Well, it took until half-past forever, but here is the first half of the Viper Manor chapter--AKA the easy half, since all the really important plot revelation stuff by Belthasar and Lynx ended up in the second part. I apologize if Serge is maybe a little less verbal than he ought to be again this time--I'm trying to work on it, honestly.
I'm sure I botched at least one decision tree in here, probably somewhere around the treasure room. Arrgh!
8. Viper Manor - Where lies the key to the past...[P]
Max recruits: Serge, Kid, Leena, and Guile or Nikki.
[P]
Recruitable: None.
====================================================
Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[FMV: Nightfall at Viper Manor]
[If they manage to reach the front door before going to the
stable(?)]
[System]
It's locked.
Kid: | Guile: | Nikki:
Bloody hell! | Locked... If we wish | It's locked... That's
I knew it was locked! | to enter, we must | just great.
| obtain a key. |
Serge: | | Serge:
You can't pick it? | Serge: | One of the guards might
| So who would have | have a key.
Kid: | one? (We'll worry about |
Not quick enough to keep | how to get them to give | Nikki:
from being spotted--it's | it to us after we find | I think we should sneak
a bloody good lock. | one... Damn, I AM | around a bit more first.
| starting to think like | Why take on the guards
Kid: | a thief.) | if we don't have to?
Serge, let's | |
check out back. | Guile: | Serge:
Maybe there'll be | Any servant should have | (Because I want to get
a window we can use, | one... I believe there | this over with?)
or somethin'. | is a stable behind the |
| main building. We |
| should check there. |
====================================================
Viper Manor Stable (Another)
====================================================
[Stablekeeper]
Who are you?
Oh yeah...
You must be the
new helpers I
was told about.
~~~That's right
Oh great. You're just in time.
My back gave out recently...
and I can't feed the dragons.
I want you to take over for me.
Kid: | Guile: | Nikki:
You got a key to | If you happen to have | Do you have a key
the Manor? | a key to the Manor... | to the manor?
[Stablekeeper]
Sure do. Wouldn't mind givin' it
to ya if you take on this job.
Kid: | Leena: | Guile: | Nikki:
Ace! Go for it, | Give it a shot, | Then we will | Rockin'! Do it,
Serge. | Serge--you're | make the | Serge!
| good at this | attempt. |
| kind of thing. | |
Will you feed 'em?
[snip a bunch of dragon-feeding-game stuff.
Once Serge feeds the dragons successfully...]
You'll find the key
in the cupboard.
Take it.
And here's the gift
that I promised.
[snip game rewards]
[Member] found
Manor Key!
====================================================
Viper Manor Entryway (Another)
====================================================
--------------------------------------------
[If Kid was not recruited (?)]
Kid:
I'm glad I followed 'em.
Not bad, fellas...
Not bad...
Kid:
I'll just wait and
see how things go.
-----------------------------------------
[if they examine the door leading to the stairs]
[System]
It won't open.
[It would be nice if a line could be selected at random from
the set of people in the party each time they check the door...]
Kid: | Guile: | Nikki: | Leena: | Serge:
No keyhole...I don't | How bizarre...the | Another locked | This general | Locked? Oh, great.
have a hope in hell | door has neither | door? This is | sure has a | (I can't see a
of picking this one | lock nor handle, yet | SO not cool. | thing for locked | keyhole, either.
either, mate. Let's | it is obviously a | Guess we have to | doors. I wonder | I guess we'll just
look around--maybe | functional portal. | find someone who | what he's trying | have to poke around.
there's another way | There must be some | knows how to | to hide...? | Viper must visit
through here. | trick to opening it. | open it. | | the rest of the
| | | | house sometimes...)
====================================================
Viper Manor Basement Cage Room (Another)
====================================================
[After turning the snake-statue beside the keyholeless
door the wrong number of times and getting dropped
through the trapdoor.]
[If Kid is in the party]
[Acacia Dragoon]
Intruders!?
Serge:
(Oh, great, looks like we
blew it this time...)
[Acacia Dragoon]
How'd you get past
our security?
