Yes, My Liege: Florin. Your home. All too many dangers risk her prosperity--the nefarious and warlike nation of Guilder lie just across the Sea, barbarians raid your villages and caravans in the outskirts, and dark evils burrow and plot underneath the soil. More mundane but no less important is the constant cycle of planting and harvest--any nation is only three meals away from revolution, after all. To assist you with the overwhelming task, you have enlisted the help of trusted Advisors. Your duty as king is to work with these Advisors to ensure the safety and happiness of your people. *Your Military Advisor, a fire-touched half-elemental named Chandra, will assist you in your ongoing war efforts against the enemy nation of Guilder. She is usually found in the training yards, where her shouting can be heard for miles. Talk to her to lead the war against Guilder.* *Your Magical Advisor, the radiant T'Sha. Many consider the Moon Elves to be cold and distant, but you know much better--she can say with a raised eyebrow what others can with a lengthy treatise. Talk with her to discover lost secrets and forgotten dungeons.* *Your Trade Advisor is charged with ensuring the safety of your caravans, which makes it a perfect choice for Medli. Though young, she comes from the birdlike Rito--capable of strong flight, with prominent beaks centered in otherwise human faces. Visit her bustling office at the guildhouse to explore the wild outlands.* *Your Domestic Advisor represents the good of the people. The fox-folk Marianne currently serves, and her love for her country is matched only by her love for her daughter. When her husband died, Marianne devoted her life to others. Talk with her at her orphanage to serve your subjects.* *Your Jester, Kefka, is everpresent with his pointed shoes and toothy grin. He is available to assist with leisure, relaxation, or other esoteric pursuits.* As you wake, you run your fingers along your weather-worn journal. Ever at your bedside, you review it to refresh yourself of ongoing events. As you adventure, Update your Journal with any notable changes to keep your progress. *(Type "Update Journal" for automated entries to copy)* Your word is law, and all stand united behind you. You need only take the first step. What is your command, my liege? Jack: Talk to Chandra Yes, My Liege: You make your way to the training yard, following the sound of metal clashing and Chandra's booming voice. As you approach, you spot her putting a group of soldiers through their paces. "Hold your position!" she barks at them before turning to face you. "My liege! I see you're as early as ever. Good. Punctuality is key in war." She stands tall before you, all flame-red hair and fierce red eyes set within reddish-brown skin like hammered bronze. A black breastplate trimmed in deep crimson covers her chest and abs, while hardened leather wraps around the rest of her body--except for impressive amounts of exposed skin on display despite its protective gear. "I trust my men have been keeping up with their drills well?" She asks rhetorically as if knowing the answer. Chandra awaits your command, eager to fight against Guilder and defend Florin from any threat on the horizon. Jack: "Let us go." Yes, My Liege: Chandra raises an eyebrow curiously at your statement. "Go where, exactly?" She crosses her arms and continues. "If you mean to lead the assault against Guilder yourself, you know better than anyone that a king or queen should remain safely behind lines while their forces do the hard work. If you've got something else in mind, I'm all ears." Jack: Do you not believe I could lead the army? Yes, My Liege: "I have no doubt that you could, my liege," Chandra replies firmly, watching you with an assessing gaze. "But the question is--should you?" She walks closer to you and lowers her voice, speaking seriously. "In most battles of this sort, your greatest weapon isn't your sword arm or magic--it's your leadership. Commanding the army from afar will give them a reason to fight harder, knowing that they're fighting for someone who believes in them." Chandra puts her hand briefly on your shoulder before stepping back. "Besides that, there are plenty of other tasks where we could use someone with your skills. The more obstacles we overcome together, the faster we can make Florin safer." Jack: "Alright, what do you need for the war then?" Yes, My Liege: Chandra nods in approval at your question before answering. "We need to strengthen our defenses and prepare for any incoming attacks by Guilder. They might be planning something bigger this time, and we can't stay idle while waiting." She pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath before she continues. "I've got some plans in mind. I want to start by reinforcing our borders with additional troops stationed along the coasts and major roads. We also need to boost our armaments--more weapons, more armor, more everything." She grins at you ferociously as if relishing the idea of arming up. "Then there's training. Every soldier should be drilled until they're comfortable fighting their way out of any tough spot they find themselves in; we'll turn these boys into true warriors yet!" She takes on an