Puppet in Peril Spoilers
Following is the transcript for the mission AU29 - Puppet in Peril:
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Script
Scene 1: Aht Urhgan Whitegate
Nadeey: Welcome to Walahra Temple.
Nadeey: How may I aid you in your quest for knowledge?
Nadeey: Hello, another soul thirsty for answers...
Nadeey: This is turning out to be quite the day for visitors.
Gessho: Greetings!
Gessho: PLAYERNAME! This is a coincidence.
Gessho: Lord Nadeey, please excuse me while I compare notes with my esteemed colleague.
Gessho: How do you fare? Nothing terrible has befallen you?
Gessho: No, no. You need not elaborate.
Gessho: I'm sure you are here to give your weary spirit a moment's respite from the madness of our occupation.
Gessho: Or perhaps...it is some duty that brings you to the temple?
Gessho: What, pray tell, lures you within this hall of serenity?
Why have you come here?
PLAYERNAME: To pursue Walahran philosophy.
Gessho: Truly? A commendable endeavor, indeed.
Nadeey: If you seek the wisdom of Walahra, then I would gladly set your feet upon the path.
Nadeey: However, the set of your jaw tells me you already tread a harder road...
Why have you come here?
PLAYERNAME: To speak with someone.
Gessho: To speak with someone? One of the philosophers?
Gessho: The court puppetmaster? What dire circumstance would involve a mercenary in the pulling of strings and the dancing of automatons?
Nadeey: The court puppetmaster...?
Gessho: Lord Nadeey. If there is something we should know...?
Nadeey: Now they set mercenary hirelings on her trail...
Nadeey: It appears the Grand Vizier has tired of this game of cat and mouse.
Nadeey: It was only a matter of time...
Nadeey: I suppose I shall have to "come clean," as they say.
Nadeey: And since you have some rudimentary understanding of Walahra's teachings, I will trust to your judgment.
Nadeey: I have given the court puppetmaster--Lady Aphmau--shelter within the temple.
Gessho: You have given shelter to an Imperial fugitive!?
Nadeey: That is correct.
Gessho: You have broken Imperial law!
Nadeey: I cannot dispute this face.
Gessho: Why would you do this thing?
Nadeey: Some explanation is in order...
Nadeey: You see, Aphmau was born a child in high standing--a resident of the palace.
Gessho: A member of the royal family...?
Nadeey: However, her mother passed away when she was still but six years of age...and the responsibility for her upbringing came to rest with Walahra Temple.
Gessho: What an unfortunate story...
Gessho: Yet there must be more to the tale if none within the palace were willing to care for her.
Nadeey: Yes. The details are not mine to divulge, however.
Nadeey: Her childhood was spent within these walls, surrounded by monks and philosophers.
Gessho: How does such a child find the path of a puppetmaster?
Nadeey: I was not aware of it at the time...
Nadeey: But apparently, Lady Aphmau secretly learned the art from the street performers who practice on the Way of the Devout.
Gessho: Would not an expensive item such as an automaton have been difficult for a young girl to acquire?
Nadeey: You are familiar with automatons, Gessho?
Gessho: I must admit to some curiosity...
Nadeey: Then I shall speak more on the subject.
Nadeey: Lady Aphmau arrived at thte temple carrying two of teh mechanical puppets.
Nadeey: One she received from her mother...
Nadeey: And the other from her older brother.
Nadeey: Ahahaha...now I remember.
Nadeey: At first the puppets were completely incapable of speech, and merely trotted around behind their little mistress.
Nadeey: Before long, however, there was barely a moment when they weren't voicing their opinions on everything in sight!
Nadeey: This change was accompanied by a return of Lady Aphmau's natural playfulness.
Gessho: I am glad to hear that...
Gessho: I know only too well the loneliness and uncertainty that come with being thrust into an unfamiliar environment at a young age...
Nadeey: Indeed... However, there came a day when Aphmau's simple life was irrevocably changed.