[Acacia Dragoon]
Heh heh... I can't believe you
would fall for a trap like this...
Serge:
(Yeah, why don't you rub in
the fact that I'm a bonehead?
Damn--we were so close!)
[Acacia Dragoon]
What should we do
with these fools?
Kid:
Heheheh...
[Acacia Dragoon]
What's so funny!?
[Kid]
You dragoons are a
bunch of dag-nuts!
Serge:
(!
Is she trying to make them mad?)
[Acacia Dragoon]
You're askin' for it!
[Acacia Dragoon]
Take it easy.
Kid:
So you're afraid of us, eh?
CHICK---EN!
[Acacia Dragoon]
This should be interesting.
Let's teach 'em a lesson!
[Acacia Dragoon]
Open it up.
Serge:
(Oh, I get it now. Guess this
isn't the first time Kid's
been in a situation like
this.)
[Acacia Dragoon]
Man, don't be taken in
by her fast talk.
Kid:
Bring it on, chums!
[Acacia Dragoons]
Now, get out!
We'll teach you
a lesson!
[Dust-up. The party wins]
Serge:
(Heh. And THEY were calling
US dumb.) Thanks, Kid.
Kid:
Heheh, no problem, mate.
-------------------------------------------------
[If Kid is not in the party (I assume--I've never not
recruited her.) And yes, I'm being a bit over
the top with Serge's reaction here.]
[Acacia Dragoon]
I'll go ask the commander.
Watch 'em.
Enough of your ruckus!
Quiet up in there!
[exit one dragoon]
[Kid]
!!!
[Acacia Dragoon]
I said, enough...
Ughhh!
[Kid jumps the remaining dragoon, and
unlocks the cage]
Kid:
What are you guys doin'?
You're pathetic.
Serge:
Unlike SOME people, we're
not professional housebreakers.
Guile: | Leena: | Nikki:
Serge, that was not | SERGE! How could you be so | Serge, you've really
called for. Young lady, | rude? ...Sorry about that. | got to learn how to
I apologize on behalf | He got dropped on his head | treat the ladies.
of my companion. | as a child. | Sorry 'bout that, miss.
Kid:
Eh, no biggie.
Serge:
(She calls us pathetic,
and I'M the one who gets
told off?!)
[Kid unlocks the cage]
Kid:
There...it's open.
Gotta learn to take care
of yerselves, eh?
See ya.
Kid:
Oh, and don't go
interferin' with me work.
And, Serge, you can't
do bugger all without me,
so just take it easy, eh?
[Exit Kid]
Serge:
(Geez, I may not spend all
my time breaking into other
people's houses, but I'm not
an idiot, either!)
[Acacia Dragoon]
HEY!
How'd you get out!?
Shut up and
stay put!
Bastards!
Come on!
Who's the dag-nut?
Argh!
You want some!?
QUIET!!!
[I assume that either combat is joined, or Kid
leads the additional dragoon away--don't know which.]
------------------------------------------
Guile: | Nikki:
We will be able to | Maybe if we dress
move more freely | up in these guys'
around the manor if | clothes, the other
we disguise ourselves | dragoons will think
with these uniforms. | we belong here.
Serge:
(Ugh, I have to wear a
skirt?!)
[If Kid and/or Leena are present]
Kid:
Guess we've got no choice,
but purple ain't really
me colour...
Leena:
You know, we haven't
seen any girl dragoons...
I think I'm going to have
to bind my breasts to get
into this stupid armour.
====================================================
Viper Manor Basement Hallway (Another)
====================================================
[I'm pretty sure you get this bit only if
Kid isn't in the party]
[Acacia Dragoon]
Ugh...
A red demon...
got me...
[Acacia Dragoon]
It was horrible...
It was a 9 ft tall monster,
with huge protruding fangs...
(It's too embarrassing to
say it was a girl...)
Serge:
(Oh, man... I hope we don't
run into anything like that!)
