Characters:Adonthell:Dungar

Dungar Rivergold

Dungar is an idealistic young man, the equivalent of a human 17 year old. Like most dwarves, he is steeped in practicality and the traditions of his people, but his idealism brings a different perspective to these qualities than most of his fellows. Dungar is not one to accept tradition blindly and he is quite willing to act on his feelings. To him, adventure is a necessity to transform him into a productive adult and he is quite stubborn enough to play any adventure out to the end, no matter how hard the journey. He has little patience for those without a practical frame of mind, and little tact about saying so. He does have a very straightforward sense of humor with no understanding of sarcasm.

Introductory Plot

The story begins at Dungar's 35th birthday. A happy event, with his Friends and family cheering him on. But Dungar is not happy. 35 is the time when a dwarf makes the transition from adolescent to adult. Accordingly, there is a coming of age ceremony to welcome Dungar into adult society. Part of this ceremony involves a ritual combat, echoing the real combats that adolescents used to face in centuries past. Dungar receives much encouragement and advice from his Friends and family (instructions for the player) and proceeds to fight and win in the combat. Once it is done however, Dungar tells his peers that he cannot enter adult society. He explains that he feels that the ritual combat has become a sham and really proves nothing. He insists that he must go into the world to prove himself or he could not in his heart consider himself a true adult. The others try to convince him that he is wrong, but he will hear none of it. So grudgingly his father tells him of the Council and their search for a brave adventurer. Dungar likes this and, since he views elves in general as a bunch of pansies, only fitting that a dwarf should prove himself by saving them from danger. So he sets out to find his destiny.

Script

Todo: make better use of dialogue engine's abilities!