Nadeey: Yes, it was that day...
Rishfee: Lady Aphmau. We have come on orders from the Grand Vizier.
Amnaf: We regret to inform you that on the evening of the previous day, the Emperor's immortal soul passed out of the realm of Urhguum.
Nadeey: I had not seen Lady Aphmau since that day.
Nadeey: There are so many memories that flood back when I hear her name...
Nadeey: She is currently within the Hall fo Binding.
Nadeey: You may speak with her if you wish.
Nadeey: The hall adjoins our temple and can be reached through the door behind us.
Gessho: I shall remain here. There are some matters I wish to discuss with Lord Nadeey.
Mnejing: The Astral Plinth...
Aphmau: It looks exactly as I remember.
Aphmau: I was studying day in, day out. The letters from my brother had stopped coming...
Aphmau: It was more than I could bear...
Mnejing: So you snuck into the Hall of Binding.
Aphmau: Yes, with you...
Mnejing: ...and Ovjang.
Aphmau: Just watching the candescence spinning around and around somehow made me feel better.
Aphmau: It was like being wrapped in a warm blanket of peace and calm.
Aphmau: Hehehe...
Aphmau: That was the first time.
Aphmau: The first time you talked to me.
Mnejing: It was?
Aphmau: Mnejing! You really are hopeless!
Aphmau: That was when I realized I wasn't really alone.
Aphmau: You and Ovjang were always by my side.
Aphmau: And although I couldn't see them, my father and brother were here in the city.
Aphmau: And my mother...I'm sure she's...
Mnejing: She is watching over you, I am certain.
Aphmau: Yes...
Aphmau: I decided then and there that I would become a puppetmaster like my mother.
Mnejing: You slipped out of the temple every night, and practiced with those performers...
Aphmau: And then Ovjang began to speak as well.
Mnejing: Ovjang really was the talkative one...
Aphmau: Yes she was! But she was so talkative that I couldn't hear your voice anymore...
Mnejing: ...
Aphmau: Well, that was then...
'''Aphmau: You know, Mnejing, I have no idea what the Astral Candescence is meant to be used for.
Aphmau: But if the other candescences are found and the colossus is completed just like the Grand Vizier says...
Aphmau: There will come a day when everyone can be happy again. I'm sure of it.
Aphmau: I mean, just looking at this orb was enough to turn my life around.
Aphmau: Everything will turn out for the best.
Aphmau: Don't you think, Mnejing?
Aphmau: PLAYERNAME!? What are you doing here?
PLAYERNAME's badge flashes brightly.
Mnejing: By order of the Grand Vizier?
Aphmau: You can't be serious!?
Aphmau: You're here to take me back?
Aphmau: No! I won't go!
Aphmau: There are still things I have to do!
Aphmau: Go back to the palace and tell them that.
Aphmau: Do you still take orders from us?
Still taking orders?
PLAYERNAME: Sure...
Mnejing: Now that's our mercenary talking.
Mnejing: You may leave us now.
Still taking orders?
PLAYERNAME: Not from you.
Aphmau: Not you, too...
Aphmau: Well, I'm still not going back to the palace until I find Ovjang!
Mnejing: And that's final.
Aphmau: Lord Nadeey?
Nadeey: The Immortal, Rishfee, is here to see you.
Mnejing: The Grand Vizier is on to us...
Rishfee: Lady Aphmau, I am glad to see you unharmed.
Rishfee: Now it is time for you and Mnejing to accompany me back to the palace.
Rishfee: The earlier you return, the less Lord Razfahd will be angry when he learns--
Mnejing: ...? You haven't made a report?
Rishfee: No, Master Mnejing. I thought to first offer the option to Lady Aphmau...
Mnejing: A commendable attitude. Then I shall be pleased to inform you...
Mnejing: The Lady Aphmau will not be returning to the palace.
Rishfee: ! But, my lady...
