S3 E3

Summary
Adelais is accused of being a murderer. Greta questions Stevens' choice in friends. Prince and Stevens begrudgingly visit the kuo-toa swamp to seek answers to Mortallus. A "god of morning" is born and it all gets a bit messy.

Appearances
In order of appearance
 * Prince
 * Tektite
 * Adelais
 * Greta
 * Stevens
 * Dazzbang
 * Yuu the Liar (sends a message)
 * Ariel
 * Jennifer
 * many kuo-toa and Mornious

Locations
Hygard
 * The Herald
 * kuo-toa swamp

Quote of the Week
''"You are right, I am not a bear. Do you not also have friends, Mr Greta?" ''- Mr. Stevens

Events
Prince - before retiring in the evening -

Prince - “I am not going anywhere til we get some answers” - points to Tektite -  “Tektite! Move away from Adelais!” (Tektite “sorry”)

Adelais says quieten down, people are sleeping, but what’s up?

Prince says there has been some gristly murders

Adelais, oh yes, are you talking about the massacre on level 1?

Prince says apparently it went further than that

Adelais, ah yes, sir midmarket said

Prince says, Krogal bought some accusations on our group

Greta says, “oh, right, it’s this thing? fukin murders”

Prince says the evidence reviewed by Mr Stevens has left the gruesome victims in a sparkly nature

Adelais says sparkly?

Prince says we need to ask you question regarding this, as we don’t know who you are, or where you are from

Stevens produces some recordings, copies of reports, post- the crimes

Four murder sites, five to eight deaths per murder site - immaculate scenes

Time-frame? - started a few days after Adelais showed up to the City, possibly ongoing

Stab wounds with a sword, but everything is clean (there’s no blood)

No eye-witnesses, but some people overheard “panicked voices”

It could be consecrated

The corpses were sparkly, consistent with the magic Adelais can perform (Prince suspects)

Adelais says, you call that sparkles? that’s like saying all unicorns are rainbow coloured

Prince says you can see there are enough to put Adelais in suspicion

Adelais says we haven’t spoken properly, but I am under oath not to lie, she would not allow me to use my abilities to murder people, also when would I have the time

Prince said that would be nice if we could prove that was not a lie

Greta points out that you don’t have to take the oath in the Church of Erebe

Adelais says she did it anyway

Stevens says “if only there was a way we can be sure”

Adelais praises Erebe, and there’s light emitting (feel free to describe that better Becca ;) ) - it’s radiant, “like a little dove that has landed on your shoulder”

Prince will say “don’t let her….!”

Adelais says “my goodness you’re jumpy, this will ensure nobody, in the surrounding area, will be able to lie”

Stevens says it expands “15ft”

Greta, Tektite let the magic happen

Prince will back away, giving space

Adelais said, now none of us are allowed to lie - I did not do it - you can ask any further questions - if you are suspecting it could be someone from the Church? A rogue paladin, it does happen rarely

Prince believes that she is innocent, understands the faith

Adelais says, is it linked to the Church?

Prince says, it’s the sparkles?

Greta, says they thought it was me because of the glitter

Prince says nah that was Krogal

Adelais says, let me understand this, in this large City, where many people come every day, you still thought it must be me

Prince says we thought it was Greta until we asked him

Adelais said, why didn’t you ask us to help in the investigation

Prince said that we were busy with witches - well if you had turned into a murderer it would have been personal

Adelais said, I don’t think you can say whether I am offended or not

Stevens said we were trying to eliminate you from the investigation

Adelais said she can send a letter home and the sisters will find out who it is

Stevens said you mention “rogue paladins”

Adelais said no graduates, but some teenagers given swords abuse the ability

Adelais said, Erebe spoke to me, and her words were “it’s not just you, you know”

Stevens says you found your way to Hygard, someone could have followed

Adelais said it is possible, but I don’t know

Stevens asks if Adelais knows the fate of the rogue paladins

Adelais says she was very young the last time it happened - they may have been dealt with

