Thanks for helpin' me build my black-shoppe Kid.

I ain't got a lot to my name, but I promise you, your investment into this here black-smithery will pay off.

I can't make much 'cause I ain't got any blueprints, but if you and me work together?
Boy, we can make some unimaginable things!

And I mean that literally.

Gots me some of that aphantasia. Can't see no pictures up in this noggin.
That's why I need those blueprints.

So here's the deal. You get me blueprints, and I'll charge you money to make them.

It's a win-win.
I win, 'cause I get free blueprints, then I win again 'cause I get a customer.

Anyway, enough dilly-dally. Let me show you what I've got in the back.


Woah Kid, looks like you found some advanced blueprints!
These are more than special, 'cause with this I can upgrade existing gear, making them better than I ever imagined! Literally!

(Still gots me that aphantasia.)

Wanna hear a secret, Kid?
I heard if you wear items from the same set, you can unlock special Unity Bonuses that'll blow your mind.

And if you keep upgradin' your gear, those Unity Bonuses willl keep gettin' better 'n better.

So what are you waitin' for, Kid? Let's get spendin'!


Lookin' snazzy, Kid!

You keep coordinatin' like that, and maybe you'll find that special someone!

And if you don't... well at least you'll still look great. It's more than just pride when keepin' unity with your clothing.


Ain't nothing quite like the smell of a forge in full bellow, Kid.

The coal, the melted iron, the sweat... smells like memories.

... It also smells a little toxic, if I'm gonna be honest.

---

I've been a blacksmith all my life, Kid. Knew it'd be my passion the moment I first picked up a hammer.

Some people feel bad for me, wonderin' how I could spend my whole life doing the same thing over and over.

Truth is, I'm one of the lucky ones.
So many people out there spend their whole life looking for purpose and never findin' it.

... Just always lookin', and never commitin'...

Kid, what I'm tryin' to say is... you buying somethin' or what?

---

Hey Kid, you headin' out?
Well, be-forge you leave don't forge-t to buy something.

Like that? Bit o' blacksmith humour right there.

... Jokes aside, you should buy something.

---

D'you know what words and smithing have in common?
They get used, tempered, and rebuilt over the years, eventually becoming something new.

That armor you have? One day it will be scrapped, melted, and reforged.
Maybe a hundred years from now that sword'll be a really big spoon.

Words go through the same transformative process.
They absorb new meanings as they are used in common parlance, and often become something entirely different.

... I dunno why I'm acting like I knew this. I'm just spittin' out what the Totem told me.

---

Y'know, I'm not just a blacksmith.

I was trained in the crafting of large-scale items like armor, ploughs, and swords, but I learned the skills of a whitesmith too.
Rings, fine tools, and etchings.

Smithing isn't just a job to me. It's my blood. Everythin' I make, I put the utmost care into.

... So stop complainin' about my prices.

---

Been talkin' to that Enchantress friend o' yours. She's quite the talker.

Lovely as silver, but a talker.

Would be innerestin' to see if she could sit through one of the Architect's tales without sayin' a thing.

---

Fixed the Enchantress' crystal pole yesterday.
Pretty easy. Tightened some nuts and bolts, finished in an hour.

Spent some time talkin' to her. Ain't so bad.

... By the way, the hinges on the pole were loose ‘cause someone's been kickin' at it.

... Wouldn't mind if you kept it up.
Be helpful to know I did a good job repairin' it.

---

Kid, I'm lookin' for some advice. That Enchantress friend of yours?
Asked if I'd be interested in joinin' her for dinner.

What should I wear? Alls I got is this apron.

... You think that's ok?

... Maybe I should go shirtless?
Forgot how hard this is.

---

Life's funny, ain't it Kid?
The past ain't been kind to me, so I came down here to start again.

Wanted to give myself some time to be alone.

But that Enchantress is quite the lady. Been a long time since I've felt this way.
Maybe being alone ain't what I need right now.

And she's one heck of a cook! Never had such exotic food before.
That Ful she made was somethin' else.

... But to be honest, her Ham-borg-er was my favourite.

---

Hey Kid, looks like you're heading out again huh?
Well, be careful out there.

I've takin' a liking to you, so try and make it back y'hear?

---

If you're tired of makin' a living by dyin', I'm always on the lookout for an apprentice.

You're small, got tiny arms, and you're clumsy as heck, but you've got a good head on your shoulders.

Never been happier than when I'm learnin'.

---

You know, one of my goals in life was to earn the title of Mastersmith.

It's a title given to those who've shown mastery in all forms of smithing:
Blacksmithing, whitesmithing, and leatherworks.

... Still think that last one shoulda been called cowsmithing.

To be a real master, you hafta forge from memory, without the help of blueprints.

Never could pass the final test 'cause of my Aphantasia.

I'm an old man, but even I think some customs are dated.
No self-respectin' blacksmith would ever start workin' without a trusty blueprint beside 'em.

---

I may not be considered a mastersmith, but those weapons o' yours were made with love and care.

There are many steps to makin' a blade, but the most important one is forging a strong core.

If the blade is too hard, it'll shatter the moment you swing it.
If the blade is too soft, it'll deform itself on the first thing it strikes.

Remember, good blades bend, bad ones break.

---

Y'ever speak to that safe in the buoy? I'm interested to know what it's made of.
It spends all day sittin' in the water, but it ain't rustin'.

Wonderin' if I can take a chip of it.

---

Hey Kid, y'know any good recipes?

The Enchantress has been cooking for me all this time.
Feel like I should return the favour, but I don't know how to cook.

I've also got no kitchen, so whatever recipe you have, it's gotta work in a forge that blasts at 1600 degrees.

---

I wonder how old the Architect is?
I'm hittin' 100, but he looks like he's over 10,000.

---

Still window shoppin' Kid?

Can't make items if I don't have customers, is all I'm sayin'.

---

Been lettin' that Pizza Girl sleep in the forge.
I have a spare room in the back that's well ventilated.

Still gets dusty though.

It's been good. Doesn't make a lotta noise, and she helps clean up the place.

... Think she's been sneakin' about and usin' my forge to cook pizzas though.

I'd complain, but I do like pizza.

---

Still goin' out there Kid?

Well, I'm still lookin' for an apprentice, is all I'm sayin'.

---

Hey Kid, you could use some meat on you.

You should come over for dinner some time.
Nunet makes a delicious stew, and I can make some really, really burnt meat.

---

Hey Kid, I made Nunet a steel pillow. Tell me what ya think.

I tried to make it as soft as possible, but it's still really, really hard.

... Honestly, you could probably use it as a weapon if you were in a pinch.

---

That pillow I made for Nunet was a terrible idea. Hurt her back tryin' to sleep on it.

She likes soft things but I'm a blacksmith. Everythin' I make is gonna be hard.
If I really wanna make her somethin' I can't just resort to what's comfortable for me, y'know? I need to do better.

Seriously, a metal pillow... What was I thinking?

---

Those wooden beams behind me have been wigglin'.
I've reinforced the base, so you can tell Quinn up there she can go back to her shenanigans again.

---

Hey Kid, keep up the good work, y'hear?

I thought I was alright livin' out my life down here, but I've got the itch to take the Mastersmith trial again.

Nunet has been helpin' me with my Aphantasia.
Just little things. She's been tryin' to help me 'exercise my imagination'.

Not sure if it's workin', but just knowin' someone's in my corner makes me feel like givin' it another shot.

---

Hey Kid, ever peek under Charon's cloak?

It's pitch black underneath, but I once caught a glimpse of his weapon.

Looked like a glowing white scythe. It looked ethereal, like somethin' made from another world.

... Would love to get my hands on whatever it's made from.

---

Hey Kid, sorry if I'm a bit slow today.

Fingers are in a bit of a mess.

I took up knitting, and it's twisted up my fingers somethin' awful.

Never thought something so soft could be so hard. And painful!

---

Had to take a break from knitting. It's exhaustin' work.

Been tryin' to make the Enchantress a proper pillow, since the steel one wasn't a great idea.

So far all I've been able to make is this tiny doily, and it's taken me days...

... this pillow'll take centuries.

---

I gave up on the pillow, too hard for me.

Instead, I made some glass beads and sewed them into Nunet's blanket.
She has trouble sleepin' sometimes, but calms right down with a tight hug.

Made this weighted blanket to help her when I'm not around.

---

There's somethin' special about this place Kid.
Didn't expect anythin' when I settled here, but I'm glad I did.

---

Hey Kid, I was tryin' to keep this a secret but I planned on proposin' to Nunet.
I was quietly makin' a ring, but it's hard to hide somethin' from someone who's right beside you...

... I say I 'planned' on proposin' cause she didn't give me the chance.
She said yes 'fore I even popped the question...

Sorry Kid, seems like I got some smoke in my eye.

---

Got no set time for the weddin'. Thinkin' we'll do it when we all get out of here.

That means you too, y'hear? Don't go screwin' around too much, Kid.

... You'll mess up our seatin' arrangements.

---

Time's crazy down here, Kid.
It can't have been long, but sometimes it feels like ages since I first landed at these docks.

... Wonder if I'm fallin' behind in the world of blacksmithin'.

---

Hey Kid. You keep bein' good y'hear?

---

Hey Kid, I just wanna say thanks for listenin' to me ramble on all these days.

I've grown a lot down here... And even though everythin' good in my life started here, I can't wait to leave.

... I've got some of these Soul Stones that I've had layin' around for who knows how long.
Always planned to forge them into somethin', but I could never get myself to melt 'em down.

I know you're tryin' your hardest Kid, but take it from me, everyone needs a helpin' hand.

These stones? I ain't ever gonna use them, and you're not doin' so great out there, sooooo...

... Look, all I'm tryin' to say is good luck Kid, we're rootin' for you.

---

(last conversation as of 0.5.2 - rewards 500 souls)
(total number of events for Blacksmith: 34)


Hey Kid, finally decided to make use of my wares?
Not sure what good it'll do you now, what with the monsters being defeated and all...

But I ain't gettin any younger, and gold's gold, and old's old.
So why don't you get to shoppin' before we all turn to dust?

Now, I can't make much 'cause I ain't got any blueprints, but if you and me work together?
Boy, we can make some unimaginable things!

And I mean that literally.

Gots me some of that aphantasia. Can't see no pictures up in this noggin.
That's why I need those blueprints.

So here's the deal. You get me blueprints, and I'll charge you money to make them.

It's a win-win.
I win, 'cause I get free blueprints, then I win again 'cause I get a customer.

Anyway, enough dilly-dally. Let me show you what I've got in the back.

Ooooh Ducky, thank you so much for this extravagant tent!