Aphmau: There are tasks left undone.
Rishfee: Lady Aphmau.
Rishfee: You still hope to find Ovjang...?
Aphmau: If you knew that, why do you try to stop us?
Mnejing: Rishfee? Your face is pale.
Rishfee: I...it is nothing...
Aphmau: You should return to the Imperial Ward and visit the infirmary.
Rishfee: You are very kind, my lady. However--
Aphmau: You'll just slow us down.
Rishfee: And where exactly do you intend to carry out this search of yours?
Aphmau: I...I...
Aphmau: I'm not going to tell you!
Rishfee: You won't...? ...
Rishfee: Please, my lady. It's not safe out there.
Rishfee: The Immortals willl do everything in their power to return Ovjang to your side.
Aphmau: I don't believe you!
Aphmau: You think I don't know?
Aphmau: The Immortals are so busy watching the beastmen and searching for the Ashu Talif...
Aphmau: There isn't a single soldier to spare for poor Ovjang!
Rishfee: I only thought to--
Gessho: If I may?
Mnejing: Who is this?
Gessho: I am Gessho, a colleague of PLAYERNAME's in the employ of Salaheem's Sentinels.
Aphmau: Hmm, another mercenary.
Rishfee: ...
Gessho: I may have some welcome news.
Gessho: Just recently I was in the vicinity of Mount Zhayolm on mercenary business...
Gessho: And at the foot of the volcano, I happened to see a red-colored puppet...
Aphmau: !
Mnejing: And then?
Gessho: This automaton was trotting along the path all alone, but being busy with my mission, I was unable to follow...
Aphmau: It must have been Ovjang!
Rishfee: One moment, Lady Aphmau.
Rishfee: The Trolls of that region have stolen many automatons from the Empire.
Mnejing: That is true...
Gessho: Ah yes, I had forgotten!
Rishfee: You weren't done?
Gessho: There appeared to be something like moss or lichen stuck to the puppet's clothes!
Aphmau: Moss? Could it have been moss from the Aydeewa Subterrane?
Gessho: I merely present the facts--how you interpret them is not for me to say. Only...
Mnejing: Yes?
Gessho: Automatons taken to Halvung are thoroughly modified by Moblin craftsmen to follow the orders of the Trolls.
Gessho: After this process, they are barely recognizable.
Aphmau: No!
Gessho: I would not waste any time if, as you suspect, this automaton was your companion.
Aphmau: Y-yes, thank you...
Gessho: It is time I took my leave of you.
Nadeey: Gessho, to what forsaken wilderness do your travels take you this time?
Gessho: My duties dictate a visit to the settlement of Mamook.
Nadeey: A dangerous region. Do take care of yourself.
Gessho: Your concern is appreciated. Until next we meet.
Aphmau: That settles it! We go to Mount Zhayolm!
Rishfee: Lady Aphmau! If I may...
Mnejing: Rishfee. Do you place so little faith in the court puppetmaster?
Aphmau: Time is running out!
Rishfee: I have just received confirmation.
Rishfee: This Gessho character has no official orders that involve a visit to the capital of the Mamool Ja.
Mnejing: He was lying?
Rishfee: And that unmistakable presence...
Rishfee: I felt the exact same aura just before I lost consciousness in Aydeewa.
Aphmau: What are you trying to say?
Rishfee: That story of his was nothing more than a ruse.
Rishfee: In fact, it's more likely that we'll find Ovjang in the same place to which he now travels--Mamook.
Aphmau: Then Mamook is our destination!
Aphmau: Why don't you escort me as well, Rishfee?
Rishfee: If you are so intent on running headlong into danger, I suppose I have no choice.
Rishfee: ... But what do you mean, "as well"?
Aphmau: Isn't it obvious?
Aphmau: I wouldn't brave the depths of Mamook without my faithful bodyguard, PLAYERNAME!
