Dialogue
GRAHATIA
Perhaps I might linger a touch longer...
URIANGER
Even in the learned halls of Sharlayan, 'tis forbidden to throw wide the gates to the abyss. The peril is far too great...
ESTINIEN
Can such a tiny portal truly be so dangerous?
VARSHAHN
I expect you have more questions...
MATSYA
My boat is at your disposal!
Q1
Proceed to Weaver's Warding?
GRAHATIA
The Thirteenth... What chaos must consume that world...
URIANGER
Vrtra's grief for a lost sibling will be no mystery to Estinien. His hath been a life entwined with sorrow, even before he became host to Nidhogg's essence.
ESTINIEN
I wondered how one of the first brood could simply vanish and leave no trace of her passage. Now I have my answer.
VARSHAHN
Millennia have passed since last I saw her. But I see Azdaja in memory still, clear and vivid...
YSHTOLA
So they managed not only to expand the fissure, but also manipulate it as one might a gate...
Astonishing. Is there any chance I could learn more of how this feat was accomplished?
VARSHAHN
I will tell you what I can. First, however, I must return to the High Crucible, and arrange to replace the guardians you so handily destroyed. It will not do to leave the gate undefended.
YSHTOLA
Ah, my apologies─we were perhaps a touch zealous in our rush to uncover the vault's secrets. If the constructs can be repaired, we would be happy to offer our assistance...?
VARSHAHN
That will not be necessary. Much as I retain spare vessels for myself, we keep duplicate guardians on hand for such eventualities. In any case, we should return to Radz–at–Han.
GRAHATIA
While I am loath to keep Krile waiting much longer, I cannot bring myself to leave before hearing more of Vrtra's tale...
URIANGER
'Twas a most enjoyable expedition, for which I am grateful. As for mine evaluation, I shall impress upon the Loporrits that a treasure vault is incomplete without daunting sentinels to test the mettle of any would-be intruders.
ESTINIEN
Vrtra speaks as if Azdaja is a lost cause. But I wager he feels differently in his heart of hearts.
YSHTOLA
There is much about the voidgate that I cannot even begin to explain. I must convince Vrtra to share everything he knows...
ALCHEMIST04530
This is quite the gathering. To what do we owe the pleasure...?
VARSHAHN
I promise we will discuss the voidgate further, but first I must attend to the matter of the vault's sentinels.
As your instruments have no doubt informed you, the Kapikulu has been reduced to so much scrap. Please bring a new one out of storage, and see that it is conveyed to its post along with some few lesser constructs.
ALCHEMIST04530
Was it tomb robbers? Fiends born of the Tower of Zot? By the Sisters, do not tell me a blasphemy yet roams free!
Why such guilty faces!? Surely it isn't you who are responsible for this... Oh.
Ahem, well...the details aren't important! I shall see it done immediately.
VARSHAHN
And with that, the vault will soon be secure once more. Now, I believe you had questions?
YSHTOLA
Quite a few, in fact. But I'd like to begin with the gate itself. It is still functional, yes?
VARSHAHN
Indeed, which is why I saw it sealed with an alchemically forged lock and warded it with my magicks. Such power must not fall into the wrong hands.
In truth, the primary reason for the vault's construction was to keep the gate hidden from the outside world.
ESTINIEN
So much effort for such a little door.
YSHTOLA
That “little door” you speak of leads to an abyss teeming with unspeakable horrors.
That said, in its current state, it would admit only the lowliest of voidsent. And from this side, no man would be able to pass through.
ESTINIEN
No man? I should think Alphinaud would fit, given a firm enough push.
YSHTOLA
Physical size is only one consideration. The true restriction hinges upon the aetheric density of the soul in transit.
And yet you succeeded in expanding this diminutive portal and sending your simulacrum to the Thirteenth...
VARSHAHN
Thanks to my brilliant alchemists. I should have destroyed the anomaly when I found it, but instead, I bade them devise a means to control it.
After much experimentation, they accomplished the impossible. A method was conceived by which my magicks could manipulate the fissure and transform it into a serviceable gate.
But the process has long since been forgotten. Once I had given up searching for Azdaja, there was no need to preserve such esoteric and dangerous knowledge.
Thus has the gate lain dormant, for years uncounted.
GRAHATIA
Our own passage to the Thirteenth was made relatively simple thanks to the Crystal Tower.
