Act I, Scene I – Warfield
Declan is on a warfield. The sun is setting and the sky is streaked with red clouds. There are dead bodies strewn everywhere. He turns to see his wife, fighting by his side.
(DECLAN V.O.)
We were commanded to fight and given no reason. I told my wife not to come, but she said she’d never leave me to die by myself, soaked with the blood of men from foreign lands. Her powers are waning and yet she stands by my side. Still, I’m glad of it. She’s already saved my life…more times than I care to count.
MAYA
Declan, are you all right?
DECLAN
Quite alright, Maya, thanks to you. If you weren’t here today, I’d be dead ten times over.
MAYA
There’s no need for thanks, I’d do anything for you. You must be exhausted. Are you ready to go?
DECLAN
(a) Yes, let’s go home. (ends conversation, sends to Declan’s House)
(b) Not quite yet. I’d like to explore the enemy’s cache first. (ends conversation)
BEAT
Act I, Scene II – Declan’s House
MAYA
How are your wounds healing?
DECLAN
They’re fine. I’m more worried for you. Why are your powers failing?
MAYA
I don’t know. I’m a mage. This is my livelihood. Without them, I’m useless. At first it was just exhausting to cast, but I can’t even do that anymore.
DECLAN
You shouldn’t have followed me to war.
MAYA
(lovingly)
What can I say? I’m stubborn, I refuse to leave you.
DECLAN
Yes, and now I have to leave you. I’m going to find a cure, Maya.
MAYA
Leave me? I’m going with you.
DECLAN
(a) The townspeople already resent us, and their dependency upon us. If they knew you were powerless, there might be an uprising.
(b) Absolutely not, it’s too dangerous. You’re staying here.
MAYA (IF A OR B)
(reluctantly)
I suppose you’re right. I hate to let you go alone, but I’m a liability aren’t I?
DECLAN
A liability? No, you’re my wife. Bar the door when I leave, and open it only for me.
MAYA
Alright. Richard might be able to help, be sure to go see him. And please, be careful.
DECLAN
I love you. I’ll return when I know more.
BEAT
Act I, Scene III – Town
Declan walks into town. It is quiet and sunny, yet there is an undertone of tension. Townspeople are busy going about their day, and pass by Declan with only cold regard.
(DECLAN V.O.)
I can only imagine what it must be like for Maya to lose her powers. She must feel obsolete, like a priest who’s lost his faith, or a warrior succumbing to the infirmities of old age. She has always been faithful. I won’t allow her to fall. Not like this.
BEAT
FALK THE BUTCHER’S HOUSE
FALK
(brusquely)
Eh, what do you want?
DECLAN
(a) Sorry to bother you, but I have a problem.
(b) Cheerful, aren’t you? I’ve got some questions.
(c) I can see I’m not wanted here. I’ll leave.
FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)
So? What about it?
FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)
Snarky, aren’t you? That won’t make me want to help you.
FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES C)
Good. I don’t sell to your kind anyway. (end conversation)
DECLAN
(a) Have you heard of anything strange lately? Any strange illnesses?
(b) I know someone who’s very sick, and I need help.
FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)
Erm…no, not so much.
FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)
What do you think I can do for you?
DECLAN
(a) I just need to know who I can talk to.
(b) You’re not going to be very useful to me, are you?
(c) I’m wasting my time here, goodbye. (end conversation)
FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)
I don’t know anything, and you’re botherin’ me, so leave. (end conversation)
FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)
Smart comments like that will get you in trouble. Hey, aren’t you the mage that killed all the crops?
DECLAN
(a) I was trying to help them grow, but the farmers didn’t follow my directions, so their crops died.
(b) Yes, I am. What of it?
(c) I’ll be going now. (end conversation)
FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)
My sister is a farmer. Her youngest son starved to death because of your foolishness!
DECLAN
(a) I’m very sorry, truly. But I was only trying to help.
(b) If your sister were more intelligent, I’m sure that could have been avoided.
FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)
Save your apologies! It won’t bring my nephew back! (attacks player)
FALK (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)
You’ll pay for what you did, you bastard! (attacks player)
BEAT
ALESSIA’S INN & BROTHEL
ALESSIA
Good day to you sir, lookin’ for a bit of strange?
DECLAN
Strange? No, I’m here because of my wife.
ALESSIA
Ah, a gambling debt what needs to be paid off? I’ve got room for your wife to make some money.
DECLAN
No, no, I don’t want my wife working here.
ALESSIA
Well, sir, you don’t got to be so condescending.
DECLAN
Sorry, I’m not trying to be, it’s just that my wife is very sick, and I need help.
ALESSIA
You’re looking for help here? Well, who’s your wife?
DECLAN
Maya is my wife.
ALESSIA
Yes, sweet girl, she and I see each other at the market all the time. She’s sick?
DECLAN
(a) Please, if you’re a friend of hers, keep this quiet. Has anyone in town been ill lately?