Mnejing: Even if he/she is under the command of the Grand Vizier...
Nadeey: May the wisdom of Walahra safely guide your steps...
Scene 2: Jade Sepulcher
Rishfee: !
Rishfee: Wait... I can hear Mamool Ja talking up ahead...
Aphmau: Can you understand what they're saying?
Rishfee: I know a little of their language...
Mnejing: Translate for us.
Rishfee: "Doubt, there is not... For what we have long searched, it must be."
Ratol Ja: Meant to threaten us, is this toy?
Bakool Ja: Hmph... Dangerous, it does not seem...
Molaal Ja: Hsss...hsss...
Molaal Ja: The intention of the Aht Urhgan leaders, that is.
Molaal Ja: The cunning tricks and devious plans they have used against us, forgotten have you?
Gaheel Ja: Even so. To fear in this frail contraption, what is there?
Aphmau: !!!
Mnejing: (Ovjang.)
Gaheel Ja: Facts, we have not. Disassemble this gadget, we must.
???: That will not be necessary, Lancelord. Not if its secrets are already known.
Gaheel Ja: Know these secrets, do you imply?
???: I believe I do.
Ratol Ja: Hmmm...
Ratol Ja: To deceive us, you attempt.
Ratol Ja: Allow this charade, we will not. Stay silent, outsider, you shall.
Gulool Ja Ja: Grrrrrr...
Ratol Ja: !
Gulool Ja Ja: Over, this is not.
Gulool Ja Ja: In the outsider's opinion, we are interested.
Molaal Ja: Autarch...
Gulool Ja Ja: ...
Gulool Ja Ja: Bicker for a hundred years, we could. Or instead hear something useful, we may.
Molaal Ja: Yes, Autarch...
Gulool Ja Ja: Kindred to the brethren of the shining scale, what say you?
Gessho: My lord.
Gessho: If I may...
Gessho: This is nothing more than a simple puppet.
Gessho: It is a mechanical creation that belonged to Jalzahn, the former Emperor of Aht Urhgan.
Gulool Ja Ja: Grrrrrr!
Gulool Ja Ja: Jalzahn!
Gessho: Yes, my lord.
Gessho: It was the first "automaton" in existence--a personal project of Jalzahn's.
Gulool Ja Ja: An invention of our old enemy Jalzahn...
Gulool Ja Ja: Ignore this, we cannot.
Molaal Ja: Even if so, this is... Destroy us, how can it?
Molaal Ja: Broken many of these puppets, we have.
Gessho: Allow me to explain...
Gessho: I have learned some very interesting facts from my observations around the palace.
Ratol Ja: Interesting facts?
Gessho: A craftsman known as Ghatsad often passes through the Imperial Whitegate.
Gulool Ja Ja: Ghatsad? Heard that name, have we?
Gulool Ja Ja: Heard that name, we have.
Gessho: I would not be surprised. Especially if he was the craftsman who led the development of automatons...
Gaheel Ja: Then this...
Gessho: Yes. This is likely his creation.
Gessho: There is more. This man is also the head alchemist for the Aht Urhgan Archaeological Research Institute.
Gessho: An organization that is currently investigating the Ruins of Alzadaal.
Gulool Ja Ja: This Ghatsad... Both craftsman and alchemist, he is...
Gulool Ja Ja: And historian, as well...
Gessho: So it appears. What is even more intriguing are the Empire's activities of fifty years ago...
Gessho: Even before the invention of automatons, the scholars of the Empire were conducting large-scale investigations of the ruins.
Gessho: Rumors say that ancient Alzadaal technology gleaned from these archaeological sites was used in the construction of the modern mechanical puppets.
Bakool Ja: Created, are these automatons. To search the ruins, why do they continue?
Molaal Ja: !
Molaal Ja: No... Accept this as truth, I cannot!
Molaal Ja: To resurrect the iron colossus of legend, do these Aht Urhgan fools seek?
