Sceptic
Arcane
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2010
- Messages
- 10,872
Day 4: Poachers and Lovers
Previously:
You will learn what you will learn. Take this silver comb. When you give this to her, she'll know we have spoken and that you've joined us to save the King.
You pursue two treasures, eh, Master? For on the morrow, you may at last exchange more than a fleeting word with this dream maiden of yours.
Aye, and though I love my King, I shall not say which treasure I pursue with more eagerness!
This is yet another short-playing day.
On the way out, Will has a few words.
Morning, Will. Any news?
All's quiet. John might be at the Overlook.
I'll be about if you need me.
Says he just before vanishing completely out of the game for the rest of the day
(this is so going to be my new :angrycodextroll: replacement emoticon)
He's also wrong, John's not at the Overlook, but it's the game's subtle way of telling you you really should go there before trying to find Marian. It's not essential, but you do miss on another good deed if you don't go.
As usual, we don't have to wait for long.
Once again, Robin Hood rides in to rescue the oppressed.
Hold. I would know why this man is bound?
It's none of your affair, but he's a poacher.
This is Hodge. The portrait is similar to Jack's (the guard we killed on day 1) because the game uses the same sprite, but he's obviously another guard.
H'rah! I know you! You're Robin Hood! Show this bully behind me who's the true master of Sherwood Forest.
Shut up, you! Or I'll kill you now and save myself a lot of trouble.
Robin Hood, eh? Your head'll fetch me a fine reward.
'Tis your head that's in greater peril.
I must say I love the game's writing. It's not over the top but it crystallizes each character's personality in very few lines.
All you outlaws are cowards. D'you think I'd run from the likes of you?
Not when it takes such great courage to arrest a man whose only crime is hunger.
He killed one of the King's deer. The law says he must die.
It's the Sheriff's greed and the illegal taxes he collects that drive the people to such desperate measures.
Phagh! What do I care? I order you to surrender yourself at once.
Release your prisoner.
Put down your bow and maybe I'll let you live long enough to be hanged.
By my troth, you're the most arrogant of all the Sheriff's Men I've ever encountered.
And that is very arrogant indeed.
And you're nothing but a mewling, milk-sucking outlaw.
'Tis my guess you seek to provoke me into a mistake.
Aye, better than standing here all day. But hear this.
If you nock an arrow at me, I'll just step behind this man and let him take it instead. No archer can be quicker than that.
You think not? It means only that you've never faced Robin Hood.
I trust you, Robin Hood. Do what you must.
Shut up!
Before reaching the inevitable conclusion, we can try bribing the guard to let the poacher go.
How much silver will it take to buy this man's freedom?
Robin puts on his friendly face.
The only money I want is the Wolf's Head I'll earn by bringing you in.
And what is the Wolf's Head upon me these days?
The Sheriff's now offering 300 marks!
That's a fair bit of gold, but I can match the offer.
Aye, with money you've stolen from the tax-collectors! I'd be hard put to explain it.
I mean to have the Sheriff's job one day and I'll never get that by making deals with outlaws.
Keep your money. I want only your neck in a noose.
Well no one can claim I didn't try to ensure he'd survive this encounter. Now let's see if he can truly be fast enough to hide behind the poacher.
Too slow, way too slow.
By the Virgin, that was masterly shooting!
I wish this game had a :smugrobin: portrait.
Hold still, fellow. I'll have you untied in a thrice.
I will, believe me. What shooting! I'll never forget this day.
I thank you heartily. Is it safe to return for my deer?
You'd best not return. We know better how to smuggle such a thing close to town.
Robin uses the horn calls his men.
Lads, this fellow's had a lucky day, saved from a poacher's fate.
Will some of you now help him bring his deer to his family?
Will and I will fetch the deer, Robin.
But what of this other carrion?
Though he scarcely deserves it, bring a shroud and bury him.
'Tis the only Christian thing to do.
Fie, he's on his way to Hades anyway. Well, leave it to us.
Just as with the peasant woman, giving a farthing to the poacher after rescuing him nets us some points, not to mention it'll make him even more indebted to Robin. As with the woman, this plays into the ending.
One more thing.
Take this money to forestall another trip into the forest.
I'll do what I can to change that.
If ever I can be of service to you, you have but to ask.
That's it for the day's Overlook event. However, we still have our meeting with Marian.
Of course, in his dream Robin sees her dancing in the willow grove, so this is the logical place to look for her.
I cannot stress how beautiful the music is, throughout the game. Seibert and Allen really outdid themselves. You can listen to most of it here, recorded on an MT-32.
Bring no weapons into this sacred place.