The Ka flowing through it is so overwhelming that it's making me DIZZY!

... Just kidding! I saw the price tag (Talk about cheap).
The only thing making me dizzy are the fumes from all the cleaning agents I had to use.

... Couldn't you get a girl anything better?

Whelp, beggars can't be choosers... So I've decided not to be poor anymore!

Now let's talk about Magic with a capital M (for money)!
Because let me tell you Ducky, enchantments are not cheap.

Find me some sweet Runic Stones and I can grant you powers you couldn't even dream of!
Like stealing the lifeforce from your enemies, or being slightly magnetic!

... And that's it. That's all I've got... until you find me those Runic Stones Ducky!


Oooh, Ducky, is that a duplicate Runic Stone you have there?
Well, aren't you in for a treat! Do you want to know what I can do with it?

If you were going to say 'stack them'...

... You'd be wrong!

... No, you were right. All I can do is stack them.
But that doesn't mean it's easy to do!

Stacking is little bit more... Expensive with a capital E (for extremely).


Hello Ducky, glad to see you again.
Don't be surprised that I know it's you, we can all tell. Same you, different body.

Live long enough and you'll start seeing past the shell too.

---

Ducky! Please, come and share some Koshary Tea with me.
Morning tea is one of the greatest traditions ever made, and you should never skip it.

I like mine with <size=125%>LOTS</size> of sugar and <size=125%>LOTS</size> of mint.

... Like, a lot.

... It's probably more sugar than tea.

---

Ducky, care for some Lamb Fattah?
It's lamb and garlic, and rice, and tomatoes, and everything delicious!

It's one of my favourite dishes, so don't be bashful when asking for seconds.

... Seriously, feel free. I made too much because I keep forgetting how small I am.

---

Ducky, those Runes are just a taste. If <b>you</b> want the gooood stuff, you have to give <b>me</b> the gooood stuff.

By good stuff for me, I'm talking about Red Aether...
... It will help me live forever!

And good stuff for you, I mean stacking Runes.

... Stacking Runes is more complicated than you think.

---

Have you ever wondered, Ducky? The Docks are so close to the water, yet everything up here is dry.

... Whatever is below isn't water, it just really looks like water.

And don't even think about taking a dip. That water's poisonous, Ducky.
It's heavy too. I have tossed a few things in there and they all sink.

... I wonder why the Living Safe can stay in it?

---

I made the Totem some Kofta, but I guess it doesn't eat.

... It's so strange because the Living Safe eats it just fine.

... Anyways, want some leftover Kofta?

---

You hungry, Ducky?

I made some Om Ali for you. It is best hot so you should eat it now.

... It's one of my favourite desserts, so if you don't like it, I'll take it back.

---

Ducky, that man beside me interests me.
He repaired my lamp post, and I wish to thank him.

Do you know if he likes... how do you say... good food?

I am thinking of inviting him over for some Ful, but I don't want to scare him away if his palate is too boorish.

Perhaps I should cook him something more familiar?
Maybe I'll make that dish you commoners all seem to love.

What is it called again? ... A ham-borg-er?

---

Nice to see you, Ducky!
I had dinner with the giant blacksmith yesterday and I wanted to talk to someone about it!

At first, it did not start off great.
He showed up smelling of soot and wearing his blacksmith apron...

Plus, I was still cooking, so I had my apron on too!
I can't believe we had matching outfits...

But the dinner went better than expected!
He's quite the conversationalist!

Blacksmithing and Rune crafting have a lot in common.
Yes, we do different things, but the fundamentals are similar and we share the same passion for our trade.

It was refreshing being able to talk to someone about things like this.
A man with drive is quite appealing!

... Plus, he was pretty handsome in that apron.

---

Hi Ducky!
I had a terrible dream that the Sage Totem was lying to me about not needing to eat, because he just didn't like my cooking...
Sooooo I made some Kofta and offered it to Quinn today.

... Well, long story short, she doesn't eat either...

... Anyways, want some Kofta?

---

Ducky, you sleeping well? Your eyes look like hollow holes leading into the abyss.
I used to have a terrible time sleeping too.

Some days I'd be more tired waking up than before I went to bed.

Turns out I had Sleep Apnea, and was not breathing properly during my beauty rest.
I never did have a growth spurt, and I'm certain it's because the Apnea stunted my growth!

The proof is in the puddin', pudding.
So fix your sleeping habits now or be forever short like me!

---

Still having trouble sleeping, Ducky?
Well let me reveal to you the beauty of PILLOWS!

A comfortable body leads to a comfortable mind, and a good pillow will change your life.

They've changed mine, and I'm never looking back (to a life of bad pillows).

---

Most people think that pillows are just for resting, but I use them for everything!
I use them for sleeping, for propping, for sitting, for decor...

... I even use a flat pillow for running!

Sometimes when I sit still for too long my legs begin to feel restless.
That's when I run on my pillows!

It's great for when you need to exercise, but don't actually want to go anywhere...

---

Duckkky! You interested in more pillow talk?
Welllll, I also use a special pillow to help with my Apnea.
I've tried hundreds of pillows, and I have one that is my favourite.

It's shaped like a wedge and I use it to raise my neck and upper back.
But lying in one position every night is no good, and every so often I have to switch it up.

So even though I have a hundred pillows, you can't have any of them.

---

Have you ever spoken to the Pizza Lady, Ducky?
She is a <i>fascinating</i> character, and her soul glows brightly too.
There's something very special about her, and I do not mean her pizza.

I think she is someone you can trust.

She is very charismatic for a pizza delivery person!

---

OoOOoooOOOooh...

Hi Ducky.

Do not expect me to get up today.
I tried sleeping on a metal pillow yesterday and my neck is killing me.

I hate to disappoint that giant man, but I think I will stick with my countless other pillows.

---

Do you know why I call you 'Ducky'?
It is because of that glow around you. You exude an energy that makes you look round and fuzzy, like a baby chick.

Also because you're cute and tiny!

---

Hi Ducky, I made some Baba Ganoush and pita for your boat trip.
It is a delicious snack to have while you are on your long journey.

I made extra so you could give some to Charon as well.
He looks like he could use a nice meal.

---

Sorry, I am not up for much chit-chat today, Ducky.
My legs were restless last night, and I was going crazy.

I was jogging on my pillow all night, but it did not help.
I shall try and take a nap later today.

By later I mean right after you leave. It's not like I have THAT many customers...

---

Hey Ducky, my poor little giant's hands have been hurting.
I made some Orzo soup to comfort him, but I made too much.

He is so big that sometimes it's hard to know how much I should make, so I have plenty left over.
Take it with you on the boat.

You can share it with your pizza girlfriend and your boatman boyfriend.

It's chicken, it's soup, it's pasta. It's delicious.
Trust me, you three will love it.

---

Ooooooh Ducky, my darling giant is sooo nice!
He took one of my blankets, and sewed some glass beads into it.

He calls it a weighted blanket and I just adore it.
It has really helped me on the nights I get restless.

... He's so thoughtful. Like a giant ducky.

---

Ooooh Ducky, it is a lovely day!
That weighted blanket has done wonders for my sleep!

It was too heavy in the beginning but Athos removed a few beads until we found the perfect weight, and now I love it.
He's such a gentle giant!

---

Have you heard the news, Ducky? I'm getting married!
Athos was making a ring for me and was surprised I knew what it meant.

Isn't that silly, Ducky?
He thought wedding rings were a custom from his land, but it came from us originally.

Imagine, taking someone else's traditions and believing them to be your own...

... How adorable.

---

Ducky, Athos and I would like to invite you to our wedding!

He wanted to be the one to ask, but I won the game of rock-paper-scissors.

Did you know he tried to teach me the rules to rock-paper-scissors? Isn't that silly?
He thought the game was a custom from his land, but...

... Well, maybe they also made it up.
Rock-paper-scissors isn't exactly hard to come up with.

---

Did you know that the ring is a symbol for eternal life and love?
My baba told me that. But he also said it meant the sun and the moon, so maybe he's just making it up as he goes.

I just like how they look!

---

You know Ducky, even though these waters are so poisonous, I think the mist is doing wonders for my skin.

---

Good day, Ducky!
I made some more food for your cute little trio with Maria and Charon.

It's Athos' favourite, ham-borg-er.

---

I just want to say that I love you everyday, Ducky.

No matter who you are, I know it's you!

---

Ducky! One of my guests gave me an early wedding present!

... I know I wasn't supposed to open it, but I couldn't wait!

Anyhoo, the gift was a bunch of Soul Stones but I don't know what I'm supposed to do with them.

Soooo, as a 'thank you' for helping me and the giant get together, I'd like to formally re-gift these stones to you!
You're welcome!

---

(last conversation as of 0.5.2 - rewards 500 souls)
(total number of events for Enchantress: 29)


Hello Ducky... It's a little late for asking a girl for her wares don't 'cha think?

While you were out doing your heroics, I missed out on all the fun!
And on all the money!
(my gosh, the money!)

Whelp, beggars can't be choosers... So I've decided not to be poor anymore!

Now let's talk about Magic with a capital M (for money)!
Because let me tell you Ducky, enchantments are not cheap.

Find me some sweet Runic Stones and I can grant you powers you couldn't even dream of!
Like stealing the lifeforce from your enemies, or being slightly magnetic!

... And that's it. That's all I've got... until you find me those Runic Stones Ducky!

... One must pay the toll.


... You have returned.

---

... Cheater of Death, welcome.

---

... Welcome again, Traveler.

---

... Two shall travel together?

---

... A trip for two once more?

---

... Travelers, no more vomiting on my boat.

---

... Your persistance is meritable Travelers.

---

... The seas are rocky this morn.

... No barfing.

---

... No trips to farther shores.
... Only straight paths.

---

... Once more you journey together?

---

... Orzo soup.
... Thank you

---

... My thanks to the Enchantress.

---

... I shall see you on the Docks again.

---

... Traveler, I acknowledge you.

---

... The Blacksmith shows interest in my blade, but it is not for him.

---

... She has never paid.

... Tell her I will accept pizza.

---

... Same shores, Travelers?

---

... More pizza Travelers?

---

... Your journey begins again?

---

... Thank you for all the food Traveller.

... This is the food of the Keres. May it help you on your journey.

---

(last conversation as of 0.5.2 - rewards 500 souls)
(total number of events for Charon: 20)

H-h-hello! This is a nifty place you have here!

M-m-my name is Lady Quinn, and I'm excited to meet you!

I-I-I'm a Living Dummy and I knoooooow everything about Weapons and stuff!
I love everything about them, so if you have any questions, j-j-just ask! I could talk your b-butt off about 'em!