====================================================
Treasure Vault, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[skip the Boxer Bros]
Kid: | Guile: | Leena: | Nikki:
Heheh! | What I seek is not | I wonder if that | General Viper sure
This is great! | here...but it can | armour at the back | keeps a lot of old
| do no harm to abscond | of the room would | stuff down here.
Kid: | with a few more of | fit me better than |
But it looks like | the General's | this stupid | !? That vase...from
the Frozen Flame | possessions. | breastplate...What | Marbule?
ain't here... | | do you think, Serge? |
| Serge: | | [He looks inside one
Serge: | So what you're saying | Serge: | of the vases in the
(The Frozen Flame? | is that we might as | You could always try | jumble to the side]
Is that what she's | well steal him blind | it on... (It's usually|
looking for?) | while we're here? | easier to agree with | Nikki:
| | her than to argue. I | No, guess not. But
Kid:[/I] | Guile: | still remember that | is that...?
Ah well. | Precisely. | time she threw me |
Let's just take | | off the dock when we | Serge:
what's here. | Serge: | were six...) | We still have to
| (I don't remember | | find Viper, you
| signing up for this.) | Leena: | know.
| | Fine, maybe I will. |
[snip sword/shield/armor]
[System]
There's treasure
on the wall.
~~~Grab it | ~~~Take it cautiously | ~~~Too scared to take it
| ~~~Take it nervously |
[And the | | Kid: | Guile:
wall spins] | Guile: | Nikki: | Why waste treasure | That might be
| It occurs to me | I don't like | by leaving it for | of value. We
| that this might | the looks of | that Viper bloke? | should take it.
| be a trap. | that. |-----------------------------------------
| | Nikki: | [muttermumble
| Kid: (if she's there) | So you're just | too narrow]
| Whatever! | going to leave it? |
| Just grab it. | Isn't that a waste?|
| |
| [And the wall turns anyway...] |
[Another messy decision-tree I probably didn't get right...]
====================================================
Luccia's Lab, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[After taking the item from the wall, the wall opens up and dumps
everyone into a cage in the next room]
Leena: | Guile: | Nikki:
Serge, you need to | Perhaps that was | A trick wall... I
be more careful! | not the wisest | wonder if we could
| course of action... | use something like
Serge: | I now regret not | this in our next
(She WOULD have to | having studied that | performance...?
rub it in. Sometimes | spell for detecting |
I think she thinks | traps. | Serge:
she's my mother.) | | Maybe we should
You didn't exactly | Serge: | worry about getting
try to stop me from | It DOES sound like | out of here first.
taking it, you know. | it might have been |
| useful! | Nikki:
Leena: | | If you've got any
Hmph! | | ideas about how to
| | do that, I'll be
[She turns her back to | | happy to help...
Serge.] | |
Kid:
Just a minor slip-up!
But look, we got the treasure.
Woman:
Oh...
Woman:
Quiet!
Woman:
Hmmm...
Woman:
I see dat you are not
really dragoons.
Serge:
How can you tell?
Woman:
No matter.
Kom out.
Guile: | Nikki:
Unexpected, to find | Thanks for your
help here... Who | help, Miss...
are you? | uh....
Woman:
Ooh-hoho-hoho...!
Vho said anything
about helping?
Serge:
(Uh-oh. Suddenly
I have a bad feeling
about this.)
Woman:
I am the scientific
genius of Viper Manor.
Please, call me Luccia.
Luccia:
You vill all be
my guinea pigs.
Serge:
Can we PLEASE take a moment
and talk about this?
(I really, really don't
want to be her guinea pig--
she might turn me into
something like that critter
in the cage in the corner!)
Luccia:
Have no fear--this vill
not hurt a bit.
Serge:
(Ulp!)
Luccia:
Finish dem...
[Battle of the Bulbs. When the party wins,
Luccia lets them out of the cage.]
Luccia:
Vonderful...
You have exceeded my
expectations by
defeating my Bulbs.
Serge:
(Phew! Looks like we're
not going to end up
purple and tentacle-y
after all.)
Luccia:
Now, please leave.
Luccia:
I must input dis battle
data for future study...
Luccia:
I'm busy.