Greta said she knows they were dealt with but not how they were dealt with

Stevens is wondering if these paladins are “still” rogue paladins

Adelais said they would be older than her

Stevens wonders if they can extend their life beyond their years

Adelais doesn’t know

Greta - thing is right, why is it all still gotta be linked to the Church of Erebe, I understand there is a coincidence of Tektite and Adelais arrived at the City at the right time

Greta says Prince is sparkly, Hygard is big, there’s a lot of weird shit, even the Reckoner, him that was hired by the Radiant, he was sparkly - it could have fucking been anyone

 

Prince says it was Krogal that brought this to our door

Prince says I am satisfied with everything Adelais said, we have done the questioning we needed to do, we should give this to Krogal and concentrate on the dragon

Stevens points out there really are more pressing concerns

Greta said, this stuff about jocque the reaper, this is mass murders, war levels of killings

Stevens is voicing how the murders are connected

Adelais said she thought it was a different culprit, it wasn’t clean, it was slicey

Prince says there was a lot of happenstances at that time - Mr Greta is saying there are no coincidences

Greta says he’s not saying that

Dazzbang is preparing us some supper

Prince talks to Mr Stevens, can he send some information to Krogal at some point - you can use the postal service

Tektite is standing in the corner, Greta offers him some food

and Prince says he can come closer

Greta asks Mr Stevens about the “I saw you talking to a fucking ghost bear, I was curious about that Mr Stevens, what is that about? if it is a private matter then you don’t need to tell me, or anythin”

Mr Stevens - the individual you refer to is Uschi, it is / was / and will be the matriarch of a sleuth of tribal bears from the northern lower plains outside of Hygard, you could call her, I suppose, a totem war advisor

 

Greta said, so not a God or a Ghost, I didn't know bears could have a god, you know

Mr Stevens says belief is not just for humans, I am sure you have seen

Greta - I’m not being rude or nuthin’, but why were you talking to the god of bears? you’re not a bear

Adelais said don’t ask why he’s talking to his god

Stevens says, you are right, I am not a bear, do you not also have friends Mr Greta

Greta says well I do, I don’t know much about you Mr Stevens

Stevens will say recently he spent some time outside of the city, there are many mysteries in nature and I do not fully understand them myself

Greta says me too

Greta says if you’re not getting offended, I have more questions

you were discovering things in nature, you were talking to cats and that, when we first met you, you didn't have those runes and stuff

Stevens says when I met you I was one, and now I am four

Greta says, yeah you’ve grown up

Greta - when we was visiting mr Prince for the first time, you spent an evening with a tree, and after that you was covered in runes, and trees being part of nature - a continuation of that event (more in touch with nature)

 

Stevens - briefly covers internal and external programs, the runes being put on after - permanent fixtures - upgrades

Stevens shows off four distinct looking runes, some are very subtly different

the ones down his arms, fetishes, and animalistic in nature

there are two styles of golem artifice - the first are of the artificers guild (coding standards), the second are different, they were from Fizzlesnitch

there are some slightly cruder ones, upside down, Stevens did those himself, artificers style

the final kind -

(referring to the Amber Grove, where Galatae rests now) - that evening, after the encounter Stevens learnt to write differently, and a path of upgrades became open to me - all magic is bound, or can be - druids use energies bound into pieces of nature, however I am not a piece of nature, this is my bridge

 

Greta says, all right okay, think I got it - thank you Mr Stevens - that was enlightening

Stevens says and I you Mr Stevens, sometimes it is not the answers that reveal

Greta said we have a long journey ahead to get to Jean Midmarket

Adelais suggested that Greta could send Slake to him so he knows we won’t leave him behind

Greta says, if we are travelling to Frandelle….