And who knows? M-m-maybe you could learn a trick or t-two!

A-a-and s-s-sorry about the st-st-stu-stutter.
It gets worse when I'm f-f-feeling... shy...

......

... Ok. Well, nice t-t-talking to you!


Mmmmm... I like it up here.
Y'know, if it wasn't for all the m-m-monsters, and the danger, and the m-m-monsters, these Docks would be pretty nice.

... Plus, I'm getting a nice wood tan.

---

A star floated close by me the other day.
It was translucent and had these long t-t-tendrils, and it was beautiful.

Or, at least I think it was beautiful...

... Come to think of it, I don't think that was a star.

... Either way, I didn't get a good look. It was scary so I c-climbed down and hid.

---

Maaaan... What's a girl gotta do to get some p-p-pizza?

... I don't eat food, but I like how it looks.

---

Did you know that Estuary Lamech p-p-pioneered most of the fighting styles that we use today?

He mastered the s-sword, the axe, the spear, and so m-m-many more cool things.
He's my hero! I bet he's a great guy!

... I mean, I've never met him, but someone who knows that much about combat can't be bad!

---

H-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-hi.

S-s-sorry, extra stuttery t-t-today.

---

My favourite days are Sundays.

They're just like every other day, but I like how it s-s-s-sounds...

... S-s-s-sundays.

---

The S-s-sage Totem asked if I was doing anything today.

I-I-I-I said I'm noooooooooooooooot.

... He said ok and then left.

I don't know what that was.

---

I sometimes wonder why I like weapons so much.
I don't like the f-f-fighting...

(And I d-d-don't like people hurting each other.)

I think I just l-like the elegance of it all.
The simplicity of a tool meant for a single purpose.

The devotion of the people who learn to wield it.

... And the A-A-A-AWESOME COMBOS.

---

Estuary Lamech w-was the f-f-first Spellsword y'know that?

Before him, knights just swung swords and mages just swang spells.

After he took over, he made e-e-veryone be interdisciplinary.
He thought it was important that everyone understood a bit of e-everything. Now? The knights can swing swords AND cast spells.
And the m-mages?

... Well, they still just cast spells.
Mages have really weak arms.

---

S-s-some people are such sticklers over t-t-terminology.
Falchion, swords, estocs, sabers.

Sure they're 'different', but not enough to make a f-f-fuss I say.

L-l-let more people love weapons! Bother them with the details later!

Don't push down the people who are just getting into the hobby.
Details are for the hardcore fans!

---

I-I've been talking to Maria a lot recently.
She's r-r-really nice.

I'm glad you found her!

Also, she tries to hide it, but she knows a lot about weapons!

... S-s-she's cool.

---

Heya.
M-M-Maria asked m-me how my date with the Sage Totem went.

... I didn't know we even went on a d-d-date!

He's very n-n-nice, but he's somehow more awkward than I am...

(... Never thought I'd say that...)

... Perhaps I'll ask him out again properly (A s-second first date?)
(I've never asked someone out before... This is scary.)

---

The second date was quite a s-success!
The Enchantress was l-l-lovely and made us a meal.

Neither of us eat, but the food looked d-d-delicious.
<size=75%>(I gave the leftovers to Maria.)</size>

Sage Totem is very smart. W-w-we spoke about far off lands and their cultures.

He's so knowledgeable, and he makes everything sound so exciting!

Plus, he told me all about the different weapons and f-f-fighing styles in other cultures!

---

... Sorry, you caught me off guard.
M-m-my head's been in the clouds recently.

... I've been hanging out with S-sage Totem and my days have all been a tizzy.

---

I called Sage Totem 'Totes' the other day and he asked what that was.
He's never had a nickname before so he was pretty confused.

After I told him w-what it was, he ended up really liking it!

... Although maybe he liked it a little too much.

... He started repeating it non-stop.

---

The A-a-architect comes up here sometimes and tells me stories.

His stories are weird and looong.

... Also, there's no fighting in them! Everyone's too clever!

---

Hello Friend! Notice something different?

I'll give you time to guess!

............

Oh wait, you can't tell if I don't talk.

My stutter's gone!

Well, not really. I've just been working to s-s-stutter less. Oops!

---

Thinking longer and putting more effort into speaking helps my stutter.

I have to be especially careful with sounds that jumble me up, like
L, T, F, S, D... You g-g-get the picture.
(Oops, and G.)

Totes has been secretly teaching me through all this!
It's great, because apparently he's a trained linguist AND a polyglot.

... What's a polyglot?

I f-f-forgot.

---

Ever notice how you can talk before the words have had time to form in your head?

We're so quick with our tongue because of how natural speech is to us.

To work on my stutter, I practice mindful speaking.
I try to have the next sentence ready in my head before I start talking.

I'm a little slower, but now I find the things I say are more purposeful.

Even if you don't have a stutter, I highly recommend trying it out.
It's quite enjoyable and it's led to better conversations.

The only time I struggle to mindfully speak is when I'm too emotional, or when I talk about w-weapons...

... Uh-oh, j-j-just thinking about w-weapons is getting me e-e-excited!

---

Know who my two favourite Estuaries are?

If I had to choose, it'd be Lamech and Irad.

Estuary Lamech is s-s-strong and forceful. He trained all of the soldiers and mastered many combat techniques.

Estuary Irad, on the other hand, is a brilliant strategist.

He was the King's second-in-command and the General to all of the royal armies.

... I wish they made action figures of them.

---

I've been talking with Totes a lot, and he's convinced me to travel the world with him after we leave here.

I like it here on the Docks, y'know?
Just relaxing and letting the world come to me.

But he showed me how much I've been missing.

L-l-life out there sounds e-e-exciting, and I don't wanna miss it!

---

Bonjourno Friend! It's a lovely day!

Totem's been teaching me how to say hello in different languages.
This one was the italicized version of hello.

---

Did you know Estuary Irad was known as the 'Great General'?
H-h-he's in all the books!

But that also makes me feel bad. Everyone praises the strategies, but what about the soldiers?
The soldiers trained by Estuary Lamech are the only reason Irad's strategies worked in the first place!

... I think the fame shoulda been split f-f-fifty-f-fifty.

---

Atticus the Living Safe said I should invest my money with him.

... I don't have any money.

Can I have some money?

---

I read a book out loud every night to help with my stutter.
If I stutter over a sentence, I read that sentence again, but a little slower.

The more I read, the faster I get.
Sometimes I feel like I'm slipping backwards which is annoying, but at least I still get to read.

... Totes is usually by my side while I read, which is really nice too.

---

Totes spent the n-night up here with me again.
It was really nice...

Thanks again for helping us m-meet, Friend.
The days are much more interesting when he's around.

---

Hi Friend! You're looking good today!

Here for some practice?

---

Hi again Friend! I was rooting through my stuff yesterday looking for a cook book for Nunet, when I stumbled upon these amazing Soul Stones.

... I thought I gave them all to her (as a gift), but I guess I missed a bunch behind the couch...

Ummm... Would you like the rest?

---

(last conversation as of 0.5.2 - rewards 500 souls)
(total number of events for Quinn: 28)


... Stop that.

BEHOLD!

I AM THE SAGE TOTEM AND YOU ARE NOW BOUND TO ME.

ALL OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE WILL BE HOUSED WITHIN MY SPIRIT WOOD.

TO GAIN MASTERY IN ONE PROFESSION, IS TO GAIN ADVANTAGE IN ALL.
WHAT WE SHARE IN KNOWLEDGE MAKES US STRONG.

... THAT IS ALL.

... WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE?
MY MONOLOGUE IS OVER.

... I AM BAD AT IDLE BANTER.

...

... MONDAYS, AM I RIGHT?


THIS IS THE KNOWLEDGE I HAVE RETAINED.
THIS IS YOUR WORTH AS A PERSON REDUCED TO A NUMBER.


I AM A FOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE. I HAVE SEEN THE COMINGS AND GOINGS OF HUNDREDS OF CIVILIZATIONS.
MY KNOWLEDGE LASTS ETERNAL, AND MY EGO KNOWS NO BOUNDS.

I SEE A NEW COMMUNITY IS GROWING UPON THESE DOCKS.
I SHALL ENJOY COVERTLY INTEGRATING MYSELF INTO THIS SOCIETY.

---

MORTAL, I SHALL ENJOY MY TIME DOWN HERE ON THE DOCKS.

IT IS A HUB OF COMMERCE WITH NEW PEOPLE TO STUDY AND NEW CULTURES TO APPROPRIATE.

---

BONJOUR MORTAL!

I HAVE DISCERNED THAT THIS IS THE FANCY WAY OF SAYING HELLO IN YOUR WORLD.

BUONGIORNO IS THE ITALICIZED WAY OF SAYING HELLO.

---

FIX UND FERTIG SEIN, MORTAL!

HAVE YOU HEARD THIS SAYING?
IT MEANS TO BE FIXED AND FINISHED.

I BELIEVE IT IS SAID BY THOSE WHO HAVE AUGMENTED THEIR BODIES WITH SUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY...

... YES... THAT IS THE ONLY LOGICAL EXPLANATION FOR THIS SAYING.

... THIS SAYING PLEASES ME.

---

GONG HEI FAT CHOY, MORTAL!

I HEARD OTHERS SAYING THAT MANY YEARS AGO AND I HAVE PROCESSED IT INTO MY ETERNAL MIND BANK.

IT MEANS HAPPY NEW YEAR, MORTAL.
IT IS SAID BY THOSE WHO WISH TO ANTHROPOMORPHIZE THE ORBITAL TRAJECTORY OF THIS PLANET.

... YOU MORTALS AND YOUR ANTHROPOMORPHIZATIONS...

---

WOOAAAOOAAAOOOAAAOOOAAAOO!

MORTAL, THAT WAS A GREETING FROM MY SACRED LANGUAGE OF THE SPIRIT WOODS.

NO... THAT WAS JUST A LIE.

MY NATIVE LANGUAGE IS ENGLISH...

I AM AN AMALGAMATION OF OTHERS AND I LACK A SENSE OF SELF.

...

... MONDAYS, AM I RIGHT?

---

... WHO AM I?

WHAT IS LIFE, AND WHAT IS MY PURPOSE?

WAS I CREATED OR HAVE I ALWAYS EXISTED?

.......................

PONDERING ON THIS IS DIFFICULT...
I AM A PERFECT BEING, AND HOW I CAME INTO EXISTENCE MATTERS NOT.

YES... THAT FEELS BETTER.

I CAN FEEL MY DISASSOCIATION BEING BURIED ALREADY.