Gessho: All I have is rumor and hearsay, but the signs...
Molaal Ja: Madness!
Molaal Ja: The iron colossus... Consumed Aradjiah in flames, that machine did.
Molaal Ja: To extinguish our entire race, do they intend?
Gulool Ja Ja: Molaal Ja!
Gulool Ja Ja: Be calm, you must. In front of our guest, you embarrass us.
Gulool Ja Ja: An overlord of the Mamool Ja, are you not?
Molaal Ja: Autarch, we apologize. But a dire situation, this is.
Molaal Ja: The fate of our entire race...hangs in the balance, it does...
Gessho: I understand your fears, Sagelord. But is that not why we have forged an alliance?
Gessho: The Imperial Army does not have the resources to escalate a war it fights on two fronts.
Gessho: On the dawn of our agreement, we will unleash our fury upon the Empire--the Mamool Ja hordes from the west, and my fellow warriors from the east.
Gessho: The research of some ancient war machine will be the last thing on the minds of the Aht Urhgan commanders.
Gessho: And once we have seized control of the Empire, we have only to cripple this iron engine of destruction beyond repair to guarantee our total victory.
Gulool Ja Ja: ...
Gulool Ja Ja: If an empty promise, this is not...
Gessho: I swear to you by the heavens and the earth, I shall not play you false. And if my nation's oath should be broken...
Molaal Ja: Be broken, should it...?
Gessho: I will present myself before you...and fall upon my sword.
Gulool Ja Ja: Grrrrrr!
Gulool Ja Ja: Upon your sword, you will fall? A Far Eastern tradition, is this?
Gulool Ja Ja: Conviction, you possess!
Gulool Ja Ja: !
Gessho: Autarch? Is something amiss?
Gulool Ja Ja: Grrrrrr... Smell it, I can. The flesh of smoothskins...
Gulool Ja Ja: Out, you come. A place to hide, there is not.
Gulool Ja Ja: ... From this sepulcher, there is no escape!
Gessho: !
Gessho: PLAYERNAME!? You overheard...?
Gessho: I...I...
Gessho: I am not the Gessho you know!
Mnejing: You, lizard-man...
Mnejing: Return Ovjang to us immediately.
Aphmau: Yes...
Aphmau: You tell them, Mnejing.
Aphmau: If you damage a single bolt of Ovjang's...!
Gulool Ja Ja: A name, this toy has?
Aphmau: O-Ovjang! S-stop that! You stop that at once!
Aphmau: Ovjang! Ovjang! You have to wake up!
Mnejing: It's no good. Maybe her breaker is broken...?
Aphmau: Fine! I'll activate her myself!
Mnejing: Yes, her receptor is not receiving...
Gaheel Ja: Smoothskins...
Gaheel Ja: Before this machine, about your own life, you should worry!
Gaheel Ja: Autarch!
Gaheel Ja: To the Lancelord, leave these intruders!
Gulool Ja Ja: Grrrrr! Gaheel Ja!
Gaheel Ja: !
Gaheel Ja: Offended the Autarch, have we...?
Gulool Ja Ja: Very Well.
Gulool Ja Ja: In your lance arm, our trust we place!
Gaheel Ja: Yes! Regret this, you will not!
Gulool Ja Ja: Gahahaha! Send more soldiers, in time, I will. Deprive them of all the fun, do not.
Aphmau: !?
Aphmau: Ovjang!
???: Look out!
Aphmau: Rishfee!
Gaheel Ja: Oho. The order of my kills, you have ruined.
Rishfee: I...I'm fine...
Aphmau: B-but...your wound!
Rishfee: You forget, I am an Immortal! Now get out of here! Ovjang is more important...
Mnejing: We will return for you.
Scene 3: Jade Sepulcher
Gaheel Ja: Gwahahahaha!
Die! Die, smoothskin slug!
Gaheel Ja: What!? Be stomped as well, do you wish!?
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