'm on a fact finding mission.
Lyria: Really? What a wonderful goal!
Vyrn: Humph. Talk is cheap!
Lyria: Vyrn! Don't be so harsh...
Percival: He's right. So to make my dream come true, I'll need your help.
Percival: (Captain), I'll ask you once again. Will you join me as my vassal?
Choose: Yes, let's create this utopia!
Percival: Such enthusiasm. It seems my estimation of you was on the mark!
Vyrn: Hey, (Captain)! What about Estalucia?
Lyria: Come now, Vyrn! I'm sure (Captain) has a plan.
Vyrn: All right. Well, if you're sure...
Lyria: I'm sure, maybe. (Captain) wouldn't do this on a whim, probably...
With a confident grin, Percival continues to speak.
Choose: Only if you can defeat me!
Percival: Oh? So you dare to challenge me after witnessing the power of my blade...
The tension between (Captain) and Percival builds.
Vyrn: Hey now... Let's all just calm down.
Lyria: Oh dear, what do we do! We can't let those two fight!
Sensing their worry, Percival lowers his sword.
Percival: Humph. You're not worth it.
Percival: But (Captain), you shouldn't play with fire.
Percival: Heheh... You'll be my vassal yet.
With a confident grin, Percival continues to speak.
Continue 1
Percival: To create my new country, I'll need more people to join my cause.
Percival: So for now, I'll join you in your travels and look for new vassals wherever we land.
With that, Percival invites himself into the crew.
Vyrn: Hey wait! Sir Burnsalot!
And he's gone...
And he's gone...
Lyria: Well... it'll all work out all right.
Lyria: He seems to be a good person at heart, so I don't see a problem with him joining us.
Vyrn: Oh boy. How many people are we gonna pick up on this trip?
With a new crew member, the Grandcypher rides the winds to the next destination.
But no matter how swiftly they fly, Percival's past will soon catch up with him.
Categories:
- Scenario Character: Vyrn
- Scenario Character: Lyria
- Scenario Character: Thin Boy
- Scenario Character: Young Girl
- Scenario Character: Frail Mother
- Scenario Character: ???
- Character Fate Scenario
- Scenario Character: Bandit 1
- Scenario Character: Bandit 2
- Scenario Character: Boy and Girl
- Scenario Character: Gatekeeper 1
- Scenario Character: Gatekeeper 2
- Scenario Character: Percival