---

(MY NAME IS SAGE TOTEM.)

(... IS THAT MY NAME OR IS THAT MY STATION?)

... OH, HELLO MORTAL, I DID NOT SEE YOU THERE.
HA. HA. HA. IGNORE WHAT I WAS SAYING.

... I WAS WRITING A JOKE.

THE PUNCH LINE... EVADES ME AT THE MOMENT.

... UNLESS METAPHYSICAL HORROR IS FUNNY.

---

MORTAL, DO YOU KNOW THE NAME OF THAT BEING WHO SITS ATOP THE DOCKS?

SHE EMANATES POWER AND AUTHORITY.

SHE IS OF INTEREST TO ME, AND I MUST MAKE MY ACQUAINTANCE.

---

MORTAL, I HEARD THAT THE LADY QUINN LIKES SUNDAYS.
I TOO ENJOY SUNDAYS. HOW SHOULD I SHOW HER THAT WE BEINGS OF GREATER ESTEEM HAVE SIMILAR TASTES?

....

... SUNDAYS, AM I RIGHT?

---

MORTAL, I WENT ON A 'DATE' WITH THE LADY QUINN.
THE DATE WENT PERFECTLY AND WAS COMPLETED IN LESS THAN 10 SECONDS.

I BELIEVE IT IS A WORLD RECORD.
I IMPRESS MYSELF ONCE AGAIN.

---

MORTAL, I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE LADY QUINN.
SHE DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE OUR DATE.

EVEN A BEING AS ASTUTE AS HER WAS UNABLE TO NOTICE THE SPEED OF MY DATING.

I MUST REASSESS MY DATING SPEED. PERHAPS TIME DILATION IS IN ORDER.

---

ZUTTO HITORIBOCCHI, MORTAL.

IT MEANS TO BE ALONE ALL THE TIME.

IT IS A POWERFUL SAYING THAT PERFECTLY ENCAPSULATES MY FUTURE.

... ZUTTO... HITORIBOCCHI.

---

MORTAL, I HAVE FOUND A BEING WHO MAY BE AS OLD AS ME.

I SHALL SEEK HIS KNOWLEDGE TO SUPPLEMENT MY OWN.

PERHAPS IN HIS ETERNAL AGE I SHALL BETTER UNDERSTAND THE LADY QUINN.

---

MORTAL, THE RENOWNED LADY QUINN HAS AGREED TO HAVE A MEAL WITH ME.

THIS IS EXCITING TIMES.

MORTAL, NEITHER OF US EAT.
... WHAT DO I DO NOW?

....

... LUNCHES, AM I RIGHT?

---

LADY QUINN ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WE DATED.

THE DATE WAS A SUCCESS.

LIFE IS A SUCCESS.

WE ALSO SUCCEEDED IN FEEDING A HOMELESS GIRL WITH OUR LEFTOVERS.

CHARITY SUCCESS.

---

GOD NATT!

IT MEANS GOOD NIGHT, MORTAL.

AS A SAYING IT IS WORTHLESS DOWN HERE WHERE THE SUN SHINES ETERNAL.

---

*(changes name to Totes the Sage Totem)*

MORTAL. LADY QUINN HAS BESTOWED UPON ME THE MOST HOLY OF NAMES.

I AM NOW KNOWN AS 'TOTES'.
THIS IS MY NEW FOREVER NAME.

YOUR REVERENCE OF ME MAY NOW CONTINUE.

---

MORTAL, THE EXALTED LADY QUINN HAS SHOWN ME THE ERROR OF MY WAYS.

MY OBSESSION WITH MY PAST WAS A FLAW IN MY THINKING.
THE PAST DOES NOT DICTATE WHO I AM NOW.

IT MATTERS NOT HOW I CAME TO BE, OR WHAT I WAS MEANT TO BECOME.

I AM TOTES, FOREVER NOW AND FOREVER AFTER.

---

I AM GLAD I CHOSE TO GRACE THESE DOCKS WITH MY PRESENCE, MORTAL.

IT HAS PROVEN TO BE MOST INSIGHTFUL.

---

MORTAL, I HAVE EXAMINED MY NAME OF TOTES, AND HAVE DISCOVERED THE WORD HAS NO ETYMOLOGICAL ORIGIN.

I AM COMPLETELY UNIQUE. NONE BEFORE ME HAVE HAD A NAME LIKE 'TOTES', AND NONE SHALL AFTER.

IT IS THE PERFECT NAME.

---

DO YOU LIKE THIS PIN THE BLACKSMITH MADE FOR ME?
IT IS IN THE SHAPE OF A KILLING DEVICE.

IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE MOST ESTEEMED LADY QUINN WILL APPRECIATE KILLING DEVICES THAT ARE MADE TO BE TINY AND CUTE.

---

HOW WAS YOUR DAY, GIRLFRIEND?

IT IS THE SAYING OF ONE WOMAN TO ANOTHER WHEN THEY WISH TO TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES. OR SO I HAVE HEARD.

ARE YOU A WOMAN, MORTAL?
I CANNOT TELL, AND I DO NOT CARE.

---

MORTAL, I AM HELPING THE ESTEEMED LADY QUINN WITH HER STUTTER.

SHE IS ALREADY PERFECT, SO ANY CHANGES SHE MAKES TO WHO SHE IS CAN ONLY CREATE IMPERFECTIONS.

... I AM CONFLICTED.

---

MORTAL, IF LADY QUINN STUTTERS, DO NOT BERATE HER.
INSTEAD, PRAISE HER WHEN SHE DOES NOT.

POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO IMPROVE THEMSELVES.
PUNISHMENT MAKES PEOPLE AVOID THOSE SCENARIOS.

... IF LADY QUINN BECOMES A MUTE, I SHALL BLAME YOU, MORTAL.

---

THE NAME 'LADY QUINN' ALSO HAS NO ETYMOLOGICAL CONNECTION TO ANY WORD BEFORE IT.
BUT HER NAME CLOSELY RESEMBLES THAT OF A QUILL, A DEVICE ONE USES TO WRITE AND CREATE NEW WORDS.

SHE WHO IS NAMED AFTER THAT WHICH CREATES.
AND THEN IN TURN, CREATES MY IDENTITY.

CAN LIFE TRULY BE SO POETIC, MORTAL?

... OR AM I JUST STRETCHING IT?

POETRY. IT ELUDES ME.

---

THE SUN SHINES BRIGHT AND THE DAY IS GOOD, MORTAL.

---

MORTAL.

THESE SOUL STONES ARE YOURS AS A REWARD FOR HELPING ME PROGRESS MY RELATIONSHIP WITH LADY QUINN.

I GAVE THESE TO HER AS PART OF THE WOOING PROCESS, AND THEN SHE GAVE THEM TO NUNET AS PART OF THE BRIDESMAID PROCESS...

I NOW GIVE THESE TO YOU AS PART OF THE FRIENDSHIP PROCESS.

PLEASE SHOW YOUR GRATITUDE BY ACCEPTING THE GIFT AND THEN LEAVING.

I DO NOT KNOW THE PROPER SOCIAL ETIQUETTE AFTER REWARDING SOMEONE, AND SMALL TALK STILL ELUDES ME...

...

... MONDAYS, AM I RIGHT?

---

(last conversation as of 0.5.2 - rewards 500 souls)
(total number of events for SAGE TOTEM: 28)

Psssst... PSSSST!
Hey Friend-o, over here.

It's me, your buddy the Living Safe.
You're here 'cause you want the stuff, right? Cause boy-o, I gots the stuff.

I'm talking tax loopholes, Friend-o. And oh buoy, I've got loops on loops on fruits on loops.

I'm an Accountant, and with a bit o' wizardy, I can take gold from even Death himself.

That's the secret to making money, Friend-o.
It's not about how much money you make, it's about how much you keep. And we're keepin' it alllll.

Or at least a small percentage of it.


PSSST!
Friend-o, down here. It's me, the Living Safe!
... Didn't realize I was alive, did ya? That's cool, I can be pretty quiet at times.

Just wonderin' how all your <i>investments</i> are doing.
They doing good? You makin' a nice return?

Ha haaaaaa... I LIVE for this stuff, Friend-o!

Nothing like seeing numbers go up, am I right?

Some people are thrill-seekers, others find joy in charity.
But me? Show me a number increasing and DING DING DING!

I'm there, Friend-o... I am there!

---

PSSST!
Hey Friend-o, can I give you some advice?

Don't worry too much about how much you've got in savings right now. We're in a bull market. You need to spend money to make money.

Upgrade that manor o' yours. INVEST IN YOU BEFORE YOU INVEST IN ME.
Sounds crazy, right? But I'm telling you buoy, this is how you make money!

---

Hey Friend-o, I was thinking of changing buoys. This one's feelin' a little old-fashioned.
Kinda clashes with my decor, don't you think?

Doesn't scream classy.

I'm thinking something with stars or gold coins emblazoned on it.

Maybe some diamonds, or crowns...

Y'know what?

The more I talk about it, the more I like this buoy.

---

I wasn't always all about investments, Friend-o.
I used to be a dad, and an okay one at that.

I remember how wrinkly my kid was when he was born.
I always thought babies were cute and smooth, and malleable.

... My kid looked like a raisin that was dried out in the sun.

---

Y'know that Lady Quinn? She helps you out, gives tips and tricks, and she never gets paid.
She may not need money now, but she'll need it someday.

... She won't ask though, so I've been squirrelin' some away for her from the side investments I make from you.

So make more money yeah? You're helpin' out a lot more people than you know.

---

Used to tell my kid stories when he was growin' up.
Problem is my dad never read any to me, so I had to make 'em up on the spot.

I jumped between made-up stories and ones I heard from others.

I ain't no writer so the stories I created were terrible, but I think my son always preferred them over those proper ones.

Maybe it's because he knew they came from me...

Or maybe he just had bad taste in stories, I dunno. I enjoyed makin' 'em up though.

---

I wanted to make more money for the family, so I left to work at a bank.
The banking life? It got to me Friend-o, it got me goood.

Loved marking those ledgers in black and seeing numbers go up-up-up!

I got addicted. I spent years there.
Lost focus of my family.

But money is just a means to an end, Friend-o. It blinded me.
Just look at me! I turned myself into a safe because I loved money so much!

I mean...
I still enjoy bein' a safe, but even I would say this was a little overboard.

Nyarf! That was a buoy joke.

But seriously, I really do like bein' a safe!

---

I don't know how long I stayed at the bank, but when I finally returned home my wife had gotten old and my child had become a man.

I couldn't face them, y'know? Too much shame.