I vill let you go.
Now leave.
[snip Pip--like Van, he is not recruitable]
Luccia:
Vait...!
Serge:
(Now what?!)
Luccia:
I am extremely interested
in all of you.
I cannot leave right now, but
kom by vhen you need my help.
I am villing to help you.
Serge:
(I'm not sure I want to know
what her idea of "help" is.)
Luccia:
Ooh-hoho-hoho...
I'll be vaiting...
====================================================
Mess Hall, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[Glenn]
What!?
It fell down again?
How many times do
I have to tell you?
It's......to the right and
......to the left.
Got that?
Glenn:
Better write this down
before I forget.
Serge:
(Is he talking about...?!)
====================================================
Barracks, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
Glenn:
I'd better write that down.
[Glenn writes the passcode on the wall]
Glenn:
There...
[Serge et al. walk over and take a look
as soon as Glenn is out of the way]
Serge:
(YES! Now we can get through
that door with the stupid
snake statue!)
--------------------------------------
[If they talk to Glenn]
Glenn:
Ever since that guest from
Porre came, the general has
been acting strange.
If only I could consult my
brother about this...
Serge:
(Wait a second..."guest
from Porre"? Didn't that
Karsh guy say it was "the
general's guest" that
wanted me...?)
--------------------------------------
====================================================
Room, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
[Harle is lying down in one of the ground-floor
rooms]
Harlequin:
Se taire...
Pleaze, shut up...
Serge:
(What's with her?)
====================================================
Karsh's Room, Viper Manor (Another)
====================================================
Serge:
(Ulp! That's the guy who
attacked me before--"Karsh",
I think. We might be in
trouble again if he
recognizes me...)
Karsh:
Hey, you there!
Serge:
(!!)
Karsh:
Don't just stand in the
doorway, you dumbasses! If
you need to talk to me,
say something!
Serge:
(Phew, looks like the
Dragoon suits are working.
Maybe we can even get some
information out of him.)
Um...
[Another massive mess, courtesy of Infodumps-R-Us]
~~~Who...are you? | ~~~Who is this Serge? | ~~~Who's General Viper?
| |
Karsh: | Karsh: | Serge:
WHAT!? You dunno who I am!? | Oh, you mean, junior. | (It's probably a bit risky
What are you, rookies!? | I had orders to bring in | asking that, but I don't
| the ghost of that boy who | remember ever hearing
Serge: | died 10 years ago. | about him until all this
Uh...pretty much. (It's | But we had unexpected | weirdness started happening...)
better than letting on | company and he got away. |
that we're burglars.) | | Karsh:
| Karsh: | The general is the head of
Karsh: | He seemed way too human | the Viper clan and has governed
Well, listen up and | to be a ghost, though... | these islands for generations.
don't forget! | |
I'm one of the 4 Devas of | Serge: | Serge:
the Acacia Dragoons, headed | ... | (Guess he doesn't suspect...
by General Viper. | | and now that he's brought it
The name's Karsh! | Karsh: | up, I do remember people in
Gah-haha-ha-ha! | Aaah, I don't know what | Arni talking about the Viper
| that guest from Porre | Clan. Mostly stuff about how
Serge: | wants with him. | they were glad they'd been
(It's a good thing this | | quiet lately...since "the
guy doesn't wear hats--he'd | Serge: | General" disappeared. Two
have a hard time getting | (So this guy doesn't know | generals in one family? They
anything big enough for | anything either. I guess | must have a real thing for
that swelled head!) | I really am going to have | the military!)
| to talk to the General... |
| or the "guest from | Karsh:
| Porre". Why would some | But that's not all.
| Porrean be interested in | When he was ordered to
| me?) | take up a new post
| | on the main continent,
| | he made quite an impact
| | as the leader of the
| | Acacia Dragoons and
| | was promoted to general.
| |
| | Serge:
| | (The continent...guess that
| | that explains why he'd get
| | visitors from Porre.)
| |
| | Karsh:
| | He has retired from the
| | army since then and currently
| | serves as the lord of El Nido.