impish look at that thought and then adds: "We could use someone to help us scavenge suitable weapons from old tombs, abandoned temples or check with runaway blacksmiths who are hiding out in places difficult to access." Jack: "And which of these do you need my help with?" Yes, My Liege: "I need your help with a vital task, my liege," Chandra says with a hint of urgency. "We need to find more valuable weaponry and armor that we can use to strengthen our troops' gear. But this isn't something I feel comfortable leaving in someone else's hands." She explains, pausing for emphasis. "This job requires utmost care and discretion. There are certain tombs dotted around the kingdom that contain weapons of immense power--legendary swords capable of slicing through entire battalions or shields impervious to magic." "However," she continues pointedly, "these tombs also tend to be guarded by powerful monsters or cursed spirits who don't take kindly to grave robbers." Chandra looks at you intently. "But if anyone can handle them, it's you." Jack: "Of course. I shall handle it." Yes, My Liege: Chandra nods approvingly at your answer. "I knew I could count on you, my liege. Here's what I can tell you about the tombs: Syr Konrad's Tomb is supposedly cursed with a sword that drips evil magic. Heading there would be a good start." She hands you a map of the area, pointing out various landmarks and the general direction of where Syr Konrad's tomb lies. "If you find anything valuable in your search, bring it to me or one of our armourers so we can put it to use on the battlefield." "Be careful in there," she warns before giving you an encouraging pat on the back. "The monsters inside will not hesitate to attack if they sense any intruders." "Do not worry, Chandra. We Florins are raised for battle," You reassure her with confidence as you depart for your task to explore Syr Konrad's tomb and find more weapons or armor that will serve well against Guilder. Jack: I got to the tomb. Yes, My Liege: You navigate through the winding forest paths, relying on the map Chandra gave you until you finally find yourself standing outside Syr Konrad's tomb. Even from the entrance, you can feel a heavy sense of foreboding and an ominous feeling prickles up your skin. The entrance to the tomb is overgrown with ivy and shrubs around it; clearly, nobody has entered in some time. The air smells stale and musty. As soon as you step inside, a thick aura of vileness permeates your senses. The walls are made of stone bricks that look like they have been molded together by hands long past their death. The darkness makes it difficult to see, so you start to explore carefully with your hand moving along the wall for support As you move deeper into the tomb, strange whispers seem to carry across the air--whispers coming from everywhere at once yet nowhere specific at all. How do you proceed? Jack: I case a light spell to illuminate the entire area. Yes, My Liege: You cast a light spell, illuminating the whole area in front of you with a bright glow. The sudden brightness exposes strange symbols and runes etched onto the walls haphazardly. As the light spreads through the darkness, the whispers grow louder. It's clear that there are no traps nearby you can trigger, but as your eyes adjust to the new illumination…you notice movement in dark corners from shadows flickering. Looking closer, you can make out several shadowy figures lurking in the darkness beyond where your spell dissolves into nothingness--they seem to be waiting for something. How do you proceed? Jack: I loudly announce my presence. Yes, My Liege: You take a deep breath, gather your courage, and call out, "Who's there? Reveal yourselves!" Your voice echoes across the tomb, and for a moment, everything is deathly silent. Then you hear shuffling as the shadowy figures start to move slowly. As they emerge from the darkness into your area of illumination. You see that they are none other than skeletons--undead warriors who should have been resting in peace. They appear to be armed with rusted swords and battered shields, ready to attack at a moment's notice. But upon seeing you standing in front of them with confidence and bravado, they hesitate for a moment. One skeleton raises its sword threateningly before stopping suddenly when another one speaks up hoarsely: "Wait! I recognize that emblem on his breastplate. He carries Florin's banner." The other skeletal soldiers stand quietly as if listening in intently--their empty eyes following every movement of yours. "Does he carry orders from our king?" The first skeleton who had spoken questions again after moments of silence. How do you respond? Jack: "I am your King!" Yes, My Liege: At your words, the skeletons freeze. You see their empty eye sockets staring at you unblinking with a mix of awe and disbelief. "You...you are our king?" another skeleton asks incredulously. "What dark magic is this? A living king in Syr Konrad's tomb?" a third questions, sounding almost fearful. "We need not concern ourselves with such matters." The first skeleton speaks up again, regaining its composure from before. "Ours is to serve whoever bears Florin's banner," It continues. "What orders do you have for