Transcript (Elpis)

[filikos]

Bold: Main voiced cutscene

Italics: Non-voiced quest dialogue

Small italics: Optional dialogue

Index;

• Hope Upon A Flower
• Petalouda Hunt
• In Search Of Hermes
• Ponder, Warrant, Cherish, Welcome
• Lives Apart
• Their Greatest Contribution
• Aether To Aether
• A Sentimental Gift
• Verdict And Execution
• Travelers At The Crossroads
• A Past, Not Yet Come To Pass
• Witness To The Spectacle
• Worthy Of His Back
• A Flower Upon Your Return
• Hunger In The Garden
• Words Without Sound
• Follow, Wander, Stumble, Listen
• Caging The Messenger (pre-dungeon)
• Caging The Messenger (post-dungeon)
• Thou Must Live, Die, And Know

Comments

Aether To Aether

[filikos]

Hermes: Tell me, [NAME]. In the course of watching me, have you learned aught of value?

"Dynamis- dynamis seemed promising."

Hermes: Dynamis, you say? Curious that such an obscure phenomenon should be of interest to you.
Seasoned Observer: Chief Hermes, what good fortune to find you here.
Hermes: Is something the matter?
Seasoned Observer: The lykaon- I'm afraid it's done it again. No sooner did we release one for observation than it set upon the nearby okyupetes, slaughtering them.
Hermes: Was the creature hungry? Or somehow provoked?
Seasoned Observer: I had just fed them myself, and the okyupetes were keeping a wide berth. It is the nature of the lykaon that is to blame. Their innate viciousness. Temperament aside, it is an outstanding creation, perfect in form and function. Though it may not be suited for release, I've no doubt that the bureau will accept its concept for preservation. In any case, there's no point in postponing the inevitable. Doros will revert them all once the paperwork is in order.
Hermes: Where is the scene of the incident?
Seasoned Observer: Just off the path to the Twelve Wonders. As you make your way, you should see it on the left. I don't know if Doros is still there, however. H-Hermes, wait!
Emet-Selch: If this is part of his work, then I would observe. We follow.

--

Emet-Selch: A fearsome beast, this lykaon... but where is it now?

Hythlodaues: The okyupete is no easy prey. With its hooves and horns, it was designed to be formidable even on land. Yet they didn't stand a chance against the lykaon...

Hermes: The lacerations and burns are unmistakable. A lykaon was indeed responsible. But the creature is nowhere to be seen. Doros must have taken it away. The man makes his base at the Twelve Wonders. I shall go and seek him out there.

Hythlodaeus: Emet-Selch and I will search the area for good measure. Just the make sure the lykaon did not escape.

Hermes: My thanks. Let us meet at the Twelve Wonders when you are finished. I will go on ahead. Please follow with [NAME].

Meteion: Come, come. It's down this path and over the bridge.

--

Meteion: There it is- the Twelve Wonders. Hermes is looking for Doros. Let's look for Doros too! He's a man with long, blond hair... I think. I'll know him when I see him!

Meteion: Doros! That's Doros!

Doros: Well now, if it isn't Meteion. What brings you here?

Hermes: Ah, I thought I heard familiar voices! I didn't realise you two had decided to help me search for Doros. Thank you. You're in charge of the lykaones, I believe. Where are they now?
Doros: Out in the fields in restraints. Frenzied as they were, I couldn't well return them out to Ktisis. Once I've submitted my report, I'll see them reverted without delay.
Hythlodaeus: It's as he says. The beasts are indeed quite ferocious.
Doros: Y-You're one of the Fourteen! Wh-What brings you here!?
Emet-Selch: Nothing you need concern yourself with. As you were.
Hermes: We've heard the news- than a lykaon slaughtered okyupetes. As the observer in charge, you are of the opinion that they are not fit to be released?
Doros: Aye, I am. Their abnormal aggression and exceptional strength makes for a highly problematic combination. It matters not where they are released. Lykaones would threaten other species and upset the natural order.
Hermes: Could it be that the specimens observed are an outlier?
Doros: Highly unlikely. We've created a good many of them; all exhibited the same tendencies. Even when we used Kairos to begin with a fresh slate, their behaviour was unchanged.
Emet-Selch: Kairos...?
Doros: A memory reconfiguration system. The chief himself created it. It allows us to erase or alter memories, that we may observe creations in different environmental conditions without needing to remake them from scratch.
Emet-Selch: Quite impressive... and potentially dangerous. Depending on the intensity of the aetheric emissions, Pashtarot may wish to have words with you.
Hermes: Rest assured I've kept all values within prescribed limits. And to prevent misuse, its applications are limited to those authorised by the chief overseer. Do not misunderstand. To manipulate a subject's memories is an intrusive act I deeply abhor. But it is still preferable to execution.
Doros: Come now, Chief, let's not be so melodramatic! What was born of aether is simply being reduced to its original state. I know the distinctions concern you, but we mustn't lose sight of the bigger picture- making rational choices for the sake of a more prosperous star. If a creation cannot be properly studied even with the aid of Kairos, we remake it. If a creation is deemed a detrimental existence, we unmake it. 'Tis all for the greater good, and none question the necessity of such routine processes.
Hermes: I understand these things, I do. I would never think to unleash a clear and undeniable threat unto the world. Yet insignificant though their individual lives may be next to all creation, it is all the lykaones have. Before we seal their fates, we owe it to these beings to exhaust all options. To ensure that nothing has been overlooked.
Doros: If you insist. Let me provide you with a full report, and we may take it from there.
Hythlodaeus: Would it be possible for us to attend the discussion? That Emet-Selch may better carry out his duties.
Hermes: By all means. Pray show them to the meeting room.

Meteion: To man, other beings are just things. To be used and controlled. Like magic. That's what Hermes told me once...