First Quest in Silfveld — Excerpt 2: The Inn
A) To the Inn toward the argument:
You approach the Inn. It’s surprising for a town as small as this to have a dedicated Inn; however, convenient for you.
There’s a sign out front that reads, “Sleeping — Silence Please”.
On the porch steps, blocking the doorway, an argument boils over between a young man and a woman.
It’s best to avoid confrontation, though you need someplace to stay…
- [[Approach the Inn’s entrance]] → B
- [[Turn around]] → EXCERPT 1
B) Approach the Inn’s entrance:
THE WOMAN
She took it from right under our noses! She is a killer and a thief!
The woman cries, her face blossoming red with rage.
YOUNG MAN
All this outrage and for what? Buy a new one!
The woman is dumbfounded.
THE WOMAN
A new one?
Do you think I can just buy a new one like that?
YOUNG MAN
Uhh…Yeah, why not? I would -
THE WOMAN
There isn’t ever going to be a new one, Sybil, there only was and ever will be that one!
And if you’re going to be dismissive of that fact then let me clue you in. You can’t replace what that freak stole from us! An Imp of all creatures…
SYBIL (YOUNG MAN)
Then do something about it. Grab mom’s sword and do something about it and quit lashing out at me because you feel guilty!
THE WOMAN
Oh, like what you did?
Turning sharply, the young man returns inside, holding back tears, slamming the door behind them.
THE WOMAN
Sybil!…
She sighs before noticing your presence. Her face falling to a pale white, she turns her attention toward you.
“I’m sorry you had to hear all that, may I help you with something?”
- [[Seek shelter at the Inn]] → C
- [[Inquire about the argument]]
C) Seek shelter at the Inn:
“I’m terribly sorry, we’re dealing with a bit of family drama at the moment. I don’t think we’re in any position to be taking guests at this time. You may be able to make it to Har Vigrior by daybreak if you’re brave enough.”
- [[Ask them to reconsider -> Welcome]] → D
- [[Inquire more about the argument]]
- (If: Player_Know_Imp) [[Mention the forest Imp you met]] → E
- [[Become hostile]] → F
- [[Turn Away]] → EXCERPT 1
D) Welcome:
“You’re more than welcome to come inside and have a seat by the fire; I’m afraid that’s all I can do for you unless what you want is company. The temperature is falling far too low to carry on out here anyways.”
The woman returned inside.
- [[Follow her inside -> Inn]] → G
- [[Return to the town centre]] → EXCERPT 1
E) Mention the forest Imp you met:
A look of surprise rushes over the woman’s stark face.
“You met one of them?! Well, it seems we have much to talk about! Did it have my necklace?”
She shivers suddenly.
“Don’t tell me, it’s far too cold out here for all this. Come inside, I must know everything about your encounter and how you survived it.
- [[Follow her inside -> Inn]] → G
- [[Return to the town centre]] → EXCERPT 1
F) Become hostile:
“Listen, unless I get my necklace back from that Imp, it’s the best I can do, understand?!”
She makes a break for the door before hesitating, her lips pursed together,
“You’re still welcome to come inside and warm up if you like; don’t get too comfortable or I’ll have Sybil throw you out for the Imps.
Without another look, she returns inside.
- [[Follow her inside -> Inn]] → G
- [[Return to the town centre]] → EXCERPT 1
G) Inn:
You’re standing at the entryway of the Inn.
A contained wood-fire calmly burns at the center of the room for warmth. You notice the woman sitting beside the fire, staring diligently into its source.
The young man she was arguing with, Sybil, stands behind a counter to your left, tending to some goods.
- [[Take a seat by the fire]] → H
- [[Speak with the woman]] → I
- [[Speak with Sybil]]
- [[Return to the town centre]] → EXCERPT 1
H) Take a seat by the fire:
You take a seat by the fire across from the woman.
It’s warm here.
- [[Speak with the woman]] → I
- [[Return to quest]] → G
I) Speak with the woman:
She asks, “how may I help you?”
(If: Item_Necklace is 1) [[Present the necklace]] → N
(If: Visited_Passage_Take a seat by the fire) [[Ask the woman about her name]] → J
- [[Inquire about the argument]]
- [[Inquire about Sybil]]
- [[Inquire about the Inn]]
- (If: Visited_Passage_Continue listening) [[Inquire more about Mara]] → M
- (If: Item_Book is 1) [[Inquire about the book]]
- [[Leave conversation]] → G
J) Ask the woman for her name:
Her eyes don’t break contact with the fire.
“Mara,” she spoke softly.
“Nobody but Christy would call me that. My name is Mariana; I don’t think anyone in town has ever bothered to ask me that. The Inn and I may as well be one in the same, they were never here for me anyways.”
- [[Ask about Christy]] → K
- [[Excuse yourself]] → 15
K) Ask about Christy:
Her eyes don’t break contact with the fire.
“Christy? She stumbled in here half-awake one night carrying Sybil on her back; six-year-old Sybil being carried around like a little pelt. After she’d put him to bed, Christy approached the check-in where I was, in search of towels for the next morning. My father had left for the Expansion that week — I was a complete mess. Christy noticed my holding back and asked if I was okay…”
A faint smile plays between her lips.
“I flooded her shoulder that night. She was my best friend ever since.”
She’s mid-conversation, all you can do is listen.
- [[Continue listening]] → L
L) Continue listening:
She closes her eyes, taking a deep breath before moving on.
“The morning after her and Sybil left, I wouldn’t see them again for a few years. Christy was a cartographer and I was stuck here at the Inn. I lost my father, I never had a mother, my brother was no good; I was alone but I was getting by. I’d thought about turning in the keys to the Inn. The day I decided to make that call, Christy and Sybil were knocking on my front door, needing a place to stay.
She’d seen the world yet decided to stay here. I wouldn’t consider closing the Inn again after that, how could I? I felt that way ever since until about a week ago.
She accused me of giving up on my father’s dreams. I’ve been in this forest all my life, I thought she’d support me in wanting to have one of my own. But I suppose the adventurer in her had already settled.”
She glares at you, “I told her she was being selfish.”
“She got pissed and walked herself into the dark of the forest to blow off some steam. She was gone for a while; didn’t take her sword with her either. So, we went looking for her and there Sybil found her. He didn’t even recognize it was her at first. We held her service this morning.”
Her eyes return toward the fire.
“The Imps got her, no doubt. They’re dangerous like that, father always said so. When we brought her home, I noticed the necklace was gone. She wore the most elegant single-jeweled gold necklace you’d ever seen; you’d never have seen her without it. Don’t know who made it, never seen another like it. Must have been a close friend but it was unquestionably hers. You saw her from a mile away.”
Her voice tightens.
“I want it back.”
- [[Return to conversation -> Inquire more about Mara]] → M
M) Inquire more about Mara:
- [[Inquire more about Mara -> Personal]]
- [[Inquire more about Christy]]
- [[Inquire about Mara and Christy’s relationship]]
- [[Inquire more about Mara’s family]]
- [[Ask about the necklace]]
- [[Ask to speak about something else]] → I
N) Present the necklace:
She stands to face you, delighted.
“You- You actually managed to get it back! That’s wonderful!”
- [[Give her the necklace]]
- [[Explain how you got the necklace]]
- [[Propose an alternative for the necklace]]
- [[Keep the necklace]]