us, my liege?" The other skeletons look upon you expectantly--as if waiting for your every command. Jack: "Come, join my army." Yes, My Liege: At your words, the skeletons look at one another in apparent confusion before giving a nod of understanding. "As you command, my liege," they say in unison, as if acting on some long-established protocol. Without further ado, the skeletal warriors fall in step behind you with their swords and shields at the ready. They seem to have no will of their own--following only your commands without question or hesitation. With this new addition to your army of undead soldiers by your side, You venture deeper into Syr Konrad's tomb intending to continue with your search for valuable weaponry that can be used to strengthen Florin's defenses against Guilder. Jack: I explore the tomb. Yes, My Liege: With the skeletons in tow, you continue to explore Syr Konrad's tomb--moving past dark corridors and chambers filled with ominous whispers and disturbed spirits. As you move deeper into the tomb, you notice faint glimmers of light reflecting off something in the darkness ahead. As you get closer, you realize that it is a golden sword lying atop an altar made out of black marble. The blade gleams even in the dim lighting of your spell and looks razor-sharp. The hilt is ornate with engravings depicting battles between great warriors; And as you reach for it, the air around it seems to grow colder by several degrees. How do you proceed? Jack: I move slowly ready to stop at any moment. Yes, My Liege: You approach the altar carefully, your hand hovering tentatively over the sword's hilt. As you get closer, you feel a chill creeping up your spine--the air is cold enough that you can see your breath now. The skeletons behind keep silent as if sharing on your worries and their empty eyes watching intently to figure out what's happening next. As you finally take hold of the golden hilt, you sense that something is off. The whispers grow louder around you once again, and shadows seem to twitch in alarm at the clasp of metal on leather straps as You unsheathe the weapon. It seems innocent enough except for one tiny detail: it feels cursed. A cloud of dark energy surrounds it; It tries to worm its way into your mind, whispering thoughts that are not yours until You drop it quickly. You hear a creaking sound as though from behind one of the chamber doors which were closed until now. How do You proceed? Jack: I look at the sound. Yes, My Liege: You turn around to face the sound, hand ready on your sword hilt. The skeletons behind you move closer in silent procession, also ready for any imminent threat. As you stare at the chamber door that creaked open, You notice a new presence--a dark and ominous aura emanating from within. The whispers are now replaced with clear chanting sounds as if someone is doing some ritual inside the chamber. While most words are unclear, it seems like they're summoning something or opening a portal to another plain of existence. What do you do? Jack: I rush the chamber, unsheathing my sword and uttering a battlecry Yes, My Liege: Your battlecry echoes through the tomb, resounding off the walls as You charge forward to confront whatever lies in the chamber with unsheathed sword. The skeletons follow closely behind you--their bones clattering and clacking as they move. As you kick open the door, you can see a group of hooded figures all dressed in dark robes chanting around a large portal glowing ominously in red. With one swift stroke, you slash at them with your sword. The cultists immediately stop their chanting and turn towards you with looks of shock and horror. "Protect the portal!" One of them shouts before charging toward You with a wicked-looking dagger raised high, followed by others who quickly converge on You from different directions. How do You proceed? Jack: I assault the cultists Yes, My Liege: You lunge forward with your sword, cleaving through the air and striking down a cultist who tries to ambush You from behind. The skeleton soldiers follow closely behind you, their rusted swords clashing against the cultists' weapons. The fight is intense, but you quickly realize that space is limited in the chamber--there are simply too many of them. They seem to be coming out of nowhere, appearing as if out of thin air. As more and more cultists try to swarm in on You at once, it seems as if all hope is lost. Until... An explosion suddenly rips through the room sending everyone sprawling across the floor and shattering whatever ritual was being conducted. When You regain your senses, You notice that there is a stranger standing amidst the chaos holding what looks like a wand with smoking tendrils emanating from its tip. He has an insolent expression on his face accompanied by amused eyes watching you curiously. "Looks like I got here just in time," he says with a smirk. "That ritual looked like it was going sour fast." Who could this stranger be? And why did he come to Syr Konrad's tomb? Yes, My Liege: You remain poised and wary, surveying the stranger with suspicion. The skeletons behind you remain silent but still ready for your command. You slowly raise your sword in a defensive stance as you try to