An ancient mechanism channeled the tower's vast stores of energy to open a voidgate─one bound to a covenant made with the Cloud of Darkness.
Once that sovereign entity was beaten back, however, the covenant was broken, and the doorway severed from its connection to the void.
Theoretically, it should be possible to reconnect the gate by forging a new pact with another voidsent...but such deals usually end in betrayal and death.
YSHTOLA
You seem to have struck a bargain of your own, Forename. Though it serves you well in battle, be aware that the beneficial nature of your “arrangement” is the exception which proves the rule.
In any case, we should attempt to gain an understanding of the Bounty gate. Mayhap you could resume the search for your sister...
VARSHAHN
As I have already explained, I put those futile hopes to rest centuries ago. My place─and my duty─is here now.
Ah, I had meant to ask... What prompted you to search for the vault in the first place?
Q1
What will you say?
A1
To see if the legends were true.
It was all Estinien's idea.
VARSHAHN
As you have seen, the “fabulous wealth” from the stories is quite real, if not its rumored origin. But I'm afraid I must assert a prior claim.
I've been adding to that trove for years, little by little. But the time has come to spend it, that I might alleviate my people's suffering.
ESTINIEN
As I recall, 'twas you who was chasing tales of undersea ruins.
VARSHAHN
Well, as you have seen, the “fabulous wealth” from the stories is quite real, if not its rumored origin. But I'm afraid I must assert a prior claim.
I've been adding to that trove for years, little by little. But the time has come to spend it, that I might alleviate my people's suffering.
ESTINIEN
Then we are of one mind. We had no intention of taking it for ourselves.
Isn't that right, my friend?
YSHTOLA
Your Excellency. Would you object if I were to conduct a closer examination of the gate? I will make no attempt to open it, of course.
VARSHAHN
I owe you and yours a debt that can never be repaid. Whatever boon you ask of me, you shall have it.
YSHTOLA
You are most gracious. I shall take full advantage of your permission.
URIANGER
Would that I could join thee in thy study, but the Loporrits will be anxious to receive my report. I beg my leave of you.
GRAHATIA
And I must be off to Sharlayan, as well.
Mistress Krile was eager to speak with you about that request, so please come back to the annex as soon as you are able. Farewell for now!
YSHTOLA
We can discuss my findings once I return. You'll not be rid of me so easily.
SYSTEM
You may now undertake the Chronicles of a New Era quest series “Myths of the Realm.” Speak with the fresh-faced Student at the Baldesion Annex to accept the first quest.
ESTINIEN
I hope you enjoyed the expedition, at least. Otherwise it was a heavy purse to pay for a treasure map leading to a treasure we couldn't keep.
VARSHAHN
The difficult part in all this will be deciding how best to put these riches to use...
Will you lend me your assistance in these deliberations?
Q2
What will you say?
A2
Of course.
Anything to make up for the constructs we broke...
VARSHAHN
Thank you, Forename.
Then think of your employment as recompense. Serve me as guest advisors, and I will consider the broken constructs paid for in full.
ESTINIEN
Forename and I are in this together. I will follow herhis example.
SYSTEM
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
EARTHMONOLITH
(-Throne of Earth-)I sssensed the breaching of a gate, but it was not inssstigated from this ssside. 'Twas thrown open from the other...
FIREMONOLITH
(-Throne of Fire-)I, too, felt it. A rare occurrence, yes, but such a tiny portal is beneath our notice. There are more pressing matters at hand.
(-Throne of Fire-)An opportunity is upon us, the coming of which we have awaited for nigh on ten thousand years. We dare not let it slip our grasp.
WINDMONOLITH
(-Throne of Wind-)Yet we must not underestimate shehe who bested the Cloud of Darkness. Even restrained by a covenant, the Cloud was no feeble wisp to be dispersed by some flesh-and-blood mortal.
WATERMONOLITH
(-Throne of Water-)Bah, let herhim come! I will drown the world and watch this fleshling gasp for breath in herhis final moments!
BLACKKNIGHT
(-Knight in Black-)Your zeal is admirable, but forget not our cause.
(-Knight in Black-)Think back on our struggles beneath this sunless sky. Remember why we cede not our will to fight.
(-Knight in Black-)'Tis time we set the war in motion, and win redemption for our star!