(The party arrives at Kaku.) *****NPCs***** Man: Say what? Take you to Toran Castle? You've got to be kidding. There are monsters there. Old man: Castle of Toran? The home of the fog-monster? Only a fool would ever go there. Man by dock: Gimme a break, will ya? The only one with enough guts to go there is "Reckless Tai Ho." Meg: Who are you all? Liberation Army? Then you're fighting the Imperials! But no, I'm busy now. I'm looking for someone. Maybe you know him. His name is Juppo, he's my uncle and he's a trickster. (Inside the inn...) Innkeeper: Staying the night? It'll be 150 bits per person. (Inside bar...) Bartender: This place is for paying customers. If you're not going to order, get out. (If you try to go downstairs...) Bartender: Wait, you can't go in there. Sergei: Listen to me, I happen to be an inventor. After much hard work, I came up with an amazing invention, something that would impress even the dwarves. But none of the castle keepers understand what a wonderful invention it is. What is it, you ask? It's called an "elevator." *****PLOT***** Camille: Tai Ho? Oh, that guy. You! I've got you now, you bum! (She steps up to Gremio, who backs away.) Gremio: Wh-what is it? What have I d-done? Camille" What have you done? Ha! I've got you now! "I'll collect from your grave" is the debt collector's motto, and you'll never outrun Camille the She-Devil! Viktor: What's this all about? Is she Gremio's friend? Cleo: Well... I have no idea. Camille: Come on, gimme that money you owe me, right now! In cash! I've been looking for you for two months! (She pushes Gremio.) Cleo: Gremio, are you in debt? Gremio: Goodness, of course not. Camille: Trying to lie your way out of the situation, eh? But I've got proof. Take a look at this! Gremio: Hmmm... let me see. Oh, this is the bill for the banquet with Master Teo. I also owe something at the inn. What! You want me to pay this right now? Camille: That's right. Immediately! All of it! Viktor: Let me see, Gremio. (Gremio turns to him, Viktor jumps in alarm.) Viktor: !!!!!!!!! L-listen, we're in a spot of trouble at the moment, and we're short of cash. By the way, young lady, you seem to be acquainted with Tai Ho. Camille: I know him. Viktor: Can you tell us where he is? Camille: Sure, after you pay up. After all, this is business. Viktor: How about this, then. We have no money at the moment. But once we find Tai Ho, we might have a way of getting some. As soon as we get some money, we'll pay you back. Camille: Hmmm... Hey! You're trying to trick me! Gremio: Oh no, not at all. Camille: Damn these penniless bums. All right, so be it, then. But I'm sticking with you until you pay up. [Camille joins party] Viktor: So, where can we find Tai Ho? Camille: He's usually downstairs. Ask the shop keeper. Cleo: We sure have recruited an odd one. Bartender: What is it? Are you friends of Tai Ho? He's downstairs. (Downstairs...) Yam Koo: What is it? What do you want with my boss? A boat to Toran? Gee, I dunno. He's a moody guy. Tai Ho: What? A boat to Toran Castle? You must be nuts! That place is full of monsters. I'll be placing my life on the line to take you there. Tell you what. Since I'll be risking my life on this trip, you're going to have to make a correspondingly risky bet. Tai Ho: You're going to have to bet all the money you have. Are you up to it? Tir: *Yes. *I don't think so. /----- Tir: I don't think so. Tai Ho: You're smart. Go home to mommy. (If you talk to him again...) You're going to have to bet all the money you have. Are you up to it? /----- Tir: Yes. Tai Ho: Here we go, then. Too late for regrets! (You play the dice game.) /----- (If you lose...) Tai Ho: Don't be so disappointed. I just happened to be lucky. Go raise some cash and come on back. I'll be glad to take your money again. /----- (Once you win...) Tai Ho: Well, you're lucky today. I tend to go along with lucky folk. Hey, Yam Koo, let's go prepare the boat. Yam Koo: Sure, sure. Here we go again with Big Brother's madness. (He heads upstairs.) Tai