Adelais says it seems the logical place to start as we have the most information

 Greta said, we have a guide 

Greta said we know Frandelle is a warm place, if we then go North, I don’t think Frandelle is the place to buy warm clothes

Stevens says it makes sense to pack for all contingencies

Greta says he can send Slake, thank you Adelais for the idea, ahead to warn Jean Midmarket that we might be late

Greta asks Stevens and Prince to question the Kuo-toa about the Mortallous and then return to Jean Midmarket

Stevens says that Greta is good with the Kuo-toa

Greta, Adelais and Tektite can go shopping for supplies, “I’m not being funny but I wouldn’t trust you to buy my food” - Greta

Stevens says he knows about nutrition

Greta says that’s not the point

Tektite says he is fine and doesn’t need to go to bed, Greta insists, and then Adelais insists in her natural voice - Tektite is quiet and sorry

Stevens says Ariel may be helpful rather than going to the swamps

the kuo-toa don’t make much sense

Greta says all you gotta do is tell them a story, invoke the name of Phin Barbles

Stevens says I have a concern

Greta says “say do you know about Mortallous, don’t invoke him or anything, but what do you know?”

Side note: Uschi (ghost bear) or Nadezhda (name that plains people would know it by) 

A ball of smoke with snow flakes coming out of it hovers in front of Mr Prince’s face, and disappears.

Prince says I appear to have got a message - perfectly fitting as it was sent by Yuu

Greta says, it wasn’t me

Prince says no it was Yuu

Prince says it is my associate, Yuu the Liar

Greta said I thought you meant me

Stevens says it was snow, it did not have legs

Prince says he asked about the Tyrant of the Peak - they are either sure it is a mountain ritual or the old white hunter, but that it depends who you ask and he wouldn’t ask Chenzira

Greta said is he a compulsive liar?

Prince says, if you asked the question

Greta said yeah, Yuu asked the question

Adelais said that is more information, and yawns

Greta asks if we have three rooms

Dazzbang has retired to bed

Greta tucks Tektite in so he sleeps

Tektite does sleep but he feels awkward about it (he’s a grown man)

Meanwhile, Prince and Stevens, go to speak to the City Guard

Headed to talk to Ariel

There’s a candle lit, Ariel is at the desk (looking dead)

It’s basically a public information booth, and the other is a fortification gate

Stevens enters

Stevens puts a hand on Prince’s chest to stop him

“ah, madam Ariel”

“oh hi, I’m dead and so’s the militia”

“I am technically not living either, but this isn't an impediment to any of us - we come seeking some information that possibly only you know”

Ariel opens her book, and jabs a skeleton joke with a quill and ruins the sentence by scribbling it out

Stevens chuckles - the punch line is “bone head”

she seems to be affected like everyone else in Hygard

“madam Ariel?”

she dips the quill on the page

“the kuo-toa beyond these walls, do they have a representation or individual with whom we may speak?”

Ariel says “I think that’s me, or something, I watch and speak”

Stevens asks if she can send messages and they understand

She says she tries not to

Stevens says “it is a matter of most import, we need to discover some kuo-toa folk-law”

Ariel says “uh-huh”

Stevens says “can we rouse the kuo-toa?”

Prince says do we have to, on your head be it

Stevens said “I am doubtful they could climb that high”

Ariel gets a key out and gives it to Stevens

Stevens will offer some more wisdom and talks on

“Will you shut up!” a voice from upstairs

Stevens says perhaps we should consult Jennifer

“would she mind if we have a word with her?” Prince says

Ariel says “probably”

Stevens might not fit up the stairwell

Stevens says this doorway is not passable without compromising the building (and he doesn’t want to hurt any more civilians), I will accompany you in spirit” - produces an O.W.L. (dropping and gaining of light levels from Stevens to the O.W.L.) - Stevens voice comes out of the O.W.L. with a tinny edge as if it is far away

Prince and Stevens (in the O.W.L.) go upstairs

There is a short landing, three doorways, one of them heavily fortified, by the standards of the building

two doors either side, one straight ahead

Prince says “hello, I am Mr Prince, you’re Jennifer, right?”