(b) Yes, and if you tell anyone I’ll cut out your tongue.
ALESSIA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)
I’ll keep me lips sealed shut. But I haven’t heard of anyone bein’ sick. Just a few starvin’ after the crops went bad. Lucky they brought in wheat from the next valley over.
ALESSIA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)
Hold your threats, sir! I would never to do harm to Maya. Maybe she’s sick because of your sour attitude.
DECLAN
(a) I must admit I’m dismayed you don’t know more.
(b) Do you have anything to tell me that might actually be helpful?
ALESSIA (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)
Have you talked to Richard? I see her walk past the inn every week on the way to his house. If he’s sick as well, then perhaps there’s a common factor…
DECLAN
Richard, yes. They’re old friends. They studied magic together when they were young.
ALESSIA
(jesting)
I imagine they’ve been doing a bit more than studying, eh? Heh.
DECLAN
What do you mean?
ALESSIA
Oh nothing, nothing. Look sir, all’s I can say is, Richard might know something, might know what your wife was doing before she left to join you in the war.
DECLAN
Right, thanks. Goodbye. (end conversation)
BEAT
RICHARD’S HOUSE
RICHARD
Declan, so good to see you alive and well! Was the war exciting?
DECLAN
Exciting? No. I will never be excited to spill another man’s blood.
RICHARD
(tsks)
Oh, Declan, forgive me for offending. I’ve just been cooped up in the house in the last few weeks, what with Maya being gone. There’s nothing to do around here!
DECLAN
Agreed! And that brings me to my point, actually. There’s something terribly wrong with Maya.
RICHARD
Oh dear, well what’s the matter?
DECLAN
I know I don’t have to worry about you saying anything to anyone else.
RICHARD
No, no, of course not. I love Maya, I would never do anything to bring danger to her.
DECLAN
Right…well…Maya is losing her powers. Her ability to cast has been declining steadily in recent weeks, and now it is so exhausting for her, she cannot even summon her energy. I don’t know what to do.
RICHARD
(frantically)
Declan, this is a crisis! This is horrible! An epidemic!
DECLAN
(a) Epidemic?
(b) Please, calm down, you’re making me nervous.
RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A)
My cousin visited recently, and has suffered the same thing. But none of us know what it is. I’ve kept it private, to shield her from rebellious peasants.
RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)
I’m just worried for sweet Maya. She’s not the first person to experience this. I’ve a cousin who visited a month ago. She’s having the same problems.
DECLAN
This is odd indeed. What was Maya doing before she joined me in the war? Perhaps there’s some cause there.
RICHARD
She spent her days here. There’s nothing else for intellectuals like Maya and myself to do in this town but sit and talk.
DECLAN
What did you talk about?
RICHARD
She talked about you, mostly, and wondered if you were alive.
DECLAN
(suspiciously)
And you said your cousin visited recently, too, eh?
RICHARD
She visits rather frequently, actually. Are you alright, Declan?
DECLAN
I just find it odd. Both of these women visited you in the past month, and they are experiencing the same problem.
RICHARD
Surely you can’t think—Declan, I assure you, I’ve done nothing to either of them! I love Maya as well as my cousin!
DECLAN
(a) It’s strange, is all I’m saying.
(b) Her livelihood depends on your honesty. If you really care for her, you’ll tell me if you’re hiding something.
(c) Stop saying you love her! I love her! And whatever this sickness is, you’re beginning to look like the culprit!
RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)
Declan, please, believe me. Maya is my oldest friend. Hurting her would be inconceivable.
RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES C)
Surely you can’t mean that! Have you gone mad? I’m her best friend!
DECLAN
(a) I suppose you at least deserve the benefit of the doubt, until I find out more. So what more can you tell me?
(b) What evidence do you have that you’re not involved?
RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES A OR B)
I don’t know the cause. But I know a man who may know the cure. He’s a mage, like us. He specializes in medicinal magic. He lives high on the mountainside to the north. He keeps to himself. I think his name is Valon.
DECLAN
(a) Then I’ll visit Valon. I suppose he can be trusted, otherwise you wouldn’t direct me to him. (end conversation)
(b) Better, but not enough. I will see Valon, but you’ve failed in convincing me that you have nothing to do with this.
RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)
Please, I don’t know what else I can tell you, except that I have been a loyal friend to Maya for years.
DECLAN
(a) That does not absolve you, but I’m wasting my time here. Don’t go near Maya. (end conversation)
(b) Friend? You call her pet names and spend all of your time together while I’m away. No, you’re no friend.
RICHARD (IF PLAYER CHOOSES B)
(frightened)
Declan, what are you going to do?
DECLAN
(a) I forbid you to speak to my wife until this situation has been resolved. And may the gods rain Hell upon you if you go against me. (end conversation)
(b) Make sure that you never see my wife, or anyone for that matter, again. (player attacks Richard)
No comments:
Post a Comment