Fade in	Cave - Interior A party is taking place in a dwarves hall. The cave is relatively simple, and is furnished with long tables at which revellers are enjoying themselves. What appears to be ale is a common sight, as are a number of foods. At one end of the room is the guest of honour, Dungar.
Father	...and may Dungar be as prosperous as his ancestors before him, and may he collect honours like stones in his shoes!
Sfx	Cheers
Friend 1	Well said, Barrowhand! But perhaps we should let Dungar take the floor. It is his birthday after all.
Father	Right you are, I grow too proud of my son some days. Dungar, why don't you say a few words to your friends and family on this great day?
Dungar	[does not move] No Father, you speak much better than I could.
Father	Don't be foolish. This is your proudest day, when you finally become a man and join us in the mines. There must be something you want to say.
Dungar	Nothing, Father. My birthday is a fact, and we all know what it means. I can say nothing more.
Friend 1	Come now, let us not argue. Drink up, everyone, there'll be more before we're through. [The player should get control of Dungar at this point to talk to the various people in the room. Speaking to his father a second time will trigger the next scene]
Father	You seem out of sorts, my son. What could be bothering you?
Dungar	It is nothing, Father. You shouldn't worry.
Father	Go and talk to the others. Perhaps they will cheer you somewhat. I will talk to you afterwards.
Dungar	If you believe it will help, Father, I can only obey.
Father	Soon you will be a man. Then you need not obey me any longer. Father moves to the doorway. [When Dungar approaches his mother]
Mother	I cannot believe that my son will finally be a man. It makes me so proud to have raised you.
Dungar	I wish I could be as proud. [There may be more or less Dwarves attending Dungar's celebration. The number of responses may be varied appropriately]
Friend 1	If only it were me becoming an adult. I feel like I've been training forever.
Friend 2	Tradition tells us the way to adulthood must be earned. Are you prepared to be tested?
Friend 3	To think that only a short time ago you were little more than a child. It does my heart good to see you grown.
Friend 4	You seem out of sorts, Dungar. Shouldn't this be a happy day.
Friend 5	The 35th birthday and marriage, the two happiest days in anyone's life. I wonder how long it will be before you reach the second one?
Friend 6	I don't understand it, Dungar. Usually you're so full of energy, but today...
Friend 7	I know you've been unsettled lately. I've watched you for weeks.
Friend 8	I remember when I was tested. It was the greatest day of my life! [Dungar returns to his father]
Dungar	I am ready to go, Father.
Father	I trust you will do well, son. Come with me.
Fade out - Fade in	Testing hall - interior The testing hall is a large round cavern with a space marked in the centre. At one end is a group of elder Dwarves seated at a table. As Dungar and his father enter, one rises to speak.
Elder	Since there was a land to be mined, there have been Dwarves to mine it. Long before any of us may remember, long before the words of our histories recall, there have been the traditions of the Dwarves. Dungar, this is your day. Are you ready to be challenged?
Dungar	[stepping forward] I am.
Elder	The challenge is accepted. You will be faced with a mighty opponent, just as all here have faced. Only by victory shall you pass from child to adult. Do you understand, Dungar?
Dungar	I understand.
Elder	Then speak with those assembled here and prepare yourself. Speak with me when you are ready. [If the player speaks with the Elder before equipping]
Elder	You have not prepared as you must. Come to me when you are ready. [When player speaks to Dwarf with equipment]
Dwarf 1	I will equip you for the battle. Do you need me to instruct you? [If yes, Dwarf 1 gives instructions on equipment and basic combat] [If no, Dwarf merely gives equipment to Dungar]
Dwarf 1	It is good to be confident. I feel you will win. [As usual, there may be a different number of Dwarves when the game is prepared. Adjustments may be made as appropriate]
Dwarf 2	This will be the turning point for you. All that comes after this battle will be totally new.
Dwarf 3	Every Dwarf fights the battle you are about to fight. The tradition goes back for longer than anyone knows.
Dwarf 4	The tradition of the Dwarves is the greatest of all the races. Elves and Humans have no respect for the past as we do.
Dwarf 5	It will be an honour to work by your side when you pass the test.
Dwarf 6	I may be old now, but even I took the test when I became an adult. Men and women alike all face the same challenge.
Dwarf 7	Don't be nervous. The challenge is really easy when you know what you're doing.
Dwarf 8	The council have safeguarded our traditions well. Were it not for them, the challenge may have fallen into disuse. That would be a terrible thing. [When player speaks to the Elder, he is given a choice]
Elder	Are you prepared to face the challenge to come? [If no]
Elder	Prepare well, young warrior. This battle decides your fate. [If yes]
Elder	Let the challenge commence. We have a boy who wishes to earn his manhood. [The battle commences, but is quite easy. Of course, Dungar wins.]
Elder	Dungar has been victorious in his challenge. We welcome him today as the adult he has become.
Dungar	[steps forward] No!
Elder	Wh, what do you mean, Dungar? You won the battle, the challenge is yours.
Dungar	I passed no challenge today. This battle is nothing but a child's game. And I am still a child to be playing the games of children.
Elder	But this is the tradition, passed down through the generations...
Dungar	Dwarves are meant to prove themselves to grow up. That is the tradition I have been taught since I was small. Is that not the truth?
Elder	Of course it is. But I do not understand why you object.
Dungar	I object because this was no challenge. It might as well have been an Elven dance, for all the heat of battle I felt. I did not fight a true battle, so I cannot become a true man until I do so. That is at the heart of our tradition.
Elder	Dungar, you are indeed a man with strong convictions. Is there nothing that can turn you?
Dungar	Nothing but a true battle. But who among us would want to challenge me to battle?
Elder	None here may. There are so few of us now, we can no longer risk our lives fighting each other. But if you are truly convinced of your cause, then I have a suggestion that will give you what you desire and bestow honour on all Dwarves.
Dungar	You interest me greatly. What sort of challenge do you speak of?
Elder	Some distance from here, at the port of Cirdanth, the council of Elves are meeting. They seek warriors to protect one of theirs on a voyage to the cursed island of Adonthell, for what good it may do them. Should you go with them, you may well find challenges in plenty, enough to satisfy even your need for the truth behind our traditions. And the Elves will learn that there are yet brave Dwarves in this world, braver than they could ever hope to be.
Dungar	Elder, you are too kind to me. I shall go to Cirdanth and teach these Elves, what real Dwarven courage is.
Elder	Then prepare to go, for their choice will be made soon. Good fortune to you, Dungar, and may your quest see you made a man.
Fade	To title sequence