A set of branching conversations from The Waylanders. This is a rewrite of a pre-existing script; I was instructed to make the ghost character into an old friend instead of an old enemy and adjust the emotional tone from anger to grief.
The player character is the WAYLANDER, an adventurer and an agent of King Ith of Kaltia.
AMERGIN, one of the Waylander’s companions, has been ejected from the Druidic College. He is convinced the College could be persuaded to reinstate him if he undertakes a trial within the Caves of Eternity.
The Waylander and Amergin locate the Caves of Eternity and begin the trial. As they explore the Caves, a ghostly figure appears: CIARA.
| 1. | Amergin: | A spirit? |
| 2. | Ciara: | You don’t know my face, Amergin? My voice? |
| 3. | Amergin: | Wait -- Ciara? |
| 4. | Ciara: | You remember me. And even in death I remember you, Amergin. |
Player Choices
- Who is this, Amergin? (go to 5)
- (Remain silent.) (go to 6)
| 5. | Amergin: | An old friend. From when I was a boy. |
| 6. | Amergin: | (to Ciara) What happened? You disappeared, and I never -- I thought -- |
| 7. | Ciara: | I faced the same trial you face now. I sought what you came here to claim, but failed. And now I am a guardian of this place. |
| 8. | Amergin: | Ciara ... I don’t want to fight you. |
| 9. | Ciara: | (solemn) This is druidic law. This is my purpose. |
Ciara attacks the party, and combat begins.
Resume Gameplay
The spirit of Ciara dissipates and vanishes. Amergin is quiet and clearly full of regret.
| 1. | Amergin: | Forgive me, Ciara. |
Player Choices
- Who was she to you? (go to 2)
- We need to keep moving. (go to 6)
| 2. | Amergin: | Ciara and I came to the circle when we were children. For a while, we were inseparable. And then we weren’t. There wasn’t even a falling-out. We just ... grew apart. I’m not sure why. Maybe for no reason at all. She was talented. Brilliant. Even more so than me, and that’s saying something. But one day, she was ... gone. I never knew what happened to her. If we’d stayed friends, if I’d tried harder -- maybe she’d have asked me to join her, the day she came down here. Maybe ... |
Player Choices
- There’s no way to know. Best not to dwell on it. (go to 3)
- People change. Ciara’s death wasn’t your fault. (go to 4)
- Maybe if you’d cared more, she’d still be alive. (go to 5)
- We should move on. (go to 6)
| 3. | Amergin: | Perhaps. But what about the next time someone needs me, and I’m not there?(go to 6) |
| 4. | Amergin: | But what if I could have prevented it, if only I’d been there? (go to 6) |
| 5. | Amergin: | Yes ... yes, I think you’re right. (go to 6) |
| 6. | Amergin: | (sad, exhausted sigh) I wasn’t expecting to find the spirits of those who failed here. If we’re not careful, we might also meet the same fate. |
Amergin sees and picks up a rock.
| 7. | Amergin: | Wait, this stone. It bears a rune like one of the pedestals in the main vault. We should head back. |
Resume Gameplay