If you wish it, my Lady, I will gladly lay them down.
Robin lays down his arms and stands in the center of the grove with Marian.
I'm most pleased to see you again. I beg you to stay longer this time.
That will depend upon you, for I've yet to decide if I may fully trust you.
There are so many things I wish to know about you--
There will be time for that later....if I decide to trust you.
She's obviously waiting for a sign that we've met with Lobb and have joined with him and the Queen against John. In other words, for the silver comb.
So you have spoken to Lobb! He wouldn't have given you this token unless you'd agreed to join us.
Marian, I love my King as well as any loyal subject.
I'll do everything in my power to save him and to raise as much ransom as I can.
Seizing the stolen treasure that Prince John sends to the Abbot will be more than enough.
Of course, sweet lady, but you'll not begrudge me the thought of raising more, if the means presents itself.
I like not that you think only of stealing.
You wound me! I steal only from those corrupted curs who grow fat upon the suffering of others.
Then, noble Robin, I beg your pardon and urge you to be a wolf among curs that we may save a lion.
But now I must speak more seriously. The Prince suspects that we move against him.
He has many spies watching the Queen and those who serve her, so we must act with great caution.
What do you know of the monks from the fens such as the one who attacked me?
Little enough, save that for that one deed alone they've earned my hatred.
They're hand-picked men who serve Prince John. Each was a soldier. John has bidden them to form a monastic order to cover their true dealings in his behalf.
Already, they've stolen an object that is vital to my plans. I must have it back before we can make another move.
What is it?
A simple scroll upon which is drawn the outline of a hand.
This is of such import that we must have it?
I wouldn't ask it otherwise.
This is obviously much more than a "simple" scroll.
Then I'll fetch it back for you.
I cannot tell you how glad you make me, for I'd despaired of ever finding a way.
Glad enough to reward me with a kiss?
He never gives up does he.
Perhaps....when you've earned one.
When you have the Hand Scroll, return here. I'll be waiting.
Now that she trusts Robin, let's talk to her again.
Now that you've found me worthy of your trust, won't you tell me more of yourself?
You know I serve the Queen and work to save the King. What else matters?
As beautiful as you are, surely you have--there must be....
I'm as tongue-tied as a young boy.
He'd fit right in the Codex GD girlfriends threads.
Suitors? I'm not betrothed to another man.
Nor anyone for whom you care?
You're most forward.
A man must be, when the prize is precious beyond measure.
You've a glib tongue. I fear you may be a rake bent on nothing more than a challenging seduction.
Milady, if my heart could speak, you'd know otherwise.
Then find a way, Robin Hood.
This should be obvious. Considering how the emerald half-heat made it into Robin's possession, it's at least worth showing it to her.
Blessed Lady! How did you come by this?
I dreamt of you. You danced in a circle, within this very grove.
You saw the Spiral Dance?
When you reached the center, you vanished and left this behind. I awoke and found it clutched in my hand.
You're trembling. I don't mean to frighten you--
It WAS you! I also dreamt, but I couldn't see you. I danced and felt you watching, but I wasn't afraid.
I felt...they were the eyes of my true love.
Ever since I saw you, I hoped--you see, I also found a token when I awoke.
Curiouser and curiouser.
And mine is half a heart, like yours...but made of diamond. Look!
Let our powers combine!
Did you create this?
It can only be a gift from the Blessed Lady, the Virgin-Queen of Heaven whom I serve.
I'm a priestess of the ancient powers. I dance the Spiral Dance for the health and regeneration of the forest.
Did you feel the renewing force of the emerald and diamond joined? Together, they could heal any hurt.
This is a VERY important piece of information that will be called on much, much later.
I felt it, as surely as I feel my love for you.
Will you pledge yourself to me, Marian?
By these tokens of love, I plight my troth to you. But the fulfillment of our love must wait.
Before an outlaw and forest-priestess can be free to marry, King Richard must return.
I fear you're right. I can offer you neither home nor safety unless I can win the King's pardon.
Your love is all I ask. Guard the emerald, keep it safe. 'Tis half my own heart you have in your hands.
I must go now. Be most careful in dealing with the monks. I'll pray for your success.
And with that she leaves. Robin can pick up his weapons and leave as well.
This game makes it seem like finding true love really is easy, just get drunk, dance in the forest, and you'll dream of each other.
Well, treasure-seeker, you've been uncommon quiet upon the lady's virtues now that you've truly met her.
Aye, you've told us of this mission you must undertake and the odd scroll she wants you to find.
But of Marian herself you say nothing.
Perhaps he knows you'd wrap it up into some bit of bawdy nonsense, using song and lute to torment us, as indeed you do each night.