But I knew I needed to make it up to them. I went back to the city, and quit my job. I even joined a support group.
The allure was too much for me, Friend-o. I knew I needed help.

... Lemme tell you, joining a group where your problem is that you make too much money isn't a good look!

---

They don't call that old man an Architect because of his bad story tellin', you know?

... Or because of that weird drill of his.

He actually invented the Prefabricated Room.
It's the standardization of a room shape, all the way down to wall heights, door placements, and even plumbing!

Heck, that manor you're building? It's almost entirely composed of variants of his Prefabricated Rooms.

He originally designed it to help build housing quickly for the poor.
If you always knew the size and shapes of your rooms, you could get the necessary building materials made in bulk, and train everyone on how to build their own attachments in a breeze.

He knew that the more people who used the Prefabricated Room design the more powerful it becomes, so he proposed his ideas to the King.

Well, the King saw the benefits of these Prefabricated Rooms, and immediately made it the standard for future buildings.

Turns out it was the right choice, seeing how the Shift emerged.
So If you ever wondered why so many rooms have similar shapes and sizes, you have the Architect to thank.

He coulda kept all those ideas to himself and built his own housing market empire, but he gave it all away for free.
... That level of philanthropy just boggles my mind.

---

I took too long to sell all of my assets back in the capitol.
By the time I had returned, my wife had passed away, and my son had left the village.

I managed to find him, living the traveler's life. Jumping from town to town, and doing the odd job here and there.
I kept track of him from afar, to see how he was doin', y'know?

Wanted to see him become successful like his old man!

Well, he didn't. He flopped at almost every job he had.
I secretly gave him money - hid some extra cash in his belongings every now and then.

But the weirdest thing, he kept giving it away. Drove me crazy!

In the financial world we'd call that... a depreciating market cap?

Oh buoy, I'm forgettin' all the lingo!

---

I couldn't leave my son alone, y'know? He was gettin' old.
So I spent the rest of the money I had to buy enough Red Aether for my son to live a hundred more lifetimes.

I stashed it in a place I knew he'd find.
He shares my blood, he has greatness in him.

... He just needed a bit more time to make it on his own.

---

Hey Friend-o, you feelin' wealthy? 'Cause you're lookin' wealthy!

... Are you wealthy? I can't really tell.

---

When I gave all the Red Aether to my son, I promised myself that this was gonna be my last handout.

And if there's one thing I stick to, it's my promises.
That's why my clients can always trust me with their gold, Friend-o.

... Well, he handed all that Red Aether away too.

---

Y'know Friend-o, I always thought my son was talentless.
Kind of a disappointment, y'know? Couldn't make money and couldn't hold a job.

I just wanted him to be successful in life and become rich like his old man. But I was just coverin' up for my own mistakes.
I shoulda never left my family.

Money's a drug, Friend-o, you can never have enough.

---

Y'know, my son eventually found something he was good at.
Turns out he had a knack for architecture.

It's ironic. The things he did well he never charged money for.

I love my son, Friend-o. He's kind and generous, and being close to him made me a better person.
I've taken some life lessons from him, and switched over to helping the poor and financially ignorant (like yourself).

It finally feels like I'm doin' something with my life.

---

... Mmmrguh?

Sorry Friend-o, musta fallen asleep in the sun. How can I help you?

---

When we get out of here, I'm gonna tell my son who I am.

I was stupid to not say anything back then, and I'm more stupid for not sayin' anything now.

... Thanks for listening to me this whole time, Friend-o.
Havin' an ear to speak to really helped.

---

Friend-o, how can I help you today?

---

Hey Friend-o, did you know my business has been booming because of you? It's true!

It was tough gettin' new clients down here.
I guess speaking to the living embodiment of one's financial failures makes people nervous.

Even if it's hanging out innocuously in a life preserver!

But these chit-chats you 'n me have? Friend-o, that's an ice breaker!

People see you talkin', people see me talkin', and eventually everyone's talkin'.

Anyways, didn't feel right to not give you a cut of my success, so here you go. I'm giving you some Soul Stones that I've collected over the years.

Just be wise with how you spend them, Friend-o...
... In the eyes of the right buyer, it's more valuable than gold...

............

... The right buyer are those kids in the Drift House, by the way.
I don't know why I was being so vague about it.

---

(last conversation as of 0.5.2 - rewards 500 souls)
(total number of events for Living Safe: 19)

Oooh, what do we have here?
Why hellooo Child! Have you come to speak to me? An ollld man?

It is good that you speak with your elders. We have a lot to wisdom to teach.
A lot of... storrrries to tell.

Now, now, where are my manners? I haven't introduced myself!

My name is Olllld Man, and my defining trait is being ollllllld!
And you... I shall call you Child, for your defining trait is that you have no past history.

But I can fix that. I can help you find that history you so desperately need.
See this drill? I can use it to lock the Kingdom down and prevent it from ever changing.

Now you can search corners never scoured, and battle monsters you've failed to conquer.
You can become a hero and tell your own stories!

Of course, if you use the drill there is an olllld man's finder fee.

Why aren't my services free, you ask? Because I am ollllld man.
Not dummmmmb man, or generous man.


Child, have you come to hear my stories?
I used to be a bard y'know? A teller of stories, both fables and truths.

And I was famous! Known all across the lands as
'He Who Tells the Worst Stories'.

Now, I may have been bad, but I was famous!

---

Child, let me tell you about the Tale of the Clever Fox.

Long ago, there was a fox. It was a clever fox.
There was also a farmer. He was a clever farmer.

The clever fox kept sneaking into the clever farmer's barn and eating all his clever chickens.

See, the chickens were also clever. Not clever enough to avoid being eaten mind you, and also not clever enough to be relevant to the story.

Anyways, one day the clever farmer had enough and decided to set up a clever trap to catch the clever fox.

He placed the clever chickens in his clever house, and hid in the clever barn himself to catch the clever fox.

That night, the clever fox sloooowly entered the clever barn, where he met the clever farmer.
Since there were no clever chickens to eat, the clever fox ate the clever farmer instead.

The End.

The moral of the story is that just because you say something's clever, does not make it clever.

... Also, I've said the word 'clever' so many times, I've forgotten what it means.

---

A good story never changes. This Kingdom does not have a good story.
You should fix that, Child.

---

Child, have you heard the story of the Turtle and the Hare?

Once upon a time there was a turtle and a hare.

The turtle was called Jiminy Cricket.
And the hare was called Jiminy Turtle.

Jiminy Cricket the turtle was sloooooow. And ooooold.

... Sooo ooooold.

On the other hand, Jiminy Turtle the hare was also ooooold. And sloooow.

... So very oooold.

One day, Cricket the turtle and Turtle the hare went outside. They never met each other because they were both so slloooow and ooold.

They also didn't live near one another.

Eventually Cricket the turtle died of ooooold age.
A few years later Turtle the hare also died of oooold age.

The End.

The moral of this story is that age kills all.

.... I don't have long in this world.

---

One thing I've learned in my many years of life, Child, is that there is luck and there is talent.
And if you can pick only one, always pick luck.

---

Child, have you ever had pizza?

It is delicious!
Maria gave me a slice so I had to return the favour. I regaled her with one of my stories, and now she avooooids me!

---

I had taken many jobs in my day, Child.
I've been a waiter, a bard, an innkeeper, a bookkeeper, a beekeeper, a keykeeper and many more keepers.

I've had soooo many jobs because I'm baaaad at everything I do.

I would have died old and poor, but one day I was fishing when I caught a treasure chest!

It was full of Red Aether! To the brim I say!

I only took a few, and I haven't aged a day since!

I always believed luck should be shared, Child. So I began travelling the world, giving away all the Red Aether I had found.

I gave it all away long ago, but if I still had some left I'd have gladly given it to you.

Fortune should be shared, and it looks like you need all the luck you can get.

... Actually, now that I think about it, I've stumbled onto many treasure chests in my life.

I really am quite lucky!

I even found this drill in a ditch!

---

Gooooood day Child. Don't you wish eeeeveryday was like this?
Because I could do that for you!

No wait, I can't.
I don't lock down the weather.

... At least not yet!

Oh wait, I forgot that the weather never changes down here.

Nevermind!

---

Child, let me tell you the Tale of the Clever Elephant.

Long ago, there was an elephant. It was a clever elephant.
There was also a circus trainer. He was a clever circus trainer.

The clever elephant kept sneaking into the clever circus trainer's tent and eating all his clever peanuts.

These were very clever peanuts.

One day, the clever circus trainer had enough.
He placed the clever peanuts in his clever house, and hid in the clever tent himself to catch the clever elephant.

That night, the clever elephant entered the clever tent and was caught by the clever circus trainer.
So the clever elephant ate the clever circus trainer instead.

The End.

The moral of the story is that sometimes all you need to do is change the setting and you have a brand new storrry.

... One day I shall tell you another tale, Child. The Tale of the Clever Monkey.

... The new setting is quite exciting!

---

Have you spoken to the Living Safe, Chillld?
He's been helping me with my gold.

I'm terrible with money and he helps me from becoming poooooor.
What a nice safe.

---

Child, have I ever told you the Story of the Tiny Mouse?

Once upon a time there was a tiny mouse. One day he came upon a lion who was trapped in a net.
The lion asked the mouse to help free him, but the mouse was afraid the lion would eat him.

The lion promised not to eat the mouse, so the mouse began gnawing at the net.
When the lion was almost free he lunged at the mouse and ate the poor thing.

But the mouse never finished gnawing the rope so the lion was still trapped in the net.
The lion remained stuck in the net for many days until one day, another larger mouse came up to him.

The lion asked the larger mouse to help gnaw the ropes so he could get out, but instead the mouse ate the lion.

The moral of this story is eat or be eaten.
That, and nobody likes a jerk.

Everyone feels bad for the first mouse that gets eaten, but rejoice when the lion gets his just desserts.

... One day, you'll be eaten.

Make sure people aren't cheering when that happens.

---

Not many stories left, Child.
Tooooold you I was a bad storyteller.

---

Child, let me tell you the Tale of the Clever Monkey.

Long ago, there was a monkey. It was a clever monkey.
There was also a circus trainer. He was a clever circus trainer.

The clever monkey kept sneaking into the clever circus trainer's tent and eating all his clever bananas.

These were very clever peanuts. Er, I mean bananas.

One day, the clever circus trainer had enough.
He placed the clever bananas in his clever house, and hid in the clever tent himself to catch the clever monkey.

That night, the clever monkey entered the clever tent and then the clever circus trainer ate the monkey.

The End.

The moral of the story is that if you keep doing the same trick, eventually you'll get caught.

