Characters:Adonthell:Feldis
Feldis Trindas
A servant by trade, Feldis is about 20 in human terms. He is quite loyal to his employer, who he also considers a friend (Feldis is the rough equivalent of a Master of Servants, an upper-level job within Soryn's large household). Feldis is a confident man when he knows what he's about, but it sometimes takes a bit of a push to make him cross a hurdle into new actions. Feldis is very capable at the talents he knows, but does not realize that he may have many more talents that he has not yet discovered. Thus he is possessed by a yearning for adventure he cannot explain, and it requires the prompting of a friend to finally drive him to action.
Introductory Plot
Feldis is working in the home of Lord Soryn. Through his dialogue, the player learns that Feldis yearns for adventure, but has yet to find a mission on which he could be assured of same, particularly one with the approval of Lord Soryn. One of Lord Soryn's assistants (possibly the manor's castellan) approaches Feldis and suggests that he may have a way for Feldis to find the adventure he craves, but he will have to prove how serious he is. A mock battle is arranged (practice fight) in which Feldis is easily victorious. After |- | the combat, Feldis is informed that the Council is looking for adventurers to accompany Captain Gortlick on a voyage of adventure, at which Feldis is overjoyed. He goes, hoping to meet his destiny.
Script
Todo: make better use of dialogue engine's abilities!
[If the opening of the game involves the camera travelling over various landscapes, then a seamless transition into Feldis' intro is possible. Simply bring the camera into Cirdanth, finally focussing on a window in one of the towers of Lord Soryn's manor. Feldis will be seen through the window, and with a simple change of camera angle, the scene may start without interruption.]
| Sfx | Birds (possibly two or three different bird sounds) evocative of a calm, sunny day Slowly fade into a series of still pictures, possibly three or four. The first should show Cirdanth at a middle distance, the Elven towers dominating the landscape with the human settlements visible in the foreground. Fade directly from one shot to the next, each closer to the towers. The last shot should be of Feldis' office through his window. Feldis should be partially visible. [This will save overuse of cutscenes and attendant loss of impact while the PNG files for each picture would be relatively small while retaining an impressive effect.] |
| Fade in | Feldis' office, located in a high room in Lord Soryn's manor. It is a comfortable room by Elven standards, which is to say it has the common elements of high ceilings, copious artworks and statuary and high windows overlooking the sea. Feldis sits at a large desk piled with papers. He is concentrating intently on the task ahead of him, and does not seem to notice the sound of soft footsteps behind him. The shot should linger on Feldis concentrating on his work for a few moments before the SFX. |
| Sfx | Muted footsteps, slow tempo |
| Voice | I thought I'd find you here. |
| Feldis | (does not turn) Of course I'm here, Ari. There's a good deal of work to be done before the Tournament. Ari comes into the shot as Feldis speaks, or the shot could pan to include Ari approaching the desk from a far doorway. Ari is an artisan friend of Fel Feldis', and dresses in the typical garments one would expect of an Elven artisan. He is roughly the same age and build as Feldis, although his hair is a light blue, where Feldis' is more of a silver. |
| Ari | Not all the work is yours, is it? Come now, the Manor won't fall to pieces if you take an occasional rest. Not to mention [Ari has by now arrived at the desk and lays a hand on Feldis' shoulder], you have other things to consider. |
| Feldis | (looking up for the first time) Other things? |
| Sfx | Laughter |
| Ari | You'll see, my friend. [there should be a break between dialogue windows here to indicate a pause] For now, you'll have to leave your beloved work and follow me. There's something I must show you. |
| Feldis | I really shouldn't, Ari. Lord Soryn is counting on... |
| Ari | Lord Soryn is not couting on you to work yourself to the grave. You do so much for this household that the rest of the staff has grown lazy. Better for them to pick up their own load for once. Now come along, we have much to do of our own. Ari takes Feldis' hand and leads him from the room. Camera lingers for a moment as a breeze ruffles the curtain. [The breeze is optional, depending on the graphics. But in any case, the camera should remain for a couple of beats before fading to the next scene] |
| Fade out - Fade in | A room somewhat lower in the manor. Camera does not show the full room yet, but does show the stairway that leads into the room. Feldis and Ari descend, chatting amicably. Feldis seems much more relaxed than before and it is clear that Ari prompting him to leave his office did Feldis a great deal of good. |
| Feldis | You should have seen him, Ari! I don't believe Karvyn had ever seen such a large ... They walk into the room before Feldis stops, realizing where he is. |
| Feldis | Oh! Ari walks a few steps ahead, placing him off camera. |
| Feldis | This is ... Camera pans to cover the rest of the room. Ari has now turned and is standing 3/4 of the way across the room. A number of people, who are apparently friends of the two and are dressed in casual Elven wear, stand around the walls. This, as a quick glance should show, is a fighting ring, with a marked space in the centre, and weapons and other equipment at intervals along the walls. Feldis seems quite surprised and does not move. |
| Ari | Oh, Feldis, there's no need to stand there like that. Is it really that much of a shock? |
| Feldis | But ... why did you bring me here? And why are all our friends here? |
| Sfx | Light laughter |
| Ari | Why, beause of you, my foolish friend, because of you. (Ari waves an arm at the people around the walls) We wouldn't be here if we didn't all believe in you. And I'll tell you what else I believe, my dear friend. |
| Feldis | What is that? |
| Ari | I believe that you'll never leave your work to face your destiny. Unless one of us gives you a good push, which is my pleasure to give. After all, we've been friends since childhood, I should be well prepared by now. |