Why, you pizzle-nosed wretch! I could sing the angels down from the heavens--
And the skirts over a wench's head!
Yet for all my skill I could not charm a maid to glance twice at you. And you, eaten with envy at my boyish looks and honeyed voice--
Envy! Of a beardless bardling who crows like a scrawny rooster?
I love the evening banter.
Cease, lads! If I say naught of Marian, 'tis only because words fail me.
She is beauty beyond poem or song. Whatever she asks, I will do.
Od's Blood, this sounds serious, lads. Our Robin is well and truly smitten!
A toast to your mission, then, with all the rewards that success may bring.
The next couple of days are looooooooong and may be split into multiple updates. This is where the game really picks up in terms of things to do and puzzle-solving.
Previously:
This is yet another short-playing day.
On the way out, Will has a few words.
Says he just before vanishing completely out of the game for the rest of the day
(this is so going to be my new :angrycodextroll: replacement emoticon)
He's also wrong, John's not at the Overlook, but it's the game's subtle way of telling you you really should go there before trying to find Marian. It's not essential, but you do miss on another good deed if you don't go.
As usual, we don't have to wait for long.
Once again, Robin Hood rides in to rescue the oppressed.
This is Hodge. The portrait is similar to Jack's (the guard we killed on day 1) because the game uses the same sprite, but he's obviously another guard.
I must say I love the game's writing. It's not over the top but it crystallizes each character's personality in very few lines.
Stupidity time!
As with every single other instances of this kind, the game is kind enough to warn you once, warn you twice... and then kill you off if you're stubborn. Should Robin leave and come back:
Right enough. I still look forward to the Wolf's Head I'll collect for bringing you in.
And on the third time...
Halt where you are or--
Yep, this is Roger, the same guard who shoots you on day 1 if you keep coming back (and incidentally, also one of the 2 guards who arrest you in the pub if you go there with no disguise)
I got him! It's a good thing I came up the road to find you.
Fine work. Won't the Sheriff be amazed when we bring in the body of Robin Hood.
What, carry the whole thing?
Nay, I guess the head'll be enough. G'wan, cut it off.
Me? You cut it off.
You're a gutless helding, Roger.
All right, I'll do it and this poacher here can carry it.
Alas! Alas for poor Robin Hood, for myself, for all good men and--
Oh, shut up. If he was so smart, he wouldn't be dead.
I love the game's not-terribly-veiled way of insulting you when you do something stupid.
As with every single other instances of this kind, the game is kind enough to warn you once, warn you twice... and then kill you off if you're stubborn. Should Robin leave and come back:
And on the third time...
Yep, this is Roger, the same guard who shoots you on day 1 if you keep coming back (and incidentally, also one of the 2 guards who arrest you in the pub if you go there with no disguise)
I love the game's not-terribly-veiled way of insulting you when you do something stupid.
Before reaching the inevitable conclusion, we can try bribing the guard to let the poacher go.
Robin puts on his friendly face.
Well no one can claim I didn't try to ensure he'd survive this encounter. Now let's see if he can truly be fast enough to hide behind the poacher.
Too slow, way too slow.
I wish this game had a :smugrobin: portrait.
Robin uses the horn calls his men.
Just as with the peasant woman, giving a farthing to the poacher after rescuing him nets us some points, not to mention it'll make him even more indebted to Robin. As with the woman, this plays into the ending.
That's it for the day's Overlook event. However, we still have our meeting with Marian.
Of course, in his dream Robin sees her dancing in the willow grove, so this is the logical place to look for her.
I cannot stress how beautiful the music is, throughout the game. Seibert and Allen really outdid themselves. You can listen to most of it here, recorded on an MT-32.
Robin lays down his arms and stands in the center of the grove with Marian.
She's obviously waiting for a sign that we've met with Lobb and have joined with him and the Queen against John. In other words, for the silver comb.
This is obviously much more than a "simple" scroll.
He never gives up does he.
Now that she trusts Robin, let's talk to her again.
He'd fit right in the Codex GD girlfriends threads.
This should be obvious. Considering how the emerald half-heat made it into Robin's possession, it's at least worth showing it to her.
Curiouser and curiouser.
Let our powers combine!
This is a VERY important piece of information that will be called on much, much later.
And with that she leaves. Robin can pick up his weapons and leave as well.
This game makes it seem like finding true love really is easy, just get drunk, dance in the forest, and you'll dream of each other.
I love the evening banter.
The next couple of days are looooooooong and may be split into multiple updates. This is where the game really picks up in terms of things to do and puzzle-solving.
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