... Also, I forgot how the story ended.

---

When I was a bard, nobody liked my stories.
My tales were always sliiightly different from the stories told before.

My audience felt like they were being cheated.
I tried to give them something new, but they wanted to hear stories of yore.

There's a warmth to repetition, Child. A comfort in the familiar.
But venturing into the unknown is what brings progress!

There's beauty in personality, Chiillld.

When you find your own personality, you'll understand how important it is.

---

Child, I just noticed my drill has a screen in it...
I don't think this contraption came from this wooooorld.

---

Athos fixed my glasses, Child.
I did not know he was a glassblower as well.
Like me, he has gathered many different skills over the years.

... Unlike me, he is good at those skills.

---

When I was a child, my father told me stories too.
He was too laaaazy to buy the books, so he recited them from memory.

The details changed, the plots changed, and sometimes even the morals changed.

And that is what makes the Oral Tradition so beautiful, Child.
The stories change as we do.

Stories on paper are set in stone. They are a time capsule, only showing people for who they were back then and not who they are now.

... And that's the moral of this story.

The only 'you' that matters is the 'you' right now.

The Ennnnnnnd.

......

... Why aren't you leaving?

---

No more stories from me, Child.
The well has run dry... for now.

In other words, maybe more stories later.

---

Gooood day Child.

The days are long, the nights are non-existent, and we shall live forever!

---

Child, along my journey I've collected many unique rocks and minerals.

These rocks here? They're called Soul Stones and they're what adventures are made of!

I've had my adventures, but you can still have yours.
Please take them and share with me the stories you find.

That way, I can take them and make them my owwwwwwwwwwwwwn.

---

(last conversation as of 0.5.2 - rewards 500 souls)
(total number of events for Architect: 20)

---

Child, I'd love to take your money, but my machine doesn't seem to be working.

Maybe there is no Kingdom to lock, or maybe I am toooo old and I don't know what I'm doing.

Hey there Stranger! Didn't think I'd meet anyone this far out, but I'm sure glad you showed up!

Name's Maria by the way.

I was heading to the Sun Tower when a Shift happened, and some monsters teleported right beside me!
So I ran back here to my pizza shop, and decided to lay low until they left...

Or until someone got rid of them. Thanks for that, by the way.

Anyway, I can tell from your get-up that you're not from around here.
Juuuuust a wild guess, but you're from above, right? Trying to open that giant gold door?

Don't worry, I won't pry. Just sayin' that maybe I can help.

If you ever get the chance, come meet me by one of the teleporters.
Maybe we can work together.

Thanks again for the save, but I'd better be going.

I'd like to study the teleporters while I have the chance...

---

*(after talking to her again in the same spot)*

Don't worry, I'm just catching my breath. The Tower teleporter is just above, so go on ahead and I'll meet you there!

I didn't go through two weeks of delivery-person training for nothing!


Hey again, Stranger!
So you're interested in hearing my proposal? How exciting!

I was afraid you'd ghost me. Your lack of response and facial expressions makes you quite hard to read.

First, let me do a proper introduction:
Name's Maria - Pizza delivery girl by day, amateur geologist by night.

Don't let my job title fool you, delivering food isn't easy when everything keeps Shifting.
One wrong step and you could end up being the toppings.

But I'm different. I can 'feel' the Shift, and can tell when things have moved and where they'll end up...

And that's how you and I can work together!

See this portal? It's bound to other portals via Currents.
Once a portal is activated you can keep going back to it, but if a Shift occurs, that connection is lost.

I've been studying these portals (and using them for deliveries) for a while now, so I've grown pretty attuned to the Currents.

And if you give me enough resources, I think I can unlock these portals for you permanently!

What's in it for me you didn't ask? Well, if I can keep these portals open, then I can start helping others who are stuck because of them.

Not everyone can cross these treacherous regions on their own, so having these portals would be a literal lifesaver!

So whaddaya say? You get to traverse the world more easily, and I get to help people in need.

All it takes is 1750 gold.


Heya Stranger, thanks again for saving me on the bridge.
Being cooped up in there for so long was making me go crazy.

We've been down here for so long, waiting for help to arrive, that I had given up hope.

Mannn... I know we're not out yet, but standing on these Docks, right here right now, is probably the happiest I've ever been.

... I'd love to chill here some more but I can't. There are still people in the Kingdom that need help.
The next time you go back to the Kingdom, we should share a boat. It'd make for some nice company.


Heya Stranger! Thanks again for letting me ride the boat with you.
I enjoy the company and I'm pretty sure you enjoy the free pizza!

---

Somedays I really miss the smell and feel of the forest.
The Docks are beautiful but there's nothing quite like waking up to the smell of dew.

Estuary Naamah could be remarkably cruel, but she was really good at her job.
She tended to the forest and it grew under her care.

It sounds lame, right? But down here, doing something like that takes more than just hard work.

... I don't think anyone else could have done what she did.

..............

... Know what else I miss? Pizza.

And I just had some like, 20 minutes ago!

---

Did you know I used to be a farmer? Just like everyone else in the Kingdom.
Technically our titles were "Gardeners", but we never called ourselves that.

We tended the lands and grew crops in a natural setting.
No tilling, no pens, no fields.

That was Estuary Naamah's rules. Leave the land in a better spot than when we arrived.

I try to take that rule to heart when interacting with people too.
If we all worked to help each other, the world would be a much better place.

Maybe that's why I like delivering pizza so much.

Everyone likes pizza!

---

I've got a good feeling about today, Stranger.
You're looking like you're full of vigour, I'm looking like I'm full of pizza, and the weather's... lookin' like it always does.

---

I still remember when I decided to quit being a farmer.
I specialized in foraging, and I was one of the fastest in the whole Kingdom.

I always seemed to know when a Shift would happen, and where it'd take you.
So I'd always forage in places where I knew the Shift would bring me close to Axis Mundi.

Cutting your travel time in half makes fulfilling quotas prettttty easy.

I always took this intuition for granted.
There were always other foragers around me, so I assumed everyone else had this ability as well.

Well, it turns out they don't. They were all just following me.

Rumors spread that if anyone spoke to me about it, then I would lose my ability. So I was left in the dark for years.

... I only found out when someone got hurt. He broke the taboo, and asked if I could Shift them to the Citadel...

... Silly, isn't it? All these misconceptions kept building on top of one another.

If someone just spoke up, I wouldn't have taken my gift for granted, and I could have helped so many more people.

That's when I stopped being a farmer.

I took my savings, and went to apply at the Stygian Study.
If I could understand how my intuition worked, then maybe I could teach others too.

... Know what's ironic? The moment I discovered that I had this ability, I left the village.
In the end, nobody could use my talents anymore, so I guess the rumor ended up being true after all!

... Don't let that ruin the moral of the story though.

---

Thanks for listening to my story back then, Stranger.

You know, if you're down here long enough, you stop really seeing faces and start recognizing people's souls.
Everyone down here can do it. Probably an effect of being by the Stygian for so long.

Your soul is special. It glows like a thousand small lights.
ALMOST like an Estuary's... but different.

It has a 'nicer' glow to it...

You're like a tree covered in fireflies, but y'know... Not made of bugs.

---

Hey again, Stranger. You going out to the Kingdom soon?
Try to take better care of yourself, yeah?

The trips back on my own can get pretty lonely.

... And honestly, the morbidity of it all is kinda disturbing.

---

Hey Stranger... Sorry for throwing up on you the last time we went out to sea.
Somedays even just looking at the sea gets me sick.

I've sailed on boats all my life so I don't know why it happens, but it sucks.
If I'm feeling sick again, I'll uhhh... try to turn my head faster.
(sorry again.)

---

Never expected to be down here this long, did you?
Don't rush yourself. I'm still finding refugees every day and ferrying them across these Stygian Waters.

Many people have waited their entire life to be rescued, but I can see it in their eyes.
They're gonna miss this place...

... Even at its worst, there's still a lot to love down here.

---

Heya Stranger!

Did you know I only snagged my pizza delivery job after deciding to become a geologist at the Stygian Study?

It was supposed to be short-term, but it ended up being my dream job.
The pay was bad, but everything else about it was perfect!

I could schedule my own hours and the location was smack dab in the centre of Axis Mundi.

I delivered pizza by day, and at night I went to the Citadel to study geology.
I apprenticed under some of the best minds in the Kingdom.

I guess I had a zeal for geology because it was always easy to find a tutor willing to offer a helping hand.

... That or it was because I gave out free pizzas!

---

I really like the folks you've got around here, Stranger. They're good people.
I don't have a penny to my name (Charon takes all of that), but they've all been taking care of me down here.

Your Enchantress friend is extra nice too.
She may seem haughty at first, but she's been cooking for me almost every day.

A person can only eat so much pizza, y'know?

---

Did you know that pizza is one of the cheapest foods to make in the world?
All it takes is dough, tomatoes, and cheese.

It's so simple and everyone loves it!

When we first came down here Estuary Naamah heavily rationed everything, but tomatoes and wheat are easy to grow.
We've always had ample amounts of those ingredients, so pizza just naturally became a staple.

Before my time cheese was still a rarity, so most people just ate tomato pizzas.
I've never tried it, but apparently it's delicious!

---

Heya Stranger, do you think I could open an account with the Living Safe too?

Sometimes I find a coin here and there. Seems like a waste to just give it to Charon.

Although, maybe I should just keep giving him whatever I find... It does kinda feel like I'm taking advantage of his generosity.

---

You're a good person, Stranger.
We've met so many times, and each time that glow within you gets stronger.
I'm starting to get an inkling what that glow's all about. It gives me hope.

... It's nice to look at hope sometimes.

---

Hey Stranger, do you think you could ask the Sage Totem to stop shouting all the time?
I like him and all, but he needs to control his levels!

---

Studying geology became a passion of mine, but delivering pizza was always my true love.
You know who orders pizza? Everyone.

From the weak and homeless, to the most powerful of Estuaries, everyone gets a hankerin' for pizza.

Lamech liked meat pizzas with mushrooms, and Enoch liked pineapples on his.
Naamah was always vegetarian, and Irad's was a simple cheese and pepperoni.
Tubal didn't have a favourite. He switched it up a lot.

Point is, we're all the same. We all just wanna be happy.
I feel like if everyone respected that, so many problems in life would just go away.

---

The Blacksmith made me a new belt the other day.
He saw how frayed my last one was, and he just gave it to me as a present.

I like it a lot! It's very shiny.

---

Heya Buddy, sorry if I'm a little slow. I'm feeling pooped today.

I don't know why, but my energy levels have been all sorts of whack recently.