Jennifer says “it’s laaaaate, what did you want?”

Stevens says “it is imperative that we speak to you”

“Give me a minute!” Jennifer yells

Stevens says “One minute”

She is longer than one minute

Stevens points this out

“this better be important, so annoying” - she says

Prince says “Madam Ariel is a bit down, I would imagine you could help”

Jennifer says “maybe she is running out of skeleton jokes”

Stevens says “that seems hard to believe”

Prince says it would be “nerve-rattling”

Jennifer asks why are we here

Prince says we need to contact the kuo-toa, not that they want to

did you see there was a dragon?

Jennifer says “like, no”.

“who told you about a dragon, they are like, not even real.”

Stevens says he has seen it with his eyes

Prince says the dragon is real and the threat is clearly having an effect on the city

Stevens - Ariel is indeed a person, as am I

Jennifer says, I was in training for wizard stuff, if you want a dragon, no, no

Prince says we want to dispatch a dragon

Jennifer has hastily doned a militia robe, a young elf with immaculate make-up

(younger than Chenzira)

Jennifer says “what?”

Prince says we did explain through the door

she says, why do you want me?

Stevens starts talking and she moans, bored

Stevens carries on mentioning Kuo-toa and key

Jennifer says that Ariel has the key

Prince asks if she can help us with Ariel, she seems to be melancholy

Jennifer says “like, now?”

Prince says “if you don’t mind, it is important”

Jennifer says “are you firing me?”

Stevens says no we need your expertise

Jennifer says its really sleepy, so you’re asking me right

Prince says “yes, we are well aware of the hour that’s why we are here and not the others - yes you could have got the more talky members of the group, we are getting to the point”

Jennifer says what kind of militia are you guys?

Prince says Hygard militia, he has a badge, “brigadier general prince, of the hygard militia, and who am addressing?”

“Apprentice Jennifer Fairweather”

Jennifer says that Ariel doesn't get sick that is why she has this job

Prince says there is magical depression that has befallen the city

Jennifer says, okay but I am like a cosmetic wizard, so I can’t just do whatever you’re asking, probably

Prince says you know your colleague better than we do, at least try

Jennifer groans as she goes down the stairs, the O.W.L. helpfully lights the stairs

Jennifer says these guys want to talk to you

Ariel says I thought they did that

Jennifer says whatdya want?

Stevens says we need to talk to the kuo-toa, the light goes back to Mr Stevens from the O.W.L.

we need to facilitate a conversation with someone “legible” within the kuo-toa

Jennifer said that’s like no one, I thought you would be smart or something - can I sleep now?

Stevens says we have to try, if anyone could achieve it I am sure it would be you

Jennifer says, oh like, no

Stevens says maybe you will surprise yourself

(All hope drains from Jennifer’s face)

Stevens leans in and says, have you been afflicted as well?

Jennifer says, I think, abducted

Stevens says ah, sarcasm

Prince says I still think this is a bad idea

Jennifer shoots a real needy look to Ariel, who is looking dead again

Stevens hints for her to go into the kuo-toa door, Jennifer tries to avoid his arm

He guides her to the door

Jennifer says it is so cold

Jennifer says the door is here, you have the key

Stevens has been holding the key out the whole time

She angrily opens the door - “Fine! You’re in!” Stevens then “let us seek some kuo-toa”

Jennifer says, “yeah, you! I’m done”

Prince doesn’t want to go in

“we already are” Mr Stevens says and he brings up some lights

Prince says “it seems my Golem is getting above his station”

sleeping kuo-toa, glistening, in the mist (like clusters of eggs)

you see one shiny eye creak open, blink-blink, in the glaring light somewhere in the back - behind the mass of kuo-toa

Stevens, in his best dealing with children manner, crouches down and one of the lights moves to illuminate that figure - and put a finger to his lips - and winks his eye

The kuo-toa gets up and it tries to grab the light

the light dances away from it, teasing it, Mr Stevens attempt to kite it to the front

But it caught the light, it is his now

the light won’t go out, even when Stevens says so

kuo-toa starts breathing in

Stevens sends a light, like a falling star, down beside him

it says “I caught the Sun! I TOLD YOU IT WOULD COME AT NIGHT!”