figure out what this newcomer's intentions are. "Who are you?" You ask him, keeping your tone firm and assertive. The stranger merely shrugs, seemingly undaunted by your wariness. "My name isn't important right now," he says coolly. "What is important is that I'm here to help." He then gestures towards the destroyed cultist chamber around him with a smirk on his face before continuing: "You Florins are always getting yourselves into trouble--I had to intervene just to keep things from getting worse. Seems like I did a good job of it too." You don't trust him yet, but it doesn't seem like he has ill intent towards you either. He must have something up his sleeve if he pulled off such an impressive spell though. "What do you want in return?" You question him pointedly. The stranger leans nonchalantly against one of the walls as if waiting for something interesting to happen next. "Well...let's just say that we might be able to help each other out," he replies cryptically, leaving his request vague so far. How do you proceed? Yes, My Liege: You eye the stranger warily, but his words pique your interest. It's clear that he has some kind of agenda, but you're not sure what it is yet. "Help each other out? How so?" You probe him cautiously, keeping your sword at the ready just in case things turn for the worse. The stranger seems unfazed by your vigilance and instead smirks as if amused by your suspicion. "I'm an Andromedan from another world--and that means I have certain...unique skills that might come in handy for someone like you." He then goes on to describe himself as Rem L'azar--a specialist in hunting down large monsters with ease. To prove his worth, He shows You a small gemstone which glows brightly even though it's kept hidden inside his leather pouch. "I was sent here by a magical accident and now need to find my way back home," he adds after explaining his skills. "But to do so, I require an elder dragon's heart--which can be found only in Florin." His admission leaves Your mind racing: This sounds like a high-risk quest especially since Dragons are considered one of the most powerful creatures alive and obtaining their hearts could be deadly without proper preparation or support. As such, You remain wary yet intrigued- wondering how such magic works in Rem L'azar's place of origin and curious about what else he knows about Florin; after all information is valuable too when waging wars. "What kind of deal do you propose?" Jack: I listen to his proposal. Yes, My Liege: Rem L'azar grins as if he's been expecting Your question. "Well, think about it--you need all the help you can get in order to protect Florin and push back Guilder. And I need your assistance in locating an elder dragon." He then proposes a trade of sorts--he will lend his skills and magic to any quests or tasks that You assign him, and in return, you'll aid him in finding the ingredients necessary for him to return home. "I know this land well. Your battles- they're so predictable." He then adds with a hint of amusement while looking at the skeletons. "I'm used to hunting down monsters beyond your wildest nightmares--so this is just another day on the job for me." The Andromedan offers his hand out as a sign of good faith, waiting for You to shake it. Will you trust Rem L'azar and take up his offer? Jack: I shake his hand. Yes, My Liege: You look at Rem L'azar's hand for a moment before finally deciding to shake it. The Andromedan grins widely, clearly pleased with your decision. "Excellent," he says as if the matter is now settled. "I promise you won't regret this partnership." From deep within his leather pouch, he pulls out a small glowing orb which shines brightly in the dim light. As You gaze at it in wonder, Rem L'azar explains that it is fueled by zero-point energy and can power things like weapons or machines indefinitely without needing external sources of electricity. He then hands it over to you as a gesture of friendship and trust--a tangible sign of his commitment to your cause here on Florin. "Now then...what quest do you require my skills for first?" You ponder for a moment- there are many tasks in the Journal that need attention but some needs more attention than others; what should be priority? How do You proceed? Jack: Update Journal Yes, My Liege: Journal: The cursed sword has been found, but it appears to be leaking evil energy. Handle with caution. A group of cultists were encountered in Syr Konrad's tomb seeking a portal into another dimension. The presence of a mage named Rem L'azar helped thwart their plans. Rem L'azar has offered his services--he is an Andromedan from another world with specialized skills for hunting down large monsters and wielding advanced magical technology fueled by zero-point energy. He requires assistance in finding the ingredients necessary to return home. Guilder's amassed fleet still poses a threat over the seas while barbarians and raiders continue to harass towns in the north. One of the major roads is blocked by a suspicious landslide, and harvest season is approaching. The tribe of Ruto scouts needs a new home The Tomb of Syr Konrad houses valuable weaponry that can be used against Guilder. What should be Your next move?