| Feldis | My destiny? What are you talking about Ari? I don't have any destiny but to make certain Lord Soryn's house runs smoothly. |
| Ari | Anyone could run Lord Soryn's place, or any two people. As always, you try to make excuses so you won't have to venture into the unknown. I am sorry, Feldis, but I cannot allow you to do that. And as your friends we refuse to let you miss such an opportunity. |
| Feldis | But I don't understand, Ari ... |
| Ari | I'll explain it to you at the tip of my sword, Feldis. You have no choice but to face me,so you might as well make the best of it. But I am a gracious man. Your friends went to all the trouble of coming to see you, I think it's only fitting you have a chance to greet each of them before you meet me in combat. Please, I am willing to wait as long as necessary. Ari turns to one of the weapon racks and makes motions that suggest he is equipping himself. Feldis may now be controlled by the character, who will receive instructions for the battle and various background information about himself, such as how long he'd been with Lord Soryn, what a success he'd been, how Ari always had to prompt Feldis to new adventures, etc. One of the friends will explain the equipment system and offer a set of weapons and armour to Feldis, which he may use as his basic equipment. When he has spoken to all of those around the room, Ari calls Feldis to battle. [If Feldis speaks to Ari without having received equipment] |
| Ari | I appreciate the jest, but you are hardly prepared. Go find your equipment first. [Depending on graphics, there may need to be fewer friends present, but these should be a representative sample. As well, the Friends do not need to be placed in the order they are listed here. Placement in the room is up to the graphics team] |
| Friend 1 | I must say you have surprised us all. Never before has someone risen so quickly in Lord Soryn's service. |
| Friend 2 | I hope you win. It would be a disaster if some human took the top spot. [this will be slightly cryptic to the player, but will make more sense when the scene is finished] |
| Friend 3 | Don't worry about the work you've left behind. You have enough capable assistants to take on the responsibility. [When Feldis speaks to Friend 4] |
| Feldis | Arun, you know Ari as well as any of us. Is this some sort of elaborate joke? |
| Friend 4 | [hereafter referred to as Arun] This is no time for jokes, Feldis. Indeed, these are serious times. And Ari knows that as well as any of us. |
| Feldis | I have trouble imagining Ari as serious. But I suppose you are right. To have the High Counsel here in Lord Soryn's manor tells me that the humans have been driving us further and further from our homes. |
| Arun | Truly, although one cannot hold them responsible. Poor, short-lived fools that they are, they cannot imagine that they are causing our ruin. And with each decade, the humans crowd us further together. |
| Feldis | I hate to think of it. The thought that we are still free to live and create cheers me, though. Perhaps one day we will find a way to live as we should. But I still do not see what this foolishness of Ari's has to do with that. |
| Arun | Perhaps nothing. Perhaps everything. Ari will explain it all once the battle is over. You had best prepare well. He will be lenient this time. [When Feldis speaks to Friend 5] |
| Friend 5 | Do you know the situation at Adonthell? [Feldis is given a yes/no choice] [If yes] |
| Friend 5 | It worries me. What if more storms rise up elsewhere? What would we do then? [If no] |
| Friend 5 | We haven't heard from the island in so long. What if they've all perished? To lose those brilliant researchers would be a tragedy for all of us. [Feldis may return up the stairs, but they only lead to his office. There is an Elf there at his desk] |
| Elf | Oh, Feldis! Ari told me that you would be taking some time away so I came to see how I could help. |
| Feldis | Ari told you? |
| Elf | Yes, it was good that he did. I know just what to do. You've been working so hard lately, I was glad for the chance to help. [If Feldis talks to the Elf again] |
| Elf | You shouldn't worry. I have things under control. [When Feldis is leaving the room] |
| Elf | Oh, Feldis. I wanted to give you this before you go. I hope you'll find a use for it. [Elf gives Feldis some sort of item. An "Easter Egg" of some sort that could be useful later] [If Feldis has received his equipment, he may now speak with Ari again] |
| Ari | At last. Even my patience may not last forever. Are you ready to face your fate? [If no] |
| Ari | Quickly, then. You may not avoid me forever. [If yes] |
| Ari | Then be ready, I will show no mercy. Music changes to battle and scene becomes that of the fight between Feldis and Ari, which Feldis wins. Scene and music revert to normal again. |
| Sfx | Applause |
| Ari | Ah, you have beaten me, my friend. But there really was no doubt, was there? |
| Feldis | I was always able to beat you, Ari. You'll never learn to keep your guard high enough. Now tell me what all this is about. |
| Ari | Ah, you have won, so the prize is yours. All right, there are better things for you than languishing here in Cirdanth, Feldis. And I know how you might find them. |
| Feldis | I'm listening ... |
| Ari | It's this tournament. You may not have realized it, absorbed in your duties and trying to hide from the world, but you have a very good chance of winning the favor of the High Council and joining Gortlick on his voyage to Adonthell. Now what do you think of that? |
| Feldis | You must be kidding! To think that I would be skilled enough to accompany Gortlick to the cursed isle? It's preposterous! |
| Ari | Yes it is. Utterly preposterous. But your blood yearns for it, doesn't it? I know you, Feldis, you have an adventurer's heart even though you try to hide it. The fight and the chance to challenge what lies beyond the storms has set your blood afire, hasn't it? Tell me the truth, now. |
| Feldis | All right, the truth, then! I would love nothing better than to go, now that you have set me to it. Ah, old friend, how will I manage without you to set me on my way? |
| Ari | You'd best learn, and soon! Now let us go prepare. The tournament will start soon and you would do well to be early. The two friends leave the room together. |
| Fade | To title sequence. |