Maybe I'm not eating enough pizza...

---

Do you know how hard it is to deliver pizza in a place that keeps Shifting?
On the really rough days I used to wonder if it was all worth it.

But after every delivery I made, I learned something new about myself.
I kept getting better and better at tracking customers down, like I was strengthening my sixth sense.

That's when I stopped complaining about the Shifts, and started looking forward to them. If there was more to them than just the underlying randomness, then maybe I could predict what would happen next.

After months of deliveries, I began to notice something. I was always looking for a pattern, when I should have been looking for rules.

You see, there's no pattern to pizza toppings. I add them willy-nilly, but I don't throw all the pepperoni onto one slice. Likewise, the castle never had all the toilets end up in one wing.

That's what led me to discover the Currents.

Currents are the underlying slipstreams that connect those massive teleporters you use to jump from location to location.

I learned how to keep them synced, even after a Shift happened.
If I had more time, I wonder if I could figure out the Shift entirely?

---

Heya Buddy, you ever sit back and try to narrate your life back to yourself?

I like to do that sometimes, see what my life would look like in broad strokes if someone wrote a book about me.

Every time I do it, all I can think of is how stupid a story it'd be.
If I read it, I'd be all like 'Did she pay someone to write this? It's so stupid'.

... It'd probably be a perfect tale for the Architect...

---

Maria's not a bad name, right?
For the longest time I couldn't stand it.

There's a tradition in my family where the eldest son and the eldest daughter are given names similar to their parents.

My grandmother was Mariannah, who named my mother Miriam, who named me Maria.

I had so many arguments with my parents about this.
I hated traditions of any kind.

Traditions can be dangerous.
They're a guise that allows archaic rules to flourish.

... I was pretty contrarian.

I love my parents so I'd never change my name.
But I promised myself I'd break this tradition when I had my own child.

But now? I dunno.
After spending so much time on these Docks, I see how beautiful traditions can be.

Perhaps this was something I was being too overzealous about...

... Plus, thinking up names is tough!

---

Hiya Buddy, I was just thinking about my time on that bridge again.
When I was stuck in that pizza place for days on end, I really thought it was the worst time of my life.

But now I'm glad it happened. If I hadn't gotten stuck there, then who knows if we would have met?

---

We riding again, Buddy?

---

Hey Buddy, I just wanna say thanks for helpin' me out all this time.

On our last trip, one of the farmers we helped bring back actually gave me some of these Soul Stones as a thank you.

I tried giving them back, but she wouldn't take no for an answer.
I can't do much with them, but I think you could!

So, from her to me to you, thanks for everything, Buddy!

I was actually gonna give them to Nunet as a wedding gift, but Quinn beat me to it...

... Hope she's ok with her wedding gift being a surprise pizza.

---

(last conversation as of 0.5.2 - rewards 500 souls)
(total number of events for Pizza Girl: 24)

.... Mmmrr' wasn't sleepin'!

...........

... Oh, it's just you. Hello Traveler, glad you could finally make it.

Welcome to the Drift House, our cozy little world between worlds.
Name's Geras, and I'm the Caretaker of Souls.

I believe you've already had the pleasure of meeting my brother Charon?
Tall, dark, not much of a talker? Well, please don't take any offense from his silent treatment.
He's young and going through that rebellious phase.

Me on the other hand? I love to talk. Love it.
I'm all about understanding the human condition. Can't get enough of it.

I'm also a bit narcoleptic, so before the sweet embrace of sleep takes me away, let's talk shop.

This is the Drift House, home of the Cthonic Gods.
The house is an anchor - a point of land between our Drifting Worlds.
It exists both nowhere and everywhere.

All of us Cthonic beings have our own duties to uphold.
Some ferry the dead, others tend to the souls. You get the deal.
It's a lot of work, but I love it.

And while we may be gods, we're not omnipotent.

Even gods occasionally need the help of mortals, you know?

And that's where you come in!
You help me, you help you.

If you're interested, then let's stop the chit-chat and get down to work!


Welcome to Erebus, the Astral Plane of the Collective Subconscious.

In this vast expanse, all the souls of both the living and the dead are connected to one another.
Out here our memories, our emotions, and our deeds are laid bare.

You see, no one exists within a vacuum. We all have an effect on one another.
I am the Caretaker of the Souls of Erebus. I nurture virtuous emotions, while weeding out the negative ones.

But sometimes an event can occur - one so catastrophic - that the psychological trauma creates a Scar across the lands.
Left unresolved, these Scars will poison the minds of future generations.

The red memories you see in the world are called Scars.
Bring them to me and I will help you cleanse them.

People tend to hide their darkest fears, which makes Scars difficult to find.
But I can hear their echoes, so speak to me and I will guide you to them.

These traumas... these Scars, I cannot resolve alone.
I lack the ability to fully empathize with the struggles you mortals face every day.

And this is where you come in. I need the empathy of another mortal to help heal these lands.

Your compassion can mend the world.
The Scars you face on your journey ahead are treacherous. They will push your skills to the limit.
And in Erebus, physical strength can only take you so far.
Your body will be constrained by your Empathic Connection.

But if you can improve your connection by finding Empathies, you can reduce, and maybe even remove, these limits.
Welcome to the top of the caldera, Traveler.

This mountain you have been climbing is my Scar, and it continues to grow alongside my fear of failing to save the people.

Down here there has been so much pain and suffering.
So many Scars have grown wild, polluting the lands.

Our traumas will be passed down and corrupt countless generations to come.

These people deserve better.

So what do you say? Will you help me bring closure to the forlorn?

I know it's a tall task, but this is a tall mountain.

... Plus, if you do well enough, I'll even give you a trophy! Everyone loves trophies!


Geras' Memory 1:
Will the Traveler be strong enough to conquer a Scar?

It has been a long while since I've worked with a mortal... and the last time did not turn out well.

But I must have faith. I have seen the Traveler triumph over many obstacles...

However, the corruption caused by a Scar is a different kind of beast...

Geras' Memory 2:
Scars can be hard to find...
... But I mustn't let my negative thoughts start spiraling.

If they have found one, they can find the others!

... Traveler, if you can hear this, I believe in you.
You will find the Scars!

Hello Traveller, and welcome to the Soul Shop.

                                                                                                                         Welcome to the Attic!

My name is Keres, and the rambuctious one over here is my little sister... also called Keres.

                                                                                                                              I'm the real Keres!

Our locations may not be ideal but I assure you our wares are of the highest caliber.
What we offer is meant only for the erudite and most discerning of customers.

                                                                                                                        No window shopping!

If you wish to peruse our catalogue, then please note we only trade in souls.
No ore, no aether, and especially none of that mundane gold our brother loves so much.

                                                                                                        Estuary souls taste the spiciest!

In exchange for souls we'll offer you the most powerful gift of all... the power of Potential!
You'll still need to put in some elbow grease to make yourself shine, but as they say,
'Power without perseverance is no power at all'.

                                                                                                                               No one says that!

Many greetings, Traveler.
I am Elpis, the Bearer of Hope, and I have been dying to meet you.

(Just joking, I can't die.)

I have been following your journey through the Great Tapestry of the Moirai.
It is a tapestry that annotates the entirety of human history. Every soul is a new Thread, and every death, a pattern ended.

... But you are special, Traveler.
Your Thread is like none I have seen before.

Like an Estuary, your Thread is one which binds many.
The Estuaries pull others into themselves, forming a Knot that desecrates the Great Tapestry.

You, on the other hand, form a Weave.
Souls interlinked harmoniously, forming a pattern within a pattern.

The Gods think humanity is doomed. Millennia of war and turmoil has extinguished all hope.
But you and your beautiful Weave have the potential to rekindle that flame.

Despair and hope are two sides of the same coin.
One cannot exist without the other.

The more difficult your journey becomes, the greater the hope you will bring to those around you.
The changes you have made down here are but a drop of your true potential.

Together we can make this world a lot better, by making it a little worse.

So what say you, Traveler?
Shall we prove the Gods wrong?


Sayonara Traveler, and have a safe trip.

... And remember to stick the landing when you arrive.

---

Arrivederci Traveler, and be careful of that last step.

... It's a doozy.

---

Bon voyage Traveler, I am certain we will meet again soon.

... Don't forget to flip!

---

Au revoir Traveler. I shall greet you on the other side.

... Try not to throw up on your way there.

Boy oh boy, look what we have here. Another soul has come to roost.
You seekin' my power, right?

Well let me tell you somethin' Kidd-o... I see ALL.

Beyond lies, beyond ego, beyond time.
I see the apex of emotions, where truth is laid bare.

And y'know what I see when I look at you? I see a scared little soul, with snot comin' out yer nose, and poop comin' out yer butt.

Kidd-o, if you're this ugly on the outside, then what's it look like on the insi...

... Huh... 'nteresting...

How many people you got in there, Kidd-o?

Well I don't know what game you're playin', but I won't stop you from taking my challenge.

... This might be fun.

A word of advice, Kidd-o? I have the Power of Empathy. Use it to pass the trials.

Listen to those who have fallen before you. Learn from their failures and maybe, JUST MAYBE, you'll have a fightin' chance.


... Hello again, Kidd-o. You wiped your butt yet?


Demetrius' Memory:
Lost again. Every path I've taken has been wrong!

Alright Demetrius, calm down... Remember the lesson your Elders taught you.
He who gives you only two choices, always hides a third.

Babrius' Memory:
Been down here for hours. Not sure what to do.
Obstacles are just hidden opportunities.

What did the Elders mean? Could I use these spinning chains to my advantage?
I'm too scared to try...

Avianus' Memory 1:
There's a Nightmare ahead.
The Elders said they are powerful nihilistic thoughts that have grown and festered.

Violence begets violence.
If I attack or cast a spell anywhere nearby it will wake up and retaliate.

Stay calm, and they won't attack.

Avianus' Memory 2:
One can accomplish with kindness what one cannot by force.

... If I can reach the Nightmare ahead of me, perhaps I can calm it down.


Ha haaa! Congrats Kidd-o! You proved that you can listen and learn. That'll take you far.

Remember, people may lie but emotions always tell the truth.

... Oh, and one more thing, Kidd-o. Sometimes it pays to find an Emotional Connection with your enemy.

*I* know who you'll be tusslin' with... You should know too.

Enough chatter for today.
Come on, Kidd-o. Receive my Power of Empathy and let's take this show on the road!

... Oh? Who has't stumbled into my abode?

Sweet Child, has't thou lost thine way?
I am Ananke of the Shawl.

I am an Heirloom - an item of immeasurable power - and I can grant my strength to those deemed worthy.