All the eyes blink open in the swamp

Stevens drops the lights and they go really bright

Jennifer leaves

Stevens puts a hand out to stop Prince, Prince gives a look of “yeah, I was about to run”

Stevens blasts all the kuo-toa with light

“I slept and it was day-time”

“that’s how sleeping works”

Stevens will boom in his best booming voice - THE GOD OF MORNING GIVES YOU GREETING kuo-toa

YES I DO

NO, NOT YOU - Stevens

AH, BUT I JUST GOT IT

Stevens - the God of morning, seeks challenge with Mortallous!

“I am MORNIOUS, I found it”

“ oh god”

Stevens - Mortallous, then show yourself Mortallous - for I have come to strike you down

he must be striking down the moon, that’s what morning does

you’re the smartest

Stevens - if you consider yourself the moon, holder of the bridge, then you must be Mortallous

no it’s my sun! I hate you!

Stevens drops the lights so it goes dark - see the moon, lighter of the night

and I control the day (the lights go back up)

I must be MORNIOUS night moon

Stevens - if there can be no morning, then can be no breakfast

there can be breakfast every morning, I am the sun moon

we can eat on little day, which is every day

Stevens says you awake at my bidding

I think my sun is burning me

Stevens says then you are not worthy, only Mortallous…

it is getting swelting hot in the swamp

Prince is backing away

Stevens says she how you can burn yourself and your friends

its burning fish, I like fish

one of the kuo-toa bites another

Prince says he’s leaving, this isn’t working

he leaves towards the gate

Stevens backs up

Prince shoots the kuo-toa holding the sun orb, but he doesn’t realise he’s dead - so he’s alive - and he eats the sun

now he wants to battle the morning

Stevens said if you can’t show us Mortallous then stay in the night forever (drops the lights)

Stevens slams the door shut, and then there is a glow - and a focused beam melted through the door and starting to melt Stevens

the beam probably hits the orphanage again

“freedom!” yells one kuo-toa

Ariel is still in there, Jennifer is not on the ground floor

“madam, Ariel, I would advise leaving this place - the kuo-toa have become somewhat silly”

he is offering an arm

Ariel is still staring at the book

Stevens picks up the chair she is in 

Prince holds his hand up, the hand with sparkle, and his silvery skin is glowing - the glow will intensify and send it towards what he hopes is an undead creature (the kuo-toa who is a god of morning sun)

“are you trying to steal my sun?” it says

Prince “oh, I am trying to make you see the light”

The kuo-toa said, I am the light, because the morning went away

I am the new small morning

Prince says, “you are dead, you have no more mornings!”

Kuo-toa says “that’s not very nice”

the sun goes out and he falls to the ground

Stevens is holding Ariel, and looks to Prince like “we good?”

Then puts Ariel back behind the desk, in the chair

Prince is like “what are you doing?” Stevens doesn’t answer

Stevens looks to Prince, and says “shall we go?”

Prince says “there’s a big hole in the …. yes.”

Stevens says “the kuo-toa were not forthcoming”

After Credits
Jennifer terrified looking through her keyhole, get the view of her room - reaches over and gets a fist full of incense, bundles it to the holder and finger flames one of them on - starts smoking out the room - “oh god”. she’s got the bed, messy but who knows how she keeps it normally (disturbed from sleep as she was), spell books everywhere and on the walls are etchings (of generally decent quality and accuracy) - of Raul Fernadonis “Super Star Centaur”