| |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~~~Tell me about Viper Manor | ~~~What's this Frozen Flame? | ~~~Never mind...
| |
Karsh: | Serge: | Serge:
This manor was built | (The Frozen Flame... Lots | (If we talk for too
by the general's ancestors | of people in Termina said | long, he might start
100 years ago, | it was here. I don't | to suspect us...)
when people first began | believe all that stuff |
colonizing the El Nido | they were spouting about |
Archipelago. | miracles, but...) |
| |
Karsh: | Karsh: |
Treat the place | Aaaah... That's a top-priority, |
with respect! | classified secret. |
| |
Serge: | Serge: |
(I guess that's all I'm | (A secret... That means that |
going to get--it would be | someone here thinks it really |
too suspicious if I tried | exists!) |
to ask directly about the | |
traps and whatnot...) | Karsh: |
| Its existence has been rumored |
| in the northern countries |
| for generations... |
| Legend claims it contains |
| mysterious powers which can |
| guide anima and change |
| history... |
| But no details are known. |
| |
| Serge: |
| (That means that the Frozen |
| Flame could explain all the |
| freaky stuff that's been |
| happening... Damn! I wish |
| this guy knew more.) |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Outside in the hallway, if Kid is in the group, and if Serge asked about
the Flame...]
Kid:
Y'know, mate, the Frozen
Flame's pretty dangerous. Ya
shouldn't just ask people
about it.
Guile: | Serge:
That implies that you have | I didn't think just ASKING
some form of interest in it. | could hurt anything.
Kid:
...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
====================================================
ZOAH'S ROOM, VIPER MANOR (ANOTHER)
====================================================
Zoah:
WHAT?
WHAT IS IT?
Serge:
Ow... (Does he always shout
like that?)
~~~Who are you? | ~~~Who are the 4 Devas? | ~~~Tell me about Dario | ~~~Never mind...
| | |
Zoah: | Zoah: | Zoah: | Serge:
HAH! I AM ZOAH. | I SAY 4, BUT ACTUALLY, | HE WIELDED THE HOLY SWORD, | (If I try to listen
ONE OF THE 4 VALIANT | THERE ARE ONLY 3 OF US. | EINLANZER, AND WAS A TRUSTED | to this guy any
DEVAS OF THE ACACIA | KARSH NEXT DOOR, | CONFIDANT OF GENERAL VIPER. | longer, I'm gonna
DRAGOONS. | MARCY IN THE LIBRARY, | HE WAS ENGAGED TO THE GENERAL'S | go deaf!)
| AND I. | DAUGHTER, MISS RIDDEL, AND |
Serge: | | WAS NEXT IN LINE TO BECOME |
(And I can't really | Zoah: | THE HEAD OF THE VIPER CLAN. |
ask, "So what's a | OUR LEADER, DARIO, | HOWEVER, HE DIED AN HONORABLE |
Deva?" without | DIED IN AN ACCIDENT | DEATH DURING HIS MISSION TO |
making him | 3 YEARS AGO... | THE ISLE OF THE DAMNED, |
suspicious.) | | 3 YEARS AGO. |
| Serge: | |
| He must have been | Zoah: |
| really impressive for | KARSH WAS ON THAT |
| you guys not to have | SAME MISSION, BUT REFUSES |
| chosen a replacement. | TO SAY MUCH ABOUT IT. |
| | DARIO AND KARSH WERE |
| Zoah: | CHILDHOOD FRIENDS, ALWAYS |
| INDEED. HE WAS THE | COMPETING WITH ONE ANOTHER. |
| FINEST SWORDSMAN IN | DARIO'S DEATH HAPPENED |
| EL NIDO. | SOON AFTER HE WAS ENGAGED |
| | TO MISS RIDDEL. |
| | MANY RUMORS HAVE SURFACED |
| | REGARDING HIS DEATH. |
| | |
| | Serge: |
| | (It does sound kind of |
| | suspicious...but it doesn't |
| | have anything to do with us.) |
| | |
To be continued in Chapter 8b...