Those who seek me are hardened, powerful warriors...
But dear Child, thou'est art soft and pudgy.

... Very pudgy.

Inside me lies the Power of Momentum.
Conquer my challenge and my power thou shall claim.

But I warn thee, Child, the dangers art real, and the consequences severe.


... Pudgy Child, has't thou changed thine mind?

Thou art ready to challenge me and claim my Powers of Momentum?


... Congratulations, sweet Child, thou'est proven thineself worthy.
Now come and claim thine inheritence - the Power of Momentum - and let our souls bind together!

Heeeeeeey Buddy!

You wanna take my challenge, right? ... Right???

C'mon, you've gotta take the challenge man. I've been stuck up here for sooo long, like, you have no idea.

Just try it once. What's the worst that can happen?
It's soooo easy!

Buddy. Listen. If you win, I promise you, my Power of Resonance will totally be worth it - full stop, no joke.
You have no idea how worth it this is. So c'mon, let's get going!


Buddy! I knew you'd come back!

Wanna take on the challenge?


Oh yeah Buddy, you did it!

Thanks for getting me out of there!
Now let's start kicking stuff and have ourselves a party!


Heeeeeeey Buddy!

You wanna take my challenge, right? ... Right???

Well you can't!

Sorry Buddy, I'm the Power of Resonance, and I'm kind of a two-person act.
Come back after you've spoken to my sister, Ananke. She's got the Power of Momentum.

But don't keep me waiting!

(*after talking to the Heirloom again*)

Buddy, buddy, buddy.

I told you, you have to speak to my sister first. I can't help you unless you have the Power of Momentum.

Hark.......

... I see...
... the Others...

You have done this... before...

I am Aether... I hold the Power of Zephyr.

... That is all...


Welcome...

...


... That was... Cool.

... (The Heirloom is silent.)


... (The Heirloom remains silent.)


.... Wh-wha? Oh, hello there. Sorry, you caught me napping.

So!
You've come for my Power of the Void, have you?
Well, let me tell you, it won't be easy.

Oh...
... You already got it?

...
....
... Ta daaa...


(There's a note pinned to the base of the statue.)

'Don't wake her up if nothing's happening. Pallas is an Amplifying Heirloom.

If you can't get in, it's because you don't have Echo's Resonance.

Speak to the guards by the bridge if you haven't received Echo's power yet. They know where he is.'

- High Scholar Murmur

... Another bearer of Aesop's Tome?

A word of caution, Traveler.

Be mindful what you learn.

The truth can be misleading.

(after talking to him again)

People change, memories don't.


So... You're next in line to sign the contract?

Everything in the name of duty, I presume.
Never stopped to think of what you might be losing...

Well if you're looking for the treasure, you'll have to find the King's children first.
Can't get through those doors otherwise.

I've tried...

(after talking to him again)

I know who you are, even if you don't.

... Let's see how far the apple falls from the tree.


Welcome Traveler.
Not many people know of this spot; not many should.

Everyone deserves a place to be themselves.

Even an Estuary.

(after talking to him again)

... Imagine having to hide, just to open up.


Thank you for putting Estuary Lamech to rest.

Regardless of what he's done, he deserved a warrior's death.

(after talking to him again)

He fought for his people.

Didn't matter if they were right or wrong.


.....


... I'm well past my prime.

I would never have stood a chance against those beasts.

..... You have my thanks.

(after talking to him again)

It has been a long winter for those inside.


Welcome to the Far Shores, Traveler.
It's been a while since I've been here.

..... Despite its history, the view is quite nice.

(after talking to him again)

Ever tried skipping rocks?
There's something calming in its simplicity.


Never could accept Naamah as an Estuary.

She was one of the good ones...

It's easy to make exceptions after condemning a group...

... Took me a long time to realize that everyone's an exception.

(after talking to him again)

Sometimes good people are forced to do bad things.


His head was always in the clouds... Trying to solve problems that didn't need to be solved.
If he had just looked down a little sooner, things might have been different.

(after talking to him again)

The root takes us all.
Some quicker than others.


You might not be stronger than the Estuaries, but you have something they don't.

Another chance...

(after talking to him again)

You have the choice to learn from your mistakes.
Don't take it for granted.


The sun is up...

Thank you for that.

(after talking to him again)

... Don't mind me.


Heading down into the deep below?
Be careful, over-confidence can be lethal.

Even Estuaries won't venture any further without a Sun Lantern.

Not many of those Lanterns are left...
And the ones remaining lost their ember long ago.

If you restore the sun I can reignite the ember.

... We'll talk more then.

(after talking to him again)

Even Estuaries won't go down into the Pishon Dry Lake without a Sun Lantern.

... And you're no Estuary.


Traveler, before you continue I offer a gift.
You'll need it for where you're going.

It's called a Sun Lantern. It is an heirloom that will help light your way.

It lost its charge a few years back.
But after you restored the sun, it lit up again.

(after talking to him again)

Take care of that Sun Lantern.
It's the last of its kind.

The others were lost in the Nibiru Flood.

---

(last conversation as of 0.6.0)
(total number of events for Nameless Knight: 13)

CHILD... A THOUSAND GREETINGS TO YOU...

TOO MANY CYCLES HAS IT BEEN
SINCE ONE HAS DARED VENTURE DOWN HERE...

THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE SOUGHT THE ONE NAMED TUBAL...

WHY DO YOU SEEK THIS VILE MAN?
HE IS NOT WORTHY OF YOUR REMEMBRANCE.

CURIOUS...
ESTUARY, YOU ARE NOT...

... NOR MORTAL ENTIRELY...

... YOUR ALLEGIANCE EVADES ME...

WHOM DO YOU SERVE?

NO MATTER, THE COVENANT IS THE SAME:

FREE ME FROM THESE SHACKLES...
AND I SHALL REVEAL TUBAL'S LOCATION.


TWO CHAINS BIND ME.
ONE OF BODY AND ONE OF SPIRIT.

FREE ME AND THE DRAGON'S VOW I WILL HONOR.


CHILD... ONE CHAIN REMAINS...

FREE ME AND TUBAL'S LOCATION SHALL BE REVEALED.


CHILD, YOU HAVE HONOR...

TUBAL, THE ONE YOU SEEK, LIES WITHIN ME...

MANY CYCLES AGO, THE NOISE ABOVE GREW LOUD...
I AWOKE TO FIND HIM HERE, BOUND BY OTHER MEN, PRESENTED AS A SACRIFICE.

I ACCEPTED THIS OFFERING...

... BUT TUBAL WOULD NOT SUBMIT.
HE CONTINUES TO LIVE, POISONING ME FROM WITHIN.

CONFRONT HIM IF YOU WISH...

BUT HE IS TUBAL NO LONGER.

HIS MIND WAS CONSUMED LONG AGO...

... THOUGH NOT BY ME.


TOO MANY CYCLES HAVE I LAIN RESTLESS.

YOU HAVE BROUGHT ME GREAT COMFORT....

MY GRATITUDE IS GIVEN.

MY ENERGY ELUDES ME...

I MUST REST...


CHILD... YOU FREED ME.
A BLESSING GIVEN FROM A STRANGER NOT MET...

AN HONOR A THOUSAND THANKS COULD NOT RECIPROCATE...

A GIFT I RETURN INSTEAD.
OTHERS, LIKE YOURSELF, SOUGHT TUBAL'S LOCATION.

FIND HIM, THEY COULD NOT, FOR WITHIN ME HE RESIDES.

CONSUMED... BUT NOT SUBMITTING.
... HE CONTINUES TO LIVE, POISONING ME FROM WITHIN.

CONFRONT HIM IF YOU WISH...

BUT HE IS TUBAL NO LONGER.

LONG AGO, HIS MIND WAS CONSUMED...

... THOUGH NOT BY ME.


A THOUSAND CYCLES HAVE PASSED...

SINCE I WAS TAKEN FROM THE LANDS ABOVE...

THE FOUL ESTUARY IRAD AND HIS LANCERS ATTACKED...
AT THE END OF MY LONG REST...

WHEN I WAS AT MY WEAKEST.

NO HONOR IN THEIR WAYS... TRICKERY IS ALL THEY KNOW....

---

WE DRAGONS DO NOT AGE.
OUR BODIES GROW...
AS LARGE AS THE LAND ALLOWS...

THESE WALLS HAVE RESTRAINED ME.

YET HAVE BEEN MY HOME FOR AN ETERNITY.

TAKE CARE...

NOT TO IMPRISON YOURSELF.

---

MY DRAGON'S BREATH IS GONE.

TRAPPED SOMEWHERE DEEP WITHIN.

EVERY NIGHT I LABOUR TO BREATHE...

AND EVERY NIGHT I GROW COLDER.

---

MEHUJAEL WAS ONCE MY KEEPER.
AN ESTUARY BELOVED BY YOUR PEOPLE.

THOUGH AN ENEMY IN PRINCIPLE...

HIS DEATH BROUGHT ME GREAT SORROW.

---

THE ONES WHO BETRAYED TUBAL...

MUCH LIKE YOU, BUT ALSO DIFFERENT.

THEIR SCENT WAS UNIQUE...

AND THEIR TRUST, I HONORED...

THEIR DEED DONE, TO THE STYGIAN THEY RETURNED.

MORTALS, THEY WERE NOT...
SO ESTUARIES, THEY MAY HAVE BEEN...

THOUGH LIKE NONE I HAVE SMELLED BEFORE.

---

CHILD...
YOU HAVE MY GRACE FOR LENDING YOUR EAR.

A GIFT FOR THE TIME I HAVE TAKEN...
AND FOR THE TIME YOU SHALL RECEIVE.

---

(last conversation as of 0.6 - rewards 500 souls)
(total number of events for the Dragon: 6)

---

The dragon is asleep


*your character pets the dragon*

DONE! The guide should contain all the docks NPC dialog events as per the 1.0 update.
Feel free to point out missing entries or typos.

For information, the total number of events is 202!


2022-04-28: updated to 1.0
2021-09-29: Nameless Knight & Ladon the Dragon added
2021-07-17: Chtonic Gods added
2021-07-15: Heirlooms added
2021-07-14: 22 events added, all events for Charon, Quinn, SAGE TOTEM, Living Safe, Architect and Pizza Girl done as of 0.5.2
2021-07-12: 16 events added
2021-07-10: 16 events added
2021-07-07: 16 events added
2021-07-05: 13 events added, all events for Blacksmith & Enchantress done as of 0.5.2
2021-07-03: 15 events added
2021-07-02: 26 events added
2021-07-01: 28 events added
2021-06-29: 50 events added