Ho: Hey, you guys. We'll be waiting at the docks. (He heads upstairs.) *****NPCs***** (Upstairs...) Bartender: Go to the Castle of Toran? What's got into Tai Ho? (If you go downstairs again...) Gaspar: Say, aren't you... I'm in serious trouble thanks to you. You took away Tai Ho, my best customer. *****PLOT***** (The party finds Tai Ho and Yam Koo waiting at the docks, as they said.) Yam Koo: What's Big Brother up to? Tai Ho: We're ready to sail. (They board the boat and head west to an island, where a tall towering castle awaits.) [Castle of Toran] (They get off at a misty dock, and take a look around. What appears to be a main door is blocked by a huge boulder.) Cleo: This is truly a haunted house. Camille: Are you sure there's a treasure here? Gremio: I don't know. Viktor said there was. (Tai Ho and Yam Koo come up behind them.) Tai Ho: Wow, what a place. Must be full of monsters. I'll get 'em! (Yam Koo jumps in surprise.) Yam Koo: You're going too? Please be careful. Tai Ho: Of course. I wouldn't miss this for anything. [Tai Ho joins party!] *****NPCs***** Yam Koo: How was it inside? Do you want to return to Kaku? Tir: *Return to Kaku *Stay /----- Tir: Return to Kaku (They set sail. On the docks of Kaku...) Yam Koo: If you're ready, I'll set sail. Tir: *Yes *No /--- Tir: Yes (They sail back.) --- Tir: No (They stay.) /--- ----- Tir: Stay (Stay at the castle.) /----- *****PLOT***** (They enter the castle, finding their way in through a cavern, and make their way through a series of caves until they reach the barren and hazy interior. After descending a few staircases, they find themselves on the ground floor - where a gigantic dragon is staring down at them.) Viktor: Looks like this one's the boss. (The undead dragon attacks, and they take care of it.) Camille: That's what you get for acting big even after you're dead. (Gremio turns to Tir.) Gremio: Look, the fog... (The fog suddenly lifts.) Cleo: Looks like this one was creating the fog. Viktor: There, now the castle's ours. How about giving it a name? Tai Ho: Good idea. How about Dragon Castle? Camille: How about White Castle? Gremio: We should definitely call it Tir Castle. Cleo: What name do you like, Young Master? (You choose the name for your castle. For continuity purposes, we'll use Toran.) Gremio: Toran Castle? Very nice. Let's go with that name. Viktor: Very slick, Gremio. [Castle of Toran] (Mathiu has joined the others now, and they meet in a room upstairs.) Mathiu: Congratulations, Commander Tir. Let's designate this day the New Liberation Army's Founding Day. (Viktor gets excited.) Viktor: Great idea! Let's have a banquet tonight! Camille: Hey, what about my money? Tai Ho: Don't be a bore, young lady. We'll think about that later. (Suddenly there is a bright flash of light, and Leknaat appears in their midst.) Leknaat: It's been a long time, Tir. You have finally chosen your own path. I have brought you some gifts. One of them is this. Please accept it. (She steps forward to give him something.) Leknaat: This is the Stone Tablet of Promise. Your true power comes from colleagues with whom you share your ideals. So go and find fellow soldiers -in-arms. The names of your new friends will be carved into the Tablet. The other gift is... (In another bright flash of light, Luc appears.) Luc: Been a while, eh? Remember me? I'm Luc, Lady Leknaat's number one apprentice. Leknaat: His power should be of use to the Liberation Army. Tir, history has only just begun to move. Keep your spirits high. Let us meet again someday. (She vanishes.) Luc: And so, I'll be joining you. Hope you don't mind. (In the back of the room, Gremio turns to Cleo.) Gremio: I'm absolutely sure that Lady Leknaat just got rid of a troublesome burden. Cleo: ...Yeah... I guess so. Mathiu: Commander Tir, the "vessel" is now in our possession. Now it is time to find some recruits. In other words, recruit fellow comrades-in- arms. A fellow by the name of Lepant lives in the town of Kouan. Let's recruit him. He's sure to be useful.